Robert W. Woodruff
Library
EMORY UNIVERSITY
Special Collections & Archives
THE DOCTRINES
and
DISCIPLINE
op the
AFRICAN
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
WITH AN APPENDIX
Revised by the General Conference
KNOXVILLE, TENN., 1920
edited by
BISHOP G. L. BLACKWELL, D. D., LL. D.
charlotte, n. c.
A. m. e. zion publication house
1921
COMMITTEE'S STATEMENT
The Discipline, as revised by the General Con¬
ference 1920, is a little tardy in coming out; we
are of the belief that it is rather more provi¬
dential than a dereliction of duty, from the
fact that so many important events transpired
within the months immediately following the Gen¬
eral Conference, which give us opportunity to note
them in this statement. May 31'st, Bishop A. J.
Warner, assigned to the Fifth District, passed:
July 9th, Bishop It. B. Bruce, assigned to the
Seventh District, passed; July 23rd, Bishop J. W.
Alstork, assigned to the Second District, passed, his
wife having died January 12, 1920; December 5th,
Honorable J. C. Dancy, Church Extension Secre¬
tary, passed; January 10, 1921, Mrs. M. E. Harris,
widow of the late Bishop Harris, passed; and just
as we go to Press with the Manuscript, May 12,
1921, Bishop G. W. Clinton, assigned to the First
District, passed away. Thus it will be seen that,
within one year after the rise of the General Con¬
ference, that four Bishops, one General Officer and
a Bishop's widow, passed away.
While it appears that the hand of Providence has
borne down heavily upon us, we rejoice that He
who does all things well, who is too wise to err and
too good to do wrong, is still guiding the Old Ship
of Church. We now present our constituency
with the Discipline, which we trust will prove an
excellent guide in administering the affairs of the
Church. Because of the high cost of paper and
printing, the price of the Discipline is advanced
to one dollar.
Committee:
J. S. Caldwell,
G. L. Blackwell,
L. W. Kyles,
G. C. Clement,
F. M. Jacobs,
W. O. Cabbington.
EDITOR'S STATEMENT
As editor of the Book of Discipline for the
sixth consecutive time, I wish to state that in¬
creased episcopal duties and the fact that I had
to prepare lectures to be delivered to the stu¬
dents of Hood Theological Seminary, so en¬
grossed my time that I, could not in justice to
my physical and mental powers, hasten the work.
However, I have tried to do a faithful piece of
work and to follow out the orders of the General
Conference as nearly as I could to be consistent
with the polity of the Church. The readers will
find very little new legislation, except the Con¬
stitution of the Bureau of Evangelism; otherwise
the revisions for the most part consist in addi¬
tions, eliminations and changes in phraseology.
It is hoped the Book will have a quick and com¬
plete sale.
G. Jj. Blackwell,
Editor.
Philadelphia, Pa.f August 29, 1921.
5
FOUNDERS' ADDRESS.
To the Members of the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church in Americas
Beloved Brethren: We think it proper
to state briefly that, after due consideration, the
Official Members of the African Methodist Epis¬
copal Zion and Asbury Churches in the city of
New York have been led to conclude that such
was the relation in which we stood to the white
Bishops and Conference, relative to the ecclesias¬
tical government of the African Methodist Church
or Society in America, so long as we remain in
that situation our Preachers would never be able
to enjoy those privileges which the Discipline of
the white Church holds out to all its Members
that are called to preach, in consequence of the
limited access our brethren had to those privi¬
leges, and particularly in consequence of the dif¬
ference of color. We have been led also to
conclude that the usefulness of our Preachers has
been very much hindered, and our brethren in
general have been deprived of those blessings
which Almighty God may have designed to grant
Founders' Address.
them, through the means of those Preachers whom
He has from time to time raised up from among
them, because there has been no means adopted
by the said Bishop and Conference for our
Preachers to travel through the Connection and
promulgate the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ;
and they have had no access to the only source
from whence they might have obtained a support,
at least, while they traveled. Under these circum¬
stances they believed that the formation of an
itinerant plan and the establishment of a Con¬
ference for the African Methodist Preachers of
the United States, who are not yet attached to
any Conference of that nature, would be essential
to the prosperity of the spiritual concerns of our
colored brethren in general, and would be the
means of advancing our Preachers (who are now
in regular standing in connection with the white
Preachers of the Methodist Episcopal Church),
whenever it should be found necessary for the
advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom among
our brethren, to bring forward for ordination
those who are called of God to preach the Gospel
of our Lord, which maybe done from time to
time, according to the best of our judgment of
the necessity thereof, and not according to the
method which is natural to supposer our white
brethren would pursue, to determine upon the
Founders' Address.
necessity of such ordination. We are under
strong impression of mind that such measures
would induce many of our brethren to attend
divine worship, who are yet careless about their
eternal welfare, and thereby prove effectual in the
hands of God in the awakening and conversion
of their souls to the knowledge of the truth.
And whereas, Almighty God, in his all-wise and
gracious providence, has recently offered a favor¬
able opportunity, whereby these Societies may be
regularly organized as an evangelical African
Methodist Church, we have therefore resolved to
embrace the said opportunity, and have agreed
that the title of the Connection shall be the
African Methodist Episcopal Church in America; *
and we have selected a form of Discipline, with
a little alteration from that of our Mother-
Church, which selection we recommend to you, for
the Doctrines and Discipline of our Church, hop¬
ing that the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls,
the all-wise and gracious God, will be pleased to
approve of the above measures and grant that we
may obtain and preserve those privileges which
we have been heretofore deprived of; that thereby
we may unite our mutual efforts for the prosperity
of the Redeemer's kingdom among us, and for
* The word "Zion" was added to the title by the
Qeneral Conference of 1848.
$
Founders' Address.
the encouragement of our colored brethren in the
Ministry.
Earnestly soliciting your prayers and united en¬
deavors for the same, we remain your affectionate
brethren and servants in the kingdom of our ever-
adorable Lord.
Abraham Thompson,
James Varick,
William Miller.
9
COMMITTEE'S ADDRESS.
On the Origin of the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church in America:
Dearly Beloved: In view of the rapid
growth of our Connection and the many changes
that have been made since the issuing of the Dis¬
cipline heretofore in use, it must be clear to all
that a new compilation is an indispensable neces ¬
sity. To know our laws it was necessary to
possess the Minutes of all the General Con¬
ferences since 1856, of which comparatively few
were in our possession.
The General Conference which met in Clinton
Chapel, Charlotte, N. C., on the 19th of June,
1872, appointed a Committee to revise the old
and prepare a new compilation.
The Committee submitted the result of their
labors to the General Conference, and it was
adopted. The General Conference also appointed
a compiler to prepare the matter for, and to super¬
intend its publication under the direction of the
General Book Committee. As it is proper that you
should be fully informed respecting the history of
Committee's Address.
our beloved Zion, especially as there are those who
are disposed to make erroneous impressions, we
have thought it not out of place to inform you of
our origin.
By those who are acquainted with the history
of Methodism in this country it is generally con¬
ceded that its light first shone forth in the city of
New York about the year 1765.
The John Street Church was the first Methodist
Church erected in that city. There were several
colored Members in this Church from its first
organization. Between the years 1765 and 1796
the number of colored Members largely increased,
so much so that caste prejudice forbade their tak¬
ing the Sacrament until the white families were
all served. This, and the desire for other Church
privileges denied- them, induced them to organize
among themselves, which they did in the year
1796. This was the first African Methodist Epis¬
copal Church of which we have any account.
In the year 1800 they built a church and called
it Zion. This Church, unlike the other colored
Methodist Churches formed about the same
period, was, as regards its temporal economy,
separate from the Methodist Episcopal Church,
from its first organization. They drew up article?
of agreement with the Methodist Episcopal Church
under which she supplied them with Ministers tor
Committee's Address.
about twenty years. So that Zion, the oldest
Church of the Connection, that has by general
consent taken her name, must be conceded to be
the oldest Methodist organization separate from
the Methodist Episcopal Church, in this country.
As we have shown, the Connection is generally
called Zion out of respect to that first Church.
But the style and title of the Church, as the
founders tell us, is the African Methodist Epis¬
copal Church. And if there is any body of
Methodists in the world that has a pre-eminent
right to this title it is the Zion Connection, for she
assumed it before there was any other to assume
it. Trusting that the hints we have thrown out
may induce you to investigate this subject fully,
and also hoping that this compilation may facili¬
tate good government and give general satisfac¬
tion to the membership of our Church, we remain
yours in Christ,
J. P. Thompson,
Chairman of Committee.
J. W. Hood, Secretary.
12
THE BISHOPS' ADDRESS.
Beloved Brethren : Wishing that you may
not be ignorant of any of our Christian doctrines,
or any part of the Discipline of our Church, we
desire you to read carefully, mark, learn, ai*d in¬
wardly digest the whole.
It is incumbent, upon you, next to the word of
God, to procure and acquaint yourselves' with the
articles and canons of the Church to which you
belong. Convinced as you must be of the im¬
portance of orders in all Societies, and especially
so in Christ's Church, therefore it is our confident
hope that you will not only acquaint yourselves
with the rules and regulations of our Church,
but that you will, for peace, order, and good
government, and the consequent prosperity
of the Church, honestly endeavor to observe
and carry them out fully, in the spirit and in
the letter.
13
The Bishops' Address.
Wo remain very affectionately, your brethren and
unceasing laborers in the vineyard of the Lord.
G. W. Clinton,ft
J. W. Alstobk,!
A. J. Warneb,*
It. B. Bbuce,!
J. S. Caldwell,
G. L. Blackwell,
L. W. Kyles,
W. L. Lee,
G. C. Clement,
J. W. Wood,
P. A. W all ac"
ffDied Thursday, May 12, 1921.
JDied Friday, July 23, 1920.
fDied Friday, July 9, 1920.
♦Died Monday, May 31, 1920.
M
CONTENTS.
PAET L
THE CHURCH.
CHAPTER PARAGRAPH
I. Articles of Religion 1-25
II. The General Rules 26-33
IIL Special Advices 34-41
Marriage 34-35
Divorce - 36
Slavery 37
Temperance 39
Rising Generation 39
Love-Feast 40
Watch-Night Meeting 41
IV. Membership 42-50
Probationers . . . . 42-43
Admission into Full Connection 44
Baptized Children - . 45-48
Transfer of Membership by Certificate . 49
Receiving Societies into the Connection . . 50
V. Worship 51-59
Order of Worship 51
The Spirit-and Truth of Singing 52
Classes and Class Meetings 53-59
VI. Ordinances 60-63
Mode of Baptism 60
In fan ; Baptism 61
Adulv Baptism 62
The I jrd's Supper 63
15
Contents.
PAET II.
THE CONFERENCES.
chapter paragraph
• I. The General Conference 64-85
II. The Board of Bishops 86-92
III. The Connectional Council 93-98
IV. The Annual Conferences 99-114
Y. The District Conferences 115-129
VI. The Quarterly Conferences 130-136
VII. The Leaders' Meeting 137-141
VIII. The Members' Meeting 142-143
PAET III.
THE MINISTRY.
I. Qualification and Eules of a Preach¬
er ' 144-157
His Call to Preach 144
Eules for a Preacher's Conduct 145-155
Manner and Method of Preaching . . . 156-157
II. Eeception of Preachers and Minis¬
ters 158-183
Eeception on Trial 158-166
Admission into Full Connection .... 167-169
Ministers from other Churches 170-176
Ministers in Official Positions 177-179
Transfer of Ministers 180
Termination of Conference Membership 181-183
1. By Location 181-182
2. By Withdrawal 183
III. Deacons 184-188
IV. Elders 189-192
V. Bishops 193-197
VI. Presiding Elders 198-204
VII. Pastors in Charge 205-209
VIII. Supernumerary and Superannuated
Ministers 210-211
16
Contexts.
PART IV.
LOCAL PREACHERS, EXHORTERS, AND LAY HELPERS.
CHAPTER PARAGRAPH
I. Local Preachers . 212-220
II. Exhorters 221-227
III. Class Leaders and Their Duties . . 228-231
PAET Y.
JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION.
I. Trial op an Accused Member .... 232-242
Immoral Conduct 232-235
Imprudent and Unchristian Conduct , . 236
Neglect of the Means of Grace 237
Sowing Discord 238
Disagreement in Business—Arbitration . 239-241
Failure to Pay Assessments 242
II. Trial of an Exhorter and a Local
Preacher 243-246
III. Trial of a Local Deacon and a Local
Elder 247-251
IV. Proceedings Against a Preacher on
Trial 252-257
V. Trial of a Traveling Minister in
Full Connection 258-269
VI. Trial of a Bishop 270-270
VII. General Directions Concerning
Trials . « 277-297
VIIL Court of Appeals 298-309
PART VI.
temporal economy.
I. Financial Department.
Board of Apportionment—
General Claims Assessment
Division of General Claims
17
310-343
312-313
314
315
Contents.
Appropriation of General Claims . 31®
Board of Finance- Q 317
Financial Seoretairy — 318- ooq
Appropriation of Educational Money.— 322-323
Appropriation of Church Extension and Home
Mission* 324-325
Appropriation for Superannuated Ministers, Widows,
etc.. - 326
Appropriation to Annual Conference— — 327
Auditing Board 328
Annual Conference Board of Apportionment 329-332
Duties of Bishop and Annual Conference .— 333-336
Duties of Pastors and Presiding Elders 337-342
Duties of Members.. 343
II. General Secretary - 344-347
III. Anniversary Days and Collections 348-356
Children's Day. 348-350
Easter Day— 351
Collection for Varick Endeavor Union 352
Sunday School Union Day. 353
Foreign Missionary Day.— - 354
Collection for Mission Schools. 355
Publication House ..... 356
IV. Denominational Fund. 357-362
V. Support op Effective Ministers 363-394
Stewards. — 363-369
Preacher's Stewards 370-372
Stewardesses 373
Support of Pastors 374-380
Support of Presiding Elders 381-385
Support of Bishops 386-391
Relief of the Poor 392
Poor's Steward 393-394
VI. Reliet Department. 395-397
Corresponding Secretary. 398
Superannuated Ministers- 399-403
Widows and Orphans of Ministers- 404-406
Duties of Bishops and Annual Conference 407
Widows of Bishops 408-409
VII. Ministerial Brotherhood. 410-418
Preliminaries 410
Board of Management — 411
Corresponding Secretary. 412
Name and Object 413-414
Membership and Class 415-416
Maintenance of Brotherhood 417
Distribution of Funds. 417
Duties of Bishops and Annual Conferences____.__^__ 418
18
Contents*
viii. Chttrch Property . 419-433
Trustees—their Election and Duties. 419-427
Form of Conveyance of Church Property. 428-429
Form of Conveyance of Parsonage Property. 430-431 .
Sale of Church Property. 432-433
PART VII.
educational and benevolent institutions.
i. Publication Department. 434-456
Publication House 434-435
Board of Managers. 436-439
General Manager... 440-447
Bojard of Publication 448-453
Editors and Periodicals. 454-456
ii. Sunday school Department. 457-481
Sunday School Board r 457-458
Editor of Sunday School Literature.— 459
General Superintendent of Sunday Schools 460
General Convention 461-464
District Conventions 465
Sunday School Rally Da,y.— 466
Sunday School Standard 467
Local Sunday School B3ard 468-475
Dutiesof Officers and Teachers 476-479
Duties of Presiding Elders— 480
Duties of Pastors..._ 481
iii. Educational Department. 482-506
Board of Education - 482-483
Corresponding Secretary.— - 484-486
Educational Institutions * 487-496
Duties of Pastors and Presiding Elders 497-506
iv. Church Extension and Home Missions 507-524
The Board. - 507-511
Maintenance of the Department.— - 512-513
The General Committee - 514-517
Corresponding Secretary.— 518
Duties of Annual Conference — 519
Applications for Ail 520-522
Dutiesof Presiding Elders and Pastors. 523 oil
v. Foreign Missionary Department 525-547
Foreign Mission Board 525-527
The Corresponding Secretary... ro?
Support of Missions— -
Annual Conference and Foreign Missions oio-oia
Duties of Presiding Elders 539 540
Duties of Pastors— ——— oil-oil
19
Contents.
vi. Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society. 548 560
Constitution and By-Laws._—. :
By-Laws of the General Missionary Society.—
Constitution for District Convention oojj
By-Laws for District Convention —
Constitution Local Woman's Home and Foreign Mis-
sionary Society. ------ 561-505
By-Laws Local Woman's Home and Foreign Mis-
sionary Society. 663
VII. Bureau of Evangelism
Board of Evangelism 567
Director of Evangelism 568
General Evangelists 569
Conference Evangelists 570
The Pastor and Evangelism.... 571
Presiding Elders and Evangelism 572
Local Board of Evangelism 573
General Evangelism 574
VIII. Varick Christian Endeavor Union 575-G04
Board of Control 575-.rSl
President of the Union .. 582-586
Annual Conference Vice President of Union— 590
Duties of Pastors and Presiding EJders - 591—£92
Model Constitution for Local Societies 593-604
PART VIII.
the ritual.
i. Baptism. 618-619
Of Infants. - 618
Of Adults —— ' *- 619
U. Reception or Members. 620-621
Reception'on Probation— 620
Reception into Full Connection 621
III. The Lord's Supper 622-623
Public Administration 622
Communion Service for the Sick/ 623
IV. Matrimony 624
V. Burial op the Dead 625
VI. Consecration and Ordinations , 626-628
Consecration of a Bishop. 626
Ordina tion of Elders. • 627
- Ordination of Deacons. „ 628
vn. Corner-Stone and Dedication. 629-630
Laying the Corner-Stone of a Church 629
Dedication of a Church ... 630
20
Contents,
APPENDIX.
hapter paragraph
i. Officers, Residences and Addresses 1-2
Bishops and Episcopal Districts 1
General Officers and Departments 2
II. Administrative Boards 3
Board of Finance 1
Board of Education v 2
Board of Church Extension and Home Mission 3
Board of Foreign Missions 4
Board of Publication 5
Board of Superannuated Ministers 6
Board of Ministerial Brotherhood 7
Board of Sunday School Union 8
Board of Audit ... 9
Board of Connectional Trustees 10
Board of Varick Christian Endeavor Union 11
Bureau of Evangelism 12
Board of Appeals . 13
Board of Legion of Financiers— 14
Board of Harriet Tubman Home 15
' Board of Statistics 16
III. Annual Conferences and Missions — 4
Annual Conferences 4
Mission Work 5
IV. Miscellaneous
19-25
Rules for Conference Proceedings 19
Manner of Formulating Charges—
Form of Charges 21
Order of a Trial ; 22
What Constitutes a Circuit or Station 2d
The Correspondence School— 24
Forms of Deeds-
V. Courses of Study. 26-31
For Class Leaders and Exhorters.:. 29
For Local Preachers—
For Traveling Preachers— - —
21
PART I.
The Church.
I. ARTICLES OF RELIGION.
II. GENERAL RULES.
III. SPECIAL ADVICES.
IV. MEMBERSHIP.
V. WORSHIP.
VI. ORDINANCES.
CHAPTER I.
ARTICLES OF RELIGION.
L—Of Faith in the Holy Trinity.
1. There i8 but one living and true God, ever¬
lasting, without body or parts, of infinite power,
wisdom, and goodness; the maker and preserver .of
all things, visible and invisible. And in the unity
of this Godhead there are three persons, of one sub¬
stance, power, and eternity—the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Ghost.
II.— Of the Word, or Son of God, who was made
Very Man.
2. The Son, who is the Word of the Father, the
very and eternal God, of one substance with the
Father, took man's nature in the womb of the
blessed Virgin; so that two whole and perfect
natures, that is to say, the Godhead and manhood,
were joined together in one person, never to be
divided, whereof is one Christ, very God and very
man, who truly suffered, was crucified, dead, and
buried, to reconcile his Father to us, and to be a
sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for the
actual sins of men.
25
5T 8. Articles op Religion.
III.—Of the Resurrection of Christ.
If 8. 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 shall
return to judge all men at the last day.
IV.—Of the Holy Ohoet.
IT 4. The Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father
and the Son, is of one substance, majesty, and glory
with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God.
V.— The Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation.
f 5. The Holy Scriptures contain all things neces¬
sary to salvation: so that whatsoever is not read
therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be re¬
quired of any man that it should be believed as an
article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary
to salvation. In the name of the Holy Scriptures,
we do understand those canonical books of the Old
and New Testament, of whose authority there never
was any doubt in the Church. The names of the
canonical books are:
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuter¬
onomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, The First Book of
Samuel, the Second Book of Samuel, the First Book
of Kings, the Second Book of Kings, the First Book
of Chronicles, the Second Book of Chronicles, the
Book of Ezra, the Book of Nehemiah, the Book of
Esther, the Book of Job, the Psalms, the Proverbs,
Ecclesiastes or the Preacher, Cantica or Sons: of
26
Articles of Religion. 8.
Solomon, Four Prophets the greater, Twelve Prophet*
the less.
All the books of the New Testament, as they are
commonly received, we do receive and account canon¬
ical.
VI.—Of the Old Testament.
6. The Old Testament is not contrary to the
New; for both in the Old and New Testament ever-
. lasting life is offered to mankind by Christ, who is
the only Mediator between God and man. Where¬
fore they are not to be heard who feign that the
old fathers did look only for transitory promises.
Although the law given from God by Moses, as
touching ceremonies and rites, doth not bind Christ¬
ians, nor ought the civil precepts thereof of necessity
be received in any commonwealth; yet, notwith¬
standing, no Christian whatsoever is free from the
obedience of the commandments which are called
moral.
VII.—Of Original or Birth Sin.
f 7. Original sin standeth not in the following of
Adam (as the Pelagians do vainly say), but it is the
corruption of the nature of every man that naturally
is engendered of the offspring of Adam, whereby
man is very far gone from original righteousness,
and of his own nature inclined to evil, and that con¬
tinually.
VIII.—Of Free Will.
T[ 8. 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 to
27
9. Articles op Religion.
calling upon God; wherefore we have no power to
do good works, pleasant and acceptable to God,
without the grace of God by Christ assisting us, that
we may have a good will, and working with us, when
we have that good will.
IX.— Of the Justification of I fan.
^[9. 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 justified by faith only is a
most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort.
X.— Of Good Works.
T[ 10. Although good works, which are the fruits
of faith, and follow after justification, cannot put
away our sins, and endure the severity of God's
judgments; yet they are 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 fruit.
XT.— Of Works of Supererogation.
f 11. Voluntary works, besides, over, and above
God's commandments, which are called works of
supererogation, cannot be taught without arrogancy
and impiety. For by them men do declare that they
do not only render unto God as much as they are
bound to do, but that they do more for his sake than
of bounden duty is required: whereas Christ saith
plainly, When ye have done all that is commanded
of you, say, We are unprofitable servants.
Articles of Religion. it 15.
XII.—Of Sin after Justification.
11 12. Not every sin willingly committed after
justification is a sin against the Holy Ghost and un¬
pardonable. Wherefore, the grant of repentance is
not to be denied to such as fall into sin after justifi¬
cation : after we have received the Holy Ghost, we
may depart from grace given, and fall into sin, and,
by the grace of God, rise again and amend our live3.
And, therefore, they are to be condemned who say
they can no more sin as long as they live here; or
deny the place of forgiveness to such as truly repent.
XIII.— Of the Church.
TT 13. The visible Church of Christ is a congrega¬
tion of faithful men in which the pure word of God
is preached, and the Sacraments duly administered
according to Christ's ordinance, in all those things
of necessity required for the same.
XIV.— Of Purgatory.
IT 14. The Romish doctrine concerning Purgatory,
pardon, worshiping, and adoration, a8 well of images
as of relics, and also invocations of saints, is a fond
thing, vainly invented, and grounded upon no war¬
rant of Scripture, but repugnant to the word of God.
XV.— Of Speaking in the Congregation in such a
Tongue as the People Understand.
If 15. It is a thing plainly repugnant to the word
of God and the custom of the primitive church, to
29
^[16. Articles of Religion.
have public prayer in the Church, or to minister the
Sacraments, in a tongue not understood by the people.
XVI.—Of the Sacraments.
H16. Sacraments, ordained of Christ, are not only
badges or tokens of Christian men's profession, but
rather they are certain signs of grace arid God's good
will toward us, by the which he doth work invisibly
in us, and doth not only quicken, but also strengthen
and confirm, our faith in him.
There are two Sacraments ordained of Jesus Christ
our Lord in the Gospel; that is to say, Baptism and
the Lord's Supper.
Those five commonly called Sacraments, that is to
say confirmation, penance, orders, matrimony, and
extreme unction, are not to be counted for Sacra¬
ments of the Gospel; being such as have partly
grown out of the corrupt following of the Apostles
and partly are states of life allowed in Scriptures,
but yet have not the like nature of Baptism and the
Lord's Supper, because they have not any visible
sign or ceremony ordained of God.
The Sacraments were not ordained of Christ to be
gazed upon or to be carried about; but that we
should duly use them. And in such only as worthily
receive the same they have a wholesome effect or
operation; but they that receive them unworthily
purchase to themselves condemnation as St. Paul
saith. I. Cor. 11:29.
30
Articles of Religion. ir is.
XVII.—Of Baptism.
717. Baptism is not only a sign of profession and
mark of difference whereby Christians are distin¬
guished from others that are not baptized; but it is
also a sign of regeneration or the new birth. The
baptism of young children is to be retained in the
Church.
'XVIII.—Of ihe Lord'8 Supper.
118. The Supper of the Lord is not only a sign
of the love that Christians ought to have among
themselves one to another, but rather is a Sacrament
of our redemption by Christ's death ; insomuch that
to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith receive
the same, the bread which we break is a partaking
of the body of Christ; and likewise the cup of bless¬
ing is a partaking of the blood of Christ.
Transubstantiation, or the change of the substance
of bread and wine into the body and blood of our
Lord, cannot be proved by Holy Writ, but is repug¬
nant to the plain words of Scripture, overthroweth
the nature of the Sacrament, and hath given occa¬
sion to many superstitions.
The body of Christ is given, taken and eaten in
the Supper only after a heavenly and spiritual man¬
ner. And the means whereby the body of Christ is
received and eaten in the Supper is faith.
The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was not by
Christ's ordinance reserved, carried about, lifted up,
or worshiped.
31
19. Articles of Keligion.
XIX.— Of Both Kinds.
If 19. The Gup of the Lord is not to be denied to
the Lay People, for both parts of the Lord's Supper,
by Christ's ordinance and commandment, ought to
be administered to all Christians alike.
"XX.— Of the One Oblation of Christ Finished Upon
the Cross.
Tf 20. The offering of Christ, once made, is a per¬
fect redemption, propitiation, and satisfaction for all
the sins of the whole world, both original and actual;
and there is none other satisfaction for sin but that
alone. Wherefore the sacrifice of masses, in the
which it is commonly said that the priest doth offer
Christ for the quick and the dead, to have remission
of pain or guilt, is a blasphemous fable and danger¬
ous deceit.
XXI.— Of the Marriage of Ministers.
121. The Ministers of Christ are not commanded
by God's law either to vow the estate of single life,
or to abstain from marriages; therefore, it is lawful
for them, as for all other Christians, to marry at their
own discretion, as they shall judge the same to serve
better to godliness.
XXII.—Of the Rites and Ceremonies of Churchet.
1 22. It is not necessary that the rites and cere¬
monies should in all places be the same, or exactly
alike ; for they have always been different, and may
be changed according to the diversity of the coun*
32
Articles of Religion. 23.
tries, 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 of 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 offendeth
against the common order of the Church and
woundeth the consciences of weak brethren.
Every particular Church may ordain, change, or
abolish rites and ceremonies, so that all things may
be done to edification.
XXIII.—Of the Rulers of the United States of
America.
Tf 23. The President, the Congress, the General
Assemblies, the Governors and the Councils of State,
as'the Delegates of the People, are the Rulers of the
United States of America, according to the division
of power made to them by the Constitution of the
United States, and by the Constitutions of their re¬
spective States. And the said States are a sovereign
and independent Nation, and ought not to be sub¬
ject to any foreign jurisdiction. As far as it respects
civil affairs, we believe it the duty of Christians, and
especially all Christian Ministers, to be subject to
the supreme authority of the country where they
may reside and to use all laudable means to enjoin
obedience to the powers that be; and, therefore, it is
expected that all our Preachers and People who may
3 S3
24. General Rules.
be under any foreign Government will behave them¬
selves as peaceable and orderly subjects.
XXIV.—Of Christian Men's Goods.
| 24. The riches and goods of Christians are not
common, as touching the right, title, and possession
of the same, as some do falsely boast; notwithstand¬
ing, every man ought, of such things as he possesses,
liberally to give alms to the poor according to his
ability.
XXV.—Of Christian Men's Oaths.
1 25. 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 Christ¬
ian religion doth not prohibit, but that a man may
swear when the Magistrate requireth, in a cause of
faith and charity, so it be -done according to the
Prophet's teaching, in justice, judgment, and truth.
CHAPTER II.
THE GENERAL RULES.
The Nature, Design, and General Rules of oar United
Societies.
26. In the latter end of the year 1739, eight oi
ten persons came to Mr. Wesley, in London, who
appeared to be deeply convinced of sin, and earnestly
groaning for redemption. They earnestly desired (as
General Rules. 28, § 1.
did two or three more the next day) that he would
spend some time with them in prayer, and advise
them how to flee the wrath to come, which they
saw continually hanging over their heads. That
he might have more time for this great work, he
appointed a day when they all might come together ;
which from thenceforward they did every week,
namely, on Thursday in the evening. To these and
as many more as desired to join with them (for their
number increased daily), he gave such advice, from
time to time, as he thought most needful for them,
and they always concluded their meetings with
prayer suited to their severfl necessities.
Tf 27. This was the rise of the United Societies,
first in Europe, then in America. Such a society is
no other than " a company of men having the form
and seeking the power of godliness, united in order
to pray together, to receive the word of exhortation,
and to watch over one another in love, that they may
help each other to work out their salvation."
H" 28. Glasses.—That it may be more easily dis¬
cerned whether they are indeed working out their
salvation, each Society is divided into smaller com¬
panies, called Classes, according: **■> respective
places of abode; from twei^ w thirty persons k.
Class, one of whom is styled -The Leader. It is
his duty—
§ 1. To see each person in his Class once a week
at least; in order—(1) To inquire how his soul pros¬
pers. (2) To advise, reprove, comfort, or exhort, as
occasion may require. (3) To receive what he is
35
28, § 2. General Rules.
willing to give toward the relief of the Preachers,
Church, and Poor.
\ 2. To meet the Preacher and Stewards of the
Society once a month in order—(1) To inform the
Preacher of any that are sick, or any that walk dis¬
orderly and will not be reproved. (2) To pay the
Stewards what he has received of his Class during
the month preceding.
1[29. Conditions of Membership.—There is only one
condition previously required of those who desire
admission into these Societies: "A desire to flee
from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their
sins." But wherever this is really fixed in the soul
it will be shown by its fruits.
^ 30. It is therefore expected of all who desire to
continue therein, that they shall continue to evidence
their desire of salvation, First: By doing no harm,
by avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which
is most generally practised: such as,
The taking of the name of God in vain; pro¬
faning of the day of the Lord, either by doing ordi¬
nary work therein, or by buying and selling.
Drunkenness, buying or selling or using spirituous
or intoxicating liquors, unless in cases of extreme
necessity; fighting, quarreling, brawling; brother
going to law with brother; returning evil for evil, or
railing for railing; the using of many words in buy¬
ing and selling; the buying and selling of goods that
have not paid the duty; giving or taking things on
usury (that is, unlawful interest); uncharitable or
unprofitable conversation ; particularly speaking evil
General Kules. 31.
of Ministers and Magistrates; doing unto others
what we would not they should do unto us; doing
what we know is not for the glory of God; the
putting on of gold as a useless ornament; and taking
such diversions as cannot be done in the name of the
Lord Jesus—such as dancing, card-playing, lottery,
policy, and other games of chance; going to circuses
and theatres; the singing of those songs and the
reading of those books that do not tend to the
knowledge and love of God; softness and need¬
less self-indulgence; laying up treasures on earth;
buying goods without the probability of paying for
them, f 238.
1 31. It is expected of all who wish to continue
in these Societies, that they should continue to evi¬
dence their desire of salvation,
Secondly : By doing good; by being in every kind
merciful after their power; 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 visiting or Jielping them that are sick or
in prison ;
To theit souls, by instructing, reproving, or ex¬
horting all whom they have any intercourse with;
trampling under foot that enthusiastic doctrine that
" we are not to do good unless our hearts be free to it"
By doing good especially to them that are of the
household of faith, or groaning so to be; employing
them preferably to others; buying one of another ;
helping one another in business—and so much the
37
32. Geneeal Rules.
more because the world will love its own, and them
only.
By all possible diligence and frugality, that the
Gospel be not blamed.
By running with patience the race set before them,
denying themselves and taking up their cross daily;
submitting to bear the reproach of Christ; to be as
the filth and offscouring of the world; and looking
that men should say all manner of evil against them
falsely, for the Lord's sake.
32. It is expected of all who desire to continue
in these Societies that they should continue to evi¬
dence their desire of salvation,
Thirdly: By attending on all the ordinances of
God; such as, the public worship of God; the
Ministry of the word, either read or explained; the
Lord's Supper; searching the Scriptures, fasting, and
abstinence; family and private Prayer, 237.
H 33. Conclusion. These are the General Rules
of our Societies; all which we are taught of God to
observe, even in his written word, which is the only
Rule, and a sufficient Rule, both of our faith and
practice. And all these we know his Spirit writes on
all truly awakened hearts. If there be any among
us who observes them not, who habitually breaks any
of them, let it be known unto those who watch over
that soul as they who must give an account; we will
admonish him of the error of his ways; we will bear
with him for a season. But if then he repent not,
he hath no more place among us; we have delivered
our own souls.
38
Special Advices. 36.
CHAPTER III.
SPECIAL ADVICES.
L Marriage*
11 84. We do not prohibit our members from
marrying persons Who are not of our Church, pro¬
vided such persons have the form, and are seeking
the power of godliness; yet we feel it our duty to
discourage their marrying persons who do not come
up to this description. Many of our members have
married unawakened persons. This has produced a
bad effect; they have either been hindered for life,
or have turned back to perdition.
Tf 85. In order to discourage such marriages, 1.
Let every Preacher publicly enforce the Apostle's
caution, " Be ye not unequally yoked together with
unbelievers." (II. Cor. 6:14.) 2. Let all be ex¬
horted to take no step in so weighty a matter with¬
out advising with their most serious brethren.
IL Divorce.
][ 36. Our Ministers shall discourage the procure¬
ment of divorce except on Scriptural grounds. All
divorces not thus obtained shall subject the persons
so offending to trial according to Discipline. No
man who has two or more living wives, or woman
who has two or more living husbands, shall be ad¬
mitted a Member of our Church, except they were
39
IT 37. Special Advices.
unavoidably separated by slavery, so as to have not
the least prospect of being together again in this life,
or except the separation occurs on Scriptural grounds
(Matt. 19: 9); in both of which cases the clearest
proof must be given to the Pastor in Charge called
upon to take cognizance of the case, and if any
Pastor in Charge receiving information to that effect
respecting any person or persons, applying for ad¬
mission into our Church, shall fail properly and
fairly to investigate the case, and shall thereby admit
such person or persons into the Church wrongfully,
said Pastor shall be deemed guilty of immorality.
III. Slavery.
Tf 37. "We believe that the buying, selling, or hold¬
ing of human beings to be used as chattels is con¬
trary to the laws of God and nature, and inconsistent
with the Golden Rule, and with our Discipline. We
will not receive any person into our Church who is a
slave-holder. All our Ministers and people are ad¬
monished to keep themselves pure from this great
evil, and seek its extirpation wherever it exists, by
all lawful and Christian means.
IV. Temperance.
IT 88. We believe that temperance implies the sub¬
ordination of all the emotions, passions, and appe¬
tites to the control of reason and conscience, and a
wise use of suitable articles of food and drink. The
Holy Scriptures teach us to abstain from all alcoholic
liquors. The manufacturing, buying, selling and
Special Advices. it 41.
using of spirituous liquors is both contrary to Script¬
ure, and against the principles of morality and the
public welfare. We most heartily approve of all
lawful and Christian efforts to exterminate the traffic,
and to save Society from the evil results of intem¬
perance, and earnestly advise our people to co-oper¬
ate in all reasonable measures to put an end to the
liquor traffic, and urge a strict observance of temper¬
ance by all our Members.
V. Rising Generation.
39. In order to benefit the rising generation let
each Minister in Charge of a circuit or station
deliver a number of lectures each year upon the
great advantage of mental and moral culture. Let
him frequently talk to the children in his Charge in
a plain and practical manner on subjects suited to
the capacity of their minds. Let him often cate¬
chize them on the Bible, and the history of their own
Church.
VI. Love-Feast.
IT 40. We do not regard Love-Feast as a Divine
Ordinance, but an Ecclesiastical Rule which we
observe in imitation of the Agapae of the early
Christians, and it is designed to promote fellowship
and brotherly love among the Members. Let each
Pastor observe Love-Feast once a quarter in his
Church.
VII. Watch-Night Meeting.
We regard watch-night meeting as a suit¬
able service to be observed in all our Churches on
41
42. Membership.
the eve of the New Year in order to awaken serious
reflections of past blessings, and to enforce religious
lessons and make solemn vows.
CHAPTER IV.
MEMBERSHIP.
I. Probationers.
42. In order that we may not admit improper
persons into our Church, let great care be taken in
receiving persons on Probation, and let no one be so
received or enrolled who does not give satisfactory
evidence of his desire to flee the wrath to come and
to be saved from his sins. Such a person satisfying
us in these particulars may be received into our
Church on six months Probation; but shall not be
admitted to Full Membership until he shall have
given satisfactory evidence of saving faith in the
Lord Jesus Christ. 619.
. f 43. A person professing faith in Christ who has
previously joined on Probation may not be required
to wait six months before he is received into Full
Membership; but may be admitted to Full Member¬
ship as soon as he satisfies the Pastor and Leader as
to the soundness of his conversion.
I 1. Let every Pastor and Class Leader see that all
Persons on Probation be instructed in the Rules and
Doctrines of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
42
Membership. 44, § 2.
Church before they are admitted to Full Member¬
ship. f 205 § 6.
I 2. The Pastor shall see that there is a book
called the Probation Book in which the names of
all the Probationers shall be recorded, and which
shall be examined monthly or quarterly at the Lead¬
ers' Meeting in order to inquire into the state of the
Probationers, to approve, or drop them as the case
may be. 278.
\ 8. Probationers are expected to conform to the
rules and usages of the Church, and to show evi¬
dence of their desire for fellowship in the Church;
they are entitled to all its spiritual privileges and'
benefits; but they may not enjoy the right to vote
nor be Members of the Quarterly Conference; they
may, however, testify as witnesses.
1L Admission into Full Connection.
1T 44. Persons may be admitted to Full Member¬
ship into our Church in'two ways:
§ 1. A Probationer who has served out his Proba¬
tion, has been baptized, recommended at the Leaders'
Meeting, and if none has been held according
to law, recommended by the Leader, and on ex¬
amination by the Pastor before the Church as re¬
quired in ][ 620, has given satisfactory assur¬
ances both of the correctness of his faith and his
willingness to observe and keep the rules of our
Church, may be admitted to Full Membership.
I 2. A Member in good standing in any other
Evangelical Church, desiring to unite with us, may
44, § 3. Membership.
be received on. his Certificate of Membership, and by
giving satisfactory answers to the usual questions
laid down in our formula for the Reception of Mem¬
bers, If 620.
§ S. Let the Pastor see that a proper Church
record is kept in each Church, and that the Church
Clerk, or where there is not a Clerk, the Secretary
of the Leaders' Meeting, properly and faithfully
enroll the names of all the Members received into
our Church, *|[ 205, § 17.
\ 4. The Presiding Elder shall examine the roll of
Membership at each session of the Quarterly Con¬
ference, and see that the number and names of all
the Members therein recorded be reported by the
Pastor at the Annual Conference, f 199, $ 14.
m. Baptized Children.
1145. We regard all children who have been bap¬
tized as placed in visible covenant relation to God,
and under the special care' and supervision of the
Church, TT 61, 205 § 10, 475 § 1, 2. The Pastor
shall preserve a full and accurate register of the
names of all the baptized children within his pas¬
toral care, the dates of their birth, baptism, their
parentage, and place of residence. Tf 205 § 10.
T[ 46. The Pastor shall organize the baptized chil¬
dren of the Church, at the age of ten years or
younger, into Classes, and appoint suitable Leaders
(male or female) whose duty it shall be to meet them
in Class once a week, and instruct them in the
nature, design, and obligations of baptism, and the
Membership. 49, § 1.
truths of religion necessary to make them wise unto
salvation ; urge them to give regular attendance upon
the means of grace; to advise, exhort and encourage
them to an immediate consecration of their hearts
and lives to God, and to inquire into the state of their
religious experience, 205 \ 10. % 475 $ 1, 2.
11 47. Whenever baptized children shall have
attained an age sufficient to understand the obliga¬
tions of religion, and shall give evidence of piety,
they may be admitted into Full Membership in our
Church, and on the recommendation of a Leader
with whom they have met at least six months in
Class, by publicly assenting before the Church to the
baptismal covenant, and also to the usual questions on
Doctrine and Discipline, 205 § 6, 620.
T[ 48. Whenever a baptized child, orphan or other¬
wise, becomes deprived of Christian guardianship,
the Pastor shall ascertain and report to the Leaders
and Stewards' Meeting the facts in the case; and
such provisions shall be made for the Christian train¬
ing .of the child as the circumstances of the case
admit and require.
IV. Transfer of Membership by Certificate.
I" 49. \ 1. A Member in good standing in our
Church desiring to remove his membership from one
Pastoral Charge to another is entitled to a Certifi¬
cate of that nature from the Pastor, or if there is no
Pastor, from the Presiding Elder; and the Pastor is
to instruct his Members from time tq time not to re-
45
*1]" 49, § 2. Membership.
move from one Charge unto another without a Certifi¬
cate in this form: T[ 205 \ 5.
" This certifies that A. B., the bearer, is an accep¬
table Member of African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church of of —
Circuit or Station Conference but, desiring
to remove Membership, is hereby affectionately
commended to the fellowship of the Pastor and Mem¬
bership of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church in or in any other place where
may decide to reside
£ 2. When a Pastor shall have received a Member
by Certificate he shall notify the Pastor of the Charge
from which the person comes so that his relationship
with the former Church may cease, in order to keep
a correct account of our Members, % 205 \ 5.
§ 3. The Certificate of Membership thus given
shall not be valid longer than one year from the time
it was issued: and for any cause it was impracticable
for him to deposit it during that time, it may be
renewed.
§ 4. A Member who absents himself by leaving
the town or vicinity of his Church and does not
communicate with his Leader or Pastor, and does
not keep up his financial obligations, his name shall
be stricken from the roll, after six months of such
absence, and placed on the Probation Book.
§ 5. A Certificate of Membership may not be re¬
fused, if demanded by a Member removing his resi¬
dence, except for reasons satisfactory to Pastor and
Leader to justify their withholding it. In such a
46
Membership 50, § 1.
case the person applying for said Certificate may be
given opportunity to show why the Certificate should
be given.
§ 6. A note of recommendation may be given a
Member who desires to join another Evangelical De¬
nomination.
§ 7. Whenever a Pastor removes from one place or
Charge to another he shall complete the Church
Record by entering upon it opposite the names of
his family, the words, "Members of the Pastor's
family transferred to " and see
that they are placed on the Record of the Church to
which he is appointed with this note "Members of
Pastor's family transferred from "
§ 8. All our Bishops, General Officers, Presiding
Elders, Ministers, and Preachers of every rank
together with their families shall deposit their Mem¬
bership with the Church of the town or vicinity
where they live. They shall be amenable to that
Church for their Christian conduct according to the
Discipline and shall pay their Pastor's salary, Gen¬
eral and Benevolent Assessments as ordinary Mem¬
bers, ff 242, 347, fl" 348.
V. Receiving Societies into our Connection.
50. § 1. A Society wishing to unite with us shall
present to one of our Preachers a list of their names
accompanied with their desire to become organized
under our Discipline. The Preacher shall then read
to them the General Rules of our Church, and if they
are willing to comply with the same he shall read the
47
50, § 2. Worship.
list of names, and declare them Members in full
standing in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church.
\ 2. The Preacher shall then nominate a Leader,
and the persons just admitted to membership shall
elect him as their Class-Leader. The Preacher shall
next proceed to form a Board of Trustees or Stew¬
ards and instruct them in the duties of their office.
\ B. It shall be the duty of the Trustees or Stew¬
ards so appointed to provide for the use of said
society the following articles:
A Church Record, in which to record the names of
Members, both those on Probation and those in Full
Connection; the list of Classes, the record of baptized
children, etc.
A record book for the proceedings of Trustees' or
Stewards' Meetings.
A record book for Leaders' Meetings.
A copy of our Book of Discipline.
A Bible.
Our Church Hymn Book.
CHAPTER V.
WORSHIP.
I. Order of Worship.
If 51. In order to establish uniformity in public
worship among us on the Lord's Day
48
Worship.
*S 61, § 1.
§ 1. We recommend the following order for morn¬
ing service:
Formula of Service.
1. Organ Prelude, or Voluntary Singing.
2. Singing from the Hymnal, the People standing.
3. Reading Psalms.
4. Scripture Lesson, by the Minister.
5. Prayer.
6. Organ Interlude and anthem.
7. Reading of Notices.
8. The Beatitudes, Congregation standing.
Blessed are the pure in spirit; for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn; for they shall be
comforted.
Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the
earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after
righteousness; for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain
mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see
God.
Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be
called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for right¬
eousness' sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and
persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil
against you falsely, for my sake.
Reioice and be exceeding glad: for great is your
4 49
51, § 2. Worship.
reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets
which were before you.
9. Chant: The Lord's Prayer, by Choir and Con¬
gregation.
10. Singing from the Hymnal, the People sitting.
11. Sermon.
12. Short Prayer for a blessing on the Word.
13. Collection.
14. Singing.
15. Apostles' Creed, which may or may not be re¬
peated.
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of
heaven and earth:
And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the
Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was
crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose
from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth
at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to judge the quick and
the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic
Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness
of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life
everlasting. Amen.
16. Doxology, and the Apostolic Benediction.
g 2. Let the Afternoon or Evening services follow
the same general order except that either or both
the Scripture Lessons may be omitted.
I 3. At the services during which the Sacraments
are administered any of the items of the formula
50
Worship.
H 52, § 7.
may be omitted except singing, prayer, and the
apostolic benediction.
\ 4. In administering the Sacraments, and in the
Burial of the Dead, let our form of Eitual invari¬
ably be used.
\ 5., Let the people be earnestly exhorted to take
part in the public worship of God; first, in singing;
secondly in prayer, in the scriptural attitude of
kneeling, by the repetition of the Lord's Prayer.
II. The Spirit and Troth of Singing.
52. To guard against formality in singing,
\ 1. Select such hymns as are proper for the congre¬
gation and the occasion.
\ 2. Do not sing too much at once; seldom more
than four stanzas.
§ 3. Let the tune be suited to the metre and the
sentiment of the hymn.
$ 4. Do not suffer the people to sing too slowly;
this naturally tends to formality.
\ 5. Encourage every person in the congregation to
sing, and not merely one in ten; this can be facili¬
tated by giving out two lines at a time where the
people have no hymn books.
§ 6. In every congregation let due attention be
given to the cultivation of sacred music.
\ 7. Should the Pastor desire it; let the Quarterly
Conference appoint annually a Committee of three
or more, of which Committee the Pastor shall be
chairman, and they co-operating with him, shall regu¬
late all matters relating to this part of Divine Wor-
"Worship.
ship. The action of said Committee shall be in every
respect subject to the control of the Quarterly
Conference.
EI. Classes and Class Meetings.
53. The design of organizing the membership
into Classes and the holding of Class Meetings is,
I 1. To establish a system of subpastoral oversight
that shall effectively reach every Member of the
Church.
\ 2. To establish and keep up a meeting for social
and religious worship, for instruction, encouragement,
and admonition, that shall be a profitable means of
grace to our people.
§ B. To aid, when desired, in carrying out our gen¬
eral Financial Plan, If 230 | 7, 8, f 339, If 340.
§ 4. To aid in carrying out the system adopted for
the support of the Pastor and the Poor of the Church.
1154. A Class shall consist of from twelve to
twenty persons. As soon as there are thirty
persons in any one Class, the Pastor shall make pro¬
vision to have it divided into two Classes. A less
number may be divided if necessary.
If 55. The Members of each Class shall meet to¬
gether at their appointed place once every week in
order to inform their Leader how their souls are
prospering, to receive advice, reproof, comfort, or ex¬
hortation, as may be necessary, and to give their
Leader what they can afford for the benefit of the
Pastor, Poor, or Church, 229 § 1.
If 56. Those persons who willfully neglect theii
Ordinances.
If 60-, § 1.
Class Meetings shall be visited by the Leader or
Pastor, who shall explain to them the consequences
of wilful neglect, and if they do not amend, they
shall be excluded from the Church; provided that
no Full Member shalf be expelled without due trial
and conviction by a Committee, U" 75 § 3, T[ 237, f 277.
T 57. Persons who absent themselves from the
Class Meeting three successive times or more, and do
not amend, after they have been duly admonished,
shall be brought to trial to answer for such neglect,
If 141,11 237.
T[ 58. In the arrangement of Class Meetings two
or more Classes may meet together, and be conducted
according to the plan agreed upon by the Pastor and
Leaders, 230 \ 5.
Tf 59. Let care be observed that the Members of
the Classes do not fall into formality through the use
of a uniform method. Let speaking be voluntary
and the services fresh, spiritual, and of permanent
religious profit.
CHAPTER VI.
ORDINANCES.
I. Mode of Baptism.
K 60. | 1. Let every adult person, and the parents
of every child to be baptized, have the choice of
baptism either by immersion, sprinkling, or pouring.
53
60, § 2. Ordinances.
\ 2; A Preacher must be regularly ordained to ad¬
minister the Sacraments and solemnize Matrimony,
f 209.
I 3.. Our Ministers shall not make a charge for
administering Baptism or attendance on Burying the
Dead.
II. Infant Baptism,
If 61. We hold that all children, by virtue of the
unconditional benefits of the atonement, are Mem¬
bers of the kingdom of God, and therefore graciously
entitled to Baptism; but as Infant Baptism contem¬
plates a course of religious instruction and Disci¬
pline, 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 that they should be solemnly ad¬
monished of this obligation, and earnestly exhorted
to faithfulness therein, ]f 45, If 47, If 205 \ 10, f 475,
U, 2.
m. Adult Baptism.
If 62. Baptism is a Divine Ordinance, the sign of
regeneration or the new birth. Every one professing
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, should feel duty bound
to receive the Sacrament of Baptism if he has not
been previously baptized. Baptism should precede
the Reception of a person into Full Connection in
our Church, 620.
IV. The Lord's Supper.
^f 63. § 1* Let those who have scruples concern*
54
Ordinances. IT 63, § 3.
ing the receiving of the Lord's Supper kneeling be
permitted to receive it sitting.
I 2. 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.
\ 3. It shall be the duty of every Pastor of a Cir¬
cuit or Station, at least once a quarter, on the Friday
evening next preceding the Sacrament, to meet the
Members in .General Class, in order to inquire how
their souls are prospering; to exhort, reprove, advise,
etc., as duty may require, preparatory tc their re¬
ceiving the Lord's Supper, 205 £ it.
PART II.
The Conferences.
I. THE GENERAL CONFERENCE.
II. THE BOARD OF BISHOPS.
III. THE CONNECTIONAL COUNCIL
IV. THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
V. THE DISTRICT CONFERENCE.
VI. THE QUARTERLY CONFERENCE.
VII. THE LEADERS' MEETING.
VIII. THE MEMBERS' MEETING.
General Conference f[ 69
CHAPTER I
THE GENERAL CONFERENCE.
If 64. The General Conference shall be composed
of Ministerial and Lay Delegates.
If 65. The Ministerial Delegates shall consist of
one Delegate for every ten Pastoral Charges up to
twenty, and one Delegate for every fifteen Pastoral
Charges above twenty and two-thirds fraction
thereof; yet so that such Delegate shall have
travelled at least four years from the time he was
received by an Annual Conference of the African
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and is in full
connection at the time of holding the General Con¬
ference.
If 66. The Ministerial Delegates shall be elected
by secret ballot in each Annual Conference; the
delegation shall organize immediately, and the
Chairman elected shall be the representative for
that Conference on the Episcopal Committee.
If 67. It shall require a majority of all the Dele¬
gates and Members of the General Conference who
have answered to the roll call during the General
Conference session, to constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business, provided, however, that a
majority of all the Delegates elected to the General
Conference shall be in attendance, 1f 193.
1f 68. No Annual Conference shall be denied the
privilege of one Ministerial and one Lay Delegate.
If 69. No one shall be elected as Delegate to the
General Conference who does not promise to remain
59
U 70 General Conference
until the close of its session, unless excused by the
Conference, 1 110.
U 70. It shall be the duty of the Presiding Bishop
to see that no one is elected a Delegate to the General
Conference who is not entitled to that privilege ac¬
cording to law, and that each Delegate elected shall
receive a certificate from the Secretary of the Annual
Conference signed by the Bishop, before adjournment,
165,1174.
171. The Lay Delegates shall consist of two laymen
for each Annual Conference, except such Conferences
as have but one Ministerial Delegate, which confer¬
ences shall be entitled to one Lay Delegate.
1 72. The Lay Delegates shall be each chosen by
an Electoral Conference of Laymen, which shall as¬
semble for the purpose on the third day of the session
of the Annual Conference at the place of its meeting,
and at its session immediately preceding the General
Conference?, and elect its Delegates by secret ballot.
