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Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichA, il est filmA A partir de I'angle sup6rieur geuche, de gauche ji droite, et de haut en bas, en prenent le nombre d'imeges nteessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. y errata Id to nt ne pelure, ipon A U 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 D I DO€TMNES AND DISCIPLmE. iv r;; I I 1 38136 DO THE DOCTRINES AND DISCIPLINE OF TUB P^MijSt <^hm\i 0f €mTX&^, * « • » • ► < L u • { » J ;■ V « » » 3 1 i » ' . 1874. 3 k J "% : ^^^ - . - . (' ^ I •' » oint the Secretary of Conference (Rev. D. ]>. CirRHiE), tlie Assistant- Secretary (Rev. W. 8co'rr), the Secretary of tlie Coinrnitteo on Discipline (Re\. John A. Williams), ami the Book Steward (Rev. Samuel Rose), a Committee, to arrange the various legislative acts of the Conference in suitable form, f < »r tho edition of Discipline ol our Church.'*- -Jouryial of (General Conference, page 196. fiect < . • • *... — •-«- I « . • • « * -#-.-•-•_ * • • » • « V » * • * ' ' .AJic , 1 ' - ,-• * (i ..^ B.Q.H. CONTENTS. m PART I. — Doctrines and Hulet, apiwint isistant- ittee on tl {Rev. ivo acts plme of Chapter I. abtioi.es of religion AJs^D HTTLES. Section . Page r. Articles of Religion 3 II. The General Rules 9 III. Baptism 13 IV. The Lord's Supper 13 V. On Marriage 14 VI. On Dress 16 Chapter II. THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CHURCH. I. On R ecei ving M embers into tho . t ^urch 16 II. The Relation of Baptized Children to the Church 17 Chapter III. MEANS OF GRACE. I. Public Worship 19 II. The Spirit and Truth of Singing 20 III. Classes and Class Meetiijgs 21 4.V, Band Meetings , , , , , 28 ;:■•■• . - -; . - .■;. .,- .. :■-.•■■ .■■ ■:^. < * ri CONTENTS. PART II,— 0/ the Govemntent of the Churoh, Chapter I. , THE CONFERENCES AND OFFICIAL BOARDS. Sertton. Page I. The General Conference 26 II. The Annual Conferences 30 III. The Stationing Committee 34 IV, The Transfer Committee 35 (Conference Committees of Examination of Candidates. ) See Addenda. V. The District Meetings 36 VI. The Financial District Meetings , 40 VII. Loo,".] l*rc:u'hcrs ftji'l their Meetings .f»0 VUl. Tlie Quartor 1 y Oflicial Meeting 53 IX. Leader^' Meetings ,'54 X. Stewards' Mectin^^s 55 XI. Society Meetings 55 XII. LovefeaJjt.i .'ifi Chapter II. THE MINISTRY. I. The Examination of those who think they are moved by the Holy C4hostto Preach 57 II. Rules for a Preacher's Conduct 58 III. I'he Duty of I>eachers to Crod, themselves, stxkd one another ... .50 IV. The Necessity of Union among ourselves (>2 V. How we can employ our time profitably when not Travelling, or engaged in Public Exercises ()2 VI. Of our Dei^ortment at Conference 63 VII. The Matter and Manner of Preaching 64 VIII. Rules by whioh we should Continue or Desist from Preacliing in any Place 65 IX. Visiting from House to House, and Enforcing Practical Religion 66 X, The Election and Ordination of Ministew, and their Duties ...., 71 by • t • • 57 • ••• 58 me t • • 59 ... 02 »ot • • • (52 • •• 63 * • • 64 • • • • 6r»' al ' >«• m !ir • • 74 CONinNTS. tU Section ' T'ltiit XI. Of the Kecoptioii uf Miiiiatcrs from othei Churches 71 Xll. The App Jitmcnt of VresidcutH juul their Duties 73 XIII. Chairmen of I)iiitricts ami their Duties 74 XIV. .Superintemlcnta ami their Duties 76 ClIAPTEH III. Qualiucatioiis, Api)oiiitmeut, and Dutits of Jiitewards ,„ SI PART III. — Administration of Discipline, Chapter I. THE TIUAL OF MINISTERS AND MEMBERSi * . AND THE SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES. I. Of the Trial of Ministers and Preachers 83 II. Of the Trial of Local Preachers 86 PAUT IV.— Educational and Benevolent Institutions* I. |)ducational — 92 II. Sabbath School 95 IIL The Missionary Society 102 IV. The Book and Printing Establishments 107 » • • PART V. — Temporal Economy. *» ■ . - Chapter I. ^ . . I. The Support of Ministers and their Families 113 II. The Superannuated Ministers' Fund 11^ IIL The Children's Fund,..N . 117 IV. Tho Contiuscnt Fund : 118 Vm COKTENTS. Chapter II. I'AKSONAGES, CHURCHES, AND CHURCH PROPERTY. 'JerAion Pagt I. Parsonages 122 II. Churches and Church Property 123 III. Trustees 124 IV. Record o! Property 125 Chapter III. BOUNDARIES OF CONFERENCES, DISTIUCTS, AND CIRCUITS. I. Annual Conferences 126 II. Districts and Circuits 128 t PART VL--The liitual * I. Baptism. — Ministration of Baptism to lufanta 129 Ministration to such as are of riper y ear8 1 32 II. Reception op Members. — Form for Receiving Members into the Church, after Probation 137 III. The Lord's Supper. —Order for Administration of the Lord's Supper 140 IV. Matrimony. — Form for the Solemnization of Matrimony 147 V. Burial of the Dead. — Form for the Burial of the Dead 151 VI. Ordination. — Form and Manner of Ordaining Ministers 154 VII. Covenant Service ;... 163 VIII. Laying the Corner-stone of a Church. — Form for laying the Corner-stone of a Church 179 IX. Dedication of a Church. — Form for tlie Dedication of aChurch 184 I. Course of Study for Candidates for the Ministry 190 IL Course of Study for Graduates in Arts 191 III. Course of Study for Theological Schools 1 92 XV. Course of Study for Candidates for the German "Work ... 1C2 V. Rules of Order 193 -« <•> ■ P-4i2r L— DOCTRINES AND RULES. CHAPTER I. ARTICLES OF RELIGION AND GENERAL RULES. Section I. ARTICLES OF RELIGION. 7. Of Faith in the Holy Trinity. There is but one living and true God, everlasting, with- out body or parts, of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness ; the maker and preserver of all things, visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead there are three Persons, of one substance, power, and eternity : the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. II. Of the Word, or Son of God, who was made very man. The Son, who is the Word of the Father, the very and Eternal God, of one substance with the Father, took man's nature in the womb of the blessed Virgin ; so that two whole and perfect natures, that is to say, the Grodhead 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 recon- cile his Father to us, and to be a sacrifice, not only iox original guilt, but also for the actual sins of men. I -i ABTICLES OF llELIGIOlt, m. 0/ the Resurrection of CJu'ist, '^ Christ did truly rise again from the dead, and took again his body, with all things appertaining to the perfection of man's nature, wherewith he ascended into Heaven, and there sitteth until he returns to judge all men at the last , day. ^ . IV. 0/ 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. TJie Sufficiency of tJie Holy Scriptures for Salvation. ■ The Holy Scriptures contain all things necessary to sal- vation ; so that whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be ' proved thereby, is not to be required of any man that it should be believed as an article of faith, or be thought re- quisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the Holy Scriptures, wa do understand those canonical books of the Old and New Testament, of whose authority was never any doubt iu the Church. - . THI NAMES OP THE CANONICAL BOORS. Genesiw. ■ Exodus, Levitiois. Numbws. Deuteronomy, Joshu£W Judges, Pvuth. The Bftok of i^stlier. The Book of J jb. ThePattlma. The Proverbs. The First Book of Samuel The Second Book of Samuel. The First Book of Kings. The Second Book of Kings. The First Book of Chronicles. The Second Book of Chronicles. The Boolt of Ezra. The Book of Nehemiah. Eccksiastes, or the Preacher. Canticles, or Song of Solomon. Four Prophets the greater. Twelve Prophets the less. :%i Ori theP natur offspr origi* evil, Tl he ( stre] fore acce pre^ wit ABTIGLES OF REUOIOIT. 8 All the Books of the New Testament, as they are com- monly received, we do receive and account canonical. VI. Of tJie Old TestamefO, 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 Mediator between 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 to Moses, as touching ceremonies and rites, doth not bind Chiistians, nor ought the civil precepts thereof of necessity to be received in any commonwealth ; yet notwithstanding, no Christian whatso- ever 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 ever^ 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. VIII. Of Free Will The condition of man after the fall of Adam is such that he cannot turn and prepare himself by his own natural strength and works, to faith, and calling upon God ; where- fore we have no power to do good works, pleasant ^nd acceptable to God, without the grace of God by Christ preventing us, that we may have good will, and working with us wlien we have that good will. m ABTICLES of BELlGtOlt IX. Of the Justification of Man, . We are accounted righteous before God only for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, by faith, and not for our own works or deservings : Wherefore, that we are jus- tified by faith only, is a most wholesome doctrine, and very fall of comfort. X. Of Good Works. - ? Although good works, which are the fruits of faith, and follow 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 frnit. XI. Of Works of Supererogation. -^ Voluntary works, besides over and above God's command- ments, 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 that of bounden duty is required ; Whereas Christ saith plainly. When ye have have done all that is commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants. XII. Of Sin after Jmtification. Not every sin willingly committed after justification ia the sin against the Holy Ghost, and unpardonable. Where- fore, the grant of repentance is not to be denied to such as fall into sin after just ilication : After we have rccei\'ed the Holy Ghost, wo may depart from grace given, and fall into sin, and by the grace of God rise again and amend our lives. And therefore they fire to be condemned who cay they can ARTICLES OF RELIGION. 5 no more sin as long as they live here, or deny tlie piace of forgiveness to such as tnily repent. XIII. OJ the Church. The visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men, in which the pure word of God is preached, and the sacraments duly administered according to Christ's ordi- nance, in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same. V XIV. 0/ Purgatory. The Komish doctrine concerning purgatory, pardon, wor- shipping, and adoration, as well of images as of relics, and also invocation of saints, is a fond thing, vainly invented, and grounded upon no warrant of Scripture, but repugnant to the word of God. XV. 0/ Speaking in the Congregation in such a Tongue a8 ike People understand not. It is a thing plainly repugnant to the Word of God, and the custom of the Primitive Church, to have public prayer in the church, or to minister the Sacraments, in a tongue not understood by the people. ■''',". ^ ■''•/ . -. , . '^- ' XVL Of the Sacraments, " ' Sacraments ordained of Christ are not only badges or tokens of Christian men's profession, but rather they are certain signs of grace, and God's good- will towards us, by the which he doth work invisibly in us, and doth not only quicken, but also strengthen and comfort 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 .W. '1| m :,<\f 4 6 ABTIOLES OF RELIQION. Those fi^e oommonlj called Sacramento, — that is to say, Confirmation, Penance, Orders, Matrimony, and Extreme Unction, — ^aro 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 lifo allowed in the Scripture, 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 operation ; but they that receive them unworthily, purchase to themselves condemnation, as St. Paul saith, 1 Cor. xi. 29. XVII. Of Baptism, Baptism is not only a sign of profession and mark of difference, whereby Christians are distinguished from others that are not ba{)tizcd, but it is also a sign of regeneration, or the new birth. The baptism of young children is to bo retained in the church. XVIIl. Of the I/yrcCs Supper, The Supper of the Lord is not only a sign that Christians ought to have among themselves one to another, but rather is a Sacrament of our redemption by Christ's death ; inso- much, that to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith re- ceive the same, the bread which we break is a partaking of the body of Christ, and likewise the cup of blessing is a par- taking of the blood of Christ. Transubstantiation, or the change of the substance of bread and wine in the Supper of our Lord, cannot be proved bjr Hol^ Writ, but is rej)ugnant to the plain words of ^orii)- ARTICLES OF RELIGION. tare, overthroweth the nature of a Sacrament, and hath given occasion to many superstitions. The body ot Christ is given, taken, and eaten, in the Su!>p(u% only after a lioavenly anil ^^jurltual manner. An; tlio means wher(^l)y tlie body of Clirist is received and eatei in the Supper, is faith. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was not by Christ's ordinance reserved, carried about, lifted up, or worshipped. XIX. Of Both hinds. 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 Christy finished upon the Cross. The offering of Christ once made, is that perfect re- demption, propitiation, and satisfaction for all the sins of the whole world, both original and actual : and there is none other satisfaction for sin but that alone. Wherefore the sacrifice of mass, in 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. I The ministeis of Christ are not commanded by God's law either to avow the estate of single life or to abstain from marriage ; therefore it is lawful for them, as for all otliei- Christians, to marry at their own discretion, as they rIimU jud^e the same to serve best to godliness. XXII. Of the Bites and Ceremonies of the Church. It is not necessary that rites and ceremonies should in f^U places be the same, or exactly alike ; for the^ have beep m 8 ARTICLES OF RELIGION. 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 purposely doth openly break the rites and ceremonies of the church to which he belongs, which are not repugnant to the word oi God, and are ordained and approved by common authority, ought to be rebuked openly, that others may fear to do the like, as one that ofTendeth against the common order of the church, and woundeth the consciences of weak brethren. Every particular church may ordain, change, or abolish rites and ceremonies, so that all things may be done to edi- fication. XXIIL Of the Civil Oovemment. We believe it is the duty of all Christians to be subject to the powers that be ; for we are commanded by the Word of God to respect and obey the Civil Government. We should therefore not only fear God, but honour the King. XXIY. 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 Man's Oath, As we confess that vain and rash swearing is forbidden Christian men by our Lord Jesus Christ, and James his Apostle, so we judge that the Cliristian religion doth not prohibit but that a man may swear when the magistrate requireth, in the cause of faith and charity, so it be ac- cording to the Prophet's teaching, in justice, judgment^ and truthr « THE GENERAL RULES. 9 Section II« THE ORIGIN, DESIGN, AND GENERAL RULES OF OUR UNITED SOCIETIES. 1. In the latter end of the year 1739, eight or ten per- sons came to Mr. Wesley, in London, who appeared to be deeply convinced of sin, and earnestly groaning for redemp- tion. They desired (as did two or three more next day) that he would spend some time with them in prayer, and advise them how to flee from the wrath to comfe, 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 thence- forward they did every week, namely, on Thursday, in the evening. To these, and as many more as desired to join with them, (for their numbers increased daily), he gave those advices, from time to time, which he judged most needful for them ; and they always concluded their mieetings with prayer, suited to their several necessities. 2. This was the rise of the United Society, first in Europe and then in America. Such a Society is no other than " a company of meriy having the/orm and seeking the powe? of godliness ; united in order to pray together to receive tJie word of exhortation, and to watch over one another in love, that iJiey may help each other to work out their salvation" 3. That it may be the more easly be discerned, whether they are indeed working out their own salvation, each Society is divided into smaller companies, called Classes, ac- cording to their respective places of abode. There are about twelve persons in a Class, one of whom is styled The Leader, It is his duty, — First. To see each person in his Class once a week at least, in order, n 10 THE GENERAL RULES. 1. To inquire how their souls prosper. 2. To advise, reprove, comfort, or exhort, as occasion may require. 3. To receive what they are willing to give towards the support of the Ministers, Preachers, Church, and Poor. Second. To meet the Ministers and Stewards of the Society once a week, in order, 1. To inform the Minister of any that are sick, or of any that walk disorderly and will not be reproved. - 2. To pay the Stewards what they have received of the several Classes in the week preceding. 3. There is only one condition previously required of those who desire admission into these Societies, — a desire to fleefiom the wrath to covMy cmd he saved from their eina. But wherever this is really fixed in the soul, it will be shewn by its fruits. It is therefore expected of all who continue therein, that they should continue to evidenco their desire of salvation, .-^ : First. By doing no hai^m, by avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which is most generally practised, — such as ; The taking of the name of God in vain. % The profaning of the day of the Lord, either by doing ordinary work therein, or by buying or selling. Drunkenness, buying or selling spirituous liquors, op drinking them, unless in case of extreme necessity. The buying and selling of men, women, and children, with the intention to enslave them. Fighting, quarrelling, brawling, brother goiog to law with brother; returning evil for evil, or railing for railing; the using many words in, buying or selling. The buvina or selling goods that have not paid the duty. The giving o** taking on usury, i,e,, unlawful interesi THE OEKEBAL RULES. 11 TJncharitable or unprofitable conyersation ; particularly speaking evil of Magistrates 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 or costly apparel. . The taking such diversions as cannot be used in the name of the Lord Jesus. ' The singing those songs or reading those books which do not tend to the knowledge or love of God. Softness and needless self-indulgence. Laying up treasure upon earth. Borrowing without a probability of paying, or taking up goods without a probability of paying for them. 5. It is expected of all who continue in these Societies that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation, Secfyndly, By doing good, by being in every kind merciful after their power, as they have opportunity, doing good of every possible sort, and, as far as possible, to all men. To their bodies, of the ability which God giveth, by giving food to the hungry, by clothing the naked, by visit- ing or helping them that are sick or in prison. To their souls, by instructing, reproving, or exhorting all we have any intercourse with \ trampling under foot that enthusiastic doctrine, that " we are not to do good, unless our hearts are free to it!^ By doing good, especially to them who are of the house- hold of faith, or groaning so to be j employing them pre- ferably to others ; buying one of another ; helping each other in business ; and so much the more, because the world will love its own, and them only. By all possible diligence aiid frugality, that the gospel be not blamed. 1 ■ 12 THE GENERAL BX7LES. By running with patience the race which is set before them, denying themselves, and taking up their cross daily ; submitting to bear the reproach of Christ, to be as of the filth and ofTscouring of the world ; and looking that men should say all manner of evil of ihQio. falsely for the Lord^s sake, 6. It is expected of all who desire to continue in these Societies that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation. Thirdly. By attending to all the ordinances of God,— such as : The public worship of God. The ministry of the word, either read or expounded. The Supper of the Lord. - \ v Family and private prayer. Searching the Scriptures, and " - Fasting or abstinence. 7. These are the general rules of our Societies; all of which we are taught of God to observe, even in his written woid, which is the only rule, and the sufficient rule, both of (mr faith and practice. And all these we know his Spirit writes on truly awakened hearts. If there be any among us who observe them not, who habitually break any of them, let it bo 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 mori place among us. W© have delivered our x)wn souls, -r^V^i'**' UCBAHENIS. 18 before daily; of the it men Lord^8 these desire God,-^ all of jv^ritten both of Spirit among f them, oul, as him of reason. Jngus, Section III. BAPTISM. 1. Who are the proper siibjects for baptism? Infants, and believing adults who have not been baptized in infancy. 2. What is the mode of baptism ? Sprinkling, or pouring; but should any candidates for baptism prefer any other mode, the officiating minister may comply with their request. Wherever practicable, let the ordinance be administered in the public congregation. SECTION IV. THE LORD'S SUPPER. Ques. Are there any directions to be given concerning the administration of the Lord's Supper ? Ans. 1. Let those who have scruples concerning the re- ceiving of it kneeling, be permitted to receive it either standing or sitting. 2. Let no person who is not a Member of our Church be habitually admitted to the Communion, without examination, and some token given by the Minister. 3. No person shall be admitted to the Lord's Supper among us, who is guilty of any practice for which we would exclude a Member of our Church. ' ^ •Ml r. k4 u OF laBRIAGB. 3 Section V, OF MARRIAGE, eon the Ques. 1. Do we observe any evil which has prevailed in cur Church with respect to marriage 1 Ana. Many of our members have married with un- awakened persons. This has produced bad effects : they have beea either hindered for life^ or have turned back to perdition. Ques. 2. What can be done to discourage this 1 Ans. 1. Let every Minister or Preacher publicly enforce the Apostle's caution, " Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers." — 2 Cor. vi. 14. 2. Let him declare, whoever does this may be put back on trial for three months. 3. When any such is put back on trial, let a suitable exhortation be subjoined. 4. Let*all be exhorted to take no steps in so weighty a matter, without advising with tho most serious of their brethren. Ques. 3. Ought any woman to marry without the consent of her parents ) Ans. In general she ought not. Yet there may be exceptions. For if, 1st. A woman believe it to be her duty to marry ; if, 2nd. Her parents absolutely refuse to let her marry any Christian, then she may, nay, ought to marry without their consent. Yet even then, a Methodist Preacher ought not to be married to her. We do not prevent our people from marrying persons who are not of our Church, provided such persons have the form and are seeking the power of godliness ; but we are deter- mined to discourage their marrying persons who do not cou tic] In cir< eve bul suf mo joi] OF DBESS. 10 ed in wn- they back oome up to this desoription. And even in a doubtful casOi the member shall be put back on triaL Section VI. OF DRESS. Qites, Should W6 insist on the rules concerning dress 1 Ana, By all means. Hiis is no fcime to give any en- couragement to superfluity of apparel ; therefore, give no tickets to any till they have left off superfluous ornaments. In order to this, 1. Let every one who has the charge of a circuit read the thoughts upon dress, at least once a year, in every large Society. 2. In visiting the classes, be very mild, but very strict. 3. Allow of no exempt case : — Better one suffer than many. 4. Give no tickets to any, who, in their mode of dress, exceed the plainness and moderation en- joined in the New Testament. f 11 i S '■J\ CHAPTER 11. THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CHTJRCH. Section I. OF RECEIVING MEMBERS INTO THE CHURCH. Ques. 1. How shall we prevent improper persons from insinuating themselves into the Church ? Ana. 1. Give Tickets to none until they are recommended by a Leader, with whom they have met at least three Trumtha on trial, . 2. Give trial tickets to none but those who are reccm- raended by one you know, or until they have met three or four times in a Class. 3. Head the rules to them the first time they meet. 4. Private members in connection with other Evangelical Churches, or with any other body of Methodists, who make application for admission into our Church, may be received by the Ministers on the Circuit as members, without the usual term of probation. BAPTIZED CHILDBEN. 17 » ' ' ' . I from tended nonths reccm- iree or igellcal ) make )ceived Section IL OF THE RELATION OF BAPTIZED CHILDREN TO THE CHURCH. Ques. 1. Are all young children entitled to baptism] Ana. We hold that all children, by virtue of the uncon- ditional benofita of the atonement, are members of the kingdom of God, and, therefore, graciously entitle 1 to bap- tism ; but as infant baptism contemplates a course of religious instruction and discipline, it is expected of all parents or guardians who present their children for baptism, that they use all diligence in bringing them up in conformity to the Word of God, and they should solemnly be admonished of this obligation, and earnestly exhorted to faithfulness therein. Ques. 2. What is the relation of baptized children to the Church ? Ans. We regard all children who have been baptized, as placed in visible covenant relation to God, and under the special care and supervision of the Church. Ques. 3. What shall be done for the children of our Con- gregations 1 • Ans. 1. Urge upon all parents the duty and importance of presenting their children to God in the ordinance ot baptism. 2. As early as they shall be able to understand, let them be taught the nature, the design, and the obligations of their baptism, and the truths of religion necessary to make them wise unto salvation ; let our Catechisms be placed in their hands, and let all who can, read and commit the same to memory ; let them be encouraged, to attend class, and tf give regular attendance upon all the means of grace, accor ing to their age, capacit^^ and religiouci Qxperieuoe, 'I \. .■■■ i. I- 1 18 BAPTIZED CHILDBEN. 3. Pray earnestly for them, and talk with them at every suitable opportunity. 4. As far as pra.jticabie, it; s n;; bo the dai,y of cA-cry Minister and Piva-lier to obtaiii the name^^ of i]w cliilslren of his conij^reg irion, to form them into chisses for the pur- pose of giving them religious instruction, to instruct them regularly himself, as his other duties will allow ; to appoint a suitable Leader for each class, who shall instruct them in his absence, and to leave for his successor a correct list of each class with the name of its Leader. 6. Preach expressly on education. " But I liave no gift for this." Pray earnestly for the gift, and use every other means to attain it. 6. Whenever a, baptized child shall, by orphanage or otherwise, be deprived of Christian guardianship, the Superintendent shall ascertain and report to the Leaders* Meeting the facts in the case ; and such provision shall be made for the Christian training of the child, as the circum- stances of the case may admit and requira ■ <•» .'i^ i •■-•,:--^^ CHAPTER III. MEANS OF GRACE. , • Secttion I. OF PUBLIC WORSHIP. Quea, 1. What direction shall be given for the obtahTiEOi- ment of uniformity in public worship among as, on the Lord's Day? ^ 1 Let the following Order of Services be observed in all our Churches : — ' ' ^ '' (a) Morning Service : Singing, Prayer, Heading a Lesson out of the Old Testament and a Lesson out of the New Testament, Singing, Preaching, Singing, Prayer, Benediction. (b) The same order shall be observed in the Afternoon and Evening Services, except that one lesson shall suffice. 2 Let the people be earnestly exhorted to take part in the public worship of God — first, in singing ; second^, in prayer, in the Scriptural attitude of kneeling. 3 Let the Lord's Prayer a'.so be used on all occasions of public worship in concluding the first prayer, and the Apos- tolic benediction in dismissing the congregation. 4 In administering the ordinances, let the form i^ th9 Disoipline be iuie4f ^i i-..il 20 OF THE SPIRIT AND TRUTH OP SINGINO. 5 Let the Society be met> at least once a quarter, wherever it is practicable, on the Sabbath-day. Ques. 2. Is there not a great indecency sometimes prac- tised among us, yiz., talking in the congregation before and after service ? How shall this be cured 1 Ans. Let the Ministers and Preachers enlarge on the im- propriety of talking before or after service ; and strongly exhort those that are concerned to do so no more. Section IL OP THE SPIRIT AND TRUTH OF SINGING. ' Ques. How shall we guard against formality in singing) Ans 1 By choosing such hymns as are proper for the coa- gregation. 2. By not singing too much at once ; seldom more than five or six verses. 3. By suiting the tune to the words. 4. By often stopping short, and asking the people, " ITow I do you know what you said last ? Did you speak no more than you felt?" 5. Do not suffer the people to sing too slowly. This naturally tends to formality, and is brought in by those who have either very strong or very weak voices. 6. In every large Society let them learn to sing ; and let them always learn our tunes first. :^ 7. Introduce no new tunes till they are perfect in the old. 8. Recommend our tune-book. And if you cannot sing yourself, choose a person or two at each place to pitch the tune for you. 9. Exhort every person ip tbe congregation to sins | ^oti owe ift ten Qftljr, dLASS MEETIKGd. (][uarter, 68 prac- bre and IC. The singing and all other parts of nublic worship are under the control and discretion of the isuperintendent of tho Circuit. the im- itrongly [ingingi the coA" re than " Now ! 10 more ^ This 7 those and let the old. Lot sing itch the *5l ^^^ . Section III. -; r OP CLASS MEETINGS. Qties, 1. How may the Leaders of Classes be rendered more useful ? Ans, 1. Ijet each of them be diligently examined con- cerning his method of meeting a Class. Let this be done with all possible exactness, at least once a quarter. In order to this, take sufficient time. 2. Let each carefully inquire how every soul in his Class prospers : not only how each person observes the outward rules, but how he grows in the knowledge and love of God. 3. Let the Leaders converse frequently and freely with those who have the charge of their Circuits. Ques. 2. Oein anything more be done in order to make the Class Meetings lively and profitable 1 Ans. 1. Change improper Leaders. ' '^ ■- * 2. Let the Leaders frequently meet each other's Classes. 3. Let us observe which Leaders are the most useful; and let these meet the other Classes as often as possible.. 4. See that all the Leaders be not only men of sound judgment, but men truly devoted to God. - - » . 5. As a general rule let no Leader have charge of more than one Class. QuM* 3. What shall we do with those members of oui Church who willfully and repeatedly neglect to meet in Clasbl f . I -I BAND soonrrtEs. Ans, 1. Let the Chairman, or one of the Preachers," visit them whenever it is practicable, and explain to them the consequence if they continue to neglect, viz., exclusion. 2. If they do not amend, let him who has the charge of the Circuit exclude them, (in the church), showing that they are laid aside for a breach of our rules of Discipline, and not for immoral conduct. , Ques. 4. How often shall we permit those who are not of our Church to be present at our Class Meetings and Love- feasts ? Ans, Let them be admitted with the utmost caution, and, to the Lovef(^p8t) not without a note of admittance. Sbction IV, • OP THE BAND SOCIETIES. ' * - Two, Hhree, or four true believers, who have confidence in each other, form a band : — only, it is to be observed, that in each of these bands all rousb be men, or all women ; and aU married, or all unmarried. , ' Xuks of the Sand Societies, dravm up December fS5, 1738. The design of our meeting is to obey that command of Uod, (Jonfesa your faults one to another ^ and pray one for (fmother, that ye may he healed, — James v. 16. To this end we agree, — ^^ • 1. To meet once a week at least, 2. To come punctually at the hour appointed ; unless some extraordinary reason prevents. 3. To begin exactly 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 ^T\ '..