CONSTITUTION
POLITY
OP
WESLEYAN METHODISM
A DIGEST OF ITS LAWS AND INSTITUTIONS.
REV. HEKRY W. Y ILL1AMS > DJXj
AUTHOR OF ' AN EXPOSITION OF ST. PATII/S EPISTLE TO THE ROMANS,' ETC.
REVISED, AND BROUGHT DOWN TO THE CONFERENCE OF 1881.
f
LONDON:
WESLEYAN-METHODIST BOOK-ROOM,
2, CASTLE-STREET, CITY-ROAD,
SOLD AT 66, PATERNOSTER-BOW,
Haeell, Watton, and Viney, Printers, London and Ayletbury
PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION.
E following work is intended to present a clear, concise,
and complete statement of the economy of Wesleyan
Methodism, in the stage of development which it has now
reached. The information which the volume contains will,
it is hoped, be useful not only to the Ministers of the Con-
nexion, and those who are preparing to enter the Ministry,
but also to the Office-bearers, and the private members of
the Methodist Societies generally. Nor is the Author with-
out hope that the work may attract the notice and regard of
some who belong to other Christian Communities.
It has been no part of his design to explain and defend
the principles of Church order and government which are
embodied in the system of Wesleyan Methodism, or to trace
the steps by which the religious movement begun by the
instrumentality of Mr. Wesley and his coadjutors has been
developed, under the guidance of Divine Providence, into the
system which is here unfolded. This interesting and im-
portant subject will be dealt with in a companion volume to
the present, the preparation of which has been entrusted to
the Author's friend, the EEV. JAMES H. BIGG, D.D.
It may be proper to advert to the difference between the
present volume and the elaborate work of Mr. Peirce on the
Ecclesiastical Principles and Polity of ike Wesleyan Methodists.
That work will long retain an historical interest, inasmuch
as it presents the Resolutions of the Conference, as they
were adopted in successive years, on the various subjects
of which it treats, the later Regulations, in most instances,
modifying or superseding the preceding ones. But the last
edition of that work appeared in 1873 : and consequently it
contains no statement of the plan of Lay Representation in the
iv PREFACL.
Conference, and of other important arrangements which have
been adopted since that period. This volume, on the contrary,
is designed to exhibit the system of Methodism as it now is;
and to present it in such a form as to afford guidance in the
practical administration of Circuits and Districts.
This work, it should be added, has been prepared at the
request of the Wesleyan-Methodist Book Committee ; but
the responsibility for its statements, except where the express
words of the Minutes of the Conference are cited, rests solely
with the Author.
H. W. WILLIAMS.
24, ABBEY ROAD,
ST. JOHN'S WOOD, LONDON,
November 1st, 1880.
P.S. The edition of the Minutes of the Conference referred
to in this work is that which is usually termed the new
octavo Edition. The first volume was issued in 1862;
the second and third in 1863 ; and the fourth and fifth
in 1864. The sixth volume, embracing the Minutes of
the years 18251830, was published in 1833 ; and the
remaining volumes at different intervals.
PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION.
THE Author desires gratefully to acknowledge the very favour-
able reception with which this work has met. From many
Ministers and Laymen he has received pleasing testimonies
to its usefulness, as affording information required in the
practical administration of Methodism. The present edition
has been carefully revised, so as to embody the legislation of
the Conference of 1881 ; and it is the hope of the Author
that the work will continue to promote the object for which
it was prepared.
May 1st, 1882.
CONTENTS.
PART I.
THE WESLEYAN-METHODIST SOCIETIES.
PAGE
CHAPTER I. The Fundamental Rules of the Wesleyan-Metho-
dist Societies Special Means of Grace for the Societies :
Class-Meetings Band -Meetings Society-Meetings
Lovefeasts Prayer-Meetings The Covenant Service . 1
CHAPTER II. Admission to Membership in the Wesleyan-
Methodist Societies Public Recognition Removal from
Membership ......... 8
CHAPTER III. Junior Society Classes 12
PART II.
THE CONNEXIONAL SYSTEM AND ADMINISTRATION OF
WESLEYAN METHODISM.
