EMORY UNIVERSITY
CODE ON THE DISCIPLINE
OF THE
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
-BY-
BISHOP JOHN B. SMALL, D. D.f
Author of "Practical and Exegetical Pulpiteer," "The Human
Heart Illustrated," Etc.
Introduction by Rev. JOHN W. SMITH, D. D., Editor "Star of Zion."
1898
YORK DISPATCH PRINT.
INDEX.
Ch. Sec. Page.
III. 5. Absent from class—product 112
4. Absent from class without excuse Ill
II. 22. Accessories accountable 42
138. Actionable church offenses 99
63. Accused may testify 60
I. 2. Admit—proper person to 18
2. Admit—two ways to 18
III. ANNUAL CONFERENCE, 120
28. Annual conference, meeting and members. 121
23. Annual conference sets off district conference 119
II. 15. Another than the pastor 39
74. Appeal—privilege irrevocable 73
81. Appeal—arranged and conducted 77
84. Appeal—cannot receive new evidence 78
83. Appeal—decision of court of 78
85. Appeal—members' relation under remand 79
82. Appeal—power of court of 78
78. Appeal not granted to with drawers under charges 75
81. Appeal—routine to admit or reject 76
77. Appeal must be tried at proper time 75
74. Appeals and appellate court 73
137. Appeals—special 98
104. Appellant preacher's standing 85
91. Appellant fails, decision stands 81
86. Appellate court—decision final 79
75. Appellate court grants hearing 74
95. Appellate court orders new trial 82
70. Applicable to civil and eccksiaslical 64
III. 31. Appointments and conference year 124
II. 153. Arbiters, three or five 107
154. Arbitrate—both parties must be members 107
152. Arbitration 106
154. Argument in arbitration 107
23. Arrangement of charges 42
145. Award, suitable - 102
iv INDEX.
Ch. Sec. Page-
IV. Baptism—notes 170
I. 18. Baptized children—relation 28
II. 51. Bar to trial 57
IV. BISHOPS . 143
II. 136. Bishop's appeal - 98
131. Bishops can not be charged with maladministra¬
tion 97
134. Bishop—case of suspension at annual conference.. 98"
IV. 36. Bishops—Duties of 144
40. Bishop's decision must be given in conference.... 145
35. Bishop for life 143
II. 133. Bishop found guilty 97
IV. 33. Bishop may remove presiding elder 142
39. Bishop must not transfer men under charges 145
II. 135. Bishop's pay ceases - - 98
IV. 38. Bishop's quadrennial address 145
II. 132. Board of Bishops may suspend decision 97
IV. 37. Board of Bishops—meeting - 145
II. 14. Bringing to trial - 38
I. 14. Cause for probation - 26
II. 146. Censure - 103
V. 3. Certificates for persons removing only 146
5. Certificate, responsible while holding 147
8. Certificates, persons withdrawing can not obtain.. 148
III. 33. Character—not passed disqualifies 124
II. 48. Charge acquitted, can not be tried for. 55
50. Charge may be withdrawn 57
56. Charge—proper only admitted 58
70. Charge—part may prove 65
128. Charge against a bishop 95
27. Charge—harmony of specifications - 44
30. Charge—error no bar 45
46. Charge—answer to 55
47. Charge—refusing to answer - 55
58. Charges—How to dismiss 59
24. Charges—object 43
25. Charge, s—as few as possible - 43
26. Charges—spirit of 43
28. Charges must be separate—not argument 44
29. Charges—time and place 45
31. Charges—signers of 45
33. Charges furnished accused 46
34. Charged separately 47
37. Challenge allowed , 48
INDBX. V
Ch, Sec. Page,
I. 15. Children recognized 27
16. Children recognized by baptism 27
18. Children received on profession 28
VI. 27. Children's day 164
I. 17. Church responsibility 28
18. Church obligations 28
II. 1. Church trial—members 30
1. Church trial—object 30
144. Church penalties 101
V. CHURCH CERTIFICATES, ETC 146
6. Church letters—pastor must receive 148
7. Church letters given by pastor alone 148
VI. CHURCH PROPERTY AND SUPPORT OF MIN¬
ISTERS 151
1. Church buildings and parsonages 152
2. Church building not liable for debt 153
3. Church Building Committee cannot be discharged 153
4. Church property held by trustees 153
5. Church property for that use alone 154
9. Church doors can not be closed against pastor 156
11. Church can not be used for other than religious
worship 157
25. Church debt—money for 164
IV. CHRISTIAN MINISTRY 130
II. 4. Churches do not possess peculiar rights 32
35. Citation to trial 47
III. 1. Class-meeting—lawful heir 109
3. Classes—unmanageable Ill
II. 36. Committee—select 47
36. Committee—odd number 47
38. Committee—fitness 48
41. Committee decides 51
41. Committee entitled to documents 52
43. Committee decides ambiguity 53
60. Committee may sit with open doors 59
107. Committee of locals to try locals 86
13. Committee's power 38
113. Committee's power, investigating 88
113. Committee's acts can not abridge conference's
power 89
52. Conference—Power of annual or quarterly 57
115. Co nference refers case - 90
III. 36. Conference grants location 125
37. Conference may admit located preacher 126
CONFERENCES 109
II. 150. Confession—public, illegal 105
VI. 26. Connectional claims 164
Vi INDKX.
Ch. Sec. Page.
II. 50. Correction admitted—not amendment 57
99. Credentials demanded before trial 83
129. Credentials of bishops demanded 96
59. Counsel and defense 59
92. Court decides, not presiding elder.. 81
III. 30. Decision—episcopal 123
II. 143. Defamation—can not be charged 101
73. (2). Deponent—examined 72
73. Dei osition—form of 72
73.(6) Dep< sition must be signed 72
73. (7). Deposition rejected 73
DISPOSITION—TAKING - 70
III. DISTRICT CONFERENCE 119
25. District conference arranges presiding elder s
support 120
24. District conference near annual conference 319
27. District conference supervises and makes pro¬
vision for district .... 120
II. 342. Doctrine—inveighing against - 101
141. Doctrine—not wholly expressed 100
II. 76. Evader must be heard . — 74
I. 4. Evading trial 20
II. 55. Evad ng trial—no appeal 58
70. Evidence corresponds with charges 63
70. Evidence—hearsay 66
70. Evidence, the best must be produced 66
IV. 3. Exhorters and local preachers labor at home 131
6. Exhorters' licenses must be renewed before expire 131
4. Exhorters must be recommended 131
5. Exhorters' prerequisites 131
2. Exhorters must not preach ISO
1, Exhorters in the early church 130
7. Exhorters—unpassed characters cripple 132
II. 151. Expelled members, read at quarterly meeting 106
146. Expulsion 104
89. Expulsion stands till reversed 80
II. 71. (6). Facts, not opinions 68
44. Female eligible 53
40. Finding according to testimony 50
41. Finding in writing 51
INDI$X. Vll
Ch. Sec. Page
III. GENERAL CONFERENCE 128
45. General conference—duties 128
44. General conference—members and meeting 128
46. General conference, quorum 129
VI. 20. General fund—collection of 161
19. General fund for salaries 160
I. 12. Good desires continue 25
II. 130. Grievances carried to conference 96
70. Guilty, may be of any part (U
II. 20. Immorality chargeable at any time 41
21. Indictable 41
5. Inflictions limited 32
7. Information niot defamation 33
6. Intention constitutes crime 33
144. Impurity—to purge 101
II. 32. Judge, not a witness 46
41. Judgment, making up 50
III. 7. Leadeis examine I by pastor 112
LEADERS' MEETING 112
6. Leaders' meeting—monthly 112
2. Leaders see members once a week 110
10. Leaders report condition of members 113
II. 71. (5). Leading questions not admissible 68
I. 14. Liberty of independent organization 26
III. 35. Locals, examination 125
IV. 11. License signed by presiding officer and secretary. 133
14. Local eklers and deacons subject to quarterly
conference 131
LOCAL PREACHERS 132
16. Local preachers amenable to quarterly confer¬
ence 135
9. Local preachers' examination, etc 133
15. Local preacher may be employed by bishop or P E. 135
17. Local preacher for four years before ordination... 135
18. Local preachers from Wesley an denomination 136
19. Local preachers ought to be allowed to preach 136
20. Local preacher desiring to withdraw 136
V. 9. Local Preachers' letters 148
VI. LORD'S SUPPER—NOTES 171
V. LOVE-FEAST 14D
13 Love-feast—admitted by tickets 150
10. Love-feast—an ancient institution 14'J
II. 147. Love-feast can be denied — 105
viii indbx.
Ch. Sec. Page.
Y. 11. Love-feast— quarterly 149
12. Love-feast—Mr. Wesley's reasons 119
14. Love-feast—entitled to admission 150
II. 118. Maladministration—censure or reproof 105
I. MEMREKS—ALL MUST BE 17
II. 9. Members can not be removed without trial 34
72. Members charged—want of veracity 70
I. 1. Members must be baptized 17
II. 10. Members must be i'roved guilty 35
10. M embers must be charged ill due form 35
10. Members' privileges 35
V. 4, Members out of pastoral charge should take letters 147
II. 11. Members removed—Wesley's way 35
I. 1. Membership—prerequisite 17
II. 19. Mere probability not sufficient 40
VI. MINISTERS—ALL MEMBERS _ 172
II. 114. Ministers charged during conference 90
III. 39. Ministers from another church—probation 126
38. Ministers from other churches 126
40. Ministers, superannuated—rights of 127
22. Minutes approved at present session 118
II. 95. New trials - 82
97. New trial—proceeding with 82
73. (1). Notice to adverse party 71
73. Notice—form of 71
II. 73. (3). Objection to person 72
73. (4). Objection to points 72
24. Object of charges 43
154. Order of proceeding ill arbitration 107
I. 6. Orthodoxy 21
II. 116. Pardon judiciously 102
117. Pastor can not be called to trial for maladminis-
i ration 91
III. 11 Fastor removes leader, if required 114
II. 57. Pastor refuses to entertain charges 59
I. 2. Pastor needs leader's aid 20
2. Pastor a'-ks approval or disapproval 20
8. Pastor receives probationers 23
INDEX. ix
Ch. Sec. Page.
II. 2. Pastor's responsibility 30
2. Pastor's function 31
3. Pastor's duty—difficulty in performance 31
4. Pastor's legal rights 31
9. Pastor's council or cabinet 34
14. Pastor's duty 38
42 Pastor's opinion reserved 53
IV. 21. Pastor, authorized 137
Pastors in charge 137
22. Pastor's duties 137
23. Pastor responsible to annual conference 139
24. Pastor—essential to control 139
V. 1. Pastor gives certificate of removal 146
2. Pastor can withhold certificate 146
VI. 17. Pastor ex-officio cl,airman trustees 157
PASTORS' SALARIES 162
23. Pastors' allowance 162
21. Pastor's salary, current expenses—p'an 163
35. Pastor's moving expenses paid by stewards 169
II. 106. Pending civil decision.. 86
I. 5. Persons from other churches 21
12. Persons must subscribe to Discipline 25
12. Persons set back received 24
II. 53. Postponed for witness 58
49 Plea not admitted 56
III. 8 Poors' steward at leaders' meeting 113
II. 119. Preacher's appeal 92
103. Preacher on trial amenable to quarterly confer¬
ence 85
102 Preachers reproved 84
118. Preacher—reproof „ 91
109. Preacher—first and second reproofs 87
122. Preacher under suspension can not vote 93
123. Preacher may be tried for inefficiency 93
140. Preachei s holding erroneous doctrines 100
III. 41. Preachers—two years on probation 127
42. Preacher on trial—loc al preacher 127
43. Preacher's transfer—date of 127
IV. 13. Preachers' licenses must be renewed before expire 134
PRESIDING ELDERS 140
VI. PRESIDING ELDERS' SUPPORT 161
IV. 27. Presiding elder can relieve preacher from his
work 140
28. Presiding elder can not administer,law in society 141
26. Presiding elder decides points of law 140
25. Presiding elder has charge of ministers of his dis¬
trict 140
X
INDEX.
Ch. Sec. Page.
IV. 29. Presiding elder may remove preacher, etc 141
30. Presiding elder supervises mission work 141
32. Presiding elder can not ce ise to travel 142
34. Presiding elder may remain four years on district 142
VI. 21. Presiding elder—district conference provides for. 161
22. Presiding elders' salaries—collect 162
II. 88. Presiding elder's decision stands 80
124. Presiding elder charged 93
125. Presiding elder suspended 94
127. Presiding elder may be removed 94
III. 16. Presiding elder fails to be present at quarterly
conference 117
17. Presiding elder appoints quarterly conference 117
19. Presiding elder can adjourn quarterly conference 117
26. Presiding elder appoints time and place of quar¬
ter y conference 120,142
II. 32. Presiding elder not to sign charges 46
69. Presiding officer not a witness 62
71. (10). Presiding officer may question 69
90 Presiding officer presents records to appellate
court : 80
96. Presiding officer differs in judgment 82
III. 29. Presiding officer's power in annual conference ... 122
II. 12 Presiding officer of trial meeting 36
13. Presiding officer sentences. 37
16. Presiding officer must not charge committee 39
52 Presiding officer's limit 57
54. Presiding officer may reject superfluous matter... 5g
I. PROBATIONERS 22
7. Probationers—early Christian church, 22
7. Probationers—received on 22
2. Probationers dropped 19
2. Probationers responsible 19
9. Probationers—qualifications 23
10. Probationers—dismission of 24
13. Probationers—received into full connection 24,26
III. 9. Probationers dropped 113
I. 14. Probationship remains 27
II. 139. Preliminaries not needed 100
45. Process of trial 54
70. Proof entirely with accuser 65
101. Punishment of local preachers and exhorters 84
I. 9 Qualifications of probationers 23
II. 87. Quarterly conference can not restore to office 79
108. Quarterly conference determines 87
INDEX. ix
Ch. See. Page.
Ill QUARTERLY CONFERENCE 114
12. Quarterly conference, local legislator 115
13. Quaiterly conference—members of 115
14. Quarterly conference licenses preachers, etc 116
15." Quarterly conference inquires into condition of
Sunday School 116
18. Quarterly conference can not adjourn for new
business 117
IY. 8. Quarterly conference may revoke license 132
10. Quaiterly conference grants license 133
12. Quarterly conference may refuse to renew license 133
II. 73. (5). Questions, latitude to 72
III. 21. Quorum formed—members present 118
I. 2. Receive on profession 18
2. Receive on probation 19
RECEPTION OF CHILDREN..... 27
II. 80. Record signed 76
100. Record submitted to quarterly conference 84
61. Records preserved 60
120. Records examined before trial of appeals 92
155. Refusing to abide decision—consequence 108
I. 9. Remaining unconverted 23
II. 146. Reprimand 104
149. Restored by conference decision 105
4. Rights—individual' 31
112 Routine and credentials 88
17. Rumors and complaints 39
18. Rumors reduced to charges 40
I. 3. Seeking cause for rejection., 20
12. Silent assent 25
If. 137. Special court of appeal r 98
VI STEWARDS 165
29. Stewards, Board of—origin 165
30 Stewards and trustees—duties of 167
32. Stewards—financial success 168
33. Stewards—weekly meeting 168
34. Stewards and trustees, joint meeting 169
35. Stewards pay pastor's moving expenses 169
36. Stewards—duties demand 169
SUPI ORT OF BISHOPS 160
SUPPORT OF MINISTERS 159
18. Support of bishops, general officers, and institu¬
tions - 160
xii INDEX.
Ch. Sec. Page.
III. 34 Suspended for not attending work 125
II. 146. Suspension 104
126. Suspension destroys official capacity 94
105. Suspension—difference of 85
121. Suspension limited - 92
VI. TAXATION, THIRTY CENTS—NOTES 171
III. 20. Temperence in quarterly conference 118
I. 2. Term of probation 19
II. 39. Testimony, weight of 49
64. Testimony—husband and wife's...... 61
66. Testimony of atheists and criminals net admitted 62
70. Testimony—law governing 63
71. (3) Testimony to be recorded 68
71. (7). Testimony may be corrected 69
71. (8). Te timony—exception to 69
73. (8). Testimony—refuse to give 73
73. (9). Testimony—entire must be read 73
79., Testimony recorded 76
14. Time and place ... 38
129. Too many investiga ions, but law 96
III. 32. Transfer for reasons 124
II. 111. Traveling preacher charged 88
45. Trial meeting, spirit of 54
93. Trial in another quarterly conference 81
99. Trial of preachers 83
107. Trial of local deacons and elders 86
111. Trial of traveling preachers 88
124. Trial of presiding elders 93
TRIAL OF BISHOPS 95
45. Trial, process of 54
38. Triers of appeals not allowed on committees 49
116. Tried out of limits of district 91
VI. 16. Trustees—expulsion disqualifies 159
TRUSTEES 153
4. Trustees hold church property 153
6. Trsutees, three to nine 154
7. Trustees—specific duties 155
8. Trustees can not reject a regular appointee 155
10. Trustees close doors, can not enter 156
12. Trustees protect church property 157
13. Trustees serve till successors elected 158
14. Trustees actual power 158
15 Trustees responsible to quarterly conference 158
34. Trustees and stewards, joint meeting 169
II. 110. Under sentence of lower court 88
indbx. xiii
Ch. Sec. Page.
II. 41. Verdict—grounds for 51
42. Verdict in pastor's absence 52
41. Verdict—majority of committee 51
94. Verdict—reason for 81
138. Violation—Scripture or Discipline 99
II. 71. (12). Witness—character not necessary 70
65. Witness deficient in understanding 61
62. Witness—one and collateral 60
71. (4). Witness must not read his testimony 68
71. (11). Witness must not take oath 70
68. Witness, competent 62
67. Witness from without admitted 62
71. (9). Witnesses cannot be compelled to criminate
themselves 69
71. (2). Witnesses, out of hearing of each other 67
71. Witnesses, manner of examining 67
VI. 28. Worn-out preachers, widows and orphans 165
PARLIAMENTARY RULES.
Ch. Sec. Page.
VII. 15. Amend, rules to : 181
15. Amendments 181
15. (d). Amendment—striking out 182
15. (e). Amendment—striking out and dividing lf>2 ^
16. Adjournment 183
VII. 13. Blanks, filling 180
VII. 28 Committee of the whole 193
12. Committee, referring to 180
25. Committee, of 191
26. Committees' reports 192
VII. MEMBERS 177
7. Members—three kinds of punishment 177
27. Minority report 192
MOTIONS 178
xiv INDEX. |
Ch. Sec. Page
VII. 3. Officers, presiding 174
17. Order, questions of 184
ORDER—RULES OF 173
22. Order in debate 187
21. Order of proceeding 186
19. Orders of the day 185
ORGANIZATION 173
1. Organization, temporary 173
2. Organization, permanent 174
VII. 9. Postponement, indefinite 179
15. (h). Proposition, defeating 183
VII. 11. Question—division of 179
23. Question, taking the 189
18. Questions—incidental 184
14. Questions—privileged 180
20. Questions—previous 185
VII. " RULES FOR GOVERNMENT OF GENERAL
CONFERENCE 195
25. Reconsideration 191
VII. SECRETARY 176
VII. 10. Table—lie on _ 179
PREFACE.
Law and order are indispensable necessities of civiliza¬
tion. Law may be considered rules instituted by which
individuals shall be governed, codified from practical
reason and common sense; and order is said to be
'•heaven's first law." There is, therefore, an initial re¬
lation between law and order.
There may be those who are not churchly inclined, be¬
cause of its rules and discipline—but the same individu¬
als are the severest critics when it appears to them there
is a laxity in the administration of church laws in the
case of untoward action of ministers or members; and of
all churches, more consistent action is expected from the
members of the Methodist Church than from any other.
There may be a reason for this—the profession of Meth¬
odism is of an exhalted nature, and, therefore, the fruit
expected is of like kind. To mention its positionand to •
meet, reasonably, this expectation, no little care can be
taken in the reasonable and correct exercise of rules for
government of churches and ecclesiastical bodies, and
the unity of their administration.
In presenting this manual, although we have searched
carefully the best views of ecclesiastical authorities, with
an addition of more than thirty years practical observa¬
tion, we do not expect the book to meet in toto, the
views of every individual; what we claim for it is, our
unselfish judgment supported by accepted authorities
of the church, and especially of the branch of Methodism
from which we sprang, and to which we belong.
The book has been adopted by the General Conference
of 1896, and underwent the careful criticism of our Board
of Bishops; and through it, views have been modified to
harmonize, if possible, the whole.
xvi
PREFACE.
The object of the book is to create uniformity in the
administration of the discipline of the church, and to as¬
sist, especially, pastors whose experience is not so ex¬
tensive. The preparation assisted us, and may assist
others.
It is with a degree of pleasure, therefore, the book is
presented to the ministers, members, and friends of our
Zion. We pray that our Blessed Lord and Saviour,
through His divine Spirit, may cause the work to be use¬
ful in advancing the interests of His church; and being
serviceable, we may be a useful servant.
THE AUTHOR.
York, Pa., June 16, 1898.
INTRODUCTION.
BY
REV. JOHN W. SMITH, D. D., Editor "Star of Zion."
I am sure that our great denomination will
hail with joy the Digest on its Discipline, en¬
titled: "Code on the Dis:ipline of the African
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church," by Bishop
John B. Small, A. M., D. D. The publication
of this valuable book supplies a need which
has long been felt not merely by the minis¬
ters, but by all who have been and are inter¬
ested in the welfare of Zion.
Code, (Latin, codex,) in jurisprudence, is a
complete and systematic bod}1, or digest of
laws, classified and simplified. Jurisprudence
is the knowledge of what is just and unjust;
the knowledge of the laws, and the adminis¬
tration of justice according to their principles.
It is generally the rule that a code must re¬
quire legislative sanction to make it authen¬
tic. To simplify and make clearer the laws
by improving their expression and arrange¬
ment is the prime reason for codification.
Writing codes on law, systematizing and
simplifying general law, including ofttimes the
xviii
introduction.
maxims, rules and principles which the ablest
legal talent have collected from several ac¬
knowledged authorities, judicial decisions and
general experiences date back several centur¬
ies. During the reign of Kmperor Theodosius
II. at Constantinople in 438 a collection of
laws called "Code of Theodosius" obtained
legislative force. In April, 529, Kmperor
Justinian reigning at the same place ordered a
code of laws to be prepared which in 534 was
revised and given the force of law and was
called "Codex Justinianus Repetitse Prselec-
tionis." In 533 the eminent jurist, Trebon-
ius, and a committee published a "Digestse,"
In 1804 when Napoleon came to the throne of
France a code was written and called "Code
Napoleon," now called "Code Civil " The
codifications of Justinian and of Napoleon are
admired and quoted today by the barristers in
this and foreign lands. The States of the
Union have codes on the law.
In the denominational realm we run across
"Baker on the Discipline," which has been
adopted as a text book by Zion and nearly all
of the Methodist bodies in this country. It
has been our guide in many matters in which
our Discipline was not clear. There is an¬
other splendid work called "Bishop Hedding's
Discourse on the Administration of the Disci¬
pline." The "Methodist Polity," by Bishop
Turner, of the A. M. K. Church, throws many
helpful suggestions on the Methodist Disci-
introduction.
xix
plines. The "Hand-Book of the Discipline of
the A. M. E. Zion Church," by Bishop S T.
Jones, unanimously endorsed and adopted by
our General Conference in 1888, is a gem as
far as it goes. It explains the more intricate
portions of our Discipline, and to it the
sainted Bishop added a brief historical de¬
partment, some simple directions on rules in
Conference proceedings, a few examples as a
guide to the formulation of charges, a form
of certificate of church membership, supple¬
mented by a brief exegetical department on
"The Genius of Methodism and Its Adapta¬
bility to the Spiritual Needs of All," espec¬
ially to the I,owly."
Providence, it seems, has left it to the tal¬
ented and learned Bishop Small to give a full,
simple and clear exposition of the Discipline
of Zion from beginning to end. As it would
be difficult for a book of this kind to be satis¬
factory if the writer gave signs of narrowness
or of limited research, it was indeed necessary
for a man of Bishop Small's unselfishness,
candor and careful researches to prepare such
a work; and when this blessed book shall
have been carefully read it will be found
worthy of the study of not merely the minis¬
ters but also of the members of Zion. It is
full of pertinent matter from start to finish,
and deals strictly with the laws of the Church,
showing how it agrees with and is recognized
by civil jurisprudence. The book gives strik-
XX
INTRODUCTION.
ing evidence that the Bishop has not glanced
ovei but carefzilly studied the laws and polity
of the Church—as they relate to civil law—
the Methodist Church, and especially the Af¬
rican Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. He
says in his Preface that he has searched and
obtained the views of the best authorities on
Church laws, (to which he often refers), and
has added more than thirty years of careful
observation in pastoral duties.
Be it distinctly understood that there is no
creation of laws in this book, but merely ' a
simplification of those already created. Hav¬
ing closely studied the ultimate purpose the
General Conference had in mind in making
each law—this often gives an excellent key
to unlock its meaning—Bishop Small has with
great caution and deliberation endeavored to
give us the sense of each law so that there
may be certainty and uniformity of interpre¬
tation. L,aws capable of a variety of interpre¬
tations are of no value whatever and militate
against the growth, peace, security and per-
mancy of our denomination. While Method¬
ism does not cling "to any stereotyped form,
yet uniformity of action in the administration
of Church government is a real necessity. In
the absence of this unity of aetion, increasing
d.vergence, dissatisfaction, disagreement and
division must be the consequence. Methodism
is adverse to the principle of division.
INTRODUCTION.
xxi
"Small's Code on the Discipline" is now
our standard authority, it having been unani¬
mously adopted b}T the General Conference of
1896 and referred to the Board of Bishops for
critical examination. The Board of Bishops
in Petersburg, Va., April 1896, reported favor¬
ably and returned the manuscript to the author
authorizing it to be put in book form at once
for distribution among the ministers and mem¬
bers. The minister of our Church who is
without this book shows his disinterestedness
in the work he undertakes to perform; and he
who^has it and maladministers our laws shows
that his carelessness unfits him for the per¬
formance of pastoral functions. The pastor
who without prejudice and revenge will ad¬
minister our laws according to the construc¬
tions put on them in this book will never be
so unfortunate as to plunge into those serious
blunders which in the past have divided and
wrecked many of our bpst churches and have
driven from Zion many of our most intelligent
and influential members.' "Ignorance of the
law excuses 110 one," is a universal maxim;
and ignorance in administering the law will
from now on excuse no one. These expres¬
sions mean that every one is presumed to
know the law The plea of ignorance amounts
to nothing. The violator must be punished
and know better afterwards! That portion of
this book treating of ' Church Trials," if mas¬
tered by the pastor, will save him doubts,
xxii
introduction.
worry and difficulties when he is compelled to
engage in that most unpleasant duty—trying
members.
In addition to the disciplinary digest the
Bishop furnishes his readers with an excellent
selection of parliamentary usages which will
be of great benefit to ministers and to all who
may be called to preside over deliberative
bodies. The book does not merely prove its
value by treating on almost every important
point of Church law, but contains a perfect
Index taken from side references to almost
every section. But few men, even the learned,
prove themselves capable of giving a perfect
and thorough index of a book, because it re¬
quires not merely ability and adaptability, but
patience of an extraordinary nature.
For giving us such a book, maj* God bless
this eminent churchman who is earnest, truth¬
ful, severe in mental toil, honest in action,
kind in motive, devotional in sentiment and
zealous in the advocacy of Christian principles,
and open up the understanding of every min¬
ister to examine with a meek, unbiassed and
charitable frame of mind this exposition of the
Discipline of our Zion.
Charlotte, N. C., July 14, 1898.
CODE OF DISCIPLINE.
CODE ON DISCIPLINE.
DIGEST OF
The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Book
of Discipline.
CHAPTER I.
Membership is not considered the highest
function in the church of Christ, yet, so it ap¬
pears. No person is capable of performing
any peculiar function in the church, unless he
or she is a member thereof: this can be seen
at a glance.
To begin at the beginning, we must com¬
mence with church membership.
members.
Section i. Methodism recognizes the reli¬
gion of our Lord Jesus Christ as an indispens¬
able necessity to full membership in the
church. The person who is admitted to fullFu11 Members,
membership, must have been born of the
Spirit and received Christian Baptism. Born
of the Spirit really, and of the water symboli¬
cally. See John 3:5. Baptism is the outward
and visible sign of the inward and spiritual
grace. These prepare the person to become
an applicant for admission to" full membership
into the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church.
18 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
admission.
Sec. 2. As admission requires Proper Au¬
thority to admit, who is the authorized indi¬
vidual to receive persons into the church?
Answer.—The pastor. He is the recog¬
nized authority, whether he be bishop, elder,
Proper Person deacon, or preacher. He may, however,
to admit, delegate his authority, when it is necessary, to
proper persons: to ministers prepared to ex¬
ercise such functions.
Mr. Wesley arranged for the preachers in
charge, acting under his authority, to receive
members into the society; thus preachers have
been the recognized .authority. It is doubtful
whether Methodism will ever change this
time-honored ecclesiastical custom.
How many ways does the church recognize
in receiving members into its fold? An¬
swer—Two.
First. On giving satisfactory evidence of
Two ways to saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; and
Receive, having received the sacrament of baptism. If
a person has not been baptized, he or she
ought to receive that sacrament before admis¬
sion into the church.
Second. By an authorized letter from a
Christian church. If a person hails from an¬
other than an African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church, he shall be required to answer
questions as to agreement in the doctrines
and discipline of the church.
As the General Conference of 1892 per-
Receiveon mitted pastors to receive members into full
Profession, connection as soon as they can give satisfac¬
tory answer to the question as to their saving
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, there need be
no continued probationers, but those who
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 19
have been set back on trial by due process,
or those who can not give satisfactory answer
to, "Have you saving faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ?"
Persons desiring to unite with the church,
but who cannot give decided answer to that
question, must be received on probation.
The term of probation may be until the Term of Proba.
question can be answered decidedly: "I have tion.
saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ."
While probationers are not Christians, and
can not be expected to give evidence of saving
faith, they are responsible to the church for
their moral character and consistent behavior, probationers
The idea of probation is intended as trial for ResP°nsible-
approval. The behavior of the person must
be such as. will recommend him to the confi¬
dence of the church. The non-observance of
this principle has been a great hindrance to
persons who otherwise might have embraced
Christ. Holding to the church and the world
at the same time has always been baneful.
The person who asks to be received into our
church on trial, ought not to expect to bring
the world into the church. If he leaves the
world outside the church, he will not be long
on the probationers' list. Pastors ought to
explain and impress this fact.
Probationers who continue worldly and
neglect to perform their obligations, after
careful attention has been given them by „ .
' * Probation gts
leader and pastor, and the power of persua- Dropped,
sion proved ineffectual; must be dropped.
The church is looked to and held responsible
fcr their untoward acts.
As the pastor needs reasonable assistance
to enable him to receive only proper persons
20 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
Pastor's Need. *nto church fellowship, the recommendation
of a leader is helpful to him; especially in re¬
ceiving persons into full membership.
In receiving members into full connection,
Pastor asks Ap- Pastor should invariably ask the approval
provai. or disapproval of the church. If there is any
objection, the pastor shall require the person
to resume his or her seat for further consider¬
ation. No question should be asked at that
time, as things might be brought up not to
the credit of the chufch nor individual.
seeking cause for rejection.
Sec. 3. To obtain facts without favor or
affection, and more so to guard the purity of
the church, when a person has been rejected,
a time must be appointed and all concerned
warned to meet in a private consultation.
The greatest care should be exercised to pre¬
vent conflict, and to guard the rights of indi¬
viduals and the church. If it be found that
objection to the admission of the person
is not well founded nor sufficient, the person
may be admitted at a future meeting. If
such an objection be reasonable and sufficient,
unless consistent reparation can be made,
the reception of the person should be aban¬
doned.
evading trial.
Sec. 4. When it is known that a person
has been a member of church, and is under a
charge or charges, leaves that church and
asks admission into any of our churches, it is
illegal for a pastor to receive such a person
into church fellowship. The person must
first stand his trial, receive his sentence or
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 21
vindicate his character, before he is eligible
to membership in our churches. The church
which does otherwise will receive a broken
stick, the splinters of which will pierce her
hands.
persons from other churches.
Sec. 5. It is expected that persons from
other churches will bring their letters to show
their standing in their churches. But many
churches will not give letters to persons who
indicate their desire to unite with other
churches. In such cases, the persons must
obtain some individual in the church with
which they desire to unite, to vouch their good
standing in the church whence they came: in
such event, the pastor may receive them into
full membership—but not without represen¬
tation from some reasonable quarter.
orthodoxy.
Sec. 6. It is well to remember that persons
to be received into our church must be ortho¬
dox in their belief. When we speak of
"Orthodoxy," we mean the creed of the Evan¬
gelical Churches which embraces the doctri¬
nal view of, The divinity and atonement of
our Lord Jesus Christ, The depravity of the
human heart, Justification by faith, Regenera¬
tion by the Holy Spirit, The living witness
by the same Spirit, and Future rewards and
punishments. These are essential doctrines
to members of the Methodist Church. No
person can be a consistent member of the
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
who will not vow a belief in the aforesaid doc¬
trines—without them he cannot be orthodox.