>,•.? intern felt sin 5. I state G e. T first, a searchi and tei Some mitted 1. H 2. H Christ 3. H that yoi 4. Is 6. Hj 6. D< 7. D( plain an 8. D( time to 9. Co ever we 10. I 'ilose as your he{ 11. li other o< guise an Any < *">««ion Isim) sociETtes. 23 in tempers, words or actions, and the temptations we have felt since our last meeting. 6. To end every meeting with prayer, suited to tho state of each person present. 6 . To desire some person among us to speak 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 one before he is ad- mitted among us may be to this effect : — 1. Have you the forgiveness of your sins 1 2. Have you peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ t 3. Have you the witness of God's Spirit with your spirit 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, dominion over you 1 6. Do you desire to be told of your faults 1 7. Do you desire to be told of all your faults, and thai plain and home 1 8. Do you desire that every one of us should tell you, from time to time, whatsoever is in his heart concerning you 1 9. Consider ! Do you desire we should tell you whatso- ever we hear concerning you 1 10. Do you desire that in doing this we should come as close as possible, that we should cut to the quick, and search your heart to the bottom 1 11. Is it your desire and design to be on this, and all other occasions, entirely open, so as to speak without dis- guise and without reserve 1 Any of the preceding questions may be asked as often as «"^«ion requires ; tho four following at every meeting : f. 24 6ANt) dOGtSTIES. 1 . What known sins have you committed since our last meeting 1 2. What particular temptation have you met with 9 3. How were you delivered 1 4. What have you thought, said, or done of which yon doubt wether it be sin or not 9 Directions given to the Band Society f December S5th, 1744' You are supposed to have the FnUh that overcometh the world. To you, therefore, it is not grievious, I. Carefully to abstain from doing evil ; in particular — 1. To neither buy nor sell anything at all on the Lord's- day. 2. To taste no spirituous liquor, no dram of any kind, unless prescribed by a physician. , . 3. To be at a word in buying or selling. 4. Not to mention the faults of any behind his bachj and to stop those short that do. 5. To wear no needless omaTnentSf such as rings, e^r-rings, necklacces, lace, or ruffles. 6. To ttse no needless self-indulgence, II. Zealously to maintain good works ; in particular, 1. To give alms of such things as you possess, and that iccording to your ability. 2. To reprove those who sin in your sight, and that in love and meekness of wisdom. 3. To be patterns of diligence, 9Sidi frugality , oi self -denial, and taking up the cross daily. III. Constantly to attend on all the ordinances of God ; in particular— 1. To be at church, and at the Lord's table, and at every public meeting of the Bands, at every opportunity. \ :m BAKD SOCIETIES. 35 2. To use private prayer every day ; and famUy prayer, if you are the head of a family. • 3. Frequently to read the Scriptures, and meditate thereon. And — 4. To observe as days of fasting or abstinence all Fridays in the year. >••■■ 't^ '-'i I ■■! r^iM ■B il Ml 11 ♦ •♦ PART IL— GOVERNMENT OF THE CHURCn, CHAPTER I. THE CONFEKENCES. Section I. THE GENERAL CONFERENCE. 1. The General Conference shall be composed of an equal number of Ministerial and Lay Delegates. 2. The Ministerial Delegates shrl^ consist of one mem- ber in every eight members of each Annual Conference, one of which Delegates from each Annual Conference shall be its President j, and the other Ministerial Delegates shall be chosen in the. meeting next j.Teceding the meeting of the General Confei'ence. Provided, nevertheless, that a fraction of three-fourtljs shall entitle a Conference to an additional representative, 3. Each Ministerial Delegate to the General Conference must receive ft majority of votes of the members of the Annual Confei'ence, who may be present and vote, in order to an election. 4. The appointment of Laymen to the General Confer ODCO shall be wade as follows : . , ,„ THB GENERAL COlf' RBNCK m m [a) The Laymen in each Annual >isti ict r eeting next preceding the meeting of the General ji hi ' ' 'I ] ^1 '^ 1 J I 34 ^ THE STATIONING COMMITTEE. Section III. THE STATIONING COMMITTEE. 1. The Stationing Committee in each Conference shall con- sist of the President, the Chairmen of Districts, and another Minister from each District, for whose election the lay-mem- bers in the District Meeting shall also vote, — tlie voting always being by ballot. One of the General Missionary fiwretaries shalj be a member of the Stationing Committee ijof such Annual Conference or Conferences as may desire it, 2. The Stationing Committee shall meet at the call of the President at the place appointed for holding the Annual Conference, previous to the commencement of its sessions, to prepare a draft of the stations ; which draft shall be printed and ready at the opening of the session, for the use of mem- bers of Conference. 3. The Stationing Committee shall meet as often as may be deemed necessary during the Sessions of the Conference, for the revision of the stations ; and each member of the Conference shall have the right to appear before the Com- mittee to represent his case in regard to his appointment. 4. The first draft of stations shall be placed on the table of the Conference at the close of the first session, the second draft at the close of the session on the third day of Confer- ence, and the third and final draft not later than the close of the session on the fifth day of the Conference. 5. The Stationing Committee shall not allow any Min- ister or Preacher to remain more than three years succes- sively on the same Circuit, except the General Conference Ofiicers, Superannuated and Supernuineraiy Ministers, the Missionaries among the Indians, and on the Foreign Mission Districts, and such Ministers as may be appointed to our Educational Institutions. 6. trav Circj this tranj whi( mittl 7. sent^ cessi TKANSFEE OF MINISTEEa 86 lall con- motlier y-mem- voting sionaiy imittee 5sire it, of the Annual ons, to )nntod mem- iS may srence, of the Com- mt. table iecond onfor- I cloae Min- iicces- rence i, the ssion 3 our 6. On the division of a Circuit, no minister who has travelled successively the three preceding years on such Circuit shall be appointed to either part of it — nevertheless, this rule shall not apply to those places which may be transferred in adjusting the work by the District Meeting, which transfer has been sanctioned by the Stationing Com- mittee. 7. When the third draft of stations shall have been pre- sented to the Conference, the Secretary shall read over suc- cessively the names of the Ministers stationed in each District, and the Conference shall elect by ballot one of the members of Conference so stationed to be Chairman for the ensuing year. Immediately after the election of the Chairman of a District is declared by the President, the said Chairman shall nominate a Financial Secretary for his District, and the Conference, if it approves, shall appoint the same. Section IV. TRANSFER OF MINISTERS. The President of the General Conference, the President of each Annual Conference, and one Minister elected annu ally by each Annual Conference, shall be a Committee for the transfer of Ministers and Preachers from one Annual Conference to another, and the decisions of such Committee shall be final. To the Chairman of such Committee shall all communications by all [)arties concerned be addressed, but not later then the first day of May in any one year : — Provided^ nevertheless, that any minister who deems himself nggrieved shall have the privilege of appearing before tho 36 DISTRICT MEETINGS. Transfer Committee and stating his case ; and provided, likewise, that such transfer shall not prejudice the ultimate financial claims of any Minister or Preacher so transferred. — Each Minister transferred shall be subject to the action of the Stationing Committee of the Conference to which ho> mdV be transferred. Dij i Section V, THE DISTRICT MEETINGS. Ques. 1. What regulations are necessary for the preserva- tion of our whole economy in active efficiency t Ans. Let the work be divided into Districts. Ques. 2. What regulations shall be made concerning the management of Districts ? Ana. The Chairman shall oversee all the spiritual and temporal business of the Church in his District, and shall, in conjunction with the travelling Ministers and Preachers under his care, be responsible to the Conference for the enforcement of the Discipline. Qiies. 3. Who compose the District Meetings 1 Ans. All Members of Conference, and Preachclls on trial in each District ; the Kecording Stewards of the several Circuits and Missions, and one other Lay-representative for each travelling Minister or Preacher appointed, in addition to the Superintendent on each Circuit or Mission. The District Meetings immediately preceding the General Con- ference, in addition to Ministers and Preachers of the District, shall be composed of Lay members, elected by ballot at the previous Quarterly Meeting of the Circuits. DISTRICT MEETINGS. 37 Ques. i. What directions shall be given concerning the District Meetings 1 Ans. 1. After the Chairman has opened the Meeting by the nsnal devotional exercises, a Secretary shall be elected by ballot, who shall keep a record of the proceedings in a book procured for that purpose. At the close of each Meet- ing the Minutes shall be signed by the Chairman and Secretary. The book shall be kept by the Chaii*man, and brought to Conference, and delivered by him to his successor. 2. The method of proceeding at each Meeting shall be as follows : — The Chairman shall inquire : First. — ^What members are now present 1 Second. — ^Are the Ministers and Preachers blamelesss in life, conversation, and doctrine 1 In the examination of Ministers and Preachers in the District Meeting, the Chairman is required to ask the fol- lowing questions, distinctively and successively^ concerning every brother: 1. Is there any objection to his moral and religious character 1 ^ 2. Does he believe and preach all our doctrines 1 3. Has he duly observed and enforced our discipline 1 4. Has he been punctual in attending all his appoint- ments 1 s • 5. Has he competent abilities for our itinerant work ? A separate answer to each of these questions is expected to appear in the District Minutes. The Chairmen are required to examine into the case of every minister who has married during the year, whether the fourth of the " Rules of a Preacher" has been obeyed, which says, ** Take no steps towards marriage without fii-st consulting your brethren ; " and to report to the Conference :■ M lip Mi 38 disthicjt meetings. any cases in which that important direction shall appear to have been violated. This rule shall oe considered as requir- ing m particular a consultation with the Chairman of his District, his Superintendent, or some senior minister com- pf^'^'.ent to give advice in the case. Every preacher on trial who has travelled four years, and has been recommended by his District Meeting to the Con- ference to be admitted into full connexion, shall attend the Conference of that year. Third. — What Ministers are appointed by this Meeting to represent the District as members of Conference Com- mittees ? Fourth. — Are the young men on trial acquainted with the prescribed course of study, and what books have they read 1 The Reports of Examining Committees are to be presented to the District Meetings for consideration; and their recom- mendation is to be recorded in the Minutes of the District, rk 1 4* AStev the examination the Candidate shall withdraw^ DISTRICT MEETINGS. 43 age? and the Meeting shall determine whether he shall be re- commended to the ensuing Conference, to be received on trial. 5. If it be not convenient for the Candidate to attend the District Mooting, the Chairman with two other Ministers shall examine him as above directed, and report the result to the District Meeting. 6. If a Preacher who has been received on trial, but not into full connection, desist from travelling, he shall be dropped in silence, unless he desist from want of health. 7. A Preacher who marries while on trial shall be dropped in silence. 8. Observe : taking on trial is entirely different from admitting a Preacher into full connection. One on trial may be either admitted or rejected without doing him any wrong : otherwise it would have been no trial at all. Let every Chairman explain this to those on trial. 9. The time for a Preacher to remain on trial shall be four years, at the end of which period, if recommended by his District Meeting, he may be received into full con- nection. 10. Every preacher on trial shall pursue the course of study prescribed by Conference, (see Appendix No. I.) except as hereinafter provided ; and before he shall be received into full connexion, he shall give satisfactory evidence to the District Meeting, from year to year, of his knowledge of the subjects and books included in such course of study. 11. Graduates in Arts shall pursue the course of study prescribed in Appendix No. II. 12. Probationers appointed to attend our Theological ^Qhools shall pursue the pourse of study prescribed ii^ m i^ 44 DISTRICT MEETINGS. Appendix No. III., except Undergraduates in Arts, who, in addition to their course in Arts, shall take such theological studies as may be deemed advisable by the Faculty in Arts of the University to which they are appointed. 13. Graduates in Divinity shall be exempted from the course of study ; but prior to being recommended to be received into full connexion and ordained, they shall be examined on Wesley's Sermons and Notes on the New Testament; Fletcher's Checks, i.-v; Steven's History of Methodism, and the DiscipKiie of the Methodist Church of Canada. This examination shall also be required of all probationers passing through our theological schools, who have not been examined on these subjects in their course of study. 14. Candidates for our German Missionary work shall pui'sue the course of study prescribed in Appendix No. IV. 15. After four years' probation, and an examination before, and approved by the Conference, he shall be received into full connexion and be publicly recognized. If a Preacher who has been received on trial, but not in full connexion, desist from want of health, or is proved guilty of immorality, it shall be stated in the Minutes ; but in all other cases his name shall be dropped in silence, 16. That when a student, by appointment of an Annual Conference, attends a University or Theological School for two or more years, one year shall be allowed on his proba- tion ; and if within the term of his probation he proceed to a degree, two years shall be so allowed. 17. All young men taken into the work by Chairmen of Districts, with the consent of the President, before the No- vember Quarterly Ollicial Meetings, shall be allowed the full year, DISTRICT MEETINGS. 45 3, who, in leological J in Arta from the 3d to be shall be the New istory of Church of sd of all )ols, who course of ork shall : No. IV. mination received If a t in full guilty of lit in all Annual chool for is proba- 'oceed to rmen of the No- ►wed th^ 18. No Cli \irman of a District, or other Conference officer, shall have authority to employ a married Preacher during the year, with a view to his being received as a Candidate for our Ministry, without the consent of the Conference or the Conference Special Committee. 19. No District Meeting shall recommend any married Preacher to thr. Conference for reception on trial, unless he has been pre , iously employed in case of absolute necessity, in accordance with the foregoing restriction. 20. When a Preacher's name is not inserted in the Minutes he must receive a written license from the Presi- dent, or Chairman of the District on which he resides. Ques. What Candidates for our Ministry a,re recommended to attend college during the year 1 Ans, 1. All students who enjoy the free advantages of our Theological Schools shall be appointed thereto by an An- nual Conference, or recommended by a Quarterly Official Meeting. ♦ 2. Probationers shall be eligible to appointment to Col- lege at the end of the first year of their probation. 3. As far as practicable, the time of attendance shall be three years. 4. Before any Candidate for our Ministry shall be sent to college with recommendation of a grant from the Theological Fund, his circumstances shall be inquired into by the District Meeting, and the Minute of the District in his case shall be forwarded to the Treasurer of said Theological Students' Fund. 5. Probationers appointed to attend college shall retain their connection with the Annual Conference by which they Were appointed. 6. The Examining Committee appointed by Conference shall conduct all the usual District Meeting Examinations of 46 DISTRICT MEETINHS. V\ students appointed to such, institutions dunng the first two years of their attendance, and report to their respective Conferences. But at the end of the third year they shall return to and be examined by the District Meeting to which thoy last belonged ; or, if this be not possible, they shall be examined by the Meeting of the District within the bounds of which their college is situated, and reported thence to their respective Conferences. 7. After preliminary examination by the Examining Committee of the college, students recommended by a Quarterly Official Meeting, shall return to the District from which they are recommended, for their further examination and recommendation to the Annual Conference. Ninth. — ^What Ministers or Preachers have died ? Tenth. — ^Who are recommended as Superannuated Ministers? Eleventh. — ^Who are recommended as Supernumerary Ministers] Twelfth. — Who have desisted from travelling % Thirteenth. — ^Who have been suspended during the year ; and what is the recommendation of the District Meetinjr in the case ? Fourteenth. — ^What is the number of Baptisms adminis- tered and Marriages solemnized by each Mi' .ister 1 Have all such Marriages, solemnized during the year, been duly recorded, and the setums made according to law ? Fifteenth. — Can any measures be adopted for increasing the efficiency of our ministerial labors, and the promotion of the work of God X 1. A.VQ all the means possible used to visit all the towns and settlements within the boundaries of each Circuit or Mission! ' ! ' : ' * DISTRICT UKBTINOS. 47 2. Are there earnest attempts made in every place where there are services, to form classes ? 3. Is sufficient time allotted in the arrangements of the Quarterly Visitation of the Classes for the Minister or Preacher to acquaint himself with the state of each member, and to give suitable advice to each ? 4. Have the Rules of Society been read during the year, and have they been given to the members on trial, according to the Discipline 1 5. Do the brethren pay sufficient attention to Pastoral visitation, and to catechising the children of our members and friends 1 These important enquiries shall be followed by a solemn review of the state of the work of God. And any sugges- tions for the religious improvement of our children and the members of our Church and especially for the greater effi- ciency of our Ministerial labors, are to be entered on the Minutes of the District Meeting, and, when thought necessary, recommended to the consideration of the Conference. All the foregoing questions and directions shall be con- sidered as belonging to the examination of Ministerial character. The following order shall be observed when the general business of the District Meeting is under consideration : — 1. What Recording Stewards, and what other Lay repre- sentatives are now present 1 2. What are the Receipts and what is the Expenditure of each Circuit or Mission 1 3. What has been collected on each Circuit and Mission for Connexional Funds 1 4. What special cases are now recommended to the favor- able consideration of the several Connexional Funds) :U' M Si ■ *r^ 'il 4g DISTRICT MEETINGS. Sixteenth. — ^What is the number of Ministers* children on the District, having claims on the Children's Fund ; and what are their respective names and ages 'i Have all the regulations respecting the Children's Fund been fully carried into effect in the District ? Seventeenth. — ^What is the number of our Church Mem- bers 1 The number of Preaching-places and attendants on Public Worship, on each Circuit or Mission ? Eighteenth. — ^What is the number of Ministers, Preachers, and Laymen, in the Quarterly Official Meeting of each Circuit and Mission? Of Sabbath Schools? And what Connexional Property? Have the approved Conference Schedules been duly filled up ? Nineteefnth. — ^What Churches or Parsonages have been built, enlarged, or sold during the year. "What Connex- ional Property is insured ? In what office ? For how much 1 At what rates % What Parsonages have been furnished 1 What other Connexional Property has been acquired 1 What changes in relation to Church Property are now recommended? What property has been destroyed by fire? Twentieth. — ^What can be done to improve the financial state of the District ? 1. Are all the financial arrangements of the Church duly observed in each Circuit and Mission? The Quarterly Con tributions at the renewal of Tickets ? The public collectiona and private subscriptions ? 2. What changes are recommended in the order and arrangement of the work on the Circuits and Missions? What new Circuits or Missions are recommended ? What additional Preachers are required for any Circuit or Mission on the District ? FINANCIAL DISTBIOT MEETINGS. 49 Twenty-first. — What Laymen are appointed by this Meet- ing as Members of the Conference Committees 1 And what Laymen are elected to represent the District in the General Conference ? Two copies of the District Meetinjj records shall be brought to Conference, in addition to the one entered in the District Book : — One copy for the Secretary of Confer- ence, and one for the members of the District and of the. Conference. Section VL THE FIN.4NCIAL DISTRICT MEETINGS. 1. A Financial District Meeting, consisting of the Superintendent, and a Steward from eacl^ Circuit and Mis- sion, shall be held in each District not later than the month of September, to apportion to the several Circuits the amounts placed at their disj)osal by the Conference ; to make arrangements for Missionary and Educational Meetings, which arrangements shall be binding on all concerned ; and to arrange the claims of the children of Ministers on the District. 2. The Financial District Meeting shall examine into the cii'cumstances and probable incc^me of the Domestic, Indian, Foreign, and other Missions, in the same way as they examine into those of the Circuits, and recommend the ,, amount which, in their judgWK^nt, should be appropriated towards the support of such Missions; which shall be reported by the Chairman to the Missionary Secretaries. 3. The Financial Secretaries shall be the Local Treasurers of the District, and shall pay to the Superintendents of Cii'cuits, or on then* order, the sums appropriated to theii* 50 JjOdAZ PEEACHERS AND THEIR MEETINGS. Circuits, which payments such Superintendents shall report to their respective Quarterly Official Meetings. « Section VII. OF LOCAL PEEACIIEES AND THEIR MEETINGS. . Qices. 1. What directions shall be given concerning Local Preachers and their Meetings ] A71S. 1. Where there are six Local Preachers on a Circuit, of three years' continuous standing, the Superintendent shall regularly meet the Local Preachers once a quai-ter ; and no person shall be put upon the plan as a Local Preacher, or be suffered to preach among us as such, without the approbation of that meeting, on the nomination of the Superintendent ; or, if in any Circuit such a Local Preachers' Meeting cannot be held, they diall be proposed and approved at the Quarterly Official Meeting of the Circuit. 2. Th^ Superintendent at each regular Local Preachers' Meeting, or the Chairman or Superintendent at the last Quarterly Official Meeting of the Circidt, shall inquire into the religious and moral chiiracter, doctrines, abilities to preach, and piuictuality in attending appointments, of each Preacher by »ame. 3. The quwtions proposed in the examination of the characters of Local Preachers, shall be the same as those proposed in rf gard to Travelling Preachers, viz. : — (1) Th ther-? any objection to his moral and religious character'? ■ (2) Does h« believe and preach all our Doctrines ] (3) H!as he duly obsei-ved our Discipline 1 (4-) Has he competent abilities for a Preacher] ■ (5) !» he p^^nctual in attending all his appointments 1 LOCAL PKEACHERS AND THElB MEETINGS. 51 4. Every person proposed to be received as a Local •preacher, or taken on trial, shall be asked by the Chairman or Superintendent the following questions, to which a dis- tinct answer shall be required : What is your religious experience ? Have you faith in Christ 1 Are you going on to perfection ? Do you expect to be perfected in love in this life ? Are you groaning after it ? Are yon resolved to devote yourself to God and his work 1 Do you sincerely and fully believe the doctrines of Methodism as contained in our Articles of Faith, and as taught by Mr. Wesley in his Notes on the New Testament, and YoluQies of Sermons 1 — especially the following leading ones : a Trinity of Persons in the Unity of the Godhead ; the Total Depravity of all men by nature in consequence of Adam's fall ; the Atonement made by Christ for the sins of all the 'human race ; Justification by Faith ; the direct Witness of the Spirit ; the possibility of falling from a state of Justification and Holiness, and perishing everlast- ingly ; the absolute necessity of holiness both in heart and life ; and the proper eternity of rewards and punishments. What is Evangelical Repentance ? What is Justification 1 What is Justifying Faith 1 What is the direct Witness of the Spirit? What is the indirect Witness of the t- Spirit? What is Christian Perfection? What is the differ- ence between Justification and Sanctification 1 What is the difference between Justification and Regeneration 1 What is the difference between Sanctification and Entire Sanctification? Will you endeavor fully and faithfully -to preach these doctrines ? 5. All Local Preachers shall meet in class. No ^ception shall be made m respect to any who may have been Travel- ling Ministers or Preachers in former years. ii' &i LOCAL PBEACHERS AND THEIR MEETIKCd. 6. No Local Preacher shall hold Lovefeasts without the consent of the Superintendent, nor in anywise interfere with his business. 7. Whenever a Local Preacher or Exhorter removes from one Circuit to another, he shall obtain from the Superintendent of the Circuit a certificate of his ofiicial standing in the Church at the time of his removal, without which he shall not be received as a Local Preacher or Ex- horter in other places. 8. No Local Preacher coming to reside among us from another part of the world, although duly recommended, shall be allowed to preach or hold meetings in our Churches unless he become a member of the Church and submit to its Discipline. ' * 9. No Minister or Preacher who has been suspended or expelled by the Conference, shall on any accountr be em- ployed as a Local Preacher without the consent of the Conference. 10. The name of every Local Preacher shall be recorded on the Journals of the Quarterly Official Meeting of the Circuit in which he resides. 11. Preachers who have been formerly in connection with the Conference, but who have located, shall be subject to all the regulations affecting Local Preachers, and when charged with immorality shall be proceeded against as other Local Preachers. The Superintendent of the Circuit shall report the case to the District Meeting. ^ 12. Should any Local Preacher belonging to any other Methodist Church make application to be received into our Church, the Chairman of the District or Superintendent of the Circuit, in concurrence with the Quarterly or Local Preachers' Meeting of the Circuit on which such Local H) QUARTERLY OFFICIAL BIEETINGS, 63 Preacher shall reside, is authorized to receive him, after having inquired into his qualifications and all the circum- stances of his case. Section VIII. QUARTERLY OFFICIAL MEETINGS. The Quarterly Official Meetings shall consist of the Minis- ters and Preachers on trial; the Local Preachers, the Ex- horters, the Stewards of the Circuit, the Leaders of Classes, the Superintendents of Sabbath Schools, being members of the Church ; one representative from each Board of Trustees, he being a member of the Church ; and also of additional repre- sentatives who may bo appointed by the Societier of the Circuit; the apportionment and scale to be fixed by the fourth Quarterly Meeting, which also shall specify the mode by which the vote shall be taken ; but such additional repre- sentatives shall not exceed the number of the Stewards on each Circuit. The Superintendent of the Circuit shall be the Chairman of the Quarterly Meeting, except when the Chairman of the District shall be present. .. Qiies. 1. What shall be the regular business of the Quar- terly Official Meeting 1 ..... 4..i„;»/ : r 1. To receive the financial returns from the several Classes, and to pay the salaries and all the expenses of the Ministers and Preachers. 2. To hear complaints, and to receive and try appeals. 3. At the first Quarterly Official Meeting to make an estimate of the amounts necessary for the family or families of the Ministers or Preachers, and appoint the Steward t9 attend the Financi^il Pistnct Meeting, r ■9~: iiifa 1 54 LEADERS* MEETING. 4. At the second Quarterly Official Meeting, to appoint the Stewards of the Circuit, the number not to be less than three nor more than seven, one of whom sliall be the Recording Steward, who shall keep a record of the proceedings in a book procured for that purpose. 5. At the third Quarterly Official Meeting, to recommend candidates for the ministry. 6. At the fourth Quarterly Official Meeting, to appoint the Lay Representative or Representatives to attend the ensuing District Meeting. 7. "Where there is no Local Preachers' Meeting, to enquire into the character, gifts, labors, punctuality and usefulness of each Local Preacher by name, and, if there be no valid objection alleged and sustained, to renew their licenses. 8. To examine the character of Exhorters, and annually, at the fourth Quarterly Meeting, to renew their licenses. 9. At any Quarterly Meeting, where tliore is no Local Preachers* Meeting, to license Local Preachers in case of necessity. Section IX. LEADERS' MEETING. Qites. 1. "Who compose the Leaders' Meeting? 1. The Ministers and Preachers who are appointed to the Circuit. • ■ ' .'"^il k-^ "' ,_-.■ ,_, ; 2. The Stewards and Leaders. ' r Ques. 2. What are the duties of a Leaders' Meeting 1 To meet at least once a month : To inquire — 1. Are there any sick 1 2. Are there any requiring temporal relief ? 3. Are there any walk disorderly and will not be reproved? 4. Are there are any who wilfully neglect the means of stewards' and society meetings. J55 grace ? 6. Are any changes to bo made in the classes S Are there any membsrs on trial to be received into full membership 1 7. What amonnt hiis been received for tlio support of the minister? 8. Is there any miscellaneous business? Section X. STEWARDS' MEETINGS. The Stewards shall meet at least once a quarter — previous to the Quarterly Official IMeeting — to take an exact account of what has been collected for tlie support of the Ministers or Preachers on the Circuit, and to recommend to the Quarterly Official Meeting such measures as they may tliink necessary in order to the promj^t payment of the Ministers. The Stewards shall be the Committee to estimate the amounts necessary to meet the expenses of the year, and report to the first Quarterly Meeting. m '■ 1 i ' ' I h Ml Section XI. SOCIETY MEETINGS. • These meetings shall be held once a quarter whenever it is profitable, under the direction of the Superintendent of the Circuit, or his Colleague acting under his direction. The principal object of the meeting shall be the spiritual edification of the Church, by exhortation on the part of the Minister present, with prayer and other religious exercises. The members shall be faithfully admonished respecting tlieir personal religion and Christian deportment, their closet and family duties, and their attendance upon the public and 66 LOVEFEASTS. private means of grace. At these meetings the Kules of Society shall bo road, and tlie representatives to attend tho Quarterly Oilicial Board mny be appointed. Section XII. i,i LOVEFEASTS. That a Lovefeast shall be held in each Circuit at least quarterly, and that admission to it shall be by the Ticket of Membership ov by notes of admission. <■» » lules of end tlf) at least icket of CHAPTER II . Section L * THE EXAMINATION OP THOSE WHO THINK THEY ARE MOVED BY THE HOLY GHOST TO PREACH. Qv£8, 1. How shall we try those who profess to be moved by the Holy Ghost to preach 1 Ans. 1, Let the following questions be asked : — Do they know God as a pardoning God 1 Have they the love of God abiding in them ? Do they desire nothing but God 1 And are they holy in all manner of conversation 1 2. Have they gifts as well as grace for the work 1 Have they a clear, sound understanding — a right judgment in the things of God — a just conception of salvation by faith ? And has God given them an acceptable way of speaking? Do they speak justly, readily, clearly 1 3. Have they fruit 1 Are any truly convinced of sin, and converted to God by their preaching? As long as these three marks concur in any one, we be- lieve he is called of God to preach. These we receive as sufficient proof that he is moved by the Holy Ghost. ^ ♦3 - \ 58 EULES FOR A PREACHER'S CONDUCT. Section II. RULES FOR A PREACHER'S CONDUCT. Qties. 