CHAPTER I. THE CONFERENCE : Its Constitution The Legal
Conference 14
CHAPTER II. THE CONFERENCE: Its Constitution (contimied)
Lay Representation ....... 20
CHAPTER III. THE CONFERENCE: The General Order of its
Business The Stationing Committee Committee on
Appeals The Nomination Committee . . . .28
CHAPTER IV. Powers and Duties of the President of the
Conference in the Interval between its Assembling
Provision for the case of the Death, or prolonged Illness,
of the President Duties of the Secretary of the Con-
ference in the Interval between its Assembling . . 39
vi CONTENTS.
PAGE
CHAPTER V. THE MINISTRY : Candidature Theological Train-
ing Probation Ordination 44
CHAPTER VI. THE MINISTRY : Pastoral Duties Special Duties
of Superintendents Home-Missionary Ministers Dis-
trict Missionaries Army and Navy Ministers The
Itinerant System Ministers set apart to Connexional
Offices . . . 54
CHAPTER VII. DISTRICT ORGANISATION : District Committees
The Financial District Meeting The Annual District
Meeting 60
CHAPTER VIII. DISTRICT ORGANISATION : The Minor District
Meeting The Special District Meeting The Mixed
District Meeting ........ 72
CHAPTER IX. DISTRICT ORGANISATION: Duties and Powers
of the Chairman of a District Other District Officers . 78
CHAPTER X. CIRCUIT ADMINISTRATION : Quarterly Meetings
Circuit Stewards Special Circuit Meeting . . .87
CHAPTER XI. CIRCUIT ADMINISTRATION : Leaders' Meetings
Society and Poor Stewards Prayer-Leaders' Meetings
Tract Societies ........ 99
CHAPTER XII. CIRCUIT ADMINISTRATION : Local-Preachers'
Meetings Trustees' Meetings 107
CHAPTER XIII. CIRCUIT ADMINISTRATION: Sunday and Week-
Day Schools Bands of Hope and Temperance Societies 117
PAET III.
THE INSTITUTIONS AND CONNEXIONAL FUNDS OF WESLEYAN
METHODISM.
CHAPTER I. The Wesleyan-Methodist Missionary Society
Auxiliary and Branch Societies Juvenile Home and
Foreign Missionary Associations The Ladies' Auxiliary
for Female Education . . 123
CONTENTS. vii
PAGE
CHAPTER II. The Home-Mission and Contingent Fund: Com-
pendium of Regulations affecting it, and the Employment
of Home-Missionary Ministers, District Missionaries,
Army and Navy Ministers, and Lay Agents . . .132
CHAPTER III. The Wesleyan Seamen's Mission The Metro-
politan Methodist Lay Mission The Manchester and
Salford Lay Mission The Liverpool and other Lay\
Missions ......... 150
CHAPTER IV. The Theological Institution .... 156
CHAPTER V. The Wesleyan-Methodist Book-Room . . 163
CHAPTER VI. Arrangements affecting the Erection, Enlarge-
ment, Alteration, and Sale of Chapels and other Trust-
Property, and the Relief of embarrassed Trusts . . 165
CHAPTER VII. The Metropolitan Chapel Building Fund The
Fund for the Extension of Methodism in Great Britain
The North Wales District Chapel Fund The South
Wales District Chapel Fund The Fund for the Relief
and Extension of Methodism in Scotland . . . 177
CHAPTER VIII. Schools for the Education of Ministers' Chil-
drenThe Schools Fund . . . . . .191
CHAPTER IX. General Educational Arrangements : Sunday
Schools Elementary Day-Schools Plan of Wesleyan
Education Circuit Sunday School Unions Pupil-
Teachers Admission to the Training Colleges The
Education Fund Middle-Class Education Higher
Education . . ,.-<T 207
CHAPTER X. The Connexional Sunday School Union District
Sunday School Sub-Committees Provincial Centres of
the Sunday School Union 225
CHAPTER XI. The Children's Home and Orphanage . . 231
CHAPTER XII. The Temperance Movement : Bands of Hope
Circuit Temperance Organisations Circuit Temperance
Unions District Temperance Secretary . . . 234
viii CONTENTS.
PAGE
CHAPTER XIII. The Support of the Ministry : General
Arrangements The Children's Fund Educational
Allowances District Sustentation Funds . . . 242
CHAPTER XIV. Provision for Worn-out Ministers and Minis -
. ters' Widows, and the Children of Supernumerary and
Deceased Ministers Fund for the Benefit of Necessitous
fa- ocal Preachers . ....... 248
CHA.' TER XV. Committee of Privileges and Exigency Com-
mittee for Promoting the Religious Observance of the
Lord's Day . 256
APPENDICES.
