Accordingly we judge it our duty to study God's Word, as the infallible rule of faith and practice, and we promise to observe its teaching especially in respect of the Church and its institutions. We maintain that baptism is an ordinance commanded by our Lord for believers, as a sign, by immersion, of their oneness with Him in His death and resurrection, and a seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit. We also promise to seek communion with our living Lord at His table, believing that the symbols are the outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.

As members, we promise to be present at the Lord's Table, and to assemble regularly for worship and the ministry of the Word, unless prevented by sickness or some lawful cause. We recognize our responsibility to maintain God's House, its work and witness, by our support, ability and resources, and pledge ourselves to such service as we may be called. We will seek especially to further the interests of the denomination to which we belong, and, knowing that Christ died for all, to support the work of our own missionary society overseas.

Realizing our social responsibilities, we will seek to maintain Christian witness day by day in employment and public affairs. Through Sunday Schools and youth work, we will endeavour to care for the children that they might come to know Christ for themselves and join our fellowship, into which we also invite all such as are " the children of God " by faith in Christ Jesus.

In the strength of Christ, we covenant to care and pray for one another, and walk together in love, maintaining the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. We will seek to be kind and tender-hearted one towards another ; patient, forbearing one another, covering each other's infirmities with a mantle of love, so "fulfilling the law of Christ". Thus we do now agree to walk together in the fellowship of the Gospel.

" Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, . . . unto Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages."

It appears first in the church book under date 1735. The heading reads, " The Church Covenant renewed," suggesting an older original form. This early version bears little resemblance to the present form which was rewritten during the ministry of the Rev. W. A. Davis (1879-1885). Other versions are under dates 1749, 1768, and 1839. Up to the middle of the nineteenth century it was customary for new members to sign the covenant after it had been read over to them prior to their baptism. Those unable to write made their mark.

The present covenant was revised and adopted in 1959. The church covenant is renewed annually at the New Year.

(a) Baptized Members and
(b) Associate Members.
(A) Membership of the Church is open to all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who have made public profession of their faith through baptism by immersion.

Procedure. Persons desiring baptism and Church membership shall intimate their desire to the Minister or Deacons, who will submit the names of such candidates to the next Church Meeting. The Church shall thereupon appoint two members to visit each applicant for the purpose of enqujring concerning his or her spiritual condition and reasons for desiring baptism. The visitors shall report on their visit at the next Church Meeting, when the candidate shall give his or her testimony, and, if it be resolved that the candidate be accepted, baptism shall be administered as soon as may be convenient. The Right Hand of Fellowship shall be extended at the next Communion Service.

Provision is also made for membership by :
(1) Transfer from another accredited Baptist Church.
(2) Medical Exemption. Any who through physical infirmity are unable to be immersed shall be admitted into membership subsequentupon a satisfactory enquiry having been made by the Minister or Deacons. In other details the procedure shall be as already stated.
(B) Members of other Christian Churches, worshipping with us,may be enrolled as Associate Members, their application havingbeen received and accepted by the members at a Church Meeting.

Associate Membership of the Church is open to believers in the Lord Jesus Christ on profession of faith, and for reasons satisfactory to the Church, after visitation.Members of other Christian Churches, worshipping with us, may also be enrolled as Associate Members, their application having been received and accepted by the members at a Church Meeting. On matters regarding the constitution of the Church, or involving questions of Baptist principle, only baptized members shall vote.

A Roll of members shall be kept and revised annually.

A Non-Resident list shall be kept of all Church members residing away who are not in membership with another Church.

The name of a living member shall not be removed from the roll except by a resolution of a Church Meeting. The Church shall have power to remove from its roll of membership the names of such as :
(a) Absent themselves persistently from public worship of the Church without good cause.
(b) Absent themselves from the Lord's Table indefinitely without good cause.
(c) Conduct themselves in a manner unworthy of a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Church shall also have power of disciplinary suspension of members in case of need ; such action shall be taken only after due consideration and visitation.

Transfers of membership may be granted to members who have removed to other districts or Churches.

Believer's Baptism shall be observed when required.

The Lord's Supper shall be observed in the afternoon of the last Sunday of each month.

The Lord's Table shall be open to all believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, Whether members of the Church or not.

All resident members are expected to attend a special gathering on the first Sunday of each year, for the annual renewal of the Covenant.

The business of the Church shall be transacted by the members at the monthly Church Meeting, called by notice given at the Sunday Services.

