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Source: Church History Vol. 3 Chapter 27 Page: 512 (~1869)

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512 "Esteem every man in his own office, according to his diligence, virtue, and faithfulness; observing to love each other with the love which is in Christ.

"Leave off contentions about unprofitable points of doctrine and church government, and rather observe to do the things by which you shall be made personally pure, than to contend about the rendition of obscure passages of law and scripture.

"Teachers, observe to teach the members to do their duty in the family, in the social circle, and in the assembly of the saints, and counsel and observe to procure the frequent meeting together of the flock, seeking to the Lord for wisdom, and the elder and the council for advice. Hear no complaints where reconciliation has not first been sought, nor repeat to others what you hear, until required to tell it to the council.

"Deacons, be sober and faithful. Take honest charge of those things intrusted to your keeping, being ever ready to render an account to the church of your stewardship. Keep the tabernacles of your spirits clean, and counsel others to do likewise. Be ready to assist the elder of the church to fulfill the counsel of the elders. Keep the tabernacles where the saints meet to worship clean, and with persevering care attend to all the duties required at your hands. Be not busybodies, nor backbiters, nor fault-finders, nor cavillers [cavilers], nor schismatics, obey the counsel of the Lord, being fervent in spirit to oppose the wrong, and teaching and exhorting others to come to the light wherein ye walk.

"Priests, observe to minister faithfully, lay aside all perversity of spirit; visit the houses of the saints, exhorting them to be faithful, to attend every duty, to observe the rules of government of the Lord and of the church. Assist the elder in the performance of his duties; attend the sittings of the council of elders, if permitted so to do, and learning by constant attention and care what are the duties whereunto you are called, discharge them in the fear of the Lord, that you may be blessed of all.

"Elders, cease charging evil upon each other and contending with each other about prerogative, or right of

(page 512)

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