U 73. The Electoral Conference shall be composed
of one Layman from each circuit or station within the
bounds of the Annual Conference; and on assembling
the Electoral Conference shall organize by electing
a Chairman and Secretary of their own number—such
Laymen to be chosen by the Last Quarterly Confer¬
ence preceding the time of its assembling; or the Dis¬
trict Conference may each elect three lay delegates
to the Annual Conference to represent their district,
who shall have a number of votes in the Electoral
Conference equal to the whole number of circuits and
stations composing the District.
60
General Conference U 76
1 74. No layman shall be chosen a Delegate to the
General Conference who shall have not been a Mem¬
ber of our Church in Full Connection for the four con¬
secutive years preceding his election.
1 75. The General Conference shall have power to
make rules and regulations for our Church, under the
followimg limitations, to-wit:
1. It shall not revoke, alter, nor change our Arti¬
cles of Faith, nor establish any new standard or rules
of doctrine contrary to our present existing and estab¬
lished standard.
2. It shall not change nor alter any part or rule of
our government so as to do away with Episcopacy
nor destroy the plan of our Itinerancy.
3. It shall not do away with the privilege of or
Ministers or Preachers of Trial by Committee, and of
an Appeal; neither shall it do away with the privilege
of our Lay Members of trial before the Society or by
a Committee, and of an Appeal, 1 56.
4. It shall not revoke nor change the General Rules
of our United Societies, 26 H 33.
5. It shall not appropriate the proceeds of the Book
Concern, nor of the Chartered Fund to any purpose
other than for the benefit of theTraveling and Super¬
annuated Ministers, their wives, widows, and chil¬
dren, U 435.
1 76. The General Conference shall have power to
make new rules, and to revise those already made,
whenever it may deem it necessary for the general in¬
terest of the Connection; and all such rules shall be-
61
1 77 General Conference
come valid immediately after the sanction of that
body.
1 77. The General Conference, through its Episco¬
pal Committee, shall arrange the Episcopal Districts
and assign the Bishops to them.
1 78. The General Conference shall have power to
determine the salary of the Bishops and other General
Officers, 1315,1396.
1 79. The General Conference shall have power to
set off Annual Conferences in such places and at such
times as it may deem best, 1 104; and the Bishops
shall have power to supply such districts, by calling
from any Annual Conference District such Ministers
or Preachers as they may deem most serviceable in
establishing such fields of labor; provided, always,
that there are no unavoidable circumstances to pre¬
vent such Ministers or Preachers from being removed,
192.
1 80. The General Conference shall have power to
ratify or reverse the decision of the lower court, to
try charges agamst a Bishop during its sitting, to ac¬
quit, expel, or disrobe him of his Episcopal authority,
or remand his case to a lower court for decision
(1294-2); it is also constituted a Court of Appeals for
Traveling Ministers in Full Connection who have been
convicted by a lower court, 1 269-2, 1 308; it also
finally determines the correct interpretation of any
question or opinion of law, or any ruling on the part
of a Bishop in any lower court, 1197-9, ^ 300.
1 81. Tie General Conference shall meet every four
years on the first Wednesday in May; a Commission
62
General Conference 83
shall be appointed who shall have the power to
determine the place where the General Conference
shall meet and shall report the same at least two
years before the time of the next session; but the
Bishops, with or by the consent of a majority of the
Annual Conferences, shall have power to call a
General Conference sooner, if they judge it neces¬
sary. The Board of Bishops may also, in case
of urgent necessity, change the place of meeting of
the General Conference, H 86.
If 82. The Bishops shall preside by rotation; but
should there be no Bishop present or in power, the
General Conference shall elect a President pro-tem,
1194.
1 83. The following persons are members of the
General Conference-by virtue of the office they hold:
I. The Bishops. 2. General Secretary. 3. Financial
Secretary. 4. Manager of the Publication House.
5. Editor of the Star of Zion. 6. Editor of Quarterly
Review. 7. Editor of the Sunday School Literature.
7. President of Livingstone College. 9. Correspond¬
ing Secretary of Education. 10. Corresponding
Secretary of Church Extension and Home Missions.
II. Corresponding Secretary of Foreign' Missions.
12. Corresponding Secretary of the Brotherhood.
13. Corresponding Secretary of Yarick Christian
Endeavor Union. 14. General Superintendent of
Sunday Schools. 15. The President of Atkinson
College. 16. The President of Clinton College. 17.
The President of Greenville College. 18. The
Principal of Dinwiddie Normal and Iildustnal
63
84 General Conference
School. 19. The Principal of Lomax-Hannon High
School. 20. The Principal of Walters Institute.
21. The Principal of Lancaster Normal and Indus¬
trial Academy. 22. The Principal of Eastern North
Carolina Industrial Academy. 23. The Principal of
Edenton Normal and Industrial School. 24. The
Principal of Macon Industrial Institute. 25. The
Principal of Johnson Rural High School. 26. The
Connectional Evangelists. 27. The Superintendent
of Connectional Statistics. 28. Secretary of Audit.
29. The President, Vice-Presidents, Recording Sec¬
retary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Secre¬
tary of Young Woman's Branch, Superintendent of
the Buds of Promise, of the Woman's Home and
Foreign Missionary Society. 30. Superintendent of
Harriett Tubman Home. 31. Officers of Administra¬
tive Boards. 32. Director of Evangelism. Dean of
Hood Theological Seminary.
If 84. After the organization of the General Con¬
ference, the first business shall be the Quadrennial
Reports of Bishops and General Officers in their
order as follows:
1. Episcopal Address, including each district.
2. General Secretary.
3. Financial Secretary and the Financial Board.
4. Manager of the Publication House and Pub¬
lication Board.
5. Editor of the Star of Zion.
6. Editor of Quarterly Review.
7. Editor of Sunday School Literature.
8. President of Livingstone College.
04
General Conference 84
9. Corresponding Secretary of Education and
Board of Education.
10. Corresponding Secretary of Church Extension
and Home Missions and Church Extension Board.
11. Corresponding Secretary of Foreign Missions
and Bishop of Foreign Work.
12. Corresponding Secretary of the Ministerial
Brotherhood.
13. Corresponding Secretary of Yarick Christian
Endeavor Union.
14. General Superintendent of Sunday Schools.
15. President of Atkinson College.
16. President of Clinton College.
17. President of Greenville College.
18. Principal of Dinwiddie D. N. and I. School.
19. Principal of Lomax-Hannon High School.
20. Principal of Walters Institute.
21. Principal Lancaster Normal and Industrial
Institute.
22. Principal Eastern North Carolina Industrial
Academy.
23. Principal Edenton Normal and Industrial
School
24. Principal Johnson Rural High School.
25. Principal Macon Industrial Institute.
26. Connectional Evangelists.
27. Superintendent of Statistics.
28. President, Vice-Presidents, Recording Secre¬
tary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Secretary
of Young Woman's Branch, Superintendent of Buds
of Promise, of the Woman's Home and Foreign
Missionary Society.
65
85 General Conference
29. Director of Evangelism.
30. Connectional Trustees.
31. General Auditor and Auditing Committee. .
If 85. The election of Bishops, when there are
any to be elected, and the General Officers may take
place any time during the session after the reports
of the said officers shall have been made. The
order of the election, which shall be by ballot, shall
be as follows: U193, 194,-1-2-3-4.
1. Bishops.
2. General Secretary.
3. Financial Secretary.
4. Manager of the Publication House.
5. Editor of the Star of Zion.
6. Editor of Quarterly Review.
7. Editor of Sunday School Literature.
8. Corresponding Secretary of Education.
9. Corresponding Secretary of Church Extension
and Home Missions.
10. Corresponding Secretary of Foreign Missions.
11. Corresponding Secretary of Ministerial
Brotherhood.
12. Corresponding Secretary of Varick Christian
Endeavor Union.
13. General Superintendent of Sunday Schools.
14. Connectional Evangelists.
15. Superintendent of Statistics.
16. General Auditor.
17. President, Vice-Presidents, Recording Secre¬
tary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, Secretary
of Young Woman's Branch, Superintendent of Buds
66
General. Conference 87
of Promise, of the Woman's Home and Foreign
Missionary Society.
18. Connectional Trustees.
19. Director of Evangelism.
20. The Assignment of Bishops by the Episcopal
Committee.
21. The Appointment of Administrative Boards
by the Bishops; provided that one Layman shall
be an officer on each Board.
11 85%. The General Conference directs that there
be appointed by the Bishops a Commission which
shall consider the invitations from the various
cities desiring to entertain the General Conference,
and shall decide, not later than two years before
the session of the General Conference, upon the
city offering the best inducements.
CHAPTER II
THE BOARD OF BISHOPS.
If 86. In the interval of the General Conference
the general supervision of the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church shall be vested in its
Bishops, who shall be known as the Board of
Bishops, If 81.
If 87. The Board of Bishops shall meet semi¬
annually to counsel for the general interests of the
Connection, and to attend to such duties as are
required by law, and shall hold such other meet¬
ing? as may be necessary.
67
88 Board or Bishops.
If 88. At each semi-annual meeting the Board
shall elect a President and a Secretary. Said
President and Secretary shall have no extra¬
ordinary powers in the interval, except to call
special meetings, when in their judgment it may
be necessary, or at the request of two or more
members of the Board.
If 89. A majority of all the Effective Bishops shall
be necessary to form a quorum for the transaction
of business.
1f 90. The Board of Bishops shall constitute a
Court of Appeals for any Bishop of the Connection
who has been suspended by. a Trial Committee in
the interval of the Annual Conference, or who has
been suspended or expelled by an Annual Con¬
ference in the interval of the General Conference,
<[274, If 295.
1f 91. Further duties and business of the Board
of Bishops shall be to hear reports from:
1. General Secretary.
2. Financial Secretary.
3. Manager of Publication House and Publication
Board.
4. Editor of Star of Zion.
5. Editor of Quarterly Review.
6. Editor of Sunday School Literature.
7. President of Livingstone College.
8. Corresponding Secretary of Education and
Board of Education.
9. Corresponding Secretary of Church Extension
and Home Missions and Church Extension Board.
68
Board of Bishops. ^ 92
11. Corresponding Secretary of Foreign Missions
and Bishop of Foreign Work.
12. Corresponding Secretary of the Relief Depart¬
ment and the Ministerial Brotherhood.
13. Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary So¬
ciety.
14. Corresponding Secretary of Yarick Christian
Endeavor Union.
15. General Superintendent of Sunday Schools.
16. General Auditor and Auditing Committee.
t 92. The Board of Bishops shall have authority:
1. To provide for any vacancy that may occur in
any of the Episcopal Districts, 179.
2. To fill any vacancy that may occur among the
General Officers or any of the Members of the Board.
3. To hand down interpretations of existing Church
law, and explanations of methods f or exercising the law.
4. To correct, admonish, reprimand, or remove
from office any General Officer whose wilful neglect
of duty or erroneous conduct warrant it, t 286.
5. To adopt the proper measures for carrying out
the Financial Plan and raising the collections for our
Benevolent Institutions, f 314, H 315.
6. To make provisions for New Episcopal Districts
when they deem it necessary.
7. To make a quadrennial report of their labors to
the General Conference.
8. To make such recommendations to the General
Conference as they may deem best for the good of the
Connection.
9. To provide for the proper Committees for the
General Conference.
69
1 93 CONNECTIONAL COUNCIL.
CHAPTER III
THE CONNECTIONAL COUNCIL.
1 93. The Connectional Council shall be composed
of all the Bishops, General Officers, and the President,
Secretary and Treasurer of all the Boards appointed
by the General Conference. The President of the
Board of Bishops shall be President of the Council,
and the General Secretary shall be the Secretary of
the Council.
I 94. The Council shall meet once a year at the
time and place of the Fall meeting of the Board of
Bishops. Nine Members, including not less than a
majority of the Board of Bishops, shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business.
U 95. The Council shall exercise executive power
over and possess all the rights vested in the several
Connectional Boards (the Board of Bishops excepted)
and shall have authority to make and' enforce such
rules and regulations as may be necessary for the
successful operation of the several Boards.
II 96. The Council shall receive reports from each
of the Boards, and make such suggestions for the
appropriation of the funds as may be deemed best
for the good of the Connection.
i 97. The Council shall see that each officer and
member of the several Boards perform the duties
required by law: if any officer wilfully neglects his
duty and suffers the work of his Board to fail from
70
Connectional Council. 98
that account, the Council may recommend his re¬
moval to the Board of Bishops.
If 98- Reports shall be made in the following
order:
1. General Secretary.
2. Financial Secretary and Financial Board.
3. Manager of Publication House and Publication
Board.
4. Editor of Star of Zion.
5. Editor of Quarterly Review.
6. Editor of Sunday School Literature.
7. President of Livingstone College.
8. Corresponding Secretary of Education and
Board of Education.
9. Corresponding Secretary of Church Extension
and Home Missions and Church Extension Board.
10. Corresponding Secretary of Foreign Missions
and Bishop of Foreign Work.
11. Corresponding Secretary of the Relief Depart¬
ment and the Ministerial Brotherhood.
12. President, Recording Secretary, Correspond¬
ing Secretary, Treasurer, Secretary of Young Wo¬
man's Branch, Superintendent of Buds of Promise,
Superintendent Bureau of Supplies, of the Woman's
Home and Foreign Missionary Society.
13. Corresponding Secretary of Varick Christian
Endeavor Union.
14. General Superintendent of Sunday Schools.
15. President of Atkinson College.
16. President of Clinton College.
17. President of Greenville College.
71
98 CONNECTIONAL COUNCIL.
18. Principal of Dinwiddie N. and I. School.
19. Principal of Lomax-Hannon High School.
20. Principal of Walters Institute.'
21. Principal of Lancaster Normal and Indus¬
trial Institute.
22. Principal Eastern North Carolina Industrial
Academy.
23. Principal Edenton Normal and Industrial
School.
24. Principal Johnson Rural High School.
25. Principal Macon Industrial Institute.
26. Connectional Evangelists.
27. Director of Evangelism.
28. Superintendent of Harriett Tubman Home.
29. Superintendent of Statisticts.
30. Connectional Trustees.
31. General Auditor and Auditing Committee.
72
Annual Conferences. i 103
CHAPTER IY
THE ANNUAL CONFERENCES.
^ 99. The Annual Conference shall be composed of
a Bishop and all the Traveling Ministers,and Preach¬
ers, both in Full Connection and those on Trial,
within the bounds of the Conference, and such Lay
Delegates as may have been legally elected to that
body.
H 100. The Bishop shall preside in the Annual
Conference. In cast no Bishop is present, a Member
of the Conference appointed by the Bishop shall
preside. But if no appointment be made, or the
Minister appointed does not attend, the Conference
shall elect a President from among the Elders with¬
out debate.
1 101. The Annual Conference shall appoint the
time and place of its own sitting. But should it
become necessary to change the time or place of its
sitting, after it has been fixed, the Bishop can, after
obtaining the written consent of a majority of the
Ministers in the Conference, change either the time
or place.
U 102. Each Annual Conference shall examine
strictly into the state of the domestic Missions
within its bounds, and to allow none to remain on its
list of Missions which, in the judgment of the Con¬
ference, is able to support itself.
\ 103. Each Annual Conference shall have power
to send one Delegate to another Annual Conference
73
1 104 Annual Conferences.
at its sitting, provided it shall pay the Delegate's
fare to said Annual Conference.
1 104. An Annual Conference shall have power to
set off a new Annual Conference District, but not
until the proposition shall have been brought before
the Board of Bishops in session assembled, and a
decision of a,majority thereof shall have been ob¬
tained, subject to the approval of the General Con¬
ference, 1 79.
f 105. An Annual Conference has power to hear
complaints against its Members, and may try, re¬
prove, suspend, deprive of official authority or
Ministerial office and Credentials, expel, or acquit,
any of them against whom charges may be pre¬
ferred, ! 265.
It also has the power to try charges against a Bishop
1271.
1 106. That the proceedings of the Annual Con¬
ference may be properly recorded, the Statistics
accurately reported, and the General Claims and
Benevolent Collections duly accounted for, let the
following rules be observed:
1. Each Annual Conference shall purchase and
keep a record of its proceedings. A Recording
Secretary shall be chosen for that purpose, and the
Bishop shall see that every particle of the legal pro¬
ceedings is recorded before the adjournment of the
Conference, and he and the Secretary shall attach
their signatures thereto. As soon as the minutes are
published, the Secretary shall send a copy each to the
General Secretary and Financial Secretary, ^ 335.
He shall also report to the General Secretary the
74
Annual Conferences. ! 106
names of the Delegates-elect to the General Con¬
ference, H 347-4.
2. Each Annual Conference shall appoint a Statisti¬
cal Secretary who shall make an accurate table of all
the items contained in the Statistical Blank, and
report the aggregate to the Annual Conference before
it adjourns. He shall also report to the General
Secretary for publication, the whole Statistical
Table of the Annual Conference.
3. Each Annual Conference shall appoint a Con¬
ference Treasurer who shall receive and hold all
moneys not otherwise provided for, and shall report
the full amount received for each purpose, and pay
over the same according to the requirements of the
Discipline, before the adjournment of the Annual
Conference.
4. Each Annual Conference shall appoint a General
Claims Secretary who shall receive the General
Claims and Bishops' receipts brought to the Con¬
ference; he shall receipt for the same, and report
each item to the Conference, and the Bishop shall
see that the whole amount shall be divided according
to law; fifty percent paid to the Financial Secretary
and the other fifty per cent, paid to the proper officers,
f 315. The General Claims and other financial re¬
ports shall be submitted to an Auditing Committee
and approved by vote of the Conference, and shall
bear the signatures of the Committee and Presiding
Bishop.
5. On the first day of the Conference session, each
Pastor shall present his Statistical and Financial
reports correctly and plainly written, and each Pastor
75
H 107 Annual Conferences.
and Traveling Minister shall pay over all Conference
and Connectional claims to the proper source on that
day, 1 205, §14.
6. The Statistical Secretary and the Conference
Treasurer shall compare the reports of collections
made for the Statistical Tables with the accounts
of money received by the Treasurer so that dis¬
crepancies, if any shall be found, may be corrected
before publication.
1 107. The Annual Conference shall cause a proper
and rigid examination of all candidates to join the
Conference, whether they come recommended by the
Quarterly and District Conferences or simply on their
Credentials. No candidate shall be admitted into
the Annual Conference without at least being ex¬
amined on the Doctrines and Discipline of our Church,
1 118, 1 161, 1 172.
1 108. The rights and privileges of the Laity are
permanently and effectually secured through repre¬
sentation in legislating for the better government of
the Church; therefore each station and each circuit
shall have the privilege of sending a Lay Delegate
to the Annual Conference. All such Delegates shall
be elected by the Quarterly Conference or by the
Members of the Circuit or station which they repre¬
sent, and shall be entitled to a seat in the Conference
upon the showing of their Credentials, properly
authenticated by the Officers of the meeting in which
they were elected. Their privilege shall be restricted
to making known to that body the wants and wishes
of their various charges, ^ 126, *[ 217.
76
Annual Conferences. f 111
t 109. Nevertheless, the District Conference which
immediately precedes the meeting of the Annual
Conference may elect not more than three Lay
Delegates to represent the Laity of the District in
the next Annual Conference, and the Delegates so
chosen shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges
of other members of the Annual Conference. The
expenses of all such Delegates shall be defrayed by
the Society or Societies from which they come, 1 75,
1124, §127.
1 110. Where there are no District Conferences the
Lay Delegates present at any session of the Annual
Conference shall have the right to elect on the first
day of the session, from their own number, as Dele¬
gates to represent them, a number of representatives
equal to one-fourth of all the circuits and stations
included in the Conference District; which represen¬
tatives shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges
of other Members of the Annual Conference. No one
shall be elected a Lay Delegate to the Annual Con¬
ference who does not premise to remain until the close,
unless excused by the Conference, f 69.
t 111. Each Annual Conference, at its session im¬
mediately succeeding each General Conference, shall
levy such an assessment upon each Member of the
Church as may be necessary to defray the traveling
expenses of its Delegates to the General Conference.
Said assessments shall be collected at least three
months before the asembling of the General Con¬
ference by the Pastor in Charge of each circuit or
station within the bounds of said Annual Conference,
77
1112 Annual Conferences.
and shall be forwarded to said officer as the Annual
Conference may designate, whose duty it shall be to
pay out of the funds thus raised the traveling expenses
of such Delegates, both Ministerial and Lay, as shall
be in attendance upon the General Conference, 1205,
§25.
1 112. Each Annual Conference shall send to the
Financial Secretary the sum of Twenty ($20) Dollars
for each Delegate it elects to the General Conference
for the purpose of paying the Board of its Delegates
and defraying the incidental expenses of the General
Conference, and each Bishop and General Officer, in
attendance, shall -pay the same amount, which
money shall be paid out only upon the order of the
General Secretary signed by the Chairman ot the
General Committee.
1 113. The business of the Annual Conference is as
follows:
I. Preliminaries.
1. Devotional Exercises.
2. The Election of Elective Officers.
3. Calling and Correcting the Roll.
4. The Appointment of Committees.
5. The Delivery of the Episcopal Address.
6. The Settlement of all Connectional Claims.
II. Reports.
1. Of Presiding Elders.
2. Of Pastors.
3. Of Delegates.
4. Of General Claims.
.78
Annual Conferences. ^ 113
5. Of Educational Money.
6. Of Church Extension and Home Missions
Money.
7. Of Foreign Missions Money.
8. Of Sunday School Union Money.
9. Of President Yarick Christian Endeavor Union.
10. Of Ministerial Brotherhood.
11. Of Publication House.
12. Of District President, Woman's Home and
Foreign Missionary Society, Young Woman's Branch
and Juvenile Society.
13. Of Committees.
14. Of Conference Treasurer.
15. Of Auditing Committee.
III. Disciplinary Questions.
1. Who have been Received by Transfer, and
from what Conferences?
2. Who have been Received on Credentials, and
from what Churches?
3. Who have been received on Trial?
4. Who Remain on Trial?
5. Who have been Dropped?
6. Who have been Admitted into Full Connection?
7. Who have been elected Deacons?
8. Who have been ordained Deacons during the
year?
9. Who have been ordained Deacons at Con¬
ference?
10. Who have been elected Elders?
11. Who have been ordained Elders during the year?
12. Who have been ordained Elders at Conference?
79
113 Annual Conferences.
13. Who have been ordained Local Deacons?
14. Who have been ordained Local Elders?
15. Who have been ordained Deacons under Mis¬
sionary Rule?
16. Who have been ordained Elders under Mis¬
sionary Rule?
17. Who have been Transferred, and to what
Conferences?
18. Who have died?
19. Who have been Located?
20. Who have Located at their own request?
21. Who have honorably Withdrawn?
22. Who have Withdrawn under Charges or Com¬
plaints?
23. Who have been Suspended?
24. Who have been Expelled?
25. Are there any Complaints?
26. Are there any Appeals?
27. Are all the Ministers and Preachers blameless
in Life and Character? (Let the Characters be
examined).
28. Who are the Triers of Appeals?
29. Who compose the Educational Board?
30. Who compose the Church Extension and Home
Missions Board?
31. Who compose the Foreign Mission Board?
32. Who are the Superannuated Ministers?
33. Who are the Widows and Orphans of our de¬
ceased Ministers?
34. Who are our Missionaries?
35. What new Societies have been Received?
80
Annual Conferences. \ 114
36. Where are the Preachers Stationed?
37. Who are our Supernumerary Preachers?
38. When and where shall the next Conference be
held?
1 114. Statistical Report of the Year shall be as
follows:
Statistics No. I.—Sunday Schools.
Number of Sunday Schools.
Number of Officers and Teachers.
Number of Members on Cradle Roll.
Increase over last year.
Number of Scholars in Adult Bible Classes.
Increase over last year.
Number of Scholars in Main School. (Extension
Classes included).
Increase over last year.
Average attendance.
Whole number of Scholars in Sunday School.
Increase over last year.
Decrease.
Number of Scholars and Teachers who are Church
Members.
Number of Scholars (whethier attendants or Mem¬
bers of Home Department) who are Church Members.
Number of Scholars converted and uniting with
the Church during the year.
Number of Sermons preached by the Pastor to the
Children.
Number of times the Pastor catechised the
Children.
Number of Bound Volumes in Library.
81
H 114 Annual Conference.
Number of Lesson Helps taken from our Publica
tion House.
Amount raised for Sunday School purposes.
Amount raised for Foreign Missions.
Amount raised for Home Missions.
Amount raised for Sunday School Board.
Amount expended.
Amount in hand.
Statistics No. II.—Yarick Christian Endeavor Society.
Number of Societies.
Number of Active Members.
Number of Associate Members.
Number of Honorary Members.
Number of Junior Societies.
Number of Members in the Junior Societies.
Number of Members in both Senior and Junior
Societies.
Total amount raised by both Senior and Junior
Societies.
Amount sent to the President of the Union.
Amount raised for Foreign Missions.
Statistics No. III.—Woman's Home and Foreign
Missionary Societies.
Number of Societies.
Number of Active Members.
Number of Honorary Members.
Total Amount of Money Raised.
Amount sent to Treasurer by Woman's Home and
Foreign Missionary Society.
82
Annual Conferences.
1 114
Amount sent to Treasurer by Young Woman's
Branch.
Amount sent to Treasurer by Juvenile Society.
Amount remaining in Treasury of Societies.
Statistics No. IV.—Church Membership.
Number of Conversions.
Number received on Probation.
Number of Probationers admitted to Full Con¬
nection.
Number of Members received by Certificate.
Number of Local Preachers and Exhorters.
Number of Local Deacons.
Number of Local Elders.
Number in Baptized Children's Classes.
Number of Persons remaining on Probation.
Whole number of Full Members.
Increase over last year.
Number dismissed by Certificate.
Number Withdrawn.
Number expelled.
Number of Deaths.
Number of Children Baptized.
Number of Adults Baptized.
Statistics No. V— Church Property.
Number of Churches.
Probable Value.
Number of Parsonages.
Probable Value.
Value of Other Church Property.
83
H 114 Annual Conferences.
Amount paid on Mortgage Indebtedness with
interest.
Amount paid on Floating Indebtedness.
Amount paid_for Repairs.
Amount paid for Current Expenses.
Amount in Treasury for Building and Repairing.
Statistics No. VI.—Support of the Ministry.
Amount raised on Pastor's Salary.
Amount raised on Presiding Elder's Salary.
Amount raised for General Claims.
Statistics No. VII.—Benevolent Collections.
Amount raised Children's Day for Education.
Amount raised Easter Day for Church Extension
and Home Missions.
Amount raised Missionary Day for Foreign
Missions.
Amount raised for Local Education.
Amount raised for Ministerial Brotherhood.
Amount raised for Publication House.
Amount raised for the Poor and Charity.
Statistics No. VIII.—Special Collections.
Amount raised for the support of Annual Conference-
Amount raised for the support of General Con¬
ference.
Amount raised for General Conference Delegates.
Amount raised by Daughters of Conference.
Amount raised for
Amount raised for
84
District Conferences. 116
Amount raised for other purposes.
Total amount raised for all purposes.
Balance in Treasury for Current Expenses.
Statistics No. IX.—Church Periodicals.
Number of Subscribers to the Star of Zion.
Number of Subscribers to the Quarterly Review.
Number of Subscribers to the Missionary Seer.
Number of Subscribers to the S. S. Bulletin.
CHAPTER Y
THE DISTRICT CONFERENCES.
1 115. The Annual Conferences shall be divided
into a convenient number of Presiding Elder Districts,
and one or more District Conferences may be held
each year at such time and place as may be appointed
by the Presiding Elder of the District.
H 116. The District Conference shall be composed
of all the Traveling, Supernumerary and Superan¬
nuated Ministers, Local Elders, Local Deacons, Local
Preachers, Exhorters, Superintendents of the Sunday
Schools, Presidents of Varick Christian Endeavor
Societies, District President of the Woman's Home
and Foreign Missionary Society, Young Woman's
Branch, Juvenile Society and District Educational
Secretary, District Superintendent of Sunday Schools,
one Lay Delegate from each circuit and station within
85
1 117 District Conferences.
the District, and one Lay Delegate from each Sunday
School in the District and from each Varick Christian
Endeavor Society.
f 117. The business of the District Conference shall
be to inquire into the spiritual and temporal affairs
of Churches, Schools, and Benevolent Societies within
the District. To take cognizance of all the Super¬
numerary and Superannuated Preachers, Local
Elders, Deacons and Preachers, and Exhorters, in the
District; to inquire as to the gifts, graces, and genera)
usefulness of Ministers, Preachers and Exhorters,
and, upon recommendation from the Quarterly Con*
ference, to grant or renew Local Preachers' License.
1 118. All Candidates for license or renewal, or to
join the Annual Conference who have been previously
examined and recommended by the Quarterly Con¬
ference and reported to the District Conference, shall
be further examined on the studies laid down for
admission into the Annual Conference, and if such
Candidates pass creditable examination they may
be favorably reported to the Annual Conference,
1161,1199.
1 119. The Presiding Elder of the District shall
preside at the District Conference. But in case the
Presiding Elder is absent, an Elder appointed by
him shall preside. But if no appointment is made,
or the one appointed fails to attend, the Conference
shall proceed to elect a President from among the
Elders, without debate.
1 120. A record of the proceedings of each District
Conference shall be kept by a Secretary chosen for th0
86
District Conferences. U 121
purpose, and a copy of said record shall be sent to the
ensuing Annual Conference.
f 121. The regular business of the District Con¬
ference shall be:
1. To take the general oversight of all the temporal
and spiritual affairs of the District, subject to the
provisions of the Discipline.
2. To take cognizance of all the Supernumerary
and Superannuated Preachers, Local Elders, Deacons,
and Preachers, and Exhorters, in the District; to
inquire as to their gifts, graces and general usefulness.
3. To ascertain the correct membership of Preach¬
ers and Laity within the District.
4. To inquire whether the Assessment of General
Claims has been collected according to Discipline,
and whether the other Benevolent Collections have
been properly attended to in each Pastoral Charge,
and to adopt suitable measures for success in raising
the required amount.
5. To inquire into the condition of the Sunday
Schools in the District, and to adopt suitable meas¬
ures for insuring their success.
6. To inquire into the condition of the Varick
Christian Endeavor Societies in the District^ and to
adopt suitable measures for their success.
7. To inquire into the condition of the Woman's
Home and Foreign Missionary Societies, Young
Woman's Branch and Juvenile Societies within the
District, and to adopt measures for making them a
success.
8. To ascertain the number of baptized children
87
f 122 District Conferences.
that have been arranged into classes according to
Discipline, ^ 45, 1 48.
9. To ascertain from each Pastor whether he has
carried out the law spiritually and temporally ac¬
cording to the duties of a Pastor.
1 122. The order of business for the District Con¬
ference.
1. Devotional Exercises.
2. Election of Officers.
3. Roll Call."
4. Appointment of Committees on
(1) Rules.
(2) Lay Delegates.
(3) Finance.
(4) Programme of Religious and Literary
Exercises.
(5) Education.
(6) Church Extension and Home Missions.
(7) Foreign Missions.
(8) Sunday Schools.
(9) Varick Christian Endeavor.
(10) Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary
Society, Young Woman's Branch and
Juvenile Society.
(11) Superannuated Ministers.
(12) Widows and Orphans.
(13) Examination of Local Preachers and
Exhorters.
(14) Examination of Candidates for admission
into the Annual Conference.
(15) Presiding Elder's Salary.
88
District Conferences. t 122
(16) Miscellaneous Matters.
5. Then shall follow reports:
(1) From the Presiding Elder, as to the con¬
dition of the work under his Charge, and
his own work as Presiding Elder.
(2) From each Pastor, as to the religious con¬
dition of his Charge, his Pastoral labors4
the Benevolent Collections, and the circu¬
lation of our Church Periodicals and
Books.
(3) From each Lay Delegate as to the wishes of
the Churches he represents for the return
of the Pastor.
(4) From the Supernumerary Preachers within
the District, as to how they have employ¬
ed their time and talent, when and where,
with what Quarterly Conference they are
connected, and what studies in the Course
they are pursuing.
(5) From the Local Elders and Deacons as to
the number of sermons they have preached
during the past year, how often they have
assisted in administering the Sacraments,
the number of baptisms and marriages
they have performed, what assistance
they have rendered the Pastor and Pre¬
siding Elder, and what studies in the
Course they are pursuing.
(6) From each Local Preacher as to the number
of sermons he has preached, what service
Jie has rendered the Pastor and Presiding
89
1 122
District Conferences.
Elder, what studies he has finished in the
Course laid down, and what studies he is
pursuing. -
(7) From each Exhorter, as to how many
Exhortations he has given, how many
Prayer Meetings held, and other work he
has done, especially for the sick and poor,
and what studies in the Course he is
pursuing.
(8) From each Superintendent as to the general
condition of the Sunday School he repre¬
sents.
(9) From each Sunday School Delegate as to the
numerical, financial, literary, and spiritual
condition of the Sunday School he repre¬
sents.
(10) From each President or Delegate of the
Yarick Christian Endeavor Society as
to the numerical, financial, literary, and
spiritual condition of both the senior and
junior Societies he represents.
(11) From the District Presidentof the Woman's
Home and Foreign Missionary Society,
Young Woman's Branch and Juvenile
Society as to the number of Societies in
the District, the amount of money she
has received through the local societies,
the amount of money she has collected
through her own efforts, the remittances
she has made to the General Treasurer,
and the amount of expense incurred in the
discharge of her duty.
District Conferences. ^ 127
(12) Reports from other Committees.
123. The business may be varied, so as to inter¬
sperse literary and religious exercises.
^ 124. The District Conference shall have the power
to elect two or more Delegates, as it may deem best,
to represent the District in Annual Conference next
ensuing. The traveling expenses of such Delegates
shall be met by the District Conference. The Dele¬
gates so elected shall have the same right of any
other Member of the Annual Conference in the trans¬
action of business. The President of the District
Conference shall see that Credentials are given each
Delegate signed by himself and Secretary, ^ 108.
H 125. Each Pastor holding a Charge shall be re¬
quired to lift a collection of One Dollar ($1.00) or more
and bring or send the same to the District Conference
to help defray the expenses of the District Con¬
ference, f 205, §16.
TI 126. Where the District Conference elects
Delegates to represent the Churches of the District
in the Annual Conference, they shall take the place of
Delegates from individual Charges or Churches,
provided, however, that an individual Charge or
Church may send a Delegate of its own to the Annual
Conference who shall have the right to state the
wishes of the Charge or Church he represents as to the
Pastor, also the spiritual and temporal condition of
the work; but shall not be allowed to discuss other
business of the Annual Conference, nor to exercise the
right to vote, ^ 108.
' t 127. Where a majority of the District Conference
91
1f 128 District Conferences.
decides not to elect Delegates to the Annual Con¬
ference, but votes to allow the individual Charges or
Churches to send Delegates of their own, such Dele¬
gates elected by the individual Charges or Churches
shall enjoy all the rights of the Annual Conference
that the two or more District Delegates would have
enjoyed, 1108.
H 128. The Presiding Elder shall impress upon the
Pastors and Members of the District Conference that
every Part of the Church law should be enforced in
the right spirit, and every honorable measure adopted
to make success of both the spiritual and temporal
part of the work.
f 129. It is the business of the District Conference
to examine into the conditions of the Sunday School
and Yarick Christian Endeavor Societies within the
District, but where a majority of the Members of the
District Conference decides to hold two sessions
separately, and at different times, this may be done.
Where the Sunday Schools and Varick Christian
Endeavor Societies meet separate from the District
Conference in annual session, their meeting shall be
styled District Convention, at which the District
Presidents may preside alternately, ^ 199, §6.
92
Quarterly Conferences. 1 133
CHAPTER YI
THE QUARTERLY CONFERENCES
K 130. The Quarterly Conference shall be composed
of all the Traveling Ministers, Local ^Elders, Deacons
and Preachers, Exhorters, Class Leaders, Trustees,
Stewards, Stewardesses, Deaconesses, the Superin¬
tendents of Sunday Schools, President, Secretary and
Treasurer of the Varick Christian Endeavor Society,
The Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society,
The Young Woman's Missionary Society, The Juve¬
nile Society and the Daughters of Conference of the
Circuit or Station. All of our General Officers and
Ministers shall be amenable to the Quarterly Confer¬
ence within whose bounds they reside. The Presi¬
dent, Secretary and Treasurer of any Society formed
and operating in th name of the Church shall be sub¬
ject to the Quarterly Conference.
H 131. The Presiding Elder shall appoint the time
and place of holding the Quarterly Conference, and
shad preside over its proceedings, or he may appoint
a Traveling Elder to preside; but in the absence of
the Presiding Elder, and of the Traveling Elder so
appointed, the Pastor shall preside.
H 132. The Quarterly Conference shall appoint a
Secretary, who shall accurately and faithfully keep
a record of the proceedings, which record shall be read
and approved before the Conference adjourns, and
shall be signed by the President and Secretary.
f 133. The regular business of the Quarterly Con¬
ference is:
93
1 133 Quarterly Conferences.
1. To examine into the character of all its Members
whose characters are subject to approval or disap¬
proval by that body.
2. To inquire into the gifts, labors and usefulness
of all the Ministers, Preachers, Exhorters and Dea¬
conesses within the Charge.
3. To examine and license proper persons to preach
and exhort when in its judgment their gifts, graces and
usefulness warrant it, or may refer them to the Dis¬
trict Conference, after examination for license or re¬
newal.
4. To recommend to the District and Annual Con¬
ference suitable condidates to be received on Trial,
and suitable Preachers for Deacons' and Eldei^' Or¬
ders, 1199 § 8.
5. To examine into the accounts of Pastor, Trus¬
tees, Stewards, and the Societies subject to the Quar¬
terly Conference, f 349.
6. To act as Appellate Court for Members who have
been tried in the lower Court, to adjudicate and fin¬
ally determine the appeal, f 240.
7. Try, suspend, deprive of Credentials, expel,
or. acquit any Local Elder, Local Deacon, Local
Preacher, or Exhorter, in the Circuit or Station,
aginst whom charges have been preferred, 11215,
1227, 1245, 1249, 1 255.
8. To have the oversight of all the Sunday Schools
within the bounds of the Circuit or Station; to con¬
firm or reject the Sunday School Superintendents nom¬
inated by the Sunday School Board, to remove any
Superintendent who may prove unworthy or inefficient.
94
Quarterly Conferences. f 136
9. To have the general oversight of the Varick
Christian Endeavor Societies, the Local Woman's
Home and Foreign Missionary Societies and other
organizations formed and operating in the name of
the Church; to confirm or reject the Presidents of the
Varick Christian Endeavor Societies, the Presidents
of the Local Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary
Society, and the President of any other Society formed
in the name of the Church and subject to the Quar¬
terly Conference.
10. To elect a Delegate to represent the Church
or Charge in the District or Annual Conference, 1108.
11. To appoint on the nomination of the Pastor the
proper Leaders, Stewards, Stewardesses, and Dea¬
conesses, and a Committee on Education, Church
Extension, Foreign Missions, Superannuated Minis¬
ters, Widows and Orphans, Sunday Schools, Music
and the Presidents of Societies connected with and
operating in the name of the Church, and confirm
those already appointed.
12. To inquire after and see that our own Periodi¬
cals and Hymnals are used in our Churches, 1199, § 13.
t 134. The Quarterly Conference shall have original
jurisdiction ovar its own Members, and shall consti¬
tute a Court of Appeals for Lay Members, 1290,1293.
1 135. At thi last Quarterly Conference of each
Conference year all persons whose business it is to
report to the Quarterly Conference, shall make a
report covering the four quarters.
1 136. The order of business in the Quarterly Con¬
ference shall be as follows:
1. Devotional Exercises.
95
H 136 Quarterly Conferences.
2. Calling the roll of Members.
3. A brief address by the Presiding Elder.
4. The following reports shall then be made:
(1) Trustees, 1423, 1 433.
(2) Leaders, f 231.
(3) Poor's Steward, U 418.
(4) Preacher's Steward, * 382.
(5) Stewardesses, f 383.
(6) Deaconesses,
(7) Local Preachers, 1218.
(8) Exhorters, 1 225.
(9) Superintendents of Sunday Schools, "1.
(10) Presidents of Varick Christian Endeavor.
Societies, 1 596, § 1.
(11) Presidents of Local Woman's Home and
Foreign Missionary Society, Young
Woman's Branch and Juvenile Society,
1571.
(12) Presidents of Daughters of Conference.
(13) Representatives of other Societies operat¬
ing in the Church.
(14) Committee on Education.
(15) Committee on Church Extension and
Home Missions.
(16) Committee on Foreign Missions.
(17) Committee on Superannuated Ministers,
Widows and Orphans.
(18) Committee on Sunday School.
(19) Committee on Music.
(20) Other Committees.
(21) Pastor, \ 205, § 32.
5. Examination of characters.
96
Quarterly Conferences. J 136
6. The following questions shall then be asked:
(1) Are there any applications for Exhorters'
or Preachers license?
(2) Are there any licenses to be renewed?
(3) Are there any Leaders to be appointed?
(4) Are there any Trustees to be confirmed?
(5) Are there any Poor's Stewards to be
appointed?
(6) Are there any Preacher's Stewards to be
appointed?
(7) Are there any Stewardesses to be ap¬
pointed?
(8) Are there any Superintendents to be con¬
firmed?
(9) Are there any Presidents of Varick Chris¬
tian Endeavor Societies to be confirmed?
(10) Are there any Presidents of the Local
Woman's Home and Foreign Mission¬
ary, Young Woman's Branch, and
Juvenile Societies to be confirmed?
(11) Are there any Presidents of the Daught¬
ers of Conference to be confirmed?
(12) Are there any Deaconesses to be con¬
firmed?
(13) Are there any Boards to be appointed or
confirmed?
(14) Are there any Committees to be ap¬
pointed or confirmed?
(15) What amount has been agreed upon for
the support of the pastor?
(16) What amount has been assessed this
97
1 137 Leaders' Meeting.
Charge for the support of the Presiding
Elder?
(17) What amount has been assessed this
Charge for General Cla ms?
(18) What amount has been apportioned this
Charge for Benevolences?
(19) Are there any Appeals?
(20) Are the Churches in this Charge insured?
(21) Have the Churched in this Charge the
proper Church Records?
(22) Are there any Candidates to be recom¬
mended to the District or Annual Con¬
ference for Reception on Trial?
(23) Are there any Candidates to be recom¬
mended to the Annual Conference for
Deacons' or Elders' Orders?
(24) Reading and Approval of Minutes.
CHAPTER YII
THE LEADERS' MEETING.
f 137. Leaders' Meeting shall be held once in every
month n a Station, and once in every three months on
a Circuit, and shall consist of the Pastor in Charge,
who is the Chairman, the Class Leaders, and the
Stewards who have been appointed to take charge of
the money collected for the Pastor, Presiding Elder,
General Claims, Benevolences, and Poor.
U 138. Each Leader shall be closely examined by
the Pastor at least once in three months with th§
98
Leaders' Meeting. ^ 140
utmost exactness concerning the method of meeting
his Class, and the numerical, financial and spiritual
condition of the Members of his Class.
t 139. The Preacher's Steward shall receive from
the Leaders the money collected by them in their
respective Classes, and he shall make a report of the
same to the Leaders' Meeting, ^ 230, § 4. The Poor's
Steward shall report what money he has received, and
paid out for the Poor, % 230, § 2.
I 140. At each Leaders Meeting let the following
questions be asked namely:
1. Are there any sick?
2. Are there any requiring temporal relief?
3. Are there any who walk disorderly, and will not
be reproved?
4. Are there any who willfully neglect the means
of grace?
5. Are there any changes to be made in the Classes?
6. Are there any Probationers to be recommended
for admission into Full Connection?
7. Are there any to be recommended for License
to preach or exhort?
8. Are there any applications for Certificates of
Membership?
9. Have any withdrawn without Certificates of
Membership?
10. Who have married?
II Who have died?
12. What amount has been raised for the Poor?
13. What amount has been received for the support
of the Pastor?
99
H 142 Leaders' Meeting.
14. What amount has been collected for the support
of the Presiding Elder?
15. What amount has been collected on General
Claims?
16. What amount has been collected for benevo¬
lences?
1 141. When there are complaints entered such as
will require a trial meeting, the Pastor shall choose a
committee of members of the Circuit or Station
forthwith, and, if possible, aside from the official.
Members, and shall also appoint the time of trial and
notify the accuser and the accused. A Secretary shall
be appointed to keep a record of the proceedings of
the Leaders' Meetings from time to time, who shall
also keep a copy of the proceedings of the Trial Com¬
mittee in the Leaders' Meeting Book, 57, H 237.
CHAPTER VIII
THE MEMBERS' MEETING.
1 142. Whenever there is any business to be at¬
tended to by the local Church not otherwise vested
in the Board of Trustees, Leaders' Meeting or Quarter¬
ly Conference, the Members in Full Connection shall
be called together in a Members' Meeting to consider
the matter.
1 143. The Pastor in Charge shall have the sole
right to make the call for and preside over the Mem¬
bers' Meeting, ^ 421, ^ 425, H 433.
100
part iii.
The Ministry.
X. QUALIFICATIONS AND RULES OF
A PREACHER.
II. RECEPTION OF PREACHERS AND
MINISTERS.
III. DEACONS.
IV. ELDERS.
V. BISHOPS.
VI. PRESIDING ELDERS.
VII. PASTORS IN CHARGE.
VIII. SUPERNUMERARY AND SUPER¬
ANNUATED MINISTERS.
Qualifications and Work. IT 145.
CHAPTER I.
QUALIFICATIONS AND RULES OF THE
PREACHER.
L His Call to Preach.
H 144. We regard the call to preach the Gospel to
be both internal and external.
§ 1. The internal call consists of those gifts and
graces requisite to the proper and faithful discharge
of the duties of the Christian Ministry. We expect
those who profess to be moved upon by the Holy
Ghost to preach, (1) To evince an unmistakable con¬
ception of salvation by faith ; (2) To possess a sound
mind; (3) To have a clear understanding of the
Scriptures; (4) To have a right judgment in the
things of God; (5) To have a good degree of utter¬
ance as a Preacher.
\ 2. The external call does not confer personal
gifts nor qualifications, but presupposes both. It is
designed to confer upon the Preacher who is found
to possess the inward call, official authority, to exer¬
cise in the name of God and in the name of the
Church, the functions of the Christian Ministry.
II. Rules for a Preacher's Conduct.
f 145. Rule 1. Be diligent. Never be unem¬
ployed. Never be trifiingly employed.
* ■ 103
146. Qualifications and Work.
If 146. Rule 2. Be serious. Let his motto be
" Holiness to the Lord." Avoid all lightness, jest¬
ing and foolish talking.
If 147. Rule 3. Be circumspect, and conduct him¬
self prudently with women. (I. Tim. 5 : 2.)
If 1«. Rule If,. Believe evil of no one without good
evidence; unless he sees it done, he must take heed
how he credits it. Put the best construction on
everything.
If 149. Rule 5. Speak evil of no one, because his
word, especially, would eat as doth a canker. Let
him keep his thoughts within his own breast till he
comes to the person concerned.
T 150. Rule 6. As a Methodist Minister he must
mind every point, great and small, in the Methodist
Discipline. Therefore he will need to exercise all
the sense and grace he has.
If 151. Rule 7. Avoid all affectation. A Preacher
of the Gospel is a servant of all.
If 152. Rule 8. Be ashamed of nothing but sin.
If 168. Rule 9. Be punctual. Do everything exactly
at the time. Not to mend our laws, but keep them;
not for wrath, but for conscience's sake.
1f 154. Rule 10. He should act in all things, not
according to his own will, but as a son in the Gospel.
As such it is his duty to employ his time in the man¬
ner which his brethren direct. In preaching and
visiting from house to house; in reading, meditation,
and prayer; above all, if he labors with his brethren
in the vineyard of the Lord, it is needful he should
do the part of the work that they desire at those
Qualifications and Work. -157.
times and places which they judge most for the glory
of God.
Tf 155. Some smaller advices which may be useful
to Preachers in general are these:
1. Be sure never 'to disappoint a congregation. 2.
Begin at the time appointed. 3. Let his whole de¬
portment be serious, weighty and solemn. 4. Always
suit the subject to the audience. 5. Choose the
plainest text. 6. Take care not to ramble, but keep
to the text or subject, and make out what is taken in
hand. 7. Avoid anything awkward or affected either
in gestures, phrases, or pronunciations. 8. Should
not usually pray extempore above eight or ten min¬
utes (at most) without intermission. 9. Frequently
read and enlarge upon a portion of Scripture; and
let young Preachers often exhort without taking a
text. 10. Let the Preacher always avail himself of
the great festivals by preaching on those occasions.
m. Manner and Method of Preaching.
IT 156. The best method of preaching is: First. To
convince. Second. To offer Christ. Third. To in¬
vite. Fourth. To build up. And to do this in some
manner, in every sermon.
\ 157. The most effectual way is, to preach Christ
in all his offices, and to declare his Law as well as
his Gospel, both to the believers and unbelievers.
Let every Minister strongly and forcibly insist upon
inward and outward holiness.
105
158. Preachers and Ministers.
CHAPTEK II.
RECEPTION OF PREACHERS AND MINISTERS.
I. Reception on Trial.
158. A Preacher is to be received on Trial by
the Annual Conference.
159. During the interval of the Annual Con¬
ference a Bishop or Presiding Elder may receive a
Preacher on Trial temporarily, and use him until the
sitting of the Annual Conference next ensuing.
11160. Before he can be received on Trial by a
Bishop or a Presiding Elder he must give the Quarterly
Conference that recommends him satisfaction as to
iis knowledge of the branches laid down in the Dis¬
cipline to be studied by Candidates for Reception on
Trial, and his general ability to enter upon the duties
of a Pastor, A. 30.
IT 161. Before he can be received into the Annual
Conference, whether he has been previously used by
a Bishop or Presiding Elder or not, he must:
\ 1. Present a recommendation to the Examining
Committee from the Quarterly Conference (and one
from the District Conference, provided he was exam¬
ined there) of which he was a Member, duly signed
by the President and Secretary thereof.
\ 2. He shall give the Annual Conference satisfac¬
tory evidence of his knowledge of the studies pre-
106
Preachers and Ministers. 164.
scribed for, and to be pursued by Candidates for Re¬
ception on Trial.
g 3. He must satisfy the Conference that he is not
encumbered by debts or otherwise embarrassed so as
to prevent his going to and entering upon the work
of his Charge.
§ 4. He must satisfy the Conference as to his gen¬
eral habits, especially as they refer to temperance and
the use of narcotics.
§ 5. He must give satisfactory evidence that he is
acquainted with the Qualifications and Rules of a
Preacher.
(1) His Call to Preach.
(2) Rules for a Preacher's Conduct.
(3) Manner and Method of Preaching.
I 6. If he satisfy the Conference on the above
and present the proper recommendation he may be
received on Trial, H" 107, T[ 118, A. 30.
162. Reception on Trial is entirely different from
admitting a Preacher into Full Connection. A
Preacher taken on Trial may be dropped when occa¬
sion requires it without any formal trial.
1T 163. When an unordained Preacher is dropped
from the Conference Roll he shall become subject to
the Quarterly Conference where he resides, which
Conference shall renew or reject his License within
one year, and thereafter be dealt with as a Local
Preacher.
T[ 164. While he is on Trial the Annual Confer¬
ence alone has jurisdiction over his authority to
preach, and his appointment from year to year will
165. Preachers and Ministers.
be a sufficient guarantee for the renewal of his
License.
ft 165. If the person on Trial is a Deacon or Elder,
and shall be dropped from the Conference Roll, he
shall be subject to the Quarterly Conference where he
resides, but his License will not have to be renewed;
his rank shall at once become a Local Deacon or
Local Elder.
f 166. When a Preacher's name is not printed in
the Conference minutes, he must receive a written
License from a Bishop or Elder.
H. Admission Into Full Connection*
T 167. A Preacher on Trial who has been employed
in the regular itinerant work on Circuits or Stations,
or as an instructor in an institution of learning, for
two successive years from the time he was received
on Trial, may be admitted into Full Connection in the
Annual Conference after he has given satisfactory
evidence of his knowledge of the first two years of
the Conference Course of Study, and after the exam¬
ination before the Conference prescribed in ft 168.
ft 168. In admitting a Preacher into Full Con¬
nection, after solemn fasting and prayer, he shall be
asked, before the Conference, the following questions,
with any others which may be thought necessary,
namely:
1. Have you saving faith in Christ?
2. Are you going on to perfection ?
3. Do you expect to be made perfect in love in this
life?
108
Preachers and Ministers. 169.
4. Are you groaning after it ?
5. Are you resolved to devote yourself to God and
his work?
6. Do you know the general Rules of our Church?
7. Will you keep them ?
8. Do you constantly attend the Lord's Supper ?
9. Have you studied the doctrines of the African
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church ?
10. Will you preach and maintain them ?
11. Have you studied our form of Church Disci¬
pline and Polity ?
12. Will you support and maintain them ?
13. Have you considered the Rules for a Preacher,
especially those relating to Diligence, Punctuality
and to Doing the Work to which you are assigned?
14. Will you keep them for conscience's sake?
15. Are you determined to employ your time in
the work of God ?
16. Will you diligently instruct the children in
every place ?
17. Will you visit from house to house ?
18. Will you recommend fasting and abstinence
both by precept and example ?
19. Are you embarrassed by debts, so as to prevent
you from traveling?
20. Do you use intoxicating drugs or tobacco ?
f 169. If he give satisfactory answers to questions
contained in 168, after he ha^ been employed two
successive years in the regular itinerant work, he
may by vote be received into Full Connection.
109
^f[ 170. Preachers and Ministers.
IIL Ministers from other Churches.
