THE DOCTRINES
AND
DISCIPLINE
OF THE
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
SOUTH.
Nffjdjfctllt, :
PUBLISHED BY J. B. M'EERRIN, AGENT,
POIt TIIE M, E. CHURCH, SOUTH.
1858.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1858,
BY J. B. M'FERRIN,
in the office of the Clerk of the District Court for the
Middle District of Tennessee.
PRINTED BY A. A. STITT
METHODIST PUBLISHING HOUSE, NASHVILLE, TENN.
PART FIRST.
ORIGIN, ARTICLES OF RELIGION, GOVERNMENT,
AND RITUAL.
The Bishops' Address 7
CHAPTER I.
Sec. 1. Of the Origin of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South 11
Sec. 2. Of the Organization of the Methodist Epis¬
copal Church, South 13
Sec. 3. Articles of Religion .' 17
Sec. 4. The Nature, Design, and General Rules of
our United Societies 33
CHAPTER II.
Sec. 1. Of the General and Annual Conferences.... 41
Sec. 2. Of the General Conference 42
Sec. 3. Of the Annual Conferences 47
Sec. 4. Of the Quarterly Conferences 54
Sec. 5. Of the Election and Consecration of Bishops,
and of their Duty 58
Ciii)
iv
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Sec. 6. Of the Presiding Elders, and their Duty.... 64
Sec. 7. Of the Duties of Preachers in charge of Cir¬
cuits, Stations, or Missions 67
Sec. 8. Of the Method of receiving Travelling
Preachers, and of their Duty 71
Sec. 9. Of the Election and Ordination of Travel¬
ling Deacons, and of their Duty 78
Sec. 10. Of the Election and Ordination of Travel¬
ling Elders, and of their Duty 80
Sec. 11. Of the Reception of Preachers from the
Wesleyan Connection, and from other Denomi¬
nations 81
Sec. 12. Of the Matter and Manner of Preaching,
and of other Public Exercises 84
Sec. 13. Of the Duty of Preachers to God, them¬
selves, and one another. 86
Sec. 14. Rules by which we should continue, or de¬
sist from, preaching at any Place 92
Sec. 15. Of Visiting from House to House, guard¬
ing against those Things that are so common
to Professors, and enforcing Practical Religion. 93
Sec. 16. Of the Necessity of Union among our¬
selves 102
Sec. 17. How to provide for the Circuits in time of
Conference, and to preserve and increase the
Work of God 103
Sec. 18. Of Local Preachers 104
Sec. 19. Of Exhorters 108
CHAPTER HI.
Sec. 1. Of the Reception of Members into the
Church 109
CONTENTS. V
PAGE
Sec. 2. Of the Classes 110
Sec. 3. Of the Love-Feasts 113
Sec. 4. Of the Instruction of Children 114
Sec. 5. Of Public Worship 118
Sec. 6. Of Marriage 121
Sec. 7. Of Dress 123
CHAPTER IY.
Sec. 1. Of the Administration of the Discipline re¬
specting Travelling Ministers and Preachers... 124
Sec. 2. Of the Administration of the Discipline re¬
specting Local Preachers .: 135
Sec. 3. Of the Administration of the Discipline re¬
specting Members of the Church 138
CHAPTER V.
Sec. 1. The Order for the Administration of the
Lord's Supper 146
Sec. 2. The Ministration of Baptism to Infants 159
The Ministration of Baptism to such as are
of riper years 164
Sec. 3. The Form of Solemnization of Matrimony. 173
Sec. 4. The Order of the Burial of the Dead 178
CHAPTER VI.
Sec. 1. The Form and Manner of making Deacons. 190
Sec. 2. The Form and Manner of Ordaining Elders. 197
Sec. 3. The Form of Ordaining a Bishop 210
vi
CONTENTS.
PART SECOND.
TEMPORAL ECONOMY.
TJ.B3
Sec. 1. Of the Boundaries of the Annual Confer¬
ences 232
Sec. 2. Of Building and Securing Churches 242
Sec. 3. Of Parsonages 251
Sec. 4. Of the Trustees i 254
Sec. 5. Of the Stewards 258
Sec. 6. Of the Support of the Ministry 260
Sec. 7. Of the Support of Missions 277
Sec. 8. Of the Publication of Books and Periodicals. 292
Sec. 9. Of Devises by Will, and Deeds of Gift 305
THE BISHOPS' ADDRESS.
TO THE MEMBERS OE THE METHODIST EPIS¬
COPAL CHURCH, SOUTH.
Dearly Beloved Brethren : We tliink
it expedient to give you a brief account
of the rise of Methodism both in Eu¬
rope and America. " In 1729, two
young men, in England, reading the
Bible, saw they could not be saved
without holiness : followed after it, and
incited others so to do. In 1737, they
saw, likewise, that men are justified be¬
fore they are sanctified; but still holi¬
ness was their object. God then thrust
them out to raise a holy people."*
In the year 1766, Philip Embury, a
local preacher of our Society, from Ire-
* Those are tho words of Messrs. Wesley themselves.
(7)
8 THE BISHOPS' ADDRESS.
land, began to preach in the city of
New York, and formed a society of his
own countrymen and the citizens; and
the same year, Thomas Webb preached
in a hired room near the barracks.
About the same time, Robert Straw-
bridge, a local preacher from Ireland,
settled in Frederick county, in the State
of Maryland, and, preaching there,
formed some societies. The first Me¬
thodist church was built in New York,
in 1768 or 1769; and in 1769 Richard
Boardman and Joseph Pilmoor came to
New York, who were the first regular
Methodist preachers on the continent.
In the latter end of the year 1771,
Francis Asbury and Richard Wright,
of the same order, came oyer.
We believe that God's design in rais¬
ing up the preachers called Methodists
THE BISHOPS' ADDRESS. 9
in America, was to reform the continent,
and spread scriptural holiness over these
lands. As a proof hereof, we have seen,
since that time, a great and glorious
work of God throughout the United
States.
We esteem it our duty and privilege
most earnestly to recommend to you, as
members of our Church, our form of
discipline, which has been founded on
the experience of a long series of years;
as also on the observations and remarks
we have made on ancient and modern
Churches.
We wish to see this little publication
in the house of every Methodist; and
the more so, as it contains the articles
of religion maintained more or less, in
part or in whole, by every reformed
Church in the world.
1*
10 THE BISHOPS' ADDRESS.
Far from wishing you to be ignorant
of any of our doctrines, or any part of
our discipline, we desire you to read,
mark, learn, and inwardly digest the
whole. You ought, next to the word of
Grod, to procure the articles and canons
of the Church to which you belong.
We remain your very affectionate
brethren and pastors, who labor night
and day, both in public and in private,
for your good.
JOSHUA SOULE,
JAMES 0. ANDREW,
ROBERT PAINE,
GEORGE F. PIERCE,
JOHN EARLY,
HUBBARD H. KAYANAUGH
the
Imfriius aiiit §isrijilitu
of the
METHODIST E. CHURCH, SOUTH.
PART FIRST.
CHAPTER I.
SECTION I.
Of the Origin of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South.
The preachers and members of our
Society in general, being convinced that
there was a great deficiency of vital
religion in the Church of England in
America, and being in many places
destitute of the Christian sacraments, as
several of the clergy had forsaken their
churches, requested the late Rev. John
Wesley to take such measures, in his
(11)
12 ORGANIZATION OF THE [CH. 1.
wisdom and prudence, as would afford
them suitable relief in their distress.
In consequence of this, our venerable
friend, who, under G-od, had been the
father of the great revival of religion
now extending over the earth, by the
means of the Methodists, determined to
ordain ministers for America; and for
this purpose, in the year 1784, sent
over three regularly ordained clergy;
but preferring the episcopal mode of
Church government to any other, he
solemnly set apart, by the imposition of
his hands and prayer, one of them, viz.,
Thomas Coke, Doctor of Civil Law,
late of Jesus College, in the University
of Oxford, and a presbyter of the Church
of England, for the episcopal office;
and having delivered to him letters of
episcopal orders, commissioned and di¬
rected him to set apart Francis Asbury,
then general assistant of the Methodist
Society in America, for the same epis-
Sec. 2.] m. e. church, soura. 13
copal office; he, the said Francis As¬
bury, being first ordained deacon and
elder. In consequence of which, the
said Francis Asbury was solemnly set
apart for the said episcopal office by
prayer, and the imposition of the hands
of the said Thomas Coke, other regu¬
larly ordained ministers assisting in the
sacred ceremony. At which time the
General Conference, held at Baltimore,
did unanimously receive the said Thomas
Coke and Francis Asbury as their Bish¬
ops, being fully satisfied of the validity
of their episcopal ordination.
SECTION II.
Of the Organization of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South.
In the judgment of the delegates of
the several Annual Conferences in the
slaveholding States, the continued agi¬
tation of the subject of slavery and
14 ORGANIZATION OF THE [CH. 1.
abolition in a portion of the Church,
the frequent action on that subject in
the General Conference, and especially
the proceedings of the General Con¬
ference of the Methodist Episcopal
Church of 1844, in the case of the
Rev. James 0. Andrew, D. D., one of
the Bishops, who had become connected
with slavery by marriage, produced a
state of things in the South which ren¬
dered a continuance of the jurisdiction
of that General Conference over the
Conferences aforesaid, inconsistent with
the success of the ministry in their pro¬
per calling. This conviction they de¬
clared in solemn form to the General
Conference, accompanied with a protest
against the action referred to, assured
that public opinion in the slaveholding
States would demand, and that a due
regard to the vital interests of Christ's
kingdom would justify, a separate and
independent organization. The devel-
Sec. 2.] m. e. church, south. 15
opments of a few months vindicated
their anticipations. The Church in the
South and South-west, in her primary
assemblies, her Quarterly and Annual
Conferences, with a unanimity unparal¬
leled in ecclesiastical history, approved
the course of the delegates, and de¬
clared her conviction that a separate
jurisdiction was necessary to her exist¬
ence and prosperity. The G-eneral Con¬
ference of 1844 having adopted a " Plan
of Separation " provided for the erec¬
tion of the Annual Conferences in the
slaveholding States into a separate ec¬
clesiastical connection, under the juris¬
diction of a Southern General Confer¬
ence, the delegates of the aforementioned
Conferences, in a published address,
recommended that a convention of dele¬
gates from the said Conferences, duly
instructed as to the wishes of the minis¬
try and laity, should assemble at Louis¬
ville, Ky., on the first day of May,1845.
16 ORGANIZATION. [CH. 1.
The convention met, delegates having
been formally appointed in pursuance
of this recommendation; and after a
full and minute representation of all
the facts in the premises, acting under
the provisional "Plan of Separation,"
declared, by solemn resolution, the ju¬
risdiction hitherto exercised by the
General Conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church over the Conferences
in the slaveholding States entirely dis¬
solved, and erected the said Annual
Conferences into a separate ecclesi¬
astical connection, under the style and
title of The Methodist Episcopal Church,
South; the first General Conference
of which was held in the town of Pe¬
tersburg, Ya., on the first day of May,
1846.
Iec. 3.] articles of religion.
17
SECTION III.
ARTICLES OE RELIGION.
I. Of Faith in the Holy Trinity.
There is but one living and true
God, everlasting, without body or parts,
of infinite power, wisdom, and good¬
ness; the maker and preserver of all
things, visible and invisible. And in
unity of this Godhead, there are three
persons of one substance, power, and
eternity—the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Ghost.
II. Of the Word, or Son of God, who was
made very Man.
The Son, who is the Word of the
Father, the very and eternal God, of
one substance with the Father, took
man's nature in the womb of the blessed
Virgin; so that two whole and perfect
natures—that is to say, the Godhead
18 ARTICLES OP RELIGION. [CH. 1.
and manhood—were joined together in
one person, never to be divided, whereof
is one Christ, very God and very man,
who truly suffered, was crucified, dead
and buried, to reconcile his Father to
us, and to be a sacrifice, not only for
original guilt, but also for actual sins
of men.
III. Of the Resurrection of Christ.
Christ did truly rise again from the
dead, and took again his body, with all
things appertaining to the perfection of
man's nature, wherewith he ascended
into heaven, and there sitteth until he
return to judge all men at the last day.
IV. Of the Holy Ghost.
The Holy Ghost, proceeding from the
Father and the Son, is of one substance,
majesty, and glory, with the Father and
the Son, very and eternal God.
Sec. 3.] articles of religion. 19
V. The Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures
for Salvation.
The Holy Scriptures contain all things
necessary to salvation; so that whatso¬
ever is not read therein, nor may be
proved thereby, is not to he required of
any man, that it should he believed as
an article of faith, or he thought requi¬
site or necessary to salvation. In the
name of the Holy Scripture, we do un¬
derstand those canonical books of the
Old and New Testament, of whose
authority was never any doubt in the
Church.
The Names of the Canonical Books.
Genesis,
Exodus,
Leviticus,
Numbers,
Deuteronomy,
J oshua,
Judges,
20
ARTICLES OE RELIGION. [CH.1.
Ruth,
The First Book of Samuel,
The Second Book of Samuel,
The First Book of Kings,
The Second Book of Kings,
The First Book of Chronicles,
The Second Book of Chronicles,
The Book of Ezra,
The Book of Nehemiah,
The Book of Esther,
The Book of Job,
The Psalms,
The Proverbs,
Ecclesiastes, or the Preacher,
Cantica, or Songs of Solomon,
Four Prophets the greater,
Twelve Prophets the less:
All the books of the New Testament,
as they are commonly received, we do
receive and account canonical.
VI. Of the Old Testament.
The Old Testament is not contrary
Sec. 3.] articles of religion. 21
to the New; for both in the Old and
New Testament everlasting life is offered
to mankind by Christ, who is the only
Mediator between God and man, being
God and man. Wherefore they are
not to be heard who feign that the old
fathers did look only for transitory
promises. Although the law given
from God by Moses, as touching cere¬
monies and rites, doth not bind Chris¬
tians, nor ought the civil precepts
thereof of necessity be received in any
Commonwealth, yet, notwithstanding,
no Christian whatsoever is free from the
obedience of the commandments which
are called moral.
VII. Of Original or Birth Sin.
Original sin standeth not in the fol¬
lowing of Adam, (as the Pelagians do
vainly talk,) but it is the corruption of
the nature of every man, that naturally
is engendered of the offspring of Adam,
22 ARTICLES OP RELIGION. [CH-1*
whereby man is very far gone from
original righteousness, and of his own
nature inclined to evil, and that con¬
tinually.
VIII. Of Free Will.
The condition of man after the fall
of Adam is such, that he cannot turn
and prepare himself, by his own natural
strength and works, to faith, and call¬
ing upon God; wherefore we have no
power to do good works, pleasant and
acceptable to God, without the grace of
God by Christ preventing us, that we
may have a good will, and working
with us, when we have that good will.
IX. Of the Justification of Man.
We are accounted righteous before
God, only for the merit of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ by faith, and not
for our own works or deservings: where¬
fore, that we are justified by faith only,
Sec. 3.J articles of religion. 23
is a most wholesome doctrine, and very
full of comfort.
X. Of Good Works.
Although good works, which are the
fruits of faith, and follow after justifi¬
cation, cannot put away our sins, and
endure the severity of God's judg¬
ments; yet are they pleasing and ac¬
ceptable to God in Christ, and spring
out of a true and lively faith, insomuch
that by them a lively faith may be as
evidently known as a tree is discerned
by its fruit.
XI. Of Works of Supererogation.
Voluntary works, besides over and
above God's commandments, which are
called works of supererogation, cannot
be taught without arrogancy and im¬
piety. For by them men do declare
that they do not only render unto God
as much as they are bound to do, but
24 ARTICLES OF RELIGION. [CH.1.
that they do more for his sake than, of
bounden duty is required: whereas
Christ saith plainly, When ye have
done all that is commanded you, say,
We are unprofitable servants.
XII. Of Sin after Justification.
Not every srn willingly committed
after justification is the sin against the
Holy Ghost, and unpardonable. Where¬
fore, the grant of repentance is not to
be denied to such as fall into sin after
justification: after we have received
the Holy Ghost, we may depart from
grace given, and fall into sin, and, by
the grace of God, rise again and amend
our lives. And therefore they are to
be condemned who say they can no
more sin as long as they live here; or
deny the place of forgiveness to such
as truly repent.
Sec. 3.] articles of religion. 25
XIII. Of the Church.
The visible Church of Christ is a con¬
gregation of faithful men, in which the
pure word of God is preached, and the
sacraments duly administered, accord¬
ing to Christ's ordinance in all those
things that of necessity are requisite to
the same.
XIV. Of Purgatory.
The Romish doctrine concerning pur¬
gatory, pardon, worshipping, and ado¬
ration, as well of images as of relics,
and also invocation of saints, is a fond
thing, vainly invented, and grounded
upon no warrant of Scripture, but re¬
pugnant to the word of God.
XV. Of speaking in the Congregation in such
a tongue as the people understand.
It is a thing plainly repugnant to the
word of God, and the custom of the pri¬
mitive Church, to have public prayer
2
26 ARTICLES OF RELIGION. [Ch. 1.
in the church, or to minister the sacra¬
ments, in a tongue not understood by
the people.
XVI. Of the Sacraments.
Sacraments, ordained of Christ, are
not only badges or tokens of Christian
men's profession; but rather they are
certain signs of grace, and God's good
will toward us, by the which he doth
work invisibly in us, and doth not only
quicken, but also strengthen and con¬
firm our faith in him.
There are two sacraments ordained
of Christ.our Lord in the Gospel; that
is to say, Baptism, and the Supper of
the Lord.
Those five, commonly called sacra¬
ments, that is to say, Confirmation,
Penance, Orders, Matrimony, and Ex¬
treme Unction, are not to be counted
for sacraments of the Gospel, being such
as have partly grown out of the corrupt
Sec. 3.] articles of religion. 27
following of tlie apostles, and partly are
states of life allowed in the Scriptures,
but yet have not the like nature of Bap¬
tism and the Lord's Supper, because
they have not any visible sign or cere¬
mony ordained of God.
The sacraments were not ordained of
Christ to be gazed upon, or to be car¬
ried about; but that we should duly use
them. And in such only as worthily
receive the same, they have a whole¬
some effect or operation; but they that
receive them unworthily purchase to
themselves condemnation, as St. Paul
saith, 1 Cor. xi. 29.
XVII. Of Baptism.
Baptism is not only a sign of profes¬
sion, and mark of difference, whereby
Christians are distinguished from others
that are not baptized; but it is also a
sign of regeneration, or the new birth.
The baptism of young children is to be
retained in the Church.
28 ARTICLES OF RELIGION. [Ch. 1.
XVIII. Of the Lord's Supper.
The Supper of the Lord is not only
a sign of the love that Christians ought,
to have among themselves one to an¬
other, but rather is a sacrament of our
redemption by Christ's death : insomuch
that, to such as rightly, worthily, and
with faith receive the same, the bread
which we break is a partaking of the
body of Christ; and likewise the cup
of blessing is a partaking of the blood
of Christ.
Transubstantiation, or the change of
the substance of bread and wine in the
Supper of our Lord, cannot be proved
by Holy "Writ, but is repugnant to the
plain words of Scripture, overthroweth
the nature of a sacrament, and hath
given occasion to many superstitions.
The body of Christ is given, taken,
and eaten in the Supper, only after a
heavenly and spiritual manner. And the
SEC. 3.] ARTICLES OF RELIGION. 29
means whereby the body of Christ is re¬
ceived and eaten in the Supper is faith.
The sacrament of the Lord's Supper
was not by Christ's ordinance reserved,
carried about, lifted up, or worshipped.
XIX. Of both Kinds.
The cup of the Lord is not to be de¬
nied to the lay people; for both the
parts of the Lord's Supper, by Christ's
ordinance and commandment, ought to
be administered to all Christians alike.
XX. Of the one Oblation of Christ, finished
upon the Cross.
The offering of Christ once made, is
that perfect redemption, propitiation,
and satisfaction for all the sins of the
whole world, both original and actual;
and there is none other satisfaction for
sin but that alone. Wherefore the sacri¬
fice of masses, in the which it is com¬
monly said that the priest doth offer
30 ARTICLES OE RELIGION. [CH. 1,
Christ for the quick and the dead, to
have remission of pain or guilt, is a blas¬
phemous fable and dangerous deceit.
XXI. Of the Marriage of Ministers.
The ministers of Christ are not com¬
manded by God's law either to vow the
estate of single life, or to abstain from
marriage; therefore it is lawful for
them, as for all other Christians, to
marry at their own discretion, as they
shall judge the same to serve best to
godliness.
XXII. Of the Rites and Ceremonies, of Churches.
It is not necessary that rites and cere¬
monies should in all places be the same,
or exactly alike; for they have been
always different, and may be changed
according to the diversity of countries,
times, and men's manners, so that no¬
thing be ordained against God's word.
Whosoever, through his private judg-
SEC. 3.] ARTICLES OF RELIGION. 31
ment, willingly and purposely doth
openly break the rites and ceremonies
of the Church to which he belongs,
which are not repugnant to the word
of God, and are ordained and approved
by common authority, ought to be re¬
buked openly, that others may fear to
do the like, as one that offendeth against
the common order of the Church, and
woundeth the consciences of weak
brethren.
Every particular Church may ordain,
change, or abolish rites and ceremonies,
so that all things may be done to edifi¬
cation.
XXIII. Of the Rulers of the United States of
America.
The president, the congress, the gene¬
ral assemblies, the governors, and the
councils of state, as the delegates of the
people, are the rulers of the United
States of America, according to the di-
32 ARTICLES OF RELIGION. [CH. 1.
vision of power made to them by the
constitution of the United States, and
by the constitution of their respective
States. And the said States are a sove¬
reign and independent nation, and
ought not to be subject to any foreign
jurisdiction.*
XXIV. s Of Christian Men's Goods.
The riches and goods of Christians
are not common, as touching the right,
title, and possession of the same, as
some do falsely boast. Notwithstand¬
ing, every man ought, of such things
as he possesseth, liberally to give alms
to the poor according to his ability.
* As far as it respects civil affairs, wo believe it the
duty of Christians, and especially all Christian minis¬
ters, to be subject to the supreme authority of the
country where they may reside, and to use all laudable
means to enjoin obedience to-the powers that bo; and,
therefore, it is expected that all our preachers and peo¬
ple, who may be under any foreign government, will
behave themselves as peaceable and orderly subjects.
Sec. 4.] general rules.
37
The profaning the day of the Lord,
either by doing ordinary work therein,
or by buying or selling.
Drunkenness ; or drinking spirituous
liquors, unless in cases of necessity.
Fighting, quarrelling, brawling, bro¬
ther going to law with bi'other; return¬
ing evil for evil, or railing for railing;
the using many words in buying or
selling.
The buying or selling goods that have
not paid the duty.
The giving or taking things on usury,
i. e., unlawful interest.
Uncharitable or unprofitable conver¬
sation : particularly speaking evil of
magistrates or of ministers.
Doing to others as we would not they
should do unto us.
Doing -what we know is not for the
glory of God : as,
The putting on of gold and costly
apparel:
38
GENERAL RULES.
[Ch. 1.
The talcing ■ such diversions as can¬
not be used iu the name of the Lord
Jesus:
The singing those songs, or reading
those boolcs, which do not tend to the
knowledge or love of God :
Softness or needless self-indulgence :
Laying up treasure upon earth :
Borrowing without a probability of
paying; or taking up goods without a
probability of paying for them.
(5.) It is expected of all who con¬
tinue in these societies, that they should
continue to evidence their desire of sal¬
vation,
Secondly, By doing good, by being
in every kind merciful after their power,
as they have opportunity, doing good
of every possible sort, and, as far as
possible, to all men :
To their bodies, of the ability which
God giveth, by giving food to the hun-
grJ> by clothing the naked, by visiting
Sec. 4.] general rules.
39
or helping them that are sick, or in
prison:
To their souls, by instructing, re¬
proving, or exhorting all we have any
intercourse with; trampling under foot
that enthusiastic doctrine, that "we
are not to do good unless our hearts be
free to it."
By doing good, especially to them
that are of the household of faith, or
groaning so to be; employing them
preferably to ~ others, buying one of
another, helping each other in business;
and so much the more because the
world will love its own, and them only.
By all possible diligence and fru¬
gality,, that the gospel be not blamed.
By running with patience the race
which is set before them, denying them¬
selves, and talcing up their cross daily;
submitting to bear the reproach of
Christ, to be as the filth and offscour-
ing of the world; and looking that men
40 GENERAL RULES. [CH. 1;
should say all manner. of evil of them,
falsely for the Lord's salce.
(6.) It is expected of all who desiro
to continue in these societies, that they
should continue to evidence their de¬
sire of salvation,
Thirdly, By attending upon all the
ordinances of God: such are,
The public worship of God :
The ministry of the word, either
read or expounded:
The Supper of the Lord :
Family and private prayer:
Searching the Scriptures, and
Fasting or abstinence.
(7.) These are the general rules
of our societies; all which we are
taught of God to observe, even in his
written word, which is the only rule,
and the sufficient rule, both of our
faith and practice. And all these we
know his Spirit writes on truly awakened
hearts. If there be any among us who
Sec. l.J
conferences.
41
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 ad¬
monish him of the error of his ways.
We will bear with him for a season.
But if then he repent not, he hath no
more place among us. We have de¬
livered our own souls.
CHAPTER II.
SECTION I.
Of the General and Annual Conferences.
It is desired that all things be con¬
sidered on these occasions as in the
immediate presence of God; that every
person speak freely whatever is in his
heart.
Quest. How may we best improve
our time at the Conferences?
42 GENERAL CONFERENCE. [CH. 2.
Ans. 1. "While we are conversing,
let us have an especial care to set God
always before us.
2. In the intermediate hours, let us
redeem all the time we can for private
exercises.
3. Therein let us give ourselves to
prayer for one another, and for a bless¬
ing on our labor.
SECTION II.
Of the General Conference.
Quest. 1. Who shall compose the
General Conference, and what are the
regulations and powers belonging to it?
Ans. 1. The General Conference shall
he composed of one member for every
seventeen members of each Annual
Conference, to be appointed either by
seniority or choice, at the discretion of
such Annual Conference; yet so that
Sec. 2.] general conference. 43
such representatives shall have travelled
at least four calendar years from the
time that they were received on trial
by an Annual Conference, and are in
full connection at the time of holding
the Conference.
2. The G-eneral Conference shall
meet on the first day of May, in the
year of our Lord 1846, in the town of
Petersburg, Virginia, and thencefor¬
ward in the month of April or May,
once in four years perpetually, in such
place or places as shall be fixed on by
the General Conference from time to
time; but the general superintendents,
with or by the advice of all the Annual
Conferences—or, if there be no general
superintendent, all the Annual Confer-
ances respectively—shall have power to
call a General Conference, if they
judge it necessary, at any time.
3. At all times when the General
Conference is met, it shall take two-
44 GENERAL CONFERENCE. [CH.2.
thirds of the representatives of the
Annual Conferences to make a quorum
for transacting business.
4. One of the general superintend¬
ents shall preside in the General Con¬
ference; but in case no general superin¬
tendent be present, the General Confer¬
ence shall choose a president pro tem.
5. The General Conference shall have
full powers to make rules and regula¬
tions for our Church, under the follow¬
ing limitations and restrictions, viz.:
(1.) The General Conference shall not
revoke, alter, or change our Articles
of Religion, or establish any new
standards or rule of doctrine, con¬
trary to our present existing and es¬
tablished standards of doctrine.
(2.) They shall not allow of more than
one representative for every fourteen
members of the Annual Conference,
nor allow of a less number than one
for every thirty: provided, neverthe-
Sec. 2.] general conference. 45
less, that when there shall he in any
Annual Conference a fraction of two-
thirds the number which shall be
fixed for the ratio of representation,
such Annual Conference shall be en¬
titled to an additional delegate for
such fraction; and provided, also,
that no Conference shall be denied
the privilege of two delegates.
(3.) They shall not change or alter any
part or rule of our government, so
as to do away episcopacy, or destroy
the plan of our itinerant general su-
perintendency.
(4.) They shall not revoke or change the
General Rules of the United Societies.
(5.) They shall not do away the privi¬
leges of our ministers or preachers of
trial by a committee, and of an appeal;
neither shall they do away the privi¬
leges of our members of trial before
the church, or by a committee, and
of an appeal.
46 GENERAL CONFERENCE. [CH. 2.
6. They shall not appropriate the pro¬
duce of the Publishing House to any
. purpose other than for the benefit of
the travelling, supernumerary, super¬
annuated, and worn-out preachers,
their wives, widows, and children.
Provided, nevertheless, that upon the
concurrent recommendation of three-
fourths of all the members of the sev¬
eral Annual Conferences, who shall be
present and vote on such recommenda¬
tion, then a majority of two-thirds of
the General Conference succeeding shall
suffice to alter any of the above restric¬
tions, excepting the first article; and
also, whenever such alteration or altera¬
tions shall have been first recommended
by two-thirds of the General Confer¬
ence, so soon as three-fourths of the
members of all the Annual Conferences
shall have concurred as aforesaid, such
alteration or alterations shall take ef¬
fect.
Sec. 3.] annual conferences. 47
Provided, that when any rule or
regulation is adopted by the General
Conference which in the opinion of the
Bishops is unconstitutional, the Bishops
may present to the General Conference
their objections to such rule or regula¬
tion, with the reasons thereof; and if,
after hearing the objections and reasons
of the Bishops, two-thirds of the mem¬
bers of the Conference present shall
vote in favor of the rule or regulation
so objected to, it shall have the force
of law, otherwise it shall he null and
void.
SECTION III.
Of the Annual Conferences.
Quest. 1. Who shall compose the An¬
nual Conferences?
