Robert W. Woodruff
Library
Special Collections
EMORY UNIVERSITY
The Doctrines and Discipline
OF THE
A. M. E. Church,
Published by order of the General Conference
Held in Norfolk, Va., May, 1908.
BY REV. J. H. COLLETT, D. D.
COMPILED BY
BENJAMIN F LEE, CORNELIUST. SHAFFER
WILLIAM D. CHAPPELLE AND
WILLIAM D.JOHNSON
Twenty-fourth Revised Edition.
PHILADELPHIA
A. M. E. BOOK CONCERN, 631 PINE STREET
1908
OOPYRltfJiT, 1908
BY REV. J. H. COLLETT,
For the Book Concern of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church.
HISTORICAL PREFACE
To the Members of the African Methodist Epis¬
copal Church.
Beloved Brethren :
We deem it necessary to prefix to our Book of
Discipline a brief statement of our rise and prog¬
ress, which we hope will be satisfactory, and con¬
ducive to your growth and edification in the
knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Novem¬
ber, 1787, the colored people belonging to the
Methodist Society of Philadelphia convened to¬
gether, in order to take into consideration the
evils under which they labored, arising from the
unkind treatment of their white brethren, who
considered them a nuisance in the house of wor¬
ship, and even pulled them off their knees, while
in the act of prayer, and ordered them to the
back seats. For these, and various other acts of
unchristian conduct, they considered it their duty
to devise a plan in order to build a house of their
own, to worship God under their own vine and
fig tree. In this undertaking they met with great
opposition from an elder of the Methodist Church,
(J. M'C.), who threatened that if they did not
give up the building, erase their names from the
subscription paper, and make acknowledgements
for having attempted such a thing, that in three
months they should all be publicly expelled from
the Methodist Society. Not considering them-
i
ii
HISTORICAL PREFACE.
selves bound to obey this injunction, and being
fully satisfied that they would be treated without
mercy, they sent in their resignations.
Being now" as outcasts, they had to seek for
friends where-they could,* and the Lord put it into
the hearts of Dr. Benjamin Rush, Mr. R. Ralston,
and other respectable citizens, to interpose for
them, both by advice and assistance, in getting
their building finished. Bishop White also aided
them and ordained one from among themselves,
after the order of thp Protestant Episcopal Church,
to be their pastor.
In 1793 the number of the serious people of
color having increased, they were of different
opinions respecting the mode of religious wor¬
ship ; and, as many felt a strong partiality for that
adopted by the Methodists, Richard Allen with
the advice of some of his brethren, proposed erect¬
ing a place of worship on his own ground and at
his own expense, as an African Methodist meet¬
ing house. As soon as the preachers of the Meth¬
odist Church in Philadelphia came to the knowl¬
edge of this, they opposed it with all their might,
insisting that the house should be made over to the
Conference, or they would publish them in the
newspapers as imposing on the public, as they were
not Methodists. However, the buildine went on,
and, when finished, they invited Francis Asbury,
then Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
to open the house for divine service, which invita¬
tion he accepted, and the house was named Bethel.
(See Gen. 28: 19.)
It was now proposed by the resident elder, (J.
M'C.), that they should have the church incor¬
porated, that they might receive any donation or
legacy, as well as enjoy any other advantages
arising therefrom; this was agreed to; and in
HISTORICAL PREFACE.
iii
order to save expense, the elder proposed drawing
it up for them. But they soon found that he had
done it in such a manner as entirely deprived them
of the liberty they expected to enjoy; so that, by
this stratagem, they were again brought into bond¬
age by_ the Methodist preachers.
In this situation they experienced grievances too
numerous to mention. At one time the elder,
(J. S.) demanded the keys of the house, with the
books and papers belonging thereto; telling them
at other times they should have no more meetings-
without his leave, and that the house was not
theirs, but belonged to the Methodist Conference.
Finding themselves thus embarrassed, they con¬
sulted a lawyer, who informed them that by mean9
of a supplement they could be delivered from the
grievances under which they labored. The con¬
gregation unanimously agreed to sign the petition
for a supplement, which the Legislature of Penn¬
sylvania readily granted; and they were liberated
from the difficulties which they had experienced
for many years. They now hoped to be free from
any other perplexity; but they soon found that
their proceedings exasperated their opponents. In
order to accommodate matters, they proposed
supplying them with preaching if they would give
six hundred dollars per year to the Methodist So¬
ciety. The congregation not consenting, they fell
to four hundred dollars, but the people were not
willing to give more than two hundred dollars per
year. For this sum they were to preaqh for them
twice a week during the year. But it proved to be
only six or seven times a year, and sometimes by
such preachers as were not acceptable to the
Bethel people, and not in much esteem among the
Methodists as preachers. The Bethel people being
dissatisfied with such conduct, induced the trustees-
IV -HISTORICAL PREFACE.
to pass a resolution to give but one hundred dol¬
lars per year to the Methodist preachers. When a
quarterly payment of the last sum was tendered, it
was refused and sent back, insisting on the two
hundred dollars, or they would preach no more
for them. At this time they pressed strongly to
have the supplement repealed; £his they could not
comply with.
They then waited on Bishop Asbury, and pro¬
posed taking a preacher to themselves, and sup¬
porting him in boarding and salary, provided he
would attend to the duties of the Church, such as
visiting the sick, burying the dead, baptizing, and
administering the sacrament. The Bishop ob¬
served, "He did not think that there was more
than one preacher belonging to the Conference
that would attend to these duties, and that was
Richard Allen."
The Bishop was then informed that they would
pay a preacher four or five hundred dollars a year,
if he w'ould attend to all the duties of their church
that they should expect. He replied, "We will not
serve you on such terms."
Shortly after this an elder, (S. R.) then in Phil¬
adelphia, declared, that unless they would repeal
the supplement, neither he, nor any of the Metho¬
dist oreachers, traveling or local, would preach
any" more for them; so they were left to them¬
selves. At length the preachers and stewards be¬
longing to the Academy* proposed serving them
on the same terms that they had offered to the St.
♦The Academy Church, now known as the Un¬
ion, is still standing, and is situated on Fourth
Street, between Market and Arch, a most flourish¬
ing congregation.
HISTORICAL PREFACE.
V
George'sf preachers; and they preached for them
better than twelve months, and then demanded
one hundred and fifty dollars per year. This not
being complied with, they declined preaching for
them, and they were once more left to themselves,
as an edict was passed by the elder, that if any
local preacher served them he should be expelled
from the Connection. John Emery, the elder of
the Academy, published a circular letter in which
they were disowned by the Methodists. A house
was also fitted up, not far from Bethel, and an in¬
vitation given to all who desired to be Methodists
to resort thither; but being disappointed in this
plan, Robert R. Roberts, the resident elder of St.
George's charge, came to Bethel, and insisted on
preaching to them and taking the spiritual charge,
for they were Methodists. He was told he should
come on some terms with the trustees; his answer
was that he did not come to consult with Richard
Allen, nor the Trustees, but to inform the congre¬
gation that on next Sabbath day he would come
and take the charge; they told him he could not
preach for them under existing circumstances.
However, at the appointed time he came; but hav¬
ing taken previous advice, they had their preacher
in the pulpit when he came, and the house was so
fixed that he could not get more than half way
to the pulpit. Finding himself disappointed, he
aDpealed to those who came with him, as wit¬
nesses, that "That man," (meaning the preacher)
"had taken his apoointment."
Several respectable white citizens, (who knew
fSt. George's was then a mission post of the
M. E. Church, situated on Fourth Street below
Vine, Philadelphia. It is now a flourishing con¬
gregation.
vi HISTORICAL PREFACE.
the colored people had been ill-used) were present
and told them not to fear, for they would see them
righted, and not suffer Roberts to preach in a for¬
cible manner; after which Roberts went away.
The next elder stationed at Philadelphia was
'Robert Birch, who, following the example of his
predecessor, came and published a meeting for
himself, but the aforementioned method was
adopted, and he had to go away disappointed. In
consequence of this, he applied to the Supreme
Court for a writ of Mandamus, to know why the
pulpit was denied him, being an elder. This
brought on a lawsuit, which ended in favor of
Bethel. Thus, by the providence of God, they
were delivered from a long, distressing and ex¬
pensive suit, which could not be resumed, being
determined by the Supreme Court; for this mercy
they were unfeignedly thankful.
About this time the colored people in Baltimore
and other places, were treated in a similar manner
as those in Philadelphia, who, rather than go to
law, were compelled to seek places of worship for
themselves. This induced the people of Philadel¬
phia to call a general convention in April, 1816,
to form a Connection; delegates appointed to rep¬
resent different churches met those of Philadel¬
phia, and taking into consideration their griev¬
ances, and in order to secure their privileges and
'promote union among themselves, it was
Resolved, "That the people of Philadelphia, Bal-
HISTORICAL PREFACE.
vii
timore, and all other places who should unite
with them, should become one body, under the
name and style of the 'African Methodist Episco¬
pal Church.'"
We believe that it was the design of a gracious
Providence, in thus uniting us, to mark out a way
by which the despised African race might have
an opportunity of receiving from their own breth¬
ren that religious instruction from which they
had been kept by persons claiming to be their
superiors, and therebv privileged to sit under their
own vine and fig tree; and though opposed by the
prejudices of the times, persecuted by the tongue
of calumny, and buffeted by the great adversary
of God and man, we have had the happiness of
seeing the pleasure of the Lord prospering in our
hands, to whom we appeal for our good conscience
in Jesus Christ. The work of God has spread,
through our instrumentality, from Philadelphia
throughout the entire United States, and into Can¬
ada, the West Indies, South America and Africa.
We esteem it our duty and privilege, most
earnestly to recommend to our Church, our form
of Discipline, revised and improved, which has
been founded on the experience of a long series of
years.
We wish to see this little publication in the
houses of all our members; and the more so as it
contains the articles of religion, more or less main¬
tained, in part or in whole, by every Reformed
Church in the world.
Viii HISTORICAL PREFACE.
Far from wishing you to be ignorant of our doc¬
trines, or any part of our Discipline, we desire
you to' read, mark, and inwardly digest the whole.
You ought, next to the Word of God, to procure
the canons of the Church to which you belong.
We remain your affectionate brethren and pas¬
tors, who labor night and day, both in public and
private, for your good.
HENRY M. TURNER,
WESLEY J. GAINES,
BENJAMIN T. 1ANNER,
ABRAHAM GRANT,
BENJAMIN F. LEE,
MOSES B. SALTER,
JAMES A. HANDY,
WILLIAM B. DERRICK,
EVANS TYREE,
CHARLES S. SMITH,
CORNELIUS T. SHAFFER,
LEVI J. COPPIN,
EDWARD W. LAMPTON,
HENRY B. PARKS,
JOSEPH S. FLIPPER,
J. ALBERT JOHNSON,
WILLIAM H. HEARD,
Bishops of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church.
CONTENTS. ix
CONTENTS.
PART I.
Episcopacy and Doctrines.
Chapter Page
I. EPISCOPACY 3 5
II. ARTICLES OF RELIGION.... 6 17
III. THE CATECHISM ON FAITH 18 46
IV. THE GENERAL RULES OF
THE UNITED SOCIETIES. . 47 52
V. BAND SOCIETIES 53 56
VI. PUBLIC WORSHIP 57 58
VII. CLASSES AND LEADERS 59 60
VIII. MATRIMONIAL RELATIONS 61 63
Marriage 61
Divorce 62
PAKT II.
Rites and Ceremonies.
I. ORDINATION OF DEACONb 66 71
II. ORDINATION OF ELDERS.. 72 86
III. ORDINATION OF BISHOPS. 87 98
IV. BAPTISM 99 "O
Infants 99
Adults I04
X
CONTENTS.
Chapter Page
V. RECEIVING MEMBERS INTO
CHURCH i" "5
Probationers 111
Full members 111
By certificate II5
VI. THE LORD'S SUPPER n6 126
VII. SOLEMNIZATION OF MATRI¬
MONY 127 133
VIII. BURIAL SERVICE 134 137
IX. LAYING CORNER STONES.. 138 H7
X. DEDICATION OF CHURCHES 148 157
PART III.
Lay Helpers, Local Preachers and General
Officers.
I. LAY HELPERS 160 162
Deaconesses 160
Exhorters 161
II. LOCAL PREACHERS 163 168
Candidates examined 163
Licenses granted 164
Ordained preachers in local re¬
lations 165
From other denominations .... 166
Obligations of local elders, dea¬
cons and preachers 167
III. GENERAL OFFICERS 169 170
Official responsibility 169
Ecclesiastical responsibility .... 169
Restrictions 170
CONTENTS. Xi
PART IV.
The Ministry.
Chapter Page
I. PREACHER'S LIFE AND
DUTIES 173 183
Special means of grace 173
Preaching 176
Visitation 178
Hinderances 179
Causes of spiritual poverty .... 182
II. OFFICIAL DUTIES OF PAS¬
TORS 184 190
III. PREACHERS IN ANNUAL
CONFERENCE 191 198
Admitted on trial 191
To full connection 192
From other denominations .... 193
Rules of a preacher 195
Conduct in Conference 198
The Itinerancy 198
IV. DEACONS 199 200
V. ELDERS ...- 201
VI. PRESIDING ELDERS 202 204
VII. BISHOPS 205 209
Election 205
Filling vacancies 205
Duties • 205
PART V.
The Conferences.
I. GENERAL CONFERENCE.... 212 220
Composition 212
Delegates 212
xii CONTENTS.
Chapter Page
Election rules 2I5
Sessions 2I5
Commission ." 2I5
Extra sessions 217
Restrictions 218
Expenses 219
IT. THE ANNUAL CONFER¬
ENCES 221 226
Composition 221
Sessions 221
Organization 222
Pastors' leports 223
Literary meetings 226
III. THE DISTRICT CONFER¬
ENCE 227 230
Composition . 227
Sessions 227
Organization 227
Business 228
Expenses '. 230
IV, QUARTERLY CONFERENCES 231 236
V. THE OFFICIAL BOARD 237 240
VI. THE CHURCH CONFERENCE 241 243
PART VI.
Judicial Directions.
]. TRIAL OF BISHOPS 246 248
The committee 246
Episcopal Committee 247
CONTENTS. xiii
Chapter Page
II. TRIAL OF ITINERANT
PREACHERS 249 251
Presiding elders 249
Pastors 249
General officers 251
III. TRIAL OF LOCAL PREACH¬
ERS 252 253
Examination 252
The case at Conference 252
IV. CAUSES FOR IMPEACH¬
MENT 254 257
Dealing in liquors 254
Maladministration 254
Heresy and schism 255
Unacceptabil'ty 255
Neglect of appointments 256
interference 257
V. MINISTERS' DEBTS 258 260
Complaint 258
Examination 258
Arbitration 259
Omissions 259
Provisos 260
VI. TRIAL OF LAY MEMBERS.. 261 266
Arraignment 261
V erdict 261
Insubordination 262
Sowing dissension 263
Wilful neglect : 263
Improper conduct 264
Spirituous liquors 264
Frauds and insolvencies 265
Xiv CONTENTS.
Chapter p age
VII. DEBTS AND ARBITRATION. 267 270
Disputes 267
Decision 267
Arbitration 268
Debts 268
Expelled and withdrawn 269
VIII. ORDER OF APPEALS 271 273
Triers of appeals 271
The Court 271
Appellants' rights 271
Method of procedure 272
PART VII.
Conference Boundaries and Episcopal Districts.
I. CONFERENCE BOUNDARIES 276 290
II. EPISCOPAL DISTRICTS .... 291 293
PART VIII.
Missionary Societies.
I. PARENT HOME AND FOR¬
EIGN 296 305
Preamble and constitution .... 296
Title 296
Objects 296
Membership 297
Managers 297
Secretary 298
CONTENTS.
xv
Chapter Page
Auxiliaries 299
Missionary Committee 299
Collection and appropriation.. . 300
Composition 303
Sessions and Officers 303
Conference Board 304
II. LOCAL, HOME AND FOR¬
EIGN MISSIONARY SOCI¬
ETIES 306 309
III. PARENT WOMEN'S MITE
MISSIONARY SOCIETY .... 310314
Officers 312
Meetings 313
THE ANNUAL CONFER¬
ENCE W. M. M. SOCIETY.. 3x4 318
LOCAL W. M. M. SOCIETY. 318 322
IV. THE WOMEN'S HOME AND
FOREIGN MISSIONARY
SOCIETY 323 328
AUXILIARY SOCIETY
CONSTITUTION 328 334
PART IX.
Departments.
I. THE PUBLISHING DEPART¬
MENT 337 343
Management 337
The Board 338
Vacancies 339
XVi CONTENTS.
Chapter Page
Books sent to preachers 34°
Publications of the church .... 34°
THE REVIEW 340
Southern Recorder Board .... 341
Western Recorder Board .... 341
South African Recorder Board. 342
II. THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL
UNION ....'. 344 354
Organization 344
Constitution for Sunday-schools 35°
III. THE EDUCATIONAL IN
TERESTS 355 366
General Board 355
Corresponding Secretary 356
Executive Board ... 358
Conference Board ... 358
Districts 359
District Boards 360
District Secretary 360
Establishing of schools 361
Annual appropriations 363
Sources of funds 363
Application of funds 365
IV. THE CHURCH EXTENSION. 367 377
Preamble 367
Constitution 368
Responsibility of Conferences.. 376
Donation Fund 377
CONTENTS.
XVII
Chapter Page
V. THE ALLEN ENDEAVOR
LEAGUE 373 383
Constitution 378
Conventions 382
Pledge 381
Conference Superintendent .... 382
Finances 382
PART X.
Temporal Economy.
I: FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT. 386 401
Collection 386
Duties of Secretary 387
Board of Managers 388
Dollar money at Conference. .. . 390
Uses of the Dollar Money 392
Support of Bishops 393
Support of General Officers.... 395
Superannuated preachers 396
Widows and orphans 398
Ineffective Bishops 397
Expenses of Visiting Bishops. . 401
II. SUPPORT OF ITINERANT
PREACHERS 402 403
Presiding Elder's salary 402
Support of pastors 4°3
xviii
CONTENTS.
Chapter Page
III. CONNECTIONAL PREACH¬
ERS' AID ASSOCIATION... 404 4*3
Condition of membership 4°6
IV. ARTICLES OF INCORPORA¬
TION OF THE A. M. E.
CHURCH 4H 4i6
V. CHURCH PROPERTY 417 424
VI. TRUSTEES OF CHURCH
PROPERTY 425 428
Chairman of Board 426
Amenable to Quarterly Confer¬
ence 427
VII. CHURCH STEWARDS 429 432
Accountability 430
Stewardesses 431
VIII. SPECIAL DECLARATION.... 433 438
Apostolic succession 433
PART XI.
Appendix.
I. COURSE OF STUDIES 441 450
IL SPECIFIC EXAMINATION... 451 458
III. RECOMMENDATION T O
STUDENTS 459 462
CONTENTS. XIX
Chapter Page
IV. THE PRIMITIVE RULE OF
GIVING FOR BENEVOLENT
PURPOSES 463 466
V. THE GENERAL CONFER¬
ENCE RULES . 467 475
VI. BISHOPS AND GENERAL
OFFICERS ADDRESSES.... 476 479
Committee of Revision 480
PART I.
EPISCOPACY AND DOCTRINES.
I.
Episcopacy.
II.
Articles of Religion.
III.-
The Catechism.
IV.
The General Rules.
V.
Band Societies.
VI.
Worship.
VII.
Classes and Leaders.
VIII.
Matrimonial Relations.
CHAPTER I.
EPISCOPACY.
The preachers and members of our
Church having become a distinct body of
people, by reason of separation from our
brethren of the Methodist Episcopal Church
found it necessary at their first General
Conference in April, 1816, to elect one from
their own body, who was adequate to be set
apart in holy orders, to superintend the
connection that was then formed. The Rev.
Richard Allen, being seventeen years an
ordained preacher, by the Rev. Bishop As-
bury, of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
was unanimously elected to fill that office;
and on the nth day of April, 1816, the
said Rev. Richard Allen was solemnly set
apart for the Episcopal office, by prayer and
the imposition of the hands of five regularly
ordained ministers, one of whom, Absalom
Jones, was a priest of the Protestant Episco¬
pal Church; who was then, and continued
in good standing under the Diocese of the
Right Rev. Bishop White, of Pennsylvania;
at which time the General Conference, in
3
4
EPISCOPACY.
Philadelphia did unanimously receive the
said Richard Allen as their Bishop, being
fully satisfied with the validity of his Epis¬
copal ordination.
The continuation of the Episcopacy in
our church is as follows:
Rev. Morris Brown was ordained Bishop
in Philadelphia, Pa., May 25, 1828.
Rev. Edward Waters was ordained
Bishop in Philadelphia, Pa., May 16, 1836.
Rev. William Paul Quinn was ordained
Bishop in Pittsburg, Pa., May 13, 1844.
Revs. Willis Nazry and Daniel A, Payne
were ordained Bishops in New York, N.
Y., May 13, 1852.
Revs. Alexander W. Wayman and Jabez
Pitt Campell were ordained Bishops in Phil¬
adelphia, Pa., May 23, 1864.
Revs. James A. Shorter, Thomas M. D.
Ward and John M. Brown were ordained
Bishops in Washington, D. C., May 25,
1868.
Revs. Henry, M. Turner, William F.
Dickerson and Richard H. Cain were or¬
dained Bishops in Saint Louis, Mo., May
20, 1880.
Revs. Richard R. Disney, ordained by
Bishop A., W. Wayman in the B. M. E.
Church, entered the Episcopacy of the A.
EPISCOPACY.
5
M; E. Church in 1884, when the B. M. E.
Church united with the A. M. E. Church.
Revs. Wesley J. Gaines, Benjamin W.
Arnett, Benjamin T. Tanner and Abraham
Grant were ordained Bishops in Indianap¬
olis, Ind., May 24, 1888.
Revs. Benjamin F. Lee, Moses B. Salter
and james A. Handy were ordained Bishops
in Philadelphia, Pa., May 19, 1892.
Revs. William B. Derrick, Josiah H.
Armstrong and James C. Embry were or¬
dained Bishops in Wilmington, N. C., May
19, 1896.
Revs. Evans Tyree, Morris M. Moore,
Charles S. Smith, Cornelius T. Shaffer and
Levi J. Coppin were ordained Bishops in
Columbus, O., May 23, 1900.
Revs. Edward W. Lampton, Henry B.
Parks, Joseph S. Flipper, J. Albert Johnson
and William H. Heard were ordained
Bishops in Norfolk, Va., May 20, 1908.
6
ARTICLES OF RELIGION.
CHAPTER II.
ARTICLES OF RELIGION.
I. Of Faith in the Holy Trinity.
There is but one living- and true God,
everlasting, without body or parts, of in¬
finite power, wisdom and goodness; the
Maker and Preserver of all things, visible
and invisible. And in unity of this God¬
head, there are three persons, of one sub¬
stance, power and eternity; the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Ghost.
II. Of the Word or Son of God■, who zuas
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'o nature in the
womb of the blessed Virgin; so that two
whole and perfect natures, that is to say,
the Godhead 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,
ARTICLES OF RELIGION.
7
and to be a sacrifice, not only for original
guilt, but also for the 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 na-
turev 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.
V. The Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures
for Salvation.
The Holy Scriptures contain all things
necessary to salvation; so that whatsoever
is not read therein, nor may be proved there¬
by, is not to be required of any man that
it should be believed as an article of faith,
or be thought requisite or necessary to sal¬
vation. In the name of the Holy Scriptures,
we do understand those canonical books
of the Old and New Testament, of whose
authority was never any doubt in the
church.
8
ARTICLES OF RELIGION.
The names of the canonical books are:
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deu¬
teronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, The First
Book of Samuel, The Second Book of
Samuel, The First Book of King's, The
Second Book of Kings, The First Book of
Chronicles, The Second Book of Chroni¬
cles, The Book of Ezra, The Book of#Ne-
hemiah, The Book of Esther, The Book of
Job, The Psalms, The Proverbs, Eccles-
iastes, 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 to
the New; for both in the Old and New
Testament everlasting life is offered to
mankind by Christ, who is the only Media¬
tor between God and man, being both 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 touch¬
ing ceremonies and rites., doth not bind
Christians, nor ought the civil precepts
ARTICLES OF RELIGION.
9
thereof, of necessity, be received in any com¬
monwealth ; yet, notwithstanding, no Chris¬
tian 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 following
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, whereby man is very
far gone from original righteousness, and
of his own nature inclined to evil, and that
continually.
'Vlll. Of Free Will.
The Condition of man after the fall of
Adam is such, that he cannot turn and pre¬
pare himself, by his own natural strength
and works to faith and calling upon God;
wherefore we have no power to do good
works, pleasant and acceptable to God,
without the grace of God, by Christ pre¬
venting 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
IO ARTICLES OF RELIGION.
Jesus Christ by faith, and not for our own
works and deservings; wherefore, that we
are justified by faith only, is a most whole¬
some doctrine, and very full of comfort.
X. Of Good Works.
Although good works, which are the
fruits of faith, and follow after justification,
cannot put away our sins and endure the
severity of God's judgment, yet are they
pleasing and acceptable 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 fruits.
XI. Of Works of Supererogation.
Voluntary works, besides, over and above
God's commandments, which are called
works of supererogation, cannot be taught
without arrogance and impiety. For by
them men do declare, that they do not only
render unto God as much as they are bound
to do, but 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 un¬
profitable servants.
ARTICLES OF RELIGION. II
XII. Of Sin After J notification.
Not every sin willingly committed after
justification is the sin against the Holy
Ghost, and unpardonable. Wherefore, 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 that
they can no more s'n as long as they live
here; or deny the place of forgiveness to
such as truly repent.
XIII. Of the Church.
The Vis'ble Church of Christ is a con¬
gregation of faithful men in which the pure
word of God is preached, and the sacra¬
ments duly administered, according to
Christ's ordinance, in all those things, that
of necessity are requisite to the same.
XIV. Of Purgatory.
The Romish doctrine concerning purga¬
tory, pardon, worshiping and adoration, as
well of images as of relics, and also invoca¬
tion of saints, is a fond thing, vainly in¬
vented, and grounded on no warrant o£»
2
12
ARTICLES OF RELIGION.
Scripture, but repugnant 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 primi¬
tive Church, to have public prayer in the
Church, or to minister the Sacraments 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 will toward us, by the
which he doth work invisibly in us, and doth
not only quicken^ but also strengthen and
confirm 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 Sacraments,
that is to say; Confirmation, Penance, Or¬
ders, Matrimony and Extreme Unction, are
not. to be counted for Sacraments of the
Gospel, being such as have partly grown
out of the corrupt following of the apostles
and partly are states of life allowed in the
ARTICLES OF RELIGION.
13
Scriptures, but yet have not the like nature
of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, because
they have not any visible sign or ceremony
ordained of God.
The Sacraments were not ordained of
Christ to be gazed upon, or to be carried
about; but that we should duly use them.
And in such only as worthily receive the
same, they have a wholesome effect or oper¬
ation; but they that receive them unworth¬
ily. purchase to themselves condemnation,
as St. Paul saith, 1 Cor. xi. 29.
XVII. Of Baptism.
Baptism is not only a sign of profession
and mark of difference, whereby Christians
are distinguished from others that are not
baptized, but it is also a sign of regenera¬
tion or the new birth. The baptism of
young children is to be retained in the
church.
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 another, 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 partak-
14 ARTICLES OF RELIGION.
ing of the body of Christ, and likewise
the cup of blessing1 is a partaking of the
blood of Christ.
Transubstantiation, or the cnange 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 tfody of Christ is given, taken, and
eaten in the Supper, only after a heavenly
and spiritual manner. And the means
whereby the body of Christ is received and
eaten in the Supper, is faith. The Sacra¬
ment 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 denied
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, fin¬
ished upon the Cross.
The offering of Christ once made, is that
perfect redemption, propitiation, and satis-
ARTICLES OF RELIGION. 15
faction 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 sacrifice of masses, in the
which it is commonly said that the priest
doth offer Christ, for the quick and the
dead, to have remission of pain or guilt, is
a blasphemous 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 mar¬
riage ; 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 nothing be ordained
against God's word. Whosoever, through
his private judgment, willingly and pur¬
posely doth openly break the rites and cere-
mon'es of the Church to which he belongs.
16 ARTICLES OF RELIGION.
which are not repugnant to the word of
■God, and are ordained and approved b)/
•common authority, ought to be rebuked
■openly, that others may fear to do the like,
as one that offendeth against the common
order of the Church, and woundeth the con¬
science of weak brethren.
Every particular Church may ordain,
change, or abolish rites and ceremonies, so
that all things may be done to edification.
XXIII. Of the Rulers of the United States
of America.
The President, the Congress, the General
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 division of power made to
them by the Constitution of the United
States of America, and by the Constitutions
of their respective States. And the said
States are a sovereign and independent na¬
tion, and ought not to be subject to any for¬
eign jurisdiction.*
^Obedience to Civil Government, however, is
one of the principal duties of all men, and was
dignified and honored by our Lord and His Apos¬
tles. Though differing in form and polity, all
righteous governments rightfully command the
•obedience, loyalty, support and defence of all
Christians, whom they control and protect.
ARTICLES OF RELIGION. \J
XXIV. 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. Notwithstanding, every man ought,
of such things as he possesseth, liberally to
give alms to the poor, according to his
ability.
XXV. Of a Christian Plan's Oath.
As we confess that vain and rash swear¬
ing is forbidden Christian men, by our Lord
Jesus Christ, and James his apostle; so we
judge that the Christian religion doth not
prohibit, but that a man may swear when
the magistrate requireth, in cause of faith
and charity, so it be done according to the
prophet's teaching, in justice, judgment and
truth.
18 catechism on faith.
CHAPTER III.
Catechism on Faith.
I. Question I. What is it to be justified?
Answer'. To be pardoned and received
into God's favor, into such a state, that, if
we continue therein, we shall be finally
saved.
Ques. 2. Is faith the condition of jus¬
tification ? •
Ans. Yes, for every one that believeth
not, is condemned; and every one who be¬
lieves, is justified.
Ques. 3. But must not repentance and
works meet for repentance, go before this
faith ?
Ans. Without doubt; if by repentance
you mean conviction of sin, and by works
meet for repentance, obeying- God as far as
we can; forgiving our brother, leaving off
from evil, doing good, and using his ordi¬
nances according to the power we have re¬
ceived.
Ques. 4. What is faith?
Ans. Faith in general is a divine, super-
CATECHISM ON FAITH.
19
natural evidence, or conviction of things
not seen—not discoverable by our bodily
senses—as being either past, future or spir¬
itual. Justifying faith implies not only a
divine evidence or conviction, that God was
in Christ, reconciling the world to himself,
but a sure trust and confidence that Christ
died for my sins, that he loved me and gave
himself for me. And the moment a peni¬
tent sinner believes this, God pardons and
absolves him.
Qucs. 5. Have all Christians this faith?
May not a man be justified and not know
it?
Ans. That all true Christians have such
faith as implies assurance of God's love, ap¬
pears from Rom. viii. 15; 2 Cor. xiii. 5;
Eph. iv. 3-2; Heb. viii. 10; 1 John iv. 10; v.
19. And that no man can be justified and
not know it, appears further from the na¬
ture of the thing; for faith after repent¬
ance, is ease after pain, rest after toil, light
after darkness. It appears also from the
immediate, as well as the distant fruits
thereof.
Ques. 6. But may not a man go to
heaven without it?
Ans. It does not appear from Holy Writ
that a man who has heard the gospel can;
20
CATECHISM ON FAITH.
Mark xvi. 16, whatever a heathen may do.
Rom. ii. 14.
Ques. 7. What are the immediate fruits
of justifying faith?
Ans. Peace, joy, love, power over all
outward sin, and power to keep down in¬
ward sin.
Ques. 8. Does any one believe who has
not the witness in himself, or any longer
than he sees, loves and obeys God?
Ans. We apprehend not, seeing God
being the very essence of faith; love and
obedience being the inseparable properties
of it.
Ques. 9. What sins are consistent with
justifying faith?
Ans. No wilful sin. If a believer wil¬
fully sins, he casts away his faith. Neither
is it possible he should have justifying faith
again without previously repenting.
Ques. 10. Must every believer come into
a state of doubt or fear, or darkness? Will
he do so unless by ignorance or unfaith¬
fulness ? Does God otherwise withdraw
himself ?
Ans. It is certain a believer need never
come again into condemnation. It seems
he need not come into a state of doubt or
CATECHISM ON FAITH. 21
fear, or darkness, and that (ordinarily at
least) he will not unless by ignorance or un¬
faithfulness. Yet it is true, that the first
joy seldom lasts long; that it is tollowed by
doubts and fears; and that God frequently
permits great heaviness before any large
manifestation of himself.
Ques. II. Are works necessary to the-
continuance of faith?
Aiis. Without doubt; for many forfeit
the free gift of God, either by sins of omis¬
sion or commission.
Ques. 12. Can faith be lost for want of
works.?
Ans. It cannot but through disobedience.
Ques. 13. How is faith made perfect by
works ?
Ans. The more we exert our faith, the
more it is increased. To him that hath
shall be given.
Ques. 14. St. Paul says, Abraham was
not justified by works; St. James, he was
justified by works. Do they not contradict
each other ?
Ans. No; ist, Because they do not speak
of the same justification. St. Paul speaks of
that justification which was when Abraham
was seventy-five years old, about twenty
22
CATECHISM ON FAITH.
years before Isaac was born. St. James of
that justification, which was when he of¬
fered up Isaac on the altar; 2nd, Because
they do not speak of the same works: St.
Paul speaking of works that precede faith;
St. James, of works that spring" from it.
Ques. 15. In what sense is Adam's sin
imputed to all mankind ?
Ans. In Adam all " die, i. e., 1st, Our
bodies then become mortal; 2nd, Our souls
died, i. e., were disunited from God. And
hence, 3d, We are all born with a sinful,
devilish nature, by reason whereof; 4th, We
are children of wrath, liable to death eter¬
nal. Rom. v. 18; Eph. ii. 3. •
Ques. 16. In what sense is the righteous¬
ness of Christ imputed to all mankind, or
to believers?
Ans. We do not find it expressly af¬
firmed in Scripture, that God imputes the
righteousness of Christ to any; although we
do find that faith is imputed to us for
righteousness. The text, "As by one man's
disobedience, many were made sinners, so
by the obedience of one, many were made
righteous," we conceive, means; by the
merits of Christ all men are cleared from
the guilt of Adam's actual transgression.
We conceive further, Through the obed-
CATECHISM ON FAITH.
23
ience and death of Christ, 1st, The bodies
of all men become immortal after the resur¬
rection ; 2d, Their souls receive a capacity
of spiritual life; and 3d, An actual spark or
seed thereof; 4th ,A11 believers become chil¬
dren of grace reconciled to God, and 5th,
made partakers of the divine nature.
Ques. 17. Have we, then, unawares,
leaned too much towards Calvinism ?
Ans. We are afraid we have.
Ques. 18. Have we not also leaned to¬
wards Antinomianism ?
Ans. We are afraid we Jiave.
Ques 19. What is Antinomianism?
Ans. "The doctrines which make void
the law through faith.
Ques. 20. What are the main pillars
thereof?
#
Ans. 1st, That Christ abolished the moral
law; 2d, That therefore Christians are not
obliged to observe it; 3d, That one branch
of Christian liberty is liberty from obeying
the commandments of God; 4th, That it is
bondage to do a thing because it is com¬
manded, or forbear because it is forbidden;
5th, That a believer is not obliged to use
the ordinances of God to do good works;
6th, That a preacher ought not to exhort
24 CATECHISM ON FAITH.
to good works; not unbelievers/because it
is hurtful; not believers, because it is need¬
less.
Ques. 21. What was the occasion of St.
Paul's writing his epistle to the Galatians?
Ans. The coming of certain men
amongst the Galatians, who taught, "Except
ye be circumcised and keep the law of
Moses, ye cannot be saved."
Ques. 22. What is his main design here¬
in?
Ans. To prove ist, That no man can
be saved, or justified by the works of the
law, either moral or ritual; 2d, That every
believer in Christ is justified by faith with¬
out the works of the law.
Ques. 23. What does he mean by the
works of the law? Gal. ii. 16, etc.
Ans. All works which do not spring
from faith in Christ.
Ques: 24. What by being under the law ?
Gal. iii. 23.
Ans. Under the Mosaic dispensation.
Ques. 25. What law has Christ abol¬
ished ?
Ans. The Ritual law of Moses.
Ques. 26. What is meant by liberty?
Gal. v. 1.
CATECHISM ON FAITH.
'25
Ans. Liberty, 1st, from the law, 2d, from
sin.
II. Question 1. How comes what is
written on justification to be so intricate
and obscure? Is this obscurity from the
nature of the thing itself, or from the fault
or weakness of those who generally treated
about it?
Answer. We apprehend this obscurity
does not arise from the nature of the sub¬
ject; but partly from the extreme warmth
of most writers who have treated it.
Ques. 2. We affirm that faith in Christ
is the sole condition of justification. But
does not repentance go before that faith?
Yea, and, supposing' that there be oppor¬
tunity for them, fruits or works meet for
repentance ?
Ans.. . Without doubt they do.
Ques. 3. How then can we deny them to
be conditions of justification? Is not this a
mere strife of words?
Ans. It seems not, though it has been
grievously abused. But so the abuse cease,
let the use remain.
Ques. 4. Shall we read over together
Mr. Baxter's aphorisms concerning justifi¬
cation ?
26'
CATECHISM ON FAITH.
Ans. By all means.
Ques. 5. Is an assurance of God's par¬
doning- love absolutely necessary to our
being in his favor? Or may there possibly
be some exempt cases?
Ans. We dare not possibly say there
are noh
Ques. 6. Is such an assurance absolutely
necessary to inward and outward holiness ?
Ans. To inward we apprehend it is; to
outward holiness, we incline to think not.
Ques. 7. Is it indispensably necessary
to final salvation ?
Ans. * Love hopeth all things. We know
not how far any man may fall under the
case of invincible ignorance.
Ques. 8. But what can we say of one of
our own society who dies without it; as I.
W., at London ?
Ans. It may possibly be an exempt case
{if the fact was really so.) But we deter¬
mine nothing; we leave his soul in the
hands of Him who made it.
Ques. 9. Does a man believe any longer
than he feels reconciled to God?
Ans. We conceive not But we allow
there may be infinite degrees of seeing God;
even as man^ as there are between him that
CATECHISM ON FAITH.
27
sees the sun, when it shines on his eyelids
closed, and him who stands with his eyes
wide open in the full blaze of his beams.
Ques. 10. Does a man believe any longer
than he loves God ?
Ans. In no wise. For neither circum¬
cision nor unc'rcumcision avails, without
faith working by love.
Ques. 11. Have we duly considered the
case of Cornelius? Was he not in the favor
of God when his prayer and alms came up
for a memorial before God, i. e., before
he believed in Christ?
Ans. It does seem that he was in some
degree. But we speak not of those who
have heard the Gospel.
Ques. 12. But were those works of his
splendid sins?
Ans. No; nor were they done without
the grace of Christ.
Ques. 13. How then can we maintain
that all works, done before we have a sense
of the pardoning mercies of God, are sins ?
And as such an abomination to him?
Ans. The works of him who has heard
the gospel, and does not believe, are not
done as God hath willed or commanded
them to be done. And yet we know not
28
CATECHISM ON FAITH.
how to say, that they are an abomination
to the Lord in him who feareth God, and
from that principle does the best he can.
Ques. 14. Seeing- there is so much dif¬
ficulty on this subject, can we deal too
tenderly with them that oppose us?
Ans. We cannot unless we were to give
up any part of the truth of God.
Ques. 15. Is a believer constrained to
obey God?
Ans. At first he often is; the love of
Christ constraineth him. After this he may
obey or he may not; no constraint being
laid on him.
Ques. 16. Can faith be lost through dis¬
obedience ?
. Ans. It can. A believer first inwardly
disobeys, inclines to sin with his heart; then
his intercourse with God is cut off, i. e.,
his faith is lost. And after this he may
fall into outward sin, being- now weak and
like another man.
Ques. 17. How can such a one recover
faith ?
Ans. By repenting and doing- the first
works. Rev. ii. 5.
Ques. 18. Whence is it that so great a
majority of those who believe, fall more
or less into doubt or fear?
CATECHISM ON FAITH. 29
Ans. Chiefly from their own ignorance
or unfaithfulness; often from their own not
watching unto prayer; perhaps from some
defect or want of the power of God in the
preaching they hear.
Qucs. 19. Is there not a defect in us?
Do we preach as we did at first ? Have we
not changed our doctrines?
Ans. 1 st. At first we preached almost
wholly to unbelievers. To those, therefore,
we spake almost continually of remission of
sin through the death of Christ and the na¬
ture of faith in his blood. And so we do
still among those who need to be taught the
first elements of the Gospel of Christ.
2d. But those in whom the foundation
is already laid, we exhort to go on to per¬
fection, which we did not see so clearly at
first, although we occasionally spoke of it
from the beginning.
. 3d. Yet we now preach, and that con¬
tinually, faith in Christ, as our prophet,
priest, and king; at -least as clearly, as
strongly and as fully, as we did several
years ago.
Ques. 20. Do not some of our preachers-
preach too much of the wrath, and too lit¬
tle of the love of God?
30 CATECHISM ON FAITH.
Ans. We fear that they have leaned to
that extreme, and hence some of their hir¬
ers have lost the joy of faith.
Ques. 21. Need we ever preach the ter¬
rors of the Lord to those who know they
are accepted of him?
Ans. No; it is folly so to do, for love is
to them the strongest of all motives.
Ques, 22. Do we ordinarily represent a
justified state so great and happy as it is?
Ans. Perhaps not; a believer walking in
the light is inexpressibly great and happy.
Ques. 23. Should we not have a care of
depreciating justification, in order to exalt
the state of full sanctification ?
Ans. Undoubtedly we should beware
of this, for one may insensibly slide into it.
Ques. 24. How should we avoid it?
Ans. When we are going to speak of en¬
tire sanctification, let us first describe the
blessing of a justified state, as strongly as
possible.
Ques. 25. Does not the truth of the Gos¬
pel lie very near both Calvinism and An-
tinomianism ?
Ans. Indeed it does, as it were within a
hair's breadth; so that it is altogether fool¬
ish and sinful, because we do not altogether
CATECHISM ON FAITH.
31
agree with one or the "other, to run from
them as far as we can.
Ques. 26. Wherein may we come to the
very verge of Calvinism?
Ans. 1 st. In ascribing all good to the
free grace of God. 2d. In denying all nat¬
ural free-will, and all power antecedent to
grace; and, 3d. In excluding all merit from
man even for what he has or does by the
grace of God.
Ques. 27. Wherein may we come to the
edge of Antinomianism ?
Ans. 1st. In exalting1 the merits and love
of Christ. 2d. In rejoicing evermore.
Ques. 28. Does faith supersede (set
aside the necessity of) holiness or good
works ?
Ans. In nowise. So far from it that it
implies both as a cause does its effects.
III. Ques. 1. Can an unbeliever (what¬
ever he be in other respects) challenge any¬
thing of God's justice?
Ans. He cannot, nothing but hell; and
this is a point on which we cannot insist too
much.
Ques. 2. Do we exempt men of their
own righteousness, as we did at first? Do
we sufficiently labor, when they begin to be
32 CATECHISM ON FAITH.
convinced of sin, to take away all they lean
upon? Should we not then endeavor, with
all our might, to overturn their false foun¬
dation ?
Ans. This was at first one of our princi¬
pal points; and it ought to be so still; for till
all other foundations are overturned, they
cannot build on Christ.
Ques. 3. Did we not then purposely
throw them into convictions; into strong
sorrow and fear? Nay, did we not strive
to make them inconsolable, refusing to be
comforted ?
Ans. We did. And so should we do
still; for the stronger the conviction the
speedier is the deliverance. And none so
soon receive the peace of God, as those who
steadily refuse all other comfort.
Ques. 4. What is sincerity?
Ans. Willingness to know and do the
whole will of God. The lowest species
thereof seems to be faithfulness in that
which is little.
Ques. 5. Has God any regard for man's
sincerity ?
Ans. n So far, that no man in any state
can possibly please God without it; neither
in any moment wherein he is not sincere.
CATECHISM ON FAITH. 33
Ques 6. But can it be conceived that
God has any regard to the sincerity of an
unbeliever ?
Ans. Yes, so much that if he perseveres
therein God will infallibly give him faith.
Ques. 7. What regard may we conceive
him to have to the sincerity of a believer?
Ans. So much that in every sincere be¬
liever he fulfills all the great and precious
promises.
Ques. 8. Whom do you term a sincere
believer ?
Ans. One that walks in the light, as God
is in the light.
Ques. 9. Is sincerity the same with a
single eye?
Ans. Not altogether; the latter refers to
our intentions," the former to our wills or
desiresT
Ques. 10. Is it not all in all?
Ans. All will follow persevering sin¬
cerity. God gives everything with it; noth¬
ing without it.
Ques. 11. Are not then sincerity and
faith equivalent terms?
Ans. By no means. It is at least as
nearly related to works as it is to faith. For
example; who is sincere before he believes?
34 CATECHISM ON FAITH.
He that then does all he can; he that,
according to the power he- has received,
brings forth fruits meet for repentance.
Who is sincere after he believes? He that,
from a sense of God's love, is zealous of all
good works.
Ques. 12. Is not sincerity what St. Paul
terms a willing m!nd? I Cor. viii. 12. Yes,
if the word were taken in a general sense;
for it is a constant disposition to use all the
grace given.
Ques. 13. But do we not then set sin¬
cerity on a level with faith ?
Ans. No; for we allow a man may be
sincere and not be justified, as he may be
penitent and not be justified (not as yet)
but he cannot have faith and not be justi¬
fied. The very moment he believes he is
justified.
Ques. 14. But do we not give up faith
and put sincerity in its place as- the condi¬
tion of our acceptance with God ?
Ans. We believe it is one condition of
our acceptance, as repentance likewise is.
And we believe it is a condition of our
continuing in a state of acceptance with
God. Yet we do not put it irt the place
of faith. It is by faith the merits of Christ
CATECHISM ON FAITII.
35
are applied to my soul. But if I am not
sincere they are not applied.
Ques. 15. Is not this that going about
to establish your own righteousness, where¬
of St. Paul speaks?
Ans. St. Paul there manifestly speaks of
unbelievers who sought to be accepted for
the sake of their own righteousness. We
do not seek to be accepted for the sake of
our sincerity; but through the merits of
Christ alone. Indeed, so long as any man
believes, he cannot go about (in St. Paul's
sense) to establish his own righteousness.
Ques. 16. But do you consider that we
are under the covenant of grace; and that
the covenant of works is now abolished?
Ans. All mankind are under the coven¬
ant of grace, from the very hour that the
original promise was made. If by the
covenant of wopks you mean that of un-
sinning obedience made with Adam before
the fall; no man but Adam was ever un¬
der that covenant, for it was abolished be¬
fore Cain was born. Yet it is not so abol¬
ished, but that it will stand, in a measure,
even to the end of the world; that is if we
do this, we shall live; if not, we shall die
eternally; if we do well we shall live with
God in glory; if evil, we shall die the seconc
36 CATECHISM ON FAITH.
death. For every man shall be judged in
that, and rewarded according to his works.
Ques. 17. What means then; to him that
believeth, his faith is counted for right¬
eousness ?
Ans. That God forgives him that is un¬
righteous as soon as he believes, accepting
his faith instead of perfect righteousness.
But then, observe, universal righteousness
follows though it .did not precede faith.
Ques. 18. But is faith thus counted to us
for righteousness, at whatsoever time we
believe ?
Ans. 'Yes. In whatsoever moment we
believe all our past sins vanish away. They
are as though they never had been, and we
stand clear in the sight of God.
Ques. 19. Are not the assurance of faith,
the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, and the
revelation of Christ in us* terms of nearly
the same import ? *
Ans. He that denies one of them, must
deny all; they are so closely connected.
Ques. 20. Are they ordinarily, where
the pure gospel is preached, essential to our
acceptance ?
Ans. Undoubtedly they are, and as such
to be insisted on in the strongest terms.
CATECHISM ON FAITH.
37
Ques. 21. Is not the whole dispute of
salvation by faith, or by works, a mere strife
of words?
Ans. In asserting- salvation by faith we
mean this: ist, That pardon (salvation be¬
gun) is received by faith, producing works.
2d. That holiness (salvation continued) is
faith working by love. 3d. That Heaven,
(salvation finished) is the reward of this
faith.
If you assert salvation by works, or by
faith and works, mean the same thing, (un¬
derstanding- by faith, the revelation of Christ
in us, by salvation, pardon, holiness, glory),
we will not strive with you at all. If you
do not, this is not a strife of words, but the
very vitals, the essence of Christianity is
the thing in question.
Ques. 22. Wherein does our doctrine
now differ from that preached by Mr. Wes¬
ley at Oxford?
Ans. Chiefly in these two points; ist,
He then knew nothing- of that righteous¬
ness of faith in justification; nor 2d, Of
that nature of faith itself, as implying con¬
sciousness of pardon..
Ques. 23;. May not some degree of the
love of God "go before a distinct sense of
justification ?
38
CATECHISM ON FAITTI.
Ans. We believe it may.
Ques. 24. Can any degree of holiness
or sanctification ?
Ans. Many degrees of outward holiness
may; yea, and some degrees of meekness,
and several other tempers which would' be
branches of Christian holiness, but that they
do not spring from Christian principles.
For the abiding love of God cannot spring
but from a faith in a pardoning God. And
no true Christian holiness can exist with¬
out that love of God for its foundation.
Ques. 25. Is every man as soon as he be¬
lieves a new creature, sanctified, pure in
heart? Has he then a new heart? Does
Christ dwell therein? And is he a temple
of the Holy Ghost? N
Ans. All these thing^ may be affirmed
of every believer in a true sense. Let us
not, therefore, contradict those who main¬
tain it. Why should we contend about
words ?
IV. Question 1. How much is allowed
by our brethern who differ from us in re¬
gard to sanctification?
Ans. They grant? 1st, That every one
must be entirely sanctified in the article oi
death; 2d, That until then a believer dail)
grows in grace, comes nearer and nearer 1c
CATECHISM ON FAITH.
39
perfection; 3d, That we ought to be con¬
tinually pressing after this, and exhort all
others to do so.
Ques. 2. What do we allow them?
Ans. We grant, 1st, That many of those
who have died in the faith, yea, the greater
part of those we have known, were not
sanctified throughout, or made perfect in
love, till a little before death; 2d, Thai the
term "sanctified' is continually applied b>
St. Paul to all that were justified, and were
true.believers; 3d, That by this term alone,
he rarely (if ever) means, saved from all
sin; 4th, That consequently, it is not proper
to use it in this sense, without adding the
words "entirely," "wholly," or the like;
5th, That the inspired writers almost con¬
tinually speak of, or to those who wi-rc
justified; but very rarely either of or to
those who were wholly sanctified ; 6th, That,
consequently, it behooves us to speak in
public almost continually of the state of
justification, but more rarely, at leasi in full
and explicit terms, concerning entire sincti-
fication.
Ques. 3. What then is the point where¬
in we divide ?
Ans. It is this: Whether we should ex-
40 CATECHISM ON FAITH.
peot to be saved from all sin, before the
article of death.
Ques. 4. Is there any clear Scripture
promise of this; that God will save us from
all sin?
Ans. ' There is, Ps. cxxx. 8: "He shall re¬
deem Israel from all iniquities."
This is more largely expressed in the
prophecy of Ezekiel xxxvi. 25, 29: "Then
will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and
ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness,
and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
"I will also save you from all youf un-
cleartness." No promise can be more clear.
And to this the Apostle plainly refers in that
exhortation: "Having therefore these prom¬
ises, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthi¬
ness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holi¬
ness in the fear of God." 2 Cor. vii. 10.
Equally clear and expressive is that ancient
promise: "The Lord thy God will circum¬
cise thy heart, and the heart of thy seed,
to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,
and with all thy soul." Deut. xxx. 6.
Ques. 5. But does any assertion answer¬
able to this occur in the GNFew Testament ?
Ans. There does, and that laid down in
the plainest terms. "For this purpose the
Son of God was manifested, that he might
CATECHISM ON FAITH. 41
destroy the works of the devil." I John
iii. 8: The works of the devil—without any
limitation or restriction; but all sin is the
work of the devil. Parallel to which is that
assertion of St. Paul, Eph. v. 25, 27: "Christ
loved the church, and gave himself for it,
that he might present it to himself a glori¬
ous church, not having spot or wrinkle, or
any such thing; but that it should be holy
and without blemish."
