ignorant and evil-minded, and are therefore exposed
to many unfavorable criticisms and suspicions, when administered as
God's Word directs; therefore, no complaint against Pastors, Trustees,
Elders or Vorsteher shall be entertained, unless sustained by two or
three credible witnesses, I Tim. 5:19. If, however, real offenses and
transgressions, as Gal. 5:19-21; 6:1, become evident in the case of one
or the other, which may God avert, the whole Church Council shall
appoint an impartial committee, and through them examine the case, and
pursue the grades of admonition, as Christ has commanded, without
respect of persons.

CHAPTER III.

OF THE MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION.

1. Whoever would be a regular member of our Evangelical Lutheran
congregation of St. Michael's Church, have a vote at elections, have
part in the rights of membership and hold office therein; must, in
accordance with Christ's command, so far as external evidence shows: 1.)
Be baptized; 2.) Receive the Lord's Supper; 3.) Not live in open works
of the flesh, Gal. 5:19; but, 4.) lead a Christian life, and not be
engaged in any disreputable occupation; 5.) Contribute, according to
ability, to the support of church and school and of the laborers in the
same, so long as there is need, be it little or much, though it were only
a cold water; 6.) Be subject to Christian order and discipline, and
allow himself to be corrected in brotherly love, when he does wrong; 7.)
and, next to God and the government, so conduct himself toward the
faithful Pastors and elected officers of the congregation, that they may
administer their office with joy and not with grief.

2. Whosoever fails in the aforementioned points, or in any of them,
wilfully and of purpose, and will not by the grace and mercy of God
correct his fault after the degrees of admonition have been observed,
nor will be subject to Christian order, he cannot and shall not be a
member of our Evangelical Lutheran congregation, and he shall have no
right or share in its privileges, still less have right to vote or to
hold office.

3. In case anyone of the communicant members of the congregation,
should, through the deceitfulness of sin and of Satan, fall into gross
sin, or open works of the flesh, which may God avert, and should such
offense be established by credible and incontestible evidence, then
shall he: 1.) Be privately admonished by the Pastor and be counselled to
true repentance and reconciliation throu