Ans. All the travelling preachers in
full connection, who are able to do ef¬
fective service; all the supernumerary
48 ANNUAL CONFERENCES. )CH.2.
preachers, that is to say, those who are
so disabled by affliction as to be unable
to preach constantly, but are willing to
do any work in the ministry which the
Bishop may direct, and they may be
able to perform; and all the superan¬
nuated preachers, that is to say, those
who are worn out in the itinerant ser¬
vice. It shall be the duty of all the
members of the Conference to attend
its sessions, unless providentially hin¬
dered. All the preachers on trial, and
those to be admitted on trial, shall
also attend the sessions, but they shall
not vote on any question, nor speak un¬
less by consent of the Conference.
Quest. 2. Who shall determine the
number and boundaries of the Annual
Conferences ?
-4ns. The General Conference.
Quest. 3. Who shall preside in the
Annual Conferences?
Ans. The Bishops. In the absence
Sec. 3.] annual conferences. 49
of all the Bishops, an elder, who shall
be appointed by the Bishop by letter;
but if no such appointment be made,
the Conference shall elect the president
by ballot, without debate, from among
the elders. The president thus ap¬
pointed or elected shall discharge all
the duties of a Bishop, except ordina¬
tion.
Quest. 4. What is the method of
proceedings in an Annual Conference ?
Ans. In the order of the following
questions-:
1. Who are admitted on trial?
2. Who remain on trial?
3. Who are admitted into full con¬
nection ?
4. Who are readmitted ?
5. Who are received by transfer from
other Conferences?
6. Who are the deacons of one year?
7 What travelling preachers are
elected and ordained deacons ?
3
50 ANNUAL CONFERENCES. [CH. 2.
8. What local preachers are elected
and ordained deacons?
9. What travelling preachers are
elected and ordained elders ?
10. What local preachers are elected
and ordained elders ?
11. Who have located this year?
12. Who are supernumerary?
13. Who are superannuated ?
14. What preachers have died during
the past year ?
15. Are all the preachers blameless
in their life and official administration?
16. What is the number of preachers
and members in the several circuits,
stations, and missions of the Conference ?
17. What amounts are necessary for
the superannuated preachers, and the
widows and orphans of preachers, and
to make up the deficiencies of those
who have not obtained their regular
allowance in their respective districts,
circuits, and stations?
Sec. 3.] annual conferences. 51
18. fWhat has been collected on the
foregoing accounts, and how has it been
applied ?
19. What has been contributed for
the Missionary, Sunday-school, and
Tract Societies?
20. Where and when shall the next
session of the Conference be held?
21. Where are the preachers stationed
this year?
Quest. 5. What method is recom¬
mended in the examination of the life
and official administration of the preach¬
ers?
Ans. Let none be present except
members of the Conference, and others
who may be in attendance on Conference
business, unless the Conference by vote
shall order otherwise. Let the name
of every preacher be called, and let his
presiding elder, or some other member
of the Conference, state whether or not
there be any complaint against him:
52 ANNUAL CONFERENCES. [CH.2.
if there be none, he shall retire, and
the Conference may make further in¬
quiry concerning him, and pass his
character without vote. If there be a
complaint, and the preacher have been
advised of it, let it be stated to the
Conference, and let the accused have
the privilege of replying; the Confer¬
ence shall then allow him to retire, and
shall determine by vote whether or not
his character shall pass. If a trial be
necessary, it shall be conducted accord¬
ing to the provisions of Chapter L.,
sec. 1. The names of any who may
be expelled or suspended, or who may
have withdrawn from the Church, shall
be stated in the Minutes.
Quest. 6. What other business shall
be done in the Annual Conferences?
Ans. 1. Let every Annual Confer¬
ence inquire into the state and charac¬
ter of all the institutions of learning
that may be under its care, and the
Sec. 3.] annual conferences. 53
best means of promoting their interests,
and, if necessary, of increasing their
number.
2. Let every Annual Conference take
account of all the church buildings,
parsonages, and other Church property
within its bounds, and see that the
same be legally secured to the Method¬
ist Episcopal Church, South, according
to the provisions of the Discipline.
3. Let every Annual Conference ex¬
amine strictly into the state of the do¬
mestic missions within its bounds; and
let none remain on the list of missions
which, in the judgment of the Confer¬
ence, are able to support themselves as
circuits or stations.
4. Let every Annual Conference have
a record of its proceedings kept by a sec¬
retary chosen for that purpose; let said
record be signed by the president and
secretary, and a copy of the same be
sent to the General Conference, at its
54 QUARTERLY CONFERENCES. [Ch.2.
next ensuing session; and let the sec¬
retary forward to the Editor of books
at the Publishing House full and cor¬
rect answers to the foregoing twenty-
one questions, for insertion in the Gen¬
eral Minutes, according to the form
therein adopted.
5. Let every Annual Conference ap¬
point the place of its session by ballot
or otherwise, as it may think proper.
SECTION IV.
Of the Quarterly Conferences.
Quest. 1. Who shall compose the
Quarterly Conferences ?
Arts. All the travelling and local
preachers, exhorters, stewards^ and class-
leaders of the respective circuits, sta¬
tions, and missions, together with the su¬
perintendents of Sunday-schools who are
members of the Church, and none else.
Sec. 4.] quarteri.t conferences. 55
Quest. 2. When and where shall
each Quarterly Conference meet?
Ans. Four times a year, at such
places as the Conference may appoint,
and at such times as the presiding
elder may designate.
Quest. 3. Who shall preside in a
Quarterly Conference ?
Ans. The presiding elder; or, in his
absence, the preacher in charge.
Quest. 4. What is the regular busi¬
ness of a Quarterly Conference?
1. To hear complaints, and to
receive and try appeals.
2. To superintend the interests of
Sunday-schools, and the instruction of
children.
3. To take cognizance of all the lo¬
cal preachers and exhorters in the cir¬
cuit, station, or mission, and to inquire
into the gifts, labors, and usefulness of
each by name.
4. To license proper persons to preach
56 QUARTERLY CONFERENCES. [CH. 2.
and to exhort, and to renew their li¬
censes annually, when, in "its judgment,
their gifts, grace, and usefulness will
warrant the renewal; to recommend
suitable candidates to the Annual Con¬
ference for deacons' or elders' orders in
the local connection, and for admission
on trial in the travelling connection;
and to try, suspend, expel, or acquit
any local preacher in the circuit, station,
or mission against whom charges may
be brought. Provided, that no person
shall be licensed to preach, or to exhort,
without the recommendation of the
church of which he is a member, or of
the leaders' meeting of the circuit, sta¬
tion, or mission to which he belongs.
Nor shall any one be licensed to preach,
or recommended to the Annual Confer¬
ence for admission on trial, or for ordi¬
nation, without first being examined in
the Quarterly Conference on the sub¬
ject of doctrines and discipline; nor
shall any license be valid unless signed
Sec. 4.] quarterly conferences. 57
by the president and countersigned by
the secretary of the Conference.
5. To attend strictly to the temporal
interests of the Church, according to
the Discipline.
6. To see that all its proceedings be
faithfully recorded by a secretary chosen
for the purpose, in a book to be kept
by one of the stewards; the records of
each session being signed by the presi¬
dent and countersigned by the secretary
of the Conference.
Quest. 5. How shall we try those
who profess to be moved by the Holy
•Ghost to preach ?
Ans. Let the following questions be
asked, namely: 1. Do they know God
as a pardoning God? Have they the
love of God abiding in them? Do they
desire nothing but God ? And are they
holy in all manner of conversation?
2. Have they gifts (as well as grace)
for the work? Have they (in some
3*
58
BISHOPS.
[ch. 2.
tolerable degree) a clear, sound under¬
standing, a right judgment in the things
of God, a just conception of salvation
by faith ? Do they speak j ustly, readily,
clearly ?
3. Have they fruit ? Are any truly
convinced of sin and converted to God
by their preaching?
As long as these three marks concur
in any one, we believe he is called of
God to preach. These we receive as
sufficient proof that he is moved by the
Holy Ghost.
SECTION Y.
Of the Election and Consecration of Bishops,
and of their Duty.
Quest. 1. How is a Bishop to be con¬
stituted ?
Ans. By the election of the General
Conference, and the laying on of the
bands of three Bishops, or at least of
one Bishop and two elders.
Sec. 5.]
bishops
59
Quest. 2. If by death, expulsion, or
otherwise, there be no Bishop remain¬
ing in our Church, what shall we do ?
Ans. The General Conference shall
elect a Bishop; and the elders, or any
three of them, who shall be appointed
by the General Conference for that pur¬
pose, shall ordain him according to our
form of ordination.
Quest. 3. What are the duties of a
Bishop ?
Ans. 1. To preside in the General
and Annual Conferences.
2. To fix the appointments of the
preachers in the Annual Conferences,
provided he shall not allow any preacher
to remain in the same circuit or sta¬
tion more than two years successively;
except the presiding elders, the book
agents and editors authorized by the Gen¬
eral Conference, the corresponding secre¬
tary of the Missionary Society, the super¬
numerary and superannuated preachers,
missionaries among the Indians, mis-
60
BISHOPS.
[Oh. 2.
sionaries to our people of color and on
foreign stations, chaplains to state pris¬
ons and military posts, those preachers
that may be appointed to labor for the
special benefit of seamen, and for the
American Bible Society, also the preach¬
er or preachers that may be stationed
in the city of New Orleans, and the
presidents, principals, or teachers of
seminaries of learning, which are or
may be under our superintendence;
and also, when requested by an An¬
nual Conference, to appoint a preacher
for a longer time than two years to any
seminary of learning not under our
care. He shall have authority, when
requested by an Annual Conference, to
appoint an agent, whose duty it shall
be to travel throughout the bounds of
such Conference for the purpose of es¬
tablishing and aiding Sabbath-schools,
and distributing . tracts, and also to
appoint an agent or agents for the
benefit of our literary institutions.
Sec. 5.]
bishops.
61
3. To clioose the presiding elders,
fix. their stations, and change them
when he judges it necessary; provided
he shall not allow any elder to preside
in the same district more than four
years successively.
4. To change, receive, and suspend
preachers in the intervals of the Con¬
ferences, as necessity may require, and
as the Discipline directs.
5. To appoint the times of holding
the sessions of the Annual Conferences;
provided every Conference shall have
the right to sit a week at least, if it
think proper.
6. To ordain Bishops, elders, and
deacons; and to see that the names of
the persons ordained by him be en¬
tered on the journals of the Conference.
7. To decide all questions of law
coming before him in the regular busi¬
ness of an Annual Conference; pro¬
vided such questions be presented in
writing, and with his decisions be re-
62
BISHOPS.
[Oh. 2.
corded on the journal of the Confer¬
ence. When the Bishop shall have
decided a question of law, the Confer¬
ence shall have the right to determine
how far the law thus decided or inter¬
preted is applicable to the case then
pending. An Annual Conference shall
have a right to appeal from such deci¬
sion to the College of Bishops, whose
decision in such cases shall be final.
And no episcopal decision shall be au¬
thoritative except in the case pending,
nor shall any such be published, until
it shall have been approved by the Col¬
lege of Bishops. And each Bishop
shall report in writing to the episcopal
college, at an annual meeting to be held
by them, such decisions as he has
made, subsequently to the last preced¬
ing meeting; and all such decisions,
when approved by the College of Bish¬
ops, shall be recorded in a permanent
form, and published in such manner as
the Bishops shall agree to adopt; and
Sec. 5.] bishops. 63
when so approved, recorded, and pub¬
lished, they shall be authoritative inter¬
pretations or constructions of the law.
8. To hear and decide appeals of the
Quarterly Conferences on questions of
law, when he shall be presiding in any
Annual Conference; and the question
contained in the appeal, together with
the Bishop's decision, shall be recorded
on the journal of the Annual Conference.
9. To see that the districts be formed
according to his judgment; provided
that no district shall contain more than
fourteen appointments.
10. To unite two or more circuits,
stations, or missions together, when hie
judges it necessary, provided the finan¬
cial interests and pastoral duties of each
may remain separate and independent.
11. To travel through the Connection
at large, in order to preach and to over¬
see the spiritual and temporal affairs
of the Church.
64
PRESIDING ELDERS. [CH. 2.
SECTION VI.
Of the Presiding Elders, and their Duty.
Quest. 1. What are the duties of a
presiding elder ?
Ans. 1. To travel through his ap¬
pointed district.
2. In the absence of the Bishop, to
take charge of all the elders, and dea¬
cons, travelling and local preachers, and
exhorters, in his district.
3. To change, receive, and suspend
preachers in his district during the in¬
tervals of the Conferences, and in the
absence of the Bishop, as the Discipline
directs.
4. To be present, as far as practicable,
at all the quarterly meetings, and call
together the members of the Quarterly
Conference, over which he shall also
preside.
5. To decide all questions of law
which may come up in the regular busi-
Sec. 6.] presiding elders.
65
ness of the Quarterly Conference, when
submitted to him in writing, subject to
an appeal to the president of the next
Annual Conference; but in all cases
the application of law shall be with the
Quarterly Conference, which shall re¬
cord in its journal all such questions
and decisions.
6. To take care that every part of
the Discipline be enforced in his dis¬
trict; to oversee the spiritual and tem¬
poral business of the Church; to pro¬
mote, by all. proper means, the cause of
missions and Sunday-schools, and the
publication, at our own press, of tracts
and Sunday-school books; to inquire
carefully at each Quarterly Conference,
whether the rules respecting the in¬
struction of children have been faith¬
fully observed; and to report to the
Annual Conference the names of all
travelling preachers within his district
who shall neglect to observe these rules.
66 PRESIDING ELDERS. [CH.2.
7. To attend the Bishops when
present in his district; and to give
them, when absent, all necessary infor¬
mation, by letter, of the state of his
district.
8. To direct the candidates for the
ministry to those studies recommended
for them by the Bishops.
9. If any preacher absent himself
from his circuit, the presiding elder
shall, as far as possible, fill his place
with another preacher.
Quest. 2. Shall the presiding elder
have power to employ a preacher who
has been rejected at the previous An¬
nual Conference ?
Ans. He shall not, unless the Con¬
ference should give him liberty under
certain conditions.
Sec. 7.] preachers in charge. 67
SECTION VII.
Of the Duties of Preachers in charge of Cir¬
cuits, Stations, or Missions.
Quest. 1. What are the duties of
the preacher who has the charge of a
circuit, station, or mission ?
Ans. 1. To receive, try, and expel
members, according to the provisions
of the Discipline.
2. To appoint all the leaders, and
change them when he sees it necessary.
3. To see that all the ordinances and
regulations of the Church be duly ob¬
served, and that the General Rules be
read at least once a year in every con¬
gregation.
4. To see that a fast be held in every
congregation within his charge on the
Friday preceding every quarterly meet¬
ing, and that a memorandum of it be
written in all the class-books.
5. To hold quarterly meetings in the
absence of the presiding elder.
08 PREACHERS IN CHARCE. [CH.2,
6. To renew the tickets for the ad¬
mission of members into love-feasts
quarterly.
7. To report at each Quarterly Con¬
ference the names of all who have been
received into the Church, and of all
who have been excluded from it, during
the preceding quarter, and give a state¬
ment of the general condition of his
station, circuit, or mission.
8. To give an account of his charge
every quarter to his presiding elder.
9. To see that all the people within
the bounds of his charge be duly sup¬
plied with our books and periodicals.
10. To keep a directory, in which the
residences of all the members shall be
noted, wherever it may be necessary to
facilitate pastoral visitation.
11. To leave his successor a particu¬
lar account of his charge, including an
account of the subscribers for our period¬
icals.
Sec. 7.] preachers in charge. 69
12. To see that a permanent record he
kept of all the baptisms and marriages
within the hounds of his charge.
13. To see that a register be kept, in
which shall he noted the names, with
the time and manner of the reception
and disposal of every person belonging
to the Church in his station, circuit, or
mission, distinguishing between local
ciders, deacons, and preachers, mem¬
bers and probationers, white persons,
colored persons, and Indians, and re¬
port to the Annual Conference the num¬
ber of each that may be under his charge
at the time of its session.
14. To promote all the interests of
the Missionary, Sunday-school, and
Tract Societies of our Church, in such
way as the Discipline or the Annual
Conference may designate; and to re¬
port to the Conference the amount
raised during the year within the bounds
of his charge for these several societies.
70 PREACHERS IN CHARGE. [CH. 2.
15. To report at each session of the
Quarterly Conference the number and
state of the Sunday-schools; and annu¬
ally to the Quarterly and Annual Con¬
ferences, for insertion in their respective
journals, the number of Sunday-schools,
scholars, teachers, superintendents, and
Sunday-school library books in his cir¬
cuit, station, or mission.
16. To warn all from time to time
that none are to remove from one cir¬
cuit or station to another, without a note
of recommendation from the preacher
of the circuit or station, in these words:
"A. B., the hearer, has been an accept¬
able member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, in C.and to inform
them that, without such a certificate,
they will not be received into the Church
in other places.
Sec. 8.] receiving preachers.
71
SECTION VIII.
Of the Method of receiving Travelling Preachers,
and of their Duty.
Quest. 1. How is a preacher to be ad¬
mitted on trial into the travelling con¬
nection ?
Arts. 1. By the Annual Conference.
In the interval of the Conference he
may be employed in the work by a
Bishop, or the presiding elder of* the
district, until the sitting of the Con¬
ference. When a preacher's name is
not printed in the Minutes, he must re¬
ceive a written license from a Bishop or
presiding elder.
2. No one shall be received on trial
unless he first procure a recommenda¬
tion from the Quarterly Conference of
his circuit, station, or mission.
3. After solemn fasting and prayer,
every person proposed shall then he
72 RECEIVING PREACHERS. [CH. 2.
asked, before the Conference, the fol¬
lowing questions, (with any others which
may be thought necessary,) namely:
Have you faith in Christ ? Are you
going on to perfection ? Do you expect
to be made perfect in love in this life ?
Are you groaning after it ? Are you
resolved to devote yourself wholly to
God and his work ? Do you know the
rules of the Church ? Do you keep
them ? Do you constantly attend the
sacrament ? Have you read the form
of Discipline ? Are you willing to con¬
form to it ? Have you considered the
rules of a preacher, especially the first,
tenth, and twelfth ? Will you keep
them for conscience' sake ? Are you
determined to employ all your time in
the work of God ? Will you endeavor
not to speak too long or too loud ? Will
you diligently instruct the children in
every place ? Will you visit from house
to house ? Will you recommend fast-
Sec. 8.] receiving preachers. 73
ing, or abstinence, both by precept and
example ? Are you in debt ?
If be give satisfactory answers to these
questions, the Conference, by a vote of
the majority, may admit him on trial.
Observe !—taking on trial is entirely
different from admitting a preacher
into full connection. One on trial may
be either admitted or rejected, without
doing him any wrong; otherwise it
would be no trial at all.
Quest. 2. Who shall be received into
the Conference in full connection ?
Ans. 1. No one except a preacher
who has been employed two successive
years in the regular itinerant work,
(which is to commence from his being
received on trial at the Annual Confer¬
ence,) and who is approved by the An¬
nual Conference. Provided, neverthe¬
less, that when a preacher on trial is
selected by the Bishop for a mission, he
may, if elected by an Annual Conference,
4
74 DIRECTIONS TO PREACHERS. [CH. 2.
ordain him a deacon before his probation
ends; and a missionary employed on a for¬
eign mission may be admitted into full
connection, if reeommended by.the su¬
perintendent of the mission where he
labors, without being present at the An¬
nual Conference for examination.
2. Before any preacher shall be ad¬
mitted into full connection, or ordained
deacon or elder, he shall give satisfac¬
tory evidence to the Conference, after
careful examination by a standing com¬
mittee appointed by the Conference, who
shall hold their office four years, respect¬
ing his knowledge of those particular
subjects which have been recommended
to his consideration in the course of
study prescribed by the Bishops for the
candidates for the ministry.
Quest. 3. What are the directions
given to a preacher ?
Arts. 1. Be diligent. Never be un¬
employed : never be triflingly employed.
Sec. 8.] directions to preachers. 75
Never trifle away time; neither spend
any more time at any place than is
strictly necessary.
2. Be serious. Let your motto be,
Holiness to the Lord. Avoid all light¬
ness, jesting, and foolish talking.
3. Converse sparingly and conduct
yourself prudently with women. 1 Tim.
v. 2.
4. Take no step toward marriage with¬
out first consulting with your brethren.
5. Believe evil of no one without
good evidence : unless you see it done,
take heed how you credit it. Put the
best construction on every thing. You
know the judge is always supposed to
be on the prisoner's side.
6. Speak evil of no one; because your
word, especially, would eat as doth a
canker. Keep your thoughts within
your own breast, till you come to the
person concerned.
7. Tell every one under your care
76 DIRECTIONS TO PREACHERS. [CH.2.
what you think wrong in his conduct
and temper, and that lovingly and
plainly, as soon as may be; else it will
fester in your heart. Make all haste to
cast the fire out of your bosom.
8. Avoid all-affectation. A preacher
of the gospel is the servant of all.
9. Be ashamed of nothing hut sin.
10. Be punctual. Bo every thing
exactly at the time. And do not mend
our rules, but keep them; not for wrath,
but conscience' sake.
11. Y ou have nothing to do hut to
save souls; therefore spend and be spent
in this work; and go always not only to
those that want you, but to those that
want you most.
Observe ! it is not your business only
to preach so many times, and to take
care of this or that society; but to save
as many as you can; to bring as many
sinners as you can to repentance, and
with all your power to build them up
Sec. 8.] directions to preachers. 77
in that holiness without which they
cannot see the Lord. And remember !
a Methodist preacher is to mind every
point, great and small, in the Methodist
Discipline ! Therefore you will need to
exercise all the sense and grace you have.
12. Act in all things not according
to your own will, hut as a son in the
gospel: it is therefore your duty to em¬
ploy your time in the manner which
we direct: in preaching, meeting the
classes, visiting from house to house,
and especially visiting the sick: in
reading, meditation, and prayer. Above
all, if you labor with us in the Lord's
vineyard, it is needful you should do
that part of the work which we advise,
at those times and places which we
judge most for his glory.
N. B.—At each Annual Conference,
those who are received on trial, or are
admitted into full connection, shall be
78 TRAVELLING DEACONS. [Ch.2.
asked whether they are willing to de¬
vote themselves to the missionary wort;
and a list of the names of all who are
willing to do so shall be taken and re¬
ported to the secretary of the Missionary
Society; and all such shall be con¬
sidered as ready and willing to be em¬
ployed as missionaries, whenever called
for by any .one of the Bishops.
SECTION IX.
Of the Election and Ordination of Travelling
Deacons, and of their Duty.
Quest. 1. How is a travelling deacon
constituted ?
Ans. By the election of the majority
of the Annual Conference, and the lay¬
ing on of the hands of a Bishop.
Quest. 2. What is the duty of a tra¬
velling deacon ?
Sec. 9.] travelling deacons. 79
Ans. 1. To baptize, and perform, tbe
office of matrimony, in the absence of
the elder.
2. To assist the elder in administer¬
ing the Lord's Supper.
3. To do all the duties of a travelling
preacher.
Quest. 3. What shall be the time of
probation of a travelling deacon for the
office of an elder ?
Ans. Every travelling deacon shall
exercise that office for two years, be¬
fore he be eligible to the office of el¬
der; except in the case of missions,
when the Annual Conferences shall
have authority to elect for the elder's
office sooner, if they judge it expedient.
Provided always, that when a preacher
shall have passed his examination, and
been admitted into full connection, and
elected to deacon's orders, but fails of
his ordination through the absence of
the Bishop, his eligibility to the office
80 TRAVELLING ELDERS. [Ch.2.
of elder shall run from the time of his
election to the office of a deacon.
SECTION X.
Of the Election and Ordination of Travelling
Elders, and of their Duty.
Quest. 1. How is an elder consti¬
tuted ?
Ans. By the election of a majority
of the Annual Conference, and hv the
laying on of the hands of a Bishop, and
some of the elders that are present.
Quest. 2. What is the duty of a tra¬
velling elder ?
Ans. 1. To administer baptism and
the Lord's Supper, and to perform the
office of matrimony, and all parts of
Divine worship.
2. To do all the duties of a travelling
preacher.
SEC. 11.] RECEPTION OF PREACHERS.
81
SECTION XI.
Of the Reception of Preachers from the Wesleyan
Connection, and from other Denominations.
Quest. 1. In what manner shall we
receive those ministers who may come
to us from.the Wesleyan Connection in
Europe or Canada, or any of the Con¬
ferences of the Methodist Episcopal
Church* [North] ?
Mns.' If they come to us properly ac¬
credited, they may he received accord¬
ing to such credentials, provided they
give satisfaction to an Annual Confer¬
ence of their willingness to conform to
our Church government and usages.
Quest. 2. How shall we receive those
ministers who may offer to unite with
us from other Christian Churches ?
Ans. Those ministers of other evan¬
gelical Churches who may desire to
unite with our Church, whether as
local or itinerant, may be received ac-
4*
82 RECEPTION OF PREACHERS [CH. 2.
cording to our usages, on condition of
their taking upon them our ordination
vows, without the reimposition of hands,
giving satisfaction to an Annual Con¬
ference of their being in orders, and of
their agreement with us in doctrine,
discipline, government, an^ usages;
provided the Conference is also satis¬
fied with their gifts, grace, and useful¬
ness. Whenever any such minister is
received, he shall be furnished with a
certificate, signed by one of our Bishops,
in the following words, namely:
This is to certify, that has
been admitted into Conference
as a travelling preacher, [or has been
admitted as a local preacher on
Circuit,] he having been ordained to
the office of a deacon, [or an elder, as
the case may be,] according to the
usages of the Church, of which
be has been a member and minister; and
he is hereby authorized to exercise the
SEC, 11.] FROM OTHER CHURCHES. 83
functions pertaining to .his office in the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, so
long as his life and conversation are
such as become the gospel of Christ.
Given under my hand and seal, at
this day of in the
year of our Lord,
In the interval of the Annual Confer¬
ences such ministers may be received
by the Quarterly Conference, and may
preach as licentiates, but shall not ex¬
ercise the peculiar functions of deacons
or elders, until their orders shall be
recognized by the Annual Conference.
After such reception their orders may
be recognized, or they may be admitted
into the^ travelling connection, but not
without the recommendation of the
Quarterly Conference.
Quest. 3. How shall we receive preach¬
ers of other denominations who are not
in orders ?
Ana. $?hey mSfy^ received as licen-
84 METHOD OF PREACHING. [Cfi. 2.
tiates, provided they give satisfaction
to a Quarterly or an Annual Confer¬
ence that they are suitable persons to
exercise the office, and of their agree¬
ment with the doctrines, discipline,
government, and usages of our Church.
SECTION XII.
Of the Matter and Manner of Preaching, and
of other Public Exercises.
Quest. 1. What is the best general
method of preaching ?
Arts. 1. To convince. 2. To offer
Christ. 3. To invite. 4. To build up;
and to do this in some measure in every
sermon.
Quest. 2. What is the most effectual
way of preaching Christ ?
Ans. The most effectual way of
preaching Christ is, to preach him in
all his offices, and to declare his law, as
Sec. 12.] method op preaching. 85
well as his gospel, both to believers
and unbelievers. Let us strongly and
closely insist upon inward and outward
holiness in all its branches.
Quest. 3. Are there any smaller ad¬
vices which might be of use to us ?
Ans. Perhaps these: 1. Be sure
never to disappoint a congregation.
2. Begin at the time appointed. 3.
Let your whole deportment be serious,
weighty, and solemn. 4. Always suit
your subject to your audience. 5.
Choose the plainest test you can. 6.
Take care not to ramble, but keep to
your text, and make out what you take
in hand. 7. Take care of any thing
awkward or affected, either in your
gesture, phrase, or pronunciation. 8
Do not usually pray, extempore, above
eight or ten minutes (at most) without
intermission. 9. Frequently read and
enlarge upon a portion of Scriptui*e;
and let young preachers often exhort
86 DUTY OF PREACHERS. [CH. 2.
without taking a test. 10. Always
avail yourself of the great festivals,
by preaching on the occasion.
SECTION XIII.
Of the Duty of Preachers to God, themselves,
and one another.
Quest. 1. How shall a preacher be
qualified for his charge ?
Ans. By walking closely with God,
and having his work greatly at heart;
and by understanding and loving disci¬
pline, ours in particular.
Quest. 2. Do we sufficiently watch
over each other ?
Ans. We do not. Should we not
frequently ask each other, Do you walk
closely with God ? Have you now fel¬
lowship with the Father and the Son?
At what hour do you rise ? Do you
punctually observe the morning and
SEC. 13.] DITTY OF PREACHERS. 87
evening hours of retirement? Do you
spend the day in the manner which the
Conference advises ? Do you converse
seriously, usefully, and closely ? To be
more particular: Do you use all the
means of grace yourself, and enforce
the use of them on all other persons?
They are:
1. Prayer: private, family, and pub¬
lic ; consisting of deprecation, petition,
intercession, and thanksgiving. Do you
use each of these ? Do you forecast
daily, wherever you are, to secure time
for private devotion ? Do you practice
it everywhere ? Do you ask every¬
where, Have you family prayer ? Do
you ask individuals, Do you use private
prayer every morning and evening in
particular ?
2. Searching the Scriptures, by
(1.) Heading, constantly, some part
of every day: regularly, all the Bible
in order; carefully, with notes; se-
88 DUTY OF PREACHERS. [CH.2.
riously, with prayer before and after;
fruitfully, immediately practicing what
you learn there ?
(2.) Meditating: At set times ? By
rule ?
(3.) Hearing : Every opportunity?
With prayer before, at, after? Have
you a Bible always about you ?