1. What are the directions given to a Preacher 1 Ana. 1. Be diligent. Never be unemployed, never be triflingly employed. Never trifle iiwtiy time ; neither spend any more time at any place than is strictly necessary. 2. Be serious. Let your motto be, Holiness to the Lord. Avoid all lightness, jesting, and foolish talking. 3. Converse sparingly ; and conduct yourself prudently with women. 1 Tim. v. 2. 4. Take no step towards marriage without first consulting your brethren. 5. Believe evil of no one without good evidence : unless yoa see it done, take heed how you credit it. Put the best construction on every thing, — you know the judge is always supposed to be on the prisoner's side. 6. Speak evil of no one : because your word especially would eat as doth a canker. Keep your thoughts within your own breast, till you come to the person concerned. 7. Tell every one under your care what you think wrong in his conduct and temper, and that lovingly and plainly, as soon as may be, else ic will fester in your heart. Make all haste to cast the fire out of your bosom. 8. Avoid all afiectation. A Preacher of the Gospel is the servant of all. 9. Be ashamed of nothing but sin. 10. Be punctual. Do everything exactly at the time. 11. 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. Observe : It is not your busine&'s only to preach so many times, and to take care of this or that Society, but to save tc tl fc )ver be neither 3essary. to the ing. iidentlv isulting unless he best 1 always )ecially within Hi. wrong nly, as ike all is the time, rcfore only many |) save DUTIES OF MINISTERS. 69 as ifl*«iy as you can — to bring as many sinners as you can to repentance, and with all your power to build them up in that holiness without which they cannot see the Lord. And remember — a Methodist Preacher is to mind every point, great and small, in tho Methodist Discipline. There- fore you will need to exercise all the sense and grace you have. 12. Act in all things not according to your own will, but as a son in the Gospel. As such it is your duty to emplqy 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 Lord's vine- yard, it is needful you should do that part of the work which we advise, at the times and places which we judge most for His glory. Section III. OF THE DUTIES OF MINISTERS AND PREACHERS TO GOD, THEMSELVES, AND ONE ANOTHER. Ques. 1. What is the duty of a Preacher. Ans. 1. To preach. 2. To meet the Societies, classes and general Bands. 3. To visit the sick. 4. To preach in the morning where he can get hearers. Ques. 2. How shall the Minister or Preacher be qualified for his charge 1 Ans. By walking closely with God, and having his work closely at heart ; and by understanding and loving disci- pline — ours in particular. Ques. 3. Do we sufficiently watch over each other 1 Ans. We do not. Should we not frequently ask each other : Do you walk closely with God 1 Have you now fellowship with the Father and Son 1 At what hour do you rise 1 Do you punctually observe the morning and evening ,60 DUTIES OF MINISTERS. hour of retirement 1 Do you spend the day in the manner which the Conference advises? Do you converse seriously, use- fully, and closely? To be more particular : Do you use all the means of grace yourself, and enforce the use of them on all other persons ? Thoy are either instituted or prudential. First — The instituted are : — 1 . Prayer : Private, family, and public ; consisting of deprecation, petition, intercession, and thanksgiving. Do you use each of these 1 Do you forecast daily wherever you are, to secure time for private devotion ? Do you practice it everywhere ? Do you ask everywhere — Have you family prayer? Do you ask individuals — Do you use private prayer, every morning and evening in particular 1 2. Searching the Scriptures by — (1) Reading : Consmntly^ some part of them every day ; regularly, all the Bible in order ; carefully, with notes ; seriously, with prayer before and after ; fruitfully, immedi- ately practicing what you learn there. (2) Meditating : At set times. By rule. (3) Hearing : Every op])ortunity ; with prayer, before, at, and after. Have you a JJible always about you ? 3. The Lord's Supper : Do you use tliis at every oppor- tunity ? With solemn prayer before? With earnest and deliberate self-devotion ? 4. Fasting : Do you use as much abstinence and fasting every week as your health, strength, and labor will permit ? 5. Christian Conference : Are you convinced how im- portant and how difficult it is to order your conversation aright ? Is it always with grace ? Seasoned with salt ? Meet to minister grace to the hearers ? Do you not con- verse too long at a time? Is not an hour commonly enough? Would it not be- well always to have a determi- nate end in view ? And to ju'ay before and after it ? ia DUTIES OF MINISTERS. 61 manner isl7,iise- B all tliG a on all itial, ting of ig. Do iveryou practice family private 7 day ; notes ; oamedi- before, oppor- st and 'asting ermit ? w im- •sation salt ? t con- raonly termi- Second — Prudential means, we may use either as Chris- ians, as Methodists, or as Ministers and Preachers. 1. As Christians: What particular rules have you in order to grow in grace 1 What arts of holy living 1 2. As Methodists : Do you never miss your Class or Band 1 3. As Ministers and Preachers : Have you thoroughly considered your duty ? And do you make a conscience of executing every part of it 1 Do you meet every Society ] Also, the Leaders and Bands') These means may be used without fruit. But there are some means which cannot, namely, watching, denying our- selves, taking up our cross, exercise of the presence of God. 1. Do you steadily watch against the world? Yourself? Your besetting sin 1 2. Do you deny yourself every useless pleasure of sense?. Imagination? Honor? Are you temperate in all things? Instance in food? 1. Do you use only that kind and that degree which is best both for body and soul ? Do you see the necessity of this ? 2. Do you eat no more at each meal than is necessary ? Are you not heavy and drowsy after dinner ? 3. Do you use only that kind and that degree of drink which is best both for your body and soul? 4. Do you choose and use water for your drink ? And only take wine medicinally or sacramentally ? 3. Wherein do you take up you cross daily ? Do you cheerfully bear your cross, however grievous, to profit tliereby ? 4. Do you endeavor to set God always before you ? To see his eye continually fixed upon you ? Never can you use these means but a blessing will ensue. And the more you use them, the more you will grow in grace. . a 'M % 62 TTNION AMONG OURSELVES. Section IV. THE NECESSITY OF UNION AMONG OURSELVES. Let us be deeply sensible (from what we have known) of the evil of a division in principle, spirit, or practice, and the dreadful consequences to ourselves and others. If we are united, what can stand before us 1 If we divide, we shall destroy ourselves, the work of God, and the souls of our people. Qttes. What can be done in order to a closer union with each other 1 Ans. 1. Let us be deeply convinced of the absolute ne» cessity of it. 2. Pray earnestly for and speak freely to each other. 3. When we meet, let us never part without prayer. 4. Take great care not to despise each other's gifts. 6. Never speak lightly of each other. 6. Let us defend each other's character in every thing, so far as is consistent with the truth. 7. Labor, in honor, each to prefer the other before himself. 8. We recommend a serious perusal of The CaiLses, EvilSy and Cures of the Heart and Church Divisions, Section V. EMPLOYING OUR TIME PROFITABLY, WHEN NOT ENGAGED IN PUBLIC EXERCISES. Qii£S. 1. What general method of employing our time shall we advise ? Ans. We advise, 1. As often as possible to rise at four. 2. From four to five in tho morning, and from five to six DEPORTMENT AT THE CONFERENCE. 63 ES. )wn) of and the we are ve shall of our m with ute ne* 3r. )r. Ling, so imself. JSvilSf in the evening, to meditate, pray, and read the Scriptures with notes, and the closely practical parts of what Mr. Wesley has published. 3. From six in the morning till twelve (allomng an hour for breakfast) read, with much prayer, some of our best religious books. Qiies. 2. Why is it that the people under our care are not better] Ans. Other reasons may concur, but the chief is, because we are not more knowing and more holy. Qnes. 3. But why are we not more knowing 1 Ans. Because we are idle. We forget our first riUe, " Be diligent — never be unemployed — never be triflingly em- ploj^ed. Neither spend any more time at any place than is strictly necessary." We fear there is altogether a fault in this matter, and that few of us are clear. Which«of us spend as many hours a day in God's work, as we did formerly in man's work] We talk, talk — or read what next comes to hand. We must, absolutely must, cure this evil or be- tray the cause of God. But how ] 1. Bead the most use- ful books, and that rcgulai'ly and constantly. 2. Steadily spend all the morning in this employment, or at least five hours in four-and-twenty. " But I have no taste for read- ing." Contract a taste for it by use, or return to your former employment. " I have no books." Be diligent to spread the books, and you will have the use of them. NTOT ' time four, bo six Section VI. OUR DEPORTMENT AT THE CONFERENCE. It is desired that all things be considered on these occa- sions as in the immediate presence of God; that every person speak freely whatever is in his heart. 64 MANNER OF PREACHING. Quea. 1. How may we best improve our time at the Conference 1 Ana. 1. While we are conversing, let us have an especial care to set God always before us. 2. In the intermediate hours let us redeem all the time W9 can for private exercises. 3. Therein let us give ourselves to prayer for one another, and for a blessing on our labour. ^ Section VII. THE MATTER AND MANNER OF PREACHING, AND # OF OTHER PUBLIC EXERCISES. Quea. 1. What is the best general method of preaching 1 Ana. 1. To convince ; 2. To offer Christ ; 3. To invite ; 4. To build up ; aAd to do this in .some measure in every sermon. Quea. 2. What is the most effectual way of preaching Christi Ana. The most effectual way of preaching Christ is to preach him in all his offices j and to declare his law, as well as his Gospel, both to believers and unbelievers. Lot us strongly and closely insist upon inward and outward holi- ness in all its branches. Quea 3. Are there any otlier advices which might be of use to us ] Ana. Perhaps these : 1. Be sure never to disappoint a congregation. 2. Begin at the appointed time. 3. Let your whole deportment be -serious, weighty, and solemn. 4. Always suit your subject to your audience. 6. Choose the plainest text you can. 6. Take care not to ramble, but PREACHING. 65 keep to your text, and make out what you take in hand. 7. Beware of anytliiiig awkward or affected, either in your gesture, phrase, or pi(^nunciation. 8. Do not usually pray extempore above eight or ten minutes (at most) without in- termission. 9. Frequently read and enlarge upon a portion of Scripture ; nnd let young preachers often exhort without taking a text. 10. Always avail yourselves of the great festivals, by preaching on such occasions. be of Section VIII, RULES BY WHICH WE SHOULD CONTINUE OR DESIST FROM PllEACHING AT ANY PLACE. Ques. 1. Is it advisable ^or us to preach in as many places as we can without forming any Societies 1 Ans. By no means : we have made the trial in various places, and that for a considerable time. But all the seed has fallen by the way side. There is scarce any fruit re- maining. Qti€8. 2. "Where should we endeavor to preach most 1 Ans. 1. Where there is the greatest number of quiet and willing hearers. 2. Whei-e there is most fruit. Ques. 3. Ought we not diligently to observe in what places God is pleased at any time to pour out His Spirit more abimdantly "i Ans. We ought : and at that time to send more laborers than usual into that part of the harvest. 66 PRACTICAL RELIGION. Section IX. VISITING FROM HOUSE TO HOUSE, AND ENFORCING PRACTICAL RELIGION. Ques. 1. How can we further assist those under our care? Ans. 1. By instructing them at their own houses. What unspeakable need is there for this ! The world says, " The Methodists are no better than other people." This is not true in general ; but, 1. Personal religion, either toward 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, walking in eternity, deadness to every creature ! How much love of the world ! Desire of pleasure, of ease, of getting money ! How little brotherly love ! What continual judging one another ! What gossipping, evil-speaking, tale-bearing ! What want of moral honesty ! To instance only one par- ticular : Who does as he would be done by, in buying and selling 1 2. Family religion is wanting in many branches. And what avails public preaching alone, though we could preach like angels ! We must, yea, every Tra^'elling Preacher must instruct the people from house to house ! Till this is done, and that in good earnest, the Methodists will be no better. Our religion is not sufficiently deep, universal, uniform : but superficial, partial, uneven. It will be so till we spend half as much time in this visiting, as we now do in talking uselessly. Can we find a better method of doing this than y.f. Baxter's ? If not, let us adopt it without delay. His whole tract, entitled, Gildas Salvianus ; or. The Reformed Pastor \a well worth a careful perusal. Speaking of tbiof PRACTICAL TIELIGIOIT. C7 RCTI^G mrcare? What \ ''The s is not : toward but just e alnonw iving in e ! How I getting judging bearing ! me par- ing and {. And I preach Veacher 1 this is will be liform : e spenl talking lis than T. His 'formed of this visiting from house to house, he says, (p. 351), " We shall find many hindrances, both in ourselves and the people." 1. In ourselves there is much dullness and laziness, so that there will be much ado to get us to be faithful in the work. 2. We have a base, man-pleasing temper, so that we let them perish rather than lose their love; we let them go quietly to hell, lest we should offend them. 3. Some of us have a foolish bashfulness ; we know not how to begin, and blush to contradict the devil. * 4. But the great hindrance is weakness of faith. Our whole motion is weak because the spring is weak. 6. Lastly, we are unskilful in the woik. How few know how to deal with men, so as to get within them, and suit all our discourse to their several conditions and tempers : to clioose the fittest subjects, and follow them with a holy mixture of seriousness, terror, love, and meekness !' But undoubtedly this private application is implied in those solemn words of the Apostle, " I charge tliee there/ore before God and the Lord Jesus Christy who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing^ and his kingdom^ preach the Word ; he instant in season; out of season; reprovej rebuke, exhort, with all long-suffering and doctrine." Oh, brethren, if we could but set this work on foot in all our Societies, and prosecute it zealously, what glory would redound to God ! If the common lukewarmness were ban- ished, 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. And this is absolutely necessary to the welfare of oui people, some of whom neither repent nor believe to this da^. 1 ■^ %i 68 PRACTICAL RELIGION. Look around, and see how many of them are still in apparent danger of damnation. And how can you walk and talk, and be merry with such people, when you know their case ! When you look them in the face you should break forth into tears, as the Prophet did when he looked upon Hazael, and then set on them the most vehement exhortations. Oh, for God's sake, and the sake of poor souls, bestir yourselves, and spare no pains that may conduce to their salvation ! What cause have we to bleed before the Lord, that wo have so long neglected this good work ! If we had but en- gaged in it sooner, how many more might have been brought to Christ ! And how much holier and happier might our Societies have been before now ! And why might we not have done it sooner ? There were many hindrances : and so there always will be. But the greatest hindrance is in our- selves, in our littleness of faith and love. But it is objected, I. " This will take up so much time we shall not have leisure to follow our studies." We an- swer, 1. Gaining knowledge is a good thing, but saving souls is a better. 2. By this very thing you will gain the most excellent knowledge, that of God and eternity. 3. You will have time for gaining other knowledge, too. Only sleep not more than you need ; " and never be idle or triflingly employed." But, 4. If you can 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 one soul. It is objected, II. " The people will not submit to it." If somo will not, others will. And the success with them will repay all \ our labor. O let us herein follow the example of St. Paul 1 1. For our general business, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind : *^. Our special work, Take heed to yov/r86lve9 and to all the flock : X Our doctrine^ Repenp' i^RACTICAL RELIGION. 69 i ipparent nd talk, jir case ! ,k forth Hazael, LS. Oh, irselves, ion ! that we but en- brought ght our we not ; and so ; in our- dh time We an- saving ain the ity. 3. Only idle or )ne, let ibraries i soul. it." If em will xamplo he Lord ike heed Repent- ance towards God, and faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ: 4. The place, / have taught you jmblicJy, and from house to house : 5. The object and manner of teaching, / ceased not to warn every one, oiifjht and day, with tears : 6. His inno- cence and self-denial. Herein have T coveted no manHs silver or gold: 7. His patience, Neither count I my life dear unto myself. And among all other motives, let these be over before our eyes : 1. I'he Church of God, "vhich he liath purchased with his own blood. 2. Grievous wolves shall enter in ; yea, of yourselves shall men arise speaking perverse things. Writfe this upon your hearts, and it will do you more good than twenty years' study. Then you will have no time to spare : you will have work enough. Then, likewise, no Preacher will stay with us who is as salt that has lost its savour. For to such this employment would be mere drudgery. And in order to it, you will have need of all the knowledge you can procure, and all the grace you can attain. The sum is, go into every house in course, and teach all therein, both young and old, to be Christians inwardly and outwardly; make eveiy particular plain to their under- standing ; fix it in their minds ; write it on their hearts. In order to this, there must be line upon line, precept upon precept. What patience, what love, what knowledge is re- quisite for this ! We must needs do this, were it only to avoid idleness. Do we not loiter away many houra in every week 1 Each try liimself. No idleness is consistent with a growth in grace. Nay, without exactness in redeeming time, you cannot retain the grace you receive in justification. Ques. 2. Why are we not more holy ? Why do we not live in eternity 1 Walk with God all the day long 1 Why are we not devoted to God, — breathing the whole spiiit of Missionaries) *%'-i| 70 PBACTICAL RELIGION. Ana. Cliiefly because we are entliusiasis; looking for the end, without using any means. To touch only ui)on two or three instances. Who of us rise at four, or even at live, when we do not preach 1 Do we know the ohligation and benefit of fasting, or abstinence] IIow often do we practise it 1 The neglect of this alone is sulllcient to account for our feebleness and fuintncss of spirit. We are continually grieving the Holy Spirit of God by the habitual negloct of a plain duty. Let us amend from this hour, Qaes. 3. How should we guard against Sabbath-breaking, evil-speaking, unprofitable convei*sation, lightness, cxpoii- siveness or gaiety of apparel, and contracting debts with- out due care to discharge them 1 Ans. 1. Let us preach expressly on eacli of these heads. 2. Read in every Society the sermon on evil-speaking. 3. Let the Leaders closely examine and exhort every person to put away the accursed thing. 4. Let the Ministers and Preachers warn every Society, that none who is guilty herein can remain with us. 5. Extirpate out of oiu* Churcli buying or selling goods which have not paid the duty laid upon them by Government. Let none remain with us who will not totally abst^.^n from this evil in every kind and de- gree. Extii-pate bribery — receiving anything directly or in- directly — for voting at any election. Show no I'espect to persons herein, but expel all that touch the accursed thing. And strongly advise our people to discountenance all treats given by candidfltes before or at elections, and not to bo par- takers, in any respect, of such inic^uitous practices. OHDINATION OF MINISTEBS. 71 Section X. THE ELECTION AND ORDINATION Of MINISTERS, AND THEIR DUTIES. Ques. 1. How is a person constituted a Minister? Ans. By the election of the Conference, and by the laying on of the hands of the Prfesident and other senior Ministers. Ques. 2. What are the duties of a Minister 1 Ana. To conduct all parts of Divine worship, to ad- minister Baptism and the Lord*s Supper, to solemnize Matri- mony, and in general to perform all the work of a Christian Minister, No Minister who ceases to travel without the consent of the Conference, certified under the hand of the President, except in case of sickness, debility, or other unavoidable cir- cumstances, shall, on any account, exercise the peculiar func- tions of his office, or even be allowed to preach among us ; nevertheless, the final determination in all such cases is with the Conferencei. • Section XI. THE RECEPTION OF MINISTERS FROM OTHER CHURCHES. Ques. 1. On what conditionshall we receive those Ministers who may come to us from the Wesleyan Connexion or the Methodist New Connexion in Europe, the Affiliated Con- ferences, or the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States 1 Ans. If they come to us properly accredited from any of those Conferences, they may be received according to such j n RECEPTION OF MINISTEES. credentials, provided they give satisfaction to the Conference of their willingness to conform to our Church government and usages. Ques. 2. How shall we receive Ministers who may offer to unite with us from any other body of Methodists, or from other Christian Churches? Ana. They may be received by the Conference, according to our usages, on condition of taking upon them our ordin- ation vows, without re-imposition of hands, having pre- viously given satisfaction to a committee composed of the Chainnan and two other Ministers of the District, and to the Conference, of their being in Orders, and of theii' agr^^e- ment with our Church in doctrine and discipline, govern- ment and usages : Provided^ also, that the Conference is satisfied with their gifts, grace, and usefulness. Ques. 3. How shall we receive Preachers from any body of Methodists, or from other Evangelical Denominations % Arts. They may be received as Probationers, provided they give satisfaction that they are suitable persons to ex- ercise the office ; that they believe in the doctrmes, and approve of the discipline, government, and usages of our Church. The Chairman and any two Ministers (members of the Conference) of the District, within the bounds of which such Preaclier may be travelling or resident, are authorized to act as a committee onbeluilf of the Conference, to admit him into our Church ; and he nmy be employed until the ensuing Conference ; and if lio be recoiniiiendcd by a District Meet ing he may be received .as a I'rcacher on trial. PRESIDENTS AND THEIB DUTIES. 73 rereiico rnment offer to r from cording ordin- Qg pro- of the and to L' agrf'e- govern- :ence is body of rovidcd to ex- 3, and of our embers nds of t, arc erence, d until ll by a li trial. Section XIII. THE APPOINTMENT OF PRESIDENTS AND THEIR DUTIES. Quea. 1. What arft the duties and powers of a President of an Annual Conference ? A71S. 1. To preside in the Conference, and in all Con. ference Connexional Committees; and to give a casting vote in case of an equal division. 2. To see that the appointments of the Ministers and Preachers for the Districts, Circuits, Stations, and Missions, are made according to the rules of Conference respecting the Stationing Committee. 3. To ordain the Preachers received into full connexion, with the assistance of two or more of the senior Ministers, according to our form of Ordination. • 4. In the intervals of Conference to oversee the spiritual and temporal burmess of the Church ; to travel through the Conference at large, or be placed on a Circuit or Station, as the Stationing Committee or Conference may direct. The President shall be, ex-qfficio, Chairman of the District, for the time being, through which he may travel, or in which he may be stationed, during the year of his Presi- dency. He is also, ex-officio, Chairman of all the Conference Committees. Ques. 2. To whom is the President amenable for his conduct 1 Ana, To the Annual Conference ; and if he be accused of immorality in the interval of Conference, he shall be proceeded aguinst in the District in which he is stationed or resides, or through which he may be travelling when the alleged crime is said to have been committed, in the same manner as against a Chairman of a District. 74 CnAIRMEN OF DISTRICTS AND THEIR DUTIES. Section XIV. CHAIRMEN OF DISTRICTS AND THEIR DUTIES. Qiies. 1. Who is the Chairman 1 Ans. That Minister who oversees all the spiritual and temporal business of the Church in his District. Ques, 2. By whom are the Chairmen of Districts to be chosen ? Ans. By the Conference ; as soon as the stations arc con- firmed by the third reading of them to the Conference, tlio Secretary shall read over successively the names of the Ministers stationed in each District, and the Conftrenco shall elect by ballot one of its members go stationed to bo Chairman for the ensuing year. Ques. 3. What are the duties of a Chairman ? Ans. 1. To take the oversight of the whole work on his District, according to the Discipline, as far as his duty t4 the Circuit on which ho resides will permit. 2. To visit any Station or Circuit on his District when hn may judge expedient. 3. To see that every part of the Discipliuo is duly ei forced. The Chairman is especially directed and required t< visit any Circuit or Station in his District when ro- q 'ested by the Superintendent of such Circuit or Station, ii ctise of any dispute or difficulty which the Superin- U ident may desire assistance to adjust ; also in all cases of a] peal. In all these cases the Circuit or Station visited si ill pay the travelling expenses of the Chairman. The C \airman shall have authority to call in any Minister or P eacher of liis district to supply his place when absent in vi nting any Circuit or Station. \ pre at ;s. CHAIRMEN OP DISTRICTS AND THEIR DUTIES. 75 1 ES. lal and L'icts to irc con- iico, tlio of the iftrcnco d to bo on Ilia 3 duty fc when 3 duly quired len ro- tation, iperin- ases of visited The ster or sent in 4. In case of appeal on a Circuit or Station of which the hairman is the Superintendent, the President shall either preside or appoint a Chairman of a District to preside at the hearing of the appeal. 5. To preside in the District and Quarterly OUicial Meetings in his appointed District. C. To take charge of all the Ministers, Travelling and Local Preachers, and Exhorters in his District. 7. To change, receive, and suspend Ministers or Preachers in his District in the intervals of Conference, and in the absence of the President, as the Discipline directs : Pro- videdy nevertheless, he shall not change any Minister or Preaclier contrary to his wish, unless with the concurrence of two or more members of the Conference in his District. 8. If any Minister or Preacher absent himself from his Circuit without the leave of his Chairman, the Chairman shall, as far as possible, till his ]jlace with another Minister or Preacher, who shall be paid for his labors out cf the allowance of the absent Minister or Preacher, in proportion to the usual allowance. 9. To attend the President when present in his District, and to give him wheu absent all necessary information by letter of the state of his District. 10. Should the Chairman, or Superintendent, or any of jiis colleagues, be requested to withdraw on any occasion from any of our regularly constituted meetings for business, he shall in no case do so ; and should he be obliged to withdraw from any such meeting during its sittings, the meeting will be thereby dissolved. And if any Chairman, or Sui)erintendcnt, or other Travelling Minister or Preacher do willingly submit to any requisition to withdraw from any such meeting before its conclusion, he shall, on proof, receive due censure at the ensuing Conference. 76 DUTIES OF SUPEKINTENDENTS. Ques. 4. Shall a Chairman have power to employ a Preacher who has been rejected at a i)rovious Conference 1 Ans. He shall not, unless the Conference give him liberty under certain conditions. Ques. 5. What shall be done in the case of the death or disability of a Chairman during the year 1 Ans. The Financial Secretary shall call a meeting of the members of the District, to elect, by ballot, one of their number, being a member of the Conference, ad Chairman until the ensuing Conference. Section XV. THE DUTIES OF SUPERINTENDENTa Ques. 1. Who is the Superintendent 1 Ans. That Minister or Preacher on each Circuit who is appointed from time to time to take charge of the Ministers, Preachei's, and Societies therein. Ques, 2. What are the duties of the Superintendents Ans. To see that the Ministers and Preachers in his Circuit behave well, and want nothing. To renew the Tickets quarterly, and to regulate the Bands. To enquire, when necessary, at the Renewal of Tickets, what each member can give for the support of the Minister. To meet the Stewards and Leaders regularly. To appoint all the Leaders, and change them when he sees it necessary ; but not contrary to the wish of the Class, or without consulting the Leaders' Meeting, To receive, try, and expel Members, according to Dis- cipline. DUTIES OF SUPERINTENDENTS. 77 iploy a ercnce 1 libei'ty eath or 5 of the of their lairman \> who is inisters, Bnt? I in his late the Tickets, [inister. irhen he of the to Dis- To hold Watch-nights and Lovefeasts. To hold Quarterly Meetings ; to preside in all Official Meetings of the Circuit in the absence of the Chairman, and to make all nominations to office. It shall be considered as a principle in Methodist Dis- cipline that no court shall be recognized as Methodistic in which the Minister or Preacher does not preside. To take care that every Society be duly supplied with books ; and to urge upon all who are admitted into our Church to read attentively our General Bules, the Second Catecliism, and other Wesleyan Works. To take an exact account of the number of members in Society in his Circuit, and report to the District Meeting the number of members who have been received on trial, or by ticket, and of those who have removed, died, or ceased to bo members, or have been separated from, or added to the Circuit by the alteration of its boundaries. To leave for his successor a Circuit Book, containing a perfect list of all the official members, and also an exact list of the names of all the members in his Circuit, arranged in their classes, as ^jund at the last Quarterly Official Meeting of tlie year. To transmit to the Chairman his Quarterly Schedule, with Buch remarks as will furnish a full account of the state of the work under his charge. To give duo notice to the Chairman of the District in all cases of appeal. Ques. 3. What other directions shall we give him t Ans, To see that every Baud-leader has the Bules of the Bands. To enforce vigorously, but calmly, all the Eules of tho Society. 