And to the same effect is that assertion;
"God sending his own Son in the likeness
of sinful flesh, condemned sin in the flesh,
that the righteousness of the law might be
fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh,
but after the Spirit." Romans viii. 3, 4.
Ques. 6. Does the New Testament af¬
ford any further ground for expecting to
be saved from all sin ?
Ans. Undoubtedly it does; both in those
prayers and commands, which are equiva¬
lent to the strongest assertions.
Ques. 7. What prayers do you mean ?
Ans. Prayers for entire sanctification;
which, were there no such thing, would be
mere mockery of God. Such, in particular,
are, 1st, Deliver us from evil; or rather,
from the evil one. Now when this is done,
4 2
CATECHISM ON FAITH.
when we are delivered from all evil, there
can be no sin remaining".
2nd; '"Neither pray I for these alone, but
for them also which believe on me through
their word, that they all may be one as thou,
Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they
also may be one in us: that the world may
belie vd that thou hast sent me." "I in them
and thou in me, that they may be made per¬
fect in one, and that the world may know
that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them,
as thou has loved me." John xvii. 20, 21,
23-
3d; "1 bow my knee^ unto the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ," ''that he
would grant you, according to the riches of
Tr's glory to be strengthened with might by
his spirit in the inner man ; that Christ may
dwell in your heart by faith, that ye being
rooted and grounded in love, may be able
to comprehend with all saints, what is the
breadth, and length, and depth, and height,
and to know the love of Christ, which pass-
•eth knowledge, that ye might be filled with
all the fulness of God." Eph. iii. 14, 16-19.
4th ; "The very God of peace sanctify you
wholly; and I pray God, your whole spirit
and soul and body, be preserved blameless
CATECHISM ON FAITH.
43
unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.''
i Thess. v. 23.
Ques. 8. What command is there to the
same effect?
Ans. 1st; "Be ye perfect, as your Father
which is in heaven is perfect." Matt. v. 48.
2d; "Thou, shalt love the Lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and
with all thy mind." Matt. xxii. 37. But if
the love of God fill all the heart, there can
be no sin there.
Ques. 9. But how does it appear that
this is to be done before the article of
death ?
Ans. 1 st, from the very nature of a
command, which is not given to the dead,
but to the living; therefore, "Thou shalt
love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,"
cannot mean, -Thou shalt do this when thou
diest, but while thou livest; 2d, from ex¬
press texts of Scripture; "The grace of God
which bringeth salvation, hath appeared to
all men; teaching us that, denying ungodli¬
ness and every worldly lust, we should live
soberly, righteously, and godly, in the pres¬
ent world; looking for that blessed hope
and the glorious appearing of our Lord
Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that
he might redeem us from all iniquity, and
44
CATECHISM ON FAITH.
purify unto himself a peculiar people, zeal¬
ous of good works." Titus ii. ii-i^.. "He
hath raised up a horn of salvation for us in
the house of his servant David," ."to per¬
form the mercy promised to our fathers,
and to remember his holy covenant, the
oath which he sware to our father Abra-
ham, that he would grant unto us, that we
being delivered out of the hand of our ene¬
mies, should serve him without fear, in holi¬
ness and righteousness before him all the
days of our life." Luke i. 69, 72-75.
Ques. 10. Does not the harsh preaching
of perfection tend to bring believers into a
kind of bondage or slavish fear?
Ans. It does. Therefore we should al¬
ways place it in the most amiable light, so
that it may excite only hope, joy and desire.
Ques. 11. Why may we not continue in
the joy of faith, even till we' are made per¬
fect?
Ans. Why, indeed! Since holy grief
does not quench this joy; since even while
we are under the cross,, while we deeply par¬
take of the sufferings of Christ, we may
rejoice with joy unspeakable.
Ques 12. Do we not discourage believ¬
ers from rejoicing evermore?
Ans. We ought not to do so. Let them
CATECHISM ON FAITH.
45
all their time rejoice unto God, so it be with
reverence. And even if lig-htness or pride
should mix with their joy, let us not strike
at the joy itself (this is the gift of God),
but at the lightness or pride, that the evil
may cease and the good remain.
Ques. 13. Ought we to be anxiously
careful about perfection, lest we should die
before we have attained it?
Ans. In nowise. We ought to be thus
careful for nothing, either spiritual or tem¬
poral.
Ques. 14. But ought we not to be trou¬
bled on account of the sinful nature which
still remains in us?
Ans. It is good to have a deep sense of
this, and to be much ashamed before the
Lord. But this should only incite us the
more earnestly to turn unto Christ every
moment, and to draw light, and life, and
strength from him. that we may go on con¬
quering and to conquer. And therefore,
when the sense of our sins most abounds,
the sense of his love should much more
abound.
Ques. 15. Will our joy or our trouble
increase as we grow in grace?
Ans. Perhaps both. But, without doubt,
46 CATECHISM ON FAITH.
our joy in the Lord will increase as our love
increases.
Ques. 16. Is not the teaching- believers
to be continually poring- over their inbred
sin, the ready way to make them forget that
they were purged from their former sin ?
Ans. We find by experience it is; or to
make them undervalue, and account it a
little thing; whereas, indeed (though there
are still greater gifts behind), this is in¬
expressibly great and glorious.
the general rules.
47
CHAPTER IV.
general rules of united societies.
1. In the latter end of the year 1739,
eight or ten persons came to Mr. Wesley,
in London, who appeared to be deeply con¬
vinced of sin, and earnestly groaning- after
redemption. They desired, as did two or
three more the next day, that he would
spend some time with them in prayer, and
advise them how to flee from the wrath to
come, which they saw continually hanging
over their heads. That he might have more
time for this great work, he appointed a day
when they might all come together, which,
from thenceforward they did every week,
namely, on Thursday, in the evening. To
these, and as many others as desired to join
with them (for their number increased
daily), he gave those advices from time to
time, which he judged most needful for
them; and they always concluded their
meetings with prayer suited to their several
necessities.
2. This was the rise of the United So¬
ciety, first in Europe, and then in America.
48
THE GENERAL RULES.
Such a society is no other than a company
of men having the form and seeking the
power of godliness, united in order to pray
together, to receive the word of exhorta¬
tion, and to watch over one another in love,
that they may help each other to work out
their salvation.
3. That it may the more easily be dis¬
cerned whether they are indeed working out
their salvation, each Society is divided into
smaller companies, called Gasses, accord¬
ing to their respective places of abode.
There are about twelve persons in a class,
of whom one is styled the "Leader." It is
his duty:
I. To see each person in his class once
a week, at least; in order, 1st, To inquire
how their souls prosper; 2nd, To advise,
reprove, comfort or exhort, as occasion may
require; 3rd, To receive what they are will¬
ing to give towards the relief of the Preach¬
ers, Church and Poor.
II. To tneet the Ministers, and the Ste¬
wards of the Society, once a week; in or¬
der, 1st, To inform the Minister of any
that are sick, or of any that walk disorderly,
and will not be reproved. 2nd, To pay the
Stewards what they have received from
their several classes in the week preceding.
THE GENERAL RULES.
49
III. There is only one condition prev¬
iously required of those who desire ad¬
mission into these Societies—a desire to flee
from the wrath to come, and to be saved
from their sins. But wherever this is really
fixed in the soul, it will be shown by its
fruits.
(i) It is then expected of all who con¬
tinue therein, that they shall continue to
evidence their desire of salvation,
First: By doing- no harm, by avoiding1
evil of every kind, especially that which is
most generally practiced—such as,
The taking the name of God in vain;
The profaning the day of the Lord, either
by doing- ordinary work therin, or by buy¬
ing and selling;
Drunkenness, or the drinking of spirit-
ous liquors, unless in cases of necessity;
The buying- and selling- of men, women
and children, with an intention to enslave
them;
Fighting, quarreling-, brawling, brother
going to law with brother, returning evil
for evil, or railing for railing, the using
of many words in buying and selling;
The buying and selling g-oods that have
not paid duty;
The giving or taking things on usury,
50 THE GENERAL RULES.
that is, unlawful interest;
Uncharitable or unprofitable conversa¬
tion, particularly speaking evil of magis¬
trates or 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 ap¬
parel
The taking such diversions as cannot be
used in the name of the Lord Jesus;
The singing those songs, and the reading
those books which do not tend to the knowl¬
edge or love of God;
Softness and needless self-indulgence;
Laying up treasure on earth;
Borrowing without a probability of pav¬
ing; or taking up goods without a proba¬
bility of paying for them.
(2) It is expected of all those who con¬
tinue in these societies, that-they shall con¬
tinue to evidence their desire of salvation,
Second: By doing good; by being in
everything merciful according to their
power, as they have opportunity; doing
good of every possible sort and, as far as is
possible, to all men:
To their bodies, of the ability which God
THE GENERAL RULES. 51
giveth, by giving food to the hungry, by
clothing the naked, by visiting or helping
them that are sick or in prison: To their
souls, by instructing, reproving or exhort¬
ing all we have any intercourse with,
trampling under foot that enthusiastic doc¬
trine, that we are not to do good unless we
feel our hearts free to do it.
By doing good, .especially to them that
are of the household of faith, or groaning
so to be; employing- them preferably to oth¬
ers, buying one of another, helping each
other in business; and so much the more,
as the world will love its own, and theni
only: By all possible diligence and frugality
that the gospel may not be blamed.
By running with patience the race which
is set before them, denying themselves, tak¬
ing up their cross daily, submitting to bear
the reproach of Christ, to be as the filth and
offscouring of the world, and looking that
men should say all manner of evil of them
falsely for the Lord's sake.
(3) It is expected of all who desire to
continue in these societies, that they should
continue to evidence their desire of salva¬
tion ; Third, By attending upon all the or¬
dinances of God. Such are:
The Public worship of God; The ministry
52
THE GENERAL RULES.
of the Word, either read or expounded;
The Supper of the Lord;
Family and private prayer;
Searching- the Scriptures, fasting or ab¬
stinence.
These are the general rules of our socie¬
ties; all of 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 every truly awak¬
ened heart. If there be any among us who
observes them not, who habitually, breaks
any of them, let it be known unto them who
watch over that soul, as they who must give
an account. We will admonish 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
delivered our own souls.
THE BAND SOCIETIES.
53
CHAPTER V.
BAND SOCIETIES.
i. Rules.
Two, three or four true believers who have con¬
fidence in each other, form a band. Only, it is to
be observed, that in one of these bands all must be
men or all women; and all married or all unmar¬
ried.
The design of our meeting is to obey that
command of God—''Confess your faults
one to another, and pray for one another,
that ye may be healed.'''—James v. 16.
To this end we agree,
1. To meet once a week at least.
2. To come punctually at the hour ap¬
pointed unless some extraordinary reason
prevent.
3v To begin exkctly at the hour, with
singing or prayer.
4. To speak, each of us in order, freely
and plainly, the true state of our souls, with
the faults we have committed in tempers,
words or actions and temptations we have
felt since last meeting.
5. To end every meeting with prayer,
suited to the state of each person present.
54
THE BAND SOCIETIES.
6. To desire some person among us to
speak of his own state first, and then to ask
the rest in order, as many and as searching
questions as may be, concerning their state,
sins and temptations.
Some of the questions proposed to every
one before he is admitted among us, may
be to this effect:
1. Have you had the forgiveness of sins?
2. Have you peace with God, through our
Lord Jesus Christ?
3. Have you the witness of God's Spirit
with yours, that you are a child of God ?
4. Is the love of God shed abroad in your
heart ?
5. Has no sin inward or outward domin¬
ation over you?
6. Do you desire to be told of your
faults ?
7. Do you desire to be told of all your
faults, and that plainly and home?
8. Do you desire that every one of us
shall tell you, from time to time, whatso¬
ever is in our hearts concerning you?
9. Consider: Do you desire we should
tell you whatsoever we think, whatsoever
we fear, concerning you ?
10. Do you desire that in doing this, we
should come as close as possible, that we
THE BAND SOCIETIES.
55
should cut to the quick, and search your
heart to the bottom?
ii. Is it your desire and design to be
upon this, and all other occasions, entirely
open so as to speak without disguise and
without reserve?
Any of the preceding questions may be
asked often as occasion requires, the four
following at every meeting:
. i. What known sins have you committed
since our last meeting?
2. What particular temptations have you
met with?
3. How were you delivered?
4. What have you thought, said or done
of which you are in doubt, whether it be sin
or not?
2. Directions.
You are supposed to have the faith that
overcometh the world. To you, therefore,
it is not grievous—•
I. Carefully to abstain from doing evil;
in particular,—
1. Neither to buy nor sell anything on the
Lord's day.
2. To taste no spiritous liquors, nor dram
of any kind, unless prescribed by a phy¬
sician.
3. To be at a word both in buying and
56
l'HE BAND SOCIETIES.
selling .
4. Not to mention the fault of any be¬
hind his back, and stop those short who do
so.
5. To wear no needless ornaments such
as rings, ear-rings, necklaces, lace, or ruf¬
fles.
6. To use no needless self-indulgence.
II. Zealously to maintain good works; in
particular,—
1. To give alms of such things as you
possess, and that according to your ability.
2. To reprove those who* sin in your
sight, and that in love and meekness of wis¬
dom.
3. To be patterns of diligence and frugal¬
ity, of self-denial, and taking up the cross
daily.
III. Constantly to attend on all the ordi¬
nances of God: in particular,
1. To be at church at the Lord's Table,
and at every public meeting of the bands at
every opportunity.
2. To use private prayer every day, and
family prayer if you are at the head of a
family.
3. Frequently to read the Scriptures and
jneditate thereon.
4. To observe as days of fasting or ab¬
stinence all Fridays in the year.
turlic worship.
57
CHAPTER VI.
public worship,
i. Order of Service.
1. Voluntary by choir.
2. Scripture Sentences: "I was glad"
etc., according to the Ritual.
3. Singing a hymn from our hymnal, af¬
ter its announcement by the officiating min¬
ister.
4. Prayer, minister and congregation
kneeling.
5. Voluntary by choir.
6. Scripture lesson, minister and people
reading alternately.
7. Scripture lesson by minister.
8. Singing.
9. Reading of the Decalogue; minister
leading, the people responding.
10. Singing.
11. Announcements.
12. Preaching or Exhortation.
13. The Lord's Prayer or an extempore
prayer, the minister and congregation kneel¬
ing.
14. Collecting Offerings.
58
PUBLIC WORSHIP.
15. Doxology and Benediction.
This order may be abridged at afternoon and
evening- services.
At the Sacrament Service the Scripture lesson
shall be read, but notices shall not be read, and the
sermon may be omitted.
2. Singing.
1. Our Hymnal shall be used in all our
congregations. Each member should^have
a copy but where this is lacking the minis¬
ter shall read the hymn aloud, verse by
verse; no improvised hymns nor tunes shall
be allowed.
2. The Pastor shall be the official head
of the choir, and no change in its composi¬
tion shall be considered legal without his
consent and co-operation.
3. The choir shall be composed of persons
of good reputation, who respect our Disci¬
pline and will be governed by our Rfiles
of Worship. The chorister may be elected
by the choir, subject to the approval of the
pastor. The choir should be regulated by
strict rules, including the obligation to prac¬
tice regularly.
class meetings and leaders. 5^
CHAPTER VII.
class meetings and .leaders.
A Qass is composed of about twelve per¬
sons, and is formed for the purpose of dis¬
cerning whether they are indeed working
out their own salvation, and to receive what
they are willing to contribute to the sup¬
port of the Gospel. One of the persons as¬
signed to each class is styled The Leader.
Leaders must be persons of sound judg¬
ment, Scripture readers, and truly devoted
to God. They are appointed, or changed
when necessary, by the pastor, and exam¬
ined quarterly by the pastor and Presiding
Elder. Those who give love feast tickets
or class privileges to expelled members,
must be removed.
The duties of class leaders are,
1. To meet the members in class once a
week, to inquire how each soul prospers,
and to receive what they are willing to con¬
tribute for the support of the Gospel;
2. To read the rules to those who meet
for the first time in class ;
3. To visit each other's classes frequently;
6o CLASS MEETINGS AND LEADERS.
4. To converse with their pastors fre¬
quently and freely;
5. To admit strangers, who are not mem¬
bers, to their class meeting- no more than
three times, and then not to consecutive'
meetings;
6. To exclude suspended and expelled
members from the class meeting;
7. To watch over probationers with es¬
pecial care and recommend those who stand
fair' at the end of three months, for full
membership;
8. To report to the Official Board, (1)
Those who are sick, (2) Those who walk
disorderly and will not be reproved, (3)
The amount of money collected for the
support of the Gospel, paying the same to
the Stewards.
MATRIMONIAL RELATIONS. 6l
CHAPTER VIII.
MATRIMONIAL RELATIONS.
i. Marriage.
1. An evil has prevailed in our church by
many of our members marrying unawaken-
ed persons. By so doing they have been
either hindered for life or turned back to
perdition. But our members are not pro¬
hibited from marrying persons who are not
of our church, provided those persons nave
the form and are seeking the power of
godliness.
2. Every preacher shall publicly enforce
the apostle's mandate—"Be ye not unequal¬
ly yoked together with unbelievers/5 2 Cor.
vi. 14. And shall exhort all concerned
not to take such a course without seeking
counsel from the most serious of their
brethren.
3. A woman ought not to marry with¬
out the consent of her parents. But if she
believe it to be her duty to marry and her
parents absolutely refuse to let her marry
any Christian, she then ought to marry
without their consent.
62 MATRIMONIAL RELATIONS.
2. Divorcement.
1. If any minister, preacher, exhorter or
lay member, male or female, who has been
legally married, shall leave his wife or her
husband, save for the cause of adultery, and
marry again (which we believe to be a crime
expressly forbidden by the word of God),
while the former wife, or husband is living,
he or she shall be expelled and shall not be
admitted to any of our churches during
the natural life of the forsaken party.
2. Any lay member, male or female, who
shall legally separate from his wife or her
husband and marry again while the former
wife or husband is living, he or she shall
be required to file with the Quarterly Con¬
ference to which he or she is amenable, a
transcript of the records in the case of the
Court which granted said bill of separation,
and upon failure to do so when requested
by the Official Board, he or she shall be ex¬
pelled.
3. Any minister who shall legally separ¬
ate from his wife and marry again while the
former wife is living, shall be required to
file with the Annual Conference, of which
he is a member, a transcript of the records
in the case of the Court which granted
said bill of separation. And any minister
MATRIMONIAL RELATIONS. 63
refusing to do so when requested by said
conference shall be suspended.
4. Any of our ministers who shall know¬
ingly perform the marriage ceremony for
ainy person who has thus violated his or her
previous marriage obligation, said minister
shall forfeit his standing in the connection.
PART II.
RITES AND CEREMONIES.
I.
Ordination of Deacons.
II.
Ordination of Elders.
III.
Ordination of Bishops.
IV.
Baptism.
V.
Receiving Members Into Church
VI.
The Lord's Supper.
VII.
Solemnization of Matrimony.
VIII.
Burial Service.
IX.
Laying Corner Stones.
X.
Dedication of Churches.
66 ORDINATION OF DEACONS.
CHAPTER I.
ORDINATION OF DEACONS.
When the day appointed by the Bishop
is come there shall be a sermon or exhor¬
tation, declaring the duty and office of such
as come to be admitted deacons. One of
the elders shall present unto the bishop the
persons to be ordained deacons, saying these
words:
Reverend Father in God, I present unto
you these persons, to be admitted deacons.
The Bishop.—Take heed that the persons
whom you present to us be apt and meet by
their godly conversation, to exercise their
ministry duly to the honor of God and the
edifying of his church.
The elder shall answer: I have inquired
concerning them, and also examined them,
and think them so to be.
The names being read aloud, the bishop shall
feay unto the people:
Brethren, if there be any of you who
know any impediment or crime in any of
these persons presented to be ordained dea¬
cons, for the which he ought not to be ad-
ORDINATION OF DEACONS. 67
mitted to that office, let him come forth in
the name of God, and show what the crime
or impediment is.
(If any crime or impediment be objected,
the bishop shall cease from ordaining that
person until such time as the party accused
shall be found clear of that crime).
Then shall be read the following collect and
epistle:
The Collect.
Almighty God, who by thy Divine Provi¬
dence hath appointed divers Orders of Min¬
isters of thy Church, and didst inspire thy
Apostles to choose to the order of deacons,
the first martyr, St. Stephen, with others;
mercifully behold these thy servants, now
called to the like Office and Administration;
replenish them so with the truth of thy
doctrines, and adorn them with the inno-
cency of life, that both by word and good
example, they may faithfully serve thee in
this office, to the glory of th> holy 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, now and forever, Amen.
The Epistle—I Tim. in. 8-13.
Likewise must the Deacons be grave, not
double-tongued, not given to much wine,
68 ORDINATION OF DEACONS.
not greedy of filthy lucre; holding the mys¬
tery of faith in a pure conscience. And
let these also first be proved; then let them
use the office of a Deacon, being found
blameless. Even so must their wives be
grave, not slanderers, 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 bold¬
ness in the faith which, is in Jesus Christ.
Then shall the Bishop examine every one of
them that is to be ordained, in the presence of the
people, in the following manner:
The Bishop.--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 pro¬
motion of his glory, and the edifying of
his people?
Ans. I trust so.
The Bishop.—Do you unfeignedly believe
all the canonical Scriptures of the Old and
New Testament?
Ans. I do believe them.
The Bishop.—Will you diligently read
and expound the same unto the people
whom you shall be appointed to serve?
ORDINATION OF DEACONS. 69
Ans. I will.
The Bishop.—It appertaineth to the of¬
fice of a Deacon to assist the elder in Divine
service. And especially when he adminis-
tereth 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 families accord¬
ing 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 government
over you is committed, following with a glad
mind and will, their godly admonitions ?
Ans. I will endeavor to do so, the Lord being
my helper.
Then shall the Bishop, laying his hands upon
the head of every one of them severally, say:
70 ORDINATION OF DEACONS.
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 the Holy Bible, saying,
Take thou authority to read the Holy
Scriptures, and to preach the same in the
Church of God.
Then one of them, appointed by the Bishop,
shall read the Gospel, Luke xii, 35-38:
Let your loins be girded about, and your
lights burning; and ye yourselves like un¬
to 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 ser¬
vants whom the Lord when he cometh, shall
find watching: verily I say unto you that he
shall gird himself, and rrfake 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.
Then shall the Bishop proceed in the commun¬
ion, and all that are ordained shall receive the
holy communion.
The communion ended, immediately before the
benediction, shall be said the following collects:
Almighty God, giver of all good things,
ORDINATION OF DEACONS. ' 71
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, O Lord, to be modest,
humble and consistent in their ministration,
and to have a ready will to observe all spir¬
itual discipline; that they, having always the
testimony of a good conscience, and con¬
tinuing ever stable and strong in thy Son
Jesus Christ, may so well behave themselves
in this inferior office, that they may be found
worthy to be called unto the higher minis¬
tries of thy Church, through the same, thy
Son and our Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom
be glory and honor, world without end.
Amen.
Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings, with
thy most gracious favor, and further us
with thy continued 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 un¬
derstanding, keep your hearts and minds
in the knowledge and love of God, and of
his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, and the
blessings of God Almighty, the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Ghost, be among you,
and remain with you always. Amen.
72
ORDINATION OF ELDERS.
CHAPTER II.
ORDINATION OF 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 necessary that order is in the Church
of Christ, and also how the people ought to esteem
them in their office.
After which, one of the elders shall present un¬
to the Bishop all them that are to be ordained, and
say:
Reverend Father in God, I present unto
you these persons present, to be ordained
Elders.
The Bishop.—Take heed that the persons
whom you present unto us be apt and meet,
by their godly conversation, to exercise their
Ministry duly to the honor of God, and the
edifying- of the Church.
The Elder shall answer:
I have inquired concerning them, and
also examined them, and think them so to
be.
Then, their names being read aloud, the Bishop
shall say unto the people:
Brethren, these are they whom we pur-
ORDINATION OF ELDERS.
73
pose, God willing, this clay to ordain Eld¬
ers ; for after due examination, we find not
the contrary, but that they are lawfully
called to this function and ministry, and that
they are persons meet for the same. But
if there be any of you who knoweth any im¬
pediment or crime in any of them, for the
which he ought not to be received into this
holy ministry, let him come forth in the
name of God, and show what the crime or
impediment is.
If any crime or impediment be objected, the
Rishop shall cease from ordaining that person un-
till such time as the party accused shall be found
clear of the crime.
Then shall be said the CoMect. Epistle, and
Gospel, as followeth :
The Collect.
Almighty God, Giver of all good things,
who by thy Holy Spirit hast appointed div¬
ers orders of ministers in thy Church; mer¬
cifully behold these thy servants, now called
to the office of elders, and replenish them so
with the truth of thy doctrine, and adorn
them with the 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
74 ORDINATION OF ELDERS.
thee and the Holy Ghost, world without end.
Amen.
The Epistle.—Eph. iv. 7-13.
• Unto every one of us is given grace ac¬
cording 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 fhat
descended is the same also that ascended up
far above all heavens, that he might fill all
things). 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 shall be read, for the Gospel, St.
John x. 1-16.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that
ent'ereth not by the door into the sheep fold,
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
ORDINATION OF ELDERS.
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
before them, and the sheep follow him: for
they know his voice. And a stranger 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 wrhat things they were
which he spake unto them.
Then said Jesus unto them again, verily,
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 shepherd: the
good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
But he that is a hireling, and not the
shephard, whose own the sheep are not,
seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep
and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth 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
?6 ORDINATION OF ELDERS.
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 hereafter followeth:
You have heard, brethren, as well in your
private examination, as in the exhortation
which was just made to you, and in the
Holy lessons taken out. of the gospel, and
in the writings of the Apostles, of what
dignity and of how great importance this
office is, whereunto ye are now called. And
now again we exhort you, 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
stewards of the Lord; to teach, and to pre-
monish, 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, print^i in your
remembrance, how great treasure is com-
ORDINATION OF ELDERS.
77
mitted 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 congregation whom you
must serve, is his spouse, and his body. And
if it should happen the same church, or any
member thereof, to take any hurt or hind¬
rance by reason of your negligence, ye know
the greatness of the fault, and also the hor¬
rible punishment that will ensue. Where¬
fore consider within yourselves the end of
the ministry towards the children of God,
towards the spouse and body of Christ, and
see that you never cease your labor, your
care and diligence, until you have done all
that lieth in you, according to your bounden
duty, to bring all such as are, or shall be
committed to your charge unto that agree¬
ment in the faith, and to that ripeness and
perfectness of age in Christ, that there may
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 diffi¬
culty, ye see with how great care and study
ye ought to apply yourselves, as well that
ye may show yourselves dutiful and thank¬
ful to that Lord, who hath placed you in so
high a dignity; as also to beware that
78 ORDINATION OF ELDERS.
neither you yourselves offend, nor be oc¬
casion that others offend. Howbeit,
ye cannot have a mind and will thereunto
of yourselves; for that will and ability are
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 Scriptures, and with
a life agreeable to the same; consider how
studious ye ought to be in reading and
learning the Scriptures, and in framing the
manners both of yourselves and of them
that specially pertain unto you, according to
the rules of the same Scriptures; and for
this self same cause, how ye ought to for¬
sake and set aside, as much as ye may, all
worldly cares and studies.
We have good hope that you have all
weighed and pondered these things with
yourselves long before this 1;ime; and that
you have clearly determined, by God's grace
to give yourselves to this office, whereunto
it has pleased God to call you; so that as
much as lieth in you, you will apply your¬
selves wholly to this one thing, and draw
all your cares and studies this way, and that
ORDINATION OF ELDERS.
79
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 congregation
of Christ here assembled, may also under¬
stand your minds and wills in these things,
and that this your promise may the more
move you to do your duties; ye shall an¬
swer plainlv to these things, which we, in
the name of God and his Church shall de¬
mand 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 doc¬
trine required of necessity for eternal sal¬
vation through faith in Jpsus Christ? And
are you determined, out of the said Scrip-
80 ORDINATION OF ELDERS.
tures to instruct the people committed to
your charge, and to teach nothing as requir¬
ed of necessity to salvation, but that which
you shall be persuaded may be concluded
and proved by Scripture?
Ans. I am so persuaded, and have so deter¬
mined by God's grace.
The Bishop.—Will you tlien give your
faithful diligence always so to minister
the doctrine and sacraments and discipline
of Christ, as the Lord hath commanded?
Ans. I will do so, by the help of the Lord.
The Bishop.—Will you be ready, with all
faithful diligence always so to minister
all erroneous and strange doctrines, con¬
trary 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.
The Bishop.—Will you be diligent in
prayers, and in reading of the Holy Scrip¬
tures, 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
ORDINATION OF ELDERS. 81
frame and fashion yourselves, and your
families, according to the doctrine of
Christ; and to make both yourselves and
them, as much as in voulieth, 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
forth, 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 ?
Ans. I will do so, the Lord being my helper.
The Bishop.—Will you reverently obey
your chief ministers, unto whom is com¬
mitted the charge and government over
you; following with a glad mind and will
their godly admonitions, submitting your¬
selves to their godly judgments?
Ans. I will do so, the Lord being my helper.
Then shall the Bishop, standing up, say,
Almighty God, 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 accomplish his work
which he hath begun in you, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
[After this the congregation shall be desired,
82 ORDINATION OF ELDERS.
■secretly in their prayers, to make 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, the Bishop beginning, and the
•elders and others that are present answering by
verse as followeth:
Come, Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire
And lighten ivith celestial fire.
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost thy sev'nfofd gifts impart.
Thy blessed unction from above,
Is comfort, light, and fire of love.
Enable with perpetual light
The dullness 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:
LET US PRAY.
Almighty God, Heavenly Father, who of
thine infinite love and goodness towards us,
hast given us thy only and most dearly be-
ORDINATION OF ELDERS.
83
loved son Jesus Christ to be our Redeemer,,
and the author of everlasting life; who, af¬
ter he had made perfect our redemption by
his death, and was ascended into heaven,
sent abroad into the world his Apostles,
Prophets, Evangelists, Teachers and Pas¬
tors, by whose labor and ministry he gath¬
ered 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
vouchsafed to call these thy servants here
present, to the same office and ministry ap¬
pointed 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 else¬
where call upon thy name, that we may
continue to show ourselves thankful unto
thee for these and all thy other 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 forever glorified, and
thy blessed kingdom enlarged through the
same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who
84
ORDINATION OF ELDERS.
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
elders present shall lay their hands severally upon
the head of every one that receiveth the order of
elder, the receivers 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 committed unto thee
by the imposition of our hands. And be
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, kneeling, the Bible into his hands, saying:
Take thou authority to preach the word
of God, and to administer the holy sacra¬
ment in the congregation.
The Bishop shall go on in the service of the
communion, which all they who receive orders
shall take together, and remain in the same place
where hands were laid upon them, until such
times as they have received the communion.
The communion being done, after the last col¬
lect and immediately before the benediction, shall
be said these collects :
Collects.
Most merciful Father, we beseech thee to
ORDINATION OF ELDERS.
85
send upon these thy servants thy heavenly
blessings, that they may be clothed with
righteousness, and that thy word spoken
by their mouths 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 thy glory, and the increase of thy
kingdom, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings,
with thy most gracious favor, and further
us wtfth 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 un¬
derstanding, 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 Almighty the Father, the
Son and the Holy Ghost, be among you and
remain with you always. Amen.
If on the same day, the order of deacons be
given to some, and that of elders to others, the
deacons shall be first presented, and then the eld¬
ers. The collects shall be both used; first that for
86 ORDINATION OF ELDERS.
•deacons, then that for elders. The Epistle shall
"be, Eph. iv. 7 to 13, as before in this office. Im¬
mediately after which they that are to be ordained
deacons shall be examined and ordained, as above
prescribed.
Then one of the elders, 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 1 f'fore appointed.
ORDINATION OF BISHOPS. 87
CHAPTER III.
ORDINATION OF BISHOPS.
The following prayer shall be offered by the
Bishop:
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 Ministers and Pastors of thy
Church, that they may diligently preach thy
word, arid duly minister the godly discipline
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.
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 humility of mind, and with many
tears, and temptations, which befell me by
88 ordination of bisiiol's.
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 testi¬
fying both to the Jews, and also to the
Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith
toward our Lord Jesus Christ. And now
behold I go bound in the Spirit unto Jeru¬
salem, not knowing the things that shall be¬
fall me there: save that the Holy Ghost wit-
nesseth in every city, saying that bonds and
afflictions abide me. But none of these
things move me, neither count I my life
dear unto myself, so that I might finish
my course with joy, and the ministry,
which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to
testify the gospel of the grace of God. And
how, behold, I know that ye all, among
whom I have gone preaching the kingdom
of God, shall see my face no more. Where¬
fore 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
which the Holy Ghost hath made you over¬
seers, to feed the Church of God, which he
hath purchased with his own blood. For
I know this, that after my departing shall
ordination of bishops. 89
grievous wolves enter in among you, not
sparing the flock. Also of your own selves
shall men arise, speaking perverse things
to draw away disciples after them. There¬
fore, watch, and remember, that by the
space of three years, I ceased not to warn
every one night and day with tears. And
how, 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
apparel. 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 re¬
member the words of the Lord Jesus, how
he said, It is more blessed to give than to
receive.
Then another elder shall read the Gospel, St.
John, xxi. 15-17:
Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son
of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?
He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou know-
est that I love thee. He saith unto him,
Feed my lambs. He saith unto him again,
the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest
thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord;
go ORDINATION OF BISHOPS.
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, Matthew xxviii. 18-20:
Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,
All power is given unto me in heaven and
in earth. Go ye therefore, and. teach all
nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and 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 be presented by the two
Elders unto the Bishop, saying:
Reverend Father in God, we present unto
you this holy man to be ordained a Bishop.
Then the Bishop shall move the congregation
present to prayer, saying thus to them:
Brethren, it is written in the Gospel of
St. Luke, that our Saviour Christ contin¬
ued the whole night in prayer, before he
ORDINATION OF BISHOPS. 91
chose and sent forth his twelve apostles, it
is written also in the Acts of the Apostles,
that the disciples 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 examples of
our Saviour Christ, and his apostles first
fall to prayer before we admit and send
forth this person presented to us to the
work whereunto we trust the Holy Ghost
hath called him.
Then shall be said this prayer following:
Almighty God, Giver of all good things,
who, by thy Holy Spirit, hast appointed div¬
ers orders of ministers in thy church, mer¬
cifully 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 so with innocency
of life, that, both by word and deed, he may
faithfully serve thee in this office to the
glory of thy name, and the edifying and the
well governing of thy church, through
the meiits of our Saviour Jesus Christ,
who liveth and reigneth with thee and the
Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then the Bishop shall say to him that is to be
ordained:
Brother, forasmuch as the Holy Scrip-
92 ORDINATION OF BISHOPS.
tures command that we should not be hasty
in laying- on hands, and admitting any per¬
son to government in the church of Christ,
which he hath purchased with no less price
than the effusion of his own blood; before
we admit you to this administration, we will
examine you in certain articles, to the end
that the congregation present may have a
fair trial, and bear witness how you are
minded to behave yourself in the church of
God.
The Bishop.—Are you persuaded that
you are truly called to this ministration ac¬
cording to the will of our Lord Tesus
Christ?
Ans. I am so persuaded.
The Bishop.—Are you persuaded that the
Holy Scriptures contain sufficiently all
doctrine required of necessity to eternal
salvation, through faith in Jesus Christ?
And are you determined, out of the same
Holy Scriptures, to instruct the people com¬
mitted to your charge, and to teach and
maintain 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 so determined,
by God's grace.
ORDINATION OF BISHOPS.
93
The Bishop.—Will you then faithfully
exercise yourself in the same Holy Scrip¬
tures, and call upon God, by prayer for the
true understanding of the same, so that you
may be able by them, to teach and exhort
with wholesome doctrine, and to withstand
and convince gainsayers?*
Ans. I will do so, by the help of God.
The Bishop.—Are you ready with faith¬
ful diligence to banish and drive away all
erroneous and strange doctrine contrary to
God's word, and both privately and openly
to call upon and encourage others to do the
same?
Ans. I am ready, the Lord being my helper.
The Bishop.—Will you deny all ungod¬
liness and worldly lusts, and live righteous¬
ly, soberly, and godly in this present .world,
that you may show yourself 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 do so, the Lord being my helper.
The Bishop.—Will you maintain and set
forward, as much as shall lie in you, quiet¬
ness, love, and peace among all men; and
such as shall be unquiet, disobedient, and
criminal, correct and punish, according to
such authority as you have by God's word,
94 ORDINATION OF BISHOPS.
and as shall be committed unto you ?
Am. I will do so, by the help of God.
The Bishop.—Will you be faithful in
ordaining, sending, or laying hands upon
others ?
Ans. I will do s3, by the help of God.
The Bishop.—Will you show yourself
gentle and merciful, for Christ's sake, to
the poor and needy people, and {o all
strangers destitute of help?
Ans. I will so show myself, by God's help.
Then the Bishop shall say:
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, 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 may
accomplish in you the good work which
he hath begun, that you may be found per¬
fect and irreprehensible at the last day;
through our Lord Jesus Christ, who livetli
and reigneth forever. Amen.
Then shall be said:
Veni, Creator, Spiritus.
Come, Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire.
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost thy sei/nfold gifts impart.
Thy blessed unction from above
Is comfort, light and Hre of love.
ORDINATION OF BISHOPS.
95
Enable with perpetual light
The dullness of oar blinded sight.
Anoint and cheer our soiled face
With the abundance of thy grace.
Keep far our foes, give peace at home;
IVhere thou art guide no ill can come.
Teach us to know the Father, Son,
And thee of both to be but one;
i hat 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 say:
Lord, hear our prayer.
Ans. And let our cry come unto thee.
The Bishop.—Let us pray.
Almighty God, and most merciful Father,
who, of thine infinite goodness, hast given
thine only and dearly beloved Son Jesus
Christ to be our Redeemer, and the author
cf everlasting life; who, after that he had
made perfect our redemption by his death,
and was ascended into heaven, poured down
his gifts abundantly upon men, making
some Apostles, some Prophets, some Evan¬
gelists, some Pastors and Teachers, to the
edifying and making perfect his Church:
grant, we beseech thee, to this thy servant,
such grace, that he may be evermore ready
to spread abroad thy gospel, the glad tid-
g6 ORDINATION OF BISHOPS.
ings of reconciliation with thee, and us<
the authority given him, not to destruction
but to salvation: not to hurt, but to heJp
so that as a wise and faithful servant, giv¬
ing to thy family their portion in due sea¬
son, he may at last be received into ever¬
lasting joy, through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who, with thee and the Holy Ghost, liveth
and reigneth, one God, world without end,
Amen.
Then the Bishop and Elders present shall laj
their hands upon the head of the elected person
kneeling before them upon his knees, the Bishop
saying:
The Lord pour upon thee the Holy
Spirit, for the office and work of a Bishop
in the church of God, now committed 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, by the imposition of our
hands; 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 con¬
tained in this book. Be diligent in them,
ORDINATION OF BISHOPS.
97
that the increase coming thereby may be
manifest unto all men. Take heed unto
thyself, and to thy doctrine; for by so
doing thou shalt both save thyself and
them that hear thee. 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 outcasts, seek the lost: be so merciful
that you may not be too remiss; so minis¬
ter discipline that you forget not mercy;
that when the chief Shepherd shall appear,
you may receive the never-fading crown of
glory, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
[Then the Bishop shall administer the Lord's
Supper, with whom the newly ordained Bishop,
and all others present, shall communicate.]
Immediately before the benediction, shall be
said the following prayer:
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 rebuke with all patience and
doctrine, but also may be to such as believe,
a wholesome example in word, in conversa¬
tion, in love, in faith, in chastity, and in
purity; that faithfully fulfilling his course,
98
ORDINATION OF BISHOPS.
at the latter day he may receive, 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
Direct us, O Lord, in all our doings 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 ' uf 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 Almighty, the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you,
and remain with you always. Amen.
baptism.
99
CHAPTER IV.
Baptism,
i. Baptism of Infants.
[i. Let every adult person, and the parents of
every child to be baptized, have their choice of
either immersion, sprinkling, or pouring. But in
no case shall our ministers re-baptize any person.
And if any know'ngly violate this prohibition, he
shall be subject to suspension or location as the
Annual Conference may judge.
2. We will on no account whatever make a
charge for administering baptism, or for burying
the dead ]
The minister coming to the font, which is to be
filled with pure water, shall use the following, or
some other suitable exhortation:
Dearly Beloved, forasmuch as all men are
conceived and born in sin, and that our
Saviour Christ saith, None can enter into
the kingdom of God, except he be regen¬
erated and born anew of water and of the
Holy Ghost, 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 thing which by nature he
cannot have; that he may be baptized with
IOO
BAPTISM.
water and the Holy Ghost, and received into
Christ's holy Church, and be 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 perishing by water,
and also didst safely lead the children of
Israel, thy people, through the Red Sea,
figuring thereby thy holy baptism; and by
the baptism of thy well beloved Son Jesus
Christ, in the river of Jordan, didst sanctify
water for this holy sacrament, we beseech
thee of thine infinite mercies, that thou
wouldst look upon this child; wash him,
and sanctify him, with the Holy Ghost, that
he being received into the ark of Christ's
Church, and being steadfast in faith, joy¬
ful through hope, and rooted in love, may
so pass the waves of this troublesome world,
that finally he may come to the land of ever¬
lasting life; there to reign with thee, world
without end, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
O merciful God, grant that the old Adam
in this child may be buried, that the new
man may be raised in him. Amen.
BAPTISM.
IOI
Grant that all carnal affections may die
in him, and that all things ' elonging 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 en¬
dued with heavenly virtues, and everlast¬
ingly rewarded through thy mercy, O
blessed Lord God, who dost live and govern
all things, world without end. Amen.
Almighty, Everlasting God, whose most
dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the
forgiveness of our sins, didst 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 bap¬
tize them in the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; regard,
we beseech thee, the supplications of thy
congregation. Sanctify this water for this
holy sacrament; and grant that this child,
now to be baptized, may receive the fulness
of thy grace, and ever remain in the number
of thy faithful and elect children, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
102
Then shall the minister address the Parents or
Guardians in this wise:
Dearly Beloved: Forasmuch as this
child is now presented by you for Christian
baptism, you must remember that it is your
part and duty to see that he be taught as
soon as he shall be able to learn, the nature
and end of this holy sacrament. And that
he may know these things the better, you
shall call upon him to give regular attend¬
ance upon the appointed means of grace,
such as the ministry of the Word and the
public and private worship of God; and
further, you shall provide that he shall read
the Holy Scriptures, and learn the Lord's
Prayer, the Ten Commandments, the
Apostles' Creed, the Catechism, and all
other things which a Christian ought to
know and believe to his soul's health, in or¬
der that he may be brought up to lead a
virtuous and holy life, remembering always
that baptism doth represent unto us that in¬
ward purity which disposeth us to follow
the example of our Saviour Christ; that as
he died and rose again for us, so should we
who are baptized, die unto sin and rise
again unto righteousness, continually mor¬
tifying all corrupt affections, and daily pro¬
ceeding in all virtue and godliness.
Do you therefore solemnly engage to ful-
BAPTISM.
103
fill these duties, so far as it lieth in your
power, the Lord being your helper ?
Ans. We do.
Then shall the people stand up, and the minister
shall say:
Hear the words of the Gospel written
by St. Mark, in the tenth chapter, at the
thirteenth verse:
They brought young children to Christ,,
that he should touch them. And his disci¬
ples rebuked those that brought them. But
when Jesus saw i^, 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 receive
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, saying:
N, I baptize thee in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy-
Ghost. Amen.
104
BAPTISM.
Then shall be said, all kneeling:
Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed
be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy
will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give lis this day our daily bread. And for¬
give us our trespasses, as we forgive thos-;
that trespass against us. And lead us not
into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Amen .
Then shall the minister conclude with an ex¬
temporaneous prater.
2. Baptism of Adults.
The minister shall use the following, or some
other suitable 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 actual transgres¬
sions ; and ouf Saviour Christ saith, None
can enter into the kingdom of God, except
he be regenerated and born anew of water
and of the Holy Ghost, and received into
Christ's holy Church, and be made a lively
member of the same; I beseech you to
call upon God the Father, through our Lord
Jesus Christ, that of his bounteous good¬
ness he will grant unto these persons that
which by nature they cannot have; that they
BAPTISM.
105
may be baptized with water and the Holy
Ghost.
Then shall the minister say:
Almighty and Immortal God, the aider
of all that need, the helper of all that flee
to thee for succor, the life of them that be¬
lieve, and the resurrection of the dead; we
call upon thee for these persons, that they,
coming to thy holy baptism, may receive
the remission of their sins by spiritual re¬
generation. Receive them, O 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 benediction of ihy
heavenly washing, and may come to the
eternal kingdom which thou hast promised
by Christ our Lord. Amen.
After which the minister shall say :
Almighty and Everlasting God, Heavenly
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 may be born
io6
BAPTISM.
again, and made heirs of everlasting salva¬
tion, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who
liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy
Spirit now and forever. 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 thou art a teacher
come from God; for no man can do the
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 an¬
swered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,, ex¬
cept a man be born of water and of the
Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of
God. That which is born of the flesh is
flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit
is Spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee,
Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth
BAPTISM.
107
where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound
thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh,
and whither it goeth: so is every one that'
is bora of the Spirit.
Then shall the minister speak to the person to
be baptized on this wise:
Well Beloved, who are come hither de¬
siring to receive holy baptism, ye have
heard how the congregation hath prayed
that our Lord Jesus Christ would vouch¬
safe 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 we have
prayed for: which promise he, for his part,
will most surely keep and perform.
Wherefore, after this promise made by
Christ, you must also faithfully, on your
part, promise in the presence of this whole
congregation, that you will renounce the
devil and his works, and constantly be¬
lieve God's word, and obediently keep his
commandments.
Then shall the minister demand of each of the
persons to be baptized:
Ques. Dost thou renounce the devil and
all his works, the vain pomp and glory of
the world, with all covetous desires of the
5
IOS BAPTISM.
flesh; so that thou wilt not follow, nor be
led by them ?
Arts. I renounce them all,
Ques. Dost thou believe in God the
Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and
earth; And in Jesus Christ, his only begot¬
ten Son, our Lord; And that he was con¬
ceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Vir¬
gin Mary; that he suffered under Pontius
Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; that
he rose again the third day; that he ascend¬
ed into heaven, and sitteth at the right hanrl
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 Holy Ghost,
the Holy Catholic Church,* the communion
of saints, the remission of sin, the resur¬
rection of the body, and everlasting life
after death?
Ans. All this I steadfastly believe.
Ques. Wilt t'hou be baptized in this
faith ?
Ans. lhis is my desire.
Ques. Wilt thou then obediently keep
God's holy will and commandments ami
walk in the same all the days of thy life:
* The Church Universal, and not the Fapal
Church of Rome.
BAPTISM.
109
Ans. I will endeavor to do so, God being my
helper.
The Collects.
Then shall the minister say:
O merciful God, grant that the old Adam
in these persons may be so buried, that the
new man may be raised in them. Amen.
Grant that all carnal affections may die
in them and that all things belonging to
the Spirit may live and grow in them.
Amen.
Grant that they may have power and
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 ever¬
lastingly rewarded, through thy mercy, O
blessed Lord God, who dost live, and gov¬
ern all things, world without end. Amen.
Almighty, Everliving God, whose most
dearly beloved Soti Jesus Christ, for the
forgiveness of our sins, didst shed out of
his most precious side both water and blood ;
and gave commandment to his disciples,
that they should go teach all nations, bap¬
tizing them in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; regard,
IIO
BAPTISM.
we beseech thee, the supplications of this
congregation; and grant that the persons
now to be baptized may receive the fulness
of thy grace and ever remain in the number
of thy faithful and elect children, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then shall the minister take each person to be
baptized, by the right hand, and placing him con¬
veniently by the font, according to his discretion,
shall ask the name: and then shall sprinkle or
pour water upon him, (or if they desire, shall
immerse them 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 kneel¬
ing.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed
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 for¬
give us our trespasses as we forgive them
that trespass against us. And lead us not
into temptation, but deliver us from evil
Amen.
Then let the minister conclude with an extern
porary prayer.
RECEIVING MEMBERS.
ill
CHAPTER V.
Receiving Members.
i. Receiving on Probation.
On profession of saving faith in the Lorcf
Jesus Christ or the declaration of a desire
to flee the wrath- to come and be saved from
sin, persons may be received into the church
and placed under wise leaders, subject to a
probation of three months. At the expira¬
tion of this time, on profession of the en¬
joyment of covenant relations with God
through our Lord Jesus Christ, and being
recommended by their leader, they are ad¬
mitted to full membership. But should
their leader represent them as unworthy
and an examination confirm his judgment,
they may be discontinued without formal
trial.
2. Receiving into Full Alembership.
Upon the day appointed, all that are to be re¬
ceived shall be called forward, and the minister
addressing the congregation shall say:
Dearly Beloved Brethren: The Scriptures
teach us that the Church is the household
112 RECEIVING MEMBERS.
of God, the body of which Christ is the
Head; and that it is the design of the Gos¬
pel to bring- together in one, all ~who are
Christ's. The fellowship of the Church
is the communion that its members enjoy
one with another. The ends of this fellow¬
ship are, the maintenance of sound doctrine,
and of the ordinances of Christian worship,
and 'the exercise of that power of Godly
admonition and discipline which Christ has
committed to his Church for the promotion
of holiness. It is the duty of all men to
unite in this fellowship; for it is only.those
that "be planted in the house of the Lord,"
that "shall flourish in the courts of our
God." Its more particular duties are, to
promote peace and unity; to bear one an¬
other's burdens; to prevent each other's
stumbling; to seek the intimacy of friendly
society among themselves; to continue
steadfast in the faith and worship of the
Gospel, and to pray and sympathize with
each other. Among its privileges are; pe¬
culiar incitements to holiness from the hear¬
ing of God's Word, and sharing Christ's
ordinances, the being placed under the
watchful care of Pastors, and the enjoy¬
ment of the blessings which are promised
only to those which are of the household
RECEIVING MEMBERS. 113
of faith. Into this holy fellowship the per¬
sons before you, who have already received
the sacrament of Baptism, and have been
under the care of proper leaders for three
months on trial, come seeking admission.
We now propose, in the fear of God, to
question them as to their faith and pur¬
poses, that you may know that they are
proper persons to be admitted into the
Church.
Then addressing the applicants for admission,
the minister shall say:
Dearly Beloved: You are come hither
seeking the great privilege of union with
the Church our Saviour has purchased with
his own blood. We rejoice in the grace of
God, vouchsafed unto you, in that he has
called you to be his followers, and that thus
far you.have run well. You have heard
how blessed are the privileges and how sol¬
emn are the duties of membership in
Christ's Church, and before you are fully
admitted thereto, it is proper that you do
here publicly renew your vows, confess
your faith, and declare your purpose, by
answering the following questions:
Ques. 1. Do you here in the presence of
God and of this congregation, renew the
solemn promise contained in the Baptismal
Covenant, ratifying and confirming the
114 RECEIVING MEMBERS.
same, and acknowledging yourselves bound
faithfully to observe and keep that cove¬
nant, and all things contained therein?
Ans. I do.
Ques. 2. H'ave you saving faith in the
Lord Jesus Christ?
Ans. I trust I have.
Ques. 3). Do you entertain friendly feel¬
ings towards all the members of this
Church ?
Ans. I do.
Ques. 4. Do you believe in the doctrines
of Holy Scriptures as set forth in the ar¬
ticles of religion of the African Methovlist
Episcopal Church?
Ans. I do.
Ques. 5. Will you cheerfully be governed
by the Discipline of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church, hold sacred the ordi¬
nances of God, and endeavor, as much as in
you lies, to promote the welfare of your
brethren and the advancement of the Re¬
deemer's kingdom?
Ans. I will.
Ques. 6. Will you contribute of >our
earthly substance according to your ability,
to the support of the Gospel, Church, and
Poor, and the various benevolent enterprises
of the Church?
RECEIVING MEMBERS. 115.
A US. I will
Then the minister, addressing the church, shall
say:
Brethren: You have heard the responses
given to our inquiries. Have any of you
any reason to allege why these persons
should not be received into full membership
in the church?
No objection being alleged, the minister shall
say to the candidate:
We welcome you to the communion of
the church of God; and, in testimony of
our Christian affection and the cordiality
with which we receive you, I hereby extend
to you the right hand of fellowship, and
may God grant that you may be a faithful
and useful member of the church militant,
till you are called to the fellowship of the
church triumphant, which is without fault
before the presence of God.
3. Receiving by Certificate.
Persons bearing certificates of member¬
ship from our Church or other orthodox
churches, on acceptance of said certificates,
may be received into our Church and en¬
rolled as members. Those from other than
Methodist connections shall be taken
through the formula for admission to full
membership.
n6
the lord's supper.