If 170. A Minister coming to us, whether Local or
Itinerant, in good standing from another Methodist
Church, may be received by the Quarterly Conference
or the Annual Conference, on the face of his Cre¬
dentials without the reimposition of hands, on the
condition of his giving satisfactory evidence of his
being in orders and taking upon himself our Ordi¬
nation Yows.
If 171. A Minister coming to us from a Denomina¬
tion which recognizes only one Ordination, shall be
received as a Deacon. Nevertheless, if on examina¬
tion, he be found to agree with us in doctrine and
Church Polity, and is qualified according to our
standard, he may be ordained an Elder immediately,
provided he has been engaged in pastoral work for at
least four years.
Tf 172. A Minister wishing to unite with us from
another Church or Denomination shall give satisfac¬
tion to the Committee on Holy Orders in the Annual
Conference as to his gifts, graces and culture, but suet
a Minister shall need no recommendation from the
Quarterly Conference, If 107, If 161.
If 173. A Minister wishing to unite with us from
any other Church or Denomination must be duly
accredited as in good standing in his own Church
until his withdrawal or dismissal therefrom, and
must be, as far as we can ascertain, blameless in life
and character.
Tf 174. Ministers of the above description may be
received on Trial or into Full Connection according
110
Preachers and Ministers. ■}[ 176.
to the number of years they have engaged in pastoral
work and in conformity to the Rules governing our
own Ministers. Whenever they are so received the
usual questions for such Reception shall be asked
them in addition to the Ordination Vows, T[ 161 \ 1-
e, ir i7i.
IT 175. Ministers of the above description shall be
subject to the Course of Study laid down in our Dis¬
cipline for Preachers of their rank, and unless they
have finished the Course, or its equivalent, they shall
be required to pursue the Studies according to the
year they are judged to enter.
11" 176. Whenever such Ministers are received they
shall be furnished with a Certificate signed by one of
our Bishops in the following order:
" This is to Certify that Conference
having examined the Credentials of Rev. as
(Elder or Deacon) of the and
having received other testimonials of his Grace, Gifts,
and Usefulness, and being satisfied therewith, has this
day accepted and recognized him in due form as
{an Elder or a Deacon) according to the usage of the
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and he is
hereby authorized to exercise the functions of his office
in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, so
long as his life, conduct, and conversation are such as
become the Gospel of Christ.
Given under my hand and seal, at , this
day of in the year of our Lord
Done at , 19
111
•f[ 177. Preachers and- Ministers.
IV. Ministers in Official Positions.
If 177. Traveling Ministers who have been elected
to official positions by the General Conference, or ap¬
pointed to similar positions by the Annual Conference
or Bishop shall be Members of such Annual Conference
as they may select upon the approval of the Bishop.
U" 178. In case they wish to remove their Member¬
ship from one Annual Conference unto another, they
shall like all other Ministers secure a transfer.
Tf 179. All of our Bishops, General Officers, Presi¬
dents of Institutions of Learning who are Ministers,
and all other Traveling Ministers shall hold their
Membership in, and be subject to, some Annual Con¬
ference.
V. Transfer of Ministers.
180. After a Minister has become a Member of
an Annual Conference, the Bishop or Conference may
transfer him to any other Conference District in the
Connection, with his consent; provided, further, that
no Bishop shall refuse to grant a transfer to any Min¬
ister applying for the same, when in good standing
according to the Discipline. The Bishop shall give
him a transfer in the following form:
"To the Bishop and Members of the
Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church, greeting :
" This is to Certify that the bearer, Rev ,
having been a Member of the Annual
Conference, is transferred to your District.
" (/Signed) _t
Bishop."
112
Preachers and Ministers. 183.
VL Termination of Conference Membership.
1. By Location.
181. An Annual Conference may grant to any
Member who is in good standing therein a Location,
certified by the Bishop of the Conference. Such Min¬
ister shall thereupon hold his Membership as a Local
Elder (or Deacon), as the case may be, in the Quar¬
terly Conference where he resides.
T[ 182. Whenever a Member of the Annual Con¬
ference applies for a Location, it shall be asked, Has
he settled up all his Assessments and Conference
Claims ? Is there anything against his Moral, or
Christian, or Ministerial Character? If he has met
all his claims and found to be blameless, he shall be
granted his Location.
2. By Withdrawal..
If 183. A Member of the Annual Conference in
good standing wishing to withdraw from our Church
and Ministry to join another Church, his Credentials
should be surrendered to the Conference, and he given
a Certificate of recommendation, signed by the Bishop
and Secretary of the Conference. Or should he de¬
sire, his Credentials may be returned to him with
the words written across the face : " This Certifies that
Rev. has honorably withdrawn
from the - Annual Conference of
the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church."
8
113
•J, 184.
Deacons.
CHAPTER III.
DEACONS.
1[ 184. A Deacon is constituted by the election of a
majority of the Annual Conference and the laying
on of the hands of a Bishop.
H" 185. A Deacon has the authority to preach; to
conduct Divine Worship ; to solemnize Matrimony;
to administer Baptism; and to assist the Elder in
administering the Lord's Supper.
1[ 186. A Deacon shall exercise the functions of his
office at least two years before he is eligible for elec¬
tion to the office of an Elder; but in case of necessity
the Annual Conference may elect him to the office
of an Elder sooner.
IT 187. A Deacon who ceases to travel without the
consent of the Annual Conference, certified to under
the hand of the Bishop of the Conference, except in
case of sickness, disability, or other unavoidable cir¬
cumstances, shall not be allowed to exercise the pe¬
culiar functions of his office among us. Neverthe¬
less, the Annual Conference shall determine such
cases.
- 1[ 188. The following Preachers are eligible to the
office of Deacon:
\ 1. Local Preachers who have served as such at
least two years, have satisfactorily completed the
Course of Study laid down for Local Preachers, and
114
Elders.
IT iw.
have been properly recommended by the Quarterly
Conference, 1[ 220.
§ 2. Traveling Preachers who have been in the
Annual Conference on Trial for two years, have satis¬
factorily completed the first two years of the Con¬
ference Course of Study laid down for Preachers on
Trial.
\ 3. Traveling Preachers who shall be appointed
by a Bishop to a foreign Mission or to a remote field
in the Conference where it is difficult for them to
have the oversight of an Elder, and the necessities of
the field require the Preacher to be in orders. In
such a case the Bishop and Presiding Elders may
recommend their election, and they may be ordained
to Deacons' Orders by what is known as Missionary
Rule.
CHAPTER IV.
ELDERS.
1f 189. An Elder is constituted by the election of a
majority of the Annual Conference, and by the laying
on of the hands of a Bishop and two or more Elders.
Tf 190. An Elder has authority to Preach; to con¬
duct Divine Worship; to solemnize Matrimony ; and
to administer the Sacraments of Baptism and the
Lord's Supper.
If 191-, Preachers of the following classes are eli¬
gible to the office of Elder:
*f[ 191, § 1. Elders.
\ 1. Those who have been for four years Local
Deacons, have completed satisfactory to the Annual
Conference the studies prescribed for Deacons who
are Candidates for Elders' Orders, and have been
properly recommended by the Quarterly Conference
for Elders' Orders.
§ 2. Preachers who have been Deacons for two
years in the Traveling Connection, and have been in
Full Connection during the same period, have com¬
pleted satisfactory to the Annual Conference the
Course of Study prescribed for Deacons who are Can¬
didates for Elders' Orders.
§ 8. Preachers who having been admitted to Full
Connection, and have been elected to the office of
Deacon under the Missionary Rule, have traveled two
years, and have completed the Course of Study pre¬
scribed for Candidates for Elders' Orders.
$ 4. Those Preachers who unite with us from
Churches that recognize only one Ordination and
have been received as Deacons, but who upon exam¬
ination satisfy the Annual Conference of their
knowledge of the Course of Study prescribed for
Deacons who are Candidates for Elders' Orders.
192. When an Elder ceases to travel without the
consent of the Annual Conference, or a certificate
under the hand of a Bishop, except in case of sick¬
ness, disability, or other unavoidable circumstances,
he shall net be allowed to exercise the peculiar func¬
tions of his office. Nevertheless, the Annual Con¬
ference shall determine the case.
116
Bishops.
1 195
CHAPTER V
BISHOPS.
*1 193. A Bishop shall be constituted by the elec¬
tion of two-thirds of all the Members of the General
Conference who have answered to roll call durir.g the
session, and the laying on of the hands of three or
more Bishops, or at least one Bishop and two Elders,
167.
f 194. If by death, or otherwise, there be no
Bishop remaining in our Church, the General Con¬
ference shall elect a Bishop, and the Elders present,
or any three of them, who shall be appointed by the
General Conference for that purpose, "hall con¬
secrate him according to our Ritual, 1 82
1 195. A Bishop is consecrated for life, or so long as
his spirit and practice are such as become the Gospel.
If a Bishop cease from traveling at large among the
people without the consent of the General Conference,
he shall not be allowed in any degree to exercise his
Episcopal office, 180, 1 271; whenever by infirmity or
otherwise he becomes incompetent to perform his
official duties, he shall be retired; A Bishop shall be
retired automatically by the General Conference
which convenes nearest his seventy-fourth birthday,
and his pension shall be One Thousand ($1,000.00)
Dollars a year, 1 80, 1 271.
117
1 196
Bishops.
t 196. No Elder is eligible to the office of Bishop:
1. Who has not been twenty years a Traveling
Minister.
2. Who has not attained the age of forty years.
3. Who has two living wives.
4. Who has been expelled from our Church or from
any other Denomination for gross immorality.
f 197. The duties of a Bishop are:
1. To preside in the Annual and General Con¬
ferences.
2. To form the Presiding Elder Districts according
to the judgment of the Conference.
3. To make out the appointments of the Preachers
under the following restrictions:
(1) He shall appoint the Preachers to Charges
annually.
(2) He shall allow a Preacher to remain in a
Charge four consecutive years, provided in his judg¬
ment it is best; but no longer, unless he is building a
Church or Parsonage or engaged in paying off some
heavy Church debt; he then may allow him to stay
longer at his discretion. Provided, however, that this
rule does not refer to Preachers in Foreign fields.
(3) He shall appoint no Preacher to a Pastoral
Charge who is not a subscriber to our official peri¬
odicals.
§ 4. To appoint Agents when requested by the
Annual Conference, to travel throughout the bounds
of such Conference for the purpose of collecting money
for the benefit of the Institutions belonging to our
Church, 1 539.
118
Bishops.
1 197
§ 5. To change in the interim of the Annual Con¬
ference, the appointments of the Preachers as neces¬
sity may require.
§ 6. To receive and transfer Preachers when
necessary according to law; he shall not transfer a
Preacher from one Conference to another without his
consent, ^ 180.
§ 7. He shall travel throughout his entire District
once a year, to oversee the spiritual and temporal
affairs of the work, U 355.
§ 8. To consecrate Bishops who have been elected
by the General Conference and ordain Deacons and
Elders who have been elected by the Annual Con¬
ference, and to furnish them Credentials.
§ 9. To decide all questions of law in the Annual
Conference subject to an appeal to the General Con¬
ference, but the application of law shall in all cases
be with the Annual Conference, 180.
§ 10. To appoint Presiding Elders over Districts
for the efficiency of the work.
§ 11. To sit as judge when appealed to by a Minister
convicted by a Trial Committee, to call and preside
over the Court of Appeal^ for Ministers convicted by
an Annual Conference, H 264, § 1.
119
1! 198 Presiding Ejlders.
CHAPTER YI
PRESIDING ELDERS,
1 198. Every Annual Conference shall adopt the
Presiding Elder System, and it shall be divided into
a suitable number of districts for that purpose.
199. The duties of a Presiding Elder are:
1. To travel through his District and labor for the
promotion of the spiritual and temporal upbuilding
of the work committed to his charge.
2. In the absence of the Bishops to take charge of
all the Traveling Ministers, Local Preachers, and
Exhorters in his District as the Discipline directs.
3. To fill vacancies in appointments, temporarily,
when necessary, subject to the approval of the Bishop,
but he shall not change an appointment made by a
Bishop or appoint another to fill the vacancy without
consulting the Bishop when it is reasonably con¬
venient for him to do so.
4. To appoint the time and place for the Quarterly
Meeting, and to be present and preside over the
Quarterly Conference, or, if unable to be present, to
appoint some Traveling Elder to preside in his stead
1131.
5. To decide all questions of law in proceedings
pending in a District or Quarterly Conference subject
to an appeal to the Bishop, to the Triers of Appeals,
or to the General Conference, but the application of
the law shall in all cases be with the Conference.
120
Presiding Elders. f 199
6. After consulting with the Pastors in Charge in
the District and District officers, to appoint the time
and place of holding the District Conference and
Sunday School Convention, and preside over the same,
or appoint some one to preside over the same, or
appoint some one to preside in his absence, % 129.
7. To issue Licenses to the proper persons, and to
renew them according to the action of the Quarterly
or District Conference, ^ 133-3.
8. To attach his signature to the recommendations
given to any Candidate by the Quarterly Conference
for Reception on Trial in the Annual Conference, also
to any Certificate given Delegates to the Annual
Conference,! 133, §4.
9. To see that all Church property is well insured.
10. To see that all Deeds, Charters, and other con¬
veyance^ of Church property in his District conform
strictly to the laws of the State or Territory within
which such property is situated, and according to the
Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church, 1 428, H 432.
11. To promote by all proper means the collecting
of the assessments and the interests of Education,
Church Extension and Home Missions, Foreign
Missions, Sunday School Union, Yarick Christian
Endeavor Union, Publication House, to observe the
rules of the Church concerning these and other benevo-
ent causes himself, and to see that they are observed
by every Pastor and Church within his District; and
to explain the purpose of the different benevolences
to the Quarterly and District Conferences, and
121'
H 199 Presiding Elders,
endeavor to secure uniformity in all our Churches in
their observances, t 3t9, ^ 522, f 524.
12. To attend the Bishop when present in his
District, and to give him by letter, when absent, all
necessary information of the condition of his District.
13. To see that our Hymnals, Disciplines, and
Sunday School Literature and other Church Periodi¬
cals are used in our Churches, 133, § 12.
14. To see that there is a record in each Church
and the names of all the full Members and Proba¬
tioners are duly recorded. At the last Quarterly
Conference of the Conference year he shall personally
examine the record to see that the number of Mem¬
bers reported to the Annual Conference substantially
corresponds to the record as he examined it, 144, §4.
15. To assist in apportioning the amount to be
assessed each Charge for general purposes, 1337.
16. To instruct Candidates for the Ministry of the
necessity of taking advantage of a thorough training
in our literary and theological schools before apply¬
ing for admission into the Annual Conference, and to
direct the attention of those who are admitted on
Trial to the Course of Study laid down to be pursued,
1 118, 1 504, § 30.
17. To explain and enforce the law as well as the
Gospel, but always in the spirit of Christ.
200. The Presiding Elder shall not employ a
Preacher who has been rejected by the Annual Con¬
ference without the consent of a majority of the
Quarterly Conference of which the Preacher is a
Member, and without permission from the Bishop.
122
Pastors in Charge, ^ 205
f 201. The Presiding Elder shall not cease to travel
without the consent of the Bishop or Annual Con¬
ference, except in case of sickness, disability or un¬
avoidable circumstances, the reasonableness of
which shall be determined by the Annual Conference.
t 202. Whenever it shall appear to the Bishop that
the Presiding Elder is incompetent, either from want
of administrative ability, knowledge of law, prudence
or piety to honor the office and bless the Church, he
shall remove him and appoint another to fill his place.
t 203. The Presiding Elder shall be chosen and
appointed by the Bishop as a Pastor is appointed, for
one year at a time, but may be allowed to remain in
one district, as it is profitable.
f 204. The Presiding Elder shall not assume pas¬
toral Junctions where there is a Pastor; nor shall he
be appointed to a Pastoral Charge, except in cases
where it is not convenient to give him a District
sufficiently large to occupy his time and to give him
the proper support.
CHAPTER YII
PASTORS IN CHARGE.
U 205. The duties of a Pastor in Charge of a circuit
or station are:
1. To have the oversight of all Ministers, Preach¬
ers, Exhorters and officials in his Pastoral Charge.
2. To see that the Ministers, Preachers, Exhorters
and officials behave themselves well, and to arrange
123
1 205 Pastors in Charge.
appointments for Local Preachers and Exhorters so
as to give them systematic work, 1 503.
3. To appoint Class Leaders; to change them at the
Quarterly Conference or during the interval when he
deems it necessary for the good of the Classes and
Church; and to provide for new Classes, 228.
4. To hold Leaders' Meeting once a month in a
station, and at least once in three months on a circuit;
to examine each Leader with all possible exactness,
concerning the method of leading his Class, and to
make such changes in Membership as necessity
demands, ^ 137.
5. To receive persons on Probation, and into Full
Connection after Probation is out; to receive and
dismiss Members by Certificate, H 49, § 1-7.
6. To instruct Probationers in the Doctrines and
General Rules of our Church before they are received
into Full Connection; also to acquaint those who
wish to unite with us from other Denominations with
our Doctrines and Rules, ^ 43, §1, ^ 44, §2.
7. To read and explain the General Rules at least
once a quarter in every Society, ^ 26, ^ 33.
8. To enforce vigorously but calmly the rules of
the Church.
9. To try and expel Members according to our form
of Discipline, ^ 232, t 242.
10. To form classes of the Baptized Children within
his Charge and to catechise and preach to them, also
to appoint Leaders for them, ^ 45, t 48, 1 61, ! 475,
§1, §2.
11. To hold Watch-night Meetings yearly, and
124
Pastors in Charge. ^ 205
Love-Feasts and General Class Quarterly. He may
suffer Watch-night Meetings to last from three ton
four hours, and Love-Feast and General Class from
one to two hours, 140,141,^63, §3.
12. To catechise the children publicly in Sunday
School and at special meetings appointed for that
purpose, and also privately; to organize Sunday
Schools in places where ten children can be procured;
also to organize Varick Christian Endeavor Societies,
Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Societies,
Daughters of Conference, and to appoint such other
Boards and Committees required by the Discipline,
1475.
13. To nominate Trustees, and the elective officers
in the Quarterly Conference, t133, §11; 1421.
14. To see that the following Anniversary Days
are observed and collections taken:
Easter Day, for Church Extension and Home
Missions.
Children's Day for General Education (10 per
cent).
Missionary Day (4th Sunday in Sept.) for Foreign
Missions.
Varick Christian Endeavor Day (Sometime in
May) for Varick Christian Endeavor Union.
Christmas Sunday in the interest of the' Publica¬
tion House.
Sunday School Day (in October) for the Sunday
School Union.
To collect the General Claims monthly and forward
the money according to law.
125
1 205 Pastors in Charge.
15. To call the Stewards and Trustees as often aS
may be necessary at least once in three months to
inquire into the state of the funds, and to look over
their accounts, of which Boards he is ex-officio
Chairman,! 137.
16. To lift a collection of One Dollar or more, each,
for the specific purpose of bearing the expense of the
District Conference, 1125, and to collect the Assess¬
ment for the Annual Conference, f 106, §5.
17. To see that each Church in his Charge is sup¬
plied with a Church Record in which the Member¬
ship, including Probationers, shall be recorded, and
to bring a list of all his Members and Probationers to
the Annual Conference; to leave his successor an
exact account of the names, street and number of all
the Members and Probationers in his Charge, H 44,
§3; 1199, §14.
18. To see that every Church in his Charge be
supplied with our Hymn Books and other Church
literature.
19. To renew the Love-Feast tickets quarterly, and
that the Leaders take up a collection in their Classes
for the Poor when they give out the tickets.
20. To lift a collection for the Poor at every
Quarterly Meeting; oftener if necessary, ^ 416.
21. To appoint Prayer Meetings whenever advis¬
able in his Charge, and persons to hold them.
22. In the absence of the Presiding Elder or his
appointee, to preside in the Quarterly Conference,
provided, however, that if the Pastor be not an
Elder these duties shall be performed by another
Elder, 1131.
126
Pastors in Charge. 205
23. In the interval of the Quarterly Conference to
fill all vacancies occurring in that body, 1 133, § 11;
1425.
24. To attend the Bishop when present, and give
him whatever information is necessary, by letter or
in person, for the good of the work.
25. To carry out the law respecting the expenses
of the General Conference, and any other special
collections levied by the proper power for the success
of the Church, 1 112.
26. To recommend that a fast be held in every
Society on the Friday preceding every Quarterly
Meeting, and see that a memorandum of it be written
on all the Class-books.
, 27. To see that no Member of his Charge officiate
in public as a Preacher or Exhorter without obtaining
a License for that purpose.
28. To warn his Members from time to time that
none are to remove from one Charge to another with¬
out a Certificate of Membership, f 49.
29. To attend and report to the District and Annual
Conferences.
30. To become a personal Subscriber to the Star of
Zion, Western Star of Zion, Quarterly Review, Mis¬
sionary Seer, 1197, §3, §3,1 455, H 456.
31. To make a written report at each Quarterly
Conference in the following form:
Quarterly Report.
Of the Pastor in Charge of. to the
Quarterly Conference held at on the. ,~.day
c>/. 19
J27
1 205 Pastors in Charge.
I. Pastoral Labor.
1. Number of Pastoral visits made.
2. Number of Marriages performed.
3. Number of Funerals conducted.
4. Number of Adults baptized.
5. Number of Children baptized.
6. Number of Sermons preached.
7. Other items.
II. Changes in Membership.
1. Number of Conversions.
2. Number received on Probation.
3. Number of Probationers received into Full
Connection.
4. Number of Members received on Certificate.
5. Number of Certificates granted.
6. Number withdrawn without Certificates.
7. Number Expelled.
8. Number of Deaths.
9. Present number of Probationers.
10. Present number of Full Members.
11. Increase over last quarter.
III. Benevolent Collections.
1. For District School.
2. For Church Extension and Home Missions
(Easter).
3. For Education (Children's Day).
4. For Foreign Missions, (Missionary Day).
5. For Varick C. E. Union (In May).
128
Pastors in Charge. ^ 208
6. For General Sunday School Board.
7. For Publication House.
8. For Foreign Mission Schools.
9. For General Claims.
IV. Subscribers to our Periodicals.
1. Star of Zion.
2. Western Star of Zion.
3. Quarterly Review.
4. Missionary Seer.
..Pastor in Charge.
t 206. To make an exact report to the Annual.
Conference of all the items embraced in the Statistics
of the Conference, and to pay to the Conference
Treasurer or to the proper persons all the moneys
raised for our benevolent causes, and to report in
open Conference whether he has presented the claims
of our benevolent causes according to the require¬
ments of the Discipline, K 106, § 5; U 316; K 349; f 354.
f 207. In order to supply the circuits and stations
during the sitting of the Annual Conference, let the
appointments stand according to the plan of the cir¬
cuit or station, and let the Bishop, or, in his absence,
the Minister in Charge, engage as many Local Preach¬
ers and Exhorters as will supply the circuit o? station.
1 208. If Preachers or Exhorters cannot be obtain¬
ed, then let some person of ability be appointed, by
the authority aforesaid, to sing and to read one of
Mr. Wesley's sermons; but if this cannot be done, let
there be Prayer Meeting at the regular times of
public worship.
129
209. Supernumerary, Superannuated.
f 209. If the Pastor in Charge be not an ordained
Minister he shall perform all the duties of a Pastor,
except (1) To hold Quarterly Conference, (2) To
administer the Lord's Supper, (3) To baptize, (4) To
perform the marriage ceremony, 1 60, § 2.
CHAPTER VIII.
SUPERNUMERARY AND SUPERANNUATED
MINISTERS.
L. Supernumerary Preachers.
f 210. A Supernumerary Preacher is one who has
been left without an appointment by the Bishop either
from lack of ability, from lack of sufficient Charges
to supply him, from temporarily impaired health or
at his own request to be left without an appointment.
He is subject to receive an appointment during the
interval of the Annual Conference from the Bishop,
or from the Presiding Elder, by the consent of the
Bishop. He still remains a Member of, and is ex¬
pected to attend the Annual Conference until his re¬
lation is properly severed, but shall be subject during
the year and enjoy the privileges of the Quarterly
Conference where he resides, and shall report to the
District Conference, ^ 116. He shall make the fol¬
lowing report at the last Quarterly- Conference of the
year:
Supernumerary, Superannuated, ft 211.
1. Number of Sermons preached.
2. Number of Marriages solemnized.
3. Number of Baptisms performed.
4. Other labors performed.
II. Superannuated Ministers.
211. A Superannuated Minister is one who has
worn himself out in the Ministry, and is not able to
render further effective service. When a Traveling
Minister has rendered no less than ten years of
effective service in the African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church, maintained &. good standing in the
Traveling Connection and become too feeble to hold
a Charge by reason of service, he may by vote of the
Annual Conference of which he is a Member be
placed in the Superannuated relation. He shall still
be a Member of the Annual Conference, and shall
enjoy the privileges of the Quarterly Confer¬
ence where he resides. He shall be taken
cognizance of by the Presiding Elder, who shall re¬
port his Christian and Ministerial conduct to the
Annual Conference. He shall render the following
report to the last Quarterly Conference of the year,
If 610.'
1. Number of Sermons preached.
2. Number of Marriages solemnized.
3. Number of Baptisms performed.
4. Other labors performed.
131
PART IV.
Local Preachers, Exhorters
and Lay Helpers.
I. LOCAL PREACHERS.
II. EXHORTERS.
III. CLASS LEADERS.
Local Preachers. 214.
CHAPTER I.
LOCAL PREACHERS.
If 212. A Local Preacher is constituted by a major¬
ity of the Quarterly Conference of the Charge of which
he is a Member. When an Exhorter or a Member
of our Church wishes to obtain License to Preach, he
shall make it known at the Leaders' Meeting, either
in person, by letter, or otherwise. If his moral and
Christian conduct warrants his being recommended
for License, the Pastor shall examine him upon the
Course of Study laid down for persons applying for
License as a Local Preacher, A. 33. If the Pastor
and Leaders are satisfied "with his knowledge of the
Course of Study, the Pastor shall appoint a time when
the applicant shall preach a trial sermon before the
Pastor, Officials and Members, in order to further
judge of his qualifications.
11" 218. After the applicant has preached his trial
sermon, and a majority of the Official Members who
were present and heard him, are satisfied with his
gifts, graces and general knowledge, they may recom¬
mend him to the Quarterly Conference for License to
preach.
U 214. When a person is recommended to the
Quarterly Conference for License to preach, the
Chairman shall satisfy himself as to the ability and
fitness of the applicant for the position, and if a ma-
215. Local Preachers.
jority of the Quarterly Conference Members concur,
he shall be granted License to preach, which License
must be renewed annually, or it shall become null
and void.
Form of the License.
" This is to Certify that
is duly authorized to preach in the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church, so long as his life and conduct
comport with the Gospel rule, and he conform to the
Discipline of the above named Church.
On behalf of the Quarterly Conference held at
on the day of 19 —
(Signed) ,
Presiding Elder and Chairman.
, Secretary.
N. B.—Be careful to have this renewed annually."
215. Every Local Preacher, not holding a
Charge shall be a Member of, and amenable to the
Quarterly Conference where he resides, If 205. And
when he shall change his residence he shall procure
from the Pastor of the Charge from which he goes,
or from the Presiding Elder of the District, a Cer¬
tificate of his Official Standing and shall present it
to the Pastor of the Charge to which he goes.
Should he neglect to do this he shall not be recog¬
nized, nor shall he use the offiee of a Local Preacher
in the Charge to which he goes, but continue to be
amenable to the Quarterly Conference of the Charge
from which he goes, which may, if the neglect be
protracted, after due notice has been given him, try
136
Local Preachers. 220.
him for persistent disobedience to the order of our
Discipline, and upon conviction thereof, deprive him
of his Credentials, f 133 § 7, 1f 243.
If 216. Should a Local Preacher be appointed to
a Charge by the Presiding Elder he shall then be¬
come a Member of and subject to the Quarterly Con¬
ference of his own Charge, and shall be allowed a
salary as any other Pastor, f 384.
If 217. Every Local Preacher shall be enrolled in
a Class, and the same rules of attendance shall apply
to him as are applied to other Members of the
Church, If 49 § 8, 55.
If 218. Each Local Preacher shall make a report
to the Quarterly Conference as follows :
1. Number of Sermons preached.
2. Number of Prayer Meetings held.
3. Number of Class Meetings attended.
4. Number of times attended Sunday School.
5. Number of Funerals conducted.
6. What service he has rendered the Pastor.
7. What service he has rendered the Presiding
Elder.
8. What studies he is pursuing.
9. Miscellaneous items.
If 219. If a Local Preacher be found neglectful
of any of the above duties, and proves himself un¬
worthy of the office, the Quarterly Conference may,
after due trial, deprive him of his Credentials,
If 133 I 7.
If 220. No Local Preacher shall receive Deacon's
Orders without the consent of a majority of the
137
•[f 221. Exhortees.
Quarterly Conference, and the concurrence of the
Annual Conference. Each Local Preacher shall be
a Member of and attend the District Conference,
and render a report of his labors to that body, f 188.
CHAPTER II.
EXHORTERS.
IF 221. An Exhorter shall be constituted by a
majority of the Quarterly Conference of the Charge
of which he is a Member.
If 222. When a Member of our Church wishes to
obtain a License to exhort he shall make it known in
the Leaders' Meeting. When such request is made
known the Pastor shall examine him upon the
Course of Study laid down for applicants who wish
to obtain Licenses to exhort, and require of him a
trial discourse, A. 32. After delivering the trial dis¬
course, if he satisfies the Pastor and Leaders of his
fitness for such License, and his gifts, graces, and
usefulness warrant it, he may be recommended to
the Quarterly Conference for such License; and if
the Chairman and a majority of the Quarterly Con¬
ference concur in his general ability for the office he
shall be granted License, which License must be
renewed annually or become null and void.
138
Exhokters. 226.
Form of the License.
" This is to Certify that is duly
authorized to exhort in the' African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church, so long as his life and conduct comport
with the Gospel rule, and he conform to the Discipline
of the above named Church.
On behalf of the Quarterly Conference held at
on the day of 19 .
(Signed) ,
Presiding Elder and Chairman.
, Secretary.
N. B.—Be careful to have this renewed annually."
If 228. An Exhorter shall be a Member of and sub¬
ject to the Quarterly Conference. He shall labor at
such time and place within the bounds of the circuit
or station as the Pastor in Charge or Presiding
Elder may direct, U 205.
Tf 224. No person shall be granted a License to
exhort who cannot read and write.
Tf 225. He shall render to the Quarterly and Dis¬
trict Conference a report of, his labors in the follow¬
ing form:
1. Number of Discourses delivered.
2. Number of Prayer Meetings held.
3. Number of times attended Sunday School.
4. Number of Class Meetings held.
5. What studies he is pursuing.
6. Miscellaneous items.
If 226. Each Exhorter shall be enrolled in a Class,
and the same rules of attendance shall apply to him
139
1 227 Class Leaders and Their Duties.
as are applied to other Members of the Church, ^ 49,
§ 8, 1 55.
K 227. If an Exhorter be found neglectful of any
of the above duties, and proves himself unworthy of
the office, the Quarterly Conference may, after due
trial, deprive him of his Credentials, ^ 133, F 7,1243.
CHAPTER III
CLASS LEADEHS AND THEIR DUTIES.
1 228. A Class Leader shall be appointed by the
Quarterly Conference as follows: The Pastor in
Charge shall nominate the person, and a majority of
the Quarterly Conference present shall elect him, if
there be no objection to his character, to serve one
year, and no longer, unless reappointed. He must
be a man of good sound judgment and truly devoted
to God.
>1 229. Previous to the expiration of the time a
Leader has to serve, the Pastor shall ascertain from
the Members of his Class, by vote or otherwise,
whether they wish their Leader re-appointed or not.
They shall have said privilege by applying to the
Quarterly Conference, if there be no objection to his
character or conduct.
1 230. The duties of a Class Leader are:
1. To meet his Class once every week at the ap¬
pointed place of meeting, and to visit those who may
J4P
Class Leaders and Their Duties. H 231
be absent as soon as possible, in order to inquire how
their souls prosper; to advise, reprove, comfort, or
exhort, as occasion may require.
2. To make a collection in his Class once in three
months for the poor at the time of giving out the
Love-Feast tickets, and in giving out the Love-
Feast tickets he shall be under the same restrictions
as a Pastor in that particular.
3. To make such weekly or monthly collections for
the support of the Pastor as shall be agreed upon by
the Special Conference, Trustees and Stewards'
Boards and the Quarterly Conference from time to
time, K 384.
4. To pay into the hands of the Preacher's Steward
the money received from his Class.
5. To meet each other's Classes as often as con¬
venient, and to see that the sick and poor Members
have proper attention given them.
6. To apply through the Pastor to -the Poor's
Steward for means of relief for his needy Members.
7. To collect from his Members whatever assess¬
ment has been agreed upon for the support of the
Presiding Elder.
8. To collect from his Members as much as he can
of the General Claims Assessment and Special As¬
sessment, and report the same to the Pastor.
1 231. The Leader is required to make the follow¬
ing report at the Quarterly Conference:
1. Number of Members in his Class,
2. Number of Probationers.
Average Attendance.
141
1 231 Class Leaders and Their Duties.
4. Number habitually absent.
5. Number of Class Meetings held.
6. Number of visits made.
7. Number who contribute to the support of the
Church.
8. Number of Church papers taken by Class
Members.
9. Amount collected for Presiding Elder's support
10. Amount the Leader has paid Pastor.
11. Amount collected from Class Members for
Pastor.
12. Amount of General Claims Assessment paid by
Leader.
13. Amount of. General Claims Assessment collect¬
ed from Class Members."
14. Amount of Benevolent Assessment paid by
Leader.
15. Amount of Benevolent Assessment collected
from Class Members.
16. Amount collected for the Poor „ from Class
Members.
17. Amount collected for Charity from Class
Members.
18. Miscellaneous Matters.
142
PART V.
Judicial Administration.
I. TRIAL OF AN ACCUSED MEMBER.
II. TRIAL OF AN EXHORTER OR A
LOCAL PREACHER.
III. TRIAL OF A LOCAL DEACON OR A
LOCAL ELDER.
IV. PROCEEDINGS AGAINST A PREACH¬
ER ON TRIAL.
V. TRIAL OF A TRAVELING MINISTER
IN FULL CONNECTION.
VI. TRIAL OF A BISHOP.
VII. GENERAL DIRECTIONS CONCERN¬
ING TRIALS.
VIII. COURT OF APPEALS.
Trial op an Accused Member. 234.
CHAPTER I.
TRIAL OF AN ACCUSED MEMBER.
I. Immoral Conduct.
f 282. A Member of our Church against whom the
charge of immorality has been made shall be brought
to trial before the Society of which he is a Member,
or a select number of the same, of not less than five
or more than twelve persons, aside, if possible, from
the Official Members (and if the Pastor deem it nec¬
essary, the Committee may be selected from any
neighboring Church in our Connection), in the pres¬
ence of the Pastor in Charge, who shall preside and
cause exact minutes of the trial to be taken. The
accuser, or the next best evidence, and, if possible,
the accused must be present, If 281.
If 2BB. If the accused person be found guilty by the
decision of a majority of the ^embers before whom
the case is brought, and the crime be such as is ex¬
pressly forbidden in the word of God, sufficient to
exclude a person from the kingdom of grace and
glory, the offender must be expelled, 1f 288.
Tf 234. But if in view of mitigating circumstances
and of humble and penitent confession, the Commit¬
tee finds that a lower penalty is proper, it may
either impose censure on the offender, or suspend
10 145
235. Trial of an Accused Membeb.
him from all Church privileges for a definite time, at
its discretion.
If 235. If the accused person evade a trial by
absenting himself, after sufficient notice is given
him, and the circumstances of the case afford strong
presumption of guilt, he shall be tried in his absence,
and if found guilty, he shall be accordingly expelled.
II. Imprudent and Unchristian Conduct.
]f 236. In cases of neglect of duties of any kind,
imprudent conduct, indulging sinful tempers or
words, the buying, selling or using intoxicating
liquors as a beverage, or disobedience to the order
and Discipline of our Church, first, private reproof
shall be given by the Leader or Pastor, and if there
be an acknowledgment of the fault, proper humilia¬
tion, the person may be borne with. On a second
offense the Leader or Pastor shall take one or two
Members of the Church with him. On the third
offense the person shall be brought to trial, and if
found guilty, and there be no sign of real humility,
he shall be cut off, If 30, If 75 § 3, If 291.
IE. Neglect of the Means of Grace.
If 237. When a Member of our Church habitually
neglects the means of grace, such as the public wor¬
ship of God, the Lord's Supper, Class Meetings and
Prayer Meetings, his Leader or the Pastor in Charge
shall visit him, whenever it is practicable, and explain
to him the consequence of such neglect. If he do
not amend, let a charge be preferred against him and
Trial of an Accused Member. 240.
he be dealt with accordingly, and if he be found
guilty of wilful neglect by a majority of the Mem¬
bers before whom he is arraigned, let him be expelled,
1 32, 56, If 57.
IV. Sowing Discord.
H 238. If a Member of our Church shall be ac¬
cused of sowing discord so as to break up the har¬
mony of Christian fellowship among the Members,
the person so offending shall first be reproved by the
Leader or Pastor in Charge, and if he afterward per¬
sist in such pernicious practice, he shall be brought
to trial, and, if found guilty, he shall be expelled
1f 30,291.
,V. Disagreement in Business—Arbitration.
f 239. In any dispute between two or more Mem¬
bers of our Society concerning the payment of any
debts or moneys, or.otherwise, which cannot be set¬
tled by the parties concerned, the Pastor who has
charge of the cireuit or station shall inquire into the
circumstances of the case, and shall recommend to
the contending parties a reference to arbitration; one
arbiter to be chosen by the defendant and another
by the plaintiff, which two arbiters shall choose the
third, the three being Members of our Church.
^ 240. But if one of the parties be dissatisfied with
the judgment given, such party may apply to the en¬
suing Quarterly Conference of the circuit or station
for permission to have a second arbitration ; in which
case each party shall choose two arbiters, and the
147
241. Trial of an Accused Member.
four shall choose a fifth, the judgment of whom shall
be final; and any person refusing to abide by their
decision in the case shall be excluded from the
Church, 133 g 6.
If 241. But if any Member of our Church shall re¬
fuse, in case of debts or other disputes, to refer the
matter to arbitration when recommended as aforesaid,
or shall enter into a lawsuit with another Member
before these measures are taken, such person shall
be expelled, except the case be of such a nature as
to justify and require an immediate process at law.
VI. Failure to Pay Assessments.
242. Any Member of our Societies who neglects
to pay such assessment as the General Conference
imposes, or as the Quarterly Conference may impose
from time to time, in order to meet 'the lawful de¬
mands of the Society or General Church, when in
his power to do so, he shall be -admonished by his
Leader and Pastor, and if, after sufficient time has
been given him he wilfully and persistently refuses
to pay such assessment he shall be deprived of his
Membership as provided in f 49 § 8,75 \ 3, 347,
1[348.
143
Trial of an Exhorter. 245.
CHAPTER II.
TRIAL OF AN EXHORTER OR A LOCAL
PREACHER.
If 243. When an Exhorter or a Local Preacher is
reported to be guilty of some crime or immoral con¬
duct, expressly forbidden in the word of God, sufficient
to exclude a person from the kingdom of grace and
glory, the Pastorjn Charge shall call a Trial Com¬
mittee consisting of three or more Official Members;
or if the Official Members cannot be procured, then
he shall call three or more Members, of which the
Pastor shall be the Chairman, and before which it
shall be the duty of the accused to appear, and by
which, if the charge is sustained, he shall be sus¬
pended. At the beginning of the trial, the Chairman
shall demand the License of the accused party.
U" 244. If the accused refuse or neglect to appear
before said Committee the trial may proceed in his
absence. The Chairman shall cause exact minutes
of the charges, testimony, and proceedings of the
trial, together with the decision of the Committee to
be taken, which, when read and approved, shall be
signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Com¬
mittee.
245. If the accused be found guilty of the charge
by a majority of the Committee (^[ 285) he shall be
suspended from his office and all Church privileges
*f[ 246. Trial of a Local Deacon.
until the ensuing Quarterly Conference, which Con¬
ference shall have the power to confirm the decision
of the Committee, to suspend, expel, or acquit, as
the case may be, and its decision shall be final,
T 133-2 7.
^ 246/ In case of minor offences, such as improper
conduct, tempers, words, or actions, the Exhorter or
Local Preacher so offending shall be admonished by
the Pastor in Charge. If he shall heed not the ad¬
monition of his Pastor, and continue to offend, lie
shall be called to trial as provided for in f 243.
CHAPTER III.
TRIAL OF A LOCAL DEACON OR A LOCAL
ELDER.
T[ 247. When a Local Deacon or a Local Elder is
reported to be guilty of some crime or immoral con¬
duct, expressly forbidden in the word of God, sufficient
to exclude a person from the kingdom of grace and
glory, the Pastor in Charge shall call a Committee
consisting of three or more Local Preachers, who with
himself as Chairman, shall constitute a Trial Commit¬
tee, before which it shall be the duty of the accused to
appear, and by which, if the charge is not sustained,
he shall be acquitted, but if sustained, he shall be
suspended from all the functions of his office and
150
Trial of a Local Deacon. 251.
Church privileges until the ensuing Quarterly Con¬
ference, H 285. At the beginning of the trial, the
Chairman shall demand the License of the accused
party.
248. If the accused refuse or neglect to appear
before said Committee the trial may proceed in his
absence. The Chairman shall cause exact minutes
of the charges, testimony and proceedings of the trial,
together with the decision of the Committee to be
taken, which when read and approved, shall be signed
by the Chairman and Secretary of the Committee,
and a copy of the same shall be laid before the Quar¬
terly Conference, where it shall be the duty, of the
accused to appear.
249. The Quarterly Conference shall have the
power to confirm the decision of the Trial Committee,
to suspend, expel, or acquit as the case may be,
f 133 § 7.
1[ 250. A Local Deacon or Local Elder convicted
by the Quarterly Conference shall have the right of
an appeal to the Annual Conference, which shall
have the power to finally determine the case, 293.
T[ 251. In case of improper conduct, tempers,
words, or actions, the Local Deacon or Local Elder
so offending shall be admonished by the.Pastor in
Charge. Should a second transgression take place,
one, two, or three Members of the Church must be
taken as witnesses. If he continue to offend, he shall
be called to trial as provided for in If 247.
151
252. Preacher on Trial.
CHAPTER IV.
PROCEEDINGS AGAINST A PREACHER ON
TRIAL.
I" 252. A Preacher on Trial is accountable for his
tonduct to the Quarterly Conference of his Charge.
253. When a Preacher on Trial in an Annual
Conference is reported to be guilty of some crime or
immoral conduct, expressly forbidden in the word of
God, sufficient to exclude a person from the kingdom
of grace and glory, the Presiding Elder shall call a
Committee consisting of three Local Preachers
(Tf 284) who with himself as Chairman, shall consti¬
tute a Trial Committee before which it shall be
the duty of the accused to appear, and by which, if
the charge is not sustained, he shall be acquitted, but
if sustained, he shall be suspended from all Minis¬
terial functions and Church privileges until the en¬
suing Quarterly Conference, 285. At the beginning
of the trial the Chairman shall demand the Credentials
of the accused party.
If 254. If the accused refuse or neglect to appear
before-said Committee, the trial may proceed in his
absence. The Chairman shall cause exact minutes
of the charges, testimony and proceedings of the trial,
together with the decision of the Committee, to be
taken, which when read and approved, shall be signed
by the Chairman and Secretary of the Committee,
Trial of Traveling Minister. 258, § 1.
and a copy of the same shall be laid before the Quar¬
terly Conference where it shall be the duty of the
accused to appear.
f 255. The Quarterly Conference shall have the
power to confirm the decision of the Trial Commit¬
tee, to suspend, expel, or acquit, as the case may be,
1 133 § 7, *
f 256. A Preacher on Trial convicted by the Quar¬
terly Conference shall have the right of an appeal to
the Annual Conference which shall have the power
to finally determine the case, 293.
f 257. In case of improper conduct, tempers, words,
or actions, the Preacher on Trial so offending shall be
admonished by the Presiding Elder in Charge. If
he continue to offend he shall be called to trial as
provided for in f 252.
CHAPTER Y.
TRIAL OF A TRAVELING MINISTER IN
FULL CONNECTION.
T[ 258. When a Traveling Minister is under re¬
port of being guilty of some crime or immoral con¬
duct, expressly forbidden in the word of God,
sufficient to exclude a person from the kingdom of
grace and glory, the following actions shall be taken.
1. In the interval of the Annual Conference let
153
258, § 2. Trial 01 Traveling Minister.
the Elder to whom the omplaint is made call two
other Traveling Ministers (T[ 284) which three shall
constitute a Committee'of Investigation, ][ 282. This
Committee shall call the accused Minister and
examine into the naturo of the complaint. If the
Committee find that th$ complaint warrants a trial,
a formal charge shall bo made against the accused
by a competent person, tnd the Investigating Com¬
mittee shall call two o, more other Traveling Min¬
isters, which number shall constitute a Trial Com¬
mittee.
§ 2. After due notice is given the Trial Committee
shall meet, before which it shall be the duty of the
accused, and if possible the accuser to appear, and
by which if the charge is not sustained, the accused
shall be acquitted, but if sustained, he shall be sus ¬
pended from all Ministerial functions and Church
privileges until the ensuing Annual Conference,
IT 285.
\ 3. If the accused and the accuser cannot be brought
face to face, but the supposed delinquent evades trial,
it-shall be received- as a presumptive proof of guilt,
and out of the mouth of two or three witnesses he
shall be condemned.
§ 4. If the accused refuse or neglect to appear
before the said Committee after due notice has been
given him, the trial may proceed in his absence.
Witnesses from without shall not be rejected, and the
testimony of an absent witness may be taken before
the Chairman of the Committee or the Presiding
Jilder of the District within which such witness
Trial of Traveling Minister. 259.
resides; provided, in every case sufficient notice has
been given to the adverse party of the time and place
of taking such testimony, 281.
I 5. "When the Trial Committee assembles, if coun¬
sel has not been provided for the Church or the
accused, the Chairman, shall have power to appoint
counsel for both, or either, who shall be Members of
the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, ][ 280.
\ 6. The Elder into whose hands the charges are
placed shall call the Trial Committee, and preside
throughout the proceedings of the trial, and shall
certify to, and declare the verdict of the Committee.
At the beginning of the trial he shall demand the
Credentials of the accused party.
\ 7. The Chairman shall cause a correct minute of
the charges, specifications, proceedings, evidence in
the trial, and the decision of the Committee to be
taken, which when read and approved, shall be signed
by the Chairman and Secretary of the Committee,,
and transmitted to the Bishop, and the Annual Con-
ference, ^ 264.
\ 8. Supernumerary and Superannuated Ministers
shall be dealt with in the same manner as Traveling
Ministers.
1[ 259. Inr cases of improper conduct, tempers,
words, or actions, the Traveling Minister so offending
shall be admonished by the Presiding Elder of the
District. Should a second transgression take place,
one, two, or three Ministers must be taken as wit¬
nesses. If he continue to offend let him be dealt
with as in T[ 258.
^ 260. Trial or Traveling Minister.
1 260. When a Traveling Minister disseminates
publicly or privately, doctrines which are contrary
to our Articles of Religion or established standards
of doctrine, let him be dealt with as in 258. But
if, after the charge is sustained, the Minister so
offending does solemnly engage to the Trial Com¬
mittee to cease from disseminating such erroneous
doctrines in public or private, the Committee may
waive suspension, nevertheless, the Annual Con¬
ference may call him into account.
1[ 261. When a Traveling Minister in the interval
of his Annual Conference declines or ceases to do
the work to which he has been duly appointed, ex¬
cept for the reasons indicated in 187, If 192, If 201,
let him be dealt with as in If 258.
]f 262. In cases of alleged maladministration a
Traveling Minister may be charged with corrupt,
negligent, or partisan administration, and the Minis¬
ter so offending shall be dealt with as in U 258.
]f 268. When the Traveling Minister fails to keep
his part of a business transaction, or contracts debts
and fails to pay them, the Presiding Elder of the
District shall appoint three judicious Members of
the Church who shall examine the accounts, contracts,
and circumstances of the supposed delinquent, and if
possible, adjust the matter; but if the circumstances
of the case show that the said delinquent contracted
the debt or debts without the probability of paying
them, or persistently neglects to settle claims that
have been proved to be just, let the delinquent Min¬
ister be dealt with as in Tf 258.
156
Trial of Traveling Minister. ^]~ 266, § 2.
If 264. When a Traveling Minister is convicted by
a Trial Committee, he shall have the right of appeal
from the decision of the Committee as follows:
| 1. To the Bishop of his Conference, who, after
reviewing the findings, shall have the power to con¬
firm or reverse the decision of the Committee, or
order a new trial. If the case is not clear enough so
as to enable the Bishop to form a correct decision he
may have all the parties before him for examination,
so as to assist him in rendering a decision, ]] 197 § 11,
I 258 I 7, If 294.
g 2. To his Annual Conference, which, after re¬
viewing the findings, shall have the power to con¬
firm the decision of the Committee, suspend, expel,
acquit, or to order a new trial, 258 \ 7.
T[ 265. An Annual Conference may entertain and
try charges against a Traveling Minister, even though
no trial has been held, or, even though a trial was
held and did not result in suspension, due notice
having been given to the accused, 105.
f 266. The Annual Conference may at its discre¬
tion try a Traveling Minister against whom charges
have been made by either of the two methods:
§ 1. The entire trial including the examination of
the witnesses may be by the Conference in Executive
session.
§ 2. Or the Conference may refer the case to a
Select Number of its Members, of which Select
Number the Bishop of the Conference shall be Chair¬
man, or appoint an Elder to act in his place, and the
Secretary of the Conference shall be Secretary of the
157
267. Trial of Traveling Minister.
Select Number. The Select Number shall have the
power to consider and determine the case according
to the rules which govern the Annual Conference in
such proceedings ; and they shall make a faithful re¬
port in writing of the entire proceedings of the trial
to the Annual Conference duly signed by President
and Secretary.
267. When a charge is brought against a Minis¬
ter before the Annual Conference, and the case can¬
not be tried during the session for want of testimony
and otherwise 296) the Conference may refer it to
an Elder who shall proceed as directed in 258.
T[ 268. After a Minister shall have been regularly
tried and expelled he shall have no privileges of
Society or Sacraments in our Church, without con¬
trition, reformation, and confession, satisfactory to
the Conference from which he was expelled, f 288.
269. When a Traveling Minister has been sus¬
pended or expelled by the decision of the Annual
Conference, he shall have the right of an appeal:
$ 1. To the Court of Appeals by making an appli¬
cation to any Bishop aside from the one who sat
upon his case, who when applied to, shall summon
the Triers of Appeals according to law, f 299.
\ 2. To the General Conference which shall re¬
view the case together -with the findings and points
of law contained therein, and shall confirm or reverse
previous decision or decisions of the lower
courts, and finally determine the matter, 80.
158
Trial of a Bishop. *[[ 272.
CHAPTER VI.
TRIAL OF A BISHOP.
Tf 270. A Bishop is amenable for his conduct to
the General Conference which shall have power to
order the manner of his trial.
TT 271. When a Bishop is accused of a crime
or immoral conduct in the interval of the Annual
Conference the Elder to whom the accusation is
made shall call two other Traveling Elders from
neighboring circuits or stations who shall constitute
a Committee of Investigation, Tf 282. This Commit¬
tee shall call the Bishop and carefully examine into
the nature of the complaint; and if in their judg¬
ment there is reasonable ground for such accusation,
crime or misdemeanor, they or a majority of them,
shall call six other Traveling Elders from neighbor¬
ing circuits or stations, which nine Elders shall con¬
stitute a Trial Committee, and shall have the power
to acquit, or suspend the Bishop from all official
standing if they judge him guilty of the charge,
until the ensuing Annual Conference of the District
in which the crime or misdemeanor was committed,
and where his case shall be tried, ][ 195, 285.
If 272. No accusation shall be received against a
Bishop except it be delivered in writing, signed by
the accuser or those who are to prove the charge. A
159
% 273. Trial of a Bishop.
copy of the same shall be given him, and sufficient
time allowed him to prepare his defense.
If 273. The Elder to whom the accusation is made
shall be the Chairman of the Trial Committee, and
shall certify to and declare the verdict of the Com¬
mittee. He shall see that a correct minute of the
charges, specifications, proceedings, and the decision
of the Committee bo taken, which when read and
approved, shall be signed by the Chairman and Sec¬
retary of the Committee, and transmitted to the
Annual Conference.
1 274. When a Bishop is suspended by a Trial
Committee in the interval of the Annual Conference,
suspended or expelled by an Annual Conference
in the interval of the General Conference, he shall
have the right of an appeal:
\ 1. To the Board of Bishops who shall constitute
a competent Court of Appeals to confirm or reverse
the decision of the Trial Committee, or the decision
of the Annual Conference, 91.
| 2. To the General Conference which shall have
the power to ratify or reverse the decisions of the
lower courts, f 80.
TJ 275. When the General Conference ratifies the
decisions of the lower courts in expelling a Bishop,
it shall have the power to disrobe him of his Epis¬
copacy and remand him to the Annual Conference
which tried his case for final expulsion, ][ 80.
1f 276. When charges are brought against a Bishop
at the sitting of the General Conference, the Gen¬
eral Conference shall proceed to try the case in open
160
.Directions! Concerning Trials. 280.
Conference or refer it to a Trial Committee of its own
appointment, and said Committee shall try tlie charge
and report their decision to the General Conference
which shall have power to determine the case as in
If 275.
CHAPTER VII.
GENERAL DIRECTIONS CONCERNING
TRIALS.
f 277. No Member can be deprived of his Mem¬
bership without due trial by a Committee, and proper
process of law, Tf 56.