22 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
PROBATIONERS.
Sec. 7. Methodism regards the visible
church of Christ as a congregation of faithful
persons to whom the pure word of God is
preached, and the Holy Sacraments duly ad¬
ministered, according to the articles of relig¬
ion. It-has always been an acceptable mode
of that church to receive members on proba¬
tion. It has been considered a matter of im¬
portance to test with practical scrutiny the
development of the moral and spiritual stam¬
ina of the Christian character of those who
propose to enter her communion.
This has been in accordance with the
special observance of the early church.
Among the Jews, no proselyte was admitted
Jewiyter°Se" to fellowship without being instructed
and proved acceptable, and this observance
was practiced in the early Christian church.
Lord King. Lorcj King says: "None in those days were
hastily advanced to .the higher forms of Chris¬
tianity, but, according to their knowledge and
merit, gradually arrived thereto."
The noted Bishop Stillingfleet, giving rea-
Bishogstiiiing- sons for the advancement of primitive Christi¬
anity, remarks: "Of the great flourishing of
religion in the primitive times was the strict¬
ness used by them in their admission of mem-
Qrigen against t>ers-" Origen in a treatise against Celsus,
ceisus. said: "They did inquire into the lives and car¬
riages to discern their seriousness in the pro¬
fession of Christianity during their being
catechumens." If the persons received on trial
evinced a reformation of life, they were ad¬
mitted as participants of the "mysteries"—of
Godliness.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH.
Sec. 8. The receiving of probationers or Pastor Ue_
persons on trial, is the prerogative of the cei^fne™ba~
preacher in charge alone—as is the case in re¬
ceiving into full membership. Neither class-
leader nor any one else has any right to enter
the name of any individual on the class roll,
even as a probationer, save those who have
been legally received by the pastor in charge.
Persons so received—by leaders or otherwise
—have no claim to membership, even on pro¬
bation.
qualifications.
Sec. 9. Indiscriminately receiving persons
on probation, is un-Methodistic. In the'
Methodist church it is required that a person
desiring admission into its fold, shall profess,
"A desire to flee from the wrath to come, and
to be saved from their sins." This desire
ought to be made manifest by all individuals,
as required in the general rules. It may be
manifested, "By doing no harm, by avoiding
evil of every kind." If this be strictly ob¬
served by persons desiring to unite with the
Methodist Church on probation—if they are
not converted—their unconverted state will be
a matter of short duration. We know per¬
sons who lived more than twenty-five years in
the Methodist Church in an unconverted state.
This is by departing from the object of pro-
bationship, as it is intended in the Methodist
Church.
The chief cause of persons remaining in the Remaining un.
church unconverted is their non-observance converted,
of that part of our general rules which en¬
joins: "By attending upon all the means of
grace:"such as prayer-meeting,class-meeting,
24 DIGEST OF DISCIPLIIS^
and the preaching of the word of God. When
this is done by the person who "Desires to
flee the wrath to come"such a candidate will
soon learn the way to the cross.
dismission of probationers.
Sec. io. Since a probationer enters into no
covenant with the church, save his desire to
flee the wrath to come and to be saved from
his sins, he can not be tried and expelled. He
can be dismissed, however.
Sec. ii. When it is sufficiently discovered
by the leader that a probationer is incorrigi¬
ble, he shall report the case to the pastor at
the Leaders' Meeting, and the pastor being
convinced that the report is reasonable, shall
direct that his name be stricken from the roll.
This must be done at the Leaders' Meeting.
From that moment the individual ceases from
being recognized as a probationer in the
church.
probationers received into full con¬
nection.
Sec. 12. Originally, we had three classes of
probationers. First, Those who had been re¬
ceived on six months probation—professing
saving faith in Christ. Second, Those who
had been set back on trial for disorderly con¬
duct. Third, Those who had been received
in the church on what is termed, "Good de¬
sires."
It is advisable that persons who have been
set back on trial, at the expiration of their
time, be called up and given the right hand of
fellowship, and thus welcomed to all of the
privileges of members of the church. The
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 25
wisdom of this is to assure the individuals that
the church restores them to fellowship; and
that they are welcome to participate in all of
its sacred ordinances. In thus doing-, they re-
obligate themselves to do their entire duty as
effective members.
In the case of persons who have been re¬
ceived on six months probation—profess¬
ing a lively hope in Christ—having-
been recommended by their leaders, they
should be called before the altar, in the pres- subscribe to
ence of the congregation, and caused to sub- Discipline,
scribe to our articles of religion, rules, and dis¬
cipline—according to Book of Discipline—and
answer questions distinctly as to their obliga¬
tions—allowing- no one to answer for them.
It ought to be explained until understood,
however, that giving his or her name, to the
legal authority, as a member of the church,
obligates any individual to the fulfillment of
all duties connected with membership.
It occurs with members of churches as it
does with persons in court: if they do not open
their mouths and say, Yes, but bow assent, silent Assent,
they think if they do not fulfill the vow they
have not sworn falsely. A person may assent
in silence as well as by words. A falsehood
is a falsehood, "Uttered or unexpressed."
When a person allows his name to be entered
upon the church book as an effective member,
he is bound to fulfill all the duties therewith
connected, or subject himself to be disciplined,
according to the laws of our church.
Persons who join the church on good de- ^^t^nne63
sires, providing they prove themselves worthy,
so continue until they profess a hope in
Christ. As it was in time past, when they
26 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
have been in church for six months and can
answer the question decidedly, "I have saving:
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ," if there be
nothing against their characters, they are eli¬
gible to be received as full members.
Sec. 13. The General Conference of 1892,
Probationers by decision, revised the long standing six
Received, months probation as follows: "Probationers
may be received into full connection as soon
as they shall give satisfactory evidence to the
pastor and leader of sound conversion."—
General Conference Minutes, 1892, page 123.
LIBERTY OF INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION.
Sec. 14. Any independent organization is at
liberty to inaugurate codes of rules, modify or
re-arrange customs as the ages advance for the
government of its members.
There are obvious reasons for receiving
persons into full connection on the profession
of their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
In the age when probationship was an in¬
dispensable necessity, persons were wont to
unite with the church who were totally igno¬
rant of not merely saving faith in the Lord
Jesus Christ, but of the requirements of the
church.
There was an age when the Christian relig¬
ion and church fellowship were termed "mys-
Cause for Pro- ,, T , 1 u
bation. tenes. it was necessary that persons should
become acquainted with those "mysteries," to
see how they would accord with their feeling:
and judgment. The Christian religion is no
mystery at the present time. Such has been
the development since the time above referred
to, that even children give striking evidence
that they understand the intent and purpose of
the Christian religion. The only mystery
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH.
which remains in connection with religion, is,
the manner God pursued in bringing about
the redemptive scheme: "God was manifest in
the flesh."
Since the revelation of the intent and pur¬
poses of religion are so universally known in
this age of grace, something is gained in
bringing persons who profess a lively hope in
Christ into immediate fellowship with the
church. Probationship still remains to those
who have not expressed a radical change of
heart.
reception of children.
One, if not the most important matter of
church polity, is, the proper attitude that in¬
stitution assumes in caring for children, there¬
with connected. On this point the Catholic
Church is more judicious than the Protestant,
and its wonderful influence from its numerical
strength, is accordingly felt. Its motto is,
"Give us the children, and you can have the
others!" It is well to think of what is im¬
plied in that idea.
Sec. 15. It is admitted by. the Protestant
Church that children being saved by virtue of
the atonement, are recognized by the church children Rec-
in the ordinance of the Sacrament of Baptism. °&nized-
They, therefore, claim, not merely the atten¬
tion but the special care of the church; and it
is but wise that their claim be carefully con¬
sidered by the church and ministry.
Sec. 16. By virtue of their reception of one
of the two Sacraments of the church, it is evi- sacrament of
denced that their inception therein is recog- baptlsm-
nized. This brings them into covenant re¬
lations therewith, but being in their infancy,
parents or guardians are their sponsors, and
28 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
are therefore responsible for the fulfillment of
the covenant by them made at the baptismal
ceremony.
Sec. 17. The church being the custodian of
E^fPchurchty record those vows, is not without re¬
sponsibility for the discharge of its part of ob¬
ligations, through her ministers and officials;
that she sees to it—as much as in her lies—
that consistent efforts be made for the fulfill¬
ment of those vows; and that she supplements
those efforts to the accomplishment of the end
in view—the salvation of souls brought in cov¬
enant relation with her at Christian baptism.
Sec. 18. As our church, by its Discipline,
regards baptized children as having entered
0blchurch! °f into visible covenant relations with God
(through representation) it recognizes its ob¬
ligation to exercise special supervision in the
fulfillment of its part of obligations, and in so
doing, retain the intended relation.
To the church the relation of baptized chil¬
dren is that of probationers. They can not be
recognized as full members, for this would
subject them to the usual form of church dis¬
cipline in case of failure to keep the vows con¬
nected with full membership; and this could
hardly be demanded when the individual does
Relation of not recognize having subscribed to such vows;
Baptized Chii- If persons who profess to be followers of
ren' Christ do not all give evidence of persever¬
ance, it is not to be expected that all children
who have been baptized will keep in the path
of righteousness. It is, therefore, reasonable
that baptized children gathered in classes for
instructions—to be taught the principles of re¬
ligion—should be considered probationers un¬
til they give evidence of having professed a
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 29
lively hope in Christ. Then, like other mem¬
bers, they should be received into full connec¬
tion, and will then assume the responsibility of
their vows. Probationers imply responsibil¬
ity, but may be dropped without the form of a
church trial; but no full member can be re¬
moved from the church roll without trial, ex¬
cept those absent from city or vicinity where
they hold their membership, for a specific time,
without corresponding with leader or pastor.
DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
CHAPTER II.
CHURCH TRIAL.
members.
Sec i. The subject of church trial is of great
importance to all parties concerned, and ought
to be very cautiously and judiciously pro¬
ceeded with—in wisdom and in the fear of
God.
It must never be considered that the object
of church trials is to punish persons for mis¬
doing. Whenever this is held up as a fact,
the direct intention is misconstrued, the real
object perverted, and the intended effect di¬
verted.
The real object of church trials is to seek
to rescue the Christian character of a brother
or sister from calumny. If through the faulti-
Object of ness of the individual the church "trying to
Church Trials. rescue» failSj it is natural and right the indi-
viuual should suffer the consequence. The
suffering of the individual is never to be the
intention of a trial, but the reverse: to rescue
from blame righteously—and that only. The
individual is responsible for the failure to res¬
cue; hence, he suffers.
pastor's responsibility.
Sec. 2. Of all branches of the Christian
ministry, that of pastor is the most respon¬
sible. It is to be regretted that some pastors
fail to realize this fact. He is to guard and
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH, 31
promote the moral and religious character of
his entire membership, and is scarcely less re¬
sponsible for the members of his congrega¬
tion and community.
In the function of his office, it is his duty to
counsel, admonish, and reprove as occasion Pastor's Func-
may require; remembering that it is his part lon'
and duty, like his Master, "To heal the
broken-heartedand as far as in him lies, to
establish the wavering and reclaim the way¬
ward. These things may be small in expres¬
sion, but not in fulfillment.
Of course he has special control only of the
members of his church, and not of the com¬
munity; but in his walks and administrations
he may be able to control his congregation,
as well if not better than his members.
Sec. 3. In performing these responsible
duties which are likely to stir and inflame the pe^mfance.
ill-nature of passionate persons, such as a pas¬
tor is often called upon to perform, notwith¬
standing he may act as cautiously as possible,
occasionally legal actions become necessary:
therefore, it is wisdom to proceed with an eye
to ecclesiastical equity.
Sec. 4. It is of vital importance to know
how far the civil law recognizes the rights of Lesal Rights of
a pastor, in the discharge of the functions of
his office.
In the political economy of our ^common
country, the constitutions guarantee to every
individual the natural and inalienable right to
worship God according to the dictates of his
own conscience, and assure that no individual
shall be hurt, molested, or restrained; in per¬
son, liberty, or estate, for his religious senti¬
ments or professions; provided he does not
Pastor.
Individual
Rights.
DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
disturb public peace, nor infringe upon the
rights of others. These things the constitu¬
tions of the States and United States promise
to all their subjects.
No pretension is made, however, that it is
intended that churches in this country possess,
in a legal aspect, peculiar rights or power to
other societies voluntarily organized with
gradations of officers, and with such judiciaries
as may subserve moral and religious purposes
of religious organizations.
Sec. 5. Religious organizations can not in¬
flict civil disabilities nor pecuniary fines for
the grossest violations of their covenant vows.
The rights of religious societies to inquire into
the conduct of their members," to admonish,
censure, or pass votes of expulsion and record
their proceedings against those who violate
their covenant relations, are fully .recognized
by civil tribunals. Courts of justice refuse to
inquire whether the conduct of aggrieved mem-
^imited8 kers mer*ted such discipline when the proceed¬
ings of the church were according to the
usages of the denomination, and it is evidenced
that the proceedings were conducted in good
faith and without malice. Even when cases
have been submitted to a jury, and the accused
convicted by such a jury, the evidence in such
a case may be insufficient to convict the ac¬
cused at a church trial. On the other hand,
the evidence which fails to convict at a civil
tribunal may convict at a church trial. In
such cases civil authority recognizes the find¬
ing of the ecclesiastical court; forasmuch as
findings of a civil court do not serve as a bar
to religious societies investigating the case, de
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH.
novo. For good reasons civil law recognizes
this right* of all religious bodies.
intention constitutes the crime.
Sec. 6. The constitution of crimes is often
based upon intention. That is to say, there
are communications reflecting on characters
which may be considered criminal or privil¬
eged, according to intention.
For instance, an individual may give his
knowledge of the character of a servant to a
person who is about to employ him, and the
.information given may be injurious, but with¬
out evil intention. This would not constitute
a crime, because the person had no intention
of injuring the servant; but of giving needed
information. In this case there might be in¬
jury without defamation. In examining such
cases, it is necessary to keep in mind the in¬
tention of the individual giving the informa¬
tion, as that constitutes crime or no crime.
Sec. 7. In relation to defamation or libel, a
member can not be charged with either of
these crimes when he charges another member no crime,
of a society to the pastor or judiciary having-
power to hear and examine, when redress is
sought: this is prima facie privileged commun¬
ication. The eminent jurist, Judge Cowen,
says: "The law concedes the right of petition
and remonstrance to a spiritual superior, when
they are presented with a view to redress.
The proper channel being pursued, the church
member is entitled to the same measure of
protection as if he had, when writing, the libel,
been engaged in seeking the removal of an
inferior officer at the hands of a superior,
created by the constitution of the law."—19
Wendall, 296.
34 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
Sec. 8. If, therefore, a person is accused to
the proper authority of a church of commit¬
ting an offense, no matter what that offense
may be—where there is a probability of com¬
mitting such an offense—providing the accusa¬
tion is not malicious, such accusation does not
constitute the crime of libel nor defamation,
and no civil tribunal recognizes such.
members can not be removed without
trial.
Sec. 9. The world has furnished us with but
one Individual who needed not the assistance
of others in varied accomplishments. That
Personage was the Lord Himself. Even
Moses, the man who knew God face to face,
found himself in need of the advice and direc¬
tion of his father-in-law, who said to him:
"The thing that thou doest is not good."—Ex¬
odus 18: 17.
Pastors are but human, though they are the
Pastor's selection of God, they need, not merely coun-
Counsei. sel, but certain limits to the exercise of their
authority. A cabinet in the administration of
the affairs of the nation is invariably the work
of wisdom, and this is sought in the affairs of
church and state. It might be said to the
credit of the absolute ruler Ahasuerus that he
refused to remove his offending wife, Vashti,
from being queen without the advice of the
council of his kingdom. The order of an ex¬
ecutive surrounded by a council is an ancient
and well recognized principle. The Disci¬
pline of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church directs that any individual once
recognized as a full member can not be re¬
moved from that situation without due trial
and conviction.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 35
Sec. 10. In order to convict a member of
crime or crimes, he must be charged there¬
with in due form. The charge must contain ThoForm-
violation of some Scriptural injunction, moral
principle, or church covenant.
He must be brought before a select
committee appointed by the pastor, or the so¬
ciety of which he is a member. The trial takes
place before the society when it is small—a
score or less—but before a select committee
when larger. When a member has been re¬
ceived into full connection, there is a restrict¬
ive ecclesiastical rule which guarantees to him
the privileges of trial and appeal; this right Pnvileses-
has been freely acknowledged by the African
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and its dis¬
cipline is consistently arranged to this end.
The church does not admit of anything less
than formal proof, before the body having or¬
iginal jurisdiction, as to the guilt or innocence
of any of its members charged with crimes.
Whether or not the administrator personally
knows that the charges are substantially true,
he has no authority to remove a member
without the finding of a regularly appointed Must be Proved
committee or the society of which the person Guilty,
is a member. Neither civil nor ecclesiastical
law recognizes the guilt of an individual until
the evidence of guilt is properly presented to
the authorized tribunal, and its verdict ren¬
dered. No member of the African Metho¬
dist Episcopal Zion Church shall be sentenced
until a verdict of "Guilty" is rendered by the
body holding original jurisdiction.
Sec. 11. Mr. Wesley's plan for removing Wesley's way.
unworthy members, in his day, was far differ¬
ent from that of the present, for good reasons.
36 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
When he (Mr. Wesley) made his quarterly vis¬
itations, he gave to each member a ticket bear¬
ing his or her name. "This ticket was a
symbol, or tessera, as the ancients term such,
denoting that the person holding it was
recognized as a member of the society."
Mr. Wesley expressed himself thus: "These
also supplied us with a quiet and inoffensive
method of removing any disorderly member.
He has no new ticket at the quarterly visita¬
tion ; for so often the tickets are changed—and
thereby it is immediately known that he is no
longer of the community."—Wesley's Works,
Vol. V., p. 182.
presiding officer of trial meeting.
Sec. 12. It is according to the custom and
discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church to bring accused persons before a
select'committee of regular church members,
to answer to charge or charges brought
against them. In such cases, Who is
Prpsifliiiff •
officer. the legal presiding officer of the meet¬
ing? Ans.—The pastor. It is evident
that in bringing a member to trial be¬
fore a select committee, or the society of which
He is a member, no person can be as well pre¬
pared to preside at such a trial meeting as the
pastor. For, first, he above all other per¬
sons, is held responsible for the spiritual wel¬
fare of the individual. Secondly, the interest
of the individual and qhurch is more closely
connected with the pastor and his duty, than
with any other. Thirdly, looking after the
interest of the church, he must guard the repu¬
tation of the individual member. It is'guard¬
ing the reputation that demands the trial of
members. The discipline rightly recognizes
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 37
him as the president of all trial meetings. He
is the presiding officer no matter whether he
be preacher, deacon, or elder.
Sec. 13. While the committee formulates
and renders the finding, it is the duty of the
presiding officer, not merely to announce, but
to decide upon the sentence of convicted per- sentence,
sons, and so declare in the presence of the
committee, society, or conference. In former
days the discipline stated, "Let him be ex¬
pelled but we think it more definite to sav:
The committee having rendered the verdict,
let the presiding officer pronounce the sen¬
tence.
Bishop Jones, in his Hand-book on the Dis¬
cipline of the African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church asked and answered the following
question: "Is it proper for a pastor to expel a
member found guilty by a society or commit¬
tee? Ans. It is not: He has no power to ex¬
pel. The committee or society is required to ce^senfenc^"
fix the penalty by vote. The pastor simply
announces the court's decision, nothing
more." I think but few persons will agree
with the Bishop in this decision. Like a jury
the committee weighs and ponders the evi¬
dence and decides upon the finding; and so
like a judge, the presiding officer should con¬
sider carefully the weight of the offense, equiv¬
alent reparation, and so decide on the sen¬
tence.
Most persons can perceive from the evi¬
dence whether a person has or has not com¬
mitted the crime charged; but it takes careful
and judicious consideration to decide upon
what shall be the punishment meted out for
the interest of the individual, church, and
community. The pastor has always been and
38 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
always will be the proper authority to perform
... this duty, unless the church polity shall be
ommittee J.\ tr j -
Power. wonderfully changed, lhe most a committee
can do, lawfully, is to attach to its findings a
recommendation for mercy. This ought to
be done, only, when the spirit of the criminal
guarantees it. A committee contradicts the
power of its good judgment when it recom¬
mends a man to mercy whose unbearable
spirit dictates the contrary. It is the option
of the presiding officer, therefore, whether he
takes into consideration the recommendation
of the committee or not.
BRINGING TO TRIAL.
Sec. 14. While in some cases private expul¬
sion might be considered advantageous, in
others, the advantage would be given to de¬
signed -persons—both ministerial and lay—to
tamper with ecclesiastical justice, and thereby
cause reproaches on individuals and churches.
It is, therefore, the intention of the church to
make plain its acts to all who are willing to
admit them. Accused persons must be
brought to trial before competent judges
whose duty shall be to declare their guilt or
innocence.
When a member is accused of violation of
covenant vows, church discipline, or the Holy
Scriptures; the charge or charges must be
placed in the hands of the pastor. If the
charges are not in proper form, it is the pas¬
tor's duty to reduce them to such. The first
Tipiacend Pastor> ^en, is to set a time and
place for the trial; appoint a committee, ac¬
cording to discipline, and warn the accused
and accuser to meet at the time and place ap¬
pointed. The warning may be done by the
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH.
leader or by written notices from the pastor.
If the charge or charges be such as to require
judicial investigation, a copy of the charge or
charges shall accompany the warning to meet
the committee.
Sec. 15. The pastor is the regular presiding
officer of a church trial, .but there are cases Another than
when it may not be best for him or he may not the Pastor,
be able to preside. For example: There may
be cases when he is somewhat involved—as a
witness or an accuser. In such cases he
should call to preside the preacher most con¬
venient to him; and the latter shall have full
control as presiding officer and perform all the
duties connected with the position. A judi¬
cious pastor will keep from being an accuser,
unless circumstances compel him so to be.
Sec. 16. In the case of trial of members or
preachers, all ecclesiastical courts obiect to a
presiding officer delivering a charge to a com¬
mittee, society, or conference, instructing the
jury in regard to the evidence, merits, or de¬
merits of the Case. This is also denied to
presiding officers in cases of appeal. A pre- ^^Muftnot"
siding officer of a church trial must never at- charge,
tempt to explain to a committee, or other
bodies, the weight of the evidence—for or
against.
rumors and complaints.
Sec. 17. The chief idea of church discipline
is to guard the Christian reputation of mem¬
bers, and not, as some think, for their punish¬
ment. When a member is accused by public Rumors,
rumors of having committed a crime, it does not
help the church nor the individual to attemot
to smother the accusation. In such a case, it is
the duty of the pastor to institute an investi-
40 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
gation. This may be done in the following:
manner:—The leader and two members should
be appointed an investigating committee; and
they should search the matter carefully for the
facts, and report the result to the pastor. If
the rumors are unfounded, the pastor should
make public declaration of the fact. If true,
and the case be of such a nature as to require
a trial, he should appoint a committee, time,
and place for legal investigation. This man¬
ner of procedure gives evidence of the zealous
watch-care the church has over its members,
and how it seeks to defend them, when it is
in its power so to do.
Sec. i8. It sometimes occurs that damag¬
ing reports are brought to the pastor against
members of the church. The persons making
the complaints, though able to produce sub-
oharges° stantial witnesses, may be unable to reduce
the complaints to formal charges and speci¬
fications. That such charges should go un¬
noticed unless they are submitted in the proper
form by the complainant; betrays dereliction
on the part of the administrator: for, if cases
which require investigation should be ne¬
glected for want of formal submission, manv
of the worst crimes must be passed unnoticed.
When a complaint is duly made, and the cir¬
cumstances sufficient to warrant regular in¬
vestigation, the pastor shall reduce the com¬
plaint to charges and specifications.
Sec. 19. Care must be taken, however, that
charges should not be drawn up on the mere
Probability declaration of the person that he "has prob¬
able cause to suspect" a member of being
guilty of some crime. Notwithstanding:,
there are circumstances when even "probable
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 41
causes" may justify investigation; not so much
to satisfy the accuser, but to justify the ac¬
cused. Cases left uninvestigated leave the ac¬
cused under a cloud—a position not to be cov¬
eted by an innocent member. The person
who desires to remain in this situation, shows
guilt; if he is innocent.
A point to be guarded by pastors, is, a re¬
port made by a person whose testimony would
not be admitted in an ecclesiastical court,
ought not be sufficient to justify the arrest of
the Christian character of a member; only as
collateral circumstances or facts confirm the
accusation.
Sec. 20. Dr. Baker says in his book on dis¬
cipline : "Any crime, committed at however re¬
mote a period, if it be within the time in which
the accused has been a member of the church,
is indictable; but it can not extend to any
period beyond membership. The charges of
immorality against preachers should not be re- immorality,
stricted to the time in which they have been in
the ministry, but may extend to any time with¬
in their church membership."—Chap. V., Sec.
4, p. 98. The above section is admitted bv
the Methodist Church in general—the African
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church is governed
thereby.
Sec. 21. Sometimes cases are brought to the.
knowledge of a pastor, which though action¬
able, he meets the plea "not having been com¬
mitted during your administration," and that
his predecessor was cognizant of the facts, indictable,
but took no notice thereof. It must be re¬
membered that the indictable character of an
act depends upon whether it is in violation of
moral law and church vow, and not upon the
time of commission nor individual omission.
DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
In accordance with the foregoing section a
crime is indictable unless legally or authorita¬
tively acted upon. That is—satisfactorily set¬
tled by the pastor or previous sentence.
Sec. 22. In ecclesiastical, as well as civil
courts, persons are held accountable the same
as principals for crimes to which they are ac-
Accessories. cessories. Soipetimes the accessories are
considered more responsible than the princi¬
pals : they are, when they suggest the commis¬
sion of the crime, inaugurate and formulate
plans, furnish means, etc. For these reasons
accessories to crimes are liable, and should be
charged accordingly; and the proceedings
against them should be in every respect the
same as if they were principals. The princi¬
pal is the person who is chief in committing
the crime—accessories those who advise, suc¬
cor, or provide.
Sec. 23. There are certain forms in draw¬
ing up charges which when observed, exhibit
their actionable features more clearly and con¬
cisely.
The following is desirable for its simplicity
Arrangements. an(j comprehension. Charge or charges ought
to be stated as briefly as possible, and speci¬
fications should be by nature capable of sus¬
taining the charge. That is to say, when the
specifications are sustained, there should be a
verification of the charge or charges.
example.
I Charge—Falsehood.
1. Specification—Having on or about the
10th day of January, 18—, stated that A. B.
was, to his knowledge, living in an unlawful
state with C. D.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH.
2. Specification—Having related that he
was at the house of E. F., on or about March
2 ist, 18—, and observed acts which took
place between A. B. and C. D. as in Specifi¬
cation r, highly improper; and when con¬
fronted, denied the assertion.
II. Charge—Malicious mischief.
1. Specification—In raising the report
that A. B. was a married man, but living a
questionable life with C. D.
2. Specification—In reporting that he is
not the only person who is cognizant of the
charge as stated in Specification i; that E.
F. and G. H. are acquainted with the charge
presented in the above specification.
Sec. 24. Dr. Baker (quoting from 3 Stark.
Ev., 1527) states—"The object of the rule re¬
quiring the charge to be particularly set forth
is threefold: First, to apprise the accused ot
the precise nature of the charge made against charges,
him; secondly, to enable the court to deter¬
mine whether the facts constitute an offense,
and to render the proper award theron; and
thirdly, that the judgment may be a bar to any
further prosecution for the same offense."—
Complaint, Sec. 10, p. 100.
Sec. 25. Each charge should be so explicit
as to involve an offense, the sustentation of
which would be sufficient—without modifying ^s^p^sfbie?8
circumstances—to merit a church penalty.
Prefatory and Preliminary statements of
charges are unnecessary for church trials.
The strength of the charge, if there be charge,
is made obscure by words to no purpose.
Sec. 26. It is not wise to show undue bit¬
terness of spirit in church trials. The mildest charged
language possible, which will make the offense
DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
actionable, ought to be used; neither is it well
to multiply charges and specifications after
the form of civil jurisprudence, but to be so
practicable as to secure the needed object
without an effort at display.
Sec. 27. In drawing up charges, it often oc¬
curs, there is a divergence between charge and
Harmony of specifications. For instance—A person is
Sandficharge! charged with .assault, but the specifications, if
proved, will sustain, only, threat. In this case
even if threat is a crime, it will not sustain the
charge'of assault, though proven. Care must
be taken, therefore, that every specification, if
sustained, establishes the charge.
Sec. 28. There is a material difference be¬
tween a crime committed and argument try¬
ing to show the nature and virulence of the
crime. The latter is the work of the commit¬
tee and not of the complainant nor charge-
maker. The charge is intended to state ex¬
actly what crime has been committed, leaving
the committee to decide whether it is action¬
able or not: if proved the presiding officer an¬
nounces the award. That this may be done,
charges must every crime be made the basis of a separate
charge; so that no two crimes come under one
head, as such produce confusion or conflicting
views, and one may be shadowed by the other:
finally, neither be proved. The exception in
this case is where the. crimes are similar in
their nature, and one is included in the other
—as Assault and Battery. Each specification
should set forth but one averment of the
charge, and should be positive and explicit,
expressing the fact in the most perspicuous
language.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH.
Sec. 29. It is necessary that all charges
should, as far as possible, set forth the time Time an(i
and place of the commission of crimes, exceot ace'
in cases of disseminating- erroneous doctrine,
of being- inacceptable, inefficient, etc. These
do not admit of specific particularity, and as a
consequence must be taken in their serial
character which constitutes the offence. Never¬
theless, there are many crimes committed
which may admit of direct proof and convic¬
tion without the precise date of commission.
Sec. 30. Since the charge or charges of a
church trial are not to be made actionable or
not on the basis of technicalities—error in
names of persons, in circumstances described
in bill of charges, etc.—such will not be a bar Err°r no Bar.
to the proceedings, providing the general
meaning is clearly expressed; and the error
does not materially change the issue of the
case—this ought to be decided by the presid¬
ing officer—the church can not afford to let
the end of justice suffer for mere technicalities.
This section does not imply, hQwever, that the
charges and specifications should not be prop¬
erly drawn, so that the accused may be cor¬
rectly acquainted with the cause of his being
brought to trial, and given a reasonable chance
to prove himself innocent.
Sec. 31. To make charges legal and action- .
able, they must be signed by some individual Scharges°
over whom the church exercises jurisdiction.
If complaints or charges be made or formu¬
lated against a member of the church by one
who is not a-member; to make them actiona¬
ble before a trial committee—which repre¬
sents the church in that capacity—they ought
to be signed by a member of the church.
46 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
It must not be considered, however, that
the signature is indispensable, but must be
had when obtainable. If it be made indispen¬
sable, there may be occasions when the dark¬
est crimes must be passed unnoticed; since
there is no way of compelling a person to
sign a bill of charges. When the charges are
handed in unsigned, it is the duty of the pas¬
tor to inquire if signature thereto has been
carefully sought; if it has been sought-and re¬
fused, he ought to use his discretion in calling
a committee to try the case; and the commit¬
tee also will be called upon to decide whether
the nature of the case makes it actionable.
p. e, not to SEC. %2. As it is not the duty of a preacher
Sign Charges. ° , . J , r . , .
to sign charges against a member of his
church—only for special reasons, when he
will not be allowed to preside at the trial—so,
presiding elders ought not to sign charges
against members of their districts, unless oth¬
ers refuse to sign them; then, other preachers
must preside at the trial.
It has been an established principle of old
in ecclesiastical as well as civil courts that no
judge shall act as counsel for or against indi-
judeenota viduals, neither ought he to be witness nor
Witness. -r~* ,1 ,1
accuser. Jbor these reasons the person sign-
ing.the charge ought not to preside, as such
would impair the impartiality which he is re¬
quired to exercise as a presiding officer.
Sec. 33. It is the legal right of a member to
be furnished with a copy of charge or charges
Ab<™dt0 ma.de again.st him. Charges and specifi¬
cations should be given to accused persons in
order to allow them sufficient time, prior to
trial, to prepare their defense. It is not
A. M. E. ZION CHUkCH.
necessary to provide charge or charges for
minor offenses, such as neglect of duty, etc.
Sec. 34. In cases where more than one per¬
son is accused of having been connected
with the commission of crime, conjointly, ch^|feiyep"
each should be charged separately, and be ac¬
corded a separate trial. This would better
subserve the end of justice.
Sec. 35. When a copy of charges and
specifications, duly signed, has been left at the
residence of an accused member, and warn¬
ing of the time and place of trial accompany¬
ing the same; such is deemed a sufficient cita- Cltxr\a? t0
tion to be present at the time of the trial; and,
though the accused has fled from the place,
and his present place of residence unknown,
the citation will be acknowledged by the com¬
mittee. The accused may be granted an ap¬
peal, however, if it can be proved that his
absence was caused by circumstances over
which he had no control.
select committee.