I. Mr. Wesley's Deed of Declaration, or Deed Poll . . 261
II. The ' Form of Discipline,' or ' Code of Laws,' issued by
the Conference of 1797 . . . . . . .268
III. The ' Liverpool Mimites ' of 1820 323
IV. Other Leading Resolutions of the Conference on Pastoral
Duties, and the Promotion of Spiritual Religion, adopted
in 1821, 1835, and 1847 330
V. Resolutions provisionally adopted by the Conference of
1881 respecting the Nomination and Constitution of
Mixed Connexional Committees . . 339
Index to the Volume . 357
PAET I.
THE WESLEYAX-METHODIST SOCIETIES.
CHAPTER I.
THE. FUNDAMENTAL BULBS OP THE WESLEY AN-METHODIST
SOCIETIES SPECIAL MEANS OP GRACE FOB THE SOCIETIES
CLASS-MEETINGS BAND-MEETINGS SOCIETY-MEETINGS
LOYEFEASTS PBAYEB-MEETINGS THE COVENANT 6EBVICE.'
fundamental Rules of the Wesleyan-Methodist
-L Societies are those published by the Rev. John Wesley
in the year 1743, under the title, ' The Nature, Design, and
General Rules of the United Societies in London, Bristol,
Kingswood, and Newcastle-upon-Tyne.'
They are as follows :
'1. In the latter end of the year 3739 eight or ten persons came
to me in London, who appeared to be deeply convinced of sin,
and earnestly groaning for redemption. They desired (as did two
or three more the next day) that I would spend some time with
them in prayer, and advise them how to flee from the wrath to
come, which they saw continually hanging over their heads. That
we might have more time for this great work, I appointed a day
when they might all come together ; which, from thenceforward,
they did every week, viz., on Thursday in the evening. To these,
and as many more as desired to join with them (for their number
increased daily), I gave those advices from time to time which I
judged most needful for them ; and we always concluded our meet-
ings with prayer suitable to their several necessities.
' 2. This was the rise of the UNITED SOCIETY, first in London,
and then in other places. Such a Society is no other than " a
company of men having the form, and seeking the power, of godliness ;
2 RULES OF THE SOCIETY.
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."
1 3. That it may the more easily be discerned whether they are
indeed working out their own salvation, each society is divided into
smaller companies, called Classes, according to their respective
places of abode. There are about twelve persons in every Class ;
one of whom is styled the Leader. It is his business,
' (1.) To see each person in his Class once a week, at least, in
order
' To inquire how their souls prosper ;
' To advise, reprove, comfort, or exhort, as occasion may
require ;
' To receive what they are willing to give towards the support
of the Gospel :
' (2.) To meet the Ministers and the Stewards of the Society
once a week, in order
< To inform the Minister of any that are sick, or of any that
walk disorderly, and will not be reproved ;
' To pay to the Stewards what they have received of their
several Classes in the week preceding ; and
' To show their account of what each person has contributed.*
' 4. There is one only condition previously required of those
who desire admission into these Societies ; viz., ' ' a desire to flee
from the wrath to come, and be saved from their sins." But where-
ever this is really fixed in the soul, it will be shown by its fruits.
It is therefore expected of all who continue therein, that they should
continue to evidence their desire of salvation,
* The following are Mr. Wesley's own words relative to this subject.
See Minutes of Conference at London, 1782.
' Q. 31. Have the weekly and quarterly contribution been duly made in
all our Societies ?
' A. In many it has been shamefully neglected. To remedy this,
' 1. Let every Assistant [Superintendent] remind every Society, that this
was our original Rule : Every member contributes one penny weekly
(unless he is in extreme poverty), and one shilling quarterly. Explain the
reasonableness of this.
' 2. Let every Leader receive the weekly contribution from each person
in his Class.
' 3. Let the Assistant ask every person, at changing his ticket, " Can you
afford to observe our Eule ? " and receive what he is able to give.'
The duty of supporting the Ministers of the Gospel is not only reasonable,
but rests, by the express command of God, on the Church at large, and on
each individual member according to his means. ' Let him that is taught in
the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.' (Galatians
vi. 6.) ' Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the Gospel
should live of the Gospel.' (1 Corinthians ix. 14.) The sum named by Mr,
Wesley was fixed as the lowest contribution, at a time when the value of
money was greater than at present.