78 DUTIES OF SUPERINTENDENTS. !! To explain and enforce the General Rules of tlio Church, which should be understood to prohibit our people from giving any countenance to card-playing or dancing. To suffer no Lovefeast to last above an hour and a half. To remind members, from time to time, that none are to removo from one Circuit to another without a certificate of membership from a Minister of the Circuit ; and to warn them that without such certificate they will not be received into the Church in other places ; and also to forward a dupli- cate copy of sucli certificate by mail to the Superintendent of the Circuit to which they may be removing. To see that the General E-ules are read once a year in every Congregation, and occasionally in each Society, by himself or his colleague. To appoint Prayer Meetings wherever he can in his Circuit, and to see that a Fast be observed in every Society on the Friday preceding every Quarterly Meeting. To license such persons as he may think proper to officiate as Exhorters, provided no person shall be so licensed without consulting the Stewards and Loaders, or Quarterly Official Meeting of the Circuit in which the person proposed resides. To make a plan of appointments for the Ministers, the Travelling and Local Preachers, and Exhorters on the Cir- cuit, with the counsel of the Local Preachers' IMeeting, or of the Quarterly Official Mcetiug wliere there is no Local Preachers' M'eeting. To make f;trict inquiry in the Local Preachers' Meeting at least once a quarter into the moral character of ail the Leaders, their punctuality in beginning and ending their Class Meetings in prooer time, and whatever relates to their office. DUTIES OF SUrETlINTENDENTS. 79 Local To invite and earnestly urge the attendance and assistance of the Recording Stewards and other Lay Kepresentativca at the District Meetings, according to rule. To read, with the assistance of his colleague or colleagues, the Pastoral Address of the Conference to all the Societies in his Circuit. To prepare and pi'csent to the District Meeting an Annual Report of the state of the Sabbath Schools in his Circuit. To examine the accounts of all the Stewards. To appoint a person to receive the Quarterly Collection in the Classes, if necessary. To see that the rule in regard to weekly and quarterly contributions and other financial regulations are observed in all our Societies as far as i)ossible. Let every Leader receive the weekly contribution from each person in his Class. To see that all Public Collections in aid of the Circuit, or of the Connexioual Funds, be regularly made in each Congregation of the Circuit. To make application in the Classes, and to our friends, on behalf of the Superannuation Fund, during the months of November and December; and to make a public collection for the same object, in the mouths of October or November, paying the moneys thusr^-oeived to the Financial Secretary, in time for transmission to t)ie Treasurer on or before the first day of January. To see that Collections for our Connexional Funds bo taken up at the following times, viz. : Contingent, in the months of September and Marclu Educational^ in the months of February or April. m 80 DUTIES OF SUPERINTENDENTS. To carry out the arrangements made by the Financial District Meeting in regard to the Missionary and Educa- tional work on his Circuit. To pay promptly to the appointed Treasurers all money collected for the several Funds at the times directed by Conference. It shall bo the duty of each Superintendent of a Mission to prepare a report of the religious state of his Mifsiou, and read it at thta Annual District Meeting, subject to llio revision of that Meeting. » ^»» *- nancial Educa- money 3 ted by Miesioii iliFsion, t to tho CHAPTER III. QUALIFICATIONS, APPOINTMENTS, AND DUTIES OF STEWARDS. Ques. 1. What are the qualifications necessary for Stewards? Ans, Let them be men of solid i)iety, who both know and loVe the Methodist doctrine and discipline, and of good natural and acquired abilities to transact the temporal business. Ques. 2. How are Stewards to bo appointed ? Ans. They shall bo appointed by the vote of tho Second Quarterly Ollicial Meeting, tho Superintendent nominating. Ques. 3. What are the duties of Stewards 1 Ans. It shall be the duty of Stewards to take an exact account of whatever has been collected for tho support of ministers and preachers in the Circuit ; to make an accurate return of every expenditure of money, whether to the minister, the preacher, tho sick, or the poor ; to seek the needy and distressed, in ordin* to relieve and comfort them ; to inform the ministers or preachers of any sick or dis- abled persons ; to attend the Quarterly Meetings of their Circuits ; to give advice, if asked, in planning the Circuit ; to provide the elements for the Lord's Supper ; to write circular letters to the Societies in the Circuit to be moro M 83 DUTIES OF STJiWARDS. liberal if need be ; to let thorn know, when occasion requires, the state of the temporal concerns at the last Quarterly Meeting; to fill up the Circuit Scliedules correctly ; and to be su))ject to the President, the Chairman of their Uibtrict, and the Ministers and Preachers of their Circuit. Ques. 4. To whom are the Stewards accountable? Ans. The Stewards shall be accountable for the faithful performance of their dutico to the Quarterly Official Meeting of the Circuit. Quea. 5. What number of Stewards is necessary 1 Ans. On each Circuit there shall bo not less than three nor more than seven ; who shall bo nominated by the Super- intendent and ai)pointcd ly the meeting, one of whom shall be the Recording Steward. G. When a llocordincj Steward of a Circuit becomes in- Capacitated for the duties of his ollice, the Superintendent of the Circuit shall have authority to a])point another of the Stewards to that ollijo until the next Quarterly Meeting, when his placi3 shall bo supplied accoiding to discipline. 7. Tho Stewards shall meet at least once a quarter — previous to tho Quarterly Official JMeeting — to take an exact account of what has been collected for the support of the Ministers or Preachers on tho Circuit, and to recommend to the Quarterly Official Meeting such measures as they may think neccssnry in order to the prompt payment of the Ministers. The Stewards shall be tho Committee to esti- j mate the amounts necessary to meet tho expenses of the year, and report to the first Quarterly Meeting, requires, Quarterly ; and to Dibtrict, ? faithful Official PART IIL^ A DMINISTRA TION OP DISCIPLINE, an three Super- 3m shall )mes in- itendcnt pr of the fleeting, ine. larter — tako an pport of tmmend ey may of the to esti- of the CHAPTER I. OF THE TRIAL OF MINISTERS AND MEMiiERS, AND THE SETTLEMENT OF DISPUTES. Section I. OF THE TRIAL OF MINISTERS AisD PJlEACHERS. Qms. 1. What shall bo done when a Minister or Preacher is under report of being guilty of some crime ex- pressly forbidden in the Word of God, as an unchristian pmctice, sufficient to exclude a person from the kingdom of grace and glory? Ans. 1. If the accused be a President of an Annual Con- ference, the Chairman of the District on which the Presi- dent resides, — or if the President of the Conference is the Chaii'man of the District, — then the senior Chairman of a District, within the bounds of the Conference, is required to select a Committee of at least five ministers of the Confer- ence, of which the accused is a member, to investigate the case, and preside at the trial, IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) k A {./ ^ .^. % :a K. ! 1.0 I.I 1^ 12.2 ■A£12.8 I IL25 i 1.4 6" H 20 1.6 -► '/ Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14180 (716) 872-4503 V iV SJ K\ ^\^\ ?^<^ 84 TRIAL OF MINISTERS AND PREACHERS. i , 2. The presiding officer shall furnish the accused, in due time, with an exact copy of the charge or charges and specifications, in writing, and the time and place of trial. 3. If the accused be a Missionary Secretary or a Chair- man of a District, the President of a Conference — or in hia absence a Deputy appointed by him, who shall be a Chair- man of a District — shall select the Committee to investigate the case, and shall preside at the trial. 4. If the accused be a Minister or a Travelling Preacher, then, — 1. Let the Chairman, in the absence of the President, call as many Ministers as he may think fit — at least three — and if possible bring the accused and the accuser face to face. 2. If the person be clearly convicted, he shall be admon- ished, reproved, suspended, or dealt with as the Committee may judge expedient, until the next ensuing District Meeting. 3. If the accuser and the accused cannot be brought face to face, but the alleged delinquent evades trial, it shall be received as presumptive proof of guilt, and out of the mouth of two or three witnesses he shall be condemned. Nevcr- tlieless, in that case, as well as in all others, the District Meeting shall examine into it ; shall dispose of the case as it judgos expedient ; and shall report to the Conference, where the whole matter shall be finally determined. 4. If a Minister or Preacher be charged with immorality l)etween the time of holding the District Meeting and the Conference, a Committee chosen as above directed shall in- vestigate tlie matter, and shall have authority to admonish, reprove, or suspend the offender until the Conference, when the case shall b3 finally determined. ' » ; 5. If there be a difference between any of the Ministers or Preachers, the respective parties shall choose two Miu- isterj resp^ betl 6.1 and busij arbij Mini the TEIAL OF MINISTERS AND PREAOHEKS. 85 in due :e3 and rial. Chair- in hia Chair- istigate saclier, ddent, iree — face, dmon- tnittee istrict t face all be noutli J^evcr- Lstrict ^se as •ence, L'ality 1 the II in- * nish, rvhen sters Min- isters; and the Chairman of the District on which the respondent resides, with the four Ministers so chosen, shall be the final ai-bitrators to deteimine the matter in dispute. 6. In case of dispute between a Minister or Preacher and any one of our members, relative to matters of secular business, the Chairman of the District shall recommend an arbitration, over which he shall preside, consisting of a Minister or lay member of our Church, chosen by each of the parties ; which two persons thus chosen shall call a third member or Minister, to whom the matter shall be referred. In case of the failure of this arbitration to satisfy either of the parties, the dissatisfied party may proceed against the other before our regular Churcli courts. 7. If any Minister or Preacher shall have contracted debts which he is not able to pay, let the Chairman appoint three judicious Ministers to be a Committee of inquiry into the circumstances of the supposed delinquent, and if, in their opinion, he has acted dishonestly, or contracted debts without a probability of paying, let him be reproved, sus- pended, or disposed of as the Committee may judge expedient, until the next ensuing District Meeting. 8. In every case of equality the Chairman shall have a casting vote. Ques. 2. What shall be done in cases of improper tem- pers, words, or actions ? Aois. The person so offending shall be reproved by his senior in ofiice. Should a second transgression take place, one or more Ministers or Preachers shall be taken as witnesses. If he be not then cured, he shall be tried at the n:\xt District Meeting. Ques. 3. What shall be done with those Ministers or Pr^iichers who may hold and disseminate, publicly or ^'^ 86 TRIAL OF LOCAL PREACHERS. •!l privately, doctrines which are contrary to our Articles of religion and standards 1 . , Ans. Let the same process bo observed as in cases of gross immorality ; but if the Minister or Preacher so offending do solemnly engage not to disseminate such erroneous doctrines, in public or in private, lie shall bo borne with until his case be laid bofoic the next Conference, which shall detormine the matter. Ques. 4. What shall be done in case any Minister or Travelling Preacher follow a trade, or be engaged in any secular business 1 Ans. If any Travelling Minister, Preacher, or Mission- ary be employed in, or carry on any trade, he shall, on proof thereof, be excluded from the Itinerant Work ; as we judge such pursuit of private emolument is incompatible with our Ministerial duties. No Minister or Pi'eacher who will not relinquish his trade of buying and selling, though it were only pills, drops, or balsams, shall be considered a Minister or Travelling Preacher any longer. Selling our own books is an exception. Section II. OF THE TRIAL OF LOCAL PREACHERS. 1. When charges are preferred against a Local Preacher, the accused and the accuser shall respectively choose two Local Preachers, or other official membei's on the circuit ; or, in the event of either or both parties ref ising to make the necessary choice, the Superintendent shall name such persons as he may deem projier, being official members, to constitute the Committee, and shall, with the said Committee, try the accused preacher, and they shall TRIAL OF LOCAL PREACHERS. 87 rticles of cases of Lcher so te such shall bo iference, listci' OP in any Mission- shall, on : ; as we npatible her who , though idered a ing our reachei", 330 two circuit ; X) make le such bers, to 16 said T shall have authority, if he be found guilty, to admonish, reprove, or suspend him, till the ensuing Local Preachers' Meeting, or Quarterly Official Meeting, when the whole matter shall be determined. 2. The Superintendent shall, on receiving a complaint against a Local Preacher, send a copy of the charge or charges and specifications to the person accused, with the name of the accuser or accusers, before he calls a Committee to examine into the charge ; and shall have a casting vote in case of equality. Ques. What shall bo done in cases of improper tempers, ' words, or actions ^ Ans. The person so offending shall be reprimanded by the Superintendent. Should a second transgression take place, one or more faithful friends shall be taken as wit- nesses. If ho be not cured, he shall be tried at the next Local Preachers' Meeting, or Quarterly Official Meeting of the Circuit, and if found guilty and impenitent he shall be expelled from the Church. Ques. What shall be done when a Local Preacher fails in business, or contracts debts which ho is not able to pay 1 Ans. 1. The Superintendent JMinister shall appoint three judicious members of the Church to inspect the accounts, contracts, and circumstances of the supposed delinquent; and if, in their opinion, he has behaved dishonestly, or con- tracted debts without the probability of paying, he shall be suspended until the ensuing Local Preachers' Meeting, or Quarterly OlFicial Meeting, which shall examine into, and determine the case. 2. In every case, a Local Preacher under censure or suspension by the Local Preachers' Meeting, or the Quarterly Official Meeting, shall have the right of appeal to the ensuing District Meeting, by giving notice of his intention to do BO at the time of such suspension, ill ^ 88 TfilAL OF MEMBERS OF THE CnUROlL Section III. OF THE TRIAL OF AN ACCUSED MEMBER OF THE CHURCH. Ques. 1. How shall an accused Member be brought to trial? Ans. 1. Before a Committee of not less than five, who shall not be Members of the Quarterly Official Meeting (and who may, if the Superintendent judge necessary, be selected from any part of the Circuit), in the presence of the Superintendent, who shall preside at the trial, and cause exact minutes of the evidence and proceedings in the case to be taken. Defendant may challenge for cause two in five. Let the accused and the accuser be brought face to face ; but if this cannot be done, let the next best evidence be procured. If the accused jDcrson be found guilty, by the decision of a majority of the members before whom he is brought to trial, and the crime be such as is expressly for- bidden by the Word of God, sufficient to exclude a person from the kingdom of gi'ace and glory, let the Minister or Preacher who has the charge of the Circuit expel him. If the accused person evade a trial, by absenting himself, after sufficient notice given him, and the circumstances of the accusation be strong and presumptive, let him be esteemed as guilty, and accordingly excluded. Witnesses from without shall not be rejected. 2. But in cases of neglect of duties of any kind, imprudent conduct, indulging in sinful tempers or words, the buying, selling, or using intoxicating liquors as a beverage, dancing, playing at games of chance, attending theatres, horse races, circuses, dancing parties, or patronizing dancing schools, or taking such other amusements as are obviously of misleading or questionable moral tendency, or disobedience to the order and be offei two faul seas the ica 3 vie TRIAL OF MEMBERS OF THE CHUKCH. 89 THE '8> and discipline of the Church : — First, let private reproof be given by a Minister, Preacher, or Leader. On a second oflfence, the Minister, Preacher, or Leader may take one or two faithful friends, and if there be acknowledgment of the fault and proper humiliation, we will bear with him for a season. On a third offence let the case be brought before the Society, or a select number, and if there be no sign of real humiliation, the offender must be cut off. 3. If a member of our Church shall be tried and con- victed of endeavouring to sow dissensions in any of our Societies, by inveighing against either our Doctrines or Discipline, such person so offending shall be first reproved by the Superintendent of his Circuit, and, if he 2)ersist in such pernicious practices, he shall be expelled from the Ch«rch. 4. Nevertheless, if in any of the above-mentioned cases, the Superintendent differ in judgment from the majority of the Society, or the select number, concerning the innocence or guilt of the accused person, the trial, in such case, may be referred by the Minister or Preacher to the ensuing Quarterly Official Meeting. 5. If there be a murmur or complaint from an excluded person, in any of the above-mentioned instances, that justice has not been done, he shall be allowed an appeal to the next Quarteily Meeting : except such as absent them- selves from trial, after sufficient notice is given them ; — and the majority of the members of the meeting present, shall filially determine the case. 6. On any dispute between two or more of the members of our Church, concerning the payment of debts, or other- wise, which cannot be settled by the parties concerned, the Superiu'/ndent of the Circuit shall inquire into the circum- stances, of the case, and shall recommend to the contending 90 TRIAL OF MEMBERS OP THE CHURCH. I'l parties a reference, consisting of one arbitrator chosen hy the plaintiff and another chosen by the defendant, which two arbitrators so chosen shall nominate a third, — -the three arbitrators being membsrs of our Church. In all cases of arbitration, the report thereof shall be handed to the Superintondent of the Circuit. 7. But if one of the parties be dissatisfied with the judgment given, such party may apply to the ensuing Quarterly Official Meeting of the Circuit for permission to have a second arbitration api^ointed ; and if the meeting see sufficient reason, they shall grant a second arbitration, in which case each party shall choose two arbitrators, and the four arbitrators shall choose a fifth, the judgment of the majority of whom shall be final ; and any person refusing to abide by it shall be excluded from the Church. 8. And if any member of our Church shall refuse, in case of debt or other disputes, to refer the matter to arbitration, when recommended by the Superintendent of the Circuit, or shall enter into a lawsuit with another member before these measures are taken, he shall be expelled, unless the cause be of such a nature as to require and justify a pro- cess at law. 9. The Superintendents of Cii*cuits are required to execute all our rules fully and strenuously against all frauds, and particularly against dishonest insolvencies, sufiering none to remain in the Church on any account who are found guilty of any fraud. 10. To prevent scandal, when any of our members fail in business, or contract debts which they are not able to pay, let two or three judicious members of our Church inspect the accounts of the supposed delinquent; and if he has behaved dishonestly, or borrowed money without a probability of paying it, lot Mm be expelled. ' TRIAL OF MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH. 91 >8eii by |, which le three [hall be jith the •nsuing isiou to ling see ion, in md the of the ising to in case fcration, circuit, before ess the a pro- xecuto is, and one to guilty fail in pay, Lspect laved it/ of 11. Whenever a complaint is made against a member of the Church for non-payment of debt — when the accounts are adjusted and the amount ascertained — the Superintendent shall call the debtor before a Committee of at least three, to show cause why he does not make payment. The Com- mittee shall determine what further time shall be granted him for payment, and what security, if any, shall be given for payment ; and in case the debtor refuses to comply, he shall be expelled ; but in such case he may appeal to the Quarterly Official Meeting, and their decision shall be final. And in case the creditor complains that justice is not done him, he may lay his grievance before the Quarterly Official Meeting, and their decision shall be final; and if the creditor refuses to comply, he shall be expelled. 1 2. After such form of trial and expulsion, such persons shall have no privileges of Society, or Sacraments in our Church, without contrition, confession, and proper trial. 13. In all judicial proceedings, arbitrations, or committees of inquiry, involving the standing or Church relation of any of our Ministers or members, the President, or a Chairman of a District, or a Minister, shall preside. 14. In cases where the Superintendent of a Circuit ia a Preacher on trial, it shall be neces.- : - that the Chairman of a District or some other ordained Minister whom he shall appoint shall preside in every trial of Church Members, against whom charges have been preferred. hi FART IV.— EDUCATIONAL AND BENEVO- LENT INSTITUTIONS. Section I, EDUCATI ONAL. In order to combine in one effort the entire Educational work of our Churcli, Societies for that purpose shall be formed on all Circuits, Stations, and Missions in our work, on the following Constitution : — Article I. This Society shall be known as " The Educational Society of the Methodist Church of Canada." [■ i Article II. The objects of this Society shall be to assist in maintain- ing our Universities, Theological Schools, and Higlier Mission Schools ; to defray the expenses of the Examina- tion of Candidates for the Ministry in our Church ; and to aid such candidates in obtaining an education. - ■ ■ » Article IIL , All subscribers of five dollars per annum and upwards shall be members of the Society, and entitled to a cop^ of the Annual Beport, EDUCATIOKAL AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS. 93 Article IV, The managen ;nt of the Society shall be vested in a Central Board, composed as follows : — The President of the General Conference ; one Tjayman from each Annual Conference, to be appointed by the General Conference, to hold office for four years ; one Minister from each Annual Conference, to be elected annu- ally by such Conference, and to be Treasurer of the Society for his Conference ; and also the head of each University and of each Theological School. Article V. A branch of the Society shall be organized in each Annual Conference, under the management of a Committee of such Conference, composed as follows : — The President of the Annual Conference, the members of the Central Board within the bounds of the Conference ; and four Ministers and four Laymen, appointed by the Annual Conference. Article VI. Sermons shall be preached on behalf of the Society, and collections takea up in aid of its funds, in all our churches and preaching places at some time in February or April in each year. Meetings shall be held on each Circuit or Station, at which the claims of our Educational work shall be placed before our people, and contributions taken for the funds of the Society. Article VII. • The Central Board shall meet annually in the month of July, for the transaction of the following business ; — #d 94 EDUCATIONAL AND BENEVOLENT INSTITUTIONS. First, to make appropriations to defray the expenses of the Examining Boards of our Conferences and Collrgcs. Secondly, to appropriate to each Conference a sum to aid students appointed by each Conference to attend Collogo. Thirdly, to make appropriations according to the claims and wants of each University, Theological School, and Missionary Institute. Fourthly, to determine the proportion of Students to be sent each year to each College from each Conference. The Central Board shall appoint its own Secretary and Treasurer, and in the absence of the President of the General Conference, elect a Chairman i^ro tern. They shall fill vacancies occurring in the lay portion of the Board, and shall appoint the time and place of their next meeting. Thoy shall publish annually a Report of tho work of the Society. ' Article VIII. - The Annual Conference Committees shall meet annually at the time and placo of the Meeting of the Annual Confer- ences respectively, for the following purposes : — - 1. To consider tho cases of all carfdidates recommended to attend College by the District Meetings, and report to the Conference as to the amount of aid to be given to each, and the College ho shall attend, in harmony with the arrangement of the Central Board. 2. To appoint a deputation to each District to attend meetings on behalf of the Society. 3. To arrange for^ public Anniversary Meeting of the Society, in connection with the Session of each Annual Conference, . ?; : v ? fiABBATH SCH00I8* 96 Section IL SABBATH SCHOOLSL Qtics. What directions are necessary for the thorough organization and government of our Sabbath-schools 1 Ans. 1. Let all our new schools be organized on our denominational basis. Ans. 2. It shall be the duty of the Superintendent minister of every circuit and mission to aee that, so far na possible, there shall be a Sabbath-school or Spbbath-schools in connection with each of our congregations. Such school or schools to be kept open, if at all practicable, during tho whole year. Atis. 3. In organizing a new school, the Superintendent of the circuit shall appoint, with the concurrence of the Quarterly Official Meeting, a suitable person to superintend the same ; and the person so appointed shall, with the con- currence of the Superintendent of the Circuit, appoint the necessary officers and teachers, and proceed to organize the school on the basis of the following Constitution : H^i SABBATH SCHOOL CONSTITUTION. Article I. — Nampj This School shall be known as the — — — Methodist Sab- bath-school, and shall be under the supei'vision of the Quar- terly Official Meeting of the Circuit or Mission. . ' Article II. — Management. 1. The management of the school shall be rested in a Committee, consisting of the minister and preacher, or min- isters and preachers on the Circuit ; the officers and teachers 9r. flABBATH SCHOOLS. If of the school, (such teachers, except in the case of new schools, being of at least six months' standing as teachers in the school) j and not less than three nor more than five other persons, who shall be nominated by the Superintendent of the Circuit in the Quarterly Official Meeting, and elected by said meeting as its representative on the Sabbath-school Committee. . • 2. Should any teaohers* meeting, composed of not less than fifteen members, prefer to elect a certain number from among themselves to represent them on the Committee of Management, they may appoint not less than seven, nor more tJuui ten, for this purpose. Article III. — Instruction. The instruction given in this school shall be the doctrines of the Word of God as expounded in the recognized standards of the Methodist Church. The Methodist Catechisms shall be regularly used in such manner as may be approved by the Superintendent and Teachers of the school. Article IV. — Officers. The Officers of the School shall be a Superintendent, Secretary, Treasurer, and Librarian. If deemed necessary, an assistant in any of the above offices may be appointed. The Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent must be members of the Methodist Church. Article V. — Election. The Committee of Management shall annually elect all the Officers and Teachers at the regular meeting next pre- ceding the anniversary of the school : the Superintendent of the Circuit nominating the Superintendent of the school, who shall, immediately after his election, nominate the rest of the Officers and Teachers. SABBATH SCHOOLS. '^en, nor Article VI. — Meetings. Regular meetings of the Committee of Management shall be held once a quarter. The following order of business is recommended : — 1. Opening exercises ; singing and prayer. 2. Calling the roll. 3. Reading Minutes of previous meetings. 4. Unfinished business. 5. Reports : Of Committees, Superintendent, Secretary. Treasurer and Librarian j and Minutes of Teachers' Meetings. . 6. Miscellaneous. Special meetings may be called at any time by the Secre- tary, at the request of the Minister or the Superintendent of the School. Due notice must be given to all the mem- bers of the Committee, and the special business to be trans- acted shall be stated when the notice is given. No other subject shall be introduced at such special meetings. Teachers' Meetings. A monthly meeting of the Officers and Teachers shall be held for the transaction of the ordinary business of the school, at which time vacancies in the list of teachers shall be filled, subject to the action of the Committee of Manage- ment. And when it is at all practicable there shall be a weekly meeting for the study of the lesson. ■1 Article VII. — Anniversary. A public Anniversary Meeting of the school shall be held in the month of in each year, when the repoii;s of the school, as adopted by the Committee of Management, shall be read ; the Officers and Committee for the year announced ■4 98 SABBATH SCHOOLS. and sucli other exercises as, ia the judgment of the Com- mittee, may be deemed expedient. GENERAL PRIlsrCTPLES. 1. It is an understood principle of Methodist discipline, that the Superintendent of the Circuit is an ex-offlcio Chair- man of all Committees. In his absence the Superintendent of the school shall preside. 2. No person shall be permitted to retain a position as Officer or Teacher whose character or religious opinions, in the judgment of the Committee of Management or Quarterly Official Meeting of the Circuit, shall be deemed a sufficient, ground of unfitness for service in our Sabbath-schools. 3. It is highly important that our Ministers should visit the Sabbath-schools on their respective Circuits from time to time. And whereas some find it impossible to do this and fill all their regular preaching appointments ; therefore it is re- commended that the work be so arranged in such cases that tb ere shall be an Open Meeting of each Sabbath-school held Dice a quarter, and, if necessary, at the usual time of the rf^i^ular preaching service. 4. The Superintendents of Sabbath-schools shall be ej ojjicio members of the Quarterly Official Meeting of the vcuit in which the school is situated. 5. The Superintendent of the School shall cause the An- n*, al Schedule to be filled up, and present the same to the Ikl ly Quarterly Official Meeting of the Circuit. The Re- C( fding Steward shall prepare the Circuit Report, and forward it to the May District Meeting. SABBATH SCHOOLS. 99 Settlement op Difficulties. 6. Should any difficulty arise ia connection with the school, which the Committee cannot satisfactorily adjust, the Minister, Superintendent of the School, or any three members of the Committee, may, on giving due notice to the Committee of their intention, refer the matter in dispute to the next Quarterly Official Meeting of the Circuit ; when the cause shall be heard and finally decided. DISTRICT MEETING.— S. S. WORK. 1. Each Annual May District Meeting shall appoint O^e member of the Annual Conference Sabbath-school Com- mittee. 2. Each Chairman shall enquire at the May District Meeting, when the laymen are present, into the condition of the Sabbath-schools on every Circuit by name, and call for the schedules, wViclx .shall pass u^d9r qareful review. 3. There shair'U?a*!Sab^tB-^li;qlJ CiuW^ held in each District, to be composed of all* We'Miiiislers and Preachers in thfe District, 'al|S'aperiritehder;|s<>f' schools, and two or more delegates from each "Sabbath-schoOl* in the Dis- trict j to be held in connection with the Financial District Meeting, or at such other time as the May District Meeting may determine; the exercises of which shall consist of discussions on Sabbath-school matters, essays, normal or model classes, public addresses, etc. ANNUAL CONFERENCE.