CHAPTER VI.
The Lord's Supper.
Those persons who have scruples about
kneeling to receive the Lord's Supper may
be premitted to receive it whilst either sit¬
ting or standing. Let no person who is not
a member of our society bfe admitted to the
Supper without examination and some
tokens given by an Elder or a Deacon. No
person shall be admitted to the Supper
among us who is guilty of any practice for
which we would exclude a member from our
Church.
The Elder shall say one or more of these sen¬
tences :
Let your light so shine before men that
they may see your good works and glorify
your father which is in heaven. Matt. v.
16.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon
earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt,
and where thieves break through and steal;
but lay up for yourselves treasures in
heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves do not break
through nor steal. Matt. vi. 19, 20.
THE LORD'S SUPPEB. II7
Whatsoever ye would that men should
do to you, do 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 kingdom 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 anything
from any man by false accusation, I restore
him fourfold. Luke xix. 8.
He which soweth sparingly shall reap
also sparingly; and he which soweth bounti¬
fully shall reap also bountifully. Every
man, according as he purposeth in his own
heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, nor
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 unto 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 not high-minded, nor trust in
Il8 THE LORD'S SUPPER.
uncertain riches, but in the living God; who
giveth us richly all things to enjoy; that
they do good; that they be rich in good
works, ready to distribute, willing to com¬
municate ; laying up in store for themselves
a good foundation against the time to come,
that they may lay hold on eternal life. I
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 minister.
Heb. vi. 10.
To do good and to communicate, forget
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 shutteth 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. x'x. 17.
[While these sentences are in reading, some fit
persons, appointed for that purpose, shall receive
the alms for the poor, and other donations of the
people, in decent basins, provided for that pur¬
pose, and then bring it to the Elder, who shall
nlarp it unon tVip toVilp 1
THE LORD'S SUPPER.
HQ
After which the Elder shall say:
Ye that do truly and earnestly repent of
your sins, and are in love and charity with
your neighbor, 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 comfort; and make
your humble confession to Almighty God,
meekly kneeling upon your knees.
[Then shall this general confession be made by
the minister in the name of all those that are
minded to receive the Holy Communion, both he
and all the people kneeling humbly upon their
knees, and saying, all together]:
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, maker of all things, Judge of all
men, we acknowledge and bewail our mani¬
fold sins and wickedness, which we from
time to time, most grievously have commit¬
ted, by thought, word and deed, against thy
divine Majesty, provoking most justly thy
wrath and indignation 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, most merciful
Father; for thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ's
sake, forgive us all that is past, and grant
that we may hereafter serve and please thee
120
THE LORD'S SUPPER.
in newness of life, to the honor and glory
of thy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen,
First Collect.
Then shall the Elder say:
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who
of thy great mercy hast promised forgive¬
ness of sins to all them that with hearty
repentance and true faith turn unto thee,
have mercy upon us; pardon and deliver us
from all our sins r confirm and strengthen
us in all goodness; and bringms to ever¬
lasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Second, Collect.
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are
open, all desires known, and from whom no
secrets are hid, cleanse the thoughts of our
hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy
Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and
worthily magnify thy holy name through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then shall the Elder say; '
It is yery meet, right, and our bounden
duty, that we should at all times, and in all
places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy
Father, Almighty, Everlasting God.
Therefore, with angels and archangels,
and with all the company of heaven, we laud
THE LORD'S SUPPER.
121
and magnify thy holy 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, O Lord
most high. Amen.
Then shall the Elder say:
We do not presume to come to this thy
table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our
own righteousness, but in thy manifold and
great mercies. We are not worthy so much
as to gather the crumbs under thy table.
But thou art the same Lord, whose property
is always to have mercy. Grant us, there¬
fore, gracious Lord, so to eat the 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 blood; and that we may ever¬
more dwell in him and he in us. Amen.
Then the Elder shall say the prayer of conse¬
cration, as follows:
Almighty God, our Heavenly Father,
who of thy tender mercy didst give thine
only Son, Jesus Christ to suffer death on
the cross for our redemption; who made
there, by his oblation of himself once offer¬
ed, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice,
oblation and satisfaction for the sins of the
whole world; and did institute, and in his
122
THE LORD'S SUPPER.
holy gospel command us to continue, a
perpetual memory of that his precious death
until his coming' again: hear us, O merciful
Father, we most humbly beseech thee, and
grant that we, receiving these thy creatures
of bread and wine, according to thy Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ's holy institution,
in remembrance of his death and passion,
may be partakers of his most blessed body
and blood; who in the , % TT ^ tu
• U* i.u -L 1 (i) Here the Elder
same night that he was js take the plate
betrayed, took bread; of bread into his
(i) 'and when he had hand.
given thanks, he brake , N . , ,
v / s . , i . (2) And here to
it, (2) and gave it to his breva^ the bread
disciples, saying, Take,
eat ; this (3) is my body (3). And here to
which is broken for vou. l£jy upon
This do in remembrance a" the brea4
of me. Likewise after
supper he took (4) the (4) Here he is to
cup; and when he had cup *nt0 ^is
given thanks he gave it an
to them saying, Drink ye
all of it, for this (5) is " (S). And here to
my blood of the New lay ,his hanf upon
Testament, which is shed tain-ng th^wine.00""
for ybu, and for many,
for the remission of sins; do this, as often
THE LORD'S SUPPER. 123
as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.
Amen.
Then shall the minister first receive the com¬
munion in both kinds himself, and then proceed
to deliver the same to the other ministers in like
manner, (if any be present), and after that to the
people in order, into their hands. And when he
delivereth 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.
[If the consecrated bread and wine be all spent
before all have commemorated, the Elder may
consecrate more by repeating the prayer of con¬
secration.]
[When all have commemorated, the minister
shall return to the Lord's table and place upon it
what remaineth of the consecrated elements, cov¬
ering the same with a clean linen cloth.]
Then shall the Elder say the Lord's Prayer:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed
be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy
124
THE LORD'S SUPPER.
will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And for¬
give us our trespasses, as we forgive those
who trespass against us. And lead us not
into temptation; but deliver us from evil;
for thine is the kingdom, the power, and
the glory, forever. Amen.
After which shall be said as follows:
O Lord, our heavenly Father, we thy
humble servants, desire thy fatherly good¬
ness 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 blood, we and thy
whole church may obtain remission of our
sins, and all other benefits of his passion.
And here we offer and present unto thee,
O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to
be a reasonable, holy, and lively sacrifice
unto thee; humbly beseeching thee that
all we who are partakers of this holy com¬
munion, 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 be¬
seech thee to accept this, our bounden duty
and service; not weighing our merits, but
pardoning our offences, through Jesus
THE LORD'S SUPPER.
125
Christ our Lord; by whom and with whom,
in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honor
and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty,
world without end. Amen.
Then shall be said:
Glory be to God on high, and on earth
peace, good-will towards men. We praise
thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we
glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy
great glory, O Lord God, Heavenly King,
God the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only begotten Son Jesus
Christ; O 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 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, O Christ, with the
Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of
God the Father. Amen.
Then the Elder, if he see it expedient, may put
up an extemporary prayer; and afterward shall
let the people depart with this blessing:
May the peace of God, which passeth
all understanding, keep your hearts and
minds in the knowledge and love of God,
126 THE LORD'S SUPPER.
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.
If the Elder be straitened for time, he may omit
any part of the service, except the prayer of con¬
secration.
solemnization of matrimony?* 127
CHAPTER VII,
Solemnization of Matrimony.
First, the bans of all that are to be married
together, must be published in the congregation
three several Sundays in the time of divine ser¬
vice, unless they be otherwise qualified according
to law, the minister saying, after the accustomed
manner:
I publish these bans of marriage between
M of and N of —. If any of
you know just cause or impediment why
these two persons should not be joined to¬
gether in holy matrimony, you are to de¬
clare it. This is the first, (second, or third)
time of asking.
At the day and time appointed for the solemni¬
zation, the persons to be married standing to¬
gether, the man on the right side and the woman
on the left, the minister shall say:
Dearly beloved, we are gathered together
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 by God in
the time of man's innocency, signifying un¬
to us the mystical union which is between
128 SOLEMNIZATION OF MATRIMONY.
Christ and his Church; which holy estate
Christ adorned and beautified with his pres¬
ence, and first miracle that he wrought at
Cana of Galilee, and is commended of St.
Paul to be honorable among- all men, and
therefore not by any to be entered upon or
taken in hand unadvisedly, but reverently,
discreetly, advisedly, and in the fear of
God.
Into which holy estate these persons 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 forever hold his
peace.
And also speaking to the persons that are to be
married, he shall say:
I require and charge you both, as you will
answer at the dreadful day of judgment,
when the secrets of all hearts shall be dis¬
closed that if either of you know any im¬
pediment why you may not be lawfully
joined together in matrimony, you do now
confess it; for be ye well assured that so
many as are coupled together otherwise
than God's word shall allow, are not joined
together by God, neither is their matrimony
lawful.
SOLEMNIZATION OF MATRIMONY. 129
If no impediment shall be alleged, then shall
the minister say unto the man:
M wilt thou have this woman to be
thy wedded wife, to live together after
God's ordinance, in the holy estate of matri¬
mony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her,
honor and keep her, in sickness and in
health, and forsaking all others, keep thee
only unto her, as long as ye both shall live ?
The man shall answer, I will.
Then shall the minister say unto the woman:
N Wilt thou have this man to be thy
wedded husband, to live together after
God's ordinance in the holy estate of matri¬
mony? Wilt thou obey him, serve him,
love him, honor and keep him, in sickness
and in health; and forsaking all others,
keep thee only unto him so long as ye both
shall live?
The woman shall answer, I will.
Then the minister shall cause the man with his
right hand to take the woman by her right hand,
and to say after him as follows:
I, M, take thee N, to be my wedded wife,
to have and to hold, from this day for¬
ward, for better, for worse, for richer, for
poorer, in sickness and in health, to love
and to cherish till death do us part, ac¬
cording to God's holy ordinance; and there¬
to I plight thee my faith.
I30 SOLEMNIZATION OF MATRIMONY.
Then they shall loose their hands, and the
woman with her right hand, taking the man by
his right hand, shall likewise say after the minis¬
ter :
I, N, take thee. M, to be my wedded hus¬
band, to have and to hold, from this day
forward, for better, for worse, for richer,
for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love,
cherish and to obey, till death do us part,
according to God's holy ordinance; and
thereto I plight thee my faith.
Then shall the minister say, let us pray.
O, Eternal God, Creator, Preserver of
all mankind, giver of all spiritual grace, the
author of everlasting 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 together,
so these persons may surely perform and
keep the vow and covenant betwixt them
made, and may ever remain in perfect love
and peace together, and live according to
thy laws, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
If the parties desire it, the man shaU here hand
a ring to the minister, who shall return it to him,
and direct him to place- it on the third finger of
the woman's left hand. And the man shall say to
the woman, repeating after the minister:
With this ring I thee wed, and with my
SOLEMNIZATION OF MATRIMONY. 131
worldly goods I thee endow, in the name
of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then shall th£ minister join their right hands
together and say:
Those whom God hath joined together,
let no man put asunder.
Forasmuch as M and N have consented
to live together in holy wedlock and have
witnessed the same before God and this
company, and thereto have pledged their
faith to each other and have declared
the same by joining hands: I pronounce
that they are man and wife together, in
the name of the Father, and of the Son,
and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
And the minister shall add this blessing:
God the Father, God the Son, and God
the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve and keep
you; the Lord mercifully with his favor
look upon you and so fill you with all spir¬
itual benediction and grace, that you may
so live together in this life, that in the
world to come ye may have life everlasting.
Amen.
Then shall the minister say:
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed
be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy
will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
132 SOLEMNIZATION OF MATRIMONY.
Give us this day our daily bread. And for¬
give us our trespasses, as we forgive those
who trespass against us. And lead us not
into temptation; but deliver us from evil:
for thine is the kingdom, the power, and
the glory, forever. Amen.
Then shall the minister say:
O God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of
Jacob, bless this man and this woman, a:nd
sow the seeds of eternal life in their hearts,
that whatsoever in thy holy word they shall
profitably learn, they may indeed fulfill the
same. Look, O Lord, mercifully upon
them from heaven and bless them. And as
thou didst send thy blessings upon Abra¬
ham and Sarah, to their great comfort,
so vouchsafe to send thy blessings upon
this man and this woman, that they obeying
thy will, and always being in safety under
thy protection, may abide in thy love unto
their lives' end, through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
O God, who by thy mighty power ha;'t
made all things of nothing, who also (after
other things set in order), didst appoint
that out of man (created after thine own
image and similitude) woman should take
her beginning; and knitting them together,
didst teach that it should never be lawful
SOLEMNIZATION OF MATRIMONY. 133
to put asunder those whom thou, by matri¬
mony, hast made one; O God, who hast
consecrated the state of matrimony to such
an excellent mystery, that in it is signified
and represented the spiritual marriage and
union betwixt Christ and his Church;
look mercifully upon this man and this
woman, that both this man may love his
wife according to thy word (as Christ did
love his spouse, the Church, who gave him¬
self for it, loving and cherishing it even as
his own flesh), and also that this woman
may be loving and obedient to her husband;
and in all quietness, sobriety and peace, be
a follower of holy and godly matrons. O
Lord, bless them both, and grant them to
inherit thy everlasting kingdom, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then shall the minister say:
Almighty God, who at the beginning
didst create our first parents, Adam and
Eve, and didst sanctify and join them to¬
gether in marriage, pour upon you the
riches of his grace, sanctify and bless you
that ye may please him both in body and
soul, and live together in holy love unto
your lives' end. Amen.
134
burial service.
CHAPTER VIII.
Burial Service.
The minister going before the corpse shall say:
I am the resurrection and the life, saith
the Lord; he that believeth in me, though
he were dead, yet shall he live; and whoso¬
ever 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. And though after my skin,
worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh
shall I see God; whom I shall see for my¬
self, and mine eyes shall behold, 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.
At the grave, when the corpse is laid in the
earth, the minister shall say:
Man that is born of a woman hath but a
short time to live, and is full of misery. He
BURIAL SERVICE.
135
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 we seek for succor, but of thee,
O Lord, who for our sins are justly dis¬
pleased ?
Yet, O Lord God, most holy, O Lord
most mighty, O holy and merciful Saviour,
deliver us not unto the bitter pains of eter¬
nal death.
Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our
hearts, shut not thy merciful ears to our
prayers, but spare us. Lord most holy, O
God most mighty, O holy and merciful
Saviour, thou most worthy judge eternal,
suffer us not at our last hour, for any pains
of death, to fall from thee.
Then, while, the earth shall be cast upon the
coffin by some person standing by, the minister
shall say:
Forasmuch as it has pleased Almighty
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 resurrec¬
tion in the last day, and the life of the
world to come, through our Lord Jesus
136
BURIAL SERVICE.
Christ; at whose second coming in glorious
majesty 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 workings whereby he is able to sub¬
due all things unto himself.
Then shall be 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.
Then shall the minister say:
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed
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 for¬
give us our trespasses, as we forgive those
who trespass against us. And lead us not
into temptation; but deliver us from evil;
for thine is the kingdom, the power, and
the glory, forever. Amen.
BURIAL SERVICE.
137
The Collect.
O merciful God, the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and
life; in whom whosoever believeth shall
live, though he die, and whosoever liveth
and believth in him shall not die eternally;
we meekly beseech thee, O 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 at the last day may be
found acceptable in thv 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, receive the kingdom prepared for
you from the beginning of the world. Grant
this, we beseech thee, O merciful Father,
through Jesus Christ our Mediator and Re¬
deemer. Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and
the love of God, and the fellowship of the
Holy Ghost, be with us- all evermore.
Amen.
laying corner stones.
CHAPTER IX.
Laying Corner-Stones.
This ceremony should be preceded or followed
by the delivery of an appropriate discourse. The
officers and members of the congregation being
present, the services are introduced by singing a
suitable hymn. If the discourse has not been pro¬
nounced there may be used the following:
Supremely great and glorious Jehovah,
who art the King eternal, immortal, and
invisible, the only wise God, to whom be¬
long honor and glory, for ever and ever!
Thou fillest all space with thy presence, per¬
vading universal nature," and manifesting
thy perfections in all thy works; We de¬
sire to approach thee in deep humility, and
in the exercise of living faith. We rejoice
that through Jesus Christ, our Mediator
and Redeemer, we have access to thy throne
of grace and are taught to call thee our
God, and to worship thee as our reconciled
Father. We thank thee for permitting us
to assemble on the present occasion, amid
circumstances of so much mercy, to lay
the corner stone of an edifice which is to
be reared to thy honor, and to be dedicated
LAVING CORNER bTONES.
l39
to the exclusive worship of the true and
living God, Father, Son and Holy Glust.
We earnestly beseech thee to draw nigh
to us as a God of love, and bless us with
thy special presence.. May the object that
has called us together be acceptable to thee,
and may the solemnities of this joyful and
interesting occasion meet with thy sanction
and be attended by thy blessing. While we
devoutly acknowledge our dependence upon
thee, as well in our attempt to erect a house
for thy worship, as in the prosecution of
the object for which it is intended we pray
tliee that no unholy desire may find place
in our breast, that all our motives may be
pure, and that our great aim may be the
promotion of thy glory, the conversion of
sinners, and the edification of thy people
in the truth as it is in Christ. May we ob¬
tain favor in thy sight, and may thy rich
mercy be upon us.
Pardon our sins, help our infirmities, and
accept our prayer through the merits of
Jesus Christ, our adorable Saviour. And
to thee, the Triune God, be all praise, now
and evermore. Amen.
[Here a suitable portion of Scripture may be
read; for instance, the 96th Psalm, or 1 Cor. 3rd
chap., or 1 Kings, 5th chap., or Haggai, 1st chap.,
1-10.]
6
i40 laying corner stones.
If the discourse has been preached, then the
preceding prayer may be omitted; also if deemed
necessary, the Scripture lesson; and the exercises,
after an appropriate hymn, may be continued with
the following:
Beloved Brethren :—Believing it to be
your duty, as well as privilege, to worship
God in a public and social capacity, and
impressed with the conviction that the in¬
terests of' Christ's kingdom and the salva¬
tion of souls may be thereby promoted, you
have resolved in reliance on God's blessing,
to erect an edifice for the purpose of public
worship, and are now assembled to lay the
corner-stone.
Though there is no specific law of God
expressly requiring this at your hands, yet
you justly infer from general principles
laid down in the sacred Scriptures, as well
as from the dictates of enlightened reason,
that it is your duty; and hence you do well
in uniting for the accomplishment of a
work so important, and holding forth the
promise of so much good to yourselves and
your descendants. We trust that you are
actuated by motives which God approves,
and that you sincerely love Zion, and can
truly adopt the language of the devout
Psalmist: %
"How amiable are thy tabernacles, 0
LAYING CORNER STONES.
141
Lord of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even
fainteth for the courts of the Lord."
We find frequent allusions in God's word
to the corner-stone. "Behold," says the
Lord, in Isaiah, "I lay in Zion, for a foun¬
dation, a stone, a tried stone, a precious
corner-stone, a sure foundation; he that be-
lieveth shall not make haste." And in the
Epistle to the Ephesians, the Apostle re¬
marks : "Being1 built upon the foundation of
the apostles and prophets Jesus Christ being
the chief corner-stone.'"
Thus it appears that the corner-stone was
a part of the foundation on which the edi¬
fice rested. Having its place in the corner,
it united and bound together two walls.
One corner-stone was laid upon another;
and the same was done at each of the four
corners of the building. The corner-stones
were therefore many; but all of them taken
collectively, were spoken of as one. A sin¬
gle stone, larger, stronger, and more beau¬
tiful than the others, was laid in one of the
corners, either at the top or the bottom of
the- foundation wall, as the representative
of all the rest, and of the whole foundation;
and was emphatically termed the corner¬
stone, the chief corner-stone, or the head
of the corner. Hence Jesus Christ is called
142
LAYING CORNER STONES.
both the foundation and the comer-stone in
the stupendous edifice of Christianity, By
which is meant, that he is the support and
strength of his Church, preserving it firm
and unshaken, and extending its borders
till it shall encompass the earth; that he
unites and binds together its members by
the cords of that love which forms the
strongest of all incentives to harmony of
feeling and action; and that he is also the
glory of the Church, both because ot the
elevating and sanctifying influences of his
doctrines on the moral character of his
followers, and on account of his supreme
personal excellence. He is, therefore, most
appropriately denominated '* a chief Corner¬
stone, elect, precious," sustaining the whole
system, and without which Christianity
would cease to be Christianity, and soon
fall to. the ground:
By laying the corner-stone of a house of
worship, you perform a decisive act; you
publicly announce that a commencement is
made to build the house* and that it is your
determination by the help of God, to com¬
plete it. This decisive act so full of prom¬
ise, and waking up emotions and prospects
so pleasing and joyful, is justly made a
prominent one, and accompanied by sol-
LAYING CORNER STONES. 143,
emnities suited to the occasion, and adapted
to inspire us with an abiding sense of
God's goodness, and our insufficiency with¬
out him. It is right and proper that we
should publicly acknowledge our depend¬
ence on him, both in the attempt to erect
an edifice, and in the discharge of the sol¬
emn duties for which it is intended.
Such an acknowledgment gives to God
honor which is due to him, and at the same
time impresses our hearts with reverence
and awe towards him. "Except the Lord
build the house, they labor in vain who
build it." This was the sentiment of Solo¬
mon, the wisest and richest of the kings of
Israel, whose prosperity in all his great un¬
dertakings was so remarkable and brought
so much glory to his reign. It becomes us,
like him, on all occasions, especially in
every important matter, to be deeply sen¬
sible of the power, the universal dominion,
the all wise, holy and irresistible govern¬
ment of God; to feel that we are his needy
creatures, and dependent on his pleasure
for each moment of our existence; that the-
success of all our exertions is the result of
his blessing; and that when we design to
honor him, or promote the public good, it
is for him to say whether we are the instru-
144 LAYING CORNER STONES.
.merits and our measures the means, which
he will choose to employ for those ends.
When David contemplated the erection of a
house of God, the Lord forbade him, and
.said, "I have chosen thy son to build me a
house."
Let us therefore humble ourselves before
the Lord, confess his name and seek his
blessing in fervent prayer.
Then shall be said the following prayer:
O Thou, whom the heaven of heavens
cannot contain! Thou fillest the universe
with thy presence, and all the praise of an¬
gels and men can add nothing to thy ma¬
jesty and glory. But though thou needest
not our worship, we adore thee that thou
art too good to despise it, and that millions
have experienced- that thou art a prayer-
hearing and prayer-answering God. We
rejoica that thou hast established the church
here on earth, and preserved the same
against all the assaults of its enemies; that
the blessed sound of the gospel has also
saluted our ears, and that thou hast in this
place gathered a congregation of believers
in Jesus Christ.
We render thanks unto thy name, that
thou hast put it into the hearts of thy peo¬
ple to rear a temple to thine honor at this
LAYING CORNER STONES.
145
place ; where thy name may be regarded and
thou mayest come to them and bless them.
We extol thy grace for enduing them with
a spirit of liberality and inclining them to
contribute of their substance to prosecute
this laudable undertaking. May they in¬
deed esteem it a high privilege to lend unto
the Lord, and may many others co-operate
in this holy work, and all labor together
in concord and love until the habitation of
thy house shall be completed and be held
in possession free from debt and all in¬
cumbrance, as a standing memorial of their
Christian benevolence, and an evidence to
future generations of their attachment to
thy cause. May the work of this house be
performed without hurt or accident to any
person; may harmony and enlightened zeal
animate every heart, and may discord, jeal¬
ousy and every selfish aim be far removed.
And when thou shalt have prospered this
enterprise, and a house of God shall stand
here as a monument to thy glory, may it be
filled with the fulness of every gospel bless¬
ing, that through the preaching of thy
truth, many blood-bought souls may here
be awakened, enlightened, justified and
sanctified, and thus be prepared for an
entrance into the mansions of bliss. We
146 laying corner stones.
"beseech thee to seal unto us the pardon of
all our offences, to own us as thy ransomed
people through Jesus Christ, to sanctify us
thoroughly by thy Spirit, to guide us
through life by thy counsels, to secure us
by thy grace, and to exalt us at last to an
inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled,
and that fadeth not away. These and all
•other needful blessings we ask for the sake,
.and in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
to whom with the Father and Holy Spirit,
tie endless praise. Amen.
The prayer, having been offered, the stone shall
be laid and adjusted. The officiating minister de¬
posits the -documents in the excavation prepared
in the stone for their reception. These documents
may be the articles of subscription and names of
the subscribers; a list of names of the church
■officers, the pastor and building committee, and of
the ministers officiating on the occasion, the Dis¬
cipline of the Church. Hymn Book, Bible, the
•names of the highest Officers of our civil govern¬
ment, religious papers of the Church, &c.. &c. The
-minister then concludes with the following:
In the name of the Triune God, the
Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we lay
this stone for a foundation of a house of
worship to be consecrated to his service.. In
so doing we acknowledge his all-ruling
providence, and proclaim Jesus Christ as
Ihe great corner-stone of his church, and the
LAYING CORNER STONEa. 147
foundation of all our hopes of salvation
in time and eternity; and may the Goa of
all grace hear us, sanction our work, and
at last accept us, through the Son of his
love, our only Lord and Saviour. Amen.
148 dedication of churches.
CHAPTER X.
Dedication of Churches.
[For New and Remodeled Churches.]
The Bishop, or Elder, (when the Bishop is not
present), with the other ministers, shall be met
at the door of the church by the trustees, stewards
and leaders, who shall receive the Bishop, or
Elder, with the ministers, and bid them welcome
in God's name, and present to the Bishop, or
Elder, the keys of the church in token of the fact
that they will ever after submit to the discipline,
doctrine and government of the African Metho¬
dist Episcopal Church, and will at all times here¬
after permit such ministers and preachers belong¬
ing to said church to preach and expound God's
Holy Word therein. After which, the procession
shall pass up the aisle reading the following
Psalm. The Bishop, or Elder, commencing with
the first verse, and the ministers reading each
alternate verse.
psalm lxxxiv.
Bishop. How amiable are thy taber¬
nacles, O Lord of hosts.
Minister.—My soul longeth, yea, even
fainteth for the courts of the Lord: my
heart and my flesh crieth out for the living
God.
DEDICATION OF CHURCHES. I49
Bp.—Yea, the sparrow hath found a
house, and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young, even thine
altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my
God.
il I in.—Blessed are they that dwell in thy
house: they will be still praising thee.
Bp.—Blessed is the man whose strength
is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of
them.
Min.—Who, passing through the valley
of Baca, make it a well; the rain also fill-
eth the pools.
Bp.—They go from strength to strength;
every one of them in Zion appeareth before
God.
Min.—O Lord God of hosts, hear my
prayer: give ear O God of Jacob.
Bp.—Behold, O God, our Shield, and
look upon the face of thine Anointed.
Min.—For a day in thy courts is better
than a thousand. I had rather be a door¬
keeper in the house of my God, than to
dwell in the tents of wickedness.
Bp.—For the Lord God is a sun and
shield; the Lord will give grace and glory ;
no good thing will he withhold from them
that walk uprightly.
Min.—O Lord of hosts, blessed is the
150 DEDICATION OF CHURCHES.
anan that trusteth in thee.
Chanting by the Choir.
The Bishop, or Elder, with those who are ap¬
pointed to lead the exercises, will now take their
seats in the pulpit, the' rest of the clergy sitting
•around it, and tne choir will chant the following:
PSALM CXXII.
1. I was glad when they said unto me,
Let us go into the house of the Lord.
2. Our feet shall stand within thy gates,
O Jerusalem.
3. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is
•compact together.
4. Whither the tribes go up, the tribes
-of the Lord, unto the testimony of Israel,
to give thanks unto the name of the Lord.
5. For there are set thrones of judgmait,
the thrones of the house of David.
6. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they
shall prosper that love thee.
7. Peace be within thy walls, and pros¬
perity within thy palaces.
8. For my brethren and companions'
•sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee.
9. Because of the house of the Lord our
God, I will seek thy good.
The Bishop, or Elder, kneeling, then shall say
the following prayer:
I KINGS VIII. 23-51.
Lord God of Israel, there is no God like
DEDICATION OF CHURCHES. 151
thee, in heaven above, or on the earth be¬
neath, who keepest covenant and mercy
with thy servants that walk before thee
with all their heart; but will God indeed
dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven
of heavens cannot contain thee; how much
less this house that we have builded. Yet
have thou respect unto the prayer of thy
servants, and to their supplication, O Lord
our God, to hearken unto the cry and the
prayer which thy servants pray before thee
this day; that thine eyes may be open to¬
ward this house night and day, even to¬
ward the place of which thou hast said, My
name shall be there; that thou mayest
hearken unto the prayer which thy servants
shall make in this place. And hearken thou
unto the supplication of thy servants, and
of thy people Israel, when they shall pray
in this place; and hear thou in heaven, thy
dwelling place, and, when thou hearest
forgive. If any man trespass against his
neighbor, and an accusation be laid against
him, and the accusation come before thee
in this house; then hear thou in heaven,
and do, and judge thy servants, condemn¬
ing the wicked, to bring his way upon his
head; and justifying the righteous, to give
him according to his righteousness. When
152 DEDICATION OF CHURCHES.
thy people Israel be smitten down before
the enemy, because they have sinned against
thee, and shall turn again to thee, and con¬
fess thy name, and pray, and make suppli¬
cation unto thee in this house; then hear
thou in heaven, and forgive the sin of thy
people Israel, and restore them again to
thy tender mercy and loving kindness.
When heaven is shut up, and there is no
rain, because they have sinned against thee;
if they pray in this place, and confess thy
name and turn from their sin, when thou
afflictest them: then hear thou in heaven and
forgive the sin of thy servants, and of thy
people Israel, that thou teach them the
good way wherein they should walk, and
give rain upon the land which thou hast
given to thy people for an inheritance. If
there be in the land famine, if there be
pestilence, blasting, mildew, locust, or if
there be caterpillar; if their enemy besiege
them in the land of their cities; whatso¬
ever plague, whatsoever sickness there be;
what prayer and supplication soever be
made by any man or by all thy people
Israel, which shall know every man the
plague of his own heart, and spread forth
his hands in this house: then hear thou in
heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and
dedication of churches. 153
do, and give to every man according to his
ways, whose heart thou knowest; that they
may fear thee all the days of their lives.
Moreover, concerning a stranger, that is
not of thy people Israel, but cometh out of
a far country for thy name's sake; when he
shall come and pray within this house, hear
thou in heaven, thy dwelling-place, and do
according to all that the stranger calleth to
thee for; that all the people of the earth
may know thy name, to fear thee, as do thy
people Israel; and that they may know
that this house which we have builded, is
called by thy name. If thy people sin
against thee, for there is no man that
sinneth not, and thou be angry with them,
yet, if they shall bethink themselves and
repent, and make supplication unto thee,
saying, We have sinned and done perverse¬
ly, we have Committed wickedness; and so
return unto thee with all their heart, and
with all their soul; then hear thou their
prayer and supplication in heaven, thy
dwelling-place, and forgive thy people that
have sinned against thee, and all their
transgressions wherein they have trans¬
gressed against thee, for they shall be thy
people, and thy inheritance, which thou
hast bought with the precious blood of
154 DEDICATION OF CHURCHES.
thy Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord; to whom
with thee and the Holy Spirit, be glory,
praise and power, by all on earth, and all
in heaven. Amen.
This prayer being over, the Bishop, or Elder,
shail stand up and say:
And now, O Lord God, most high, whom
the heaven, and heaven of heavens cannot
contain, we dedicate this house to thy ser¬
vice ; receive it, we humbly beseech thee, re¬
ceive it unto thyself, and number it among
thine earthly sanctuaries; that thine own
presence, the presence of thy Son Jesus
Christ, and the presence of thy Holy Spirit
may ever fill this house which we have
builded and called by thy name, so that
whensoever the Gospel is p"reached in this
house, it may descend with all its purity,
power and demonstration, upon the hearts
of the impenitent, turning them from dark¬
ness to light, and from the £ower of sin
and Satan, unto God; that its sanctifying
influences may be felt in the souls of all be¬
lievers, lifting their desires, their hopes,
and their affections from earth to heaven,
and leading back the wandering sheep of
the house of Israel into the fold of eternal
life. Amen.
Hear us, O merciful Father, and grant
that whosoever shall be dedicated to thee
DEDICATION OF CHURCHES. 155
in this house by the holy ordinance of bap¬
tism, may also receive the fulness of thy
grace; be made useful members of the
church militant, and finally obtain an
abundant entrance into the church tri¬
umphant, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Hear us, O merciful Father, and grant
that whosoever shall in this house partake
of the symbols of the Saviour's broken body,
and shed blood, may also realize by faith,
that he' is indeed the Lamb o.f God that
taketh away the sin of the world; and thus
being regenerated and sanctified, stand
spotless and life-crowned at thy right hand,
world without end. Amen.
Hear us, O thou who art the spouse of
the Church, and grant that whosoever shall
in this house be joined together in holy
matrimony, may also live, as did Isaac and
Rebecca, in the purest enjoyment of con¬
nubial love, mutually assisting each other
in the way to heaven, and training up their
children for usefulness in this life, and for
glory in that which is to come, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O thou high and Holy One of Israel, re¬
gard,. we beseech thee, the prayers of thy
servants, and grant that all who shall in
156 DEDICATION OF CHURCHES.
this house, make confession of their sins,
or lift their voices in praise and thanksgiv¬
ing for mercies past, or benefits received,
may also rejoice in the light of thy counten¬
ance, with the peace which passeth all un¬
derstanding, with the joy that is unspeak¬
able and full of glory. Amen.
Great Head' of the Church, we beseech
thee to hear us, and grant that whosoever
shall, in this house, be set apart or ordained
to the holy office of the ministry, may
also receive the anointing of thy Spirit, and
go forth in the fulness of the blessing of
the Gospel, to preach its unsearchable
riches to a ruined world; then, having fin¬
ished their course fought the fight, and
kept the faith, receive the crown of life, and
reign with thee, world without end. Amen.
Thou God of missions hear us, and grant
that the sacred cause of missions with ev¬
ery other institution of Christianity may
ever find in this house an able advocacy and
an ample support; so as to be rendered in¬
strumental in hastening on the day when
the kingdoms of this world shall have be¬
come the kingdoms of our Lord and his
Christ. Amen.
Thusvhave we dedicated this house unto
thee O thou that dwellest in heaven. Re-
DEDICATION OF CHURCHES. 157
ceive it, O receive it among thine earthly-
sanctuaries, and grant that all who may
worship thee here from Sabbath to Sabbath,
and from generation to generation, even our
children's children, may feel it to be indeed
the house of God, and the gate of heaven.
Amen.
Then may be sung the consecration hymn,
which ought not to exceed six stanzas—then the
sermon; immeuiately after let the collection be
taken up. Conclude with an appropriate hymn,,
and extemporaneous prayer and the benediction.
After such dedication, no minister having
the charge of any of "our churches, shall al¬
low them to be used for any other purpose
than the glory of God; and any minister
suffering the violation of this law shall be
deemed guilty of grossly improper conduct
and may be suspended, according to*the de¬
cision of the Annual Conference.
PART III.
LAY HELPERS, LOCAL PREACHERS
AND GENERAL OFFICERS.
I. Lay Helpers.
II. Local Preachers.
III. General Officers.
i6o
LAY HELPERS.
CHAPTER I.
LAY HELPERS.
- i. Deaconesses.
1. The duty of the Deaconess shall be to
encourage, foster and improve the general
interests of the church, promote the com¬
fort and solicit the friendship and sympathy
of the general public, visit the sick and
unfortunate, console the dying, cheer the
fallen, feed the hungry, clothe the naked,
seek out the homeless, encourage industry,
visit asylums and prisons, and save the lost.
2. The order is not compulsory, but in
every charge where the conditions warrant,
a board of not less than three nor more
than twelve women—ordinarily they should
be widows or unmarried women of good
repute—may be organized by the pastor;
membership may continue during good be¬
havior and conformity to our rules.
3. Theiy shall be set apart or consecrat¬
ed by the bishop of the district after the
election by the pastor and official board.
lay Helpers.
161
The form of consecration shall be such as
the bishops may agree upon, and shall be
administered by a bishop.
4. Whenever it is advisable in the*largef
cities, Deaconesses Homes shall be estab1
lished for the care of women, features ot
which shall be to rescue the perishing, help
the weak and unfortunate, minister to the
sick, and train others for the work of
Deaconesses. To designate them, the regu¬
lation garb shall be worn by Deaconesses.
5. The general rules on consecration and
work shall be such as are adopted by dea¬
conesses already organized, with such other
regulations as the conditions may suggest
with and upon the advice and approval of
the pastor and official Board.
2. Exhorters.
1. Every person applying for license to
exhort in any of our societies shall produce
to the Quarterly Conference of his circuit
or station a recommendation from the Class
of which he is a member.
2. The Quarterly Conference shall exam¬
ine him and, if they think he will be useful,
the Presiding Elder or chairman of the
Conference shall license him to exhort.
3. He shall be required to employ his tal-
LAY HELPERS.
ents and time as a teacher in the Sabbath
school, when it is convenient. He shall
manage and lead the prayer meetings under
the weekly appointment of the preacher in
charge, but the preacher shall not infringe
upon his temporal concerns which include
the Sabbath day.
LOCAL PREACHERS.
CHAPTER II.
LOCAL PREACHERS.
I. Examination of Persons Claiming Call
to Preach.
Those who think they are moved by the Holy
Ghost to preach shall be tried by the following
examination:
1. As to religious experience;
(1) Do they know God as a pardoning
God?
(2) Have they the love of God abiding
in them?
(3) Do they desire and seek nothing but
God?
(4) Are they holy in all manner of con¬
versation ?
2. As to gifts;
(1) Have they a clear, sound under¬
standing, a right "judgment in the things of
God and a just conception of salvation by
faith ?
(2) Has God given them any degree of
utterance? Do they speak readily, justly
and clearly?
3. As to fruit;
164
LOCAL PREACHERS.
(1) Are any truly convinced of sin, and
converted to God by their preaching ?
As long as these parks are discerned in
any one, we believe he is called of God to
preach. These we receive as sufficient proof
that they are moved by the Holy Ghost.
2. License by Quarterly Conference. .
1. Every applicant for license to preach
among us shall present to the Quarterly
Confer&ice a recommendation from the So¬
ciety given at a special meeting, called for
that purpose.
2. The Quarterly Conference shall ex¬
amine him with reference to his gifts and
graces, his knowledge of the doctrines of
our Church and the studies laid down in
the Discipline for licensing local preachers
his possession of the books containing those
studies, and concerning his subscription to
our church periodicals.
3. If the Quarterly Conference approve
of him and is satisfied that he will be gen¬
erally useful and acceptable as a preather,
it shall give him license signed by the Chair¬
man, subject to annual renewal.
[FORM OF LICENSE.]
This is to certify that the bearer
is licensed to preach in the African Methodist
Episcopal Church. Signed on behalf of the
LOCAL, PREACHERS. 165
■ • Quarterly Conference of said Church
this day of 19...., to be renewed
once a year so long as his life corresponds with
the Gospel, and he submits to the rules and the
Discipline of said Church. Given under my hand.
Presiding Elder.
3. Ordained Preachers in Local Relations.
1. A Local Preacher of four years good
standing- may be eligible to the office of
Deacon.
K the society of which he is a member
requests it, the District Conference—or
where there is no District Conference the
Quarterly Conference—shall examine him
properly, and if it adjudge him worthy,
shall recommend him to the Annual Con¬
ference by testimonials signed by the f Re¬
siding Elder and countersigned by the Sec¬
retary. The Annual Conference shall ex¬
amine him, and if it is satisfied with his
work and qualifications, may elect and
"ordain him.
2. A Local Deacon of four years good
standing—from the time of his ordination
—'may be eligible to the office of Elder.
On request of the society, the District
Conference—or where there is no District
Conference the Quarterly Conference-
shall examine him, and if it adjudge him
l66 LOCAL PREACHERS.
worthy, it may recommend him to the An¬
nual Conference—a two-thirds majority is
required—certifying to his possession of tal¬
ents and qualification in doctrine and dis¬
cipline and to the society's need of his ser¬
vice as Elder.
The Annual Conference shall examine
him, and if satisfied that he is a proper
person to exercise the office of an Elder,
may elect and ordain him.
3. If an applicant for Local Elder's or¬
ders, should be Unable to attend the Annual
Conference, the testimonials of the District
Conference or—where there is no District
Conference, the Quarterly Conference—
shall be forwarded to the Annual Confer¬
ence with a note declaring the applicant's
belief in the doctrine and discipline of the
Church, the Annual Conference may elect
him to Elder's, orders, and provide for his
examination and ordination in the interval
of Annual Conferences.
4. Local Preachers from other Denomina¬
tions.
An unordained Preacher from an evan¬
gelical denomination, on becoming a mem¬
ber of the Church shall be examined and
have his license adjusted by the Quarterly
LOCAL PREACHERS.
Conference. An ordained minister thus be¬
coming- a member of. the Church, shall
satisfy the Annual Conference, in the same
examinations sustained by ministers from
without, who are admitted to the traveling
connection; excepting the Special Examina¬
tions for the itinerancy, and he shall receive
the same form of certificate, with the word
Quarterly before "Conference."
5. Obligations of Local Elders, Deacons
and Preachers.
Every Local Elder, Deacon and Preacher
shall have his name recorded in the Quar¬
terly Conference journal of the charge that
includes his membership, and also enrolled
on a Class paper. He shall meet in class—
unless he live too far away—teach and labor
in our Sabbath-schools and be subject to
the preacher in charge, in receiving appoint¬
ments to preach, or to teach and labor in
the Sabbath-schools, as occasion may re¬
quire. If he neglects these duties, the Quar¬
terly Conference may deprive him of his
ministerial office.
If a Layman, Local Deacon or Elder
absent himself from the Annual Conference
two years without a lawful excuse, he shall
lose his membership.
All local Deacons and Elders who are
l68 LOCAL PREACHERS.
members of an Annual Conference shall be
subject to the appointment of the Bishops
wherever they may be considered useful as
supplies. No Elder or Deacon shall have
regular charge except he be an itinerant.
general officers.
169
CHAPTER III.
General Officers.
Persons elected by the General Confer¬
ence or Supervising Boards to offices of a
general character; as editors, publishers and
secretaries of departments are styled Gen¬
eral Officers.
1, Official Responsibility.
For faithfulness in the discharge of the
duties of their offices, in the interim of
General Conferences, General Officers are
amenable to the boards appointed to super¬
vise their respective departments.
2. Ecclesiastical Responsibility.
1. Every ministerial General Officer must
be a member of an Annual Conference, and
of a District Conference and a Quarterly
Conference designated by the Bishop of his
Annual Conference.
2. Every lay General Officer must be a
member of a Quarterly Conference where
his office is located.
General Officers are subject to all the
rules of the Conferences not interfering
I/o general officers.
with their official duties.
College Presidents, Professors and
Agents, and Army Chaplains of our min¬
istry are subject to the same rules so far
as is practicable.
Restrictions.
It shall be unlawful for any" editor, or
publisher, of any official organ of the A. M.
E. Church, or for any General Officer, to
utter, publish, circulate or distribute litera¬
ture defaming or compromising the per¬
sonal or official character of any min¬
ister or layman; pastor, general officer or
bishop, unless as the result of the findings
of a duly constituted court. Any General
Officer violating this enactment shall be
subject to trial according to provisions of
section 3rd—Discipline page 251.
PART IV.
THE MINISTRY.
I. Preachers'' Personal Life and
Duties.
II. Duties of Pastors.
III. Official Duties of Pastors.
IV. Preachers in Annual CoNn.K-
V. Deacons.
VI. Elders.
VII. Presiding Elders.
VIII. Bishops.
preachers' life and duties.
173
CHAPTER I.
Preachers Personal Life and Duties.
1. Special Means of Grace.
1. A preacher, to be qualified for his
charge, should- walk closely with God and
have his work greatly at heart. He should
understand and love discipline—ours in par¬
ticular.
2. He should inquire of his brethren (as
preachers do not sufficiently watch over
one another) if they also walk closely with
God, have fellowship with the Father and
the Son, observe proper hours for retiring
and rising from bed, spend the day in the
manner advised by the conference, converse
seriously, usefully and closely, and use all
the means of grace themselves, and enforce
the use on others.
The means of grace are, instituted and
prudential.
I. The Instituted means of grace are:
1. Prayer; private, family, and public;
consisting of deprecation, petition, interces¬
sion and thanksgiving. A preacher should
174 preachers' life and duties.
ask his brethren if they use these means, if
they daily appoint a time for private devo¬
tion if they practice it, and if they have
private and family prayer mornings and
evenings and urge others to do the same?
2. Searching the Scriptures, by
(1) Reading some part every day regu¬
larly, all the Bible in order, carefully with
notes, seriously with prayer before and af¬
ter, faithfully, immediately practicing what
you learn?
(2) Meditating at set times by rule?
(3) Hearing at every opportunity, with
prayer before and after; always having a
Bible present?
3. The Lord's Supper: Do you use this
at every opportunity, with solemn prayer
before; with earnest and deliberate devo¬
tion? .
4. Fasting and abstinence. Do you prac¬
tice as much fasting and abstinence every
week as your health, strength and labor will
permit?
5. Christian conference (or conversa¬
tion). Are you convinced how important
and how difficult it is to order your conver¬
sation aright? Is it always in grace season¬
ed with salt; meet to minister grace to the
hearers? Do you not converse too long at
preachers' life and duties. 175
a time? Is not an hour commonly enough?
Would it not be well always to have a de¬
terminate end in view?
II. The Prudential means we may use as
Christians, as Methodists, as preachers:
1. As Christians: What particular rules
have you in order to grow in grace ? What
arts of holy living?
2. As Methodists, do you never miss your
class or band?
3. As preachers, have you considered
your duty thoroughly? And do you make
a conscience of executing every part of it?
Do you meet every society, also the leaders
and bands ? These means may be used
without fruit, but there are some means
that cannot; namely, watching, denying our¬
selves, taking up our cross, exercise of the
presence of God.
(a.) Do you steadfastly watch against
the world, yourself; your besetting slnr
(b.) Do you deny yourself every useless
pleasure of sense; imagination ; honor ? Are
you temperate in all things ? instances: (1)
Do you use only that kind and that degree
of food which is best for both your body
and your soul? Do you see the "necessity
of this ? Do you eat no more at each meal
than is necessary? Are you not heavy and
Xj6 preachers' life and duties.
drowsy after dinner ? (2) Db you use only
that kind and degree of drink which is best
for your body and your soul? Do you
choose the use of water for your common
drink, and only take wine medicinally and
sacramentally ?
3. Wherein do you take up your cross
daily? Do you cheerfully bear your cross,
however grievous to nature, as a gift of
God, and labor- to profit thereby ?
4. Do you endeavor to set God always be¬
fore 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 will you grow in grace.
2. Preaching.
1. The most effectual way of preaching
is to preach Christ in all his offices, and to
declare his law as well as his gospel, both
to believers, and unbelievers, and to strong¬
ly and closely insist upon inward and out¬
ward holiness in all its branches.
2. A preacher should first, choose the
plainest text he can find; second take care
not to ramble, but keep to his text and
make out what he takes in hand; third, he
should always suit his subject to his audi¬
ence.
preachers' life and duties. 177
3. The objects in view should be: (1.)
To convince. (2.) To offer Christ. (3.)
To invite. (4.) To build up. This, in
some measure, shoulH be done in every ser¬
mon.
4. A preacher should frequently read and
enlarge upon a portion of the Scripture,
and young preachers should often exhort
without a text. He should avail himself of
the great festivals by preaching on such oc¬
casions.
5. All our preachers shall expressly
preach against Sabbath breaking, evil-
speaking, unprofitable conversation, light¬
ness, expensiveness or gayety of apparel,
contracting debts without due care to dis¬
charge them.
6. A preacher should begin at the desig¬
nated time and be sure never to disappoint
a congregation.
7. His whole deportment should be* seri¬
ous, solemn and weighty.
8. He should guard against anything
awkward, either in gesture, phrase or pro¬
nunciation.
9. Usually he should not pray extempore
more than eight or ten minutes at most,
without intermission.
10. It is by no means advisable for us to
178 preachers' life and duties.
preach in as many places as we can with¬
out forming societies. We have made the
trial for a considerable time in various
places, but all the seed has fallen by the
wayside. There is scarcely any fruit re¬
maining.
11. We should, therefore, endeavor to
preach most where there are the greatest
number of quiet, willing hearers and the
most fruit.
12. We ought to diligently observe in
what place God is pleased, at any time to
more abundantly pour out His Spirit, and
then we should send more laborers into that
place.
3. Visiting from House to House.
1. We can further assist those under our
care by insrtucting them at their own
houses. What unspeakable need is there
of this! The world says, "The Methodists
are no better than any other people." This
is not true in general. But (1) personal re¬
ligion, either towards God or man, is too
superficial among us. We can but just
touch on a few particulars. How little faith
is there among us; How little communion
with God; How little living in heaven, walk¬
ing in eternity, deadness to every creature;
How much love of the world, desire of
preachers' life and duties. 179
pleasure and ease, and of getting money;
How little of brotherly love; What con¬
tinual judging of one another; What gos-
siping-, evil-speaking and tale-bearing;
What want of moral honesty. To instance
one particular: Who does as he would be
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 traveling preacher must instruct
the people from house to house. Till this
be done—and in good earnest—the Metho¬
dists will be no better. (3) Our religion
is not deep, universal, uniform; but super-
ficialv partial, uneven. It will be so till
we spend half as much time in thus visit¬
ing as we do now in talking uselessly. Can
we find a better method of doing this than
Mr. Baxter's? If not, let us adopt it with¬
out delay. His whole tract entitled Gildas
Salvianus is well worth a careful perusal.
Speaking of visiting from house to house
he says (page 351) : "We shall find many
hindrances, both in ourselves and the peo¬
ple."
4. Many Hindrances.
(1.) In ourselves there is much dullness
and laziness, so that there will be much ado
18o preachers' life and duties.
to get us to be faithful to the work.
(2.) We have a base, man-pleasing tem¬
per, so that we let men perish. rather than
lose their love. We let them go quietly to
hell, lest we should offend them.
(&) Some of us have also a foolish bash-
fulness. We know not how to begin and
blush to contradict the devil.
(4.) But the greatest hindrance is weak¬
ness of faith. Our whole motion is weak,
because the spring of it is weak.
(5.) Lastly, we are unskilled in the work.
How few know how to deal with men so as
to get within them and suit all our dis¬
course to their several conditions and tem¬
pers; to choose the fittest subjects, and fol¬
low them with a holy mixture of serious¬
ness, terror, love and meekness.
But undoubtedly this private application
is implied in these 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
instant in season out of season; reprove, re¬
buke with all long suffering/'
O Brethren, if we could but set this
work on foot in all our societies, and prose¬
cute it zealously, what glory would redound
to God! If the common lukewarmness
preachers' life and duties. 181
were banished, and every shop and every
house busied in speaking of the word and
works of God, surely God would dwell in
our habitations and make us his delight.
But it is objected: "This will take up too
much time, we shall not have leisure to fol¬
low our studies."
We answer, (i.) Gaining knowledge is a
good thing, but saving souls is a better. (2.)
By this very thing you will gain the most
excellent knowledge of God and eternity.
(3.) You will have time for gaining other
knowledge too; only sleep not more than
you need. But, (4.) If you do but one, let
your studies alone. We ought to throw by
all the libraries in the world rather than be
guilty of the loss of a soul.
It is further objected, "The people will
not submit to it."
If some will not, others will; and the
success with them will repay 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 wrork—"Take heed there¬
fore to yourselves and to all the flock."
(3) Our doctrine—"Repentance towards
God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ."
182 preachers1 life and duties.
(4) The place—"I have taught you pub¬
licly and from house to house.'
(5)' The object and manner of teaching
—"I ceased not to warn every one night
and day in 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."
Above all things let us keep before our
eyes; "the church of God which he hath
purchased with his own bloodand let us
remember that it is written "Grievous
wolves shall enter in among you, not spar¬
ing the flock." Write these things upon
your hearts, and it will do more good than
twenty years study. Then you will have
no time to spare; you will have work
enough to do. Then, likewise, will no
preacher, who is as salt that has lost its
savor, stay with us. To such this employ-
meat would be mere drudgery. In order
then, to perform your duty, far above your
knowledge, you will have need of all the
grace you can obtain.
