The Organization of the Congregation in the Early Lutheran Churches in America | Page 7

may be chosen. The Preachers, Elders and Deacons select twice the number of persons to be elected, whose names are publicly presented to the congregation, and any who have well-founded objection to make against any one proposed, is exhorted to present it. At the election the Preachers, Elders, former Elders, Deacons, former Deacons, and the contributing members of the congregation, in this order, present their votes, and those who receive most votes are chosen. The elders elected must present themselves before the congregation, answer publicly the questions as to their confession of faith, promise faithfully to fulfill the duties of their office, and be installed, with the laying on of hands and prayer. Their duties are described at length, and in summary are these: 1. To watch that the Word be purely preached by pious Preachers, the sacraments administered as Christ commanded, and the constitution observed. 2. To see that the Preachers and other ministrants duly and promptly receive their salaries. 3. Watch over the congregation that all sin, shame and offence be avoided. 4. Keep accurate account of all expenditures. 5. After their term of office expires attend all meetings of the Consistory when called. 6. Carry out, when they enter upon their office, all measures taken by their predecessors for the peace and prosperity of the congregation. 7. On all festive and Sunday services stand at the church doors with plates to receive the offerings for the use of the church.
Chapter 4.
Of the Call, Office and Duties of the Deacons. The Deacons are elected at the same time, place, and in all respects in the same manner as the Elders, and they also are installed exactly as the Elders. Their duties are these: Like the Elders to collect the offerings at the church doors made for the poor, and to keep an account of the receipts in a separate book; annually to visit the families of the congregation and receive their offerings for the poor, and to use and apply these gifts for the benefit of the poor; when distinguished and wealthy Lutherans visit the place to call upon them and ask an offering for the poor; to receive all legacies intended for the poor, and to keep an account of all these receipts. Then follow full directions for the care and relief of the poor, the needy, the stranger, with a thoroughly organized system for the whole work. The Deacons have nothing to do with the general affairs of the congregation, but are charged with the care of the poor and needy, and with this alone.
Chapter 5.
Of the Office and Duties of the Comforter of the Sick, and Sexton. The congregation shall have a Ziekentrooster, who shall also be the Sexton (Koster en Knaap). The duties of this office are: Diligently to visit the sick, especially such as are in need, and to bring to them the comfort and directions of the Word of God. To give notice to the Pastor of those who desire the sacrament. To report to the Deacons any cases needing relief. To serve also as Sexton to the church. They shall receive a proper salary from the Consistory.
Chapter 6.
Of the Obligations of the Congregation to its Preachers, Elders and Deacons. Chapter 7. Rules for those who receive alms from the congregation.
In the articles on which the Preachers of the Augsburg Confession in Amsterdam are called, and by which they are to be governed in their whole office and ministrations, adopted in 1607, not only are all the statements of doctrine given in the constitution repeated, but there is this additional provision: "They shall, with good judgment and reasonable prudence, exclude from the use of the Sacraments and of the Ministrations of our Church, Papists, Anabaptists, Schwenkfelder, Calvinists, New Manicheans or Flacianer, and all others, who not only do not hold our doctrine, but also are an occasion of offence, and lead away the simple and weak."
This Amsterdam constitution is one of the most carefully prepared, well digested instruments of the kind ever produced, very full in all needed provisions for the adminstration [tr. note: sic] of the affairs of the congregation, and pervaded by a devout spirit; sound in the faith and watchful of the life of Pastors, Officers and members. It well deserves the prominent place it holds among the sources of Lutheran organization in the New World.
The London Constitution.--St. Mary's Church in the Savoy, was organized in 1692 by the members of the older Hamburg church who lived west of Temple Bar, and received from King William an old Jesuit chapel, which stood on the ground which had belonged to the Duke of Savoy, which was reconstructed in 1694; a new church was erected in the same place in 1768. Its first pastor was M. Irenaeus Crusius, in whose time