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TABLE OF CONTENTS
SECOND PERIOD—1774-1800 Ch.4—Mr. Otterbein called to Baltimore Ch.5—The Otterbein Church in Baltimore Ch.6—The Movement Toward a Separate Church Organization Ch.7—The First and Second Conferences THIRD PERIOD—1800-1815 Ch.10—The Conferences of 1801-1814 Ch.12—The Departure of the Leaders FOURTH PERIOD—1815-1837 Ch.13—The First General Conference—1815 Ch.14—The General Conferences of 1817-1833 FIFTH PERIOD—1837-1885 Ch.15—The General Conferences of 1837 and 1841 Ch.16—The General Conferences of 1845 and 1849 Ch.17—The General Conferences of 1853-1861 Ch.18—The General Conferences of 1865-1881 SIXTH PERIOD—1885-1897 Ch.19—The Nineteenth General Conference—1885 Ch.21—The Twentieth General Conference—1889 Ch.23—The Twenty-First General Conference—1893
PART II DEPARTMENTS OF CHURCH WORK Ch.1—The United Brethren Publishing House Ch.2—The Home, Frontier, and Foreign Missionary Society and Its Work Ch.3—The Church-Erection Society Ch.4—The Woman's Missionary Association Ch.9—The Young People's Christian Union Ch.10—The Board of Trustees of the Church
PART III THE ANNUAL CONFERENCES Ch.1—A Group of Early Conferences Ch.2—Other Conferences Organized from 1835 to 1853 Ch.3—Conferences Organized Since 1853
PART IV HISTORICAL AND STATISTICAL TABLES Appendices Index
NOTICE OF ATTRIBUTION Work originally published in 1897. Scanned, proofed and minor spelling corrections by the United Brethren Historical Center. Electronic edition ©2006 United Brethren Historical Center Suggested Citation:
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History of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ by Daniel Berger |
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APPENDICES APPENDIX I THE CONFESSION OF FAITH OF THE UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST—ITS VARIOUS CHANGES1 Correctness attested by A. W. Drury, D.D., and J. P. Landis, D.D. p.657 CONFESSION IN USE PRIOR TO 1815. "Article 1. In the name of God we confess before all men, that we believe in the only true God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost ; that these three are one; the Father in the Son, the Son in the Father, and the Holy Ghost equal in essence with both; that this God created heaven and earth and all that in them is, visible as well as invisible, and sustains, governs, protects, and supports the same. "Art. 2. We believe in Jesus Christ; that he is very God and man, Saviour and Redeemer of the whole world; that all men through him may be saved if they will; that this Jesus suffered for us; that he died and was buried, rose on the third day, ascended into heaven, and that he will come again, at the last day, to judge the living and the dead. "Art. 3. We believe in the Holy Ghost; that he proceeds from the Father and the Son; that we through him must be sanctified and receive faith, thereby being cleansed from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. "Art. 4. We believe that the Bible is the word of God ; that it contains the true way to our souls' well-being and salvation; that every true Christian is bound to acknowledge and receive it, with the influences of the Spirit of God, as his only rule and guide ; and that without repentance, faith in Jesus Christ, forgiveness of sins, and following after Jesus Christ, no one can be a true Christian. "Art. 5. We believe that the doctrine which the Holy Scriptures contain, namely, the fall in Adam and salvation through Jesus Christ, shall be preached and proclaimed throughout the whole world. p.658 "We recommend that the outward signs and ordinances, namely, baptism and the remembrance of the Lord in the distribution of the bread and wine, be observed ; also the washing of feet, where the same is desired."2 THE CONFESSION IN GERMAN.