Sec. 36. Our discipline directs that "Ac¬
cused persons shall be brought to trial before
the society of which they are members, or a
select number of the same of not less than five 0d£ Number
.on Committee.
nor more than twelve persons, aside, if possi¬
ble, from the official members (and if the pastor
deem it necessary, the committee may be
selected from any neighboring church in our
Connection). This is very explicit with the
single exception of the number forming the
committtee—"Not less than five nor more
than twelve persons."
Since the conviction of persons depends
upon the decision of the majority of the com-
48 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
mittee, and it is not best that pastors or pre¬
siding officers should vote to convict or °^er"
wise,and then sentence; the committee should
be made up of an odd number. This would
give a majority for or against, without caus¬
ing a mis-trial, or requiring a double decision
being rendered by the presiding officer—
conviction or otherwise, and sentence. In
case of a committee of twelve, six either way
would cause a mis-trial; and if ecclesiastical
courts will not permit the presiding officer to
explain the evidence, nor to show his opinion
before the finding is rendered, it would
hardly agree with his voting conviction or
otherwise, before passing sentence: hence,
the necessity for an odd number on the com¬
mittee.
Sec. 37. When an accused member is
brought before a select committee for trial, for
°Aiiowede proper causes, he or his counsel may chal¬
lenge any member of the committee; and the
presiding officer shall decide whether or not
the grounds for rejection of the individual are
sufficient and admissible. If not admissible,
the case shall proceed in regular order. In
such cases the accused may ask to note his
exception.
Sec. 38. In selecting a committee for trial
Memiaeraof mem^rs> more than ordinary care should
committee, be taken, and judicious consideration exer¬
cised that the persons selected should be wise,
pious, and candid. They ought to be persons
whom the pastor has reason to believe are ca¬
pable and willing to do justice to the accused
person and the church. He should never
select men whose pious demeanor outweighs
their judgment; persons whose love and
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 49
tender sympathy overbalance the consistent
views of the demands of justice necessary for
the purity of the church. There are those
who, because they are good, think it improb¬
able for others to be otherwise; or, their
hearts are so filled with sympathy for the err¬
ing, it is difficult for them to muster courage
to mete out justice. It ought never to be for¬
gotten that the honor and reputation of the
church are at stake. These persons, there¬
fore, ought to be intelligent, unprejudiced,
free from personal interest, not biased in their
views, and possessing a reasonable share of
the principle of equity.
Again, as all members of the church are al¬
lowed the privilege of an appeal, persons who
are members of the court of appeal ought not
be employed on the trial committee, unless
such circumstances can not be avoided. The
discipline requires: "Aside, if possible, from
the official members." The number of per¬
sons composing a committee is to be suffic¬
iently large to form a respectable court, whose
decision will be esteemed by reasonable per¬
sons.
Sec. 39. It is the duty of a trial committee Weight of Tes.
to weigh and consider testimonies, bearing in timony.
mind the character of the persons giving
them, and the,circumstances therewith con¬
nected.
Chief-Justice Pennington, says, "The cir¬
cumstances of the case, the probable or im¬
probable nature of the facts detailed, the char¬
acter of the witness, the manner of his giving
testimony, must all be taken into considera¬
tion, and ought, after being duly weighed, to
carry conviction to the minds of the jury be-
50 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
fore they give it (the testimony) an effect by
their verdict. Should a witness relate a fact
which, from its improbable nature, or from the
badness of the character of the witness taken
together with the circumstances in the case, on
due consideration does not carry a belief of
the fact home to the minds of the jury, but, on
the other hand, they believe what the witness
hath related is false,—in that case what he has
said is no evidence to them, and they are not
bound to give any weight to it; but, on the
contrary, if they act upon it, or rather make
up their verdict upon it, such conduct is a
departure from their duty, and little short of a,
violation of their oath."
This is pertinently applicable to a commit¬
tee on church trial.
.Sec. 40. It is not the right of a committee,
According to *n UP judgment, to take into con-
Testimony. sideration facts of which any of its members
are cognizant, and of which no evidence was
produced and admitted during the trial. That
a member of a committee, may use facts in his
possession, not admitted during the trial, he
must resign or be relieved from the committee
and be a witness in the case. Cases must be
tried and decided only by testimony given by
proper witnesses—at the proper time and
place.
Sec. 41. In making up its judgment, a
committee should take into consideration (a)
Making up Whether or not the specifications have been
judgment. fujjy sustained by the evidence brought di¬
rectly before it. (b) Whether, the specifica¬
tions being sustained, the charge is clearly
proved.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 51
These considerations are necessary, foras¬
much as all the specifications may be proved,
and yet they may not establish the charge—
they will not sustain the charge, when they
(the specifications) do not grow directly from
the charge; but on the other hand, if the speci¬
fications have not been proved, as a natural
consequence, the charge or charges can not
be reasonably sustained: de jure, (c) The
proof of crimes having been committed is es¬
tablished by the testimony of witnesses; but
the question of guilt, de facto, rests upon the
decision of the committee.
(d) It is the duty of the committee to decide
whether the charge is one of immoral con- committee
duct, and whether it is of the first or second Decldes-
magnitude—as the aggravation of the crime,
according to justice, increases the penalty;
while palliating circumstances modify the
guilt, and decrease its penalty, (e) It is in¬
valuable that the finding of the committee Flwriting!n
should invariably be in writing and signed by
the committee or by the president and secre¬
tary of the committee.
(f) As a majority is competent to render a verdict of Ma-
verdict in a church trial it is not necessary to
delay the finding for-the unanimous agree¬
ment of the committee. When it is decided
that a majority is settled in its conclusion, the
committee should make its report to the pre¬
siding officer. Of course, greater strength
will be given to the verdict when it is unani¬
mous. (g) It is not required of a committee
to set forth the grounds upon which it based Groundsfor
its verdict, but when the circumstances re- verdict,
quire it, it is well to produce them—there are
occasions when it is necessary so to do. (h)
52 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
committee En- ^ desired, the committee is entitled to have
titled to before it, all written documents, charts, or
Documents. 1 :' 1 . - i . < . <
maps which may be admitted during the trial;
and may ask for any point or points of law
touching the case before it, which will enable
it to render a more conclusive decision.
These will be furnished by the direction of the
presiding officer.
Sec. 42. The question has been warmly dis¬
cussed whether or not the preacher in charge
verdict—Pas- should remain with the trial committee while
tor's Absence. ^ js makjng fts verdict. A noted disciplin¬
arian—Bishop Hedding, of the Methodist
Episcopal Church—replies: "Certainly he
ought, for he is pastor of the flock; and he
would greatly neglect his duty if he were to be
absent, and consequently not know on what
law or evidence the judgment was rendered."
This conclusion was, doubtless, in conformity
to Mr. Wesley's views, who believed that the
New Testament makes the pastor responsible
to God for the purity of the flock—hence, he
should judge as to the guilt or innocence of
the accused member.
The discipline of the Methodist Church was
administered with this end in view till the
year 1800. About that time it was provided
that the Society, or a select number, should
pronounce the guilt or innocence of accused
persons; and preachers were to be governed
by its decision. This placed the entire re¬
sponsibility of the decision -upon the commit¬
tee. It was further decided, that under no cir¬
cumstance should a preacher attempt to
balance the evidence, weigh probabilities,
determine the credibility of witnesses, nor
.draw inferences from the facts proved, or dis-
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 53
proved; determine disputed question of facts,
even at the request of the parties.
Bishop Morris, of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, says: "No judicious administrator of
the discipline, will let the committee, or any opinion Re-
other person, know his opinion of the case, served-
either before the trial or during its progress,
till the members of the committee have made
their decision and signed their names to it."
We repeat, the pastor or presiding officer
should perform the duty of president of the
meeting by directing the trial and deciding
what is admissible and inadmissible; and
having received the verdict, pronounce the
sentence; but he should have nothing to do
with influencing the verdict one way or the
other—his presence with the committee may
be considered as having a tendency to do this.
All matters relating to the -finding are entirely
the committee's.
Sec. 43. In cases where the words of the
charge or specifications are ambiguous, or Ambiguity,
susceptible of more than one meaning, it is
the duty of the committee to decide in what
sense such words are to be understood.
Sec. 44. Not merely are jfemale members Females are
entitled to vote, when persons are brought to Entltled-
trial before the society of which they are
members, but they are eligible to be appointed
as members of a committee for trial of such
cases. There may be cases, however, when it
may not be advisable to place females on the
committee—this ought to be left to the dis¬
cretion of the pastor. The word male having
been stricken from our discipline, females are
eligible to fill any position of which they are
capable.
54 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
process of trial.
Sec. 45. There ought to be peculiar sol¬
emnity in a trial meeting, as there is to be de¬
cided whether a person shall be expelled or
remain a member of Christ's church. That
this may be discerned, divine direction should
be earnestly sought. In opening a trial meet¬
ing, the presiding officer should conduct re¬
ligious services appropriate to the occasion.
He Should then name the secretary of the
meeting, read the names of the select commit¬
tee, inquire of the party if he is represented
by a counsel, and name him. If the party to
be tried is to be represented by a counsel, he
(presiding officer) should name some one to
represent the church. Read or cause to be
read charges and specifications of the accused
person, and order the trial to begin.
The following is the regular mode of con¬
ducting church trials:
1. Reading charges and specifications to
.the accused.
2. Demanding a reply to the charge—
"Guilty" or "Not Guilty."
3. The accuser calls and examines his wit¬
nesses.
a. Defendant cross-examines aceuser's
witnesses.
4. Accused puts in his evidence.
b. Accuser cross-examines witnesses of
the accused.
5. Accuser offers his rebutting testimony.
6. Rebutting testimony by the accused.
closing argument.
7. By the accuser.
8. By the accused.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 55
Answer to
Charge.
9. Closed by the accuser.
10. Committee retires, makes up, and ren¬
ders its verdict.
11. The presiding- officer announces the
sentence—places on trial, acquits, or expels.
Sec. 46. When the accused confesses him¬
self guilty of the charge or charges preferred
against him, no further evidence being re¬
quired, the case should be submitted to the
committee at once; it is work of supereroga¬
tion for a committee to spend time in trying
to find, as it often occurs, whether the person
is guilty or not. If it is the conclusion of the
committee to recommeqd the individual to the
mercy of the court—providing the spirit of
the person warrants such recommendation—
it ought to do so without unnecessary delay.
If a person of sound mind does not doubt his
guilt in the commission of the crime charged,
certainly no committee has any reason to
question the fact. A committee's duty is to
try a case according to evidence.
Sec. 47. When the accused, being asked, re¬
fuses to answer directly to the charge pre¬
ferred against him, or answers in such a way
as to leave the court in doubt of his plea, such
answer must be considered in law equivalent
to "Not Guilty"—unless the person is de¬
prived of speech, ex visitations Dei. In such
cases the witnesses establish the guilt or inno¬
cence.
Sec. 48. In relation to trial and conviction
of members for the offense of which they had
been acquitted, Dr. Baker says: "No member Tried^same
can be held to answer on a second indictment Offense,
for any offense of which he has been acquitted
by a committee, on the facts and merits, on
Refusing to
Answer.
56 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
a former trial. But if he is acquitted upon
the ground of variance between the indict¬
ment and the proof, or upon any exception to
the form and substance of the indictment, he
may be tried on a new process, and convicted
for the same offense, notwithstanding such
former acquittal. A plea of former acquittal
is valid only when the accused has been ac¬
quitted in due form by a tribunal competent to
make a final disposition of the case. If a local
or traveling preacher, therefore, should be ac¬
quitted by a committee called by a preacher in
charge, or the Presiding Elder, such an ac¬
quittal would serve as no bar to a subsequent
arraignment, on the same charge and specifi¬
cations before the Quarterly or District Con¬
ference, or before the Annual Conference, as
the case may be; for these tribunals alone
have jurisdiction over local and traveling
preachers."
Sec. 49. A person who has enjoyed the
privileges of the church as a member for a
number of years, and has allowed himself to
P1mitt^d" be so recognized, can not plead, as a fact, his
not having been regularly received into
church fellowship as a bar to his trial and ex¬
pulsion for crimes committed. The question
was asked in the General Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, i860, "May a
person who has not been formally received
into full connection in the church, but has for
a term of years enjoyed all the privileges of a
member, and is supposed by the preacher in
charge and society to be a member, plead the
fact of his non-reception as a bar to proceed¬
ings in case of alleged immorality? Answer—
No."—Journal, i860, p. 298.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 57
Sec. 50. In relation to the correction of
omissions and errors during the progress of Correction_
the trial, such correction may be made, Not Amend-
when, without the correction, the true in- ment'
tent is discernible; but where the correc¬
tion is necessary to develop the design or
purpose, it is not admissible. No amend¬
ment which may change, in any degree, the
issue as originally presented, neither new
charges nor specifications, can be admitted.
Any charge or specification may be with- Mayc^argeraw
drawn, however, providing the application for
the withdrawal be made prior to the commit¬
tee rendering its verdict. For example: If
the charge of falsehood and sowing dissension
be made, at any time during the trial either of
the charges may be withdrawn. If the charge
of falsehood be withdrawn, the evidence
in relation thereto falls to the ground, and the
finding should be for dissension only. The
same is true of one or more specifications.
Sec. 51. If an accused person has any mat¬
ter to plead as an abatement or bar to the pro- Bar to Trial,
ceedings, his intention must be made known
at the opening of the trial, and the subject
matter presented at that time. It is not
admissible after the case has been allowed to
proceed, and evidence admitted.
Sec. 52. The preacher in charge can not Presidingpffl.
rule out of a bill of charges any part or speci- cer's Limit,
fication thereof which is legally actionable;
but an annual, district, or quarterly confer¬
ence has the power to retain or dismiss any
part of, or the entire bill of charges, as it
thinks proper. The judgment of a legal body
is always considered superior to that of an in¬
dividual.
58 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
Sec. 53. That even justice may be meted
out to all persons, if an important witness is
absent, by no fault of the person for whom he
PoS witness/01 is to testify, or should a party be surprised by
evidence which he did not anticipate, at the
discretion of the presiding officer, the trial
may be postponed for a more favorable op¬
portunity when the presence of such a witness
may be had.
Sec. 54. The presiding officer has not the
power to reject any specification or action-
su%rffuoCus Part a biH- charges, but any aver-
Matter. meat which is immaterial or unnecessary in¬
gredient in the offense, without which the
complaint is comprehensible, he (the presi¬
dent) may reject as being superfluous matter.
Sec. 55. When an accused member evades
Evading Trial, trial by absenting himself therefrom, after due
notice has been given, our discipline says,
"And the circumstances afford strong pre¬
sumption of guilt, let the accused be esteemed
guilty, and accordingly excluded." In such
a case the person has no appeal. Neverthe¬
less., if it can be proved, to the pastor, that the
seeming evasion was caused by circumstances
over which the accused had no control, he
may be granted an appeal to the ensuing
Quarterly Conference; and it shall decide his
guilt or innocence.
Sec. 56. The object of writing charges
against an accused, is to limit the trial to cer-
proper charge tain particulars. If, therefore, a different
Only. crime is proved from the one alleged, it is un¬
lawful to hold the defendant answerable there¬
for ; unless the bill of charges is renewed. In
the latter event, it is necessary to postpone the
trial to enable the defendant to prepare to
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH.
meet the accusation.' The final proceedings
should be held de novo, according to regulai
form.
Sec. 57. If a pastor refuse to entertain a
bill of charges against a member of his charge, Retertain.En~
when it is properly presented, the accuser may,
if he deem it necessary, lay complaint against
the pastor at the annual conference; and if the
complaint prove a reasonable case of neglect
of duty or maladministration, such a preacher
shall be called to trial according to the rule of
discipline, during the conference or its in¬
terval.
Sec. 58. Charges should never be dis¬
missed, without the verdict of the committee, How to Dismiss
after they have been entertained and the trial , charges-
begun—unless such is done with the consent
of the accuser and the accused. Bishop
Waugh, of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
said: "After charges have been entertained, and
the trial has proceeded until the complainant
has produced his testimony, the case can not
be dismissed without the consent of the com¬
plainant." There are cases where the de¬
fendant has a right to object to the dismissal.
Sec. 59. That every member be allowed a
fair and impartial trial, the accused may call
to his assistance, as counsel, any individual in C0Defensend
regular standing in the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church; and he (the accused)
must be allowed reasonable time to obtain
necessary proof, by competent witnesses, in
his defense.
Sec. 60. There was a time when it was con- gitwith0pen
sidered highly improper to conduct a trial Doors,
otherwise than in private. There are cases
when this observance is still a necessary pre-
6o DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
caution, but in the majority of cases, at least,
when the pastor thinks it necessary, a trial
committee should sit with open doors. This
gives persons a chance to see and hear for
themselves, and learn the nature, intent, and
end of our law and its administration.
Sec. 6i. The testimony of all witnesses, and
Preserved other process of trials, should be kept by a
Records. competent secretary; and no part thereof can
be taken from the records without the con¬
sent of the pastor and both parties—the ac¬
cuser and accused. The record of all church
trials must be preserved as a part of the church
archives.
of witnesses.
Sec. 62. Rome furnished the world with the
true basis of human laws, and required the
evidence of two witnesses to establish a de¬
cree. In our civil courts, however, if the tes¬
timony of a substantial witness is corroborated
by strong collateral circumstances, it is admit¬
ted as sufficient to establish a fact. While 'a
single allegation rebutted by a positive denial,
in an ecclesiastical court, should not be
deemed sufficient to destroy the Christian
character of a person in whom the church re¬
poses confidence, yet a single testimony, cor¬
roborated by strong collateral circumstances,
may be sufficient to convince a trial committee,
of the moral certainty of the guilt of a person
who has been accused of a crime.
Sec. 63. In civil judicature, the common
Testimony of law refuses recognition, as a witness, co-suitor
Accused. *n a case> t0 some extent the same princi¬
ple holds good in ecclesiastical courts. In
many states statutes have been enacted, allow¬
ing parties in civil suits, and in criminal cases.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 61
also, to testify even in their own behalf; the
tribunal, of course, giving such weight to their
testimony as the circumstances, in its iude--
ment, admit. Parties who are connected with
a case, and even the accused of high crimes,
may be allowed to testify in his behalf; but the
committee must decide whether it will attach
much, little, or no weight to the testimony.
The reputation of the individual, circum¬
stances, and corroboration of his testimony
are taken into account in weighing his evi¬
dence.
Sec. 64. As it is not the intention of civil
courts to be the means of destroying domestic
happiness, it is held, reasonably, that neither Husband and
husband nor wife can testify in a civil or crim- wife's Testi-
inal case in which either is a party; forasmuch
as confidential communications, such as the
marriage relation alone in its sacredness is ca¬
pable of obtaining, are in danger of being di¬
vulged, and in many cases, the dread of life
consequences may force diversions^—they
(husbands and wives) are legally relieved from
giving testimony in such cases. Ecclesiasti¬
cal courts vary in this—husbands and wives
may mutually be allowed to testify for each
other; and the committee should weigh their
evidence, as it is entitled, according to cir¬
cumstances.
Sec. 65. All judicial bodies refuse to admit
persons as witnesses who are deficient in un- Deficient m
derstanding—so does the church. If a deafUnderstandins
mute is produced in civil court, it must be
proved by the party producing him that he is
sufficiently intelligent to give reasonable testi¬
mony.
No precise age has been set to enable chil¬
dren to be competent witnesses in a trial case.
62 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
Children are presumed to be competent wit¬
nesses at fourteen years of age, but civil courts
have admitted them as early as five years of
age. A committee can judge the' comprehen¬
sion of a child by his testimony, and give due
weight thereto accordingly.
Sec. 66. Civil tribunal refuses to admit the
testimony of a person insensible to the obli-
Acrtotoais.d gation of an oath, such as, atheists, convicts
of flagrant crimes—felony, forgery, perjury,
etc. The church can not admit the testimonv
of such persons, unless their statements are
strongly corroborated by collateral circum¬
stances, or it has reasons to believe that the
person has been reformed in morals.
Sec. 67. It is necessary that the church
Wi w1thout0m should admit witnesses from without in the
trial of a member, and so it does. Anv per¬
son of reputed veracity is a competent witness
in an ecclesiastical court, notwithstanding his
peculiar religious belief or his church rela¬
tions. Our discipline says: "Witnesses who
are not church members shall not be rejected."
Sec. 68. It is the prerogative of the presid¬
ing officer of church trials to determine
witnesses* whether or not a person is competent to be
admitted as a witness ; but the society or select
committee before which the case is brought,
decides what weight, if any, the testimony of
the witness deserves.
Sec. 69. Occasionally a judge is called to
testify in a cause, but in such a case another
jurist occupies the bench. From the legalitv
of this fact, we state again, while a pastor is
p o cannot a c°mPetent witness against any member of
be Witness, his charge, he can not be a witness and judee
of the same case. If it become necessary for
him to be a witness, he must cause another
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 63
minister to preside during the trial of the in¬
dividual for or against whom he is to be a wit¬
ness : for although the relation between
a pastor in charge and a judge differs,
in some respects, there is a striking analogrv
in others. It is, therefore, expedient that the
judge shall not be a witness in the same case—
so must not the presiding officer in a church
trial.
law governing testimony.
Sec. 70. That a pastor and other adminis-
istrators of the discipline be enabled to dis¬
charge their obligations correctly, they should
be in possession of correct knowledge of the
laws governing testimony, as established by
civil jurisprudence. It is true, in ecclesiasti¬
cal courts mere technicalities should never be
allowed to subvert equitable principles, but
the admitted laws of evidence, approved bv
the wisdom and established by the usages of
ages, lose none of their applicability in the es¬
tablishment of matters of fact in the presence,
of an ecclesiastical court or civil tribunal.
The following are a few of the most im¬
portant :
First. There must be a correspondence be¬
tween the allegations and the evidence, and
the latter must be confined to the particular
point at issue. As it is supposed that nothing
immaterial will be expressed in the bill of
charges, the allegations set forth should be
supported by direct testimony, when such is Evidenceto
obtainable. When it is discovered that the correspond
specifications are extended with unnecessary Wlth charges-
particularity, a judicious committee ought to
consider what is superfluous, and therefore un¬
necessary to constitute the crime set forth in
64 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
the bill of charges. When extraneous ideas
are expressed by a witness, they .often draw
away the minds of the committee from the
real point at issue, and may operate unjustly
against the accused; therefore, the testimony
of the witnesses should be directed to the
scope of the charge in as mild a form as pos¬
sible. The accused may not be prepared to
meet points not expressly set forth in the bill
of charges.
Second. It is not indispensably necessary
that every item set forth in a bill of charges
should be proved, in order to find a person
guilty of any part thereof. If the real sub¬
stance at issue be proved, that may be suffi-
May be Guilty cient to prove the accused guilty. For ex-
of any Part. amp}e. if a person is charged with "Having
struck them," and it proved he struck "him"
only, he is guilty of "Having struck," notwith¬
standing it is him instead of them. The real
substance of the fact at issue is "Having
struck"—him implies the suffering from the
act as well as them, and so constitutes the
crime. Said one conversant in jurisprudence
—"The civil law makes a distinction between
allegations of matter of substande and allega¬
tions of essential description. It is sufficient
if the former be substantially proved; but the
latter must be proved with literal precision."
The church is often compelled to deal with ac¬
tions which are criminal in themselves, not¬
withstanding the circumstances surrounding-
the commission, the rule is almost invariably
applicablethat is to say, if the substance of
the allegation be proved, the charge is con-
Ac?vnaandt0 sidered established. The law governing evi-
Ecciesiasticai. dence says: "If, in an action for malicious
prosecution, the plaintiff alleges that he was
A. M. E./ZION CHURCH. 65
acquitted of a charge on a certain day, here the
substance of the allegation is the acquittal;
and it is sufficient if this fact be proved on any
day, the time not being material."
In cases where the averments are divisible,
it is deemed sufficient if enough is proved to
constitute an offense, both in civil and eccles- a. Part May
iastical courts; the part proved, establishes Pchlrgehe
the specifications—hence, the charge-. When
a specification grows out of a charge, directly,
no matter how many specifications the charge
contains, if any one is proved without a doubt,
it establishes the charge. If an individual is
indicted for stealing two notes of equal value,
the indictment would be sustained if the evi¬
dence proved that only one note was stolen,
or one of any number of similar items. The
real charge is that of stealing note of a par¬
ticular value; the stealing one or more—
proved by evidence—establishes any one di¬
rect point, and so the charge. To protect
public morals, through legal proceedings,
nothing should be deemed essential but the
act which constitutes a crime.
Third. It must be understood by all parties
concerned, that the obligation of proving any
allegation preferred, is entirely with the ac¬
cuser. "It is generally sufficient to oppose a
direct denial to a direct allegation, until it is
established by evidence, or by strong collat¬
eral circumstances. As the party in the af¬
firmative is entitled to begin and to reply, he
should bring -forward all of his evidence before
any defense is made. The rule seems to have
been based upon the fact that, in most cases,
it is impossible to prove a negative as readily
and as explicitly as an affirmative."—Dr.
Baker. It appears the rule is based upon the
66 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
fact, that, as a general thing, it is not possible
to prove the negative of a case as readily and
explicitly as it is the affirmative.
There are cases where it would be a thine
impossible for a man to prove that he did not
say certain things; therefore, the accuser must
prove he did say them. The same thing is
true 'of a person who is addicted to excessive
drinking. If he were accused of having been
drunk, there are times when it would be ut-
Affirmative , « mi. j. ,1 j.
Must be Proved terly impossible to prove to the contrary,
though the contrary might be true—his ac¬
cuser, therefore, must prove he was intoxi¬
cated. The weight of proof depends on the
affirmative—the object of the negative is to
controvert the proof of the affirmative more
than to establish facts—it makes no allega¬
tion : has no fact to establish.
Fourth. The testimony of different degrees
is acceptable, but it is necessary to produce
Best Evidence the best evidence possible which is capable of
Required. establishing facts or sustaining the charge.
When strongest evidence is withheld, it indi¬
cates that the design is fraudulent, or that
more than one party is guilty—not improbable
the accuser as well as the accused. Oral tes¬
timony must not be substituted for docu¬
mentary, when the former is obtainable.
Hearsay Evi- Hearsay evidence may be written or oral,
denee. anc[ relates to second-hand testimony. Since
there is no proof that the absent party was un¬
der any obligation or restriction when he made
such statement, but little weight ought to be
attached thereto, unless collateral circum¬
stances are very strong, and there is no living
witness to testify.
Justice Buller says: "If the first speech were
without oath, another oath that there was such
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 67
speech makes it no more than a mere speak¬
ing, and so of no value in a court of justice."—
Bull. N. P., 294.
Fifth. Hearsay testimony is received in
civil courts in the following cases:
(1.) When public and general interests, or
when the health, happiness, reputation, or
prosperity of a community is involved.
(2.) When matters relating to ancient pos¬
session demand settlement, and it is supposed
original parties who were cognizant of the
facts are dead.
(3.) Entries as well as declarations made bv
persons since dead, against the interests of
the parties making them at the time they were
made.
(4.) The dying declarations of sane per¬
sons.
(5.) Testimony of deceased witnesses, given
in former actions between the same parties.
manner of examining witnesses.
Sec. 71. (1.) When a witness is presented
before a court—civil or ecclesiastical—he is ^
. , ,. , , , . . ,. Examination
examined by the party producing him; he then of witnesses.
may be cross-examined by the opponent in the
trial. The witness is under obligation to an¬
swer any question decided reasonable by the
presiding officer, and put by either of the par¬
ties.
(2.) When it is decided necessary, the pre¬
siding officer may order witnesses examined
out of hearing of each other. This may be eacifofherf
done when the nature of tlie case demands the
discovery of certain truths which this way of
examination is likely to produce, or when
for particular reason, such a request is
68 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
made by the counsel on either side, and meets
the approval of the presiding officer.
(3.) As it is required that all testimony shall
beSR™orded. be written, as related, to secure accuracy in the
record; the secretary is required to read to the
witness his statement for correction or ap¬
proval ; and questions and answers from either
party should be written also, when deemed es¬
sential by the presiding officer or either party.
(4.) No witness is permitted to read a writ-
NotIReadIHis ten document as his testimony, in court; but
Testimony, is allowed to refresh his memory from notes
or memorandum, providing they be such notes
or memorandum as have been made bv the
witness himself. Such notes or memorandum
may be objected to, if there is proof that thev
were made otherwise than by or at the dic¬
tation of the witness. In case of objection,
the presiding officer shall decide whether thev
may or may not be used.
(5.) Courts, civil nor ecclesiastical, do not
Leading Ques- admit leading questions in direct examination,
tionsnotAd- j • -i_i 1
missibie. they are admissible, however, m cross-examin¬
ation. Leading questions suggest to the wit¬
ness the answer desired. For example: You
saw A. B. in Sampson's store at 4 o'clock r>.
m., the day after Christmas; did you not?
The witness ought to be allowed to tell whom
he saw, when and where he saw him, without
being told to say so. Such and similar lead¬
ing questions are inadmissible, except when
the witness appears hostile to the party pro¬
ducing him, and the omission is evidentlv
caused by want of memory,
tsand ^ *s reclu^rec^ witnesses that thev
Opinions, shall depose such facts, only, as are within
their own knowledge. In some cases, persons
are required to give their opinion as to certain
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 69
results; as the testimony of medical men—
whether death could be produced by certain
causes; whether certain circumstances are the
indication of sanity or insanity. A skillful
penman may give his views whether or not
certain writing is the veritable chirography of
a particular person. Professional books,
however, are not admitted in evidence.
(7.) Courts allow witnesses, while giving corrections,
their evidence, to recall and correct their tes¬
timony; but it should be recorded just as it
was rendered with all corrections. The com¬
mittee must decide which of the testimony,
the former or the correction, is more creditable
or worthy of consideration.
(8.) That exception to evidence may be
recognized it must be submitted at the time "^est™ony°
the testimony is given. It is too late-after the
verdict is rendered to take exception to testi¬
mony.
(9.) It has been the pleasure of jurispru- Witnesses can
dence to exempt witnesses from answeriner notbe'Com-
, , , , • , ,1 pelled to Crimi
questions to degrade them or subject them to nate Them-
penal liability; but, our ecclesiastical, courts selves-
not being so legalized to compel answers to
questions, it is unnecessary to further consider
this point. The presiding officer decides,
whether the question is proper or not.
(10.) In cases where there is no counsel for
the accused, the presiding officer may put such Presiding offi-
questions as may be necessary to elicit facts— Question,
regardless of preference to either party. In so
doing, he must be careful that he shows no
party preference, but seeks to know facts onlv.
No question ought to be put to witnesses the
relevancy of which does not appear in the tes¬
timony.
yo DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
(n.) It is extra-judicial and out of the or-
No Oath ^er thing's, to cause a witness to take an
a oath in an ecclesiastical court. No erood is
accomplished thereby. "No oaths are held
by the civil law to be obligatory except those
given in some proceedings which the civil law
recognizes. To swear falsely before a court
incompetent to administer an oath is not per¬
jury."—2 Caines, 91.
Character of (12.) Testimony concerning the good char-
Necessary4 acter of a witness is inadmissible, unless the
general character of the witness has been ques¬
tioned, which will be likely to impeach his ver¬
acity. Attempt to prove facts contrary to the
statement of a witness, does not, necessarilv.
impeach his veracity.
(13.) A witness may be impeached in two
ways:
(a) By disproving the facts stated by him by
the testimony of other witnesses.
«(b) By general evidence affecting his credit
for veracity.
It does not necessarily prove that a person
whose veracity has been proved questionable,
is of general b$.d character; but only unre¬
liable for veracity.
Sec. 72. When the veracity of a member of
our church has been fully proved unreliable
(without a doubt) he ought to be called before
a committee to give an account therefor; and
to be dealt with according to the merits of his
case.
of taking depositions.
Sec. 73- The advisability of producing liv¬
ing witnesses at a trial, in preference to their
testimony, is apparent to all; but as ecclesias¬
tical courts have not the power to compel the
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 71
presence of witnesses, for this and other
causes, it frequently becomes necessary to take
the deposition of persons whose presence can
not be obtained. The following' procedure is
generally adhered to.
(1.) To meet this demand, our discipline
provides: "Testimony of an absent witness
may be taken before the pastor in charge, or
the preacher appointed by the elder of the dis¬
trict in which such witness resides; provided. Notice t0 Ad_
in every case sufficient notice has been given verse Party,
to adverse party of the time and place of . tak¬
ing such testimony." From the foregoing;
declaration, notice to the adverse party should
contain a plain statement of precise hour, date,
and place of taking such testimony; and this
notice should be delivered to the party in per¬
son, or left at his usual place of residence.
He can not be held responsible for the non-de-
livery of a note left at the Post-Office. If the
note be left at his place of residence, that he
may be held responsible, it must give him
sufficient time to receive it and to prepare for
the occasion. The best authority says: "Or¬
dinarily, a week, at least."