5. Causes of Spiritual Poverty.
Why are we not more holy for the per¬
formance of these duties ?
Why do we not live more in eternity and
preachers' life and duties. 183
walk with God all the daylong?
Why are we not all more devoted to God
and breathing the whole missionary spirit?
Chiefly because we are enthusiasts, look¬
ing for the end without using the means.
Let us touch upon only two or three in¬
stances. 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 neglect of this alone is sufficient
to account for our feebleness and faintness
of spirit. We are continually grieving the
Holy Spirit of God by the habitual neglect
of our plain duty. Let us amend from this
hour.
i duties of pastors.
CHAPTER II.
Duties of Pastors.
(Ordained and Lnordained.)
1. A traveling preacher must be diligent;
never unemployed: never triflingly em¬
ployed.
2. He shall attend the superintendent
when in his charge and give him all neces¬
sary information by letter, when absent.
3. He shall take charge of all the Local
Elders, Deacons, Preachers, and Exhorters
in his charge and see that they behave well.
He shall organize the Local Preachers and
Exhorters in a class for mutual improve¬
ment. The Quarterly Conference shall re¬
prove, or remove, if it think best, those
who refuse to unite in the class.
4. He shall call, and preside over all
meetings for the transaction of spiritual or
temporal bu_siness in his charge, excepting
those called to inquire into complaints or
charges against him.
5. He shall hold Watch Night meetings,
Love-feasts—which he may allow to con-
DUTIES OF PASTORS.
185
tinue one hour and a half—and quarterly
meetings, in the absence, or at the request
of the Presiding- Elder.
6. In large societies he shall meet the
men and women apart once a quarter, and
form those of them who are believers in
bands of four each, where this is practi¬
cable.
7. He shall meet the Quarterly Confer¬
ence, also he shall meet the trustees, the
stewards, the leaders, the general bands,
the societies and other organizations of his
charge as often as possible, and shall over¬
look their accounts from time to time.
8. He shall travel and labor in his charge,
conduct divine service, visit the sick, recom¬
mend decency and cleanliness, and enforce
vigorously but calmly, all the rules of the
societies, and every part of the Discipline.
9. He shall regulate the bands and see
that every band leader has the rules of the
band.
10. He shall read the general rules in ev¬
ery society once a quarter and in every
congregation once a year; especially the
thoughts on dress; exhorting the people to
conform to the spirit of the Apostolic pre¬
cepts concerning gold, pearls and costly ar¬
ray, 1 Tim. ii: 9; 1 Pet. iii: 3. He shall also
186
DUTIES OF PASTORS.
put off all superfluous and costly apparel
himself. The violation of this rule sub¬
jects a minister to the liability, of suspen¬
sion.
11. He shall assign all persons received
on probation to a separate and special class,
keeping- them in it at least three months;
and shall not admit any to full membership
till they have passed a satisfactory exam¬
ination before him and the church, as to
correctness of faith and willingness to ob¬
serve and keep the rules, been baptized and
recommended by a leader whom they have
met in class three months.
12. He shall give love-feast tickets to all
full members in good standing—but to no
others—and shall renew said tickets quar¬
terly. He may with the utmost caution, is¬
sue a note of permission to attend love-
feast, to any serious person who has at¬
tended class three times or is recominended
by a responsible person known to him, but
never to two consecutive love-feasts, nor
more than three times, without his becom¬
ing a member.
13. He shall see that a fast be held in
every society in his charge on the Friday
next preceding every quarterly meeting and
have a memorandum made of it on the
DUTIES OF PASTORS.
18/
class papers.
14 He shall see that every soqiety is duly
supplied with our books.
15. He shall receive, try and expel mem¬
bers, according to the Discipline, and at
every quarterly meeting shall read the
names of those who have been received, and
who have been excluded.
16. He shall appoint all class-leaders and
when he deems it necessary, or the good
of the church demands it, remove them.
17. Where there are no stewards, he shall'
appoint a person to receive the quarterly
collections in the classes, and -a committee
to receive, and assist in applying any money
subscribed to make up allowance to preach¬
ers or assist the most needy places in build¬
ing churches'and paying debts.
18. He shall suspend a steward from of¬
fice for sufficient cause, and appoint a ste¬
ward in his stead; the course and action to
be reviewed and finally disposed of by the
quarterly conference.
19. He shall not allow any person to of¬
ficiate as a preacher or exhorter in his
church without obtaining a license from
the quarterly conference, and he shall in¬
sist that this license be renewed once every
year.
DUTIES OF PASTORS.
He shall not allow any preacher under
suspension, expulsion or charge of immoral
conduct to officiate in his pulpit or at the
altar.
20. He shall take exact account of the
members in the charge, report the same
to the Annual Conference, and, on being
removed, shall submit to his successor an
accurate account of the charge.
21. He shall not cease to labor in the
itinerancy, except in case of sickness, with¬
out the consent of the Annual Conference,
certified by the hand of the Bishop.
22. He shall frequently warn his mem¬
bers against moving from one charge to
another, without a note of recommenda¬
tion from him; informing them that they
will not be received into other societies
without this note of recommendation.
[Form of Certificate of Membership.]
,19....
To the Rev , Pastor of the
A. M. E. Church at This is to
introduce to you and commend to your Christian
consideration, M who is an accept¬
able member of our Society.
Pastor of the A. M. E.
Church.
23. (1) Every pastor shall gather in the
children, and wherever there are ten whose
parents will permit it, he shall meet them
DUTIES OF PASTORS.
189
once a week, or once in two weeks for
the purpose of giving them instruction and
training them in the catechism. To this
end he shall procure our catechism, and
have it committed to memory by all who
can read.
(2) He shall expressly preach on educa¬
tion ; talk with the children at home; explain
the nature of religion to them and impress
the necessity of it upon their hearts. He
shall earnestly pray for them and exhort
their parents at home.
(3) He shall take the names of those
who have been truly awakened and admit
them to society. But if he should say, "I
have no gift for this," he should pray for
it and use every other means to obtain it.
(4) He shall, so far as it is practicable,
take the children of his congregation and
form them into Sabbath-schools.
(5) He shall take their names and form
them into classes for the purpose of giving
them religious instruction, and do this as
regularly himself as his other duties will
permit.
(6) He shall teach them the nature of re¬
ligion; and also the nature, privileges, de¬
sign and obligations of baptism.
(7) He shall appoint a suitable leader
190
DUTIES OF PASTORS.
for each class to instruct it in iris absence
and recommend to him those who are suit¬
able to be admitted on trial.
(8) He shall leave his successor a correct
account of each class formed and also the
name of its leader.
preachers in annual conference. i9i
CHAPTER III.
Preachers in Annual Conference.
1. Preachers Admitted on Trial.
1. A preacher, not over 40 years old, be¬
ing duly recommended by the District Con¬
ference, or having been previously appoint¬
ed to a charge by the Bishop or Presiding
Elder, in the interim of Annual Confer¬
ences, may be received on trial in the An¬
nual Conference by vote; provided he give
us satisfaction as to his knowledge of the
discipline and doctrines of the Church, the
connections necessary in a discourse, church
history (especially ours), and of all the
studies prescribed in the Appendix to the
Book of Discipline, for admission on trial.
Then let him carefully read and weigh the
contents of the Book of Discipline, that if
he have any doubt it may be removed.
If he should be destitute of the foregoing
qualifications he may be referred to a com¬
mittee which shall examine him thoroughly,
at least twice during the ensuing year, and
report the results to the next Annual Con¬
ference.
192 PREACHERS IN ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
2. When he is admitted on trial the forn
of discipline shall be given him, inscribed:
To You think it your duty
to call sinners to repentance; make full
x)roof of it, and we shall rejoice to receive
you as a fellow laborer.
3. One on trial may be either admitted,
or rejected without doing him any wrong;
otherwise it would be no trial at all.
2. Preachers Admitted to< Full Connection.
1. A preacher who has maintained a
good character, two years on trial, proved
his fitness, given the Annual Conference
satisfaction in the studies for the second
year, and in the Special Examination for
admission, may be admitted to full connec¬
tion in the itinerancy.
2. In receiving a traveling preacher into
full connection, there shall be an offering of
solemn prayer, and the following Special
Examination—with other questions, if
necessary: -
1. Have you faith in Christ?
2. Are you going on to perfection?
3. Do you expect to be made perfect in
love in this life?
Are you groaning after this perfect
love?
5. Are you resolved to wholly devote
PREACHERS IN ANNUAL CONFERENCE. 193
yourself to God and His work?
6. Do you know the rules of the Society
and of the bands?
7. Do you keep them?
8. Do you constantly attend the sacra¬
ment?
9. Have you read the form of disci¬
pline ?
10. Are you willing to conform to it?
11. Have you considered the rules of a
Preacher, especially the ist, 7th and 9th?
(See Page 197.)
12. Will you keep them for conscience
sake?
13. Are you determined to employ all
your time in the work of God?
14. Will you endeavor not to speak too
loud or too long?
15. Will you instruct the children iti
every place?
16. Willyou visit from house to house?
17. Will you recommend fasting or ab¬
stinence, both by precept and example?
18- Are you in debt ?
3. Preachers from other Denominations.
1. Preachers from other denominations,
coming to either the Quarterly Conference
or the Annual Conference, for admission,
shall be questioned as follows:
194 PREACHERS IN ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
Question. Have you read our lorm of
discipline ?
Answer. I have.
Ques. Do you possess such discipline?
Ans. I do.
Ques. Do you believe in the doctrine,
discipline and polity of our Church as set
forth therein?
Ans, I do fully believe and will willing¬
ly receive, adopt and be governed by the
doctrines, discipline and polity of the A. M.
E. Church.
Ques. Will you refrain from teaching
or practicing any other form of doctrine,
discipline or polity?
Ans. I will.
2. An unordained Preacher from another
denomination can enter the itinerant minis¬
try of the A. M. E. Church, only by becom¬
ing a member of the church and entering
the Annual Conference regularly.
3, An ordained Preacher may come in
the same way, or he may be received by an
Annual Conference on proving his ordina¬
tion, accepting our doctrine, discipline, us¬
ages and government, giving satisfactory
evidence of gifts, graces and usefulness,
sustaining an examination in the studies for
the "second year," and taking the ordina-
PREACHERS IN ANNUAL CONFERENCE. 195
tion vows. Provided, however, that min¬
isters who come from churches that recog¬
nize only one order of the ministry shall be
received as deacons, and be required to
travel two years as itinerant ministers be¬
fore being eligible to the order of Elders.
4. On being admitted, every minister
shall receive the following certificate:
This is to certify that
having been ordained to the office of
19. .according to the usages of the
Church, of which he has been a
member, has been admitted into the
Conference of the A. M. E. Church, and is here¬
by authorized, so long as his life and conversation
become the Gospel of Christ, to exercise the func¬
tions of his office in the African Methodist Epis¬
copal Church (limited in paragraph 3, above).
Given under my hand and seal, this
day of , 19. .. .
Presiding Bishop.
5. Every Preacher admitted to full trav¬
eling connection shall receive the form of
Discipline inscribed as follows :
As long as you freely consent to, and
earnestly endeavor to walk by these rules,
we shall rejoice to acknowledge you as a
fellow laborer.
4. Rules of a Preacher.
1. Be diligent. Never be unemployed or
triflingly employed. Never trifle away any
iy6 PREACHERS IN ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
time; neither spend any more at one place
than is strictly necessary.
2. Be serious. Avoid all lightness, jest¬
ing and foolish talking. Converse sparingly
and conduct yourselves prudently with wo¬
men. i Tim. v. 2. Be ashamed of noth¬
ing but sin. Let your motto be "Holiness
unto the Lord."
3,. Take no step toward marrying with¬
out consulting your brethren. A Methodist
Preacher ought not to be married to a wo¬
man without the consent of her parents.
4. Believe evil of no one without good
evidence; unless you see it done, take heed
you credit it not. Put the best construction
on everything. You know the judge is al¬
ways supposed to be on the prisoner's side.
5. Speak evil of no one, because your
word especially doth eat as a canker. Keep
your thoughts within your own breast un¬
til you come to the person concerned.
6. Tell everyone under your care 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.
7. Be punctual. Do everything exactly
at the time: and do not mend our rules, but
PREACHERS IN ANNUAL CONFERENCE. IQ7
keep them; not for wrath, hut for con¬
science's sake.
8. Avoid all affectation. A Preacher of
the Gospel is a servant to all. You have
nothing to do but to save souls; therefore
spend and be spent in this work. And go
always not only to those who want you, but
to those who want you most. 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 to repentance as you-can; and with
all your power to build them up in that holi¬
ness, without which they cannot see the
Lord. Remember a Methodist Preacher is
to mind every point great and small in the
African Methodist Discipline. You will,
therefore, need to exercise all the sense and
grace you have.
9. Act in all things not according to your
own will but as a son in the gospel. As such
it is your duty to employ your time in the
manner which we direct; in preaching and
visiting from house to house, in reading,
meditation and prayer. Above all, if you
labor with us in the vineyard of the Lord,
it is necessary you should do that part of
the work which we advise at those times
and places which we judge most for His
glory.
198 PREACHERS IN ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
5. Preachers' Conduct in Conference.
1. It is desired that all things be consid¬
ered on these occasions, as in the immediate
presence of God, and that every person shall
speak freely whatever is in his heart.
2. That we may improve our time at
Conference, while we are conversing; let us
have an especial care to set God always be¬
fore us. In the intermediate hours let us
redeem all the time we can for private ex¬
ercises. Therein let us give ourselves to
prayer for one another and for a blessing
on our neighbors.
6. The Itinerancy.
The extension of the Church is best se¬
cured through an itinerancy operating un¬
der a General Superintendency which pro¬
vides, as nearly as possible, for each con¬
gregation of believers a minister qualified to
present the doctrines of Holy Scripture, and
to direct the temporal economy of our So¬
cieties. The glorious triumphs attendant
upon the labors of our itinerants attest the
presence of the Holy Spirit as a witness
directing the pulpit and pastoral ministra¬
tions of itinerant preachers.
deacons.
199
CHAPTER IV.
Deacons.
1. A Deacon is constituted by election of
the Annual Conference, and the imposition
of the hands of a Bishop.
2. A Traveling- Preacher of two full
years standing- in the Annual Conference is
eligible to the office of Deacon, provided h'e
satisfy the Annual Conference of his fit¬
ness for the office.
3. If the necessities of the cause of mis¬
sions require his ordination earlier, the time
qualification may be disregarded, if it is
judged expedient; provided he give satis¬
faction in the course of studies prescribed
in the Book of Discipline for the "second
year," and has been carefully instrhcted in
the nature of the vows of the office of a
Deacon.
4. On the request of his Quarterly Con¬
ference, a Local Preacher of four years
good standing may be eligible to the office
of Deacon, if recommended by the Distrrct
Conference; provided he satisfy the Annual
Conference in the course of studies pre-
200
DEACONS.
scribed in the Book of Discipline for the
"second year."
5. The duties of a Deacon are, to preach
the Word of God, assist the Elder in dis¬
tributing the communion, and, in the ab¬
sence of the Elder, administer the Sacra¬
ment of Baptism and solemnize matrimony
6. A traveling Deacon shall not act as
Deacon, or preach in our churches, if he
cease to travel without the consent-of the
Annual Conference, certified to by the
Bishop; except he is incapacitated by sick¬
ness, debility or unavoidable circumstances.
elders.
201
CHAPTER V.
Elders.
1. An Elder is constituted by election of
the Annual Conference, and the imposition
of the hands of a Bishop and the examining
Elders. The Conference shall, be certain
that he is thoroughly instructed in the vows
of an Elder.
2. A Traveling Deacon of two full years
good and regular standing is eligible to the
office of Elder; provided he give satisfac¬
tion in the course of studies prescribed in
the Book of Discipline.
3. A Local Deacon of four years good
and regular standing as a Deacon, is
eligible to the office-of Elder on the request
of his Quarterly Conference; provided he
is recommended by the District Conference,
on at least a two-thirds majority vote, and
satisfies the Annual Conference of his fit¬
ness and the local necessity of his ordina¬
tion.
4. The duties of an Elder are, to preach
the Word of God, administer the sacra¬
ments of the Lord's Supper and Baptism,
and perform the rite of matrimony.
.202
presiding elders.
CHAPTER VI.
Presiding Elders,
-i. Qualifications.
Presiding Elders are appointed by the
Bishop. They must be able to keep a faith¬
ful record of the quarterly conference min¬
utes, and give proper directions to all the
affairs of the Church.
2. The District.
The territory of every Annual Confer¬
ence (except mission conferences too small)
shall be divided in districts, each embracing
from twelve to twenty pastoral charges and
from two thousand to three thousand lay
members. In cases of conferences of very
large territory but only few churches, each
presiding elder may be assigned to a pastor¬
ate but his charge must be in the district of
another presiding elder.
3. Duties.
1. The Presiding Elder shall take charge
of all the Elders, Deacons, Preachers, itin¬
erant and local, and the Exhorters in his
district.
PRESIDING ELDERS.
203
2. He shall travel at large in his district,
preside in the District Conference, Sunday-
school conventions and all the Quarterly
Conferences, assist pastors at quarterly
meetings, see that the business of the con¬
ference is in strict accord with the Disci¬
pline ; and preach at least once on each
charge quarterly.
3. He shall give decisions on all questions
of law in the Quarterly Conferences and the
District Conferences, subject to appeal to
the Annual Conference. In all cases he shall
leave the application of law with the dis¬
trict conference and quarterly conference.
4. He shall change or remove a preacher
in the interval of Annual Conferences, after
strict investigation, where the interests of a
church demand it; or when a majority of
the membership is' dissatisfied and the Offi¬
cial Board, in a written petition, requests
him to do so; provided he assign said
preacher to another field of labor. He may
call a committee to investigate or try a case
of a pastor under charges.
5. He may employ a preacher who has
been rejected by an Annual Conference be¬
cause of failure to pass examination; pro¬
vided the Annual Conference grant permis¬
sion, and the preacher is a man of good
t
20 4
PRESIDING ELDERS.
moral character; but he shall not employ
nor allow to exercise in any church of his
district, any preacher under suspension, ex¬
pulsion or charges of immoral conduct, in
our own or other church.
'6. He shall thoroughly acquaint himself
with the efficiency and acceptability of all
the pastors in his district, and endeavor to
have satisfactory appointments for all the
people.
7. He shall see that all moneys collected
on connectional Sabbaths: Educational Day,
Children's Day, and Easter Day—are for-'
warded to the offices to which they are due,
promptly, and shall demand no part of the
collections on those days, as payment of
assessment for support.
8. He shall not cease to travel without
the consent of the Annual Conference or
the Bishop.
9. He shall be removed for imprudence
in administration, or impurity of life.
BISHOPS
205
CHAPTER VII.
Bishops.
1. Election.
1. A Bishop shall be elected by the Gen¬
eral Conference, by ballot only: provided
he shall be blameless in character and quali¬
fications; a majority of all votes cast shall
be necessary to choice.
2. After his election he shall be conse¬
crated to the office of Bishop by the imposi¬
tion of the hands of a Bishop and six
Elders.
2. Filling Vacancies.
1. If by death, resignation, or expulsion,
there should be no one to exercise the epis¬
copal office, an extra session of the General
Conference shall be called at once, accord¬
ing to the Discipline.
2. The said extra session of the General
Conference shall proceed to fill the vacancy,
and seven Elders, by imposition of their
hands, shall ordain the one elected.
3. Duties of a Presiding Bishop.
1. He shall preside in all the confer-
2q6
BISHOPS.
ences, fix, in conjunction with the Presidiag
Elders, all the appointments of the traveling
preachers at the Annual Conferences, and
cause all his decisions in Annual Conference
to be entered in the journal.
2. He shall entertain all motions duly
made and seconded in an Annual Confer¬
ence, when they do not come in conflict
with positive law.
3. He shall decide all questions of law in
the Annual Conference; but his decisions
may be subjected to an appeal to the Court
of Triers of Appeals. He shall in all cases
leave the application of law with the An¬
nual Conference.
4. He shall select the most experienced
and best qualified elders, and of the best
moral character, for the office of Presiding
Elders.
5. He shall appoint a District Book
Steward and, when requested by an Annual
Conference, appoint an agent or agents to
labor for embarrassed churches and literary
institutions in the Conference.
6. In the interval of the Annual Con¬
ference sessions, he shall change, receive
and suspend preachers, wherever necessary,
as directed by the Book of Discipline. .
7. He shall not permit any preacher to
BISHOrS.
207
remain on any circuit or station, nor a Pre¬
siding Elder on any given district longer
than five years.
8. He shall not permit any-preacher to
remain on a circuit or a station when he
has become unacceptable or it is evident
that his continuance is injurious to the
prosperity of the Church.
9. He shall not remove a preacher with¬
out his consent, beyond the bounds of his
district, until he shall have given him at
least three months notice prior to the time
appointed for his removal. IN'or shall the
Bishop accept a transferred preacher
against whom there is a charge, till after
the conference shall have full time to ex¬
amine his character and pass upon the same.
Any Bishop who shall knowingly violate
this prohibition shall be proceeded against
by the Annual Conference, as per Disci¬
pline.
10. He shall not admit to the Annual
Conference, transfer nor appoint to the Pas¬
torate, Presiding Eldership, Missionary
Work, Evangelistic Work or Agency, nor
allow to officiate in any of our Pulpits or at
the altar, any Preacher under the disability
of suspension, expulsion or charges of im¬
moral conduct, whether formerly in our own
208
BISHOPS.
church or from another church.
11. Whenever he transfers a member of
the Annual Conference, he shall give the
following' form of Certificate:
This is to certify that a
in good and regular standing, has been trans¬
ferred from the Annual Conference
of the African Methodist Episcopal Church to the
Annual Conference of the same
Church, the transfer to take effect on and after
,19....
Presiding Bishop.
12. He shall travel at large through his
district and visit every circuit and station
and oversee the spiritual and temporal busi¬
ness of the societies in his district. '
13. He shall, whenever the officers of any
church call him and necessity requires
him, visit any Episcopal District and act
alone, in the absence of its Bishop, or con¬
jointly with him, in all cases in which the
interest of the connection demands his
service.
14. He shall not ordain any woman to
the order of Deacon or Elder in the A. M.
E. Church.
15. He shall not exercise his episcopal
office-in any degree over, the Church un¬
less he travel at large throughout his dis¬
trict.
16. His duty in this respect shall be
BISHOPS.
209
regulated by the General Conference, and
it shall make provision for his traveling ex¬
penses.
17. He shall see that all funds of the
Conference are appropriated according to
Discipline but shall not interfere with said
appropriations when consistent with the
Discipline, and shall not receive any money
from the Annual Conference for residence,,
traveling or any other purpose, contrary
to the Discipline.
18. The bishops shall publish a year book
of African Methodism. The book shall be
issued, in May annually. It shall be pub¬
lished by the Book Concern immediately
upon its compilation, and be sold at a small
price for the benefit of the Book Concern.
PART V.
CONFERENCES.
I. General Conference.
II. Annual Conferences.
III. District Conferences.
IV. Quarterly Conferences.
V. Official Boards.
VI. Church Conferences.
212 the general conference.
CHAPTER I.
The General Conference.
Composition.
1. The General Conference shall be com¬
posed of all the Bishops, all the General Of¬
ficers, all the College and University Presi¬
dents, and two ministerial delegates from
every Annual Conference actually existing,
but for each Annual Conference of more
than sixty ministerial members, one minis¬
terial delegate for every thirty ministerial
members or final fraction exceeding fifteen;
also two lay delegates for every Annual
Conference.
Qualifications of Delegates.
2. Every minister elected delegate by an
Annual Conference shall have traveled four
full consecutive years, next preceding the
General Conference, in good and regular
standing in an Annual Conference of the
African Methodist. Episcopal Church and
at the time of his election shall be a mem¬
ber of the conference that elects him.
3. Every layman elected delegate by an
Electoral College shall be a member of said
the general conference. 213
college and a man of good natural and ac¬
quired ability, who knows and loves the A.
M. E. doctrines and discipline and has
maintained a full, good and regular mem¬
bership in said Church four consecutive
years next preceding the General Confer¬
ence.
Election.
1. Ministerial delegates shall be elected
by the Annual Conference next before the
General Conference; except that Annual
Conferences sitting in or after January
shall elect a year earlier.
2. A delegate elected by an Annual Con¬
ference shall represent said Annual Con¬
ference in General Conference, though he
may have been transferred to another An¬
nual Conference after his election.
3. The Annual Conference shall give a
certificate of election, signed by the Bishop
and Secretary to every delegate elected,
both ministerial and lay.
Electoral College.
1. The Annual Conference next before
the one that is to elect ministerial delegates
shall appoint the place and time for the
Electoral College; the time shall be at least
three months before the Annual Confer¬
ence that is to elect ministerial delegates.
.214 the general' conference.
2. The Electoral College shall be com¬
posed of one layman from each station, cir¬
cuit and mission in the Annual Conference
■district.
3. Every pastor shall publish the meeting'
that is to elect a representative from his
charge to the Electoral College, two weeks
before it is to take place, and shall preside
at that meeting, and only full members of
said charge shall vote or be elected dele¬
gates.
4. The Electoral College shall assemble
at the place and time designated by the
Annual Conference, and shall organize ac¬
cording to the custom of delegate bodies;
a delegate moving tfeat a given delegate be
■elected temporary chairman, another, tem¬
porary secretary. After devotional service,
the College will effect a permanent organi¬
zation, electing a chairman, secretary, two
tellers and two clerks of election, and then
proceed to elect from its members by ballot
two lay delegates and two lay alternates to
the General Conference.
5. The Electoral College shall give each
lay delegate and alternate a certificate of
election, signed by the Chairman and Secre¬
tary, to be presented to the Annual Con¬
ference for record.
THE GENERAL CONFERENCE.
215
Election Rides.
1. Both Annual Conferences and Elec-
:oral Colleges shall elect alternates in same
lumber, qualify and by same method as
delegates.
2. Tellers and Clerks of Election shall
be elected by the Conference and Electoral
College, and all delegates and alternates to
the General Conference shall be elected by
ballot, a majority of ballots determining
the election.
3. It shall be unlawful for any minister
to interfere in any way with the Electoral
College.
Sessions.
The General Conference shall meet per¬
petually, once in four years on the first
Monday in May.
The Entertainment Commission.
1. This Commission shall consist of three
Bishops, five elders, and three lay delegates,
all of whom shall be designated by the pre¬
ceding General Conference.
2. The Commission shall approximate the
expense of entertaining the General Con¬
ference, and apportion it among the several
Annual Conferences, which shall raise one-
fourth of the required amount each year,
216 the general conference.
and deposit the same with the Financial
Secretary, who shall keep it under the title,
General Conference Entertainment Fund.
3. At least twelve months before the as¬
sembling of the General Conference, the
Commission shall meet on the -call of the
Senior Bishop and shall cause it to be
known throughout the Connection, that ap¬
plications will be received for the enter¬
tainment of the General Conference..
4. The Commission shall take into con¬
sideration, in passing upon applications, the
ability of the people to properly entertain
the Conference, accessibility from all parts
of the country, railroad facilities, rates and
such other matters as, in their judgment,
will contribute to the proper entertainment
of the General Conference. •
5. Should there be no application for the
General Conference, the Commission shall
'proceed to locate it at some point which
shall most fully satisfy the foregoing
conditions; provided, that they shall not se¬
lect a place whose people, through their
pastor, shall file an objection to such selec¬
tion.
6. As soon as a proper selection shall
have been made, notice thereof shall be
given in all the Church papers four con¬
secutive weeks.
the general conference. 217
7- The Commission shall create a Sub-
Committee which, in conjunction with the
Secretary of the Bishops' Council and Fi¬
nancial Secretary, shall perfect all arrange¬
ments for the proper entertainment of the
General Conference.
8. In case of the neglect or failure of the
Senior Bishop to call the Commission to¬
gether, three members of the Commission
may make such a call.
Extra Sessions.
1. The Bishops, with the advice of two-
thirds of the Annual Conferences, when
necessary shall call an extra session of the
General Conference; but if there be no
Bishops, three Elders, with the advice of
two-thirds of the Annual Conferences, shall
call it.
2. The Bishops, or said three Elders,
shall then, in wTriting, notify the preachers
in charge of circuits and stations to inform
all the delegates in good standing, as mem¬
bers of the last quadrennial session, to at¬
tend the extra session at the time and plaice
appointed by the Bishops, or said three
Elders. After notice being thus duly given,
if two-thirds of the delegates be present
at the appointed time and place, they shall
218 the general conference.
proceed to business and their proceedings
shall be lawful.
3. If any Annual Conference should be
without representation, on receiving notice
of the extra session, the Bishops, or, if
there are no Bishops, three Elders of that
Conference shall call it to an extra session
when it shall elect both ministerial and lay
delegates.
Restrictions of the General Conference.
1. The General Conference shall have full
power to make rules and regulations for
the Church, but they shall not repeal or
change the articles of religion nor estab¬
lish any new rules of doctrine.
2. They shall not alter any rule of gov¬
ernment to the effect of doing away with
the Episcopacy or General Superintendency.
3. They shall not do away with the privi¬
leges of our ministers or preachers, of trial
by a committee of tri^l, and an appeal.
Neither shall they do away with the privi¬
leges oi our members of trial before the
society of which they are members, or by
a committee! and of an, appeal.
4. They shall not revoke or phange the
(general Rules of the United Societies.
5. 'they shall not appropriate the surplus
of the Book Concern to any purpose other
THE GENERAL CONFERENCE. 21)
than for the benefit of the Bishops, itiner¬
ant, supernumerary and superannuated
preachers, their widows and orphans. Pro¬
vided, nevertheless. That a majority of two-
thirds of the General Conference shall suf¬
fice to alter the fifth restriction and none
other.
Expenses of Delegates.
Every Pastor shall collect a par{ of the
money needed in his Annual Conference
to defray the traveling expenses of its dele¬
gates to the General Conference.
The part to be collected shall be accord¬
ing to the per capita taxation of all the
members of the Annual Conference Dis¬
trict.
The amount to be paid to each delegate
shall be calculated at the rate of ten cents
per mile, going to the General Conference,
but not on returning.
The amount of traveling expenses to be
collected by each pastor shall be presented
to the Annual Conference at which the dele¬
gates are to be elected; and in no case shall
he fail to collect and present, or have pre¬
sented in due time to said Conference, the
amount decided to be his quota. The dele¬
gates' board while attending the General
220 THE GENERAL CONFERENCE.
Conference shall also be paid by the An¬
nual Conferences.
The traveling expenses of the Bishops
of the General Conference shall be paid out
of the general treasury.
The Finance Committee, at the rise of
every General Conference, shall pay the in¬
cidental expenses of th'e Conference, and
turn over the balance (if there be any) to
the business manager of the Book Concern,
to defray the expense of printing the Book
of Discipline and General Conference Min¬
utes.
the annual conference.
22 t
CHAPTER II.
The Annual Conference,
i. Composition.
The Annual Conference shall be com¬
posed of all the traveling Elders, Deacons
and Licentiates, and all the Local Elders
and Local Deacons, together with two lay¬
men from each District Conference within
its bounds.
Probationers in an Annual Conference,
and visiting members from any other An¬
nual Conference in the Connection, may
participate in debates but shall not vote.
2. Sessions.
1. Each Conference, at every annual'
session, shall designate the place at which
it will hold its next annual session.
2. The time for holding the session shall
be appointed by the Presiding Bishop, and
should be done at each session.
3. An Annual Conference year shall be¬
gin when the appointments are read in the
Conference and shall continue until they
are read at the next ensuing session.
222 THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
4. Every session shall be held at least
•one week.
3. Organization.
1. After devotional services, the secre¬
tary of the preceding Conference, by order
of the chairman, shall call the Conference
roll.
2. The Conference shall proceed to elect
a Recording- Secretary, an Engrossing Sec¬
retary, and Statistical Secretary. The Pre¬
siding Officer, unless otherwise ordered,
shall appoint all committees, except the
Finance Committee, which shall be nomi¬
nated and elected by the Conference.
3. The Recording Secretary shall record
all the transactions and minutes of the Con¬
ference. The Engrossing Secretary shall
engross all the proceedings of the Confer¬
ence, and all the decisions rendered by the
Bishop, in the journal.*
4. One Bishop, at least, shall be present
and preside at each Annual Conference; but
in the absence of the Bishop, the Confer¬
ence shall elect a President pro tem. The
Bishop, or Chairman, and the Secretary
shall sign the Record at the close of each
Annual Conference, and at the close of the
quadrennium, present the journal to the
'General Conference.
THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE. 223
5. All Conference moneys shall be paid
over to the Finance Committee which'shall
disburse the same as directed by law, sub¬
ject to the approval of the Conference, at
least one day before the Conference ad-
j ourns.
4. Pastors' Reports.
A. Numerical Statistics of Churches and
Sunday Schools.
1. Number of Churches.
2. Seating Capacity.
3. Number of Parsonages.
4. Number of Full Members.
5. Number of Probationers.
6. Number of Local Preachers.
7. 'Number of Exhorters.
8. Number of Sunday Schools.
9. Number of Sunday School Officers and
Teachers.
10. Number of Sunday School Pupils.
11. Number of Sunday School Books.
12. Number of Conversions in Church and
S. S.
13. Number of Adults Baptized.
14. Number of Infants Baptized.
15. Number of Accessions.
16. Number of Deaths.
17. Number of Missionary Societies.
18. Number of A. C. E. Societies.
224 the annual conference.
B. Local Finance of Churches and Sunday
Schools.
i „ How much money has been collected
for the Presiding Elder;
2. For the Pastor;
3. For the Churches;
4. For the Sunday Schools;
5. For the A. C. E. League;
6. For Benevolence;
7. For all local purposes ?
8. What is the value of the Church and
S. S. Property?
9. What is the Indebtedness of Charge?
10. What Balance in Stewards' Treasury?
11. What Balance in Trustees' Treasury?
C. Connectional Finance of Churches and
Sunday Schools.
1. How much money has been collected
for the One Dollar Fund;
2. For the Home Missionary Fund;
3. For the Foreign Missionary Fund;
4. For the Education Fund;
5. For the Church Extension Fund;
6. For the Conference Contingences;
7. For all Connectional Purposes;
8. Total for all Purposes?
THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE. 225
5- Questions by the Bishop; Anstvered by
the Secretary:
1. What preachers are admitted on trial?
2. Who remain on trial?
3. Who are admitted or re-admitted to
full connection ?
4. Who are the Deacons?
5. Who have been elected and ordained
Deacons and Elders this year?
6. Who have located this year?
7. Who have been elected by the General
Conference to exercise the Episcopal office
in, and to superintend the African Metho¬
dist Episcopal Church?
8. Who are the supernumerary preach¬
ers ?
9. Who are the superannuated preach¬
ers?
10. Who have been expelled from the
connection by this Conference?
11. Who have withdrawn this year from
this Conference and the connection?
12. Are all the preachers blameless in life
and conversation?
13. What members of the Conference
have died this year?
14. Have all the preachers subscribed to
one of our connectional weekly journals,
226
THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
and also to the Quarterly, Reviezv or the
Voice of Missions?
15. What preachers are indebted to any
of the Departments or Church publications ?
16. When shall we hold the next annual
session of this Conference?
17. Where shall our next Annual Con¬
ference be held? .
18. Where are the preachers stationed
this year?
6. Conference Literary Exercise.
1. One day at each Annual Conference
session shall be devoted to literary exer¬
cises; namely, to discussions, essays, ad¬
dresses, and such other literary exercises
as may be determined by the Bishop and
Conference. If time be not convenient at
Conference, a literary convention should
be held during- the year, at the call of the
Bishop of the District.
2. The Bishop, or a President electetd by
the Conference, shall preside at the meet¬
ing held for these exercises, and shall ap¬
point the ministers who are to read and give
addresses on these occasions.
the district conference.
22 7
CHAPTER III.
The District Conference,
i. Composition.
The District Conference shall be com¬
posed of all traveling ministers and local
preachers, and one steward from each
Quarterly Conference within a Presiding
Elder's District.
The Steward shall be elected by ballot at
the first Quarterly Conference after the
Annual Conference session.
The Secretary of the Quarterly Confer¬
ence shall count the ballots and the chair¬
man shall declare the result.
2. Sessions.
The District Conference shall meet once
a year, in the second quarter, at the time
and place appointed by the Presiding Elder.
It shall continue in session not less than
two days nor more than three.
3. Organization.
The Presiding Elder of the District shall
be the chairman of the conference; but if
228 THE DISTRICT CONFERENCE.
a Bishop be present he shall be invited to
preside. In the absence of both Presiding
Elder and Bishop the conference shall elect
a chairman pro tem. It shall also elect a
Secretary for the purpose of recording- the
proceedings.
The chairman shall appoint all commit¬
tees, unless otherwise ordered.
4. Business of the District Conference.
-1. The District Conference shall make
provision for obtaining the Presiding El¬
der's support, should the Annual Confer¬
ence fail to do so.
2. The District Conference shall exam¬
ine, by committee, all applicants for admis¬
sion into the traveling connection. But it
shall recommend to the Annual Conference,
such persons only as have the books re¬
quired to be studied, give evidence of effici¬
ency, possess the necessary qualifications of
an itinerant preacher and have been full
members of the A. M. E. Church at least
one year. Each District Conference shall
elect annually two laymen as members of
the Annual Conference; it shall also ex¬
amine local preachers presented for
Deacon's and Elder's Orders, and report
to the Annual Conference those only who
THE DISTRICT CONFERENCE. 229
sustain a satisfactory examination. The re¬
port shall be signed by the Presiding Elder
and Secretary.
Preachers coming to the District Confer¬
ence for recommendation to the Annual
Conference not possessing the books re¬
quired for admission (page 442, Discipline)
should not be examined by the District
Conference committee.
3. Committees shall be appointed and
shall submit reports on the following sub¬
jects :
(1) The financial ability of the people
throughout the district.
(2) Their moral condition.
(3) What the people are doing for mis¬
sions.
(4) The spiritual condition of the
churches.
(5) The condition of the public schools.
(6) The requirements of the Sabbath
schools.
(7) The means necessary to make the
churches more prosperous financially.
(8) On Preachers for the Annual Con¬
ference.
(9) On Preachers for orders.
4. The Presiding Elder shall preach the
opening sermon of the session; special ser-
23O THE DISTRICT CONFERENCE.
mons shall be preached on each evening
(luring the session; religious services shall
be observed at all the meetings.
5. The conference shall have a record of
all its proceedings kept in a book provided
for the purpose and it shall be the duty
of the Secretary to preserve it until de¬
manded by the Conference.
5. Traveling Expenses.
It shall be the duty of the several
churches in the district to pay the traveling
expenses of the members of the District
Conference to and from the place of Its
session.
the quarterly conference.
231
CHAPTER IV.
The Quarterly Conference.
1. Composition.
The Quarterly Conference shall consist
of the traveling preachers or pastors on a
circuit or station, the local preachers, ex-
horters, stewards, stewardesses, class-
leaders, and the superintendent of the Sun¬
day School, and the president of the Allen
C. E., provided the latter two are members
of the A. M. E. Church. Trustees are an¬
swerable to the Q'uarterly Conference for
their official conduct.
2. Sessions.
The sessions of the Quarterly Conference
shall be held every three months, or four
times a year, on every circuit and in every
station.
The time and place of meeting shall be
appointed by the Presiding Elder; but if
there be no Presiding Elder it shall be
appointed by the Pastor.
At each Conference there sha1l be a Sec¬
retary or Secretaries elected, who shall
232 THE QUARTERLY CONFERENCE.
faithfully and carefully record the pro¬
ceedings, ih a Suitable book, which shall be
preserved by the stewards.
If no efficient Secretary can be obtained,
the Pastor or Presiding- Elder shall act as
Secretary of the Quarterly Conference.
3. Procedure.
The following questions shall be asked
and answered in general and in particular,
and recorded.
1. Are there any appeals from members
of this society?
2. Is there any application for license
to preach or exhort ?
3. Is there any license to be renewed?
4. How many persons have been con¬
verted ?
5. How many persons have been received
on probation?
At A
At B
At C
Total
6. How many persons have been received
into full membership?
At A
At B
At C
Total.
THE QUARTERLY CONFERENCE. 233
7- How many persons are now ready to
be received into full membership?
8. How many members have been re¬
ceived by certificate?
9. How many have left with certificate?
10. How many have left without certifi¬
cate?
11. How many have been expelled from
this society.
12. How many members have died this
quarter and what are their names?
13. What number of full members in
this society, or on this circuit?
If on a circuit—At A
At B At C
14. What number of probationers in this
society or on this circuit?
If a circuit at A B
C Total...
15. Have the probationers been instruct¬
ed in the Doctrine, Discipline and history
of our Church during this quarter?
16. What has been the increase of full
members this quarter?
17. How many infants have been bap¬
tized this quarter?
Their names
How many adults?
Their names
2yc THE QUARTERLY CONFERENCE.
18. How many Sunday Schools:
19. What number of pupils are on the
charge ?
If a circuit, at A
B
•C
Total
*20. What number of books in the library,
or libraries ?
At A B C
21. How much money has been collected
for Sunday School purposes?'
At A B •. C
22. How and for what purpose has this
amount been appropriated?
23. How much has been collected to pay
the minister or ministers this quarter?
For Presiding Elder at A
a it a g
a t( a £
Total
For Pastor at A
" B
t( a a ^
Total
24. How much for other uses by Stew¬
ards ?
THE QUARTERLY CONFERENCE. 235
25. How much has been collected by the
Trustees?
How has it been expended?
26. What is the present indebtedness ?
Of the Trustees.
Of the Stewards
Of the Sunday School
27. How much money has been collected
for general purposes?
(1) Dollar Money
(2) Education Money
(3) Missionary Money
(4) Children's Day Money....
28. How many subscribers secured this
quarter; for
The Christian Recorder;
The Southern Christian Recorder;
The Voice of Missions;
The A. M. E. Revietv;
The Western Christian Recorder;
The South African Recorder?
4. Reports.
The chairman shall call for reports from
The Trustees; ffl
The Stewards ;
The Sabbath School Superintend¬
ents ;
The President of the Allen C. E.
League; and
9
236 THE QUARTERLY CONFERENCE.
The Choir Leader.
Other reports may be received.
All reports shall be carefully written out
previous to the Quarterly Conference ses¬
sion. -The Conference may receive and
adopt these reports at once, or send them
back to their respective departments for
correction, if necessary, to be returned to
the next Quarterly Conference, unless
otherwise ordered.
2. Miscellaneous Bus-in ess.
1. The Conference shall examine the
moral, religious and official character of its
members-; the person whose character is on
its passage (at the request of a member)
shall withdraw.
2. The Conference may act upon such
motions and resolutions as may come before
itf touching upon various pertinent topics.
THE OFFICIAL BOARD.
237
CHAPTER V.
The Official Board.
1. Composition of Board.
1. The Official Board shall be composed
of all the class leaders, exhorters, stewards
and stewardesses of a station, circuit or
mission.
2. The pastor shall be a member of the
Board and its chairman ex--officio.
3. Local preachers shall be regarded as
honorary members of the Board and shall
be required to visit it at its regular sessions.
4. The Board shall elect annually, a sec¬
retary and a treasurer. A steward shot^d
be elected secretary, where there is <me
competent.
2. Sessions.
1. The Official Board of every station
shall meet at least once every week.
2. The Official Board of every circuit or
mission shall meet at least once in every
two weeks.
3. Extra meetings shall be called by the
238
THE OFFICIAL BOARD.
pastor whenever he sees it necessary, and
shall be promptly attended by the members,
of a station or circuit.
4. All meetings of the Board shall be
opened with religious service.
3. Business.
1. The secretary shall-keep a strict ac¬
count of the proceedings.
2. The treasurer shall hold all moneys
obtained under the auspices of the stewards,
and disburse the same, on order of the
Board.
3. The Board shall require the leaders to
pay • over to the stewards, at its sessions,
whatever sums they may have collected for
the church, the Pastor, Presiding Elder and
the poor.
4. It shall see, at its sessions, that the
Pastor receives his regular support; and it
shall devise ways and means to pay him and
the Presiding Elder all that is due them.
5. It shall receive of the leaders, reports
on the following subjects:
(1) Those who walk disorderly and will
not be reproved.
(2) Those who are sick and need the
attention of the pastor.
(3) The death of members.
(4) Those who wilfully and persistently
THE OFFICIAL BOARD.
239
neglect their classes and other religious
duties.
(5) Those who have left the society
with certificate.
(6) Those who have left the society
without certificate.
(7) The Board shall have power to send
out committees for the purpose of making
investigation concerning rumors affecting
the moral standing of any member; and
shall moreover, have members to appear
before it that they may explain such ru¬
mors.
(8) It shall, after examination and due
deliberation, drop the names of those proba¬
tioners who wilfully and continuously ab¬
sent themselves from the church and dis¬
regard its authority.
(9) The board shall have power to de¬
clare withdrawn, without certificate, mem¬
bers who unite with other churches, absent
themselves from public worship or class, or
fail to contribute to the support of the gos¬
pel, church or poor, for the period of one
year, provided they will not be. reproved
and give evidence of amendment.
24O THE OFFICIAL BOARD.
4. Restrictions of the Official Board.
1. It shall not have power to try and
expel members of the church. Such a course
would make the chairman liable to the
charge of mal-administration.
2. It cannot overrule the pastor, or re¬
verse his decisions, or change his plans for
the government of the charge.
the church conference. 24i
CHAPTER VI.
The Church Conference.
1. A Church Conference is a meeting of
the members and minister residing and wor¬
shipping at a given place, for the consid¬
eration and transaction of local Church
business, the minister in charge being the
presiding officer.
2. The duties of the Conference may be
many and varied; such as calling the roll
of membership, for the correction of the
same; recommending persons to the Presid¬
ing Elder and members of the Quarterly
Conference for license to preach the Gos¬
pel ; adopting petitions to the Bishop, Dis¬
trict and Annual Conferences for the or¬
dination of local Deacons and Elders for
the use of the Church; encouraging
Church love, patriotism and unity; lec¬
turing upon and explaining the duties
of the members toward the Dollar Money
Fund, Easter Sabbath, Education and
Children's Day collections; giving members
information of what is being done in church
work, mission fields, Church schools and
242 THE CHURCH CONFERENCE.
colleges; presenting the claims of our
Church literature—and periodicals—bene¬
fits of supplying themselves with hymn
tookSi Disciplines, etc., as well as having
Literary Societies, Mite Missionary Soci¬
eties, Women's Home and Foreign Mission¬
ary Societies^ and seeking the co-operation
of the members in measures of benevolence
and mercy, for the sick, poor and needy;
enlisting their efforts to build up the Sab¬
bath school, searching out poor children
and engaging in whatever will promote the
kingdom of God on earth.
3. The Pastor oUght to report to the
Church Conference hi? labors, burdens,
cares, and point out places where the mem¬
bers, or a portion of them, could work for
the glory of God. The officers, also, should
give information of their work, explain the
indebtedness of ' the Church, agree upon
rallies for the payment of the same; estab¬
lish additional prayer-meetings, either in
the Church or at the houses of members;
find places, if possible, where exhorters
can be employed, and applicants for license
to preach or exhort may exercise their gifts
beforehand, by permission of the Pastor.
4. A Church Conference should never be
held on the Sabbath Day, unless that day
THE CHURCH CONFERENCE. 245
should afford the only opportunity to get
the members together, and then not at regu¬
lar preaching hours. A Secretary should
be elected at least once a year to keep the
proceedings.
5. As all Pastors are required to preach
or lecture upon the Holy Scriptures one
night in the week, or, if absent, to have
their local preachers to so do, the Church
Conference should endeavor to enforce at¬
tendance upon the same, and get others
to attend who are not Church members.
PART YI.
JUDICIAL DIRECTIONS.
I. Trial of Bishops.
II. Trial of Itinerant Preachers.
III. Trial of Local Preachers.
IV. Causes for Impeachment.
V. Ministers' Deb'ts.
VI. The Trial of Lay Members.
VII. Debts and Arbitrations.
VIII. The Order of Appeals.
246
trial of bishops.
CHAPTER I.
Trial of Bishops.
1. Intervening Committee.
1. In the interval of the General Confer¬
ences if a Bishop be accused of any crime
expressly forbidden in the word of God,
the Presiding Elder of the district in which
the said crime is alleged to have been com¬
mitted, shall notify the Senior Bishop—or
if the senior be the accused, the Bishop next
in seniority—who shall appoint a commit¬
tee of trial, composed of one Bishop and
four Elders; over which he shall preside,
but shall have neither voice nor vote in mak¬
ing up the verdict.
2. He shall call the committee to meet at
a given place and time, and shall summon
the accused in writing, placing in his hand
the bill of complaints or charges at least one
week before the date set for trial.
2. Committee's Decision.
1. If at this examination the Bishop be
found guilty of crime sufficient to exclude a
person from the kingdom of grace and
TRIAL OF BISHOPS. 247
glory, or to have acted so improperly as to
justify punishment, said committee shall
have power to suspend him from all offi¬
cial functions until the ensuing- Annual
Conference.
2. The Annual Conference, if it de¬
termine in his favor, shall have po\^er to
reverse the decision of the committee and
to restore him to his former functions. If
it should find him guilty it shall continue
his suspension until the next ensuing Gen¬
eral Conference.
3. The Episcopal Committee.
1. The General Conference at each ses¬
sion shall choose a committee before which
each Bishop in person shall pass an exam¬
ination.
2. The examination shall concern his
traveling among the people in his district,
his administration and decisions.
3. If he should be condemned by the
committee, he shall be allowed to appeal to
the General Conference in whole, and may
be permitted to object to any one of said
committee.
4. Final Determination.
1. The General Conference shall have
power to reverse or approve the decision
248
TRIAL OF BISHOPS.
of the committee, and if it approve, its de¬
cision shall be final.
2. If on examination, it be found that a
Bishop's character is not fair—or that he
has neglected his duty, or violated the dis¬
cipline, or been guilty of any crime suffi¬
cient *to exclude a person from the king¬
dom of grace and glory, or has acted so
improperly as to justify suspension, or ex¬
pulsion the General Conference shall sus¬
pend or expel him from his episcopal func¬
tions.
trial of itinerant preachers. 249
CHAPTER II.
Trial of Itinerant Preachers.
1. Presiding Elders.
1. If a Presiding Elder be accused of a
crime expressly forbidden by the Word of
God, or any practice sufficient to exclude a
person from the kingdom of grace and
glory, a charge covering the same shall be
made known to the minister in charge of
the circuit, station or mission where the
crime or practice is alleged to have taken
place, and the said minister shall refer it to
the Presiding Elder of an adjacent district
who shall proceed as in cases of other
preachers for investigation.
2. The committee formed to try a Pre¬
siding Elder shall be composed of Elders
or Elders and Deacons.
2. Traveling Elders, Deacons and
Preachers.
1. If any traveling Elder, Deacon or
Preacher shall be accused of any crime ex¬
pressly forbidden in the Word of God or
any practice sufficient to exclude a person
250 TRIAL OF ITINERANT PREACHERS.
from the kingdom of grace and £lory, a
charge shall be made known to the stewards
of the circuit or station, and they shall
speedily lay it before the official board.
2. The board shall tfcen, if deemed neces¬
sary, authorize the stewards to call the Pre¬
siding Elder to bring accused to trial.
3. The Presiding Elder shall form a com¬
mittee of not less than three traveling
preachers, if they can be obtained; if not,
then of local Elders, Deacons or Preach¬
ers. If possible the accused and the ac¬
cuser shall be brought face to face.
4. If the accused flee from trial, it shall
be taken as presumptive proof of guilt, and
out of the mouth of two or three witnesses
he shall be condemned.
5. If he should be clearly convicted, he
shall be suspended from all official stand¬
ing in the church until the ensuing An¬
nual Conference.
6. When the case is laid before the An¬
nual Conference it shall fully consider and
determine it, even though it be one in which
the accused has fled from trial.
7. If the result be expulsion, the Annual
Conference shall demand the credentials of
the accused which, on being obtained, shall
be filed away among the Conference rec¬
ords.
TRIAL OF ITINERANT PREACHERS. 251
8. If the accused be expelled for the
crime of adultery or fornication, he shall
not be admitted again to the ministry un¬
der four years from the time he joins the
church, whether he be a traveling or local
preacher. He must join on probation and
come from his class.
9. If any Preacher, Deacon or Elder,
whatever, traveling or local, be accused of
immoral conduct, the Presiding Elder shall,
if he be proved guilty on trial, demand and
receive from him his credentials which shall
be retained among the records of the church.
And should he refuse to deliver them up
his name shall be published by the Presid¬
ing Elder without delay as a refractory
preacher.