3. The Lord's Supper: Do you use
this at every opportunity? With sol¬
emn prayer before ? With earnest and
deliberate self-devotion ?
4. Fasting: Do you use as much ab¬
stinence and fasting every week as your
health, strength, and labor will permit?
5. Christian conference: Are you
convinced how important and how diffi¬
cult it is to order your conversation
aright ? Is it always in grace ? Sea¬
soned with salt ? Meet to minister
grace to the hearers ? Do you not con¬
verse too long at a time ? Is not an
hour commonly enough ? Would it
Sec. 13.] duty of preachers. 89
not be well always to have a deter¬
minate end in view ? And to pray be¬
fore and after it ?
Do you steadily watch against the
world? Yourself? Your besetting sin?
Do you deny yourself every use¬
less pleasure of sense? Imagination?
Honor ? Are you . temperate in all
things ? Instance in food : (1) Do you
use only that kind and that degree
which is best both for body and soul ?
Do you see the necessity of this ? (2)
Do you eat no more at each meal than
is necessary ? Are you not heavy or
drowsy after dinner ? (3) Do you use
only that kind and that degree of drink
which is best both for your body and
soul ? (4) Do you choose and use
water for your common drink, and
only take wine medicinally or sacra-
mentally ?
Wherein do you take up your cross
daily ? Do you cheerfully bear your
90 DUTY OF FREACHERS. [CH.2.
cross, however grievous to nature, as a
gift of God, and labor to profit there¬
by?
Do you endeavor to set God always
before you ? To see his eye continually
fixed upon you? Never can you use
these means but a blessing will ensue.
And the more you use them, the more
you will grow in grace.
Quest. 3. Why are we not more know¬
ing?
Ans. Because we are idle. We for¬
get our first rule, "Be diligent. Never
be unemployed. Never be triflingly
employed. Neither spend any more
time at any place than is strictly neces¬
sary." We fear there is altogether a
fault in this matter, and that few of us
are clear. Who of us spend as many
hours a day in God's work as we did
formerly in man's work ? We talk,—
talk, or read what comes next to hand.
We must, absolutely must, cure this
Sec. 13.] duty of preachers. 91
evil, or betray the cause of God. But
how? 1. Bead the most useful books,
and that regularly and constantly. 2.
Steadily spend all the morning in this
employment, or at least five hours in
the four-and-twenty. " But I have no
taste for reading." Contract a taste
for it by use, or return to^ your former
employment. " But I have no books."
Be diligent to spread the books, and
then you will have the use of them.
Quest. 4. "Why are we not more holy ?
Why do we not live in eternity ? Walk
with God all the day long ? Why are
we not all devoted to God ? Breathing
the whole spirit of missionaries ?
Ans. Chiefly because we are enthu¬
siasts ; looking for the end without
using the means. To touch only upon
two or three instances : Who of us rises
at four, or even at five, when we do not
preach ? Do we know the obligation
and benefit of fasting or abstinence ?
How often do we practice it? The
92 PLACES FOR PREACHING. [CH.2.
neglect of this alone is sufficient to ac¬
count for our feebleness and faintness
of spirit. We are continually grieving
the Holy Spirit of God by the habitual
neglect of a plain duty. Let us amend
from this hour.
SECTION XIV.
Rules by which we should continue, or desist
from, f reaching at a.ny Place.
Quest. 1. Is it advisable for us to
preach in as many places as we can,
without forming any classes ?
Ans. By no means. We have made
the trial in various places; and that
for a considerable time. But all the
seed has fallen by the wayside. There
is scarce any fruit remaining.
Quest. 2. Where should we endeavor
to preach most ?
Ans. 1. Where there is the greatest
number of quiet and willing hearers.
2. Where there is most fruit.
Sec. 15.] pastoral visiting. 93
Quest. 3. Ought we not diligently to
observe in what place God is pleased at
any time to pour out his Spirit more
abundantly ?
Ans. We ought; and at that time to
send more laborers than usual into that
part of the harvest.
SECTION XY.
Of Visiting from House to House, guarding
against those Things that are so common to
Professors, and enforcing Practical Religion.
Quest. 1. How can we further assist
those under our care ?
Ans. By instructing them at their
own houses. What unspeakable need
is there of this! The world says,
"The Methodists are no better than
other people." This is not true in the
general; but, 1. Personal religion, either
toward God or man, is too superficial
among us. We can but just touch on
94 PASTORAL VISITING. „ [CH. 2.
a few particulars : How little faith is
there among us! How little commu¬
nion with God, how little living in hea¬
ven, walking in eternity, deadness to
every creature ! How much love of
the world I Desire of pleasure, of ease,
of getting money! How little bro¬
therly love ! What continual judging
one another! What gossipping, evil-
speaking, tale-hearing ! What want of
moral honesty ! To instance only one
particular : Who does as he would he
done by in buying and selling ?
2. Family religion is wanting in many
branches. And what avails public
preaching alone, though we could
preach like angels ? We must, yea,
every travelling preacher must instruct
the people from house to house. Till
this be done, and that in good earnest,
the Methodists will be no better.
Our religion is not sufficiently deep,
universal, uniform; but superficial, par-
Sec. 15.] pastoral visiting. 95
tial, uneven. It "will be so till we
spend half as mucb time in this visit¬
ing, as we do in talking uselessly.
Can we find a better method of doing
this than Mr. Baxter's ? If not, let us
adopt it without delay. His whole
tract, entitled, "Reformed Pastor," is
well worth a careful perusal. Speaking
of this visiting from house to house, he
says, (p. 351,) "We shall find many
hindrances, both in ourselves and the
people."
(1.) In ourselves there is much dull¬
ness and laziness, so that there will be
much ado to get us to be faithful in the
work.
(2.) We have a base, man-pleasing
temper, so that we let them perish ra¬
ther than lose their love : we let them
go quietly to hell, lost we should offend
them.
(3.) Some of us have a foolish bash-
fulncss. We know not how to begin,
and blush to contradict the devil.
96 PASTORAL VISITING. [Ch.2.
(4.) But the greater hindrance is
weakness of faith. Our whole motion
is weak, because the spring of it is
weak.
(5.) Lastly, we are unskilful in the
work. How few know how to deal
with men, so as to get within them,
and suit all our discourse to their sev¬
eral conditions and tempers; to choose
the fittest subjects, and follow them
with a holy mixture of seriousness, ter¬
ror, love, and meekness !
But undoubtedly this private appli¬
cation is implied in those solemn words
of the apostle : " I charge thee before
God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who
shall judge the quick and the dead at
his appearing, preach the word : be in¬
stant in season, out of season : reprove,
rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering."
0 brethren, if we could but set this
work on foot in all our churches, and
prosecute it zealously, what glory would
redound to God ! If the common luke-
Sec. 15.J pastoral visiting. 97
warmness were banished, and every
shop, and every bouse, busied in speak¬
ing of tbe word and works of God,
surely Go4 would dwell in our liabita
tions, and make us his delight.
And this is absolutely necessary to tbe
welfare of our people, some of whom
neither repent nor believe to this day.
Look round, and see how many of them
are still in apparent danger of damnation !
And how can you walk and talk and
be merry with such people, when you
know their case ? When you look
them in the face, you should break
forth into tears, as the prophet did
when he looked upon Hazael, and then
set on them with the most vehement
exhortations. 0, for God's sake, and
the sake of poor souls, bestir yourselves,
and spare no pains that may conduce
to their salvation !
What cause have we to bleed before
the Lord that we have so long neglected
5
98 PASTORAL VISITING. [CH.2,
this good work! If we had hut en¬
gaged in it sooner, how many more
might have been brought to Christ!
And how much holier and happier
might our churches have been before
now! And why might we not have
done it sooner ? There are many hin¬
drances ; and so there always will be.
But the greatest hindrance is in our¬
selves, in our littleness of faith and
love.
But it is objected, I.: "This will
take up so much time, we shall not have
leisure to follow our studies." "VVe an¬
swer, 1. Gaining knowledge is a good
thing, but saving souls is a better. 2.
By this very thing you will gain the
most excellent knowledge, that of God
and eternity. 3. You will have time for
gaining other knowledge too. Only
sleep no more than you need; "and
never be idle or triflingly employed."
But, 4. If you can do but one, let your
Sec. 15.] pastoral visiting. 99
studies alone. We ouglit to throw by
all the libraries in the world, rather
than be guilty of the loss of one soul.
It is objected, II.: "The people will
not submit to it." If some will not,
others will. And the success with
them will repay all your labor. O, let
us herein follow the example of St.
Paul! 1. For our general business,
Serving the Lord with, all humility of
mind: 2. Our special work, Take heed
to yourselves and to all the flock: 3.
Our doctrine, Repentance toward God,
and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ:
4. The place, I have taught youpublicly,
and from house to house: 5. The ob¬
ject and manner of teaching, L ceased
not to warn every one, night and, day,
with tears: 6. His innocence and self-
denial herein, I have coveted no man's
silver or gold: 7. His patience, Neither
count I my life dear unto myself. And
among all other motives, let these
100 PASTORAL VISITING. [CH.2.
be ever before our eyes: 1. The
Church of God which he hath pur¬
chased with his own blood; 2. Grievous
wolves shall enter in ; yea, of yourselves
shall men arise, speaking perverse things.
Write tbis upon your hearts,! and it
will do you more good than twenty
years' study. Then you will have no
time to spare: you will have work
enough. Then likewise no preacher
will stay with us who is as salt that has
lost its savor. For to such this employ¬
ment would be mere drudgery. And
in order to it, you will have need of
all the knowledge you can procure, and
grace you can attain.
The sum is, Go into every house in
course, and teach every one therein,
young and old, to be Christians in¬
wardly and outwardly; make every par¬
ticular plain to their understandings;
fix it in their minds ; write it on their
hearts. In order to this, there must
Sec. 15.] pastoral visiting. 101
be line upon line, precept upon pre¬
cept. What patience, what love, what
knowledge is requisite for this! We
must needs do this, were it only to
avoid idleness. Do we not loiter away
many hours in every week ? Each try
himself: no idleness is consistent with
a growth in grace. Nay, without ex¬
actness in redeeming time, you cannot
retain the grace you receive in justifi¬
cation.
Quest. 2. How shall we guard against
bribery, dancing, attending circuses and
theatres, Sabbath-breaking, and the
other evils forbidden in the General
Rules ?
Ans. 1. Preach expressly on them,
and circulate tracts denouncing them,
whenever necessary.
2. Let the leaders closely examine
and exhort every person to put away
the accursed thing.
3. Let the people be admonished that
102 NECESSITY OF UNION. [On. 2-.
none who practice any of these evils can
remain in our Church.
4. In denouncing bribery, strongly
advise our people to discountenance all
treats given by candidates before or at
elections, and not to be partakers, in
any respect, of such iniquitous prac¬
tices.
SECTION XVI.
Of the Necessity of Union among ourselves.
Let us be deeply sensible (from
what we have known) of the evil of a
division in principle, spirit or practice,
and the dreadful consequences to our¬
selves and others. If we are united,
what can stand before us ? If we di¬
vide, we shall destroy ourselves, the
work of God, and the souls of our
people.
Quest. What can be done in order
to a closer union with each other ?
Sec. 17.] provision for circuits. 103
Ans. 1. Let us be deeply convinced
of the absolute necessity of it.
2. Pray earnestly for^ and speak
freely to each other.
3. When we meet, let us never part
without prayer.
4. Take great care not to despise
each other's gifts.
5. Never speak lightly of each other.
6. Let us defend each other's cha¬
racter in every thing, so far as is con¬
sistent with truth.
7. Labor, in honor, each to prefer
the other before himself.
8. We recommend a serious perusal
of The Causes, Evils, and Cure of
Heart and Church Divisions.
SECTION XVII.
How Jo provide for the Circuits in time of Con¬
ference,, and to preserve and increase the
Work of God.
Quest. What can be done to supply
104 LOCAL PREACHERS. [CH.2.
the circuits during the sittings of the
Conferences ?
Ans. 1. Let all the appointments
stand according to the plan of the circuit.
2. Engage as many local preachers
and exhorters as will supply them; and
let them he paid for their time in pro¬
portion to the allowance of the travel¬
ling preachers.
3. If preachers and exhorters cannot
attend, let some person of ability be ap¬
pointed in every society, to sing, pray,
and read one of Mr. Wesley's sermons.
4. But if that cannot be done, let
there be prayer-meetings.
SECTION XVIII.
Of Local Preachers.
Quest. What directions shall be
given concerning local preachers ?
Arts. 1. Any one who professes to
be called to preach may exercise the
Sec. 18.] local preachers. 105
functions of a preacher in a local
sphere, provided he receive a license
from the Quarterly Conference of the
circuit, station, or mission to which he
belongs, agreeably to the provisions of
the Discipline, chap, ii., sec. iv.
Ans. 2. A licensed local preacher
shall be eligible to the office of a dea¬
con, after he has preached four years
from the time he received a regular
license, and has obtained a testimonial
from the Quarterly Conference, after
proper examination, signed by the presi¬
dent and countersigned by the secretary,
and after his character has passed in ex¬
amination before, and he has obtained the
approbation of, the Annual Conference.
3. A local deacon shall be eligible
to the office of an elder, after he has
preached four years from the time he
was ordained a deacon, and has obtained
a recommendation from the Quarterly
Conference of which he is a member,
5*
106 LOCAL PREACHERS. [CH,2i
certifying his qualifications in doctrine,
discipline, talents, and usefulness, signed
by the president and countersigned by
the secretary. He shall, if he cannot
attend, send to the Annual Conference
such recommendation, and a note certi¬
fying his belief in the doctrine and dis¬
cipline of our Church—the whole being
examined by the Annual Conference;
and if approved, he may be ordained.
4. It shall also be the duty of local
preachers to aid the preacher in charge
of the circuit, station, or mission to
which they belong, in supplying the
people with the ministry of the word.
They shall accordingly be applied to by
the preacher in charge, as soon as he
enters on his work, to state what amount
of service they are able and willing to
perform; he may then' draw up a plan
by which their labors shall be regu;
lated; and they shall be authorized to
form new congregations, to take a list
of the names of all candidates for
Sec. 18.] local preachers. 107
Church membership, and, if expedient,
receive them on probation; provided
that all such congregations, candidates,
and probationers be reported, as soon as
possible, to the preacher in charge, in
order that they may be placed imme¬
diately under his pastoral care.
5. Every local elder, deacon, and li¬
centiate shall have his name recorded on
the journal of the Quarterly Conference
of which he is a member, and also en¬
rolled on a class paper, and meet in
class; or in neglect thereof, the Quar¬
terly Conference, if it judge proper, may
deprive him of his ministerial office.
6. Whenever any local elder, deacon,
or licentiate shall remove from one circuit
or station to another, he shall procure
from the presiding elder of the district,
or from the preacher having charge, a
certificate of his official standing in the
Church at the time of his removal,
without which he shall not be received
as a local preacher in other places.
108
OF EXHORTERS. [Cfl.2.
SECTION XIX.
Of Extorters.
Quest. What directions shall be given
concerning exhorters ?
Ans. Any person wishing to exercise
the functions of an exhorter may do so,
provided he receive a license from the
Quarterly Conference of the circuit,
station, or mission to which he belongs,
agreeably to the provisions of the Dis¬
cipline, chap, ii., sec. iv.
2. Let every exhorter diligently ex¬
ercise the functions of his office, with¬
out assuming those of a preacher.
3. Every exhorter, by virtue of his
office, shall be a member of the Quar¬
terly Conference of the circuit, station,
or mission to which he belongs; hut in
all other respects he shall be dealt with
as a private member of the Church.
4. When an exhorter removes from
one circuit, station, or mission to another,
SEC. 1.] RECEPTION OP MEMBERS. 109
he shall not he recognized as such unless
he obtain a certificate of his official
character from the presiding elder of
the district, or the preacher to whose
charge he belongs at the time of his
removal.
CHAPTER III.
SECTION I.
Of the Reception of Members into the Church.
Quest. How shall we prevent im¬
proper persons from insinuating them¬
selves into the Church ?
Ans. 1. Let none be admitted on
trial, except they are well recom¬
mended by one you know, or until they
have met twice or thrice in class.
2. Read the rules to them the first
time they meet.
110 OF THE CLASSES. [CH. 3.
3. Let none be received into the
Church, until they are recommended
by a leader with whom they have met
at least six months on trial, and have
been baptized; and shall, on examina¬
tion by the minister in charge, before
the church, give satisfactory assurances
both of the correctness of their faith and
their willingness to observe and keep
the rules of the Church. Nevertheless,
if a member in good standing in any
other orthodox Church shall desire to
unite with us, such applicant may, by
giving satisfactory answers to the usual
inquiries, he received at once into full
fellowship.
SECTION II.
Of the Classes.
Quest. 1. How shall the classes he
constituted ?
Ans. Let them he organized hy the
Sec. 2.] of the classes. Ill
preacher in charge; and, wherever it
is practicable, let him so distribute the
membership under his pastoral care
that there may be about twelve persons
in every class, one of whom shall be the
leader.
Quest. 2. How shall the class-meet¬
ings be conducted ?
Ans. Let the leaders address the
members individually, inquiring how
their souls prosper, giving them an op¬
portunity to speak, and advising, reprov¬
ing, comforting, and exhorting, as oc¬
casion may require. Let the exercises
begin and end with singing and prayer^
and let them not usually occupy more
than about an hour.
Quest.. 3. How often shall the classes
meet ?
Ans. Once a week, wherever practi¬
cable.
Quest. 4. What are the regulations
concerning the leaders ?
112 OF THE CLASSES. [On. 3
Ans. 1. Let them be men of sound
judgment and truly devoted to God.
2. Let them be appointed by the
preacher in charge.
3. Let every one of them be care¬
fully examined by the preacher in
charge, at least once a quarter, con¬
cerning his method of leading his class.
4. Let them frequently lead each
other's classes.
5. Let them meet the ministers and
stewards once a week, wherever practi¬
cable, to report the names of any who
may be sick or needy, or of any who
may neglect their duty, or who may
walk disorderly and will not be re¬
proved.
6. Let improper leaders be removed
from office; provided that no leader
shall be removed except by the preacher
in charge.
Sec. 3.] of the love-feasts.
113
SECTION III.
Of the Love-Feasts.
Quest. 1. How shall the love-feasts
he held ?
Ans. After singing and prayer, the
minister may make a short address, set¬
ting forth the nature and design of this
institution. Every one present shall
then partake of a little bread and water
in token of brotherly love, and a collec¬
tion shall be taken up for the poor of
the church whenever it is deemed ne¬
cessary; candidates for church-fellow¬
ship may then be received into the
Church; after which the members shall
give brief details of their religious ex¬
perience; and the meeting shall close
with singing and prayer.
Quest. 2. Who shall attend the love-
feasts ?
Ans. All the members of the Church,
114 INSTRUCTING CHILDREN. [CH. 3,
and other serious persons who may be
admitted by the preacher in charge.
Quest. 3. How often shall the love-
feasts be held ?
Ars. At every' cpiarterly meeting,
and at such other times as the preacher
in charge may consider expedient; and
they shall not be contiuued longer.than
an hour and a half.
SECTION IV.
Of the Instruction of Children.
Quest. What shall we do for the.
rising generation ?
Ans. 1. Let Sunday-schools be formed
in all our congregations, where ten
children can be collected for that pur¬
pose. And it shall be the especial duty
of preachers having charge of circuits
and stations, with the aid of the other
preachers, to see that this be done; to
Sec. 4.] instructing children. 115
engage tlie cooperation of as many of
out members as they can; to visit the
schools as often as practicable; to
preach on the subject of Sunday-schools
and religious instruction in each con¬
gregation at least once in six months;
to lay before the Quarterly Conference,
at each quarterly meeting, to be en¬
tered on its journal, a written state¬
ment of the number and state of the
Sunday-schools within their respective
circuits and stations, and to make a re¬
port of the same to their several An¬
nual Conferences. Each Quarterly Con¬
ference shall be deemed a board of
managers, having supervision of all
the Sunday-schools and Sunday-school
societies within its limits, and shall be
auxiliary to the Sunday-school Society
of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South • and each Annual Conference
shall report to said Society the number
of auxiliaries within its bounds, to-
116 INSTRUCTING CHILDREN. [CH. I
getter with other facts presented in t &
annual reports of the preachers, as above
directed.
2. It is recommended that each An¬
nual Conference, where the general
state of the work will allow, request the
appointment of a special agent, to travel
throughout its hounds, for the purpose
of promoting the interests of Sunday-
schools ; and his expenses shall be paid
out of collections which he shall be
directed to make, or otherwise, as shall
be ordered by the Conference.
3. Let our catechisms be used as ex¬
tensively as possible, both in our Sun¬
day-schools and families; and let the
preachers faithfully enforce upoa pa¬
rents and Sunday-school teachers the
great importance of instructing children
in the doctrines and duties of our holy
religion.
4. It shall be the special duty of the
preacher^to form Bible-classes wherever
Sec. 4.] instructing children. 117
they can, for the instruction of larger
children and youth; and where they
cannot superintend them personally, to
appoint suitable leaders for that pur¬
pose.
5. Let the minister diligently instruct
and exhort all parents to dedicate their
children to the Lord in baptism as early
as convenient; and in his pastoral visi¬
tations let him pay special attention to
the children; speak to them personally
and kindly on experimental and prac¬
tical godliness, according to their ca¬
pacity ; pray earnestly for them; cause
them to be faithfully instructed in the
nature, design, privileges, and obliga¬
tions of their baptism; and as soon as
they comprehend the responsibilities
involved in a public profession of faith
in Christ, and give evidence of a sin¬
cere and earnest determination to dis¬
charge the same, see that they be duly
recognized as members of the Church,
118 PUBLIC WORSHIP. [CH. 3.
agreeably to the provisions of the Dis¬
cipline, chap, iii., sec. i.
SECTION-Y.
Of Public Worship.
Quest. 1. What directions shall be
given for the establishment of uni¬
formity in public worship ?
Ans. 1. Let the morning service con¬
sist of singing, prayer, the reading of a
chapter out of the Old Testament, anil
another out of the New, and preaching.
2. Let the afternoon Service consist
of singing, prayer, the reading of one
or two chapters out of the Bible, and
preaching.
8. Let the evening service consist of
singing, prayer, aud preaching.
4. But on the days of administering
the Lord's Supper, the two chapters in
the morning service may be omitted.
Sec. 5.] public worship. 119
5. In administering the ordinances,
and in the burial of the dead, let the
form of Discipline invariably be used.
Let the Lord's Prayer also be used on
all occasions of public worship in con¬
cluding the first prayer, and the apos¬
tolic benediction, 2 Cor.. xiii. 14, in
dismissing the congregation.
Quest. 2. How shall we guard against
formality in singing ?
Ans. 1. By choosing such hymns as
are proper for the congregation.
2. By not singing too much at
once; seldom more than five or six
verses.
3. By suiting the tune to the words.
4. By often stopping short, and ask¬
ing the people, "Now! do you know
what you said last ? Did you speak
no more than you felt ?"
5. Do not suffer the people to sing
too slow. This naturally tends to for¬
mality, and is brought in by those whc
120 PUBLIC WORSHIP. [CH. 3,
have either very strong or very weak
voices.
6. In all our congregations let the
people learn to sing.
7. Recommend our tune book. And
if you cannot sing yourself, choose a
person or two at each place to pitch the
tune for you.
8. Exhort every person in the con¬
gregation to sing; not one in ten only.
9. Sing no hymns of your own com¬
posing.
10. If a preacher be present, let him
alone give out the words.
Quest. 3. Is there not a great in¬
decency sometimes practiced among us,
viz. : talking in the congregation before
and after service ? How shall this be
cured ?
Ans. Let all the ministers and preach¬
ers join as one man, and enlarge on the
impropriety of talking before or after
service; and strongly "exhort those that
Sec. 6.]
op marriage.
121
are concerned to do it no more. In
three months, if we are in earnest, this
vile practice will be banished out of
every Methodist congregation. Let
none stop till he has carried his point.
Quest. 4. Is there any exception to
the rule, "Let the men and women sit
apart V'
Ans. There is no exception. Let
them sit apart in all our churches.
SECTION VI.
Of Marriage.
Quest. 1. Do we observe any evil
which has prevailed in our Church with
respect to marriage ?
Ans. Many of our members have
married with unawalcened persons.
This has produced bad effects: they
have been either hindered for life, or
have turned back to perdition.
6
122
qr marriage. [Ch. 3.
Quest. 2. What can he done to dis¬
courage this ?
Ans. 1. Let every preacher publicly
enforce the apostle's caution, "Be ye
not unequally yoked together with un¬
believers." 2 Cor. vi. 14.
2. Let all he exhorted to take no
step in so weighty a matter without
advising with the most serious of their
brethren.
Quest. 3. Ought any woman to marry
without the consent of her parents ?
Ans. In general she ought not. Yet
there may he exceptions. For if, 1.
A woman believe it to he her duty to
marry; if, 2. Her parents absolutely
refuse to let her marry any Christian;
then she may, nay, ought to marry,
without their consent. Yet even then
a Methodist preacher ought not to be
married to her.
We do not prohibit our people from
marrying persons who are not of our
Sec. 7.]
of dress.
123
Church, provided such persons have
the form and are seeking the power of
godliness; but we are determined to
discourage their marrying persons who
do not come up to this description.
SECTION VII.
Of Dress.
Quest. Shall we insist on the rule
concerning dress ?
Ans. By all means. This is no time
to give encouragement to superfluity
of apparel. Therefore let each preacher
in charge direct the attention of those
committed to his care to the general
rule on this subject, and to the Holy
Scriptures on which it is based; mildly
yet earnestly urging them to keep the
same.
124
IMMORAL MINISTERS. [CH. 4.
CHAPTER IV.
SECTION I.
Of the Administration of the Discipline respect¬
ing Travelling Ministers and Preachers.
Quest. 1. What provision shall be
made for the trial of a Bishop, if he
should be accused of serious imprudence
or immorality ?
Ans. If a Bishop be accused of se¬
rious imprudence or of immorality,
three travelling elders shall call upon
him and carefully inquire into the
case, and, if necessary, examine wit¬
nesses in proof of the guilt or innocence
of the accused, and if they believe him
guilty of imprudence of a serious cha¬
racter, and he do not manifest peni¬
tence and promise amendment, or if
they believe him guilty of immoral con¬
duct, in either case they shall report
the matter to another Bishop—if one
SEC. 1.] IMMORAL MINISTERS. 125
be conveniently near, and if not, then to a
presiding elder—and it shall be his duty
to summon together at some convenient
place not less than twelve travelling
elders, and also the witnesses by whom
the accusation is expected to be estab¬
lished, and the said elders shall form a
conference or tribunal for the trial of
the accused, in which the Bishop or
presiding elder, as the case may be,
shall preside. And if two-thirds of the
elders so assembled verily believe the
accused Bishop to be guilty of aiy of¬
fence requiring punishment, they shall
have power to suspend or to expel him,
as the case may require; but no charge
against a Bishop shall be entertained
except it be made in writing, signed
by those who propose to establish it;
and a copy of the charge or accusation
with the specifications shall be de¬
livered to the accused Bishop a suffi-
126 IMMORAL MINISTERS. [CH. 4.
cient length of time before the trial to
enable him to make all necessary prepa¬
rations for his defence. And if the
condemned Bishop shall be dissatisfied
with the verdict in his case, he shall
have the right to appeal to the ensuing
General Conference, who shall finally
decide the case upon the evidence fur¬
nished in the minutes of the trial be¬
fore the inferior tribunal.
Quest. 2. If a Bishop cease from
travelling at large among the people,
shall he still exercise his episcopal office
among us in any degree ?
Ans. If he cease from travelling
without the consent of the General
Conference, he shall not thereafter ex¬
ercise the episcopal office in our Church.
Quest. 3. What shall be done when
an elder, deacon, or preacher, is under
report of being guilty of some crime,
expressly forbidden in the word of God,
SEC. 1.] IMMORAL MINISTERS. 127
as an unchristian practice, sufficient to
exclude a person from the kingdom of
grace and glory?
Ans. Let the presiding elder, in the
absence of the Bishop, call as many
travelling ministers as he shall think
fit, at least three, and, if possible,
bring the accused and the accuser face
to face. If the person be clearly con¬
victed, he shall be suspended front all
official services in the Church till the
ensuing Annual Conference; at which
his case shall be fully considered and
determined. But if the accused be a
presiding elder, the preachers must
call in the presiding elder of the neigh¬
boring district, who is required to at¬
tend and preside at the trial.
If the accused and the accuser cannot
be brought face to face, but the supposed
delinquent flees from trial, it shall be
received as a presumptive proof of
guilt; and out of the mouth of two or
128 IMMORAL MINISTERS. [CH.4.
three witnesses he shall be condemned.
Nevertheless, even in that case, the
Annual Conference shall reconsider and
determine the whole matter.
And if the accused be a superannu¬
ated preacher, living out of the bounds
of the Conference of which he is a
member, he shall be held responsible
to the Annual Conference within whose
bounds he may reside, who shall have
power to try, acquit, suspend, or-expel
him, in the same manner as if he were
a member of said Conference.
Quest. 4. What shall be done in
cases of improper tempers, words, or ac¬
tions ?
Ans. The person so offending shall
be reprehended by his senior in office. ;
Should a second transgression take
place, one, two, or three ministers or
preachers are to be taken as witnesses.
If he be not then cured, he shall be
tried at the next Annual Conference;
SEC. 1.] IMMORAL MINISTERS. 129
and if found guilty and impenitent,
shall be expelled from the Connec¬
tion, and his name so returned in the
Minutes of the Conference.
Quest. 5. What shall be done with
those ministers or preachers who hold
and disseminate, publicly or privately,
doctrines which are contrary to our
Articles of Religion ?