THE ORIGINAL GERMAN TEXT OF THE CONFESSION OF
(Original printed in German only. For a strict
translation, see page 660.) p.659
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE CONFESSIONS OF 1815 AND 1817. Menschliche Natur changed to Menschheit. The third paragraph, on the Holy Ghost, changed to read as follows: Wir glauben an den Heiligen Geist, dass er gleiches Wesens mit dem Vater und Sohn, dass er die Gläubige tröste und sie in alle Wahrheit leite. Heilige Gemeinde changed to Heilige Christliche Gemeinde. Dass die Lehre welche die Heilige Schrift enthält changed to doss die Heilige Schrift enthält. Gnaden-Mittel changed to Mittel. Des Todtes des Herrn changed to des Todtes des Herrn Jesu. The following omitted in 1817: In Austheilung des Brods und Weins, die sollen nach dem Befehl des Herrn Jesu. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE CONFESSIONS IN DISCIPLINES OF 1817 AND 1819. Bekennen wir changed to erklären und bekennen wir. Eine heilige Christliche Gemeinde changed to an eine heilige Christliche Gemeinde. Wir glauben dass die äussere changed to Wir halten dafür, dass die äussere. Unter seinen Kindern geübt werden changed to Dass es seinen Kindern oblieget dieselbe besonders zu üben. The Confession in Discipline of 1821 is the same as that in Discipline of 1819. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE CONFESSIONS OF 1821 AND 1825. Wir halten dafür, dass die äussere Mittel in den Gemeinden Christi changed to Wir sind überzeugt dass die äusseren Gnaden-Mittel. Des Todes des Herrn Jesu changed to Des Todes unsers Herrn Jesu Christi. In den Gemeinden Christi changed to in allen Christlichen Gemeinden. Dass es seinen Kindern oblieget dieselbe besonders zu üben changed to Dass es Kindern Gottes besonders geziemet, dieselben zu gebrauchen. Die Art und Weise aber soll einem jeden nach seiner Erkenntniss überlassen werden. Auch das Beyspiel von Fusswaschen stehet einem jeden frey changed to Die Art und Weise aber, wie dieselbe geübt werden sollen, soll dem Urtheil und dem Erkenntniss eines jeglichen überlassen seyn. Auch das Beyspiel des Fusswaschens stehet einem jeden frey zu üben oder zu unterlassen. p.660 All of the following was added to the Confession of 1825: "Jedoch ist es keinem unserer Prediger geziemend, seinen Mitbruder, dessen Urtheil und Erkenntniss von dem seinigen verschieden ist, desswegen öffentlich oder in Privat zu verkleinern, oder seine Art und Weise, wie er dieselbe übt, zu verachten; wer sich hierin schuldig macht, soll als ein Verläumder seiner Brüder geachtet, und deshalb der jährlichen Conferenz verantwortlich seyn." CONFESSIONS OF 1825 AND 1833 COMPARED. Auferstehung des Fleisches changed to Auferstehung des Leibes. Dass die äusseren Gnaden-Mittel changed to Dass die äusseren Verordnungen. CONFESSIONS OF 1837 AND 1841 COMPARED. Unserer Prediger geziemend changed to unserer Prediger oder Gemeindes-gliedern geziemend. Deshalb der jährlichen Conferenz verantwortlich sein changed to deshalb verantwortlieh sein. CONFESSIONS OF 1845 AND 1857 COMPARED. Erkenntniss von dem seinigen changed to Erkenntniss von dem seinigen in diesen Beziehungen. Wer sieh hierin schuldig macht changed to Wer sieh dessen schuldig macht. Various other changes in the German form were made after 1845. The words in diesen Beziehungen, meaning "in these respects," were not introduced into the German Discipline until 1857. THE CONFESSION IN ENGLISH. TRANSLATION OF CONFESSION OF 1815. (Words in italics indicate additions to or changes in the Confession in use prior to 1815. Words in brackets indicate omissions from that Confession.) No English translation of the German Confession of 1815 was made at the time. The following is a strict translation of it: "[Article 1.] In the name of God we confess before all men, that we believe in the only true God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; that these three are one, the Father in the Son, the Son in the Father, and the Holy Ghost equal in essence with both; that this triune God created heaven and earth, and all that in them is, visible as well as invisible, [and] sustains, governs, protects, and supports the same. "[Art. 2.] We believe in Jesus Christ; that he is very God and man; that he, by the Holy Ghost, assumed his human nature in Mary, p.661 and was born of her; that he is the Saviour and Redeemer of the whole human race, if they with faith in him accept the grace proffered in Jesus; that this Jesus suffered and died on the cross for us, was buried, rose again on the third day, ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God to intercede for us; and that he shall come again, at the last day, to judge the living and the dead. "[Art. 3.] We believe in the Holy Ghost; that he is equal in being with the Father and the Son; that he proceeds from both; that we are through him enlightened; through faith justified and sanctified. "We believe in a holy church, communion of saints, resurrection of the flesh, and a life everlasting.3 " [Art. 4.] We believe that the Bible, Old and New Testament, is the word of God; that it contains the true way to our [ souls' well-being and] salvation; that every true Christian is bound to [acknowledge and] receive it with the influences of the Spirit of God, as his only rule [and guide]; and that without faith in Jesus Christ, true penitence, forgiveness of sins, and following after [Jesus] Christ, no one can be a true Christian. "[Art. 5.] We believe that the doctrine which the Holy Scriptures contain, namely, the fall in Adam and the redemption through Jesus Christ, shall be preached [and proclaimed] throughout the whole world. "We believe that the outward means of grace are to be in use in all Christian societies, namely: that baptism and the remembrance of the death of the Lord in the distribution of the bread and wine are to be in use among his children, according to the command of the Lord Jesus; the mode and manner, however, shall be left to the judgment of every one. Also, the example of feet-washing remains free to every one."