The following is a quoted form of notice:
"To A. B. Whereas C. D. has requested me
to take the deposition of E. F., of G., to be
used in the examination of the charges andFormofNotlce-
specifications preferred against you by C. D.,
I do, therefore, appoint the 2nd day of June,
18—, at 1 o'clock p. m., at the house of the
said E. F., as the time and place for the said
person to testify what he knows relative to
matters contained in said charges and specifi¬
cations. And you are hereby notified, that
72 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
Form of Depo¬
sition.
Examine and
Cross-examine
Deponent.
Objection to
Person.
Objection to
Points.
Latitude to
Questions.
Deposition
Must Le Signed
you may then and there be present, and put
such interrogatories as you may judge fit.
Yours, etc., H. K., Pastor.
L , May 20th, 18—.
(2.) I, E. F., of G., testify and say that—
At the conclusion of direct testimony of de¬
ponent—it having been written—the party in
whose favor he has testified, has the first risfht
to question or examine him to elicit any per¬
tinent points he may deem necessary; and
then, the adverse party is at liberty to cross-
examine deponent in like manner. Either
party may propose such questions as the na¬
ture of the case may require.
(3.) If the accused, or his counsel objects
to the admission of the individual to testifv
in the case, his objection and the nature and
cause thereof should be recorded; and at the
trial, the presiding officer shall decide whether
the objection is admissible or not.
(4.) When objections are made by eithei
party, as being leading questions, irrelevant,
hearsay, or matters of opinion, they should be
noted immediately under the matter objected
to; and previous to the reply to the objections.
(5.) It is an ordinary occurrence to allow
great latitude to questions, if desired by either
party; as it is not advisable, at this stage of
proceedings, to be too rigid in deciding on the
validity of objections, unless they are decid¬
edly clear. The strongest facts are often de¬
veloped by an indirect course: when matters
are intended to be kept concealed, the direct
course is generally guarded.
(6.) All depositions should be read to the
deponent and signed by him, and a note ap¬
pended thereto, stating the cause of its being-
taken, and whether the adverse party was dulv
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 73
notified and was present at the taking of the
deposition. Depositions should be sealed up
by the person who took them, and so remain
until opened at the trial by the presiding offi¬
cer, when called for.
(7.) When it appears that the opposite party
was not duly notified to attend at the time and Deposition Re¬
place appointed for taking deposition, that jected.
sufficient notice was not given, or that he was
notified to attend at a time when he must
necessarily be absent, engaged in important
business which demanded his attention, and
the fact was known to the party giving the
notification; such deposition should be re¬
jected.
(8.) In case where "Witnesses are present
at the seat of the conference," says Dr. Baker,
"but refused to give evidence in open confer- (five^Testi-
ence, the conference has a right to appoint a m°ny in c°n-
commission to take their testimony, the oppo¬
site party being notified to appear before such
commission, and having the right to cross-
examine the witnesses. In such cases the testi¬
mony is to be taken by a secretary appointed
by the commission; and, when reported to the
conference, it must be filed and carefully pre¬
served by the secretary of that body."
(9.) In the event of only a part of the depo- Entire Testi-
sition being desired to be used in a trial, the monR<^d.stl:)e
entire deposition must be read, and the part to
be used selected therefrom.
appeals and appellate court.
Sec. 74. Among the fundamental laws of privilege of
Methodism, of which church we form an earlv Ayocat>iere~
branch, and pronounced unchangeable in our
constitution, the privilege of trial and appeal
is allowed to ministers and members. Qui
74 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
law specifically declares: the General Confer¬
ence shall not do away the privilege of oui
ministers and preachers of trial by a commit¬
tee, and of an appeal; neither shall they do
away the privileges of our members of trial be¬
fore the society, or by committee, and of an
appeal.
That an appeal may be entertained, the ap¬
plication must be made at the close of the trial
—as soon as the presiding officer announces
the sentence, the condemned person must ap¬
peal or make known his intention to do so
within a certain time.
Sec. 75. As to the right of appeal, that is
granted by our constitution; unless the ap-
Appeiiate pellant forfeits his right and privilege, else-
C°Hearingnts w^ere mentioned. It is, notwithstanding,
the duty of an appellate court, on hearing the
cause given by the appellant for bringing his
case before it, to decide whether the cause is
reasonable or sufficient to give it a hearing;
if not, it should reject the case. In the latter
event, the finding'and sentence of the lower
court remain. This paragraph relates only to
the retention of the case, and not to the exam¬
ination; as in some cases the uselessness of an
appeal appears on the face of the presentation.
The court appealed to, and not the one ap¬
pealed from, decides this fact. Appellate
courts must not reject an appeal unless there
are manifest reasons for so doing.
Sec. 76. There is a law on record, in our
Evader°Must discipline, that a person who evades trial bv
be Heard, absenting himself therefrom, after sufficient
notice has been given him, and whom the
committee judges guilty from the evidence and
circumstances of the case; has no right to an
appeal: that is reasonable. It must be
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 75
understood, however, that mere absence from
the place of trial may not always be evasion in
a disciplinary sense. There might have been
legal cause of absence of which the committee
was in entire ignorance. On an application
setting forth reasonable cause, an appellate
court should hear the cause; and if the appar¬
ent evasion was caused by circumstances over
which the accused had no control, that court
should grant him a hearing before the lower
court. He is then entitled to the usual ap¬
peal, if he thinks himself unlawfully dealt with.
In that case the action of the first trial should
not be considered.
Sec. 77. In cases where the intention to ap¬
peal has been given by a member, it will not
be entertained after the ensuing quarterly con- Appeal Must
ference, unless the trial took place within a proper rime,
week of the meeting of such conference, and
he asks an extension of time to make prepara¬
tion. A local preacher must make known to
the quarterly conference his intention to ap¬
peal, and so must a traveling preacher to the
annual conference where his case is deter¬
mined. In short, an appeal can not be en¬
tertained when it has grown out of date of
the trial. The person who does not find out
that he has been wronged till the matter has
almost passed out of the memory of individ¬
uals, may as well bear it quietly. When a per¬
son forfeits his right of appeal by his negli¬
gence, neither quarterly nor annual conference
can restore it.
Sec. 78. The General Conference minutes
of our mother (Methodist Episcopal) church Withdrawn
Of i860, p. 298 contains the following appli- Under Charges,
cable question and answer: "When a member
of an annual conference gives notice to the
76 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
conference that he has withdrawn from the
church or conference, and at the same time
there be charges ready to be presented against
him, and he has knowledge of such charges
previous to notice of withdrawal, and he has
been marked upon the journal of the annual
conference as withdrawn under charges, has
such member the right to appeal to the Gen¬
eral Conference from such record of the annual
conference? Answer. He has not."
Sec. 79. To enable an appellate court to try
Recorded Tes- a case> the proceedings and testimony of wit-
timony. nesses must have been duly recorded and at¬
tested by the secretary and presiding officer
of the lower court. When such is not the
case, the appellate court must refer the case
whence it came for a new trial. Bishop Hed-
ding says: "The case should be referred back
for a new trial, that those who did their work
carelessly at first, may have opportunity to do
it properly, and of being admonished to avoid
such errors afterward."
Sec. 80. That the annual conference may
signed Record entertain an appeal from a local preacher, the
' minutes of the trial must be properly signed
by the president and secretary of the confer¬
ence by which he was tried. When there are
no regularly signed minutes, that is an evi¬
dence of illegal administration, and the case
should be remanded for a new trial by the tri¬
bunal having original jurisdiction.
Sec. 81. An appeal, though generally, is not
always entertained. The following routine is
usually observed:
A motion to entertain the appeal may be
voted down for the following causes:
(1.) When the accused evaded trial, in a
strictly disciplinary sense.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 77
(2.) Not having signified intention to ap¬
peal within the time allowed by law.
(3.) "When no censure of reproof was ad¬
ministered as a penalty, and the conference
passed the character of the appellant without
censure, and simply declared that he erred in
judgment in the administration of discipline."
—M. E. Gen. Conf. Jour., 1840, pp. 82, 83.
(4.) In cases where the appellants declared
themselves withdrawn from the church before
the final decision of their cases, and therefore,
the avowal of their intention to appeal.
(5.) When a member of the annual confer¬
ence notifies the conference that he has with¬
drawn from the church or conference, know¬
ing that charges are ready to be preferred
against him; and the same have been entered
upon the journal of the conference.
(6.) When an expelled minister does not
abide the decision of the lower court, but con¬
tinues to exercise his ministerial functions,
or has connected himself with another church
or organization, he puts himself out of the
reach of an appeal.
In all cases where the right of appeal has
not been destroyed by violation of disciplin¬
ary provisions—the foregoing excepted—an
appeal ought to be entertained.
(7.) Arranging and Conducting Appeals.
(a). Accused or counsel presents appeal.
(If in General Conference.)
(b). Conference appoints a committee of from
thirteen to seventeen, the majority of
which decides.
(After organizing and opening with
prayer.)
(c). Finding in the case read.
(d). Grounds of appeal stated.
78 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
(e). Appeal admitted or rejected by motion.
(If admitted.)
(f). Minutes and document read.
(g). Appellant makes his defense.
(h). Delegates or representatives of lowet
court reply or give reasons for action.
(i). Appellant answers.
(j). Court decides.
Sec. 82. When an appeal is regularly en-
Power of court tertained, it entitles an appellate court to dis-
ofAppeal. pOS6 ^he case in three ways; viz.: To con¬
firm, or reverse the decision of the lower
court, or to remand the case to the court be¬
low for a new trial. It is not in the jurisdic¬
tion of the appellate court to make any award,
only to decide on one of the above: any fur¬
ther act on its part is extra-judicial. Since it
is the ultimate, in ecclesiastical courts, it ought
to be more than cautious that its acts should be
above reasonable criticism.
Sec. 83. The following is the observed rou-
Decision of *ine *n bringing an appellate court to a deci-
Court sion. The presiding officer puts the ques-
of Appeal. ^ons . shall decision of the lower court be.
affirmed? If the majority vote Aye, the
case is settled—the decree of the lower court
stands. If, No; the next question is put:
Shall the case be remanded for a new trial?
If the majority vote Aye, the case goes back
to the lower court; if. No; the last question is
required: Shall the former decision be re¬
versed? The majority votes, Yes—the onlv
consistent decision at this stage—nullifies the
finding and sentence of the lower court, and
reinstates the appellant,
cannot Sec. &4- An appellate court can not receive
Receive^New new evidence which was not given and re-
vi ence. cor(je(j jn .^e former trial. It must deal only
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 79
with the testimony recorded in the journal of
the court having original jurisdiction.
Should the appellant affirm he is in possession
of testimony which was not presented in the
former trial, sufficient, he thinks, to exculpate
him from the charge, charges, or any part
thereof; the appellate court may, for that rea¬
son, remand the case to the lower court for a
new trial.
Sec. 85. It is necessary to know the rela¬
tion of an expelled member whose case has Member's Re-
- 1 1 r -11 it lation Under
been remanded for a new trial by an appellate. Remand,
court. In a case where an appeal has been
taken by an expelled member, and the appel¬
late court remands the case for a new trial,
what is the true relation of the appellant?
Answer. He remains an accused member,
and the preacher in charge shall proceed to
try him at the first convenient opportunity:
unless the charge has been withdrawn by the
accuser.
Sec. 86. Neither quarterly nor annual con¬
ference is competent to re-open a case after a Decision of Ap-
member or minister has been tried, expelled, pel^na°urt
taken an appeal, and the appellate court has
confirmed the decision of the lower court.
The decision of an appellate court is final, and
therefore, not subject to be re-opened.
Sec. 87. Dr. Baker says, in regard to ex¬
cluded stewards, exhorters, or class leaders:
"If an excluded steward, exhorter, or class- Quarterly con-
leader is restored to membership by the quar- ^tRestore"
terly conference, such action does not restore t0 office,
him to his previous official relation. He is
brought to trial as if he had sustained no offi¬
cial relation; and the quarterly conference can
restore no office which it is not originally em¬
powered to give."
8o DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
Sec. 88. When a presiding elder decides a
. . point of law in a district or quarterly confer-
stands!lon ence, and it follows that such a decision affects
a member of the church or either of those
bodies, such a decision is final; but an appeal
may be taken to the bishop or General Con¬
ference—to one or the other, but not to
both. Ecclesiastical polity entitles members
to but one appeal.
Sec. 89. To entitle a lay member to an ap~
sfandsSTm Pea^ from a lower court, he must be expelled.
Reversed. Bishop Morris, of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, says: "No accused lay member can
take an appeal until he is excluded from the
church. But when he is once expelled, the
act of expulsion stands until the decision is
reversed, on appeal, by the quarterly confer¬
ence. The person thus expelled, though he
takes an appeal, can not enjoy any privileges
of society until the decision of the appellate
court. And if the quarterly report be read
before the appeal is tried, and the decision re¬
versed, the preacher in charge is bound to
read him out among those excluded from the
church according to discipline. If the deci¬
sion is reversed by the quarterly conference,
the preacher in charge should announce be¬
fore the society that the person is restored to
membership by the act of the quarterly con¬
ference."
Sec. go. When an appeal is taken from a
secretarvFu^ l°wer court, such must be recorded in the min-
nishRecords, utes of the trial meeting; and the presiding
officer is required to present the record and
all documents relating to the case, bearing- his
and the signature of the secretary, to the ap¬
pellate court. However, it has been and
still remains, the duty of the secretary—in case
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 81
of trial of a traveling preacher—to preserve
and present the records of the trial, properlv
signed, to the court of appeal at the proper
time.
Sec. 91. When an appellant fails to appear
and answer for himself to a court of appeal, Fan^rDec£ion
when duly warned, the decision of the lower stands,
court stands. Bishop Ames, of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, says: "When an appellant
does not appear personally, or by a represent¬
ative, to prosecute his appeal, it goes .by de¬
fault."
Sec. 92. Should a presiding elder discover,
in the course of examination of an appeal, that
. Court Decides
the court below v/as informal in its conduct. Not p. e.
he has no authority to throw out the case, pre¬
vent the decision of the conference, or de¬
clare the person not expelled. The presiding
elder is not an appellate court—the court alone
has power to act in the premises; and it must
decide on one of the three questions.—See
Sec. 82.
Sec. 93. Should it appear to the presiding
elder that local prejudice is against the inter¬
ests of an impartial trial, in case of an appeal
in the quarterly conference of the station or teriyConfer-
circuit where the appellant resides, at the re¬
quest of either party, he may cause the appeal
to be tried in any other quarterly conference
within his district—proper notice having been
given to both parties.
Sec. 94. Since the judgment of an Appellate
Court is final, as an incentive to caution, it
should attach to its verdict, the reason for its
conclusion.
ence.
Reason for
Verdict.
82 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
on new trials.
Sec. 95. No presiding officer can order a
Appellate new trial under any circumstances, as this is
°New Trial?8 not in accordance with the usages of the
Methodist Church; the court—the appellate
court—is the only legal body to order a new
trial, when in its judgment such is required in
the interests of judgment and equity.
presiding offi- Sec. 96. It occurs on some occasions, a
cer Differs, presiding officer differs in judgment from a
majority of a society or select committee in re¬
lation to the guilt or innocence of the accused.
In such cases, no appeal can be taken, in the
truest sense; as an appeal is the right of a
condemned member only; but he (the presid¬
ing officer) in case of difference, refers the
case to the ensuing quarterly conference, 01
higher court, for consideration. Such refer¬
ence does not place the case before the highei
court for final adjudication, but simply a pe¬
tition for a new trial: this may be granted or
rejected, at the discretion of the higher court.
Sec. 97. In case of an appeal, the appellate
court may act on one of three questions; but
PNewdTrmi°fon reference, one of two; viz.: Shall this case
be remanded for a new trial? or—Shall the ap¬
plication be rejected? When the case is re¬
manded for a new trial, it should be proceeded
with—de novo—as if no trial had preceded it.
Parties must be regularly notified of time and
place of trial, charges and specifications must
be presented, witnesses heard, verdict ren¬
dered, and sentence pronounced. Of course,
new witnesses are admissible as well as doc¬
umentary testimony taken according to disci¬
pline, and admitted or not in the previous
trial. It would not be a new trial, unless the
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH, 83
routine of a proper trial was gone through
with. Bishop Hedding says: "It would be a
flagrant proceeding for the adjudicating body,
when a case is remanded for a new trial, to
re-expel a member on a verdict of .guilt ren¬
dered at a previous trial, without a new hear¬
ing of testimony."
Sec. 98. It is reasonable and proper that an
appellate court should grant a new trial for
the following causes.; viz.:
(1.) When the real merits of the case can
not be learned from the imperfection of the
minutes of the trial.
(2.) When it is evident there has been in¬
correct ruling by the presiding officer during
the trial. *
(3.) When there is proof of improprieties
practiced by the select committee; such as:
Being improperly influenced by either party,
Determining its verdict by casting lots, or
Basing its conclusions on documents received
by it, but not admitted in the trial.
(4.) New evidence has been '.discovered
which is material and relevant to the case.
trial of preachers.
Sec. 99. Our discipline provides that when
charges or complaints are made against a local
preacher, or exhorter, for crimes committed,
the pastor in charge shall call him to trial;
and shall appoint a committee' of three or
five official members, of which he—the pas¬
tor—is chairman; and shall proceed to trial, as Cen™aBefojfe
in the case of a lay member. The presiding Trial,
officer shall demand the license of the accused,
before proceeding to trial, which shall be re¬
stored to him if he be found not guilty. If he
refuse to give up his license, when demanded
84 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
utes
to Quarterly
Conference.
as above, an additional charge of gross con¬
tempt of court shall be added to the former.
If he be found guilty and expelled, and refuse
to surrender his license, he shall be published
in the newspapers as an expelled member, re¬
taining license not his legal right.
Sec. ioo. When a local preacher has been
" found guilty by a committee at a legal trial,
he may be suspended until the ensuing quar¬
terly conference. The presiding officer shall
Corsubmitted see correct minutes of the trial are taken,
properly signed by himself and secretary, and
laid before the quarterly conference, which
may approve or disapprove of the finding and
sentence of the trial committee. Should the
quarterly conference disapprove of the work
of the committee, it may order the case
brought before it for investigation. In such
cases, the accused has an appeal to the ensuing
district conference, if he thinks himself un¬
justly dealt, with.
Sec. ioi. The punishment of a local
preacher or exhorter may be—reprimand, for¬
feiture of license, forfeiture of license and put
back on trial for three or six months, or expul¬
sion. In case of being set back on trial, his
license becomes null and void, and can onlv
be restored to him, at the discretion of the
quarterly conference on application therefor.
Sec. 102. In case of improper conduct in
words or temper, a local preacher or exhorter
may be reproved by the pastor of the church,
on second commission he may be reproved bv
his pastor or presiding elder of the district in
the presence of two or three witnesses. If
he persist in his untoward conduct, he shall be
called to trial. In cases of sowing- discord or
preaching erroneous doctrines, if he does not
Punishment.
Repioof,
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 85
desist after having been reproved, he shall be
tried and dealt with accordingly.
Sec. 103. A traveling preacher on trial, our
discipline says, is amenable to the quarterly °onMai.er
conference of the circuit or station to which
he is attached. When he is charged with a
crime, the elder in whose hand the charges
are placed shall call him before a committee of
three or more local preachers, he, the elder,
being chairman. A preacher on trial shall be
dealt with in the manner of a local preacher.
If he be found guilty, the committee may sus¬
pend him or recommend that he be repri¬
manded by the presiding officer. When the
committee suspends, the quarterly conference
shall finally determine the case. Neverthe¬
less, since he is engaged in the traveling con¬
nection, he has the right of an appeal to the
ensuing annual conference.
Sec. 104. What is the standing of a local
preacher, exhorter, or preacher on trial, when
he has been suspended and entered an appeal ?
Answer. He remains expelled until the ap- gtanding Gf an
pellate court reverses the decision: he can not Appellant
exercise any of his functions until regularly re- Preacher-
stored. Any legal suspension by a trial com¬
mittee destroys the validity of the license of
any local preacher—it can not be used thence
unless legally restored.
Sec. 105. There is a difference between sus¬
pension by an investigating committee and Difference in
that of a trial committee. An investigating Suspension,
committee suspends because it concludes that
there is probable cause for trial. This action
is intended to stop the individual from exer¬
cising his official functions until he vindicates
himself by trial or*-be convicted; but a trial
committee knows his guilt from the evidence
86 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
of his case: its suspension, therefore, destroys
the validity of his authority.
Sec. 106. In cases where matters involved
^DeciSon.^1 *n a bill of charges preferred against a mem¬
ber, local or traveling preacher, or minister
are pending the decision of a civil tribunal, it
is a rule, and generally advisable, to defer the
proceedings of the ecclesiastical court until
after the decision of the civil. The reason is
obvious—the civil court commands witnesses
to appear and give testimony: ecclesiastical
court can not. The decision of the eivil court,
however, must not be the sole .guide of the
finding of a church trial. It is well for an
ecclesiastical court to adiourn in deference to
civil proceedings against the same person for
said charge or charges; yet a church finding
and sentence must be based, chiefly, on evi¬
dence legally brought before it. It may admit
sworn testimony taken before a court, but
ought not to discharge a case nor punish a
person on account of legal technicalties. The
honor of the church, in equity, may demand
the expulsion of a member whom the court
may refease on account of some technicality—
and vice versa.
trial of local deacons and elders.
Sec. 107. Local deacons and elders are
rfiinisters who have been ordained to those of¬
fices, but not engaged in itinerant work.
They are, therefore, members of the quarterly
conference in whose jurisdiction they are lo¬
cated : they are not legal members of the an¬
nual conference.
, When charges are preferred against a local
0™ocaia.e° deacon or elder, they shafll be placed in the
hands of the pastor in charge, whose duty it
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 87
shall be to call a committee of three or more
preachers of local situation (elders, dea¬
cons, or preachers) which may be had from
neighboring- churches, if need be, the pastor
being chairman. Such a committee shall
proceed to investigate the charge or charges
of the accused. Prior to investigation, the
chairman shall demand the credentials of the
accused, and in case of refusal to surrender his
credentials, the same steps shall be taken as
in Sec. 99—"Trial of Preachers."
Sec. 108. If the accused be found guilty,
the investigating committee shall suspend him
until the meeting of the ensuing quarterly or
district conference, before which his case shall
be brought for final determination. The QUarteriy con-
quarterly conference may continue his sus- ferenceDe-
termi n p.s
pension for three or six months, or it may ex¬
pel the accused, as the case may demand. An
accused local deacon or elder may be brought
directly before a quarterly or district confer¬
ence, provided he has time sufficient to be
properly warned to meet his trial before either
of those bodies: this may avoid undue delay.
The course of proceedings is given in trial
of members. In case of conviction he may be
allowed an appeal to the annual conference,
he being in orders.
Sec. 109. When a local deacon or elder is
accused of improper words, tempers, or ac- ^^epr^
tions, it is the duty of the,pastor in charge to
administer to him private reproof; should he
continue his former indulgences., he may re¬
ceive reproof from the pastor or presiding
elder, in the presence of two or three wit¬
nesses—for a third offense, he shall be
88 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
brought to trial, and if found guilty, dealt with
according to Sec. 108.
Sec. iio. In case of an appeal, a local
;encedof Lower deacon or elder is under the decision of the
Court. lower court until it is changed by the appel¬
late court. He can exercise no function of
his office during suspension, without commit¬
ting additional offense which subjects him to
expulsion, and destroys his claims to an ap¬
peal.
trial of traveling preachers.
Sec. hi. When an itinerant minister is ac-
Traveiing cused of having committed a crime, charge
Preacher or charges shall be placed in the hands of a
charged, neighboring- elder of the district in which the
crime had been committed; and he, the elder,
shall proceed to call a committee of from
three to seven traveling ministers, appoint
time and place of investigation, and give
timely warning to both parties to be present
at the investigation—he being chairman of the
committee. The accused and the accuser, if
possible, must be brought face to face, or the
next best witnesses.
Sec. 112. The investigation shall be pro¬
ceeded with as in the routine of trial of
members; at the commencement of which, the
Routine and chairman shall demand the credentials of the
Credentials.
accused, if he refuses to surrender them—
if an elder—both deacon's and elder's—he
shall be dealt with as in the case of local
preachers.—"Trial of Preachers"—Sec. 99.
Sec. 113. As the investigation is only pre-
C°Po\ver6e'8 liminary in character, the committee being an
investigating committee, the extent of its
power is limited to suspension from all min-
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 89
isterial functions and church privileges, until
the ensuing annual conference, at which time
the case shall be finally determined. The ob¬
ject of the appointment of this committee dur¬
ing the interval .of conference, is to decide
without unnecessary delay, whether or not the
charge preferred against the accused is suffi¬
cient to prevent the exercise of his ministerial
functions and enjoyment of the privileges of
the church. Its power, therefore, is, to dis¬
miss the case, if found not guilty; if guilty, to
recommend that the accused be reprimanded
by the presiding officer, or to suspend him un¬
til the ensuing annual conference. Supernu¬
merary and superannuated ministers, when
accused of crimes, shall be dealt with in like
manner.
On this point,Bishop McKendree remarks:
"The general object of committees is to attend
to complaints, or charges, in the intervals of
conferences, and thereby secure the character
of innocent brethren, wrongfully accused,
from reproach and injury; or by suspending
(such as are judged guilty) until the ensuing
conference. And it may be further remarked
that neither the organization of a committee,
nor any of their acts, can abridge the powers
of a conference, when they afterward come to
sit on the same case. And should a case oc¬
cur at or during the sitting of a conference, or,
although known of, be neglected; or, if it
should be of such recent date as not to afford
time to call a committee, and should then be
brought before the conference, there is noth¬
ing in the Discipline, or reason, to prevent the
conference from- hearing and deciding there¬
on, without the intervention of a committee;
go DIGEST OF DISCIPLINED
and especially if the person accused desire it.
But as the conference has the entire control
of all cases in which its own members are con¬
cerned , subject to the order of Discipline,
they may, or they may not, appoint a commit¬
tee, as they judge proper."
No minister can be suspended during the
interval of conference, without the decision
of a committee.
Sec. 114. When charges are preferred
charged Dur- against an itinerant minister during the ses-
ing conference sion of the annual conference, a committee
may be appointed by the bishop to investigate
the charge or charges and to render its find¬
ing. The chairman shall cause minutes of in¬
vestigation to be taken, signed by himself and
secretary, and presented to the conference;
and it—conference—shall approve or disap¬
prove of the finding, and affix the sentence.
The sentence may be suspension for six
months or a year of ministerial functions, sus¬
pension of ministerial functions and church
privileges, or expulsion.
Sec. 115. If charges are preferred against a
minister during the sitting of conference, and
there is not sufficient time to obtain witnesses
Conference anC^ PrePare f°r at that Session; the con-
Refers case, ference may appoint a committee, and refer
the case for investigation .during the interval.
The elder in whose charge the offense has been
committed shall be chairman of the commit¬
tee. Cases thus referred, the committee has
no more power than other committees, and
may acquit, or if found guilty, suspend until
the ensuing annual conference. All suspen¬
sion must invariably be the decision of the in-
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH.
vestigating committee, and not the presiding
officer.
Sec. 116. The elder may appoint the place
of the investigation of charges preferred
against a traveling preacher beyond the limits °0TDistent.19
of his charge when he deems it necessary to
secure an impartial investigation of the case.
Sec. 117. It is not the prerogative of a pas¬
tor nor presiding elder to call a traveling
preacher before an investigating committee
on complaint for maladministration or minor
offenses.
Dr. Baker says: "A presiding elder can not
call a traveling preacher before an investigat- adminiJtmtion
ing committee, except (1) when he 'is under
report of being guilty of some crime expressly
forbidden in the word of God as an unchris¬
tian practice, sufficient to exclude a person
from the kingdo&i of grace and glory;' or (2)
when he is not 'cured' of improper tempers,
words, or actions on the first and second ad¬
monition; or (3) when he 'holds and dissem¬
inates doctrines which are contrary to our
Articles of Religion,' and will not 'solemnly
engage not to disseminate such erroneous doc¬
trines, in public or private;' or (4) when he
ceases to travel without the consent of the an¬
nual conference. Complaints of maladminis¬
tration must go primarily before the annual
conference."
Sec. 118. For minor offenses, private re¬
proof should be given by presiding elder or Reproofs,
bishop; if the offender is not cured, he may
be reproved in the presence of two or three
witnesses; if he continues to commit the of¬
fense he shall be called before an investigating
committee,
92 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
Sec. 119. When a traveling preacher has
been sentenced by an annual conference, and
he thinks himself unjustly dealt with, our dis-
Appeais. cipiine allows him an appeal to the General
Conference; but when he^has been suspended
by an investigating committee during the in¬
terval of the annual conference, he is allowed
an appeal to the presiding bishop.
When the appeal is made to the General
Conference, its prerogative is to confirm the
finding and sentence of the lower court, to re¬
verse its judgment, or to remand the case for
a new trial.
When the appeal is made to the bishop, he
can only remand the case for a new trial, or
suspend the judgment of the committee until
the sitting of the ensuing annual conference,
which determines the case.
Minutes Must Sec. 120. Before any disposition is made
be Read Before Qf an appealed case, the minutes, properly
is position. sjg.ne(j ky chairman an(j secretary of the
investigating committee, must be carefully
examined; and the cause for the appeal stated.
Suspension Sec. 121 • Legal suspension of a preacher
Limited. can not b.e extended more than a year, or the
period between two conferences. One con¬
ference has no jurisdiction over the period of
another; neither can it take up the grievance
of another in extending suspension of its mem¬
bers for crimes the punishment of which has
been meted out by its predecessor. Of this
fact Dr. Baker quoting Bishop Hedding, says:
"When a preacher has been tried in an annual
conference, and suspended for one year, the
conference can not at the expiration of that
time expel him for the same offense, or con¬
tinue the suspension for another period.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 93
When a member has suffered the punishment
which was adjudged by the conference, at the
time of his trial, he is deemed clear by the
law/'
Sec. 122. A preacher under suspension, bv
a committee or conference, has no right to can Not vote
vote , on any question, until his case has been
examined and his suspension lifted.
Sec. 123. There are negative as well as pos¬
itive crimes, and so a preacher may be tried for preacher May
inefficiency, unacceptability, etc., when it is ^ac^cy1"
found that his deficiency hinders him in the
correct performance of his duty. A charge
of inefficiency or unacceptability—one or both
—may be preferred against him, and he may
be tried therefor, as in the case of im¬
morality. It is the rule and discipline of our
church that every traveling preacher shall un¬
dergo an annual examination of character; this
makes it obligatory that he shall be present at
the annual conference; if he absent himself,
and charges be preferred against him for in¬
efficiency, he may be tried before the confer¬
ence, though absent, and he will be responsible
for his absence. If he be found guilty he may
be located or expelled. It is well, however, to
warn such preachers that charges will be pre¬
ferred against them at the ensuing conference.
In case of expulsion, the aggrieved is allowed
an appeal to the ensuing General Conference.
TRIAL. OF PRESIDING ELDERS.
Sec. 124. When a presiding elder is charged
with having committed a crime, the charge or E1(£echa?fed.
charges shall be placed in the hands'of the
elder on whose pastorate the crime was com¬
mitted, or the elder nearest thereto; and he,
being the chairman, shall call a committee of
94 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
from three to seven traveling ministers, ap¬
point time and place, warn both parties to be
present, and the accused presiding elder and
the accuser shall be brought face to face, if
possible, in the regular routine of trial of mem¬
bers.
Sec. 125. If the committee find the accused
guilty of the charge preferred against him, and
the crime sufficient to warrant a trial, the com-
Ekfer^suf- mittee shall suspend him until the next annual
pended. conference, at which time his case shall be de¬
termined. A presiding elder has the usual
appeal to the bishop of his district, if the in¬
vestigation took place during the interval of
the annual conference; and to the General
Conference, if he were found guilty by the
annual conference. In any case, only one ap¬
peal is allowed to an accused.
Sec. 126. When a presiding elder is sus¬
pended until conference by an investigating:
Destroj^offi- committee, even if his suspension be lifted by
ciai capacity, the bishop or conference, he can not be con¬
sidered a regularly elected presiding elder, un¬
less re-elected by the annual conference. The
presiding elder is an elective official, which is
destroyed when a committee finds him guiltv
of a crime and suspends him. He can not
legally be restored save by re-election by the
proper body. The bishop may use him if need
be, subject to re-election.
Sec. 127 A presiding elder can not be
brought before a committee during the inter-
Presiding va^ the annual conference for maladminis-
Oration. Maladministration must be brought
e ' primarily before the annual conference, but, if
he has been reproved by the bishop, and per¬
sists in the evil practice, with the consent of the
majority of the ministers of his district, for the
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 95
good of the work, the bishop may remove him
during the interval of conference and appoint
another to fill his place till the meeting of the
conference. As such removal does not neces¬
sarily affect his moral character—only his offi¬
cial—he may be given a charge as soon as re¬
moved from the presiding eldership if circum¬
stances afford it.
trial of bishops.
As the bishop is the highest functionary in
our church, it is becoming that he should be,
accordingly, respected in his position by the
various departments of the church. When he
commits a crime, however, he is answerable
therefor as well as any other member of the
church.