Ans. Let the same process be ob¬
served as in case of gross immorality;
but if the minister or preacher so offend¬
ing do solemnly engage not to dissemi¬
nate such erroneous doctrines in public
or in private, he shall be borne with,
till his case be laid before the next An¬
nual Conference, which shall determine
the matter.
Quest. 6. What shall be done with a
member of an Annual Conference who
conducts himself in a manner which
renders him unacceptable to the peo¬
ple as a travelling preacher ?
6*
130 IMMORAL MINISTERS. [Cfl. 4.
Ans. When any member of an An¬
nual Conference shall be charged with
having so conducted himself as to ren¬
der him unacceptable to the people as
a travelling preacher, it shall be the
duty of the Conference to which he
belongs to investigate the case; and if
it appear that the complaint is well
founded, and he do not give the Con¬
ference satisfaction that he will amend
or voluntarily retire, they may locate
him without his consent; provided that
he shall be at liberty to defend himself
before the Conference in person, or by
his representative; and if he be located
in his absence, without having been
previously notified of an intention thus
to proceed against him, he may apply
to the Conference, at its next session,
to be heard in his defence; in which
case they shall reconsider the matter
for that purpose.
Provided, nevertheless, that in all
SEC. 1.] IMMORAL MINISTERS. 131
the above-mentioned cases of trial and
conviction, an appeal to the ensuing
General Conference shall be allowed,
if the condemned person signify his in¬
tention to appeal at the time of his con¬
demnation, or . at any time thereafter
when he is informed thereof.
In all the above-mentioned cases,
it shall be the duty of the secretary of
the Annual Conference to keep regu¬
lar minutes of the trial, including
all the questions proposed to the wit¬
nesses, and th'eir answers; together
with the crime with which the accused
is charged, the specification or specifi¬
cations, and also preserve all the docu¬
ments relating to the case; which min¬
utes and documents only, in case of an
appeal from the decision of an Annual
Conference, shall be presented to the
General Conference, in evidence on the
case. And in all cases, when an ap¬
peal is made, and admitted by the Gen-
132 IMMORAL MINISTERS. [CH. 4
eral Conference, the appellant shal.
either state personally, or by his repre
sentatiye, (who shall he a member of
the Conference,) the grounds of his
appeal, showing cause why he appeals,
and he shall be allowed to make his
defence without interruption. After
which the representatives of the An¬
nual Conference from whose decision
the appeal is made shall be permitted
to respond in presence of the appellant,
who shall have privilege of replying
to such representatives, which shall
close the pleadings on both sides.
This done, the appellant shall with¬
draw, and the Conference shall decide.
And after such form of trial and expul¬
sion, the person so expelled shall have
no privilege of society or sacraments in
our Church, without confession, contri¬
tion, and proper trial.
A preacher on trial who may be ac¬
cused of crime shall be accountable to
SEC. 1.] IMMORAL MINISTERS. 133
tlie Quarterly Conference of the circuit
on which he travels. The presiding
elder shall call a meeting of three
local preachers, who may suspend him.
And the Quarterly Conference may ex¬
pel him. Nevertheless, he shall have
the right to an appeal to the next An¬
nual Conference.
A supernumerary preacher who re¬
fuses to attend to the work assigned
him, unless in case of sickness, or other
unavoidable cause or causes, shall not
be allowed to exercise the functions of
his office, nor even to preach among us;
nevertheless, the final determination of
the case shall be with the Annual Con¬
ference of which he is a member, who
shall have power to acquit, suspend, lo¬
cate, or expel him, as the case may be.
No deacon or elder who ceases to
travel without the consent of the An¬
nual Conference, certified under the
hand of the president of the Conference,
134 IMMORAL MINISTERS. [CH.4.
except in case of sickness, debility, or
other unavoidable circumstances, shall,
on any account, exercise the peculiar
functions of his office, or even be al¬
lowed to preach among us; neverthe¬
less, the final determination in all such
cases is with the Annual Conference.
When any travelling elder or deacon
is deprived of his credentials, by expul¬
sion or otherwise, they shall be filed
with the papers of the Annual Confer¬
ence of which he was a member; and
should he at any future time give satis¬
factory evidence to said Conference of
his amendment, and procure a certifi¬
cate of the Quarterly Conference of the
circuit or station where he resides, or
of an Annual Conference who may
have admitted him on trial, recom¬
mending to the Annual Conference, of
which he ivas a member formerly, the
restoration of his credentials, the said
Conference may restore them.
Sec. 2.] immoral preachers. 135
SECTION II.
Of the Administration of the Discipline respect¬
ing Local Preachers.
Quest. 1. What shall he done when
a local elder, deacon, or preacher, is
reported to be guilty of improper tem¬
pers, words, or actions ?
Ans. The person so offending shall
be reprehended by the preacher having
charge. Should a second transgression
take place, one, two, or three faithful
friends are to be taken as witnesses.
If he be not then cured, he shall be tried
at the next Quarterly Conference, and
if found guilty and impenitent, he shall
be expelled from the Church.
Quest. 2. What shall be done when a
local elder, deacon, or preacher, is re¬
ported to be guilty of some crime ex¬
pressly forbidden in the word of God,
sufficient to exclude a person from the
kingdom of grace and glory ?
136 IMMORAL PREACHERS. [CH.4.
Ans. 1. The preacher having charge
shall call a committee consisting of
three or more local preachers, before
whom it shall be the duty of the accused
to appear, and by whom he shall be ac¬
quitted, or, if found guilty, suspended
until the next Quarterly Conference.
And the preacher in charge shall cause
exact minutes of the charges, testimony,
and examination, together with the de¬
cision of the committee, to be laid be¬
fore the Quarterly Conference, where it
shall be the duty of the accused to ap¬
pear. And the president shall, at the
commencement of the trial, appoint a
secretary, who shall take down regular
minutes of the evidence of the trial;
which minutes, when read and ap¬
proved, shall be signed by the presi¬
dent, and also by the members of the
Conference who are present, or a major¬
ity of them.
And in case of condemnation, the
Sec. 2.] immoral preachers. 137
local preacher, deacon, or elder, shall
be allowed to appeal to the next Annual
Conference, provided that he signify to
the said Quarterly Conference his deter¬
mination to appeal; in which case the
said president shall lay the minutes of
the trial above mentioned before the
said Annual Conference, at which the
local preacher, deacon, or elder so ap¬
pealing may appear; and the said An¬
nual Conference shall judge, and finally
determine from the minutes of the said
trial so laid before them.
2. When a local elder, or deacon,
shall be expelled, the presiding elder
shall require of him the credentials of
his ordination, to be filed with the pa¬
pers of the Annual Conference within
the limits of which the expulsion has
taken place. And should he, at any
future time, produce to the Annual Con¬
ference a certificate of his restoration,
signed by the president, and counter-
138 IMMORAL MEMBERS. [Ch.4,
signed by the secretary of the Quarterly
Conference, his credentials may he re¬
stored to him.
SECTION III.
Of the Administration of the Discipline respect¬
ing Members of the Church.
Quest. 1. What shall we do with those
members of our Church who wilfully
and repeatedly neglect to meet their
class ?
Ans. 1. Let the elder, deacon, or one
of the preachers, visit them, whenever
it is practicable, and explain to them
the consequence, if they continue to
neglect, viz., exclusion.
2. If they do not amend, let him who
has the charge of the circuit or station
bring their case before the church, or a
select number, before whom they shall
have been cited to appear; and if they
Sec. 3.] immoral members. 139
be found guilty of wilful neglect, by tbe
decision of a majority of the members
before whom their case is brought, let
them be laid aside, and let the preacher
show that they are excluded for neglect
of class-meetings, and not for immoral
conduct.
Quest. 2. What shall be done in the
case of disputes, insolvencies, and non¬
payment of debts ?
Ans. 1. On any dispute between two
or more of the members of our Church
concerning the payment of debts, or
otherwise, which cannot be settled by
the parties concerned, the preacher who
has the charge of the circuit or station
shall inquire into -the circumstances of
the case, and shall recommend to the
contending parties a reference, consist¬
ing of one arbiter chosen by the plain¬
tiff, and another chosen by the defend¬
ant ; which two arbiters so chosen shall
140 IMMORAL MEMBERS. [0H.4
nominate the third: the three arbiters
being members of our Church.
2. But if one of the parties be dis¬
satisfied with the judgment given, sucb
party may apply to the ensuing Quar¬
terly Conference of the circuit for allow¬
ance to have a second arbitration ap¬
pointed; and if the Quarterly Conference
see sufficient reason, they shall grant a
second arbitration, in which case each
party shall choose two arbiters, and the
four arbiters shall choose a fifth, the
judgment of the majority of whom shall
be final; and any person refusing to
abide by such judgment shall be ex¬
cluded the Church.
3. And if any member of our Church
shall refuse, in cases of debt or other
disputes, to refer the matter to arbitra¬
tion when recommended by him who
has the charge of the circuit, or shall
enter into a lawsuit with another mem-
Sec. 3.] immoral members. 141
ber before these measures are taken, be
shall be expelled, unless the case be of
such a nature as to require and justify
a process at law.
4. The preachers who have the over¬
sight of circuits are required to execute
all our rules fully and strenuously
against all frauds, and particularly
against dishonest insolvencies; suffer¬
ing none to remain in the Church on
any account who are found guilty of any
fraud.
5. To prevent scandal, when any of
our members fail in business, or con¬
tract debts which they are not able to
pay, let two or three judicious members
of the Church inspect the accounts, con¬
tracts, and circumstances of the case
of the supposed delinquent; and if he
have behaved dishonestly, or borrowed
money without a probability of paying,
let him be expelled.
6. Whenever a complaint is made
142 IMMORAL MEMBERS. [Ch. 4
against any member of our Church for
nonpayment of debt; when the accouuts
are adjusted, and the amount ascer¬
tained, the preacher having the charge
shall call the debtor before a committee
of at least three, to show cause why he
does not make payment. The commit¬
tee shall determine what further time
shall be granted him for payment, and
what security, if any, shall be given for
payment; and in case the debtor re¬
fuses to comply, he shall be expelled;
but in such case he may appeal to the
Quarterly Conference, and their decision
shall be final. And in case the creditor
complains that justice is not done him,
he may lay his grievance before the
Quarterly Conference, and their decision
shall be final; and if the creditor refuse
to comply, he shall be expelled.
Quest. 3. How shall an accused mem¬
ber be brought to trial ?
Ans. 1. Before the church of which
Sec. 3.] immoral members. 143
lie is a member, or a select number of
tbem, in the presence of a Bishop, elder,
deacon, or preacher, in the following
manner :—Let the accused and the ac¬
cuser be brought face to face; but if this
cannot be done, let the next best evi¬
dence be procured. If the accused per¬
son be found guilty by the decision of a
majority of the members before whom
he is brought to trial, and the crime be
such as is expressly forbidden by the
word of God, sufficient to exclude a per¬
son from the kingdom of grace and
glory, let the minister or preacher who
has the charge of the circuit expel him.
If the accused person evade a trial by
absenting himself after sufficient notice
given him, and the circumstances of the
accusation be strong and presumptive,
let him be esteemed as guilty, and be
accordingly excluded. Witnesses from
without shall not be rejected.
144 IMMORAL MEMBERS. [C/H. 4
2. But in case of neglect of duties of
any kind, imprudent conduct, indulging
sinful tempers or words, or disobedi¬
ence to the order and discipline of the
Church: First, let private reproof be
given by a preacher or leader; and if
there be an acknowledgment of the fault,
and proper humiliation, the person may
be borne with. On a second offence,
the preacher or leader may take one or
two faithful friends. On a third offence,
let the case be brought before the soci¬
ety, or a select number, and if there be
no sign of real humiliation, the offender
must be cut off.
3. If a member of our Church shall
be clearly convicted of endeavoring to
sow dissension in any of our societies,
by inveighing against either our doc¬
trines or discipline, such person so of¬
fending shall be first reproved by the
senior minister or preacher of his cir-
Sec. 3.] immoral members. 145
cuit, and if he persist in such perni¬
cious practices, he shall be expelled
from the Church.
4. Nevertheless, if in any of the
above-mentioned cases the minister or
preacher differ in judgment from a
majority of the church, or the select
number, concerning the innocence or
guilt of the accused person, the trial, in
such case, may be referred by the minis¬
ter or preacher to the ensuing Quarterly
Conference.
5. If there be a murmur or complaint
from any excluded person in any of the
above-mentioned instances, that justice
has not been done, he shall be allowed
an appeal to the next Quarterly Con¬
ference, except such as absent them¬
selves from trial after sufficient notice
is given them ; and the majority of the
travelling and local preachers, exhorters,
stewards, and leaders present, shall
finally determine the case.
7
14G the lord's supper. [Ch.5.
6. After such forms of trial and ex¬
pulsion, such persons shall have no privi¬
leges of society or of sacraments in our
Church, without contrition, confession,
and proper trial.
CHAPTER Y.
SECTION I.
The Order for the Administration of the Lords
Supper.
[The elder shall read one or more of these sentences,
during the reading of which, the stewards shall take up
the collection for the poor.]
Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works, and
slorify your Pather which is in heaven.
Matt. v. 16.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures
upon earth, where moth and rust doth cor¬
rupt, and where thieves break through
and steal; but lay up for yourselves trea-
Sec. 1.] the lord's supper. 147
sures in heaven, where neither moth nor
rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do
not break through nor steal. Matt. vi.
19, 20.
Whatsoever ye would that men should
do to you, do ye even so to them; for
this is the law and the prophets. Matt,
vii. 12.
Not every one that saith unto me,
Lord ! Lord ! shall enter into the king¬
dom of heaven; but he that doeth the
will of my Father which is in heaven.
Matt. vii. 21.
Zaccheus stood, and said unto the
Lord, Behold, Lord ! the half of my
goods I give to the poor; and if I have
taken any thing from any man by false
accusation, I restore him fourfold. Luko
xix. 8.
He which soweth sparingly shall reap
also sparingly; and he which soweth
bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
Every man as he purposeth in his heart,
148 the lord's supper. [Ch.5.
so let him give; not grudgingly, or of
necessity; for God loveth a cheerful
giver. 2 Cor. ix. 6, 7.
As we have therefore opportunity, let
us do good unto all men, especially uuto
them who are of the household of faith.
Gal. vi. 10.
Godliness with contentment is great
gain; for we brought nothing into this
world, and it is certain we can carry
nothing out. 1 Tim. vi. 6, 7.
Charge them that are rich in this
world, that they be ready to distribitte,
willing to communicate, laying up in
store for themselves a good foundation
against the time to come, that they may
lay hold on eternal life. 1 Tim. vi. 17,
18, 19.
God is not unrighteous to forget your
work and labor of love, which ye have
showed toward his name, in that ye have
ministered to the saints, and do minis¬
ter. Heb. vi. 10.
Sec. 1.] the lord's supper. 149
To do good, and to communicate, for¬
get not; for with such sacrifices God is
well pleased. Heb. xiii. 16.
Whoso hath this world's good, and
seeth his brother have need, and shut-
teth up his bowels of compassion from
him, how dwelleth the love of God in
him ? 1 John iii. 17.
He that hath pity upon the poor,
lendeth unto the Lord; and that which
he hath given will he pay him again.
Prov. xix. 17.
Blessed is he that considereth the
poor : the Lord will deliver him in time
of trouble. Psalm xli. 1.
After which the elder shall say,
Ye that do truly and earnestly repent
of your sins, and are in love and charity
with your neighbors, and intend to lead
a new life, following the commandments
of God, and walking from henceforth in
his holy ways, draw near with faith,
and take this holy sacrament to your
150 the lord's supper. [Ch. 5
comfort; and make your humble con¬
fession to Almighty God, meekly kneel¬
ing upon your knees.
Then shall this general confession he made by the minis¬
ter in the name of all those who are minded to receive
the holy communion, both he and all the people kneeling
humbly upon their knees, and saying,
Almighty God, Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge
of all men, we acknowledge and bewail
our manifold sins and wickedness, which
we from time to time most grievously
have committed, by thought, word, and
deed, against thy Divine Majesty, pro¬
voking most justly thy wrath and in¬
dignation against us. We do earnestly
repent, and are heartily sorry for these
our misdoings: the remembrance of
them is grievous unto us. Have mercy
upon us, have mercy upon us, most
merciful Father: for thy Son our Lord
Jesus Christ's sake forgive us all that
is past, and grant that we may ever
hereafter serve and please thee in new-
Sec. 1.] tiie lord's supper. 151
ness of life, to tlie honor and glory of
thy name, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
Then shall the elder say,
0 Almighty God, our Heavenly Fa¬
ther, who of thy great mercy hast pro¬
mised forgiveness of sins to all them
that with hearty repentance and true
faith turn to thee: have mercy upon us;
pardon and deliver us from all our sins,
confirm and strengthen us in all good¬
ness, and bring us to everlasting life,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Collect.
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts
be open, all desires known, and from
whom no secrets are hid: cleanse the
thoughts of our hearts by the inspira¬
tion of thy Holy Spirit, that we may
perfectly love thee, and worthily mag¬
nify thy holy name, through Christ our
Lord. Amen.
152
the lord's supper. [Ch.5.
Then shall the elder say,
It is very meet, right, and onr bounden
duty, that we should at all times, and
in all places, give thanks unto thee, 0
Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlast¬
ing God.
Therefore with angels and archangels,
and with all the company of heaven, we
laud and magnify thy glorious name,
evermore praising thee, and saying,
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts,
heaven and earth are full of thy glory.
Glory be to thee, 0 Lord most high.
Amen.
Then shall the elder say,
We do not presume to come to this
thy table, 0 merciful Lord, trusting in
our own righteousness, hut in thy mani¬
fold and great mercies. We are no^
worthy so much as to gather up the
crumbs under thy table. But thou art
the same Lord, whose property is al¬
ways to have mercy: Grant us, there-
Sec. 1.] the lord's supper. 153
fore, gracious Lord, so to eat tlie flesh,
of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to
drink his blood, that our sinful souls
and bodies may be made clean by his
death, and washed through his most
precious blood, and that we may ever¬
more dwell-in him, and he in us. Amen.
Then the elder shall say the prayer of consecration, as
followeth :
Almighty God, our Heavenly Fa¬
ther, who of thy tender mercy didst
give thine only Son Jesus Christ to
suffer death upon the cross for our re¬
demption ; who made there (by his ob¬
lation of himself once offered) a full,
perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation,
and satisfaction for the sins of the
whole world; and did institute, and
in his holy Gospel command us to con¬
tinue, a perpetual memory of that his
precious death until his coming again :
hear us, 0 merciful Father, we most
humbly beseech thee, and grant that
7*
154 the lord's supper. [Ch.5.
we, receiving these thy creatures of
bread and wine, according to thy Son
our Saviour Jesus Christ's holy institu¬
tion, in remembrance of his death and
passion, may be partakers of his most
blessed body and blood: who in the
same night that he was betrayed took
bread; and when he had given thanks,
he broke it and gave it to his disciples,
saying, Take, eat, this is my body
which is given for you : do this in re¬
membrance of me. Likewise after sup¬
per he took the cup; and when he had
given thanks, he gave it to them, say¬
ing, Drink ye all of this: for this is
my blood of the new testament, which
is shed for you and for many, for the
remission of sins : do this, as oft as ye
shall drink it, in remembrance of me.
Amen. •
Then shall the minister first receive the communion in
both Icinds himself, and then proceed to deliver the same
to the other ministers in like manner, {if any be pre¬
sent,) and after that to the people also, in order, inte
Sec. 1.] the lord's supper. 155
their hands. Let those who have scruples concerning
the receiving of it kneeling, he permitted to receive it
either standing or sitting; but no person shall be admitted
to the Lord's Supper among us who is guilty of any
practice for which we would exclude a member of our
Church. "When the minister ddivereth the bread, he
shall say,
The body of our Lord Jesus Christ,
•which was given for thee, preserve thy
soul and body unto everlasting life.
Take and eat this in remembrance that
Christ died for thee, and feed on him
in thy heart by faith with thanksgiving.
And the minister that delivereth the cup shall say,
The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ,
which was shed for thee, preserve thy
soul and body unto everlasting life.
Drink this in remembrance that Christ's
blood was shed for thee, and be thankful.
[Jf the consecrated bread or wine be all spent before all
have communicated, the elder may consecrate more, by
repeating the prayer of consecration.]
[When all have communicated, the minister shall re-
turn to the Lord's table, and place upon.it what remain-
cth of the consecrated elements, covering the same with a
fair linen cloth."]
156 the lord's supper. [Ch.5.
Then shall the elder say the Lords Prayer, the people re¬
peating after him every petition.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hal¬
lowed be thy name: thy kingdom come:
thy will be done on earth as it is in
heaven: give us this day our daily
bread; and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that trespass against
us; and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil, for thine is
the kingdom, and the power, and the
glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
After which shall he said asfolloweth:
0 Lord and Heavenly Father, we thy
humble servants desire thy fatherly
goodness mercifully to accept this our
sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving;
most humbly beseeching thee to grant
that, by the merits and death of thy
Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in
his bloody we and thy whole Church
may obtain remission of our sins, and
S!ec. 1.] the lord's supper. 157
all other benefits of his passion. And
here we offer and present unto thee, 0
Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies,
to be a reasonable, holy, and lively sa¬
crifice unto thee; humbly beseeching
thee that all we who are partakers of
this holy communion may be filled with
thy grace and heavenly benediction.
And although we be unworthy, through
our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any
sacrifice, yet we beseech thee to accept
this our bounden duty and service;
not weighing our merits, hut pardoning
our offences, through Jesus Christ our
Lord : by whom, and with whom, in
the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honor
and glory he unto thee, 0 Father Al¬
mighty, world without end. Amen.
Then shall be said,
Glory he to God on high, and on
earth peace, good will toward men.
We praise thee, we bless thee, we wor-
158 the lord's supper. [Ch. 5.
ship thee, we glorify thee, we give
thanks to thee for thy great glory, 0
Lord God, heavenly King, God the
Father Almighty.
0 Lord, the only-begotten Son, Jesus
Christ: 0 Lord God, Lamb of God,
Son of the Father, that takest away
the sins of the world, have mercy upon
us. Thou that takest away the sins o$
the world, have mercy upon us. Thou
that takest away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer. Thou that sittest
at the right hand of God the Father,
have mercy upon us.
For thou only art holy: thou only
art the Lord : thou only, 0 Christ, with
the Holy Ghost, art most high in the
glory of God the Father. Amm.
Then the elder, if he see it expedient, may put up an ex¬
tempore prayer; and afterward shall let the people de¬
part with this blessing :
May the peace of God, which pass-
eth all understanding, keep your hearts
Sec. 2.] baptism op infants. 159
and minds in the knowledge and love
of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ
our Lord; and the blessing of God
Almighty, the Father, the Son, and
the Holy Ghost, be among you, and
remain with you always. Amen.
iV. B.—If the elder be straitened for time, he may
omit any part of the service except the prayer of conse¬
cration.
SECTION II.
The Ministration of Baptism to Infants.
The minister shall use the folk/wing, or some other suit¬
able exhortation :
Dearly beloved, forasmuch as all men
are conceived and born in sin, and that
our Saviour Christ saith, Except a man
be born of water and of the Spirit, he
cannot enter into the kingdom of God,
I beseech you to call upon God the
Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ,
that of his bounteous mercy he will
grant to this child that which by nature
1G0 BAPTISM OF INFANTS. [Ch.5
he cannot have: that he may he bap¬
tized with water and the Holy Ghost,
and received into Christ's holy Church,
and he made a lively member of the
same.
Then shall the minister say,
Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, who
of thy great mercy didst save Noah
and his family in the ark from perish¬
ing by water; and also didst safely
lead the children of Israel, thy people,
through the Red Sea, figuring thereby
thy holy baptism : we beseech thee,
for thine infinite mercies, that thou
wilt look upon this child: wash him
and sanctify him with the Holy Ghost;
that he, being delivered from thy
wrath, may be received into the ark of
Christ's Church, and being steadfast
in faith, joyful through hope, and
rooted in love, may so pass the waves
of this troublesome world, that finally
Sec. 2.] baptism of infants. 161
he may come to the land of everlasting
life: there to reign with thee, world
without end, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
0 merciful God, grant that the old
Adam in this child may be so buried,
that the new man may he raised up in
him. Amen.
*Grant that all carnal affections may
die in him, and that all things belong¬
ing to the Spirit may live and grow in
him: Amen.
Grant that he may have power and
strength to have victory, and to triumph
against the devil, the world, and the
flesh. Amen.
Grant that whosoever is dedicated to
thee by our office and ministry may
also be endued with heavenly virtues,
and everlastingly rewarded through thy
mercy, 0 blessed Lord God, who dost
live and govern all things, world with¬
out end. Amen.
162 BAPTISM OF INFANTS. [CH. 5.
Almighty, ever-living God, whose
most dearly-beloved Son Jesus Christ,
for the forgiveness of our sins, did shed
out of his most precious side both wa¬
ter and blood, and gave commandment
to his disciples that they should go
teach, all nations, and baptize them in
the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost: rega&l,
we beseech thee, the supplications of
thy congregation; and grant that this
child now to be baptized may receive
the fulness of thy grace, and ever re¬
main in the number of thy faithful and
elect children, through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
Then shall the people stand up ; and the minister
shall say,
Hear the words of the Gospel, written hy St. Mark,
in the tenth chapter, at the thirteenth verse.
They brought young children to
Christ, that he should touch them.
And his disciples rebuked those that
Sec. 2.] baptism op infants. 168
brought them; but when Jesus saw it,
he was much displeased, and said unto
them, Suffer the little children to come
unto me, and forbid them not, for of
such is the kingdom of God. Verily I
say unto you, Whosoever shall not re¬
ceive the kingdom of God as a little
child, he shall not enter therein. And
»he took them up in his arms, put his
hands upon them, and blessed them.
Then the minister shall take the child into his hands, and
say to the friends of the child,
Name this child.
And then, naming it after them, he shall sprinkle or pour
water upon it, or, if desired, immerse it in water, say¬
ing,
JV., I baptize thee in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then shall he said, all kneeling,
Our Father who art in heaven, hal¬
lowed be thy name; thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in
164 baptism op strcn as [Ch. 5.
heaven; give ns this day our daily
bread; and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that trespass against
us; and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Then shall the minister conclude with extemporary
prayer.
The Ministration of Baptism to such as
are. of riper years.
The minister shall use tJie following, or some other suit¬
able exhortation:
Dearly beloved, forasmuch as all men
are conceived and born in sin, (and
that which is born of the flesh is flesh,
and they that are in the flesh cannot
please God, but live in sin, committing
many actual transgressions,) and that
our Saviour Christ saith, Except a man
be born of water and of the Spirit, he
cannot enter into the kingdom of God:
I beseech you to call upon God the
Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Sec. 2.] are of riper years. 165
that of his bounteous goodness he will
grant to these persons that which by
nature they cannot have : that they may
be baptized with water and the Holy
Ghost, and received into Christ's holy
Church, and be made lively members of
the same.
Then shall the minister say,
Almighty and immortal God, the aid
of all that need, the helper of all that
flee to thee for succor, the life of them
that believe, and the resurrection of the
dead: we call upon thee for these per¬
sons now to be baptized. Receive
them, 0 Lord, as thou hast promised by
thy well-beloved Son, saying, Ask, and
ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall
find; knock, and it shall be opened
unto you: so give now unto us that
ask : let us that seek find: open the
gate unto us that knock; that these
persons may enjoy the everlasting bene¬
diction of thy heavenly washing, and
166 BAPTISM OF SUCH AS [CH. 5.
may come to the eternal kingdom
which thou hast promised by Christ
our Lord. Amen.
After which he shall say,
Almighty and everlasting God, Heav¬
enly Father, we give thee humble thanks,
for that thou hast vouchsafed to call us
to the knowledge of thy grace, and
faith in thee : increase this knowledge
and confirm this faith in us evermore.
Give thy Holy Spirit to these persons,
that they, being horn again, may be made
heirs of everlasting salvation, through
our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and
reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit,
now and for ever. Amen.
Then shall the people stand up, and the minister shall say,
Hear the words of the Gospel, written by St. John, in
the third chapter, beginning at the first verse.
There was a man of the Pharisees,
named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
the same came to Jesus by night, and
said unto him, Rabbi, we know that
Sec. 2.] are of riper years. 167
tliou art a teacher come from God; for
no man can do these miracles that thou
doest except God be with him. Jesus
answered and said unto him, Verily,
verily, I say unto thee, Except a man
be born again, he cannot see the king¬
dom of God. Nicodemus saith unto
him, How can a man be born when he
is old ? Can he enter the second time
into his mother's womb, and be born ?
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say
unto thee, Except a man be born of
water, and of the Spirit, he caunot en¬
ter into the kingdom of God. That
which is born of the flesh is flesh 5 and
that which is born of the Spirit is
spirit. Marvel not that I said unto
thee, Ye must be born again. The
wind blowcth where it listeth, and thou
hearest the sound thereof, but canst
not tell whence it cometh, and whither
it gocth; so is every one that is born
of the Spirit.
168 BAPTISM OP SUCH AS [CH.5
Then the minister shall speak to the persons to he baptised
on this wise:
Well-beloved, who are come hither,
desiring to receive holy baptism, ye
have heard how the congregation hath
prayed that our Lord Jesus Christ
would vouchsafe to receive you, and
bless you, to release you of your sins,
to give you the kingdom of heaven, and
everlasting life. And our Lord Jesus
Christ hath promised in his holy word
to grant all those things that we have
prayed for; which promise he for his
part will most surely keep and perform.
