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Note 1.—Pastors and deacons, as teachers and leaders of the flock, cannot be selected for and imposed upon the churches by any external authority whatever, either civic or religious; but are elected and chosen by the free suffrages of the members, without compulsion or restraint, from among themselves, or those who are to become identified with them in fellowship.

Note 2.—In the election of either a pastor or deacon, notice of such election should be given from the pulpit for at least two Sundays preceding the time for the same. The election should be by ballot, and at least three-quarters of the votes cast should be necessary for the election of a pastor, and two-thirds for the election of a deacon. Such election should be preceded by prayer for Divine direction, and conducted without partisan devices or personal strife.

Note 3.—Both pastors and deacons are properly elected for unlimited terms of service, the relation to continue so long as there shall be mutual satisfaction. Such a course tends less to depreciate and make servile the officers and their duties in the estimation of the people, and of those who bear them, than a limited and specified time, though deacons are sometimes, and perhaps properly, chosen for a limited term of service, subject to reelection, at the option of the church.