The Annual Church Meeting shall be held in March of each year for the election of officers and presentation of reports. The accounts of every organization connected with the Church shall be audited and presented at this meeting. Two Sundays' Notice for the calling of the Annual Meeting shall be given.

The transactions of every Church Meeting shall be considered private and confidential and shall not be divulged to non-members.

The Minister, Deacons, Deaconesses and Officers (namely, Secretary and Treasurer) shall be believers who have professed their faith through baptism by immersion.

The Minister shall be an accredited Baptist Minister, invited by the members at the Church Meeting by at least two thirds majority.

The Deacons shall be eighteen in number—resident male members who have attained the age of twenty-one years, elected by ballot to serve for a period of six years.

The Diaconate shall consist of EIGHTEEN MEMBERS of whom THREE shall be Ladies and THREE shall represent the Branch Churches, elected to serve for a term of six years. Election shall be by ballot of candidates who have been separately nominated by three church members ; such candidates must have attained the age of twenty-one years, and have expressed their willingness to serve if elected.

Procedure of Election : It shall be regulated that at the end of every three years, the service of NINE deacons shall terminate, so that NINE vacancies occur every three years. Precise details as to nomination and ballot shall be decided prior to each election.

Vacancies occasioned by resignation, removal or death shall be filled by means of Bye-elections unless otherwise determined.

Deacons who have rendered long or meritorious service to the Church may be made LIFE DEACONS by special resolution of the Church. The number of the DIACONATE shall remain at EIGHTEEN besides such LIFE DEACON or LIFE DEACONS.

The Secretary and Treasurer of the Church shall be elected by ballot at the Annual Church Meeting. The appointments shall be made for one year only, but may be renewed as often as the Church may desire.

The rules of the Church shall not be altered, except at the Annual Church Meeting or at a meeting of the Church specially called for the purpose.

A member desiring to bring forward any special matter or to propose any alteration of the rules shall give one month's notice to the Secretary to be announced at the Church Meeting. In order to take effect, any such proposition shall require a two thirds majority of votes.

(a) It shall be the duty of every member to be present regularly at the Communion Service and Church Meetings unless prevented by satisfactory reasons.
(b) All members are expected to contribute regularly to the finance of the Church according to their means. Members are urged to contribute a definite amount weekly by means of the envelope system.
(c) All members are expected to regard the work of the Lord Jesus Christ in foreign lands as a real part of the work of the Church, and to contribute regularly to the Missionary Society funds.
(d) For the extensions of the Kingdom of God and in the work and witness of the Church all members are expected to take some definite part. The Church affords numerous opportunities for each individual to render suitable service. Members who have no active service to do should not wait to be approached, but rather should consult the Minister and ask for guidance.
(e) Members are expected to be present at public worship on Sunday, unless prevented by good reasons. This is applicable especially to such as are young and in full possession of health and strength. The importance of week-night Devotional Meeetings should be remembered. Punctuality in arrival at all services betokens a due reverence for God and a courteous regard for the comfort of others.
(f) It is of the highest importance that all members should contribute to their own progress in the Christian Life by keepingsome time daily for private devotion.

ADDENDUM

The publication of this Church Year Book was originally planned for 1960, the Ter-Jubilee of our Sunday School. For the unavoidable delay we offer apologies. However, the delay does permit brief reference to the outstanding events of a wonderful year in Rushden Baptist annals.

There were the visits of former ministers, the Old Scholars' Re-union held in our own Recreation Field, and most important of all -the completion and official opening of our New Schools. These premises are now in regular use and are a great help to our Christian work and witness.

The deferred printing of the book also enables us to record that when all promises are redeemed, there will be enough money to meet outstanding obligations. For this stupendous achievement, we give thanks to God that so many of our people - young and old, those around us and others widely scattered throughout the world, - gave so generously towards the £16,000 needed.

We also desire to acknowledge the inspired leadership in so great a task, by our minister, the Rev. Vivian C. Evans, shortly to leave us to take up an important denominational appointment.

Thanks too, are due to the members of the Building Committee whose professional and practical knowledge, given so readily, enabled considerable saving in the total cost. Mention must be made of the contractor, Mr. John S. Bayes, much of whose work was voluntary and was for him as much an act of worship as a task of work.

To all who have contributed to this informative publication, a special acknowledgement is accorded. The addresses of members are as accurate as can be ascertained, but if there are errors, they should be notified to the church secretary.

The Church Year Book is sent free to members but extra copies are available, price 1/-. This is made possible by donations received from auxiliaries of the Church and a grant from the General Account of the Church.

JUNE, 1961,                                                                       G.E.B.