3. General Officers.
A General Officer accused of a crime suf¬
ficient to exclude a person from the king¬
dom of grace and glory, if a minister, shall
be subject to the rules for trying minis¬
ters; if a layman, shall be subject to the
rules for trying layman; as every min¬
ister is connected with a Quarterly Con¬
ference, and every layman, a society.
252 trial of local preachers.
CHAPTER III.
The Trial of Local Preachers.
1. Examination by the Comtmttee.
1. If the accusation be brought against a
local Elder, Deacon or Preacher, the min¬
ister in charge shall summon three or more
local preachers of the neighborhood, or for
want of preachers, as many exhorters or
leaders.
2. If said committee, or a majority of
them, on due examination, find the accused
guilty of whatever crime, or that he has
been guilty of publicly or privately dissem¬
inating such false doctrines as require sus¬
pension from all public offices and privi¬
leges in our Church, the committee shall
suspend him until the ensuing Quarterly
Conference.
2. The Case before the Conference.
1. When the case is laid before the Quar¬
terly Conference it shall proceed to the
trial of the accused local preacher, deacon
or elder, and shall have power to clear, cen-
TRIAL OF LOCAL PREACHERS. 253
sure, suspend or expel him, according to
their judgment.
2. The Presiding Elder, at the com¬
mencement of the trial before the confer¬
ence, shall appoint a secretary to take regu¬
lar minutes of the evidence and proceed¬
ings.
3. The said minutes when completed
shall be read and approved, and signed by
the Presiding Elder and also by the mem¬
bers of the Quarterly Conference or by a
majority of them.
3. Concerning the Condemnation.
1. In case of condemnation the local
elder, deacon or preacher, by giving notice
to the Quarterly Conference of his deter¬
mination to do so, shall be allowed an ap¬
peal to the next Annual Conference.
2. When said appeal is presented to the
Annual Conference, the minister in chaige
of the said circuit, or station from which
the appeal comes, shall also present the min¬
utes of the trial, kept in the Quarterly Con¬
ference.
3. The condemned local elder, deacon or
preacher may then appear in behalf of his
appeal, and the Annual Conference after
hearing it shall finally render its judgment
upon the minutes laid before it.
254 causes for impeachment.
CHAPTER IV.
Causes of Impeachment.
1. Dealing in Liquors.
i. No preacher among us shall distill, re¬
tail, or drink spiritous liquors without for¬
feiting his official standing.
2. Mal-administration.
1. A preacher charged with badly admin¬
istering the law, improper temper, words
or actions, shall be reproved by the Bishop
or the Presiding Elder.
2. In case of a second transgression, one,
two or three preachers, or if preachers can¬
not be obtained, exhorters or leaders shall
be taken as witnesses.
3. If the foregoing admonitions be of no
avail, he shall then be tried either before
the Bishop, or the Presiding Elder and a
committee in the interval of the Annual
Conference, and if found guilty, be sus¬
pended by the Bislpp, or committee.
The Annual Conference ensuing shall try
the ease fairly, and if the suspended
preacher be found guilty, and impenitent,
CAUSES FOR IMPEACHMENT. 255
his suspension shall be continued and noted
in the minutes.
3. Concerning Heresy and Schism.
1. A minister or preacher who holds and
publicly or privately disseminates doctrines
which are contrary to our Articles of Re¬
ligion shall be dealt with as in cases of gross
immorality, proceeded against as provided
for in chapter n (Trial of Itinerant Preach¬
ers).
2. But if he solemnly promise not to dis¬
seminate any more such doctrines, either
in public or private, he shall be endured
until his case can be laid before the next
Annual Conference, and it shall finally dis¬
pose of it
4. Unacceptability in the Ministry.
1. When any member of an Annual Con¬
ference is charged with having conducted
himself in such a manner as to render him
unacceptable to the people as a traveling
preacher, his case shall be investigated by
the conference, and if it appear that the
complaint is well founded, and he should
give no satisfaction that he will amend his
ways, and will not consent to voluntarily
retire, the Annual Conference shall locate
him.
2. In this event, he shall be at liberty be-
256 CAUSES FOR IMPEACHMENT.
fore the conference, to defend himself in
letter or by representative. If he should
be located in his absence, and without hav¬
ing been previously notified of the inten¬
tion thus to proceed against him, he shall
have the privilege to apply to the next ses¬
sion of the conference for a hearing in his
defense, and shall have a reconsideration
of his case.
5. Neglect of Appointment.
1. Should any local _ elder, deacon or
preacher neglect to fill any of his appoint¬
ments, and give no sufficient reason for do¬
ing so, the minister in charge shall reprove
him for the first offense.
2. If a local elder, .deacon or preacher
persist in neglecting his appointments, he
shall be summoned to appear before a com¬
mittee : and should he then fail to give sat¬
isfaction, said committee shall silence him
until the ensuing Quarterly Conference,
which shall have power to take his license
from him.
3. If any local preacher, without a pre¬
vious agreement between himself and his
pastor, attempt in the absence of the pas¬
tor to collect money for his services, he shall
upon conviction be silenced for three
months.
CAUSES FOR IMPEACHMENT. 257
6. Pastored Interference.
1. No Elder, Deacon or Preacher in any
charge shall interfere with the business of
an adjoining charge.
2. If any should be found guilty of so
doing, without having been called accord¬
ing to discipline, or by the Bishop or Pre¬
siding Elder, he shall be dealt with as ia
oth&r cases of violation of the discipline.
258
ministers' debts.
CHAPTER V.
Ministers' Debts,
i. The Complaint.
1. Complaint may be made to the Pre¬
siding Elder or a steward of the circuit or
station against a minister or preacher, in
the interval of the Annual Conferences, for
non-payment of debt or for contracting
debts without a probability of paying them,
or for borrowing and refusing to pay.
2. The Elder shall call the indebted
preacher and contending parties together,
and have each choose for himself an ar¬
biter, and the two arbiters to choose a third,
all of whom shall be preachers, or official
members of the church.
2. The Examination.
1. It shall be the duty of said arbiters to
examine the claims upon said minister or
preacher; and if it be proved that he has
neglected or refused to pay his debts, they
shall determine how long a time shall be
given him to make a settlement.
2. If either party be not satisfied with the
ministers' debts.
259
decision, he or they may apply for a second
arbitration; and each shall be permitted to
choose two more, and the four shall choose
a fifth, all of whom shall be preachers or
official members of the church, and their
decision shall be final.
3. Second Arbitration.
1. If judgment in the second arbitration
be given against said minister or preacher,
and the time be specified for him to make
payment, and he refuse to comply with the
decision, after sufficient time has been given
him, he shall be suspended from all official
standing in the connection until the ensuing
Annual Conference.
2. At the Conference Session the con¬
tending parties shall appear either in person
or by representatives, and the case shall be
brought up for consideration.
3. Should the Annual Conference reject
the decision of the arbiters, it shall deter¬
mine what is due and grant the time for
payment. If the indebted preacher fail to
comply with its decision he shall be sus¬
pended or expelled, according to the judg¬
ment of the ensuing Annual Conference.
4. Intervening Omissions.
1. Should the proper officials in the inter¬
val of the Annual Conference sessions fail
260
ministers' debts.
to bring any traveling preacher to account
in case of crime it shall by no means pre¬
vent the fullest and fairest investigation of
his character at the Annual Conference.
2. Provisos. All accusations against a
preacher shall be given to him in writing
before the first examination. In all cases
of trial and conviction he shall be allowed
an appeal to the ensuing General Confer¬
ence.
trial of laymen.
26l
CHAPTER VI.
T he Trial of Lay Members.
1. The Arraignment.
1. When a lay member is accused of any
crime or misdemeanor he shall be brought
to trial before the Society or a committee
selected from it.
2. The trial shall take place in the pres¬
ence of an Elder, Deacon or Preacher, and
the accused and accuser shall be brought
face to face; but if this cannot be done the
next best evidence shall be procured.
3. If the accused person evade a trial by
absenting himself after due notice being
given him, and the circumstances of the ac¬
cusation be strong and presumptive, let him
be esteemed as guilty and be accordingly
excluded. Witnesses from without shall
not be rejected.
2. The Verdict.
1. If the accused person be found guilty
by the decision of a majority of the mem¬
bers before whom he is tried and the crime
be such as is expressly forbidden by the
262
TRIAL OF LAYMEN.
Word of God, or sufficient to exclude a
person from the kingdom of grace and
glory, let? the preacher who has the charge
of the circuit or station expel him.
2. If .the minister or preacher in charge
differ in judgment from the majority of
the society, or the select number, as to the
guilt or innocencce of the accused person,
the trial may be referred by him to the en¬
suing Quarterly Conference.
3. On Insubordination.
1. Should any member or members of
any of our incorporated churches refuse to
be governed by the Discipline by which he,
or they was or were made a member, or
members of said incorporated church, he or
they shall be called before the society or a
select number of it according to Discipline,
and tried for insubordination.
2. If said person or persons should be
found guilty of insubordination, and will
not retract, then he or they shall be ex¬
pelled for insubordination or disobedience
to the order and discipline of the church.
3. Should any class leader or steward in¬
timate that he adheres to the Charter and
discards the law of the church, as set forth
in the book of Discipline, said class-leader
TRIAL OF LAYMEN.
263
or steward shall be removed at once by the
preacher in charge.
4. Should any local .Elder, Deacon or
Preacher favor by word, act or influence
the Charter instead of the Discipline, he
shall be called before a committee according-
to the Discipline, and if found guilty of pur¬
suing such a course, shall be suspended
from all official standing in the African
Methodist Episcopal Church.
4. Sowing Dissension.
1. If any member of our Church should
be clearly convicted of endeavoring to .sow
dissension in any of our societies by in¬
veighing against either our doctrines or
Discipline he shall first be reproved by the
minister or preacher in charge.
2. Should he subsequently persist in such
a pernicious practice he shall be expelled
from the society.
5. Wilful Neglect of Class Meetings.
1. Those members of our Church who
wilfully and repeatedly neglect to meet their
classes shall be visited by the Elder, Deacon
or Preacher, whenever it is practicable, and
informed that exclusion will be the conse¬
quence of their neglect. If they should not
amend, they shall be tried before the so¬
ciety, or a select number of it, and expelled
264
TRIAL OF LAYMEN.
bv the preacher in charge, who at the same
time shall state that they are expelled for a
breach of rules and not for immoral con¬
duct.
6. Improper Conduct.
1. Whenever a member shows disobedi¬
ence to thte order and discipline of the
Church, or neglects duties of any kind; or
indulges in imprudent conduct, sinful tem¬
pers, words or quarreling; or in speak¬
ing evil of ministers; or in dealing in !ct-
teriet or policies, attending dances or horse¬
races; or engages in playing cards, or in
the pursuit of such other games, or diver¬
sions as cannot be carried on in the name
of our Lord Jesus, let private reproof be
given by a leader or the preacher in charge.
2. If the member on being reproved ac¬
knowledge the truth and show proper hu¬
miliation he may remain on trial. If lie
should be charged with the second offence
the leader or preacher may take one or two
faithful friends with him to give reproof.
On the third offence the case must be
brought before the society, or a select num¬
ber of it, and then the offender must be cut
off if there be no real humiliation.
7. Spiritons Liquors.
1. No member of our society shall give,
TRIAL OF LAtMEN.
265
distill, drink, or traS&c in spiritous liquors;
or rent, lease, or permit his house or other
property to be used for such purpose.
2. Whosoever violates this rule shall be
dealt with, by the preacher in charge, as he
would be dealt with in other cases of gross
immorality. If found guilty he shall be
deemed censurable, or liable to suspension
according to his conduct.
8. Frauds and Insolvencies.
1. The preachers who have charge of cir¬
cuits and stations are required to fully and
strenuously execute all our rules against
all fraud, and particularly dishonest insol¬
vencies.
2. In all cases, in which a member of our
Church is accused of such crimes and is
summoned by the minister m charge to
answer said accusation, it shall be the duty
of the minister, by request of the parties
concerned, to give his official authority for
the summoning of such witnesses as either
party may name.
3. He shall also order the submission of
all documentary evidence which may be
demanded by either party; and it shall be
the duty of church members, who possess
said evidence, to attend the investigation
and submit it according to order.
266
TRIAL OF LAYMEN.
4. The minister shall deliver a copy of
the charges preferred to the accused person
when ordered for trial.
5. We will receive no person in our so¬
ciety as a member who is a slave holder
and members who have slaves and refuse to
emancipate them shall be excluded.
debts and arbitration.
267
CHAPTER VII.
Debts and Arbitration.
1. Disputes Between Members.
1. On any dispute between two or more
members of our society, concerning the pay¬
ment of debts, or other subjects which can¬
not be settled by the disputants, the preacher
in charge of the circuit or station shall
inquire into the case and recommend an ar¬
bitration.
2. The committee for the arbitration shall
be formed by the disputants on each side
selecting some member of the society as an
arbiter, and the two arbiters selecting the
third from the society.
2. The Decision.
1. When the judgment is given and any
of the parties be dissatisfied he may apply
to the ensuing Quarterly Conference of the
circuit or station for permission to have a
second arbitration.
2. In this event, if the Quarterly Con¬
ference see sufficient reason, it shall grant
the request.
10
268 debts and arbitration.
3. The disputants on each side, shall
c&oose two arbiters from the society; and
the four shall choose the fifth one from the
society, and the judgment rendered by a
majority of them shall be final. Should any
refuse to abide by this decision he shall be
excluded from the society.
3. Rejecting Arbitration.
1. If any member of our society in a dis¬
pute over debt or any other cause, refuse
an arbitration when recommended by the
minister in charge, or should • he, before
submitting to arbitration, enter into a law¬
suit (except the case be of such a nature
as to justify a process of law) with another
member, he shall be expelled.
4. Non-payment of Debts.,
1. Whenever any of our members fail in
business, or contract debts which they are
not able to pay, in order to prevent scandal,
let their accounts be inspected by two or
three judicious members of the society.
2. If it be discovered that they have acted
dishonestly or borrowed money without a
probability of paying it, let thesn be ex¬
pelled.
3. Whenever a complaint is made against
any member of our church for non-payment
of debts after the accounts have been ad-
DEBTS AND ARBITRATION. 269
justed and the amount ascertained, the
preacher in charge shall call him before a
committee of three at least, to inform them
why he has not made payment.
4. The -committee shall determine what
further time shall be granted him and
what security, if any, shall be demanded of
him.
5. If he should refuse to comply he shall
be expelled; but he may appeal to the Quar¬
terly Conference, and its decision shall set¬
tle the case.
6. If the creditor complain that justice
has not been done him, he may appeal to
the Quarterly Conference for its decision;
but if he refuse to abide by it he shall be
expelled.
5. Expelled and Withdrawn Members.
1. If any expelled person, except those
who absent themselves from trial after re¬
ceiving due notice to attend, should com¬
plain that he has not received justice, he
shall have the right to appeal to the Quar¬
terly Conference of the circuit or station.
His case shall be settled by a decision of a
majority of the Conference.
2. After such form of trial and expulsion
no person, without contrition, confession
and acceptance on probation, shall have any
2yO DEBTS AND ARBITRATION.
privilege of society or sacrament in the
church; neither shall any elder, deacon or
churches in the same city, unless he comply
with the law governing his case in me
church from which he was expelled. If any
minister violate this provision, he shall be
dealt with as in other cases of mal-adminis-
tration.
appeals.
271
CHAPTER VIII.
The Order of Appeals.
1. The Triers of Appeals.
1. Each Annual Conference shall select'
five judicious and experienced Elders, to be
known as the Triers of Appeals.
2. Formation of the Court.
1. Whenever a member of an Annual
Conference takes exception to his trial and
expulsion from the Conference, or to the
decision of a Bishop, he shall make it known
to the Bishop that he appeals and desires
him to call the Court of Triers.
2. When such notice is given to the Bish¬
op, he shall designate three of the nearest
Conferences from which he will call the
triers to meet at a given place within three
months after notification. They shall have
a reasonable time for their session.
3. Rights of Appellants.
1. The appellant shall have the right to
object to any member of the court, provid¬
ed his objection does not reduce the number
272
APPEALS.
to less than ten, which number shall be
necessary to form a quorum.
2. In all cases where an appeal is made,
the appellant, or his .representative, shall
state the grounds of his appeal, showing
•cause why he appeals; and no interruption
shall be allowed in the exercise of his right.
4. Method of Proceeding.
1. When the appeal is taken from a Bish¬
op's decision the triers may be called from
only two neighboring Conferences, as the
appellant's Conference may be the third.
2. The Court shall have one of its mem¬
bers to act as president and one to act as
secretary.
3. The secretary shall keep a faithful
-record of the court's proceedings, which
_ shall be subject to the order of the next
General Conference for its review.
4. In all cases which are brought up as
appeals, the following method shall be ob¬
served :
(a) A statement or communication from
the appellant setting forth his appeal and
the grounds of it.
(b) The charges, specifications and the
-judgment of the court below are heard.
APPEALS. 273
(c) Inquiring if conditions of appeal are
met.
(d) Reading the records of the trial.
(e) The appellant himself, or counsel, is
heard.
(f) The court below, by its representa¬
tives, replies.
(g) The appellant closes.
(h) The appellant and other representa¬
tives retire, and the Conference decides the
case.
PART VII.
CONFERENCE BOUNDARIES AND
EPISCOPAL DISTRICTS.
Conference Bounda mes.
Episcopal Districts.
270
conference boundaries.
CHAPTER I.
Conference Boundaries.
1. Alabama.—^-The Alabama Conference
includes that part of the State of Alabama
embraced in tfce counties of Barbour, Cof¬
fee, Dale, Geneva, Hale, Henry, Houston,
Montgomery and Pike, and all of Bullock
County south of the Montgomery & Eufau-
la Railroad; and Loundes county along the
line of the Western Railway of Alabama;
and all of Dallas County south of the city
of Selma, and east of the Alabama River,
to the northern boundary of Wilcox Coun¬
ty.
2. North Alabama—The North Ala¬
bama Conference comprises that part of the
State north of Sumter, Green, Hale and
"Perry counties, and the northern extremity
of Dallas, Loundes and Tallapoosa.
3. Central Alabama—'The Central Ala¬
bama Conference includes all that part of
the State not embraced in the description of
the other conferences.
4. West Alabama—This Conference
conference boundaries. 2jj
was acknowledged as already existing, but
no description of its boundaries appearing,
compiling committee cannot publish any.
5. Arkansas—The Arkansas Confer¬
ence includes all that part of Arkansas
north of the "base line' of the State.
6. South Arkansas—The South Ar¬
kansas Conference remains as agreed upon
by the committee dividing the conferences,
excepting that Mount Pleasant circuit,
South Bend and Saint John are attached
to the East Arkansas Conference.
7. West Arkansas—The West Arkan¬
sas Conference includes all that part of the
state south of the "base line" and west to
the Saline River to its confluence with the
Ouachita River, and an imaginary straight
line thence to the Louisiana state line, and
Benton, east of the Saline River, excepting
that part of Bradly County west of the
Saline River, which is embraced in the
South Arkansas Conference.
8. East Arkansas—The East Arkan¬
sas Conference embraces all of the state not
included in other conference descriptions.
9. Baltimore—The Baltimore Confer¬
ence comprises Maryland and the District
of Columbia.
-278 conference boundaries.
10. Bermuda—The Bermuda Confer¬
ence corresponds with the Islands of Ber¬
muda.
11. California—The California Con*
ference comprises California and Nevada.
12. Colorado—The Colorado Conference
■comprises Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, New
Mexico and Arizona.
13. Florida—The Florida Conference
embraces all that part of the state west of
the eastern boundary of Jefferson county
and the western boundary of Madison
county.
14. 15, 16, 17. East Florida, South
Florida, Central Florida and West
Florida Conferences—The General Con¬
ference describes these conferences as fol¬
lows : The line dividing the East, South
and Central Florida Conferences begins at
Halifax River, following the East Coast
Railroad, ,to the east bank of St. John's
River, to the terminus of the Georgia
Southern Railroad, following the said line
to Olusti Creek; excepting Lake Butler,
which shall remain in the Central Florida
Conference, and following said creek to the
Suwanee River and said river to the Gulf
of Mexico. The line between the South
conference boundaries. 279
Florida and Central Florida Conferences
remains unchanged.
South and Central Florida—The
Southern and Central Florida Conferences
are described as follows: Beginning at
Palatka, with the S. F. & W. R. R. to the
St. John's River, thence to Sanford; from
Sanford, the S. F. & W. R. R. to Bartow
Junction, except the territories of Eaton-
ville circuit, Winter Park station and Or¬
lando station, which places are on the west¬
ern side of the S. F. & W. R. R., belong to
the South Florida Conference; St. Cloud,
which is east of said R. R., is included in
the Central Florida Conference. From Bar¬
tow Junction to Port Tampa, the S. F. &
W. R. R. except Tampa, Robles Pond, Seff-
ner, and the Turpentine Still north of Lake¬
land, on the north side of the S. F. & W. R.
R., belong to the South Florida Conference.
All places west and north of the S. F. & W.
R. R., except the places named, belong to
the Central Florida Conference.
South Florida—The South Florida
Conference is described as follows : "-^Begin¬
ning at Palatka with the A. C. L. Railroad,
and extending to the St. John River, thence
to Sanford, from Sanford on the A. C. L.
R. R. to where the counties of Orange,
280 conference boundaries.
Lake, Osceola and Polk join, and from
thence following the lines of Polk, Sumter,
Pasco and Hillsborough to the Gulf of
Mexico, and on the east following the Flor¬
ida East Coast Railroad to Ormond; all on
the south side of the railroad, and then all
the entire territory south of the two above
lines lying between the Gulf of Mexico and
the Atlantic Ocean, including the Bahama
Islands; except the territories of Eatonville
circuit and Winter Park and Orlando sta¬
tions, which charges belong to the South
Florida Conference; and Saint Cloud,which
is included in the Central Florida Confer¬
ence.
East Florida—The East Florida Con¬
ference shall be composed of the following
counties, to wit: Franklin, all of Liberty
west of the Appalachicola iNbrthern Rail¬
road, and that part of Gadsden west of said
railroad line, together with all of Jackson,
Calhoun, Washington, Holmes, Walton,
Santa Rosa and Escambia counties.
*Note—For the Florida, South Florida
and West Florida Conferences, we have ex¬
act descriptions; for the other two, and in¬
volving these, we are obliged to continue
the indefinite descriptions of 1904.—Com¬
mittee on Compilation.
CONFERENCE BOUNDARIES. 28l
18. Georgia—The Georgia Conference
includes that part of the state south and
southeast of the Macon Conference, and
east of the Southwest Georgia Conference.
19. North Georgia—The North Georgia
Conference sonsists of all that part of
Georgia not included in the other confer¬
ences of the state.
20. Macon—The Macon Conference is
bounded on the north by and including the
counties of Columbia, McDuffie, Warren,
Hancock, Putnam, Jones and Monroe to
and including Barnesville, in Pike County,
on the east by the Savannah River; on the
south by the northern boundary lines of the
counties of Worth, Turner, Wilcox,
Pulaski, Montgomery and Emanuel; also
that part of Burke County west of the Cen¬
tral Railroad.
'2d. Southwest Georgia—The South¬
west Georgia Conference includes that part
of the state bounded on the west by the
Chattahoochie River, on the north by and
including Harris, Talbot, Taylor and Macon
counties; east by Flint River, and including
the counties of Dougherty, Mitchell and
Thomas, and on the south by Florida.
22: Atlanta—The Atlanta Conference
includes the counties of Fulton, DeCalb,
2&2 conference boundaries.
Rockdale, Walton, Morgan, Jasper, Butts,
Newton, Henry, Spalding, Fayette, Clayton,
Campbell, Upson and Pike, except Barnes-
ville station.
23. Indiana—The Indiana Conference
comprises the state of Indiana, excepting
Fort Wayne, South Bend, and the Wabash
Circuit.
24. Illinois—'The Illinois Conference
includes that part of the state south of
an imaginary line, beginning at the junction
of the state lines of Indiana and Illinois on
Lake Michigan, and thence diagonally
through Streator, Yates City, Chillicothe
and Bushnell, to Warsaw on. the Missis¬
sippi River.
25. Iowa—The Iowa Conference in¬
cludes all the states of Iowa, Wisconsin,
Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota
and all that part of Illinois not embraced in
the Illinois Conference.
26. kansas-^-The Kansas 'Conference
comprises: Kansas ati'd Nebraska.
- 2J. Kentucky—The Kentucky Confer¬
ence comprises all that part of Kentucky
east of an imaginary line from Dayton to
Greensfrurg; thence due south .to'Tennessee.
28: West KfcNTUCKY-^The West Ken¬
tucky Conference includes that part of the
conference boundaries. 283
state not described in the Kentucky and
the West Tenn essee Conferences.
29. Louisiana—The Louisiana Confer¬
ence embraces that part of Lou'siana south
of the 31st parallel.
30. North Louisiana — The North
Louisiana Conference comprises that part
of the state north of the 31st parallel.
31. Missouri—The Missouri Conference
includes that part of the state lying south
of the Missouri River.
32. North Missouri—The North Mis¬
souri Conference comprises that part of the
state not included in the Missouri Confer¬
ence description.
33. Mississippi—The Mississippi Con¬
ference comprises all that part of Missis¬
sippi south of an imaginary straight line
from Warrenton through Macon to Ala¬
bama; excluding Jackson, but including
Meridian, and also Yellow Pines, Alabama.
34. North Mississippi—The North
Mississippi Conference embraces that part
of the state north and west of the Southern
Railroad, including Greenville and West
Point; except that a line between the North
Mississippi Conference and the Northeast
Mississippi Conference, beginning at the
Southern Railroad, east of Greenwood, and
284 conference boundaries.
that said line go north to Tennessee, leav¬
ing to the Northeast Mississippi Confer¬
ence all the territory not occupied by the
North'Mississippi Conference.
35. Northeast Mississippi—
36. Central Mississippi—The Central
Mississippi Conference includes Jack¬
son and all parts of the state not included
in 'descriptions -of other conferences; ex¬
cept the White Cemetery in the town of
Greenville, between the 'North Mississippi
Conference and the Central Mississippi
Conference. The Central Mississippi Con¬
ference shall include all the territory south
of the Southern Railroad.
37. Michigan—The Michigan Confer¬
ence comprises all the State of Michigan,
and also Fort Wayne, South Bend, and the
Wabash Circuit, Indiana.
38. New York—The New , York Con¬
ference coincides with the'State of New
York.
39. New England—The New England
Conference embraces the >N'ew England
States.
40. New Jersey—The New Jersey Con¬
ference comprises all the state, and Easton
in Pennsylvania.
conference boundaries. 285
41. North Carolina—The North Car¬
olina Conference includes that/part of the
state east of the eastern boundary line of
the counties of Vance, Franklin, Wake,
and the southeastern section of Chatham,
Moore and Richmond counties.
42. Western North Carolina—The
\v estern North Carolina Conference in¬
cludes that part of the state not included in
the description of the North Carolina Con¬
ference.
43. Nova Scptia—The Nova Scotia.
Conference comprises Nova Scotia, Prince
Edward's Islands and New Brunswick.
44. Ohio—The Ohio Conference com¬
prises that part of the state south of the
B. & O. Railroad from Bellaire to, and in¬
cluding, Columbus, also Cambridge; and
south and southeast of the Pennsylvania
Lines to, and including Cincinnati, also-
South Charleston,. Cedarville, Wilberforce
and Xenia; excepting London, Harveys-
burg and Mainville.
45. North Ohio—The North Ohio
Conference includes that part of the state
not described in the Ohio Conference.
46. Ontario—The Ontario Conference
comprises Ontario and Quebec.
285
conference boundaries.
47. Oklahoma—The Oklahoma Confer¬
ence embraces all that part of the state
known as Oklahoma Territory lip to state¬
hood.
48. Central Oklahoma—The Central
Oklahoma Conference embraces the Choc¬
taw, Chicasaw and Seminole Nations.
49. Southeast Oklahoma—The South¬
east Oklahoma Conference consists of the
Creek, Cherokee and Osage (Nations.
50. Philadelphia — The Philadelphia
Conference comprises the counties of Pike,
Northampton, Schuylkill,, Dauphin, Cum-
beHand, Franklin, Fulton; the city of Sha-
mokin, all the State of Pennsylvania east of
said counties, excepting Easton, together
with the State of Delaware.
51. Pittsburg—The Pittsburg Confer¬
ence includes those parts of the States of
Pennsylvania not included in the Philadel¬
phia and New Jersey conferences.
52. Puget Sound—The Puget Sound
Conference comprises all the states of
Washington, Montana, Idaho, the territory
of Alaska, and the provinces of British
Columbia, Alberta, Assiniboia and Sas¬
katchewan.
53. South Carolina—The South Caro¬
lina Conference includes Beaufort, Charles-
conference boundaries.
287
ton, Berkley, Georgetown, Colleton,
Barnesville, Aiken, Williamsburg and
Hampton counties.
54. Northeast South Carolina—The
Northeast South Carolina Conference com¬
prises Marion, Horree, Florence, Darling¬
ton, Marlborough, Chesterfield, Clarendon,
Orangeburg, Sumter, Kershaw counties,
and all that part of Richmond County west
of the Watree River, to and including
Eastover.
55. Columbia (South Carolina)—The
Columbia Conference includes that part of
the state not included in the description of
other conferences.
56. Tennessee—The Tennessee Confer¬
ence is bounded on the east by and includes
the counties of Giles, Marshall, Bedford,
Cannon, DeKalb, Smith, Jackson and Ma¬
con ; on tha west by and includes Robert¬
son, Davidson, Williamson, Lewis and
Wayne and that part of Harding, lying
east of the Tennessee River; on the south
by Alabama and on the north by Kentucky.
57. West Tennessee—The West Ten¬
nessee Conference embraces all that part of
the state west of the Tennessee Confer¬
ence; and also the towns Hickman and Ful¬
ton in Kentucky.
288 conference boundaries.
58. East Tennessee—The East Ten¬
nessee Conference includes Lincoln, Moore,
Coffee and Warren counties, and all the
territory east of the North Carolina and
Virginia line.
59. Texas—The Texas Conference com¬
prises that part of the state east of the
Brazos River, south of a line corresponding
with the south boundary of Falls, Lime¬
stone, Freestone, Henderson, Smith, Gregg
and Harrison counties.
60. Central Texas—The Central Texas
Conference embraces that part of the state
south of the T. & P. Railroad and west of
the M. K. & T, Railroad, from Fort Worth
to McLennan county; the eastern boundary
of McLennan and Falls counties; the
Brazos River to the I. & G. N. Railroad
and said road to Bexar county, and on the
south by a line corresponding with the north
boundary line of the counties of Bexar,
Medina, Uvalde and Kinney, continuing to
Mexico, including New Hope, Rockdale,
and all towns in the above lines, excepting
Fort Worth. The Republic of Mexico is
included.
61. Northeast Texas—The Northeast
Texas Conference comprises that part of
conference boundaries.
the state north ©f the Texas Conference
and the Central Texas Conference.
62. West Texas—The West Texas
Conference includes that part of the state
not included in other conferences.
63. Virginia—The Virginia Conference
comprises the State of Virginia and Jeffer¬
son county, West Virginia.
64. West Virginia—The West Virginia
Conference includes the state, excepting
Jefferson county.
65. Liberia—The Liberian Conference
comprises the Republic of Liberia, and the
West Coast to the Congo.
66. Sierra Leone—The Sierra Leone
Conference includes Sierra Leone and ad¬
jacent country.
67. Gold Coast—The Gold Coast shall
include all that part of West Africa not in¬
cluded in other conferences.
68. Cape Colony—The Cape Colony
Conference shall comprise all of Cape
Colony, Pondoland and (Namaqualand.
69. Transvaal—The Transvaal Confer¬
ence comprises Transvaal, Swaziland, Por¬
tugese Coast, Arica and Betchwanaland.
70. Orange River—The Orange River
2|jo conference boundaries.
Conference comprises Orange River Colony
and Basutoland.
71. Zambesi—The Zambesi Conference
comprises Zambesi and Rlhodesia.
72. Natal—The Natal Conference com¬
prises Natal, Matogoland, Grequoland,
East, and Zulu!and.
The General Conference passed enabling
acts for the organization of an additional
conference in each of the States—'Georgia,
South Carolina—1900—(Virginia, West
Virginia, Oklahoma, Kansas and Arkansas.
episcopal districts.
2(Jl
CHAPTER II.
Episcopal Districts and Assignments.
First District—Bishop Wesley J.
Gaines, D. D. Philadelphia, New York,
New Jersey, New England Conferences.
Second District—Bishop Levi J. Cop-
pin D. D. Baltimore, Virginia, North
Carolina, Western (North Carolina Confer¬
ences.
Third District—Bishop William B.
Derrick, D. D. Ohio, North Ohio, Pitts¬
burg, West Virginia, Bermuda, 'Nova Sco¬
tia Conferences.
Fourth District—Bishop Cornelius T.
Shaffer, D. D. Indiana, Illinois, Iowa,
Kentucky, West Kentucky, Michigan, On¬
tario Conferences.
Fifth District—Bishop Abraham Grant.
Missouri, North Missouri, Kansas, Color¬
ado, California, Puget Sound Conferences.
Sixth District—Bishop Charles S.
Smith, D. D. Georgia, North Georgia,
*292 episcopal districts.
Macon, Atlanta, Southwest Georgia Con¬
ferences.
Seventh District—Bishop Benjamin
F. Lee, D. D. South Carolina, Columbia,
Northeast South Carolina Conferences.
Ejghth District—Bishop E.'W. Lamp-
ton, D. D. Mississippi, 'North Mississippi,
Northeast Mississippi, Central Mississippi,
Louisiana, North Louisiana Conferences.
Ninth District—Bishop Joseph S. Flip¬
per, D. D. Arkansas, West Arkansas,
East Arkansas, Oklahoma, Central Okla¬
homa, Southeast Oklahoma Conferences.
Tenth District—Bishop Evans Tyree,
D. D. Texas,West Texas, NortheastTexas,
Central Texas Conferences.
Eleventh District—Bishop Moses B.
Salter, D. D. Florida, East Florida, South
Florida, Central Florida, West Florida
Conferences.
Twelfth District—Bishop Henry B.
Parks, D. D. Alabama, North Alabama,
Central Alabama, East Alabama, Tennes¬
see, West Tennessee, East Tennessee Con¬
ferences.
episcopal districts. 293
Thirteenth District—Bishop William
H. Heard, D. D. Liberia, Sierre Leone,
Gold Coast Conferences.
Fourteenth District—Bishop John
Albert Johnson, D. D. Cape Colony, Trans¬
vaal, Orange River, Zambesi, Natal Con¬
ferences.
All that part of the church work in the
West Indies and South America, excepting
that which is attached to the Eleventh Dis¬
trict, is under the supervision of the Mis¬
sionary Department without conference or¬
ganization.
PART VIIT.
MISSIONARY SOCIETIES.
T. Parent Home and Foreign.
IT. Local Home and Foreign.
1TI. Parent Women's Mite.
Annual Conference.
Auxiliary Societies.
IV. Women's Home and Foreign.
Auxiliary Societies.
2q6 p. h. & f. missionary society.
CHAPTER I.
Parent Home and Foreign Missionary
Society.
i. Preamble and Constitution.
Whereas, We the members of the African M.
E. Church, in General Conference assembled, have
seen for years, and still see, with deepest Christian
anxiety, the deplorable spiritual and mental condi¬
tion of our people—our brethren, "bone of our
bone, and flesh of our flesh,"—who inhabit bdth
hemispheres, which the Word of God declares
shall be lighted up with the glQrious rays of tfte
"Sun of Righteousness;" and
Whereas, We further remember with deep
emotion the last command of our ascending Lord,
"Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel,"
and trying to prove our love by our obedience, we
therefore resolve hereby to form ourselves into a
Parent Missionary Society for the purposes and
objects hereinafter mentioned:
I* Title.
This Institution shall be designated the
Home and Foreign Missionary Department
of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
2. Objects.
Its objects are to diffuse more generally
P. H. & F. MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 297
the blessings of education and support
mission schools and churches throughout
the United States and in foreign lands, un¬
der such rules and regulations as the Gen¬
eral Conference and General Missionary
Board, may from time to time prescribe.
3. Conditions of Membership.
Any person of good moral character
may become a member, and said member¬
ship is continued upon the annual payment
of one dollar. The payment of ten dollars
at one time constitutes a life membership,
or twenty dollars an honorary manager for
life, and the contribution of fifty dollars
shall constitute the donor, an honorary pa¬
tron for life. Any such manager or patron
shall be entitled to a seat, with all the priv¬
ileges of regular members, except voting.
4. Board of Managers.
The management shall be vested in a
Board, consisting of the Bishops, one of
whom shall be President, eleven traveling
ministers, nine laymen, the President of the
Woman's Parent Mite Missionary So¬
ciety and the Corresponding Secre¬
tary, elected at the General Confer¬
ence. Vacancies in the Board shall
be filled by the Bishops. The Board
298 P. H. & F. MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
shall have power to make by-laws not in¬
consistent with the constitution, or the gen¬
ius of Methodism, fill all vacancies that
may occur among the officers of its own
election, select fields to be occupied,'appoint
missionaries, and arrange for the general
conduct of the affairs of the Society. It
shall also present a statement of its trans¬
actions to the Church annually, and submit
a report to the General Conference quad¬
rennially. The Board shall organize at the
General Conference, by electing a president
and recording secretary, submitting the
organization to the General Conference for
ratification. Nine Managers at any meet¬
ing of the Board shall constitute a quorum.
5. Corresponding Secretary.
There shall be a Corresponding Secretary
of this Department elected by the General
Conference, whose salary shall be thirteen
hundred and fifty dollars per year. The sec¬
retary shall be subject to the direction of the
General Missionary Board, and be exclu¬
sively employed in conducting the corres¬
pondence of the Society, providing the
Church with missionary intelligence, su¬
pervising all missionary interests, devising
ways and means for the collection of funds,
P. H. & F. MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 2Q9
and by all the means at his command, labor
to bring the Society into the broadest field
of Christian activity and usefulness. Should
the office become vacant by death, resigna¬
tion or otherwise, the Bishops shall appoint
his successor.
6. Auxiliaries.
Each Annual Conference shall have a
Missionary Society, composed of all its
members and any others who may elect to
unite; said society shall be auxiliary to the
parent body, and shall be under such regu¬
lations as the Annual Conferences shall re¬
spectively prescribe. Provided, however,
tkat said regulations do not conflict with
the general missionary plan.
7. Missionary Committee.
The General Conference shall constitute
each Annual Conference a mission district
represented by a Board elected for that pur¬
pose, whose duty it shall be to confer with
the general managers as to ways and means,
and assist in carrying out the plans of the
Society in the district, that the church mar
be the more speedily organized and the
largest amounts of money raised for mis¬
sion purposes. The Board shall in con¬
junction with the Corresponding Secretary,
11
300 P. H. & F. MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
hold or cause to be held, an Annual Mis¬
sionary Convention in the Conference Dis¬
trict. The place of meeting to be fixed
by the Presiding Bishop. The objects of
said meetings are:
1. To diffuse missionary intelligence, by
adopting plans to circulate the Voice of
Missions and other missionary literature.
2. To organize our churches and Sabbath
schools into missionary societies.
3. To collect missionary funds.
The Board of each Conference District
shall furnish a report of all the doings of
the district to the Annual Conference aad
to the General Corresponding Secretary,
for publication. Blanks for reports shull
be supplied by the General ftlissionary De¬
partment.
8. Collection and Appropriation of Funds.
1. That there may be uniformity in work,
and a more judicious and equitable dis¬
bursement of mission funds, it is mnde the
duty of the General Board of Managers to
determine each year the amount necessary
to carry on the home and foreign mission¬
ary enterprise of the Church, and divide the
same pro rata among the several Annual
Conferences for collection.
2. Each Annual Conference, through its
P. H. & F. MISSIONARY. SOCIETY. 3OI
Bishop and Conference Missionary Board,
shall apportion the above assessment to the
churches within the district, severally, ac¬
cording. to the membership, or the ability
to pay.
3. Each pastor knowing the amount due
from his charge, shall use every exertion
by all fair means to collect the same, and
report to his conference, on the Biskop
asking the question, "How much collected
for missions this year?" Said collection to
embrace the following:
(1) The pastors' annual dues to the Con¬
ference Missionary Society.
(2) The dues of local members of the
Conference and of the society, who cannot
attend its meetings.
(3) The annual dues of the laity in each
charge.
(4) The collection to be taken on Easter
Day in all churches and Sunday Schools, on
which day no collection shall be taken for no
other purposes than missions. One-half of
all moneys collected en Easter Day shall be
sent within ten days to the Conference Mis¬
sionary Treasurer and appropriated by the
Annual Conference to the support of lecal
302 P. H. & F. MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
missions. It shall be used for no other pur¬
poses.
(5) One-half of all moneys collected on
Children's D'ay—the second Sunday of June.
(6) One-half of the moneys collected on
Easter Day must be forwarded by the pas¬
tor to the General Secretary of Missions
within ten days after collection.
{7) Every congregation and Sunday
School is a missionary society, and our pas¬
tors and superintendents shall so rule and
so teach the people.
(8) The pastors of our churches shall
adopt and enforce the general missionary
plan for raising funds not only on Easter
Sabbath, but by lifting Annual Conference
Missionary collections, giving concerts,
etc.
(9) Any conference or church is at lib¬
erty to engage in local missionary enter¬
prises, after it has complied with the fore¬
going requirements.
(10) It is an indispensible part of our
Christian duty to pray to Almighty God
fo.: a blessing upon this and similar or¬
ganizations engaged in the propagation of
iiu Gospel of Jesus Christ. To this end
I (aster Sunday is set apart to be observed.
!< all our churches and Sabbath schools as
P. H. & F. MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 303
Missionary Day, and monthly or quarterly
concert prayer meetings are to be made
special seasons of invocation and offering"
for the sacred cause of missions.
(11) Pastors are required to lift a mis¬
sionary collection independently of Easter
Sunday, and report the same to their An¬
nual Conferences, which may be divided
thus: sixty per cent, for the work within its
bounds; the remaining forty per cent, shall
be transmitted to the General Secretary of
the Mission.
(12) Wilful violations of these rules
shall be treated as all other cases of neglect
of duty.
9. Composition.
The Bishop, all members, local and itin¬
erant, and probationers of each annual con¬
ference with others shall constitute a Mis¬
sionary Society and shall pay one dollar
each on entering, and one dollar annually.
10. Sessions and Officers.
The sessions shall be held annually at
the place and in the time of the Annual
Conference. The Bishop being president
ex-officio; the Society shall elect a Vice
President, a Recording Secretary, a Cor¬
responding Secretary, a Treasurer and an
executive board annually, whose duties shall
304 . P. H. & F. MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
be such1 as are common to their respective
offices in similar bodies, excepting that the
executive board shall co-operate with simi¬
lar boards and the Bishop, in all the con¬
ferences of their episcopal district, to de¬
vise ways and means for enlarging the mis¬
sionary collection on Easter Day and for
the holding of a great episcopal district
missionary mass meeting once a year, for
the purpose of diffusing the missionary
spirit and collecting funds for the cause of
missions.
11. The Annual Conference Board.
Each Annual Conference Missionary
Society shall elect a board consisting of
five members; three traveling ministers and
two laymen, yearly; whose duty shall be to
consider the ability of the Annual Confer¬
ence, and its responsibilities under the re¬
quirements of the General Board of Mis¬
sions, and report the same to the Annual
Conference society with recommendations;
distributing these responsibilities among the
several pastors and charges. This board
shall also find out the necessities of the mis¬
sionaries in the conference and recommend
to the conference the sum that should be
allowed to each. All funds of this society
shall be divided between the Parent Home
P. H. & F. MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 305
and Foreign Missionary office and the Mis¬
sionary Board of the Annual Conference
for distribution—40 per cent., and 60 per
cent, respectively; excepting the one-half oi
Easter Day money, one-half of Children's
Day money, and all the Pastors' Annual
Dues, which are to be devoted to the An¬
nual Conference mission work only.
306 .local h. & f. missionary societies.
CHAPTER II.
Constitution for Local H. and F. Mis¬
sionary Societies.
Article i.
The object of this organization shall be
to bring into its fold all those in the A. M.
E. Church who are desirous of laboring
for the promotion and extension of Chris¬
tian missions at home and abroad.
Article a.
The officers of this society shall consist
of a President, Vice President, Recording
Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and
an Executive Board of five persons. '
Article 3.
The duty of the President shall be to pre¬
side at all meetings of the Society, to settle
all questions of law and rules of order, to
sign all documents and labor assiduously
for the promotion of this society. The Vice-
President shall perform all duties of the
President in his absence.
The duty of the Recording Secretary shall
be to keep a correct minute of all meetings
LOCAL H. & F. MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 30J
of the Society and record the same properly
in a book provided for that purpose, call the
roll at each meeting, credit every member
with the amount of dues paid in, keep a
correct account of all moneys paid into the
Society, and countersign all legal docu¬
ments.
Article 4.
The'vCorresponding Secretary shall write
such letters as the good of the Society may
require from time to time, or as may be-or-
dered by the society to sister organizations,.
Bishops, General Officers and women's mis¬
sionary organizations, and submit a quar¬
terly report of the receipts and expendi¬
tures of the Society to the General Secre¬
tary of the Parent Home and Foreign Mis¬
sionary Department of the A. M. E.
Church, sending him 40 per cent, of all
moneys received by the society every quar¬
ter, and paying 60 per cent, to the pastor
in charge annually to be reported to the
Annual Conference, to be accounted for by
the conference board of missions.
Article 5-
It shall be the duty of the Treasurer of'
this Society to receive all moneys paid in
to the Society and pay the same over to
the Corresponding Secretary, to be dis-
308 LOCAL H. & F. MISSIONARY SOCIETIES.
bursed to the persons and in the ratios set
forth in article fourth of this constitution.
Article 6.
It shall be the duty of the Executive
Committee, in conjunction with the pastor,
to arrange for the holding ,of such meetings
as will strengthen and enlighten the mem¬
bers of the Society on the subject of mis¬
sions, and to plan for such lectures, enter¬
tainments and such other gatherings as
shall aid in the accomplishment of this end,
and increase the revenue.
ArticAe 7.
The pastor shall report to the Annual
Conference all of the 60 per cent, raised
by the local H. and F. Missionary Society.
Article 8.
The Society shall hold a meeting every
month for the purpose of transacting busi¬
ness.
Article 9.
The order of business meetings £hall be
as follows: Singing, Prayer, Reading the
Scriptures, Singing, Calling Roll, Reading
the Minutes, Paying Dues, Regular Busi¬
ness, Unfinished Business, Reading Com¬
munications. At each meeting an address
shall be made by the pastor, President or
an invited guest.
LOCAL H. & F. MISSIONARY SOCIETIES. 309
Article 10.
There shall be an entrance fee of 10 cents
imposed upon each member, and a monthly
fee of 5 cents.
Article n.
All people of good moral character shall
be eligible to membership in this Society.
p. w. m. m. society.
CHAPTER III.
Constitution of the Parent Woman's
Mite Missionary Society.
Article i.
This society shall be called the Woman's
Parent Mite Missionary Society of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Article 2.
The object shall be to aid the Home and
Foreign Missionary Society of the A. M.
E. Church in its effort to suport mission¬
aries and extend the Foreign Missionary
work.
Article 3.
Every person paying $1.00 annually shall
be considered a member of this society.
The payment of five dollars shall constitute
life membership. Every conference branch
shall be entitled to two delegates, elected
by ballot.
Article 4.
A special meeting of the society may be
called at anv time by the President, on the
P. W. M. M. SOCIETY. 311
request of five members of the Board and
a majority of the Bishops.
Article 5.
The officers of this society shall be a
president, two vice presidents, two secretar¬
ies, a treasurer and an executive board.
Article 6.
The constitution may be altered only by
the General Conference.
Article 7.
There may be a conference Woman's
Mite Missionary Society organized in the
bounds of every Annual Conference, which
shall report quarterly to the Parent Society,
stating- the number of its auxiliaries, the
work accomplished by them, the moneys re¬
ceived from them, and forward 40 per cent,
of the same to the General Secretary of the
Parent Home and Foreign Missionary So¬
ciety.
Article 8.
The Conference Woman's Mite Mission¬
ary Society shall organize auxiliaries in
every church within its boundaries. The
moneys of the Conference branches shall
be as follows: 40 per cent, to the Gen¬
eral Secretary of Missions, and 60 per cent.
312
P. W. M. M. SOCIETY.
to the annual conference under the direc¬
tion of the Bishop and Presiding Elder.
Duties of Officers.
The president shall preside at all meet¬
ings, appoint all committees not otherwise
provided for, and perform such other duties
as are common to the office. She shall call
special meetings at the request of five mem¬
bers and a Bishop, and shall be ex-officio a
member of all standing committees.
The vice president shall in the absence of
the pr&sident perform all the duties of her
office.
The Recording Secretary shall keep a cor¬
rect record of the proceedings of the meet¬
ings held and give proper notice of and ar¬
range for all, special and stated meetings.
The Corresponding Secretary shall con¬
duct the official correspondence of the so¬
ciety. She shall prepare the annual report
of the Executive Board, and present to the
society the reports received from the mis¬
sionaries whom it supports wholly or in
part.
■' The Treasurer shall receive and hold and
keep an atcount of all money coming to
the society and disburse it as the Executive
Board, in co-operation with the General
Secretary of Missions, may direct, and shall
P. \V. M. M. SOCIETY. 313
not retain more than $5500 in the treasury,
subject to Article 2 of this constitution. She
shall report the state of the treasury at each
regular meeting. Her annual report shall
be examined by three auditors, appointed
by the society.
Meetings.
The annual meeting of the society shall
be held the first Thursday in November ai
such place as the secretary may designate.
The election of officers by ballot shall take
place every four years.
Quadrennial Meeting.
Upon the call of the Parent Mite Socieh-
there shall be a meeting of the women in
the church, within November, preceding
the General Conference.
Purpose.
The purpose of the meeting shall be to
consider the missionary situation and to
plan for the propagation of the gospel of
Christ.
Floor Privileges.
The following persons shall be eligible
to all floor privileges: Officers and mem¬
bers of the Parent Mite Society who have
paid dues for the entire quadrennium; del¬
egates elected by the conference branches,
314' annual confer. \v. m. m. society.
one delegate being elected to each twenty
conference members .
Constitution of the Annual Confer¬
ence Branch, Woman's Mite Mis¬
sionary Society.
Article I.—Object.
The object of the Conference Branch
Woman's Mite Missionary Society is to act
as an auxiliary body to the Parent Mite
Missionary Society of the A. M. E. Church,
according to the constitutional provisions
of the latter.
Article 2.—Officers.
The officers of the society shall consist of
a president, two vice presidents, one record¬
ing secretary, one assistant secretary, one
corresponding secretary, and a treasurer.
The president, recording secretary and five
members elected annually at the convention,
by ballot, shall constitute the Executive
Board.
Article 3.—Duties of Officers.
The duty of the president shall be to
preside over all meetings of the Society,
call extra? meetings on request of one-third
of the members, oversee the execution of
the spirit of this constitution, draw orders
ANNUAL C'JNFER. \V. M. M. SOCIETY. 315
on the treasurer for all funds of the society,
according to the constitution, and report
every order drawn to the recording secre¬
tary. She may travel through any part of
the work if so ordered by the Society.
The vice presidents shall perform the
duties common to their offices. The re¬
cording secretaries shall record the acts
of meetings in a regular and orderly book,
countersign all orders drawn on the treas¬
ury by the president, recording said orders,
fully described, and forward the same to
the treasurer. The corresponding secretary
shall correspond quarterly with the cor¬
responding secretaries of the Society's aux-
illiaries of her conference district, and re¬
port quarterly to the corresponding secre¬
tary of the P. W. M. M. Society, the first
Tuesday in August, November, February
and May, stating the amount of funds and
with the president of her Conference
Branch.
The Board shall print regular correspond¬
ence forms for the secretary's use, which
shall provide (i) for reports from the aux¬
iliaries, giving the state of membership and
funds, amounts forwarded, etc.; (2) for re¬
porting to the corresponding secretary of the
P.W.M.M. Society and the president of the
316 annual confer, w. m. m. society.
Annual Conference Branch. The duties
of the treasurer shall be to receive all funds
of the Annual Conference Woman's Mite
Missionary Society, keep record of the same,
honor and record all orders drawn on the
treasurer by the president of the Confer¬
ence ^Branch, and keep a full record of all
orders reported by the auxiliary societies.
The Executive Board shall prepare and
print the program for the annual conven¬
tion six months before the date of opening.
Article 4.—Membership.