— S. S. WORK. 1. Committee. ^here shall be a Sabbath-school Committee for each An* toLual Conference, composed of one member from each DIb* y 100 SABBATH SGHOOL^^ trict, as provided for by the last section, of whicli tte President of the Annual Conference shall be the Chairman. ' But in his absence, the Committee shall proceed to elect its own Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer. It shall be the duty of this Committee to collect the statistics of the Districts, and prepare therefrom the Con- ference Report, and make such recommendations to their Conference as the necessities of the work may require from time to time* . . It is the duty of the Secretary of the Sabbath-school Committee to take charge of all books and papers belonging to our Sabbath-school work, from one Conference to another ; make arrangements for the first meeting of the Committee BO soon after the opening of Conference as may be con- venient, and continue in office until his successor be ap- pointed. 2. CoRRESPo:;fDiNG Member of S. S. Board. Each ^^nfiil Canf{ft'^n^e.s^l s^^^tn'iit dyie Corresponding member'oflte General'Sabbatli-'schobl Board. • •• r. There shall be a public Sabbath-school Meeting held in. connection with the Annual Conference, for which arrangements shall be made by the Committee appointed to prepare the plan of public services for the Conference, assisted by the Secretary of the Sabbath-school Committee of the said Conference. 4. Collection. : *^: An Annual Collection in aid of the Sunday-school Work Bhall be taken up in the Sunday-schools. r u^,; Ih^^J SABBATH SCHOOLS. 101 lich tiie hairman. elect its llect tlie the Con- to their ire from th-school belonging another ; )mniittee r be con- >r be ap- spending [ held in • which ppointed nference, >mmittee ol Work -firtii GENERAL CONFERENCE.— S. S. WORK. 1. The General Conference shall appoint a Board of Management, consisting of not more than eleven persons, to be known as the General Sabbath-school Board of the Methodist Church of Canada, which shall meet at such times and places as may be deemed expedient, 2. In the absence of the President or Vice-President of the General Conference, the members of the Sabbath-school Board may elect a Chairman pro temfm Duties op the Boabd. The Board shall elect a Secretary and a Treaeoirer. It shall also superintend the selection, examination, and le- commendation of suitable Books for our Sabbath-school Libraries, and publish and circulate catalogues of the same. Any book proposed to be introduced into any of our Sun- day-school Libraries, which has not been approved by the Sunday-school Board, must be approved by the Superintend- ent of the Circuit. As soon as circumstances will justify, the Board shall publish a suitable Sabbath-school paper for the Dominion. It shall also make grants of books to destitute localities so soon as its financial condition will enable it to do so. ''Such grants to be made on the application of the Superintendent of the school, signed by the Superintendent of the circuit, to the General Board, thi'ough its Secretary. The Board shall prepare and cause to be forwarded, through the Secretaries of the Committees of the Annual Conferences, all necessary schedules for the collection of BfcRtistics. Il 102 THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY. The Board shall appoint an Auditing Committee, whosa duty it shall be to examine all the accounts of the Secre- tary and Treasurer, and report to tho Board once a year. And a similar Committee shall report once in four years to the General Conference. Section III. THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY. The object of the Sbciety is to combine and direct the exertions of the Societies and Congregations (and others who are friends to the heathen and the extension of the Gospel) in the support and enlargement of the Indian, Domestic, Foreign, and other Missions, which are carried on under the sanction of the Conferences of the Methodist Church of Canada. I. Members. Every person subscribing and paying annually the sum of four dollars and upwards, and every person collecting twelve dollars and upwards, annually, for this Society, shall be deemed a member of the Society, and entitled to an Annual Report. And every benefactor presenting a donation of fifty dollars and upwards shall be a life member of the Society. > ;; t. -• II. Auxiliary and Branch Societies, v'^ * All Methodist Missionary Societies which have already been formed, or which may be formed for the several Con- ferences into which the Methodist Connexion is, or may be divided, shall be entitled " Auxiliary Missionary Societies " for the Conference in which they have or may be formed. And all Methodist Missionary Societies already formed, or THE MISSIONABY SOCIETY. 103 , whosa Sooro- a year. cars to ect the others of the ladian, carried ithodist sum of twelve ihall be Annual tion of of the ilready il Con- nay be ieties " brmed. led, or hereafter to bo formed, in the Districts of any Conference shall bo entitled "Branch Societies." Sabbath-school and Juvenile Christmas Offeriugs are also earnestly recom- mended, where donations of this nature are likely to be advantageous. III. Officers of Auxiliary and Branch Societies, The Chairman of each District shall be, ex-officiOf Secre- tary and Treasurer of the Branch Society of his District ; and every Superintendent of a Circuit shall, by virtue of his office, be Secretary and Treasurer of the Societies in the Circuit over which he presides. The Chairman shall require regular quarterly communi- cations to be made by each of the Missionaries on his re- spective District to the Secretaries of the Society, giving information of the state and prospects of the several Mis- sions in which they are employed. The money raised in any Circuit for Missions shall be regularly paid, as soon as collected, to the Treasurer of the District Brandi Society, with the deduction only of such sums as may have been disbursed for incidental and local expenses. And the Treasurer of every Branch Society shall remit to the Treasurer of the Auxiliary Society all sums so received by him, deducting only therefrom the necessary in- cidental expenses. Such remittance to be made as soon as the sum of twenty-five dollars shall be received by him. The Secretary of each Circuit Society shall forward an- nually to the Chairman of his District a list of the bene- factors and subscribei'S of two dollars and upwards, during the preceding twelve months, with an account of .their re- spective contributions, and alljotlier moneys received. And the Chaii'man of the District shall forward such lists to the Treasurer of the Auxiliary Societv, who shall transmit them 104 THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY. to the General Secretaries, accompanied by a statement of the gross receipts, local expenses, and remittances, to tho General Treasurer. • IV. Central Boarp. There shall be a Central Missionary Board for the management of the Missionary Fund, which shall meet annually. This Board shall be composed, for the present, of the President of the General Conference, the President of each Annual Conference, one Minister annually elected from each Annual Conference, the General Secretaries and Treasurers of the Missionary Society, and twelve Laymen, of whom one shall be appointed by the Laymen of each Annual Con- ference Missionary Committee, and the others by the Lay- men of the General Conference. The duties of this Board shall be to review the Mis- sionary work, and apj)ortion the funds committed to them to the respective Conferences, according to their necessities. When a vacancy occurs in the Board by death, resigna- tion, or any other disability, the Committee of Finance and Consultation, as hereinafter provided, shall fill such vacancy or vacancies. If the vacancy or vacancies arise from the members elected by the Annual Conference, such vacancy or vacancies shall be filled from among the Ministers or mem- bers of such Conference as the delegates belonged to, g,nd for the interval till the next Annual Conference ; and if from those elected by the General Conference, to fill the, vacancy or vacancies so occurring till the next General Con- ference ; but no person or persons shall be elected to, or remain a member of the Board, who is not a n^cmber of tho Church in good standing. THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 105 ement of 3, to tho I for the lall meet fc, of tlie t of each Tom each reasurers of whom mal Con- the Lay- the Mis- them to jsities. , resigna- lance and L vacancy from the icancy or or mem- '. to, ^nd ; and if ) fill th^ eral Con- sd to, or er of tk^ V. Committee of Finance and Consultation. A Committee, to be called the Committee of Fmance and Consultation, shall be annually appointed by said Boards consisting of the officers of the Missionary Society, and ten Ministers and ten Laymen, the majority of whom shall be members of the Central Board, who shall provide during the intervals of its annual meetings for any exigencies that may arise. All the proceedings of said Committee shall be en- tered in a minute book, and reported to the CenCial Board at its next annual meeting. ^ VI. Annual Meeting. An Annual Public Meeting of the members and friends of this Society shall be held at the time and place appointed by the Central Board, and connected with such religious service as may be deemed expedient. VII. General Offtce.s and THisiR Duties. The General Conference shall appoint the General Secre- taries and Treasurers of the Missionary Society, who shall be ex-officio members of the Central Missionary Board. The. General Secretaries shall, previously to each Finan- cial District Meeting, furnish each Chairman of a District with a schedule, to be filled up by said Chairman at the Financial District Meeting, showing the estimated income and expenditure of each Mission for the support of the Ministers and Preachers; together with the amount of Missionary grant recommended by the Financial District Meetings, which schedule shall be forwarded by the Chair- man to tho President of his Annual Conference, who shall immediately transmit it to the General Secretaries. From these schedules the General Secretaries shall prepare a ., w 106 THE MISSIONARY SOCIETY. tabular statement, showing the estimated income and ex- penditure of the Missions and Districts of the Connexion, for the information of the Central Board, in order that its members may intelligently and justly apportion the income of the year to the Annual Conferences. It shall be the duty of the Missionary Secretaries to make themselves acquainted with the entire Mission field, by official correspondence and personal visitation, where practicable. And in order to secure this knowledge, it is expected that one of them shall employ the greater portion of his time in visiting the Missions, and delivering addresses in advocacy of the Mission cause. It shall be the duty of the Secretaries to publish, under the direction of the Com- mittee of Finance and Consultation, the Missionary Notices and the Annual Report, the several Annual Conferences furnishing them with a statement of their income and expenditure. In the discharge of their duties, the Officers of the Society shall act in harmony with the legally appointed Courts and Officers of the General and Annual Conferences. Provided always, that in case of any emergency arising that may re- quire prompt action in the matter of supplying any remote Mission, it shall be competent for them, on the recom- mendation of the Committee of Finance and Consultation, to request the Executive Committee of any Annual Confer- ence to aid them in meeting such emergency, by appointing one of its Ministers or Preachers to such Mission or Missions. BOOK AND FEINTING ESTABLISHMENTS. 107 ' ' Section IV. THE BOOK AND PRINTINO ESTABLISHMENTS. 1. The Book Committee. — Its Powers and Duties. 1. Tho Genonil Conference shall, quadrennially, nppoint a Book Committee, consisting of tliirty-seven members, to be composed of Ministers and Laymen, residing within the bounds of the several Annual Conferences as follows : — The London Conference, nine members ; the Toronto Conference, nine members ; the Montreal Conference, seven members ; the Nova Scotia Conference, five members ; tho New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island Conference, five members; and the Newfoundland Conference, two members ; who shall be elected by tlie delegates of the several Confer- ences, together with the Book Stewards and Editors. 2. Immediately after its appointment, the Book Com- mittee shall meet, and make such arrangements as it may deem expedient, for the efficient working of the different Book and Publishing Establishments of the Church. 3. The Book Committee shall also meet at the time and place of the meeting of the next ensuing General Confer- ence, when it shall carefully review the Book and Pub- lishing Business of the preceding four years, and prepare a full report of the same, which shall be submitted to the General Conference. 4. At tho first meeting after its appointment the Bo k Committee shall divide into two Sections, to be called respectively the "Western" and "Eastern" Section of the Book Coirmittee. 5. The Western Section shall consist of the members re- siding within the bounds of tho Toronto, London, and Montreal Conferenqesj thirteen of whom shall form a 108 BOOK AND PRINTINa ESTABLISHMENTS. quorum for the transaction of business. The Ea&item Section shall consist of the members residing within the bounds of the Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland Conferences : seven of whom shall form a quorum for the transaction of business. 6. The Western Section shall have the control and super « vision of the Book and Printing Establishment in the city of Toronto, and of any other that may be established by the General Conference within the bounds of the Toronto, London, or Montreal Conferences. 7. The Eastern Section shall have the control and super- vision of the Book and Printing Establishment in the city of Halifax, and of any other that may be established by the General Conference within the bounds of the Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, or Newfoundland Conferences. Each Section shall elect its own Secretary, and, in the absence of the President and Vice-President of the General Conference, appoint its own Chairman. (a) The Western Section of the Book Committee shall meet annually on the first Wednesday in May^ and the Eastern section on the first Wednesday in June, at their respective Book Rooms, when they shall fill up any vacan- cies that may have occurred in their numbers during the year, {h) They shall examine the proceedings of the Ex- ecutive Committee and the business of each establisliment during the preceding year, (c) They shall annually ap[)oiut suitable persons to audit the accounts, and prepare a full and clear report to be laid before, the Annual Conferences which they respectively represent ; and at the last annual meeting of the Quadrennial period, prepare a report for tlie General Book Committee, to be laid before the General Conferencei. BOOK AND PRINTING ESTABLISHMENTS. 109 (d) They filuiU fix ilio salary of tho Book Steward or Book Stewards, and lAUior or Editoro. (c) Eacli k!" ''"^n shall have ."Aithority to suspend either a Book Steward or E^'itor for inccm^ctency or for culpable neglect of the duties of hia office, and to supply his place until the ncjffc General Coni "^nce: Provided^ always, thifc no such c'vi^pen^i'^n Ghall tiiko place except by the vote of three-fourths of the rncmbcra cf iho Gection. (/) In cr.se of the doath, resignation, or permanent disability of a Book Steward or Editor during his term of office, the Section having supervision of the establishment in which such vacancy occurs shall have power to appoint a successor to fill the office until the next General Conference, (g) At tho end of each quadrennial term, they shall cause a correct valuation of the real property, stock, machinery, debts, and other property to bo made, entering such pro['erty at its nctual value, and report the same to the General Committee, to be laid before the General Conference. 10. A special meeting of the members of either Section may be called by tho Book Steward and Editor, or by the Secretary, on tho written request of any three members. 11. For the present, all real estate and other property connected with the Book and Printing Establishment in tho city of Toronto, and any other that may bo required within tho bounds of tho London, Toronto, or Montreal Confer- ences, shall bo vested in tho Western Section of the l^ook Committee and their successors, who shall apply all profits, not required in tho business, exclusively for the benefit of tho Superannuation Fimd within tho bounds of the aforesaid Conferences. 12. For tho present, all property connected with the Book and Printing Establishment in the city ot Halifax, and any other that may be acquired within the bounds of the Nova M !10 BOOK AND PRINTING ESTABLISHMENT. II i^l Scotia, Kew Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, or New- foundland Conferences, shall be vested in the Eastern Section of the Book Committee and tlieir successes, who shall apply all profits, not required in the business, ex clusively for the benefit of the Supernumerary Ministers and Ministers' Widows' Fund. 13. Each Section of the Book Committee shall also at its first meeting, and at each subsequent Annual Meeting, appoint an Executive Committee, which shall meet quarterly and review the business of the preceding quarter; and shall advise and decide in all matters submitted for their consideration. 14. The Executive Committee of the Western Sectio shall consist of nine members — five to constitute a quorum, — four of whom shall be selected from the Toronto Con- ference, three from tlie London Conference, and two from the Montreal Conference. 15. The Executive Committee of the Eastern Section shall consist of Jive members, — three of whom shall constitute a quorum,— who shall be selected from those members of the Eastern Section residing in the vicinity of the Book Koom, in Halifax. 16. Each Executive Committee shall appoint its own Chairman and Secretary, and keep a correct record of the business transacted at its meetings; which shall be sub- mitted to the repective Sections of the Book Committee, at their Annual meeting. 17. All books which may be published by order of the General Conference, under the direction of any one of the existing Book Establishments, shall be furnished to the other Establishment at cost. 1 1 BOOK AND PRINTING ESTABLISHMENTS. Ill II. The Book Stewards. 1. The General Conference shall elect a Book Steward, who shall have charge of the Book and Printing Estab- lishment in Toronto, under the direction of the "Western Section of the Book Committee ; and also a Book Steward, who shall have charge of the Book and Printing Establish- ment in Halifax, and who shall also have the Editorial management of the Provincial Wesleyariy under the direction of the Eastern Section of the Book Committee. 2. It shall be the duty of each Book Steward to purchase all materials and books required for the establishment under his charge, keeping in view the mental wants of the Church and the religious instruction of the people generally | he shall give the Committee such information as they may require concerning the state of the business, and present a quarterly statement of the affairs of the establishment to the Executive Committee. He shall also present annually, to the meeting of his section of the Book Committee, a balance sheet, exhibiting the financial state of the Book Boom and periodicals, together with a each account, showing the sources whence the money has been received, and the purposes for which it has been paid. 3. Each Book Steward shall conduct the business of his department in the most efficient and economical manner, and pay over to tjie Treasurer cf the Superannuation oi Supernumerary Fund such proportionfj of the profit.^ e.s the respective sections of the Book Committee shall determine. III. The Editors and their Duties. 1. As it is highly desirable that the religious papers pub- lished by our Church be made thoroughly efficient as family and connexional journals, it is recommended that, at the il'Ji BOOK AND FEINTING ESTABLISHMENTS. close of the present year, the Evangelical Witness be incor- porated with the Christian Guardian, under the title of the Christian Guardian and Evangelical Witness ; and that the General Conference elect an Editor and an Assistant Editor, who shall have the editorial management of the Christian Guardian and Evangelical Witness, and also of the Sunday School publications, published in Toronto, under the super- vision and direction of the Western Section of tho Book Committee. 2. It shall be the duty of the Editor to make these periodicals nofc only soundly Scriptural and instructive but also to put forth all reasonable efibrt to render our Sunday- school papers highly attractive and interesting to the young. He shall likewise carefully supervise the printing of all books and periodicals published at the Book Boom in Toronto. . ? 3. It shall be the duty of the Assistarit Editor to faith- fully co-operate with the Editor in the accomplishment of the objects here indicated ; and it is required, that, in all matters respecting the publication of the periodicals, the Book Steward and Editor shall act in harmony. 4. The duties of the Editor of the Provincial Wesleyan in Halifax, shall be similar to those of the Editor of the Christian Guardian and Evangelical Witness. The Book Stewards and Editors elected by the General Conference shall hold office for four years from the time of their election, and shall be eligible for re-election ; but they shall continue in office, after the appointment of their suc- cessors, till the meeting of the Annual Conference to which they belong. - - ' V :, ''■- PART r.—TEMPOBAL ECONOMY. CHAPTER I. Section I. THE SUPPORT OP MINISTEKS AND THEIR FAMILIES. - The salary of a married Minister shall be $300 per annum, exclusive of the necessary expense of board, fuel, rent, horse-keep, and incidental expenses. The salary of an ordained single Minister shall be $250 per annum, exclusive of board, horse-keep, and incidental expenses. , The salary of a Preacher on trial shall be $200 per annum, exclusive of board, horse-keep, and incidental expenses. Each child of a Travelling Minister bom after the father was received into full connection with the Conference and ordained, shall receive thirty dollars per annum until eighteen years of age. Section II. • THE SUPERANNUATED MINISTERS' FUND. 1. The name of this Fund sluill be the Superannuated Ministers' Fund of the Methodist Church of Canada, i 1.1 il & SUPERANNUATED MINISTERS* EUND. ii- 2. This Fund shall be managed by a Central Board, com- posed of eighteen members, nine of whom shall be laymen, who may or may not be memberH of the General Confer- ence, and who shall elect their own Treasurer or Treasurers. 3. The members of the General Board shall be elected by the General Conference for a term of four years. Sources op Income. This Fund shall consist of the annual income arising 1. From the interest of such moneys as may have been or may be invested in its behalf. 2. From subscriptions and donations taken annually in the Classes and among the lay friends of the Church, during the months of October and November. The amount to be remitted to the Treasurer on or before the first day of December in each year. 3. From an annual public collection which shall be taken up in aid of this Fund in all our congregations in the month of October or November. 4. From the annual subscriptions of all our Ministers and Probationers in the active ^vork, which shall not be less than ten dollars each, to be paid to the Financial Secretary at the May District Meeting, and by him remitted to the Treasurer of the Superannuated Ministers' Fund, not later than the day preceding the meeting of the Annual Confer- ence. 6. From such moneys as may be appropriated from the profits of the Book and Printing Establishments. 6. Five per cent of the regular income of the Fund shall form a first charge upon the current income of each year, and shall be added annually to the vested capital ; and the vested capital shall in no case be used for disbursements, the interest onlyJbeing available for such purposes from year *o year, . BUPERANNUATED MINISTERS* FUND. 115 Claimants. 1. The period for computing Ministers* claims upon the Superannuated Ministers' Fund shall commence from the term of their being received by the Conference for our work, except such Preachers as were employed previous to the second Quarterly Meeting, under direction of a Chair- man of a District, and allowed such year by the Conference, to whom the claim for the year may be granted. 2. All Ministers hereafter coming to us from other Churches shall be allowed a claim upon this Fund according to the number of years they shall have travelled in con- nection with our Conference; and if, upon entering our work, they may desire a relation to this Fund which would entitle them to payment for back years, they shall have such^ claim only after and according to the payment of such s«ms as may be deemed equitable by the Conference. 3. Each Subscriber of Five Dollars or more annually to this Fund, shall have his or her name printed in the Minutes of Conference, and shall receive a copy of said Minutes gratis. Scale of Payments. 1. Every Superannuated Minister who has travelled eflfcc- tively 15 years and upwards shall have a sum of $12 per annum for each year of effective service he may have travelled. 2. Every Superannuated Minister who has travelled ten years, and less than fifteen years, shall 1iave a claim of twelve dollars for each year of effective service he may have rendered, said payment to continue for five years only. 3. The case of Superannuated Ministers who have travelled less than ten years shall h& referred to the Boavd of this Fund for cousideratiou and adjustment, 116 3UPERANNUATED MINISTERS* FUND. 4. Any minister who may locate and enter into secular business, and subsequently be received into the Conference, shall not be allowed any claim for the time previous to his location. 5. The Board shall have power, upon the recommendation of an Annual Conference, to commute with such min- isters as may be superannuated, from causes which do not disqualify them for secular business, by payment of such sums as may be deemed equitable, instead of allowing them to become permanent claimants upon the Superannuated Ministers' Fund. 6. Ministers who retire temporarily from the work on account of ill health or accident, while they receive from the Superannuated Ministers' Fund, may also receive from the Contingent Fund or Missionary Fund for service rendered in the regular or Missionary work. 7. Widows of deceased ministers, being members of our Church, shall receive four-fifths of the amount their husbands would have received, according to the foregoing scale; except such widows as were fifteen years younger than their husbands, and were married after their husbands were fifty- five years of age, whose case shall be referred to the Board. 8. Provided always, that when the claims upon this Fund for any year shall exceed the income of such year, each claimant shall have deducted from the amount of his or her claim such a sum as shall be equal to a pro rata amount of such deficiency. ^ v , 9. Any Minister who may be expelled from the Confer- ence, or shall hereafter leave our efiective work for other employment, shall thereby forfeit the amouD !} which he may .have paid into the Superannuated Min.: oks' Fund. 10. The Supernumerary Fund of the Conferences em- braced within the limits of the late Conference of EdStern *i CRaDBEN'S FUND* m Britibli America, sha]! be managed \y the Conferences of New Brunr vi- \, Isuvsi Scotia and Irlnce Edward Island, and Nev . AinJlaud for the next four yeaia. 11. The Superannuated Preachers' Annuitant Society, in connection with the late Methodist New Connexion Church of Canada, shall, after June, 1875, be incorporated with the Superannuated Minis*;ers' Fund of the Methodist Church of Canada. Section III. THE CHILDREN'S FUND. Each Annual Conference shall have a Children's Fund under its own control and managcm«nt, for the purpose of providing eHeclively and uniformly for the payment of allowances of the cldldrcn of our ministers, and of equal- izing the ckilns for this object on the soveral Circuits within its bounds, subject to the fallowing regulations and restriotions : — 1. The amount payable for the support of each child under eighteen years of age shall not be less than thu*ty dollars per yeajp. 2. The Book and Printing Establishments, Colleges, and other Connexional Institutions, shall respectively pay to tlie Ministers connected with such Institutions the amounts due for their children's allowances. 3. The claiins of children whose fathers are employed on the French, German, Indian, Japan, and other Foreign Missions shall be paid by the Missionary Society. 4. The regular claimants upon this Fund shall be : — (1) Such children of Minister engaged in the active work as were born after their fathers had been received into full connection with the Conference. - Sfis, ,!■■ liii ;M! ':! ) lis CONTINGENT FUND. (2) The children of Superannuated and deceased Ministers who were bom wliile their fathers were in the active work, or within one year after their superannuation or death. 5. Any arrangements now existing for the payment of claims for children bom before their fathers were received into our Ministry, shall contimie in force ; but hereafter no claims for children born before their fathers' reception into the Ministry of our Church, shall be pro- vided for by this Funrl. ; Section IV. T^E CONTINGENT FUND. I. Constitution ,. . -■ This Fund shall be called the ContingcJnt Fund of the •<'.•' ff Methodist Church of Canada, The objects of this Fund shall be, '^ ^i-^- . > 1st, To relieve cases of special affliction, and defray ex- traordinary expenses incurred in the service of the Oliurch. 2nd. To aid those Circuits which have not been able to pay the salaries of their ministers and preachers. The Fund shall be divided into two sections. Eastern and Western. The Eastem Section shall include the Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland Conferences. ' ' " ^ The Western Section shall embrace the Toronto, London, and Montreal Conferences. II. Sources op Income. The sources of Income shall be t Xn the Eastern Section-'A sii COHTINGEKT fOND. 119 1st. Collections to be taken up on all the Cirouits in the months of September and March, in each year. 2nd. The Public Collections taken up at each Session of the Annual Conferences. In the Western Section — 1st. Interest from the investment of the Commutation Fund. ^nd. Collections to be taken up on all the Circuits in the months of Septjember and March, in each year. 3rd. The Public Collections taken up at each Session of the Annual Conferences. r • ... ■ / • . ^ ' - . "■ r III. Commutation Fund, The Commutation Investment Fund shall be under the manag«ment of five persons, to be appointed by the General Conference, and chosen from the Western Section, two of whom shall be the Clerical and Lay Treasurers of the Western Section of tho Fund. I ' " IV. Treasurers. There shall be appointed by the General Conference a Clerical and Lay Treasurer for each Section, who shall re- ceive, divide, and account for all Funds, according to the basis of Union between the several Conferences embraced in each Section. The Contingent Fund (embracing the annual income from the Commutation) shall be divided annually among the several Conferences according to the number of Church members, including those on trial. (See Minutes of W. M. Conference, 1873, page 173). V. Duties of the Annual Conference. Each Annual Conference shall appoint seven Ministers) whO| with seven Laymen, appointed by the Lay Membem 120 OONTINOXin' FUKD. J- 11! - of tho May Districfc Meeting, contiguous to the place whero the Annual Conf»reuce meets, shall be the Contingent Fund Committee of such Conference, whose duty it shall be to consider all claims properly presented to it, and appropriate to their proper objects the funds placed at their disposal, and report all their proceedings to the Annual Conference. This Committee shall meet annually at the seat of Con- ference, at such time as the Conference may direct, and appoint a Chairman, Secretary, and Treasurer from among tkeiBselves, and also two auditors. •a 1. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep a book, in which he shall record the proceedings of all meetings of the Committee, and sign all orders upon the Treasurer, wbioh have been authorized by the Committee. 2. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to receive all moneys appropriated by the General Treasurer of the Con- tingent Fund, and make such disbursements as have been authorized by the Contingent Fund Committee of his Con- ference, and signed by the Secretary, and to render to said Committee an annual detailed account of the same. 3. It shall be the duty of the Auditors to examine the accounts of the Treasurer annually, and present their report to the Committee. 4. All applications for grants from this Fund shall be presented to the Committee by the Chairman of the District from which the claim is made, or by such other person as he may appoint to represent his District. 6. No application for aid to Circuits, or special claims, shall be entertained by this Committee unless they have passed the May Quarterly Meeting, and have been signed by the Kecording Steward, and recommended by the District CONTINGENT FUNI^ 121 6. All applications fbr expenses inci. red n tli'> general work, or for claims not otherwise spec < tied, sh: 1 be sub- mitted to the Committee in detail for their investigat' n CI and approval. 7. At the Financial District Meeting, the amoux ts granted to that District by the Committee shall be appor- tioned to the different Circuits as fairly and impartially as possible. 8. Any Circuit which, in the preceding year, has received assistance from the Contingent Fund, may or may not obtain aid for the current year, as the Financial District Meeting may see fit j even though the said Circuit may or may not have been considered in the appropriation made to the District by this Committee. 9. The collections taken up for this Fund in September and March shall be paid over by Superintendents of Circuits to the Financial Secretaries of their several Districts (not later than the 16th of the following months, respectively), or as soon as possible after they have been received. 10. The financial year shall end on the 31st erf March in each year, before which time the financial Secretaries shall pay over to the General Treasurers the amounts receiveti from the various Circuits during the year. -»■ <■» >" f » it CHAPTER II. PARSONAGES, OHURCHES, AND CIIUllCH PROPERTY. ir Section I. PARSONAGES. rf Qttes, What advice or direction shall be given concern- ing the building or renting of dwelling houses for the use of the Travelling Ministers 1 Ans. 1. It is recommended by the Conference that Par- sonages be obtained on each of our Circuits and Missions wherever practicable, for the use of our married Ministers azid their families ; and be secured according to our deed o!f settlement : or, where this is impracticable, that suit- able houses be rented. 2t It shall be the duty of the Chairman and Ministers to tise their influence to carry the above rules, respecting building and renting houses for the Ministers and their families, into effect. In order to this, each Quarterly flSicial Meeting shall appoint a Committee (unless other H.easures have been adopted) who, with the advice and aid c^ the Ministers and Chairman, shall devise such means as Hjiy seem fit to raise moneys for that purpose. And the )nference shall make special enquiry of their members re- el "Qcting this part of their duty. CHUHOHES AND CHURCH PROPERTY. 123 Section IT. CHURCHES AND CHURCH PROPERTY. Quee. 1. Is anything advisable in regard to building Ohurches ? Ans. 1. Let our churches be built plain and decent, and not more expensive than is absolutely necessary. 2. In order more effectually to prevent our people from contracting debts which they are not able to discharge, it shall be the duty of the Quarterly Official Meeting of every Circuit, where it is contemplated to build a church or churches, to secure the ground or lot on which such church or churches are to be built, according to oui deed of settle- ment, which deed must be legally executed ; and also, said Quarterly Meeting shall appoint a judicious Committee of at least three members of our Church, who shall form an estimate of the amount necessary to build; and three- fourths of the money, according to such estimate, shall be secured or subscribed before any such building shall be commenced. All church property to be legally secured, and the deed registered within one year after its execution. 3. In future, we will admit no charter, deed, or convey- ance, for any church to be used by us, unless it be provided in such charter, deed, or conveyance, that the Trustees of the said church shall, at all times, permit such Ministers and Preachers belonging to the Methodist Church of Canada, as shall from time to time be duly authorized by the Conference or by the Ministers of our Church, to preach and expound God's Holy Word, and to execute the Disci- pline of the Church, and to administer the Sacraments therein, according to the true meaning and purport of i>ur deed of Bettlement. • - vi- . ,i. 124 TRUSTEES. Section III. If TRUSTEES. 1. When a new Board of Trustees is to "be created, it shall be done by the appointment of the Quarterly Official Meeting, upon the nomination of the Superintendent of the Circuit, and shall consist of not less than seven, nor more than twenty-one. 2. No person shall be eligible as a Trustee t» any of our churches, parsonages, school-houses, burial-grounds, or other property, who is not a member of our Church. 3. No person who is a Trustee shuH be ejected while he is in joint security for money, unless such relief be given him as is demanded, or as the creditor will accept. 4. When and so often as one or more of the said Trustees, or of their successors in the said trust, shall die, withdraw, or cease to be a member or members of the said Methodist Church of Canada, according to the Kules and Discipline of the said Church, the vacant place of the Trustee or Trustees so dying, withdrawing, or ceasing to be a member or members of the said Church, shall be filled with a successor or successors, being a member or members of the said Church, of the full age of twenty-one years, to be nominated and appointed as follows : that is to say, — ^to be nominated by the Methodist Minister having charge for the time being of the Circuit in which the said premises shall be situate, and thereupon appointed by the surviving or remaining Trustee or Trustees of the said trust, or a majority of them, if ho or they shall think proper to appoint the person or persons so nominated, and, in case of an equal division of the votes of the Trustees oresent, at any meeting of the Trustees held i I RECORD OP PROPERTY. 125 for the purpose of such api)ointment, the Minister in charge of the said Circuit shall have a casting vote in such appointment ; and if it shall happen at any time that there shall be no surviving or remaining Trustee of the said trust, in every such case it shall and may be lawful for the Minister aforesaid to nominate, and the Quarterly Official Meeting of the Circuit, if they approve of the persons so nominated, to appoint the requisite number of Trustees, the said Trustees of the said trust, by a vote of the majority of the members of the said meeting then present ; and in case of an equal division of their votes, the Chairman of the said meeting shall have the casting vote in such appointment, and the person or persons so nominated and appointed Trustee or Trustees in either of the said modes of nomination and appointment, shall be the legal successor or successors of the said above named Trustees, and shall have in perpetual succession the same capacities powers, rights and duties, as belonged to and were exercised by the original Trustees. Section IV. RECORD OF PROPERTY. Ques. What other directions are necessary with regard to church property ? Ans. 1. In order to prevent forge tfulness and loss of Church property, a correct inventory of all our property, whether Lands, Churches, Parsonages, or Furniture, shall be kept. 2. The Book Steward for the time being shall be the Registrar, and shall provide and keep a proper Book for 126 RBGORD OF PROPERTY. If; ii the purpose, which book shall be laid before the Conference, for the inspection of its members. 3. Each Superintendent shall return a list and de- scription of Church property within the circumference of his Circuit, every fourth year, according to Conference schedule, and at the time of the valuation of the Book Boom property ; also the exact locality and other informa- tion needful; and whether, and where, the Peeds aro registered. :i; '•X- ■i;; ■.''""U'-'; ;i ' CHAPTER III. BOUNDARIES OF CONFERENCES, DISTRICTS AND CIRCUITS. Section I, ANNUAL CONFERENCES. There shall be six Annual Conferences in our work, viz., the ToiH)nto, the London, the Montreal, the Nova Scotia, the New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, and the New- foundland Conferences. The Toro'-to Conference shall embrace all that portion of the Province of Ontario formerly included in the Toronto, Owen Sound, Colling wood, Barrie, Bradford, Whitby, Co- bourg, Peterboro', and Belleville Districts ; and the Mission- ary Districts known as the Red River, the Saskatchewan, British Columbia, and the Foreign Missions. The London Conference shall embrace all those parts of the Province of Ontario formerly included in the Hamilton, Niagara, Bi-antford, London, St. Thomas, Chatham, Sarnia, Guelph, and Goderich Districts. The Montreal Conference shall embrace all those parts of the Provinces of Ontario and (Quebec formerly included ia 128 DISTRICTS AND CIRCUITS. |{ ■ ) r the Kingston, Brockville, Peii^h, Pembroke, Ottawa, Mon- treal, Quebec, and Stanstead Districts. The Nova Scotia Conference shall embrace the Province of Nova Scotia and the Bermudas. The New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island Confer- ence shall embrace the Provinces of New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. The Newfoundland Conference shall embrace Newfound- land, Labrador, and the Islands contiguous. Section II, . s DISTRICTS AND CIRCUITS. Ques. How are the Districts to be formed ? Ans. According to the judgment of the Stationing Com- mittee. . ■ ' Ques. How are Circuits and Missions to be formed ? Ans. By the Stationing Committee, on the recommendation of the District Meeting : Provided nevertheless, that Circuits supporting their own Ministers or Preachei-s shall not be divided till such divisions have been approved of by their respective Quarterly Official Meetings, and their approval signified in writing by the Recording Steward ; or other- wise by a two-thirds vote of the Annual District Meeting, when the Stewards are present. » - In the Division of a Circuit, no Minister who has travelled successively the three preceding years on such Circuit shall be appointed to either part of it — nevertheless, this rule shall not apply to those places which may be transferred in adjusting the work by the District Meeting, which transfer has been sanctioned by the Stationing Com- mittee, .. PA R T VI, THE EITUA L Section I. BAPTISM. THE MINISTRATION OF BAPTISM TO INFANTS. The 3finister coming to tHiefonty which is to he filled with pure water ^ sJutll use ^le following^ or some other exhortation suitable to this sacred office. Dearly beljved, forasmuch as all men are conceived and born in sin, and that our Saviour Christ saith, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God, I beseech you to call upon God tlie Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that having of his bounteous mercy redeemed [this child] by the blood of his Son, He will grant that [he] beir.g baptized with water may also be baptized with the Holy Ghost, received into Christ's hely Church, and become [a lively member] of the same. Then shall the Minister say, — Let us Pray. Almighty and everlasting God, who of thy great mercy diilst 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 hast set apart water for this Holy Sacrament; \\ .130 KITUAL — BAPTISM OF INFANTS. ii and who hast condescended to enter into gi'acious covenant with man, wherein thou hast included children as )urtakors of its benefits, declaring that, "of such is the kii gdom of heaven ;" wo beseech thee for thine infinite mercies, that thou wilt look upon [this child] ; wash [him] and sanctify [hiin] with the Holy Ghost ; that [he,] being delivered from thy wrath, may be received into the ark of Christ's Church, and being steadfast in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in love, may so pass the waves of this troublesome world, that finally [he] may come to the land of everlasting life ; there to reign with thee, world without end, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. O merciful God, grant that the old Adam in [tJiis child] may be so buried, that the new man may be raised up in [him]. Amen. Grant that all carnal affections may die in [/tim], and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in [him]. Amen. Grant that [he] may have power and strength to have victory, and to triumph against the devil, the world, and the flesh. Amen. Grant that whosoever is dedicated to thee by our office and ministry, may also be endued with heavenly virtues, and everlastingly rewarded through thy mercy, O blessed Lord God, who dost live and govern all things, world without end. Amen. Almighty, ever living God, whose most dearly belored Son Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of our sins, did shed out of his most precious side both water and blood, and gave commandment to his disciples that they should go and teach all nations, and baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost ; Begard, RITUAL — BAPTISM OF INFANTS. 131 »tli to have we beseech theo, our supplications; and grant that [this child,] now to be baptized, may receive the fulness of thy grace, and bo found at last in the number of thy faithful and elect children, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Then shall the people stand up: and the Minister shall read one or more of the following portions of Scripture. Hear tho words of the Lord written in the book of Genesis (Chap. xvii. 7) : And I will establish my covenant between me and thee, and thy seed after thee in their generation, for an ever- lasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. The Apostle Peter declares (Acts ii. 39) that : The promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar ofif. The Apostle Paul likewise saith, in the Epistle to tho Galatians (Chap. iii. 13, 14, 29): Christ hath redeemed us from tho curse of the law, being made a curse for us : for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree : That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs, according to the promise. The Lord hath by his servant Ezekiel (Chap, xxxvi. 25) said : 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. Here also the words of the Oospel, written by St. Marlc^ in the tenth ch^xpter, beginning at tht thirteenth verse : — They brought young children to Chri&t, that he should touch thsm. And his disciples rebuked those that brought tlxem. But when Jesus saw it he was much displeased, 132 RITUAI — BAPTISM OF ADULTS. and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is tlie kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you. Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, ho shall not enter therein. And he took them in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them. Then the Minister shall take the child in his armSt and say to the parents or friends of the child, ** Name the child,** and then, naming it afiar them, he shall baptize the child, saying, N. I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of tho Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Then shaU he said, all kneeling, "^ 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 forgive us our trespasses, as we foigive tliem that trespass against uf}. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver U6 from evil. Amen. The Minister may conclude with extempore prayer. M\ h liilj! ; ii ' ; THE MINISTRATION OF BAPTISM TO ADULTS. The Minister sliall use the following, or some other exJuyrtation^ suitable to this holy office. i. '^ Dearly beloved, forasmuch as all men are conceived and borr in sin, (and that which ia bom of the flesh is flesli, and they that are in the flesh cannot please God, but live in sin, committing many actual transgressions;) and our Saviour Christ saith. None can enter into the kingdom of God, except he be regenerate and bom anew of water ana ol the Holy Ghost ; I beseech you to call upon God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that, of his bounte- RITUAL — BAPTISM OF ADULTS. 133 ous goodness he will grant to [these persons] that which by nature [thet/] cannot have ; that [they] may be baptized, not only with water but also with the Holy Ghost, and received into Christ's holy Church, and be made lively [members] of the same Then shall the Minister say. Almighty and immortal God, the aid of all that need, the helper of all that flee to thee for succour, the life of them that believe, and the resurrection of the dead; We call upon thee for [these persons] that [^Acy,] coming to thy holy baptism, may be filled with the Holy Ghost. 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 knocli ; that [these persons] may enjoy the ever- lasting benediction of thy heavenly washing, and may come to the eternal kingdom which thou hast promised by Christ our Lord. Amen. • After tohich Tie shall say. Almighty and everlasting God, our heavenly Father, we give thee humble thanks for that thou hast vouchsafed to call us to the knowledge of thy grace and faith in time ; increase this knowledge and confii*m this faith in us ever- more. Give thy Holy Spirit to [these persons f] that [theT/] may be made [heirs] of everlasting salvation, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen. O merciful God, grant that the old Adam in [thes6 persons] may bo so buried that the new man may be raised u^ in [theni,] Amen, . -^ ■ ;-s •' /j ^ v M Ui BITUAL — BAPTISM OF ADULTS. Grant that all carnal affections may die in [^/^ewi,] and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in [ !>• Then shall the Minister demand of each of the persons to be haptizcd, ^ ' '' severally : ■ v ' • • T Ques. Dost thou renounce the devil and all his works, tho vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, and tho carnal desues of the flesh, bo that thou wilt not follow or be led by them % Ana, I renounce them all. Ques. Dost thou believe in God the Father Almighty Maker of heaven and earth 1 and in Jesus Christ his only begotten Son our Lord ? and that he was conceived of the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary 1 that ho suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried*? that he rose again the third day ? that he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, and from thence he 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 ; tho Cummunion of Saints ; the Kemission of Sins ; tho ResunecUun of the Body, and everlasting lii'o after death ? • , Atis. All this I stoadfaslly believo •: QiLe$» Wil'J thOu bo baptized in thia faith 1 . ' • ' KECEPTION OF MEMBERS, 137 Ans. This is my desiro. Quea. Wilt thou then obediently keep God's holy will and commandments, and walk in the samo all tho days of thy life ? Ana. I will endeavor so to d' God being my hr^lpcr. Then shall the Minister ask the n/thte of the verson to be bajJtizedf and repeating the same shall bapike him, saying : Nt I Baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of tho Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Then shall be said the lord's Prayer, all kneeling. Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed bo thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our tresj)asses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temp > ^jn, but deliver us from evil. Amen. The Minister may conclude loith extempore prayer, if, Section II. RECEPTION OF MEMBERS. FORM OP RECEIVING PERSONS INTO THIT CHURCH AFTER PROBATION. Upmi the day appointed, all that are to be received 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 of God, the body of which Christ is the Head, and that it is the design of the Gospel, I to bring together, in one, all who are in Christ. The fellow- ship of the Church is the communion which its member^ 138 BECEPTION OF MEMBERS. enjoy one with another. The ends of this fellowship 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 committe'i to His Church for the promotion of holiness. It is the duty of all men to unite in this fellowship, for it is those that bo "planted in the house of .the Lord, that shall flourish in the courts of our God." Its more particular duties aro to promote peace and unity ; to bear one another's burdens ; to prevent eucb 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 peculiar incitements to holiness from the hearing of God's Word, and sharing in 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 who are of the household of faith. Into this holy fellowship the persons 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 purposes, that you may know that they are proper persons to be admitted into the Church. t: ■|*.^'' .> ^7 Then the Minister may address the applicants in the following or similar language : Dbarlt?** Beloved, — You come hither seeking the great privilege df union with the Church which 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 /ollowerSj and that thus far you have done well. You have heard how blessed are the privileges, and how solemn aro the duties of membership in Christ's Church ; and before 'M m: $ RECEPTION OF MEMBERS. 130 fellowship are e ordinances of power of godly committeHl to fellowship, for >)rd, that shall lore particular r one another's ; to seek the *; to continue ospel; and to g its privileges he hearing of 5es ; the being ind the enjoy- \ to those who fellowship the the Sacrament proper leaders mission. We lem as to their hat they are • Ae following or ng the great ' Saviour has grace of God ou to be his • You have solemn are ; and before you are fully admitted thereto, it is proper that you do here niblicly renew your vows, confess your faith, and declai-e four purposes, by answering the following questions : — Qucs. Do you here, in the presence of God and of this congregation, renew the solemn consecration of yourself to God, and take upon you the sacred obligations involved and sefc forth in lltv aoly ordinance of Baptism, and do you purpose that in heart and life, in death and for ever, you will be a true servant of God and of Christ 1 Ana. I do ; — such is my purpose, by God's help. Ques. Do you believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, as the only and all-sufficient propitiation for the sins of mankind and do you look to him for the remission of sin and eternal life] Ana. Such is my faith and hoT>" Ques. Do you believe in the inspiration and divine authority of Holy Scri[)ture, and accept the same as a sufficient rule of faith and practice ? Ana. I do. Quea. Will you cheerfully be governed by the rules of the Methodist Church of Canada, hold sacred the ordinances of God, and endeavour, as much as in you lies, to promote the welfare of your brethren and the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom 1 Ana. I will. . ^ Quea. Will you contribute of your earthly substance, according to your ability, to the support of the Gospel and the various benevolent enterprises of the Church 1 Ana, I will. Then the Minister, addressing the Churchy shall say : Brethren, you have heard the responses given to our enquiries. Have any of you an^ reason to allege why theso ^ \ m 140 THE lord's SUPPEB. persons should not be received into full membership in the Church 1 . No objection being alleged, the Minister shall say to tlie Candidates : 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, until you are calk, -o the fellowship of the Church triumphant, which is " without fault before the throne of God." Then shall the Minister offer extempore prayer. Section III. OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. THE OBDER FOB ADMINISTRATION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. While the -collection for the poor is being taken up, the Minister shall say one or more of tJiese sentences : Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven. — Matt. v. 16. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon jarth, 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. Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do unto them, for this is the law and the prophets, —Matt. vii. 12. THE lord's supper. 141 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall cntnr into the kingdom of heaven, but he that docth the will of my Father who is in heaven. — Matt. vi. 21. Zaccheus stood forth and said unto the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor ; and if I have done any wrong to any man I restore him four-fold.— Luke xix. 8. He that soweth sparingly ehall reap also sparingly ; and he that soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Let every man do according as he is disposed in his heart ; not grudgingl} , or of necessity ; for God loveth a cheerful giver. — 2 Cor. ix. 6, 7. • As wo 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 that we can carry nothing out. — 1 Tim. vi. 6, 7. Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who givoth us richly all things to enjoy ; that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate ; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. — 1 Tim. vi. 17, 18, 19. For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that yo have ministered to the saints, and do minister. — Heb. vi. 10. But to do good and to communicate forget not ; for with Buch Bacrifioes God is well pleased. — Hob. xiil 16. \\ 142 IHE lord's STTP1>ER. But whoso hath this world's gcods, and seeth his brothei? have need, and shiitteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelloth the love of God in him ? — 1 John iii. 17. Ho that hath pity upon tho poor lendoth to tho Lord ; and that which ho hath given will he pay him again. — Prov. xix. 17. Blessed is ho that considercth tho poor ; tho Lord will deliver him in time of trouble. — Psalm xli. 1. While these sentences are being read, some fit person^ a'p'^oimtcd for that purpose, shall receive the alms for the poor ; and then bring them to the Minister, who shall place them upon tJie table. After which the Minister shall say : Ye that do truly and earnestly repent of your sins, and aro in love and charity with your neighbors, and intend to lead a new life, following tho 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 confkssxon he 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: Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things. Judge of all men : we acknowledge and be- wail our manifold sins and wickedness, which we from time to time most grievously have committed, by thought, word, and deed, against thy Divine Majesty, provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. Wo do earnestly repept and are heartily sorry for these our mis- doings ; the remembrance of them is grievous unto us. Have mercy upon* u9| have mercy upon us, most merciful THE tbRD'S SUPPER. 143 Father ; for thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ's sake, forgive us all that is past ; and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please thee in newness of life, to the honor and glory of thy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Then shall the Minister say : O Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of thy great mercy hast promised forgiveness 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, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The 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 Christ our Lord. Theii shall the Minister say : It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto thee, Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God. Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name, evermore praising thee and saying, Holy, holy, holy. Lord God of Hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord most high. Amen. We do not presume to come to this thy Table, merciful God, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to M 144 THE lord's SUPPEB. gather up the crumbs under thy table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy ; Grant us, therefore, 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 most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us. Amen. , . TJien the Minister shall offer the Prayer of Consecration as followeth: Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of thy tender mercy didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption ; who made there (by his oblation of himself once offered) a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world : and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to 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 bo partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood, who in the same night that he was betrayed took bread j and when he had given thanks he brake it and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat j this is my body whiclx is given for you ; Do this in re- membrance of me. Likewise after supper he took tho cup ; and when ho had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying. Drink ye all of this; for this is my blood of tlio New Testament, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins ; this do ye, as often as yo drink of it, in remembrance of mo. Amen. THE lord's supper. 145 Then shall the Minister or Ministers first receive the Comnmnion in both hinds: and then proceed to deliver thesa ..cto the fjtopleahot in order, into their uncovered hands. And when he dcUvcrcth the bread he shall say : Tho Body of our Loi\l Jcsuo Christ, which was given for theCy presorvo thy soul and body unto everlasting life. Tako (lud eat this in remciiibranco that Christ died for thee^ and food 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 of this in remembrance that Christ's blood was shed for thee, and be thankful. If the consecrated bread or wine be all spent before all have cowmuni' cated, the Minister may consecrate more by repeating the p>^'(' IJ<"ii' of Consecration. When all have communicated, the Minister shall return to the Lord's Table, and place upon it ivhat remaineih of the consecrated ele- mcnts, covering the same with a fair linen cloth. Then Tiiay the Minister say the Lord's Prayer : Uw people repeating after him every petition. ' - Our Father who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name ; Thy Kingdom come ; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaveji ; Give us this day our daily bread ; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass agaiust us ; And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; For thine is the Kinglom, and tho Power, and the Glory, for ever and ever. Amen. After which may he said as folloiveth : Lord, our heavenly Father, we thy humble servants dtbii tliy Fatherly goodness mercifully to accept thi^ ouv 7 146 tHE lord's StJPPEA. sacrifico of praise and thanksgiving ; most humbly beseech- ing thee to gi'ant 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 pre- sent unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy and lively sacrifice unto thee ; humbly beseeching theo that all wo who are partakers of this holy Communion, may be filled with thy graco and heavenly benediction. And although we be unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice, yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and scrvico ; not weighing our merits but pardoning our offences, through Jesus Christ our Lord : by whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all honor and glory bo unto theo, O Father Almighty, world without end. Amen. Then may he said : Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good will ( owards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we woi*sliip i Uee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy ^reat ^lory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. -^ O Lord, the only bego'tten Son Jesus Christ; O Lord { fod. Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest i^ay tie sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that likest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. 'J hou that sittest at the right hand of God tbo Father, h ive mercy upon us. For thou only art holy, thou only art the Lord ; thou c ily, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in tho C lory of God the Father. Amen. rORM OF SOLEMNIZATION OF MATltlMONY. 