1841 UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST. First Edition of Constitution and Discipline - Pietist & Revivalist.

A very scarce example of the true first edition of the Constitution and Discipline of the United Brethren in Christ. First adopted in 1841, the movement, rooted in German pietism and revivalism, resisted formal organization and documents. However, the scale of growth experienced during the Second Great Awakening made some formulation of faith and discipline necessary. The times demanded it as well, with Adventism, Communalism, Mormonism, and Freemasonry picking people off at every side of revivalist movements. Perhaps this sense of a need for clarity is nowhere more clearly articulated than in the prohibition against any minister from publishing any book without the formal approval of leadership. 

Originally founded c.1767 by Philip Otterbein and Martin Boehm, the denomination is rooted in the revivalist and pietist strands of the Wesleyan-Arminian tradition and is often considered the first denomination formed in America rather than transplanted from Europe.

On slavery: "All slavery, in every sense of the word, is totally prohibited, and shall in now way, be tolerated in our church. Should any be found in our society, who hold slaves, they cannot continue as members, unless they do personally manumit or set free such slaves."

On freemasonry: "Free Masonry, in every sense of the word, shall be totally prohibited, and in no wise tolerated in our society. And should any of our members continue to attend their lodges, or join as a member, in any Masonic procession, or otherwise join a Masonic fraternity, he shall, for so doing, be excluded from our church."

On ardent spirits: "The distilling and vending of ardent spirits shall hereafter be forbidden throughout our whole society. Should any preacher, exhorter, leader, or layman, from and after next Annual Conference in 1842, be engaged in distilling or vending ardent spirits, he shall be accountable to the class, the Quarterly and Annual Conference to which he belongs, etc..."

Freemasonry and slavery are also both directly prohibited in the Constitution itself. 

Origin, Doctrine, Constitution, and Discipline of the United Brethren in Christ. Circleville, Ohio. Printed at the Conference Office. 1841. 58pp.

A good - example in quarter calf with marbled boards, a diminutive pocket book, rubbed. Stained, foxed, and handled, but complete. Some essence de mothe balle present.