The following constitute the generally accepted rules of order for churches and other deliberative bodies in business proceedings:
1. All business shall be presented by a _motion,_ made by one member, and seconded by another, and presented in writing by the mover, if so required.
2. No discussion can properly be had until the motion is made, seconded, and stated by the chairman.
3. A motion cannot be withdrawn after it has been discussed, except by the unanimous consent of the body.
4. A motion having been discussed, must be put to vote, unless withdrawn, laid on the table, referred, or postponed.
5. A motion lost should not be recorded, except so ordered by the body at the time.
6. A motion lost cannot be renewed at the same meeting, except by unanimous consent.
7. A motion should contain but one distinct proposition. If it contains more, it must be divided at the request of any member, and the propositions acted on separately.
8. Only one question can properly be before the meeting at any one time. No second motion can be allowed to interrupt one already under debate, except a motion to _amend,_ to _substitute,_ to _commit,_ to _postpone,_ to _lay on the table,_ for _the previous question,_ or to _adjourn._
9. These subsidiary motions just named cannot be interrupted by any other motion; nor can any other motion be applied to them except that to _amend,_ which may be done by specifying some _time, place,_ or _purpose._
10. Nor can these motions interrupt or supersede each other; only that a motion to _adjourn_ is always in order, except while a member has the floor, or a question is being taken, and in some bodies even then.
1. Amendments to resolutions may be made in three ways: By _omitting,_ by _adding,_ or by _substituting_ words or sentences.
2. An amendment to an amendment may be made, but is seldom necessary, and should be avoided.
3. No amendment should be made which essentially changes the meaning or design of the original resolution.
4. But a _substitute_ may be offered, which may change entirely the meaning of the resolution under debate.
5. The amendment must first be discussed and acted on, and then the original resolution as amended.
1. Any member desiring to speak on a question should rise in his place and address the moderator, confine his remarks to the question, and avoid all unkind and disrespectful language.