147 TJien the Minister , if he see it expedient, may offer an extempore prayer; and afterxcards 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 ot God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord ; and the blessing of God A-lmighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost bo amongst you, and remain with you always. Amen. N.D. — If the Minister he straitened for time, he may omit any part of the Service! except the Prayer oj Consecration. t wo beseech Section IV. THE FOUM OF SOLEMNIZATION OP MATRIMON /. First, the ba7ins of all that are to be married must be published in tht Congregation, according to law,( unless in cases where special license has been obtained). At the time appointed for the solemnization of Matrimony, the Persons to be married standing together, the man at the right hand of the woman, 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 honourable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and his Church j which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and the first miracle that he wrought in Cana of Galilee, and is commended of St. Paul to be honourable among all men j and therefore is not by any to be enterprised or taken in hand unadvisedly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, and ia the fear of God. M 148 JORM OF SOLEMNIZATION OF MATEIMOKt. Into which holy estate those two persons present come now to be joined. Theiofore, if any one can show any just cause why they may not lawfully bo joined together, let him now speak, or elso hereafter forever hold his peace. And also speaking unto the persons that are to he married, he shall say : I require and charge you both (as you will answer at tho dreadful day of judgment, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed), that if either of you know any impediment 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 as God's word doth allow, are not joined together by God, neither is their Matrimony lawful. I/no impediment be alleged, then shall the Minister say unto the Man: Mf Wilt thou have this Woman to be thy wedded Wife, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of Matrimony ? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour and keep her, in sickness and in health ; and, forsaking all other, keep theo only unto her, so long as yo both shall live 1 The Man shall answer : I WILL. Then sTiall the Minister say unto the Woman : Nf Wilt thou have this Man to be thy wedded Husband, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of Matrimony 1 Wilt thou obey him, serve him, love, honour and keep him, in sickness and in health ; and, forsaking all other, keep ihee only unto him, so long as ye both shall livel The Woman shall answer : ■ H I WItL. i present come show any jnst together, let his peace. ed, he shall say : answer at tho ill hearts shall ly impediment in Matrimony, sured, that so as God's word leither is their ay unto the Man: • wedded Wife, holy estate of er, honour and iking all other, hall live % man : ided Husband, i holy estate of Li, love, honour 1, forsaking all JO Lh shall livel FORM OP SOLEMNIZATION OF MATWMONY. 149 Then the Minister shall cause tJie Man with his right hand to take the Woman hy the rijht hand, and to say after him asfolloweth : I, Mf tako thoo iV, to be my wedded Wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to chewah, till death liS do part, according to God's holy ordinance ; and thereto I plight thee my faith. Then shall they loose Uieir hands, and the Woman, with her right hand, taking the man by his right hand, siioil likewise say after the Minister : , I, Ny tako thee M. to be my wedded Husband, 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 obey, till death us do part, according to God's holy ordinance ; and thereto I give thee my faith. When the parties desire to he married with a ring, the following form may he used ; — The Man, placing the nng upon the fourth finger of the Woman's left hand, shall say after the Minister : With this E-ing, a token and pledge of the Vow and Covenant now mado between mo and thee, I do thee wed, in tho Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Then shall the Minister say : Let us pray. Eterncil God, Creator and 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. 150 foum of solemnization of matrimony. Then shall the Mimstdr say : God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob bless this Man and this Woman, and sow tho seed of eternal life in their hearts, tkat whatsoever in thy holy word they shall profitably learn, they may indeed fulfil the same. Look, Lord, mercifully on them from heaven, and })les8 them. And as thou didst send thy blessings upon Abraham 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. 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 in soul, and live together in holy love unto your lives' end. Amen. Then shall tlie Minister jaiii t^ieif rigid hands together^ and say : Those whom God hath joined together let no man put asunder. Foraiemuch as M. and iV. have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have pledged their faith either to other, and have declared the same by joining of hands, and by the giving and receiving of a ring, I pronounce that they are husband 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, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, £^nd keep you ; the Lord mei-cifully wiih ORDER OF TtlE BURIAL OF l^iE DEAD. 151 bis favour look upon you, ami so liil you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that yo may so livo together in tliiB life that in the world to com* ye may have life everlasting. Amen. Then shall the Minister say : Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed bo thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us tiiis day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. Section V. THE ORDER OF THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD. [N.B. The following or some other solemn service shall be used :] The Minister meeting the corpse, and going before it, 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 whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die. John xi. 25, 26. I know that my Redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at tho latter day upon tlie earth : And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God : whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another^ Job xix. 25, 26, 27. We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain wo can carry nothing out. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away ; blessed be the name of the Lord. 1 Tim. vi. ?^Jobi,21, ' / \\ 1j2 ORDER OF TUE BURIAL OF TUE DEAD, 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. Ho comoth up and is cut down as a flower ; he fleeth as it wore a shadow, and never con- tin ueth in one stay. In the midst of life we aro in death ; of whom mny wo p.rek for succour, but of thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased. Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord most miglity, O holy and most merciful Saviour, deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death. Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts ; shut not tliy mercifid ears to our prayers, but spare us, Lord moct holy, O God most mighty, O holy and niLrciful S ivior.r, thou most worthy Judge eternal, and grant us at our last hour, such divine comfort and strength that, amid even tho pains of death, we may glorify thee. Tli< it, while the earth thall he cast vpon th' body by some fitamUng hy, the Minister shall say, Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God in his wIgo providence, to take out of the world the soul of the departed, we therefore commit his body to the ground ; earth to cai th, aslies to ashes, dust to dust ; looking for the general resur- rection in the last d,ay, and the lifo of the world to como, thix)ugh our Lord Jesus Christ ; at whose second ccniiug in gloiious 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 bo changed and made like unto his own gloriwis body ; according to the mighty working where- by he is able to subduo all things unto himself. ORDER OF THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD. 153 Minister shall r standing hj, Then shall be said : I Heard a voico from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth : Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from thoir labors ; and their works do follow them. Then shall the Minister say : Lord have mercy upon us, Christ have mercy ujwn us. Lord have mercy upon us, Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed bo thy name. Thy kingdom come. Tliy will bo done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as wo forgive them that trespass against us. And load us not into temptation ; but deliver us from evil. Amen. The Collect. merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who ia tho resurrection and the life ; in whom whosoever believoth shall live, though he die ; and whosoever liveth and believeth in liim 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 Hio general resurrec tion on the last day, may be found acceptable in thy sight, and receive that blessing which thy well-beloved Son shaU then pronounce to all that love and fear thee, saying, Coints ye blessed children of my Father, receive the kingdom ]»r.'- pared for you from the beginning of the world. Grant thi?J, we beseech thee, merciful Father, through J esus Christ oiw Mediator and Redeemer. Amen. Tho Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of Gotl, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be with us all ever- more. Amen. % i'.i \\ 15J: FORM AiNI) MANNER OF ORDAINING MINISTERS. Section VI. THE FORM AND MANNER OF OrvDAINING MINISTERS. [When the day appointed by the President is come, there shall bo a Sermon, or Exhortation, declaring the Duty and Office of such as come to be admitted Ministers : how necessary that order is in the Church of Christ, and also how the peo^jle ought to esteem them in their office.] After which, one of the Ministers shall present unto the President all them that are to he ordained, and say : I present unto you these persons present to be ordained Ministers. Then tJieir names being read aloud, the President shall say unto tJie People : Brethren, these are they whom we purpose, God willing, this day to ordain Ministers. For, after duo examination, wo find not to the contrary, but that they are lawfully called to this function and ministry, and that they are per- sons meet for the same. But if there be any of you who knoweth any impediment or crime in any of thenx, for the which he ought not to be received in 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 President shall surcease from ordammg that person until such time as the party accused shall be found clear of the crime.] Tlicn shall he said the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel, as followeth,— TJie Collect: Almighty God, giver of all good things, who by the Holy Spirit hast appoiated ministers in thy Church ; mercifully behold these thy servants now called to the office of Miu- TEllS. INISTERS. here shall bo md Office of jcessary that people ought President all be ordained ', say unto the Grod willing, xamination, ire lawfully hey are per- of you who lem, for the y Ministry, )w what the shall surcease party accused s followeth,~- )y the Holy mercifully ice of Miu- FORM AND MANNER OF ORDAINING mNISTERS. 155 istcrri, and replenish them so with the truth of thy doctrine, and adorn them with innocency of life, that, both by word and good example, they may faithfully serve thee in this office, to the glory of thy name, and the edification of thy Church, through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen. Tlie Epistle (Eph. iv. 7-13) : Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, when he ascended up on high he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth 1 He that 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 perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till wc all come in tlie unity of the faith, and of *:he knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of tho stature of the fulness of Christ. [After this shall he read for tlie Oospcl, part of the tenth chapter of St. John.] (St. John X. 1-16) : Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calleth his own sheep by name and leadeth them out. And when he puttcth forth his own sheep he goeth before them, and the 15G FORM AND MANNER OF ORDAINING MINISTERS. 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 what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, veiily, 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 lifo for the slieep. But he that is an hireling, and not the sliepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth tho wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and flccth, and tho wolf catcheth them, and scattereth tho sheep. The hireling flcGth because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knowcth me, oven co know T the Father : and I lay down my lifo for tho sheep. And oil-er sherpi hvive which arc not of this fold; them also must I bring, and they shall hear my voice, and there shall be one fold and one shepherd. A yd fhat done, the Preftidrni shrdl say unto them as hereafter followeth : You have heard, brethren, as well in your private ex- amination as in the cxhortatijn which was now made, to you, and in the holy lessons taken out of the Gospel, and the writings of the Apostles, of what diii;nity and of how great iinporiauce this oillce is whereuiito you are calked. And now again we exhort you, in the name of our Lord Jqsus Christ, that you have in remembrance into how high FORiyr AND MANNER OF ORDAINING MINISTERS. 157 a cUgnity, and to how weighty an office ye are called. That is to say, to bo messengers, watchmen, and stewards of the Lord, to teach and to premonish, 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, in remembrance how great a treasure is committed to your charge. For they are the sheep of Christ, which he bought with his death, and for whom he slied his blood. The church and congregation whom you must serve, is his spouse, and his body. And if it shall happen the same church, or any member thereof, do take any hurt or hindrance by reason of your negligence, ye know the greatness of the fault, and also the horrible punishment that will ensue. Wherefore consider with your- selves 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 agreement in the faith and knowledge of God, and to that ripeness and perfectness of age in Christ, that there be no place left among you either for error in re- ligion or for viciousness in life. Forasmuch, then, as your office is both of so great ex- cellency and of so great difficulty, ye see with how great care and study ye ought to apply yourselves, as well that ye may show yourselves dutiful and thankful unto that Lord who hath placed you in so high a dignity, as also to beware that neither you yourselves offend, nor be occafiioii that others offend. Howbeit ye cannot have a mind and will thereto of yourselves; for that will and ability is 158 FORM AND MANNER OF ORDAINING MINISTERS. given of God alone. Tliorcfore ye ought, and have need to pray earnestly for his Holy Spirit. And seeing that ye cannot compass the doing of so weighty a work, pertaining to the salvation of man, but with doctrine and exhortation taken out %£ the Holy Scriptures, and with a life agrceablo to the same; consider how studious ye ought to be in reading and learning the Scriptures, and in framing tho mannei*s both of yourselves and of them that specially pertain unto you, according to the rule of the same Scrip- tures; and, for this self-same cause, how ye ought to forsake and set aside (as much as you may) all worldly cares and studies. We have good hope that you have all weighed and pon- dered these things long before this time; and that you have clearly determined, by God's grace, to give yourselves wholly to this office whereunto it hath pleased God to call you ; so that, as much as lieth in you, you will apply your- selves wholly to this one thing, and draw all your cares and studies this way, and that you will continue to pray to God the Father, by the mediation of our only Saviour, Jesus Christ, for the heavenly assistance of the Holy Ghost, that, by the daily reading and weighing of the Scriptures, ye may wax riper and stronger in your Min- istry ; 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 rulo and doctrine of Christ, that yo may be wholesome and godly examples and patterns for the people to follow. And now that this present iongregat ion of Christ here assembled may also iindei"stand vour minds and wills in these things, and that this your promise ma> the ^no e move you to do you.. dutteH,— ye shall answer ^>laiaiy !io these things which, wl, iu tho nan.elaf God and his Churcli shall demand of you touchiji^ the uame. ^ 'ii FORM AND MANXER OF OPDAIXIXG MINISTERS. 159 Do you think, in hcai*t., that yon are truly called, accor- ding to the vill of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the office of a Minister 1 Ans. I think so. Th^ Prfisichnt. Are you persuaded that the Holy Scrip- tures contain sufficiently all doctrines required of necessity for eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ? and are you determined out of the said Scriptures to instruct the people committed to your charge, and to teach nothing as required of necessity to eternal salvation but that -sihich you shall be persuaded may be concluded and proved by the Scriptures 1 Ans. I am so persuaded, and have so determined, }*j God's grace. The President. "Will you then give your fttlthful diligenct5 always so to minister the Doctrines, and Sacraments, and Discipline of Christ, as the Lord hath commanded? Ans. I will so do, by the help of the Lord. The President. Will you be ready, with all faithful dili- gence, to banish and drive away all erroneous and stran^f doctrines contrary to God's word; and to use both public and private monitions and exhortations, as well to the sick as \,o the whole within your charge, as need shall requiro and occasion shall be given 1 A71S. I will, the Lord being my helper. The Preaident. Will you be diligent in prayers and iiv reading of the Holy Scriptures, and in such studies as help to the knowledge of the same, laying aside tho study ox the world and thR flesh 1 Ans. I will endeavor so to do, the Lord being my helper. The President, Will you be diligent to frame and fashi n youroclves, and your families, according to tho doctnnes oL Christ • j.nd :o make both yourselves and them, as much as ICO FORM AND MANNER OF ORDAINING MINISTERS. ■-).. in you lieth, wholesome examples and pattorus to the flock of Christ 1 /f 75. I shall apply myself thereto, the Lord being my helper. The President. Will you maintain and set forward, as much as lieth in you, quietness, peace, and love among all Christian people, and especially among them that are or shall be committed to your charge 1 An^. 1 will so do, the Lord being my helper. The President. Will you reverently obey your chief Mir^ isters, unto whom is committed the charge and government over you ; following with a glad mind and will their godly admonitions, submitting yourself to their godly judgments 1 Ana. I will so do, the Lord being my helper. Then shall the President^ 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. I^After this the congi-egation shall be desired, 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 shcdl he said hy the President (the persons to be ordained Ministers all kneeling), Veni, Creator, Sj)irilus, the President be^ ginning, and the Ministers and otJiers that are p. csent ansnering hy verse, as follou'eth : Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire, And liyhtcn loilh celestial jive. Thou the anointing Spirit art, TF/io dost thy Si.cen-/old gifts impan. Thy blessed Unction from above, i Js com/o-rt, life, and Jire of love* the flock being my rward, as among all lat are or hief Mir- vernment loir godly dgments] to do all power to )rk which )iir Lord, ly in their r all these 3ra space.] ')e ordained 'resident be- amicering FOBM AND MANNEll OF OKDAINIKG MINISTERS. 161 Enable with pci'petual light The chdness of our blinded sight. Anoint and cheer our soiled faco With the abundance of thy grace ; Keep fur our foes, givo peace at homo, 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 President shall pray in thisiois§ : Almighty God and heavenly Father, who of thine infi- nite love and goodness towards us, hast given to us thy only and most dearly boloved Son Jesus Christ to be our Re- doemer and the Author of everlasting life ; who, after he had made porfcct our redemption by his death, and was ascended into heaven, sent abroad into the world his Apos- tles, Prophets, Evangelists, Pastors, and Teachers ; by whose labor and ministry he gathered together a great flock in all parts of the world, to set forth the eternal praise of thy lioly 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 appointed for the salvation of mankind, we render unto theo most hearty thanks : we praise and worahip thee ; and we humbly beseech thee, by the same thy blessed Son, to grant unto all, who cither here or elsewhere call upon thy name, that we may continue to show ourselves thank- ful unto tliC3 for these and all other thy benefits, and that we may daily increase and go forward in the knowledge and faith of thee and thv Son, by the Holy Spirit; ^g M I ( I I 1G2 FORM AND MANXEK OF OrD.\miNr, MINISTERS. that, as well by these tliy lilinistors, as by them over whom they shall be appointed thy Ministers, thy holy name may be for ever glorified, and thy blessed kingdom enlarged, through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord ; who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, world without end. Amen. fVhen this p^'ctyer is eiided, the President, with two or more of the Ministers present, shall lay their hands severally upon the head of every one that receiveth (he ord:r of Ministers ; tlie Receivers hum- hly kneeling upon their knees, and the President saying : The Lord pour upon thee the Holy Ghost for the office and work of a Minister in the Church of God, now com- mitted 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 President shall deliver to every OTUi of them^ kneeling t the Bible into his hands, saying : Take thou authority to preach the Word of God, and to administer the Holy Sacraments in the congregation. Then the President, shall say : Most merciful Fatlier, we beseech thee to send upon these thy servants thy heavenly blessing, that they may be clothed with righteousness, and that thy Word spoken by their mouths may have such success that it may never be spoken in vain. Grant also that we may have grace to hear and receive what they shall deliver out of thy most Holy Word, or agreeably to the same, as the means of our salvation; and that, in all our words and deeds, we may seek thy glory and the increase of thy kingdom, through Jesus Christ our JiOrd. Aip:N. ...t 1 EENFAVING THE COVENANT. 163 Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gi'acioiis favor, and further us with thy continual help, that, in all our works begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The peace of God that 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 Ghost, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen, Section VIL THE FORM OF RENEWING THE COVENANT, [After a short sermon, impressing upon every soul the importance of giving himself to God, and that without delay, each Preacher is recommended, on his first tour round his Circuit in the New Year, beginning the first Sabbath in January, to read the following directions, or some of them, m every congregation, and persuade as many as possible to make solemn Covenant with God, and by Divine grace, to keep the Covenant inviolate unto the day of His coming :] I. Get these three principles fixed in your heart : That things eternal are much more considerable than things temporal ; that things not seen are as certain as the thingf* that are seen ; that upon your present choice depends your eternal lot. Choose Christ and his ways, and you are blessed for ever ; refuse, and you are undone for ever. And then, IL Make your choice. Turn either to the right hand or to the left ; lay both parts before you, with every link of each; Christ witli 104 KENEWINO THE COVENANT. his yoke, his cross, and his crown; or, the devil, with liis wealth, his pleasure, and curse ; and then put it to your- selves thus : " Soul, thou seest what is before thee, what wilt thou do*? Which wilt thou have, either the crown or the curse 1 If thou choosest the crown, remember that the day thou take.it this, thou must be content to sub- mit to the cross and yoke, the service and the sufferings tf Christ, which are linked to it. What sayest thou 1 Hadst thou rather take the gains and pleasures of sin, and ventmre on the curse 1 Or wilt thou yield thyself to Christ, and so make sure of the crown 1 " If your hearts fly off, and would fain waive the business, leave them not so. If you be unresolved, you are resolved. If you remain undetermined for Christ, you are determined for the devil. Therefore, give not off, but follow your hearts from day to day ; let them not rest till the matter be brought to an issue ; and see that you make a good choice. This is your choosing the good part, God and the blessed- ness of the world to come, for your portion and happiness ; and in this is included your renouncmg the world and worldly happiness. - III. Embai'k with Christ. Adventure yourselves with him; cast yourselves upon his righteousness, as that which shall bring you to God ; as a poor captive exile that is cast upon a strange land, a land of robbers and murderers, where he is ready to perish, and having no hope, either of abiding there, or of escaping home with life ; and meeting at length with a pilot, that offers to transport him safely home, he embarks with him, and ventures himself, and all he hath, in his vessel. Do you likewise : you are exiles from the presence of. God, and fallen into the hands of robbers and murderers ; your sing HEKEWING THE COVliNANT. 165 vil, with b to your- )re thee, ither the emember it to Bub- ferings •£ Hadst 1 ventmre t, and 80 business, resolved, itermined low your matter be )d choice. e blessed- lappiness ; rorld and ives upon ) God ; as id, a land jrish, and )ing homo t offers to him, and Do you God, and ^our sinsf are robbers, your pka.suros imi robbers, your companions ar^' robbers and thieves. If you Hiuy where you arc you i)crisl; ; and escape home of yourself you cannot. Christ oilers, i4 you will venture with him, he will bring you home, he v.ill bring you to God. Will you now say to him, " Lord Jesus, wilt thou undertake for mel Wilt thou bring me to God, bring me into the Land of Promise? With thee will I venture myself ; I cast myself upon thee, upon thy blood, and thy righteousness ; I lay up all my hopes, and venture my whole interest, soul and body, with thee." This is closing with Christ as your Priest. And in this is included your renouncing your own righteousness : you can never, you will never, cast yourselves on him alone, till all your hopes in yourselves have given up the ghost. There are two things which must necessarily be supposed, in order to a sinner's coming to Christ : 1. A deep sense of his sin and misery. 2. An utter despair of himself, and all things else besides Christ. 1. A deep sense of sin and misery. No man will regard a Saviour that doth not see himself a sinner; the whole regard not the physician. Therefore, it is said, that the Spirit of God, when he should come to christianize the world, should, in the first place, " convince the world of sin." (John xvi. 8.) He shall convince the world of sin ; he shall demonstrate them sinners, bi-ing up their sins before their eyes ; bring home their sins upon their consciences, and make them see them, and feel them- selves most vile and filthy. Sin hides itself from the sinner's eyes, and all its vileness and deformity. But the Spirit of God plucks off the mantle, and makes sin appear to be &iu ; makes all the sinner's gods appear to be as so M m RENEWING THE COVENANT. many d«vils ; brings forth the blackness and filtiiiiicss o^ sin into sight, and makes the sinner see himself an unclean and abominable creature ; and, withal, he brings forth the guilt of sin, awakens the sinner's conscience, and fills liini with fear, terror, and amazement. In this respect ho is culled the Spirit of bondage, that works fear and trouble in the heart. The Spirit's awakening a sleepy sinner, is a kind of awakening in hell. " Loi'd, what am I ] What mean these legions round about me, these chains and fetters that are upon mel What means this black roll before mine eyes, of curses, and wrath, and woes 1 Lord, where am 1 1 Have I been playing and sporting, and making merry, and my soul in such a case as this ? But is there no hope of escaping out of this wretched state? I see there is no abiding thus. I am but a dead man, if I con- tinue as I am. What must I do to be saved 1 " When he is brought to this, there is some way made for his entertainment with Christ; yet this is not all that is needful, but he further must be brought to, 2. An utter despair of himself, and all things else without Christ. Being made sensible of his sin and his danger, a sinner will look for help and delivemnce ; but he will look every- where else before he will look unto Christ ; nothing will bring a siimer to Christ but absolute necessity. He will try to foi'sake his sins, and to see if by these means ho may escape. He will have recourse to prayers, and sermons, and sacraments, and search if there be not salvation in them. But all these, though they be useful in their places, and in- deed necessary, yet, looking no further, the sinner sees there is no salvation in them ; his righteousness cannot save him,— this is but rags ; his duties cwinot save liim, — these linuss oi unclean artli tlio fills hitn set lie is rouble in iier, is a 1 What iiins anil ilack roll 1 Lord, ing, and I But is ,e] I SCO if I con- niadc for X\ that is je without ', a sinner ook every- thing will He will lis he may ;moDS, iind i\ in them, jcs, and in- inner sees jannot savo lim, — these RENEWING THE COVENANT. 107 hiiiy be reckoned &mong hi; «ins ; orclinances cannot save him, — these \vq but empty cisterns ; and all tell him, "You knock at a wrong door; salvation is not in us." "Well, tlie Lord be merciful unto me," saith the sinner. " Wliat shall I do ] Abide as I am I dare not, and how to help myself I know not : my praying will not save me ; my, heni-ing will not ; if I give all my goods tc the poor, if I should give my body to be burned, all this would not save my soul. Woe is me ! what sliall I do, and whither shall Igor And now being brought to this distress, to this utter loss, his despair drives him to the only dc or of hope that is left open. Then Christ 'viU be acceptable, when he sees none but Christ can save him. The Apostle tells us, " We are kept under the law, shut up unto the ftiith that should afterwards be revealed." (Gal. iii. 23.) Ail other doors were shut up against us ; there was no hope of eKca})ing but by that one door which was left open. "The faith that was afterwards to be revealed." As the besieged in a city, that have every gate blocked up, and but one diOicult passage left open, by which there is any possibility of es- caping, thither throng for the saving of their lives ; they are shut up unto that door, to which (if there had been an- other way open) they would never have come. And as Christ will never be accepted, so can the sinner never be received of him, till he lets gc all other props, and trusts in Him alone. Chri»t will have no sharer with him in the work of saving souls. "If ye seek me, let these go their way," as he said in another case ; let not only your sins go, but all dependance on your righteousness, all the refuge of lies wherein you have trusted ; let all go, if you will have me to be a refuge to you. I came not M ..•••J^Ulfi. • 1G8 IHENEWING THt5 COVENANT. to cull the righteous; if I should, tliey would not cotnt?; or if they come, let them go as they came, let them go to their righteousness in which they trust ; and let naked, destitute sinners, distressed sinners, come to me; who am come to this end, to seek and to save them tluit are lost. Sinners, will you come now? Will you venture Iilic? For this your adventuring on Christ, you have this three- fold warrant : — 1. God's ordination. Tliis is he whom God the Father hath appointed, and sent into the world, to bring back his exiles to himself, to save sinners. This is he whom God the Father hath sealed, hath marked him out for that chosen person in whom is salvation ; hath sealed him for his com- mission, for the redeeming and reconeilimj the world to himself. As God -said unto the three friends of Job, when he was angry with them, "Go to my servant Job, and he shall offer sacrifice for you ; he shall, pray for you, for him will I accej)t." (Job xlii. 8.) So to sinners : Go, saith the Lord, to my servant Jesus ; he shall offer sacrifice for you, he shall make reconciliation for you. " Behold my servant whom I uphold, mine Elect in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my Spirit upon him, he shall bring forth judg- ment to the Gentiles." (Isaiah xlii. 1.) 