RULES OF THE SOCIETY. 3
' First, By doing no harm, by avoiding evil in every kind ;
especially that which is most generally practised. Such as
' The taking the name of God in vain :
' The profaning the day of the Lord, either by doing ordinary
work thereon, or by buying or selling :
' Drunkenness ; buying or selling spirituous liquors ; or drinking
them, unless in cases of extreme necessity :
' Fighting, quarrelling, brawling ; brother going to law with
brother ; returning evil for evil, or railing for railing ; the using
many words in buying or selling :
' The buying or selling uncustomed goods :
1 The giving or taking things on usury ; viz. , unlawful interest :
* Uncharitable or unprofitable conversation ; particularly speak-
ing evil of Magistrates, or of Ministers :
' Doing to others as we would not they should do unto us :
' Doing what we know is not for the glory of God ; as,
1 The putting on of gold and costly apparel ;
' The taking such diversions as cannot be used in the name of
the Lord Jesus ;
' The singing those songs, or reading those books, which do not
tend to the knowledge or love of God :
' Softness, and needless self-indulgence :
' Laying up treasure upon earth :
' Borrowing without a probability of paying ; or taking up
goods without a probability of paying for them.
' 5. It is expected of all who continue in these Societies, that
they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation,
' Secondly, By doing good, by being in every kind merciful after
their power, as they have opportunity ; doing good of every possible
sort, and as far as is possible to all men :
' To their bodies, of the ability that God giveth, by giving food
to the hungry, by clothing the naked, by helping or visiting them
that are sick, or in prison :
' To their souls, by instructing, reproving, or exhorting all we
have any intercourse with ; trampling under foot that enthusiastic
doctrine of devils, that, " we are not to do good, unless our hearts be
free to it."
' By doing good, especially to them that are of the household of
faith, or groaning so to be ; employing them preferably to others,
buying one of another, helping each other in business ; and so
much the more, because the world will love its own, and them
only.
1 By all possible diligence and frugality, that the Gospel be not
blamed.
'By running with patience the race that is set before them,
denying themselves, and taking up tiwir cross daily ; submitting to
bear the reproach of Christ ; to be as the filth and offscouring of
4 RULES OF THE SOCIETY.
the world ; and looking that men should say all manner of evil of
them falsely, for the Lord's sake.
' 6. It is expected of all who desire to continue in these Societies,
that they should continue to evidence their desire of salvation,
* Thirdly, By attending upon all the ordinances of God : such
are
' The public worship of God ;
' The ministry of the word, either read or expounded ;
' The supper of the Lord ;
' Family and private prayer ;
' Searching the Scriptures ; and
' Fasting or abstinence.
'7. These are the General Rules of our Societies ; all which we
are taught of God to observe, even in His written Word, the only
rule, and the sufficient rule, both of our faith and practice. And all
these we know His Spirit writes on every truly awakened heart.
If there be any among us who observe them not, who habitually
break any of them, let it be made known unto them who watch
over that soul, as they that must give an account. We will admonish
him of the error of his ways : we will bear with him for a season.
But then, if he repent not, he hath no more place among us. We
have delivered our own souls.
' JOHN WESLEY,
' CHARLES WESLEY."
' May 1, 1743.'
These Rules, while they were suited to the form which
Methodism originally assumed, are suited also to its present
position as a distinct and complete Church-organisation.
They enforce the religious exercises which are essential to a
Christian profession. All members of the Methodist Society
are to avow their faith in Christ and their submission to His
authority by the observance of the means of grace which He
has appointed. It is presumed that they have already been
baptized in the Name of the Holy Trinity ; and they are called
upon to confess Christ by partaking of the Sacrament of His
Supper, and to hold forth His truth to the world in the
public ordinances of religion.
In these Eules the origin of Class- Meetings is stated ; and
it is implied that all the members of ' The United Society '
belong to these Classes. The Class-meeting stands prominent
among the social means of grace provided in the economy of
CLASS-MEETINGS. 5
Methodism ; and it has proved an inestimable blessing to thou-
sands. Every Class is met by one of the Ministers of the
Circuit to which it belongs, once a quarter, for the renewal
of their tickets of Church-membership ; and it is an instruc-
tion of the Conference to the Superintendents of Circuits, ' so
to arrange the plan for the quarterly public visitation of the
Classes, as to allow full time for a more minute examination
into the Christian knowledge, experience, and practice of the
members, and for pastoral inquiries, instructions, and coun-
sels, respecting personal and family religion.' (Min., 1820,
voL v., p. 149.)