Wherefore after this promise made
by Christ, ye must also faithfully, for
your part, promise, in the presence of
this whole congregation, that ye will
renounce the devil and all his works,
and constantly believe God's holy word,
and obediently keep his commandments.
Then shall the minister demand of each of the persons to
be baptized, severally,
Quest. Dost thou renounce the devil
Sec. 2.] are of riper years. 169
and all his works, the vain pomp and
glory of the world, with all covetous
desires of the same, and the carnal de¬
sires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not
follow or he led by them ?
Arts. I renounce them all.
Quest. Dost thou believe in God the
Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and
earth ? and in Jesus Christ, his only-
begotten Son our Lord ? and that he
was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born
of the Virgin Mary ? that he suffered
under Pontius Pilate, was crucified,
dead, and buried ? that he rose again
the third day ? that he ascended into
heaven, and sitteth at the right hand
of God the Father Almighty, and from
thence shall come again, at the end of
the world, to judge the quick and the
dead ?
And dost thou believe in the Ploly
Ghost, the Church of God, the com¬
munion of saints, the remission of sins,
8
170 BAPTISM OP SUCH AS [CH. 5,
the resurrection of the body, and ever¬
lasting life after death ?
Ans. All this I steadfastly believe.
Quest. Wilt thou be baptized in this
faith ?
Ans. This is my desire.
Quest. Wilt thou then obediently
keep God's holy will and command¬
ments, and walk in the same all the
days of thy life ?
Ans. I will endeavor so to do, God
being my helper.
Then shall the minister say,
0 merciful God, grant that the old
Adam in these persons may . be so
buried, that the new man may be raised
up in them. Amen.
Grant that all carnal affections may
die in them, and that all things belong¬
ing to the Spirit may live and grow in
them. Amen.
Grant that they may have power and
SEC. 2.] ARE OF RIPER YEARS. 171
strength to have victory, and triumph
against the devil, the world, and the
flesh. Amen.
Grant that they, being here dedicated
to thee by our office and ministry, may
also be endued with heavenly virtues,
and everlastingly rewarded, through thy
mercy, 0 blessed Lord God, who dost
live and govern all things, world with¬
out end. Amen.
Almighty, ever-living God, whose
most dearly-beloved Son Jesus Christ,
for the forgiveness of our sins, did shed
out of his most precious side both water
and blood, and gave commandment to
his disciples that they should go teach
all nations, and baptize them in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost, regard, we beseech
thee, the supplications of this congrega¬
tion, and grant that the persons now to
be baptized may receive the fulness
of thy grace, and ever remain in the
172 BAPTISM. [Ch.5.
number of thy faithful and elect child¬
ren, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Then shall the minister take each person to he baptized by
the right hand; and placing him conveniently by the
font, according to his discretion, shall ask the name;
and then shall sprinkle or pour water upon him, (or,
if he shall desire it, shall immerse him in water,)
saying,
N.} I baptize thee in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost. Amen.
Then shall be said the Lord's Prayer, all kneding:
Our Father who art in heaven, hal¬
lowed be thy name; thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in hea¬
ven ; give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses, as we for¬
give them that trespass against us; and
lead us not into temptation, but deliver
us from evil. Amen.
\ Then let the minister conclude with extemporary prayer
Sec. 3.] matrimony.
173
SECTION III.
The Form of Solemnization of Matrimony.
At the, day and time appointed for solemnization of ma¬
trimony, the persons to he married standing together,
the man on the right hand, and the woman on the left,
the minister shall say,
Dearly beloved, we are gathered to¬
gether here in the sight of God, and in
the presence of these witnesses, to join
together this man and this woman in
holy matrimony, which is an honorable
estate, instituted of God in the time of
man's innocency, signifying unto us the
mystical union that is between Christ
and his Church; which holy estate
Christ adorned and beautified with his
presence and first miracle, that he
wrought in Cana of Galilee, and is com¬
mended of St. Paul to be honorable
among all men; and therefore is not by
any to be enterprised or taken in hand
unadvisedly, but reverently, discreetly,
advisedly, and in the fear of God.
174 MATRIHONY. [Ch.5.
Into which Holy estate these two per¬
sons present come now to be joined.
Therefore if any can show any just cause
why they may not lawfully be joined
together, let him now speak, or else
hereafter for ever hold his peace.
And also speaking unto the persons that are to he married,
he shall say,
I require and charge you both, (as
ye will answer at the dreadful day of
judgment, when the secrets of all hearts
shall be disclosed,) that if either of you
know any impediment why ye may not
be lawfully'joined together in matri¬
mony, ye do now confess it; for be
ye well assured, that so many as are
coupled together otherwise than God's
word doth allow, are not joined together
by God, neither is their matrimony
lawful.
If no impediment he alleged, then shall the minister say
unto the man,
M., Wilt thou have this woman to
thy wedded wife, to live together after
SEC. 3. J
MATRIMONY.
175
God's ordinance, in the holy estate of
matrimony? Wilt thou love her, com¬
fort her, honor, and keep her, in sick¬
ness and in health; and, forsaking all
other, keep thee only unto her, so long
as ye both shall live ?
The man shall answer,
I will.
Then shall the minister say unto the woman,
W., Wilt thou have this man to thy
wedded husband, to live together after
God's ordinance, in the holy estate of
matrimony ? Wilt thou obey him,
serve him, love, honor, and keep him, in
sickness and in health, and, forsaking
all other, keep thee only unto him, so
long as ye both shall live ?
The woman shall answer,
I will.
Then shall the minister say,
Let us pray.
0, eternal God, Creator and Pre¬
server of all mankind, Giver of all spi¬
ritual grace, the Author of everlasting
176 MATRIMONY. [GH. 5
life, send thy blessing upon these thy
servants, this man and this woman,
whom we bless in thy name; that as
Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully to¬
gether, so these persons may surely per¬
form and keep the vow and covenant
between them made, and may ever re¬
main in perfect love and peace together,
and live according to thy laws, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then shall Ihe minister join their right hands together,
and say,
Those whom God hath joined to¬
gether, let no man put asunder.
Forasmuch as M. and iV". have con¬
sented together in holy wedlock, and
have witnessed the same before God and
this company, and thereto have pledged
their faith either to other, and have de¬
clared the same by joining hands, I
pronounce that they are husband and
wife together, in the name of the Fa¬
ther, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost. Amen.
Sec. 3.1
matrimony.
177
Then the minister shall say,
Our Father who art in heaven, hal¬
lowed be thy name; thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in
heaven; give us this day our daily
bread; and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that trespass against
us; and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil; for thine is
the kingdom, and the power, and the
glory, for ever. Amen.
And the minister shall add this blessing:
God the Father, God the Son, God
the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and
keep you; the Lord mercifully with
his favor look upon you, and so fill you
with all spiritual benediction and grace,
that ye may so live together in this life,
that in the world to come ye may have
life everlasting. Amen.
8*
178
BURIAL OF THE DEAD. [CH.5,
SECTION IV.
The Order of the Burial of the Dead.
The minister, meeting the corpse, and going before it,
shall say,
I am the resurrection and the life:
he that believeth in me, though he
were dead, jet shall he live; and who¬
soever liveth, and believeth in me, shall
never die. John xi. 25, 26.
I know that my Redeemer liveth, and
that he shall stand at the latter day
upon the earth j and though after my
skin worms destroy this body, yet in
my flesh shall I see G-od : whom I shall
see for myself, and mine eyes shall be¬
hold, and not another. Job xix. 25,
26, 27.
We brought nothing into this world,
and it is certain we can carry nothing
out. The Lord gave, and the Lord
hath taken away : blessed be the name
of the Lord. 1 Tim. vi. 7: Job. i. 21.
Sec. 4.] burial of the dead. 179
Then shall be read Psalm xc.
Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-
place in all generations.
Before the mountains were brought
forth, or ever thou hadst formed the
earth and the world, even from ever¬
lasting to everlasting, thou art God.
Thou turnest man to destruction)
and sayest, Return, ye children of men.
For a thousand years in thy sight are
but as yesterday when it is past, and as
a watch in the night.
Thou carriest them away as with a
flood : they are as a sleep : in the morn¬
ing they are like grass which groweth up.
In the morning it flourisheth, and
groweth up; in the evening it is cut
down, and withereth.
For we are consumed by thine anger,
and by thy wrath are we troubled.
Thou hast set our iniquities before
thee, our secret sins in the light of thy
countenance.
180 BURIAL OP THE DEAD. [CH.5.
For all our days are passed away in
tliy wrath: we spend our years as a
tale that is told.
The days of our years are threescore
years and ten; and if by reason of
strength they he fourscore years, yet is
their strength labor and sorrow; for it
is soon cut off, and we fly away.
Who knoweth the power of thine
anger ? even according to thy fear, so is
thy wrath.
So teach us to number our days, that
we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.
Return, 0 Lord, how long ? and let
it repent thee concerning thy servants.
0 satisfy us early with thy mercy;
that we may rejoice and he glad all our
days.
Make us glad according to the days
wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the
years wherein we have seen evil.
Let thy work appear unto thy ser¬
vants, and thy glory unto their children.
Sec. 4.J burial op the dead. 181
And let the beauty of the Lord our
God be upon us; and establish thou
the work of our hands upon us; yea,
the work of our hands establish thou it.
Then shall foUono the, Lesson taken out of the fifteenth
Chapter of the First Epistle of St. Paul to the Cor¬
inthians, beginning at the Wth verse.
Now is Christ risen from the dead,
and become the first-fruits of them that
slept. For since by man came death,
by man came also the resurrection of
the dead. For as in Adam all die, even
so in Christ shall all be made alive.
But every man in his own order:
Christ the first-fruits; afterward they
that are Christ's at his coming. Then
comcth the end, when he shall have
delivered up the kingdom to God, even
the Father; when he shall have put
down all rule, and all authority and
power; for he must reign till he hath
put all enemies under his feet. The
last enemy that shall be destroyed is
182 BURIAL OF THE DEAD. [CH. 5.
death; for he hath put all things under
his feet. But when he saith, All things
are put under him, it is manifest that
he is excepted which did put all things
under him. And when all things shall
he subdued unto him, then shall the
Son also himself be subject unto him
that put all things under him, that
God may be all in all. Else what shall
they do which are baptized for the dead,
if the dead rise not at all ? Why are
they then baptized for the dead ? And
why stand we in jeopardy every hour?
I protest by your rejoicing which I
have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die
daily. If after the manner of men I
have fought with beasts at Ephesus,
what advantageth it me, if the dead
rise not? Let us eat and drink; for
to-morrow we die. Be not deceived:
evil communications corrupt good man¬
ners. Awake to righteousness, and sin
not; for some have not the knowledge
Sec. 4.] burial of the dead. 183
of God. I speak this to your shame.
But some mau will say, How are the
dead raised up ? and with what body
do they come ? Thou fool, that which
thou sowest is not quickened except it
die. And that which thou sowest, thou
sowest not that body that shall he, hut
bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or
of some other grain; but God giveth
it a body as it hath pleased him; and
to every seed his own body. All flesh
is not the same flesh; hut there is one
kind of flesh of men, another flesh of
beasts, another of fishes, and another
of birds. There are also celestial bodies,
and bodies terrestrial; but the glory of
the celestial is one, and the glory of the
terrestrial is another. There is one
glory of the sun, and another glory of
the moon, and another glory of the
stars; for one star differeth from
another star in glory. So also is the
resurrection of the dead. It is sown
184 BURIAL OF THE DEAD. [CH. 5,
in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
it is sown in dishonor; it is raised in
glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised
in power : it is sown a natural body; it is
raised a spiritual body. Tbere is a natu¬
ral body, and there is a spiritual body.
And so it is written, The first man
Adam was made a living soul; the last
Adam was made a quickening spirit.
Howbeit, that was not first which is
spiritual, but that which is natural;
and afterward that which is spiritual.
The first man is of the earth, earthy:
the second man is the Lord from
heaven. As is the earthy, such are
they also that are earthy; and as is the
heavenly, such are they also that are
heavenly. And as we have borne the
image»of the earthy, we shall also bear
the image of the heavenly. Now this
I say, brethren, that flesh and blood
cannot inherit the kingdom of God;
neither doth corruption inherit incor-
Sec. 4.] burial of the dead. 185
ruption. Behold, I show you a mys¬
tery : we shall not all sleep, but we
shall all be changed, in a moment, in
the twinkling of an eye, at the last-
trump ; for the trumpet shall sound,
and the dead shall be raised incor¬
ruptible, and we shall be changed.
For this corruptible must put on incor-
ruption, and this mortal must put on
immortality. So when this corruptible
shall have put on incorruption, and this
mortal shall have put on immortality,
then shall be brought to pass the say¬
ing that is written, Death is swallowed
up in victory. 0 death, where is thy
sting ? 0 grave, where is thy victory ?
The sting of death is sin, and the
strength of sin is the law. But thanks
be to Glod which giveth us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ. There¬
fore, my beloved brethren, be ye stead¬
fast, unmovablc, always abounding in
the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye
186 BURIAL OF THE DEAD. [CH. 5.
know that your labor is not in yain in
the Lord.
[Here mayfoUnw a suitable hymn, a sermon, or exhorta«
tion, and an extempore prayer.']
At the grave, when the corpse is laid in the earth, the
minister shall say,
Man that is horn of a woman hath
but a short time to live, and is full of
misery. He cometh up, and is cut
down like a flower: he fleeth as it were
a shadow, and never continueth in one
stay.
In the midst of life we are in death:
of whom may wc seek for succor, hut
of thee, 0 Lord, who for our sins art
justly displeased ?
Yet, 0 Lord Giod most holy, 0 Lord
most mighty, 0 holy and most merciful
Saviour, deliver us not into the bitter
pains of eternal death.
Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of
our hearts : shut not thy merciful ears
to our prayers, hut spare us, Lord most
holy, 0 God most mighty, 0 koty and
Sec. 4.] burial of the dead. 187
merciful Saviour, thou most worthy
Judge eternal, suffer us not at our last
hour for any pains of death to fall from
thee.
Then the minister may say, .
Forasmuch as it hath pleased Al¬
mighty God, in his wise providence,
to take out of this world the soul of our
deceased brother, we therefore commit
his body to the ground, earth to earth,
ashes to ashes, dust to dust; looking
for the general resurrection in the last
day, and the life of the world to come,
through our Lord Jesus Christ; at
whose second coming in glorious ma¬
jesty to judge the world, the earth and
the sea shall give up their dead; and
the corruptible bodies of those who
sleep in him shall be changed, and
made like unto his own glorious body,
according to the mighty working where¬
by he is able to subdue all things unto
himself.
188 BURIAL OP THE DEAD. [CH. 5.
Then shall he said,
I heard a voice from heaven, saying
unto me, Write, from henceforth blessed
are the dead who die in the Lord : even
so, saith the Spirit; for they rest from
their labors.
A suitable hymn may Itere he sung; and then shall the
minister say,
Our Father who art in heaven, hal¬
lowed be thy name; thy kingdom come;
thy will be done on earth as it is in
heaven; give us this day our daily
bread; and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive them that trespass against
us; and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
The Collect.
0 merciful Grod, the Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, who is the resurrec¬
tion and the life; in whom whosoever
bolicvcth shall live, though he die;
and whosoever liveth and believeth in
Sec. 4.] burial of the dead. 189
liim, shall not die eternally: we
meekly beseech thee, 0 Father, to
raise us from the death of sin unto the
life of righteousness; that when we
shall depart this life we may rest in
him; and at the general resurrection
on the last day may be found acceptable
in thy sight, and receive that blessing
which thy well-beloved Son shall then
pronounce to all that love and fear thee,
saying, Come, ye blessed of my Father,
inherit the kingdom prepared for you
from the foundation of the world.
Grant this, we beseech thee, 0 merciful
Father, through Jesus Christ our Me¬
diator and Redeemer. Am,en.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God, and the com¬
munion of the Holy Ghost, be with you
all. Amen.
190 ORDINATION" OF DEACONS. [CH. 6.
CHAPTER VI.
SECTION I.
The Form and Manner of making Deacons.
'When the day appointed by the Bishop is come, there
shall be a sermon or exhortation, declaring the duty
and office of such as come to be admitted deacims.
After which, one of the elders shall present unto the
Bishop the persons to be ordained deacons, and their
names being read aloud, the Bishop shall say unto the
people:
Brethren, if there he any of you
who knowetli any impediment or crime
in any of these persons presented to be
ordained deacons for the which he
ought not to be admitted to that office,
let him come forth in the name of Rod,
and show what the crime or impedi¬
ment is.
[If any crime or impediment be objected, the Bishop
shall surcease from ordaining that person, until such
time as the party accused shall be found clear of thai
crime."]
Then shall be read the following Collect and Epistle:
Hie Collect.
Almighty God, who by thy Divine
Sec.1.] ordination op deacons. 191
providence hast appointed divers or¬
ders of ministers in thy Church, and
didst inspire thy apostles to choose
into the order of deacons thy first mar¬
tyr, St. Stephen, with others : merci¬
fully behold these thy servants, now
called to the like office and administra¬
tion : replenish them so with the truth
of thy doctrine, and adorn them with
innocency of life, that both by word
and good example they may faithfully
serve thee in this office to the glory of
thy name, and the edification of thy
Church, through the merits of our Sav¬
iour Jesus Christ, who liveth and reign-
eth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now
and for ever. Amen.
The Epistle. 1 Tim. iii. 8—13.
Likewise must the deacons be grave,
not double-tongued, not given to much
wine, not greedy of filthy lucre : hold¬
ing the mystery of the faith in a pure
192 OKDINATION OF DEACONS. [CH. 6.
conscience. And let those also first be
proved; then let them use the office of a
deacon, being found blameless. Even
so must their wives be grave, not slan¬
derers, sober, faithful in all things.
Let the deacons be the husbands of one
wife, ruling their children and their own
houses well. For they that have used
the office of a deacon well, purchase to
themselves a good degree, and great
boldness in the faith which is in Christ
Jesus.
Then shall the Bishop examine every one of those who art
to he ordained, in the presence of the people, after this
manner following:
Do you trust that you are inwardly
moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon
you the office of the ministry in the
Church of Christ, to serve God for the
promoting of his glory and the edifying
of his people ?
Ans. I trust so.
The Bishop. Do you unfeignedly be-
SEC. 1.] ORDINATION OF DEACONS. 193
lieve all the canonical Scriptures of the
Old and New Testament?
Ans. I do believe them.
The Bishop. Will you diligently read
or expound the same unto the people
whom you shall he appointed to serve ?
Ans. I will.
The Bishop. It appertained to the
office of a deacon to assist the elder in
Divine service, aad especially when he
ministereth the holy communion, to
help him in the distribution thereof,
and to read and expound the Holy
Scriptures; to instruct the youth ; and
in the absence of the elder to baptize.
And furthermore, it is his office to
search for the sick, poor, and impotent,
that they may be visited and relieved.
Will you do this gladly and willingly?
Ans. I will do so by the help of God.
The Bishop. Will you apply all your
diligence to frame and fashion your
own lives (and the lives of your fami-
9
194 ORDINATION OF DEACONS. [CH. 6
lies) according to the doctrine of
Christ; and to make (both) yourselves,
(and them,) as much as in you lieth,
wholesome examples of the flock of
Christ ?
Ans. I will do so, the Lord being my
helper.
The Bishop. Will you reverently
obey them to whom the charge and gov¬
ernment over you is committed, follow¬
ing with a glad mind and will their
godly admonitions ?
Ans. I will endeavor so to do, the
Lord being my helper.
Then the Bishop, laying his hands severally upon the
head of every one of them, shall say,
Take thou authority to execute the
office of a deacon in the Church of God;
in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then shall the Bishop deliver to every one of them tht
Holy Bible, saying,
Take thou authority to read tho
SEC. 1.] ORDINATION OP DEACONS. 195
Holy Scriptures in the Church of God,
and to preach the same.
Then one of them appointed by the Bishop shall read the
Gospel.
Luke xii. 35-38.
Let your loius he girded about, and
your lights burning, and ye yourselves
like unto men that wait for their lord,
when he will return from the wedding,
that when he cometh and knocketh,
they may open unto him immediately.
Blessed are those servants whom the
iord when he cometh shall find watch¬
ing. Yerily I say unto you, that he
shall gird himself, and make them to
sit down to meat, and will come forth
and serve them. And if he shall come
in the second watch, or come in the
third watch, and find them so, blessed
are those servants.
Immediately before the benediction shall be said these
Collects following:
Almighty God, Giver of all good
196 ORDINATION OF DEACONS. [CH.6,
things, who of thy great goodness hast
vouchsafed to accept and take these thy
servants into the office of deacons in
thy Church: make them, we beseech
thee, 0 Lord, to be modest, humble,
and constant in their ministration, and
to have a ready will to observe all
spiritual discipline; that they having
always the testimony of a good con¬
science, and continuing ever stable and
strong in thy Son Christ, may so well
behave themselves in this inferior office,
that they maybe found worthy to be
called into the higher ministries in thy
Church, through the same thy Son
our Saviour Jesus Christ; to whom be
glory and honor, world without end.
Amen.
Prevent us, 0 Lord, in all our doings,
with thy most gracious favor, and fur¬
ther us with thy continual help; that
in all our works, begun, continued, and
ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy
Sec. 2.] ordination of elders.
197
name, and finally, by tby mercy, obtain
everlasting life, through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
The peace of God, which passeth all
understanding, keep your hearts and
minds in the knowledge and love of
God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our
Lord. And the blessing of God Al¬
mighty, the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Ghost, be among you, and remain
with you always. Amen.
SECTION II.
The Form and Manner of Ordaining Elders.
When the day appointed by the Bishop is come, there
shall be a sermon or exhortation, declaring the duty and
office of such as come to be admitted elders; how neces¬
sary that order is in the Church of Christ, and also
how the people might to esteem, them in their office.
After which one of the elders shall present unto the
Bishop all them that are to be ordained, and say,
I present unto you these persons
present to be ordained elders.
198 ORDINATION OF ELDERS. [CH. 6
Then their names being read aloud, the Bishop shall say
unto the people:
Brethren, these are they whom we
purpose, God willing, this day to or¬
dain elders. For after due examination,
we find not to the contrary, but that
they are lawfully called to this func¬
tion and ministry, and that they are
persons meet for the same. But if
there be any of you who knoweth any
impediment or crime in any of them,
for the which he ought not to be re¬
ceived into this holy ministry, let him
come forth in the name of God, and
show what the crime or impediment is.
[Tf any crime or impediment be objected, the Bishop
shall surcease from ordaining that person until such time
as the party accused shall be found clear of the crime.]
Then shall be said the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel, as fdtr
loweth :
The Collect.
Almighty God, Giver of all good
things, who, by thy Holy Spirit, hast
appointed divers orders of ministers in
Sec. 2.] ordination of elders. 199
tliy Church, mercifully behold these thy
servants, now called to the office of el¬
ders, and replenish them so with the
truth of thy doctrine, and adorn them
with innocency of life, that both by
word and good example they may faith¬
fully serve thee in this office, to the
glory of thy name, and the edification
of thy Church, through the merits of
our Saviour Jesus Christ, who liveth
and reigneth with thee and the Holy
Ghost, world without end. Amen.
The Epistle. Eph. iv. 7—13.
Unto every one of us is given grace
according to the measure of the gift of
Christ. Wherefore he saith, when he
ascended up on high, he led captivity
captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now
that he ascended, what is it but that he
also descended first into the lower parts
of the earth ? He that descended is the
same also that ascended up far above all
heavens, that he might fill all things.)
200 ORDINATIOX OP ELDERS. [CH. 6,
And he gave some apostles; and some,
prophets; and some, evangelists; and
some, pastors and teachers; for the per¬
fecting of the saints, for the work of the
ministry, for the edifying of the body
of Christ, till we all come in the unity
of the faith, and of the knowledge of
the Son of God, unto a perfect man,
unto the measure of the stature of the
fulness of Christ.
After this sho.U be read for the Gospel, part of the tenth
chapter of St. John.
St. John x. 1—16.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He
that entereth not by the door into the
sheepfold, but climbeth up some other
way, the same is a thief and a robber.
But he that entereth in by the door is
the shepherd of the sheep. To him the
porter openeth, and the sheep hear his
voice, and he calleth his own sheep by
name, and leadeth them out. And when
he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth
Sec. 2.J ordination op elders. 201
before them, and the sheep follow him,
for they know his voice. And a stran¬
ger will they not follow, but will flee
from him; for they know not the voice
of strangers. This parable spake Jesus
unto them; but they understood not
what things they were which, he spake
unto them. Then said Jesus unto them
again, Yerily, verily, I say unto you, I
am the door of the sheep. All that ever
came before me are thieves and robbers,
but the sheep did not hear them. I am
the door: by me if any man enter in,
he shall be saved, and shall go in and
out and find pasture. The thief cometh
not but for to steal, and to kill, and to
destroy: I am come that they might
have life, and that they might have it
more abundantly. I am the good shep¬
herd : the good shepherd giveth his life
for the sheep. But he that is a hire¬
ling, and not the shepherd, whose own
the sheep are not, seetli the wolf coming,
9*
202 ORDINATION OF ELDERS. [Cm 6.
leaveth the sheep, and fleeth, and the
wolf eatcheth them, and scattereth the
sheep. The hireling fleeth because he
is a hireling, and careth not for the
sheep. I am the good shepherd, and
know my sheep, and am known of mine.
As the Father knoweth me, even so
know I the Father; and I lay down my
life for the sheep. And other sheep I
have which are not of this fold: them
also I must bring, and they shall hear
my voice, and there shall be one fold
and one shepherd.
And that done, the Bishop shall say unto them as here-
after followeth:
You have heard, brethren, as well in
your private examination as in the ex¬
hortation which was now made to you,
and in the holy lessons taken out of the
Gospel, and the writings of the apostles,
of what dignity and of how great im¬
portance this office is whereunto ye are
called. And now again we exhort you,
Sec. 2.] ordination op elders. 203
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that you have in remembrance into
how high a dignity and to how weighty
an office ye are called: that is to say,
to be messengers, watchmen, and stew¬
ards of the Lord, to teach and to pre-
monisli, to feed and provide for the
Lord's family, to seek for Christ's sheep
that are dispersed abroad, and for his
children who are in the midst of this
evil world, that they may be saved
through Christ for ever.
Have always, therefore, printed in
your remembrance how great a treasure
is committed to your charge. For they
are the sheep of Christ which he bought
with his death, and for whom he shed
his blood. The Church and congrega¬
tion whom you must serve, is his spouse
and his body. And if it shall happen,
the same Church, or any member there¬
of, do take any hurt or hindrance by
reason of your negligence, ye know the
204 ORDINATION OF ELDERS. [CH. 6,
greatness of the fault, and also the horri¬
ble punishment that will ensue. Where¬
fore consider with yourselves the end
of the ministry toward the children of
God, toward the spouse and body of
Christ; and see that you never cease
your labor, your care and diligence, un¬
til you have done all that lieth in you,
according to your bounden duty, to
bring all such as are x>r shall be com¬
mitted to your charge, unto that agree¬
ment in the faith and knowledge of
Glod, and to that ripeness and perfect-
ness of age in Christ, that there be no
place left among you, either for error in
religion, or for viciousness in life.
Forasmuch then as your office is both
of so great excellency, and of so great
difficulty, ye see with how great care
and study ye ought to apply yourselves,
as well that ye may show yourselves
dutiful and thankful unto that Lord
who hath placed you in so high a dig-
Sec. 2.] ordination of elders. 205
nity, as also to beware that neither you
yourselves offend, nor- be occasion that
others offend. Howbeit ye cannot have
a mind and will thereto of yourselves;
for that will and ability is given of God
alone; therefore ye ought and have
need to pray earnestly for his Holy
Spirit. And seeing that ye cannot by
any other means compass the doing of
so weighty a work, pertaining to the
salvation of man, but with doctrine and
exhortation taken out of the Holy Scrip¬
tures, and with a life agreeable to the
same, consider how studious ye ought
to be in reading and learning the Scrip¬
tures, and in framing the manners, both
of yourselves and of them that specially
pertain unto you, according to the rule
of the same Scriptures; and for this
self-same cause, how ye ought to for¬
sake and set aside (as much as you may)
all worldly cares and studies.
We have good hope that you have all
206 ORDINATION OF ELDERS. [OH. 6,
weighed and pondered these things
with yourselves long before this time,
and that you have clearly determined,
by God's grace, to give yourselves
wholly to this office, whereunto it hath
pleased God to call you; so that as
much as lieth -in you, you will apply
yourselves wholly to this one thing, and
draw all your cares and studies this way,
and that you will continually pray to
God the Father, by the mediation of
our only Saviour Jesus Christ, for the
heavenly assistance of the Holy Ghost;
that by daily reading and weighing of
the Scriptures ye may wax riper and
stronger in your ministry; and that ye
may so endeavor yourselves from time
to time to sanctify the lives of you and
yours, and to fashion them after the rule
and doctrine of Christ, that ye may be
wholesome and godly examples and pat¬
terns for the people to follow.
And now that this present congrega-
Sec. 2.] ordination of elders. 207
tion of Christ, here assembled, may also
understand your minds and wills in
these things, and that this your promise
may the more move you to do your du¬
ties, ye shall answer plainly to these
things which we, in the name of Grod
and his Church, shall demand of you
touching the same.
Do you think in your heart that you
are truly called, according to the will
of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the order
of elders ?
Ans. I think so.
The Bishop. Are you persuaded that
the Holy Scriptures contain sufficiently
all doctrine required of necessity for
eternal salvation through faith in Jesus
Christ? And are you determined out
of the said Scriptures -to instruct the
people committed to your charge, and
to teach nothing as required of necessity
to eternal salvation, but that which you
208 ORDINATION OF ELDERS. [CH. 6
shall be persuaded may be concluded
and proved by the Scripture ?