Sec. 128. When a bishop is accused of hav¬
ing committed a crime of immorality or mis- arfishopms
.demeanor, the charge or charges shall be
placed in the hands of the elder in charge of
the circuit or station on which the crime was
committed, or a neighboring elder. The elder
in whose hands the charge or charges shall be
placed, shall call the bishop and two other
ministers—two elders or an elder and a deacon
—and the three shall take into consideration
whether there is probable cause for investiga¬
tion of the charges preferred. If it appears
that there is probable cause for investigation,
the elder in whose hands the charges have
been placed, shall increase the committee of
three by calling three other ministers who shall
bring with them a lay member each; and the
nine shall form a court of investigation. The
chairman shall appoint time and place and
give due notice to both parties—the accused
96 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
and accuser—to meet each other face to face,
if possible, or the best witnesses.
Demand Cre- S.EC* I29- At the beginning of the investi-
dentiais. gation, the presiding officer shall demand the
credentials of the accused. If he refuses to
surrender them, he shall be dealt with as in
the case of preachers—see Sec. 99. On the
surrender of his credentials, the investigation
shall be proceeded with in due form—as in
trial of members.
Note.—Our discipline states that a committee of three
shall call the accused "bishop" and examine into the
case; but this would hardly be reasonable, unless the
Too Many In- accuser be called also; and the calling of both parties
vestigations. would necessitate a regular in vestigation; and to increase
said committee and recall the parties for another investi¬
gation, previous to the examination of the animal con¬
ference—subject to an* appeal— seems too many investi¬
gations for a single case; yet, so our Discipline requires.
It can not be reasonable to call an accused, if he be in the
person of a bishop, and ask him (for that is all that could
be done) if his case should be investigated or dismissed.
It is advisable, therefore, that the committee of three
should seek for probaole cause, without calling the ac¬
cused, or calling together the accused and accuser—the
committee should decide whether or not there is cause
for investigation.
It would not be well for the committee of three to de¬
clare no cause for investigation, unless such appearance
is on the very face of the charge or charges and visible
to all intelligent minds. Remember, a committee is not
empowered to nullify charges, but to discountenance
fiivolity when clearly apparent in the form of charges.
A man—and especially a bishop—left under a cloud of
suspicion can not benefit the individual nor church.
Sec. 130. In case the primary committee re¬
fuses to entertain the charge or charges pre-
Grievance Car-'ferred against a bishop, the aggrieved party
"ference11" may Present ^ie charges at the ensuing annual
conference, and it shall determine the case.
In determining the case, the conference may
confirm the committee's action, or it may or¬
der the case brought before it at its immediate
session. In case the accuser determines to
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 97
present the charge at the conference, he must
notify the committee which refused to enter¬
tain the case, in order that the accused may be
prepared to meet the charges.
Sec. 131. As charges of maladministration
can not affect a bishop's moral nor official Bishop can
standing, he can not be charged therewith,
Charges of maladministration can not be en- ministration,
tertained against a bishop, because he is not
an administrator of law^ but an overseer of its
administration. A bishop can not decide a
point of law which the Discipline makes plain
—of such no decision is required— but he de¬
cides points which are ambiguous or not clear
and decisive in declaration. In such cases,
his decision is law if rendered in an annual
conference, and can not be changed save by
the General Conference.
Sec. 132. When it is plain that a bishop has
rendered a decision which is calculated to Board of
prove hurtful, the Board of Bishops, at its suspradDe^
regular meeting—the question having been cision.
brought before it—may carefully consider it;
and by a majority vote, may declare the de¬
cision inoperative till the meeting of the ensu¬
ing General Conference, when the question
shall be finally determined.
Sec. 133. When a committee finds a bishoi. bishop Found
guilty of a charge or charges preferred against Guilty
him, if they are charges sufficient to exclude
a person from the kingdom of grace and
glory, it shall suspend him until the ensuing
annual conference, in whose bounds the crime
has been committed, and the minutes of the
proceedings of the investigation, properly
signed by the chairman and secretary, shall
be placed before the annual conference for its
final decision.
98 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
Sec. 134. When the case of a suspended
Bishop's case bishop is brought before an annual confer-
in Executive ence for final determination, it shall be done
in executive session. The proceedings of the
committee of investigation shall be read, and
further witnesses on either side may be ad¬
mitted, and the conference (of ministers only)
shall vote on the guilt or innocence of the ac¬
cused. If a majority of the conference finds
him guilty, he may be reprimanded, sus¬
pended for a year, or be expelled—according
to the virulence of the crime and the spirit of
the accused.
Sec. 135. When a bishop is suspended by a
committee till the ensuing annual conference,
his pay shall continue; but when by an annual
conference, his pay ceases from the day of the
conference suspension. During his suspen¬
sion or expulsion, his district shall be pro¬
vided for by the Board of Bishops.
Sec. 136. If a bishop be suspended by a
committee, during the interval of conference,
he may appeal to the Board of Bishops at its
semi-annual meeting; if suspended by the an¬
nual conference, he may appeal to the General
Conference.
special court of appeal.
Sec. 137. In our discipline, 1892, provision
Special Appeal, is made for a special court of appeal for dea¬
cons, elders, and bishops—termed: "Triers of
appeals"—see pp. 99 and 100, entitled:
"Courts of appeal for ministers convicted by
an annual conference."
Pay Ceases.
Bishop's Ap¬
peal,
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH.
actionable church offenses.
Sec. 138. That a church trial may be
deemed weighty and essential, it is necessary violation of
to know definitely what obligation—Scrip- SDi?cipieine!d
tural or disciplinary—has been violated. The
charge, therefore, must contain some breach
of individual vow based on the word of God
or the discipline of the church.
To make offenses clearly actionable, they
must be brought under one, at least, of the
following: Violation of law or commandment
of Holy Writ, Rule or' precept of church dis¬
cipline ; thus:
(1.) Crimes expressly forbidden by the
word of God, sufficient to exclude a person
from the kingdom of grace and glory.
(2.) "Neglect of duties and of the means of
grace; imprudent conduct; indulging sinful
words, tempers, or actions. Buying, selling,
or. using intoxicating liquors as a beverage,
dancing, playing at games of chance, attend¬
ing theaters, horse-races, circuses, dancing-
parties, or patronizing dancing schools, or
taking such other amusements as are ob¬
viously misleading or questionable moral ten¬
dency or disobedience to the order and disci¬
pline of the church.
(3.) Endeavoring to sow discord or dissen¬
sion in our societies, by inveighing against
either our doctrine or discipline.
(4.) Dishonest behavior in business trans¬
actions, or contracting debts without a proba¬
bility of paying them.
(5.) Refusing to arbitrate pecuniary ques¬
tions, as recommended by the pastor in
charge; refusing to abide by the judgment of
arbiters; entering into law-suits with another
100 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
member, against the provisions of the disci¬
pline."
Preliminaries ^EC' *39* When the offense is of the first
Not Needed, class, sufficient to exclude a person from the
kingdom of grace and glory, it is not neces¬
sary that any church labor of private reproof,
etc., should be performed before presenting
the charge; but for all minor offenses the
specified preliminary steps ought to be taken.
Preacher Holds Sec. 140. When a preacher holds and dis-
DoSrines seminates doctrines contrary to our articles of
religion, and having been reproved, persists
therein; he may be suspended therefor by a
committee, and be tried at the ensuing an¬
nual conference. In the event his error being
a matter of opinion," not embraced in the doc¬
trines of our articles of religion, he may be
borne with in the interval of conference, and
the matter brought before the ensuing confer¬
ence.
Sec. 141. Our Twenty-six Articles of Re-
OurDoctrines ligion, mentioned in our discipline, fall en-
ExpressedT tirely short of expressing "our present exist¬
ing standards of doctrines," and .the same is
true of all branches of Methodism, as declared
by Dr. Baker, of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. He says: "Many of the character¬
istic doctrines of our church are not even re¬
ferred to directly in those articles. Many of
our leading articles of religion are expressed
in a negative form, and have special reference
to the errors of the Papal Church." Bishop
Burnet, says he, remarks, that since "the
Church of Rome owns all that is positive in
our doctrine, there could be no discrimination
made but by condemning the most important
additions which they have brought into the
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 101
Christian religion in express words." "The
discipline does not expressly state what are our
established standards of doctrine, but usage
and general consent would probably designate
Mr. Wesley's Sermons, and his notes on the
New Testament, and Watson's Theological
Institutes."
Sec. 142. When a member is known to be
inveighing against the doctrines and precepts
of our church, he shall be reproved by the
preacher in charge; if he persist, he shall be
reproved by the same authority in the pres¬
ence of two or three witnesses. .If he con¬
tinue his pernicious practice he shall be
brought to trial. If he will not avow his de¬
termination to discontinue, he shall be ex¬
pelled.
Sec. 143. When a member charges another
member to the proper authority of the church
of the commission of any crime, when there
is "probable cause for such charge or charges,
the accuser can not be charged with defama¬
tion nor slander. Such does not constitute an
actionable offense.—See Sec. 7, Chapter II.—
"Intention Constitutes the Crime."
church penalties.
Sec. 144. The idea of attaching penalties
to church offenses, is not intended, chiefly, for
the punishment of the offender, but is de- T°purfty^m"
signed to operate as a motive upon individ¬
uals to observe correct moral conduct which
decrees the maintenance of the purity of the
church. That this object may be secured, it
is not necessary that the punishment should
be extremely severe, but certain, though cau¬
tious, in producing the desired effect.
Inveighing
Against Our
Doctrines.
Cannot be
Charged With
Defamation.
io2 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
It is more than a difficult task to mete out
punishment according to the true demerit of
the offense committed; therefore, it is reason¬
able that church punishment should be the
mildest possible; looking always to the needed
purity of the church, without which there can
be no growth nor abiding prosperity. The
church can not afford to connive at sin, nor to
seek its concealment: but the reverse—to
purge it. No church can live and flourish
which does not seek to maintain this indispen¬
sable requirement—purity. All apparent
successes, otherwise, are short lived.
Sec. 145. For crimes committed, the
^ward6 church, like a mother, must be cautious in ad¬
ministering suitable award as a condemnation
of such evil occurrences. After a declaration
of guilty, by a legal tribunal, the following
awards may be rendered:
(1.) Forgiveness—when the crime and pen¬
itent spirit of the individual guarantee it.
(2.) Censure—with or without reprimand.
(3.) Reprimand—mild or severe as occa¬
sion requires.
(4.) Suspension—for longer or shorter pe¬
riod, as may seem advisable.
(5.) Ultimately—Expulsion.
Sec. 146. The religion of Jesus Christ ad¬
vances the idea of justice tempered with
mercy.
a. Pardon—It is in the power and Christian
Pardon Judi-
sympathy of the church to pardon an offender,
ciousiy. thjg must be done judiciously. Forgiv¬
ing offenders who have committed gross
crimes, places the church in a scandalous or
unenviable situation. Bishop Hedding re¬
marks: "It is asked, Must he expel in all
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 103
cases? Is there no room for pardon? For
scandalous crimes, expulsion should undoubt¬
edly take place; but for crimes of moderate
degree, and when the offender is suitably
humble and penitent, forgiveness and forbear¬
ance should be exercised, and a penitent
brother may be retained in the church.
'Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault,
ye, which are spiritual restore such an one in
the spirit of meekness.' "—Gal. 6:1. That this
rule is to .be so understood is evident from a
clause in the General Rules of the church,
thus: "If there be any among us who observe
them not, who habitually break any of them,
let it be known unto them who watch over
that soul as they who must give an account.
We will bear with him for a season, but if then
he repent not, he hath no more place among
us; we have delivered our souls."—Discipline
1892, General Rules, p. 32.
In exercising leniency, however, presiding
officers must be judicious; for unless great
prudence is observed, they may afflict the
church or cast a stumbling-block before
others, giving occasion to the world to revile
the Christian name. It is well, under such
circumstance that a pastor should take coun¬
sel with a few persons in the church noted for
deliberateness and calmness of judgment—es¬
pecially when there is some gravity attached
to the case requiring pardon.
b. Censure. There are occasions when
crimes of the milder form require decision,
whether or not the accused is to be blamed—
blame-worthy. This may be all which is nec¬
essary. In such a case the accused being
found guilty, may be censured. If the grav-
io4 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
ity of the case and occasion require it, the pre¬
siding officer may administer reprimand also.
c. Reprimand. There are cases where rep¬
rimand has g'ood effect in two ways: (i) It
brings the accused to see his wrong or
mistake, and cautions him for the future.
(2) It serves as a vindication of the law
or vow violated, and justifies the accuser.
Reprimand ought to be administered cau¬
tiously, however, and not severely to the peni¬
tent. Rashness in administering reprimand,
makes it appear, the administrator is using
the opportunity to afflict—especially when the
person seems penitent.
d. Suspension. Suspension is applied to
local and traveling preachers, etc.; and may
be applied to lay members also. When a
member is put back on trial for any period,
he is suspended from the enjoyment of his
church privileges. A preacher, when sus¬
pended, is also deprived of the enjoyment of
church privileges. He can not participate in
love-feasts, receive the Sacrament of the
Lord's Supper, speak nor pray in public meet¬
ings.
e. Expulsion. Expulsion is the ultimate
infliction of church discipline. When a
preacher or member receives that sentence, he
has no more place in the church, unless le¬
gally restored by an appellate court, or by the
church—it being satisfied of his true repent¬
ance.
Sec. 147. It has been asked—"Has a
preacher a right to keep a member of the
church who has not been tried from partici¬
pating in love-feasts or receiving the Sacra¬
ment of the Lord's Supper?"
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 105
Answer. For minor irregularities, neglect CanbeKept
of duties, etc., he has not. But there are ex- from Love-
traordinary cases which would justify him in s s'
so doing. For example: A member is known
to have committed a scandalous crime, but
there has not been time to call him to trial in
the regular form—in such a case he would be
justified in refusing love-feast or Sacrament
to the known criminal, notwithstanding he
had not been officially dealt with. Such an
act is an evidence of the zeal the church exer¬
cises over its erring members, though the
crime be merely known but not having been
proved.
Sec. 148. When a preacher is charged with
maladministration, and found guilty thereof Rlpr^fnigh-
at the annual conference—the only place he ^ Pumsh-
11 11 • ment.
can be charged therewith—censure, repri¬
mand or reproof ■ is the severest punishment
which can be inflicted upon him therefor.
Sec. 149. When an annual conference -de¬
cides that the pastor in charge expelled a Conferen(.e
member, within its bounds, contrary to the Decision Re-
provisions of the discipline of our .church; Member,
such a decision restores the excluded person
to full membership; and leaves the pastor li¬
able to be charged with maladministration—
such a decision must be rendered within the
conference year preceding.
Sec. 150. It is an illegal practice to require Public Confes.
persons to make public confessions before the sion illegal,
church, under the threat of expulsion, other¬
wise. If an accused person is really penitent
of his act, there are other ways of ascertaining
the fact than by a public confession before the
church. The pastor who makes such de-
io6 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
mands, finds no approbation in our law to
justify his acts.
Sec. 151. At the quarterly meeting, it is the
song1 Exp en ed duty of the preacher in charge, to read the
terfy Meeting names °f persons who have been expelled
from the church during the quarter preceding,
but there is no necessity of going over the
ground of the trial, giving reasons for actions,
etc. The discipline does not contemplate a
rehearsal of their crimes, etc., but merely a
public announcement that the person or per¬
sons have been tried and expelled according to
the discipline of the church. This gives no¬
tice that the person or persons are no more
members of the church—any more is super¬
fluous. There is no defamation of character,'
nor prima facie evidence of malice when a
preacher publicly informs the society, that ac¬
cording to rule, certain persons are no longer
members of their communion.
arbitration.
Sec. 152. Arbitration is referring a matter
or difference between two or more contending
parties to disinterested parties for adjustment.
Our book of discipline makes pecuniary mat¬
ters the legal subject of arbitration in our
church.
When complaint is made to a pastor, by a
member of the church, that there is a pecu¬
niary disagreement between him and another
member; the pastor shall recommend them to
arbitration, if he deem it necessary. If either
of the parties refuse to submit the matter to
arbitration, he violates the demand of the dis¬
cipline of the church, and may be tried there¬
for.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 107
Sec. 153. The arbiters shall be three or
five in number. If the members be three,
each party shall select one, and the two shall ThI^bitere!ve
select the third. If five, each shall select two,
and the four select the fifth, and the decision
rendered fc>y the arbiters selected shall be
final. If either of the contending parties re¬
fuse to abide the decision of the referees, 011
conviction by a legal committee therefor, he
shall be expelled.
Sec. 154. The pastor can not request that a
pecuniary matter be decided by arbiters,
unless both parties are members of the church. To Arbitrate,
If one is a member of his church, and the B°Muftbees
other of another church who perfectly agree in Members,
regard to arbitration, Christian courtesy sug¬
gests that the senior preacher be the presid¬
ing officer. Both parties shall be warned to
meet and may proceed as follows.
order of proceeding in arbitration.
(1.) Religious services conducted by pre¬
siding officer.
(2.) Arbiters appoint secretary.
(3.) Aggrieved party makes his statement,
and then introduces such testimony as he de¬
sires.
(4.) Defendant replies, and presents his tes¬
timony.
(5.) Complainant produces rebutting testi¬
mony.
(6.) Defendant offers his rebutting testi¬
mony.
argument.
(7.) By complainant.
(8.) By*defendant.
(9.) The presiding officer requests the par-
io8 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
ties to retire, and the arbiters make up and
produce their verdict in writing signed by each
member of the arbitration.
The parties may be called in, and the de¬
cision read by the presiding officer.
Sec. 155. If either of the parties refuse to
Consequence- abide the decision of the arbiters, legally
rendered, he shall, on conviction therefor, be
Abide Decision ■9 ' , ' 1
excluded from the church. A majority of the
arbiters is required for a decision.
If a preacher or member shall enter into
law-suit with another member of the church,
without referring his case to the aforesaid ar¬
bitration, he shall be dealt with according to
our discipline. ,
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 109
CHAPTER III.
conferences.
A conference is a meeting of persons to con¬
fer with each other, or to talk on a subject or
stibjects.
The most advantageous way of tracing a
progressive issue, is, to begin at the beginning,
and follow through the varied ramifications to
the height of- its attainment. Treating of
conferences, we commence at the class-meet¬
ing.
class-meetings.
Sec. 1. As it is said, a conference is a meet¬
ing of persons to confer with each other, or to
talk on some desirable subject or subjects—
these are the objects of our class-meetings.
Mr. Wesley appointed the first conference,
in the form of class-meetings, for persons
"who appeared to be deeply convicted of sin,
and earnestly groaning for redemption," in the
year 1739, in London, being evidently guided
by the Spirit of God. It is doubtful if he really
realized the true nature and latitude of the
work he was about to establish. This ordi¬
nance was not to be enjoyed alone by the peo¬
ple of the old world; it soon crossed the At¬
lantic, and grew, with the growth of the Ameri¬
can continent. It has sometimes been talked of
doing away with class-meetings, but the day
that "wicked Haman" builds that gallows, if
he is not hung thereon, the power and strength
no DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
Lawful Heir Methodism will dangle therefrom. Class-
ciass-Meeting. meeting is a lawful heir of Methodism. If
Methodism is intended to indicate, kept in a
living state by regular methods, class-meetings
and prayer-meetings—to talk of God and His
goodness, and to ask or pray for continuance,
can never be abandoned. To abandon or ne¬
glect either, contradicts the name—Metho¬
dism : these gave it birth.
Sec. 2. The class-leader is a very impor¬
tant factor in the Methodist Church, and it is
well that he should know Eis duty. He is not
merely to encourage and admonish the mem-
Leaders See hers of his class in the class-room, but to see
Me™week°nce eac^ member of the class, if possible, once a
zvcek. The flagrant violation of this leading
principle of Methodism, inculcates greater ret¬
rogressive influences than appear at a passing
glance. That it is a difficult task for a leader
to see each member of his class weekly, there
can be no doubt; but evidently, persons have
accomplished this task—those who felt they
were called to perform such duties. As all
persons have not lost their inclination to eye-
service, even after they have professed a hope in
Christ, the work of seeing each member once a
week, when it is possible, is pre-eminently use¬
ful. The very idea that their leaders will call
to see them, if they are absent from class-
meeting, will stir up many a negligently in¬
clined person to perseverance. A leader has
no power to reprimand members for not doing
their duty, when it is known he has wilfully
neglected his own. A leader should see the
members of his class, individually, at least
once a week: if not in the class-room,
wherever it is convenient to see them. The
sooner this disciplinary demand is more
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. hi
rigidly observed, the better it will be for the
Methodist Church—the better for our Zion.
Sec. 3. The violation of one precept in our
discipline, makes way for the non-observance
of others. The discipline states that "a class unmanageable
shall consist of from twelve to twenty." In
some churches the number is far in excess of
this disciplinary requirement. Sometimes cir¬
cumstances demand it, but no leader should
be allowed to have more persons in his class
than he can conveniently attend to. This is
often the great difficulty in seeing each mem¬
ber of his class once a week. If a leader has
twenty persons in his class, and fifteen be pres¬
ent ; he can easily see the remaining five in the
following six days. When he has forty or
fifty, if one-half or more be absent, it is diffi¬
cult to see them all during the succeeding
week: breaking one law, makes it difficult to
keep another.
"Sec. 4. The discipline asks this question: absent with-
"How long shall we bear with persons who
absent themselves from class without a lawful
excuse?"
Answer. Not longer than three successive
meetings of said class; after which, if they do
not attend, they shall be brought to trial."
It is advisable, that an administrator of law
be judicious in carrying out the above require¬
ment—there are extremes in more than one
way. The intention of the law may be appre¬
hended with great readiness: The prelimi¬
naries are as indispensable as the execution of
the law*. The reasons are two: (1.) That the
absent shall be "without a lawful excuse."
(2.) That this neglect has continued after the
leader and pastor have done their duty. In
default of the second reason, it is really impos-
ii2 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
sible to know whether the person absented
himself "without a lawful excuse."
Sec. 5. The absence of persons from class-
meetings produces drought in two directions
spiritual and —spiritually and financially. His continued
Financial Aid , * J j .
Neglected, absence, causes leanness of the soul—spiritual
poverty: others are deprived of his spiritual
contribution—as it is said: "Iron sharpens
iron;" and then, the cause is deprived of his
financial aid, without which the work can not
flourish. It is essential, therefore, that no
member of our church should make it a rule
to absent himself from the class-meeting.
Three successive absences subject him to be
called to account therefor.
leaders' meeting.
To lead, means to go before; hence, leaders
ought to be men capable of instructing by ex¬
ample, as well as precepts.
Leaders' Meet- Sec. 6. Leaders' Meeting is another confer-
ing Monthly. ence of peculiar requirement in our church.
It is reasonably decreed, that, "The leaders'
meeting shall be once in every month in a sta¬
tion, and once in every three months on cir¬
cuits." At these conferences, every leader
shall be present with his class book, and ready
to give any information required by the pastor.
The Preacher's Steward and Poors' Steward
are members of this meeting, and shall be pre¬
sent also.
Sec. 7. According to rite and custom the
pastor ex- pastor is the presiding officer at the leaders'
amines Each r . a , , 1 ■ ? ,
Leader. meeting. At the opening of the meeting a.
secretary shall be appointed, and proper record
kept in a book entitled "The Leaders' Meeting
Book." The meeting shall be opened with
devotional exercises by the pastor, and he
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 113
shall declare the meeting open for the trans¬
action of business. The pastor shall call up¬
on each leader to give account of the members
of his class, and to answer disciplinary ques¬
tions. As each leader has been examined, he
shall place in the hands of the Preacher's
Steward the amount collected from his class
during the month.
Sec. 8. When the pastor inquires: "Are
there any requiring temporal relief?" the
•Poor's Steward should be present to note anyP'^Leaders'1"
amount the pastor shall direct to be given to Meetins-
needy members, and prepare to furnish that
amount immediately. The Steward shall re¬
ceive an order signed by the pastor for the to¬
tal amount required for the poor, and such or¬
der shall be reserved as a receipt till the report
shall have been adopted by the ensuing quar¬
terly conference.
Sec. 9. The leaders' meeting is the proper
place and time to recommend and drop pro- probationers
bationers whose incorrigibility has proved Dropped,
hurtful to themselves and will so prove to the
church. The leaders having recommended
them to be dropped, when it is certain all
needed eforts have been made to rescue them,
but failed, the pastor shall order their names
stricken from the church roll; and they shall
cease to be probationary members. This
does not debar a dropped probationer from
applying for reinstatement. If he gives evi¬
dence that he means to reform his ways,, and
conform to the rules and discipline of the
church, he may be reinstated.
Sec. 10. At the leaders' meeting, each l^ditio
leader shall report to the pastor, not merely Each Member,
the condition of his class, but each member of
ii4 DIGEST OF'DISCIPLINE
the class. When there are persons recom¬
mended for trial, the pastor shall appoint a
committee and time and place of trial forth¬
with, and cause the matter to be attended to
as early as possible.
Sec. ii. Class leaders are responsible solely
Pastor May Re-to ^ pastor for the correct performance of
move Leader their duty at all times, and the pastor may re-
81S uevasion. , 1 " 1
Requires, move either of them whenever he has reason
to believe he does not perform his whole duty
or prove himself worthy of his office.
Ihe routine business of the leaders' meet¬
ing is as follows:
a. Religious exercise conducted by pastor.
b. Election of secretary—where there is not a
permanent one.
c. Roll-call leaders, Preacher's and Poor's
Stewards.
d. Examination of leaders and their class
books—separately.
e. Leaders pay Preacher's Steward class col¬
lections.
f. Pastor gives needed instructions to leaders.
g. Poor's Steward receives orders and pays
amount for the benefit of the poor.
h. Adjournment.
quarterly conference.
It is uncertain what time quarterly confer¬
ences were introduced into the economy of the
church, but it is certainly a time-honored in¬
stitution. Mr. Wesley first adopted a plan of
quarterly visitations of the societies and
classes, at which time he inquired into the re¬
ligious condition of individual members, and
gave suitable advice as he thought best.' At
that time he renewed their tickets of member¬
ship. These occasions were called "quarter-
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 115
day," in arranging the calendar—hence, our
quarterly meetings. As the business in¬
creased, a time for its transaction was set
apart—this gave occasion to our quarterly
conference.
Sec. 12. The power of the quarterly confer¬
ence is expressed in our book of discipline.
There are two law-making bodies in
the economy of our church—tne quarterly Quarterly Con.
and general conferences. The quarterly con- feLegisi'atorCal
ference makes laws to govern its local depend¬
encies, and no more. That is, its laws gov¬
ern the church or churches under its imme¬
diate supervision; but the legislation of the
General Conference governs ministers and
churches of the entire connection. The quar¬
terly conference can not make laws which
come in conflict with those of the General
Conference. As soon as it is discovered that
the quarterly conference has made a law which
conflicts with those of the General Conference,
the local legislation becomes null and void.
Sec. 13. The members of the quarterly con¬
ference are all the officials of the church which Q^rterf^con-
have been created or confirmed by that body, ference.
or located therein by the annual conference.
They are professors of institutions, agents,
editors, local elders, local deacons, superan¬
nuated and supernumerary preachers, local
preachers, exhorters, class-leaders, trustees,
stewards, stewardesses, superintendents of Sun¬
day Schools, and presidents of any societies
it might have appointed, elected, or confirmed.
It has original jurisdiction over local elders,
local deacons, local preachers, and preachers
on trial in the traveling connection: it forms a
court of appeal for lay members.
n6 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
Sec. 14. The quarterly conference meets
every three months at a station or on a cir¬
cuit, and is presided over by the presiding
elder of the district, who may appoint some
PreachersSand one ^ P^ace when he is obliged to be
Examines absent. It constitutes and licenses local
Thacters.ar" preachers and exhorters, examines their moral
and Christian characters, renews their licenses
annually, when in its judgment they prove
themselves worthy thereof; it recommends lo¬
cal preachers to be received into the traveling
connection, local preachers to be ordained lo¬
cal deacons, and local deacons to be ordained
local elders, according to the provisions of our
discipline. It has supervisory relations over
the various financial and benevolent enter¬
prises of our church, and receives quarterly
reports from all of them. It has power to sus¬
pend or deprive any member of his official of¬
fice, which it created or confirmed, and may
administer, by vote, censure or reprimand to
any of its members as occasion may require.
Sec. 15. It is the duty of the quarterly con-
inquire into ference to inquire into the condition of each
Condition of ■ , 1 1 i
Sunday school. Sunday School within its bounds, and have
read before it, regular quarterly reports from
each school, showing the progression or retro¬
gression of the school during the quarter pre¬
ceding. As the future success of the church
greatly depends on. the Sunday School, it is
necessary that the quarterly conference -care¬
fully inquire into its state and condition, and
give judicious instruction for its interests.
Sec. 16. The question has been asked:
What shall be done when a presiding elder
makes an appointment toehold a quarterly con¬
ference, the members are present in obedience
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 117
to his appointment, he fails to put in appear¬
ance, and sends no communication?
Answer. When the hour appointed for the
opening of conference arrives, and it appears ^afis to'te
that the presiding elder will not be present, the Q^flriy con-
pastor may preside; perform all the duties as- ference.
signed to the presiding elder, and preserve
records for the presiding elder's examination.
This ought to be done because it may be diffi¬
cult to gather the members of the quarterly
conference at short notice, and its business
ought to be transacted regularly.
Sec. .17. It is the duty and sole prerogative presi,jing
of the presiding elder to appoint the time of Eider Appoints
holding quarterly "conferences and meetings, conference.
Should another than he make such appoint¬
ments, without his permission, the session is
an illegal one, and so all of its transactions.
The person making such appointments sub¬
jects himself to give an account therefor.
Sec. 18. The quarterly conference may ad¬
journ from time to time for the purpose of
completing any business remaining unfin¬
ished ; but it is not in its power to adjourn to journ^orNew
a distant date in order to transact new or'ac- Busmess.
cumulating business which really belongs to
the ensuing quarter. Each quarterly confer¬
ence has the supervision of occurrences from
the adjournment of the last quarterly confer¬
ence to the dissolution of the present one;
may review action of the past, but it is out
of its power to make provision for transaction
for the future.
Sec. 19. It is the legal right of the presiding Presiding
elder to adjourn the quarterly conference, Eider Can Ad-
over which he is presiding, when in his judg- teriynconfer-
ment the entire business prescribed by the dis- enee>
n8 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
cipline has been properly and completely trans¬
acted ; but not otherwise. If the quarterly
conference differs with the presiding elder as
to the adjournment, it may request its excep¬
tion to be noted on the journal of the confer¬
ence ; and if need be, the annual conference
may decide the consistency of the adjourn¬
ment.
Sec. 20. At each of its sessions, the quar-
Temperance in terly conference should inquire into the lives
Conference. an^ lab°rs of each of its members in regard
to the subject of temperance; and require of
the pastor and preachers reports of their labor
in the temperance ckuse during the quarter,
and that its members live and labor to establish
the temperance cause. It shall also require
a report from each Sunday School under its
supervision of the temperance work done
therein during the quarter.
Sec. 21. That the business of the quarterly
MentbFormraS" conference should be attended to without hin-
Quorum. drance, the members present at a lawfully
called conference, constitute a legal quorum
for .the transaction of regular business.
Sec. 22. As the minutes #of the quarterly
^Approved* conference can not be approved at any subse-
as5sionnt quent session, and the unrecorded action of
that body is of no legal consequence—having
no authority—they must be read and approved
at the close of the session of the conference.
And as the presiding officer of a quarterly con¬
ference is not entitled to a vote on any ques¬
tion, a tie vote of that body decides a ques¬
tion in the negative.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 119
district conference.
Sec. 23. Our discipline requires that one or
more district conferences shall be held each
year in each presiding elder's district, and that Annual Con-
each annual conference shall divide its terri- fi)fs"rictecon-£
tory into convenient districts for that and ference.
other purposes. The district conference shall
be presided over by the presiding elder of the
district, and in his absence, the conference
shall elect a president without debate.
The district conference shall consist of all
the traveling and local preachers, the superin¬
tendent of each shool, one lay member from
each station and circuit, and a delegate from
each school within the district. A district
Sunday School convention shall be held in
connection with the district conference, and it
shall be under the supervision of the presiding
elder of the district, unless otherwise provided
by the discipline.
Sec. 24. That the district conference may
be, what it ought to be, an auxiliary for the
arrangement of business for the annual con- District con-
i6rcnc6 Nwtr
ference, as well as an inquirer into the state Annual con-
and condition of the churches, spiritually and ference-
financially, and an inspiration to the work, it
will be to some advantage to arrange the dis¬
trict conference about a month prior to the
meeting of the annual conference. In so do¬
ing the reports received from churches and
schools would assist, materially, in preparing
the statistical reports in the annual conference.