Tf 278. Probationers are not subjects for trial; if
their conduct do not correspond to the word of God,
and to the rtiles of our Church, they are dropped at
the Leaders' Meeting upon the recommendation of the
Leader and the concurrence of the Pastor, 43 ? 2.
If 279. A Pastor who prefers a charge against one
of the Members of his Church, or the Minister who
prefers a charge against another Minister, shall not
sit as Chairman of the Trial Committee before which
the case is to be tried, If 302.
280. The accused shall have the right to call to
his assistance as cfflttnsel any Member or Minister in
good and regular standing in the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church, 1f 258 § 5, If 306.
11 161
281. Direction Concerning Trials.
If 281. Witnesses who are not Church Members
shall not be rejected, and the testimony of an absent
witness may be taken before the Pastor in Charge
where such witness resides, or before the Preacher
appointed by the Presiding Elder of the District
within which such witness resides, provided, in every
case sufficient notice has been given to the adverse
party of the time and place of taking such testimony,
If 258 § 4.
Tf 282. An Investigating Committee may formulate
charges or cause them to be formulated against the
accused, but shall not perform the duties of a Trial
Committee except when it is so stated.
Tf 283. Members and Ministers have the right of
peremptory challenge on the assembling of the Trial
Committee, yet not so as to reduce the number of the
Committee to less than a majority, 304.
]f 284. A Traveling Preacher, Deacon, or Elder,
shall be allowed the privilege of being tried by his
peers in the interval of the Annual Conference; a
Trial Committee composed of Traveling Elders shall
be competent to try charges against a Bishop in the
interval of an Annual Conference; if the case is to
be at the Annual Conference, a Bishop shall sit as
Chairman.
Tf 285. In every case the proceedings and the de¬
cision of the Trial Committee, whether resulting in
acquittal, suspension, or expulsion, shall be signed by
the Chairman and Secretary of the Committee. A
majority of the Trial Committee shall be competent
to render a decision.
162
Directions Concerning Trials. 291.
If 286. The removal of a Member or Minister from
an official position does not necessarily carry with it
expulsion from Church Membership, ]f 292 f 8.
Tf 287. In all cases requiring the accused to be ex¬
pelled, the Chairman of the Trial Committee shall
pronounce the sentence of expulsion.
Tf 288. After due trial and expulsion from Mem¬
bership the person expelled shall have no privilege
of Society, or of the Sacraments in our Church, with¬
out contrition, confession, and satisfactory reforma¬
tion, Tf 268.
T1 289. If, in the trial of Members the Pastor in
Charge differs from the rest of the Committee con¬
cerning the guilt or innocence of the accused, he may
refer the case to the ensuing Quarterly Conference,
which shall have power to affirm, or reverse the de¬
cision, or order a new trial, ]f 133 \ 7.
Tf 290. If there be a murmur of complaint from any
excluded Member, Exhorter, or Local Preacher, that
justice has not been done, he shall be allowed an ap¬
peal to the ensuing Quarterly Conference (except such
as absent themselves after sufficient notice has been
given them), and a majority of said Quarterly Con¬
ference shall finally determine the case, Tf 133 § 6.
If 291. For minor offences persons may be sus¬
pended for three or six months. Such persons shall
be deprived of all Church privileges except attend¬
ance upon means of grace. But no person shall be
deprived of membership or put back without due
trial' (except those who absent themselves after due
notice), If 56, Tf 75 \ 3. Nevertheless, if there V>e an
292. Directions Concerning Trials.
unfavorable rumor of any person, such accused person
may be deprived of all Church privileges until the
matter is investigated, TJ 307.
TI 292. Ministers and Members holding official po¬
sitions in the Church shall be dealt with according
to the rank of Membership to which they belong,
IF 179..
T1 298. An appeal of a Lay Member, Exhorter and
Local Preacher ends with the Quarterly Conference,
Tf 134. The appeal of a Local Deacon, Local Elder,
and Preacher on Trial ends with the Annual Confer¬
ence, IT 250, H 257.
Tf 294. A Traveling Minister in Full Connection is
allowed an appeal from the decision of the Trial
Committee in the interval of the Annual Conference
directly to the Bishop of his Conference (If 264 \ 1),
and to the Annual Conference, If 264 § 2. He is
allowed an appeal from the decision of the Annual
Conference to the Court of Appeals (]f 305), and to
the General Conference, If 269 \ 2.
f 295. A Bishop is allowed an appeal from the
decision of the Trial Committee or the decision of the
Annual Conference directly to the Board of Bishops
and to the General Conference, f 80, 1 91.
Tf 296. When a Quarterly, Annual, or General
Conference, or Court of Appeals sitting to hear ap¬
peals, remands a case to the lower court for a new
trial, the proper official shall proceed to try the
accused person again, unless charges are withdrawn,
1f 267.
Tf 297. No Annual Conference shall, by reason of
164
iJOURT or Appeals. •[[ 299.
the failure of any one to arraign a Bishop, or Travel¬
ing Minister for any misdemeanor, in the interval of
its session, be estopped or prevented from investigating
and disposing of all such cases; and the party so
neglecting to arraign or have arraigned, any Minister
or Preacher known to be charged with misdemeanor
in the interval of the Conference,*may bS tried for
neglect of duty, f 199 § 2, T[ 205 \ 1.
CHAPTER VIII.
COURT OF APPEALS.
Tf 298. It shall be the duty of each Annual Con¬
ference, on the third day of its sitting, to choose from
among its Members five Elders, jmen of prudence,
piety, experience, and sound judgment in the affairs
of our Church who shall be known as Triers of Ap¬
peals.
][ 299. When notice of an appeal is made to a
Bishop, he shall proceed forthwith in accordance
with the wishes and rights of the Appellant, to call
the Triers of Appeals from two other Conferences
conveniently near to the one from which the appeal
is taken, and the Triers of Appeals from the three
Conferences shall constitute a Court of Appeals for
Traveling Ministers who have been found guilty, by
the decision of the Annual Conference, ][ 269 § 1.
165
300. Court of Appeals.
If 800. The Bishop who calls the Court shall pre¬
side, but should he be prevented from attending
another Bishop shall preside, and shall decide all
questions of law arising in the proceedings, subject
to an appeal to the General Conference, If 80, ^f 197
§9.
If 301. The Court shall appoint a Secretary who
shall keep a faithful record of all the proceedings,
-and shall, at the close of the Court, transmit the
records made and the papers submitted in the case,
or certified copies thereof, to the General Secretary
who shall carefully preserve the same for the review
and final decision of the General Conference.
If 302. The Bishop who sat on the case of the
Appellant in the Annual Conference cannot call the
Court nor preside over its proceedings. The Appel¬
lant must make his application to another Bishop,
If 269 § 1, If 279.
]f 303. Nine Members of the Court shall constitute
a quorum, and a majority of the Members present
shall be competent to decide the case.
Tf 304. The Appellant shall have the right of
peremptory challenge, yet not so as to reduce the
number of the Court below a quorum, If 283.
Tf 305. In all cases of trial and conviction of a
Traveling Minister in Full Connection by an Annual
Conference, he shall be allowed an appeal to -the
Court of Appeals as hereinbefore provided, f 294.
Tf 306. In all cases where an appeal is made, and
admitted by the Court of Appeals, the Appellant
shall state either personally or by his representative,
Court of Appeals. 308.
the grounds of his appeal, showing the reason why
he appeals, and he shall be allowed to make his
statement without interruption. After which the
person or persons who shall have been chosen by the
Annual Conference from which the appeal is taken to
prosecute the case, shall be permitted to respond in the
presence of the Appellant, who shall have the privi¬
lege of replying to said Representative. A rejoinder
may be made .by the prosecution, which shall close
the proceedings on both sides. This done, the parties
shall withdraw, and the Court of Appeals shall
decide the case. It may reverse, in whole or in part,
the findings of the Annual Conference or it may re¬
mand the case for a new trial. If it neither reverse,
in whole .or in part, the judgment of the Annual
Conference, nor remand- the' case for a new trial, the
judgment of the Annual Conference shall stand.
Counsels on both sides shall be Members of the
Annual Conference of the African Methodist Epis¬
copal Zion Church, TJ 280.
f 307. When the case of any Minister who has
been suspended or expelled is remanded for a new
trial, he shall be suspended from all Ministerial ser¬
vice until the next ensuing session of the Annual
Conference, ][ 267, T[ 291.
T| 308. The General Conference shall carefully
review the decisions of Questions of Law contained
in the records and documents transmitted to it by
the Secretary of the Court of Appeals, and in case
of serious error therein, shall take such action as
justice may require, If 80
167
309. Court of Appeals.
T[ 309. The right of an appeal of a Traveling
Minister to the Court of Appeals shall not take away
his right to an appeal from the decision of an An¬
nua] Conference directly to the General Conference,
If 269 g 2.
168
PART VI.
Temporal Economy.
I. FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT.
II. ANNIVERSARY DAYS AND COLLEC¬
TIONS.
III. DENOMINATIONAL FUND.
IV. SUPPORT OF EFFECTIVE MINIS¬
TERS.
V. RELIEF OF SUPERANNUATED MIN¬
ISTERS.
VI. RELIEF OF WIDOWS AND OR¬
PHANS.
VII. RELIEF OF THE POOR.
VIII. CHURCH PROPERTY.
Financial Department. 312
CHAPTER I
FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT.
f 310. The ways and means by which the African
Methodist Episcopal Zion Connection is to be sup¬
ported shall be regulated by the General Conference,
§ 75, § 76.
^1 311. The Ecclesiastical year as it relates to the
tenure of office and payment of General Claimants
shall begin with June 1,1344, § 11, f 333, § 7,1340.
I. Board of Apportionment.
U 312. The General Conference shall appoint a
Board of Apportionment, consisting of all the Bishops,
Financial Secretary, and one member from each
Episcopal District, which shall make an estimate of
the amount necessary to run the General Church, and
shall apportion among the Episcopal Districts the
General Claims Assessment, and the Benevolent
Assessment, required to be raised to meet the esti¬
mate made. The Board shall also apportion the
amounts to be raised by the several Annual Con¬
ferences, which amounts shall be adequate to meet
the assessments of the Episcopal Districts. The
apportionment in either case shall be made on the
basis of the financial as well as the numerical strength
of the Episcopal District or Annual Conference,
1 329, 1 332,
171
313 Financial Department.
11313. Whenever the assessment for the entire
Connection shall have been raised in any one year,
and there is a surplus, the Board of Finance shall
appropriate the surplus according to their best
judgment as follows: If 75, § 5, H 361, H 435.
1. To the back salaries of Bishops.
2. To meet any deficiency in the pro rata to the
General Officers.
3. To meet any deficiency in the pro rata to
Liiyingstone College and to furnish, as far as is
consistent, transportation for students to the
College.
4. To relieve the deficiency of the • Publication
House.
5. To relieve our Superannuated Ministers.
6. To relieve the Widows and Orphans of
Deceased Ministers.
7. To aid our. Educational Institutions.
8. To increase our Church Extension and Home
Mission Fund.
9. To increase our Foreign Mission Fund.
II. General Claims Assessment.
If 314- The following is the General Claims As¬
sessment on each Episcopal District and each
Annual Conference:
I. Episcopal District $16,600.00
Conferences:
New England $2,600.00
New Jersey 3,000.00
Western North Carolina.... 8,200.00
Alabama 2,800.00
172
Financial Department.
II. Episcopal District $20,800.00
Conferences:
New York $3,200.00
Philadelphia & Baltimore 6,000.00
North Carolina 5,200.00
Palmetto 3,600.00
North Alabama 2,800.00
III. Episcopal District $15,300.00
Conferences:
Michigan _...$1,400.00
Allegheny 1,700.00
Albemarle 3,200.00
Virginia 3,800.00
West Central N. Carolina 5,200.00
IV. Episcopal District $11,500.00
Conferences:
Central North Carolina.—$5,200.00
Blue Bidge 2,200.00
East Tenn. & Va 1,800.00
California _ 500.00
South Georgia _ : 1,000.00
South Florida 700.00
Oregon .1 100.00
V. Episcopal District $14,800.0f
Conferences:
Western New York $1,200.00
Cape Fear 5,200.00
South Carolina 3,600.00
Pee Dee 3,600.00
Georgia 1,200.00
173
}[ 314 Financial Department.
VI. Episcopal District $ 9,200.00
Conferences:
Ohio _ $1,500.00
Kentucky 1,600.00
West Kentucky 1,400.00
Tennessee 2,500.00
West Tenn. & Mississippi 2,200.00
VII. Episcopal District $13,200.00
Conferences:
Central Alabama $2,500.00
South East Alabama. 1,500.00
South Alabama 2,800.00
West Alabama 3,000.00
Cahaba 2,000.00
South Mississippi 1,400.00
VIII. Episcopal District $ 7,200.00
Conferences:
Missouri $1,600.00
Indiana 800.00
Arkansas 1,400.00
North Arkansas 700.00
Oklahoma 300.00
Texas 200.00
Louisiana 1,000.00
Florida 1 1,200.00
Total General Claims Assessment $108,000 Of
174
Financial Department. 315
III. Division of the General Claims.
H 315- The General Conference directs that each
Annual Conference shall divide and remit the
General Claims as follows:
1. That 50 per cent, shall be sent to the Financial
Secretary out of which the salaries of Bishops,
General Officers, not otherwise provided for, shall
be paid, and for such other purposes as the
General Conference directs.
2. That 25 per cent, shall be sent to the Secretary
of Education to be used in sustaining our Con-
nectional Schools, IT 483.
3. That 10 per cent, shall be sent to the Secretary
of Church Extension and Home Missions to be used
in the interest of Churches and Pastors holding
Mission Appointments, 512.
4. That 7% per cent, shall be sent to the Secre¬
tary of the Relief Department to be used to help
the Superannuated Ministers, Widows of deceased
Ministers and their children, U 399, 11404, If 407.
5. That 7 y2 Per cent, shall be retained by the
Annual Conference to be used in extending or
developing the work of the Conference, and to
meet any contingent expenses of the Conference.
IV. Appropriation of General Claims.
If 316- The General Conference directs that the
following shall be appropriated per annum out of
175
f[ 316 Financial Department.
the 50 per cent. General Claims coming into the
hands of the Financial Secretary:
Episcopal Claimants:
Eleven Bishops at $3,000.00
each, including Traveling
Expenses $33,000.00
$33,000.00
General Official Claimants:
General Secretary 500.00
Financial Secretary, includ¬
ing Traveling Expenses.... 1,750.00
Manager of Publication
House (one-half) 750.00
Editor Star of Zion, includ¬
ing Traveling Expenses.... 1,750.00
Editor S. S. Literature, in¬
cluding Traveling Expenses 1,750.00
Editor Quarterly Review
(one-half) 750.00
$7,250.00
Benevolent Claimants:
Six Estates ($500.00 each).. 3,000.00
Ten Bishops Widows ($300.-
00 each) 3,000.00
Mrs. J. C. Price (widow) - 300.00
$6,300.00
176
Financial, Department. 317
Miscellaneous Claimants:
Varick Monument $4,000.00
John Wesley Church 2,000.00
Richmond Church 2,000.00
Memphis Church 300.00
$7,300.00
Departmental Claimants:
(Paid from their Departments) :
Church Extension Secretary,
including Traveling Ex¬
penses $1,750.00
Educational Secretary, in¬
cluding Traveling Expenses 1,750.00
Foreign Missions Secretary,
including Traveling Ex¬
penses 1,750.00
Relief Secretary, including
Traveling Expenses 1,750.00
Superintendent of S. S., in¬
cluding Traveling Expenses 1,750.00
Varick C. E. Union Secre¬
tary, including Traveling
Expenses 1,000.00
$9,500.00
V. Board of Finance.
If 317. The General Conference directs that there
shall be a Board of Finance appointed at the Quad¬
rennial Session consisting of one member from each
177
Financial Department. 1 317
Episcopal District whose President and Vice Presi¬
dent shall be Bishops, whose Treasurer shall be the
Financial Secretary, and a Recording Secretary.
The permanent location of the Financial Department
shall be at Philadelphia, Pa.
1. The Board of Finance shall have full supervision
over the Financial Department.
2. All checks for payment by the Financial Secre¬
tary shall be countersigned by the President or Vice
President of the Board.
3. The Board with the Financial Secretary shall
determine the Banks of Deposit of the funds of the
Department.
4. That only one clerk shall be permanently em¬
ployed for the Department whose pay shall not
exceed Fifteen ($15.00) Dollars per week.
5. That the Board of Finance shall meet once a
year namely, at the Financial Headquarters in
Philadelphia; provided that special meetings may be
called if necessity demands it.
6. That there shall be an Executive Committee of
the Board of Finance, consisting of five members who
shall meet as often as necessary and who shall have
power to act for the Board.
7. The traveling expenses of the members of the
Board shall be paid by the Financial Secretary if not
otherwise provided for, when in attendance upon the
regular meeting, also the traveling expenses of mem¬
bers of the Executive Committee in attending Special
Meetings.
8. The Executive Committee shall before each
178
Financial Department. f 317
regular meeting of the Board examine the records,
check books, bank books and vouchers of all kinds of
Financial Secretary and see that the affairs of the
office are conducted in accordance with the intent of
the law governing that Department and with the
best and most economical interest to the Connection.
9. The Board shall require the Financial Secre¬
tary to give a bond for the faithful discharge of his
duty in the sum of Eighteen Thousand ($18,000)
Dollars.
10. The Board of Finance and the Financial Secre¬
tary in disbursing the funds of the Department shall
be.guided by the appropriation made by the General
Conference and the modifications of the appropria¬
tion made by the Board of Bishops, and shall follow
the direction laid down for the payment of Claimants.
(1) The Episcopal, General Officials and Benevo¬
lent Claimants shall be paid on a pro rata basis month¬
ly up through the month of November; unless in case
of emergency the miscellaneous Claimants shall not
be paid till the month of December. In December as
soon as the Conferences and Bishops make their
reports the Board and Financial Secretary shall
proceed to pay off the Claimants as follows: (a) The
Bishops' salaries and traveling expenses to be paid
first, (b) The General Officers; (c) the Benevolent
Claimants; (d) the Miscellaneous Claimants,- if
Funds are sufficient; if not, then they shall be paid
on the pro rata or emergency basis.
(2) The Contingent Fund shall be used to meet
any deficiency in payment of any specific traveling
179
fl 318 Financial Department.
expense in the interest of the whole Church not
otherwise provided for, and for general emer¬
gencies, If 316
VI. Financial Secretary.
If 318. The General Conference shall elect a
Financial Secretary who should be a person of con¬
siderable prudence and well experienced in handling
of money, whose election shall follow immediately
that of the General Secretary, and whose term of
office shall be for four years or until his successor
is elected.
1. The Financial Secretary shall be a General
Officer of the Connection, and shall receive the sum
of Seventeen Hundred and Fifty Dollars jper annum
including traveling expenses.
2. The Financial Secretary shall receive and de¬
posit in bank all General Claims coming into his
hands and shall pay it out only by check, counter¬
signed by the President or Vice-President of the
Board. He shall give an acceptable bond to the
President of the Board in the sum of Eighteen
Thousand ($18,000.00) Dollars.
1T 319- The further duties of the Financial Secre¬
tary shall be:
1. To receipt for all Connectional money coming
into his hands.
2. To keep a separate as well as an aggregate
account with each Episcopal District by Annual
Conferences, and with each Annual Conference by
Presiding Elder Districts and Pastoral Charges.
3. To report to the Bishop at the sitting of each
Annual Conference the amount of General Claims
180
Financial Department. 320
received from each pastor in that particular Con¬
ference on blanks prepared for that purpose, which
shall be filled out and returned to him.
4. To write each Pastor who may not be making
monthly remittances of the General Claims, as pro¬
vided by law 1 205, § 14, and request him to do so
and to inform the Bishops of any persistent delin¬
quents. In case the delinquent continues to neglect
his duty in this respect, the Financial Secretary may
file charges against him before or at the sitting of the
Annual Conference, t 334.
5. To pay the Claimants of his Department accord¬
ing to law monthly on the pro rata plan as far as the
funds will admit, as provided for in K 317, § 10.
6. To make a semi-annual report to the Board of
Bishops and a summary for the year at the Winter
Meeting of the Board; he shall also make a quadren¬
nial report to the General Conference of all moneys
received and disbursed.
7. Should the Financial Secretary receive in caeh
or by Bishop receipts, or by both, more than 50 per
cent, of the General Claims from any one Conference,
so as to prevent the Conference from making the
proper division, on notice from the Presiding Bishop
he shall immediately send a check to square the
account to the Secretary whose Department he is
due the amount.
| 320. The Financial Secretary shall maintain his
office and conduct the business of the Financial
Department at the Financial Headquarters in Phila¬
delphia, Pa. He shall be allowed a clerk whose pay
181
321 Financial Department.
shall not be above Fifteen ($15.00) Dollars a week,
and also the ordinary office expense. The expenses
of his office shall be taken account of monthly.
11321. The Financial Secretary shall be responsi¬
ble to the Board of Finance for his official conduct,
who for cause to them sufficient, shall have the
right to report him to the Board of Bishops, who
shall have the power after due investigation to re¬
move him from office and fill the vacancy.
VII. Appropriation of Educational Money.
If 322. The General Conference directs that the
following shall be appropriated per annum out of
the 25 per cent. Educational Money coming from
the General Claims into the hands of the Secretary
of Education:
1. Livingstone College —$15,000.00
2. Secretary of Education's salary 1,500.00
Traveling Expenses 250.00
3. Atkinson College 800.00
4. Greenville College 800.00
5. Clinton College : 800.00
6. Dinwiddie Normal and Industrial
School 800.00
7. Walters Institute 800.00
8. Lomax-Hannon Literary College 800.00
9. Edenton Normal and Industrial
School 600.00
10. Eastern North Carolina Industrial
Academy 600.00
182
Financial Department. 325
11. Lancaster Normal and Industrial
Institute $ 600.00
12. Macon Industrial School 400.00
13. Johnson Rural High School 600.00
$24,350.00
H 323- The General Conference also directs that
an amount equal to 10 per cent, of the General
Claims Assessment shall be placed on the certificate
of each Pastor for the further support of our
Schools which amount shall be collected on or be¬
fore Children's Day and sent directly to the Secre¬
tary of Education and the Secretary and Board
shall divide it equally among the Connectional
Schools, If 483.
VIII. Appropriation of Church Extension and
Home Missions Money.
If 324. The General Conference directs that out of
the 10 per cent, coming from the General Claims
into the hands of the Secretary of Church Extension
and Home Missions the following shall be appro¬
priated :
1. The salary of the Secretary $1,500.00
Traveling Expenses 250.00
2. That after the necessary office expenses, shall
be taken out the balance shall be appropriated by
the Secretary and Board of Church Extension and
Home Missions to meet the emergencies of Church,
Mission Pastors and Home Mission fields.
IT 325. The General Conference also directs that
there shall be placed on the certificate of each Pastor
an amount no less than 5 per cent, to be collected on
183
H 326 Financial Department.
or before Easter Sunday and sent directly to the
Secretary of Church Extension and Home Missions
to help meet the emergencies of the Department.
This money as well as the 10 per cent. coming from the
General Claims shall be appropriated by the Secre¬
tary and Board.
IX. Appropriation of Superannuated Ministersi Widows
and Orphans Fund.
K 326. The General Conference directs that the
seven and one-half per cent, coming from the General
Claims into the hands of the Secretary of the Board
of Relief, shall be appropriated as follows:
1. One-half of the Secretary's salary. $750.00
2. One-half of traveling expenses 125.00
3. After the necessary office expenses shall have
been deducted the balance shall be appropriated for
the relief of our Superannuated Ministers, Widows
of our deceased Ministers who are still unmarried
and Members of our Church, and the Orphans of
our ^ deceased Ministers under fourteen years of
age. One-half of the amount shall be appropriated
to Superannuated Ministers, the other half to
Widows and Orphans. The Secretary shall make all
remittances by check to Superannuated Ministers
quarterly, and to the Widows and Orphans in the
months of July and December, 1 399, t 404, 1 407.
X. Appropriation to Annual Conference.
^ 327. The General Conference directs that the
seven and one-half per cent, coming from the General
184
Financial Department. ^ 331
Claims to the Annual Conference, be paid over to the
Conference Treasurer to be appropriated by the
Bishop and Finance Committee to meet the needs of
the Conference.
XI. Auditing Board.
1 328. The General Conference directs that there
shall be an Auditing Board appointed at each Quadren¬
nial Session, the Corresponding Secretary of which
shall be the Auditor, who with or by the instruction
of the Board, shall visit each general office once a
year and examine the books, check books, bank
books, vouchers and accounts of the several officers,
and he with the Board shall report tkeir finding to
the semi-annual session of the Board of Bishops and
to the General Conference. The Auditor and Board
shall report any lack of conformity to the law on the
part of the General Officer or Board, and their report
must be approved or rejected by the Board of Bishops
and General Conference.
XII. Annual Conference Board of Apportionment.
H 329. The Board of Apportionment for the Annual
Conference shall consist of the Presiding Bishop,
Conference Secretary, and the Presiding Elders.
1 330. The Board shall assess each Presiding
Elder's District per annum an amount to be raised
equal to the aggregate assessment of all the Pastoral
Charges within the District.
^ 331. The Board shall assess each Pastoral Charge
an amount of the General Claims Assessment equal
to One Dollar per Member, or an amount equal to
185
H 332 Financial Department.
the ability of the Charge to pay, whether less or more
than One Dollar per Member, which amount shall be
a proportionate share of what is required to meet the
assessment on the Presiding Elder's District and the
Annual Conference, 1312.
1 332. The Board shall also assess each Pastoral
Charge for Benevolences as follows:
An amount equal to ten per cent, for Education,
five per cent, for Church Extension and Home Mis¬
sions, and five per cent, for Foreign Missions.
XIII. Duties of the Bishop and Annual Conference.
1 333. The .Bishop shall travel throughout his
entire District once a year and assist the Pastors in
raising their assessments. The collections taken at
the time of his visit shall be paid him as a part of the
assessment of the Charge, and shall be accredited to
the Annual Conference in which it was collected,
1 195, 1 197-7, f 352.
t 334. It shall be the duty of the Bishop and Annual
Conference to cause a rigid examination of the report
of each Pastor, and ascertain whether or not he has
done his duty in collecting the assessment, and
whether or not he has made the proper remittances
to the Financial Secretary. If it be ascertained that
the Pastor has wilfully neglected his duty and has
not put forth proper efforts to collect the whole
assessment, or having collected the same has failed
to remit promptly to the Financial Secretary, they
shall cause the law to be applied as in ^ 346. The
Bishop and Conference shall judge of a Pastor's
18<3
Financial ^Department. ^ 338
faithfulness in raising the General Claims Assessment
by the amount of money he raises for other purposes.
t 335. The Bishop shall see that a sufficient assess¬
ment is laid upon each Charge annually to insure the
collection of the assessment laid upon the Annual
Conference; provided that should the Bishop fail to
see that the assessment for his District is paid, and
thus permit a failure by his neglect of duty, he shall
forfeit an amount equal to his pro rata of what is
short of the amount that should have been collected,
and the Financial Secretary shall deduct the-amount
in making his annual settlement, ^ 195, K 317, § 10, 1.
336. The Bishop shall appoint a General Claims
Secretary in the absence of the Financial Secretary to
assist him in collecting the General Claims at the
eeat of the Conference whose functions shall cease
only after the General Claims shall have been
collected, properly divided and properly remitted.
XIV. Duties of Pastors and Presiding Elders.
1 337. The Pastor in Charge shall collect as much
of the assessment monthly as he can, and remit the
amount collected immediately to the Financial
Secretary. He shall keep a roll of the Members pay¬
ing General Claims which roll shall be examined by
the Presiding Elder at each Quarterly Conference;
and if one-fourth of the amount has not been raised
he shall urge greater effort, ^ 199, § 11, 1 205, § 14.
1 338. The Pastor shall put forth every effort to
collect the ^hole amount before thfe assembling of
the Annual Conference of which he is a Member. If
187
1 339 Financial Department?.
one-half of the amount is not raised within six months
after the adjournment of his Conference, he shall make
a special appointment, and shall insist upon the pay¬
ment of that amount; and he shall do the same at the
close of the Conference year.
t 339. No Pastor shall send any General.Claims to
the Bishop in the interval of the Annual Conference,
hor shall he pay the Bishop, nor shall the Bishop
receive any General Claims during the sitting of the
Annual Conference. He shall not at any time pay the
Bishop ,any General Claims without taking the
Bishops' receipt.
1 340. On the occasion of the Bishop's visit, the
Pastor shall put forth a special effort to raise as
much of his assessment as possible, and the money
raised on that occasion shall be paid the Bishop on
General Claims provided his"full assessment is not
raised, U 333.
U 341. The Pastor shall not send to the Financial
Secretary any part of his assessment within thirty
days of the sitting of his Annual Conference, but shall
retain the amount he may collect during that time,
and bring or send it to the Annual Conference.
H 342. The Pastor on taking the Bishop's receipt
for General Claims collection shall send it immedi¬
ately to the Financial Secretary, and receive the
Financial Secretary's receipt for the same, 1319.
XV. Duties of Members.
1 343. Every Member of the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church, including Bishops, Ministers,
Preachers, their wives, and Laymen, is assessed One
188
General Secretary. f 345
Dollar per annum to meet the General Claims Assess¬
ment laid upon the Pastoral Charge for the support
of our general Connection; provided that children
under fifteen years of age are not assessed, but shall
be encouraged to pay what they can. If the One
Dollar per capita is not sufficient to meet the above
assessment, the deficiency shall be made up by in¬
creasing the per capita tax, by public collections, or
otherwise, 1 49,' § 18; 1 242.
CHAPTER II
GENERAL SECRETARY—HIS DUTIES.
1 344. The General Conference shall elect a General
Secretary who shall be a person well experienced in
the Councils of the Church, and whose literary
qualifications are well fitted for the discharging of
the duties incumbent upon that officer. His election
shall follow immediately the election of Bishops,
when there are Bishops to be elected, otherwise it*
shall be the first in order of the General Officers.
His tenure of office shall be for four years, or until his
successor is elected. He shall be responsible to the
Board o Bishops for his official conduct, who shall
have the power, for cause to them sufficient, to
remove him from office and fill the vacancy, 1 92, §2.
1 345. The General Secretary shall be a General
Officer of the Connection and shall receive the sum
189
1 346 General, Secretary.
of Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars per annum for
his services.
1 346. He shall be allowed his traveling expenses
when on official business and the necessary expenses
in discharging the duties of his office.
^ 347. The duties of the General Secretary are:
1. To record the proceedings of the General Con¬
ference.
2. To record the proceedings of th) Connectional
Council, and to make an extract in his Journal of the
transactions of the Board of Bishops
3. To take charge of the Journal, the Books, Papers,
Documents, and other property belonging to the
General Conference not otherwise provided for.
4. To "record the names of all the Delegates-elect
to the ensuing General Conference, which names shall
be sent him immediately upon their election, by the
Secretary of each Annual Conference, 1106, § 1.
5. To record a brief historic statement in the
Journal of the Connection of any and all official acts
of the Board of Bishops, and the Connectional Coun¬
cil; the deaths, resignations and changes occurring
among the general officials of the Church.
6. To edit and issue all necessary blanks, receipt
books, credentials and certificates for the use of the
Bishops, Presiding Elders, Pastors and Conferences.
7. To issue Credentials to the newly elected Bishops
which shall be signed by the Senior Bishop and him¬
self; to issue Certificates of Appointment of Bit-hois
to their respective Districts and General Officers to
190
Anniversary Days and Collections. ^ 348
their respective positions; and to issue Certificates
of Indebtedness to the Bishops of any back salary
that may be due them, f 389, and to furnish the
Bishops with official stationery.
8. To keep the seal of the Connection, and see that
all official papers issued by him shall bear-its stamp.
9. To keep in his Ledger a record of all the indebted¬
ness of the Connection.
10. To present a report of his official acts to the
semi-annual meeting of the Board of Bishops, and a
quadrennial report to the General Conference, 1 84,
§2; 11 91, § 1.
11. To make an annual publication in the Church
Organ or otherwise, on the first of June, of the aggre¬
gated Statistical Table of the whole Connection.
CHAPTER, III
ANNIVERSARY DAYS AND COLLECTIONS.
I. Children's Day.
1 348. The fourth Sunday in June each year is
hereby instituted, and shall be known and observed
in all of our churches and Sunday Schools as Children's
Day. A collection must be taken on Children's Day
in every Church in the interest of education. The
collection so taken shall be an amount equal to ten
per cent, or more of the General Claims Assessment
191
1 349 Anniversary Days and Collections.
and shall be forwarded forth-with by the Pastor to
the Secretary of Education, U 483.
H 349. The Pastor and Superintendent shall see
that a programme is observed so that our young
people may cultivate a loyal interest in our Educa¬
tional Institutions. Should any circumstance occur
so as to prevent the observance of the fourth Sunday
in June as Children's Day, the next convenient
Sunday shall be used for that purpose.
H 350. No Bishop, Presiding Elder, Pastor or
agent shall arrange any appointment on Children's
Day so as to defeat the collection for education, un¬
less the amount has been previously raised.
II. Easter Day.
K 351. Easter phall be observed in all our Churches
and Sunday Schools as Church Extension and Home
Missions Day. On that Day a collection shall be
lifted equal to the amount of five per cent, or more of
the General Claims Assessment in the interest of
Church Extension and Home Missions and shall be
forwarded forth-with by the Pastor to the Corres-,
ponding Secretary, 420 S. 11th St., Philadelphia,
Pa., H 513.
III. Collection for Varick Endeavor Union.
^ 352. At one of the services of the Varick Chris¬
tian Endeavor Society, or if there be no Society in
existence, the Pastor shall take or cause to be taken,
a collection of one dollar or more on a Sunday in the
month of May of each year, for the Varick Christiaa
102
Anniversary Days and Collections. ^ 355
Endeavor Union and shall forward the same im¬
mediately to the Secretary of the Union, ^ 581; ^ 591.
IV. Sunday School Union Day.
K 353. On a Sunday in the month of October of
every year there shall be observed in each of our
Sunday Schools what is known as Sunday School
Rally Day. A campaign to increase the membership
and improve the School along all lines should precede
the Rally Day on which reports of the campaign shall
be made. An offering shall be lifted for the work of
the Sunday School Board (of not less than One Dollar
from a School with less than one hundred members
and not less than Two Dollars from a School with
one hundred or more members) and forwarded im¬
mediately to the General Superintendent of Sunday
Schools, if 466.
V. Foreign Missionary Day.
1 354. T'ae Fourth Sunday in September of every
year shall be known and observed 'n all of our
Churches as Foreign Missionary Day. On that day a
collection shall £e taken in all of our Churches for
Foreign Missions equal to the amount of five per cent,
or more of the General Claims Assessment and for-,
warded forth-with by the Pastor to the Corres¬
ponding Secretary, 1 534.
VI. Collections for Mission Schools.
! 355. On account of the meagre support given to
our Foreign Mission Schools each Pastor is -hereby
required to lift a collection of One Dollar or more in
193
356 Denominational Fund.
each Sunday School of his Charge for the support
of our Foreign Mission Schools, and the money so
collected shall be forwarded forth-with by the
Pastor or Superintendent to the Corresponding
Secretary of Foreign Missions, If 534.
VII. Publication House.
If 356. There shall be a Free-Will Offering taken
in every Sunday School or Church every year on
Christmas Sunday (unless it had .been taken
previously) for the benefit of our Publication
House, and forwarded forth-with by the Pastor to
the Manager, Charlotte, N. C., If 450, 3.
'VIII. Livingstone College.
1f 356^4- February 10th, the Birthday of Dr. J. C.
Price, or the Sunday nearest it, shall be observed
as Livingstone College Day. A collection shall be
taken by every Pastor on the occasion for Living¬
stone College and sent forth-with to the Treasurer
of the College.
CHAPTER IV
DENOMINATIONAL FUND.
If 357. The General Conference shall appoint at
each of its quadrennial sessions a Board of Con-
nectional Trustees, consisting of one member from
each Episcopal District, who shall be duly incor¬
porated at Washington, D. C.
1f 358. The Connectional Trustees shall hold in
trust for the benefit of the African Methodist Epis¬
copal Zion Church any and all donations, bequests,
grants, and funds in trust, etc., that may be given or
conveyed to said Board, or to the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church, as such, for any benevolent
£94
Denominational Fund. ^ 362
-object, and to administer the said funds, and the
proceeds of the same, in accordance with the direc¬
tions of the donors, and of the interests of the Church
contemplated by said donors, under the direction of
the General Conference.
1 359. When any such donation, bequest, grant or
trust is made to this Board, or to the Church, it shall
be the duty of the Pastor within the bounds of whose
Charge it occurs to give an early notice thereof to
the Board, which shall proceed without delay to take
possession of the same according to the provisions of
its Charter.
t 360. It shall be the duty of all our Ministers to
obtain, as far as practicable, contributions to said
Fund, by donations, bequests, and otherwise.
f 361. The interest accumulating from said Fund
shall be subject to the order of the General Con¬
ference for the following purposes: 1. To pay the
expenses of the General Conference. 2. To pay the
expenses of Delegations appointed by the General
Conference to corresponding Bodies. 3. To make up
any deficiencies in the salaries of the Bishops. 4. To
relieve the necessities of the Superannuated Minis¬
ters, and the widows and children of those who have-
died in the work.
1 362. The Board shall make a faithful report of
its doings, and of the funds and property on hand, to
each quadrennial session of the General Conference
of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church,
1 84, § 33.
195
1 363 Support of Effective Ministers.
CHAPTER Y
SUPPORT OF EFFECTIVE MINISTERS.
I. Stewards.
f 363. In order to raise the amount necessary to
meet the estimate made for the support of the Pastor
in Charge, there shall be a Board of Stewards elected
by the Quarterly Conference of each Charge, not less
than three, nor more than nine, to raise and take
charge of the money collected for the ministry.
t 364. The Pastor shall have the right to nominate
the Stewards, and the Quarterly Conference shall
confirm or reject such nomination. They shall serve
for one year and no longer unless reappointed.
f 365. Let the Stewards be men of solid piety,
who know and love Methodist Doctrine and Dis¬
cipline, and who are capable of transacting the
temporal business of the Church.
t 366. The duties of Stewards are: To take an
exact account of all the money, or other contribut-
tions for the support of the Pastor in Charge, and to
apply the same as the Discipline directs; to make
provisions for the moving expenses of the Pastor and
provide a parsonage for himself and family; to make
monthly reports to the Pastor of their collections;
to seek to relieve the needy and distressed Members.
t 367. Stewards are accountable for the faithful
discharge of their duties to the Quarterly Conference
196
Support of Effective Ministers. 11 372
which has power to dismiss or change them at pleas¬
ure. They shall make an accurate report of the
collections and application of money passing through
their hands at each Quarterly Conference1!
f 368. They shall assist the Pastor and Leaders in
raising the salary of the Presiding Elder.
t 369. When there is no Board of Stewards the
duties hereinbefore stated shall be performed by the
Board of Trustees, except such as become the duties
of the Preacher's Steward, ^ 426.
II. Preacher's Steward.
370. There shall be a Preacher's Steward ap¬
pointed in each Society to serve for one year, subject
to reappointment; he shall be the Chairman of the
Board of Stewards.
^ 371. The Pastor shall have the right to nominate
the Preacher's Steward and the Quarterly Con¬
ference shall confirm or reject such nomination.
^1 372. The duties of the Preacher's Steward are:
To see that all necessary provisions are made for the
temporal comfort of the Pastor in Charge, to officiate
in taking collections to meet the estimate made for
the support of the Pastor; to meet the Leaders' and
Stewards' Meetings in order to receive from them
whatever they have collected for the support of
Pastor through the Classes or otherwise; to consult
often with the Pastor so as to be informed as to the
comfort or necessities of the Pastor and his family;
to meet the Board of Stewardesses and advise with
them as to what is necessary to secure the temporal
197
J[ 373 Support of Effective Ministers.
relief of the Pastor and his family; to prepare the
elements of the Lord's Supper, and for the Love-
Feast; and^to make a report of his transactions to
the Quarterly Conference, which shall- have the
right to dismiss or change him at pleasure.
III. Stewardesses.
If 373. At the pleasure of the Pastor in Charge the
Quarterly Conference may appoint annually three
or more female Members as Stewardesses whose
duty it shall be to assist the Preacher's Steward in
making provisions for the support and comfort of
the Pastor and his family. After their appoint¬
ment they shall meet and elect from among their
number a President, Secretary and Treasurer,
which officers shall be amendable to the Quarterly
Conference.
IV. Support of Pastors.
If 374- The annual allowance of a Pastor in charge
shall be whatever amount that he, the Estimating
Committee and the Quarterly Conference agree
upon, with Parsonage, and in addition thereto his
traveling expenses t6 and from the place of destina¬
tion, at such times as the Bishop shall demand his
presence in the interest of the Connection. The
newly appointed Pastor, immediately after enter¬
ing upon his Charge, shall appoint an Estimating
Committee of three or' more members, who shall
confer with the Pastor as to the amount of- salary
necessary to furnish him a comfortable support,
198
Support of Effective Ministers. ^ 378
.and he may convene a Special Conference composed
of the Quarterly Conference Members, of which he
shall be Chairman, to determine the amount of salary
that shall be paid him for the year.
1 375. Whatever amount shall be agreed upon by
the Pastor and Estimating Committee and approved
by the Special Conference shall be the salary of the
Pastor for that year. Nevertheless, if either part is
dissatisfied at the amount decided on, the matter
may be referred to the Quarterly Conference next
ensuing which shall finally determine it.
^ 376. The Speoial Conference shall not have the
right to transact any other business, except that
which relates to the support of the Pastor, his moving
and traveling expenses, arrangement of parsonage for
himself and family, and the providing for any recep¬
tion or donations desired on the part of the Church.
The Trustees shall make such provisions as are neces¬
sary for raising the required amount, t 426.
1 377. The appointment of a Preacher by a Bishop
to any Charge shall be regarded as a settlement of
his claim to, and control of, the pulpit or pulpits of
said Charge and the entire direction of its spiritual
affairs, with the exercise of all the rights and pre¬
rogatives of his office for one Conference year, com¬
mencing on the date of said appointment, and ending
with the appointment of his successor, unless sooner
changed by a Bishop or forfeited by the decision of a
competent committee, t 207, 1 208, 1 268.
t 378. The moving and traveling expenses of the
Pastor shall not be reckoned as a part of the estimatp
199
1 379 Support of Effective Ministers.
for salary, but shall be provided by the Trustees and
Stewards separately.
1 379. The agreement on the amount of salary shall
be drawn up in writing and two copies provided, the
one for the Trustees and the other for the Pastor.
Arrears of salary shall be collectable as all other
Church debts which are collectable in the ordinary
way; provided, that the Pastor shall have performed
the services required by his appointment, and also
that he shall have made a written contract for salary
with the Church officers.
1 380. A minute of the proceedings shall be made
in the Quarterly Conference Record by the Quarterly
Conference Secretary, and the copy shall bear the
signature of«the Chairman and Secretary.
V. Support of Presiding Elders.
^ 381. The salary of the Presiding Elder shall be
the same as that of a Pastor in Charge, and shall be
apportioned among the Churches in the District
according to their financial and numerical strength.
1 382. In all cases let the following plan be adopted
for arranging the Presiding Elder's salary, namely;
within thirty days after the adjournment of the
Annual Conference, let the Presiding Elder call to¬
gether the Pastors in Charge and one Lay Delegate
from each Charge in a District Meeting, which shall
be styled a Special District Conference, which Con¬
ference shall assist the Presiding Elder in apportion¬
ing the assessment necessary to furnish him a com¬
fortable support.
200
Support of Effective Ministers. j[ 388
H 383- Should any Charge not be represented in
the said Special District Conference, after being
duly notified, such Charge or Charges shall be
bound by the action of the Special District Con¬
ference, and shall pay the assessment laid upon it.
If desirable for the saving of expenses the Presiding
Elder may call the Pastors and Delegates together
at the close of the Annual Conference, and arrange
for his salary, where it can satisfactorily be done.
If 384. His traveling expenses shall be the same as
provided for other Traveling Ministers.
1f 385. It shall be the duty of Pastors to use their
best efforts to raise the Presiding Elder's allowance
quarterly, and to pay it to him in the Quarterly
Conference. Should this be done, the entire collec¬
tion on the Quarterly Meeting Sunday (except the
Poor's money), shall be applied (1) to the payment
of any balance that may be due on the Pastor's
salary; (2) to any other indebtedness of the
Church, including indebtedness to the General
Claims Assessment.
VI. Support of Bishops.
If 386. Each effective Bishop of the African
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church shall receive as
salary Two Thousand, Seven Hundred ($2,700.00)
Dollars per year, which shall be paid him out of the
General Claims of the Church, If 78, 317, § 10.
H 387. The collections taken by the Bishop when
on his regular Episcopal tour shall be accredited
the Church on General Claims, If 333, If 340.
If 388. Three Hundred ($300.00) Dollars traveling
201
f 389 Support of Effective Ministers.
expenses shall be allowed a Bishop to attend the
meetings of the Board of Bishops, Connectional
Council, the General Conference, the Trustees'
Meetings of Livingstone College and other Connec¬
tional Schools, and when visiting Missionary Con¬
ferences. No account of the traveling expenses of the
Bishops shall be taken into consideration, however,
until the settlement in December. The salary of a
Bishop shall cease with the month in which he dies.
H 389. The back salary due a Bishop for'which he
holds a Certificate of Indebtedness at the time of his
deathj shall be paid to his widow or other legal heirs
at the rate of Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars per
annum until all that was due is paid, ^ 347, § 7.
If 390. If there is an amount due a Bishop on current
salary for which he holds no certificate at the time of
his death, his widow or other legal heirs shall receive
a pro rata of the same during the remaining months of
that year, provided that the full amount shall be paid
in December of that year.
f 391. The back salaries due the Bishops up to
June 1, 1896, shall be paid whenever the condition of
the General Treasury will admit, f 347, § 7,> § 9.
VII. Relief of the Poor.
! 392. The Pastor shall see that a collection is
taken at each Love-Feast and at the Sacrament of
the Lord's Supper for the relief of the Poor of our
Church.
VIII. Poor's Steward.
t 393. The Quarterly Conference shall elect in
202
Relief Department. ^ 395
each Church a Poor's Steward upon the nomination
of the Pastor in Charge, who shall serve for one year
subject to reappointment.
^ 394. The duties of the Poor's Steward: To re¬
ceive the money collected for the poor at Love-Feast,
Sacrarr.ent, or otherwise; hold the same and pay it
out only as he is directed by the Pastor and Leaders'
Meeting, ^ 230, § 6. To meet the Leaders' and
Stewards' Meetings to receive what they may have
collected for the needy and distressed Members of
the Church; to make a report of the money received
and paid out to each Quarterly Conference, which
shall have the right to dismiss or change him at
pleasure.
CHAPTER VI
RELIEF DEPARTMENT.
K 395. That the proper relief might be given to our
Superannuated Ministers and the Widows and Orphans
of our deceased Ministers, the General Conference
directs that there shall be established a Relief Depart¬
ment, located in Philadelphia, Pa., and for the con¬
trol of which there shall be appointed quadrennially
a Board of Relief, consisting of the Bishops and one
Member from each Episcopal District. The officers
of the Board shall be a President, Secretary and
Treasurer.
203
396 Relief Department.
If 396. The President shall have power to call
special meetings of the Board when necessary, pre¬
side over all the meetings of the Board and perform
other duties which appertain to the office of Presi¬
dent.
If 397. The Secretary shall keep a faithful record
of all the proceedings of the Board and perform
such other duties as the Board requires.
I. Corresponding Secretary.
1f 398. The General Conference shall elect quad¬
rennially a Corresponding Secretary of the Relief
Department, whose tenure of office shall be for
four years, and until his successor is elected. He
shall be ex-officio a member of the Board, and shall
also be the Treasurer of the Relief ~ Department.
His duties shall be to receive the money belonging
to his department from each annual Conference, to
inaugurate and execute plans for the raising of
additional money for his department, to keep a
faithful record by Conferences of all money re¬
ceived, to remit the allowance to Superannuated
Ministers quarterly and to Widows and Orphans in
the months of July and December. He shall submit
a semi-annual report to the Board of Bishops, an
annual report to the Connectional Council and a
quadrennial report fo the General Conference. He
shall be amenable for his official conduct to the
Board of Relief, which for cause to them sufficient
shall have the right to report him to the Board of
Bishops who shall .have power to remove him from
office and to fill the vacancy. The salary of the
20i
Relief Department. 403
Corresponding Secretary shall be Seven Hundred
and Fifty ($750.00) Dollars a year, One Hundred
and Twenty-five ($125.00) Dollars for traveling
expenses, and a reasonable amount for office ex¬
penses. His bond shall be $10,000.
II. Superannuated Ministers.
If 399. One-half of the amount coming into the
hands of the Corresponding Secretary shall be
allowed for Superannuated Ministers and shall be
pro rated to them quarterly. The Corresponding
Secretary shall arrange his books so as to grade
the Superannuated Ministers as follows:
1140O. - Class D. A Minister who has maintained
a good, active and regular standing in our
Itinerancy more than ten years and less than fifteen
years, on taking the Superannuated Relation shall
receive no less than Eighty ($80.00) Dollars a year.
1f 401. Class C. A Minister who_ has maintained
a ' good, active and regular standing in our
Itinerancy more thai?, fifteen years and less than
twenty years, on taking the Superannuated Rela¬
tion, shall receive no less than One Hundred
($100.00) Dollars a year.
If 402. Class B. A Minister who has maintained a
good, active and regular standing in our Itinerancy
more than twenty, years and less than twenty-five
years, on taking the Superannuated Relation, shall
receive no less than One Hundred and Forty
($140.00) Dollars a year.
Tf 403. Class A. A Minister who has maintained a
good, active and regular standing in our Itinerancy
for thirty years and more, on taking the Super-
204a
j[ 404 Belief Department.
annuated Relation, shall receive no less than Three
Hundred ($300.00) Dollars a year.
III. Widows and Orphans of Ministers.
11404. One-half of the amount coming into the
hands of the Corresponding Secretary shall be al¬
lowed for Widows and Orphans and shall be pro
rated to them in the months of July and December,
11405. A Minister must have traveled in the
regular Itinerancy of the African Methodist Epis¬
copal Zion Church at least five years at time of his
death before his "Widow or Orphans shall have
claim upon the Relief Fund. Orphans over four¬
teen years of age will not be considered bene¬
ficiaries. Whatever amount is allowed Widows and
Orphans will continue only so long as they are
Members of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church.
If 406. Orphans under fourteen years of age shall
receive one-half" of the amount allowed to each
Widow.
IV. Duties of Bishops and Annual Conferences.
11407. The Bishop and Annual Conference shall
see that the seven and one-half per cent, appro¬
priated out of the Dollar Money by the General
Conference shall be made and sent directly to the
Corresponding Secretary of the Relief Fund. They
shall also inaugurate any plan feasible for the col¬
lecting of additional money for Conference Claim¬
ants to supplement the amount coming from the
Relief Department. The amount collected in this
way shall be paid directly to the Claimants at the
geat of the Annual Conference, If 106, § 4, 1f326.
204b
Relief Department. 409
V. Widows of Bishops.
1 408. The General Conference directs that the
Widows of deceased Bishops shall receive Three
Hundred ($300.00) Dollars a year as long as they
remain Widows and Members of the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church. By special act of the General
Conference the Widow of the late Joseph C. Price
shall also receive Three Hundred ($300.00) Dollars
a year, so long as she remains a Widow and a Member
of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.
The Widows included in this paragraph are to be paid
by the Financial Secretary as all other Claimants on
that fund are paid.
409. The Secretary of each Annual Conference
under the direction of the Bishop shall make a proper
list of all the Superannuated Ministers and Widows,
and Orphans under fourteen years of age, of deceased
Ministers residing within the bounds of the Annual
Conference territory each year, and send the same
to the Corresponding Secretary of the Relief Depart¬
ment, and the Bishop shall see that the list is also
published in the Annual Conference Minutes.
204c
1 410 Ministerial Brotherhood.
CHAPTER VII
MINISTERIAL BROTHERHOOD.
I. Preliminaries.
1 410. Realizing that life is short and that death is
certain, and that Ministers as well as other people
must die and leave behind them dependents, and
that it is the duty of Ministers as well as other people
to provide for those of their family whom they leave
behind, the General Conference of the African Metho¬
dist Episcopal Zion Church directs that there shall be
established a Ministerial Brotherhood, in order to
provide for the burial of its Members. In order that
each shall be benefitted and not at the expense of
the other, the General Conference directs that all of
the Ministers of the African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church, including Bishops, Elders, Deacons and
preachers, shall take out membership in the Minis¬
terial Brotherhood. To that end the Institution has
been incorporated by the Legislature of North
Carolina as a mutual benevolent society, the main
features of which are hereby recited:
II. Board of Management.
U 411. The General Conference directs that there
shall be a Board of Management for the Ministerial
Brotherhood consisting of the Bishops and one
Member from each Episcopal District who shall have
charge of the Ministerial Brotherhood. There shall
204d
Ministerial. Brotherhood. 412
be a President and Secretary who shall perform all
the duties usually incumbent upon such officers. The
President shall have the right to call special meet¬
ings whenever necessary and preside over all meet¬
ings of the Board. The Secretary shall keep a
faithful record of all the transactions of the Board.
III. Corresponding Secretary.
If 412- The General Conference directs that there
shall be a Corresponding Secretary elected whose
tenure of office shall be for four years and until
his successor is elected. The Secretary shall re¬
ceive all joining fees and annual dues paid by the
Members of each Annual Conference and shall keep
a faithful record and entry of the dues paid by each
Member and classify the Members according to
grade. He shall also issue a Certificate to each
Member as a guarantee of bonafied membership. In
sixty days after the death of a Member in good
standing he shall pay the benefit provided by the
class according to which the Member belonged, to
the legal Heirs of the deceased Member. The Secre¬
tary shall receive a salary of Seven Hundred and
Fifty ($750.00) Dollar^ a year, One Hundred and
Twenty-five ($125.00) Dollars for traveling ex¬
penses, and a reasonable amount for office expenses.