Ans. I am so persuaded, and have so
determined by God's grace.
The Bishop. Will you then give your
faithful diligence always so to minister
the doctrine and sacraments, and the
discipline of Christ, as the Lord hath
commanded ?
Ans. I will so do, by the help of the
Lord.
The Bishop. Will you be ready with
all faithful diligence to banish and drive
away all erroneous and strange doc¬
trines contrary to God's word; and to
use both public and private monitions
and exhortations, as well to the sick as
to the whole within your charge, as
need shall require and occasion shall be
given ?
Ans. I will, the Lord being my
helper.
Sec. 2.] ordination of elders. 209
The Bishop. Will you be diligent in
prayers, and in reading of the Holy
Scriptures, and in such studies as help
to the knowledge of the same, laying
aside the study of the world and the
flesh ?
Ans. I will endeavor so to do, the
Lord being my helper.
The Bishop. Will you be diligent to
frame and fashion yourselves, and your
families, according to the doctrine of
Christ; and to make both yourselves
and them, as much as in you lieth,
wholesome examples and patterns to the
flock of Christ ?
Ans. I shall apply myself thereto,
the Lord being my helper.
The Bishop. Will you maintain and
set forward, as much as lieth in you,
quietness, peace, and love among all
Christian people, and especially among
them that are or shall be committed to
your charge ?
210 ORDINATION OF ELDERS. [CH, 6.
Ans. I will so do/the Lord being my
helper.
The Bishop. Will you reverently
obey your chief ministers, unto whom is
committed the charge and government
over you; following with a glad mind
and will their godly admonitions, sub¬
mitting yourselves to their godly judg¬
ments ?
Ans. I will so do, the Lord being my
helper.
Then shall the Bishop, standing up, say,
Almighty G-od, who hath given you
this will to do all these things, grant
also unto you strength and power to
perform the same; that he may accom¬
plish his work which he hath begun in
you, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
[After this the congregation shall be desired secretly in
their prayers to male their humble supplications to God
for all these things: for the which prayers there shall be
silence kept for a space.]
After which shall be said by the Bishop, (the persons to
be ordained elders all kneeling,) Veni, Creator, Spiritus,
Sec. 2. J origination of elders. 211
the, Bishop beginning, and the elders and others thai
are present answering by verses, asfolloweth;
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire.
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost thy seven-fold, gifts'impart.
Thy blessed unction from above
Is comfort, life, and fire of love.
Enable with perpetual light
The dulness of our blinded sight.
Anoint and cheer our soiled face
With the abundance of thy grace.
Keep far our foes, give peace at home,
Where thou art guide no ill can come.
Teach us to know the Father, Son,
And thee of both to be but one.
That through the ages all along,
This may be our endless song :
Praise to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
That done, the Bishop shall pray in this wise, and say,
Lot us pray.
Almighty God and Heavenly Father.
212 ORDINATION OF ELDERS. [CH. 6.
who, of thine infinite love and goodness
toward us, hast given to us thy only
and most dearly beloved Son Jesus
Christ to be our Redeemer, and the
Author of everlasting life; who, after
he had made perfect our redemption by
his death, and was ascended into heaven,
sent abroad into the world his apostles,
prophets, evangelists, doctors, and pas¬
tors, by whose labor and ministry he
gathered together a great flock in all
parts of the world, to set forth the
eternal praise of thy holy name: for
these so great benefits of thy eternal
goodness, and for that thou hast vouch¬
safed to call these thy servants here
present to the same oflice and ministry
appointed for the salvation of mankind,
we render unto thee most hearty thanks;
we praise and worship thee; and we
humbly beseech thee, by the same thy
blessed Son, to grant unto all who
either here or elsewhere call upon thy
Sec. 2.] ordination' of elders. 213
name, tliat we may continue to show
ourselves thankful unto thee for these,
and all other thy benefits, and that we
may daily increase and go forward in
the knowledge and faith of thee and
thy Son, by the Holy Spirit: so that
as well by these thy ministers, as by
them over whom they shall be appointed
thy ministers, thy holy name may be
for ever glorified, and thy blessed
kingdom enlarged through the same
thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord; who
liveth and reigneth with thee in the
unity of the same Holy Spirit, world
without end. Amen.
When this prayer is done, the Bishop, with the ciders
present, shall lay their hands severally upon the head
of every one that receiveth the order of elders, the re¬
ceivers humbly kneeling upon their knees, and the
Bishop saying,
The Lord pour upon thee the Holy
Ghost for the office and work of an
elder in the Church of God, now com-
mitted unto thee by the imposition of
214 ORDINATION OF ELDERS. [CH. 6.
our hands. And he thou a faithful
dispenser of the word of God, and of
his holy sacraments; in the name of
the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then the Bishop shall deliver to every one of them, InetH
ing, the Bible into his hands, saying,
Take thou authority to preach the
word of God, and to administer the holy
sacraments in the congregation.
Then shall the Bishop say}
Most merciful Father, we beseech
thee to send upon these thy servants
thy heavenly blessings, that they may
be clothed with righteousness, and that
thy word spoken by their mouths may
have such success, that it may never
be.spoken in vain. Grant also that
we may have grace to hear and receive
what they shall deliver out of thy most
holy word, or agreeably to the same,
as the means of our salvation ; and that
in all our words and deeds we may seek
Sec. 2.] ordination of elders. 215
thy glory, and the increase of thy king¬
dom, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Prevent us, 0 Lord, in all our doings,
with thy most gracious favor, and fur¬
ther us with thy continual help, that
in all our works, begun, continued, and
ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy
name, and finally, by thy mercy, ob¬
tain everlasting life, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
The peace of God, which passeth all
understanding, keep your hearts and
minds in the knowledge and love of
God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our
Lord; and the blessing of God Al¬
mighty, the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Ghost, be among you, and remain
with you always. Amen.
[Tf on the same day the order of deacons he given to
some, and that of elders to others, the deacons shall be
first present&l, and then the elders. The Collects shall
both he used: first that for deacons» then that for elders.
The Epistle shall he Ephes. iv. 7 to 13, as before in this
21G ORDINATION OF BISHOPS. [CH. 6
office. Immediately after which, they that arc to be or¬
dained deacons shall he examined and ordained as is
above pi-escribed. Then one of them, having read the
Gospel, which shall be St. John x. 1-16, as before in this
office, they that are to be ordained elders shall likewise
be examined and ordained, as in this office before ap
pointed.]
SECTION III.
The Form of Ordaining a Bishop.
The Collect.
Almighty God, who by thy Son
Jesus Christ didst give to thy holy
apostles many excellent gifts, and didst
charge them to feed thy flock: give
grace, we beseech thee, to all the min¬
isters and pastors of thy Church, that
they may diligently preach thy word
and duly administer the godly disci¬
pline thereof; and grant to the people
that they may obediently follow the
same \ that all may receive the crown
of everlasting glory, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Sec. 3.] ordination of bishops. 217
Then shall be read by one of the elders
The Epistle. Acts xx. 17-35.
From Miletus Paul sent to Ephesus,
and called the elders of the church.
And when they were come to him, he
said unto them, Ye know from the first
day that I came into Asia, after what
manner I have been with you at all
seasons, serving the Lord with all hu¬
mility of mind, and with many tears
and temptations which befell me by the
lying in wait of the Jews; and how I
kept back nothing that was profitable
unto you, but have showed you, and
have taught you publicly and from
house to house, testifying both to the
Jews, and also to the Greeks, repent¬
ance toward God, and faitb toward our
Lord Jesus Christ. And now behold,
I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem,
not knowing the things that shall be¬
fall me there; save that the Holy
Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying
10
218 ORDINATION OF BISHOPS. [CH.6,
that bonds and afflictions abide me,
But none of these things move me,
neither count I my life dear unto my¬
self, so that I might finish my course
with joy, and the ministry which I
have received of the Lord Jesus, to tes¬
tify the gospel of the grace of God.
And now behold I know that ye all,
among whom I have gone preaching
the kingdom of God, shall see my face
no more. Wherefore I take you to
record this day, that I am pure from
the blood of all men. For I have not
shunned to declare unto you all the
counsel of God. Take heed, therefore,
unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over
the which the Holy Ghost hath made
you overseers, to feed the Church of
God' which he hath purchased with his
own blood. For I know this, that after
my departing shall grievous "wolves
enter in among you, not sparing the
flock. Also of your own selves shall
Sec. 3.J ordination of bishops. 219
men arise, speaking perverse things,
to draw away disciples after them.
Therefore watch, and remember that by
the space of three years, I ceased not
to warn every one night and day with
tears. And now, brethren, I commend
you to God, and to the word of his
grace, which is able to build you up,
and to give you an inheritance among
all them which are sanctified. I have
coveted no man's silver, or gold, or ap¬
parel ; yea, ye yourselves know that
these hands have ministered unto my
necessities, and to them that were with
me. I have showed you all things, how
that so laboring ye ought to support
the weak ; and to remember the words of
the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more
blessed to give than to receive.
Then another shall read
The Gospel. St. John xxi. 15—17.
Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon,
220 ORDINATION OF BISHOPS. [CH.6.
son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than
these ? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord]
thou knowest that I love thee. He
saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He
saith to him again the second time, Si¬
mon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me?
He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou
knowest that I love thee. He saith
unto him, Feed my sheep. He saith
unto him the third time, Simon, son of
Jonas, lovest thou me ? Peter was
grieved because he said unto him the
third time, Lovest thou me ? And he
said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all
things : thou knowest that I love thee.
Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Or this: St. Matt, xxviii. 18-20.
Jesus came and spake unto them,
saying, All power is given unto me in
heaven and in earth. Gro ye therefore
and teach all nations, baptizing them
in the name of the Father, and
Sec. 3.] ordination of bishops. 221
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,
teaching them to observe all things
whatsoever I have "commanded you;
and lo, I am with you alway, even unto
the end of the world.
After the Gospel and the sermon are ended, the elected
person shall Represented by two elders unto the Bishop,
saying,
We present unto you this holy man
to be ordained a Bishop.
Then the Bishop shall move the congregation present to
pray, saying thus to them:
Brethren, it is written in the Gospel
of St. Luke, that our Saviour Christ
continued the whole night in prayer
before he did choose and send forth his
twelve apostles. It is written also in
the Acts of the Apostles, that the dis¬
ciples who were at Antioch did fast
and pray before they laid hands on
Paul and Barnabas, and sent them
forth. Let us, therefore, following the
example of our Saviour Christ, and his
apostles, first fall to prayer before
222 ORDINATION OF BISHOPS. [CH.6
we admit and send forth this person
presented to us, to the work whereuntc
we trust tfie Holy Ghost hath called Lira.
Then shall he said this prayer following:
/ilmighty God, Giver of all good
things, who by thy Holy Spirit hast ap¬
pointed divers orders of ministers in thy
Chureh: mercifully behold this thy
servant now called to the work and
ministry of a Bishop, and replenish him
so with the truth of thy doctrine, and
adorn him with innocency of life, that
both hy word and deed he may faith¬
fully serve thee in this office, to the
glory of thy name, and the edifying
and well-governing of thy Church,
through the merits of our Saviour Je¬
sus Christ, who liveth and reigneth
with thee, and the Holy Ghost, world
without end. Amen.
Then the Bishop shall say to him that is to he ordained:
Brother, forasmuch as the Holy
Scripture commands that we should
Sec. 3.] ordination of bishops. 223
not be hasty in laying on hands, and
admitting any person to government in
the Church of Christ, which he hath
purchased with no less price than' the
effusion of his own blood : before I ad¬
mit you to this administration, I will
examine you on certain articles, to the
end that the congregation present may
have a trial, and bear witness how you
are minded to behave yourself in the
Church of God.
Are you persuaded that you are
truly called to this ministration, ac¬
cording to the will of our Lord Jesus
Christ ?
Ans. I am so persuaded.
The Bishop. Are you persuaded
that the Holy Scriptures contain suffi¬
ciently all doctrine required of necessity
for eternal salvation, through faith in
Jesus Christ ? And are you deter¬
mined, out of the same Holy Scrip¬
tures, to instruct the people committed
to your charge, and to teach or main-
224 ORDINATION OF BISHOPS. [Gh.6.
tain nothing as required of necessity to
eternal salvation but that which you
shall be persuaded may be concluded
and proved by the same ?
Ans. I am so persuaded and deter¬
mined by God's grace.
The Bishop. Will you then faith¬
fully exercise yourself in the same
Holy Scriptures, and call upon God by
prayer for the true understanding of the
same, so as you may be able by them to
teach and exhort with wholesome doc¬
trine, and to withstand and convince
the gain say ers ?
Ans. I will do so, by the help of God.
The Bishop. Are you ready with
faithful diligence to banish and drive
away all erroneous and strange doctrines
contrary to God's word, and both pri¬
vately and openly to call upon and en¬
courage others to the same ?
Ans. I am ready, the Lord being my
helper.
The Bishop. Will you deny all un-
Sec. 3.] ordination op bishops. 225
godliness and worldly lusts, and live
soberly, righteously, and godly in this
present world, that you may show your¬
self in all things an example of good
works unto others, that the adversary
may be ashamed, having nothing to say
against you ?
Ans. I will so do, the Lord being
my helper.
The Bishop. Will you maintain and
set forward, as much as shall lie in you,
quietness, love, and peace among all
men ; ahd such as shall be unquiet, dis¬
obedient, and criminal within your dis¬
trict, correct and punish according to
such authority as you Have by God's
word, and as shall be committed unto
you?
Ans. I will do so, by the help of
God?
The Bishop. Will you be faithful in
ordaining, sending, or laying hands
upon others ?
10*
226 ORDINATION OP BISHOPS. [CH. 6.
Ans. I will so be, by tbe help of
God.
The Bishop. Will you show your¬
self gentle, and be merciful for Christ's
sake, to poor and needy people, and to
all strangers destitute of help ?
, Ans. I will so show myself, by God's
help.
Then the. Bishop shall say,
Almighty God, our Heavenly Fa¬
ther, who hath given you a good will to
do all these things, grant also unto you
strength and power to perform the
same; that he accomplishing in you
the good work which he hath begun,
you may be found perfect and irrepre-
hensible at the last day, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then shall Veni, Creator, Spirit us he said:
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire.
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost thy seven-fold gifts impart.
Sec. 3.] ordination of bishops.
227
Thy blessed unction from above
Is comfort, life, and fire of love.
Enable with perpetual light
The dulness of our blinded sight.
Anoint and cheer our soiled face
With the abundance of thy grace.
Keep far our foes, give peace at home,
Where thou art guide no ill can come.
Teach us to know the Father, Son,
And thee of both to be but one.
That through the ages all along,
This may be our endless song:
Praise to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
That ended, the Bishop shall sap,
Lord, hear our prayer.
Ans. Ai". J let our cry come unto thee.
Bishop. Let us pray :
Almighty God and most merciful
Father, who of thine infinite goodness
hast given thine only and dearly-be¬
loved Son Jesus Christ to be our Re-
228 ORDINATION OF BISHOPS. [CH.6.
deemer, and the author of everlasting
life ; who after that he had made per¬
fect our redemption by his death, and
was ascended into heaven, poured down
his gifts abundantly upon men, making
some apostles, some prophets, some
evangelists, some pastors and doctors,
to the edifying and making perfect his
Church: grant, we beseech thee, to
this thy servant, such grace that he
may evermore be ready to spread
abroad thy gospel, the glad tidings of
reconciliation with thee, and use the
authority given him, not to destruction
but to salvation; not to hurt, but to
help; so that as a wise and faithful
servant, giving to thy family their por¬
tion in due season, he may at last be
received into everlasting joy, through
Jesus Christ our Lord, who, with thee
and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reign-
eth, one God, world without end.
Amen.
Sec. 3.] ordination of bishops. 229
Then the Bishop and elders present shall lay their hands
upon the head of the elected person, kneding before
them upon his knees, the Bishop saying,
The Lord pour upon thee the IToly
Ghost for the office and work of a
Bishop in the Church of God now com¬
mitted unto thee by the imposition of
our hands, in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost. Amen. And remember that
thou stir up the grace of God which is
given thee; for God hath not given
us the spirit of fear, but of power, and
love, and soberness.
Then the Bishop shall deliver him the Bible, saying,
Give heed unto reading, exhortation,
and doctrine. Think upon the things
contained in this book. Be diligent in
them, that the increase coming thereby
may be manifest to all men. Take
heed unto thyself, and to thy doc¬
trine ; for by so doing thou shalt both
save thyself and them that hear thee.
230 OKDINATION OF BISHOPS. [CH. 6.
Be to the flock of Christ a shepherd,
not a wolf: feed them, devour them
not. Hold up the weak, heal the sick,
bind up the broken, bring again the
outcast, seek the lost. Be so merciful
that you may not be too remiss;, so
minister discipline that you forget not
mercy; that when the chief Shepherd
shall appear, you may receive the
tiever-fading.crown of glory, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Immediately before, the benediction shall be said the fol¬
lowing prayers:
Most merciful Father, we beseech
thee to send down upon this thy servant
thy heavenly blessing, and so endue
him with thy Holy Spirit, that he,
preaching thy word, may not only be
earnest to reprove, beseech, and re¬
buke with all patience and doctrine, but
also may be to such as believe a whole¬
some example in word, in conversation,
in love, in faith, in chastity, and in
Sec. 3.] ordination op bishops. "231
purity; that, faithfully fulfilling his
course, at the latter day he may re¬
ceive the crown of righteousness laid
up by the Lord, the righteous Judge,
who liveth and reigneth, one God with
the Father and the Holy Ghost, world
without end. Amen.
Prevent us, 0 Lord, in all our do¬
ings with thy most gracious favor, and
further us with thy continual help,
that in all our works, begun, continued,
and ended in thee, we may glorify thy
holy name, and finally, by thy mercy,
obtain everlasting life through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
The peace of God, which passeth all
understanding, keep your hearts and
minds in the knowledge and love of
God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our
Lord; and the blessing of God Al¬
mighty, the Father, the Son, and the
Holy Ghost, be among you, and re¬
main with you always. Amen.
END OF THE SPIRITUAL PART.
232 BOUNDARIES OF THE [PART2.
PART SECOND.
TEMPORAL ECONOMY.
SECTION I.
Boundaries of the Annual Conferences.
1. Kentucky Conference shall
include all that part of the State of
Kentucky that lies north and east of a
line beginning at the mouth of Har-
rod's Creek, on the Ohio river; thence
running south on the northern line of
the Middletown and Jeffersontown Cir¬
cuits, to the Bardstown turnpike road;
thence with said turnpike to Bards¬
town ; thence with the direct road to
Springfield; thence to the towns of
Haysville and Liberty; thence due
SEC. 1.] ANNUAL GONEERENCES. 233
south to the Cumberland river; thence
up said river to the fork; thence up
the south fork to the Tennessee line;
including in this Conference Liberty,
and all that part of the State of Ken¬
tucky not included in other Confer¬
ences.
2. Louisville Conference shall
include all that part of the State of
Kentucky not included in the Ken¬
tucky, Western Virginia, and Memphis
Conferences.
3. Missouri Conference shall in¬
clude all that part of the State of Mis¬
souri north of the Missouri river.
4. St. Louis Conference shall in¬
clude all that part of the State of Mis¬
souri south of the Missouri river.
5. Kansas Mission • Conference
shall include the Kansas Territory, and
that part of the Territory of New
Mexico not included in the Pacific
Conference.
234 BOUNDARIES OF THE [PART2
6. Tennessee Conference shall in.
elude Middle Tennessee, and that part
of North Alabama watered by those
streams flowing into the Tennessee
river.
7. Holston Conference shall in¬
clude East Tennessee; that part of
Virginia which is now embraced in the
Wytheville, Abingdon, and Rogers-
ville Districts; that part of North
Carolina lying west of the Blue Ridge;
a small portion east of the Blue Ridge,
embraced in Catawba Circuit, and what
is in the Wytheville District; and that
part of the State of Georgia beginning
on the State line of Tennessee, at the
eastern part of the Lookout Mountain,
and running with the base of Lookout
Mountain to the Alabama line; and
thence north with the said line to the
State line of Tennessee.
8. Memphis Conference shall be
bounded on the east by the Tombigbee
SEC. 1.] ANNUAL CONFERENCES. 235
river, Alabama State line, and Tennes¬
see river; on the north by the Ohio
and Mississippi rivers; west by the
Mississippi river; and south by a line
running due east from th,e Mississippi
river to the south-west corner of Tal¬
lahatchie county; thence due east to
the south-eastern corner of Yallabusha
county; thence in a straight line to
the north-western corner of Oktibaha
county; thence due east to Tibby
Creek; and thence with said creek to
the Tombigbee river.
9. Mississippi Conference shall
include all the State of Mississippi not
included in the Memphis and Alabama
Conferences, together with' so much of
the State of Louisiana as is north of Ba¬
you Man shack, Amite river, Lakes Mare-
pas, Ponchartrain, and Bourne, except
Baton Rouge.
10. Louisiana Conference shall
include all the State of Louisiana not
236 BOUNDARIES OF THE [PART2.
included in the Mississippi Confer¬
ence.
11. Virginia Conference shall be
bounded on the east by the Atlantic
Ocean ; on the north by the Potomac
river, Chesapeake Bay, and those por¬
tions of the States of Maryland and
Delaware which have adhered or may
hereafter adhere South; on the west
by the Alleghany Mountains, beginning
at the western extremity of the State
of Maryland, and extending to the
county of Bath, vV • thence by
eastern line of said county to Alleghany
county; thence by the eastern line of
said county to Boanoke county; thence
by the western and southern line of
said county to the top of the Blue
Bidge; thence by the top of the Blue
Bidge to the State line; and on the
south by Albemarle Sound and Boan¬
oke river up to its intersection with
ihe State liae; thence by said line to
the top of the Blue Bidge.
SEC. l.J ANNUAL CONFERENCES. 237
12. Western Virginia Confer-
ence shall include all that part of the
State of Virginia which is or may be
under our jurisdiction, not included in
the Virginia, North Carolina, and Hol-
ston Conferences, and also that part of
the State of Kentucky embraced in the
Gruyandotte District.
13. North Carolina Conference
shall be bounded on the east by the At¬
lantic Ocean; on the north by Albe¬
marle Sound and Roanoke river to that
point where it is intersected by the
State line; and thence with the said
line to the top of the Blue Ridge, in¬
cluding the counties of Wilkes, Alex¬
ander, and Iredell; on the south by
the south lines of Iredell, Rowan, the
Yadkin and Peedee rivers, and the
State line to the ocean.
14. South Carolina Conference
shall include the State of South Caro¬
lina, and so much of the State of North
238 BOUNDARIES OF THE [PART2.
Carolina as is not included in other
Conferences.
15. Georgia Conference shall in¬
clude all the State of Georgia except
a small portion included in the Holston
Conference, and that part which lies
south of a line commencing at Fort
Gaines, on the Chattahoochee river,
running thence in a direct line to Al¬
bany, on Flint river; thence along the
line of the Ocmulgee and Flint River
Railroad to the Alapaha river; thence
in a direct line to House Creek, where
it enters the Ocmulgee; thence down
said river to the Altamaha; thence
down the Altamaha to the Atlantic
Ocean : it shall also include the town
of Girard, Alabama.
16. Alabama Conference shall- in¬
clude all that part of the State of Ala¬
bama not included in the Tennessee
andGeorgia Conferences; West Florida,
except Apalachicola; and the counties
SEC. 1.] ANNUAL CONFERENCES. 239
of Jackson, Greene, Wayne, Clarke,
Lauderdale, Kemper, Lowndes, Noxu¬
bee, that part of Monroe east of
the Tombigbee river, and that part of
Ittawamba east of Bull Mountain Creek,
in the State of Mississippi.
17. Ftjorida Conference shall in¬
clude all that part of the State of Geor¬
gia not included in the Georgia Con¬
ference, and all of the State of Florida
not included in the Alabama Confer¬
ence.
18. Bio Grande Mission Confer¬
ence shall include all that part of the
State of Texas west of the Texas Con¬
ference, including Fredericksburg.
19. Texas Conference shall be
bounded east by the Trinity river, to
the source of the west fork j north by
the State line; south by the sea-coast
to the mouth of the Guadalupe river;
thence up said river to where it is
crossed by the road from San Antonio
240 BOUNDARIES OP THE [PART 2
to Fredericksburg ; thence on said road
to Fort Mason; thence due north to
the Colorado river; thence up said
river to the Big Spring; thence due
north to the State line.
20. East Texas Conference shall
embrace all that part of the State of
Texas east of a line beginning at the
east pass of the Bay of Galveston;
thence through said bay to the mouth
of Trinity river; thence up said river
to the source of the west fork of the
same; and thence due north to Red
river.
21. Arkansas Conference shall
include all the State of Arkansas north
of a line commencing at the mouth of
White river, and running thence up
said river to the mouth of Des Arc
Bayou; thence up said bayou to the
mouth of Cypress Bayou; thence up
said bayou to its head; thence down
the Palarm Creek to the Arkansas
SEC. 1.] ANNUAL CONFERENCES. 241
river; thence up said river to the
mouth of the Petit Jean; thence along
the line between Yell and Perry coun¬
ties to the south-west corner of Perry;
thence in a direct line to the south¬
west corner of Yell county; and thence
due west to the western line of the
State.
22. Wachita Conference shall in¬
clude all the State of Arkansas not in¬
cluded in the Arkansas Conference.
23. Pacific Conference shall in¬
clude the State of California, and that
part of the Territory of New Mexico
west of the Rocky Mountains.
24. Indian Mission Conference
shall be bounded on the north by the
Territory of Kansas, east by the States
of Missouri and Arkansas, south by
Red river, and west by the Rocky
Mountains.
11
242
BUILDING AND [PART2.
SECTION II.
Of Building and Securing Churches.
Quest. 1. Is any thing advisable iu
regard to building ?
Ans. 1. Let all our churches be built
plain and decent, and with free seats;
but not more expensive than is abso¬
lutely unavoidable.
2. In order more effectually to pre¬
vent our people from contracting debts
which they are not able to discharge, it
shall be the duty of the Quarterly Con¬
ference of every circuit and station,
where it is contemplated to build a
house or houses of worship, to secure
the ground or lot on which such house
or houses are to be built, according to
our deed of settlement, which deed
must be legally executed; and also said
Quarterly Conference shall appoint a ju¬
dicious committee of at least three mem-
SEC. 2.] SECURING CHURCHES. 243
bers of our Church, who shall form an
estimate of the amount necessary to
build; and three-fourths of the money,
according to such estimate, shall be se¬
cured or subscribed before any such
building shall be commenced.
3. In all cases where debts for build¬
ing houses of worship have been or
may be incurred-contrary to or in dis¬
regard of the above recommendation,
our members and friends are requested
to discountenance, by declining pecu¬
niary aid to all agents who shall travel
abroad beyond their own circuits or dis¬
tricts, for the collection of funds for the
discharge of such debts, except in such
peculiar cases as may be approved by
an Annual Conference, or such agents
as may be appointed by their authority.
4. In future, we will admit no char¬
ter, deed, or conveyance for any house
of worship to be used by us, unless it
244 BUILDING AND [PART 2.
be provided in such charter, deed, or
conveyance, that the trustees of said
house shall at all times permit such
ministers and preachers, belonging to
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
as shall from time to time be duly au •
thorized by the General Conference of
the ministers of our Church, or by the
Annual Conferences, to preach and ex¬
pound God's holy word, and to execute
the discipline of the Church, and to
administer the sacraments therein, ac¬
cording to the true meaning and pur¬
port of our deed of settlement.
5. As it is contrary to our economy
to build houses with pews to sell or rent,
it shall be the duty of the several An¬
nual Conferences to use their influence
to prevent houses from being so built in
future; and as far as possible to make
those houses free which have already
been built with pews.
Sec. 2.] securing churches. 245
Quest. 2. What shall he done for the
security of our preaching -houses, and
the premises belonging thereto ?
Arts. Let the following plan of a deed
of settlement be brought into effect in
all possible cases, and as far as the laws
of the States respectively will admit of
it. But each Annual Conference is au¬
thorized to make such modification in
the deeds as they may find the different
usages and customs of law require in
the different States and territories, so as
to secure the premises firmly by deed,
and permanently to the Methodist Epis¬
copal Church, South, according to the
true intent and meaning of the follow¬
ing form of a deed of settlement; any
thing in the said form to the contrary
notwithstanding:
This Indenture, made this
day of in the year of our Lord
one thousand hundred and
between of the in the
246
building and
[Part 2.