CONFESSION AS TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN INTO ENGLISH (Words in italics indicate additions to or changes in the Confession of 1815. Words in brackets indicate omissions from that Confession.) "The Confession of Faith of the United Brethren in Christ. "In the name of God we declare and confess before all men, that we believe in the only true God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; that these three are one, the Father in the Son, the Son in the Father, and the Holy Ghost equal in essence or being with both; that this triune God created the heavens and the earth, and all that p.662 in them is, visible as well as invisible; and furthermore sustains, governs, protects, and supports the same. "We believe in Jesus Christ; that he is very God and man; that he became incarnate by the power of the Holy Ghost in the virgin Mary, and was born of her; that he is the Saviour and Mediator of the whole human race, if they with full faith in him accept the grace proffered in Jesus; that this Jesus suffered and died on the cross for us, was buried, arose again on the third day, ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God to intercede for us; and that he shall come again at the last day to judge the quick and the dead. "We believe in the Holy Ghost, that he is equal in being with the Father and the Son, and that he comforts the faithful, and guides them into all truth. "We believe in a holy Christian church, the communion of saints, the resurrection of the body, and [a] life everlasting. "We believe that the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, is the word of God; that it contains the only true way to our salvation; that every true Christian is bound to acknowledge and receive it with the influence of the Spirit of God, as their only rule and guide; and that without faith in Jesus Christ, as also true penitence, forgiveness of sins, and following after Christ, no one can be a true Christian. "We also believe that what is contained in the Holy Scriptures, to wit: the fall in Adam and the redemption through Jesus Christ, shall be preached throughout the [whole] world. "We further think that the outward means, namely, baptism and the remembrance of the sufferings and death of our Lord Jesus, are to be in use and practiced in all Christian societies; and that it is incumbent on his children particularly to practice them. But the manner in which ought always to be left to the judgment and understanding of each. So also the practice or example of washing the feet must remain free to the judgment of every one."4 1825. The General Conference of 1825 so changed the Confession of Faith after the phrase, "shall be preached throughout the world," as to read as follows: "We are convinced that the outward means of grace, namely, baptism and the remembrance of the sufferings and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, are to be in use and practiced by all Christian societies, and that it is incumbent on all the children of God, particularly, to practice them; but the manner in which ought always p.663 to be left to the judgment and understanding of every individual. So also the [ practice or ] example of washing the feet is left to the judgment of every one to practice or not; but it is not becoming any of our preachers to traduce any of his brethren whose judgment and understanding in this respect are different from his own, either in public or in private; whosoever shall make himself guilty in this respect shall be accounted a traducer of his brethren and shall therefore be answerable to the annual conference." 1833. The General Conference of 1833 made further changes, as follows: "And that without faith in Jesus Christ, true repentance, forgiveness of sins, and following after Christ, no one can be a true Christian." "We believe that the ordinances, namely, baptism and the remembrance of the sufferings and death of our Lord Jesus Christ, are to be in use and practiced by all Christian societies; and that it is incumbent on all the children of God, particularly, to practice them; but the manner in which ought always to be left to the judgment and understanding of every individual. So, also, the example of washing the feet is left to the judgment of every one to practice or not; but it is not becoming any of our preachers to traduce any of his brethren whose judgment and understanding in this respect are different from his own, either in public or in private; whosoever shall make himself guilty in this respect shall be accounted a traducer of his brethren, and shall therefor be answerable to the annual conference." 1837. The General Conference of 1837 so changed the closing sentence above as to make it read thus: "Whosoever shall make himself guilty in this respect shall be considered a traducer of his brethren, and shall be answerable for the same to the annual conference." This General Conference also adopted a constitution, in which occur the words, "Nothing shall be done so as to change the article of faith."
The General Conference of 1841 again amended the Confession of Faith as follows (new words in italics, words omitted in brackets) : "Also, the example of washing [the] feet is left to the judgment of every one to practice or not; but it is not becoming for any of our preachers or members to traduce any of his brethren whose judgment and understanding in this respect are different from his own, either in public or [in] private. "Whosoever shall make himself guilty in this respect shall be considered a traducer of his brethren, and shall be answerable for the same [to the annual conference]." p.664 The is left out in the phrase "washing the feet." For is inserted in "it is not becoming for any of our preachers." The words or members are inserted after "preachers." In is omitted before "private." The words " to the annual conference " are left out. This is the General Conference that made and adopted the old Constitution. 1845. The General Conference of 1845 changed the words, "to traduce any of his brethren whose judgment and understanding in this respect are different from his own," to "to traduce any of their brethren whose judgment and understanding in this respect are different from their own." 1857. The General Conference of 1857 changed the words "in this respect" in the Confession of Faith as occurring after the words "and understanding" to the words "in these respects." It should be noted that the General Conference did all this. Nothing was ever submitted to the voice of the membership prior to 1888.
1Reprinted from a pamphlet published in 1890. 2Translation of Manuscript Discipline, 1814. 3This paragraph was not in the Confession prior to 1815. 4This paragraph was recast throughout. |
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