This suggestion is intended to produce uni¬
formity as well as efficiency.
i2o DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
Sec. 25 Aside from the stated conference,
s eciai con there may he a sPecial district conference
Terence Ar- soon after the adjournment of the annual con-
rtnftEkler'&d" ference, for the purpose of arranging- the pre-
Support. siding elder's support during that year. The
pastor and one lay member from each church
shall form the special conference. If the con¬
ference meet immediately at the close of the
annual conference, time, labor, and expense
will be saved.
Presiding ei- Sec. 26. The presiding elder appoints time
dTimeandts an(^ P^ace f°r the meeting of the district con-
piace. ferences, when this has not been done by the
preceding conferences; and he may change
the place of meeting when necessary, by con¬
sulting some of the pastors of his district, es¬
pecially the pastor of the church where it was
to meet, and the one at which it is appointed
to meet.
Sec. 27 The district conference shall in-
Supervise and ' , . . .
Make Provision quire into the temporal and spiritual affairs of
for District. eacj1 cllurch Qf the district, missionary work,
church extension enterprises, etc.; make spe¬
cial efforts to occupy any neglected portion of
its territories by missionary operation, by
making provision to establish Sunday School
and public worship whenever there is an op¬
portunity to do so.
annual conference.
The record of the Methodist Church shows
that the first annual conference was held at
The Foundery in London, June, 1744, at
which time the following persons were pres¬
ent; viz.: Revs. John Wesley, Charles Wesley,
John Hodges, rector of Wenvo, Henry Piers'
vicar of Bexley, Samuel Taylor, vicar of
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 121
Quinton, and John Meriton. That the first
annual conference of America was held in
Philadelphia, June, 1773, at which Rev.
Thomas Rankin presided.
The first recorded conference of the African
Methodist Episcopal Zion. Church took place
in the city of New York, June 21, 1821. Ir¬
regular gatherings were held as early as the
year 1812, but the former was the date of the
first regular annual conference. At the sec¬
ond annual conference, which met in 1822,
Bishop James Varick presided.
Sec. 28. The annual conference meets, as
its adjective represents, once a year, at the MMe^fersnd
time and place named by the preceding con¬
ference, unless changed for special cause; and
is presided over by the bishop of the district.
All ministers in active work, within its lim¬
its, are members thereof; namely: traveling
elders, deacons, preachers, presidents and
professors of colleges and agents (within its
bounds),, the vice-president of the Woman's
Home and Foreign Missionary Society, and
persons who have been legally elected or con¬
firmed by the body—unless at the election it
was definitely stated the person would not be
a member.
Sec. 29. It is the prerogative of the presid¬
ing officer of the annual conference:
First.—To adjourn the conference over
which he presides, when, in his judgment, the
entire business prescribed by the discipline
shall have been transacted, and that the con¬
ference 'had been in session a reasonable
length of time to allow such transaction; pro¬
vided, if the members of the conference differ
with the presiding officer, they may take an
122 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
exception and the same shall be entered upon
the conference journal.
Second.—The presiding officer of the an-
^cer^Powe?" nua^ conference decides all questions of law
involved in the proceedings; all questions of
order raised in the transaction of business of
the conference, and directs the entire trans¬
action, subject to the rules adopted. On
questions of law his decision is subject to an
appeal to the ensuing General Conference, by
the conference or by individual members;
but his decision must be accepted till it has
been reversed. On questions of order, an ap¬
peal to the body in session may approve or re¬
verse the decision: it can reverse the decision,
only, by producing legal authority adverse
thereto.
Third.—The president of the annual confer¬
ence may decline putting a question on mo¬
tion, resolution, or report, when, in his judg¬
ment, such motion, resolution, or report does
not relate to the proper business of the con¬
ference. Provided, he, on being required to
do so, shall insert in the journal of the confer¬
ence his refusal with reasons therefor. The
conference or any member thereof shall be al¬
lowed to enter his dissent on the journal.
Fourth.—The presiding officer of the an¬
nual or quarterly conference has a right to re¬
fuse to put a question on motion, resolution,
or report which comes in "conflict with the law
or discipline of our church; as it is his duty to
see that the law is carried out and not vio¬
lated.
Fifth.—When the presiding bishop is re¬
quested to decide a question of law in the an¬
nual conference, and he does so; if a motion,
resolution, or report is offered which will re-
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 123
verse the decision, he is lawfully sustained in
refusing to put before the house such motion,
resolution, or report; since the bishop's decis¬
ion can not be set aside save by an appeal to
the proper authority.
Sec. 30. Since the peace and harmony of
the church depend materially upon the judic¬
ious exercise of authority and a consistent
knowledge of the weight of decisions, we in- Episcopal De_
sert the following reference to episcopal de- cision.
cisions passed in the General Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, i860, and
inserted in "Baker On The Discipline." He
says: "In regard to episcopal decisions, the
General Conference has adopted the following
sentiments:
"Whereas, under the rule which says, 'A
bishop shall decide all questions of law in an
annual conference, subject to an appeal to the
General Conference,' a custom has grown up
of evoking episcopal decisions touching the
administration of the Discipline outside of the
annual conferences; and,
"Whereas, the opinions of the bishops,
given in writing in the intervals of the annual
conferences, are sometimes regarded as de¬
cisions of law, binding in the administration
of Discipline; and,
"Whereas, these decisions and opinions are
sometimes in conflict with each other, spring¬
ing up from questions growing out of peculiar
and ever varying circumstances; and,
"Whereas, it is the judgment of the confer¬
ence that the use made of the rule aforesaid
was not intended by the General Conference
which established it, that General Conference
intended it for the administration of the con-
124 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
ferences, and not of the individual pastors;
therefore,
"i. Resolved, That every administrator of
the Discipline is responsible to the proper au¬
thorities for his administration of the. rules of
the church, and may not plead episcopal de¬
cisions as law.
"2. Resolved, That while the counsels of
our superintendents are to be highly re¬
spected, and to be considered of great value
in the administration of Discipline, their de¬
cisions are not to be regarded as having the
force of law outside of the annual confer¬
ences."—Gen. Conf. Jour., i860, p. 428.
Sec. 31. The presiding bishop, with the as¬
sistance of the presiding elder, arranges the
andPconfOTence appointments of the ministers of the entire dis-
Year- trict, which he, (the bishop) reads about the
close of the conference session. The confer¬
ence year commences at the announcement of
the appointments, and closes at the appoint¬
ment of successors, at the ensuing conference.
The conference, therefore, is from the reading
of the appointments at the conference, to simi¬
lar announcement at the following conference.
Transfer for ^EC' 32' ^ bishop is at liberty to grant
Reasons, transfers to ministers from one district to an¬
other, but it should be done cautiously, and
for the efficiency of the work. A bishop can
not transfer a man from one conference dis¬
trict to another against his will; neither
should he grant a transfer to screen a man
from justice. In so doing, the grantor par¬
takes of. the offense of the grantee.
Unpassed
Sec. 33. There is an immovable obligation
ChqutiiILI)iS" resting uPon preachers, whether in full
connection or on trial, to be present at the an¬
nual conference and undergo the required ex-
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 125
amination of their moral and religious charac¬
ters, and give account of their year's labor.
They are held responsible for their absence,
and if their characters have not been passed
at the conference session, it disqualifies them
for the full exercise of their official functions.
In such cases, satisfaction may be given to the
bishop of the district, and a note of clearance
obtained from him.
Sec. 34. The question has been asked :"Can
a traveling preacher be suspended, during the §,usPePtde4.for
• ^ r 1 1 c « 1 * 1 t Att/0nCllTl^
interval of the annual conference of which he His work,
is a member, for refusing to accept and attend
to the work to which he has been assigned?"
The answer is, Yes ; and the-accordant rea¬
son is: if traveling preachers, "shall not cease
to travel without consent of the bishop or an¬
nual conference, except in case of sickness,
disability, or other unavoidable circumstances,
the reasonableness of which shall be deter¬
mined by the annnual conference;" when he
refuses to go to an appointment, he increases
the virulence of that offense—he is therefore
liable to suspension.
Sec. 35. When a local deacon or elder of
our church, or any evangelical church, offers
to join the traveling connection, he shall be E of Locals0"
required to pass an examination of the four
years' course of study; and if the conference
doubt the competency of a traveling minister
from another denomination, he may be re¬
quired to pass similar examination. Less
than a competent ministry, impedes the pro¬
gress of the work of the church.
Sec. 36. The annual conference is under m°ustegram
obligation to grant the privilege of location to Location,
any of its traveling ministers in good stand¬
ing; provided they are not indebted to the
126 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
connection. In case of their indebtedness,
they may be required to discharge or secure
the debt prior to their request being granted.
-The time of location is reckoned from the final
adjournment of the conference session; and
such preachers are entitled to a certificate of
location from the presiding officer of the con¬
ference.
Sec. 37. When a preacher has been located,
Conference either with or without his consent, he may be
May Admit re-admitted to his former standing, during
One Located. , 1 r , ,1 .• £
the session of the conference, at the option of
the majority of that body; but when a
preacher has withdrawn from the annual con¬
ference, he can not be re-admitted without
the usual probation, though he return to the
church and obtain the recommendation of tne
quarterly conference—it can only recommend
him to probationship.
Sec. 38. Ministers from other branches of
run Member- the Methodist Church, or from any church
Another1 agreeing with us in doctrine and discipline,
church. and who have been vouched for as accredited,
may, on their credentials, be received into full
connection in the traveling ministry; provided
they give satisfaction to the conference of
their literary qualifications, and of their wil¬
lingness to conform to the usages and disci¬
pline of our church.
Sec. ^ 39. When ministers from other
Probation of fvange^cal churches desire to join the travel-
Ministers^from mg connection of our church, they must be
Churches.
recommended by some quarterly conference
according to usage, to enable the annual con¬
ference to receive them on trial in the travel¬
ing connection. That they may be recom¬
mended by the quarterly conference, they
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 127
must become members of the church over
which the quarterly conference exercises
jurisdiction.
Sec 40. A preacher on trial can not sus¬
tain superannuated relation in the conference; Sp^|g|gSgg^fd
for a superannuated preacher possesses all the Right,
privileges of an itinernant minister. He has a
voice and vote in conference session equal to
any other mQinber, and may represent the an¬
nual conference, as a delegate, in the General
Conference—whether he resides within the
bounds of the conference district or not—his
church privileges are unabridged.
Sec. 41. According to our economy,
preachers on trial, who have been employed ^^STii60"
two successive years in the itinerant work (on Two Years,
circuits, stations, or institutions of learning)
and who have passed the examination pre¬
scribed by our book of discipline, are entitled
to be received into full connection during the
session of conference.
Sec. 42. The annual conference alone has
jurisdiction over the question of his authority
to preach, of a preacher on trial, and may con- Trial—a Local
tinue or discontinue him in the itinerant work Preacher,
as occasion requires. The continuance of a
preacher on trial is equal to the renewal of his
license. If he is accused of crimes, he is tried
as a local preacher. During his engagement
in the itinerant work, if he is not favorably
considered, he may be dropped without fur¬
ther consideration.
Sec. 43. In cases where a preacher is trans¬
ferred from one conference to another, his
rights, privileges, and responsibility in the TranSefand
conference to which he is transferred begin Date,
from the date of his transfer; unless otherwise
provided by the bishop. It is unnecessary to
128 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
vote his acceptance, since he is a member by
virtue of his transfer. He is amenable to that
conference for any charge that may follow
lfim. Such charge or charges may be placed
in the hands of a committee, and he may be
tried therefor at the conference or during its
interval.
general conference.
In the Methodist Church, the General Con¬
ference is the body supreme. It is indepen¬
dent in its actions—from it there is no appeal.
It is rather legislative than judicial—its only
judicatory act, is to hear appeal of ministers.
Sec. 44. This body meets quadrennially
its Members (once in four years) at the time stated in the
and Meeting, discipline—"the first Wednesday in May,"
and continues in session about three weeks.
Its members are the general officers of the
connection, delegates from each annual con¬
ference—at the ratio of one ministerial dele¬
gate for every ten active pastors of conference
and fraction of two-thirds of that number—
and two lay delegates from each annual con¬
ference. Each conference is allowed two
ministerial and two lay delegates, even if it
has not the number of members (20) suffic¬
ient, per ratio, to demand that number; but
when there is but one ministerial delegate,
there can be but one lay delegate.
Duties of Gen- ^ec. 45- The duties of the General Confer-
eralencefer" ence are chiefly legislative. It receives re¬
ports from the general officers from the var¬
ious departments of the church, refers them to
appropriate committees for examination, and
approves or disapproves them on the reports
of the committees. It makes and changes
rules and regulations for the government of
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH.
ministers and churches of the connection. It
can not change our General Rules, Articles
of Faith, nor fundamental principles of Meth¬
odism.
Sec. 46. For the legal transaction of busi¬
ness, the discipline requires, "A majority of all
the delegates elected to the General Confer¬
ence to constitute a quorum." Years past,
the discipline required two-thirds of the le¬
gally elected delegates to form a quorum, as
it then required one delegate for every seven
members in each conference; but as time ad¬
vances, changes are fpund indispensable.
Sec. 47. The discipline being quite explicit
on the arrangement of the business of the
General Conference, and its transactions be¬
ing entrusted in the hands of the wisest and
best informed men in the connection, it is un¬
necessary to extend remarks on the subject- of
General Conference matters.
130 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
CHAPTER IV.
THE CHRISTIAN MINISTRY.
exhorters.
Exhortation was an apostolic enjoinment
in the ancient church. John the Baptist,
Paul, and other apostles dealt largely in ex¬
hortation.
Sec. i. For the promotion of the interests
of the church, Methodism carefully sought va¬
rious gradations of ministerial operation, in
accordance with the apostolic experience:
Extorters in "For the perfecting of the saints." The of-
^huxch7 fice exhorters was recognized in the Meth¬
odist Church at an early date by Mr. Wesley
and his co-adjutors. None of the members
were allowed to hold religious meetings with¬
out special note from the ministers who were
employed as Mr. Wesley's assistants. Those
who were permitted to conduct meetings, but
not to preach, were considered exhorters:
thus the duty and name were recognized in the
arrangement of the work on circuits and sta¬
tions.
Sec. 2. The sphere of exhorters is suffi-
Exhorters pently indicated by the term used to denom-
Must Not inate their office. They are not permitted to
Preach. preach in the literal acceptation of that term.
That is, they are not allowed to announce a
text and to confine themselves to its exposi¬
tion ; but to read a Scripture lesson, and give
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 131
practical explanation and application thereof.
If they use this privilege earnestly and wisely,
they may persuade many to turn to the Lord
and be saved. Such work stirs up the gift in
them for future usefulness in a higher office.
Sec. 3. The real object of exhorters and
local preachers is, to form a co-operative sys¬
tem in the church for the more efficient ac¬
complishment of the work of the ministry in
the different charges. The labors of local Bc^a^ess
preachers or exhorters are confineu to the lim- Permitted,
its of the station or circuitwhich licenses them.
They can not labor outside of its bounds with¬
out permission of the pastor. When they go
beyond the bounds of the circuit or station
which licensed theip, they subject themselves
to the forfeiture of their licenses—unless they
are sent by the authority of the church.
Sec. 4. Exhorters must be members in reg¬
ular standing, of good moral and Christian
characters, and recommended by their leaders. Mu^tb^Rec-
If they are leaders themselves, they may pre- ommended.
sent their application to the pastor at the lead¬
ers' meeting. If no leaders' meeting is held
at that place, their application may be handed
to the pastor at any convenient time; and after
needed preliminaries, if qualified, he may
recommend them to the quarterly conference.
Sec. 5. The pre-requisites for recommenda- ThePre.r ui
tion of a brother for an exhorter's license, are, ites to be
First, Examination by the pastor; Second, He Llcensed-
should be appointed to deliver an exhortation
to the congregation, in the presence of the
official members of the quarterly conference.
No person should be licensed to exhort unless
he is a good reader and familiar with the Holy
Scriptures. These should be supplemented by
a consistent life and usefulness in the church.
132 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
Sec, 6. License to exhort is granted by the
quarterly conference, signed by the presiding
officer and secretary of that body; and must
newedb£e?OTe renewed, annually, before it expires. If
it Expires, the license of an exhorter or local preacher
expires before it is renewed, though it be but
one day, it can not be renewed. The day
after it expires (dies) it has no force. If any¬
thing be done for the applicant, he must be
granted new license, as if he had never been
licensed—time already expired can not be ex¬
tended.
Sec. 7. The characters of exhorters must be
examined at every quarterly conference to
character &ip- which they are responsible for their moral and
pies. official conduct. If their characters have not
been passed at the quarterly conference, it is
equivalent to an arrest; hence, they are un¬
der the special surveillance of the presiding
elder of the conference, who may place them in
the hands of the pastor to obtain needed satis¬
faction. The pastor having done so, may re¬
move obstructions to their usefulness, and
report to the ensuing quarterly conference.
Quarterly con- Sec. 8. At the discretion of the quarterly
feRevokeay conference, an exhorter may forfeit his license
License. without trial, but can not forfeit his member¬
ship in the church without due trial and con¬
viction.
local preachers.
While an exhorter is really the first step to¬
wards the Christian ministry, a local preacher
is the first round in the ministerial ladder. He
is really a Christian minister—licensed to
preach Christ in all of His offices, ^11 of His
almightiness, and in all of His love and mercy:
to preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 133
That is the true mission of all ministers of
Christ.
Sec. 9. That a local preacher may be
licensed to preach, he must be recommended
by his leader at the leaders' meeting". If a
leader, he may make personal application to
his pastor. On the recommendation of the
leader, if the application meet the approval of
the pastor, at a convenient time, he shall ex¬
amine the applicant and so ascertain his qual- ^a™riai Ser-
ifications for the work; and shall further ap- mon-
point a time when the applicant.shall be re-,
quired to preach a trial sermon before the con¬
gregation, in the presence of the members of
the quarterly conference, that they may have
an opportunity to satisfy themselves of the
qualifications of the applicant.
Sec. 10. If the pastor is satisfied with his
gifts, grace, and usefulness, he may recom¬
mend him to the ensuing quarterly conference
to receive license; and if the quarterly con-Quarterly c°n-
r . , • 1 • 1 1 ^ 1 J ference Grants
rerence is satisfied with the reported qualm- License if sat-
cations of the applicant, it may grant him lsfied'
license, which authorizes him to preach the
gospel within its jurisdiction only, unless sent
by the authority of the church. The license
must be renewed annually.
Sec. 11. The license must be signed by thegi dby Pre.
presiding officer and secretary of the quar- siding Officer
terly conference, but is granted by the author- and Secretary-
ity of the quarterly conference, and not by the
president of the conference. It is legal for the
secretary to sign his own license—he does it
in behalf of the quarterly conference.
Sec. 12. At its option, the quarterly con- quarterly con¬
ference may refuse to renew the license of a I
local preacher or exhorter without impeach- new License,
ment of his moral or Christian character, his
134 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
talent or usefulness; but it can not revoke his
license without assigning cause for so doing
in due form.
Must be Re- Sec. 13. Local preachers must see that their
1,eExpfr|tore licenses are renewed before they expire; after
they expire they can not be renewed.
Licenses bear the impress—"To be renewed
annually"—from date of grant. When the
license of a local preacher expires before re¬
newed, there is but one way to authorize the
brother to preach; that is, to grant him license
as though he had never been licensed. When
it is evident that it was through carelessness
of a preacher that his license has not been re¬
newed, the conference does no qj-edit to itself
in granting him new license: a careless
preacher is not creditable to the church nor
ministry.
Sec. 14. Local elders and deacons are local
Local Elders 1 , • , , ,,
and Deacons preachers m every particular, except they can
Quarterly perform the official duties incident to their re-
Conferenee. spective offices; and their credentials are not
subject to be renewed, as their ordination
parchments authorize them to perform their
duties as long as they keep their ordination
vows—providing they have not been made
void by church action. They are required to
pass examination of character in the quarterly
conference, and to give account of their acts—
they are responsible for their gifts and useful¬
ness in the same manner as local preachers.
When the quarterly conference refuses to pass
the character of a local elder or deacon, for al¬
leged reason, the pastor shall proceed to inves¬
tigate the case according to the rule of our dis¬
cipline.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 135
Sec. 15. No local preacher can be employed
in the traveling connection, unless recom¬
mended by the quarterly conference; but a
bishop or presiding elder may employ a local Bsidir^Eider
preacher during the interval of conference, May
without the recommendation aforesaid. Even
in this case, he retains his local capacity until
he is admitted by the annual conference into
the traveling connection.
Sec. 16. All local preachers are strictly LocalPreaeh.
amenable to the quarterly conference where ers Amenable
they reside, for their moral and Christian char- confereifcef
acter, for the faithful performance of their du¬
ties, and for the efficient exercise of their gifts,
grace, and usefulness. If a local preacher has
temporary pastoral charge, his church rela¬
tions and official functions must- be held at
the place of his labors—he is amenable to that
quarterly conference.
Sec. 17. That the ministry may keep pace
with the advanced condition of the church and
world, certain pre-requisites previous to or¬
daining local preachers are indispensable.
1. He ought to Hold local preacher's license
for four consecutive years before recom¬
mended for orders.
2. He must have been examined on the sub¬
ject of doctrine and discipline, and given evi¬
dence of his agreement and acceptance
thereof.
3. He must have been properly recom¬
mended by the quarterly conference as a suit¬
able person to receive Holy Orders, and be
found otherwise acceptable to the annual con¬
ference. These are applicable to the recom¬
mendation of local deacons for elders' orders.
136 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
Sec. 18. Dr. Baker has this to say in rela-
T it,, v tion to local preachers from the Wesleyan de-
Loeal Preach- . . \c. T T , , . J .
ersfomwes- nomination: Wesleyan local preachers, irom
leyanauon°mi the British, Irish, and Canada connections,
when duly received by us, are eligible to dea¬
cons' and elders' orders at the same time, they
would have been if they had received their first
license from us; but this rule applies to none
who come from other Christian churches."
Sec. 19. It is not in accordance with Meth¬
odist polity to license men to preach and offer
them no opportunity to exercise their gifts.
Lersaought to Pastors in charge ought to arrange their ap-
bto Preachd pointments when it is practicable, to give local
preachers regular opportunities to preach and
to be employed in the work of the Master's
vineyard. When this is denied them, they are
not to blame, but the church and its author¬
ities, if there is no visible increase of their
"gifts, labors, and usefulness."
Sec. 20. When a local preacher desires to
^Desirfngto61 sever his connection with the African Metho-
withdraw. dist Episcopal Zion Church, he should make
his intention known to the quarterly confer¬
ence of which he is a member, and to which
he is amenable; and, providing he is not under
any charge, has fulfilled his duty, and met all
obligations, he shall be allowed to withdraw.
If he withdraw otherwise, remarks shall be en¬
tered upon the quarterly conference journal,
showing the facts connected with his with¬
drawal—-"Withdrew under charges—indebted
—under unfavorable circumstances, etc.." In
case of members withdrawing, same' course
should be pursued and their names so entered
on church roll.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 137
pastors in charge.
The duties of pastors in charge are pecu¬
liar in their demands and responsibilities, and
are discovered only by the more diligently
thoughtful. The poet illustrating the pastor's
care, says:
"But what might fill an angel's heart,
And fill'd a Saviour's hands."
Sec. 21. When the regularly constituted au¬
thority of the church, places a station or cir- , .
• . • , r 1 1*1 • , Authorized
cuit m charge of a preacher, he is, by virtue Pastor,
of the appointment, the authorized pastor, till
his successor is appointed at the ensuing an¬
nual conference; whether he is an elder, dea¬
con, or unordained preacher. All appointees,
by a proper authority, possess full and equal
power, as far as the duties of pastors in charge
are concerned.
Sec. 22. The following are items of the du¬
ties of a pastor in charge: The over-sight of
the entire work committed to him. Under his
care and directions are placed, all preachers—Pastor's Duties,
local elders, deacons, preachers, and exhorters
of the circuit or station, as well as every mem¬
ber and probationer of the church. He is to
see that they behave themselves well and per¬
form their respective duties. He conducts or
directs all religious services—to see that love-
feasts are not allowed to last longer than an
hour and a half; appoint prayer-meetings
wherever it is practicable, appoint a fast in
every society, circuit or station, the Friday
preceding each quarterly meeting, and make
a memorandum thereof on class books or pa¬
pers. To read the rules of the society to the
members quarterly, and to the congregation,
138 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
annually. To enforce vigorously, but calmly,
the rules of the society. To give a note of
recommendation to each member moving
from one circuit or station to another, and to
enjoin upon those moving to obtain similar
recommendations. To recommend cleanli¬
ness and decency among the people of his
charge, to encourage the support of missions
and the missionary cause in every possible
way and to take up collections at stated times
whenever possible for the support of that
cause. To supervise the Sunday School in his
charge, and to make arrangements for the es¬
tablishment of other schools whenever and
wherever there is a possibility to do so. To
take annual collections for the various inter¬
ests and enterprises mentioned in the disci¬
pline and on his certificate of appointment.
To preach special sermons to tne Sunday
School and on Temperance, and to do all in
his power for the advancement of the interests
of Temperance in and out of the church. To
organize special classes of baptized children in
each society in his charge, and to appoint com¬
petent leaders who will give them proper at¬
tention.
To prepare and make quarterly reports of
his charge to the quarterly conference, to read
out the names of members in the congrega¬
tion, at the quarterly meeting, who have been
excluded from the church during the quarter.
To appoint and change class-leaders, when in
his judgment so doing is for the interest and
efficiency of the work. To nominate class-
leaders, stewards, stewardesses, and superin¬
tendent of the Sunday School for the confirm¬
ation of the quarterly conference; and to nom-
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 139
inate trustees, when needed, to be elected by
the society.
To inspect the accounts and reports of the
trustees, stewards, stewardesses, and the Sun¬
day School; and to see that proper attention is
paid in providing for the interests of the
school. To recommend arbitration between
members when there is a dispute in reference
to pecuniary affairs. To bring to trial and
expel members who have been convicted by
the society or a select committee, when in his
judgment such extreme measure becomes
necessary. To reprove or take disciplinary
measures against preachers in his charge as
necessity may require. To submit the regu¬
lar report of his charge to the annual'confer¬
ence—as per discipline. He is required to
turn over to his successor properly kept
church records with a list of members and
their addresses.
Sec. 23. Pastor in charge of a circuit, sta¬
tion, or mission who is a member of the annual
conference, or a preacher on trial therein, is Pastor Re-
... , , r r 1 • sponsible to
responsible to the annual conference tor his Annual con-
administration of the discipline; but a local ference-
preacher in charge of a society is responsible
to the quarterly conference.
Sec. 24. That a pastor in charge may have Essentialt0
needed control of the society committed to his control,
care, he must administer the law dispassion¬
ately and in the fear of God, have perfect self-
control under all circumstances, give proofs
of his submission to superiors, respect infer¬
iors, and his control over his society will be
inevitable.
140 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
PRESIDING ELDERS.
It is said by an authority, that, "The office
of the presiding elder is coeval with the Meth¬
odist Episcopal Church" of America; and the
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church is
the eldest legitimate daughter of that church—
this year (1896) she celebrates her 100th an¬
niversary—and true to the fundamental prin¬
ciples of Methodism, she recognizes this time-
honored position in the church.
Sec. 25. The presiding elder is the chief
functionary of a presiding elder's district. It
derlsas charge ls his duty to take charge of all elders, dea-
of H^District8 cons' anc^ preachers of the traveling connec-
' tion; he has the supervisory oversight of all
the churches of his district. He appoints the
time for the meeting of the quarterly confer¬
ences and meetings, every three months, at
each station and circuit, and presides at all
the conferences.
Sec. 26. The presiding elder has the au-
Presiding el- thority and is required to decide all points and
Pointso^Law. questions of law involved in the proceedings
pending in the quarterly conferences, subject
to an appeal from his decision to -the presid¬
ing officer of the next annual conference.
Should the decision be not satisfactory, either
party may take an appeal from the latter de¬
cision to the ensuing General Conference
which renders the final decision in the case.
Sec. 27. A presiding elder can not permit
Presiding ei- a minister or traveling preacher to leave the
deReUeve0t work to which he had been appointed, with-
PrmsWork0m out Permission from the bishop of the district;
so, when a preacher leaves his charge without
being regularly relieved by the proper author¬
ity, the responsibility rests upon himself alone
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 141
—he is amenable to the annual conference for
his acts, especially in that direction.
Sec. 28. A presiding elder has no authority
to administer our law and discipline in any de^can^ot"
society over which a regularly constituted pas- Administer _
tor has been appointed, neither has he a right awm ocie>'
to decide on the maladministration of a pastor
outside of the quarterly conference. When
he renders such a decision in the quarterly
conference, it corrects future administration,
relieves the person or persons who might have
suffered or are suffering thereby, and prevents
future illegal actions; but can not affect the
character nor standing of the pastor—the latter
is amenable to the annual conference only for
the correct administration of the discipline.
Sec. 29. With the consent of the bishop, the
presiding elder may remove a preacher from derS1May
one station or circuit to another, within the Prei£!£er with
limits of his district—but no farther. He can consent of
not employ preachers belonging to another 1 °p"
presiding elder's district, without the consent
of the latter; neither can he change the ap¬
pointee from one work to another in his dis¬
trict, without the consent of the bishop.
Sec. 30. The presiding elder has under his
supervision all the mission work within the a^^upervfses
limits of his district, and may, if needs be, ex- Mission work,
tend his district with the admission of new
work, adjacent, subject to the approval of the
ensuing annual conference; but the work must
not be within the bounds of another district.
He may make all needed provisions in supply¬
ing the needs of the work, subject to the ap¬
proval of the bishop—provided he does not
employ preachers who have been rejected by
the annual or quarterly conference.
142 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
Presiding El- . Sec- 31- The presiding elder shall appoint
der Appoints time and place of the meeting of the district
p?aceofDis- conference and Sunday School Convention,
tnCencenfer" an^ shall preside or appoint some one in his
place. In case of his being absent, the con¬
ference shall appoint a president without de¬
bate, whose prerogative, in the conference,
shall be the same as the presiding elder's.
Sec. 32. No presiding elder, nor itinerant
minister, shall cease to travel without obtain-
^rerCangNot~ ing the consent of the bishop or annual con-
Cease to Travel ference, except in cases of sickness, disability,
or other unavoidable circumstances, the rea¬
sonableness of which shall be decided by the
annual conference.
Sec. 33. When the incapacity of a presid¬
ing elder—want of executive ability, knowl¬
edge of the law, of prudence or piety—is ap¬
parent to the bishop of the district, and it is
Bishop May eyident that the church or ministry is likely to
Remove Pre- suffer thereby, the bishop may remove him
siding Eider, interval of conference, and appoint
another in his place. If nothing, otherwise,
is against his Christian character, the bishop
may give him pastoral charge till the ensuing
annual conference. Maladministration is not
necessarily a crime, but a defect—a want of
executive ability. ;
Sec. 34. A presiding elder may remain on
Presiding Ei- one district four consecutive years and no
der May Re- longer, unless necessity demands an ex-
mam Four °. , -> .
Years on Dis- tension; he can not be removed m less than
tnct two years, except in cases when in the judg¬
ment of the bishop such removal is absolutely
necessary.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 143
OF BISHOPS.
The episcopacy was not originally a favorite
child of Methodism, but as the Herculean ef¬
forts of its founders, being blessed, made them¬
selves manifest; crossed the Atlantic Ocean
and found an abiding place in the New World,
it was clearly apparent that for the efficiency
of the work it was indispensable. Mr. Wesley, ■
therefore, ordained men to that sacred office,
but on account of his "Deed of Declaration,"
drawn up by himself and signed by the author¬
ity of England, he termed men ordained to the
office of bishop for America, what he was
called in England—"Superintendent."
As an evidence that Mr. Wesley intended
Dr. Coke and Mr. Francis Asbury to occupy
a higher office than elder, he wrote, under date
September 10, 1784: "I have accordingly ap¬
pointed Dr. Coke and Mr. Francis Asbury to
be joint superintendents over our brethren in
North America; as also Richard Whatcoat
and Thomas Vasey to act as elders among
them by baptizing and administering the
Lord's Supper."
The African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church in her incipiency, loyal, not merely to
her mother, but to her grandmother—Wes-
leyan Methodism—termed her chief ministers,
though bishops to all intents and purposes—
"Superintendents." But later on she acceded
to the imposition of hands, acknowledged with
her mother, the Methodist Episcopal Church,
the term accepted—"Bishops."
Sec. 35. A bishop is elected and set apart
for that office by the General Conference for BlSLife.f°r
life—or "So long as his spirit and practice are
such as become the gospel."
144 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
Sec. 36. As the highest functionary of the
t church, the duties of a bishop are: To take
Duties of a ' . . j 1
Bishop. charge of all the ministers, and have over¬
sight of all the churches within his episcopal
district. To preside at the annual conferences,^
and therein decide all points and questions of
law and order; subject to an appeal to the
General Conference from his decision on law;
and an appeal to the body in session, from his
decision on order. To fix the district, or ap¬
point a committee to do so, and to make out
the appointments of the preachers of his dis¬
trict.
