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There are three classes of candidates, and modes of reception to membership.

1. By baptism.—The church having listened to the religious experience of the candidate, and being satisfied with the same, and with his Christian deportment, votes to receive him to its fellowship, “on being baptized.”

2. By letter.—The candidate presents a letter of dismission and recommendation from some other Baptist church with which he has been connected, for the purpose of transferring his membership to this. The church, being satisfied, votes to receive him into fellowship.

3. By experience.—Persons having been baptized, but for some reason being without membership in any church, wish to be received. They, giving satisfactory evidence of Christian character, and substantial agreement in matters of faith and practice, are received by vote, as in other cases.

Note 1.—Persons cannot be received to membership on the credit of letters from other denominations. Such letters are, however, accepted, as certificates of Christian character, and of church standing.