2. God's command, "Tliis is his commandment, That we should believe on the Aiame of his Son Jesus Christ." (1 John iii. 23.) 3. The promise of God : ** Behold I lay in Sion a chief corner-stone, elect, precious : he that believeth on him shall not be confounded " (1 Peter ii. 6.) Now, having this threo-fold warrant — the warrant of Grod's ordination, command, and promise — you may be bold ;o adventure on Christ, and to a)jply yourself to him thus : RENEWING THE COVENANT. 1«0 ot cotne; them go et naked, ; who am e lost. ,ure here] ihis three- he Father g back his m God the hat chosen 3r his com- 3 world to Job, when ; Job, and ou, for him ), saith the .ce for you, my servant delighteth ; forth jiulg- it, That we Jhrist." (1 5ion a chief th on him warrant of u.'iy be bold ) him thus : " Lord Jesus, here I am, a poor captive exile, a lost creature, an enemy to God, imder his wratii and curse. Wilt thou, Lord, undertake for me, reconcile mo to God, and save my so^ll 1 Do not. Lord, refuse me ; for if thou refuse me, to whom then shall I go? Art not th*>u he, and he alone, wliom God the Father hath sealed, the Saviour of sinners] The Lord God hath sent me to thee, hath bid me come ; he hath cominiwided me to believe, and cast myself upon thee. Lord Jesus, wilt thou refuse to help a distressed creature, whoirl the Father hath sent to thee for thy help? If I had come on my own head, or in my own naine, thou mightest well have put me back ; but since I come at the command of the Father, reject me not ! Lord, help me ! Lord, save me ! Art thou not he, concerning whom the Father hath promised, * He that believeth on him sLall not be con- founded]' I come, Lord; I believe. Lord; 1 throw mysel. upon thy grace and mercy ; I cast myseli upon thy blookt and bis L havo bere ybristianity e crown, — portion and id up your isting your- .1 you bave TS to biui, resolving for ever to be at bis command, and at bis disposal ; tben you are Cbristians indeed, and never till tben. Cbrist will be tbe Saviour of none but bis servants. Ho is tbe Autbor of eternal salvation to tbose tbat obey bira ; Christ will bave no servants but by consent ; bis people are a willing people ; Cbrist will accept of no oonsent but in full to all he requires ; be will be all in all, or he will be nothing, V. Confirm and complete all this by solemn covenant. Give yourselves to the Lord as his servants, and bind yourselves to him as his covenant servants. Upon your entering into covenant with God, tbe covenant of God stands fim! to you : God gives you leave, every one, to put in his own name into the covenant grant ; if it be not found there at last it will be your own fault ; if it be not there, there will be nothing found in the wliole covenant belonging unto you ; if it be there, all is yours ; ii you have come into the bond of the covenant, you shall have your share in the blessings of the covenant. "Thou bast avouched the Lord this day to be thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, to hcaiken to bis voice; and the Lord hath avouched tbee this day to be his peculiar people, as be hath promised thee." (Deut. xxvi. 17, 18.) Observe it: The sumo day that they avouched the Lord to be their God, the same day the Lwd avouched them to be his peculiar people. The same day tha ; tbny anp^aged co keep the commandments of God, tlio same day the Lord engaged to keep his promise with them. There is a two-fold covenanting with God. In profcssiorif ov \\\ reality ; an entering our names, or an engaging our hearts. Tiio former is done in Imptism, by all that are \ 174 RENEWING THE COVENANT. baptized, who, by receiving that seal of the Covenant, are visibly, or in profession, entered into it. The latter ia also two-fold : 1. ViUTUAL. Which is done by all those that h:ii4 I -■ ' pi^p^} ou ospiest liscover it or, whom pon as my ucli a way ! to tliee, I me from ly Saviour 10, by tho b my heart ither, Kon, ant-friend, icome thy jch I have mporaneons f in heart, d that you iing ))efore ur act and and to it ; that have may have LAYING A CORNER-STONE. Section VIII. 179 FORM FOR LAYING THE CORNER-STONE OF A CHURCH. The Minister, standing near the place where the stone is to he laid, shall say unto the Congregation : Dearly beloved. We are taught in the "Word of God, that, although the heaven of heavens cannot contain the Eternal One, much less the walls of temples made with hands, yet His delight is ever with the sons of men, and that, wherever two or three are gathered in His name, there is He in the midst of them. In all ages His ser- vants have separated certain places for His worship ; Jacob erected a stone in Bethel for God's house ; Moses made a tabernacle in the desert ; and Solomon builded a temple for the Lord, which He filled with the glory of His pre- sence before all the people. We are now assembled to lay the corner-stone of a new house for the worship of the God of our Fathers. Let us not doubt that He will favor- ably approve our godly purpose, and let us now devoutly unite in singing His praise, and in prayer for His blessing on our undertaking. Let an appropriate Hymn he sung. Then shall the Minister say : ^ Let us pray. Most Glorious God, heaven is Thy throne and the earth is Thy footstool : what house then can be builded for Thee, or whero is the place of Thy rest 1 Yet, blessed be Thy name, O Lord God, that it hath pleased Thee to have Thy habitation among the sons of men^ and to dwell in the 180 LAYING A OORNER-STOKE. midst of the assembly of the saints upon the earth. And now, especially, we render thanks to Thee, O God, that it hath pleased Thee to put it into the hearts of Thy servants to erect in this place a house for Thy worship. We thank Thee for Thy grace which has inclined them to conlriunte of their substance for the glory of Thy name : and we pray Thee to continue Thy blessing upon their pious under- taking. Amen. May many iinite with them in their holy work, until this habitation of Thy house shall be completed, and ready for dedication to Thy service, free from all debt or claim of man. Amex. M«.y peace and harmony prevail in the counsels of Thy servants. May the work of this building be accomplished without hurt or accident to any person. And when Thou shalt have prospered the work of their hands upon them, and this house shall be prepared for Thy service, grant that all who shall enjoy the benefit of this pious work may show forth their thankfulness, by making a right use of it, to the gloiy of Thy blessed name; through Jesus Christ oijir Lord. Amen. Grant that all who shall hereafter worship Thee in the temple here to be builded, may so serve and please Thee in all holy exercises of godliness, that in the end they may come to the holy place, made without hands, whose builder and maker is God. Amen. Hear us, O Lord, for Thou art our God in whom we trust. And when we shall cease to pray unto Thee on earth, may we, with all those who in like manner have erected such places to Thy name, and with all Thy glorified saints, eternally praise Thee for all Thy goodness vouchsafed unto us on earth, and laid up for us in heaven. Amen, LAYING A COENER-STONE. 181 And now, it it iiath ervants to We thank contribute d we pray lua under- work, until and ready )r claim of jls of Thy jomplished jrhen Thou pon them, grant that Tfork may b use of it, BUS Christ hee in the je Thee in they may se builder 1 we trust, arth, may icted such ed saints, safed unto Accept these our prayers, we beseech Thee, for the sake of Thy dear Son, who has taught us when we pray to say, " 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 us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." Amen. Then slmll tJie Minister read the following Psalm, or the Minister and people may read it in alternate verees; the parts in italics to be read by the people. Psalm cxxxit. Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions : How he aware unto the Lord, and vowed unto the mighty God of Jacob; Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed ; / will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to mine eyeUds, Until I find out a place for the Lord, A habitation for the mighty God of Jacob. Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah : we found it in the fields of the wood. We will go into his tabernacles ; we will ivorship at his footstool. Arise, O Lord, into thy rest j thou, and the ark of thy strength. Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness ; And let thy saints shout for joy. For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face of thine anointed. '■ The Lord hath sworn iu truth unto David ; he will not turn from it ; , 1 %i ■ft I 182 LAYING A CORNER-STONE. Of the fruit of thy hocfy will I set upon thy throne. If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children slmll also sit upon thy throne for evermore. For the Lord hath chosen Zion ; he hath desired it for his habitation. This is my rest forever ; here will I dwell ; for I have desired it. / will abundantly bless Iter provision : I will satisfy her poor with bread. / win dothe her priests with salvation : And her saints shall shout aloud for joy. TJiere will I make tlie horn of David to bud : I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed. His enemies will I clothe loith shame : But upon himself shall his crown flourish. The Lesson. 1 Cor. iii. 9-23. For we are laborers together with God : ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master-buildor, I have laid the foundation, and another builcletli theroon. But let every man take heed how ho buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon tliia foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble ; every man's work shall be made manifest : for the day bhall declare it, because it shall bo revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss : but he himself shall be saved ; yet so as by fire. Know ye not that jq are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelieih in you 1 Xf any maa LAYING A COHNEE-STONE. 183 le. testimony ) sit upon it for hU or I have Eire God's the grace ir-buil(ior, I thereon, hereupon. it is laid, upon til is , stubble ; r the day fire; and it is. If •eupon, he )e burned, >d ; yefc so le of God, ' any man detile the temple of God, him shall God destroy : for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written. He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. And again, the Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefbre let no man glory in men. For all things are youcs; whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or Mfe, or death, or things present, or things t.") come; all are yours; and ye are Christ's ; and Christ is God's. Tlien shall follow the SermoWt or an Address suitable to the occasion^ after which the contributions of the people shall be received. Then shall Hie Minister^ standing by the stone, exhibit to the congre- gation a vessel to be placed in an excavation of the stone. [It may contain a copy of the Bible, the Hymn Book, the Discipline, Church periodicals of recent date, the names of the Pastor, Trustees, and Building Committee of the Church, with such other documents and articles as may be desired. A list of these may be read.] After which the person thereto appointed slmll deposit the vessel in tlie sto7ie and cover it ; and shall lay the stone, assisted by the builder, saying : In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, I lay this corner-stone fcr the foundation of a house to be builded and consecrated to the service of Almighty God, according to the order and usages of the Weslevan Methodist Church. Amen. The service may conclude with extempore prayer, the Lord*s prayer^ and tlic benediction. i II ■-j)^ •('>:••■"■■■■*: 184 DEDICATION OF A gilURCH. Section IX, I FORM FOR THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH. The Congregation being assembled in ihe Ofiifrch, the Minister shall jsay • Dearly beloved, The Scriptures teach us tiiat God ia well please 1 with tiiose who build Temples to His name. We have heard how He filled the Temple of Solomon with His glory, and how in the Second Temple He manifested Himself still more gloriously. Let us not doubt iArnt He will approve our purpose of dedicating this house for the performance of the several offices of religous worship ; and let us now devoutly join in praise to Almighty God that this godly undertaking hath been so far completed ; and in prayer for His further blessing upon all who have been engaged therein, and upon all who shall hereaCter worship in this place. Let an appropriate Hymn be sung, and extemporary prayer be ofered, tlie congregation all kneeling during the prayer : 2'hen shall the Minister, or some one appoivfied by hnn, read — TJie First Lesson (2 Cliron. vi. 1, 2, 18-21, 40-42, vii. 1-A) : Then said Solomon, The Lord hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness. But I have built a house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy dwelling forever. But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth ? Behold heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee, how much less this house which I have built ! Have respect, therefore, to the prayer of thy servant, and to his supplication, O Lord my God, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which thy servant prayeth before thee : that thine eyes may be open upon this house day and night, upon the place whereof thou hast said thou wouldst put thy DEDICATION OF A CIIURCH. 185 ' shall say : it God k [is name, non with lanifested that He le for the hip; and God that I ; and in ave been r worsdiip -• he offered^ , read — he would a house forever, he earth ] contain ^, ! Have nd to his e cry and lee : that ght, upon put thy name t !:cre ; to hearken unto the prayer which thy servant prayeth toward this place. Hearken, therefore, unto the supplications of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, which they shall make toward this place, hear them from thy dwelling-place, even from heaven ; and when thou hearest, forgive. Now, my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be open, and let thine eai-s be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. Now, therefore, arise, O Lord God, into thy resting-place, thou, and the ark of thy strength : let thy priests, O T-ord God, be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness. O Lord God, turu not away the face of thine anointed ; remember the mercies of David thy servant. Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt- offering and the sacrifices ; and the glory of the I^ord filled the house. And the priests could not enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory of the Lord had filled the Lord's house. And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipp and praised the Lord, saying. For he is good ; for his mercy endureth forever. Then the king and all the people ofiered sacrifices before the Lord. The Second Lesson (Heb. x. 19-26) : Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a now and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh ; and having a High Priest over the house of God ; let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance 186 DKDICATIOK OP A CHURCH. 3f faitTi, having onr lieaHs sprinkled from an evil conscience, ftnd our bodies washed with puro water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised ;) and let us consider one another to provoke unto love and good works; not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is ; but exhorting one another ; and so much the more as ye see the day ai»proaching. For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, thera remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. Then shall a hymn he sung, after which the Minister shall deliver a Sennon suitable to the occasioHf aaul after the Sermon the contri* buttons of the people shall be received. Then sliall tlie Minister read tJie following Psalm, or the J^inister arid the Congregation shall read it alternately ; the parts in italics to b$ read by tlie Congregation : Psalm cxxii. I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Ov/rfeet shall stand within thy gates, Jerusalem* Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact together. Whither tJie tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord, Unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of the Lord. For there are thrones of judgment, the tiironea of the hou8$ of David. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem : They shall prosper tlmt love thee. Peace be within thy walls. And prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, ]Peace be within thee. DEDICATION OF A CHURCH. 187 nscience, hold fast br he is lother to cing the of some I more as illy after th, these I deliver a the corUri* inister and italics to b$ into the >gether. unto the the how$ now BecaiLse of the home of the Lord our God I will seek thy good. Then let tJie Trustees stand up before the Minister, and one of them, or some one in their behalf say unto him : We present unto you this building, to be dedicated as a Church for the worship and service of Almighty God, Then shall the Minister request the Congregation to stand, while he repeats the following DECLARATION. Deahly beloved, It is meet and right, as we leam from the Holy Scriptures, that houses erected for the public worship of God should be specially set apart and dedicated to religious uses. For such a dedication we are now assembled. With gratitude, therefore, to Almighty God, who has signally blessed his servants in their holy under- taking to erect this Church, we dedicate it to His service, for the reading of the Holy Scriptures, the preaching of the Word of God, the administration of the Holy Sacraments, and for all other exercises of religious worship and service, according to the Discipline and usages of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. And, as the dedication of the temple is vain without the solemn consecration of the worshippers also, I now call upon you all to dedicate yourselves anew to the service of God. To him let oar souls be dedicated, that they may be renewed after the image of Christ. To Him let our bodies be dedicated, that they may be fit temples for the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. To him let our labors and business be dedicated, that their fruit may tend to the glory of His great name, and to the advance- ment of His kingdom. And that he may graciously accept this our solemn act, let us pray^ 188 DEDICATION OF A CHURCH. T!ie Congregation kneeling^ the Minister shall offer the foUowi^ prayer : O most glorious Lord, we acknowledge that we are not worthy to offer unto thee anything belonging unto us ; yet we beseech thee, in thy great goodness, graciously to accept the Dedication of this place t'.i thy service, and to prosper this the work of our hands ; receive the prayers and inter- cessions of all thy servants who shall call upon thee in this house ; and give them gi^ace to prepare their hearts to serve thee with reverence and godly fear ; affect them with an awful apprehension of thy Divine Majesty, and a deep sense of their own unworthiness ; that so approaching thy sanctuary with lowliness and devotion, and coming before thee with pure hearts, bodies undefiled, and minds sanc- tified, they may always perform a service acceptable to thee ; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Regard, O Lord, the supplications of thy servants, and grant that whosoever shall be dedicated to thee in this house by Baptism, may be found at last in the numlier of thy faithful children. Amen. Grant, O Lord, that whosoever shaM receive in this place the blessed Sacrament of the body and blood of Christ, may come to that holy ordinance with true repen- tance, faith, and charity ; and being filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction, may obtain remission of their sins, and all other benefits of his death. Amen. Grant, O Lord, that by thy Holy word, read and preached in this place, and by the Holy Spirit grafting it inwardly in the heart, the hearers thereof may perceive anjl know what things they ought to do, and may receive power to perform the same, Amen. DEDICATION OF A CIIUUOII. 189 e are not us ; yet to accept io prosper and inter- n thee in ' hearts to them with Lnd a deep iching thy ing before inds sanc- eptable to Now, therefore, arise, O Lord, and come unto tliis place of thy rest, thou and the ark of thy strength. Let thine eye be open toward this house day and night ; and let thine ears be attent to the prayers of thy children, which they shall offer unto thee in this place : and do thou hear them from heaven, thy dwelling-place, and wlien thou hearest, forgive. O Lord, we beseech thee, that here and elsewhere thy ministers may be clothed with righteousness, and thy saints rejoice in thy salvation. And may we all, with thy people everywhere, grow up into a holy temple in the Lord, and be at last received into the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. And to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be glory and praise, world without end. Amen. Th4 services may wncltide with the Doxology and the Benediction. vants, and ee ill this numlier of ^e in this blood of ;rue repon- thy grace L of their read and grafting it y perceive lay receive I-" ■ *>■ •■ .. APPENDIX I. COURSE OF STUDY TO BE PURSUED BY CANDID ^.TES FOR THE MINISTRY IN THE METHODIST CHUllCH OF CANADA. I. All Candidates, before being recommended to tlie Con- ference to be received on trial, shall undergo a satisfactory examination in English Grammar and Composition, Arith- metic, Geography, Ancient History (Schmitz), Modern History (Collier's British Empire), New Testament History (Smith), Theology ("Wesley's Sermons, i. to li.). II. First Yearns Course. — Biblical Introduction (Home by Ayre, Pts. i., ii., iii.) ; Theology (Hare on Justification, Wesley on Christian Perfection, with review of Wesley^s Sermons, Nos. i., v., ix., x., xl., xlv,)j Old Testament History (Smith). III. Second Yeai^s Course. — Exegesis «f Matthew and John. (On Matthew, Wesley's and Watson's Notes. On J©hn, Wesley's and Whedon's Notes). Theology (Watson's Institutes, Pt. ii., Chap. i. to xvii.). History of the Christian Church to the Reformation (Kurtz). Natural Philosophy (Ganot). IV. Third Yearns Course. — Exegesis of Romans (Wesley and Whedon). Theology (Watson's Institutes, Pt. ii.. Chap. vnn. to the end. Fletcher's Checks, i. to v.). History of COURSE OF STUDY FOR GRADUATIM IN ARTS, 191 the Reformation (Fisher). History of Methodism to the death of Wesley (Stevens). Rhetoric (Whately). V. Fourth Yearns Course. — Practical Theology (WatBon's Institutes, Pts. iii. and iv.). Apologetics (Fisher's Essays), Logic (Whately). Metaphysics (Hamilton, Bowen's Am. Ed. Stewart's Active and Moral Powers). Discipline of XJDited Wesleyan Methodist Church. :;huiioh .. to tliG Oon- satisfactory ion, Aritli- z), Modern cnt History ion (Home ustification, of Wesley's Testament attTiew and Notes. On y (Watson's ory of the ). Natural ans (Wesley Pt. ii.,Chap. History of n. COURSE OF STUDY FOR GRADUATES IN ARTS. Prelimiimry, — Biblical History, (Smith's New Testa- ment) : Theology, Wesley's Sermons, i.-lii. First Year. — Biblical Introduction (Home, abridged by Ayre, Pts. i., ii., iii.) ; Theology (Hare on Justification, Wesley's Christian Perfection, and Review of Sermons, i., v., ix., xxi., xxiv.); Biblical History (Smith's Old Testn ment); Apologetics (Fisheis Essays on the Supernatural Origin of Christianity). Second Year. — Theology (Watson's Institutes, Pt. ii., Chaps. i.-xvii., inclusive, and Pts. iii., iv.) ; Church History (Kurtz's History of the Christian Church to the Reform- ation); Exegesis (The Gospels of St. Matthew and St. John in the original Greek, with Wesley's, Watson's, and Whodon's Notes. Third Year. — Theology (Watson's Institutes, Pt. ii., xviii., to the end, and Fletcher's Checks, i.-v.); Church History (Fisher's Reformation, and Stevens' Methodism to the Death of Wesley) ; Exegesis (The Epistle to the Romans in the original Greek, with Wesley's and Whedon's notes) ; The Discipline of the Methodist Church of Canada. 192 COURSE fOt THE GERMAN WOES. m III. COUUSE OF STUDY FOR THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL. • First Year. — Theology, Introductory Lectures; Church History to the Keformation ; I'he Elements of the Greek Language ; Logic ; Analytical Study of the Grammatical Forms of the English Language ; Rhetoric, with Exercises in Composition and Elocution. Second JTcar.— Sytitematic TheoL gy continued; History of the Reformation ; The Greek Language ; Exegesis of the New Testament, commcnct ment ; Metaphysics; Physiology or Hebrew ; Homiletics, with Exercises in Elocution. Third Year. — Theology, History of iJoctiines and Church Polity; Exegesis of the New Tescument; Ethics; Natural Science or Hebrew; English Literature; Homiletics, with Practical Exercises. The Professor of Theology in each college may vary the literary part of the course, wherever, upon examination, the attainments of the student rendei it expedient. IV. COURSE FOR CANDIDATES FOR THE GERMAN WORK. All Candidates, before being recommended to Conference to be received on trial, shall pass a satisfactory examination in the following subjects : — Nast's Larger Catechism ; The Calverin Church History ; The Discipline of the Methodist Church of Canada; Elements of German Grammar. • After admission they shall be examined each year during their probation, M follows :— [OOL. • ; Church be Greek immatical Exercises ; History 3sis of the *hysiology ion. ad Church ; Natural >tics, with Y Yiiicj the imiuation, t. !^ WORK. :)onference Lamination 1 History; ; Elements rear during STANDING RULES OF ORDER. 193 First Yem. — Jacoby's Compends of Doctrines and Scrip- ture Proofs ; Wesley's Sermons, Vol. i. ; Hare on Justifi- cation ; Kurtz's Sacred History ; Webster's General History; Wurst's Grammar. Third Year. — Nast's Introduction to the New Testament; Lisco's Exposition of the Creed; Nast's Wesley and his Coadjutors ; Pearson on Infidelity ; Ahn's First Course ot English. Fourth Year. — Warren's Logic; Luthard's Apologetics; Harlcss' Christian Ethics ; Ahn's Second Course of English. The Candidates shall present a wiitten seimon each year on some subject embraced in the course of study for that year. V. RULES OF ORDER RECOMMENDED BY THE GENERAL CONFERENCE FOR ADOPTION BY THE ANNUAL CONFERENCES. I. — The President shall take the chair at tho hour to which the Conference may stand adjourned, and cause the samu to bo opened by the reading of the Scriptures, singing, and prayer ; and shall then cause the Journals to be read and approved. The business of the Conference shall proceed in the following order : — (1) Reports — first of the Standing and then of tho Special Committees. (2) Resolutions and other business of which notice had been previously given — Provided always, that each call, severally, shall havo been completed before either preceding ono shall be repeated, and the Secretary shall, immediately after tho reading of the Journal, announce the order of business for the d«y. IT. — The President shall decide all questions of order^ 9 • 194 STANDING RULES OF ORDER. subject to an appeal to the Conference ; but in case of such appeal the question shall be taken without debate. III. — In case two or more members rise at the same time, the President shall decide which has the floor, and shall announce, if required, his name, and the Conference to which he belongs ; and no member shall remain standing during debate, excepting the member addressing the Frebident. IV. — All motions or resolutions shall be submitted, in writing, by the proposer. V. — ^When a motion is made, or a resolution moved and seconded, or a report is presented and is read by the Secre- tary, or stated by the President, it shall be deemed in pos- session of the Conference ; but any motion or resolution may be withdrawn by the mover at any time before amendment or decision. VI. — All motions to postpone or lay on the table shall be taken without debate. VII. — No new motion or resolution shall be entertained until the one under consideration has been disposed of, which may be done by adoption or rejection, unless one of the following motions should intervene, which shall have precedence in the order in which they are here placed :— (1) Indefinite postponement. (2) Laying on the table. (3) Reference to a Committee. (4) Postponement to a given time. (5) Substitute. (6) Amendment. A substitute or amendment may be amended. VIII. — When any member is about to speak in debate, or to deliver any matter to the Conference, he shall rise und address the President. v ' i i * IX^-No member shall be interrupted when speaking^ \ STANDINCt RULES OF ORDER. 1D5 (e of such the same Boor, and onferenoe . standing Prebident. nitted, in oved and the Secre- ed in pos- ition may aendment le shall he itertained iposed ofy ess one of ihall have ,ced :— in dehate, 1 rise und speakingi \ except hy the President to call bim to order when he departs from the question, or uses personalities or disrespectful lan- guage; but any member may call the attention of the Presi- dent to the subject when he deems the speaker out of order. X. — No person shall speak more than once on the same question, nor longer than fifteen minutes, without leave of the Conference, except the mover, who shall have the right of a general reply, XI. — When any motion or resolution has been acted upon by the Conference, it shall be in order for any mem- ber, who voted with the majority, to move a reconsidera- tion — Provided he shall have given notice of such motion at a previous session ; but a motion to re-consider a non- debateable motion shall be decided without debate. XII. — No member shall leave the Conference before its close, without leave first obtained. XIII. — No member shall be allowed to vote upon any question who is not within the bar when such question is put by thtj President,' cx.;e»)t ;by jeava of the Conference. XIV.— Every rnenber who is witbic. t:i3 bar at the time the quesl/ion is put, shall give his vote, nnless the Confer- ence shalJ, f&i special' reasoLS^ excuse him. ' XV. — It shall be in order for any member to '^all for the yeas and nays on any question before the Conference, and should the call be sustained by twenty-five members, the vote thereon shall be taken. XVI.— It shall be in order to move that the question be taken without further debate, on any measure pending be- fore the Conference, and if sudh motion be sustained by a vote of twO'thirdSf the question shall be so taken. XVII. — A motion to adjourn shall always be in order, and shall be decided without debate. XVIII. — No Rule or Order of proceeding adopted by the Conference, shall be suspended unless by a two-thirds vote. II I r:.rt V I • ADDENDA. ■,ii : [In tho haste attendant on '^^he issue of the ea/'ie poi-tions of this work, tht printer inadvertentl.v omitted hese Addenda aom their ')roper place.] eONFEBENCE COMMITTEES OF EXAMINATION OF CANDIDATES. 1. Each Animal Conference shall appoint a Board of Examiners, who shall meet the Candidates belonging to such Conference at one or more central places, and examine them upon the prescribed Course of Study, by printed or written questions, supplemented by oral examinations when necessary, and issue Certificates to the successful Candidates, to be presented to the Annual District Meeting. 2. That for the examination of Candidates attending Victoria CoUeg^V^^-® London, 'Tor auto.; and ^Montreal Con- ferences shall eaoli apptJiiit? tVo examiners, w^lo shaU^form a Board, to meei;^t'C?)%u:'g, aW'^xWin-e the st-i^deais there attending on all subjects '-presciibed by Conference. The same Conferences shall appoint a similar Board for the Wesleyan Theological College of Montreal. The New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, the Nova Scotia and the Newfoundland Conferences, shall appoint a similar Board of two from each Conference to examine the students at the Mount Allison Wesleyan College. f V , , ' ■'. ^ . •: ^ 3. The travelling expenses of Candidates in attending examinations shall be paid by the Circuit or Mission upon which they ai-e stationed. All other expenses of examin- ations shall be paid from the Educational Fund, his woA, th« place.] NATION Board of onging to i examine )rinted or ions when a.ndidates, attending real Con- aU form a Jiiis there Board for land, the 3es, shall erence to Wesleyan attending ion upon * examin- •