Any woman or girl approved by the
Society may become a member of the
Society and hold said membership by
a payment of fifty cents admission fee
and fifty cents annually; or a life mem¬
ber by the payment of five dollars, at one
time. Auxiliary delegates to the convention
may become members by paying the regu¬
lar fee. Men and boys may . become hon¬
orary members by the payment of fifty
cents, and hold said honorary membership
by the payment of twenty-five cents each
annually.
Article 5.—Meetingsf
The Society shall hold a meeting annual¬
ly, at such time and place as may be agreed
ANNUAL CONFER. W. M. M. SOCIETY. 317
to by the meeting preceding. Besides the
members, the Conference Branch may'in-
clmle one delegate from every auxiliary
society, and these societies having more than
twenty members, one delegate" for every
twenty or fraction thereof. The business
of the meeting shall be (i) To hear reports
from each auxiliary society in its respec¬
tive jurisdiction. (2) To receive all funds
collected for its sustenance or other pur¬
poses. (3) To render a dignified and
thoughtful program, remembering always
to give much time to spiritual services. (4)
To devise and formulate plans for strength¬
ening the work. (5) To stimulate subscrip¬
tions to the Voice of Missions. (6) At the
fourth annual meeting in each quadrennium
they may elect delegates, one for every
twenty members, to the quadrennial con¬
vention of the P. W. M. M. Society. (7)
To provide for the traveling expenses of
the same.
The expenses of the delegates must not
come out of the regular dues, but must be
provided for by special efforts.
Article 6.—Disbursement of Funds.
All funds received from admission fees,
membership dues, auxiliaries, and all such
other funds as may be paid to the secretary,
318 local \v. m. m. society.
shall be disbursed, 40 per cent, to the Gen¬
eral Secretary of the Home and Foreign
Missionary office, and 60 per cent, to
the missionaries in the bounds of the An¬
nual Conference, under the advice of the
Bishop, recommended by the Presiding
Elder. Special funds may be raised for
special purposes.
Article 7.—Certificates.
The Conference Branch shall prepare and
issue a: certificate to be given to members
moving from one town to another, com¬
mending them to the W. M. M. workers of
the new town in which they may settle.
By-Laws.
By-laws not inconsistent with this con¬
stitution may be added at the annual meet¬
ing.
Constitution of the Woman's Mite
Missionary Auxiliaries.
Article 1.
This Society shall be called (here give
any chosen name as a prefix to "Woman's
Mite Missionary Society") Woman's Mite
Missionary Society.
Its object shall be to aid the Parent
LOCAL \V. M. M. SOCIETY. 319
Woman's Mite Missionary Society in its
effort to support the foreign work of the
Parent Home and Foreign Missionary
Society of the A. M. E. Church and to
support the home missionary work, within
the bounds of the Annual
Conference.
A rtidc 2.—Men 1 bcrship.
The Pastor shall be ex-officio member of
the Society.
Any woman or girl of good moral stand¬
ing may become a member and continue a
member of the Society on the payment of
entrance fee and monthly dues. Men and
boys may become honorary members by
making a contribution to the Society
monthly.
All moneys collected as fees and other¬
wise shall be forwarded by the treasurer
once every three months, on dates fixed by
the Annual Conference W. M. M. Con¬
vention, to the treasurer of the Annual
Conference W. M. M. Society, in the ratio
of 60 and 40 per cents, respectively, to be
divided between the Home and Foreign
work.
Article 3.—Officers.
The officers of this society shall be a
320 LOCAL W. M. M. SOCIETY.
president, two vice presidents, a recording
secretary, a corresponding secretary, a
treasurer, a librarian, and an executive
board of three. These officers shall be
elected by ballot, at the first monthly meet¬
ing after the Annual Conference W. AI. M.
Convention.
Article 4.—Duties of Officers.
The president shall preside at all meet¬
ings, draw orders on the treasurer for re¬
mittances to the Annual Conference W. M.
M. treasurer quarterly, or oftener if neces¬
sary, and for all payments made by the sec¬
retary, and do all in her power to stimulate
activity. She shall supply through the re¬
cording secretary a certificate of member¬
ship to every member moving to another
town, the presentation of which shall be her
passport to -any auxiliary W. M, M. So¬
ciety. The vice presidents shall perform
the functions common to their office. The
recording secretary shall keep a record of
all transactions of the Society's sessions
(suitable books being furnished), counter¬
sign all orders drawn on the treasurer by
the president, keeping careful record of the
same in an "order book," and perform such
other duties as may be assigned by the So¬
ciety. The corresponding secretary shall
LOCAL \V. M. M. SOCIETY. 321
correspond with similar officers in each
auxiliary society of her Conference Branch
at least once a year, publish at church meet¬
ings and at Sunday school, information that
will tend to enlighten the masses on mission¬
ary subjects, act as agent for the Foice of
Missions and other missionary journals, and
write the corresponding secretary of the
P. W. M. M. Society and her annual con¬
ference corresponding secretary at least
once a year, and transact any other business
referred to her by the Society or president.
The treasurer shall receive and account for
all funds of the Society, honor all orders
drawn by the president, countersigned by
the secretary. The Executive Committee
shall prepare a program and call a pub¬
lic W. M. M. meeting at least twice a year,
for the dissemination of missionary infor¬
mation, especially W. M. M., increasing
funds and rendering a program.
The recording secretary shall make a re¬
port to the Quarterly Conference.
All officers shall report annually at the
meeting next before convention, oftener if
called upon.
Article 5.—Sessions and Duties.
The Society shall hold a meeting once a
month at such time as may be agreed upon,
322 LOCAL W. M. M. SOCIETY.
when it may render a program and receive
dues from members. At the meeting held
two months before the date of the anuual
conference W. M. M. Convention, it shall
elect delegates to the same, providing funds
for their traveling and contingent expenses.
To increase the funds for incidental pur¬
poses, the W. M. M. Society may cause col¬
lection baskets to be passed in the public
congregation once a month throughout the
year, before or after all church officers and
ministers have taken their collections, to
he used only for missionary purposes.
The auxiliaries shall organize "Juvenile"
societies in all churches, making simple
constitutions for their operation. The
"Juvenile" societies shall be amenable to the
local auxiliary W. M. M. Society only, not
to the annual conference W. M. M. Society,
though they may send written reports, but
not delegates to the latter. They may hold
anniversary meetings.
Special funds may be raised for special
local purposes, but all moneys raised for
special purposes be reported to the Annual
Convention in a supplemental report.
\v. h. & f. society.
3^3
CHAPTER IV.
The Women's Home and Foreign Mis¬
sionary Society.
Constitution.
Article 1.
The society organized September, 1893,
by order of the Missionary Department, is
hereby formed and established a connec-
tional organization by order of the Gen¬
eral Conference of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church, May 20th, 1896, at its
session in Wilmington, N. C., and shall be
known as the Women's Home and Foreign
Missionary Society of the African M. E.
Church.
Article 2.—Object.
The object of this society shall be to aid
and accelerate, the mission work of the A.
M. E. Church. It shall receive and dis¬
burse missionary moneys, which shall be
contributed by its subordinate societies,
branch organizations, private donations,
collecting agents or otherwise, as herein¬
after provided.
324
W. II. & F. SOCIETY.
Article 3.
It shall be the duty of this connectional
society, or any of its officers or members,
to organize at every convenience, confer¬
ence and auxiliary societies in any of our
churches, or residences if convenient; said
societies' shall report to the Conference or
State organizations in which territory they
are located. The officers and members thus
organized shall report all moneys collected.
Article 4.
The operations of this organization shall
be in connection with and subordinate to
the Missionary Department of the A. M.
E. Church; but in case the said department
should be oppressively exacting, the society
may appeal to the Council of Bishops, or to
the General Conference.
Article 5.
The officers of this society shall consist
of a president from each episcopal district,
a recording secretary, a treasurer, and an
executive committee, to consist of one from
each episcopal district, and such other of¬
ficers as may be found necessary.
Should any member of an episcopal dis¬
trict be absent from a meeting, the president
may appoint one of the officers to represent
the absentee.
W. H. & F. SOCIETY.
3^5
This shall be the Connectional Board of
the Women's Home and Foreign Mission¬
ary Society, which must meet annually at
such time and place as the Board may agree
upon, or the president or Bishop shall desig¬
nate in the call.
Article 6.
The duties of the president and the record¬
ing and corresponding secretaries shall be
such as Msually devolve upon said officers ;
the executive committee shall have power
to audit accounts, give directions, propose
methods, adjust troubles and make approp¬
riations in the absence of the regular con¬
vention. The president shall have power
to remove inefficient agents and fill vacan¬
cies, subject to an appeal to the regular
convention, or to the executive board, when
two-thirds of the members are present.
Article 7.
The officers of the connectional society
shall be elected annually by the connection¬
al convention, which may consist of the of¬
ficers of the conference societies, viz.: the
president, first vice president, secretary and
treasurer, or any part of them that may be
able to attend;"or the conference societies
may elect not less than two nor more than
five to represent them in the connectional
326
W. H. & F. SOCIETY.
convention. Or- if the connectional presi¬
dent shall decide not to call a connectional
convention yearly, the executive committee
may elect the officers.
Article 8.
The recording secretary shall record all
the business transactions of the conventions,
or executive committee, in a book kept for
that purpose, and read the same on demand.
The corresponding secretary shall corres¬
pond with the Missionary Department of
the A. M. E. Church, missionaries in for¬
eign fields, the secretaries and presidents of
the respective conference societies, and re¬
port what is being done for home and for¬
eign missions, through the women's con¬
nectional papers and such other official or¬
gans as the church may have.
Article 9.
The treasurer shall hold the funds of the
connectional society, and pay out the same
by order of the secretary, countersigned by
the president. She shall furnish the mis¬
sionary department of the A. M. E. Church
with semi-annual reports of all moneys re¬
vived and appropriated, and her accor'V
shall be audited at the annual meeting, and
her books shall be subject to the inspection
W. H. & F. SOCIETY. 327
of the president or any connectional offi.-er,
at any time desired.
Article 10.
The moneys of the connectional
shall consist of fifty per cent, of all monk's
raised by the conference societies and other
auxiliary and juvenile societies, which shall
be forwarded from the said societies to the
connectional society once in every three
months, or as often as necessary, which shall
also be forwarded to the Department of Mis¬
sions, or may be appropriated to foreign
mission fields, and the same reported to the
Missionary Department, that due credit
may be given and published. But should
any of the conference or auxiliary societies
forward the fifty per cent, -intended for our
foreign mission work directly to the Mis¬
sionary Department of the A. M. E. Church,
they shall report the same to the treasurer
of the Connectional Women's Home and
Foreign Missionary Society, that proper
credit may be given, which should only be
done in very rare or emergent cases by the
appeal of the Secretary of the Missionary
Department.
Article 11.
While the Women's Home and Foreign
Missionary Society is organized by the
328
\v. h. & f. society.
women of the A. M. E. Church, persons
of good moral character who have a miml
to work for the noble cause, may organize
special or select societies in halls, parlors,
and residences, subject to the rules and re
ulations that govern other auxiliary socie¬
ties in the territory of the respective con¬
ferences.
Article 12.
The subordinate organizations of the
Women's Home and Foreign Missionary
Society shall consist of conference societies,
auxiliary societies, and juvenile societies.
Constitutions and By-Laws for the govern¬
ment of which will be provided in pamphlet
form, while the will^of the Bishops is su¬
preme.
Auxiliary Society Constitution.
Artisle 1.
Any number of women may form an
auxiliary society within their respective An¬
nual Conference districts, by electing the
number of officers required by the con¬
stitution, as soon as organized, and take
any name they may choose to adopt, such
as: The Bishop Payne Auxiliary Society,
or the Frederick Douglass Society, Bishop
W. H. & F. SOCIETY.
329
Brown Society, Bishop Ward Society,
Bishop Allen Society, Cincinnati Society,
Nashville Society, New York Society,
Abraham Lincoln Society, etc. And the
corresponding secretary shall forward the
names of the officers to the corresponding
secretary of the Conference Missionary So¬
ciety in which they are located.
Article 2.
The officers of an auxiliary society shall
consist of a president, two vice presidents,
a recording secretary, corresponding secre¬
tary and treasurer who, with three directors,
shall constitute the local executive commit¬
tee. A librarian may be elected or appoint¬
ed by the president if the auxiliary desires
a literary department.
Article 3.
Any person may become a member of
the auxiliary society by paying ten cents
011 joining the same, and such weekly
or monthly dues as the society may adopt
by a two-thirds vote.
Article 4.
The president, vice presidents, and secre¬
taries shall perform the usual duties of such
officers, especially as relates to their duties
as defined elsewhere. The corresponding
330
\V. H. & F. SOCIETY.
secretary and treasurer of the conference
society shall make a quadrennial report to
the connectional societ}' at its sitting.
Article 5.
The recording secretary shall keep a true
record of the proceedings of the society,
and the corresponding secretary shall do the
■correspondence and notify the pastors when
the society desires the use of the church,
unless it is understood that they have tiie
use of said church on a certain night or d
certain day. The president shall have power
to remove incompetent, disobedient or neg¬
lectful secretaries, and appoint others till
the regular meeting, when the interest of
the society demands it.
Article 6.
The treasurer shall receive all funds from
auxiliary societies and receipt for the same.
Fifty per cent, shall be appropriated at these
annual meetings, or, in case of emergency,
by the executive board for home work with¬
in the bounds of said Annual Conference.
Her accounts shall be audited annually and
her books kept subject to the inspection
of the conference president, or any other
officer. But should the treasurer send the
fifty per cent, that is for foreign missions
direct to the Missionary Department of the
W. H. & F. SOCIETY.
331
church through an appeal from the Secre¬
tary of Missions, she shall immediately re¬
port the amount sent to the president and
to the secretary of the Connectional Wo¬
men's Home and Foreign Missionary
Society.
Article 7.
The officers should be elected every six
months, at the first meeting in June and
December, and the names of the officers sent
to the corresponding secretary of the con¬
ference society. But when two-thirds of
the members present agree, the officers may
hold over for twelve months, when an elec¬
tion must be had by ballot.
Article 8.
Auxiliary societies, in addition to the
weekly or monthly dues, may solicit money
from the public, give lectures, festivals,
fairs, bazaars, literary and musical enter¬
tainments, etc.; but in no instance shall ar¬
dent spirits or intoxicating drinks be al¬
lowed at any entertainment.
Article 9.
The officers and members shall solicit
other members for their respective auxiliary
societies, and endeavor to interest every
female member in our church in the mission
12
332
W. H. & F. SOCIETY.1
work; and wherever consistenl, organize
other auxiliary societies, whether the per¬
sons be members of our Church or congre¬
gational attendants. Gentlemen may be
honorary members by paying the regular
fee, and may speak, but shall not be entitled
to a vote in the transaction of any important
business.
Article 10.
Auxiliary societies are presumed to send
all moneys, both for the home and foreign
missions, to the treasurer of the conference
society. But they may make special efforts
for any particular mission and send the
same, should they so desire. And even this
must be reported to the corresponding sec¬
retary of the conference^ society. Thp
amount sent to the conference society by the
auxiliary for the home department shall be
appropriated equally for the purchasing of
church lands or for missionary ministers by
the conference treasurer or president of
said organization at each Annual Confer¬
ence. The secretary shall be furnished a,
correct statement by, the secretary of the
Annual Conference as to the number of
missions and members with their financial
strength within its bounds. Moneys paid to
churches or donated to schools or students
W. H. & F. SOCIETY.
333
for Christian education from localities
where said societies abound shall be made
only by recommendation of the president,
signed by the secretary or president of the
conference society when requests are made
by written application, and said amounts
shall not exceed the fifty per cent, belong¬
ing to the home department.
Article n.
Any auxiliary society so disposed may
elect a librarian,, or the president may ap¬
point one, to- collect books, minerals, bones,
shells, and various specimens of natural
history for the study and intellectual en¬
lightenment of its members. Also, telescopes
to examine the heavens, microscopes to ex¬
amine the objects invisible to the natural
eye, and other literary and scientific appar¬
atus, and preserve the same. And members
are expected to donate and collect such ap¬
paratus for the librarian, and make the
auxiliary society a means of general en¬
lightenment as well as an assistance to the
cause of missions. Also mothers' meetings
may be established where plans and ways
for the rearing and bringing up of children,
and the care and protection of the poor chil¬
dren of the community mav be looked after
and discussed.
334
W. H. .& F. SOCIETY.
Article 12.
The auxiliary societies, after meeting and
disposing of their regular missionary af¬
fairs, shall devote the remainder of their
time to reading orignial poems, lectures
upon the various subjects connected with
life, and thus carry the Missionary and Lit¬
erary Departments together. And any
member who shall write, discover, or pro¬
ject anything of high merit shall receive a
certificate of commendation, signed by the
president and secretary.
Article 13.
This constitution, as well as the consti¬
tution of the conference societies, may be
amended or modified by the Connectional
Women's Home and Foreign Missionary
Society, when assembled in conventional
form, but the president shall have power to
grant special privileges when desired in the
interval of the connectional conventions, to
suit certain localities.
PART IX.
DEPARTMENTS
I. Publication Department.
II. Sunday School Union.
III. Educational Interests.
IV. Church Extension.
V. Allen Endeavor League.
publication department.
CHAPTER II.
Thi? Publication Department.
i. The Book Concern.
The Publication Department of the Afri¬
can Methodist Episcopal Church shall be lo¬
cated in the City of Philadelphia, Pa., and
shall be designated by the corporate title of
1855 "The Book Concern" of the A. M. E.
Church.
2. Its Management.
1. The Department shall be under the
control of a General Business Manager and
two Editors.
2. The Business Manager shall have
charge of the business as printer and pub¬
lisher of the Department. He shall be the
custodian of its property and the treasurer
of its funds, excepting those of the period¬
icals.
3. The supervision of the Department
shall be in the hands of nine trustees ap¬
pointed by the Council of Bishops ; six min¬
isters and three laymen, three of whom shall
be citizens of Pennsylvania, as the law te-
33& PUBLICATION DEPARTMENT.
quires. They shall he regularly incorpor¬
ated according to law, and known as the
Board of Publication of the A. M. E.
Church. The Bishop of the First Episcopal
District shall be ex-officio Chairman of the
Board of Management, when sitting as
•such. The control of all the interests of the
Book Concern of the A. M. E. Church
shall be vested in the aforesaid Board of
Publication absolutely.
3. Duties and Powers of the Board.
1. The Board shall examine and audit
'•quarterly and annual reports of the Man¬
ager and the Managing Editors, give advice
and instruction concerning the business,
■pass upon the editorial management of all
church papers and periodicals published by
the Book Concern; decide as to the number
of persons employed, receive and receipt for
any quarterly balance in the hands of the
Business Manager and the Managing Edit¬
ors, beyond the immediate needs of the busi¬
ness.
2. The Board shall require of the Busi¬
ness Manager a good and sufficient bond,
properly executed, in the sum of three thou¬
sand dollars ($3,000) within three months
from the date of his election, and this bond
-shall be a necessary qualification to perform
PUBLICATION DEPARTMENT.
the functions of the office of Business Man¬
ager. The same law applies to Managing
Editors.
3. The Board shall prepare or 6ause the
Manager to prepare, a code of by-laws for
the regulation and government of the Book-
Concern.
4. Upon the advice of the Manager and
the Managing Editors the prices of books
and periodicals, except the Christian Re¬
corder and the A. M. E. Review shall be
fixed by the Board.
5. If at any time the Business Manager
or Managing Editors shall be found in¬
capable of discharging the duties of their
office, the Board of Publication shall have
power, after thorough investigation, to de¬
clare the office or offices vacant.
6. When a vacancy occurs in the office of
Manager or a Managing Editor it shall be
filled in the manner following: The Bishop
presiding over the Board of Publication,
together with two other Bishops of the
next adjoining Episcopal Districts shall
name one or more persons to fill the va¬
cancy, and the Board of Publication shail
confirm the nominee, and he shall enter
upon the discharge of his duty and shall re¬
ceive such compensation as may be agreed
340 PUBLICATION DEPARTMENT.
upon by the Board.
7. In all cases of trial for any offence be¬
fore the Board, the Bishop who is president
of the Board shall preside.
4. Publications of the Church.
1. The publications of this Department
shall be The Christian Recorder, The
Southern. Christian Recorder, The Western
Christian Recorder, The S®uth African
Christian Recorder, and the A. M. E. .Re¬
view, and such books with other publica¬
tions as may be deemed necessary and
profitable by the Manager and Board of
Pub'ii cation.
2. The Christian Recorder shall be under
the control of a Managing Editor, subject
to the Board of -Publication, to which he
shall report annually.
3. The A. M. E. Review shall be under
the control of a Managing Editor, subject
to the Board of Publication, to which it
shall report annually.
5. Books Sent to Preachers and Agents.
1. When books are sent to an itinerant
preacher or district Book Steward by his or¬
der and he refuses or neglects to take them
out of the express office, charges shall be
preferred against him at his Annual Confer-
PUBLICATION DEPARTMENT. 341
eiace by the General Business 'Manager,
either in person or by letter, and the same
preacher or agent shall be dealt with as in
cases of wilful dishonesty.
2. All books shall be sold, except to mer¬
chants and regular dealers, for cash only;
provided, however, that the Manager and
Board may adopt such regulations as the
nature of trade may require", taking care
that the rule be published, and that no bills
are allowed to run.
6. Boards of Management of the Southern,
Western and South African Christian
Recorders.
1. The supervision of the business of the
Southern Christian Recorder shall be vested
in a Board of Management, composed of
one Bishop, who shall be president; and one
person from each Episcopal District, named
by the Council of Bishops. This board
shall give advice and instruction concern¬
ing the business, and shall audit the re¬
ports of the Managing Editor, who shall
submit an annual report to the Board.
2. The supervision of the Western Chris¬
tian Recorder shall be vested in a Board of
Management Composed of one Bishop, who
shall be its president, and one person from
each Episcopal District, appointed by the
342 PUBLICATION DEPARTMENT.
Council of Bishops. This Board shall give
advice and instruction concerning the busi¬
ness and shall audit the annual reports of
the Managing Editor.
3. The supervision of the South African
Christian Recorder shall be vested in a
Board composed of the Resident Bishop of
-South Africa, together with such persons
as he may appoint, not to exceed five.
The duty of this Board shall be to audit
the annual report of the Managing Editor,
and give necessary advice and instruction.
4. The Managing Editors of the South¬
ern, Western, and South African Christian
Recorders shall present an annual report to
their respective Boards.
5. The columns of the church papers shall
be open to the Bishops and General Officers
of the Church for all communications on
official matters pertaining - to their several
departments.
6. All traveling preachers in the connec¬
tion are required to subscribe to one of the
Christian Recorders and to either the Voice
-of Missions or A. M. E. Review. Presid¬
ing Elders, at their Quarterly Conferences,
shall require all local preachers to subscribe
to one of the Connectional official journals.
7. All traveling preachers are agents for
PUBLICATION DEPARTMENT. 343
the Church periodicals, and are required
to solicit subscriptions in their churches
and report the number of paid subscribers
obtained during the year with their annual
reports.
8. The quadrennial reports of the Gen¬
eral Manager and all Managing Editors
shall be submitted, after being passed upon
by the Council of Bishops, to the General
Conference.
344 sunday school union.
CHAPTER II.
Sunday School Union.
i. Organisation.
In order to enlarge and extend the work
and influence of the Sunday School in the
African Methodist Episcopal Church, be it
Resolved, That we hereby adopt the or¬
ganization known as the "Connectional
Sunday School Union of the African Meth¬
odist Episcopal Church," the constitution of
-which shall be as follows:
constitution.
Article i.
The title of the association shall be "The
Connectional Sunday School Union of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church."
Article 2.
Its object shall be to unite, strengthen and
extend the Sunday-school work of the Af¬
rican M. E. Church in the United States
and elsewhere; to provide an ample and
suitable literature for the same; to aid the
needy Sunday-schools thereof; to encourage
SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION. 345
the holding of Sunday-school Normal In¬
stitutes and Conventions for the training of
teachers, and to impart information con¬
cerning the best methods of governing, con¬
ducting and equipping Sunday-schools, and
to secure the proper grading of our Sunday
schools, and to gather whatever statistics,
and other data, may be necessary to keep
the Church continually informed of the true
condition of her Sunday school work.
Article 3.
The officers of the Union shall be a presi¬
dent, who shall be a Bishop of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church, who shall be
selected by the Council of Bishops; vice
presidents, consisting of the remaining
Bishops, ranking according to their sen¬
iority in ofece; a corresponding secretary,
who shall be elected by the General Con¬
ference ; a board of managers, consisting
of seven members; four traveling preachers
and three laymen, four of whom shall re¬
side within the city of Nashville, Tenn.
Article 4.
The Board of Managers shall be nomi¬
nated by the Bishops and confirmed by the
General Conference, and shall hold their
office for four years. Its control of all the
346
SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.
interests of the Sunday school Department
shall be absolute. The president, vice
presidents, corresponding secretary and
treasurer, shall be ex-officio members of the
board of managers.
Article 5.
The Board of Managers shall have power
to frame its own by-laws; to locate the
headquarters of the Union; to select and
arrange for the supplying of Sunda^ school
helps and requisites; to extend aid to needy
Sunday schools; to provide for the payment
of the current expenses of the Union, and
to perform any other labors that may be
deemed necessary to further the legitimate
purposes of the Union.
Article 6.
The Secretary shall, act as Treasurer of
the Sunday school Union,, and shall be re¬
quired to give bona fide bond of five thous¬
and dollars ($5,000) for the faithful per¬
formance of his duty.
Article 7.
The Board of Managers may elect worthy
persons as honorary members.
Article 8.
There shall be elected in each annual
conference a Local Board of Managers,
SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION. 347
consisting of three, one of whom shall serve
as conference corresponding secretary,
whose duty it shall be to record the Sunday
school statistics reported at each Animal
Conference session, and transmit a copy
thereof to the general Corresponding Sec¬
retary, and advise with him as to the time
and methods of conducting conferences or
district Sunday school conventions.
Article 9.
Each Sunday school within the bounds
of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
shall be entitled to all the benefits and privi¬
leges of the Union.
Article 10.
The payment by individuals, of ten dol¬
lars at any one time, shall constitute life
membership, and the payment of fifty dol¬
lars at any one time, life directorship.
Article n.
An anniversary meeting of the Union
shall be held each year, at such time, and
place as the Board of'Managers may direct,
when the corresponding secretary and
treasurer shall submit their annual report.
Article 12.
All moneys received from collections,
grants, or profits of Sunday school supplies,
348 SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.
above the amount necessary to defray the
current expenses of the Union, shall be de¬
voted to the work.of organizing new Sun¬
day schools, and to aiding needy ones.
Article 13.
The work of the Union shall be divided
into the following four departments: 1.
Benevolence; 2. Business; 3. Normal; 4.
Statistical, and shall be under the general
supervision of the corresponding secretary,
who shall 15e the editor of all the Sunday
school publications issued by the African
Methodist Episcopal Church.
Article 14.
This constitution cannot be altered or
amended except by the General Conference
of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
2. Sub-Districts.
1. It shall be the duty of each Annual
Conference at its first session after the ad¬
journment of this General Conference, to
provide for a division of the Sunday Schools
within its limits into one or more Sunday
School districts. Each Annual Conference
shall also name the time and place for hold¬
ing an annual meeting for pastors, super¬
intendents, and teachfers in each district. At
*ch annual meeting a district superintend-
SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION. 349
ent shall be chosen.
2. Each pastor shall send, or cause to b@
sent, a quarterly report to the district sup¬
erintendent, giving the statistics, and de¬
scribing the methods of instruction pursued
by the schools in his work.
3. It shall be the duty of the district sup¬
erintendent to make a quarterly report to
the Corresponding Secretary of the Sunday
School Union, showing the condition of
the schools in his district for the quarter.
The Corresponding Secretary shall publish
a condensed report for the quarter, embrac¬
ing the returns from each Annual Confer¬
ence Sunday School district.
4. The officers of each district meeting
may provide for the holding of teachers'
institutes, normal classes, or for a series of
meetings, the design of which shall be to
better prepare our teachers for the work
assigned them, and to awaken art increased
interest in, and improvement of the Sun¬
day Schools of the A. M. E. Church; pro¬
vided, that nothing shall be done contrary
to or in conflict with the plans and opera¬
tions of the Sunday School Union.
5. To provide for the uniformity of the
reports to be presented at each annual and
quarterly district meeting, the Correspond-
350 SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.
ing Secretary of the Sunday School Union
shall furnish a series of blank forms, so
arranged as to suggest the information de¬
sired.
3. Constitution for the Government of the
Sunday Schools.
1. This Sunday School shall be under the
jurisdiction of the Connectional Sunday
School Union of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church, and. shall be known as
the Sunday School, connected with
—A. M. E. Church, at —
2. The officers of the school shall be the
Pastor in charge, who shall be chief super¬
intendent; a superintendent, assistant sup¬
erintendent, superintendent of the Home
Department, superintendent of the Cradle
Roll, a secretary, an assistant secretary, a
treasurer, a librarian and a chorister, and
such other officers as may be required to
properly oonduct the school, each of whom
shall perform the usual duties of their re¬
spective offices, and together with the teach¬
ers and Home Department visitors, shall
.constitute the Sunday School Board.
3. The Pastor shall nominate the officers
and teachers, an<} they shall be elected by
the Sunday School Board.
4. The Sunday School Board shall hold
SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION. 351
monthly meetings for the transaction of
business, at such time as may be agreed
on, when the following order of business
shall be observed: i. Religious exercises.
2. Reports of officers. 3. Reports of teach¬
ers. 4. Reports of committees. 5. Unfin¬
ished business. 6. Miscellaneous business.
5. The nomination of any person for
teacher shall be made at a regular meeting
of the board, and any person so proposed,
by the consent of a majority, and subscrib¬
ing to this constitution, may become a
teacher.
6. The teachers in all our schools, where-
ever the same is practicable, shall be relig¬
ious and of good report. In every case they
must at least possess a good moral char¬
acter.
7. By-laws may be adopted by the Sun¬
day School Board, provided the said by¬
laws are in accord with all the provisions of
this constitution and the constitution of the
Sunday School Union.
8. An annual meeting of the Sunday
School Board shall be held, at which time
all the officers shall be elected. The officers-
elect shall assume the duties of their respec¬
tive positions the first Sunday after their
election.
352 SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.
9. That'there shall be held in connection
with each Annual Conference session a
Sunday School anniversary to be conducted
by the committee on Sunday Schools, at
which time said committee shall make its
report. This anniversary shall be placed on
an equal footing with the missionary and
educational anniversaries, and shall be held
on some night during the Annual Confer¬
ence session. It shall' be the duty of each
Bishop to see that this provision is strictly
enforced.
.10. That the question, How much has
been collected on Children's Day shall be
inserted as question eleven, under the head
of Mode of Procedure, section 4, part I,
page 215 of the Book of Discipline.
11. That the traveling preachers in each
Annual Conference shall be required to re¬
port to the committee on Sunday Schools
the following Sunday School statistics:
Number of Sunday Schools.
Number of officers.
Number of scholars.
Number of conversions.
Amount raised for support of school.
Number of books in library.
All laws and parts of laws that conflict
with these laws are hereby repealed.
SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION. 353
12. Immediately after the annual election
of officers, it shall be the duty of the pastor
to send, or cause to be sent, a certified list
of the names of the officers-elect to the
Corresponding Secretary of the Sunday
School Union, and in every case the proper
post-office address of the superintendent
and secretary must be given.
13. It shall be the duty of the pastor, in
connection with the Sunday School Board,
to arrange for the holding of weekly
teachers' meetings, quarterly reviews, and
the Children's Day anniversary.
14. The Pastor shall be e.\--officio chair¬
man of the teachers' weekly meeting and the
meeting of the Sunday School Board. In
his absence the superintendent shall pre¬
side, and if neither is present the assistant
superintendent shall preside.
15. Each Sunday School shall observe the
order of the opening and closing- services
of each session', that may be recommended
by the Sunday School Union, copies of
which, together with this constitution shall
be furnished to each Sunday School.
16. It shall be the duty of the Sunday
School Board to adopt such publications as
the Sunday School Union may be author¬
ized to issue in the name of the A. M, E.
354 SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.
Church, and each pastor is enjoined to see
that this provision is faithfully carried out.
17. In no case, or under no circumstances
shall any Sunday School appropriate all or
any part of the money raised on Children's
Day, for its own use, but one-half of the
entire amount shall be immediately for¬
warded to the Treasurer of the Annual Con¬
ference Missionary Society, and the other
tension Board, who will return receipts
showing- the amount received, and said re¬
ceipts shall be read by the secretary to the
school in open session.
18. This constitution can only be altered
or amended at a session of the General
Conference of the A. M. E. Church.
educational interests.
355
CHAPTER III.
Educational Interests,
i. General Board of Education.
How shall we promote the educational
interests of our church?
Answer. We do hereby establish and or¬
ganize an Educational Department.
1. The management of this department
shall be placed in the hands of a general
board of education and a Secretary of edu¬
cation, who shall be elected by the Genera]
Conference.
The Board of Education shall .consist of
one member from each Episcopal District,
nominated by the Council of Bishops and
confirmed by the General Conference, not
less than one-third of whom shall be laymen
and whose tenure of office shall be four
years. The General Secretary shall be a
member of the Board ex-officio.
2. In the event of death, resignation, dis¬
ability, gross neglect of duty, or change of
district on the part of a member, the Board
shall declare the place vacant and from 1.
356 EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.
district appoint his successor; or in an emer¬
gency the Bishop of the district shall have
power to fill the vacancy till the regular
meeting of the Board.
3. The President of the Board shall be
a Bishop elected by the Council of Bishops.
4. The Board of Education shall hold
annual session at such place as may be se¬
lected by the former session. One-third of
the members shall constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business, when due no¬
tice has been given to all members. In
the absence of the president, a chairman
pro tem shall be chosen.
5. The Board shall exereise careful sup¬
ervision over the educational work of the
Church, devise and execute plans to in¬
crease the educational funds, audit the Gen¬
eral Secretary's accounts, advance the edu¬
cational interests of tfce Church, consider
all claims upon the treasury and make such
appropriations as have been authorized by
the General Conference and arrange appro¬
priations for all money not otherwise pro¬
vided for.
2. Duties of the Corresponding Secretary.
1. The Secretary of Education shall re¬
ceive, and receipt and account for all morleys
coming into his hands for educational pur-
EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS. 357
poses, and present to each Annual Con¬
ference an itemized report of all moneys
received by him from its district eack year,
He shall present a report to the General
Conference also.
2. He shall open an account with a reli¬
able bank, and deposit all moneys coming'
to his office and disburse the same under the
direction of the Board of Education.
3. In conjunction with the President, the
Secretary may call special meetings of the
Board when he judges it necessary, giving
ten days' notice.
4. He shall faithfully execute all orders
of the Board of Education and use his ut¬
most ability to make the department suc¬
cessful. He shall be an honorary member
of the trustee boards of all schools assisted
by the Educational Board, and shall person¬
ally inspect them and report their condi¬
tion to the Board of Education.
5. He shall receive for his services the
sum of $1,350 per year from the Financial
Department.
6. For the faithful performance of his
duty, the Secretary shall give to the Board
of Education a good and sufficient bond in
the sum of $5,000, and said bond shall be
necessary as a qualification to perform the
35§ EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.
duties of the office. Said bond must be exe¬
cuted within ninety days from the date of
his election to office.
7. In case of death, resignation or inca¬
pacity of the Secretary of Education in the
interim, the board shall have power to ap¬
point his successor.
3. Executive Board.
The Board of Education shall have power
to appoint an executive committee of five
members, including the General Secretary,
which shall meet as per Discipline to trans¬
act such business as the case requires or
the General Board orders.
4. Annual Conference Board.
1. At the first Annual Conference after
the General Conference on nomination by
the Bishop, the conference shall elect a con¬
ference Board of Education consisting of
three ministers and two ■ laymen. This
Board shall continue in office four years,
except in case of death, resignation, ineffi¬
ciency or removal from the conference dis¬
trict.
2. The Conference Board shall organize
immediately, electing a chairman, secretary,
and treasurer. The secretary and treasurer
shall keep in substantial books a proper
record of the doings of the Board.
EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS. 359
3. The Annual Conference Board of
Education"shall receive all moneys reported
to or raised at the Annual Conference for
the benefit of schools in the educational dis¬
trict and forward the same to the treasurer
or treasurers of the school or schools to
which they are due; or to such other per¬
son or persons as may be designated by the
trustee board or boards of said school or
schools. The eight per cent, of dollar money
shall be paid to the general Secretary of
Education, according to Discipline.
In Conferences not listed in any educa¬
tional district, all moneys raised and report¬
ed by pastors for schools shall be paid to
the General Secretary. On the adjourn¬
ment of the Annual Conference the secre¬
tary of the conference board shall make full
report to the general Secretary of Educa¬
tion of all moneys raised in his conference
district on educational day or collected at
the conference, or otherwise, for the cause
of education.
5. Educational Districts.
The educational districts shall embrace
and correspond with the Episcopal Dis¬
tricts; except that the first educational dis¬
trict shall comprise all of the first, third and
fourth Episcopal Districts, excepting the
two Kentucky Conferences.
360 EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.
6. District Boards.
Each District Educational Board shall be
composed of one member fiibm each An¬
nual Conference Board, to be elected for
four years at the first Annual^ Conference
after the General Conference.
2. -This board shall have supervision of
the educational work-, and regulate the es¬
tablishing of schools within its district, and
apportion the funds appropriated to its
schools.
3. It shall hold an annual meeting at
least one-week prior-to the sessioij of the
General Board of Education, to which it
shall render a report with full statistics of
the work and status of the schools, annually
-»and—especially—quadrennially.
7. The District Secretary.
1. At the first meeting after,the General
Conference, the board' or boards of trus¬
tees of the school or schools in each edu¬
cational district shall elect a District Sec¬
retary for four years.
2. The District Secretary shall co-oper¬
ate with the General Secretary of Educa¬
tion in advancing the interests of education,
and especially in reference to educational
day. He shall correspond with the pas¬
tors, and church and Sunday School officers,
EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS. 361
and visit and assist as many of them as pos¬
sible in organizing for tlie annual education¬
al collections. He shall correspond with the
General Secretary of Education and the
authorities of schools that are beneficiaries
of his department. He shall see that the
pastors and others report all educational
day moneys to the proper office or offices
within ten days after the anniversary.
3. A vacancy occurring in the conference
board, district board or secretaryship in the
interim of regular sessions shall be filled
temporarily by the Bishop in whose confer¬
ence it occurs; but the board shall elect reg¬
ularly at its next session.
4. All conference and district boards shall
be subsidiary and amenable to the general
board. Each officer who. handles educa¬
tional funds shall give bond of not less than
$1,000.
8. Establishing Schools.
1. No school shall be established looking
to the support of the Church without first
receiving the recommendation of the con¬
ference board within whose bounds it is
located.
2. The recognized connectional theologi¬
cal schools are those located at Wilberforce,
Ohio; Waco, Texas; Columbia, South
362 EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.
Carolina; Atlanta, Georgia; Kittrell, North
Carolina; Quindaro, Kansas ; Argenta, Ark¬
ansas ; Selma, Alabama, and Jackson, Mis¬
sissippi.
3. For their maintenance an appropria¬
tion shall be made annually from the De¬
partment, and $1,000 each to Payne The¬
ological Seminary, Turner Theological
Seminary, and the Theological school at
Columbia; and $800 each to the Theological
schools at Waco, Kittrell, Quindaro, Ar¬
genta, Selma and Jackson from the Finan¬
cial Department for the support of the
deans of these schools; provided they are
duly organized and operative.
There may be established a chair of
Theology, or English Theological and Bibli¬
cal courses at such other schools as are
qualified to do the work.
4. All moneys raised by the connection
for educational work in the First Educa¬
tional District shall be divided equally be¬
tween Wilberforce University and Payne
Theological Seminary; except that moneys
collected within the bounds of the Ken¬
tucky Conference and the West Kentucky
Conference shall be paid to Wayman Acad¬
emy.
EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS. 363
9. Annual Appropriations to Schools.
The following annual appropriations shall
be made by the Secretary of Education t.
our educational institutions:
To Wilberforce University $1,600
" Allen University 1,600
Morris Brown College 1,600
" Paul Quinn College 1,600
" Kittrell College 1,600
'' Edward Waters College 1,000
Western University 1,000
" Shorter College 1,000
" Campbell College 800
" Payne University 800
" Wayman Institute 600
" Delhi Institute 200
" Turner Normal Institute 200
" Payne Institute 300
Assistance to Bethel Institute and Shatter
School is to be administered through the
Missionary Department.
10. Sources of Funds.
How shall moneys be raised for this de¬
partment ?
1. By appropriation from the Dollar
Money, eight per cent, of which shall be
paid to the Secretary of Education by the
Conference Finance Committee of each
Annual Conference, to be applied accord-
364 EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.
ing to the order of the General Board of
Education and in keeping with the appro¬
priations ordered by the General Confer¬
ence.
2. By private donations and bequests,
which shall be applied according to the wish
of the donor.
3. By the contributions of educational
societies formed in the churches of the con¬
nection, and which are recommended to be
established generally.
4. By public appropriations.
5. By maturing of life insurance and en¬
dowment policies or otherwise.
6. Each pastor shall pay to the Confer¬
ence Board of Education such amounts as
may be sent to Conference from his charge,
for educational purposes.
7. Every Annual Conference shall devote*
one evening to the Educational anniversary,
at which a collection shall be taken for the
support of our education work.
8. By the establishment of a day through¬
out the connection on which all the churches
shall lift a collection, the avails of which
are to be used exclusively as an educational
fund for our several connectional institu¬
tions. This anniversary shall be known as
Educational Day and be set for the third
EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS. 365
Sabbath in each September. The services
of the day, both in churches and Sabbath
schools, shall have special reference to edu¬
cational work, and the entire collections of
the day in both departments, shall be sacred¬
ly set apart for this purpose.
10. Application of Educational Day Funds.
1. All pastors shall forward all the money
collected in the churches and Sunday
schools of their charges on educational day
to the treasurers of the schools to which
it is due or to such person as the trustees
of those schools may direct, within ten days
after collecting. Each pastor shall fill out
such blanks as may be furnished by the
Secretary, and shall report his receipts and
duplicate blanks to the Annual Conference
Board of Education at the" next session of
the Annual Conference. The General Sec¬
retary shall publish notice of Educational
Day in all our commercial papers at least
one month prior to the time appointed, and
the pastors of all circuits, stations and mis¬
sions shall publish it from all their pulpits.
2. The dates for the Annual Conferences,
District Conferences and Quarterly Con¬
ferences shall be so arranged as not to re¬
quire the absence of any pastor from his
post of duty at this important period.
366 EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS.
Each Bishop, Presiding Elder and Pas¬
tor is requested to lay before our well-to-
do members and friends the necessities of
our schools, and also to seek to obtain stu¬
dents for the same.
3. It is recommended that at least one
scholarship be established in each Annual
Conference, on the basis of $50 annually,
to be included in the appropriations of the
Finance Committee, and made payable to
the secretary of one of the, authorized Theo¬
logical Seminaries.
church extension society. 367
CHAPTER IV.
Church Extension.
PREAMBLE.
The need of some plan by which weak and
struggling societies throughout our wide connec¬
tion, and also our mission work could be aided,
in securing and erecting suitable houses of wor¬
ship, has been long felt in the African Methodist
Episcopal Church.
Next after the cry of perishing souls for the
Word of Life is that for a suitable place to feed"
the hungry souls. Wherever the messenger of
God has been able to gather the outcast into art
organization (called a church) then comes next
the urgent demand for a Christian home or church
building where the Word of God may be regularly
administered, and those forming new organiza¬
tions firmly settled through the aid of the general
Church, thus enabling the missionaries to hold
the ground already taken without overburdening-
the little band.
To this end the following Constitution, for the
working and government of the Church Extension*
Society of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church is adopted.
368, CHURCH EXTENSION SOCIETY.
CONSTITUTION.
Article 1.
There shall be a Board of Church Ex¬
tension consisting of one Bishop who shall
be President, a Corresponding Secretary
and Treasurer, and one member from each
Episcopal District in the United States.
The Secretary and Treasurer to be elected
by the General. Conference. The other
members of the Board shall be nominated
by the Bishops and confirmed by the Gen¬
eral Conference. The Bishops shall be
ex-officio members.
Article 2.
1 The Board shall present a statement of
their business annually to the several An¬
nual Conferences, and a quadrennial report
to the General Conference. The Board shall
fill all vacancies that may occur during the
interval between General Conferences.
Article 3.
The Board elected by this General Con¬
ference shall at once procure, under the
laws of the State where the Board shall
be located, an act of incorporation, whereby
they and their successors in office in perpet¬
ual succession shall be made a body cor¬
porate under the name of "The Board of
CHURCH EXTENSION SOCIETY. 369
Church Extension," with powers of con¬
tracting and being contracted with, suing
and being sued, and all other powers deem¬
ed necessary for the successful prosecution
of the work, not inconsistent with these
articles.
Article 4.
The Corresponding Secretary shall con¬
duct the corespondence of the Board un¬
der its direction, and shall be subject to
the authority and control of the Board. He
shall be a member of the A. M. E. Church,
and shall reside where the Board is located.
He shall keep the Church constantly ad¬
vised of the work and wants of the De¬
partment of Church Extension. He shall
supervise and superintend the church ex¬
tension work of the connection, and exe¬
cute all official papers devising ways
and means for collecting funds, and
labor to the extent of his power to bring
this department to the broadest field of use¬
fulness.
Article 5.
The Board shall be located at such place
as the General Conference may direct, and
shall meet annually at such time as it may
deem best for the interests of the depart¬
ment, and at such other times as the Presi-
37° CHURCH EXTENSION SOCIETY.
■dent and Corresponding Secretary may ap¬
point. Five members shall constitute a
quorum.
Article 6.
The revenues of this department shall be:
(1) Ten per cent of the Dollar Fund.
Said per centage to be forwarded directly
to the Corresponding Secretary of the
Church Extension Society, by the Chairman
of the Committee on Finance in each of our
conferences, certified to by the Presiding
Bishop, with such, other moneys as may be
coVected at the Annual Conference for the
cause of Church Extension.
(2) The day heretofore known and ob¬
served as Children's Day shall be continued,
at which time each church and Sunday
school throughout the connection shall raise
a collection; fifty (50) per cent, of all of
which money shall be devoted to church ex¬
tension, and shall be forwarded immediately
after collecting, to the Corresponding Sec¬
retary of the Church Extension Board; the
balance must be sent to the Treasurer of
the Annual Conference Missionary Society
immediately.
(3) The admission fees and annual dues
of the Women's Department of Church Ex¬
tension.
CHURCH EXTENSION SOCIETY. 371
(4) Special collections by the Corres¬
ponding Secetary, Bishops, Presi ding El¬
ders and Pastors,
(5) Gifts, devises and bequests.
(6) Collections at Annual Conference
Church Extension Anniversaries, for a
special fund, to be designated, The African
Church Extension Fund, to be applied ex¬
clusively in the erection of churches in the
most promising of our African missions.
Arricle 7.
It shall be lawful for the Board to accept
contributions to its funds, subject to annui¬
ties payable to the order of the person mak¬
ing such contributions, but all money so
received by the Board shall be invested in
adequate securities.
Article 8.
The Board shall have authority to regu¬
late its own proceedings, to appropriate
moneys to pay incidental expenses, to de¬
termine what amount may be donated or
loaned to each applicant, and to do such-
business as may be legitimate and proper
for it to do; provided that the Board shall
not involve itself in debt beyond the amount
of its available assets.
Article 9.
The Board shall have authority to raise
372 CHURCH EXTENSION SOCIETY.
t
and administer a "Loan Fund," which shall
be held separate from funds raised for gen¬
eral distribution, which shall be used only
in loans on adequate security, said security
to be determined by a regular conveyancer,
he Board to receive and hold in trust for
.he African Methodist Episcopal Church,
and convey the same for the uses and ob¬
jects herein declared. All indentures for
the conveyance of property of the Board
of Church Extension shall be on order of
the Executive Board, and executed by the
president and corresponding secretary, with
the seal of the Department.
Article 10.
All applications for aid shall set forth:
i. A description of the building for which
aid is asked. 2. The estimate and probable
cost* when completed. 3. The amount of
cash and reliable subscriptions on hand. 4.
The nature of the title, its validity, whether
held in trust for the African Methodist
Episcopal Church. 5. The names of the
members of the Board of Trustees. 6. Any
additional facts that may be deemed nec¬
essary or useful to the board in making
a decision. In no case shall a loan be made
except on first mortgage, and that at not
more than 50 per cent, of the actual market
CHURCH EXTENSION SOCIETY.
value of the property; provided, however,
that a mortgage may be taken on good
property at 50 per cent, of its value above
first mortgage.
Article 11.
The Board of Church Extension shall—•
through its Corresponding Secretary—give
reasonable notice to all debtor churches, of
all principal and accrued interest due the
Board, and in case of neglect or failure of
said churches to pay, after proper notice,
the Board shall proceed to collect by due
process of law.
Every loan of one hundred dollars
($100) or upwards, to church or school,
shall be secured to the Board of Church
Extension by a bond duly executed by the
trustees and pastor, and a mortgage upon
the property.
In all cases of donation, the proper offi¬
cers shall be required to sign a bond, pro¬
viding and agreeing, that in case of dis¬
satisfaction and withdrawal from the A.
M. E. Church, the said donation shall be¬
come a bona fide claim against the church,
and collectable by law.
Article 12.
(1) Each Annual Conference shall elect
374 CHURCH EXTENSION SOCIETY.
Conference Board of Church Exten¬
sion, composed of four ministers and
one layman to be elected by the An¬
nual Conference. The Presiding Bishop
shall be president ex-officio. The board
shall elect a vice president, a secretary and
treasurer. These officers shall constitute
the Executive Committee of the Confer¬
ence Board of Church Extension.
The Conference" Board shall be amenable
and auxiliary to the Board of Church Ex¬
tension of the A. M. E. Church.
(2) The Conference Board of Church
Extension shall pass upon all applications
for aid, made by churches within their con¬
ference,, to the Board of Church Extension
-of the A. M. E. Church, when duly en¬
dorsed by the Presiding Elders from within
whose districts they come.
(3) The Conference Board of Church
Extension shall receive quarterly reports
•endorsed by the Presiding Elders from
the churches within their limits, that are in
debt to the general Board of Church Ex¬
tension of the A. M. E. Church. Any pas¬
tor whose church is a beneficiary of the
Board of Church Extension of the A. M.
E. Church, failing to report quarterly, shall
be deemed guilty of neglect of duty, and be
CHURCH EXTENSION SOCIETY. 375
dealt with as in other cases of neglect or
failure of duty.
(5) The Conference Board of Church
Extension shall, through its secretary, sub¬
mit a report to the Annual Conference and
to the Corresponding Secretary of the gen¬
eral Board of Church Extension, as to the
mortgaged indebtedness of the churches
within the Annual Conference, and the gen¬
eral condition of its work.
Article 13.
It shall be the duty of the Bishops, Pre¬
siding Elders and Pastors to. bring the sub-
ect of church extension before the Annual
Conferences, District Conferences, Quarter¬
ly Conferences, and churches, and see to it
that the most efficient plans are adopted for
raising the amounts apportioned to the
charges respectively.
Article 14.
At the Annual Conference the Bishop
shall call for the report of the conference
board, in the regular order of conference
proceedings, and devote one evening to a
Church Extension Anniversary, when ad¬
dresses shall be delivered on the work and
service of the Church Extension Society,
and a collection lifted for the African
Church Extension Fund.
376 CHURCH EXTENSION SOCIETY.
Article 15.
There shall be a Woman's Auxiliary
Church Extension Society organized in all
our churches and Sunday Schools, which
shall be auxiliary and amenable to the Con¬
ference Board of Church Extension.
Article 16.
The Corresponding Secretary of the
Church Extension Society shall give bond
and security in a sum not less than two
thousand dollars, ($2,000). His salary
shall be thirteen hundred and fifty dollars
($r»35o) per year.
THE LAW AS AMENDED I904.
i. Responsibility of Annual Conferences.
1. Annual conferences are responsible for
the interest due on all loans within their
respective territories. Where churches fail
to pay, as obligated, the Annual Conference
must settle the claim out of any funds not
otherwise appropriated; in case of all loans
made after May, 1904.
2. The Conference Board of Church Ex¬
tension consists of five members, elected
by the annual conferences (one to be a
layman).
3. The Woman's Department sfeall be
church extension society. 377
organized in all churches indebted to the
department, and in all churches desiring
loans.