He has the authority, at the request of the
annual conference, to appoint an agent whose
duty shall be to travel through the bounds of
the conference district from which he is ap¬
pointed, to collect money for the benefit of in¬
stitutions connected with the conference. He
may, during the interval of conference, receive
or transfer preachers within his own district,
with their consent; and may transfer preachers
to other episcopal districts, when necessary;
but in such cases, the transfer may not be
acknowledged until the meeting of the annual
conference to which they go.
A bishop shall travel through his entire dis¬
trict once a year, if possible, and inquire into
the spiritual and temporal affairs of the
churches, as well as the support of the preach¬
ers. He shall ordain deacons and elders who
have been elected by the annual conference,
and furnish them with proper credentials. He
shall nominate presiding elders for the election
and re-election of the annual conference.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 145
Sec. 37. Each bishop is required to be pres¬
ent at the semi-annual meetings of the Board
of Bishops. The time and place of meeting ^3®^^
are appointed by the senior bishop of the con- Bishops.
nection,and thereafter, by the preceding board,
during its session. The time and place may
be changed on application from a majority of
the board; and the president of the board shall
make timely announcement thereof. General
officers are honorary members of the Board
of Bishops.
Sec. 38. The Board of Bishops is required
to present to the General Conference its quad- Bish°rs' Quad-
r . , , . , . ^ renr.ia Ad-
renmal report or address, showing the condi- dress.
tion, progress, and needs of the work of the
entire connection—making needed recom¬
mendations. The address having been adopt¬
ed, is referred to the appropriate committees
for consideration.
Sec. 39. It often becomes necessary to MustNot
transfer preachers from one conference dis- Transfer ren
trict to another, for the efficiency of the work; UnderCliarses*
but a bishop shall not transfer preachers from
one district to another, if he has any idea that
such preachers are under charges, complaints,
or unfavorable reports. When a bishop does
so, he is subject to be charged with misde¬
meanor.
Sec. 40. Advice from the chief pastor is ac¬
ceptable and ought to be kindly received; but
that the decision rendered by a bishop, on any Conference,
point of l&w, may be valid or authoritative, it
must be rendered when he is presiding in the
annual conference—otherwise it is advice.
146 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
CHAPTER V.
church certificates, etc.
Sec. i. Our discipline makes it the duty of
a preacher in charge, not merely to give cer-
Pastor Gives tificates or letters of recommendation to mem-
CeRemovaI.°f bers of his charge, going from one station or
circuit to another; but to warn them that such
letters of recommendation are necessary to
their recognition. To persons in good stand¬
ing, the pastor is under obligations to furnish
letters of recommendation—going from one
circuit or station to another.
Sec. 2. Can a pastor withhold the church
withhold cer- certificate from a member leaving the city or
vicinity of the church, who makes an applica¬
tion therefor?
Answer. He can, if he has sufficient reason;
but if the member is willing to be tried for the
reason alleged, he must either give the certi¬
ficate or proceed at once to try him. If the
person is not found guilty of the complaint or
charge preferred, the pastor is compelled to
furnish the certificate of removal—not other¬
wise.
Sec. 3. A pastor should not gi^e a certifi¬
cate or recommendation to a member of his
charge, who desires to leave the church and
remain at the same place, or to join other than
the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.
Such may be allowed to withdraw, provided
there is no charge nor complaint against him.
tificate.
Certificate for
Persons Re¬
moving Only.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 147
Pastor should grant letters of removal, how¬
ever, when he is informed that it is more con¬
venient for a member to attend another Afri¬
can Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, ac¬
cording to the place of residence, than the one
in which he holds his membership.
Sec. 4. There has been an unfruitful and
unfavorable custom of retaining the names of
persons on church rolls, whose residences are Members Out
beyond the limits of pastoral care, and the DiocSefshouia
reach of their leaders. Even if such members Take Letters,
are willing to pay their dues, this does not en¬
able the church to watch over them as is
required. They may retain their membership
only, when there is no church of their faith in
the vicinity of their residences. Pastors
should show the necessity of the watch-care
of the church, and require members to ob¬
tain their letters, if they expect to remain out
of the reach of the watch-care of the church in
which they hold membership for six months
consecutively—they can obtain letters when
they are about to return.* They must also be
informed, that if they keep their letters more
than six months, without placing them in the
church—they become null and void.
Sec. 5. A member receiving his certificate
from his pastor, is responsible to the church ResponsibJe
in which he places it; and may be tried foring°cfrtificate.
any misconduct or unchristian acts committed
by him during the time he held his certificate.
He can not claim membership in any church,
however, if he retain the certificate in his pos¬
session after sufficient time has elapsed to en¬
able him to place it in church.
148 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
Sec. 6. A pastor is under obligation to re¬
ceive all authenticated church letters, drawn
Re^efv^an up in due form; provided, the time has not
church Letters ^een extended more than six months from the
date they were delivered to the persons, ac¬
cording to discipline—though it be known
that the persons have committed crimes since
they received their letters. Hence, it is not
necessary to ask the approval of the church on
receiving church letters. As soon as the let¬
ters have been received, the persons may be
called to account for their misconduct. See
Sec. 5—above. If a preacher refuse to re¬
ceive a church letter for special* reasons, he
must show cause to justify himself, should a
complaint be laid against him at the annual
conference.
Sec. 7. No person is authorized to give a
church letter or note of recommendation to
GivenbyPas™a member, except the pastor. All church let-
tors Alone. terSj however, should bear the signatures of
the pastor and leader. A leader's letter ought
to bear the signatures of the pastor and secre¬
tary of the church or leaders' meeting.
Sec. 8. Certificates should never be given
Persons with- to persons who withdraw from our church un-
dNot'1ObtSiin der the excitement of unchristian or unkind
Certificate. feeiing-s toward pastor, member, or church;
such may be allowed to withdraw on their
own responsibility, provided, they are not un¬
der charges nor complaints. When they are
under either, they should be called to trial; if
they refuse to attend, they may be tried in their
absence, and the finding and sentence pub¬
lished.
Local Preach- Sec- 9- Letters given to local preachers and
ers' Letters, exhorters must certify to their official rela¬
tions as well as their church standing. When
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 149
such letters are received by any of the
churches, the official relations of such local
preachers or exhorters remain unchanged.
agapye love-feast.
Sec. 10. Love-feast is an ancient ordinance,
instituted in the days of the apostles, when it
was called, "Agapae." At the celebration a^ncienttin
thereof the early Christians ate and drank to- stitution.
gether in token of Christian love and fellow¬
ship one with the other. Such a season was a
time of refreshing to the hated and hunted dis¬
ciples of the risen and ascended Saviour, be¬
cause of their assbciations with tried friends
and companions in sufferings.
Crysostom says: "It is a custom, the most
beautiful and beneficial; for it is a supporter
of love, a solace of poverty, a moderator of
wealth, a discipline of humility."
Sec. 11. Regularly ordained love-feasts are
held in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Quarterly
Church once a quarter, generally before the LoveFeasts-
quarterly meeting, under the supervision of
the presiding elder or the pastor in charge;
at which time the members of the society in
general are present, and break and eat bread
together, as a token of Christian fellowship
with God and their brethren. This is consid¬
ered an outward sign of the grace of God
dwelling in their hearts, and manifested to¬
ward each other.
Sec. 12. The reasons Mr. Wesley assigned
for introducing love-feasts into the Methodist Mr. "Wesley's
Church are as follows: "In order to increase Lov^easts.
in them (persons in bands) a grateful sense of
all His-(God's) mercies, I desire that one
evening in a quarter all the men in band, on
150 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
a second all the women, would meet; and on
a third both men and women together; that
we might together 'eat bread/ as the ancient
Christians did, 'with gladness and singleness
of heart/ At these love-feasts (so we term
them, retaining the name as well as the thing,
which was in use from the beginning) our food
is only a little plain calce and water; but we
seldom return from them without being fed,
not only with the 'meat which perisheth,' but
with that which endureth to everlasting life.' "
—Wesley's Works, vol. V., p. 183.
Sec. 13. A standing rule of the Methodist
Church is, that persons shall be admitted to
Loy^Fea^tsbylove-feasts only by presenting their tickets at
Tickets. f-^e door_ jn later years, however, this rule
has been modified so as to allow even uncon¬
verted persons to attend love-feasts—though
they can not partake thereof^ It is said the
influence of such a Christian gathering often
deeply impresses the ungodly. Whatever
modification might have been made, the Meth¬
odist rule is that members shall be admitted
to love-feasts by showing their last quar¬
terly tickets.
Sec. 14. Who are the persons entitled to
legal admission into the love-feasts of the
church ?
Entitled to Answer. All members of the church, proba-
ALoveSFeasS!° tioners, and those belonging to special classes
for baptized children. Persons who can be
identified as members of other Christian com¬
munion, though they may not be in possession
of love-feast tickets, for Christian courtesy, are
entitled to be admitted.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 151
CHAPTER VI.
CHURCH PROPERTY AND SUPPORT
OF MINISTERS,
CHURCHES, PARSONAGES, AND SCHOOLS.
During the early days of Methodism, severe
simplicity was considered one of the charac¬
teristics of its religious views. That Metho¬
dism might not be considered assumptive, her
places of worship were termed chapels, in¬
stead of churches; and were the most unosten¬
tatious in appearance, possible. Practical
simplicity marked church buildings, parson¬
ages, and the appearance of her ministers and
members. Incurring heavy debts in erecting
churches and parsonages was contrary to the
polity of Methodism.
As the ages advanced, and Methodism ex¬
tended her arms to gird the earth, the idea of
more pretentious houses for the service of God
made plain its necessity. This brought about
an increase of church debts, especially in the
new world; and quarterly conferences were re¬
quired to inquire into and discourage the in¬
crease of unnecessary liabilities.
Through these periodic gradations, the
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
passed, as did her grandmother—Wesleyan
Methodism; and her mother—the Methodist
Episcopal Church of America. The plain and
simple chapels without common conveniences,
152 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
have given place to large and commodious
buildings containing modern improvements.
The advanced age made this demand, and it
was found necessary to give heed thereto.
Sec. i. That the work of building churches
and parsonages may be carried on to the ad¬
vantage of the societies and connection, when
a society decides to build or improve a place
of worship or a parsonage, the following pre¬
liminary steps become necessary : (i.) The so¬
ciety makes its intention known to the quar¬
terly conference, to which it is connected; if
Building ^ ^ias no quarterly conference, to the one adja-
Cparr-oraS es^ cent- At that quarterly conference a building
araoi.ages. comm^ee Gf from three to fifteen persons is
elected and empowered to seek and obtain a
site, when one is needed, and find the cost
thereof, obtain plan and specifications when
they are needed, and report to the society and
the next quarterly conference. „ If the ar¬
rangements are favorable and satisfactory, at
the society's request, the quarterly confer¬
ence may empower the committee to make
needed arrangements to accomplish the desire
of the society.
(2.) The society shall make an estimate of
the amount to be paid for the work to be done
or property to be purchased, and the quarterly
conference may empower the building com¬
mittee—when satisfactory arrangements have
been made to obtain funds—to proceed with
the work as requested by the society, or to
purchase the property as the case may be;
and the committee shall make its report to the
quarterly conference from time to time of the
condition and progress of the work. When
the work of the building committee is accom-
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 153
plished, the property—land, house of worship,
or parsonage, as the case may be—shall be
handed over to the board of trustees and their
successors, in trust for the use of the mem¬
bers and ministry of the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church.
Sec. 2: A number of persons may associate
themselves together, and decide to erect a
house of worship under the auspices of the f
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Debtacon-°r
and may elect or appoint certain persons to tracted-
superintend the erection of the building; but
their mere acceptance will not make them re¬
sponsible for debt contracted thereby. They
can not be held for the debt unless they as¬
sume responsibility on their personal effects,
forasmuch as the society is not an incorporate
body. The incorporation of our General
Conference, legalizes the quarterly conference
to elect persons who may hold property in
trust for the people, subject to liabilities
thereon.
Sec. 3. A member of the building commit¬
tee may be discharged for cause or causes but Committee can
not without the consent of the creditors; but charged Till
the committee can not be discharged until the eompiishedl
entire work is completed and handed over to
the board of trustees—the trustees accepting,
assume all liabilities.
trustees.
Sec. 4. Church property—churches, chap¬
els, parsonages, cemeteries, etc.—is held ac- church Prop-
cording to our book of discipline, by a board ertr^.^9fggSby
of trustees, in trust for the use of the member¬
ship of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church. The General Conference does not
154 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
claim nor hold, in law, title to church nor
church property; its only claim is to supply
the pulpit by such means as deemed fitting,
by duly accredited ministers and preachers of
the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church,
who shall preach and expound the Word of
God as contained in the Holy Scriptures.
The only claim of the General Conference,
therefore, is, that full and free use of the pulpit
shall be placed in its hands, and that the an¬
nual conference shall keep it supplied from
time to time, according to its godly judgment.
Sec. 5. When it becomes necessary to dis-
churehProp- pose of church property for the payment of
euse Aionea debt thereon, with a view to invest the pro¬
ceeds of sale, after payment of debts, the en¬
tire amount remaining shall be applied to the
purchase or improvement of other property
which shall be deeded to the church, or to a
board of trustees in trust for the membership
of the church—the aforesaid shall be in ac¬
cordance with the judgment and decision of
the quarterly conference of the society.
Sec. 6. It is provided by our book of disci-
rhTruste^ine P^ne> that a board of trustees shall be consti¬
tuted for each society, of not less than three
nor more than nine persons, who shall not be
less than twenty-one years of age, and mem¬
bers in regular standing in the African Meth¬
odist Episcopal Zion Church. They shall be
nominated annually by the pastor in charge,
and elected by the members in full standing
in the society. Vacancies, when they occur,
shall be filled in similar manner. When a
state or territory requires a specific mode of
election, such shall be observed.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 155
Sec. 7. The specific duties of trustees of our Specific duties
church property and connectional institutions, of Trustees,
are,
1. To take charge of the property and see
that proper care is taken thereof, and that the
temporal concerns committed to their charge
are properly atttended to, to the best interests
of all concerned.
2. To see that the views, wishes, or inten¬
tions of the founders, supporters, or society
are carried out, as far as practicable. The
authority of trustees is necessarily limited to
this end, and when otherwise exercised, from
its illegitimacy, partakes of the nature- of usur¬
pation.
Sec. 8. As the deeds and settlements of the
church property secure the full and free use of Trustees can
th# pulpit in our churches, to preach God's Reg^a^A^
holy Word, by ministers and preachers of the pomtee.
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church; a
board of trustees can not reject a regularly ap¬
pointed preacher, sent by the proper authority
of that church. Even-when such deeds and
titles were not drawn up according to disci¬
pline, the trustees can not reject the regular
appointee to the pulpit. The civil law recog¬
nizes the fact, that when a society accepts a
regular appointee, and subjects itself to the
rule and_ discipline of a particular denomina¬
tion for a number of years in succession; such
acknowledgments, admit the surrender of the
pulpit to be supplied by said denomination.
The preacher can only be rejected, legally,
when there is something against his moral
character.
156 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
Majority Can Sec. 9- Trustees can not close the doors
tj°t close Doors against a regularly appointed preacher, with
Preacher, the excuse, that a majority of the members
supported them in such action. It must be re¬
membered, they were not chosen to represent
or misrepresent a majority, but to execute the
trust committed to them for the furtherance of
the interest of the up-lifted cross.
On this point an authority says, speaking oi
the power and obligations of the trustees:
"They are not chosen to represent that ma¬
jority, but rather to execute the trust of carry¬
ing out the intention of those from whose be¬
nevolence flow the temporalities in their
charge. If such an excuse will ever
be available, where will it stop? What
shall set bounds to its encroachment?
They from whose benevolence has arisen
some pious foundation, or some noble
charity, may have passed from the stage
of life, leaving behind them some such monu¬
ment of their love to God and man, in confi¬
dent expectation that the trust they have con¬
fided to posterity will be faithfully executed.
Upon what principle can it be justified, that
they who now live to enjoy the fruits of the
charity of the dead should be permitted, at
their caprice, to control, and perhaps divert
from its original purpose, the endowment
which owes none of its support to them? No
such principle is known in law nor morals."—
2 Barbour, pp. 414, 415.
Sec. 10. By virtue of their office, trustees
Unlawful En- an incorPorated religious society, are en¬
try. titled to the possession of all the temporalities
of the society, and are to all intent and pur¬
poses, lawful seizers of grounds, church build-
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 157
ings, and their appurtenances. If they—the
trustees—should close the doors of the church
against ministry and congregation, no one has
a right to make a forcible entry into the build¬
ing whose doors are locked. The illegal act
of closing the doors, will not justify unlawful
entry. The society has immediate and ample
remedy, but while the trustees are in posses¬
sion, they are under the protection of the civil
authority, and must be protected from unlaw¬
ful and irregular intrusion of all persons—
members of the society or not. Their trust
gives them this protection, as they are respon¬
sible for the faithful discharge thereof. If the
society resolve itself into a violent mob, the
law protects the trustees against it as well as
others.—See 9 Johnson, 156. If the trustees
usurp authority, they can and must be lawfully
dispossessed.
Sec. 11. It is known and admitted that a
church is erected for the public worship of church Must
... Not 1)6 Used
Almighty God, for moral and religious m- for other
struction of the people, and for intellectual Thwo^sh§°us
and spiritual development. The trustees of
such places of worship have no authority to
close its doors against a legally appointed
preacher; nor to employ such a place for pur¬
poses at variance with the object for which it
was dedicated.
Sec. 12. The legal election of trustees gives
them power to protect all church property, 'tecfchurciT
against, not merely lawless violence, but, all Property,
injury from any source; whether the society
has been legally incorporated or not: they can
maintain an action against any party or par¬
ties for trespass or injury done to the property.
—See 9 Wendall 414.
158 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
Sec. 13. Notwithstanding, the officers of a
Serve Till sue- religious incorporation are required by their
CEieetedre charter to be elected annually, they would, no
doubt, be allowed to exercise the functions of
their office, after the expiration of the year;
provided no election had taken place to fill the
vacancies. Such cases are provided for, how¬
ever, by special statutes in some states; and
have been in accordance with the rulings of
the courts in general.
Sec. 14. The actual power of the trustees
of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church is restricted to the holding in trust real
estate, and such personal property as might
have been secured or acquired for the benefit
^of Trustee's?1 of the temporal concerns of the church. They
may take up subscriptions and collections for
the purpose of sustaining or acquiring church
property, or adding improvement thereto; for
the payments of debts previously contracted,
for repairing, improving, or sustaining the real
estate of the society; but they have no powei
nor authority to prevent the steward raising
voluntary contributions or collections for the
support of the gospel and the various benevo¬
lent claims and institutions of the church.
They have no claims whatever on the funds
raised for those purposes. Moneys raised for
the ministry or poor, go directly to the stew¬
ards appointed to receive them.
Sec. 15. Each member of the board of trus-
Trustees Re- tees is responsible to the quarterly confer-
Quarteriy^cmi. ence of the station or circuit to which he be-
fbrence. longs, for his moral character and for the faith¬
ful performance of his official duties; and the
board of trustees is required to render to each
quarterly conference a report showing the
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 159
amount of money received, expended, and the
balance on hand from the beginning to the
close of the quarter; and shall make an an¬
nual report to the fourth quarterly conference
of similar import. The quarterly conference
has power, and may remove a trustee for
cause or causes; when such removal is not in
conflict with the law of the state or territory.
Sec. 16. When a trustee has been tried and
deprived of church membership, he is dis- ExpuIsion Dis„
qualified for the position of a trustee, as our trustee8,
discipline requires: "Members in good stand¬
ing in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church." In case of expulsion, however, a
trustee may be retained on the board till his
time expires; when he is held in joint security
for a church debt, and creditors refuse to ac¬
cept another in his place.
Se*c. 17. Our discipline makes a pastor ex
officio—by virtue of his office—chairman of the p.ast°* e.x"offl"
board of trustees. This is intended to give C1° airman-
pastors full recognition in the board of trus¬
tees, but it may not be wise to preside, except
on special occasions. There ought always be
a regularly elected chairman of the board of
trustees.
support of ministers.
In olden times ministers received very mea¬
gre salaries, but demands were few and small.
As the ages advance, all things increase in
proportion. To meet urgent necessities, rea¬
sonable preparations and energetic efforts
must be made.
While it is true, ministers of the gospel
ought not to make their salaries the chief ob¬
ject of their earnest labor, to enable them to
i6o DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
perform the arduous tasks required of them, to
advantage, it is needed that their support be
not a secondary matter. Ministers of the gos¬
pel ought to be supported, when it is possible
to do so, above the possibility of real need.
support- of bishops.
Sec. i8. The salary of our bishops, a§ de-
Bishops, Gen- cided by the General Conference of 1892 is
ana i®tftu- two thousand dollars per annum, and tr-.veling
tions. expenses; the General Conference of 1896
amended by saying two thousand dollars per
year and the amount be paid to allow each
bishop to pay his traveling expenses, except in
foreign and mission fields, attending meetings
of Board of Bishops and meetings of trustees
of colleges. As our church has not a Book
Concern sufficiently established to render
revenue, like our mother—the Methodist
Episcopal Church—this amount is to be paid
from the pro ratar dividend of General Fund—
an annual taxation of fifty cents per member,
including bishops and ministers ; for the pay¬
ment of bishops' salaries, support of Living¬
stone College, and other connectional institu¬
tions, Book Concern, "Star of Zion," super¬
annuated ministers, and salaries of other gen¬
eral officers.
Sec. 19. That the amount of fifty cents per
^salaries member—the present taxation—should be
Only. Used to the best advantage in paying our
bishops, general officers, and to assist in the
support of connectional institutions; the
churches shall defray the traveling expenses
of the bishops, as they occur traveling to and
from them; and if there be any extra long dis¬
tances which make it utterly impossible for the
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 161
churches to meet the entire amount; the
bishops shall render such items to the semi¬
annual Board of Bishops, and the amount un¬
paid, for such extra long distances, shall be
allowed by the Board, if reasonable;, and the
General Steward shall pay said amount.
Sec. 20. That our bishops, general officers,
institutions and connectional interests may be Collection of
, - , . . , , . J . General Fund,
reasonably supported; it is the duty of each
pastor, on entering his charge, at the com¬
mencement of the conference year, to arrange
for and begin the collection of the fifty cents
General Fund; and to make monthly returns
thereof to the conference stewards. The con¬
ference' stewards shall make monthly reports
to the General Steward, and the amount re¬
ceived by the latter shall be divided among the
bishops, general officers, interests and insti¬
tutions, monthly, according to the pro rata
plan.
presiding elders' support.
Sec. 21. The presiding elders' salaries and
traveling expenses shall be provided for by
special district conferences, which may be pro-
called to meet at the close of each annual con- yjde for^Pre¬
ference. They shall be composed of the pas- S1 *ng ers"
tors and a delegate from each church of the
presiding elders' districts. Sufficient amounts
shall be allowed the presiding elders to afford
them comfortable support—at least as much as
pastors receive; and the amounts shall be dis¬
tributed to be collected by the different
churches of the districts, according to member¬
ship ; and the amounts shall be paid to the pre¬
siding elders at the. quarterly conferences.
Should the full amounts be not paid at the con¬
ferences, they shall be made up from the quar-
162 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
terly meeting collections, and paid to the pre¬
siding elders. It is the duty of the pastor in
charge to see to the collection of the presiding
elder's salary and traveling expenses. When
the presiding elder's salary and traveling ex¬
penses have been paid in the quarterly confer¬
ence, the quarterly meeting collections shall
be applied to pastor's salary,
collect Presid- Sec. 22. The most convenient way to collect
in4iariess' Presiding elders' salaries, is, for pastors to di¬
vide the amount to be collected among the
members of the church; require leaders to col¬
lect the apportionment from each member, and
report to the pastors at the leaders' meetings.
Pastors can then make provisions to meet the
deficiencies, if any, before the meeting of the
quarterly conferences.
pastors' salaries.
Sec. 23. Our discipline devises that an es-
Pastors' aiiow- timating committee of three persons shall be
ances. appointed by the fourth quarterly conference,
to confer with the newly appointed pastor, and
to make an estimate of the amount necessary
to furnish 'him a comfortable support, which
estimate shall be subject to the action of a spe¬
cial quarterly conference. When the amount
agreed upon has been reported to the church,
current and incidental expenses calculated, the
amount required to run the church during the
conference year can easily be estimated, and
subscriptions and taxations can be better ar¬
ranged. A good plan is, to ascertain from
each member of the church and each attendant
of the congregation as far as practicable, what
each purposes to give monthly or annually—
and make arrangements to raise the deficiency.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 163
Amounts, of contributions or subscriptions
should be entered on the steward's book, the
amount paid in, and deficiencies called for ac¬
cordingly.
Sec. 24. To meet financial demands, plans
should be adopted and carried out as far as P1sai^yaand's
practicable. A good plan is, that weekly Current Ex-
amounts of five or ten cents per member, to be penses-
paid to his or her leader, should be adopted.
The leaders should see that this amount is paid
to them regularly. It is an excellent plan to
receive this amount when the class rolls are
called—it is easier to pay small amounts than
large ones. It ought to be made plain, that if
a member is not present when the roll is
called, the amount is due and must be paid—
he is responsible to his leader for this weekly
assessment, and it is the duty of the leader to
call upon him for the amount when it remains
unpaid. Small sums from different' sources
make large amounts without distressing any¬
one. This is called "Class money," but it is
better to call it weekly contributions, foras¬
much as the former name makes it appear to
some persons, if they are not present, it is not
due.
Then, there ought to be two special and reg¬
ular monthly contributions and collections
from members and attendants of divine serv¬
ices. to be handed in at stated times: one for
pastoral support, and the other for current ex¬
penses of the church. Special Suridavs ou^ht
to be named in each month, at the commence¬
ment of the conference vear. when each per¬
son will be expected to give for those objects,
as God has prospered him or her.
164 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
Sec. 25. When there is a debt on church
Money for property, extra efforts are required to meet
church Debt, demands. The following is an excellent pro¬
cedure : The amount of interest, and when it
is due, ought to be first considered, and ac¬
cordingly distributed among the members, at¬
tendants, and well-wishers, to be paid in, at
least thirty days before it is due—small sums
are easily paid. Energetic men and woifien of
the church should meet in council, and decide
how much of the principal debt shall be paid
during the year. Call upon all to take a hand
in the matter, devise the most effectual means
—put God in front—and work to the conclu¬
sion. Decide,and keep to it,that money raised
for one object, must not be paid out for an¬
other—except in extreme cases: see that the
cases are not made extreme. Money raised
for church debt must be promptly paid or se¬
curely kept—not- used for other objects.
Sec. 26. There are connectional claims
Connectionai which must be met, for nearly all of them are
entirely dependent upon the churches. To meet
these urgent demands, the pastor,in connection
with the church officiary, should make stated
arrangements for special rallies, or to make up
the amount needed to meet demands, separ¬
ately, and not allow1 them to become due, sev¬
erally : it is easier to pay small sums than
large ones. The real success of work of all
kinds—church especially—is unity of action.
Sec. 27. Children's day as a religious, lit¬
erary, and financial occasion, is an established
custom. The need of funds to be raised on
that day is known to nearly all—for the ad¬
vancement of the work of our educational in¬
stitutions—to assist in paying the salaries of
Claims.
Children's
Day.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 165
the earnest and hardworking teachers and pro¬
fessors. To make that day a success, pastors
and superintendents of schools ought not to
wait till the day approaches to make the rally.
Preparations should commence two months
previous to the fourth Sunday in June—Chil¬
dren's Day. Envelopes, cards, etc., should
be distributed freely among the friends and
members of the school, and the general effort
made a notable and successful day in Zion :the
amount realized should be sent to the institu¬
tion or proper authority at once.
Sec. 28. The claim of worn-out preachers
and widows and orphans should be looked teachers,
upon with a degree of Christian sympathy, ^rpSsand
and heartily responded to : for today is not to¬
morrow—no one knows what tomorrow may
bring forth. "Whatsoever ye would that men
should do to you, do ye even so to them: for
this is the law and the prophets."
stewards.
Boards of stewards is a recent appointment
in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church, and as# the trustees and others have
been filling the work generally assigned to
stewards, it is somewhat doubtful what their
duties are. The board of stewards, however,
is an established fact in our church. As it
has been appointed, it remains that its duties
must be defined, according to the polity of
Methodism.
Sec. 29. The organizer of Methodism—Mr.
Wesley—gives the following account of the °ofglgt°4ardsd
origin of stewards in the Methodist Church:
"In a few days some of them said, 'Sir, we will
not sit under you for nothing; we will sub-
166 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
scribe quarterly.' I said, 'I will have nothing',
for I want nothing. My fellowship supplies
me with all I want.' One replied, 'Nay, but
you want one hundred and fifteen pounds to
pay for the lease of the Foundery, and like¬
wise a large sum of money to put it in repair.'
On this consideration I suffered them to sub¬
scribe. And when .the society met I asked,
'Who will take the trouble of receiving this
money, and paying it where it is needed?'
One said, 'I will do it, and keep the account for
you.' So here was the first steward. After¬
ward I desired one or two more to help me as
stewards, and in process of time a greater
number."
Sec. 30. He proceeds: "The business of the
stewards, is,
a. To manage the temporal things of the so¬
ciety.
b. To receive the subscriptions and contribu¬
tions.
c. To expend what is needful, from time to
time.
d. To send relief to the poor.
e. To keep an exact account of all receipts and
expenses.
f. To inform, the ministers if any of the rules
of the society are not punctually ob¬
served.
g. To tell the preachers in love, if they think
anything amiss either in their doctrine or
life.
"The rules of stewards are:
a. Be frugal. Save everything that can be
saved honestly.
b. Spend no more than you receive. Con¬
tract no debts.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 167
c. Have no long accounts. Pay everything
within the week, or as soon as possible.
d. Give none that ask relief either an ill word
or an ill look. Do not hurt if you can
not help them.
e.i Expect no thanks from man."—Wesley's
Works, Vol. V., p. 185.
Sec. 31. That our board of stewards may
be an operative body in our church, we must
separate its duties from other officers of the
church—especially the trustees. It is the
duty of the board of trustees, to take charge
of and protect all church property, in trust Duties of Board
for the society; to make such repairs and im- and Trustees,
provements as are desired by the society, and
to see that perfect order is kept during divine
services.
Dr. Baker says: "The great and paramount
duty of trustees of religious corporations is to
see that temporalities committed to their
charge are fully and fairly devoted to the pur¬
poses which the founders had in view in creat¬
ing the trust. All their authority is neces¬
sarily subordinate to this end, and all exercise
of it beyond the legitimate attainment of this
end is usurpation."—Trustees, Chap. VI., 4.
To find the difference between the duties of
stewards and trustees, according to the polity
of church government, a church society must
be divided into two distinct departments, yet
remain a complete organization; viz.: a Cor¬
porate Body, and an Ecclesiastical Body.
The corporate body is composed of persons
suggested by our discipline, and recognized
by the civil authority as being capable of form¬
ing a church corporation—elect trustees, etc.
An ecclesiastical body is all who hold church
168 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
relations to the society, whether capable of
forming an incorporate body or not.
The trustees represent the society as a cor¬
poration, and the stewards as an ecclesiastical
body. The trustees, then, attend to the finan¬
cial department which relates to the church as
a corporation—receive and account for money
collected for building purposes, repairing, im¬
proving, and for money to keep in order and
defray the expenses of those objects. The
stewards representing the church as an eccle¬
siastical body attend to the temporal necessi¬
ties of the ministry, see after the poor, make
preparations for love-feasts and sacrament of
the Lord's Supper.
Financial Sue ^EC' ^2' -^ut^n§' responsibility upon the
cess Depends; board of stewards which is incident to its po-
ste\rardsn sition, the pecuniary success of the society de¬
pends on the wisdom with which it discharges
its duty. The board of stewards does not de¬
termine the amount to be paid to the pastor,
but raising the amount depends on the proper
exercise of its energy. The pastor's steward
is really the treasurer who claims and pays to
the pastor all moneys raised for him, and re¬
ceives his receipt therefor.
Sec. 33. The board of stewards meets once
Weekly Meet- a week—Monday, -or as soon after the Sab-
ingardstew" bath as possible—and makes arrangements to
meet current expenses for the coming week;
and the leaders meet with them. It is the duty
of the stewards to see that the leaders make
their weekly collections from each member of
their classes, and turn over the amount col¬
lected to the preacher's steward. They shall
inquire into the various financial branches of
the church, and acquaint themselves with its
condition. The pastor is the presiding offi-
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 169
cer of the board of stewards, and the preacher's
steward vice-president. The secretary of the
board of stewards ought to be a good ac¬
countant, and the best financier in the church,
if possible.
Sec. 34. The boards of trustees and stew¬
ards shall meet conjointly in a monthly meet- joint Meeting
ing, at which time both boards shall render ani stewards
their individual reports, which shall be read to
the society the following Sunday. The stew¬
ards' report shall show, the amount required
to run' the society during the month, the
amount received, amount paid out, and the
amount on hand; the report shall show also,
the indebtedness of the church, and suggest
plans to meet demands. The president of
the board of trustees shall preside at the
monthly meeting of the trustees and stewards.