He shall be amenable for his official conduct to the
Board of Managers, who shall have the right, for
cause to them sufficient, to report him to the Board
of Bishops who shall have the power to remove
mm from office and to fill the vacancy. His bond
shall be $10,000.00.
204e
1 413 Ministerial Brotherhood.
IV. Name and Object.
If 413. The name of this Department shall be the
Ministerial Brotherhood of the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church.
1f 414. The object of the Ministerial Brotherhood
shall be:
1. To provide a burial fund for the Ministers of the
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.
2. To build and maintain a home for the Superan¬
nuated Ministers of the African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church.
3. To pension Superannuated Ministers of the Afri¬
can Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.
V. Membership and Class.
^ 415. Ministers of all ranks of good and regular
standing in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church, and who are in good health at the time, shall
be eligible to membership in the Ministerial Brother¬
hood by paying One Dollar (SI.00) joining fee and the
annual dues in advance.
1. Class A provides $100.00 at death, the death of a
Member must be certified to by the Presiding Elder or
Bishop. The annual fees for class A is $5.00.
2. Class B provides $50.00 at death. The annual
fee is $2.50.
f 416. Any Member who fails to pay his annual
dues at the expiration of the year will be allowed
three months only in which to pay them; should be
allow the three months grace to expire his Certificate
shall be declared lapsed and should his death occur
204f
Ministerial Brotherhood. ^ 417
after that period his heirs shall not be entitled to,
benefits beyond what the Member has paid in; should
he allow six months to elapse before paying up his
policy shall be null and void and all he has paid in
shall be forfeited to the Ministerial Brotherhood.
VII. Maintenance of the Brotherhood.
H 417. The Ministerial Brotherhood shall be
maintained:
1. By soliciting endowment and bequests.
2. By yearly fees from its Members.
3. By donations, Membership fees and forfeitures.
VII. Distribution of Funds.
1. The endowment and bequest fund shall be ueed
for the building and maintaining of a home for the
Superannuated Ministers of the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church.
2. The donations, forfeitures, membership fees and
25 per cent, of the yearly dues, shall constitute an
expense fund.
3. Seventy-five per cent, of the .yearly dues shall
constitute a mortuary fund.
(a) To aid the aged and infirm Ministers of the
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church by pension.
(b) To provide a burial fund for deceased Ministers
of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.
204g
1 418 Ministerial Brotherhood.
VIII. Duties of Bishops and Annual Conferences.
1 418. The Bishop and Annual Conference shall see
that each Minister on roll take out a Certificate in
the Ministerial Brotherhood by paying the $1.00
membership fee and ^he annual dues required of the
class he prefers. The Bishop shall collect, or appoint
someone to collect the annual dues from the- Mem¬
bers, and he shall see that the names and addresses of
them all together with the money, be reported im¬
mediately to the Secretary of the Ministerial Brother¬
hood. In order to facilitate the matter the Bishop
shall put the amount of the annual dues on the Certifi¬
cate of Appointments.
20411
cteurch Property. 422,
CHAPTEE YIII.
CHURCH PROPERTY*
I, Trustees—Their Election and Duties*
U" 419. Each Board of Trustees of our Church
Property shall consist of not less than three nor
more than nine persons, each of whom shall not be
less than twenty-one years of age and Members in
good standing in the African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church.
T1 420. In all cases where the law of the State or
Territory requires a specific mode of election, that
mode shall be observed.
If 421. In all other cases, the- Trustees shall be
elected annually by the Members of the Church upon
the nomination of the Pastor in Charge, who shall
nominate one-Candidate for each vacancy. In case
of failure to elect at the proper time a subsequent
meeting may elect, and all the Trustees shall hold
their office until their successors are elected, If 143.
f 422. At their first regular meeting, after the
election, the Trustees shall organize their Board by
the election of a President, Secretary and Treasurer.
The President shall call and preside over the meetings
of the Board, and shall sign all orders for the pay¬
ing out of money by the Treasurer from the treasury.
The Secretary shall keep a faithful record of all the
meetings and transactions of the Board, draw up and
•ft 423. Church Property.
countersign all orders on the Treasurer for the pay¬
ing out of money, and make a report for the Board
of all their receipts and expenditures to each Quar¬
terly Conference. The Treasurer shall receive and
pay out all the money belonging to the Board by the
order of the President; he shall be subject to the
direction of the Board of Trustees from time to time,
also his accounts shall be subject to the inspection
of the Pastor in Charge.
423. The Board of Trustees of every Church
shall be responsible to the Quarterly Conference of
the Charge, and shall be required to present a full
report of its acts at every Quarterly Conference.
The Conference shall have the power to confirm their
election, and to remove any one or ones of them for
causes, when not in conflict with the law of the State
or Territory.
If 424. No Trustee shall be ejected while he is in
joint security for money unless such relief be given
him as is demanded, or the creditor will accept.
If 425. In case of a vacancy on the Board of Trus¬
tees by death, resignation or otherwise, the Pastor
shall call the membership together and proceed to
fill the vacancy in accordance with the foregoing pro¬
vision, 143, 205 § 28, ^ 421.
U" 426. It is the duty of'the Board of Trustees to
take charge of and protect the Church Property with
all of its appurtenances in trust for the membership,
and to make such improvements as may be necessary
from time to time for the interest of the Society of
which they are Trustees; and to see that order and
206
Church Property. 430.
decorum are at all times observed in the Church, and
where there is not a Board of Stewards, to perform
the duties therein stated, f 379, f388.
tf 427. The Pastor in Charge is ex-officio President
of the Board of Trustees, 205 § 15.
H. Form of Conveyance of Church Property.
Tf 428. It is the duty of the Pastor and Presiding
Elder to see that our Church Property is deeded ac¬
cording to our Book of Discipline, and duly incorpo¬
rated in accordance with the laws of the State or
Territory in which it is situated, 199 $10.
1[ 429. In all conveyances of ground for the erection
of houses of worship, or upon which they have
already been erected, let the following clause be
inserted at the proper place:
" In trust that said premises shall be used, kept,
maintained, and disposed of as a place of Divine
worship for the use of the Ministry, and member¬
ship of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
in America, subject to the provisions of the Disci¬
pline, Usage, and Ministerial appointments of said
Church, as from time to time authorized and declared
by the General Conference of said Church, and by
the Annual Conference within whose bounds the
said premises are situated."
in. Form of Conveyance of Parsonage Property.
T[ 430. For all conveyance of ground for the erec¬
tion of Parsonages or upon which they may have
207
431. Church Property.
already been erected for the use of the Ministry of
the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church,
let the following clause be inserted at the proper
place.
" In trust that said premises shall be held, kept
and maintained as a place of residence for the use
and occupancy of the Ministry of the African Meth¬
odist Episcopal Zion Church in America, who may
from time to time be stationed in such place, subject
to the provisions of the Discipline and usage of
said Church, as from time to time authorized and
declared by the General Conference of said Church,
and by the Annual Conference within whose bounds
said premises are situated."
If 481. In all other cases of said conveyances, let
careful conformity be had to the laws, usage and
forms of the several States and Territories in which
the property may be situated, so as to secure the
ownership of the premises in fee simple.
IV. Sale of Church Property.
f 482. If the Trustees, or any of them, have ad¬
vanced or shall advance any sum or sums of money,
or shall be responsible for any sum or sums of money
on account of said premises, and they, the said Trus¬
tees, or their successors be obliged to pay the said
sum or sums of money, they, or a majority of them,
shall be authorized to raise the said sum or sums of
money by a mortgage on the said premises; or by
selling the said premises after giving notice to the
Pastor or Minister who has the oversight of the Con-
-208
Church Property. 433.
gregation attending Divine services on the said
premises—if the money due be not paid to the said
Trustees or their successors within one year and six
months after such notice is given. If such sale
take place the said Trustees or their successors, after
paying the debt, and other expenses which are due
from the money arising from such sale, shall deposit
the remainder of the money accruing from said sale
in the hands of the Steward or Stewards of the
Society belonging to or' attending Divine service on
the said premises, which surplus of money from such
sale so deposited in the hands of the said Steward or
Stewards, shall be at the disposal of the Quarterly
Conference according to its best judgment for the use
of the said Society.
433. The Trustees shall not in any case what¬
ever dispose of Church Property by sale or otherwise
without the consent of the majority of all the Mem¬
bers in Full Connection expressed by vote in a meet¬
ing called for that purpose of which due notice has
been given, 143. Provided, however, that no pas¬
tor nor trustee Board shall mortgage or sell any
property of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church without the written consent of the Bishop of
the District or the Annual Conference.
Trustees' Quarterly Report.
1. Value of Church.
2. Value of Parsonage.
3. Value of other Church Property.
14 ?09
Chttbch Pbopebty.
IT 433
4. Amount paid on Mortgage.
5. Amount paid on Floating Debts.
6. Amount paid for Repairs.
7. Amount paid on Pastor's Salary.
8." Amount paid on Presiding Elder's Salary.
9. Amount paid for Current Expenses.
10. Amount paid for other purposes.
11. Amount raised for all purposes.
12. Balance in Treasury.
13. Present Indebtedness.
210
PART VII.
Educational and Benevo¬
lent Institutions.
I. PUBLICATION DEPARTMENT.
II. .SUNDAY SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
III. EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
IV. CHURCH - EXTENSION DEPART¬
MENT.
V. MISSIONARY DEPARTMENT.
VI. WOMAN'S HOME AND FOREIGN
MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
VII. ZION LEGION OF FINANCIERS
VIII. VARICK CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR
UNION.
Publication Department. ^ 436
CHAPTER I
PUBLICATION DEPARTMENT.
I. Publication House.
1 434. For the publication of the literature of our
Church, Sunday Schools, and Young People's Socie¬
ties, the General Conference of the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church directs that its principal
Printing House and Book Concern shall be located at
Charlotte, North Carolina; but there may be Deposi¬
tories of our publications at such other places as the
General Conference may from time to time determine,
or that the Board of Managers may direct, subject
to the approval of the General Conference.
f 435. The profits arising from the Publication
House after a sufficient capital to carry on the busi¬
ness is retained, shall be regularly applied to the
relief of Effective, Supernumerary and Superannuated
Ministers,'their Widows, and Orphans.
II. Board of Managers.
t 436. For the proper conducting of the affairs of
our Publication House the General Conference shall
appoint a Board of Managers, consisting of all the
Bishops and one Member (who shall not be the
Manager or any Editor) from each Episcopal District,
Mdiich Board shall be duly incorporated according to
law, and whose members shall serve for a term of
213
1 437 Publication Department.
four years, and until their successors are elected.
The Board shall have general supervision of the
Publication House, and examine carefully into the
condition of its business, and render a report of its
transactions to the semi-annual meeting of the Board
of Bishops, annually to the Connectional Council,
and quadrennially to the General Conference.
1 437. The officers of the Board of Managers shall
be a President, Secretary and Treasurer.
1. The President shall have the authority to call
special meetings when necessary, preside over all
meetings of the Board, and perform all other duties
appertaining to that office.
2. The Secretary shall keep an exact minute of all
the transactions of the Board, and make out its
report semi-annually, annually and quadrennially.
3. The Treasurer, who shall be a member of the
Local Committee, shall receive from the General
Manager all money over and above what is required
to meet his daily emergencies, and shall pay it out
only upon the proper orders of the Manager. In
paying out money, however, he shall be under the
same restrictions as $he General Manager as in f 444j
He shall render a monthly report to the Local
Committee of his receipts and disbursements, nam¬
ing each item, and number of the voucher received
from the Manager. Both his and the General Mana¬
ger's accounts shall be subject to the Board of Audit.
He shall give a good and satisfactory bond to the
Board of Managers fpr a faithful discharge of the
duties of his office.
214
Publication Department. f 440
438. Three members of the Board of Managers,
of which number the Treasurer shall be one, living
nearest the Publication House, shall constitute the
Local Committee, whose duty it shall be to examine
into the accounts and condition of the Publication
House once a month, and shall assist in regulating its
affairs., All local differences among officials, or
between officials and employee's, which cannot be
settled by the General Manager, shall be referred to,
and adjusted by the Local Committee in the absence
of the Board of Managers.
If 439. On the approval of the Local Committee,
the General Manager shall be allowed in case of
extreme necessity to make notes against the House
by proper endorsements to the amount of Two Hun¬
dred ($200.00) Dollars at one time; but he shall not
be allowed to make any note or notes at all against
the House without the consent of the Local Com¬
mittee, nor shall he be allowed to make a note or notes
within any one month over the amount of Two
Hundred ($200.00) Dollars, nor shall he be allowed
to mortgage the property of the Publication House,
either real or personal, for any amount without first
obtaining the written consent of the Board of
Managers in meeting assembled.
III. General Manager.
440. The General Conference shall elect a General
Manager of the Publication House whose tenure of
office shall be for four years and until his successor is
elected, who shall have authority under the super¬
vision of the Board of Managers hereinbefore pro-
215 '
H 441 Publication Department.
vided, to regulate the publications and other busi¬
ness of the House, except that which belongs to the
editorial department.
H 441. The General Manager shall keep a separate
account with each Department of the business, and
with each periodical published under his supervision,
and he shall set for^h in his reports the amount of
sales, receipts, and expenditures for books, periodi¬
cals, job-printing, and all other business transactions,
including the amount received from Depositories,
together with a statement of the profits or losses on
the same. He shall furnish to the Local Committee
at each of its monthly meetings, a full and satis¬
factory statement of the transactions of the preced¬
ing month, and if the Committee shall so require,
present for examination, vouchers for all payments
during the period specified.
U 442. The General Manager shall have authority
to_hire, regulate the wages, pay, and dismiss all
employees, subject to the approval or disapproval of
the Local Committee, and shall require of all em¬
ployees a "faithful performance of the work assigned
them.
t 443. The General Manager shall make all needed
improvements, and repairs on the building, have
charge of, and shall keep the machinery in first-class
running order, provided, however, that he shall not
make any improvement or purchase of any kind except
that of paper, or contract any debt against the
House exceeding Fifty ($50.00) Dollars, without first
submitting the matter to the Local Committee, and
obtaining its approval.
m
Publication Department, f 446
t 444. The General Manager shall receive all
money for subscriptions to periodicals, sale of books,
printing, advertisements and Sunday School Litera¬
ture and shall keep a daily account on his cash book
of the same as well as of all expenditures. He shall be
allowed by the approval of the Local Committee to
hold a sufficient amount of his receipts to meet daily
emergencies, the remainder receipts he shall pay
over to the Treasurer of the Board.
H 445. The General Manager shall be allowed a
reasonable amount of space in each official periodical
for inserting such advertisements as he may procure
from time to time to assist in the support of such
periodicals Should there be any question in his
mind as to the appropriateness of the advertisement
for the columns of the periodical, he shall consult
with the Editor of said periodical, ^ 554. If there still
exist a question as to its appropriateness, the mat¬
ter shall be submitted to the Local Committee
which shall finally determine it.
f 446. The General Manager in addition to his
receipts and expenditures shall make an inventory in
March of each year of all stock on hand including
paper, books, furniture and machinery, and give a
statement, of all assets of every kind, including real
estate, and shall also give the liabilities, and present
the same to the Board of Managers, and Board of
Bishops at their Spring meeting. He shall arrange
for, and hand over to his successor in office, such an
inventory of all stock, and a statement of assets and
liabilities a3 shall be approved and certified to by
the Board of Managers. He shall receive a salary of
217
447 Publication Department.
Fifteen Hundred ($1,500.00) Dollars per year, and
shall be required to give his undivided attention to
the duties of his position.His bond shall be $15,000.00.
f 447. The General Manager shall make a monthly
report to the Local Committee, a semi-annual report
to the Board of Managers and Board of Bishops, an
annual report to the Connectional Council, and a
quadrennial report to the General Conference. He
shall be' amenable for his official conduct to the Board
of Managers who shall have the right to institute
proceedings against him for cause, to them sufficient,
and who shall investigate and settle any irregularities
in his accounts, or any misunderstanding arising be¬
tween him and any other official; should the Board
in. its investigation find cause why he should be re¬
moved, it shall have the right to report him to the
Board of Bishops who shall have the power to remove
him and fill the vacancy.
IV. Board of Publication.
^ 448. The General Conference shall appoint a
Board of Publication consisting of one Bishop, and
one Member from each Episcopal District, who shall
serve for a term of four years and until their successors
are elected. The officers of the Board of Publication
shall be a President, Secretary and Treasurer, who
shall perform the duties which,usually appertain to
those offices.
449. The Board of Publication shall have general
supervision of the literary part of our Connectional
books, newspapers, magazines, Sunday School Litera¬
ture, catechisms, and all our other official publica-
218
Publication Department. ^ 453
tions emanating from our Publication House or
elsewhere.
T[ 450. The Board of Publications shall have the
right to determine the correctness of the doctrines
and statements, the literary character of any book,
pamphlet, magazine, or periodical, now being pub¬
lished, by the authority of our Church, or may be
published, or offered for publication by any Editor,
Minister or Member of our Church.
K 451. The Board of Publication shall have the
right to pass upon the orthodoxy of any Biblical,
theological, or ecclesiastical work published by any
of our Ministers or Members in the interest of, and to
be used as an official guide in our Church.
H 452. The Board of Publication shall have the
right, for cause to them sufficient to report any
Editor for neglect of his official duty, or for erroneous
doctrines, mischievous statements of their own or
those they permit to be printed under their super¬
vision, and utterances inconsistent to the Scriptures,
as we understand them, or contrary to our Book of
Discipline, to the Board of Bishops who shall have
the power to remove him from office and fill the
vacancy.
% 453. The Board shall render a report of approval
or disapproval of the official conduct of our Editors,
approval or disapproval of the mechanical appearance
and literary character of our periodicals, also their
endorsement or disapproval of any printed publica¬
tion that may "have been issued, or manuscript, that
may have been offered for publication during the
period, to each semi-annual meeting of the Board of
219
454 Publication Department.
Bishops, and the Connectional Council and the
General Conference.
V. Editors and Periodicals.
1454. The General Conference shall elect one
Editor for each of the Periodicals herein indicated,
whose tenure of office shall be for four years, and
until his successor is elected. Each Editor shall
have entire charge of the literary part of the
Periodicals which he edits, except the matter for
advertisements, which shall come under the super¬
vision of the General Manager of the Publication
House as provided in If 445, and shall render semi¬
annual reports to the Board of Publication and the
Board of Bishops, an annual report to the Con¬
nectional Council, and a quadrennial report to the
General Conference. The salary of the different
Editors shall be as follows:
Of the Star of Zion—$1,750.00 per year.
Of S. S. Literature—$1,750.00 per year.
Of the Quarterly Review—$1,750.00 per year.
Of the Missionary Seer—See If 528.
Of Sunday School Bulletin—See If 4G0.
VI. Duties of Bishops and Annual Conferences.
1f 455. The Bishop and Annual Conference shall
seg that every effective Minister and Preacher sub¬
scribe for and pay his subscription to the Connec¬
tional Periodicals, and the Bishop shall not appoint
a Minister or Preacher to, nor allow him to hold a
Charge in our Church, except he is a bonafide sub¬
scriber to these periodicals.
220
Publication Department. t 456
1. Subscriptions to our periodicals on the part of a
Traveling Preacher or Minister shall be paid so as to
begin with the rise of the Annual Conference of
which he is a Member.
2. The accounts of the local agents, Ministers and
Preachers with the Publication House, shall be settled
up in full at the end of the Conference year, of which
said agents, Ministers, or Preachers are members;
the failure of a final settlement of the amount current,
to be a stoppage to the passage of their character
until their accounts are settled or otherwise provided
for by their Conferences.
VII. Duties of Presiding Elders and Pastors.
t 456. 1. The Presiding Elder shall require all
Local Preachers and Exhorters to become subscribers
to our weekly periodicals, allow no one to be recom¬
mended for Reception on Trial in an Annual Con¬
ference who does not subscribe.
2. Each Pastor is required to put forth an effort
to procure subscriptions to our periodicals in his
congregation from time to time, and report the same
to the Quarterly and Annual Conference.
3. Each Pastor is required to raise One Dollar or
more on or before Christmas Sunday and forward
the same immediately to the Manager of the Publica¬
tion House, Charlotte, N. C., ! 356.
221
1 457 Sunday School Department.
CHAPTER II
SUNDAY SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
I. Sunday School Board.
^ 457. For the Moral and religious instruction of
our children and for the promotion of Bible knowledge
among our people, the General Conference directs
that there shall be a Sunday School Department
which shall be under the general supervision of the
Sunday School Board, and whose offices shall be
located in the Publication House at Charlotte, North
Carolina. The Board shall consist of three Bishops,
the Editor of the Sunday School Literature, the
General Superintendent of Sunday Schools, one
member from each Episcopal District, and ten mem¬
bers at large. There shall be both lay and clerical
members such as are expert in Sunday School work.
1 458. The Sunday School Department shall in¬
clude all the Sunday Schools of the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church, and shall be subject to such
rules and regulations as the Sunday School Board and
the General Conferences may from time to time pre¬
scribe. The object of the said Department shall be
to educate the Church in all phases of Sunday School
work, to give impulse and direction in general to the
study of the Bible, to adopt a Sunday Schoo. Stand¬
ard, to determine the Sunday School curriculum
(including the courses for Teacher Training), to
222
Sunday School Department. ^ 460
supply the Sunday Schools with proper literature,
catechisms and requisites, establish schools in needy
communities and to assist missionary and needy
schools wherever practicable.
II. Editor of Sunday School Literature.
If 459.v The General Conference shall elect an
Editor of the Sunday School Literature whose term
of office shall be for four years, and until his
successor is elected. He shall edit the Sunday
School Lesson Leaves, Books, Papers and Tracts.
He shall' also in consultation with the Sunday
School Board edit, select, or approve of all litera¬
ture in our Sunday Schools. His salary shall be
Seventeen Hundred and Fifty ($1,750.00) Dollars
per year. He shall render a semi-annual report to
the Board of Bishops, an annual report to the Con-
nectional Council, and a quadrennial report to the
General Conference. He shall be amenable for his
official conduct to the Sunday School Board wJio
shall have the right for cause, to them sufficient, to
report him to the Board of Bishops, who shall have
the power to remove &im, and fill the vacancy,
If 92, 81, If 452.
III. General Superintendent of Sunday Schools.
% 460. The General Conference shall elect a Gen¬
eral Superintendent of Sunday Schools whose
tenure of office shall be for four years, and until
his successor is elected. He shall have general
supervision of all the Sunday Schools of the African
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. He shall travel,
organize schools, conduct Institutes, edit the Sun-
223
J[ 461 Sunday School Department.
day School newspapers, prepare and issue Programs
for Sunday School Days and represent our Publica¬
tion Department. His salary shall be Seventeen
Hundred and Fifty ($1,750.00) Dollars per year.
He shall render a semi-annual report to the
Board of Bishops, an annual report to the Con-
nectional Council, and a quadrennial report to the
General Conference. He shall be amendable for his
official conduct to the Sunday School Board who
shall have the right for cause, to them sufficient, to
report him to the Board of Bishops, who shall have
the power to remove him and fill the vacancy,
If 92, §1, H452.
IV. General Convention.
If 461. The Sunday School Board shall see that
there is held once in every two years a General
Sunday School Convention which may meet in con¬
nection with a similar meeting of the Varick Chris¬
tian Endeavor Society. The officers of the General
Sunday School Convention shall be: President, a
Vice President for each Episcopal District, Record¬
ing Secretary, Corresponding Secretary and Treas¬
urer. The officers of the Convention shall be elected
biennially by the regular members of the Conven¬
tion.
If 462. The Sunday School Board, the President,
Secretaries, Treasurer of the Convention and five
other persons selected to represent the Convention
at large shall compose the Executive Committee of
the General Convention. The said Executive Com¬
mittee shall have charge of all affairs during the
interim.
^ 463. The General Sunday School Convention
224
Sunday School Department. 1 465
shall be composed of the following members: Sunday
School Board, Editor of Sunday School Literature,
General Superintendent of Sunday Schools, District
Superintendents, Superintendents of local Sunday
Schools and delegates elected or confirmed by the
District Convention. No Presiding Elder District
shall be permitted to seat a larger number of dele¬
gates than it has schools. The Bishops, General
Officers and Pastors are Ex-Officio members of the
Convention
H 464. The Sunday School Board shall, upon the
nomination by the General Superintendent, elect a's
many Field Workers as the Church needs and as the
funds will permit, whose duty shall be to organize
and to stimulate interest in the Sunday Schools.
The Board shall make an annual estimate of the
amount necessary to carry on the work and shall
authorize the expenditure of the same. The Board
shall appropriate any surplus funds to Missions and
to Education.
V District Conventions.
f 465. Presiding Elders are requested as far as
practicable to arrange for District Sunday School and
Varick Christian Endeavor Conventions within their
Districts each year, so as to furnish opportunity for
the young people to exercise their talents. Each
Convention is asked to forward to the General
Superintendent of Sunday Schools the amount of
Five Dollars to help publish the necessary literature
and to meet the necessary expenses of the Sunday
School Board.
225
466 Sunday School Department
VI. Sunday School Rally Day.
II 466. The third Sunday in October of every year
shall be observed in all of our Sunday Schools as
Rally Day. A campaign shall be made to stimulate
and increase the membership and improve the
School in every way prior to the Rally Day, and on
the Rally Day reports of results should be made.
An offering shall be raised of a Dollar or more and
forwarded forthwith to the General Superintendent
of Sunday Schools, If 353.
If 467. The following shall be the Sunday School
Standard:
1. Cradle Roll and Home Department.
2. Organized Class in Secondary Division.
3. Organized Class in Adult Division.
4. Superintendent and Every Teacher a Student
or a Graduate of an Approved Training
Course.
5. Departmental Organization.
6. Graded Instruction.
7. Missionary Instruction.
8. Missionary Offering.
9. Temperance Instruction.
10. Continuous Evangelism.
11. Workers' Conference Regularly Held.
Full Denominational Requirements:
(a) Denominational Lesson Helps.
(b) School Open All the Year*
(c) Annual Observance of Easter, Children's
Day, Rally Day, Christmas Day.
(d) Annual Offering for Sunday School
Board.,
226
Sunday School Department 471
(e) Superintendent and Teachers in Attend¬
ance at District Convention.
(f) Offering Sent Quarterly to the Secretary
of Home Missions.
(g) Offering Sent Quarterly to the Secretary
of Foreign Missions.
VII. Local Sunday School Board.
H 468. All the Sunday Schools of the African
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church shall be under the
control of a Sunday School Board, and shall be.
auxiliary to the Sunday School Department of the
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.
H 469. The Local Sunday School Board shall con¬
sist of the Pastor, who shall be Chairman, the Sun¬
day School Committee appointed by the Quarterly
Conference, the Superintendent, the Assistant
Superintendents, the Secretaries, the Treasurer,
the Librarians, and the teachers of the Schools.
11470. The business of the Sunday School shall be
transacted by the Board. All nominations of Officers
and Teachers shall emanate from the Sunday School
Board, but the right of nomination shall always be
with the Pastor in Charge, except that of Teachers,
who shall be nominated by the Superintendent.
11471. The Superintendent shall be elected by the
adult members of the Sunday School, and confirmed
or rejected by the Quarterly Conference at its ses¬
sion after such nomination, and in case of vacancy,
the pastor shall superintend or secure the super¬
intendence of the School until another is nominated
and elected. The other Officers of the School shall
be elected annually in the same way as the Super¬
intendent.
H 472 Sunday School. Department.
1 472. The Teachers of the School shall be nomi¬
nated by the Superintendent with the concurrence
of the Pastor, and elected by the Board. A person
to become a Teacher shall be proposed by a Member
of the Board; and if the Board is satisfied with the
religious and literary qualifications of the individual
and he is willing to be governed by the Constitution
of the School, he may be elected a Teacher by the
concurrence of a majority of the Members of the
Board at any regular or special business meeting.
H 473. The place of any Officer or Teacher, habitu¬
ally neglecting his or her duty, or being guilty of
improper conduct, may be declared vacant by two-
thirds of the Board present at any regular or special
meeting.
K 474. Teachers' Meetings may be held weekly for
the study of the Sunday School Lessons over which
the Superintendent shall preside.
f 475. Order of Business of Local Sunday School
Board.
1. Devotional Exercises.
2. Reading of Minutes of Previous Meeting.
3. Unfinished Business.
4. Report and Recommendations of Superintendent.
5. Report-of Secretary.
6. Report of Treasurer.
7. Report of Librarian.
8. Report of Teachers.
9. Miscellaneous Business.
228
Sunday School Department. | 476
VIII Duties of Officers and Teachers.
1 476.—§ 1. Superintendent—The Superintendent
shall be at the School at the hour appointed for the
opening of the session, and shall open and close the
School (or call upon another) with devotional exer¬
cises, as may be prescribed by t'he Sunday School
Board.
§ 2. He shall see that order is observed during the
time of the School and that the Teachers are at their
classes in proper time; supply vacant classes with
Teachers; grade the pupils, and often converse with
the Teachers and consult with the Pastor for the best
interests of the School.
§ 3. He shall preside at the Teachers' Meeting, and
give all necessary encouragement to Teachers to a
faithful performance of their relative duties, and
frequently lecture them.
§ 4. He shall read the regulations of our school as
often as necessary, and see that they be carried out
so that the design of our Church relative to Sunday
Schools shall be fully realized.
§ 5. He shall see that programmes are carried out
on Children's Day in the interest of Education; on
Easter in the interest of Church Extension and Home
Missions, and shall put forth an earnest effort to
collect as much money as he can on those occasions
for the Institutions represented. He shall see that'
One Dollar or more is sent to the Secretary of Foreign
Missions for Foreign Mission Schools; also see that
One Dollar is raised and sent to the Superintendent
of the Sunday School Union where he has 100 scholars
229
4TG Sunday School Department
or less, and Two Dollars if there are 200 scholars
or more.
§ 6. He shall report the following items to each
Quarterly Conference and at the last Quarterly Con¬
ference of the year make an Annual Report.
Form of the Superintendents Quarterly Report.
1. Name of Sunday School.
2. Number of Officers and Teachers.
3. Number of Scholars, not including Cradle Roll,
Home and Adult Departments.
4. Increase (Decrease) over last quarter.
5. Children on Cradle Roll.
6. Increase (Decrease) over last quarter.
7. Number of Home Department.
8. Increase (Decrease) over last quarter.
9. Number in Adult Department (Persons above
24 years old).
10. Increase (Decrease) over last quarter.
11. Total enrollment in all departments, includ¬
ing ' Cradle Roll, Home and Adult Departments,
Scholars, Officers and Teachers.
12. Increase (Decrease) over last quarter.
13. Number of Officers and Teachers who are
Church Members.
14. Number of Scholars who are Church Members.
15. Number of Scholars converted and uniting
with Church during the. quarter.
16. Number of bound volumes in Library.
17. Number of Lesson Helps taken from our
Publication House.
18. Number of Subscribers to Sunday School
Bulletin.
230
Sunday School Department f[ 478
19. Number of Subscribers to Star of Zion.
20. Number of Subscribers to Missionary Seer.
21. Number of Subscribers to Quarterly Review.
22. Amount raised for current expenses.
23. Amount raised for Sunday School Board.
24. Amount raised for Home Missions.
25. Amount raised for Foreign Missions.
2G. Other Benevolent collections.
27. Total amount raised by Sunday School.
28. Amount sent District Convention.
29. Total amount expended.
30. Amount in hand.
If 476 Secretary—The Secretary shall keep a
record of the Members who join and leave the
"School, also their residences; keep the Minutes of
the Board Meetings and Teachers' Meetings; keep
the School register and a general account of the
attendance of the Teacher sand scholars; assist the
Superintendent in the general management of the
School when required, and submit to the Board
monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
If 477. Treasurer—The Treasurer shall receive and
hold all money for the School after a minute has
been made of the same by the Secretary; pay all
sums authorized by the Sunday School Board on
orders drawn by the Secretary and signed by the
Pastor and Superintendent, and shall submit to the
Board monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
If 478. Librarian—The Librarian shall deliver the
books to the Teacher of each class, for the scholars
during the School session; keep a catalogue of all
231
1 479 Sunday School Department.
books in the school, and shall submit to the Board
monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
1 479.,§ 1. Teachers—Teachers shall be at the
School at the time appointed for the opening of the
session. They shall go to their classes immediately
on entering the School and shall see that good order
is observed in their respective classes; mark in their
class-books the attendance of .the scholars, as well as
their residences; visit as often as possible the scholars
of their respective classes, and report when they are
sick or prevented from attending school from any
other cause.
§ 2. The pupils are required to submit to the
Superintendent and Teachers; any misdemeanor on
their part shall be reported by the Teacher, and the
Superintendent may administer punishment at his
discretion by withholding a Library Book, by a
public reprimand, or otherwise; unless the case, in
the estimation of the Teachers' Meeting warrants
expulsion from the School.
§ 3. Teachers are strictly admonished against con¬
versation with each other during the session unless
upon purely school matters. Any negligence upon
the part of the Teachers, or any misdemeanor shall
be settled at the Teachers' Meeting; in failing so to
do, let the whole matter go before the Board.
IX Duties of Presiding Elders.
480. It shall be the duty of each Presiding Elder
to bring the subject of Sunday Schools before the first
Quarterly Conference of each year, and said Quarterly
Sunday School Department, f 481
Conference shall appoint a Committee of not less than
three nor more than nine for each Sunday School in
the Charge, to be called the Committee on Sunday
Schools of which the Pastor in Charge shall be Chair¬
man, whose duty it shall be to aid the Pastor in
Charge and the Officers of the Sunday School in pro¬
curing suitable Teachers, in promoting in all proper
ways the attendance of children and adults on our
Sunday Schools and on our regular public worship,
and assist in raising finance for the School.
X Duties of Pastors.
H 481. § 1. It shall be the duty of the Pastor in
Charge with the aid of other Preachers and the Com¬
mittee on Sunday Schools, to form Sunday Schools
in all our Congregations where ten children can be
collected for that purpose, which Schools .shall be
auxiliary to the Sunday School Department of the
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church; to engage
the co-operation of as many of the Members as he can,
and to visit the Schools as often as practicable; and
to preach on the subject of Sunday Schools and the
religious instruction of children in each congregation
at least once in six months; to form Bible classes
wherever he can for the instruction of the youth and
adults; and where he cannot superintend them per¬
sonally, to see that suitable Teachers are provided
for the purpose, 1,205 § 12, to assist in raising finance
for the School and especially money for Connectional
Days, f 348, f 351, 11 353, H 354.
§ 2. It shall be the duty of our Ministers to enforce
233
1 482 Educational Department.
faithfully upon parents and Sunday School Teachers
the great importance of instructing children in the
doctrines and duties of our holy religion; to see that
our catechisms be used as extensively as possible in
our Sunday Schools and families^ to preach to the
children, and publicly catechise them in the Sunday
Schools and at public meetings appointed for that
purpose, and exhort all parents to dedicate their
children to the Lord in baptism as early as con¬
venient, 1 46, H 205, § 12.
CHAPTER III
EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
I. Board of Education.
1 482. 1. For the promotion of our Educational
work, the General Conference of the African Metho¬
dist Episcopal Zion Church directs that there shall
be an Educational Department, and for the general
control of which there shall be elected by the General
Conference upon nomination of the Board of Bishops,
a Board of Education, consisting of a Bishop and one
members from each Episcopal District, which shall
be duly incorporated according to law and shall have
the general control of the Educational affairs in our
Church, and shall have the power to locate its head¬
quarters and prescribe rules for its operation not
234
Educational, Department. 1 482
inconsistent with the provisions of the Discipline.
The officers of the Board shall be a President, Vice-
President and a Secretary and Treasurer.
2. The Board of Education shall have the general
control of all our schools, and shall be the custodian
of all school deeds and valuable papers of the school;
it shall co-operate with the local Administrative
Trustee Boards in the maintenance and the conduct
of our Institutions of learning, and shall supervise
the operation and discharge of the annual budgets of
same.
3.^The Board of Education shall have the right of
review in all matters pertaining to administration
and discipline in our schools, and no debts shall be
contracted by the local Administrative Trustee
Boards of any of our schools without the concurrence
of the Board of Education; provided, however, that
nothing herein shall be construed to invalidate any
existing obligations of said schools.
4. The Board of Education shall have the power
itself, or with the aid of a Committee especially
chosen by them for that purpose, to readjust the
courses of study in our schools so as to promote the
idea of graduation and articulation of curricula as
far as practicably; and, with the Corresponding
Secretary of Education, to advise the Board in de¬
termining the rank of our Institutions as elsewhere
provided.
5. The President, after conference with Secretary
and Treasurer of the Board, shall have the power to
call special meetings when necessary, preside QVe,r all
235
1 482 Educational Department.
meetings of the Board, and perform all other duties
which appertain to the office of the President.
6. The Secretary and Treasurer shall keep a faith¬
ful record of all proceedings of the Board, and sha 1
report the transactions of the Board annually to the
Connectional Council.
7. The regular meetings of the Board of Education
shall be annually at the timeandplace of the meetings
of the Connectional Council; special meetings shall be
called at the discretion of the President and Cor¬
responding Secretary of Education. Five members
of the Board shall constitute a quorum for the trans¬
action of business.
8. The Board_or a Committee appointed for that
purpose shall before each Annual meeting examine
the records, check books, bank books and vouchers
of all kinds of the Educational Secretary and see that
the affairs of the office are conducted in accordance
with the interest of the law governing that Depart¬
ment. The Board shall regulate his office and travel¬
ing expenses.
9. The Board shall require a Corresponding Secre¬
tary to give bond in the sum of Ten Thousand ($10,000)
Dollars for the faithful discharge of his duties.
1 483. The maintenance of the Department shall
be provided for as follows:
1. Each Annual Conference shall appropriate 25
per cent, of the General Claims collected and send it
directly to the Secretary of Education for educational
purposes, ^ 315, T 322.
2. An amount equal to 10 per cent, of the General
236
Educational Department, 485
Claims on each, charge shall be placed on each
Pastor's Certificate to be raised on or before Chil¬
dren's Day, and sent by the Pastor directly to the
Secretary of Education for the further support of
our Schools, If 323. -
3. Each and every Pastor shall observe Children's
Day in all the Sunday Schools of his Charge. This
observance shall occur at the hour when the Chil¬
dren's Day Programme furnished by the Secretary
of Education is rendered, and the collection taken
6r money reported shall be in the interest of Educa¬
tion. The amount however shall be included in the
10 per cent, the Pastor is to raise for Education,
If 348.
II. Corresponding Secretary.
If 484. The General Conference shall elect quad¬
rennially a Corresponding Secretary of Education
whose tenure of office shall be four years, and until
his successor is elected. He shall be an ex-officio
member of the' Board of Education, and. also a
regular member of the Board of Trustees of Living¬
stone College, and of the local Administrative
Boards of Trustees of the several Connectional
Schools. The salary of the Corresponding Secre¬
tary of Education shall be Seventeen Hundred and
Fifty Dollars per annum.
If 485. The Corresponding Secretary of Education,
as Secretary and Treasurer of the Board of Educa¬
tion, shall receive and hold all money coming to the
Board from time to time from all sources, keep an
accurate account of the same, and pay it out only on
the order of the Board of Education, and shall re-
237
486T Educational Department.
port his receipts and disbursements semi-annually
to the Board of Bishops, annually to the Connec-
tional Council, and quadrennially to the General
Conference.
11486. • The Corresponding Secretary shall, under
the direction of the Board, and the provisions of the
Discipline, conduct the correspondence of the De¬
partment and promote its general interest by
traveling, lecturing, soliciting, donations and other¬
wise. He shall prepare the programme for Chil¬
dren's Day, and give whatever assistance he can
give to increase the proceeds of that day. He shall
visit as often as practicable all the schools work¬
ing under the Board of Education, so as to be in¬
formed as to their general conduct and needs.
1. The Corresponding Secretary shall put forth
every effort to stimulate an interest in the collection
of the Assessment for Education by letter, articles
and otherwise. Besides reporting regularly to the
Board of Education, he shall also render a semi¬
annual report to the Council and a quadrennial
report to the General Conference of his travels,
lectures, and collections in the interest of Education
the number and names of all the schools under the
auspices of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church, their officers and number of students, the
general manner and amount of support that each
one receives; together with the condition and
standing of the schools. He shall be ex-officio mem¬
ber of any committee appointed by the Board to
advise with it in regulating the rank of the schools
receiving the patronage of the Church.
23S
Educational Department. 1 488
2. The Corresponding Secretary in his annual and
quadrennial reports shall give an account of the
educational money raised by Annual Conferences and
pastoral charges. He shall be amenable for his
official conduct to the Board of Education, which, for
cause to them sufficient, shall have the right to jeport
him to the Board of Bishops, who shall have the
power after due investigation and proper hearing, to
remove him from office and fill the vacancy. He shall
report his official expenses to the Board of Education
for approval. His bond shall be $10,000.00.
III. Educational Institutions.
! 487. No institutions of learning shall be organ¬
ized by the Board of Education as under the auspices
of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and
inserted in its classified list of such institutions, or
receive aid from its connectional funds, unless it has
been made a connectional beneficiary; provided, that
all schools already adopted by the General Con¬
ference shall be considered such beneficiaries.
K 488. Whenever there are schools already in
existence and not under the patronage of the Board
of Education, and wishing to be made beneficiaries of
the Board, or when there are persons desirous of
establishing a school under the auspices of our Church,
and wishing to bring it under the patronage of the
Board of Education, applications must first be made
to the Board of Education, together with the plan of
support and the Board of Education, must recom-
239
^ 489 Educational Department.
mend it to the General Conference before it can be
made a connectional beneficiary.
t 489. Annual Conference shall not submit for
recommendation of Schools beyond our ability to
equip and maintain them.
1 490. It shall be the duty of our Bishops, Presiding
Elders and Pastors to direct the attention of young
people to our literary institutions, and the attention
of candidates for our ministry, having proper quali¬
fications, to our Theological Seminaries.
H 491. The Board of Education shall publish in its
annual report a list, of all educational institutions
under the patronage of the African Methodist Episco¬
pal Zion Church, classifying them both according to
rank and capacity as well as to the work they are
actually doing.
U 492. The Presidents and Principals of our Con¬
nectional Schools, excepting the President of Livings-
stone College, shall be selected by the Board of
Education and by virtue of the importance of their
positions they shall be members of the General
Conference. The salaries of the Presidents and
Principals shall be regulated by the Board of Educa¬
tion; the salaries of the other teachers shall be regula¬
ted by the Local Administrative Trustee Boards of
the several Schools with the advice of the Correspond¬
ing Secretary and the Board of Education.
^ 493. Each President or Principal of our Con¬
nectional Schools shall render an annual statement of
the condition of the school under his charge to the
Corresponding Secretary of Education, who shall
240
Educational. Department. ^[495
include the same in his report to the Board of
Bishops, the Connectional Council and to the Gen¬
eral Conference.
If 494- 1. The Trustees of each connectional in¬
stitution, other than Livingstone College, shall be
elected by the General Board of Education upon the
nomination of the Bishop presiding over the dis
trict in which the school is located.
2. The local Administrative Trustee Boards here
provided for shall choose the teachers (other than
Presidents and Principals) of their respective in¬
stitutions, with the advice of the Corresponding
Secretary of Education and upon nomination of the
President and Principals, respectively, they sh§.ll
arrange for and supervise all matters of expense as
well as administration of their respective institu¬
tion ; but budgets showing all expense for salaries
or other purposes shall be submitted to the General
Board of Education, for its concurrence at the an¬
nual meeting of the Board, before such budgets
shall be permanent.
H 495. Each of our Schools is given an Educational
District to include Conferences as follows:
1. Livingstone College—Western North Carolina,
Cape Fear, New York, Philadelphia and Baltimore,
New England.
2. Atkinson College—Kentucky, West Kentucky,
Ohio and Tennessee.
3. Greenville College—East Tennessee and Vir¬
ginia, Blue Ridge, Central North Carolina, Cali¬
fornia and Oregon.
241
495 Educational Department.
4. Clinton. College—South Carolina and South¬
east Alabama.
5. Dinwiddie Normal and Industrial School—
Michigan, Allegheny, Virginia and West Central.
6. Walters Institute—Indiana, Missouri, Arkan¬
sas, North Arkansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana
and West Alabama.
7. Lomax-Hannon—Alabama, North Alabama,
Central Alabama, Cahaba and Florida.
8. Edenton Normal and Industrial School—
Albemarle and Western New York.
9'. Eastern North Carolina Academy—North
Carolina, and New Jersey.
*10. Lancaster Normal and Industrial School—
Pee Dee and Palmetto.
11. Johnson Rural High School—West Tennessee
and Mississippi and South Mississippi.
12. Macon Industrial School—Georgia, South
Georgia and Florida.
II496. 'That our Schools may be better provided
for each Bishop is asked to put on the Certificate of
each Pastor a reasonable amount to be raised
each year for the District School and the money
so raised shall be paid over to the Treasurer of the
School his Conferences patronize; or in lieu of the
above any other plan may be adopted provided it
brings the desired results. The money so raised
and paid to the local School shall not be counted
as a part of any other assessment.
IV. Duties of Pastors and Presiding Elders.
11497- It shall be the duty of every Pastor to
observe Children's Day in the interest of Education
242
Educational Department. 1 500
in each Church of his charge on the fourth Sunday
in June of every year, and take a collection as hereto¬
fore provided for, and the Children's Day collection
shall be forwarded immediately by the Pastor as
provided in Paragraph 348.
498. It shall be the duty of the pastor to co¬
operate with the Corresponding Secretary of Educa¬
tion and Presiding Elders in arranging for lectures,
educational meetings, and other enterprises in order
to raise educational funds. He shall preach or cause
to be preached at least one sermon on Education each
year.
K 499. It shMl be the duty of the pastor to collect
the 10 per cent, assessment for Education, which
money shall be promptly sent to the Secretary of
Education.
1 500. It shall be the duty of every pastor in charge
of a circuit or station, with the advice of the Corres¬
ponding Secretary of Education to organize the local
and itinerant preachers and exhorters residing in his
charge into a Preacher's Institute, and to hold at
least one session of the same during the Conference
year, continuing at least two days. The object of'
the institute shall be:
1. To cultivate Christian fellowsh'p and helpful¬
ness among its members.
2. To aid its members in gaining such knowledge
as shall be of use to them in discharging the duties
required of them by the Discipline of the Church.
3. To pursue a course of instructions or readings
243
1 501 Educational Department.
for the purpose of cultivating th^ir moral, spiritual
and intellectual powers.
\ 501. One night in every month shall be set apart
in every charge, when the Exhorters and Local
Preachers shall conduct services in session under the
supervision of the pastor, who shall privately give
them such friendly criticism and instruction as may
be of benefit to those officiating in said services.
t 502. A report on the condition of the Preachers'
Institute shall be submitted at the District Confer¬
ence, and a copy of the same transmitted to the
Corresponding Secretary of Education.
H 503. It shall be the duty of each Presiding Elder
to bring the subject of Education before the Quarterly
Conference of each charge within his district and at
the first Quarterly Conference of the year there shall
be appointed a committee on Education, of not .less
than three nor more than nine persons, of which
Committee the pastor shall be Chairman. This com¬
mittee shall aid the pastor in canvassing the charge
for the purpose of stimulating interest in the education
of our youth, by distributing catalogues and other
educational literature, and solicit funds from the
members of the church and congregation, and others
for educational institutions, and the money so collect¬
ed shall be credited to the church where the same
was raised. The Annual Conference shall appoint a
standing Committee on Education whose duty it
shall be to stimulate an interest in our Schools and
lay plans to raise money and secure students for
.Schools. The Bishops shall appoint a District
244
Church Extension and Home Missions, t 507
Educational Secretary who in co-operation with the
Committee and Corresponding Secretary seek to
raise money for our District Schools and to secure
students for the same.
504. The Presiding Elder in his last Quarterly
Conference in the charge shall ask:
1. Has the sermon on education been preached this
year?
2. Has Children's Day been observed as required
by the Discipline, and the assessment for education
raised and forwarded as required?
3. Has a general canvass of education been made?
^[.505. The Presiding Elder shall note quarterly on
blanks furnished by the Educational Department the
information received in answer to these questions, and
forward the blanks thus filled out to the Correspond-
ingSecretary of Education.
t 506. Any law or parts of law in conflict with the
provisions of this chapter are hereby repealed.
CHAPTER IV
CHURCH EXTENSION AND HOME MISSIO NS.
I. Church Extension and Home Mission Board.
1 507. For the promotion of the temporal welfare
of the Church, the securing, improvement and the
saving of Church and Parsonage Property and for
the relief of Missions Charges, and Preachers on poor
245
1 508 Church Extension and H6me Missions;
fields, the General Conference of the African Metho¬
dist Episcopal Zion Church directs that there shall
be an organization in our Church known as the
Church Extension and Home Mission Board, con¬
sisting of the Bishops, the Corresponding Secretary,
and one Member from-each Episcopal District, with
headquarters at Philadelphia, Pa. The Board shall
be duly incorporated according to law, and shall be
subject to the rules and regulations of the Discipline
and laws of the General Conference as prescribed
from time to time. The Officers of the Board shall be
a President, Secretary, and Treasurer.
508. The President shall have the power to. call
special meetings when necessary, preside at all the
meetings of the General Committee, and exercise
all the other functions which usually appertain to the
Office of President.
t 509. The Recording Secretary of the Board shall
also be the Recording Secretary of the General
Committee, and he shall keep a faithful record of
every meeting of the Board and of the Committee.
510. The Treasurer by virtue of his Office shall
be treasurer of the General Committee, and shall
receive and hold all money belonging to the General
Committee from whatever source it may come, and
shall give receipt for all money coming into his hands.
He shall make quarterly reports of the receipts and
disbursements of money to the General Committee,
semi-annual reports to the Board of Bishops, annual
reports to the Connectional Council, and quadrennial
report to the General Conference.
246
Church Extension and Home Missions. ^ 514
I 511. The Church Extension Home Mission Board
shall meet annually at the time and place of the
Connectional Council. When meeting alone, five
Members shall constitute a quorum for the trans¬
action of business.
II. Maintenance of the Department.
H 512. That there might be constituted a Fund
for Church Extension and Home Missions, the General
Conference directs that there shall be appropriated
ten per cent, of the General Claims which shall be set
apart by each Annual Conference and sent directly
to the Corresponding Secretary who is the Treasurer
of the Department, 1 315, H 324.
II 513. The General Conference also directs that
there shall be placed on the Certificate of each
Pastor an amount equal to five per cent, or more of
the General Claims, to be collected by the Pastor on
or before Easter Sunday and sent directly to the
Secretary of Church Extension and Home Missions,
to help the emergencies of the Department. This
money as well as the ten per cent, coming from the
General Claims &hall be appropriated by the Board
by way of loans on interest, donations, and relief to
Mission Charges and Pastors, H 325.
III. The General Committee.
1 514. The Board of Bishops shall appoint a General'
Committee, before the General Conference adjourns
consisting of the following: 1. A Bishop who shall be
President of the Committee. 2. Three Vice-Presi¬
dents who shall be Bishops. 3. Corresponding
247
H 515 Church Extension and Home Missions.
Secretary. 4. Recording Secretary, who shall be
Secretary of the Board. 5. The Treasurer who shall
be Treasurer of the General Committee. 6. And six
other Ministers and three Laymen, selected so as to
enable them to meet quarterly with little or no
expense to fhe General Committee. The General
Committee shall have supervision over and shall
conduct all the financial affairs of the Church Exten¬
sion and Home Mission Board, according to the
Charter and By-Laws of said Committee, provided
in all cases, that nothing shall be done contrary to
the Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church.
f 515. The General Committee shall continue in
office for four years and until their successors are
appointed, unless otherwise ordered. Should any of
the Members thus appointed prove inactive or in¬
efficient, they may be reported by the Committee to
the Board of Bishops, who shall have power to de¬
clare their seats vacant, and appoint others to fill
the vacancy.
H 516. The General Committee shall meet quarter¬
ly in the office of the Church Extension and the
Home Missions and shall have power to make By-
Laws for the regulation of its own proceedings, but
in no case shall they conflict with the Discipline of
the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. It
shall have power to provide for Life and Honorary
Membership and other funds for the advancement of
the Board. In all meetings of the General Committee
248
Church Extension and Home Missions. fl518
five shall constitute a quorum for the transaction
of business.
H 517. The General Committee shall provide for
the following funds: Loan Fund, Emergency Fund,
Donation Fund, and Annuity Fund. The money re¬
ceived for loans shall be used only for loans on
Church and Parsonage Property, deeded to the
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, at 6 per
cent, interest. The Emergency Fund shall be held
at the disposal of the Corresponding Secretary to
be used when delay would be dangerous in saving
Church or Parsonage Property. The Donation Fund
shall be taken account of at the meetings of the
General Committee. In making loans or donations,
the Corresponding Secretary shall act as agent for
the Church Extension and Home Mission Board.
IV. Corresponding Secretary.
H 518. The General Conference shall elect a Corre¬
sponding Secretary whose tenure of office shall be
for four years, and until his successor is elected,
who shall use his time in advancing the General in¬
terest of the Church Extension and Home Mission
Boards by traveling, lecturing, soliciting and-other¬
wise. By virtue of his office he shall be the Treas¬
urer of the Board and shall receive all the appro¬
priations and moneys coming to the Board for
Church Extension and Home Missions. He shall be
the accredited agent for the Church Extension and
Home Mission Board. His salary shall be Fif¬
teen Hundred ($1,500.00) Dollars a year. Two
Hundred and Fifty ($250.00) Dollars for traveling
expenses, and shall be allowed a reasonable
t 519 Church Extension and Home Missions.
amount for office expenses. He shall give a satis¬
factory bond to the amount of Ten Thousand ($10,000.-
00) Dollars to cover the money coming in.
