CONSTITUTION
Having by unanimous voice changed our organization from an
annual meeting to an Association, we therefore propose to keep order
and rules of an Association according to the following form of
government:
1. The Association shall be called the Indian Bottom Association.
2. The Association shall be composed of members chosen by the different
churches in our union, and duly sent to represent them in the
Association, who shall be members whom they judge best qualified for
that purpose, and producing letters from their respective churches,
certifying to their appointment, these shall be entitled to a seat.
3. In the letters from the different churches shall be expressed their
full number in fellowship; those baptized, received by letter,
restored, dismissed by letter, excluded and deceased since our last
Association.
4. The members thus chosen and convened shall have no power to lord
over God's heritage, nor shall they have any clerical power over the
churches, nor shall they infringe on any of the rights of any of the
churches in the union.
5. The Association, when convened, shall be governed by a regular and
proper decorum.
6. The Association shall have a moderator and assistant moderator,
clerk, assistant clerk, and treasurer, who shall be chosen by the
suffrage of the members present.
7. New churches may be admitted to this union, which shall petition by
letter and delegates, and if found upon examination to be orthodox and
orderly, shall be received by the Association, and manifested by the
moderator giving the right hand of fellowship.
8. Every church in the union shall be entitled to representation in the
Association.
9. Every query presented by the churches to the Association, being
first debated in their own church, shall come under the consideration
of the Association.
10. Every motion
made and seconded shall be considered by the
Association, except it be withdrawn by the party who made it.
11. We think it
absolutely necessary that we have an Association fund
for defraying the expense of the same. For the raising of which we
think it the duty of each church in the Union to contribute such sums
voluntarily as they think proper, and send it by their delegates, to be
deposited with the treasurer, who shall be re-sponsible to the
Association, and pay same out, as the Association may direct.
12. There shall
be an Association book kept in which the proceedings of
every Association shall be regularly recorded by the secretary, who
shall receive annual compensation for same.
13. The minutes
of the Association shall be read and corrected, if need
be, and signed by the moderator and clerk before the Association rises.
14. Amendments to
this plan of government may be made by majority of
the union when in regular session, when so desired.
15. The
Association shall endeavor to furnish the churches with minutes
of the Association; the best method of effecting the same shall be
determined by the Association.
16. All matters
corning before the Association shall be decided by will
of the majority of the members present.
17. The
Association shall have the power to decide for the general
union of the churches and to preserve an inviolable chain of communion
among same, giving churches all necessary advice in matters of church
difficulty; inquiring into the cause why any church shall have failed
to represent itself any time in the Association; appropriate the money
received to any purpose it may think proper; appoint any member or
members by their consent to transact any business which it may think
necessary; withdraw from any church in the union which may violate any
of the rules of the Association or deviate from the orthodox principles
of religion; admit any orderly minister of our faith and order to a
seat in the Association and adjourn to any time or place it may deem
necessary.