State of (if the grantor be
married, insert the name of his wife)
of the one part, and trustees,
in trust for the uses and purposes here¬
inafter mentioned, all of the
in the State of aforesaid, of the
other part, WITNESSETH, that the said
(if married, insert the name
of his wife) for and in consideration
of the sum of specie, to
in hand paid, at and upon the seal¬
ing and delivery of these presents, the
receipt whereof is hereby aeknowlec[ged,
hath (or have) given, granted, bargained,
sold, released, confirmed, and conveyed,
and by these presents doth (or do) give,
grant, bargain, sell, release, confirm, and
convey unto them, the said
and their successors, (trus¬
tees in trust for the uses and purposes
hereinafter mentioned and declared,) all
the estate, right, title, interest, property,
claim, and demand whatsoever, either in
Sec. 2.] securing churches. 247
law or equity, which, he the said
(if married, here iq^ert the name
of his wife) hath (or have) in, to, or
upon all and singular a certain lot, or
piece of land, situate, lying, and being
in the and State aforesaid, bound¬
ed and butted as follows, to wit, (here
insert the several courses and distances
of the land to the place of beginning,)
containing and laid out for
acres of land, together with all and sin¬
gular the houses, woods, waters, ways,
priyileges, and appurtenances thereto
belonging, or in any wise pertaining:
to have and to hold all and singular
the above-mentioned and described lot
or piece of land, situate, lying, and be¬
ing as aforesaid, together with all and
singular the houses, woods, waters,
ways, and privileges thereto belonging,
or in any wise appertaining unto them
the said and their successors
in office for ever in trust, that they shall
248
BUILDING AND [PART 2.
erect and build, or cause to be erected
and built th|jreon, a bouse or place of
worship for the use of the members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
according to the rules and discipline
which from time to time may be agreed
upon and adopted by the ministers and
preachers of the said Church at their
General Conferences; and in further
trust and confidence that they shall at
all times, for ever hereafter, permit such
ministers and preachers belonging to
the said Church, as shall from time to
time be duly authorized by the General
Conferences of the ministers and preach¬
ers of the said Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, or by the Annual Con¬
ferences authorized by the said General
Conference, to preach and expound
God's holy word therein. And the
said doth by these presents war¬
rant, and for ever defend, all and singu¬
lar the before-mentioned and described
Sec. 2.] securing churches. 249
lot or piece of land, with the appurte¬
nances thereto belonging, unto them
the said and their successors,
chosen and appointed as aforesaid, from
the claim or claims of him the said
his heirs and assigns, and from the
claim or claims of all persons whatever.
In testimony whereof, the said
(if married, insert the name of his wife)
have hereto set their hands and seals,
the day and year aforesaid.
Sealed and delivered in h
the presence of us, y
(Two witnesses.) J
Grantor's (L. S.)
His wife's (L. S.)
Received the day of the dateh
of the above written in- I
denture, the consideration I
therein mentioned in full. J
Witness.] Grantor's (L. S.)
11*
250 BUILDING CHURCHES. [PART 2,
County, ss.
Be it rememdered, that on the
day of in the year of our Lord
one thousand personally ap¬
peared before me, one of the justices
of the peace, in and for the county
of and State of the within-
named the grantor (if married, in¬
sert the name of his wife) acknowledged
the within deed of trust to be their act
and deed, for the uses and purposes
therein mentioned and declared; and
she the said wife of the said
being separate and apart from her said
husband, by me examined, declared
that she had made the same acknow¬
ledgment freely, and with her own
consent, without being induced thereto
through fear or threats of her said hus¬
band. In testimony whereof I have
hereto set my hand and seal the day
and year first above written.
Here the justice's name. (L. S.)
Sec. 3.] r arson ages.
251
SECTION III.
Of Parsonages.
Quest. What advice or direction shall
be given concerning the building or
renting of dwelling-houses for the use
of the married travelling preachers ?
Ans. 1. It is recommended to the tra¬
velling preachers to advise our friends
in general to purchase a lot of ground in
each circuit, and to build a preacher's
house thereon, and to furnish it with at
least heavy furniture, and to settle the
same on trustees appointed by the Quar¬
terly Conference, according to the deed
of settlement published in our form of
Discipline.
2. The General Conference recom¬
mend to all the circuits, in cases where
they are not able to comply with the
above request, to rent a house for the
married preacher and his family, (when
such are stationed upon their circuits
252
parsonages.
[Part 2.
respectively,) and that the Annual Con¬
ferences do assist to make up the rents
of such houses as far as they can, when
the circuit cannot do it. The stewards
of each circuit and station shall be a
standing committee (where no trustees
are constituted for that purpose) to
provide houses for the families of our
married preachers, or to assist the
preachers to obtain houses for them¬
selves when they are appointed to labor
among them.
3. It shall be the duty of the presi¬
ding elders and preachers to use their
influence to carry the above rules re¬
specting building and renting houses
for the accommodation of preachers and
their families into effect. In order to
this, each Quarterly Conference shall
appoint a committee, (unless other mea¬
sures have been adopted,) who, with the
advice and aid of the preachers and pre¬
siding elders, shall devise such means
Sec. 3.]
parsonages.
253
as may seem fit to raise moneys for that
purpose. And it is recommended to the
Annual Conferences to make a special in¬
quiry of their members respecting this
part of their duty.
4. Those preachers who refuse to oc¬
cupy the houses which may he provided
for them on the stations and circuits
where they are from time to time ap¬
pointed, shall be allowed nothing for
house-rent, nor receive any thing more
than quarterage for themselves, their
wives and children, and their travelling
expenses. Nevertheless, this rule shall
not apply to those preachers whose fami¬
lies are either established within the
bounds of their circuits, or are so situ¬
ated that, in the judgment of the stew¬
ards, or the above-mentioned commit¬
tee, it is not necessary, for the benefit
of the circuit, to remove them.
254
trustees.
[Part 2.
SECTION IV.
Of the Trustees.
1. Let nine trustees be appointed fol
holding Church property, when proper
persons can be procured, otherwise seven
or five.
2. No person shall be eligible as a trus¬
tee of any of our parsonages or churches
who is not a member of our Church,
and at least twenty-one years of age.
3. In the appointment of trustees—
except where the laws of the State
or Territory provide differently—the
preacher in charge, or, in his absence,
the presiding elder, shall have the
right of nomination, subject to the con¬
firmation or rejection of the Quarterly
Conference. All vacancies in the
Board of Trustees, occasioned by death,
separation from our Church, or other¬
wise, shall be filled without delay.
4. The board or boards of trustees
Sec. 4.J
trustees.
255
of every circuit, station, or mission shall
he responsible to the Quarterly Confer
ence of said circuit, station, or mission,
and shall be required to present a re¬
port of their acts during the preceding
year, to the last Quarterly Conference,
which shall have power to dismiss any
of them from office.
5. When any circuit, station, or mis¬
sion shall be divided into two or more
charges, each separate charge may consti¬
tute a new board or boards of trustees, as
provided for above; and the Church pro¬
perty held by the trustees of the original
charge shall be conveyed to the new
boards thus created, and the former
board or boards shall be freed from all
pecuniary liabilities, such being trans¬
ferred to the new boards respectively.
6. The trustees, with the consent of
the preacher in charge and the Quar¬
terly Conference, shall have power to
sell any church, or parsonage property,
256
trustees.
[Part 2.
which has gone out of use, or should
be removed to another place, the pro¬
ceeds of which shall be under the di¬
rection of the Quarterly Conference.
7. If the said trustees, or any of them,
or their successors, have advanced, or
shall advance, any sum or sums of money,
or are or shall be responsible for any
sum or sums of money, on account
of Church property, and they, the
said trustees, or their successors, be
obliged to pay the said sum or sums
of money, they, or a majority of
them, shall be authorized to raise
the said sum or sums of money by a
mortgage on the said property, or by
selling the said property, after notice
given to the preacher in charge, or the
presiding elder of the district, if the
money due be not paid to the said trus¬
tees, or their successors, within one
year after such notice has been given;
and if such sale take place, the
Sec. 4.]
trustees.
257
said trustees, or their successors, after
paying the debt and other expenses
which are due from the money aris¬
ing from such sale, shall pay over
the remainder of the money pro¬
duced by the said sale to the stew¬
ard, or stewards, of the circuit, station,
or mission; which surplus of the pro¬
duce of said sale shall be forwarded by
the said steward, or stewards, to the
Quarterly Conference within whose
bounds it is situated, at its next ses¬
sion ; which said Quarterly Conference
shall dispose of the said money, by a
vote of the majority, for the use of the
said circuit, station, or mission.
8. No person who is a trustee shall
be ejected while he is in joint security
for money, unless such relief be given
him as is demanded, or the creditor
will accept.
258
STEWARDS.
[Part 2.
SECTION V.
Of the Stewards.
1. In every circuit and station, and
also, wherever practicable, in every mis¬
sion, there shall be not less than three
nor more than seven stewards, elected
annually, one of whom shall be the re¬
cording steward.
2. In the appointment of stewards,
the preacher in charge shall have the
right of nomination, subject to the-con¬
firmation or rejection of the Quarterly
Conference.
3. Let the stewards be men of solid
piety, who both know and love the
Methodist doctrine and discipline, and
of good natural and acquired abilities
to transact the temporal business of the
Church.
4. It shall be the duty of the stew¬
ards to take an exact account of all the
money, or other provision collected for
Sec. 5.] stewards. 259
the support of preachers in the circuit;
to make an accurate return of every ex¬
penditure of money, whether to the
preachers, the sick, or the poor; to
seek the needy and distressed in order
to relieve and comfort them; to inform
the preachers of any sick or disorderly
persons; to tell the preachers what
they think wrong in them; to attend
the quarterly meetings of their circuit;
to give advice, if asked, in planning the
circuit; to attend committees for the
application of money to churches; to
give counsel in matters of arbitration;
to provide elements for the Lord's Sup¬
per; to appoint some one in every
class to receive contributions from the
members for the support of the min¬
istry and other purposes, and to obtain
from each collector thus appointed the
money received by him, that it may be
reported at the Quarterly Conference;
to take up collections quarterly in
2G0
support of [Part 2.
every congregation, if it be necessary;
to write circular letters to the classes to
be more liberal, if need be; as also to
let them know, when occasion requires,
the financial state of the circuit, station,
or mission, as reported at the Quarterly
Conference.
5. The stewards shall be account¬
able for the faithful performance of
their duties to the Quarterly Confer¬
ence, which shall have the power to
remove them from office.
SECTION VI.
Support of the Ministry.
1. The allowance of the Bishops shall
be estimated by the Committee on
Episcopacy of the General Conference,
and they shall divide the amount be¬
tween the Annual Conferences and the
Missionary Society, as herein provided.
Sec. 6.]
the ministry.
261
2. The amount necessary for the sup¬
port of the Bishops shall be divided
between the Annual Conferences and
the Missionary Society, as follows:
The Annual Conferences shall pay sev¬
enty per cent, of the whole amount, and
the Missionary Society shall pay thirty
per cent, of the whole amount.
3. Let seventy per cent, of the whole
amount be divided among the Annual
Conferences, according to their ability
to pay; provided, that no account shall
be taken of the Pacific Conference or
of the Mission Conferences.
4. The Book Agent shall be author¬
ized to draw on the Chairman of the
Board of Stewards of each Annual Con¬
ference for its annual apportionment,
which shall be paid during the session
of the Annual Conference.
5. The Annual Conferences shall be
allowed to adopt their own plan for
raising said fund; but should no special
262
support of
[Part 2.
plan be adopted for tbe raising of said
fund, in that case the Chairman of the
Board of Stewards of the Annual Con¬
ference shall levy a per cent, on the Con¬
ference funds sufficient to pay the draft
of the Book Agent.
6. The Bishops shall divide seventy
per cent, of their annual allowance into
four equal instalments, and shall draw
for the amount on the Book Agent
quarterly.
7. The Bishops shall divide thirty
per cent, of their annual allowance into
two equal instalments, and draw for the
same semi-annually, on the Treasurer
of the Missionary Society.
8. The Book Agent shall pay the
travelling expenses of the Bishops out
of the proceeds of the Publishing
House, and the Bishops shall be at
liberty, when they deem it necessary,
to draw for any amount not exceeding
one hundred dollars in advance. They
Sec. 6.J the ministry. 2G3
shall keep an account current of their
travelling expenses, and make an ex¬
hibit of the same once a year to the
Book Agent.
9. The claims of the Book Agent,
Financial Secretary, and editors, at
Nashville, shall be estimated by the
Book Committee.
10. The claims of the editors of our
other Church periodicals shall be esti¬
mated by their respective publishing
committees.
11. The claims of missionaries labor¬
ing on colored missions shall be esti¬
mated by the stewards of the circuit or
station within whose limits the largest
portion of the mission may be located :
in'those cases where the mission is not
within the bounds of any work, the al¬
lowance shall be estimated by the mis¬
sion committee of the Annual Confer¬
ence, as provided for-by the Discipline.
12. The allowance of presiding el-
264 support of [Part 2.
ders shall be estimated by tbe district
stewards' meeting.
13. Tbe claims of preachers on cir¬
cuits and stations shall be estimated by
their respective boards of stewards.
14. The Book Agent, Financial Sec¬
retary, and editors, at Nashville, shall
be supported by the proceeds of the
Publishing House at Nashville.
15. The editors of our other Church
periodicals shall depend upon their re¬
spective proceeds for their support.
16. The missionaries to the people
of color, in favor of whom no drafts are
drawn, shall draw on any missionary
money raised within the bounds of their
missions—not otherwise directed by
the donors—to the amount of their
claims; and they shall report the
amount of their receipts to the Annual
Conference.
17. The Book- Committee shall re¬
port to the General Conference the
Sec. 6.] the ministry.
265
amounts paid to those for whom they
estimate.
18. In all the foregoing cases,, ex¬
cept agents of depositories and native
preachers in our mission work, the al¬
lowance of the preachers respectively
shall be only one hundred and fifty dol¬
lars for a single man : three hundred
dollars for a married man : for preach¬
ers' children under seven years of age,
twenty-five dollars : for children (of
seven and under sixteen years of age,
forty dollars: for supernumerary and
superannuated ministers, their wives
and children, and the widows and or¬
phans of deceased ministers, the same
amounts respectively. The amount es¬
timated over and above the foregoing
allowances, shall be for family and
travelling expenses.
19. Those preachers whose wives are
dead shall be allowed for each child
annually a sum sufficient to pay the
12
266
support op [Part 2.
board of sucb cbild or children during
the above term of years; nevertheless,
this rule shall not apply to the children
of preachers whose families are provided
for by other means in their circuits re¬
spectively. On the death of a preacher
leaving a child or children, without so
much of worldly goods as is necessary
to his, her, or their support, the An¬
nual Conference of which he was a
member shall raise, in such manner as
may be deemed best, an annual sum for
the subsistence and education of such
orphan child or children, until he, she,
or they shall have arrived at sixteen years
of age : the amount of which annual
sum shall be fixed by a committee of
the Conference at each session in ad¬
vance.
20. Whenever a local preacher fills
the place of a travelling preacher by the
approbation of the presiding elder, he
shall be paid for his time a sum pro-
Sec. 6.]
the ministry.
267
portional to the allowance of a travel¬
ling preacher; which sum shall be
paid bj the circuit at the next quarterly
meeting, if the travelling preacher
whose place he filled up were either
sick or necessarily absent; or, in other
cases, out of the allowance of the tra¬
velling preacher.
21. If a local preacher be distressed
in his temporal circumstances, on ac¬
count of his service in the circuit, he
may apply to the Quarterly Conference,
who may give him what relief they
judge proper, after the allowance of
the travelling preachers and of their
wives, and all other regular allowances,
are discharged.
22. Every superannuated preacher
who may reside without the bounds of
the Conference of which he is a mem¬
ber, shall annually forward to his Con¬
ference a certificate of his Christian and
ministerial conduct, together with an
268
support of [Part 2.
account of the number and circum¬
stances of his family, signed by the
presiding elder of the district, or the
preacher in charge of the circuit or
station within whose bounds he may
reside; without which, the Conference
shall not be required to allow his claim.
But in all cases the Annual Conference
may determine who among its superan¬
nuated members, or their widows and
orphans, are properly claimants on its
funds.
23. When a preacher is employed
by the presiding elder to fill the place
of another preacher in a circuit or sta¬
tion in his absence, the preacher so em¬
ployed shall be paid for his labors out
of the allowance of the absent preacher,
in proportion to the usual allowance.
24. The more effectually to raise the
amount necessary to meet the above-
mentioned allowances, let there be made
weekly class collections in all our
Sec. 6.]
the ministry.
269
churches where it is practicable; and
also for the support of missions and
missionary schools under our care.
25. If there he a surplus of the pub¬
lic money in one or more circuits in a
district, the presiding elder shall re¬
ceive such surplus; provided he do not
receive more than his annual allowance.
In case of a deficiency in his allowance,
after such surplus is paid him, or if
there be no surplus, he shall share with
the preachers of his district in propor¬
tion with what they have respectively
received, so that he receives no more
than the amount of his allowance upon
the whole : he shall be accountable to
the Annual Conference for what he re¬
ceives as his allowance.
26, There shall he a meeting in
every district, of one steward from
each station and circuit, to be selected
from among the stewards by the Quar-
270
support of
[Part 2,
terly Conference, whose duty it shall
be, by and with the advice of the pre¬
siding elder, (who shall preside at such
meeting,) to take into consideration the
general state of the district in regard
to temporalities, and to furnish a house,
fuel, and table expenses, for the pre¬
siding elder, and to apportion his en¬
tire claim among the different circuits
and stations in the district according to
their several ability.
27. Every preacher who has the
charge of a circuit shall earnestly re¬
commend to every class or church in
his circuit to raise a quarterly or an¬
nual collection by voluntary contribu¬
tion, or in such other way or manner
as they may judge most expedient from
time to time; and the moneys so col¬
lected shall be lodged with the steward
or stewards of the circuit, to be brought
or sent to the Annual Conference, with
Sec. 6.] the ministry.
271
a regular account of the sums raised for
this purpose in the classes or churches
respectively.
28. Wherever there remains in the
hands of the stewards a surplus of the
moneys raised for the use of the circuit
preachers, after paying "the allowances
of the preachers in the circuit, let such
surplus be brought or sent to the An¬
nual Conference.
29. Every preacher who has the
charge of a circuit shall make an an¬
nual collection, and, if expedient, a
quarterly one, in every congregation
where there is a probability that the
people will be willing to contribute; and
the money so collected shall be lodged
in the hands of the steward or stewards,
and brought or sent to the ensuing An¬
nual Conference. To this end, he may
read and enlarge upon the following
hints:
"How shall we send laborers into
272
support of [Part 2.
those parts where they are most of all
wanted ? Many are willing to hear,
but not to bear the expense. Nor can
it as yet be expected of them. Stay
till the word of God has touched their
hearts, and then they will gladly pro¬
vide for them that preach it. Does it
not lie upon us, in the mean time, to
supply their lack of service ? To raise
money out of which, from time to
time, that expense may be defrayed'{
By this means those who willingly
offer themselves may travel through
every part, whether there be churches
or not, and stay wherever there is a
call, without being burdensome to any.
Thus may the gospel, in the life and
power thereof, be spread from sea to
sea Which of you will not rejoice to
throw in your mite to promote this
glorious work ? Besides this, in carry¬
ing on so large a work through the con¬
tinent,. there are calls for money in
SEO. 6.] THE MINISTRY. 273
various ways, and we must frequently
be at a considerable expense, or tbe
work must be at a full stop. Many,
too, are tbe occasional distresses of our
preachers, or their families, which re¬
quire an immediate supply, otherwise
their hands would hang down, if they
were not constrained to depart from the
work. The money contributed will be
brought to the ensuing Conference. Men
and brethren, help ! Was there ever a call
like this since you first heard the gospel
sound ? Help to relieve your compan¬
ions in the kingdom of Jesus who are
pressed above measure. Bear ye one
another's burdens, and so fulfil the
law of Christ. Help to send forth able
and willing laborers into your Lord's
harvest: so shall ye be assistants in
saving souls from death, and hiding a
multitude of sins. Help to propagate
the gospel of your salvation to the re¬
motest corners of the earth, till the
12*
274 support- of [Part 2.
knowledge of our Lord shall cover the
land as the waters cover the sea. So
shall it appear to ourselves and all men
that we are indeed one body, united by
one spirit; so shall the baptized hea¬
thens be yet again constrained to say,
' See how these Christians love one
another!'"
80. A public collection shall be
made at every Annual and every Gen¬
eral Conference, for the above purposes.
31. Out of the moneys so collected,
and brought to the respective Annual
Conferences, let the various allowances
be made up; but in no case shall an
allowance be made to any travelling
preacher who has travelled in any cir¬
cuit where he might, in the judgment
of the Annual Conference, have ob¬
tained his full quarterage, if he had
applied for it; and if at any Conference
there remain a surplus after making up
all such allowances, the Conference
Sec. 6.]
the ministry.
275
shall send such surplus forward to that
Conference they judge to be the most
necessitous.
32. Every Annual Conference has
full liberty to adopt and recommend
such plans and rules as to them may
appear necessary the more effectually
to raise supplies for the respective al¬
lowances. Each Annual Conference is
authorized to raise a fund, if they
judge it proper, subject to its own con¬
trol, and under such regulations as
their wisdom may direct, for the relief
of the distressed travelling, superan¬
nuated, and supernumerary preachers,
their wives, widows, and children, as
also for missionary and educational pur¬
poses.
33. It shall be the duty of each An¬
nual Conference to take measures, from
year to year, to raise moneys in every
circuit and station within its bounds,
"br the relief of its necessitous superan-
276 SUPPORT OF MINISTRY. [PART 2.
nuated and supernumerary ministers,
widows, and orphans. And the Con¬
ference shall annually appoint a com¬
mittee to estimate the several sums
necessary to be allowed for the extra
expenses of such necessitous claimants,
who shall be paid in proportion to the
estimates made and the moneys in hand.
84. If the respective allowances are
not raised as provided for, the Church
shall not he accountable for the defi¬
ciency, as in a case of debt.
35. To defray the expenses of the
delegates composing the General Con¬
ference, a collection shall be taken up
in each circuit and station some time
previously to the sitting of the Confer¬
ence, and the sums so collected shall be
applied by the delegates of the Annual
Conferences respectively in which such
collections shall be made, in proportion
to the expenses of the several delegates,
who shall report to their Conference at
its next session.
Sec. 7.] support of missions.
277
SECTION VII.
Support of Missions.
1. The Constitution of the Mission¬
ary Society is as follows :
Article I. This association, denomi¬
nated, "The Missionary Society of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South,"
is established for the purpose of afFord-
ing to the several Annual Conferences
of said Church the facilities of a com¬
mon organization, under the control of
the General Conference, for carrying
on their missionary labors, at home and
in foreign countries.
Art. II. The payment of two dollars
annually shall constitute a member of
the Society; and the payment of twenty
dollars at one time, a member for life.
And the missionary collections shall be
so taken as to enable each contributor
to give such direction to his'donation
as he may desire, whether to domestic
278 support of missions. part 2.
or foreign missions; and the amounts
so contributed shall be distinguished
in the reports of the Treasurer.
Art. III. The officers of this So¬
ciety shall consist of a president, ten
vice presidents, a secretary, a treasurer,
and three assistant treasurers, one of
whom shall reside in Charleston, S. C.,
one in New Orleans, La., and one in
St. Louis, Mo., which officers, together
with sixteen managers, shall form a
board for the transaction of business.
They shall all be members of the Method¬
ist Episcopal Church, South, and shall
be annually elected by the Society, ex¬
cept the secretary, treasurer, and as¬
sistant treasurers, who shall be elected
by the General Conference.
Art. IY. The board shall have au¬
thority to make by-laws for regulating
its own proceedings; to appropriate
money to defray incidental expenses;
to provide for the support of superan-
Sec. 7.] support of missions. 279
nuated missionaries, and widows and
orphans of missionaries, who may not
be provided for by any Annual Confer¬
ence ; (it being understood that they
shall not receive more than is allowed
by the Discipline to other superan¬
nuated ministers, widows, and orphans;)
and to print books for the Indian, Ger¬
man, Domestic, and Foreign Missions;
and shall present a statement of its
transactions and funds to the Society at
each of its annual meetings, and shall
also lay before the General Conference
of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, a report of all its transactions,
and a statement of its funds, up to some
convenient day, nea*r, and prior to, the
time of holding the General Confer¬
ence.
Art. V. The annual meeting for the
election of officers and managers shall
be held in Nashville, Tennessee, on the
third Monday in April.
280 support of missions. [Part 2.
Art. YI. At all meetings of the So¬
ciety, the president, or, in his ab¬
sence, one of the vice presidents, or, in
their absence, a member appointed by
the meeting, shall preside.
Art. YII. Twenty members at all
meetings of the Society, and nine at all
meetings of the board of managers,
shall be a quorum.
Art. YIII. The minutes of each
meeting shall be signed by the presid¬
ing officer and the secretary.
Art. IX. It is recommended that
each Annual Conference establish a
Conference Missionary Society, auxili¬
ary to this institution, under such regu¬
lations as they shall severally adopt, or
the General Conference order. Each
Conference Society shall annually trans¬
mit to the secretary of this Society at
Nashville, Tenn., a copy of its annual
report, embracing the operations within
its bounds, and shall also notify the
Sec. 7.] support of missions. 281
treasurer of tlie amount of funds avail¬
able for the missionary cause, which
amount shall he subject to the order of
the treasurer of this Society.
Art. X. There shall he an an¬
nual meeting of the Bishops and
board of managers, when they shall
make the appropriations for the year
ensuing; determine what fields shall
be accepted or continued for foreign
missions, and the number of persons to
be employed in each; estimate the
sums necessary for the support of each
mission; fix the amount which may be
drawn for during the year, and the di¬
vision of said amount between the for¬
eign and domestic missions; and also
determine the amount for which each
of the Bishops shall draw for the do¬
mestic missions of those Conferences
over which he may preside, and beyond
which he shall not be at liberty to
draw, unless an exigency shall arise,
282 support of missions. [PART 2,
in which case the Bishop may, if he
judge proper, exceed the amount ap
propriated.
Art. XI. The sums allowed for the
support of missionaries shall not exceed
the usual allowance of other itine¬
rant ministers. The Bishop, or presi¬
dent of the Conference, if the mission
be domestic, and the superintendent,
where there is one, and if not, the mis¬
sionary, if the mission be foreign, shall
draw on the treasurer for the allowance
in quarterly or half-yearly instalments.
And they shall always promptly notify
the treasurer of all drafts made by them,
and shall require quarterly communi¬
cations to be made by each of the mis¬
sionaries, or from each mission, to the
secretary at Nashville, Tenn., giving in¬
formation of the state and prospects
of the missions in which they are seve¬
rally employed. No one shall be ac¬
knowledged as a missionary, or shall
Sec. 7.] support of missions. 283
receive support from the funds of the
Society, who has not some definite
field of labor assigned him, or could not
be an effective laborer on a circuit, ex¬
cept as provided for in the fourth ar¬
ticle.
Art. XII. In all cases of the ap¬
pointment of a missionary, the name of
such missionary,- and the district in
which he is to labor, together with the
probable expenses of the mission, shall
be communicated to the treasurer of
this Society, that a proper record of the
same may be preserved.
Art. XIII. The secretary shall re¬
side at the place where the Society is
located, but may be a member of any
one of the Annual Conferences with
the approbation of the Bishops. It
shall be his duty to journalize the pro¬
ceedings of the Society and of the
board, and to conduct their correspond¬
ence ; to advise the board of any mat-
284 support of missions. [Part2.
ters which he may conceive important;
to travel, as far as practicable, through
the Connection, visiting the Annual
Conferences, and Indian Missions, pro¬
moting the interests of the Society—to
give the missionaries any information
that may be deemed necessary; to pre¬
pare and furnish for publication in the
Church papers, monthly, an abstract
of the proceedings of the board, and
condensed accounts of the missionary
work ; and, furthermore, it shall be his
duty to attend to all the business of the
Society with the Government of the
United States in relation to schools
which have been or may hereafter be
committed to its care in the Indian
country by the Department of the In¬
terior or Commissioner of Indian Affairs;
and it shall be his duty also to prepare
and superintend the publication of the
annual reports of the Society, under the
direction of the board of managers.
Sec. 7.] support op missions. 285
His salary shall be appointed, by the
board of managers.
Art. XIY. The treasurer and as¬
sistant treasurers shall hold all funds
of this Society in their possession, in
safe deposit with such institutions as
the board may advise; which deposits
shall be made by them as officers of the
Society, and subject to their drafts as
such and their successors in office.
They shall furnish annual reports, to
be published with the annual report of
the secretary.
Art. XY. In case of vacancy occa¬
sioned by death, resignation, or other¬
wise in the board of managers, the
board shall have power to fill such va¬
cancy ; in case of vacancy by death,
resignation, or otherwise in the office
of the secretary, treasurer, or assistant
treasurer, the vacancy shall be filled by
the board of managers, by and with the
advice and consent of one or more of
286 support op mission's. [Part 2
the Bishops, until the ensuing Gen¬
eral Conference.
Art. XYI. This constitution shall
not be altered or amended but by a vote
of two-thirds of the General Confer¬
ence of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, present and voting on the altera¬
tion or amendment.
2. It shall be the duty of each An¬
nual Conference, where missions have
been or are to be established, to appoint
a standing committee, to be denomi¬
nated the mission committee, (which
shall keep a record of its doings, and
report the same to its Conference,)
whose duty it shall be, in conjunction
with the president of the Conference,
to make an estimate of the amount ne¬
cessary for the support of each mission
and mission school, in addition to the
regular allowance of the Discipline to
preachers and their families from year
to year; for which amount the presi-
Sec. 7.] support of missions. 287
dent of the Conference for the time
being shall draw on the treasurer of
the Society in quarterly instalments.
3. Let each Annual Conference form it¬
self into a missionary society, auxiliary to
the Missionary Society of the Methodist
Episcopal Churchj South, under such
regulations as the Conferences seve¬
rally shall prescribe. And let each Con¬
ference Society transmit by its secretary
to the secretary of the parent Society a
copy of its annual report; stating, spe¬
cifically, the number and names of the
missions belonging to the Conference ;
the number of members of the Church,
and of the children catechised in each
mission ; the numbers admitted on
trial, and received into full fellowship,
during the year; the number baptized,
and, as nearly as may be, the numbers
attending public worship, and of the
whole population within reach of the
missionary's appointments, together with
288 support of missions. [Part 2.
the number of meeting-bouses on each
mission. And let the annual report of
the Indian Mission Conference include,
in addition to the above, a statement
of the number of schools, and of the
scholars in each school, under the care
of that Conference; and such other
facts as shall show, from time to time,
the progress and prospects of the work
of evangelizing the Indians. The trea¬
surers of the Conference missionary so¬
cieties shall send to the treasurer or
one of the assistant treasurers of the
parent Society, without loss of time,
whatever balances remain in their
hands, at the close of the sessions
of their respective Conferences, after
paying the drafts of the Bishops,
proper then to be paid in favor of the
missionaries of their several Confer¬
ences.