He shall render a quarterly report to the General
Committee, a semi-annual report to the Board of
Bishops, an annual report to the Connectional Council,
and a quadrennial report to the General Conference.
He shall be amenable for his official conduct to the
Church Extension and Home Mission Board, who
shall have the right, for cause to them sufficient, to
report him to the Board of Bishops, who shall have
the power to remove him from office and to fill the
vacancy, 1 92, § 2.
V. Duties of Annual Conference.
519. Each annual Conference shall appoint three
Ministers and two Laymen who shall constitute the
Conference Board of Church Extension and Home
Missions. The officers of said Board shall be a
President, Vice-President Secretary and Treasurer,
provided the Treasurer of the Conference shall be the
Treasurer of the Board, U 106, § 3. The persons
selected shall be a Standing Board during the quadren-
nium, and shall be so located that a quorum can be
convened at any time. The Board shall have charge
of the Church Extension and Home Missions interest
within the bounds of the Annual Conference not other¬
wise provided for. There shall be set apart an hour
in each annual Conference to be known as Church
Extension and Home Mission Anniversary, and the
Bishop and the Conference Board shall arrange for
250
Church Extension and Home Missions. H 520
the programme. Immediately following the adjourn¬
ment of the Conference the Bishop shall forward to
the Corresponding Secretary a list of the Pastoral
Appointments with assessments and Post Office
addresses.
VI. Applications for Aid.
t 520. All applications for aid shall he made on
blanks furnished by the General Committee. The
Applicants shall.give all the information necessary
to warrant the safety of the loan asked for. The
following facts must be obtained: 1. Number of
Church Members. 2. Population of the Community
and prospects of increase. 3. Location, size, afid
value of property. 4. If title to the property is in
the name of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church. 5. If the building is to be erected, plans and
specifications must be submitted with probable cost
when building is completed, and if loan is granted, the
Committee.shall have the right to modify plans and
cos$ if necessary. 6. The amount already raised by
the Trustees, also the amount subscribed are not
paid. 7. The prospect of raising the amount of the
loan as stipulated in the agreement, together with
interest. 8. The amount of Mortgage Debt already
on the building. 9. The amount of floating debt.
10. Whether property is insured, and in what com¬
pany and the amount. 11. Any other facts deemed
necessary by the General Committee may be exacted
before the loan is granted. In any and all cases no
loans will be granted unless the property is held, or
251
t 521 Church Extension and Home Missions.
is to be held, in trust by the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church.
1 521. All applications for aid must first be sub¬
mitted to the Conference Board of Church Extension
and Home Missions, and the said Board shall apply
to the General Committee, ^ 199, § 11.
H 522. Aid may be granted a Mission Charge or a
Preacher on a poor field from the Emergency Fund
by the application of a Bishop or a Presiding Elder
to the Corresponding Secretary.
VII. Duties of Presiding Elders and Pastors.
1 523. The Presiding Elder shall bring the subject
of Church Extension and Home Missions before each
quarterly Conference and inquire whether the amount
assessed has been raised; if not ascertain the cause.
At the First Quarterly Conference of the year in each
charge a Committee on Church Extension and Home
Missions shall be appointed to assist the Pastor in
raising his apportionment.
K 524. Easter Sunday is Church Extension and
Home Missions Day. On that day every Pastof in
the Connection shall take a collection for Church
Extension and Home Missions, unless he has pre¬
viously done so, and the amount collected and for¬
warded to the Corresponding Secretary, shall be
five per cent, or more of the General Claims, ^ 325.
252
Foreign Mission Department. ^ 52&
CHAPTER V.
FOREIGN MISSION DEPARTMENT.
I. Foreign Mission Board:
525. For the extending of our Missionary
Wortc in foreign countries, the General Conference
of the American Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
directs that there shall be a Foreign Missionary-
Society, located at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and
for the general control of which there shall be ap¬
pointed quadrennially a Foreign Mission Board,
consisting of the Bishops and one Member from
each Episcopal District, -which shall be duly in¬
corporated according to law, and be subject to the
rules' and regulations which the General Confer¬
ence from time to time shall prescribe. The offi-.
cers of the Board shall be a President, Secretary
and Treasurer.
h 526. The President shall have power to call
special meetings when necessary, preside over all
the meetings of the Board and perform all other
duties which appertain to the office of President.
527. The Secretary shall keep a faithful record
of all the proceedings of the Board and perform
such other duties as the Board requires.
II. The Corresponding Secretary.
| 528. The General Conference shall elect quad¬
rennially a Corresponding Secretary of Foreign
Missions whose tenure of office shall be for four
years, and until his successor is elected. His
253
528 Foreign Mission Department.
salary shall be Fifteen Hundred ($1,500.00) Dollars
a year, and Two Hundred and Fifty ($250.00)
Dollars traveling expenses. He shall be ex-officio a
member of the "Board of Foreign Missions and shall
also be the Treasurer of the Foreign Missionary
Society. His duties shall be to keep a correct ac¬
count of all the Foreign Mission Fields, the num¬
ber and names of Missionaries employed, and the
stations they occupy, to receive and receipt for all
Mission ifioney, from assessment or otherwise, to
pay to Missionaries the amounts alloted to them
under the advice of the Bishop of the District and,
the Foreign Mission Board; to remit whatever ap¬
portionment may be made by the Board of Foreign
Missions under the advice of the Bishop of
Foreign Missions, to edit and publish the Mis¬
sionary Seer, the official organ of the Missionary
Department, to travel, preach, lecture, publish
literature and hold Conventions in the interest of
Missions. He shall report his transactions to the
Foreign Mission Board semi-annually, also to the
Board of Bishops, Connectional Council and to the
General Conference. He shall be amenable for his
official conduct to the Board of Foreign Missions
who for cause to them sufficient, shall have the
right to report him to the Board of Bishops, who
shall have power to remove him from office and fill
the vacancy. His bond shall be $10,000.00.
IT 529. The regular meetings of the Foreign Mis¬
sion Board shall be held semi-annually, and may or
may not be held in connection with the Board
254
Foreign Mission Department. 1 ■ 533
of Bishops and the Connectional Council. When
meeting alone five Members of the Board shall con¬
stitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
530. The Executive Board shall consist of the
regular officers and the Executive Members of the
Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society.
Five Members shall constitute a quorum for the
transaction of business.
531. The money collected through the Foreign
Missionary Society for Missions shall be used for
the support of Missionaries employed in the For¬
eign fields, and for the relief of Mission points.
| 532. The Foreign Mission Board shall have
power to employ Ministers, Physicians and Teach¬
ers as Missionaries from any of our Conferences
who are willing to labor in Mission fields with the
consent of the Bishop of said Conference, and
determine the amount of support necessary to sus¬
tain each one in his station.
533. The Board shall have the right to change
or discontinue any Mission station and the ser¬
vices of any Missionary, when it deems either one
unprofitable. All Missionaries on furlough for
more than three months shall have only one-half
salary. No Missionary shall be allowed to leave
his or her post of duty without the consent of the
' Bishop of the Foreign Work and the Corresponding
Secretary of the Foreign Mission Board. All Mis¬
sionaries traveling in America and collecting Mis-*
sion money shall report the same to the Corr§*
sponding Secretary.
255
1 534 Foreign Mission Department.
III. Support of Foreign Missions.
| 534. To aid in supporting our Foreign Mission
work the following regulations of the General Con¬
ference shall be carried out:
1. The Fourth Sunday in September of every
year shall be known as Foreign Missionary Day.
On that Day a collection shall be taken equal to
five per cent or more of the General Claims Assess¬
ment in the interest of Foreign Missions and shall
be forwarded forthwith by the Pastor to the Cor¬
responding Secretary. The amount may be made
much larger if the Pastor and people are willing
to so make it. 1f 354.
2. The money raised through the Woman's Home
and Foreign Missionary Society for Foreign Mis¬
sions shall be paid over by the Treasurer semi¬
annually to the Corresponding Secretary of For¬
eign Missions. If 555, § 7 (d).
3. The revenue resulting from Special efforts,
lectures, devices, Conventions, Convocations and
otherwise by the Board and Corresponding Secre¬
tary, shall go toward increasing the funds.
4. Each Pastor is required to collect at least
One Dollar from each Sunday School each year,
for the support of our Foreign Mission Schools,
which money shall be sent directly to the Corre¬
sponding Secretary by the Pastor or Superin¬
tendent. If 355.
5. Each Yarick Christian Endeavor Society is
asked to make a donation each year toward our
256
Foreign Mission Department. 1 539
Foreign Mission Schools which amount should be
sent directly to the Corresponding Secretary.
IY. Annual Conference and Foreign Missions.
^ 535. The Annual Conference shall appoint a
Foreign Mission Board consisting of five persons,
which shall co-operate with the Presiding Elders
and the Corresponding Secretary in planning for
and holding District Missionary Conventions and
disseminating Missionary literature and raising
Missionary money.
^ 536. The Conference Board of Foreign Mis¬
sions shall appoint its own officers, provided, how¬
ever, that the Conference Treasurer shall be the
Treasurer of the Board, and shall receive the
money appropriated for Foreign Missions and send
it to the Corresponding Secretary, (If 528).
537. The Conference Foreign Mission Board
shall assist the Bishop and the Corresponding
Secretary and the Members of the Woman's Home
and Foreign Missionary Society in arranging for
the Anniversary Missionary Meeting at each An¬
nual Conference.
538. The Conference Foreign Mission Board
may employ special agents to solicit funds within
the bounds of the Annual Conference in the inter¬
est of the Mission cause, said agents to receive
credentials from the Board endorsed by the Bishop
and Corresponding Secretary. (If J.97).
V. Duties of the Presiding Elders.
^ 539. It shall be the duty of each Presiding
257
1 540 Foreign Mission Department.
Elder to bring the subject of Foreign Missions be¬
fore tlie Quarterly Conference of eacli Charge
within his District; at the first Quarterly Confer¬
ence of each year there shall be appointed a Com¬
mittee of not less than three nor more than nine,
of which the Pastor shall be Chairman, to be called
the Committee on Foreign Missions, whose duty it
shall be to aid the Pastor in carrying into effect
the law of our Church for the support of our
Foreign Missions.
^ 540. It shall be the duty of each Presiding
Elder to see that the provisions of this section are
faithfully carried out in his District and in order
thereto he shall inquire at each session of the
Quarterly Conference. What has been done by the
Committee for Foreign Missions?
VI. Duties of Pastors.
541. It shall be the duty of the Pastor, aided
by the Committee on Foreign Missions, to provide
for the diffusion of Missionary intelligence among
the members of the Church and Congregation.
542. It shall be the duty of the Pastor, aided
by the Committee on Foreign Missions, to hold
meetings whenever practicable for the purpose of
informing the people respecting Foreign Mission
work, to offer Prayer for Missions and Missionaries
and to raise what means he can for the Mission
cause.
543. It shall be the duty of the Pastor, aided
by the Committee on Missions, to appoint Mis¬
sionary Collectors and furnish them with suitable
258
Foreign Mission Department. 1 546
books and devices that they may call on the mem¬
bers of the Church and Congregation, and on other
persons for contributions for the support of For¬
eign Missions; said Collectors shall make returns
to the Pastor and Committee, and the money thus
collected shall be sent to the Corresponding Secre¬
tary.
544. It shall be the duty of the Pastor to col¬
lect his Assessment for Foreign Missions as early in
the Conference year as possible and report the
amount forwith to the Corresponding Secretary of
Missions; he shall also present his receipts at the
Annual Conference" for the remittances he has
made.
^ 545. It shall be the duty of the Pastor, aided
by the Committee on Missions, to observe Foreign
Missionary Day on the fourth Sunday in Sep¬
tember of every year, &t which time hershall make
a special effort to bring the cause of Foreign Mis¬
sions before the people, and shall make a strong
effort on that occasion to raise money for For¬
eign Missions and the money so collected shall be
forwarded directly to the Corresponding Secretary.
(H 354).
546. It shall be the duty of the Pastor to see
that each Sunday School and Varick Christian
Endeavor Society is organized into a Foreign Mis¬
sionary Society, or have a Committee on Foreign
Missions, and the money raised from these sources
shall be forwarded to the Corresponding Secretary,
259
1 548 Woman's Missionary Society.
and shall not be counted as a part of the Pastor's
Assessment.
547. It shall be the duty of the Pastor to
organize a Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary-
Society, Young Woman's Branch and a Juvenile
Missionary Society in each Church of his Charge,
which shall be operated under the Constitution
governing those Societies, and the money thus
collected shall be sent directly to the Treasurer
of the Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary
Society,
CHAPTER YI
WOMAN'S HOME AND FOREIGN MISSIONARY
SOCIETY.
I. Constitution and By-Laws.
ARTICLE I. NAME.
548. This organization shall be known as the
General Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary
Society of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church, with .headquarters at Philadelphia, Pa.
ARTICLE II. OBJECT.
f 549. The object of the Woman's Home and
Foreign.Missionary Society shall be to raise money
for Home and Foreign Missions, through member¬
ship fees, pledges, entertainments, donations, soli¬
citing devices and special occasions, but none of
260
Woman's Missionary Society, f 550
which methods shall interfere with the contri¬
butions of the Church and Sunday School in rais¬
ing the assessment for Missions. The money raised
by the above methods through the Society exclus¬
ively shall be forwarded directly to the Treasurer
of the Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary
Society.
AETICLE III. OBGANIZATION.
550. 1. Officers.
(a) The Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary
Society shall be auxiliary to the Parent Mission
Board of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church.
(b) The officers of this Society elected by the
General Conference shall be a President, Vice-Presi¬
dent, Recording Secretary, Corresponding ■ Secre¬
tary, Treasurer, Secretary of Young Woman's
Missionary Society and Superintendent Buds. of
Promise or Juvenile Missionary Society.
(c) The General Officers of the Society shall
constitute the Executive Board, who shall have
authority to make all rules and regulations govern¬
ing the Societies not inconsistent with those speci¬
fied in the Book of Discipline.
(d) The Bishops' wives and widows shall be
Vice-President and Active Members of the Execu¬
tive Board. They shall have power to organize
Missionary Societies in all of its branches any¬
where in the General Church.
(e) The Executive Board shall choose the Editor
pf the Woman's Section of the Missionary Seer, the
261
H 551 Woman's Missionary Society.
Secretary of the Bureau of Foreign Supplies and
the Organizers,' all of whom shall be amenable to
the Executive Board.
(f) The General Officers shall be amendable to
the Parent Board of Missions for their official con¬
duct, who shall have the right, for cause to them
sufficient, to report them to the Board of Bishops,
who shall have the power to remove them from
office and fill the vacancy.
551. 2. Meetings.
(a) The General Officers of the Woman's Home
and Foreign Missionary Society shall be members
of the Connect'onal. Council and shall sit as corre¬
sponding members of the Board of Missions.
(b) The regular business meetings of the Society
shall be held twice a year. Three members shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of busi¬
ness.
(c) The District Presidents, District Secretaries
and District Superintendents shall sit as members
and be allowed a voice in these meetings.
(d) Quarterly Mass-Meetings, District and Con¬
ference Conventions may be held in connection with
or separate from the District and Annual Confer¬
ences, the membership to consist'of District Presi¬
dent, District Secretary, District Superintendent,
local Officers and a Delegate from each Society,
and any person who pays 50 cents annually as a
membership fee.
(e) A General Missionary Convention may be
Jield once a quadrennium, and its members shall
m
Woman's Missionary Society. 553
consist of the General Officers of the Society, the
District Presidents, District Secretaries Young
Woman's Missionary Society, District Superin¬
tendents, one Delegate from each Presiding Elder's
District and one Delegate at Large from each
Annual Cbnference, all of whom may be seated
upon the payment of the sum of one dollar.
(f) The anniversary of the organization of the
Society shall be celebrated in the month of May.
ARTICLE IY. MEMBEHSHIP.
^ 552. Any person paying one dollar annually
into the Treasury of the General Society may sus¬
tain membership therein. Anyone paying the sum
of twenty dollars into the Treasury at one time
may be constituted a Life Member. Anyone paying
into the Treasury of the' Society one hundred at
one time may be constituted a Life Patron. Twenty
dollars paid for a departed friend will make him
or her a Memorial Member. One hundred dollars
paid at one time from an Honorary Member will
constitute him a Life Patron.
ARTICLE Y. DEPARTMENTS.
553. (a) There shall be three departments
composing the Woman's Home and Foreign Mis¬
sionary Society:
The Buds of Promise, including the children from
three to fourteen years *, the Young Woman's Mis¬
sionary Society, from fourteen years to an un¬
limited age for unmarried women; the Woman's
Home and Foreign Missionary Society comprising
married women.
263
II 553 Woman's Missionary Society.
(b) The Presiding Officer of the Buds of Promise
shall be styled Superintendent; for Young Woman's
Missionary Society, Secretary; for the women,
President.
(c) There shall be a Bureau of Foreign Supplies,
to which all donations of clothing, medicine, litera¬
ture, etc. shall be sent. The chairman of this
department shall be designated Secretary of this
Bureau, and she, with the Bishop of the Foreign
Work and a Committee of five shall have charge of
all articles to be sent to the foreign field and make
annual reports to the Board of Missions. All
money for this department shall be sent to the
General Treasurer.
ARTICLE VI. DUTIES OF PASTOBS AND PRESIDING
ELDEBSa
554. It shall be the duty of each Pastor
(wherever practicable) to organize a local
Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society,
a Young Woman's Missionary Society, and the
Buds of Promise.
The Presiding Elder shall insist that the Pastor
carry out the provisions of this Constitution.
II. BY-LAWS OF THE GENERAL MISSIONARY
SOCIETY.
555. 1. The President shall have power to call
special meetings when she deems it necessary, and
shall preside at all meetings of the Society, sign
drafts drawn on the Treasurer and perform all
264
Woman's Missionary Society. *1 555
other duties connected with the office of President.
2. The Vice-President shall perform these duties
in the absence of the President.
3. The Recording Secretary shall keep a roll
of the Officers of the General Board, the roll of
all Life Members, Matrons, Memorial Members and
Patrons, and a record of the business proceedings
of the Executive Meetings and General Conven¬
tions, and read the same on demand. She shall
draw up and sign all orders on the Treasurer for
the payment of money.
4. The Corresponding Secretary shall conduct
the correspondence of the Society. She shall keep
in touch with the Missionary Societies of other
.Churches, and with all District Presidents and
Organizers, and so far as possible with the Local
Societies; prepare the literature and programs for
the Societies and Conventions, and report her trans¬
actions to the Executive Board, and for the Society
to the Board of Bishops, the Connectional Confer¬
ence and the General Conference.
5. The Secretary of the Young Woman's Mis¬
sionary Society shall conduct the correspondence of
the Society. She shall keep in touch with the
Young People's Missionary Societies of other
Churches, and with all the District Secretaries and
Organizers, and, as far as possible, with the local
societies; prepare and send out the literature and
programmes for the Young Woman's Missionary
Society, and report her transactions to the Execu¬
tive Board, and for the Society to the Board of
265
1 555 Woman's Missionary Society.
Bishops, and the Connectional Council and the
General Conference.
6. The Superintendent of the Buds of Promise
shall conduct the correspondence of the Society.
She shall keep in touch with the Juvenile Mis¬
sionary Societies of other Churches and with all
the District Superintendents and Organizers, and
as far as possible with .the Local Societies; pre¬
pare and send out the literature and programmes
for the Societies, and report her transactions to
the Executive Board, and for the Society to the
Board of Bishops, and Connectional Council and
General Conference.
7. (a) The Treasurer shall receive and hold all
money raised through and paid to the Society, keep
an impartial account of the receipts and disburse¬
ments, but shall pay out none except by an order
properly signed by the President and Secretary.
(b) She shall place all moneys raised through
Life * Members, Matrons, Memorial Members,
Patrons' fees and Red-Letter Day exercises in a
reserve fund in bank on interest, this money to be
used as an educational fund to prepare and sup¬
port missionary women in the foreign field.
(c) She shall report monthly through the Mis¬
sionary Seer her receipts from local Societies and
her disbursements.
(d) She shall make a semi-annual remittance
to the Corresponding Secretary of Foreign Mis¬
sions.
(e) She shall report from time to time to the
266
Woman's Missionary Society. ^ 557
Executive Board of the Society, to the Board of
Bishops, and the Connectional Council, and shall
make a quadrennial report to the General Con¬
ference. Her bond shall be $5,000.00.
8. The Executive Board shall take into con¬
sideration the needs of the general work and devise
means and perfect plans for carrying forward the
work in all three departments of the Missionary
Society. They shall send out a printed report by
September of each year.
9. The Missionary Seer shall be the official organ
of the Societies through which reports of their work
shall be made by an editor chosen for that purpose
and by the Corresponding Secretary.
m. CONSTITUTION FOR DISTRICT CONVEN¬
TION.
ARTICLE I. NAME.
1 556. This organization shall be known as the
District Missionary Convention of the African
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and may be
held in each Presiding Elder's district annually.
ARTICLE II. OBJECT.
1 557. It shall be the object of this Convention
to inspire missionary zeal and enthusiasm through¬
out the district, and to increase the amount of
missionary funds sent up from local Societies and
collected during the sittting of the Convention.
267
f 558 Woman's Missionary Society.
ABTICLE III. ORGANIZATION.
1 558. in each Annual Conference there shall be
appointed one Distr'ct President, one District Secre-
taay, one District Superintendent for each Presiding
Elder's District, who shall, by the virtue of their
office, be members of the General Woman's Home
and Foreign Missionary Society.
2. There shall be elected at each District Conven¬
tion a Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secre¬
tary and Treasurer; these, together with other
District Officers, shall form a District Executive
Board.
3. The District Presidents, Secretaries and
Superintendents shall often confer with the Bishop,
Presiding Elder and Pastor as to the best steps to
take in prosecuting their work, and shall urgently
request every Pastor to organize each Society in
every Church under his charge.
4. The General Executive Board may, for the
good of the work, appoint upon the approval of the
Bishop, special Organizers for certain territory.
5. Convocations may be held including a group of
Annual Conferences whenever the Executive Offi¬
cers and Corresponding Secretary of Foreign Mis¬
sions can so arrange. The Vice-President in the
territory where the Convocations meet shall pre¬
side.'
ABTICLE IV. FINANCE.
t 559. 1. Money collected for Missions through
the Society exclusively - and that which may be
brought to the Annual Conference for the Woman's
268
Woman's Missionary Society. 560
Home and Foreign Missionary Society, Young
.Woman's Missionary Society or the Buds of
Promise, shall be sent directly to the Treasurer of
the General Society.
2. All money sent up from the local Societies,
and all money collected at the Convention shall be
forwarded to the General Treasurer after the
traveling expenses of the District Officers to the
Convention and other incidental expenses shall
have been met.
3. The traveling expenses of the Delegates and
local Officers to the Convention shall be met by
the local Societies.
4. The traveling expenses of the District Presi¬
dent, Secretaries, Superintendents and Organizers
shall be paid by the local Societies visited by
them. Where it is necessary for any of these offi¬
cers to visit the Annual Conference in order to
prosecute their work, their expenses shall be paid
out of the money raised for this purpose, and not
out of the money that may be sent to the Annual
Conference for missionary purposes.
IV. BY-LAWS FOR DISTRICT CONVENTION
560. 1 (a) It shall be the duty of the Dis¬
trict President to superintend the organizing of
Missionary Societies within the bounds of her
district, and she shall put forth efforts to stimulate
268a
1 560 Woman's Missionary Society.
the raising of funds for the Society by subscrip¬
tions, pledges, entertainments, donations, soliciting
devices and special occasions.
(b) She shall keep in constant correspondence
with the Corresponding Secretary as to the best
methods to pursue in advancing the missionary
cause, but she shall adopt no method that will
interfere with the Pastor in carrying out the pro¬
vision made for raising his Missionary Assessment.
(c) She shall make the call and. preside at the
Executive Meetings and at all meetings of the
Convention when the women render their reports.
2 (a) It shall be the duty of the District Secre¬
tary and District Superintendent to superintend
the organizing of Missionary Societies within the
bounds of their district in each of their respective
departments, and shall put forth every effort to
stimulate 'the raising of funds by subscriptions,
donations, soliciting devices and special occasions.
(b) They shall associate the District President
in arranging programmes for the Executive Meet¬
ings, Quarterly Mass-Meetings and District Con¬
ventions.
(c) They shall preside at the time when" reports
are being rendered from their respective depart¬
ments.
(d) In case of sickness or other disability of the
District President, the District Secretary and Dis¬
trict Superintendent shall issue the call for the
District Meetings and arrange programmes for the
268b
"Woman's Missionary Society. | 560
three departments that the work may not lag or
suffer.
3. It shall be the duty of the District Recording
Secretary to keep a record of the proceedings of
the convention and a correct roll of the local Presi¬
dents, Secretaries and Superintendents of each
Society, in the district and at the rise of the Con¬
vention send a list of these officers, with their
post-office addresses, as follows: Local Presidents
to the Corresponding Secretary, local Secretaries
to the General Secretary of the Young Woman's
Missionary Society, the local Superintendents to
the General Superintendent, that these General
Officers may always be in touch with the local offi¬
cers. She shall sign all drafts.
4. It shall be the duty of the District Corres¬
ponding Secretary to issue the call for the Execu¬
tive meetings, conduct the correspondence for the
quarterly Mass-Meetings and District Conventions,
to send out programmes "and other literature, to
thoroughly advertise the meetings, to carry out
the order of the Executive Committee in distri¬
buting devices for special collections to be re¬
ported at the District Meetings.
5. (a) It shall be the duty of the District; Treas¬
urer to receive district membership fees at the
Quarterly Mass-Meetings and District Conventions,
and all money from Delegates from local Societies
from all departments, and shall send it to the
General Treasurer immediately on the rise of the
meeting.
268c
1 561 Woman's Missionary Society.
(b) She shall send a separate itemized list of
local officers (President, Secretary and Superin¬
tendent), with the amount sent to the .meeting by
each, and all other moneys in a separate account.
G. It shall be the duty of the Executive Commit¬
tee to arrange a place, date and programme for the
District Missionary Meetings, and adopt ways and
means for the successful prosecution of the work.
7. The Order of Business shall include:
1. Devotional exercises.
2. Appointment of Committees: Delegates,
Rules, Ways and Means, Missionary Seer, Finance,
Courtesies.
3. Seating Delegates.
4. Presiding Officers' Annual Reports.
5. Recording Secretary's Report.
6. Corresponding Secretary's Report.
7. Treasurer's Annual Report.
8. Unfinished Business.
9. New Business.
10. Report of Committees.
11. Election of Officers.
V. CONSTITUTION LOCAL WOMAN'S HOME
AND FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
aeticle I. name.
11561. This Society shall be called the local
Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society of
the African Methodist EpiscopaL Zion Church,
onsrf
Woman's Missionary Society, 564
article II. organization.
1 562. 1. The officers of the local Woman's Home
and Foreign Missionary Society shall consist of a
President, Vice-President, Secretary, Corresponding
Secretary and Treasurer, who shall be members of
the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and
shall be elected annually by the members of the So¬
ciety, a notice of the election to be given at least one
week before the time they are to be elected.
2. The officers of the local Missionary Society shall
be members of and shall make a report to each
Quarterly Conference of the money collected during
the quarter and the progress made in the member¬
ship and the work accomplished generally.
article iv. membership.
1 563. Any lady paying a membership fee of twenty-
five cents and a regular subscription of five cents per
month may become a member of the local Woman's
Home and Foreign Missionary Society.
2. Any gentleman may become'an Honorary Mem¬
ber by paying an annual subscription of fifty cents.
article v. meetings.
t 564. 1. Meetings of the local Society shall be
held weekly. First meeting of business, at which
time the monthly dues are to be collected, com¬
mittees render their reports and all the business trans¬
actions of the Society carried out. Second meeting
shall be a praise meeting, where special service of
prayer and praise may be entered into. Third meet-
268e
* 565 Woman's Missionary Society.
ing a literary programme shall be given, in which
those who are not members of the Society may take
a part. Fourth meeting, a social one, in which mem¬
bers and friends of the missionary cause may meet
socially, and by silver offerings and other free-will
donations may reimburse the local Treasury.
2. There should be one public Missionary Mass-
Meeting held every quarter, at which time the whole
community should be stirred up and enlightened
along missioary lines.
article VI. finance.
1 565. 1. The local Society shall devise ways
and means by which to increase its funds. It may
raise money through membership fees, pledges, enter¬
tainments, donations, soliciting devices, and special
occasions.
2. All money raised by the Society exclusively
shall go to its credit and shall be disposed of at the
end of each quarter, after the repojt has been made
to the Quarterly Conference, by sending to the
Treasurer of the Woman's Home and Foreign Mission¬
ary Society, one-half of the amount collected during
the quarter, the other one-half to be retained and
disposed of by each Society in all the departments for
local missionary purposes.
3. Each member in all departments shall "pay ten
cents annually as a Contingent Fund, five cents to
be retained in the local and five cents sent to the
General Treasury, to be used for any exigency that
jnay arise.
26§f
Woman's Missionary Society. 566
4. All expenses for operating the local Society must
be paid from the one-half retained in the local Treas¬
ury and the Contingent Fund.
VI. By-Laws Local Woman's Home and Foreign
Missionary Society.
1 566. 1. The President shall call extra meetings
when necessary and preside at all stated meetings of
the Society, sign all drafts on the Treasurer when
ordered by the Society, and perform all other duties
of a President. She shall be amenable to the Quarter¬
ly Conference.
2. The Vice-President shall perform these duties
in the absence of the President.
3. The Recording Secretary shall keep an exact
record of the transactions of the Society, draw and
sign all drafts ox^ the Treasurer, ordered by the
Society, take an account of all the money in the
name of the Society, make monthly reports to the
Society and Quarterly reports to the Quarterly Con¬
ference.
4. The Treasurer shall receive and hold all money
collected for and by the Society, and pay it out only
on drafts ordered by the Society and properly signed
by the President and Secretary. She shall make a
monthly report to the Society and a quarterly report
to the Quarterly Conference, and immediately after
the Quarterly Conference remit one-half of the
'money collected for the quarter to the Treasurer of
268g
5C6 Woman's Missionary Society.
the General Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary
Society.
5. There shall be a number of Marshals appointed
at the option of the Society, whose duty it shall be
to assist the Presiding Officer in arranging for the
meetings, seat the people attending all meetings,
and to perform other duties imposed upon them by
the President.
6. It shall be the duty of the Pastor in charge
to see that a Woman's Home and Foreign Mis¬
sionary Society is organized and operated in each
of the Churches of his charge, and the Presiding
Elder shall see that this provision is carried out.
2CSli
Bureau of Evangelism. j[ 567
CHAPTER VII
BUREAU OF EVANGELISM.
I. Board of Evangelism.
If 567.1. In order that the African Methodist Epis¬
copal Zion Church may conform more closely to the
spirit and mission of the ministry of our Lord and
employ the most effective means for the accomplish¬
ment of the chief end of the Gospel—the salvation
of souls; and that the Church may more vigorously
promote and apply the moral and spiritual agencies
by which men are rescued from sin and trained
for heaven; and that a more inviting opportunity
may be given our ministers to use their evangelistic
talent more frequently in conducting revivals; and
to systematize the work of evangelism among the
ministry, the General Conference directs that there
shall be an organization in our Church known
as The Bureau of Evangelism, and for the general
control of which there shall be elected by the Gen¬
eral Conference, upon the nomination of the
Board of Bishops, a Board of Evangelism consisting
of one Bishop and one member from each Epis-
268i
567 Bureau or Evangelism.
copal District, whose officers shall be a President,
Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer.
2. The Board of Evangelism shall have authority
to exercise general control over the field of
Evangelism and shall seek to promote revivals of
religion throughout the territory occupied by the
Church and shall endeavor to vitalize and restore
the waste places in our Zion.
3. The Bureau shall have power to prescribe
regulations for the operation of the Board not in¬
consistent with the provisions of the Book of
Discipline; also to locate its headquarters.
4. The Bureau shall have the right to employ
Evangelists for the field and to regulate their
sphere of operation so that all parts of the field
may enjoy the benefits of their service, but it shall
not assign Evangelists without the consent of the
Pastor except it be in unoccupied territory.
5. The Bureau shall have power to regulate the
support, entertainment and expenses of each
Evangelist who gives his whole time to the work,
and shall see as far as possible that each whole-
time Evangelist rendering effective service, is
liberally cared for.
6. The President, after conference with the of¬
ficers of the Bureau, shall have the power to call
special meetings when necessary, and shall preside
over all meetings of the Board, and perform all
other duties which appertain to the office of Presi-
268j
Bureau of Evangelism. j[ 568
dent. The Vice-President shall perform these duties
in the absence of the President.
7. The Secretary shall keep a faithful record of
all the proceedings of the Board in a Book pur¬
chased for that purpose and shall report to the
Board and to the Board of Bishops whenever de¬
manded.
8. The Treasurer shall receive, receipt for, hold
and pay out whatever money that comes to the
Board from whatever source. He shall not dis¬
burse the money only as ordered by the Board or
directed by the President.
II. Director of Evangelism.
1568- The General Conference shall elect a Di¬
rector of Evangelism, whose tenure of office shall
be for four years and until his successor is elected.
He shall be an ex-officio member of the Board of
Evangelism, and shall be the chief Executive of¬
ficer of the Board, and shall, under the direction
of the Board and the provisions of the Discipline,
have the general Directorship of Evangelism, con¬
duct the general correspondence and tentatively
pass upon the qualification and fitness of Evan¬
gelists to be appointed by the Board. He shall
make a survey of the field from time to time and
under the direction of the Board and upon the in¬
vitation of Pastors, assign Evangelists to certain
territory. He shall confer often with the Board
as to the best method of regulating support for
the Evangelists both in cities and rural districts,
268k
j[ 569 Bureau of Evangelism.
the length of time an Evangelist should spend at
any given place and how he is to be entertained
while there. He will be expected to call a meeting
of the Evangelists when convenient so as to ex¬
change opinions as to the best methods of con¬
ducting an evangelistic campaign where several
churches may combine to that end. The Director's
compensation shall be equal to that of other General
Officers should his whole time be given to the work,
but it shall be provided for by his Board. He
shall render a semi-annual report to his Board and
to the Board of Bishops; an annual report to the
Council and a quadrennial report to the General
Conference. He shall be amenable for his con¬
duct to his Board, which for cause to them suf¬
ficient, shall have the right to report him to the
Board of Bishops, who shall have the power to
remove him from office and to fill the vacancy.
III. General Evangelists.
'If 569- Evangelists employed by the Bureau of
Evangelism shall be known as General Evangelists,
provided their whole time is given to the field,
and their support shall be regulated by the Board.
No one hereafter shall be styled a General Evan¬
gelist, nor shall any particular support be provided,
who is not employed and recognized by the Board
and who does not give his whole time to the work.
Once a Minister decides to become a General Evan¬
gelist and is employed by the Board, he must sub-
2681
Bureau of Evangelism. 572
scribe to and abide strictly by the regulations of the
Board, or he will be dismissed.
IV. Conference Evangelists.
1f 570. A Minister of an Annual Conference who
desires to give part of his time to Evangelism sub¬
ject to an appointment to a Pastoral Charge by the
Bishop, shall be styled Conference Evangelist whose
sphere of operation shall be confined to his Con¬
ference territory, except when the Director of
Evangelism invites him to assist in an effort.
V. The Pastor and Evangelism.
If 571. Neither the Board of Evangelism, the
Director of Evangelism, nor any General Evangelist
shall force an evangelistic campaign upon a Pastor
against his advice. However a Pastor who is not
possessed of this spiritual gift should stand ready
to welcome a good Evangelist to conduct a revival
for and with him, yet it is his privilege to object
to such service if he prefer to condifct his own
revival.
VI. Presiding Elders and Evangelism.
If 572. While the office brings the Presiding Elder
largely in contact with the temporal economy of
the Church, his sermons and instructions should be
appeals for men to .be saved. He should stress this
thought above all others in his Quarterly Con¬
ference and sermons. He might leave a lasting im¬
pression upon the people which might eventuate in
268m
571 Bureau of Evangelism.
souls being saved. In each Quarterly Conference
let him seriously inquire of the number of con¬
versions.
VII. Local Board of Evangelism.
II573. The Pastor who stresses his salary and
finance to the exclusion of the salvation of souls
need not be surprised if there is a declension of
interest in his sermons on the part of his congre¬
gation. He should not only preach evangelistic
sermons and conduct revivals constantly, but should
organize a local Bureau of Evangelism among the
devout members of his church to assist him in
prayer meetings, in special service for the unsaved
at the church or in their homes. Local Preachers,
Exhorters, Deaconesses, Class Leaders and others
can render great service in this way.
VIII. General Evangelism.
H 574. V*th all the sermons preached, even true
religion often becomes dimmed and intermittent
and often needs rekindling by revival influence.
The ministry of Jesus Christ was of a revival type.
He preached repentance, so did the Apostles. The
tendency of the Church today is to expand itself
through finance and fine edifices. These we must
have, but reliance upon them alone produces spiri¬
tual declension and barrenness. A genuine revival
of religion fills the Church with members, arouses
its activities, quickens its sympathy, and increases
its moral and spiritual power by shaking off its
268ft
Vakick Christian Endeavor Union. 575
lethargy; increases ministerial power by invigorat¬
ing the soul of the Minister; makes church work
easy and enjoyable and produces a spirit of bene¬
volence among the people, and proves to be a
harvest season for gathering in the fruits of
pastoral seed-sowing.
CHAPTER VIII
VARICK CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR UNION.
I. Board of Control.
II575. For the promotion of intelligent and vital
piety among the young people of our Churches
and Congregation, and for the purpose of de¬
veloping them into strong, active, Christian
workers, there shall be an organization under
the authority of the General Conference of the
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, known
as the Yarick Christian Endeavor Union,
and for the government of which, the Gen-
268o
t 575 Varick Christian Endeavor Union.
eral Conference shall appoint a Board of Control,
consisting of all the Bishops and one Member froin
each Episcopal District who shall serve for a term
of four years, and until their successors are elected,
and whose officers shall be a President, Secretary
and Treasurer.
§ 1. The President shall have power to call special
meetings when necessary, preside over all meetings
of the Board, and perform all other duties which
appertain to the office of President.
§ 2. The Secretary shall keep a faithful record of
all the transactions of the Board, draw up and sign
all drafts on the Treasurer, and shall report the
transactions of the Board semi-annually to the Board
of Bishops, annually to the Connectional Council, and
quadrennially to the General Conference, 184, 29, ^ 92
§ 3, 6, 1 98 § 6.
§ 3. The Treasurer shall receive and hold the
money over and above what is required to conduct
the business of the Union, keep an accurate account of
the same, pay it out only on drafts properly signed by
the President and Secretary, and shall report his
receipts and disbursements in the same manner as
the Secretary.
f 576. The regular meetings of the Board of
Control shall be annually at the time and place of
the meeting of the Connectional Council; special
meetings may be called at the discretion of the
President. When meeting alone five Members of
the Board shall constitute a quorum for the trans¬
action of business.
268p
Varick Christian Endeavor Union, 551
f 577. The Board of Control, under the advice
of the General Conference, shall have the authority
to regulate and pay the salary, and the office and
official traveling expenses of the Secretary of the
Union; the balance remaining shall be used for.the
mission cause.
| 578. The Union through its Secretary shall is¬
sue Charters for each Yarick Endeavor Society which
shall contain the portrait of the founder of the Church.
1 579. All the Young People's Societies of Chris¬
tian Endeavor existing in our Churches, or which
may hereafter be organized and approved by the
Quarterly Conference of the Charge, shall be known
as Yarick Christian Endeavor Societies, and shall be
auxiliaries to the Varick Christian Endeavor Union.
t 580. The Union shall put forth efforts to pro¬
mote intelligent and vital piety among the young
Members of the Church, to aid them in becoming
strong, active, Christian workers, and for this pur¬
pose it shall publish and supply the Yarick Chris¬
tian Endeavor Societies with the necessary literature
for the proper conducting of thei rservices and busi¬
ness affairs.
^ 581. The Varick Christian Endeavor Union shall
be maintained principally by the means accruing
from the sale of literature and special donations,
but in order to assist in its maintenance, and to
stimulate a mutual interest in the Societies, the an¬
niversary of the Union shall be observed annually
in the month of May by all the Societies, and the
collection taken during the anniversary exercises shall
268(1
1 582 "Varick Christian Endeavor Union1.
be forwarded to the Treasurer of the Board, and
accredited to the Society and Church. Should there
be no Varick Christian Endeavor Society existing in
the local Church, then the Pastor shall be required
to lift a collection during the month of May, and for¬
ward it to the Treasurer of the Board.
II. Secretary of the Union.
1 582. The General Conference shall elect a Secre¬
tary of the Varick Christian Endeavor Union whose
tenure of office shall be for four years and until his
successor is elected. He shall be the chief executive
officer of the Varick Christian Endeavor Union, and
shall, under the direction of the Board of Control,
and the provisions of the Discipline, conduct the cor¬
respondence, and have the general oversight of the
Union and all-Young People's Societies, and shall
prepare all literature, select and approve of all re¬
quisites necessary for the use of the Societies.
1 583. The Secretary shall travel and deliver lec¬
tures whenever practicable and assist the Pastors in
organizing Societies.
1 584. The Secretary-of the Union shall render a
semi-annual report to the Board of Control and the
Board of Bishops, an annual report to the Connec-
tional Council, and a quadrennial report to the Gen¬
eral Conference of his receipts, disbursements, travels,
lectures, number of the Societies, the number be¬
longing to the Societies, and all other items of in¬
terest, 184 § 28,1 92 § 3, 6, f 98 § 6.
268r
Varick Christian Endeavor Union, t 591
1 585. The Secretary shall be allowed a reason¬
able compensation for his services out of the funds
of the Union and also his office and official traveling
expenses as provided in f 577; he shall pay the bal¬
ance over into the hands of the Treasurer of the
Board.
f 586. The Secretary shall be amenable for his
official conduct to the Board of Control which shall
have the right for cause to them sufficient, to report
him to the Board of Bishops, who shall have the
power to remove him from office and fill the vacancy,
1 92 f 6.
III. Annual Conference Vice-President of the Union.
f 590. The Annual Conference may at -its discre¬
tion appoint a Vice-President of the Varick Christian
Endeavor Union, who shall co-operate with the Secre¬
tary, Presiding Elders and Pastors in organizing
Varick Christian Endeavor Societies, within the
bounds of the Annual Conference, stimulating an in¬
terest in those already organized, and in holding
District or Annual Conference Conventions whenever
practicable.
IV. Duties of Pastors and Presiding Elders.
H 591. It shall be the duty of the Pastor m Charge
to organize a Varick Christian Endeavor Society in
each Church of his Charge, and to-co-operate with
the Executive Board in supplying the Society with
the proper Charter and literature, to see that the
268s
^ 592 Varick Christian Endeavor Union.
anniversary is observed in the month of May, and
that a collection is taken at the time and sent to
the Treasurer of the Board.
1 592. It shall be the duty of the Presiding Elder
to bring the subject of Varick Christian Endeavor
Societies before the Quarterly Conference, and at the
first Quarterly Conference of the year, the President
of the local Society shall be confirmed or rejected at
the discretion of the Conference.
MODEL CONSTITUTION FOR LOCAL
SOCIETIES.
article t. name.
t 593. This organization shall be known as the
Varick Christian Endeavor Society of the African
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and shall be auxil¬
iary to the Varick Christian Endeavor Union.
2m
Varick Christian Endeavor, 595.
article ii. object.
Tf 594. The object of the Society shall be to pro¬
mote intelligent and vital piety and an earnest
Christian life in its Members, to increase their mu¬
tual acquaintance, to develop them into useful and
active service to God, and to encourage devotional
culture and denominational upbuilding.
article iii. membership.
K" 595. The Members of the Society shall consist
of three classes, namely: Active, Associate, and Af¬
filiated or Honorary.
1.. Active Members. The Active Members shall con¬
sist of all young persons who believe themselves to
be Christians, and wlio sincerely desire to accomplish
the object abpve specified. Voting power shall be
vested only in the Active Members.
2. Associate Members. All young persons of worthy
character who are not at present willing to be consid¬
ered Christians, may become Associate Members. They
shall have the special prayers and sympathy of the
Active Members, but shall- be excused from taking
part in any prayer meeting or business meeting. It
is expected that all Associate Members will habitually
attend the prayer meetings and that they will in
time become Active Members. The Society will
work to this end.
3.- Affiliated or Honorary Members. All persons of
worthy character, although no longer young, who are
interested in the Society, and who wish to have some
connection with it, though they cannot regularly
269
596. Varick Christian Endeavor.
attend the meetings, may become Affiliated Members;
their names shall be kept on a list under the appro¬
priate heading, but shall not be called at roll-call
meetings.
article iv. officers and their duties.
T[ 596. The officers of the Varick Christian En¬
deavor Society shall be a President, Vice-President,
Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and
Treasurer, who shall be chosen from among the
Active Members, and who shall be elected annually.
\ 1. President. The President shall perform the
duties which usually appertain to that office. He
shall keep special watch over the interest of the
Society^ and shall be careful to see that the different
officers and committees perform the duties devolving
upon them. He shall be Chairman of the Executive
Committee, and shall render a report to each Quar¬
terly Conference, and an annual report at the last
Quarterly Conference of the year of the spiritual,
numerical and financial condition of the Society.
The Vice-President shall perform the duties in the
absence of the President.
\ 2. Recording Secretary. It shall be the duty of
the Recording Secretary to keep a record of the
Members, to correct it from time to time, as may be
necessary, and to obtain the signature of each newly
elected Member to the Constitution; also to corre¬
spond with absent Members, and to inform them of
their standing in the Society, and keep a correct
minute of all business meetings of the Society; to
Vakick Christian Endeavor. 597, § 1.
notify all persons of their election to office or to com*
mittees, and to do so in writing if necessary. He
shall render a monthly report to the Executive
Board,
§ 3* Corresponding Secretary. It shall be the duty
of the Corresponding Secretary to keep the Local
Society in communication with the Varick Christian.
Endeavor Union and with other local Societies; and
to present to his own Society such matters of interest
as may come from the Yarick Christian Endeavor
Union, from other local Societies, and from author¬
ized sources of Christian Endeavor information. This
office shall be permanent, and the name shall be for¬
warded to the Yarick Christian Endeavor Union.
1 4. Treasurer. It shall be the duty of the Treas¬
urer to receive and hold all the money belonging to
the Society, and to pay it out only on orders properly
drawn, bearing the signatures of the President and
Secretary.
ARTICLE V. COMMITTEES AND THEIR DUTIES.
If 597. There shall be an Executive, Look-out,
Prayer Meeting, and Social Committee, and such
other Committees as the local needs of the Society
may require, and each, except the Executive Com¬
mittee, shall consist of five Members, and shall make
a written report to the Society at the monthly busi¬
ness meeting concerning the work of the past month.
They shall be elected annually at the same time the
officers are elected.
2 1. Executive Committee. The Executive Com-
271
597, § 2. Varick Christian Endeavor.
mittee shall consist of the Pastor in Charge, the
officers of the Society, and the Chairman of each
committee. All matters of business requiring debate
shall first be brought before this committee, and by
it reported to the Society, either favorably or ad¬
versely. All discussions or proposed measures shall
take place before this committee, instead of the
Society. Kecommendations concerning the finance
of the Society shall also originate with this com¬
mittee.
. \ 2. Look-out Committee. It shall be the duty of
this committee to seek for and bring new Members
into the Society, to introduce them to the work and
to the other Members, and to affectionately look after
and reclaim any that seem indifferent to their duties
as outlined in the pledge. This committee shall also
by personal investigation, satisfy itself of the fitness
of young persons to become Members of the Society,
and shall propose their names at least once a week
before their election to membership.
\ 3. Prayer Meeting Committee. It shall be the
duty of this committee to have in charge the Prayer
Meetings, and to see that a topic is assigned, and a
Leader appointed for every meeting, and to do what
it can to secure the faithfulness to the Prayer Meet¬
ing pledge.
§ 4. Social Committee. It shall be the duty of this
committee to promote the social interest of the So¬
ciety by welcoming strangers to the Meetings, and
by providing for the mutual acquaintance of the
.Members by occasional sociables, for which any
272
Varick Christian Endeavor. 598, § 2.
appropriate entertainment of which the Church
approves, may be provided.
article vi. regular meetings.
T[ 59S. § 1. The Prayer Meeting. All the Active
Members shall be present at every Prayer Meeting
unless detained by some absolute necessity, and each
Active Member shall take some part, however slight,
in every meeting. To the above all Active Members
shall pledge themselves, understanding by absolute
necessity, some reason for absence which can be con¬
scientiously given to their Master, Jesus Christ. *
\ 2. The Consecration Meeting. Once each month
a Consecration Meeting shall be held, at which time
Active Members shall renew their vows of consecra¬
tion. If a Member wish, he can express his feelings
by an appropriate verse or a Scriptural quotation.
(1) At each Consecration Meeting the roll shall
be called and the responses of the Active Members
shall be considered as renewed expressions of alle¬
giance' to Christ. It is expected if any one is obliged
to be absent from the meeting he will send a message,
or at least a verse of Scripture to be read in response
to his name at the roll-call.
(2) If any Active Member of this Society be
absent from the monthly meeting, and fail to send
a message, the Look-out Committee is expected to
take the name of such a one, and in a kindly and
brotherly spirit ascertain the reason for the absence.
If any Active Member of the Society is absent and
unexcused from three consecutive monthly meetings,
18 273
598, § 3. Varick Christian Endeavor.
such a one ceases to be a Member of the Society, and
his name shall be stricken from the list of the
Members.
(3) Any Associate Member who without good rea¬
son is regularly absent from the Prayer Meetings,
and shows no interest whatever in the work of the
Society, he may, upon recommendation of the Look¬
out Committee and Pastor, be dropped from the roll
of Members.
g B. Business Meetings and Elections. Business
Meetings may be held at the close of the Prayer
Meeting, or at any other time in accordance with the
call of the President. The election of the officers
and Committees shall be held annually (officers may
be elected every six months). Names may be pro¬
posed by a nominating committee appointed by the
President for the purpose, of which the Pastor shall
be a Member ex-officio.
article vii. relation of the society to the
church.
599. This Society being a part of the Church,
it owes allegiance only and altogether to the Church
to which it is connected. The Pastor and all Church
officials, if not Active Members, shall be ex-officio
Honorary Members. Any difficult question shall be
laid before them for advice, and their decision shall
be final. It is to be understood that the nomination
of officers or other action taken by the Society shall
be subject to revision or veto by the Church; that in
every way the Society shall be under the control of
274
Vaeick Christian Endeavor. 601.
the Official Board of the Church and the Quarterly
Conference of the Charge.
article viii. relation of the junior society.
Tf 600. The Young People's Society of Christian
Endeavor and Junior Society being united by the
ties of closest sympathy and common effort, monthly
(or at least annual) reports shall be read to the Senior
Varick Christian Endeavor by the Junior Superin¬
tendent. When the boys and the girls reach the age
of fifteen, they shall be transferred to the Senior
Society. Special pains shall be taken to see that a
share of the duties and responsibilities of the Prayer
Meeting and of the general work of the Society be
borne by the younger Members.
article ix. fellowship.
If 601. This Society while owing allegiance only
to its own Church is united by ties of spiritual fel¬
lowship with other Endeavor Societies the world
round. This fellowship is based upon a common
love for Christ, by a common pledge and common
methods of work, and is guaranteed by a common
name "Christian Endeavor," with our denomina¬
tional name Yarick attached; by this we dp not
interfere with the relations of the Societies to the
Local Unions. Our main object for having a de¬
nominational name is for denominational upbuilding.
This Society may be promoted by Local Union
Meetings, Conferences, National Congress, or Yarick
Christian Endeavor Conventions; also by informa-
275
^[ 602. Varick Christian Endeavor.
tion and encouragement given by the Bishops, Gen¬
eral Officers, Presiding Elders, and Pastors of the
Church, all of whom are ex-officio Honorary Mem¬
bers.
article x. transfer of membership.
1[ 602. Since it would in the end defeat the very
object of our organization if the older Active
Members who have been trained in the Society for
usefulness in the Church, remain content with fulfill¬
ing their pledges to the Society only, therefore it is
expected that the older Members, when it shall be-'
come impossible for them to attend the weekly Prayer
Meetings, they shall be transferred to Affiliated
Membership in the Society, if previously faithful to
their vows as Active Members. This transfer, how
ever, shall be made with the understanding that the
obligation to faithful service shall still be binding
upon them in the regular Church Prayer Meeting.
It shall be left to the Look-out Committee in conjunc¬
tion with the Pastor, to see that the transfer of mem¬
bership is made as occasion may require.
article xi. withdrawals.
f 603. Any Member who may wish to withdraw
from the Society, shall state the reason to the Look¬
out Committee and the Pastor, and if these reasons
seem sufficient, he may be allowed to withdraw.
article xii. amendments.
If 604. This Constitution may be amended at any
276
Varick Christian Endeavor. 604.
regular business meeting by a two-thirds vote of the
entire Active Membership of the Society, provided
that a written statement of the proposed amendment
shall have been read to the Society, and deposited
with the Secretary at the regular business meeting
next preceding; provided that no alteration shall be
made that will interfere or abridge the authority of
the Church over the Society.
Form of the President's Quarterly Report.
1. Number of Yarick Christian Endeavor So¬
cieties.
2. Number of Active Members.
3. Number of Associate Members.
4. Number of Honorary Members.
5. Number of Active arid Honorary Members who
are not Members of our Church.