2. The Donation Fund.
1. Children's Day money coming to this
department constitutes the donation fund,
to be applied to the aid o£ needy churches
in the territory in which it was collected ; on
proper application.
2. The work and operation of the Ex¬
tension Department is confined to the home
field. Aid given to foreign work must be
conducted through the Missionary Depart¬
ment, which department will be required to
give its note for all moneys advanced to it
by the Extension Department, and repay
the same when due.
A. C. E. LEAGUE.
CHAPTER V.
The Allen Endeavor League.
We recommend the following law to
govern the Allen Christian Endeavor:
preamble and constitution.
Whereas, We see the great need of giv¬
ing closer attention to the religious and
moral training of the young people of our
Church, and
Whereas, We believe that the dostrines
and polity of the: African Methodist Epigf-
copal Church should be the basis of relig¬
ious instruction and church training for the
young people of our Church, therefore be
it
Resolved, That this General Conference
does hereby ordain and establish a Young
People's Department and the following
shall be the constitution thereof:
Article I. Name.
The name of this organization shall be
the Allen Christian Endeavor League of
the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
A. C. E. LEAGUE.
379'
Article 2. Objects.
The objects of the organization are:
1. To promote intelligent and practical
Christian living among the young people
and friends of the Church.
2. To train them in proper methods of
Christian work and helpfulness, both for
the support of the Church and relief of the
needy.
3. To strengthen and purify the social
life of our young people, and to make them
an uplifting force in all departments of
life.
Article 3. Officers.
Section 1. The general management of
this organization shall be in the hands of
a Corresponding Secretary elected by the
General Conference and a Board of Con¬
trol consisting of seven members to be ap¬
pointed by the Bishops.
Sec. 2. The duties of the Corresponding
Secretary shall be to try to establish and
maintain the League in every Church in
the connection and to promulgate the gen¬
eral principles of the League among the
young. To do this, he shall devote his
time to canvassing the Church and to the
publishing and circulation of such literature
as may be deemed proper for the carrying
A. C. E. LEAGUE.
out of the objects of the league.
He shall receive all moneys collected
for the support of the department; giving
receipts therefore, and shall keep a careful
account of all finanees passing through the
department, whether by contribution or
from the sale of literature. He shall render
an account of the same to the Board of
Control at its regular meeting.
~ In conjunction with the President he shall
call special meetings of the Board of Con¬
trol whenever they may think it necessary.
Sec. 3. The salary of the Corresponding
Secretary shall be $1,350 per annum, which
shall be paid by the financial department •
Sec. 4. The Board of Control shall be
presided over by one of the Bishops -elected
by the Bishops' Council.
The Board shall meet biennially and one-
third of the members shall constitute a
quorum, after due notice has been given to
all members.
-The Board shall exercise careful super¬
vision over the work of the League, devise
ways and means for carrying out its ob¬
jects, endorse or reject all publications of
the League and see that nothing but the
purest religious literature is circulated
through the League.
A. C. E. LEAGUE.
381
The Board of Control shall ordain a
constitution for the governing of the local
leagues, and shall provide that all members
of the local leagues shall subscribe to the
following:
Pledge.
I will earnestly seek for myself the high¬
est New Testament standard of Christian
experience and living, and will do what I
can to help others attain to the same. I
will read the Bible and pray every day and
I will abstain from all those forms of
worldly amusements, forbidden by the
Discipline of the African Methodist Epis¬
copal Church. I will attend all the relig¬
ious meetings of the League and Church
unless hindered by some reason which I
can conscientiously give to my Lord and
Master, and will take some part aside from
singing in all the prayer and class meeting?.
Sec. 6. Unconverted persons may be ad¬
mitted as Associate Members by subscrib¬
ing to the following:
Associate Members' Pledge.
Believing in the Bible as the Word of
God and the principles of Christianity, when
practiced, as promoting the highest interest
of all mankind, I will endeavor to lead a
382
A. C. E. LEAGUE.
moral life consistent with my association
with the members of this League, and will
do all I can to promote the interests of the
League. ■
Article 4. Conventions.
The Board of Control and Secretary shall
arrange for annual or biennial conventions
of the young people of the entire Church,
and encourage the holding of State Conven¬
tions whenever practicable.
Article 5. Conference Superintendent.
The Bishop of each district shall appoint
in each State a brother of high Christian
character, intelligence and loyalty as State
Superintendent of Leagues.
The Superintendent shall be the repre¬
sentative of the Corresponding Secretary,
and all business of the Leagues at the An¬
nual Conference shall be transacted through
him in the absence of the Secretary. He
shall organize Leagues and render all the
assistance possible in the circulation of
League literature. He shall hold conven¬
tions in his State with the co-operation of
the Corresponding Secretary and he shall
keep th,e latter posted on the doings and
the status of the League in his State.
Article 6. Finances.
To maintain the work of the Allen Chris-
A. C. E. LEAGUE.
383
tian Endeavor League each local League
shall be required to forward to the Cor¬
responding Secretary, during the month of
May of each year, a sum equal to ten cents
per capita of its membership.
The pastor of each church shall see that
the same is forwarded promptly and he
shall report the same at the Annual Con¬
ference in answer to the quesiton, "How
much for Allen Christian Endeavor
League ?"
Article 7.
Our pastors in all our Churches shall see
that the Christian Endeavor or similar
young people's societies now existing there¬
in, shall be transformed into Allen Chris¬
tian Endeavor Leagues as soon as practi¬
cable.
PART X.
TEMPORAL ECONOMY.
I. Financ-ial Department.
II. Support of Itinerant Preachers.
III. Connectional Preachers Aid.
IV. Articles of Incorporation of the
• A. M. E. Church.
V. Church Property.
VI. Trustees of Church Property.
VII. Church Stewards.
VIII. Special Declaration.
386 financial department.
CHAPTER I.
Financial Department.
Question i. What shall be done to build
up the financial interests of our Church?
Answer.* We do hereby establish a
Church Treasury.
i. Collection.
dollar money law as amended, 1908.
1. It shall be the duty of every minister
holding- charge in the African Methodist
Episcopal Church to collect the sum of one
dollar, from or for, each member of his
church or churches for the maintenance of
the Church Treasury.
2. Should any minister having a charge
fail to raise the above collection, or a fair
proportion of it during the conference
year, according to the number of member¬
ship reported by him to the conference (the
number to be certified to by the "Quarterly
Conference next preceding the sitting of the
Annual Conference) it shall be the duty of
the Bishop and Conference to refer the mat-
FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT. 387
ter to the Committee on Dollar Money for
inquiry.
3. If on examination, they find that the
said minister has wilfully refused or wil¬
fully neglected his duty in raising the col¬
lection, he shall, upon vote of the Confer¬
ence, be reproved by the Bishop for the
first offense, and if he refuse or neglect a
second time, he shall upon the vote of the
Conference, be suspended or dismissed
from the itinerant work. This paragraph
shall be strictly enforced.
'4. It shall be the duty of the Bishops and
the ministers to use the greatest possible
diligence in collecting the money thus ask¬
ed for.
The columns of all our connectional pa¬
pers shall be always open to the interests
of the Church treasury.
2. Duties of the Financial Secretary.
1. The Financial Secretary shall publish
the appropriations item by item, for the
information of the conferences and the
whole Church.
2. The Finincial Secretary shall open an
account in some safe and reliable bank or
banks, where he shall deposit all moneys
not otherwise provided for. His books, pa-
3B8 FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT.
pers and bank account shall always be
open to the inspection of the Bishops and
also of the traveling preachers.
3. He shall keep the Bishops and all the
traveling preachers informed of the state
and condition of the treasury, and shall ad-
vi'se them, if necessary, to use more dili¬
gence to secure the success of our financial
interests.
4. He shall give bond in the amount of
ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for the
faithful performance of his duty.
5. The Financial Secretary is authorized
to visit the Annual Conferences on invita¬
tion of tie Presiding Bishops, by the direc¬
tion of the Financial Board, or in case of
special business.
3. General Board of Managers.
1. There shall be a Board of Managers
for the Church Treasury, consisting of the
Financial Secretary, 12 itinerant Elders and
2 laymen, who shall be elected by the Gen¬
eral Conference, and shall serve for four
years, unless removed by death, resignation
or otherwise. No person shall be a mem¬
ber of the board to whom the connection is
indebted. The Board shall present through
the Financial Secretary, a printed report
FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT. 389
annually, to each Annual Conference in
the connection, of all its proceedings, and
also a similar quadrennial report to the
General Conference.
2. The Board of Managers shall elect its
own vice chairman.
3. The Board of Managers shall hold its
meetings on the third Wednesday in April
in each year, and eight members shall con¬
stitute a quorum for the transaction of
business, after due notice having been given
to all members. In the absence of the
President the Board shall elect a chairman
pro tem.
4. At their meeting the Board of Man¬
agers shall consider all the claims upon
the Treasury provided by law, and shall
make appropriations for the same. The
appropriations shall be on the pro rata
basis.
5. The Board of Managers shall have
power to remove an inefficient or otherwise
disqualified Financial Secretary, when it is
clearly necessary for the best interest of the
Church, provided an immediate investiga¬
tion be had in all such cases, as required
by our Discipline in like cases, as applied
to traveling preachers.
6. The Board of Managers, together with
390 FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT.
the Council of Bishops, shall fill all vacan¬
cies which may occur ir> the Board during
the interval of the General Conferences, in
the following manner. The Bishop of the
district in which said vacancy occurs shall
nominate some one of the same grade in the
Church to fill said vacancy. If the Council
of Bishops, or a majority of them, agree to
said nomination, then the name shall be sent
to the Financial Secretary, who shall report
the same to the Financial Board.
7. The Board shall have power to ap¬
point an Executive Committee of its mem¬
bers, which, in cases of emergency, may
meet at the request of the Financial Secre¬
tary or call of the President, and transact
such business as the case requires.
8. The Board of Managers shall audit
the Secretary's accounts, and advise the
disbursement of all moneys not regularly
provided for.
4. The Dollar Money at Conferences.
1. All Dollar Money collected in the in¬
terval of the Annual Conference sessions
shall be sent immediately to the Financial
Secretary by the pastors so collecting; and
all Dollar Money so collected and brought
to the Annual Conference shall be turned
FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT.
over to the Finance Committee of the Con¬
ference, whose duty it shall be to ascertain
the amount forwarded to the Secretary, in
the interval (the same to be determined by
the receipts of the Secretary, or such other
evidence as shall be conclusive) together
with the amount returned to the Confer¬
ence. Having thus ascertained the exact
amount of Dollar Money, the chairman of
the committee shall report the same in open
Conference, when the Conference Finance
Committee shall transmit immediately an
official statement of the total amount of
Dollar Money collected by the said Confer¬
ence, to the Financial Secretary, the same
to be certified by the presiding Bishop.
2. It shall be the duty of the Dollar
Money committee to make the division of
the said Dollar Money as follows: Forty-
six per cent, to the Financial Secretary,
ten per cent, to the Secretary of Church
Extension Society, eight per cent, to the
Secretary of Education, and thirty-six per
cent, to the Conference Finance Committee;
which division shall be the law governing
the distribution of the Dollar Money by the
Annual Conferences of the A. M. E.
Church. The Annual Conference Finance
Committee shall forward to the Secretaries.
392 FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT.
of the aforementioned departments, imme¬
diately after the division of the Dollar
Money has been made, the amounts due
their several departments, retaining in its
possession the amount belonging1 to the
Cohference, to be appropriated as per Disci¬
pline. No part of the Dollar Money due
the several departments shall be paid to any
person or persons by the Conference Fi¬
nance Committee, except upon a written
order, signed by the Secretary and bearing
stamp or official seal of the department for
which the money is intended.
3. Each Annual Conference shall retain
of the Dollar Money collected within its
bounds, thirty-six per cent., and shall ap¬
propriate the same to assist the widows
and orphans of itinerant preachers,the super¬
annuated preachers,and those preachers who
have not received their allowance. The
amount thus retained shall be reported to
the Financial Secretary. The whole shall be
distributed according to the law of distri¬
bution passed by the General Conference.
5. Uses of the Dollar Money.
1. The money collected under the provi¬
sions of this section shall be used for the
following purposes:
FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT.
Ji) For the support of effective and in¬
effective Bishops.
(2) For the salaries of general officers
hereafter named in this chapter.
(3) To aid the Publication Department.
(4) To aid our needy colleges.
(5) To aid the cause of missions.
(6) For the relief of widows and or¬
phans of ministers and Bishops.
(7) To aid the Church Extension So¬
ciety.
(8) The balance shall constitute a char¬
tered fund, the interest of which shall be
used for the support of superannuated
Bishops, and preachers, and widows, and
orphans of Bishops and itinerant preachers,
6. The Support of Bishops.
Question 2. Should any provision be
made for the better support of the Bishops ?
Answer 1. In order that the Bishops
should be untrammeled in their work, each
one should have a competent support.
2. The Episcopal Committee of the Gen¬
eral Conference, during the sitting thereof
shall consult/ with each of the Bishops, and
make an estimate of the amount necessary
for their comfort and support, and report
the same to the next meeting of the Finan-
394 FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT.
cial Board, which shall pay the same month¬
ly, or as nearly as possible. The amount
.shall not exceed two thousand dollars
($2,000) per annum as salary, and five
hundred dollars ($500) for residence and
■expense of travel to hold conferences.
3. The general traveling expenses of Bish¬
ops shall be paid by the churches which they
visit; each church paying a Bishop's ex¬
penses to the next church to be visited. The
pastors shall report this money to the An¬
nual Conference. The expenses of Bishops'
travel to hold Annual Conferences, and to
foreign countries in the direct interest of
the church shall be paid by the Financial
Department; special allowance being made
for travel to hold the California and Puget
-Sound Conferences.
Provided, that the traveling expenses of
the Bishops appointed to preside over the
work in the West Indies, West Africa and
South Africa shall not be paid more than
once during the quadrennium from the
Financial or Missionary Department. The
Board of Managers in all such cases are
hereby authorized to solicit, if it be neces¬
sary, contributions from our churches to
aid, in defraying such traveling expenses
of the Bishop.
FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT. 395
4. The traveling expenses of the Presid¬
ing Bishop of any given board only, shall
be paid by the department over which he
presides annually, together with the ex¬
penses of the members who constitute said
board.
7. Support of General Officers.
Question 3. How shall we provide for
"the support of the general officers ?
Answer 1. The following named officers
shall receive their salary from the Financial
Secretary out of the general treasury of the
Church as follows, to wit:
Financial Secretary $1500
Missionary Secretary 1350
Managing Editor Christian Recorder 1350
Managing Editor A. M. E. Church Review.. 1350
Managing Editor South'11 Christian Recorder 1350
Managing Editor West'n Christian Recorder 1350
Secretary of Education 1350
Secretary of Allen C. E. League 135°
2. The following named officers shall re¬
ceive their salary from their respective de¬
partments as follows, to wit:
Secretary of Sunday School Union $135°
Secretary of Church Extension 135°
General 3usiness Manager.. ^ 135°
Secretary of Preachers' Aid and Peoples
Benefit Associations I3S°
3. The traveling expenses of the several
39^ FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT.
general officers shall be on the basis of rigid
economy.
8. Superannuated Preachers.
Question 4. What provision do we make
for our worn out itinerant preachers.
Answer 1. A preacher who has main¬
tained a good and regular standing in our
itinerancy for five years, on being super¬
annuated shall receive $35 per year.
2. A preacher who has maintained a good
and regular standing in our itinerancy more
than five years, and less than ten years, on
being superannuated shall receive $75 per
year.
3. A preacher who has maintained a
good and regular standing in our itinerancy
more than ten years and less than fifteen
years, shall receive $150 per year.
4. A preacher who has maintained a good
and regular standing in our itinerancy more
than fifteen years and less than twenty
years, on being superannuated shall receive
$200 per year.
5. A preacher who has maintained a good
and regular standing in our itinerancy more
than twenty years shall receive $250 per
year.
FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT. 397
9. Widows and Orphans of Traveling
Ministers.
The widow of a traveling- preacher (active
or superannuated) shall receive $75 per
year, and each of his children under four¬
teen years of age shall receive $20 per year.
10. Priority of Claims.
1. All proper allowances and claims of
superannuated preachers, and widows and
orphans of preachers shall have priority
over all other claims on the conference thir¬
ty-six per cent, fund of the dollar money.
2. Should the thirty-six per cent, fund be
insufficient the conference shall provide se-'
curity for the payment of the same.
3. The provisions of this paragraph shall
not take effect until the condition of the
treasury, in the judgment of the Financial
Board, shall warrant it.
11. Support of Ineffective Bishops.
Question 5. What shall we do to support
our worn out Bishops?
Answer. We do hereby settle an annuity
on each and every one of our Bishops, who
may become unable to perform their official
duty, the sum of twelve hundred dollars
($1,200) annually, to be paid monthly dur-
39^ FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT.
ing the period of their natural life, by the
Financial Secretary, out of the general
treasury, in the same manner as the other
Bishops and general officers are paid.
12. The Widows and Orphans of Bishops.
Question 6. What shall we do for the
support of widows and orphans of Bishops?
Answer. The Financial Secretary shall
pay twenty-five dollars per month to the
widow of a Bishop so long as she re¬
mains in a state of widowhood, and in
good standing in the A. M. E. Church, and
each of his children under fourteen years of
* age $20 per year . In case the widow should
die before the children cease to be wards of
the Church, the Financial Secretary shall
continue to pay $20 per year to each of the
children until they become fourteen years
of age.
13. Missionaries and Scholarships in Theo¬
logical Seminaries.
Question 7. How shall we assist our mis¬
sionaries in their work 'and our young peo¬
ple in their education?
Answer 1. The Board of Managers of
the Church treasury shall apportion such
amount of money to each Annual Confer-
FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT.
ence as the state of the treasury will war¬
rant.
2. The Financial Secretary shall receive
from each Annual Conferences the amount
apportioned by the percentage and keep an
account of the same in a book for that
purpose.
3. Each Annual Conference shall dis¬
burse its own money within its bounds.
Should there be a balance after disburse¬
ment, it shall be sent to the Financial Secre¬
tary who shall place it to the credit of the
Chartered Fund.
4. The Board of Managers of the Church-
treasury shall endow scholarships in the
Theological Seminaries with as much cel¬
erity as is compatible with the condition of
the treasury; provided, however, that they
shall endow at least one scholarship each
year. The scholarships so endowed shall
be known as the African Methodist Episco¬
pal Scholarships. They shall be used for
the purpose of preparing young men for
the ministry of the African Methodist Epis¬
copal Church, and also for the purpose of
preparing young women to labor in the
Missionary Department of our Church..
These scholarships shall be under the con¬
current direction of the Financial Secretary
40O FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT.
and the Deans of the Theological semi¬
naries.
5. The salary of the Deans of Payne
Theological Seminary, Turner Theological
Seminary and the Theological School at
Columbia shall be $1,000 each; and of those
at Waco, Kittrell, Quindaro, Argenta, Sel-
ma and Jackson $800 each per year, to be
paid by the Financial Department; provided
these schools are duly organized and oper¬
ative.
14. Priority of Claims.
The Financial Secretary shall pay all sal¬
aries first, then the Financial Board shall
make all appropriations not authorized by
the General Conference. But all appro¬
priations of the General Conference shall be
paid as the state of the treasury will war¬
rant.
15. Protection of General Funds.
All moneys collected both in churches and
Sunday Schools as Dollar Money, or on our
connectional days, to wit: Easter Day, Edu¬
cational Day or Children's Day shall be
sacredly applied to the object for which
they were collected, or for which the day
was set apart by the Church; and no church
FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT. 4OI
officer, Sunday School officer, pastor, Pre¬
siding Elder or Bishop shall divert or use
the said moneys otherwise. Any person so
offending shall, upon conviction, be censur¬
ed or suspended from official standing.
The General Conference passed the fol¬
lowing : It shall be lawful for an Annual
Conference to bear the expense of a visiting
Bishop.
402
preachers' salary.
CHAPTER II.
Support of Itinerant Preachers,
i. Presiding Elders' Salary.
A Presiding Elder's salary shall be
$1,200 per year, and this salary shall be ap¬
portioned in the district according to the
number of members in each charge. A
committee to make this apportionment
should be appointed at the Annual Confer¬
ence, and the Presiding Elder shall be an
advisory member ofvt. The apportionment
made to each circuit, station and mission
shall be submitted to the Annual Confer¬
ence and published in the minutes.
Each pastor shall collect the apportion¬
ment of his charge before Quarterly Con¬
ference, and have it for the Presiding Elder
when he comes, that he may be unincumber¬
ed in laboring at the Quarterly Meeting
preaching, inviting persons to join the
■church, raising the conference funds, and
<loing all in his power to build up the
church and help the pastor. In case of fail¬
ure of a pastor to collect the Presiding El¬
mer's allowance hS shall receive the same
preachers' salary.
403.
from any or all moneys collected during" his
Quarterly Meeting. All deficiencies of the
Presiding Elder's support shall be raised
by extra collections in his district ordered
by the Annual Conference to be collected,
after its session, at those circuits and sta¬
tions which have failed to pay their appor¬
tionment.
2. Support of Pastors.
The salary of a married traveling preach¬
er shall be five hundred dollars each con¬
ference year, or any greater sum the charge
is able to pay, and board for himself, wife
and children under fourteen years of age,
and his house rent, fuel and traveling ex¬
penses.
The salary of an unmarried travelings
preacher shall be two hundred and fifty dol¬
lars per conference year, or any greater
sum the charge is able to pay, and his board
and traveling expenses. The pastor's sup¬
port shall be paid by the church or churches
he may serve. Should his wife die he shall
have the same as if he were married, for the
support of his children, if he have any.
4°4
C. P. A. ASSOCIATION.
CHAPTER III.
I. CONNECTIONAL PREACHERS' AlD ASSO¬
CIATION.
ADDRESS.
It is the sacred duty of every man to provide
for those who are dependent upon him while he
lives, and to so plan and arrange his business af¬
fairs that even after his death they may have a
practical independence, and not suffer for the
necessaries of life. There is possibly no class of
men who feel more the need of making such a
plan than the Methodist itinerant preachers, with
less means of accomplishing it. It is only by the
most prudent and economical methods that we are
able to meet our present needs, and after we
have met all the requirements that .our calling
demands, if we find ourselves square with the
world, we have done well.
We have no money to invest, or time to watch
it, if we had; cQnsequently our only income is our
salaries, which vary largely from year to year,
and we can hardly save enough to bury us when
we die; and our wives and children, who have
never faced the world before, are left with a pit¬
tance, and life becomes a burden to them.
Life insurance is expensive, with many attend¬
ing risks. -Comparatively few of our ministers
are able to keep up a regular life insurance policy,
and the majority, while knowing the necessity of
c. p. a. association. 405
providing for their loved ones, are unable from a
financial standpoint to do so.
It is our opinion that the African Methodist
Episcopal Church has reached that place in her
history where every itinerant preacher in her
ranks can and should make such arrangements for
his own family after his death, and help his broth¬
er in making arrangements for his.
Therefore, after careful and prayerful consid¬
eration of the subject, we now submit to the con¬
ferences of the African Methodist Episcopal Con¬
nection the plan which we trust will be adopted.
Connectional Preachers' Aid Society and
Mutual Relief Association with annex and
the Sons and Daughters of Allen.
AMENDMENTS.
Article 1.
We organize a Connectional Preachers'
Aid and Mutual Relief Society to be known
as the Connectional Preachers' Aid and Mu¬
tual Relief Association, Women's Annex
and Sons and Daughters of Allen.
Article 2.
Ministers and members of good and regu¬
lar standing in the A. M. E. Church shall
be eligible to membership in this Associa¬
tion by members paying $1.00 joining fee.
Ministers (A. $5-5°) ^ve dollars and
fifty cents. The same annual dues.
406 c. p. a. association.
(B. $10.50) ten dollars and fifty cents.
The same annual dues.
(C. $25.50) twenty-five dollars and fifty
cents. Sons and Daughters of Allen, $1.20
and $3.00 annual dues with no assessment
at death.
3. The Condition of Membership.
Committeemen.
Upon the death of a member of Class A,
lie or she shall receive ($100.00) one hun¬
dred dollars for the first year; B. ($200.00)
two hundred dollars for the first year; C.
($500.00) five hundred dollars for the first
year. The Sons and Daughters of Allen a
sick benefit of eight dollars per month and
twenty-five dollars additional at death. And
Juveniles 75 cents weekly sick benefits and
($15.00) fifteen dollars at death.
As this Society is mutual and benevolent,
the only requirements to receive these bene¬
fits is good faith, duty and Christian living.
Article 4.
All certificates of death must have the
signature of the Bishop, Presiding Elder or
Pastor of the Deceased.
Article 5.
In consideration of the payments of the
sums named in Article 2 of this Consti-
C. P. A. ASSOCIATION. 407
tution, any minister in good and regular
standing in the A. M. E. Church, his wife
or any member of his family who furnishes
a certificate of good health and it is ac¬
cepted by the Association, may become a
member of Class A, B or C, and this As¬
sociation agrees to pay the heirs or assigns
of said members sixty days after death the
sums of one, two or five hundred dollars,
according to the class to which said mem¬
ber belonged at death. After three years
will pay the full amount. Class A first
year, $100.00; second year, $200.00; third
year, $300.00. * Class B, double that of
Class A. Class C, first year, $500.00; sec¬
ond year, $750.00; third year, $1,000.
(A.) The Death Claims under this agree¬
ment shall be paid within sixty days after
satisfactory proof of death has reached the
office of General Secretary.
Article 6.
Any member of the A. M. E. Church or
Sabbath School scholar in good and regu¬
lar standing may become a member of a
local Society, to be known as the Sons and
Daughters of Allen, organized under the
charter of this Association in any of our
local churches.
The General Secretary of this Associa-
4o8 c. p. a. association.
tion, his agent or the Pastor in charge, shall
act as Organizer for the Sons and Daugh¬
ters-of Allen. And all persons qualified as
above described between the ages of four
and sixty years are eligible to membership
in the Sons and Daughters of Allen. Per¬
sons over fourteen years of age must pay
One Dollar joining fee and 25 cents monthly
dues, which will entitle said person to Two
Dollars per week sick benefits and a Twenty-
five Dollar death claim. Persons under
fourteen years of age must pay 25 cents
joining fees and 10 cents monthly dues and
receive 75 cents a week sick benefits and
Fifteen Dollars ($15.00) death claims. All
persons under 14 years shall be organized
in a separate branch, known as the Juve¬
niles.
The Sons and Daughters of Allen shall
be under the direct supervision of the pas¬
tor of the church and hold its meetings in
said church.
Article 7.
The connectional Preachers Aid Asso¬
ciation further agrees that any minister who
has been a member of said association for
fifteen consecutive years and has become
disabled physically to perform his minister¬
ial duties, shall receive a pension of five dol-
C. A. ASSOCIATION.
lars a month until the full amount of his
death claim has been exhausted and should
he die before it is exhausted it will pay the
remainder to his heirs or assigns.
2. Incorporation.
The association was incorporated at Bal¬
timore, Md., October 7, 1897. As fol¬
lows :
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS
That We, James A. Handy, John T. Jenifer,
John W. Beckett, Daniel G. Hill and John H.
Collett, all residing in the city of Baltimore and
State of Maryland, being citizens of the United
States, and a majority of us being citizens of the
State of Maryland, do hereby certify that we do,
under and bv virtue of the General Laws of this
State authorizing the formation of corporations,
hereby form a corporation under the name of the
Connectional Preachers' Aid and Mutual Relief
Association of the African Methodist Episcopal
Church of Baltimore City.
2. We do further certify that the said corpora¬
tion so formed is a corporation for the purpose of
aiding the widows and orphans of deceased itin¬
erant preachers of the African Methodist Episco¬
pal Church, that the term of existence of the said
corporation is limited to forty years, and that the
said corporation is formed upon the articles, con¬
ditions and provisions herein expressed, and sub-
4io c. p. a. association.
ject in all particulars to the limitations relating to
corporations which are contained in the General
Laws- of this State.
.3. We do further certify that the operations of
the said corporation are to be carried on in the
State of Maryland aforesaid, and that the prin¬
cipal office of the said corporation will be located
in Baltimore City aforesaid.
4. We do further certify that there is ho capi¬
tal stock of the said corporation.
5. We do further certify that the said corpora¬
tion will be managed by eleven directors, and
that John M. Palmer, John W. Beckett, D. F.
Galiman, R. C. Ransom, O. J. W. Scott, William
F. Flagg, A. J. Carey, R. C. Holbrook, J. N.
Abby, P. C. Hunt and John Pointer, are the names
of the directors who will manage the concerns of
the said corporation for the first year.
In witness whereof we have hereunto set our
hands and seals this seventh day of October, in
the year 1897:'
Test as t& all:
A. M. PROSSER.
JAMES A. HANDY.
JOHN T. JENIFER. '
TO'HN W. BECKETT.
DANIEL G. HILL.
JOHN H. COLLETT.
Stale of Maryland, Baltimore City, to Wit:
L hereby certify ±hat on this seventh day of
October, in the year 1897, before me, the sub¬
scriber, a Justice of the Peace for the State
of Maryland, in and for Baltimore City afore¬
said, personally appeared James A. Handy,
John T. Jenifer, John W. Beckett, Daniel G.
(Seal)
(Seal)
(Seal)
(Seal)
(Seal)
C. P. A. ASSOCIATION. 4II
Hill and John H Collett, and did severally
acknowledge to the foregoing certificate to be
their act and deed.
A. M. PROSSER, J. P.
I, John J. Dobler, one of the Judges of the Su¬
preme Bench of Baltimore City, do hereby
certify that the foregoing certificate has been
submitted to me for examination; and I do
further certify that the said certificate is in
conformity with the provisions of the law au¬
thorizing the formation of corporations.
JOHN J. DOBLER.
Received lor Record October 23 1S97, at 12 o'clock
M., the same day recorded in Liber R. O., 36,
Folio 89; one of the Charter Records of Bal¬
timore City, and examined.
Per ROBERT OGLE.
The association was organized into Con-
nectional form under its charter at Balti¬
more, Md., October 27, 1897.
3. The Allen League for Laymen.
1. With a veiw to saving health, time
and expenses to the members of the local
churches, good attention when sick and
proper burial when dead, as well as to
strengthen their fealty and co-operation
with their church, we recommend that all _
pastors of the A. M. E. Church wherever
it is found possible, shall organize their
members into a sick and death benefit so-
412 C. P. A. ASSOCIATION.
ciety to be known as the Sons and Daugh¬
ter^ of Allen.
2. The Secretary of the Connectional
Preachers Aid and Mutual Relief Associa¬
tion shall prepare and issue charters and
constitutions for said societies.
3. The Board of Directors recommend to
the General Conference the adoption of
the Connectional Preachers Aid Associa¬
tion as a general department of connection¬
al work of the A. M. E. Church under such
regulations as it may see fit to enact and
to elect a secretary whose duty it shall be
to devote his entire time to the work.
4. Rules Governing the Conference Com¬
mitteemen.
1. It shall be the right of each and every
Annual Conference to elect annually one
committeemen, as per Constitution (Article
5), who shall, under the advice of the Sec¬
retary of the association, act in his Confer¬
ence in the interest of the association; and
shall be furnished by the General Secretary
with all the necessary information and lit¬
erature.
2. All applications for membership must
be filed as per furnished blank, signed by
the applicant, and all moneys sent direct to
the General Secretary.
C. P. A. ASSOCIATION. 4I3,
3. Reports from the Secretary shall be
made to the Annual Secretary as to the
condition of the association, through the
committee man, in the absence of the Gen¬
eral Secretary.
4. The bond of the Secretary shall be
two thousand dollars ($2000).
5. The running expenses of the associa¬
tion shall be paid out of the membership
fees and annual dues, but the assessments
shall be devoted exclusively to meeting
death claims.
6. The meetings of the Board of Direc¬
tors shall be annually in May unless emer¬
gencies demand an extra meeting. A ma-
ority of Directors when regularly called
shall constitute a quorum.
7. The forms for membership certi¬
ficates, assessment calls, and application
blanks shall be prepared by the Secretary
and approved by the Board.
8. The membership certificates must be
signed by the President and countersigned
by the Secretary.
CHAPTER IV.
Articles of Incorporation of the A.
M. E. Church.
It is hereby certified that at a regular session
of the General Conference of the African Metho¬
dist Episcopal Church, begun and held on the 7th
■day of May, A. D. 1900, at the city of Columbus,
Ohio, the following named persons, to wit: Ben¬
jamin W. Arnett, Wesley J. Gaines, Benjamin F.
Lee, Moses B. Salter, Joshua H. Jones, Richmond
H. W. Leak, Green El Taylor, William D. Chap-
pelle, William S. Scarborough, Nelson T. Gant, all
•of whom are members of said denomination, and
of whom Benjamin W. Arnett, Benjamin F. Lee,
William S. Scarborough, Nelson T. Gant and
Joshua H. Jones are resident freeholders, of this
State, were duly elected Trustees for four years
■of the Endowment of other funds now on hand
or to be acquired, by said Church, or Board of
Trustees, for religious, educational, missionary,
benevolent or other uses and purposes of said
•Church, to take charge of, hold, manage, rent,
lease, improve, sell or otherwise dispose of all real
•estate belonging to or which may be acquired by
said Church or said Board for the use and benefit
of said Church, subject to such regulations as the
General Conference may from time to time pre¬
scribe; and in like manner to take charge of all
grants, gifts, donations, devises, legacies, bequests
or trusts made to or in favor of said Church, or
INCORPORATION.
415
said Board of Trustees for its use, and to hold,
control, manage and invest same for the benefit
of said Church ; also to receive and administer
any special societies now existing under the au¬
thority or by the Sanction of said General Con¬
ference.
Said Board of Trustees shall consist of four
Bishops, four Ministers, and four laymen, of
whom four shall be appointed by the General Con¬
ference at each quadrennial session, and hold
office till their successors have been duly appoint¬
ed; which Board shall be known under the style
of "The Trustees of the African Methodist Epis¬
copal Church"; and its principal place of business
is fixed at Wilberforce, Greene County, Ohio.
Vacancies in said Board of Trustees occurring
more than six months before the session of the
General Conference, shall be filled by the Bishops,
and the persons so appointed shall hold office un¬
til the next session of the General Conference,
when their places shall be filled as hereinbefore
provided.
Said Board of Trustees shall have power to
adopt by-laws for the transaction and regulation
of its business, and to appoint the necessary of¬
ficers.
They shall make quadrennial Reports to the
General Conference and be amenable to that body
for the management of trusts confided to them.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, The Generat'Con-
ference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
has caused this Certificate to be executed by Moses
B. Salter, Presiding Bisnop, and Louis H. Rey¬
nolds, its Secretary, this 25th day of May, 1900.
LOUIS H. REYNOLDS.
416
INCORPORATION.
State of Ohio, Greene Lounty, ss:
Before me, a Nbtary Public in and for said
County, personally appeared the above named
Louis H. Reynolds and Moses B. Salter, who
each signed the foregoing certificate in my pres¬
ence and acknowledged tne same to be the free
act and deed of the said The African JVletnc diet
EpiscoDal Church, and their free act and deed as
such officers thereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto
set my hand and the official seal, this 31st day of
May, 1900.
(Seal) W. L. MILLER,
Notary Public, Greene County, Ohio.
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
State of Ohio,
Office of Secretary of State.
I, Charles Kinney, Secretary of the State of
Ohio, do hereby certify that the annexed instru¬
ment is an exemplified copy, carefully compared
by me with the original record now in my official
custody as Secretary of State, and found to be
true and correct, of the Articles of Incorporation!
of "The Trustees of the African Methodist Epis¬
copal Church."
Filed in this office on the 25th^iay of June, A.
D. 1900, and recorded in Volume 82, page 134, of
the Records of Incorporations.
WITNESS my hand and Official Seal at Co¬
lumbus, the 25th day of June, A. D. 1900.
CHARLES KINNEY,
Secretary of State.
church property.
417
CHAPTER V.
Church Property.
1. Property Deeds.
1. For the security of our meeting houses
and the premises belonging thereunto let the
following plan of a deed of settlement be
brought into effect in all possible cases
wherever the law will permit it in any State.
2. If necessary, each Annual Conference
may make such modifications in the deed as
may be required by the laws of any State,
so as to firmly secure the premises to the
African Methodist Episcopal Church.
3. It is necessary that all our deeds
should be recorded for legal as well as for
prudential reasons.
4. The incorporation of all our churches,
where the law will permit it, should be at¬
tended to as soon as possible. And in
every corporation of the A. M. E. Church
the pastor shall be president of the corpor¬
ation and of the Board of Trustees, and the
method of electing trustees shall be the
same as prescribed in the book of Discipline.
418 church property.
Every pastor shall see that this provision
is a part of the' articles of incorporation.
[form op deed.
This Indenture, made this day of
>, in the year of our Lord one thousand
hundred and , between of the
, in the State of , [if the grantor
be married, insert the name of his wife]
of the one part, and . -trustees, in trust
for the lise and purposes hereinafter men¬
tioned, 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 hafid
paid, at and upon the sealing and delivery
of these presents, the receipt whereof is
hereby acknowledged, hath—or have—
given, granted, bargained, sold, released,
confirmed, conveyed, and by these presents
doth [do] give, grant, bargain, sell, re¬
lease, confirm, and convey unto them the
said trustees and their successors, Itrustees
in trust for the uses and purposes herein¬
after mentioned and declared], all the es¬
tate, right, title, interest, property claim,
and demand whatsoever, either in law or
equity, which he, the said [if married
CHURCH PROPERTY.
419
here insert his wife's name], hath (or have)
in, to, or upon all and singular, a certain
lot or piece of land, situate, lying, and be¬
ing in the and State aforesaid, bounded
as follows to wit: Ihere 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 singular the houses, woods, water,
ways, privileges, and appurtenances there¬
to 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 being as aforesaid;
together with all and singular the houses,
woods, water ways, and privileges thereto
belonging, unto the said and their suc¬
cessors in office, forever in trust, that they
shall erect, or cause to be built thereon, a
house or place of worship, for the use of
the members of the African Methodist
Episcopal Church in the United States of
America, according to the rule and Disci¬
pline of said Church, which from time to
time may be adopted and agreed upon by
the ministers and preachers of the said
Church, at their General Conferences, in
the United States of America; and in fur¬
ther trust and confidence, that they shall
420
CHURCH PROPERTY.
at all times forever, hereafter, permit such
ministers and preachers belonging to said
Church, as shall from time to time be duly
authorized by the General Conferences of
the ministers and preachers of the said
African Methodist Episcopal Church, or by
Annual Conferences authorized by the said
Conferences.to preach and expound God's
holy word therein; and in further trust and
confidence, that as often as any one or
more trustees, hereinbefore mentioned, shall
die, or cease to be* a member or members
of said church, according to the rules and
it shall be the duty of the stationed minister
or preacher (authorized as aforesaid), who
shall have the pastoral charge of the mem¬
bers of said church, to call a meeting of the
members for the election of all the board,
or a part according to law, as soon as con¬
veniently may be; and when so met, the
said minister or preacher shall proceed to
nominate one or more persons to fill the
place or places of him or them whose office
or offices has—or have—been vacated as
aforesaid: Provided the person or persons
so nominated shall have been one year a
member or members of the said church im¬
mediately preceding such nomination, and
be at least twenty-one years of age; and
CHURCH PROPERTY.
421
the said members, so assembled, shall pro¬
ceed to elect, and by a majority of votes,
appoint the person or persons so nominat¬
ed, to fill such vacancy or vacancies, in order
to keep up the number of trustees forever ;
and in case of an equal number of votes for
and against the said nomination, the station¬
ed minister or preacher shall have the cast¬
ing vote.
Provided, nevertheless, That 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 responsi¬
ble for any sum or sums of money, on ac¬
count of said premises, 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
mortgage on the said premises, or by selling
the said premises, after notice given to the
pastor or preacher that has the oversight
of the congregation attending divine service
on the said premises, if the money due be
not paid to the said trustees, or their suc¬
cessors, after paying the debt, and other ex¬
penses which are due, from the money aris¬
ing from such sale, shall deposit the re¬
mainder of the money produced by the said
422
church property.
sale, in the hands of the steward or stewards
of the society belonging to or attending
_divme servise on said premises, which sur¬
plus or the proceeds of such sale, so deposit¬
ed in the hands of the said steward or
stewards, shall be at the disposal of the next
Annual Conference, authorized as aforesaid;
which said Annual Conference shall dispose
of the said money, according to the best of
their judgment, for the use of the said so¬
ciety.
And the said doth,-by these presents,
warrant and forever defend all and singular
the above mentioned and described lot or
piece of ground with the appurtenances
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 und
year aforesaid.
Sealed and delivered
in presence of us:
Grantor's [l.s.1
rr . His wife's [l s.l
1 wo imtnesses.
church property. 423
Received the day of the date of the above
written Indenture the consideration
therein mentioned in full.
Witnesses, Grantor's [l.s.I
County, ss.
Be it remembered, that 011 the day of
, in the year of our Lord, one thou¬
sand , personally appeared before
me, one of the Justices of the Peace, in the
county of and State of the
within name (the grantor, if mar¬
ried, insert the name of his wife), and ac¬
knowledged the within deed of trust to be
their act and deed, for the uses and pur¬
poses therein mentioned and declared; and
she, the said wife of the said
being- separate and apart from her, the said
husband, by me examined, declared
that she had made the said acknowledg¬
ment, freely and with her own consent, with¬
out being induced thereto through fear or
threats of her said husband.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the day and year
'first above written.
Here the Justice's name.
Note 1. Let all our churches be built
plainly and decently, but not more expen¬
sively than is absolutely unavoidable.
424 . CHURCH PROPERTY.
Note 2. Whereas, some of the States
and Territories [and Countries] have spe¬
cial acts on their statute books governing
religious bodies, therefore the meaning and
intent of this chapter wherever it refers to
the law of the- State or Territory is to be
subject to said statute lav/ and not to any
individual church corporation that is now
or may be incorporated.
Note 3. Any church or congregation
among us that will not submit wholly to the
.spiritual government of our General and
Annual Conferences shall be disowned.
Sec. 5. Abandoned Property.
Provided, that any church property aban¬
doned in consequence of the disbanding of
the Society, the title of said property shall
go to the Board of Church Extension of the
Church Extension Society of the African
Methodist Episcopal Church, the same to
be sold and the proceeds of said sale, less
the expense to the Extension Society, shall
he set apart- for the aid of mission work of
the Conference to which said abandoned
property belonged.
trustees.
425
CHAPTER VI.
Trustees of Church Property.
1. The Number.
1. Where proper persons can be procured
let nine trustees be elected for our meet¬
ing houses; otherwise seven, five or three.
2. Each board shall consist of not less
than three, nor more than nine persons.
2. Qualifications.
1. Each person to be elected trustee shall
be twenty-one years of age, and shall have
been not less than six months a member of
our Church—except in case of missions,,
new work, or other emergencies.
2. No person shall be eligible as a trustee
of any of our houses, churches or schools
who is not a regular member of our Church.
3. Mode of Election.
1. Whenever the law of the land requires-
a specified mode of election, that mode shall
be observed in electing trustees.
2. When the civil law does not intervene
the trustees shall be elected annually by the
members of the church.
426
TRUSTEES.
3. The minister in charge shall appoint
the time and place for holding the election
and give notice of the same from the pulpit
at least one Sunday previous to the time.
4. The minister at the meeting for elec¬
tion shall nominate twice the number of
persons to be elected.
5. Then every member of the church,
twenty-one years of age and in full com¬
munion shall have the right to vote for
the nominees, and if present at the meeting
shall' cast his ballot for those of his choice;
and so the election shall proceed until by a
majority of votes cast the required number
■of trustees are elected. The minister in
charge shall then make a declaration of the
result.
4. Chairman of the Board.
1. Where the law of the State does not-
otherwise direct, the minister in charge shall
"be Chairman of the Board of Trustees, and
his signature shall be necessary to make the
acts of the trustees legal.
2. When «.he is Chairman of the Board
and is at any time unable to be present at
a meeting he shall appoint a president pro
tem., whose signature also shall be legal.
5. Duties of Trustees.
1. The trustees shall manage all the tem-
TRUSTEES.
427
poral concerns of the church not otherwise
provided for, and shall have a treasurer of
the Board elected by the Board.
2. They shall guard all the real estate ;
churches, parsonages, school houses and
other property owned by the people in the
connection.
3. They shall make improvements upon
said property or real estate when authorized
to do so by a majority of the legal voters
of the church.
4. They shall procure by purchase or
hire, a house for the preacher's family and
also comfortably furnish it for them and pay
the expense of moving thereto.
6. Orders for Improvement.
1. Wherever improvements should be
made the minister in charge shall call to¬
gether the legal voters of the church and a
majority of them will have to give their
consent for the improvement to be ordered.
2. Should, however, a majority of them
not be present at a meeting after a proper
call has been made, then a majority vote of
those present shall be considered legal.
7. Amenable to Quarterly Conference.
1. The trustees shall make a report of
all their receipts and expenditures every
15
428
TRUSTEES.
quarter to the Quarterly Conference; to
which body they shall be answerable for
their official conduct.
8. Effects of Expulsion,
1. No person who is a trustee shall be
ejected while he is a joint security for
money unless such relief is given him as is
demanded, or the creditors will accept.
2. Any trustee ceasing to be a member of
our Church by reason of expulsion or other¬
wise, shall immediately cease to be a trustee
except in case of debt in which he is a
joint security; but even then he shall not
be continued any longer than such relief
can be given as.the creditors will accept.
g. Decorum in Churches.
1. The men and women shall be per¬
mitted to sit together in all our churches
wherever practicable.
2. All ministers, preachers and officers
shall use their influence to put an end to
the habit of talking before and after ser¬
vices in our churches.
stewards.
429
CHAPTER VII.
Church Stewards.
1. The Appointment of Stewards.
1. The number of stewards for each
church shall not be less than three nor more
than nine.
2. The preacher in charge shall nomi¬
nate the number of stewards needed for
his circuit or station and submit the nomi¬
nation to the Quarterly Conference, which
shall confirm it or, if it see proper, reject it.
3. The stewards so nominated and, con¬
firmed, shall serve for the term of one year;
or be appointed annually.
4. To be qualified for their office they
must be men of solid piety, who both know
and love the Methodist doctrine and dis¬
cipline. They must be of good natural or
acquired ability to transact the temporal
business of the church.
2. The Duties of Stewards.
1. They shall take an exact account of all
the money or other provisions collected for
430
STEWARDS.
the support of the preacher or preachers in
the circuit or station.
2. They shall make an accurate return of
every expenditure of money, whether to
the preachers, church, sick or poor.
3. They shall seek out the needy and dis¬
tressed in order to relieve them and comfort
them.
4. They shall attend the Quarterly Con¬
ferences of their circuit or station to give
advice, if asked, in planning the circuit or
station; attend committees for the applica¬
tion of money to churches and give coun¬
sel in matters of arbitration.
5. They shall write circular letters to the
societies of a circuit when occasion requires
to let them know the state of temporal con¬
cerns at the last quarterly meeting and to
urge them to be more liberal in their con¬
tributions.
6. They shall register the marriages and
baptisms and be subject to the Bishops,
Elders, Deacons and traveling preachers
of their circuit or station.
7. The stewards shall provide the ele¬
ments for the Lord's Supper.
3. The Accountability of the Stewards.
1. The stewards for a faithful perform¬
ance of their duty shall be accountable to
STEWARDS.
431
the Quarterly Conference of their circuit or
station and it shall have power to remove
them when they fail or refuse to do their
duty.
2. In the interval of the Quarterly Con¬
ference Sessions, the preacher in charge
shall have power to suspend a steward who
refuses, neglects, or fails to discharge his
duty, and to fill the vacancy until the next
meeting of the Quarterly Conference
which shall dispose of his case.
3. The Board of Stewards shall have a
regularly labeled Church Record for the
registration of baptisms, marriages, deaths,
probationers and members.
4. The preachers in charge of the circuits
and stations shall see that the foregoing is
enforced.
4. The Stezvardesses.
1. The preacher in charge may nominate
a board of stewardesses composed of not
less than three nor more than nine sisters
of the church to assist the stewards in the
discharge of their duties.
2. When the nomination is made the
stewards shall either confirm or reject it;
and if confirmed shall hold the steward¬
esses responsible to their board for a faith¬
ful performance of their duty.
432
STEWARDS.
3. Whenever it is necessary for it to be
done the preacher and stewards shall re¬
move the stewardesses and supply their,
places.
4. The stewardesses are members of the
Official Board and the Quarterly Confer¬
ence.
special declaration.
CHAPTER VIII.
Special Declaration.
i. Apostolic Succession.
Whereas, We have heard with deep re¬
gret the dogma of Apostolic Succession and
the distinct and separate priesthood of the
ministry preached in our pulpit. And
Whereas, There are those amongst us,
members of this body, who are said to be
seeking reordination at the hands of the
Episcopal Bishops; and
Whereas, We have strong reasons for
believing that what is thus reported has
some foundation in fact; therefore be it
Resolved, By this, the Eighteenth Gen¬
eral Conference, now assembled, that we set
forth the following declarations, and that
any person or persons who are not in har¬
mony with the same or cannot subscribe
thereto are hereby declared out of harmony
with the standard of Methodism and are
liable to impeachment for propagating error
and showing dissension, to wit.
We hold and believe—That there is no
434 SPECIAL DECLARATION.
separate priesthood under the Christian
system set over the Church. That the sa¬
cerdotal theory of the Christian ministry is
a dishonor to our Lord Je'sus, and is es¬
pecially condemned by the tenor of the
Epistle to the Hebrews.
Second—That whilst there is.a separate
ministry in the New Testament represent¬
ing the universal priesthood or membership
of the church, yet as has been affirmed
above, each and every member is a king
and priest unto God.
Third—That we recognize the two or¬
ders and the one office in our church to be
the regularly ordained ministry, and that
we are satisfied with the ordination of the
same, holding it to be valid and true in
every respect .
•Fourth—That the doctrine of Apostolic
Succession, according to our belief as Meth¬
odists, is erroneous. That there is an unin¬
terrupted. succession of ministers which the
divine eye can trace up to the Apostolic
times there can be no doubt. But it is ut¬
terly impossible to prove that in any part
of the world there is a ministry that can
trace its orders up through episcopal hands
to the Apostles.
Fifth—"That thQ Apostles had and could
SPECIAL DECLARATION.
have no successors from the fact that their
authority, indicated in two ways, was first
to teach Christianity by wrord and writing,
for which they had the gift of inspiration
in a special sense; and secondly, to found
the church, for which they had' the power
of the keys of binding and loosing that is,
of uttering unchangeable decrees of eccles¬
iastical government, 'that a succession of
such men would not have been in harmony
with the known will of Christ,' "
Sixth—That there is an identity between
the Bishops and Elders or Presbyters, as
is evident from Acts 20:17-28; Titus
1: 5-7; First Peter 5:1,2; Phil. 1:1; First
Tim. 3: 1-8. But as everybody must have
a head, the Bishops among us are Primi
inter pares—"Chiefs among the Elders."
Seventh—That a reordination of any
Bishop, Elder or Deacon by any other ec¬
clesiastical authority can not and will not
be tolerated in the African Methodist Epis¬
copal Church.
Eighth—Any person or person who shall
violate these Declarations by preaching the
Doo-ma of Apostolic Succession shall be
guilty of a breach of Discipline, and shall
be tried, and, if found guilty, be suspended
or expelled, at the discretion of the com-
436 special declaration.
mittee before whom such person or persons
shall be tried.
2. Ritualism.
Whereas, We believe that the dostrines,
practices, usages and genius of American
Methodism, as believed, observed and con¬
formed to by the founders of. African Meth¬
odism and their successors to the present
day, should, in their entirety, without modi¬
fication, restriction or enlargement be be¬
lieved, practiced and conformed to by us,
and by those entrusted with the continued
preservation and development of African
Methodism in its historic and progressive
relations; and
Whereas, We further believe that in all
things essential as touching the doctrines,
government, service, order and work of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church, there
should be oneness of purpose concurrent
opinion, continuity of methods and harmony
of feeling and relation between the several
factors that compose the whole:
Resolved. First—we hold as the result of
our best knowledge based upon the facts
of history and the teachings of experience,
(the same resulting primarily from the ori¬
gin and development of American Metho¬
dism, and secondarily from the origin and
SPECIAL DECLARATION.
development of African Methodism), that
it is highly expedient and unwise to per¬
mit any innovation on the concurrent be¬
liefs, practices and usages of African Meth¬
odism ; and in view of this, we do not hesi¬
tate to affirm that the Dogma of Apostolic
Succession is foreign and repugnant to the
concurrent beliefs and teachings of African
Methodism, and that no Bishop or minister
of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
should be allowed to publicly proclaim
opinions and views favorable thereto.