4. It shall be the duty of each An¬
nual Conference to appoint some month
Sec. 7.] support op missions. 289
within the Conference year, in which
missionary collections shall be taken up
within their respective bounds, and
also to make such arrangements concern¬
ing branch societies as may be deemed
expedient.
5. It shall be the duty of the pre¬
siding elders to bring the subject of
our missions before the first Quarterly
Conference of each of the circuits and
stations of their districts, yearly, for
the purpose of moving the Quarterly
Conferences to adopt such measures as
shall be deemed best for the promotion
of the cause, by increasing the number
of contributors, and the amount con¬
tributed for missions, in their several
circuits and stations.
6. It shall be the duty of the preach¬
ers in charge of circuits and stations to
appoint a suitable person in each class as
a missionary collector, who shall keep
a book, in which shall be enrolled the
13
290 support of missions. [Part 2.
names of all the members of the class,
and who shall collect from each mem¬
ber who may be disposed to contribute
a cent or more a week, or fifty cents
or more a year, and shall.pay over the
sums so collected to the preacher in
charge, at or before the last quarterly
meeting of the Conference year. And
the preacher shall transmit the money
thus paid over, together with such
other sums as shall have been collected
from the congregations, or from branch
societies, or otherwise, to the treasurer
of the Conference Missionary Society,
to be duly reported.
7. It shall be the duty of all our
missionaries, except those who are ap¬
pointed to labor for the benefit of the
slaves, to form their circuits into aux¬
iliary missionary societies, and to make
regular quarterly and class collections
wherever practicable, and report the
amount collected every three months,
Sec. 7.] support of missions. 291
either by endorsing it on their drafts,
or by transmitting the money to the
treasurer of the parent Society.
8. It will be expected that in the ex¬
amination of character in the Annual
Conference, a reference will be had to
the faithful performance of the duty
of preachers on this subject.
9. In all places where drafts are
drawn in favor of any mission, if there
be funds in the possession of any Con¬
ference missionary society, where such
mission belongs, the drafts for the sup¬
port of the mission shall be paid from
said funds, for one quarter, or more,
at the discretion of the Bishop.
10. It shall be the duty of the
Bishops to instruct all our missionaries,
that whenever they come in contact
with any of the missionaries belonging
to other Protestant orthodox Churches,
they shall, on all occasions, cultivate,
as far as practicable, a spirit of friend-
292 OF THE PUBLICATION OF [PART 2.
ship and brotherly affection, as brethren
engaged in the same common cause,
viz., the salvation of the world, by
grace, through faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ.
SECTION VIII.
Of the Publication of Books and Periodicals.
1. The Publishing House.—1. There
shall be a book establishment at the
city of Nashville, Tenn., for the pur¬
pose of manufacturing and publishing
books, to be called the Publishing
House of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, and to be under the
control of a General Book Agent, and
a committee, to be called the Book Com¬
mittee.
2. The object of this institution
shall be to advance the cause of Pro¬
testant Christianity, by disseminating
Sec. 8.] books and periodicals. 293
religious knowledge and useful literary
and scientific information, in the form
of books, tracts, and periodicals.
II. Duties of the General Booh
Agent.—The General Book Agent
shall have charge of the funds, stock,
fixtures, and real estate, and all other
property of the Publishing House, and
of the Depositories and periodicals be¬
longing to the General Conference;
and he shall be responsible to said Con¬
ference for the prudent use and safe
management of the same, under the
general direction of the Conference.
He shall make a yearly exhibit to the
several Annual Conferences, and give
a full account of the state and progress
of the business to the General Confer¬
ence. He shall publish only such
books and tracts as are approved by the
Book Editor, and place the imprint of
the Publishing House, or of the Agent,
294 or the publication of [PaRT 2.
only on such books as reflect views ac¬
cordant with our Discipline and ac¬
knowledged standards; and in case of
difference and disagreement between the
Book Editor and the Book Agent, the
matter shall be referred to the Book
Committee. He shall supply, as far as
practicable, the demand of the Church
for books, tracts, and periodicals, avail¬
ing himsel^of all the facilities of other
establishments for their publication at
the cheapest rates; and in all invest¬
ments for the manufacturing of books,
and in the manufacture of books, he is
required to govern himself strictly by
the principles of economy, in view of
the ultimate permanent interests of the
Publishing House. He shall sell the
books for cash, or for negotiable paper,
at no more than six months' credit, and
at the lowest rates that security against
failure may allow. He shall make no
Sec. 8.] books and periodicals. 295
investments in grounds, houses, and
permanent fixtures, without the au¬
thority of the Book Committee.
III. Financial Secretary.—There
shall he a Financial Secretary of the
Publishing House, elected by the Gen¬
eral Conference, whose duty it shall be
to visit the Conferences for the purpose
of collecting the debts due the House,
and of encouraging and aiding in the
establishment of Depositories, and the
circulation of books, tracts, and peri¬
odicals throughout the Church. He
shall also travel through the Church
generally, to raise a fund to constitute
a free cash capital, that the operations
of the Publishing House may be con¬
ducted without embarrassment, and
upon a scale commensurate with the
wants of the Church, and the magni¬
tude of the interests involved. His
official relation shall entitle him to a
seat and vote with the Book Committee;
296 OF THE PUBLICATION OF [PART 2.
and when not travelling abroad, he
shall give his time and services to the
promotion of the interests of the Pub¬
lishing House.
IY. The Booh Committee.—There
shall he a Book Committee, consisting
of five, three of whom shall he resident
at Nashville. They shall, whenever
consulted, give advice to the General
Book Agent on all matters connected
with the Publishing House. They
shall fix the salaries of the Agent, Fi¬
nancial Secretary, and Editors, at Nash¬
ville ; and, during the intervals of the
.General Conference, they and the
Bishops together shall have the power
to fill vacancies in their own body, in
the Agency, or in the editorial corps,
resident at Nashville.
Y. General Conference Periodicals
and Editors.-—The General Book Agent
shall publish a Quarterly Review, to be
called "The Quarterly Review of the
Sec. 8.] books and periodicals. 297
Methodist Episcopal Church, South;"
a monthly magazine, to be called "The
Home Circle ;" a child's paper, to be
called the "Sunday-school Visitor;"
and a weekly newspaper, to be called
"The Christian Advocate." There
shall be an editor of books and tracts,
who shall also be editor of the Quar¬
terly Review; an editor of the Home
Circle, who shall also be editor of the
Sunday-school Visitor; and an editor
of the Christian Advocate, all of whom
shall be elected by the General Confer¬
ence.
VI. Newspapers and Editors.—1.
The General Conference shall also
elect, quadrennially, an editor for each
of the following weekly papers, to wit:
the Richmond Christian Advocate,
published at Richmond; the South¬
ern Christian Advocate, published at
Charleston; the St. Louis Christian
Advocate, published at St. Louis; the
13*
298 OF THE PUBLICATION OF [PART 2.
Memphis and Arkansas Christian Ad¬
vocate, published at Memphis; the
New Orleans Christian Advocate, pub¬
lished at New Orleans; the Texas
Christian Advocate, published at Gal¬
veston, and the Evangelische Apolegete,
published at the same place; the Pa¬
cific Methodist, published at San Fran¬
cisco, California; and the North Caro¬
lina Christian Advocate, published at
Raleigh; and in case of vacancy in the
editorship of any of these papers, its
Publishing Committee may fill the va¬
cancy, with the approval of one of the
Bishops. The editors, elected from
time to time by the General Conference,
shall exclude from our periodicals all
anonymous matter reflecting injuriously
upon the character of individuals, and
all editorial and other articles calcu¬
lated to destroy or weaken the confi¬
dence of the public in the doctrines
or institutions of our Church.
Sec. 8.] books and periodicals. 299
2. The Annual Conferences may,
at their next session, choose such of
the above-named papers as they may
adopt, for the organ of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, within their
respective bounds, and appoint pub¬
lishing committees for these papers, to
whom the General Book Agent, as soon
as convenient after the organization of
the committees, and on being secured
against any past or future indebted¬
ness of said papers, shall release, in be¬
half of the Conferences so electing, all
right and title in such papers, their
subscription list, and their office fix¬
tures, and also all claims of the Pub¬
lishing House against them for ad¬
vances made heretofore in their behalf.
Provided, however, that these papers
shall in future devolve no expense upon
the Publishing House, nor involve the
funds of the General Conference in any
liabilities for their debts, nor shall it
300 OF THE PUBLICATION OF [PART2.
have a claim upon their profits, which
shall he used for the support of Confer¬
ence Depositories. Provided, further,
that if any one of these papers, now the
property of the Church, shall not he
thus adopted and received hy any Con¬
ference, the Agent shall dispose of it
at the close of the next volume. These
papers shall be published under the
style, " Published by a Committee of
Ministers for the Methodist Episcopal
Church, Southand the Publishing
Committee shall report, every year,
the fiscal condition of these papers to
the Annual Conferences, and quadren¬
nially to the General Conference.
VII. Conference Depositories.—1.
Any Conference, or two or more Confer¬
ences unitedly, may establish an Agency
or Depository for the sale of our publica¬
tions; provided the business with the
Publishing House be conducted upon
strictly business principles, and that
Sec. 8.] books and periodicals. 301
the General Book Agent require a set¬
tlement promptly every six months;
and he is hereby authorized to suspend
operations with any Agency or Deposi¬
tory that does not meet its payments
promptly. Our publications shall be
sold by the General Book Agent to such
Conference Agency or Depository at no
material advance upon their cost, so
that the profits of sales, if any, may ac¬
crue ultimately to the Agency or De¬
pository. Provided, however, that this
privilege shall not be extended to an
Agency or Depository that undertakes
to publish books for the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, for which
work the Publishing House has been
established.
2. It is recommended to the Annual
Conference or Conferences establishing
an Agency or Depository, to appoint an
Agent and a Book Committee of at
least three to superintend the circula-
302 OF THE PUBLICATION OF [PART 2.
tion of books and tracts. It shall
be the duty of the Conference Book
Committees, upon consultation with
the Conference Agent, to fix the prices
at which our books shall be sold within
their bounds; the per cent, to be al¬
lowed to wholesale purchasers; and
they shall determine whether said pur¬
chasers may return the books not sold;
also, what proportion to the amount
sold, if any, shall be gratuitously dis¬
tributed ; they shall fix the salary of
the agent, to be paid out of the busi¬
ness; and in all respects direct the
operations of the agent, subject to the
control of the Conference or Confer¬
ences appointing him. It shall be the
duty of the Conference Agent to super¬
intend the circulation of books and
tracts within the bounds of those Con¬
ferences appointing him; enlisting all
the itinerant and local preachers, and
other suitable persons, as the work may
Sec. 8.] books and periodicals. 303
demand, that all the people may be
supplied with our publications. To
this end, he should circulate among the
people as much as possible, making col¬
lections, and in every way possible pro¬
moting the cause. It shall be his duty
to conduct the business with the Gen¬
eral Agent at Nashville as nearly as
may be for cash; and in no case to
allow his indebtedness to extend be¬
yond six months—except the agent
for the Pacific Conference, who shall
be allowed twelve months on his first
purchases; -the General Book Agent,
nevertheless, shall always determine, in
view of all the circumstances, what
amount of credit shall be extended to a
Conference Agency or Depository.
3. It is also recommended that a
collection be taken up, by the preacher
in charge, at each preaching-place, at
such time as the Conference or Book
Committee may direct, to aid in the
304 BOOKS AND PERIODICALS. [PART 2
circulation of books and tracts amon^
the destitute; and that the money sc
collected be remitted to the Conferenct
Agent for "the purpose. It is also re¬
commended that the presiding elders
inquire, at each Quarterly Conference,
whether the preachers have been faith-
~ ful in supplying the people with our
books, tracts, and periodicals, and that
all our people increase their efforts to
circulate our publications.
4. The Depositories now under the
control of the General Book Agent may
be disposed of to the Conferences now
patronizing them, that they may here¬
after be conducted agreeably to the
foregoing provisions, or be discontinued,
as in the judgment of the Agent shall
best subserve the general cause. And
all real estate obtained for Conference
Depositories shall, where the State law
allows it, be deeded to trustees, or to
the General Book Agent, to be held in
Sec. 9.] devises bv will. 305
trust for the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, for the purpose of De¬
positories, within the bounds of the
Conference or Conferences making the
purchase. The Conferences are re¬
quested to take active measures for the
circulation of our books and periodicals,
and to hold their members to a strict'
accountability on this subject.
VIII. Conference Relations of Agents
and Editors. — Each of the officers
elected by the General Conference
shall be a member of such Annual Con¬
ference as he may select, with the ap¬
probation of the Bishops.
SUCTION IX.
Devises by Will and Deeds of Gift.
1. All persons wishing to make do¬
nations, or devise by will, any thing for
the Publishing House, the missionary
306 DEVISES BY WILL AND [PART 2.
work, an Annual Conference, or for the
uses and purposes of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, are requested
to adopt the following form of legal con¬
veyance :
(1.) Form of a Devise by Will.
In the name of God—Amen.
I, [A. B.,] being of sound mind and
memory, do constitute this my last will
and testament:
Item 1. I give and devise the follow¬
ing [here describe the property] to
" , Agent of the Publish¬
ing House of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South," and its use to be con¬
trolled by said Agent for the use and
benefit of, [here state the benevolent
object or purpose to which you wish
the Agent to apply your property,] to
be thus applied by said Agent, under
the direction of the General Conference
of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South; making only such disposition
Sec. 9.]
deeds of gift.
307
of said property as the General Confer¬
ence shall judge best calculated to pro¬
mote the objects of this bequest; as
herein stated.
I hereby appoint, [insert the name
or names,] the executors of this my
last will and testament. In witness
whereof, I have hereunto set my hand
and seal this —=— day of , 18—.
In the presence of witnesses.
[Let there be three.]
(2.) Form of Deed of Gift.
State of ,
County.
Know all men by these presents, that
I, [write name,] for and in considera¬
tion of the love I bear for the cause of
Christ, and from an earnest desire to
promote his heritage on earth, do give
and grant, and by these presents con¬
vey unto " , Agent of the
Publishing House of the Methodist
308 devises by will amd [part 2.
Episcopal Church, South," for the use
and benefit of, [state the particular ob¬
ject for which the gift is made,] to be
applied by said Agent to the object
herein stated, under the direction of
the General Conference of the Method¬
ist Episcopal Church, South. And
the said Agent is to have and to hold the
property aforesaid, for the use afore¬
said, free from the claim or claims of
myself, my heirs, my executors or ad¬
ministrators, and from the claims of all
others whatsoever.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto
set my hand and seal this day of
, 18—. In presence of
Witnesses.
[Let three sign.]
2. If any funds are received by our
Agent under the above or any other
form of bequest, for any of the pur¬
poses herein specified, he shall dis¬
pose of them as follows,: If the bequest
[seal.]
SEC. 9.] DEEDS OF GIFT. 309
be made to him for the "Publishing
House," he shall use it as other funds
held by him as Agent; if for our mis¬
sionary work, he shall pay it over to
the treasurer of the Missionary Society
of our Church; if for an Annual Con¬
ference, he shall pay it to any agent
duly authorized to receive it; and if
for the uses and purposes of the Method¬
ist Episcopal Church, without specify¬
ing any more particular use, he shall
retain it until the G-eneral Conference
next ensuing, and report it to that
body, subject to their order.
I ND E X.
Abstinence, 40, 73, 88, 91.
Address of the Bishops, 7.
Admission of ministers, 49, 71; of members, 67, 68,109.
Affectation to be avoided by ministers, 76.
Agents, Book, 69, 261-7266, 292-309.
Agents for Sunday-schools, tract societies, literary in¬
stitutions, 16, 60.
Allowance to ministers, their widows and children, 260-
276.
Almsgiving enjoined, 32, 38.
Annual Conferences—who attend, 47; who appoint the
number, boundaries, place, and time, 48, 54, 61;
who preside in, 48, 59; method of business, 49-51;
appeals of, 62; boundaries, 232-241.
Apparel, rules on, 38, 123.
Appeals—right of, guaranteed, 45; of members, 55,
145; of Annual Conferences, 62; of Quarterly
Conferences, 63; of Bishops, 126; of travelling
preachers, 130-133; of local preachers, 137.
Arbitrations, 130-141, 259.
Articles of Religion, 13; cannot be changed, 44.
Baptism, article on, 27; ministration of, to infants, 159-
164; to adults, 164^172.
(311)
312
INDEX.
Baptisms to be recorded, 69.
Baptized children, 117.
Baxter on pastoral visiting, 95.
Benediction, apostolic, to be used, 119.
Bible-classes, 116.
Bible, only rule of faith and practice, 19, 40, 207, 223.
Bible Society, American, 60.
Bishops' check on the General Conference, 47.
Bishops—election, consecration, and duty, 58-63; trial,
124; appeal, 126; ceasing to travel, 126; form of
■ordaining, 216-231.
Body of Christ, how eaten in the Lord's Supper, 2S.
Book Agent, 59, 261-264.
Book Committee, 263-265, 292-296.
Book Committees of Annual Conferences, 301-303.
Book Depositories, 300-305.
Book Editor, 59, 293-298.
Books and periodicals, circulation of, 68, 91, 292-305,
Books, publication of, 292-305.
Books, reading of, 38, 91.
Both kinds in the Lord's Supper, article on, 29.
Boundaries of Conferences, 232-241.
Bribery denounced, 101, 102.
Building churches and parsonages, 242-252.
Burial of the dead, order of, 119, 178-189.
Call to the ministry, 57.
Candidates for the ministry, studies of, 66.
Catechisms to be used, 106.
Certificate of membership, 70.
Chaplaincies, provision for, 60.
Children, instruction of, 55, 65, 72, 114-118.
Christian man's oath, article on, 33.
Christian's men's goods, article on, 32.
INDEX.
313
Church, article on the, 25.
Church membership, how secured, 109; how forfeited,
138-146.
Churches—securing, 53, 245-250,254r-257; seating, 121;
building, 242-244.
Circuits, stations, and missions, union of, 63; duties of
those who have charge of, 67-70.
Circuses and theatres denounced, 101.
Class-meetings, 35, 109, 110-112,138,139.
Collections, class, 35, 36, 259, 268; public, 69, 259, 270-
276.
Community of goods, not enjoined, 32.
Complaints and appeals, 55.
Conference funds, claimants on, 265, 274r-276.
Conference, General, 42; Annual, 47, 232-241; Quar¬
terly, 54-58. See Annual Conferences, General Con¬
ference, and Quarterly Conferences.
Conference missionary societies, 280.
Conference records, 53, 57.
Conferences, improving time at, 41.
Confirmation not a sacrament, 26.
Constitution of the Missionary Sooiety, 277-286.
Conversation, 88, 90.
Credentials of expelled ministers, 134,137.
Cross-bearing, 39, 89.
Cup of the Lord, 29.
Dancing denounced, 101.
Deacons—election, ordination, duty and probation of
travelling, 78, 79, 193; form of ordaining, 190-197.
Debts, nonpayment of, 139-142.
Decisions, Episcopal, 62.
Deed of sottlement, 242-251.
Delegates to General Conferences, expenses of, 276.
14
314
INDEX.
Depositories for books and tracts, 293, 295, 300-305.
Devises by Will and Deeds of Gift, 305-309.
Diligence, 39, 74, 90, 98.
Discipline, importance of, 86.
Disputes, directions concerning, 139.
Districts, 63, 64.
District stewards, 269, 270.
Directions to preachers, 74-77.
Directory, pastoral, to be kept, 68.
Diversions, rule on, 38.
Doctrines of the Church, 17; contrary ones not to be
disseminated, 129,144.
Domestic missions, 53, 279, 281, 282.
Drafts on the missionary treasurer, 282.
Dress, directions concerning, 38,123.
Drunkenness, general rule on, 37.
Early rising, 86, 91.
Editors, 59, 263, 264, 293-305.
Elders—election, ordination, and duty of travelling, 80;
form of ordaining, 197-215.
Enthusiasm denounced, 39, 91.
Episcopacy, how guarded, 45.
Episcopal decisions, 61.
Evil speaking denounced, 37, 75, 94, 103.
Exhorters, license and labors of, 55, 56, 104, 108; cer¬
tificate of removal, 108.
Expounding and exhorting, 85.
Extempore prayer to be brief, 85.
Extreme unction, not a sacrament, 26.
Failing in business, rule concerning, 141.
Faith, importance of, 96.
Family and private prayer, 40, 87.
Fasting, 40, 67, 71, 72, 88, 91.
INDEX.
315
Festivals, 86.
Fighting, general rule concerning, 37.
Financial Secretary, 264, 295, 296,
Food, use of, 89.
Foreign missions, 59, 279, 281, 282.
Free seats in churches, 244.
Free will, article on, 22.
Frugality, 39.
Fund for superannuated preachers, 275.
General Conference—members, regulations, powers, 42-
47; expenses of delegates to, 276.
General Rules, 33; how guarded, 45; to be read, 67.
German missions, 279.
Good works, article on, 23.
Government, civil, duty to, 32.
Grace, means of, 40, 87.
Hearing the word, 88.
Holiness, how promoted, 91.
Holy Ghost, article on the, 18.
Holy Scriptures, article on the, 19.
Honesty, 3S, 94.
Idleness denounced, 74, 90, 95, 98, 101.
Image-worship unscriptural, 25.
Incarnation, article on, 17.
Indian missions, 279, 288.
Insolvencies, directions concerning, 139-141.
Institutions of learning, provisions concerning, 52, 60.
Itinerancy, how guarded, 45.
Journals of Annual Conferences, 53.
Journals of Quarterly Conferences, 57.
Justification, article on, 22.
316
INDEX.
Knowledge, value of, 90, 98.
Law questions, how decided, 61-64.
Lawsuits, rules concerning, 37, 140.
Leaders of classes. 35, 54, 111, 112.
Lessons, Chureh, 118.
Literary institutions, 52, 60.
Local preachers — license and examination, 55, 56, 83,
104,105; orders, 56,105; trial, 56,135-138; allow¬
ance, 104, 266, 267; labors, 104^107; registered on
class-boohs, 107; certificate of removal, 107; ap¬
peal, 136, 137; credentials of expelled, 137,138.
Lord's day not to be profaned, 37,101.
Lord's Prayer in public worship, 119.
Lord's Supper, article on, 28; rule on, 40; order for
administration, 140-159.
Love-feasts, 68,113.
Lukewarmness, evil of, 96.
Marriage, evil with respect to, 121-123.
Marriage of ministers, article on, 30.
Marriages, to be recorded, 69.
Masses denounced, 29.
Matrimony not a sacrament, 26; form of solemnizing,
173-177.
Meditation, 77, 88.
Members—appeal, 45, 145; reception, 67, 68, 109; re¬
moval of, 70; who neglect class, 138; trial, 138-
146; disputes between, 139; who are insolvent
debtors, 139-141.
Methodist Episcopal Church, and Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, origin and organization, 11-16.
Ministers. See Preachers,
Ministers of other Churches, how received, 81-S4.
INDEX.
317
Ministry, attendance on the, 40; support of, 260-276.
Minutes of Conferences, 54.
Missionaries, provisions concerning, 59,77, 78, 263, 264,
283, 290-292.
Missionary collections, 288-290.
Missionary schools, 269, 284, 286.
Missionary secretary, 59, 78, 278, 283-287.
Missionary societies, secretaries of Conference, 287.
Missionary societies, treasurers of Conference, 290.
Missionary Society, 51, 69, 277-291.
Missionary treasurer and assistant treasurers, 278, 285,
288.
Mission committee of each Annual Conference, 286.
Missions, 53, 65, 269, 277-292.
Money, love of, denounced, 38, 94.
Necessitous preachers, provisions for, 267, 273-276.
New Orleans, provisions for, 60.
Oath of a Christian man, 33.
Obedience to civil rulers, 31.
Oblation of Christ, article on, 29.
Old Testament, article on, 20.
Ordinances to be observed, 40; forms to be used in ad¬
ministering, 119.
Ordination of ministers, 58, 59, 61.
Ordinations to be recorded, 61.
Original sin, article on, 21.
Ornaments, rules concerning, 38,123.
Orphans and widows of ministers, provisions for, 50,
51, 265, 266, 275, 276, 278, 279.
Parontal duties, 40, 94, 116.
Parsonages, 251-253,
318
INDEX.
Pastoral visiting, 72, 73, 93.
Pelagianism opposed, 21.
Penance not a sacrament, 26.
Periodicals, 68, 292-300.
Poor, collections for, 35,112, 259.
Prayer—family, private, public, 40, 85-87.
Prayer-meetings, 104.
Preachers employed as substitutes, how paid, 268.
Preachers, local. See Local Preachers.
Preachers of other Churches, how received, 81-84.
Preachers, travelling. See Travelling Preachers.
Preaching—matter and manner, 84; rules by which to
continue or forbear, at any place, 92.
Presiding elders—appointment and duty, 55, 59, 61, 64-
66; trial, 127; allowance, 263, 264, 269, 270.
Probationers—in Church, 109; in ministry, 71-73.
Public worship, how to be conducted, 118.
Publishing committees, 263, 298, 300.
Publishing House, 46, 292-305.
Punctuality, 76, 85.
Purgatory, article on, 25.
Quarterly Conferences, how composed, 54; when and
where held, 55; who presides in, 55, 64; business
of, 55,105-108,115,132-138, 252, 254-260, 267, 269,
270, 289; appeals of, 63, 65.
Ratio of representation in the General Conference, 44.
Reading and 6inging, rule on, 38.
Reading the Scriptures, 40, 87; other books, 38, 91.
Reception of members, 67, 68, 109; of ministers, 71, 81
References to Quarterly Conferences, 145.
Reformed Pastor, Baxter'3, cited and commended, 95.
Registers, Church, 69.
INDEX.
319
Relics not to be adored, 25.
Religion, personal and family, how to promote it, 93-
102.
Reproving sin, 39, 95.
Restrictions of the General Conference, 44-47.
Resurrection of Christ, article on, 18.
Rites and ceremonies, article on, 20.
Rulers of the United States, article on, 31.
Rules, General, 33; to be read, 67.
Sabbath-breaking, general rule against, 37,101.
Sacraments, article on the, 26.
Saints not to be invoked, 25.
Saving souls, the minister's great work, 98.
Scripture, duty of searching, 40, 87.
Scriptures, canonical, article on the, 19
Self-denial, and taking up the cross, 39.
Self-indulgence forbidden, 38.
Seminaries, provisions for, 52, 60.
Seriousness, 75, £5, 96.
Sick, visiting the, 77, 112.
Sin after justification, article on, 24.
Singing, directions concerning, 118-120.
Sin, original, article on, 21.
Sitting in church, 121.
Slander denounced, 37, 75.
Songs, general rule concerning improper, 38.
Speaking too long and too loud, caution concerning, 72.
Spirituous liquors, rules concerning, 37, 89.
Statistics, 69, 70.
Stewards, Annual Conference, 261.
Stewards, district, 269, 270.
Stewards of circuits, stations, and missions, 36,57,258
200.
320
INDEX.
Study—course of, 66; recommended, 87, 90, 91; less
important than Baving souls, 98.
Sunday-school reports, 70.
Sunday-schools, 55, 60, 65, 69, 70,114-116.
Superannuated preachers—who they are, 48; provisions
concerning, 50, 59,265, 267, 268, 275,276; trial, 128.
Supererogation, works of, article on, 23.
Superintendents of Sunday-schools, 54.
Supernumeraries—who they are, 48; provisions con¬
cerning, 50, 59, 265, 275, 276; declining work as¬
signed them, 133.
Support of the ministry, 260-276; of missions, 277-291.
Swearing, profane and rash, denounced, 33, 36.
Talking in church to be discountenanced, 120.
Temperance, 37, 89.
Texts, directions concerning, 85.
Theatres and circuses denounced, 101.
Time—improvement of, at Conference, 41; employing
profitably, 75, 98, 101.
Tongues, unknown, article on, 25.
Tracts, 51, 60, 65, 69, 292-305.
Transubstantiation opposed, 28.
Travelling preachers—duties, 48, 67-104, 114-118; on
trial, 48,71-73,132; examination of, 51,72-74; how
appointed, 61,64; license, 71; method of receiving,
71-74; directions to, 74; trial, 126-134; unaccepta¬
ble, locatod, 129,130; ceasing to travel, 133; cre¬
dentials of expelled, 134; support of, 260-276.
Treating at elections denounced, 102.
Trial of those who think they should preach, 57.
Trials, Church—right of, guarded, 45; Bishops, 124-126;
travelling preachers, 126-134; local preachers, 135-
138; members. 138-146.
INDEX.
321
Trinity, article on the, 17.
Trustees, 254-257.
Tunes, directions concerning, 119,120.
Unacceptable preachers, 129,130.
Union, necessity of, and means of promoting, 102.
Usury, general rule on, 37.
Visiting from house to house, 72, 77, 93; the sick, 77,
112. *
Watchfulness, 86, 89.
Wesleyan Connection, ministers of, provision concern
ing, 81.
Widows and orphans of preachers, provisions for, 50
51, 265, 266, 275, 276, 278, 279.
Wills and Deeds of Gift, 305-309.
Wine, use of, 89.
Works of supererogation, article on, 23.
Worldly-mindedness denounced, 38, 94.
Worship, public, duty to attend, 40; how to be cor
ducted, 118.
Zeal, enjoined, 39, 74-76, 90, 98-101.
THE END.