Sec. 35. The traveling and moving ex- Pastor,sMov.
penses of the pastor shall be paid by the board in? Expenses
of stewards—the stewardesses are under the Paidards.tew"
direction of the board of stewards, and subject
to the call of the preacher's steward. All suc¬
cessful efforts must be united—two willing
hands can accomplish more than one.
Sec. 36. These responsible duties demand Duties of gtew_
that the board of stewards -shall be wise and ards Demand
devout men, lovers of their church and con- DevoutMen-
nection and of the cause of God. Men want¬
ing in these principles will necessarily prove
failures in this work; and unless the finances
of the church are properly managed, the en¬
tire work will be embarrassed. The living
spiritual condition of the church, however,
guarantees financial success: God first—and
success will follow as a consequence.
170 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
NOTES.
The following decision was rendered by
Bishop J. W. Hood in the General Conference
May 7th, 1896:
"From time immemorial, if there are vacan¬
cies in any department of Zion Church, the
bishops filled them. A bishop has a right to
make any appointment where a vacancy is to
be filled among his delegates to the General
Conference."
BAPTISM.
That unity may be preserved in administer¬
ing sacred ordinances of the church, it is here
mentioned, that since the names of individuals
are divided into two parts—Christian and sur¬
name (surname means assumed name)—at the
baptism of individuals the surname should not
be mentioned; otherwise, the person has no
surname, as a baptized name is a Christian
name. For example—When a minister takes
a child in his arm, says to the sponsor: "Name
this child/' If the sponsor gives the full
name of the child (as some will do) James
Henry Wilkinson (Wilkinson being his
father's name) the minister should say: "James
Henry, I baptize thee in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
Amen."
All persons ought to have a surname, or an
assumed name; when he is baptized in the
name he should assume, he has no surname.
In baptizing an individual, water should be
sprinkled or poured upon his head, in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost—three times.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 171
THE LORD'S SUPPER.
In consecrating the elements of the Lord's
Supper, the minister whose authority makes
him the senior, ought to be accorded the priv¬
ilege to consecrate the Eucharist. The per¬
son who consecrates the elements, should in¬
variably receive both kinds himself before ad¬
ministering to another, and should adminis¬
ter tliem—both kinds—to all ministers pres¬
ent, and so enable those who are ordained to
assist in the administration thereof.
The person consecrating the elements ought
always to receive both kinds before adminis¬
tering either.
THIRTY CENTS TAXATION.
Bishop Hood offered the following as an
amendment to the financial plan: "Ten cents
for educational purposes, ten cents for worn-
out preachers, their widows and orphans, and
ten cents for church extension and missionary
purposes. One half of each to be left in the
Annual Conferences for such purposes as the
conferences shall determine. This proposition
to be submitted to the Annual and Quarterly
Conferences for ratification. If it shall be rat¬
ified by three-fourths of the Annual and Quar¬
terly Conferences the Board of Bishops shall
proclaim it- a law." The amendment was
adopted.
The foregoing was ratified by the annual
and quarterly conferences, and the Board of
Bishops declared it a law in operation, Janu¬
ary 1st, 1898.
172 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
The necessity of this law is apparent to all
lovers of the church, and is beneficial to both
local and general church. The pastor who
can not collect the amount, gives evidence of
his want of reasonable tact and pastoral in¬
fluence—it can easily be done if the pastor
knows how to go about it.
ALL MINISTERS ARE MEMBERS.
Referring to Preamble, Chapter I, Section
i—all ministers of the African Methodist Epis¬
copal Zion Church, including superannuated
and supernumeraries, who are not actually en¬
gaged in pastoral work, are members of the
church and quarterly conferences where they
reside; and that this may be more definitely
carried out, as there may be more than one
church of the connection at the same place;
at each annual conference, the presiding
bishop should assign each minister who is not
engaged in pastoral work to a special quar¬
terly conference, and his membership shall be
recognized in that church.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 173
CHAPTER VII.
rules of order—or parliamentary rules.
As consistent government is one of the chief
boons of pastoral success, and as pastors are
often called upon to preside over deliberative
bodies, no pastor can afford to be in ignorance
of the rules which govern such bodies. In
presenting to the church a Code on Discipline,
we decided it would not be out of place to add
to such a work a summary of rules of order—
sometimes termed parliamentary usages.
organization.
Sec. 1. To organize is to furnish with func¬
tions subservient to life, or to arrange for op¬
erative existence. Organization is the term
used when a number of individuals are formed
into a body for the performance or transaction
of certain business—it is to officer a body and
put it in working order.
temporary organization.
(1.) In preparing bodies for operation, or
deliberation, the need of temporary organiza¬
tion often occurs. In case of such an organi¬
zation, a person of experience or distinction
calls the assembly to order, and announces
that the time for organization has arrived.
He, or some individual of the assembly, names
a person for temporary chairmanship of the
meeting. On assuming the chair, the chair-
174 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
man asks for the appointment of a secretary.
If several secretaries are required, the first
named is considered the chief.
(2.) The chairman conducts, or calls upon
some competent person to conduct religious
services suitable to the occasion. At the con¬
clusion of the religious exercises, the chair¬
man states the object of the meeting, and pre¬
pares for permanent organization. As may
be desired, he appoints a committee which is
to ascertain who are regular members of the
body, which by examining the credentials of
the members, obtains and reports the names
of regular members.
W hen the seat of a member is contested,
both sides ought to be heard, and the body
decides who is entitled to be seated. Mem¬
bership having been decided, the next in order
is,
permanent organization.
Sec. 2. This may be done, as usual, in two
ways. First, By appointing or electing a
committee to nominate a complete list of offi¬
cers for the assembly or association. The
committee having reported the names of per¬
sons to fill the required offices, the assembly
may approve or elect them by ballot, or by
vote~rt7t'(7 voce; or, secondly, Instead of ap¬
pointing- a committee, the members of the as-
anH atl°n may nominate persons by motions
vote Secont's' an<^ elect them by hand or voice-
PKESll_vnvrr officer.
The duties of t-> *j-
as follows: Presiding- officers are
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 175
a. To call the members to order at the ap¬
pointed time.
b. To conduct religious services.
c. To direct the roll to be called at the opening
of each session, unless otherwise ordered,
and to direct the reading of the minutes of-
the previous meeting, for the approval of
the assembly.
d. To announce the order of business, in the
order in which it is to be acted upon.
e. To receive messages and communications,
and announce them to the meeting.
f. To receive and submit, in proper manner, all
motions and propositions presented by
the members.
g. To put to vote all questions which are regu¬
larly submitted, or necessarily arise in the
course of the proceedings; and to an¬
nounce the result.
h. To see that the laws of debate, due order,
and decorum are observed by the mem¬
bers.
i. To decide all questions of order, ar^d to en¬
force observance of rules,
j. To authenticate, by their signatures, when
necessary, all acts, orders, and proceed¬
ings of the assembly,
k. To-appoint committees, when directed in a
particular case, or in obedience to the re¬
quirement of a standing rule; and to obey
implicitly, and see that the assembly do
likewise, the rules of the organization.
1. To give serious attention to each individual
while speaking, and to avoid holding con¬
versation with anyone while a, member is
speaking.
176 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
m. To be impartial—and guard the interests
of the minority as well as the majority
with all earnestness,
n. To represent and stand for the assembly,
declaring its will implicitly in all things.
When the president withdraws from the
chair, the vice-president occupies his place.
If there be no vice-president, custom allows
the president to fill the place during his tem¬
porary absence.
If, in the absence of the president, it be¬
comes necessary, to choose a presiding officer
pro tempore, it is the duty of the secretary to
conduct the proceedings.
In large assemblies, the presiding officer
may read sitting, but should rise to state a mo¬
tion or put a question.
secretary.
Sec. 6. The principal duties of the recording
secretary of a deliberative body are as follows :
a. To keep a correct record of the proceedings
of the assembly—especially "the things
done and passed."
b. To read all papers at the request of the pre¬
siding officer.
c. To notify the chairman of each commivtce
of his appointment, to>furnish him a list
of his colleagues, and information of the
business referred to them.
d. To authenticate, by his signature, all acts
established by the assembly.
e. To preserve all papers and documents of
the assembly, and to allow none to be
taken from his table without formal leave
of the assembly.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 177
f. He shall stand while reading or calling the
roll of the assembly.
The secretary should write a clear and legi¬
ble hand, and the. different items of business,
for the sake of ready reference, should be re¬
corded in separate paragraphs.
If the secretary is a member of the body, he
is not deprived of taking part in the delibera¬
tions of the assembly.
members.
Sec. 7. All members of a deliberative body,
have equal right to submit propositions to the
assembly, and to explain and recommend
them in discussion.
No member shall be interrupted when
speaking, except by the presiding officer call¬
ing him to order when he departs from the
subject, uses personalities or disrespectful lan¬
guage; but any member may call the attention
of the president to the subject when he deems
the speaker's language foreign to the subject
—any member may explain, if he thinks him¬
self misrepresented.
When a member violates the rules of de¬
corum he may be named by the presiding offi¬
cer; that is calling his name, the president
may declare that such a member is guilty of
certain imprope? conduct. The accused
member is entitled to be heard in his own de¬
fense, and then to withdraw.
A deliberative body may inflict three kinds Three Kinds of
of punishment upon its members, viz.: Repri- Punishment,
mand, Prohibition to speak or to vote for a
specific time, or Expulsion. It may require
the offender to ask pardon, on pain of expul¬
sion.
178 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
A member desiring to speak, must address
the chair respectfully and so claim his atten¬
tion.
When two or more members address the
presiding officer nearly at the same time, he
should give the floor to the one whose voice
he first heard. Should the decision of the pre¬
siding officer be not satisfactory, the opinion
of the assembly may be taken thereon.
motions.
Sec. 8. A motion made and seconded, is not
the property of the assembly, until it has been
stated by the presiding officer.
No speech should be made without a mo¬
tion, nor after a motion is submitted, until it is
seconded and stated by the president.
All motions or resolutions introduced by
any member, must be reduced to writing, if
so requested by the president, secretary, or any
two members.
According to the rules of representative
bodies, any motion or resolution may be with¬
drawn by the mover at any time, previous to
amendment or decision.
No new resolution can be made, until the
one under consideration is disposed of. The
disposition thereof may be by adoption or re¬
jection—unless one of the fallowing motions
should intervene, which motions must have
precedence in the order in which they are
placed; viz.: adjournment, indefinite post¬
ponement, laying on the table, reference to a
committee, postponement to a given time, a
substitute which may be amended, and amend¬
ment.
All motions should be put in an affirmative
and not in a negative form.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 179
indefinite postponement.
Sec. 9. When a motion has been indefinitely-
postponed, it can not be called up nor resumed
during that session. If a negative decision
has been given on a question, it has no effect
on the final disposal thereof. Indefinite post¬
ponement is the method of suppressing or get¬
ting rid of undesirable matter.
lie on the table.
Sec. 10. This motion is usually resorted to
when the assembly has something else before
it, or wishes more information upon the sub¬
ject. If decided in the affirmative, the princi¬
pal motion, and all subsidiary questions and
incidentals connected therewith, are removed
from before the assembly until they are taken
up again—which may be done at any time, as
it pleases the assembly. If the decision is in
the negative, the business proceeds in the
same manner as if the motion had never been
made.
division of a question.
Sec. 11. When a proposition or motion is
complicated—consists of two or more parts
which are independent of each other—and it
is supposed that the assembly may approve of
some but not of all the parts, a motion may
be made to divide th€ proposition into separ¬
ate questions, which may be decided by the as¬
sembly.
When a deliberative body has adopted no
rule providing for the division of such ques¬
tions, the motion above is necessary, unless by
unanimous consent of the house.
180 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
referring to a committee.
Sec. 12. When a proposition is submitted
to a body, and regarded with favor, yet needs
some modification, it is usually referred to a
committee—standing or appointed—to re¬
view and modify it. When it is suggested to
refer it both to a standing and a select com¬
mittee, the first question should be, reference
to the standing committee. Any portion of
the subject may be referred, and different
portions may be referred to different commit¬
tees, as may be deemed necessary. When a
committee makes a report, and the assembly
desires certain alterations or amendments, the
report is re-committed.
■ When a subject is referred to a committee
with instructions, the instructions must be
obeyed.
filling blanks.
Sec. 13. It often occurs that a proposition
is introduced with blanks purposely left by
the mover to be filled by the assembly; the
proposition to fill is not considered an amend¬
ment, but is embraced in the original motion.
Filling blanks where different numbers are
named, the question should first be put on the
largest sum and the longest time—as the
larger comprehends the smaller.
privileged questions.
Sec. 14. Privileged questions are of three
kinds, and supercede all other questions.
They are:
1. Motions to adjourn. 2. Motions relat¬
ing to the rights and privileges of the assem-
A. M .E .ZION CHURCH. 181
bly, or of its individual members. 3. Mo¬
tions for the special orders of the day.
amendments.
Sec. 15. When a mover accepts an amend¬
ment before it has been stated to the assembly
by the president, such amendment becomes a
part of the original motion. In all other
cases it must be put as a regular amendment.
Amendments ma_y be made in three ways;
viz.: 1. By striking out certain words, in- Amend,
serting certain words, or by striking out some
and inserting other words.
a. When a proposition consists of several
sentences or resolutions, it should be taken up
in order; and each paragraph amended, as
deemed necessary by the assembly. Having
passed through, it is out of order to introduce
therein new amendments.
b. Each amendment may be amended—
which implies the third proposition—but it
can go no further. There can be no amend¬
ment to an amendment of an amendment.
The question should first be put on the last
amendment, and continue in that order to the
original motion.
c. Whatever is agreed to by the assembly,
by vote, adopting or rejecting a proposed
amendment, can not afterward be altered nor
amended in any wise.
d. This proves the disagreeableness of
bringing to the assembly questions already
rejected: hence, whatever is disagreed to by
the assembly, on a vote, can not afterwards be
brought forward by motion.
182 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
If an amendment to strike out is. rejected,
. . , no motion can be entertained to strike out the
Striking Out. , r ,, , , . i ^
same w7ords, or a part of them; but it may oe
moved to strike out the same words, or part
of them, with other words. If, however, the
amendment to strike out is agreed to, it can
not afterward be moved to insert the
same words or part of them, unless it be
proposed to insert other words in connection
with them. The rule is similar in reference
to inserting the same words, or a part of them.
The motion to amend by striking out and in¬
serting is applicable to other cases of amend¬
ment.
striking Out e. When the motion is divided, the motion
and Dividing. strike out must first be taken: if decided in
the affirmative, then, the motion on inserting
—if in the negative the latter falls as the con¬
sequence.
f. When the motion to strike out and insert
is put undivided, and decided in the negative,
the motion can not be renewed. A motion
may be made, however, to strike out, and,
1. Insert nothing; or,
2. Insert other words; or,
3. Insert the same words with others; or,
4. Insert a part of the same words in con¬
nection with others; or,
5. Strike out the same words with others,
and insert the same; or,
6. Strike out a part of the same words with
others, and insert the same; or,
7. Strike out other words, and insert the
same; or,
8. Insert the same words without striking
out anything.—Cushing's Manual.
A. M. B. ZION CHURCH. 183
g. The passage proposed to be amended as
it stands, must be read before putting- the
question; then, the words proposed to be
stricken out or inserted; and, ultimately, the
whole passage as amended, if adopted.
h. When an amendment is made to a prop¬
osition, which will not merely modify the Defeating a
me?ning, but convey an opposite sense; as in ProP°sition.
legislative bodies, bills are often amended by
striking out all after the amending clause, and
inserting an entire new fc>ill; so resolutions
may be amended by striking out after the
words, "Resolved that," and inserting an en¬
tirely different proposition.
adjournment.
Sec. 16. A motion to adjourn takes the
place of all other questions, and is not debata¬
ble; but a motion to adjourn to-a particular
day, is debatable: it may be amended in re¬
gard to time.
"A motion to adjourn is not in order;" 1.
When a member is speaking; 2. While a
vote is being taken on a question; 3. When
a motion to adjourn is negatived, it can not be
renewed until another proposition is made, or
other transaction takes place. See Cushing's
Elements of Law and Practice, p. 545.
W hen an adjourment is had sine die—with¬
out day—it is equivalent to absolute dissolu¬
tion.
"When a question is interrupted by adjourn¬
ment before any vote is taken upon it, it is
thereby removed Lrom the assembly, and does
not stand before it at next regular session, but
must be brought forward in the usual way.
But an adjourned special meeting is regarded
184 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
as a continuation of the former meeting, and
the business should be resumed the same as
if no adjourment had taken place."—Baker,
223.
questions of order.
Sec. 17. A presiding officer's duty is to en¬
force the rules of the assembly and to execute
the orders thereof. Any member noticing a
breach of the rules of the body, may call the
attention of the presiding officer thereto and
insist upon the enforcement of the rules.
In cases where a question of order arises,
all business must be suspended until that par¬
ticular point is settled. It is the duty of the
presiding officer to decide the point without
debate. Should the decision be not satisfac¬
tory, any member may appeal to the assem¬
bly. The form of question to be stated is:
"Shall the decision of the chair stand as the
decision of the assembly?" Such a statement
being debatable, and the decision of the pre¬
siding officer being called into question, he
may legally participate in the debate. When
a question has been put, and the decision de¬
clared by the presiding officer, if any member
alleges that the question wTas not correctly un¬
derstood, the presiding officer may recall his
decision and repeat the question.
incidental questions.
Sec. 18. Incidental questions or questions
of order, grow out of other questions, there¬
fore must be decided before the original. They
are, 1. Questions of order; 2. Motions to read
papers; 3. Leave to withdraw a motion; 4.
Suspension of a rule; and 5. To amend an
amendment.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 185
orders of the day.
Sec. 19. When an assembly assigns a sub¬
ject for a particular day, it is called the order
of the day, and is thereby made a privileged
question.
When the hour arrives for the order of the
day, as a privileged question, a motion for the
order of the day will supercede other propo¬
sitions; but must be first put and decided.
That this motion may be entitled to preced¬
ence, it must be for the orders of the day gen¬
erally, if there is more than one, and not for a
particular subject; and being decided, they
must be taken up in routine.
When a subject is assigned to a particular
hour, the question to proceed to it is not privi¬
leged until the hour has arrived; but when no
hour is fixed, the order is for the entire day
and any part of it a motion is privileged.
When a motion for the orders of the day
prevails, the original question is removed
from further consideration of the assembly, in
the same way as if it had been interrupted by
an adjournment; but if the motion is decided
in the negative, the question before the house
should continue until disposed of.
When the orders of the day are not dis¬
posed of on the day assigned, they fall; and
must be renewed for some other day. The
same is true with regard to an order for a
specific hour.
previous questions.
Sec. 20. The intention of a previous, ques¬
tion, is, chiefly, to stop or suppress debate,
and to bring the main question to an immedi¬
ate decision.
186 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
The usual form of the question is: "Shall
the main question be now put?" When the
decision is negatived, the debate continues y
but if decided in the affirmative, the vote must
be taken forthwith, and in the form in which
the question exists at the time.
The previous question can not be amended.
According to the rules of the House of Rep¬
resentatives, the previous question can only
be admitted when demanded by a ma¬
jority of the members present; and if it is or¬
dered it brings the House to a direct vote
upon a motion to commit, if such motion shall
have been made; arrd if this motion does not
prevail, then upon amendments reported by a
committee, if any; then upon pending amend¬
ments, and then upon the main question. It
is not in order to move the previous question
unless the rssembly has adopted the rule for
its government. When the previous ques¬
tion is moved and seconded by the requisite
number, all further amendments and discus¬
sion must cease. The president arises and
says, "The previous question has been moved
and seconded,—the. question before the meet¬
ing is, 'Shall the main question be now put?' "
If it is decided in the affirmative, the question
should then be put, first on the amendments,
then on the main proposition.—See Baker 19,
p. 226.
order of proceeding.
Sec. 21. When there is no prescribed rule
of orderv of proceeding, the presiding officer
may use his discretion in presenting business
for transaction; that is, if several subjects are
to be presented for action, he—the presiding
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 187
officer—is at liberty to offer, in order, to the
assembly, as he may desire.
■When a proposition containing more than
one paragraph is to be considered, the secre¬
tary should be requested to read the entire
paper through, uninterruptedly; then, at the
second reading, the reader (president or sec¬
retary) should pause at the close of each
paragraph, to allow corrections or amend¬
ments to be made, if desired. When the
entire paper has been considered by sec¬
tion or paragraph in regular order, the final
question of adopting the matter in its entirety
as it stands, amended or otherwise, should be
put by the presiding officer. The paper may
be adopted or referred to a committee—other¬
wise, it falls for want of suppport.
A preamble, if there is one, should be con¬
sidered after the disposal of the matter under
it. When a paper referred to a committee is
reported back with amendments, the amend¬
ments must first be disposed of, unless the
amendments are amended. In the latter case,
the amendment to the amendment must be
put first; then, the amendment, and finally
the paper rs a whole. 1
It is unparliamentary, and deemed an abuse
of correct proceeding, to introduce a proposi¬
tion, and move the previous question at the
same time. In such cases, says 'Judge Cush-
ing, no notice of the previous question should
be tsken.
order in deeate.
Sec. 22. A presiding officer of a deliberative
body, is not expected to enter commonly into
debate; but he is allowed to state any matter
188 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
of fact within his possession. He may inform
the assembly of points of order when called
upon or when he perceives it is necessary to
do so; and when an appeal is taken from his
decision on questions of order, he is at liberty
to address the assembly in debate.
When a member rises to address the as¬
sembly, he must respectfully address himself
to the presiding officer, and wait until he re¬
ceives recognition — the presiding officer
should call his name or designate him other¬
wise before he proceeds to address the assem¬
bly.
If two or more members rise at nearly
the same time, the presiding officer names the
one who is to speak. Of course, the person
whose voice is first heard is entitled to the
floor.. Should the assembly be not satisfied
with the chairman's decision, the question
should be submitted to th^ house; first, in ref¬
erence to the person by him named; if decided
in the negative, the name of the person for
whom the floor is claimed.
When a person in possession of the floor
gives way to another, he resigns his claim—
he can not retain nor claim it, only by general
consent or by vote of the assembly.
When the presiding officer rises to speak,
any member should be seated till he has been
heard; but this does not authorize a presiding
officer to interrupt a speaker, unless he is out
of order.
A speaker should invariably confine himself
directly to the subject in debate; and the pre¬
siding officer should not interpose, unless the
speaker's remarks are evidently irrelevant.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 189
When a speaker is called to order on ac¬
count of the irrelevancy of his remarks, he
may proceed, unless a motion prevails that he
is out of order. Even in this case, parliamen¬
tary rules allow him to proceed, if he abandon
the objectionable part of his remarks. The
rules of the House of Representatives do not
allow speakers to proceed, if any member ob¬
jects, unless the consent of the house is ob¬
tained.
No member should speak more than once
upon the same question without obtaining
permission from the assembly, unless to make
explanation—notwithstanding the debate on
the subject continues several days.
Every speaker is entitled to respectful at¬
tention from all, while he occupies the floor.
If a member uses abusive or offensive lan¬
guage toward other members he must be
stopped by one or more rising for that pur¬
pose, or he should be called to order by the
president immediately. The objectionable
words should be written down by the secre¬
tary, and the offender may disclaim or apolo¬
gize for the offense, or the assembly may cen¬
sure him therefor.
taking the question.
Sec. 23. Any proposition made to a deliber¬
ative assembly, is termed a motion; when
stated to the assembly for acceptance or rejec¬
tion, it is called a question; when adopted, it
becomes the order, resolution, or vote of the as¬
sembly.
No question can arise in a deliberative as¬
sembly, strictly speaking, without a motion
being first made and seconded; but for dis-
190 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
patch of business sometimes the presiding of¬
ficer takes it for granted that a motion has
been made, and accordingly, puts the ques¬
tion.
When a question has been stated, the pre¬
siding officer puts it first in the affirmative:
"As many as are of opinion that, (repeating
the question) say "Aye," or *'Raise your
hands;" he then puts it in the negative, "As
many as are of a different opinion, say "No,;>
or "Raise your hands."
When the presiding officer is doubtful as to
the majority of voices, he may repeat the
question; and if he is still in doubt, or any
member doubts the vote, he may direct the as¬
sembly to divide, and appoint tellers to deter¬
mine the various divisions of the house, or the
secretary to count the number who rise in
voting. Every member is bound to vote, un¬
less excused from so doing.
A person absent when a vote is taken, can
not vote afterwards unless he obtains permis¬
sion from the assembly.
When the house is equally divided upon a
question, ordinarily the presiding officer gives
the casting vote. This rule does not apply to
the presiding officers of annual, district, nor
quarterly conferences.
When a question arises upon a point of or¬
der: for example, as to the right, privilege, or
duty of a member to vote while the division
is taking place: the presiding officer must de¬
cide it peremptorily—subject to an appeal and
the decision of the assembly, at the conclusion
of the division.
"If a quorum is not present when a division
takes place, there c?n be no division."
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 191
of reconsideration.
Sec. 24. When a motion or resolution has
been carried in the affirmative or negative, it
is the privilege, and in order for any member
who voted in the majority, to move a recon¬
sideration thereof.
When an assembly votes to reconsider a
motion or resolution, it is placed where it was
before the decision, and is open for discussion,
amendment, adoption, or rejection.
of committees.
Sec. 25. When committees are appointed
to consider particular subjects, they are called
select committees; but when they are ap¬
pointed to consider all subjects of similar na¬
ture, they are entitled standing committees.
A customary rule in deliberative bodies is,
to form a committee of a majority of persons
known to be favorably inclined to the measure
placed in its hands.
The first person named on a committee is
considered the chairman, and calls the first
meeting; but any committee may elect its own
chairman to preside over its deliberations dur¬
ing its existence.
A committee may receive instructions when
the business is first referred to it, or at any
time, as occasion may require. It is not at
liberty to hold sessions during the sitting of
the assembly, unless it obtains special permis¬
sion. A committee can act only when regu¬
larly assembled together in that capacity—
separate consultation, even if agreeable, is not
binding. When a paper has been referred to
a committee and meets its disapproval, it is
192 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
not in the power of the committee to suppress
it; it must be reported back to the assembly
with its objections. Papers should not be
erased, interlined, nor disfigured before re¬
turned to- the assembly. All proposed amend¬
ments thereto, should be written on a separate
paper. A committee may report to the as¬
sembly through its chairman, or by any other
person whom it may authorize to do so.
committees' reports.
Sec. 26. Reports of committees should be
written fully and plainly, and contain no eras¬
ure nor interlinear lines; and should be signed
either by the chairman and secretary, or by
the entire committee.
Reports of committees may be received by
direct vote, or the general consent of the as¬
sembly.
Reports may consist of statement of facts,
reasoning, or opinion; or they may simply be
series of resolutions, or a combination of both.
If a report closes with a series of resolutions,
the assembly acts first on the resolutions, then
the preliminaries or other matters.
A committee is virtually discharged, when
its report has been accepted.
minority report.
Sec. 27. "Should a committee not be unan¬
imous in opinion, and those in the minority
be desirous of placing their views before the
meeting, the matter should be introduced im¬
mediately after the majority report has been
read. A member will then move that 'the re¬
port and resolution thereto attached be post¬
poned for the present, for the purpose of en-
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 193
abling- the minority to make a report as. a sub¬
stitute.' If this motion prevails, as is almost
always the case, the minority report will be
immediately presented, received, and read. It
is them in order, on motion, to take up for con¬
sideration the resolution attached to either of
the reports."—B. Matthias's Manual, p. 38.
Or, says Baker, "When the majority report
is considered, the minority report may be
moved as an amendment, or a substitute for
it."
"A protest can not be inserted on the jour¬
nal without the consent of the majority."
committee of the whole.
Sec. 28. It often occurs, special subjects are
ordered to be submitted to a committee of
the whole—the assembly as a committee; the
following- is the order of organization of such
a committee: "A motion is made and sec¬
onded, That the assembly do now resolve it¬
self into a committee of the whole, for the pyr-
'pose of taking into consideration matter re¬
lating to " (here the subject is named).
If the motion prevails, the president calls a
member to the chair, or the assembly appoints
a chairman to serve during the sitting of the
committee.
When the committee is thus organized, it
is under the same laws which govern the as¬
sembly, with the following exceptions :
1. Previous questions can not be moved un¬
der any consideration.
2. Presiding officer of the assembly has the
privilege of other members in debate.
3. When the committee of the whole rises,
by adjournment, whether its business is fin¬
ished or unfinished, it can not sit again with-
194 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
out permission of the assembly—adjournment
of a committee of the whole is equivalent to
final dissolution.
4. The committee of the whole can not
create a sub-committee, hence it can not refer
matters thereto.
5. Its members are not restricted to time in
speaking.
6. Yeas and nays can not be demanded by
the chairman.
7. No appeal can be had from the decision
of the chairman, on points of order.
When the business referred to the commit¬
tee has been accomplished, a motion is made
that the chairman, secretary, or some other
member report to the assembly the proceed¬
ings of the committee. On the adoption of
such a motion, the president of the assembly
resumes the chair. The chairman of the com¬
mittee, or a spokesman, calling the attention
of the president of the assembly, says: "The
committee of the whole has had under consid¬
eration the matter relating to , and has
instructed me to report that, etc." The re¬
port is presented by the president to the as¬
sembly for its action.
If the business of the committee is unfin¬
ished, and it resolved to rise and report pro¬
gress, and asks leave to sit again, the spokes¬
man says: "The committee of the whole has
had under consideration the subject of ,
but not having had time to complete its work,
has instructed me to report progress therein,
and asks leave to sit again." A motion is
made that the committee be allowed to sit
again; if it prevails, the committee sits again;
if not, it is dissolved.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. i9S
RULES FOR GOVERNMENT OF THE * GENERAL
CONFERENCE—1896.
1. The General Conference shall meet at 10
o'clock, A. M., and adjourn at 12 130 o'clock,
P. M.; re-assemble at 2 o'clock, and adjourn
at 4:30, P. M. The evening1 exercises shall
be subject to the arrangements of^the devo¬
tional committee.
2. The presiding officer shall assume the
chair precisely at the hour, and open the con¬
ference with devotional exercises of singing,
Scripture reading, and prayer. The roll shall
be called, provided it may be suspended at the
discretion of the conference, and the minutes
of the preceding session shall be read and ap¬
proved.
3. The president shall then call for the re¬
port of the committee on devotion, petitions,
memorials, appeals, and reports of the stand¬
ing committees, respectively.
4. The president shall appoint all commit¬
tees, except those which are specially ordered
by the conference; he shall decide all questions
of order, subject to an appeal to the confer¬
ence. When there is an appeal, the question
shall be taken without debate.
5. In recognizing a member, the chair shall
distinctly announce his name and the confer¬
ence he represents.
6. ORDER.—No member shall be allowed
to speak on any subject without first address¬
ing and receiving recognition from the chair;
neither shall he be allowed to speak longer
than ten minutes, nor more than twice on the
same subject, without permission from the
conference.
7. No member shall be interrupted when
speaking, except it be by the chairman, who
196 DIGEST OF DISCIPLINE
shall call him to order when he departs from
the subject, uses personalities, or disrespect¬
ful language; but any member may call the
attention of the chairman to the subject, when
be deems the speaker's language foreign
thereto; and any member may explain, if he
thinks himself misrepresented.
8. All propositions and resolutions intro¬
duced to the conference, shall be presented in
writing—plainly written with ink.
9. When a motion or resolution is intro¬
duced, seconded, and, stated by the president,
or a report presented by him, it shall be
deemed in possession of the conference; but
it may be withdrawn by the mover, before dis¬
cussion or amendment ensues—afterward, it
can only be withdrawn by the consent of the
conference.
10. When a motion or resolution has
passed, it may be reconsidered by a motion
and second of members who voted in the ma¬
jority—not otherwise.
11. No member shall be allowed to vote on
a question who is not within the bar of the
conference when the votes are ordered.
12. When a question is under discussion, no
motion shall be made, except the following:
1. To adjourn; 2. To lay on the table; 3. The
previous question; 4. Indefinite postpone¬
ment ; 5. Definite postponement; 6. To amend
by substitute or otherwise. These motioi?s
take precedence in the order in which they are
laid down; and the first, second, and third
shall be taken without debate.
13. No member shall leave the house with¬
out permission from the chair, neither shall he
absent himself from the duties of the confer¬
ence without permission from the conference.
A. M. E. ZION CHURCH. 197
14. The various committees shall meet be¬
tween the hours of 8:30 and 10 A. M., and
during the interval of conference sessions, to
enable the members to be present during the
transaction of business.
15. All resolutions relating to subjects upon
which committees have been appointed, shall
be referred to the appropriate committee with¬
out debate ; and matter referred to the commit¬
tees, shall be reported to the conference.
16. In order to expedite business, the con¬
ference may hold evening sessions, at its dis¬
cretion, to hear and discuss reports and me¬
morials, and to attend to other business as it
may deem expedient.
17. A motion to postpone or lay on the table
shall be taken without debate.