Second—As touching the usages and
practices of the African Methodist Episco¬
pal Church, we are free to aver that while
it is desirable to secure uniformity in the
order of the public services, and to enlist,
so far as possible, the thought and spirit
of the people in the same, and while we
grant that the orderly repetition of the
Decalogue, the Apostles' Creed, and the re¬
sponsive reading of the Scriptures may
conduce to the attainment thereof, we
strenuously deny that the presence and use
of a heavy and prosy ritualistic service in
our public congregations, will, in any sense,
increase their spiritual interest, and we
deprecate any and all efforts that favor the
introduction of ritualism in connection with
438 SPECIAL DECLARATION.
our public service.
Third—That all laws or parts of laws in
conflict with the spirit and language of
these resolutions be and the same are here-
by repealed .-^-General Conference, 1884.
PART XI.
APPENDIX.
L Course of Studies.
II. Specific Examination.
III. Recommendation to Students.
IV. The Primitive Rule of Giving for
Benevolent Purposes.
V. The General Conference Rules.
VI. Bishops' and General Officers'
Addresses.
VII. Committee on Revision.
course of studies.
441
CHAPTER I.
Course of Studies,
i . Traveling Preachers.
This course of study which has been pre¬
pared by the Council of Bishops, by order
of the General Conference, has been care¬
fully decided upon after a patient investi¬
gation of the relative merits of the books
recommended.
The Annual Conference shall appoint a
committee on the studies of each of the five
series, annually, to act at the Conference one
year later. These committees should begin
the work of examination at the place of An¬
nual Conference one day before the Confer¬
ence opens. They shall not examine any
preacher for admission, advancement or or¬
ders, who has not the books of his Course
and has not studied, them. Preachers in
course must procure some of their books
within the first quarter, and all of them be¬
fore the end of the second quarter, each
year.
Examining committeemen should, as far
44 2
COURSE OF STUDIES.
as possible, be relieved of other committee
work till they report the results of the ex¬
aminations. They should not recommend
to the Conference any preacher who has not
made an average of sixty-five on a basis of
one hundred or who has fallen below fifty
in any study.
Ordained preachers for admission to the
Annual Conference must be examined in the
studies for the second year, and if recog¬
nized as Elders, in those for the fourth year
also.
Presiding Elders must guard the work of
examination carefully at the District Con¬
ference, appointing none but the most com¬
petent ministers to the work, and oversee it
themselves. The Church does not want any
but effective ministers.
Studies for Admission.
Every preacher to be admitted to the An¬
nual Conference must have education equiv¬
alent to the eighth grade in public schools
(much higher accomplishment is desirable).
He must have a respectable knowledge of
the Bible, especially the first three gospels;
the hymns of our church, the Discipline,
Farts I and III especially; Key to the Study
of the Scriptures—Coppin, Manual for Pro¬
bationers—C. M. Tanner.
COURSE OF STUDIES.
443
Studies for First Year.
Small Scripture History.—Smith.
Chap. I, Part IV, Discipline.
Alethodist Polity.—Turner.
Baptism.—Merrill.
Systematic Theology, Vol. I. to Part Ij.r
Chapter VII.—Milry.
English and American Literature.—
Painter.
Physiology ; Our Bodies.—BlaisdeH.
Studies for Second Year.
History of the African Alethodist Church,
—Payne.
Bible Mastery.—Brozvne. -
Chap. II, Part IV, Discipline.
Analysis of Baptism.—Lampton.
Systematic Theology, Vol. I. Part IL
Chapter VIII, to end—Miley.
Zoology.—Packard.
Short History of the Christian. Church,
Parts I, II, III.—Hurst.
Astronomy.—Y oitng.
Introduction to the Scriptures.—Nichols.
Pastoral Theology.—Kidder.
The Supernatural Book.—Foster.
Studies for the Third Year.
History of the Christian Church, Parts
IV. and V.—Hurst.
Chap. Ill, Part IV, Discipline.
444 COURSE OF STUDIES.
Mental Philosophy.—Haven.
Extemporaneous Preaching.—Buckley.
Rhetoric.—Hill.
Systematic Theology, Vol. II. Christol-
ogy and Atonement in Christ.—Miley.
Botany—"From Seed to Leaf."—Newell.
Geology.—Shaler.
Ecclesiastical Architecture.—Martin.
Studies for the Fourth Year.
*
Systematic Theology, Salvation in Christ,
Eschatology.—Miley.
Moral Philosophy.—Fairchild.
Homiletics.—Kidder.
Hermeneutics.—Terry. ~
Plain Account of Christian Perfection.—
Wesley.
Chemistry.—Remsen.
Logic.—Jevons.
The Dispensations.—Tanner.
Life and Epistles of St. Paul.—Cony-
be are and How son.
Books to be Read for Admission.
Pastoral Theology.—Gaines.
Color of Solomon.—Tanner.
The Story of the Bible.—Foster.
Key to the Study of Scriptures.—Coppin.
Manual for Probationers.—C. M. Tanner.
History of Education.—Jackson.
COURSE OF STUDIES.
445
In the First Year.
The Divine Logos.—Johnson.
Baptized Children.—Coppin.
Autobiography of Richard Allen.—Allen.
Scraps of History.—Handy.
In the Second Year.
Wesley's Sermons.—Wesley.
Domestic Education.—Payne.
The Pulpit, Pew and Parish.—Johnson.
Official Decisions of Bishops.—Lampton.
Third Year.
History of Preaching.—Broad us.
"The Impregnable Rock of Holy Scrip¬
tures. "—Gladstone.
Amanda Smith's Own Story.—Smith.
Fourth Year.
Theological Lectures.—Tanner.
"The Land of Promise."—Seaton.
The Races of Man.—Peschell.
The Reign of Law—The Duke of Argyle.
Analogy of the Christian Religion—
Butler.
Toussaint L'Ouverture.—Mossell.
Each preacher must secure a good dic¬
tionary of the English language, a diction¬
ary of the Bible, and a Biblical cyclopedia.
At the end of the second, third and fourth
446
course of studies.
years, each preacher shall present a writ¬
ten sermon to the Conference.
Ministers' Associate Course of Studies.
The Bishops and Conferences must see
that the regular examining committees do
not overlook this course, or the Bishop may
appoint a special committee whose business
it will be to examine upon the studies here¬
in designated:
1. Latin.
2. Greek.
3. Hebrew.
4. Elements of Geometry.
5. Natural Philosophy.
6. Chemistry.
7. Geology.
8. ~ Political Economy.
No authors are named in this course. The
student-minister can therefore avail himself
of any books upon the studies which he may
find convenient.
2. For Exhorters.
All persons making application before
any of our Quarterly Conferences for Li-,
cense to Exhort, must, in addition to the
ordinary questions propounded touching /..
life, conversion, growth in grace, and his
Christian experience; be examined by the
COURSE OF STUDIES.
447
Presiding Elder or any member of the
Quarterly Conference desiring, upon the
following studies:
1. Spelling, Reading, Writing and
Grammar.
2. The Holy Bible.
3. Catechism.
4. Discipline A. M. E. Church.
5. The Hymn Book of the A. M. E.
Church.
An exhorter is an incipient preacher; he
preaches although he does not take a regu¬
lar text. Therefore he is compelled to deal
with theology, hence the requirement to
study ''Binney's Compend of Theology,' or
"Embry's Digest of Theology."
3. For Local Preachers.
Local preachers should study as hard,
be as able and learned, as the traveling
minister, and in every particular be his in¬
tellectual and moral equal, excelling him
in pulpit power if possible. Therefore they
should go through the same course of
studies in every respect, as they have the
same people to preach to and instruct. But
after years of observation and experience
we have concluded to give the local preach¬
ers a more limited course and require the
Presiding Elders to hold them rigidly to it.
448 course of studies.
Therefore local preachers must pass a fair
examination upon the following studies, or
have their license revoked. The Presiding
Elder and Quarterly Conference however
may exercise charity in consideration of old
age and infirmities.
Requisites for Licensing Local -Preach¬
ers.
1. Spelling, Reading, Writing, Geogra¬
phy, Grammar, Arithmetic and History.
2. The Holy Bible and Catechism.
3. Story of the Bible.—Charles Foster.
4. Digest of Christian Theology.—Ent-
bry.
First Year's Studies:
1. Digest of Christian Theology.—Em-
bry.
2. Methodist Polity.—Turner.
3. Outlines of Church History.—Hurst.
4. The A. M. E. Discipline.
Second Year's Studies:
1. Christian Theology.—Field.
2. Bible Readings.
3. The A. M. E, Discipline.
Third Year's Studies:
1. Story of Creation.—6*. M. Campbell.
2. History of the Christian Church.—
Fisher.
COURSE OF STUDIES.
449
3. Bible Geography.
4. Outlines of History of A. M. E.
Church.—Tanner.
5. The A. M. E. Discipline.
Fourth Year's Studies:
1. Moral Science.—Wayland.
Books to be purchased and read at any
time.
2. Introduction to the Study of the Scrip¬
tures.—Nicholls.
3. Astronomy.—Warren.
4. Relation of Baptized .Children to the
Church.
5. Physiology and Hygiene.—Cutter.
6. Domestic Education.—Payne.
7. Divine Logos.—Johnson.
8. The A. M. E. Discipline.
Ministers from other denominations ap¬
plying for admission to the traveling work
naturally go before the Committee on Ad¬
mission, and second year's studies, respec¬
tively, where • they must be examined
upon their standing in the church from
whence they came, under what conditions
they left it; also submit their ministerial
papers if they are ordained, to the com¬
mittee, and be questioned upon their edu¬
cational advantages and attainments, Chris¬
tian experiences, and the motives that led
45° COURSE OF STUDIES.
them to the A. M. E. Church. And if these
conditions are satisfactory:
They must be examined upon the Disci¬
pline of the A. M. E. Church, and so much
of our theological doctrines as to enable
the committee to determine whether they
agree with our doctrines, rules and regu¬
lations.
And if the committee think it advisable,
it shall require them to read such books
as they may recommend notwithstanding
their admission.
specific examination.
451
CHAPTER II.
Specific Examination.
Questions -on Review to be. answered by
candidates on completion of fourth year's
studies, or upon examination for Elder's
Orders.
1. Personal Religious Life and Habits.
The very great excellence of the follow¬
ing is our excuse for copying it from the
Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal
Church (1878).
1. State your views of the character and
source of the Christian life.
2. How may we know that we are par¬
takers of this life?
3. What are the evidences of a divine
call to the ministry?
4. State what you consider to be the main
duties of the ministerial office, and the
necessary qualifications for the discharge of
them.
5. By what means may these qualifica¬
tions be cultivated?
6. Give your views of the nature and
452 SPECIFIC EXAMINATION.
importance of Pastoral Visitation, and state
the amount of attention you give to it.
7. Inform us of your general habits of
study.
8. Name all the books you have read
each year since your admission on trial in
the traveling ministry.
9. How much time do you devote to the
study of the Scriptures, and with what
method do you study them?
2. Examination in the Bible.
1. In what sense do you consider the
Bible to be the word of God, and by what
arguments do you sustain your views?
2. Explain what is mea^nt by the phrase
"Canon of Scripture."
3. Distinguish between the genuineness,
and authenticity, and credibility of a book.
>•4. Give a synopsis of the argument by
which the genuineness of the books con¬
stituting our received Canon-of the Old
Testament is established.
5. Give a synopsis of the argument es¬
tablishing the genuineness of the books con¬
tained in the received Canon of the New
Testament.
6. In what sense do Protestants affirm
and Romanists deny that the Scriptures
SPECIFIC EXAMINATION. 453
form a complete and infallible rule of faith
and practice?
7. State when the authorized version of
the Bible appeared, and how it was pro¬
duced.
8. Give an epitome of the history of the
Israelites from the time of the Exodus to
the death of Joshua.
9. Recount the leading facts connected
with the revolt of the Ten Tribes.
10. Name the great Annual Festivals of
the Jews; and also state what they were
designed to commemorate, and how they
were observed.
11. Name the principal prophets, the pe¬
riods in which they prophesied, and the par¬
ticular burdens of their prophecy.
12. Give from the life of our Lord some
illustrations of his regard for the Old Tes¬
tament Scriptures.
13. What predictions relate to Christ,
especially to the time of his coming? his
character? office? death?
14. Of what periods of the life of our
Lord have we historical records? and over
how long a period did his ministry extend?
15. Describe.the principal events and
localities of his ministry.
16. State the leading facts recorded in
454 SPECIFIC EXAMINATION.
the Acts of the Apostles.
17. What is a miracle? In what way do
miracles authenticate a divine develation ?
3. On the Doctrines of the Bible.
1. In what manner does the Bible make
known the existence of God?
2. What Scripture proof is there of a
Trinity of Persons in one Godhead?
3. Enumerate the attributes of God, and
give Scripture proofs of each.
4. Give the Scriptural doctrines of the in¬
carnation, and show how it is connected
with the Gospel scheme.
5. Give a summary of the Scripture ar¬
gument for the Divinity of Christ.
6. Give the Scripture proof of the Per¬
sonality, Divinity and Work of the Holy
Spirit.
7. What was the effect of Adam's sin
upon himself? upon his posterity?
8. What is the relation of the vicarious
death of Christ to the forgiveness of our
sins?
9. State the proofs by which the resur¬
rection of Christ is established.
ib. Show the nature and value of Christ's
intercession as taught in the Scriptures.
11. What are the doctrine and proof of
the Witness of the Spirit?
SPECIFIC EXAMINATION. 455
12. State concisely the doctrine of Chris¬
tian perfection as taught by Mr. Wesley,
and support it by Scripture proofs.
13. Explain the difference between re¬
generation or the new birth and entire sanc-
tifkation.
14. State the Arminian doctrine respect¬
ing the perseverance of the saints, ant}
show its harmony with the Scriptures.
15. State the nature, design, and obliga¬
tion of Baptism; and the proofs of each.
16. State why baptism of infants should
be retained in the Church.
17. What are the phases used in Scrip¬
ture to designate the Lord's Supper? what
their import? what the ground for obliga¬
tion on Christians to observe this sacra¬
ment ?
18. State the Romish doctrine of Tran-
substantiation; also the Lutheran doctrine
of Consubstantiation; and give an outline
of the arguments by which each is dis¬
proved.
19. How do you prove that the wicked
will not be annihilated?
20. State the Scripture doctrine of the
resurrection of the body, and give the
proofs.
45^ SPECIFIC EXAMINATION.
4. Church Organisation and, Government.
1. State the different forms of Church
government.
2. State the character of the organization
in Great Britain; in what respects it differs
from and in what it agrees with, that of
the Methodist. Episcopal Church of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church in the
United States.
3. What are the respective duties and
powers of the General Conference and of
the Annual, District and Quarterly Con¬
ferences in the African Methodist Episco¬
pal Church?
„ 4. What are the peculiar duties and pow¬
ers vested in the following officers of the
Church respectively, namely: Bishops,
Presiding Elders, Elders, Deacons, Preach¬
ers in charge, Local Preachers, Stewards,
Trustees of churches and Class Leaders?
and how is the limitation of the power, and
the amenability of each for its proper ex¬
ercise, fixed?
5. Ecclesiastical History.
1. Enumerate and describe the principal
Jewish sects existing at the time of Christ.
2. Give some account of the early per¬
secution of the Christians.
3. Mention some circumstances in the
SPECIFIC EXAMINATION. 457
state of the world which assisted the early
progress of Christianity.
4. State the dostrines of the Gnostics,
and show their evil influence upon the early
Church.
5. State the chief causes which led to
the separation of the Greek from the Latin
Church and the period when it took place.
6. Give an account of the religious state
of the world immediately prior to the time
of Luther.
7. Give an account of the Great Re¬
formation—the causes that led to it, and
the principal characters engaged in it.
8. Give an account of the Reformation
in England; also of the Puritans.
9. Give an account of the origin and rise
of Methodism in Great Britain, - and the
leading characters in the Wesleyan move¬
ment.
10. How did Methodism take its origin
in this country? who* were its principal
founders? what were the principal char¬
acteristics of the movement ?
11. What were the circumstances that
led to the organization of the Methodist
Episcopal Church? what were the circum¬
stances that led to the organization of the
African Methodist Episcopal Church? what
45^ SPECIFIC EXAMINATION.
were the time, place and circumstances un¬
der which these organizations were effected ?
12. State the leading events in the history
of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
since its organization.
[Read—Thomson's Evidences of Reve¬
lation; M'Clintock's Methodology; Kid¬
der's Christian Pastorate; Hervey's Chris¬
tian Rhetoric; Conybeare and Howson's
Life and Epistles of St. Paul.] ,
Books of Reference.—Fleming's Vocab¬
ulary of Philosophy; Smith's Smaller Clas¬
sical Dictionary; M'Clintock and Strongs'
Cyclopaedia; Haydn's Dictionary of Dates.
recommendations.
459
CHAPTER III.
Recommendations to Students.
We recommend to candidates for exhort-
er's or preacher's license in the Quarterly
Conference; local Deacons and Elders, pro¬
bationers in the Annual Conference, and
traveling Deacons, who desire most profit¬
ably to read the Scriptures; that they pur¬
sue the following course, viz.:—Read a por¬
tion of the Scriptures each and every,
day. Let nothing prevent you in this good
undertaking. Read a lesson of one or two
chapters from the Old and the same num¬
ber from the New Testament. Do not at¬
tempt to master a lesson of more than two
chapters from the Old, and two from the
New Testament.
These four chapters will be quite as much
as you will be able to study profitably. Let
your course of reading be regular, and study
from day to day. Do not skip about from
book to book, and from place to place. Such
a course of study will profit you very little,
and by it you can never become learned
16
460 RECOMMENDATIONS.
in the Scriptures. Read a few sentences or
a paragraph, then stop, reflect, and inwardly
digest the subject, then proceed again in
like manner with a few more sentences, or
another paragraph, and so continue until
you have completed your Scripture lessons.
This will do more good than an attempt to
commit the whole to memory.
The course marked out for thd study of
the Scriptures will be the best, the most
profitable of any for you to pursue in the
study of those works which we have en¬
joined, with this simple difference, that we
recommend you to take a lesson, a cer¬
tain number of pages, for a daily lesson,
instead of a certain number of chapters.
For instance, two to four pages of Wat¬
son's Institutes read and studied per day,
would be a sufficiently large lesson for any
one pursuing a regular course of study, and
a most certain course to pursue in order
to become master of that work.
The same truth holds good of all other
books contained in the course.
We have recommended several boqks to
be read which are given at the end of. the
course for each year. Candidates will not
be examined in these, except as to the fact
of reading. They may be asked if they
RECOMMENDATIONS.
461
have read them.
Through much prayer and watchfulness,
our hearts are made better by study.
"Through desire a man having separated
himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all
wisdom.'' Proverbs xviii. i.
''Search the Scriptures, for in them ye
think ye have eternal life, and they are they
which testify of me," says the Saviour.
"Study to be approved, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed," says the Holy
Spirit by the sainted Paul.
In conclusion, we say, there is not a book
on earth so favorable to all the kind, and
all the sublime affections; or so unfriendly
to hatred and persecution, to tyranny, to
injustice and every sort of malevolence, as
the Gospel. It breathes nothing through¬
out', but mercy, benevolence and peace.
Poetry is sublime, when it awakens in the
mind any great and good affection, as
piety or patriotism. This is one of the
noblest effects of the art.
The Psalms are remarkable, beyond all
other writings, for their power of inspir¬
ing devout emotions.
But it is not in this respect only, that
they are sublime. Of the divine nature
they contain the most magnificent descrip-
462 RECOMMENDATIONS.
tions Jthat the soul of man can comprehend.
The h\indred-and-fourth Psalm, in particu-
uar, displays the power and goodness of
Providence, in creating and preserving the
world, and the various tribes of animals in
it, with such majesty in brevity and beauty,
as it is vain to look for in any human com¬
position.
rules for giving.
CHAPTER IV.
The Primitive Rules of Giving for
Benevolent Purposes.
Upon the first day of the week, let every
one of you lay by him in store as God hath
prospered him, that there be no gatherings
when I come.—Cor. xvi. 2.
Such a system it is my present object to
unfold. I can lay no claim to novelty; but
this I do not regret, since I am able to com¬
mend the plan to be brought forward as
scriptural. I may also add, it is exceed¬
ingly simple and feasible. It has no com¬
plicated impracticable details. It was acted
on by many of the disciples of Jesus, nine¬
teen centuries ago; and has, doubtless, to
some extent, been followed by the benevo¬
lent in subsequent ages. It is to be feared,
however, that the instances are wide apart
in which it is adhered to at the present
day, though a mere inspection of it is
enough to show that a better cannot be
framed, as might also be argued from the
fact of its having an inspired apostle for
its authority.
464
RULES FOR GIVING.
All the elements of this system are con¬
tained in the direction of the Apostle Paul
to the church in Corinth, respecting collec¬
tions for the needy saints in Judea. I re¬
fer to the passage: "Upon the first day of
the week, let every one of you lay by him
in store, as God hath prospered him, that
there may* be no gatherings when I come."
—1 Cor. xvi. 2.
We learn from the verse preceding, that
the Apostle had given the same direction to
the churches of Galatia. It is therefore
probable, that the rule was extended to all
the churches that were solicited to con¬
tribute for the same purpose. Whether it
was the practice of the primitive Chris¬
tians to lay by them in store for all their
pious and benevolent objects on the fust
day of every week, we have not the means
of determining. When we consider, how¬
ever, the circumstances of believers in that
early period, it appears most likely that there
was little opportunity afforded, as a general
thing, for laying by their benefactions. They
were themselves on strictly missionary
ground, subject to all the demands and em¬
barrassments of such a position; and they
could not except occasionally, as in the case
to which the rule specifically refers, have
RULES FOR GIVING.
465.
operated for the benefit of the distant. It
was in their power to do but little beyond
what was pressingly needed on the spot^ and
was appropriated as soon as it accrued.
Bringing in promptly; and disbursing with¬
out delay, must ordinarily, with them, have
superseded laying by them in store. But
even as the case stood, it is hardly to be
doubted, that their benevolent contributions
were made weekly, on the Lord's day, and
that "every one" was expected to give "as
God had prospered him."
Still, they did not do for others beyond
their own neighborhood, and where oppor¬
tunities for forwarding their donations must
have been unfrequent. Now, observe—in
the only case of this kind, of which we have
particular information, they were instructed
not to defer their preparation until these
opportunities should offer, but lay by them
in store in anticipation of these opportun¬
ities.
Let us now suppose other cases similar
to have arisen, in which they were called
on to bestow for objects that could be
reached only at intervals greater than a
week; why would not the rule apply to these
cases'with full as much force as to the
former? That is, why would not the rule
466
RULES FOR GIVING.
apply in its full force to every case in
which it was convenient only occasionally
to convey their quotas to the general treas¬
ury? I confess I do not see. If the rule
was the, best one for its original purpose,
why is it not the best for every purpose
where funds are not to be appropriated on
the spot, and as fast as they can be raised?
It is difficult to conceive of a case of relig¬
ious donation, to which the rule may not be
substantially, if not literally, applied.
I would not claim too much for this rule.
I pretend not to say that the apostle con¬
templated for it universality and perpetuity.
I pretend not to say that any anathema
awaited those who did not practice it, even
at Corinth. Still less would I say, that it
is obligatory in such a sense as to render
it a test of piety. But it was clearly the
very best that could be followed by those
to whom Paul sent it; and a better cannot
be found to guide the pious and the philan¬
thropic of the present day. In the name
of God and of humanity, let all who love
our Lord Jesus Christ, adopt some system
"by which they shall both do what they can,
and do it the most effectually for the pro¬
motion of the Gospel.
general conference rules.
467
CHAPTER V.
The General Conference Rules.
The Organization.
1. The General Conference shall meet
every four years in regular session on the
first Monday of May.
2. The Council of Bishops shall, on the
day designated, at 10 a. m., open the Con¬
ference, or cause it to be opened, with re¬
ligious services.
3. The Secretary of the previous Con¬
ference shall call the roll of members elect¬
ed or reported so to be.
4. The presiding Bishop shall appoint a
Committee on Credentials, one from each
Episcopal District, to whom all credentials
shall be referred.
5. The General Conference shall elect a
Secretary, First Assistant Secretary, Sec¬
ond Assistant Secretary, Third Assistant
Secretary, First Statistical Secretary, Sec¬
ond Statistical Secretary, Engrossing Clerk
and Reading Clerk.
6. The Bishops shall appoint four mar¬
shals and two pages.
.468 GENERAL CONFERENCE RULES.
'7. The bounds of the General Conference
and the hours of meeting and adjourning
shall be fixed by the Conference.
8. The General Conference shall have
power to fix its own rules of government.
9. The General Conference shall appoint
the following committees:
1. On Episcopacy one from each annual
conference.
2. On the Financial Secretary's Report
one from each annual conference.
The Bishops shall appoint the following
Committees, which shall consist of one from
each Episcopal District:
1. On Book Concern.
2. On Educational Department.
3. On Annual Conference Boundaries.
4. On Temporal Economy;
5. On Missions and Missionaries.
6. On Sunday Schools.
7. On Temperance.
8. On Romanism.
9. On the State of the Church.
10. On Public Worship.
11. On Ways and Means.
12. On the Bible Cause.
13. On Entertainment for the next Gen¬
eral Conference.
general conference rules. 469
The reports of general officers shall be in
the following order:
1. The Quadrennial Address of the
Bishops.
2. The Quadrennial Sermon.
3. The General Business Manager's Re¬
port.
4. The Financial Secretary's Report.
5. The Corresponding Secretary, Parent
Home and Foreign Missionary Society.
6. The Secretary of the Sunday School
Union.
7. The Secretary of Education.
8. The Secretary of Connectional Preach¬
er's Aid.
9. The President of Wilberforce Uni¬
versity.
10. The Quadrennial Report of the Board
of Trustees of Wilberforce University.
11. The Quadrennial Report from all
schools under the jurisdiction of the Gen¬
eral Conference.
12. The several reports shall be referred
to the appropriate committees.
13. Two hours shall be devoted each day
to the Revision of the Discipline.
It shall b£ considered, section by sec¬
tion, and all amendments shall be offered
while the section is under consideration, and
470 general conference rules.
when an amendment is adopted it shall
Tae engrossed and reaci to the Conference,
and then passed.
2. Order and Government,
For the government of the General Con¬
ference of the African M. E. Church, held
in Philadelphia, Pa., in the month of May,
1892.
1. The Conference shall convene at nine
-o'clock a. m., and adjourn at one o'clock
p. m., unless otherwise ordered.
2. The President shall take the chair at
the precise hour to which the Conference
stood adjourned, and cause the Holy Scrip¬
tures to be read, singing and prayer, and
•on the appearance of a quorum (one-third)
shall have the Journal of the preceding day
read—which Journal shall be approved
(with corrections, if necessary) ; after which
business shall proceed in the following
order—1. Reconsiderations, if any. 2. Un¬
finished business. 3. Reports of Standing
■or Special Committees. 4. Resolutions,
Petitions, Memorials, Appeals. But notice
of all motions to reconsider the action of
the previous day" must be given while the
Journal is being read, unless the said notice
was announced on the day previous; other¬
wise, the Chair shall disregard them. The
general conference rules. 471
President shall strictly require the order
or orders °f the day to be taken up and con-
sidered at the time appointed, unless other-
wise directed by a two-thirds vote.
3. The President shall decide all ques¬
tions of order subject to an appeal to the
Conference; but in case of such an appeal,
the President and appellant only shall be
heard.
4. The President shall appoint all com¬
mittees not otherwise ordered; but any
member may decline serving on more than
one committee at the same time, unless on
a special committee.
5. All motions and resolutions shall be
reduced to writing-, if requested by the
President, Secretary or any three members.
6. When a motion is made and seconded,
or a report is read and presented by the
Secretary, or stated by the President, it shall
be deemed in possession of the Conference;
but a motion may be withdrawn by the
mover at any time before decision or
amendment by consent of the Conference.
7. No new motions shall be made or
resolutions offered until the one under con¬
sideration is disposed of, "except a motion
for adjournment, laying on the table, pre¬
vious questions (none of which are debat-
472 GENERAL CONFERENCE RULES.
able), indefinite postponement, referring to
a committee, offering a substitute, postpone¬
ment to a certain time, an amendment to an
amendment, on recommitting (which are
debatable).
8. No member shall be interrupted while
speaking, except by the President calling
him to order when he departs ' from the
question or uses personalities or discour¬
teous language; but any member may call
attention of the President to the subject
when he deems the speaker out of order;
and a member may explain if he thinks
himself misrepresented, and could any cne
refuse to come to order when so called, he
may be silenced for a day, unless he make
a satisfactory apology to the Chair and Con¬
ference.
9. When any member is about to speak,
debate or deliver any matter to the Con¬
ference, he shall rise from his seat and
respectfully address the Chair.
10. Na person shall speak more than
twice on the same subject, nor more than ten
minutes at a time, without special permis¬
sion, unless to correct misrepresentation, nor
shall any member speak more than once un¬
til every member desiring to speak shall
have spoken, unless by unanimous consent,
general conference rules.
though he may represent another by his
consent.
11. When any member rises to speak, it
shall be the duty of the chair to announce
the name of the speaker and his Conference.
12. No member shall absent himself from
the Conference without permission from the
Chair, unless he be sick or otherwise unable
to attend.
13. No member shall be allowed to vote
on any question who is not within the bar
at the time when such question is put by
the President, except by special permission
of the Conference.
14. Every member who shall be within
the bar at the time a question is put shall
vote, unless excusfed.
15. All questions pertaining to petit:^' ,
resolutions or amendments, to change the
Discipline, shall first be read before the
Conference and lie over a day before being
altered, rescinded or repealed, if desired by
one-third of the Conference, unless on the
last day of the session.
16. All resolutions offered to amend,
enlarge or change the phraseology of the
Discipline shall be read three consecutive
times before the Conference, if desired by
any member, and referred to the app«>-
474 GENERAL CONFERENCE RULES.
priate committee, without debate.
17. The previous question shall never be
demanded upon any resolution before two
members shall have been heard pro and con,
if desired.
18. A motion to lay an amendment upon
the table removes the whole question from
before the house for the present, and if
not taken from the table, is equal to an in¬
definite postponement of the subject; but
it does not destroy the right of further con¬
sideration of the question at any future
time.
19. Privileged questions are as follows:
—1 st, motion to adourn; 2d, motions re¬
lating to the right and privileges of the
Conference; 3d, motions relating to mem¬
bers individually; 4th, motions for order
of the day.
20. When a question of order is raised,
all other business must be suspended until
the point is settled. The President must
decide the point without debate, subject to
an appeal to the Conference; but nothing
is a point of order that (Joes not involve
a supposed breach of the rules or special
order.
21. Reasonable time should be given for
the minority to report before final action
GENERAL CONFERENCE RULES. 475
shall be taken on the report of the majority.
22. Should the Conference at any time
go into committee of the whole, the presid¬
ing Bishop may call one of the Elders to
the chair.
23. When a member rises and gives no¬
tice of an intention to offer a resolution^ he
may preface it.
24. There shall be four marshals' ap¬
pointed,. whose duty it shall be to protect
the bar of the Conference from the en¬
croachment of persons not entitled to seats
and assist the President in keeping- order
when so requested by him.
47^ bishops and general officers.
CHAPTER VI.
Bishops and General Officers.
Bishop H. M. Turner, D.D., LL.D., His¬
toriographer, 30 Yonge street, Atlanta,
Ga.
Bishop W. J. Gaines, D.D., LL.D., 360
Houston street, Atlanta, Ga.
Bishop B. T. Tanner, D.D., D.C.L., 2908
Diamond street, Philadelphia, Pa.
Bishop Abraham Grant, D.D1., 532 Wash¬
ington avenue, Kansas City, Kas.
Bishop B. F. Lee, D.D., Wilberforce, Ohio.
Bishop J. A. Handy, D.D., 1341 N. Cary
street, Baltimore, Md.
Bishop M. B. Salter, D.D., LL.D., 30 Van-
derhorst street, Charleston, S. C.
Bishop W. B. Derrick, D.D., LL.D., Flush¬
ing, N. Y.
Bishop Evans Tyree, M.D., D.D., >17 N.
Hill street, Nashville, Tenn.
BISHOPS AND GENERAL OFFICERS. 477
Bishop C. S. Smith, M.D., D.D., 39 E. Co¬
lumbia street, Detroit, Mich.
Bishop C. T. Shaffer. M.D., D.D., 3344
Rhodes avenue, Chicago, 111.
Bishop L. J. Coppin, D.D., 1913 Bainbridge
street, Philadelphia, Pa.
Bishop E. W. Lampton, D.D., 502 N. The-
bald street, Greenville, Miss.
Bishop H. B. Parks, 3312 Calumet avenuer
Chicago, 111.
Bishop J. S. Flipper, D.D., 401 Houston
street, Atlanta, Ga.
Bishop J. A. Johnson, D.D., Capetown,
South Africa.
Bishop Wm. H. Heard, D.D., — ,
West Africa.
478 bishops and general officers.
General Officers.
Rev. John H. Collett, D.D., General Man¬
ager of the Book Concern, 631 Pine
Street, Philadelphia.
Rev. H. T. Johnson, D.D., Ph.D., Manag¬
ing- Editor Christian Recorder, 631
Pine street, Philadelphia, Pa,
Rev. W. W. Beckett, D.D., Secretary of
Board of Missions, 61 Bible House,
New York, N. Y.
Rev. John Hurst, D.D., Secretary of Fi¬
nance, 1541 14th street, N. W., Wash¬
ington, D. C.
Prof. John R. Hawkins, A.M., Secretary
of Education, K'ittrell, N. C.
Prof. H. T. Kealing, D.D., Managing Edi¬
tor of A. M. E. Review, 631 Pine
street, Philadelphia, Pa.
Mr. Ira T. Bryant, A.B., LL.B., Secretary
and Treasurer of the Sunday School
Union, Public Square, Nashville, Tenn.
JRev. G. W. Allen, Managing Editor of the
BISHOPS AND GENERAL OFFICERS. 479
Southern Christian Recorder, Colum¬
bus, Ga.
Rev. B. F. Watson, D.D., Secretary of the
Church Extension Society, 1535 14th
street, N. W., Washington, D. C.
Rev. J. C. Caldwell, D.D., Secretary of the
Allen Christian Endeavor League,
Public Square, Nashville, Tenn.
Rev. J. Frank McDonald, D'.D., Editor of
the Western Christian Recorder, 712
Campbell street, Kansas City, Mo.
Rev. Win. D. Johnson, D.D., Secretary of
the General Conference, Columbus, Ga.
Rev. W. A. Lewis, Secretary of Preachers'
Aid Association, 1702 Jefferson street,
Nashville, Tenn.
480 committee on revision.
COMMITTEE ON REVISION OF
THE DISCIPLINE, 1908.
T. A. Smythe, Chairman; H. P. Ander¬
son-, Secretary; R. W. Fickland, T. W.
Henderson, D. B. Allen, A. L. Gaines, A.
Stroud, T. W. Cotton, G, D. Jimmerson,
C. S. Gee, C. Bundy, D. S, Bently, L. C.
Curtis, H. M. Steady, R. A. Sealy, J. P. Q.
Wallace, R. A. Moore, G. W. Gaines, J.
W. Frazier, J. W.-Hall, N. C. Buren, H.
■W. King, W. W. S. Dyett, H. E. Congo,
F. G. Barr, W. O. P. Sherman, J. A. Had-
ley, H. H. Johnson, John Cooper, John
Haiimori, P. W. Jefferson, F. Y. Dendy;
I. W. Johnson, R. C. Dickerson, H. D.
Davidson, M. C. Brooks, W. Pyles, J. W.
Watson, E. R, Carter, H. K. Solomon, W.
H. Dangerfield, A. Thomas, J. A. Johnson,
H. G. Montgomery, T. W. Delyles, J. N.
Campbell, Joseph Gray, J. W. Pickett, T.
Y. Moore, C. L. Morgan, D. S. Moten, F.
D. Taylor, H. A. Carr, E, O. Tyler, M. D.
Brookins, S. S. Lane, D. W. Gillislee, M.
T. Carey, S. M. Gibbs, G. B. Williams, A.
W. Hackley, A. Kersey, T. J. Askew, F.
M. Gow, M. M. Mokone.
INDEX.
481
INDEX.
Page
ABOLISHED law, the—which? 23
Abraham's Justification 21
Abstinence 174
Accounts of Churches, Pastors Oversee 185
Of members reported to Conference 188
Of members reported to successor 188
Adam, covenant with, peculiar 35
Actual sin of 22
Admission of Preachers 191
On trial 191
To full connection^ 192
Persons to church membership Ill
Addresses of Bishops and General officers 476
African M. E. Church, origin of i
Affectation, avoid 197
African Conference boundaries 289
Agents, Bishops may appoint 206
Alabama Conferences boundary 276
Allen Richard ii
Validity of his ordination iv
Allen Endeavor League 378
Annual Conferences 221
Composition 221
Beginning and end of year 221
Sessions
221
Organization 222
Moneys, to whom paid 222
Literary exercises of 226
Antinomianism ™
Apostolic succession
Appeals, triers of *<■*-
Court of £**
Method of precedure ^
Appellants, rights of ^71
Appointments, neglect of m
482- INDEX.
Arbitration 258
Rejection of . 259
And debts 258
Arkansas Conferences 277
"Articles of Religion" 6
Articles of incorporation of the A. M. E. Church... 414
Assurance and holiness 26
And divine favor ....' 27
Of faith 36
Auxiliary W. M. M. society 318
BAND societies,- rvles of 53
Pastors must organize 185
Baltimore Conference 277
Banns of Marriage, publish , 127
Baptism, (doctrine of '. 13
Of infants, ceremony 99
Of adults, ceremony 104
"Baxter's Aphorisms" , 24
Belief and Reconciliation 26
And love 367
Believers—doubting 31
Constrained . 31
Bermuda Conference , 278
"Bethel" Hi
Bishops—"Episcopacy" 3
P. O. Addresses ..476
Ordination of 87
Qualifications of 205
How constituted 205
Office perpetuated 205
Support of 393
Ineffective 397
"Widows of * <■ 398
Orphans of ..! n — 398
Trial of 246
Duties of 205
Expenses of 401
Preside over Conferences • • • 205
Select Presiding Elders 205
Appoint preachers 206
Appoint agents 206
Change appointeees t 206
' Limit appointment term ,. • • • 206
Move objectionable preachers ........ 206
Notify before transferring * 207
Reject expelled preachers 207
Entertain proper motions 206
INDEX.
483
Travel through district
Act on others districts
Regulated by general conference....
Inspect Conference appropriations....
Not ordain women
Publish year book
Decide legal questions
Board "Official"
Extra sosson of
Restriction of
Of Publications—General
Of Missions
Of Church Extension—General
Of Church Extension—-Conference
Of Educational—General
Of Educational—Conference
Of S. S. Union
Of Southern Christian Recorder
Of Finance
Of Allen Christian Endeavor
Book Concern, the
Books sent to preachers by Book Concern
Borrowing, not intending to pay
"Both Kinds," Sacrament
Boundaries of Annual Conferences
Brethern going to law
Burial Service
Business Manager, Book Concern
Buying and selling—few words
Men
Without paying duty
CALIFORNIA Conference
Calvanism
Canonical Scriptures
Cape Colony Conference
Catechism on faith, the
Catechism A. M. E. Church
Causes of spiritual poverty
Certificate of membership
Certificate of transfer
Challenge of Divine justice
Children, pastors' duties to
Children's Day
Choir
Christ revealed in us
Christianity, essence of
208
208
209
209
208
209
206
237
237
240
338
297
208
374
355
358
350
341
388
380
337
340
58
14
276
49
134
337
49
49
49
278
26
8
289
18
189
182
188
208
31
188
370
58
36
37
484 INDEX.
Christian man's goods 17
Oath 17
Christian Recorder, thei 339
Editor's duty 340
Southern, the 341
Western, the 341
African 342
Christian Endeavor 378
"Church," the 12'
Church Conference 241
Church Extension Society 367
Church property, deeds of 417
Improvement of 427
Decorum of 428
Churches, dedication of 148
Classes, originated 48
Class-leaders instituted 59
Qualifications of 59
Duties of 59
Appointed and removed 187
Neglect of 263
Class meetings and leaders 59
Colorado Conference 278
Committee on Revision 480
Condemnation 20
Conduct of preachers at Conference 191
Improper 264
Course of studies 441
Conference, General, 212
Annual 221
Boundaries of 276
District 1. 227
Quarterly 231
Church 241
Connectional days 204
Funds 400
Constitution—P. H. and F. M. Society 296
H. and F. Annual Conference 296
P. W, M. M. Local : 318
Women's H. and F. Society 323
Conviction 18
Commission of General Conference 215
Corner-stone laying 138
Costly dress, 56 185
Covenant of grace >•.. 35
Of works 35
With Adam, peculiar 35
INDEX. 485
DAYS connectional 400
Deacons, how constituted 199
Ordination ceremony 60
Traveling 200
Duties of 199
Local !...! 199
Eligible to eldership 201
Deaconesses 100
Debts and arbitration 267
Dedication of churches, ceremony 148
Deed, form of 417
Delegates to General Conference 212
Board 220
Qualification 212
Election of 213
Expenses of 219
Dissension, sowing 263
District Conference 227
Composition of 227
Delegates to 227
Divorcement 62
"Doctrines" ; 9
Dollar Money Laws 387
Uses of 392
At Annual Conference 390
Priority of claims on 397
Doubt, state of 20
Dress, thoughts on 185
Drunkenness 49
Dullness 179
Duties, personal, of preachers 184
Duties of pastors 184
Of deacons J®)
Of elders 201
Of presiding elders |{L
Of bishops
Of class leaders
59
Of general business manager 337
' . 339
Of Board of Publication
338
Filling vacancies in ; •••
Of Managing Editor, Christian Recorder .*39
Of Managing Editor, Southern Christian Re- ^
OfC Managing'Editor Quarterly Review ...... 339
Of Managing Editor, Western Christian Re¬
corder * Sil
486 INDEX.
EDUCATION, Secretary of 355
Board of 35b
Educational Interest 355
Districts 359
Funds, distribution of 365
Educational Day 364
Elders, how constituted 201
Ordinatio<n ceremony 72
"Presiding" 202
Local 163
Electoral College 213
Election rules 215
Eligibility of licentiates to deaconate 165
Of deacon to eldership 201
Entertainment Commission 216
Episcopacy, the 3
Vacancies in 205
Episcopal Committee, the 247
Districts 291
"Essence of Christianity" 37
Evil, all kind, avoid 49
Examination for licensei 163
Bxhorters, how constituted 161
Duties of 161
Expelled preachers - 207
Members 60
Expenses of General Conference 219
Extra Session of General Conference 217
FAITH, catechism 18
Definition of 18
Fruits of 26
Salvation by 37
Lost 28
Recovered 28
Made perfect 21
In Holy Trinity, doctrine of 9
Imputed for righteousness 28
Counted for righteousness 36
Family religion 178
Fasting and abstinence . 52 174
Festivals of church, preaching on 177
Fighting, avoid 49
Finance Committee of Annual Conference 222
Receive all Conference moneys 390
Financial Department 386
Five years' limit, appointment 206
INDEX. 487
Florida Conferences 27»
Food—proper and improper 175
Frauds 265-
Free will, doctrine of 9
Fruits, the, of faith 26
Before Faith 25
Full membership, admission to Ill
Full Connection to Conference 192
GAINING knowledge 181
General rules 47
General officers, support 395
Trial of 251
Official responsibility 169
Ecclesiastical responsibility 169-
Restrictions 170
P. O. Addresses 476
General Conference, the 212
Composition 212
Sessions 215
Sessions—extra 217
Entertainment of 215
Restrictions of 218
Delegates to—qualifications 212
Commission 213
Election of Delegates 219
Electoral College, the 213
Expenses 21 &
Rules for government 467
Georgia Conferences 281
Giving, rules for 463-
Goods of a Christian ^
Good works, doctrine oif 10-
Gold and Costly apparel 56 185
Gold Coast Conference 289
Gospel near Calvinism 30
Near Antinomianism 30
Grace, Covenant of
Means of
"Instituted" V.
"Prudential" Yli
Rules for growth in
Growth in grace
HEATHEN, the "k
Heresy ,
Historical preface „„„
Historical and Literary Society
Holiness, salvation continued
488
INDEX.
Holy Trinity, doctrine of 6
Holy Ghost, doctrine of 7
Inspiration of 36
Holy Scripture, canonical 7
Home and Foreign Missionary Society 296
House-to-house instruction 178
Hymnal, A. M. E 58
ILLINOIS Conference r.... 282
Impeachment 254
Causes for 254
Improper conduct 264
Incorporation of connection 409
Indiana Conference 282
Ineffective Bishops 397
Insolvencies 265
■"Instituted" means of grace 173
Interference pastoral 257
Intbxicants 49 52
Invincible ignorance 26
Iowa Conference 282
Itinerancy, the 198
JUDICIAL directions 246
Justification 18
Doctrine of 9
Sin after U
Fruits of - 20
Of Abraham 21
And Santification 30
KANSAS Conference 282
Kentucky Conferences 282
LACK of skill in ministers 180
Laying corner-stones 138
Lay helpers . ••• 160
Members, trial of 261
Lay delegates to General Conference 212
Leaders, class, qualifications of - 59
Leaving wife or husband _• • • 62
Liberia Conference boundary 289
Liberty from law 24
From sin 28
License, how secured 164
Form of 164
Must be renewed annually 164
Liquors, spirituous i 254 264
^Literary exercise of Annual Conference 226
INDEX.
489
Local preachers, examination for
Application to Quarterly Conference for
Licensed
Must study
Trial of
Eligibility to orders
From other churches
Local deacons, procedure for
Eligibility to eldership
Obligations of
Tenure of Annual Conference membership ..
Local elders, procedure for
May be ordained at home
Obligations of
Tenure of Annual Conference membership .
Local ministers liable to appointment
Lord's Prayer
Lord's Supper, the
Louisiana Conferences
Love-feast, pastors must hold
Tickets not given the expelled
MARRIAGE
With unawakened
Without parents consent
Counsel concerning
Ring, the
Patrimony—ceremony
Means of grace—instituted
Prudential
Members—expelled « 60
Received in church
Michigan Conference
Ministers' debts
Ministerial unacceptability
Mississippi Conferences
Missouri Conferences
NATAL Conference
Needless ornaments
Neglect of appointment
New Testament
New York Conference
New England Conference
New Jersey Conference
North Carolina Conferences
Nova Scotia Conference
OATH of Christians
16J
163
164
184
252"
165-
166
165-
167
167
16T
165
166
167
.167'
167
123
116
283
181
59
61
61
196
196
130
127
173
175
269
111
284
258
255
283
283
290
56
25fr
8
286
284
284
285
285
IT
49°
INDEX.
Objects of preaching
Oblation of Christ
Official Board
Oklahoma Conferences
Ohio Conferences
■Ontario Conference
On trial, preachers received
Orange River Conference -
Ordination ceremony, deacons
Elders
Bishops
Ordainel preachers, received
■Order of worship
Of "trial"
Orphans -of preachers
Of bishops
■Other districts, Bishop's visit
Other churches, preachers from
Orphans' allowance 397
PARDON, salvation begun
Parent H. and F. M. Society
W. M.
Pastoral interference
Pastors, duties of
Calls all meetings
Presides at all meetings
Meets all organized bodies
Travels through charge
Publishes general rules
Assigns probationers
Examines for full membership
Gives and renews tickets
May give not for love-feast
Enforces fasting
Enjoins society to get books
Tries and expels members
Appoints leaders
Suspends officers
Ignores unlicensed preachers
Gives certificates to members
Gathers in children
Trains children
Organizes Sunday-school
Pauline injunctions
Leaves account for successor
Peace, fruit of faith
177
14
237
286
285
295
192
, 289
66
72
87
194
57
250
397
398
.208
193
398
37
296
310
257
184
184
184
185
185
185
186
186
186
186
186
187
187
187
.187
187
188
188
189
189
181
191
20
INDEX.
491
Perfection, preaching on
Philadelphia Conference
Pittsburg Conference
Plain texts
Prayer, extempore
Preach" where needed
Against Sabbath breaking
Evil speaking
Unprofitable conversation
Lightness
Gayety
Contracting debts
Preachers' personal duties
Always have a bible
Use Lord's supper
Fast
Converse aright
Deny self
Bear the cross
Set God always before
Preachers admitted on trial
In Annual Conference
To full connection
Conduct at Conference
Deportment, serious
Avoid awkwardness
Wesleyan rules of
Support
Widows' allowance
Superannuated support
Itinerants, "trial of"
Local trial of
From other denominations
Preachers' Aid Society
Preaching, defect in
Rules for
Preface
Presiding EMers
Qualifications of
Duties of
To assist pastors •••■
Preach on every charge quarterly ..
Decide questions of law
Change pastors
Accept no connectional money
Be removed for cause
44
286
286
176
17?
178
177
177
177
177
177
177
173
174
174
174
174
175
176
176
191
191
.192
198
196
177
195
402
397
396
249
252
193
404
29
176
i
202
202
202
203
.203
203
203
204
204
492 INDEX.
Safary of 402
Trial of 249
Probation, persons received on Ill
Preachers received on 191
Probationers received to full membership Ill
Assigned to special class 186
Probationship—members of Ill
Primitive rules for giving 453
"Prudential" means of grace 175
Publication Department 337
Board 338
Public Worship 57
Puget Sound Conference boundary 286
Punctuality 196
Purgatory, doctrine of 11
QUADRENNIAL sessions, General Conference 215
Quarreling 40
Quarterly Conference , 231
RECEIVING members HI
Preachers - 191
Recommendations to students 459
Reconciliation with God 26
Rejection of arbitration 268
Repentance 18
Before faiui 18
Reprove sin 48
Resurrection, doctrine of 7
Righteousness of Christ 22
Our own 31
Ring—marriage 130
Rites and ceremonies ' 60
Ritual A. M. E. Church 57
Law of Moises 24
Rules, general, of the "United Societies" 47
O.f a preacher 195
For growth in grace 173
Of government, General Conference 407
Rules of the United States 16
Rumors, investigation of 239
SABBATH breaking 177
Sabbath-schools,. pastor's duty to 189
Sacraments, the 12
Salvation by faith, doctrine on 37
Sanctification 38
Schism 255
Seriousness, rules for < 195
INDEX.
493
Sierra Leone Conference 289
Sin, original doctrine of "9
After justification H
Adam's 22
Wilful, after justification 20
Besttting •. 175
Sincerity 32
Singing, regulation of a 58
Slavery 49
Softness, avoid 5U
Sowing dissension 263
South African Christian Recorder
South Carolina Conferences 286
Speaking in unknown tongue 12
Evils of magistrates 50
Of ministers 50
Specific examination 451
Spirituous liquors 49 52
Stewards, appointment of 429
Duties of 429
Accountability of 430
Stewardesses 431
Students 459
Sunday-school Union 344
Constitution 344
General Board 345
Annual Conference Board 347
Sunday-school Constitution 350
Supererogation 10
Support of traveling preachers 402
TALE BEARING 179
Tennessee Conferences 28Y
Texas Conferences 288
Theological Seminaries 398 361 362
Transfer certificate |08
Transvaal Conference 290
"Transubstantiation"
Three months' notice to transfers
Travel of bishops
Traveling expenses of bishops ««
General officers
General Conference delegates
"Trial" of bishops
Presiding elders
Pastor elders
219
251
494-
INDEX.
Pastor deacons 251
Pastor preachers 251
Local preachers w.. 252
General officers 251
Lay members 261
"Trinity," doctrine of 6
'Trustees of church property 425
Number of 425
' Qualification of . 425
Election of 425
Chairman of 426
Duties of 42b"
Amenability of 427
Expulsion of 428
UNACCEPTABLE preachers 207
Unacceptability of preachers 255
Uncharitable Conversation 50
United Societies, the 47
United Statesi—Rulers of 16
Unknown tongue, speaking in 12
Unordained preachers admitted 194
Unprofitable conversation . 177
Usury 49
VACANCIES in episcopacy 205
Virginia Conference boundary 289
Visiting, pastoral 178
WESLEY, MR. in London 47
Doctrine of 37
West Virginia Conference 289
"Wilful sin 20
Wine 171
Witness of acceptance 20
Women's Mite Missionary S'oci/ety 316
Women's H. and F, Missionary Society 323
Word or Son of God 6
Of unbelievers * 24
Of the law 24
Covenant of 35
Women, converse with prudently 195
Not to be ordained 208
YEAR BOOK 209
ZAMBESI Conference 290
Zealously maintain good works 5<>