6. Number of Junior Societies.
7. Number of Members in Junior Societies.
8. Whole number in both Senior and Junior So¬
cieties.
9. Increase over last quarter . Decrease .
10. Average attendance#
11. Number of times the Pastor has instructed the
Society.
12. Number of bound volumes in Library.
13. Amount raised by the Senior Society.
14. Amount raised by the Junior Society.
15. Total amount raised by both Societies.
16. Amount expended.
17. Amount in hand.
"f[ 605. Ministerial Brotherhood.
18. Amount raised for Missions.
19. Amount forwarded to the President of the
Jnion.
278
part viil
The Ritual
I. BAPTISM.
II. RECEPTION OF MEMBERS.
III. THE LORD'S SUPPER.
IV. MATRIMONY.
V. BURIAL OF THE DEAD.
VI. CONSECRATION " AND ORDINA¬
TIONS.
VII. CORNER STONE AND DEDICATION,
VIII. CONSECRATION OF DEACONESSES.
Baptism.
CHAPTER I.
BAPTISM.
1[ 618. Baptism of Infants*
The minister, coming to the Font, which is to be filled
with pure water, shall use the following:
Dearly Beloved: Forasmuch as all men are
conceived and born in sin, and that our Saviour
Christ saith, Except a man be born of water and of
the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God,
I beseech you to call upon God the Father, through
our Lord Jesus Christ, that having of his bounteous
mercy redeemed this child by the blood of his Son,
he will grant that he, being baptized with water, may
be also baptized with the Holy Ghost, be received
into Christ's holy Church, and become a lively Mem¬
ber of the same.
Then shall the Minister say:
Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, who of thy great
mercy hast condescended to enter into covenant rela¬
tions with man, wherein thou hast included children
as partakers of its gracious benefits, declaring that
of such is the kingdom of God; and in thine
ancient Church didst appoint divers baptisms, fig¬
uring thereby the renewing of the Holy Ghost; and
by thy well-beloved Son Jesus Christ gavest com-
II 618.
Baptism.
mandment to thy holy Apostles to go into all the
world and disciple all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost:
we beseech thee that out of thine infinite mercy thou
wilt look upon this child; wash and sanctify him; that
he, being saved by thy grace, may be received into
Christ's holy Church, and being steadfast in faith,
joyfui through hope, and. rooted in love, may so
overcome the evils of this present world that finally
he may attain to everlasting life, and reign with thee,
world without end, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
0 merciful God, grant that all carnal affections may
die in him, 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 endowed with heavenly
virtue and everlastingly rewarded through thy mercy,
O blessed Lord God, who dost live and govern all
things, world without end. Amen.
Almighty, everlasting God, whose most dearly
beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of our
sins, did shed out of his side both water and blood,
regard, we beseech thee, our supplications; sanctify
this water for this holy Sacrament, and grant
that this child, now to be baptized, may receive
the fullness of thy grace, and ever remain- in the
286
Baptism.
IT 618.
number of thy faithful and elect children, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then shall the-Minister address the Parents or Guardians
as follows:
Dearly Beloved: Forasmuch as this child is now
presented by you for Christian Baptism, you must
remember that it is your part" and duty to see that he
be taught, as soon as he is able to learn, the nature
and end of this holy Sacrament, and that he may
know these things the better you shall call upon, him
to give reverent attendance upon the appointed means of
grace, such as the ministry of the word and the
public and private worship of God; and further, ye
shall provide that he shall read the Holy Scriptures,
and learn the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments,
the Apostles' Creed, the Catechism, and all other
things which a Christian ought to know and believe
to his soul's health, in order .that he may be brought
up to lead a virtuous and holy life, remembering
always that Baptism doth represent unto us that
inward purity which disposeth us to follow the ex¬
ample of our Saviour Christ; that as he died and
rose again for us, so should we, who are baptized, die
unto sin and rise again unto righteousness, contin¬
ually mortifying all corrupt affections, and daily
proceeding in all virtue and godliness.
Do you therefore solemnly engage to fulfill these
duties, so far as in you lies, the Lord being your
helper?
Ans* We do.
287
•[[618.
Baptism.
Then shall the People stand up, and the Minister shall
say:
Hear ye the words of the Gospel, written by St.
Mark. [Chap, x, 13-16.]
They brought young children to Christ, that he
should touch them; and his disciples rebuked those
that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was
much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little
children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for
of such is the kingdom of God. Yerily I say unto
you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of
God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And
he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon
them, and blessed them.
A verse may be sung.
Then the Minister shall take the Child into his arms,
and say to the Parents of the Child :
Name this child.
AncL then, naming the Child after them, he shall sprinkle
or pour Water upon it, or, if desired, dip it in Water,
saying :
N., I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then shall the Minister offer the following Prayer, the
People kneeling:
O God of infinite mercy, the Father of all the
faithful seed, be pleased to grant unto this child an
understanding mind and a sanctified heart. May thy
providence lead him through the dangers, tempta¬
tions, and ignorance of his youth ; that he may never
288
Baptism.
IT 619.
run into folly, nor into the evils of an unbridled
appetite. We pray thee so to order the course of
his life that by good education, by holy examples, and
by thy restraining grace, he may be led to serve thee
faithfully all his days, so that, when he has glorified
thee in his generation and has served the Church on
earth, he may be received into thine eternal king¬
dom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty and most merciful Father, let thy loving-
kindness and compassion descend upon these, thy
servant and handmaiden, the parents [or guardians] of
this child. \ Grant unto them, we beseech thee, the
Holy Spirit, that they may, like Abraham, command
their household to keep the way of the Lord. * Direct
their actions and sanctify their hearts, words, and
purposes; that their whole family may be united to
our Lord Jesus Christ in the bands of faith, obedi¬
ence, and charity, and that they all, being in this life
thy holy children by adoption and grace, may be ad¬
mitted into the Church of the first-born in heaven,
through the merits of thy dear Son, our Saviour and
Redeemer. Amen,
619. Baptism of Adults.
The Minister shall rise the following in administering
this holy Sacrament:
Dearly Beloved : Forasmuch as all men are
conceived and born in sin, and that which is born of
the flesh is flesh, and they that are in the flesh can¬
not please God, but live in sin, committing manr
19 289
nr 619.
Baptism.
actual transgressions, and that our Saviour Christ
saith, None can enter into the kingdom of God
except he be regenerated and born anew of water
and the Holy Ghost: I beseech you to call upon God
the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that of
his bounteous goodness he will grant to these persons
that they may be baptized with water and the Holy
Ghost, be received into Christ's holy Church, and
be made lively Members of the same.
Then shall the Minister say, standing:
Almighty and immortal God, the aid of all that
need, the help of all that flee to thee for succor, the
life of them that believe, and the resurrection of the
dead, we call upon thee for these persons, now com¬
ing to thy holy Baptism. Receive them, O Lord, as
thou hast promised by thy well-beloved Son, saying,
Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall jind;
knock, and it shall be opened unto you : so give now
unto us that ask; let us that seek find; open the
gate unto us that knock: that these persons may
enjoy the everlasting benediction of thy heavenly
washing, and may come to the eternal kingdom which
thou hast promised by Christ our Lord. Amen.
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 thee. Increase this knowledge,
and confirm this faith in us evermore. Give thy
Holy Spirit to these persons, that they may be made
heirs of everlasting salvation, through our Lord
Baptism.
Tf 619.
Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and
the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.
Then shall the People stand up, and the Minister shall say:
Hear the words of the Gospel, written by St. John.
[Chap, iii, 1-8.]
There was a man of the Pharisees named Nico-
demus, a ruler of the Jews ; the same came to Jesus
by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that
thou art a teacher come from God; for no man can
do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with
him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Yerily,
verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again,
he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith
unto him, How can a man be born when he is old ?
Can he enter the second time into his mother's
womb,, and be born ? Jesus answered, Yerily, verily,
I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and
of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of
God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and
that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel
not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest
the sound thereof; but canst not tell whence it
cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that
is born of the Spirit.
Then shall the Minister speak to the Persons to be bap¬
tized, as follows:
Well Beloved, who have come hither desiring to
receive holy Baptism, ye have heard how the Congre-
IT 619.
Baptism.
gation hath prayed for you, that our Lord Jesus
Christ would vouchsafe to receive you and bless you,
to release you from .your sins, to give you the king¬
dom of heaven, and everlasting life.' And our Lord
Jesus Christ hath promised, in his holy word, to
grant all those things we have prayed for, which
promise he, for his part, will most surely keep and
perform. Wherefore, after this promise, made by
Christ, you must also faithfully, for your part, prom¬
ise, in the presence of this whole Congregation, that
you will renounce the devil and all his works, and
constantly believe God's holy word, and obediently
keep his commandments.
Then shall the Minister demand of each Person to be bap¬
tized, severally, the following questions :
Quest. Do you renounce the devil and all his works,
the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all cove¬
tous desires of the same, and the carnal desires of the
flesh, so that you will not follow nor be led by them?
Ans. I renounce them all.
Quest. Do you believe in God the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his
only begotten Son our Lord; and that he was con¬
ceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary;
that he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified,
died, and was buried ; that he arose again the third
day; that he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at
the right hand of God the Father Almighty; and
from thence shall come, at the end of the world, to
judge the living and the dead ? And do you believe
Baptism.
ir 6i9.
in the Holy Ghost; the holy Catholic* Church, the
communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the
resurrection of the body; and everlasting life after
death ?
Ans. All this I steadfastly believe.
Quest. Will you be baptized in this faith ?
Ans. That is my desire.
Quest. Will you obediently keep God's holy will
and commandments, and walk in them all the days
of your life?
Ans. I will endeavor so to do, God being my
helper.
Then shall the Minister pray, kneeling:
0 merciful God, grant that the old Adam in these
persons may be so buried that the new man may be
raised up in them. Amen.
Grant that all carnal affections may die in them,
and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live
and grow in them. Amen.
Grant "that they may have power and strength to
have victory, and to triumph against the devil, the
world, and the flesh. Amen.
Grant that they, being here dedicated to thee by
our office and ministry, may also be endued with
heavenly virtues, and everlastingly rewarded, through
thy mercy, O blessed Lord God, who dost live and
govern all things, world without end. Amen.
Almighty, everliving God, whose most dearly
beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of our
gins, did shed out of his most precious side both
* The one universal Church of Christ,
393
nr 619.
Baptism.
water and blood, and gave commandment to his dis¬
ciples, that they should go teach all nations, and
baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost, regard, we beseech thee,
the supplications of this Congregation, and grant
that the persons now to be baptized may receive the
fullness of thy grace, and ever remain in the number
of thy faithful and elect children, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
A short hymn may be sung.
Then the Minister shall baptize them with Water, either
by sprinkling, pouring, or dipping, according to their
request, saying:
N., I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then shall the Minister, kneeling, offer the Lord's
Prayer :
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy
name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in
earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread: and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive
them that trespass against us: and lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.
294
Reception of Members. 620.
CHAPTER II.
RECEPTION OF MEMBERS.
620. Form for Receiving Persons Into the Church
on Probation.
Those who are to be received into the Church as Proba¬
tioners shall be called forward by name, and the Min¬
ister, addressing the Congregation, shall say :
Dearly Beloved Brethren: That none may¬
be admitted hastily into the Church, it is our custom
to receive all persons seeking fellowship with us on
profession of faith, into a preparatory membership on
trial, during which time such persons may have op¬
portunity .to become acquainted with the Rules and
Doctrines of our Church ; and the Church may learn
the sincerity and depth, of the motives which prompt
them to seek such fellowship.
The persons before you desire to be received on
Probation, and it is needful for me to remind you that
your lives should be holy examples to them, that they
may take no detriment from you, but that through
your help they may have reason to give thanks to
God that they were led into this fellowship.
Then, addressing the Persons to be received on Proba¬
tion, the Minister shall say:
Dearly Beloved: You have by the grace of God
made your decision to follow Christ and to serve him,
295
621. Reception of Members.
which decision we trust is not based upon any
worthiness in yourselves, but solely on the merits of
our Lord Jesus Christ, and on his death and inter¬
cession for us.
That the Church may know your purpose, you will
answer the questions I am now to ask you.
Have you an earnest desire to be saved from your
sins?
Ans. I have.
Will you guard yourself against all things contrary
to the teaching of God's word, and endeavor to lead a
holy life, following the commandments of God ?
Ans. I will endeavor so to do.
Are you purposed to give reverent attendance upon
the appointed means of grace in the ministry of the
word, and in the private and public worship of God?
Ans. I am so determined, with the help of God.
The Minister shall then announce that the Candidates
are received on Probation, and shall assign them to
classes. He may then offer a short extemporary
Prayer.
If 621. Form for Receiving Persons into the Church after
Probation.
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 to bring together in one all
who are in Christ. The fellowship of the Church is
the communion that its Members enjoy one with an¬
other. The ends of this fellowship are the mainte-
m
Reception of Members. 621.
nance of sound doctrine and of the ordinances of
Christian worship, the exercise of that power of godly
admonition and discipline which Christ has com¬
mitted to his Church for the promotion of holiness.
It is the duty of all men to unite in fellowship, for it
is only those that " be planted in the house of the
Lord that shall flourish in the courts of our God."
Its more particular duties are to promote peace and
unity, to bear one another's burdens, to seek the in¬
timacy of friendly society among themselves, to con¬
tinue 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 watch¬
ful care of Pastors, and the enjoyment 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 on Trial, come seeking admission.
We now propose in the fear of God to question them
as to their faith and purpose, that you may know
that they are proper persons to be admitted into the
Church.
Then, addressing the applicants for admission, the
Minister shall say:
Dearly Beloved : You are come hither seeking the
great privilege of union with the Church our Saviour
has purchased with his own blood. We rejoice in
297
^[621. Reception op Members.
the grace of God vouchsafed unto you, in that he has
called you to be his followers, and that thus far you
have run well. You have heard how blessed are the
privileges and how solemn are the duties of member¬
ship in Christ's Church; and before you are fully
admitted thereto it is proper that you do here pub¬
licly renew your vows, confess your faith, and declare
your purpose, by answering the following questions:
Quest. Do you here, in the presence of God and
this Congregation, make the solemn promise contained
in the Baptismal Covenant, ratifying and confirming
the same, and acknowledging yourselves bound faith¬
fully to observe and keep that Covenant ?
Ans. I do.
Quest. Have you saving faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ?
Ans. I have.
Quest. Do you believe in the Doctrines of the Holy
Scriptures as set forth in the Articles of Religion of
the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church ?
Ans. I do.
Quest. Will you cheerfully be governed by the Rules
of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church,
hold sacred the Ordinances of God, and endeavor, as
much as in you lies, to promote the welfare of the
Redeemer's kingdom ?
Ans. I will.
Quest. Will you cherish friendly feelings toward
all persons, as far as possible, especially toward the
Members of the Church?
Ans. I will.
298
Reception op Members. . IT 621.
Quest. Will you contribute of your earthly sub¬
stance, according to your ability, to the support of the
Gospel and the various benevolent enterprises of the
Church ?
Ans. I will.
Then the Minister, addressing the Church, shall say :
Brethren, you have heard the responses given to
our inquiries. Have any of you reason to allege why
these persons should not be received into Full Con¬
nection in the Church?
No objection being alleged, the Minister shall say to the
Candidate :
We welcome you to the communion of the Church
of God, and in testimony of our Christian affection
and the cordiality with which we receive you, I hereby
extend, to you the right hand of fellowship; and may
God grant that you may be faithful and useful Mem¬
bers of the Church militant till you are called to the
fellowship of the Church triumphant, which is " with~
out fault before the throne of God."
299
If 622.
The Lord's Supper.
CHAPTER III.
THE LORD'S SUPPER.
622* The Order for the Administration of the Lord's
Sapper.
The Elder shall say one or more of these Sentences, dur¬
ing the reading of which the Persons appointed for
that purpose shall receive the Alms for the Poor :
Let your light so shine before men, that they may
see your good works, and glorify your Father which
is in heaven. [Matt, v, 16.]
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,
where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves
break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust
doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through
nor steal. [Matt, vi, 19, 20,]
Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you,
do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the
prophets. [Matt, vii, 12.]
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall
enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that
doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
[Matt, vii, 21.]
Zaccheus stood and said unto the Lord, Behold,
Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and
if I have taken any thing from any man by false
accusation, I restore him fourfold. [Luke xix, 8.]
300
The Lord's Supper. 622.
He which soweth sparingly shall reap also spar¬
ingly ; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also
bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth
in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of
necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. [2 Cor.
ix, 6, 7.]
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good
to all men, especially unto them who are of the house¬
hold of faith. [Gal. vi, 10.]
Godliness with contentment is great gain ; for we
brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we
can carry nothing out. [1 Tim. vi, 6, 7.]
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they
be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches,
but in the living God, who giveth richly all things
to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in
good works, ready to distribute, willing to communi¬
cate ; laying up in store for themselves a good foun¬
dation against the time to come, that they may lay hold
on eternal life. [1 Tim. vi, 17-19.]
God is not unrighteous to forget your work and
labor of love, which ye have showed toward his
name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and
do minister. [Heb. vi, 10.]
To do good and to communicate, forget not; for
with such sacrifices God is well pleased. [Heb. xiii,
16.]
Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother
have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion
from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him ?
[1 John iii, 17.]
622.
The Lord's Suppek.
He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth to the
Lord; and that which he hath given he will pay him
again. [Prov. xix, 17.]
Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord
will deliver him in time of trouble. [Psa. xli, 1.]
After which the Elder shall give the following Invitation,
the People standing:
If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the
Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the
propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but
for the sins of the whole world.
Wherefore ye that do truly and earnestly repent
of your sins, and are in love and charity with your
neighbors, and intend to lead a new life, following
the commandments of God, and walking from hence¬
forth in his holy way; draw near with faith, and
take the holy Sacrament to your comfort: and,
devoutly kneeling, make your huihble confession to
Almighty God.
Then this general Confession shall be made by the Minis¬
ter, and by all those who are minded to receive the
Holy Communion, both he and all the People devoutly
kneeling and saying :
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Maker of all things, Judge of all men, we acknowl¬
edge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness,
which we from time to time most grievously have
committed, by thought, word, and deed, against thy
Pivine Majesty, provoking most justly thy wrath
The Lord's Suppek. 622.
and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent,
and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; the
remembrance of them is grievous unto us. Have
mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful
Father; for thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ's sake,
forgive us all that is past; and grant that we may
ever hereafter serve and please thee in newness of
life, to the honor and glory of thy name, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then shall the Elder say :
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 Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then shall the Elder say:
We do not presume to come to this thy holy tablGj
0 merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness,
but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not
worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under
J 303
622. The Lord's Supper.
thy table; but thou art the same Lord, whose prop¬
erty 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 we may
live and grow thereby, and that, being washed
through his most precious blood, we may evermore
dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.
The Prayer of Consecration shall then be said by the
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 his precious death
until his coming again: hear us, O merciful Father,
we 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 arjd passion, may be
partakers of his most blessed body and blood, who, in
(l) Here the Elder the same night he was betrayed)
may take the plate of took bread (j) and when he hac[
bread in his hand. . ,, .,' . .
.(2) Here he may g^en thanks he broke it, (2) and
take the bread and gave it to his disciples, saying,
Elder :
break it.
(3) Here he shall
put his hands on all
the bread.
Take, eat; this is my body (3)
which is given for you; do this
in remembrance of me.
304
The Lord's Supper.
I]" 622.
Likewise after supper he took (4) Here he may
(4) the cup; and when he had ^and^ °UP WS
given thanks, he gave it to them, ,,, „ . . „ v
. t. . , „ v (5) Here he shall put
saying, Drink ye all of this; (5) his hands on all the
for this is ray blood of the new vessels containing
testament, which is shed for you, e W1Ue"
and for many, for the remission of sins; do this, as
oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. Amen.
Then shall the Minister receive the Communion in both
hinds himself, and proceed to deliver the same to the
other Ministers, if any be present; after which he
shall say :
It is- very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that
we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks
unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, Almighty, Everlast¬
ing God. Therefore, with angels and archangels, and
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.
The Minister shall then proceed to administer the Com¬
munion to the People in order, they kneeling; and
when he delivereth the Bread he shall say :
The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was
given for thee, preserve thy soul and body unto ever¬
lasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that
Christ died for thee, and feed on him in thy heart by
faith, with thanksgiving.
' 20 305
622. The Lord's Sxjppee.
The Minister that delivereth the Cup shall say:
The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which wag
shed for thee, preserve thy soul and body unto ever¬
lasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ's
blood was shed for thee, and be thankful.
[Note.—If the Consecrated bread or wine be all spent before
all have communed, the Elder may Consecrate more by repeat¬
ing the Prayer of Consecration.]
When all have communed the Minister shall return to the
Lord's table and place upon it what remaineth of the
Consecrated elements, covering them with a fair linen
cloth.
The Elder shall then say the Lord's Prayer, all kneeling,
and repeating after him each petition
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy
name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in
earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread: and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive
them that trespass against us: and lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.
After which the following shall be said :
O Lord, our heavenly Father, we thy humble ser-
vants desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to
accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving;
most humbly beseeching thee to grant that, by the
merits and death of thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ
and through faith in his blood, we and thy whole
Church may obtain the remission of our sins, and all
3QS
The Lord's Supper.
^622.
other benefits of his passion. And we offer and pre¬
sent unto thee, O Lord, our souls and bodies, to be a
reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice; humbly beseech¬
ing thee that all we who are partakers of this holy
communion may be filled with thy grace and heavenly
benediction. And although we are unworthy, through
our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice, yet
we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and
service; not weighing our merits, but pardoning our
offenses, through Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom,
and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all
honor and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty,
world without end. Amen.
Then shall be said :
Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good¬
will toward men! "We praise thee, we bless thee, we
worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee
for thy great glory, 0 Lord God, heavenly King, God
the Father Almighty!
O Lord, the only begotten Son Jesus Christ; O
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that
takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon
us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world,
have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the
sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that
sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have
mercy upon us. For thou only art holy; thou only
art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy
Ghost, art roost high in the glory of God the Father.
623.
The Lord's Supper.
Then the Elder, if he see it expedient, may put up an ex¬
temporary Prayer, and afterward let the People depart
with this Blessing:
May the peace of God, which passeth all under¬
standing, 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.
[Note.—Any of the above may be omitted if the Elder be
strained for time, except the Invitation and the Consecration
Prayer.]
If 62 S. Communion Service for the Sick*
Appropriate remarks shall be made, followed by a suit¬
able hymn. Then read the following :
And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the
twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them,
With desire I have desired to eat this passover with
you before I suffer: for I say unto you, I will not
any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the king¬
dom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks,
and said, Take this, and divide it among your¬
selves : for I say unto you, I will not drink of the
fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall
come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and
brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my
body which is given for you: this do in remembrance
of me. Likewise also [he took] the cup after supper,
saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood,
which is shed for you. [Luke xxii, 14-20.]
Matrimony. 11 624.
Then shall an extemporaneous Prayer be delivered,
followed by the Prayer of Consecration. Then shall the
Bread and Wine be given to the sicJc Person and other
Communicants present.
After which the Benediction shall be pronounced.
CHAPTER IV.
MATRIMONY.
If 624. Form of Solemnization of Matrimony.
At the time appointed for Solemnization of Matrimony,
the persons to be married—having been qualified ac¬
cording to law—standing together, the Man on the
right 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 woman in
holy Matrimony; which is an honorable estate, insti¬
tuted of God in the time of man's innocency, signi¬
fying unto us the mystical union that is between
Christ and his Church; which holy estate he adorned
and beautified by his presence and first miracle that
he wrought in Cana of Galilee, and is commended
of St. Paul to be honorable among all men; there¬
fore it is not, by any, to be entered into unadvisedly,
but reverently, discreetly, and in the fear of God.
Into which holy estate these two persons present
624. Matrimony.
come now to be joined. Therefore, if any person
can show just cause why they may not lawfully be
joined together let him now speak, or else forever
hold his peace.
The Minister shall then address the persons that are to
be married, saying:
I require and charge you both, as you will give an
account at the dreadful day of judgment, 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 you well assured, that so many
as are coupled together otherwise than God's word
doth allow, are not joined together by God, neither is
their Matrimony lawful.
If there be no impediment alleged, the Minister shall say
unto the Man :
M., wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded
wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the
holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love, comfort,
honor, and keep her, in sickness and in health; and
forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long
as ye both shall live?
The man shall answer :
I will.
The Minister shall then say to the Woman :
N., wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded hus¬
band, to live together after God's ordinance in the
holy estate of Matrimony ? "Wilt thou love, honor,
and keep him, in sickness and in health: and forsak-
310
Matrimony. IT 624.
ing all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye
both shall live?
The woman shall answer :
I will.
When the parties so desire, the Man shall give unto the
Woman a ring; and the Minister, taking the ring,
shall return it to the Man, to put it upon the third
finger of the Woman's left hand; and the Man, holding
the ring there, and taught by the Minister, shall say :
With this ring I thee wed, and with all my worldly
goods I thee endow: in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then shall the Minister say :
Let us pray.
0 Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all man¬
kind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of ever¬
lasting life, send thy blessing upon these thy servants,
this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy
name; that as Isaac and Eebecca lived faithfully
together, so these persons may surely perform and
keep the vow and covenant between them made,
and may ever remain in perfect love and peace to¬
gether, and live according to thy laws, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then shall the Minister join their right hands together
and say :
Those whom God hath joined together, let not
man put asunder.
v 311
625. Burial of the Dead.
Forasmuch as M. and N. have consented together
in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before
God and this company, and thereto have pledged
their faith each to other, and have declared the same
by joining hands, I pronounce that they are husband
«nd 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, and keep you; the Lord mer¬
cifully with his favor look upon you, and so fill you
with all spiritual benediction and grace that ye may
bo live together in this life that in the world to come
ye may have everlasting life. Amen.
CHAPTER V.
BURIAL OF THE DEAD.
^ 625. Order for the Burial of the Dead.
The Minister, going before the Corpse, shall say :
I am the resurrection, and the life: he that be-
lieveth 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 the latter day upon the earth: and though
after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my
312
Burial of the Dead. 625.
flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself
and mine eyes shall behold, and not another. [Job
xix, 25-27.]
We brought nothing into this world, and it is cer¬
tain we can carry nothing out. The Lord gave, and
the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of
the Lord. [1 Tim. vi, 7; Job 1, 21.]
At the House, or in the Church, the following Scripture
may be read:
Psalm xxxix.
I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not
with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle,
while the wicked is before me. I was dumb with
silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my
sorrow was stirred. My heart was hot within me;
while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I
with my tongue, Lord, make me to know mine end,
and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may
know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my
days as a handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing
before thee: verily every man at his best state is alto¬
gether vanity. Surely every man walketh in a vain
show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth
up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
And now, Lord, what wait I for ? my hope is in thee.
Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not
the reproach of the foolish. I was dumb, I opened
not my mouth; because thou didst it. Remove thy
stroke away from me; I am consumed by the blow
of thine hand. When thou with rebukes dost correct
313
625. Burial of the Dead.
man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume
away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Hear
my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold
not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with
thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. 0
spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go
hence, and be no more.
Psalm xc.
Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place in all
generations. Before the mountains were brought
forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the
world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art
God. Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest,
Return, ye children of men. For a thousand years
in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and
as a watch in the night. Thou carriest them away as
with a flood; they are as asleep : in the morning they
are like grass which groweth up. In the morning it
flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut
down, and withereth. For we are consumed by thine
anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled. Thou hast
set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the
light of thy countenance. For all our days are passed
away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that
is told. The days of our years are threescore years
and ten; and if by reason of strength they be four¬
score years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow;
for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knoweth
the power of thine anger ? even according to thy fear,
so is thy wrath. So teach us to number our days, that
Burial of the Dead. 625.
we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Return, O
Lord, how long? and let it repent thee concerning
thy servants. O satisfy us early with thy mercy;
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make
us glad according to the days wherein thou hast
afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.
Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory
unto their children. And let the beauty of the Lord
our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of
our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands estab¬
lish thou it.
Then may follow the reading of the Epistle, as follows:
1 Cor. xv. 41-58.
There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of
the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one
star differeth from another star in glory. So also is
the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corrup¬
tion, it is raised in incorruption : it is sown in dis¬
honor, it is raised, in glory : it is sown in weakness, it
is raised in power: it is sown a natural body, it is
raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and
there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, the
first man Adam was made a living soul; the last
Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that
was not first which is spiritual, but that which is
natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The
first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is
the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are
they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly,
such are they alsQ that are heavenly. And as we
315
TT 625. Burial of the Dead.
have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also
bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say>
brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the
kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit
incorruption. Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall
not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment,
in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump : for the
trumpet'shall sound, and the dead shall be raised
incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this
corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal
must put on immortality. So when this corruptible
shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal
shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought
to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed
up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave,
where is thy victory ? The sting of death is sin ; and
the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God,
which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stead¬
fast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the
Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not
in vain in the Lord.
At the grave, when the Corpse is laid in the Earth, the
Minister shall say:
Man that is born of a woman hath but a short
time to live, and is full of misery. He cometh up,
and is cut down like a flower : he fleeth as it were a
shadow, and never continueth in one stay. In the
midst of life we are in death: of whom may we seek
for succor, but of thee, O Lord, who for our sins art
316
Burial op the Dead. % 625.
justly displeased? Yet, O Lord God most holy, O
Lord most mighty, 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 thy merciful ears to our prayers, but spare us,
Lord most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and
merciful Saviour, thou most worthy Judge eternal,
suffer us not at our last hour for any pains of death
to fall from thee.
Then shall be said by the Minister :■
Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God, in
his wise providence, to take out of the world the soul
of the departed, we therefore commit his body to the
ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust;
looking for the general resurrection in the last day,
and the life of the world to come, through our Lord
Jesus Christ ; at whose second coming in glorious
majesty to judge the world, the earth and sea shall
give up their dead, and the corruptible bodies of
those who sleep in him shall be changed and made
like unto his own glorious body; according to the
mighty working whereby he is able to subdue all
things unto himself.
I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write,
From henceforth blessed are the dead who die in the
Lord. Even so, saith the Spirit; for they rest from
their labors.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
317
*|[ 625. Burial of the Dead.
The Collect.
O Merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who is the resurrection and the life; in whom
whosoever believeth shall live though he die, and
whosoever liveth and believeth in him shall not die
eternally: we meekly beseech thee, O Father, to raise
us from the death of sin to the life of righteousness;
that when we shall depart this life we may rest in
him, and at the general resurrection at the last day
may be found acceptable in his sight and receive
that blessing which thy well-beloved Son shall then
pronounce to all them that love and fear thee, say¬
ing, Come, ye blessed children of my Father, receive
the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation
of the world. Grant this, we beseech thee, O Merci¬
ful Father, through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and
Redeemer. Amen.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy
name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done -in
earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread: and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive
them that trespass against us: and lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love
of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be
with us all evermore. Amen.
818
Consecration and Ordinations. IT 620.
CHAPTER VI.
CONSECRATION AND ORDINATIONS.
H 626. The Form of Consecrating a Bishop.
The first lesson shall be read by one of the Elders.
[1 Tim. iii, 1-7.]
The second lesson shall be read by another Elder.
[St. John xxi, 15-17.]
Then another Elder shall read St. Matthew xxviii,
18-20.
Here follows the sermon.
After the Gospel and the Sermon are ended the Elected
Person shall be presented by two Elders unto the
Bishop, saying:
We present unto you this holy man, to be con¬
secrated a Bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church, according to our form.
Then the Bishop shall move the Congregation present to
pray, saying thus to them:
Brethren, it is written in the gospel of St. Luke
that our Saviour Christ continued the whole night
in prayer before he did choose and send forth his
twelve apostles. It is written also, in the Acts of the
Apostles, that the disciples who were at Antioch did
fast and pray before they sent Paul and Barnabas
forth on their first mission to the Gentiles. Let us,
therefore, following the example of our Saviour
626. Consecration and Ordinations.,
Christ and his Apostles, first fall down and pray be¬
fore we admit and send forth this person presented
to us to the work whereunto we trust the Holy Ghost
hath called him.
Bishop. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from
whence cometh my help.
Ans. My help cometh from the Lord, which made
heaven and earth.
Then shall be said, all kneeling, the Bishop beginning
and the Elders answering, as follows :
We beseech thee to hear us, O Lord God, and that
it may please thee to rule and govern thy holy Church
universal in the right way.
Ans. We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to illuminate all Bishops,
Elders, and Deacons with true knowledge and under¬
standing of thy word; and that both by their preach¬
ing and living they may set it forth and show it
accordingly.
Ans. Son of God, we beseech thee to hear us.
That it may please thee to give to thy Church
unity, peace, and concord.
Ans. Grant us thy peace, good Lord.
That it may please thee to bless this our brother
elected and to send thy grace upon him; that he
may duly execute the office whereunto he is called,
to the edifying of thy Church and to the honor,
praise, and glory of thy name.
Ans. O Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins
of the world, grant us thy grace.
320
Consecration and Ordinations, 626.
Then shall be said the following prayer :
Almighty God, Giver of all good things, who, by
thy Holy Spirit, hast appointed divers offices in thy
Church, mercifully behold this thy servant, now called
to the work and ministry of a Bishop, and replenish
him so with the truth of thy doctrine and adorn him
with innocency of life, that both by word and deed
he may faithfully serve thee in this office, to the glory
of thy name and the edifying and well governing of
thy Church, through the merits of our Saviour Jesus
Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the
Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.
Then the Bishop shall say to him that is Consecrated:
Brother, forasmuch as the Holy Scripture com¬
mands that we should not be hasty in admitting any
person to government in the Church of Christ, which
he hath purchased with no less price than the shed¬
ding of his own blood, before you are admitted to this
administration you will, in the fear of God, give
answer to the questions which I now propound:
Are you persuaded that you are truly called to this
ministration, according to the will of our Lord Jesus
Christ ?
Ans. I am so persuaded.
Bishop. Are you persuaded that the Holy Script¬
ures contain sufficiently all doctrine required of
necessity for eternal salvation through faith in J esus
Christ? And are you determined, out of the same
Holy Scriptures to instruct the people committed to
your charge, and to teach hv maintain nothing as
21 321
626. Consecration and Ordinations.
required of necessity to eternal salvation but that
which you shall be persuaded may be concluded and
proved by the same?
Ans. I am so persuaded and -determined, by God's
grace.
Bishop. Will you, then, faithfully exercise your¬
self in the same Holy Scriptures, and call upon God
by prayer for the true understanding of the same, so
that you may be able by them to teach and exhort
with wholesome doctrine and to withstand and
convince the gainsayers ?
Ans. I will do so, by the help of God.
Bishop. Are you ready with faithful diligence to
banish and drive away all erroneous and strange
doctrines contrary to God's word, and both privately
and openly to call upon and encourage others to the
same?
Ans. I am ready, the Lord being my helper.
Bishop. Will you deny all ungodliness and worldly
lusts, and live soberly, righteously, and godly in this
present world, that you may show yourself in all
things an example of good works unto others, that
the adversary may be ashamed, having nothing to
say against you ?
Ans. I will do so, the Lord being my helper.
Bishop. Will you maintain and set forward, as
much as shall lie in you, quietness, love, and peace
among all men; and such as shall be unquiet, disobe¬
dient, and criminal, correct and punish according to
such authority as you have in God's word, and as
shall be committed unto you ?
322
Consecration and Ordinations. -,| 626.
Ans. I will do so, by the help of God.
Bishop. Will you be faithful in ordaining, and in
all other duties of your office ?
Ans. I will so be, by the help of God.
Bishop. Will you saow yourself gentle, and be
merciful, for Christ's sake, to poor and needy people,
and to all strangers destitute of help ?
Ans. I will so show myself, by God's help.
Bishop. Will you promise conformity and obe«
dience to the Doctrines, Discipline, and worship of
the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in
America ?
Ans. I will, by the help of God.
Then shall Veni Creator Spiritus be said, the Bishops
beginning and the Elders present answering by verse :
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire.
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart
Thy blessed unction from abova
Is comfort, life, and fire of love.
Enable with perpetual light
The dullness of our blinded sight;
Anoint and cheer our soiled face
With the abundance of thy grace ;
Keep far our foes, give peace at home;
Where thou art Guide no ill can come.
Teach us to know the Father, Son,
And Thee of both to be but ONE;
That through the ages, all along,
This may be our endless song :
Praise to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
626. Consecration and Ordinations.
That ended, the Bishop shall say :
Lord, hear our prayer.
Ann. And let our cry come unto thee.
Bishop. Let us pray.
Almighty God and Most Merciful Father, who of
thine infinite goodness hast given thine only and
dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ to be our Eedeemer,
and the author of everlasting life; who, after he had
made perfect our redemption by his death, and was
ascended into heaven, poured down his gifts abun¬
dantly upon men, making some Apostles, some Evan¬
gelists, some Pastors and Teachers, to the edifying and
making perfect of his Church: grant, we beseech
thee, to this thy servant, such grace that he may
evermore be ready to spread abroad thy Gospel, the
glad tidings of reconciliation with thee, and use the
authority given him, not to destruction, but to salva¬
tion ; not to hurt, but to help; so that as a wise and
ikithful servant, giving to the family their portion in
due season, he may at last be received into eternal
joy, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who, with thee
and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God,
world without end. Amen.
Here the Bishops shall lay their hands upon the head of
him, that is being consecrated, saying :
The Lord pour upon thee the Holy Ghost, for the
Office and Work of a Bishop in the Church of God,
now committed to thee by the authority of the Church,
through the imposition of hands: be thou a faithful
dispenser of the word and of the holy Sacraments,
Consecration and Ordinations. 626.
and faithful in thine administration: in the name
of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then the Bishop shall deliver him the Bible and Disci-
pline, saying
Think upon the things contained in these books. Be
to the flock of Christ a shepherd, not a wolf. Hold up
the weak. So administer the Discipline that you
may not be remiss, or forget mercy; that when the
Chief Shepherd shall appear, you may receive the
never-fading crown of glory, through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
Then the Bishop shall say the Gloria in Excelsis, the
Elders repeating it with him :
Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good¬
will toward men I We praise thee, we bless thee, we
worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee
for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God
the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only begotten Son Jesus Christ; O
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that
takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon
us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world,
have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins
of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest
at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy
upon us. For thou only art holy; thou only art the
Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost,
fjxt most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
627. Consecration and Ordinations.
Then the Bishop shall administer the Lord's Supper ftj
the newly consecrated Bishop and the Elders present.
Then the following prayer shall be said:
Guide us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most
gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help,
that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended
in thee, we may glorify thy holy name; and finally,
by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
The peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and
love of God, and of his son Jesus Christ our Lord;
and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Ghost, be among you, and remain
with you always. Amen.
If 627. The Form of Ordaining Elders.
[When the day appointed by the Bishop is come, there shall
be a Sermon or Exhortation, declaring the Duty and Office of
such as come to be admitted Elders; how necessary that
Order is in the Church of Christ; and also how the People
ought to esteem them in their office.]
After which one of the Elders shall present unto the
Bishop all those who are to be Ordained, and say :
I present unto you these persons to be ordained
Elders.
Then, their names being read aloud, the Bishop shall sea/
unto the people:
Brethren these are they whom we purpose, Gorf
Willing, this day to ordain Elders. For after due
326
CONSECRATION AND ORDINATIONS. If 627.
examination we find not to the contrary, but that
they are lawfully called to this function and ministry,
and that they are persons meet for the same. But if
there be any of you who knoweth any crime or im¬
pediment in any of them, for the which he ought not
be received into this holy Ministry, let him come
forth in the name of God and show what the crime or
impediment is.
[If any crime or impediment be objected, the Bishop shall sur¬
cease from ordaining that person until such time as the party
accused shall be found clear of the same.]
Then shall be said the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel, as
follows :
The Collect,
Almighty God, Giver of all good things, who by
thy Holy Spirit hast appointed divers Orders of Min¬
isters in thy Church, mercifully behold these thy
servants now called to the Office of Elders, and so
replenish them with the truth of the doctrine, and
adorn them with innocency of life, that both by
word and good example they may faithfully serve
thee iiv this office, to the honor and glory of thy
name, and the edification of thy Church, through
the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who liveth
and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, world
without end. Amen.
The Epistle. Eph. iv, 7-13.
Unto every one of us is given grace according to
the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he
327
627. Consecration and Ordinations.
saith, when he ascended up on high, he led captivity
captive, and gave gifts unto men. Now that he as¬
cended, what is it but that he also descended first
into the lower parts of the earth ? He that descended
is the same also that ascended up far above all heav¬
ens, 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 edi¬
fying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the
unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son
of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the
stature of the fullness of Christ.
After this shall be read for the Gospel part of the tenth
chapter of St. John.
St. John x, 1-16.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that entereth
not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up
some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd
of the sheep. To him the porter openeth, and the
sheep hear his voice, and he calleth his own sheep
by name, and leadeth them out. And when he put-
teth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and
the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. And
a stranger they will 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, verily, X
Consecration and Ordinations. 627.
say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that
ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but
the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me
if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go
in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not
but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am
come that they might have life, and that they might
have it'more abundantly. I am the good shepherd:
the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But
he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose
own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and
leaveth the sheep, and fleeth ; and the wolf catcheth
them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth,
because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and
am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me,
even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life
for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are
not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they
shall hear my voice: and there shall be one fold and
one shepherd.
After which the Bishop shall say unto them as follows:
You have heard, brethren, in your private exam¬
ination, and in the holy lessons taken out of the
Gospel, and the writings of the Apostles, of what
dignity and of how great importance this Office is
whereunto ye are called. And now again we exhort
you, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you
have in remembrance into how high a dignity and
to how weighty an Office ye are called: that is to
627. Consecration and Ordinations.
say, to be messengers, watchmen, and stewards of
the Lord, to teach and premonish, to feed, and pro¬
vide for the Lord's family, to gather the outcast, to
seek the lost, and to be ever ready to spread abroad
the Gospel, the glad tidings of reconciliation with
God.
Have always, therefore, printed in your remem¬
brance how great a treasure is committed to your
charge. For they are the sheep of Christ, which
he bought with his life, and for whom he shed his
blood. The Church 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 rason of your negligence, ye
know the greatness of the fault, and also the horrible
punishment that will ensue. Wherefore consider
with yourselves the end of the ministry toward the
children of God, toward the spouse and body of
Christ; and see that you never cease your labor,
your care and diligence, 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 knowl¬
edge of God, and to that ripeness and perfectness of
age in Christ, that there be no place left among
you, either for error in religion, or for viciousness in
life.
Forasmuch then as your Office is both of so great
excellency and of so great difficulty, ye see with how
great care and study ye ought to apply yourselves, as
well that ye may show yourselves dutiful and thank°
330
Consecration and Ordinations, 627.
ful unto that Lord who hath placed you in so high
a dignity; as also to beware that neither ye your¬
selves offend, nor be occasion that others offend.
Howbeit ye cannot-have a mind and will thereto
of yourselves; for that will and ability is given of
God alone; therefore ye ought, and have need, to
pray earnestly for his Holy Spirit. And seeing that
ye cannot by any other means compass the doing of
so weighty a work, pertaining to the salvation of
man, but with doctrine and exhortation taken out of
the Holy Scriptures, and with a life agreeable to the
same, consider how studious ye ought to be in read¬
ing and learning the Scriptures, and in framing the
manners, both of yourselves and of them that spe¬
cially pertain unto you, according to the rule of the
same Scriptures; 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
pondered these things with yourselves long before
this time, and that you have clearly determined, by
God's grace, to give yourselves wholly to this Office,
whereunto it hath pleased God to call you; so that,
as much as lieth in you, you will apply yourselves
wholly to this one thing, and draw all your cares and
studies this way, and that you will continually pray
to God the Father, by the mediation of our only
Saviour Jesus Christ, for the heavenly assistance of
the Holy Ghost; that by daily reading and weighing
of the Scriptures ye may wax riper and stronger in
your ministry ; and that ye may so endeavor to sane-
627. Consecration and Ordinations.
tify the lives of you and yours, and to fashion them
after the rule and doctrine of Christ, that ye may be
wholesome and godly examples and patterns for the
people to follow.
And now, that this present Congregation of Chris¬
tians here assembled may also understand your minds
and wills in these things, and that this your promise
may the more move you to do your duties,.,ye shall
answer plainly to these things which we in the name
of God and his Church shall demand of you touch¬
ing the same.
Do" you think in your heart that you are truly
called, according to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ,
to the order of Elders ?
Ans. I think so.
Bishop. Are you persuaded that the Holy Script¬
ures contain sufficiently all doctrine required of ne¬
cessity for eternal salvation, through faith in Jesus
Christ? And are you determiijed out of the said
Scriptures to instruct the people committed to yom
charge, and to teach nothing as required of neces¬
sity to eternal salvation but that which you shall be
persuaded may be concluded and proved by the
same?
Ans. I am so persuaded, and hiave so determined,
by God's grace.
Bishop. Will you then give your faithful diligence
always so to minister the Doctrine and Sacraments
and Discipline of Christ as the Lord hath com
manded ?
Am. I will do so, by the help of the Lord.
332
Consecration anl Ordinations. ^[ 627.
Bishop. Will you be ready with all faithful dili¬
gence to banish and drive away all erroneous and
strange doctrines contrary to God's word ; and to use
both public and private monitions and exhortations
as well to the sick as to the whole within your charge,
as need shall require and occasion shall be given ?
Ans. I will, the Lord being my helper.
Bishop. Will you be diligent in prayers and in
reading of the Holy Scriptures, and in such studies
as help to the knowledge of the same, laying aside
the study of the world and the flesh ?
Ans. I will endeavor to do so, the Lord being my
helper.
Bishop. Will you be diligent to frame and fashion
yourselves and your families according to the doctrine
of Christ: and to make both yourselves and them,
as much as in you lieth, wholesome examples and
patterns to the flock of Christ?
Ans. I will apply myself thereto, the Lord being
my helper.
Bishop. Will you maintain and set forward, as
much as lieth in you, quietness, peace, and love among
all Christian people, and especially among them onat
are or shall be committed to your charge ?
Ans. I will so do, the Lord being my helper.
Bishop. Will you reverently obey your chief Min¬
isters, unto whom is committed the charge and gov¬
ernment over you, following with a glad mind and will
their godly admonitions, submitting yourselves to
their godly judgment?
Ans. I will do so, the Lord being my helper.
333
627. Consecration and Ordinations.
Then shall the Bishop, standing up, say :
Almighty God, who hath given you this will to do
all these things, grant also unto you strength and
power to perform the same; that he may accomplish
his work which he hath begun in you, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
[After which the Congregation 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 shall be said by the Bishop (the Persons to
be ordained Elders all kneeling), the Bishop beginning
and the Elders and others that are present answering,
as follows:
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire.
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.
Thy blessed unction from above
Is comfort, life, and fire of love.
Enable with perpetual light
The dullness of our blinded sight:
Anoint and cheer our soiled face
With the abundance of thy grace;
Keep far our foes, give peace at home:
Where thou art Guide, no ill can come.
Teach us to know the Father, Son,
And Thee of both to be but ONE:
That through the ages, all along,
This may be our endless song:
Praise to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
334
Consecration and Ordinations. 627.
That done, the Bishop shall pray in this wise, and
say:
Let us pray.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of thine
infinite love and goodness toward us, hast given to
us thy only and most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ
to be our Redeemer and the author of everlasting
life; who, after he had made perfect our redemption
by his death, and was ascended into heaven, sent
abroad into the world his Apostles, Prophets, Evan¬
gelists, Teachers, and Pastors, by whose labor and
ministry he gathered together a great flock in all
parts of the world, to set forth the eternal praise of
thy holy name: for these so great benefits of thy
eternal goodness, and for that thou hast vouchsafed
to call these thy servants here present to the same
Office and Ministry appointed for the salvation of man¬
kind, we render unto thee most hearty thanks: we
praise and worship thee; and we humbly beseech
thee by the same, thy blessed Son, to grant unto all
who either here or elsewhere call upon thy name,
that we may continue to show ourselves thankful
unto thee for these and all other of thy benefits, and
that we may daily increase and go forward in the
knowledge and faith of thee and thy Son, by the
Holy Spirit. So that as well by these thy Ministers,
as by them over whom they shall be appointed thy
Ministers, thy holy name may be forever glorified,
and thy blessed kingdom enlarged, through the same,
thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord: who liveth and
627. Consecration and Ordinations.
reigneth with thee in the unity of the same Holy
Spirit, world without end. Amen.
When the Prayer is done the Bishop, with the Elders
present, shall lay their hands severally upon the head
of every one that receiveth the Order of Elders, the
Receivers humbly kneeling upon their knees, and the
Bishop saying :
The Lord pour upon thee the Holy Ghost for the
Office and Work of an Elder in the Church of God,
now committed unto thee by the authority of the
Church through the imposition of our hands. And
be thou a faithful dispenser of the word of God and
of his holy Sacraments : in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then the Bishop shall deliver to every one of them,
kneeling, the Bible into his hands, saying:
Take thou authority as an Elder in the Church, to
preach the word of God and to administer the holy
Sacraments in the Congregation.
Then the Bishop shall say:
Most Merciful Father, we beseech thee to send
upon these thy servants thy heavenly blessings, that
they may be clothed with righteousness, and that
thy word spoken by their mouths may have such
success that it may never be spoken in vain. Grant
also that we may have grace to hear and receive
what they shall deliver out of thy most holy word,
or agreeably to the same, and the means of our
salvation; and that in all our words and deeds we
336
Consecration and Ordinations. 628.
may seek thy glory and the increase of thy kingdom,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Guide us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most
gracious favor, and further us with thy continual
help, that in all our works, begun, continued, and
ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and
finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The peace of God, which passeth all understand¬
ing, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge
and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our
Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be among you, and
remain with you always. Amen.
[If on the same day the Order of Deacons be given to some and
that of Elders to others, the Deacons shall he first presented,
and then the Elders. The Collects shall both be used: first that
for Deacons, then that for Elders. The Epistle shall be Eph. iv,
7-13, as before in this Office; immediately after which they that
are to be ordained Deacons shall be examined and ordained as
is above prescribed. Then one of them having read the Gospel,
which shall be St. John x, 1-16, as before in this Office, they who
are to be ordained Elders shall likewise be examined and or¬
dained, as in this Office before appointed.]
Tf 628. The Form of Ordaining Deacons.
[When the day appointed by the Bishop is come there shall be
a Sermon or Exhortation, declaring the Duty and Office of such
as come to be admitted Deacons.]
After which one of the Elders shall present unto the
Bishop the Persons to be ordained Deacons, their
names being read aloud. The Bishop shall say unto
the people:
Brethren: If there be any of you who knoweth
anv crime or impediment in any of these persons
• 22 337
628. Consecration and Ordinations.
presented to be ordained Deacons, for the which he
ought not to be admitted to that Office, let him come
forth in the name of God, and show what the crime
or impediment is.
[If any crime or impediment be objected, the Bishop shall sur¬
cease from ordaining that person until such time as the party
accused shall be found clear of the same.]
Then shall be read the following Collect and Epistle:
The Collect.
Almighty God, who by thy divine providence hast
appointed divers Orders of Ministers in thy. Church,
and didst inspire thy Apostles to choose into the Order
of Deacons thy first martyr, St. Stephen, with others:
mercifully behold these thy servants now called to
the like Office and Administration ; replenish them so
with the truth of thy doctrine, and adorn them with
innocency of life, that both by word and good exam¬
ple they may faithfully serve thee in this Office to the
glory of thy name and the edification of thy Church,
through the merits of thy Son our Saviour Jesus
Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the
Holy Ghost now and forever.
The Epistle. 1 Tim. iii, 8-13.
Likewise must the Deacons be grave, not double-
tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy
lucre; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure
conscience. And let these also first be proved ; then
let them use the Office of a Deacon, being found
blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not
slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the
Deacon be the husband of one wife, ruling his children
338
Consecration and Ordinations. 628,
and his own house well. For they that have used
the Office of a Deacon well, purchase to themselves a
good degree, and great boldness in the faith which
is in Christ Jesus.
Then shall the Bishop examine every one of those to be
ordained, in the presence of the People, after this man¬
ner following :
Do you trust that you are inwardly moved by the
Holy Spirit to take upon you the Office of the Minis¬
try in the Church of Christ, to. serve God for the
promoting of his glory and the edifying of his
people?
Ans. I trust so.
Bishop. Do you unfeignedly believe all the canoni¬
cal Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments?
Ans. I do believe them.
Bishop. "Will you diligently read or expound the
same unto the people whom you shall be appointed
to serve?
Ans. I will.
Bishop. It appertaineth to the Office of a Deacon to
assist the Elder in divine service. And especially
when he ministereth the Holy Communion, to help
him in the distribution thereof, and to read and ex¬
pound the Holy Scriptures, to instruct the youth, and
to baptize. And furthermore, it is his office to search
for the sick, poor, and impotent, that they may be
visited and relieved. Will you do this gladly and
willingly ?
Ana. I will do so, by the help of (rod.
339
628. Consecration and Ordinations.
Bishop. Will you apply all your diligence to fram
and fashion your own lives (and the lives of your
families) according to the doctrine of Christ; and to
make (both) yourselves (and them), as much as in
you lieth, wholesome examples of the flock of Christ ?
Ans. I will do so, the Lord being my helper.
Bishop. Will you reverently obey them to whom
the charge and government over you is committed,
following with a glad mind and will their godly
admonitions ?
Ans. I will endeavor to do so, the Lord being my
helper.
Then the Bishop, laying his hands severally upon the
head of each of them, shall say:
Take thou authority to execute the Office of Deacon
in the Church of God: in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then shall the Bishop deliver to each of them the Holy
Bible, saying:
Take thou authority to read the Holy Scriptures in
the Church of God, and to preach the same.
Then one appointed by the Bishop shall read the Gospel:
Luke xii, 35-38.
Let your loins be girded about, and your lights
burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait
for their Lord, when he will return from the wedding;
that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may open
unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants
whom the Lord, when he cometh, shall find watch'
Consecration and Ordinations. 628.
ing. Verily I say unto you, that he shall gird him-
selfj and make them to sit down to meat, and will
come forth to serve them. And if he shall come in
the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find
them so, blessed are those servants.
Immediately before the Benediction shall be said these
Collects following :
Almighty God, Giver of all good things, who of thy
great goodness hast vouchsafed to accept and take
these thy servants into the Office of Deacons in thy
Church; make them, we beseech thee, O Lord, to be
modest, humble, and constant in their ministration,
and to have a ready will to observe all spiritual dis¬
cipline; that they, having always the testimony of a
good conscience, and continuing ever stable an&
strong in thy Son Christ, may so well behave them¬
selves in this inferior office that they may be found
worthy to be called into the higher Ministries in the
Church, through the same, thy Son, our Saviour
Jesus Christ ; to whom be glory and honor, world
without end. Amen.
Guide us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most
gracious favor, and further us with thy continual
help; that in all our works, begun, continued, and
ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and
finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Benediction.
The peace of God, which passeth all understand¬
ing, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge
629. Corner-stone and Dedication.
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 vou always. Amen.
CHAPTER VII.
CORNER-STONE AND DEDICATION.
If 629. Form for Laying the Corner-stone of a Church.
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 tem¬
ples 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 he is in the midst of
them. And in all ages his servants have separated
certain places for his worship: as Jacob erected a
stone in Bethel for God's house; as Moses made a
tabernacle in the desert; as Solomon built a temple
for the Lord, which he filled with the glory of his
presence before all the people. We are now as¬
sembled 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 favorably approve our godly pur¬
pose, and let us now devoutly unite in singing his
praise and in prayer for his blessing on this our
undertaking.
342
Corner-stone and Dedication. 629.
Let one of the hymns 48, 382, 443 or 921 be sung.
Then shall the Minister say :
Let us pray.
Most Glorious God, the heaven is thy throne and
the earth is thy footstool; what house, then, can be
built for thee, or where is the place of thy rest ? 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 midst of the assembly of the
saints upon the earth. And now, especially, we
render thanks unto thy holy name 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
contribute of their substance for the glory of thy
name; and we pray thee to continue thy blessing
upon their pious undertaking. Amen.
. May many unite 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 men. Amen.
May peace and harmony prevail in the counsels of
thy servants, and may no selfish or divided aims find
place among them. May the work of this building
be completed 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 pre¬
pared and finished 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,
343
^]" 629. C/OKNER-STONE AND DEDICATION.
to the glory of thy blessed name, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Grant that all who shall hereafter worship thee
in the temple here to be built may so serve and please
thee in all holy exercises of godliness, that in the
end they may come to that temple on high, even 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 thed
on earth may we, with all those who in like manner
have erected such places to thy name, and with all
thy saints and redeemed ones, eternally praise thee
for all thy goodness vouchsafed unto us here on earth
and laid up for us there in heaven. Amen.
Accept these pur prayers, we b.eseech thet, for the
sake of thy dear Son, and to thee, the only true and
living God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, be honor,
praise, and glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Then shall the Minister read the following Psalm, or the
Minister and People may read in alternate verses, the
parts in italics to be read by the People:
Psalm cxxxii.
Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions:
How he sware 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;
I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to my
eyelids,
344
Corner-stone and Dedication. 629.
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 worship at his
footstool.
Arise, O Lord, into thy rest; 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 Jace
of thine anointed.
The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; he will
not turn from it;
Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
If thy children will keep my covenant and my tes¬
timony that I shall teach them, their children shall
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.
I will abundantly bless her provision :
I will satisfy her poor with bread..
I will also clothe her priests with salvation :
And her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
There will I make the horn of David to bud :
I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.
His enemies will I clothe with shame:
But upon himself sft&ll his crown flourish,
345
•J] 629. Corner-stone and Dedication.
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-builder, I have laid the foundation, and an¬
other buildeth thereon. But let every man take
heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other founda¬
tion can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus
Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation
gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every
man's work shall be made manifest: for the day
shall declare it, because it shall be 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 ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit
of God dwelleth in you ? If any man defile the tem¬
ple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of
God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man de¬
ceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be
wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he
may i)e wise. For the wisdom of this world is fool¬
ishness 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.
Therefore let no man glory in men : for all things are
yours, whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the
world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to
346
Corner-stone and Dedication. 630.
come; all are yours; and ye are Christ's; and Christ
is God's.
Then shall follow the Sermon, or an Address suitable to
the occasion, after which the Contributions of the People
shall be received.
[Then shall the Minister, standing by the Stone, exhibit to the Congre¬
gation a box to be placed in an excavation of the Stone. It may con¬
tain a copy of the Bible, the Hymn Book, the Discipline, the
Church Almanac for the year, Church periodicals of recent
date, the names of the Pastor, Trustees, and Building Com¬
mittee of the Church, with such other documents as may be
desired. A list of these may be read, after which the Minister
may deposit the box in the Stone and cover it; and the Stone shall be
laid and adjusted by the^Minister, assisted by the builder.]
Then shall the Minister say :
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost, we lay this Corner-Stone for the
foundation of a house to be builded and consecrated
to the service of Almighty God, according to the
Order and Usages of the African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church. Amen.
The service may conclude with extemporary Prayer, the
Lord's Prayer, and the Benediction.
If 630. Form for the Dedication of a Church.
The Congregation being assembled in the Church, the
Minister shall say:
Dearly Beloved : The Scriptures teach us that
God is well pleased with those 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.
*J[ 630. COKNEK-STONE AND DEDICATION.
And the Gospel approves and commends the cen¬
turion who built a synagogue for the people. Let us
not doubt that he will favorably approve our purpose
of dedicating this place in solemn manner for the
performance of the several offices of religious worship;
and let us now devoutly join in praise to his name,
that this godly undertaking hath been so far com¬
pleted ; and in prayer for his further blessing upon
all who shall hereafter worship his name in this place.
Let one of the hymns 88, 362, 861, 927 or 1202 be
sung and extemporary Prayer be offered, the Congre¬
gation all kneeling.
Then shall the Minister or some one appointed by him
read :
The First Lesson. 2 Chron. vi, 1, 2, 18-21, 40-42; vii,
1-4.
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 nighty upon the
place whereof thou hast said that thou wouldest put
thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer which
348
CORNER-STONE AND DEDICATION. 630.
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 thou 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 ears be attentive 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 Lord God, be
clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in
goodness. O Lord God, turn 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 Lord 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 worshiped and praised the Lord,
saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for¬
ever. Then the king and all the people offered sac¬
rifices 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 new and living
349
630. Corner-stone and Dedication.
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 of faith, having our
hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our
bodies washed with pure 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 to 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 approaching.
For if we sin willfully after that we have received the
knowledge of the truth; there remaineth no more
sacrifice for sin.
Then shall one of the hymns 88, 362, 445, 861, 927 or
1202 be sung, after which the Minister shall deliver
a Sermon suitable to the occasion, after which the Con¬
tributions of the People shall be received.
Then shall the Minister read the following Psalm, or the
Minister and Congregation may redd it alternately, the
parts in italics to be read by the Congregation ;
Psalm cxxii.
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into
the house of the Lord.
Our feet shall stand within thy gates, 0 Jerusalem.
Jerusalem ia builded as a city that is compact
together:
Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord,
350
Corner-stone and Dedication. 630.
Unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto
the name of the Lord.
For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of
the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem :
They shall prosper that 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.
Because of the house of the Lord our God I will seek
thy good.
Then let the Trustees stand up before the Altar, and one
of them, or some in their behalf, say unto the Minister :
We present unto you this Building to be dedicated
as a Church for the service and worship of Almighty
God.
Then shall the Minister request the Congregation to stand
while he repeats the following
declaration.
Dearly Beloved : It is meet and right, as we
learn 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 enterprise of erecting this
Church, we dedicate it to his service for the reading
of the Holy Scriptures, the preaching of the word
- oki
630. Corner-stone and Dedication.
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
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. And, as
the dedication of the temple is vain without the
solemn consecration of the worshipers also, I now
call upon you all to dedicate yourselves anew to the
service of God. To him let our 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 may our labors and business be dedicated,
that their fruit may tend to the glory of his great
name and to the advancement of his kingdom. And
that he may graciously accept this our solemn act,
let us pray.
The Congregation kneeling, the Minister shall offer the
following Prayer :
O Most Glorious Lord, we acknowledge that we are
not worthy to offer unto thee any thing belonging
unto us. Yet we beseech thee, in thy great goodness,
graciously to accept the dedication of this place to
thy service and to prosper this our undertaking.
Receive the prayers and intercessions of all those
thy servants who shall call upon thee in this house;
and give them grace 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 sanctuarv with lowliness and de-
352
Corner-stone and Dedication. 630.
votion, and coming before thee with clean thoughts
and pure hearts, with bodies undefiled and minds
sanctified, they may always perform a service accept¬
able to thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Eegard, O Lord, the supplications of thy servants,
and grant that whosoever shall be dedicated to thee
in this house by Baptism may ever remain in the
number of thy faithful children. Amen.
Grant, O Lord, that whosoever shall receive in this
place the blessed Sacrament of the Body and Blood
of Christ may eome to that holy Ordinance with faith,
charity, and true repentance, and, being filled with
thy grace and heavenly benediction, may, to their
great and endless comfort, obtain remission of their
sins and all other benefits of his death. Amen.
Grant, O Lord, that by thy holy word which shall
be read and preached in this place, and by the Holy
Spirit grafting it inwardly in the heart, the hearers
thereof may both perceive and know what things
they ought to do and may have power and strength
to perform the same. Amen.
Now, therefore, arise, O Lord, and come unto this
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 ear be ready toward the prayers
of thy children which they shall make unto thee in
this place; and whensoever thy servants shall make
to thee their petitions here, do thou hear them from
heaven, thy dwelling-place, the throne of the glory
of thy kingdom; and when thou hearest, forgive.
And grant, O Lord, we beseech thee, that here and
23 353
630. Corner-stone and Dedication.
elsewhere thy Ministers may be clothed with right¬
eousness 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 thy glorious temple above, the house
not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. And
to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit be
glory and praise, world without end. Amen.
The services to conclude with Doxology and Bene¬
diction.
CHAPTER VIII
1 631. Form for Consecration of Deaconesses.
(Devotional exercises and suitable addresses may
precede the following order of service):
1. Presentation of Candidate.
2. Hymn (Selection from Church Hymnal).
3. Responsive Reading.
Leader. The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me,
because the Lord has annointed me to preach good
tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the
broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to them that are bound.
Cong. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that though he was rich, yet for our sakes he
became poor, that ye through his poverty might be
rich.
Leader. He telleth the number of the stars; he
354
Consecration of Deaconesses. 631
calleth them all by their names. Great is our Lord,
and of great power: his understanding is infinite.
Cong. The Lord lifteth up the meek: he casteth the
wicked down to the ground. Sing unto the Lord with
thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God:
for he hath strengthed the bars of thy gates; he hath
blessed thy children within thee.
Leader. Have respect unto the covenant: for the
dark places of the earth are full of the habitations of
cruelty.
Cong. O let not the oppressed return ashamed:
let the poor and needy praise thy name.
Leader. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest
wickedness; therefore God, thy God, hath annointed
thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.
Cong. All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes,
and cassia, out of the ivory places, whereby they have
made thee glad.
Leader. Kings' daughters were among thy honor¬
able women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen
in gold of Ophir.
Cong. Hearken, O daughter, and consider, and
incline thine ear; forget also thine own people, and
thy father's house.
Leader. So shall the King greatly desire thy beauty:
for he is thy Lord; and worship thou him.
Cong. The King's daughter is all glorious within:
her clothing is of wrought gold.
354a
L 631 Consecration of Deaconesses.
Leader. She shall be brought unto the King in
raiment of needlework: the virgins, her companions
that follow her, shall be brought unto thee.
Cong. With gladness and rejoicing shall they be
brought: they shall enter into the King's palace.
Leader. I will make thy name to be remembered
in all generations: therefore shall the people praise
thee forever and ever.
Cong. Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and
thy glory unto thy children. And let the beauty of
the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the
work of our hands upon us; yea the work of our hands
establish thou it.
4. Prayer.
Let us pray:
O Eternal God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ'
the Creator of man and of woman, who didst replenish
with thy Spirit Miriam and Deborah and Anna and
Huldah; who didst not disdain that thy only begotten
Son should be born of a woman; who also in the
tabernacle of the testimony and in the temple, didst
ordain women to be keepers of thy holy gates, do
thou now also look down upon these, thy servants,
who are to be set apart to the office of Deaconess and
grant thy Holy Spirit that they may worthily dis¬
charge the work which is committed to them, to thy
glory, and the praise of thy Christ, with whom glory
and adoration be to thee and the Holy Spirit forever.
Amen.
354b
Consecration of Deaconesses. 631
5. Address to the Candidates.
Dear Sisters: We rejoice with you that in the good
providence of God an open door of usefulness has been
found for you in the service of the Church of Christ.
In our Master's wide vineyard there are a thousand
forms of labor, and to each disciple some fitting task
is assigned; but to you are accorded peculiar privileges
and priceless opportunities. Released from other
cares, you give yourself without reservation to the
service of the Lord of the vineyard, ready for any
duty which may fall to your lot. Like our blessed
Master, you will henceforth go about doing good,
ministering, as he did, to the wants of a suffering,
sorrowing, sin-laden world. The Church now solemnly
sets you apart for her special service. You are to
work for Jesus only. You are to minister to the poor,
visit the sick, and pray with the dying, care for the
orphan, seek the wandering, comfort the sorrowing,
save the sinning, and ever be ready to take up any
duty for which willing hands cannot otherwise be
found. Such a ministry is one which confers upon you
a great honor, but also a solemn responsibility. You
have not entered upon it lightly, and no doubt in the
sacred stillness of the sanctuary of the heart you have
already consecrated yourselves to this office and work.
What you have done alone with God, you now do for¬
mally and publicly in the presence of the Church.
Quest. Do you believe that you have been led by
the Spirit and providence of God to engage in this
work and assume the duties of this office?
Ans. I do*
354c
H 631 Consecration- of Deaconesses.
Quest. Do you, in the presence of God and of this
congregation, promise faithfully to perform the
duties of a Deaconess in the Church of God?
Ans. I do.
Quest. Do you accept the Bible as God's Word,
and will you make it a lamp unto your feet, and a
light unto your path?
Ans. I do accept it, and will walk in its light.
Quest. Will you strive to walk so close to your
Saviour's side that you will ever carry his blessed
presence to the hearts and homes of those to whom
you minister?
Ans. I will endeavor so to do.
Quest. Will you cheerfully accept the direction of
those whom the Church may set over you in the
prosecution of your work?
Ans. I will cheerfully do so.
(Congregation and Candidates, kneeling, after a
brief season of silent prayer, unite in singing.)
6. Hymn.
Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to thee;
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of thy love.
354a
Consecration of Deaconesses. | 631
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for thee;
Take my voice and let me sing
Always, only, for my King.
Take my will and make it thine,
It shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart, it is thine own,
It shall be thy royal throne.
Take my love, my God, I pour
At thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for thee.
(The Congregation rise while Candidates remain
kneeling.)
7. Invocation of the Holy Spirit.
May the Spirit of the living God descend upon you
and abide with you evermore. May his holy annoint-
ing impart to you grace for every trial and gifts for
every duty. May his presence be to you a pillar of
cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night all along the
journey of life; and may the blessing of God the
Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you now and
evermore. Amen.
(The Candidates rise, and the Minister, taking the
right hand of each Candidate, shall say):
354e
f 631 Consecration of Deaconesses.
I admit thee to the office of Deaconess in the
Church of God. In the name of the Father, and of
the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
8. Dismissal with Benediction.
The peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and
love of God, and of his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord:
and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Ghost, be among you, and remain
with you always. Amen.
354£
Appendix.
I. OFFICES, RESIDENCES, AND AD¬
DRESSES.
II. ADMINISTRATIVE BOARDS.
III. AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL
ZION BENEVOLENT AND SAY¬
INGS INSTITUTION.
IY. ANNUAL CONFERENCES AND FOR¬
EIGN MISSIONS.
V. MISCELLANEOUS.
VI. COURSES OF STUDY.
Officers Residences and Addresses, 1
CHAPTER I
OFFICERS RESIDENCES AND ADDRESSES.
1f 1. Bishops and Episcopal Districts.
I. District—New England, New Jersey, Western
North Carolina.
George Wylie Clinton, A. M., D. D.,
LL/. D., 415 N. Myers Street,
Charlotte, N. C.
II. District—South Alabama, North Alabama,
Alabama, South East Alabama,
South Florida.
John Wesley Alstork, D. D., LL. D.,
231 Cleveland Avenue, Mont¬
gomery, Ala.
III. District—New York, Philadelphia and
Baltimore, North Carolina.
Josiah Samuel Caldwell, A. M.,
D. D., 420 S. Eleventh Street,
Philadelphia, Pa.
IV. District—Michigan, Allegheny, Virginia,
Albemarle, West Central North
Carolina.
George Lincoln Blackwell, D. D.,
LL. D., 420 S. Eleventh Street,
Philadelphia, Pa.
357
1 Officers Residences and Addresses.
Y. District—Palmetto.
Andrew Jackson Warner, D. D.,
220 E. Boundary Street, Char¬
lotte, N. C.
VI. District—Central North Carolina, California,
Oregon, Blue Ridge, East Ten¬
nessee and Virginia, South
Georgia.
Linwood Westinghouse Kyles, A.
M., D. D., 4301 West Belle Place,
St. Louis, Mo.
VII. District—South Carolina.
Robert Blair Bruce, D. D., 203 S.
Brevard Street, Charlotte, N. C.
VIII. District—Western New York, Cape Fear,
Pee Dee, Georgia.
William Louis Lee, D. D., 450
Quincy Street, Brooklyn, N. Y.
IX. District—Kentucky, West Kentucky, Ohio,
Tennessee, West Tennessee and
Mississippi.
George Clinton Clement, A. M.,
D. D., 1425 W. Walnut Street,
Louisville, Ivy.
X. District—Central Alabama, West Alabama,
Cahaba, South Mississippi.
John Wesley Wood, D. D., 1231
Cornell Avenue, Indianapolis,
Ind.
358
Officers Residences and Addresses, 2
XI. District—Missouri, Indiana, Arkansas, North
Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma,
Louisiana, Florida.
Paris Arthur Wallace, A. M., D. D.,
522 Macon Street, Brooklyn, N. Y.
If 2. General Officers and Departments.
1. Financial Depabtment.
General Secretary—Frederick M. Jacobs, D. D.,
M. D., 416 Gold St., Brooklyn, N. Y.
Financial Secretary—William H. Goler, A. M., D.
D., LL. D., 420 S. 11th Street, Philadelphia, Pa.
2. Benevolent Department.
Manager of Publication Souse—S. D. Watkins,
D. D., 810 E. 8th Street, Charlotte, N. 0.
Corresponding Secretary of Education—J. W.
Martin, A. M., D. D., 4828 W. Belle Place,
St. Louis, Mo.
Secretary of Church Extension and Home Missions
—John C. Daccy, A. M., LL. D., 420 S. 11th
Street, Philadelphia, Pa.
Corresponding Secretary of Foreign Missions—
W. W. Matthews, D. D., 420 S. 11th Street,
Philadelphia, Pa.
Secretary of Yarick Christian Endeavor Union—
Aaron Brown, Pensacola, Fla.
Secretary Ministerial Brotherhood—Calvin S.
359
Whitted, D. D., 420 S. 11th Street, Philadel¬
phia, Pa.
Superintendent of Sunday Schools—James W.
Eichelberger, A. M., 3947 Michigan Ave., Chi¬
cago, 111.
3. Editorial Department.
Star of Zion—W. J. Walls, D. D., Box 117, Char¬
lotte, N. C.
Quarterly Review—C. C. Alleyne, A. M.f 17 Winyah
Avenue, New Rochelle, N. Y.
Missionary Seer—W. W. Matthews, D. D., 420 S.
11th Street, Philadelphia, Pa.
Sunday School Literature—J. Francis Lee, A. M.,
D. D., Charlotte, N. C.
Sunday School Bulletin—J. W. Eichelberger, Jr,.
A. M., 3947 Michigan Avenue, Chicago, 111.
2 Officers Residences and Addresses.
4. Educational Institutions.
tlood Theological Seminary—
Livingstone College—D. C. Suggs, A. M., Ph. D.,
President, Salisbury, N. C.
Clinton College—Robert J. Boulware, A. M., Presi¬
dent, Rock Hill, S. C.
Atkinson College—M. V. Taylor, A. M., Preside^-,
Madisonville. Ky.
360
Officers Residences and Addresses, 2
Greenville College—J. W. Young, A. M., President,
Greenville, Tenn.
Dinividdie 'Normal and Industrial School—W. E.
Woodyard, A. M., President, Dinwiddie, Va.
Lomax-Hannon Literary College—W. N. Rake-
straw, President, Greenville, Ala.
Walters Institute—C. TV. P. Mitchell, D. D.,
President, Warren, Ark.
Lancaster Normal and Industrial Institute—M. D.
Lee, President, Lancaster, S. C.
F.astern North Carolina Industrial Academy—
William Sutton, D. D., Principal, Newbern,
N. C.
E dent on High School—E. T. Mclver, A. B., B. D.,
President, Edenton, N. C.
Macon Industrial School—W. M. McGee, Principal,
Macon, Ga.
Johnson Rural High School—G. W. Vance, Prin¬
cipal, Stover, Miss.
Walters Academy—Rev. R. E. Peters, Principal,
Quittali, W. C. Africa.
Small Academy—Rev. F. A. Pinanko, A. M., Prin¬
cipal, Cape Coast Castle, W. C. Africa.
5. Woman's Home and Foreign Missinoary
Society.
President—Mrs. Daisy Johnson, 715 12th St.,
Birmingham, Ala.
861
Officers Residences and Addresses. 2
Vice-President—Mrs. S. D. Davis, 2122 Highland
Place, Indianapolis, Ind.
Recording Secretary—Mrs. L. B. Evans-Pierce, 724
S. Preston St., Louisville, Ky.
Corresponding Secretary—Mrs. Annie W. Black-
well, 624 S. 16th St., Philadelphia, Pa.
Treasurer—Mrs. Ida Y. Smith, 1309 R St., N. W.,
Washington, D. O.
Secretary Young Woman's Missionary Society—
Miss Victoria Richardson, Livingstone College,
Salisbury, N. 0.
Superintendent Buds of Promise—Mrs. M. L. Clin¬
ton, 415 N. Myers St., Charlotte, N. C.
Secretary Bureau Foreign Supplies—Mrs. J. W.
Brown, 155 W. 136th St., New York.
'National Organizers—Mrs. Ada L. M. Hall, Tusca¬
loosa, Ala.; Mrs. A. L. Anderson, Pittsburgh,
Pa.; Mrs. Ida Barber, 410 S. Second St., Char¬
lotte, N. C.
862
Administrative Boards. fl 3
CHAPTEE II
1[ 3. Administrative Boards.
1. Board of Finance.
Bishop J. S. Caldwell, President; Bev. W. H.
Goler, Corresponding Secretary; Bev. J, B.
White, Vice-President; Mr. A. A. Bives,
Recording Secretary; Bev. W. H. Taylor, Bev.
H. D. Tillman, Bev. W. O. Carson, Bev. J. P.
Foote, Assistant Secretary; Bev. G. W. John¬
son, Bev. J. H. Hall.
2. Board of Education.
Bishop G. L. Blackwell, President; Bev. J. W.
Martin, Corresponding Secretary; Prof. S. G.
Atkins, Recording Secretary; Bev. G. L.
White, Vice-President; Bev. M. F. Gregory,
Assistant Secretary; Bev. William Anderson,
Bev. A. L. Martin, Bev. C. C. Marks, Bev. J. V.
Catledge, Bev. W. E. Shaw.
3. Board of Church Extension and Home
Missions.
Bishop W. L. Lee, President; Hon. John C. Dancy,
Corresponding Secretary; Bev. B. W. Swain,
Assistant Secretary; Bev. W. C. Brown, Bev.
T. T. Taylor, Bev. W. H. Davenport, Record-
363
3 Administratis*: Boards.
ing Secretaryj Rev. E. L. Madison, Vice-
President; Rev. E. D. W. Bell, Rev. W. F.
Finley, Rev. D. S. Blackwell.
4. Boakd of Foreign Missions.
Bishop G. C. Clement, President; Rev. W. W.
Matthews, Corresponding Secretary; Rev. T.
A. Auten, Recording Secretary; Rev. G. M.
Oliver, Rev. W. H. Howard, Rev. C. P. S.
Harrison, Prof. W. J. Trent, Assistant Secre¬
tary; Rev. J. H. McMullen, Vice-President;
Rev. H. R. Gaines, Rev. A. Shinn, Mrs. Daisy
V. Johnson, Mrs. S. D. Davis, Mrs. Annie W.
Blackwell, Mrs. Ida V. Smith, Mrs. Lizzie E.
Pierce, Mrs. M. L. Clinton, Mrs. J. W. Brown,
Miss Victoria Richardson, Mrs. Ella J. Cald¬
well, Mrs. L. W. Kyles, Mrs. W. L. Lee, Mrs.
G. C. Clement, Mrs. J. W. Wood, Mrs. P. A.
Wallace.
5. Board of Publication.
Bishop G. W. Clinton, President; Rev. S. D.
Watkins, Manager; Rev. H. B. Bennett, Vice-
President; Rev. F. W. Riley, Rev. W. A.
Blackwell, Secretary; Mr. J. T. Hamilton, As-
sistant Secretary; Rev. Wm. Robinson, Treas¬
urer; Rev. G. W. Bell, Rev. N. D. Crawford,
Rev. A. W. Sherred.
6. Board of Ministerial Relief.
Bishop J. W. Wood, President; Rev. C. S. Whitted,
364
Administrative Boards. 3
Corresponding Secretary; Dr. J. W. Darden,
Assistant Secretary; Rev. J. F. Fitzpatrick,
Rev. J. C. Taylor, Rev. C. P. Harrison, Rev.
C. D. Hazel, Recording Secretary; Rev. T. H.
Merriweather, Rev. W. D. Speight, Vice-
President; Rev. C. P. Hudson.
7. Sunday School Board.
Bishop P. A. Wallace, President; Bishop G. W.
Clinton, Vice-President; Rev. J. Francis Lee,
Editor S. S. Literature; Prof. J. W. Eichel-
berger, Jr., General Superintendent; Rev. C. C.
Williams, Assistant Secretary; Rev. W, D. Bat¬
tle, Rev. C. W. Carver, Rev. G. W. Harrell,
Rev. H. Durham, Rev. H. T. Medford, Record¬
ing Secretary; Rev. J. W. Jones, Rev. T. J.
Moppins, Vice-President.
8. Board of Varick C. E. Union.
Rev. J. W. Brown, President; Prof. Aaron Brown,
Corresponding Secretary; Rev. F. R. Blakie,
Rev. J. C. Lewis, Rev. J. E. Garrett, Rev. W.
J. J. Byers, Recording Secretary; Rev. J. E.
Kennedy, Rev. J. W. Frazier, Assistant Secre¬
tary ; Rev. W. F. Witherspoon, Rev. S. D.
Davis, Vice-President.
9. Bureau of Evangelism.
Rev. M. D. Smith, President; Rev. A. J. Gorham,
Vice-President; Rev. W. M. Langford, Rev. C.
J. Stevenson, Rev. L. T. Conquest, Rev. J. W.
365
Administrative Boards.
Carter, Rev. J. H. Ellison, Rev. J. L. Black,
Treasurer; Rev. M. C. Glover, Secretary; Mr.
R. L. Brokenburr, Assistant Secretary.
10. Board of Theological Seminaries.
Bishop L. W. Kyles, President; Rev. W. W. Slade,
Vice-President; Rev. R. R. Ball, Rev. H. L.
Holt, Rev. C. L. Alexander, Secretary; Rev.
W. W. Howard, Rev. P. B. Coward, Rev. R. L.
Cherry, Mr. H. C. Russell, Assistant Secretary;
Rev. H. R. Jackson.
11. Board of Audit.
Bishop L. W. Kyles, President; Rev. W. L. Hamlin,
Auditor; Rev. T. H. Jones, Mr. O. W. Adams,
Treasurer; Rev. P. R. Flack, Rev. D. G. Moose,
Recording Secretary; Rev. R. J. Crocket, Vice-
President; Rev. W. H. Mitchell, Rev. T. J.
Jackson, Rev. F. W. Alstork.
12. Board of Appeals.
Rev. G. "W. Maize, President; Rev. W. M. Bascom,
Vice-President; Rev. H. Blake, Rev. J. H. Love,
Treasurer; Rev. G. W. Brown, Prof. J. C.
Banks, Assistant Secretary; Rev. J. H. Mosely,
Rev. R. B. Williams, Rev. T. H. Stevenson,
Rev. C. W. P. Mitchell, Recording Secretary.
13. Board of Connectional Trustees.
Rev. T. J. Houston, President; Rev. S. P. Cooke,
360
Administrative Boards. 3
Vice-President; Rev. W. M. Marshall, Rev. H.
J. Callis, Rev. E. T. Mclver, Recording Secre-
tary; Rev. G. G. Huff, Rev. H. J. Johnson,
Rev. J. H. Branner, Rev. B. G. Shaw, Treas¬
urer', Rev. H. M. Stovall, Assistant Secretary.
14. Board of Statistics.
Rev. J. H. Anderson, President; Prof. S. M.
Dudley, Corresponding Secretary; Rev. H. H.
Jackson, Rev. E. D. W. Jones, Vice-President;
Rev. £5. J. Bolding, Rev. J. J. Nicholson, Rev.
J. H. D. Bailey, Dr. E. L. Watkins, Treasurer;
Rev. J. C. Laramore, Assistant Secretary; Rev.
H. R. Jackson, Recording Secretary.
15. Board of Ministerial Brotherhood.
Rev. C. C. Stewart, President; Rev. D. 0. Baum,
Vice-President; Rev. C. S. Whitted, Correspond¬
ing Secretary; Rev. H. L. Simmons, Rev. W. C.
Brown, Rev. G. W. Gaines, Treasurer; Rev. A.
M. Goodwin, Recording Secretary; Rev. E. W.
Smith, Mr. Floyd Grayce, Assistant Secretary;
Rev. M. S. Kell, Rev. N. T. Hunter.
367
4 Conferences and Foreign Missions.
CHAPTER III
ANNUAL CONFERENCES AND FOREIGN
MISSIONS.
f4.—Annual Conferences.
1. Alabama.
2. Albemarle.
3. Allegheny.
4. Arkansas.
5. Blue Ridge.
6. Cahaba.
7. California.
8. Cape Fear.
9. Central Alabama.
10. Central North Carolina.
11. East Tennessee and Virginia.
12. Florida.
13. Georgia.
14. Indiana.
15. Kentucky.
16. Louisiana.
17. Michigan.
18. Missouri.
19. New England.
20. New Jersey.
21. New York.
22. North Alabama.
23. North Arkansas.
24. North Carolina.
25. North Louisiana.
26. Ohio.
368
Miscellaneous.
27. Oklahoma.
28. Oregon.
29. Palmetto.
30. Philadelphia and Baltimore.
31. South Alabama.
32. South East Alabama.
33. South Carolina.
34. South Florida.
35. South Georgia.
36. South Mississippi.
37. Tennessee.
38. Texas.
39. Virginia.
40. West Alabama.
41. West Central North Carolina.
42. Western New York.
43. Western North Carolina.
44. West Tennessee and Mississippi.
5.—Foreign Mission Conferences.
45. East Gold Coast, West Africa.
46. Liberia.
47. West Gold Coast, West Africa.
Foreign Missions.
Demerara and British Honduras.
CHAPTER Y.
MISCELLANEOUS.
19. Rules for Conference Proceedings.
§1. All Conference proceedings not especially con¬
stituting a rule previously decided on as such must
be introduced by motion.
360
19, § 2. Miscellaneous.
£ 2. Every motion must be seconded to be intro¬
duced as such by the Chairman.
§ 8. Every motion contains a proposition or pro¬
posal to do something or refrain from doing by non-
concurrence.
§ 4. When a motion is made and seconded, or a
resolution is introduced and seconded, or a report
presented and read by the Secretary, or stated by the
Chairman it shall be deemed in possession of the
Conference. But any motion or resolution may be
withdrawn by the mover at any time before amend¬
ment or decision.
\ 5. It is the prerogative of the Chairman to rule
out or refuse to entertain a motion when it proposes
a violation of law.
§ 6. The motions to adjourn, to suspend the rules,
to lay on the table, to take from the table, and the
call for the previous question shall be taken without
debate.
§ 7. No new motion or resolution shall be enter¬
tained until the one under consideration has been
disposed of, which may be done by adoption or rejec¬
tion, unless one of the following motions should
intervene, which shall have precedence in the order
in which they are placed, namely :
(1) To fix the time when the Conference shall ad¬
journ.
(2) To adjourn.
(3) To take recess.
(4) To lay on the table.
(5) For the previous question.
370
Miscellaneous. II 19, § 15.
(6) To postpone.
(7) To give time.
(8) To refer.
(9) To substitute.
(10) An amendment.
(11) To postpone indefinitely.
The motion for the previous question cannot be
laid on the table.
§ 8. There may be a motion to amend the propo¬
sition offered.
§ 9. There may be a motion to amend the amend¬
ment.
§ 10. There may be a motion to offer a substitute
for the proposition.
§11. There may be a motion to refer the matter
to a standing or a special committee.
§12. If the motion to refer is lost, there may be
a motion to postpone the matter and the time named,
or to an indefinite period.
£ IB. There may be a motion to lay any of these
propositions on the table except the previous question,
which if carried, ends the further consideration of
the whole matter for the present.
I 14. The motion to substitute takes precedence
of all motions to amend, and the motion to refer takes
precedence of all others in this connection.
§ 15. The motion to adjourn shall be taken with¬
out debate, and shall always be in order, except (1)
when a member has the floor; (2) when a question
is actually put, or a vote is being taken; (3) when
a question is pending or sustaining the demand for
19, § 16. Miscellaneous.
the previous question; (4) when the previous ques¬
tion has been called and sustained, and action under
it is still pending; (5) when a motion to adjourn has
been lost and no business or debate has intervened.
\ 16. When any motion or resolution shall have
been acted upon by the Conference it shall be in
order for any member who voted with the prevailing
side to move a reconsideration; but a motion to
reconsider a nondebatable motion shall be decided
without debate.
3 17. When any member is about to speak in
debate or to deliver any matter to the Conference lie
shall arise and respectfully address the President, but
shall not proceed until recognized by him, and the
member must address the chair from his place.
■ \ 18. No member shall be interrupted while
speaking except by the President to call him to order
when he departs from the question or uses person¬
alities, or uses disrespectful language, but any member
may call the attention of the Chairman to the subject
when he deems the speaker out of order, and any
member may explain when he thinks himself misrep¬
resented.
g 19. No person shall speak more than twice on
the same question, nor more than five minutes at one
time without leave of the Conference, nor shall any
person speak more than once until every member
choosing to speak shall have spoken, provided, how¬
ever, that the committee making the report shall
through its Chairman or one of its members, in all
cases be entitled to five minutes to close the debate.
372
Miscellaneous. II 20.
§ 20. No member shall be allowed to vote on any
question who is not within the bar at the time when
the question shall be put by the Chairman except by
the leave of the Conference, when such member shall
have necessarily been absent.
$21. Every member who is within the bar at the
time the question is put shall vote unless the Confer¬
ence for special reasons excuses him.
| 22. When the hour agreed on for adjournment
arrives, a motion for extension of time is out of order;
if desired it must be agreed on by motion to suspend
the rule in order thereto before the time to adjourn
arrives.
§ 28. When a member desires to speak on a ques¬
tion of privilege he shall briefly state the question,
but it shall not be in order for him to proceed until
the Chairman shall have decided it a privileged ques¬
tion. Privileged questions should be disposed of
immediately after the approval of the minutes.
\ 24. All actions should be settled, and reports
made by members both in Annual and Quarterly
Conferences previous to the passage of the member's
character in order to determine his fitness in the dis¬
charge of duty, and his fitness for continuance in his
position.
*|[ 20. Manner of Formulating Charges against an Ac¬
cused Member.
In drafting charges and specifications for the trial
of an accused Member of the Church there should
be a brief statement defining the offense by its gen-
373
ff 21, § 1. Miscellaneous.
eric name, such as "Defamation," "Dishonesty,"
"Lying," "Imprudent Conduct," "Indulging Sinful
Tempers or Words," "Disobedience to the Order and
Discipline of th© Church," "Neglecting Prayer-
Meetings," "Neglecting Class-Meetings," etc. Each
charge should be accompanied with one or more
specifications germane to the charge; and the fol¬
lowing forms may serve to illustrate the manner of
preparing charges and specifications. The charges
and specifications must be so varied in the several
cases as to meet the facts or evidence relied upon
for conviction. The bill of charges should be
signed by one or more Members of the Church,
and must be addressed to the Preacher in Charge
of the circuit or station in which the accused person
holds his membership.
TT 21. Form of Charges*
§ 1. IMMORAL CONDUCT.
Fobm No. I.
To A. B., Preacher in Charge of Circuit or
Station:
Dear Brotheb: The undersigned, a Member of
the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, com¬
plains to you that C. D., a Member of the same
Church, has been guilty of immoral conduct, and
he is hereby charged therewith, as follows:
charge : defamation.
Specification 1. The said C. D., on the day of
, 19.., at , did write and publish, malicious¬
ly and in violation of the Rules of the Discipline,
374
Miscellaneous. u 21, § 2.
the following false and libelous matter of and con¬
cerning E. F., to wit: (Here copy the writing com¬
plained of).
Specification 2. The said 0. D., on the day of
, 19 , at , did utter and publish ma¬
liciously and in violation of the Rules of the Disci¬
pline, the following defamatory and libelous matter
of and concerning E. F., to wit: (Here copy the
matter published).
Specification 3. The said 0. D., on the day
of , 19 , at , did, maliciously and in
violation of the Eules of the Discipline, speak, utter
and publish, in the hearing of divers persons, the
following false and slanderous words concerning E. F.,
that is to say, "He (meaning the said E. F.) is a
thief."
[Signed] M. N.
Form No. II.
[The address to the Preacher in Charge should be
the same as in No. I.]
charge: lying.
Specification. The said C. D., on the day of
, 19 . at } did, in violation of the
Rules of the Discipline, falsely and wilfully say (here
insert what was said) or words to that effect, know¬
ing the statement to be misleading and false.
[Signed] M. N.
§ 2. IMPRUDENT AND UNCHRISTIAN CONDUCT.
In this class of cases preliminary labor .is required
before the accused person is liable to be arraigned
375
21, § % Miscellaneous.
and tried, and it should be averred in the complaint
that such preliminary labor has been performed for
such averment there is nothing to show that the per¬
son is liable to be tried. The following form may
be used:
Form No. III.
To A. B., Preacher in Charge of Circuit or Station:
Dear Brother: Inasmuch as C. D., a Member
of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church,
indulged sinful tempers, and was afterward reproved,
as the Discipline provides; yet the C. D. was guilty
of a second transgression and he was again reproved
as the Discipline provides; yet notwithstanding
these repeated reproofs, the said C. D. continues im¬
penitent and still persists in indulging sinful tem¬
pers, thereby bringing reproach upon the Church;
therefore the undersigned complains to you of the
conduct of the said C. D., and charges him as follows.*
charge: indulging sinful tempers.
Specification. The said C. D., on the day of
, 19 , at , and at other places, did on
three several occasions become angry and indulge
sinful tempers, in violation of the Rules of the Disci¬
pline.
[Signed] M. N.
Form No. IY.
To A. B., Preacher in Charge of Circuit or Station :
Dear Brother : Forasmuch as C. D., on the ,
day of , 19 , at , did become angry and
indulge sinful tempers, in violation of the Rules of
376
Miscellaneous. IT 21, § 3.
the Discipline; and though, reproved therefor, after
the manner provided in the Discipline, he made no
acknowledgment of the fault, and showed no proper
humiliation; and he still continues impenitent;
therefore the undersigned complains to you of the
conduct of C. D., and hereby charges him as follows:
charge: indulging sinful tempers.
Specification. C. D., on the „ day of , 19
at , became angry and indulged sinful tempers,
in violation of the Rules of the Discipline ; and, not¬
withstanding he has been reproved* on account
thereof, as the Discipline provides, he has made no
acknowledgment of the fault, and has shown no
proper humiliation, but continues impenitent, in
violation of the Eules of the Discipline.
[Signed] M. N.
I 3. NEGLECT OF THE MEANS OF GKACE.
Form No. V.
7b A. B., Preacher in Charge of. Circuit or Station :
Dear Brother: Inasmuch as C. D., a Member
of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church,
had .or a long time neglected class-meetings, and
havi»5 so neglected was visited by the Leader, who
explained to him the consequences should he continue
such neglect; and yet. notwithstanding such visit
and explanation, he does not amend, but continues
to neglect class-meetings, therefore the undersigned
complains to you of the conduct of C. D., and hereby
charges him as follows:
22. Miscellaneous.
charge: habitual neglect of class-meetings.
Specification. The said C. D., unmindful of his
duty, and in violation of the Eules of the Discipline,
does habitually neglect class-meetings.
[Signed] M. N.
[Note.—It is sufficient to charge the offense by its generic
name, and after such charge the complaint may set forth in
specifications as many instances of the offense as he may see
proper to insert; provided, always, the specifications may sus¬
tain the charge. In preparing the charges and specifications
care should be taken in setting out the offense, so to describe it
in each specification as that it shall embody the essential ele¬
ments of the offense, that the accused may be apprised more
certainly of the»nature of the charge upon which he is to be
arraigned and tried.]
22. Order of a Trial.
For the sake of convenience the following is sub¬
mitted as the order of proceedings in a Trial Com'
mittee:
1. Devotional exercises.
2. Appointing of Secretary.
3. Appointing or recognizing Counsel.
4. Challenge, waived or decided.
5. Reading and introducing of Charges.
6. The accused admits or denies the Charge.
7. The testimony for the prosecution introduced.
8. The testimony for the defense presented.
9. Eebuttals for prosecution and defense.
10. Arguments. First. For prosecution covering
the whole ground. Second. For defense in full.
Third. The prosecution closes without introducing
any new matter.
378
Miscellaneous. 23, § 1.
11. The Committee takes the case for decision, the
accused and the accuser retiring. The Members of
the Committee may refresh their minds through
reference to the testimony, which they may consider
until they are ready to vote. In voting, the Chairman
submits the question on the first specification, and
asks, Is this specification sustained? He takes a
vote on each specification in the same manner until
all are voted on. Then he asks, Do the specifica¬
tions sustained, sustain the charge? If the vote is
affirmative, the penalty must be according to the
grade of offense. If the vote on sustaining the
charge is negative, then the Chairman shall ask,
What grade of offense do the specifications sustain ?
If in the judgment of the Committee the specifica¬
tions do not sustain any grade of offense, the accused
shall be acquitted; but if in its judgment, the specifi¬
cations sustained some minor offense, the penalty
shall be accordingly.
12. The findings will then be written and must
conform exactly to the votes of the charge and speci¬
fications, and signed by the majority, but no member
of the Committee shall be compelled to subscribe to
what he did not vote for.
13. The Chairman shall then announce the find¬
ings in order of the specifications, and the sentence
which the Discipline requires.
23. What Constitutes a Circuit Qf Station.
§ 1. A circuit is a city, town, district, or circle,
taking in several societies, whose temporal concerns
23, § 2. Miscellaneous.
are conducted by separate bodies of Trustees or
Stewards, according to their charters or constitutions,
and consequently require separate Trustees and
Leaders' Meetings.
I 2. A station is a city or town where there is but
one society (though haying several houses of worship),
whose temporal concerns are conducted by one body
of Trustees or Stewards, or one Leaders' Meeting.
f 24. The Correspondence School,
$ 1. "The Correspondence School established by
the Board of Bishops of the African Methodist Epis¬
copal Zion Church is hereby incorporated. At the first
Quarterly Conference held each year an educational
session shall be held, at which all the Traveling
Preachers who have not finished their four years'
course of study, and Local Preachers residing in the
circuit or station, together with the Exhorters, shall
be examined by the Presiding Elder or his proxy
in the studies designated for them by the Book of
Discipline, including those of the Correspondence
School."
I 2. All failing to pass said examination shall
pursue the studies prescribed for them in the Corre¬
spondence School.
I 3. At each succeeding Quarterly Conference the
students atorenamed shall be examined, and the
results reported to the ensuing Annual Conference.
§ 4. A collection shall be raised yearly in every
Church for Ministerial Education, which shall be
380
Courses of Study. 24, § 4.
devoted by the Quarterly Conference next ensuing
to the following objects, namely:
1. To establish and maintain a library, which
shall retain all that is required in the Conference
Course of Study or the Correspondence School.
2. To provide a supply of books to lend to those
members of the Quarterly Conference who desire, or
are required, to pursue a course of study in the
Correspondence School.
3. To furnish such literature as may be desired by
the Preachers' Institute.
4. All the surplus of said collection shall be used
in augmenting the library of the Sunday Schools.
381
Miscellaneous.
FORM OF DEED,
Deed.
TO
Deed—Consideration, $-
Dated. day of- , ig
Filed for Registration on the. day of
, ip , at. o1 clock,
M., and registered in the office of the Regis¬
ter of Deeds for.
County, , this. day of-
/p , at. d clock, M., in Book .
cf Deeds, on Page. , &>c.
Register of Deeds.
«t25.
IT 25.
382
Miscellaneous. H25.
State of ,
County.
made this day of
, 19 , by
of. County, State of. , to
Trustees of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church in America, of. County,
State of. , WITNESSETH, That
said. , in consideration
of 100 Dollars, to
paid by
Trustees of the Church aforesaid, the receipt of
•which is hereby acknowledged, ha bargained
and sold, and by these presents do bargain, sell,
and convey to said
Trustees, their associates and successors in office,
a. of land in County, State of
adjoining the land of.
and others, bounded as follows, viz :
383
Miscellaneous.
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the aforesaid
tract- and all privileges and appur¬
tenances thereto belonging. Intrust that said prem¬
ises shall be used, kept, maintained, and disposed
of as a place of Divine Worship for the use of
the Ministry and membership of the African Metho¬
dist Episcopal Zion Church in America: subject
to the Discipline, usage, and Ministerial appoint¬
ments of said Church, as from time to time author¬
ized and declared by the General Conference of
said Church, and the Annual Conference in whose
hounds the said premises are situate.—Provided, how¬
ever, that no pastor nor trustee Board shall mort¬
gage or sell any property of the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church without the written consent
of the Bishop of the District qr the Annual Confer¬
ence.
And the said convenant....
that seized of said premises in fee simple,
and ha... the right to convey the same in fee
simple; that the same are free from all incum¬
brances, and that will warrant and defend
the said title to the same, against the claims of all
persons whatsoever.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, The said
ha... hereunto set hand.. .and seal... the day
and year above written.
(L.S.)
Attest:
384
Miscellaneous.
II 25.
State ol
County.
Be it Remembered, That on the
day of. , ig t before me,
personally appeared
, the
grantor named in the foregoing Deed, who acknowl¬
edged the due execution thereof, by. as.
act and deed; and thereupon the safd
being by me privately examined, separate and apart
from her said husband, touching her free consent
to the execution of said deed, she sn such, her
examination, declares that she executed the same
freely, of her own will and accord, and without
any force, fear, or undue influence of her said
husband, or any other person, and does still volun¬
tarily assent thereto, and hereby relinquishes her
right of dower in said land.
Let the said deed, with this certificate„ be regis¬
tered.
Probate Judge.
25
885
<ff 27. Courses of Study.
CHAPTER VI.
COURSES OF STUDY.
26. The General Conference in its deliverances
on the subject of Education makes literary prepara¬
tion on the part of Candidates for the Ministry, a
necessity, and positively requires of the Candidate
a familiar acquaintance with the common English
branches before applying for admission to an Annual
Conference, and earnestly recommends the comple¬
tion of an academic course, if possible, and a course
in theology, before the Canditate applies for admission.
Tf 27. The General Conference directs that each
Annual Conference will require a rigid examination
of each Candidate on the studies laid down for Ad¬
mission on Trial, and that each Preacher be required
to pass an examination each year thereafter for four
years, or until he regularly finishes the course,
whether he has, or has not been ordained before the
expiration of the time required; provided that Con¬
ferences may accept diplomas and certificates from
Institutions of learning where persons have pursued
a regular course or courses of study equivalent to or
covering the Conference course of study in lieu of
the examination and where satisfactory proficiency is
shown; nevertheless, all Candidates shall be examined
in the Doctrines and Discipline of our Church,
If 107, U 118, If 161 g 1-6.
Tf 28. The General Conference recommends that
8$6
Courses of Study. H30,§1.
each Presiding Bishop will select men as examiners,
whose qualifications and experience peculiarly fit
them for conducting the examination of Candidates
in the fairest manner, and that the minimum pass¬
ing average in the examination shall be seventy.
1T 29. For Class Leaders and Exhorters.
Bible, with References and Helps.
Church Hymnal.
Church Discipline.—Present Edition.
Bible Catechism.—Moore.
Outlines of Methodism,—-James McGee.
Church Catechism.—Harris.
Early History of the African Methodist Episcopal
J?ion Church.—Rush.
The Class Leader.—Atkinson.
The Class Meeting.—Fitzgerald.
English Branches.
Star of Zion.
■*[ 30. For Local Preachers.
First Year.
Bible with Reference and Helps.
Church Hymnal.
Church Discipline—Present Edition.
Bible Mastery-—Broicn.
How to Prepare Sermons.—Evans.
Handbook of Christian Theology—Fields.
English Branches.
Historical Catechism—Harris.
For Collateral Reading a)id Study.
. John Wesley, the Methodist.
Hints to Self-Educated Ministers—Porter,
387
5 30 Courses of Study.
Second Yeae.
Bible with Reference and Helps.
Church Hymnal.
Church Discipline—Present Edition.
How to Study the Bible—Clifford and Moule.
Handbook of Christian Theology—Fields.
Landmarks of Church History—Coican.
One Thousand Questions on Methodism—
Wheeler'.
Historical Catechism—Harris.
For Collateral Reading and Study.
Plain Account of Christian Perfection—-WesZey.
Hints to Self-Educated Ministers—Porter.
1 31. For Traveling Preachers.
Fob Admission on Trial.
English Branches.
American History.
Church Discipline—Present Edition.
Handbook of Christian Theology—Fields.
Compendium of Methodism (Revised).—Porter.
One Thousand Questions on Methodism.—
Wheeler.
How to Prepare Sermons.—Evans.
Written Sermon.
Historical Catechism.—Harris.
First Tear.
Life of Christ.—Stalker.
Manual of Christian Evidences.—Fisher.
The Work of Preaching.—Hoyt.
388
Courses of*~Study. 31
The Theological Student.—Gregory.
Church Discipline—Present Edition.
Principles of Rhetoric.—D. J. Hill.
Bible History (Covering O. T.).—Dean.
Compendium, of Methodism (Revised).—Porter.
History of A. M. E. Zion Church.
For Collateral Reading and Study.
The Work of Preaching.—Hoyt.
The Students' Life of Christ.—Gilbert.
Life of Christ.—Farrar.
Trial and Death of Christ.—Stalker.
Quiet Hints to Growing Preachers.—Jefferson.
Second Yeas.
Life of Paul.—Stalker.
The Work of Preaching.—Hoylt.
Short History of the Christian Church—Mon-
crief.
Manual of Christian Doctrine (pp. 1-123).—
Banks.
Bible History (Covering N. T.).—Dean.
History of Methodism (abridged).—Stevens.
Lessons in Logic.—-Jevons.
Church Discipline.—Present Edition.
Quiet Talks with Earnest People.—Jefferson.
For Collateral Reading and Study.
Students' Life of Paul.—Gilbert.
Life of St. Paul.—Conybeare and Hoicson.
Living Christ and the Four Gospels.—Dale.
The Bible:—Its Nature and Truth.—Dods.
389
1 31
bourses of c3tujjy.
The Parabolic Teaching of Jesus.—Bruce.
Sermons and Addresses.—Jones,
Third Yeab.
Making the Sermon.—Patterson.
Manuals of Christian Doctrine (pp. 124-274).—
Banks.
Introduction to the Old Testament.—Wright.
Hebrew Religion.—Addis.
History of Methodism (abridged).—Stevens.
Modern Methods of Church Work.—Meade.
Short History of Christian Church.—Moncriej.
Church Discipline.—Present Edition.
For Collateral Reading and Study.
The Pastor-Preacher.—Quayle.
The Vital Ministry.—McGlothlin.
The Days of His Flesh.—Smith.
My Life and Work.—Walters,
Sermons.—Flood.
Christianty Under the Searchlight.—Clinton.
Fourth Yeab.
Manual of Christian Doctrine (pp. 275-325).—
Banks.
Introduction to New Testament.—Dods.
Theology of the New Testament.—Adeny.
Modern Methods in Church Work.—Meade.
Social Aspects of Religious Institutions.—Earp.
How We got oijr Bible.—Smyth.
Church Discipline.—Present Edition.
Moral Science.—Mahon.
390
Courses op Study. f 31
For Collateral Beading and Study.
Outline of Christian Theology—Clarke.
The Preacher: His Life and Work.—Jowett.
Twice Born Men.—Begbie.
Christianity and the Social Crisis.—Rauschen-
busch.
Jesus Christ and Christian Character.—Peabody.
The Minister as Shepherd.—Jefferson.
The Preacher and His Models.—Stalker.
Hymn Studies.—Nutter.
391