On various occasions the Conference has expressed its deep
conviction that Class-meetings are essential to Methodism, and
has enforced the necessity of maintaining them in unimpaired
efficiency. It will suffice to quote the Minute bearing on this
subject adopted in 1855, as one of a series of Resolutions on
the Spiritual state of the work of God in the Connexion at
home :
'The Conference cherishes an ever-deepening conviction
of the value of that spiritual fellowship with each other which
our people have been wont to maintain in a regular attendance
on our Class-meetings ; believing that in this course the
members of our Societies, of all ages, and all varieties of
knowledge, position, and attainment are best enabled to walk
comfortably with God, to nourish that simple and ardent
piety which is their only safeguard against the dangers and
seductions of the age, to train up spiritually-minded Office-
bearers for future service, and to prepare to render up their
final account with joy. The Conference, therefore, exhorts all
.our Ministers to watch over our Class-meetings with holy
jealousy, and to use every effort to maintain them strictly
in all their efficiency, directing both their public instructions
and their private pastoral influence toward this object with
unceasing diligence.' (Min., 1855, vol. xiii., p. 110.)
Mr. Wesley strongly encouraged the formation of Band
Meetings among his people, being associations of three or four
6 SOCIETY-MEETINGS.
earnest Christians, the special object of whose intercourse was
to obey the injunction, ' Confess your faults one to another,
and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.' In addition
to the weekly meeting of each of these private Bands, all the
members of them met together every week in what were
termed, ' the Public Bands,' presided over by one of the
Ministers of the Circuit, for the relation of Christian experi-
ence and for mutual encouragement.
The system of Methodism embraces also Society-Meetings.
These were originally held at the close of the public worship
on the evening of every Lord's day ; and the Conference has
strongly advised that this practice should, as a rule, be still
observed. (Min., 1836, vol. viii., p. 86.) Society-meetings
afford an opportunity to the Ministers of familiarly and
affectionately enforcing the duties of the Christian profession,
as well as of addressing to their people special exhortations
adapted to the particular state of the Societies in question.
The Conference has directed also, that in country places,
which are seldom visited by the Ministers on the Lord's day,
the Societies should be frequently met on the week-day
evenings. (Min., 1820, vol. v., p. 149 ; 1836, vol. viii., p. 86.)
At every alternate meeting strangers are allowed to be present.
Special Society-meetings are also recommended. Among the
Minutes adopted in 1836 there is the following :
' In addition to the practice of meeting the Societies
weekly on the evening of the Lord's day, the Conference
recommends that the Preachers should appoint times, whether
once in a month or once in a quarter, for holding Special
Society-meetings, either on the afternoon of the Sabbath,
or on some evening of the week, to be devoted exclusively
to that purpose ; when, if practicable, all the Preachers of the
Circuit should be present, and unite in endeavouring to make
such Special Society-meetings instructive and useful to our
people.' (Min., vol. viii., p. 87.)
Among the social means of grace we must mention also
Love/easts, at which the members of a particular Society,
LOVE FEASTS AND COVENANT-SERVICE. 1
or of several Societies, meet together to speak of Christian
experience. In relation to these it is provided that ' no Love-
feasts should be held without the consent of the Superintend-
ent,' and that ' no person should attend any Lovefeast without
a Society-ticket, or a note from the Preacher.' (Compendium
of Regulations, Min., 186P, vol. xvii., pp. 621, 622.)
Of Prayer- Meetings it is the less necessary to speak, since
these are happily not now peculiar to Methodism, but are
commonly held among most denominations of Christians. In
addition to meetings for prayer held in the chapels, the Con-
ference strongly advises the holding of cottage Prayer-meetings
in different parts of a town or neighbourhood. (Min., 1820,
vol. v., p. 148.)
The Renewal of the Covenant, on the first Lord's day of
each year, is an observance greatly prized by the Methodists
generally. The address read on the occasion is, in substance,
that abridged by Mr. Wesley from the works of the fiev.
Eichard Allein ; and it has the special merit of presenting, in
a very clear and impressive manner, the process of that receiv-
ing of Christ and self -surrender to Him on which our salvation
is dependent. The solemn and formal renewal of our covenant
with God in Christ is followed by the administration of the
Lord's Supper. Admission to this Service is by showing the
Society -ticket, or by a note from the Minister ; and it is often
found that persons who have been brought to religious decision
gladly embrace the opportunity of applying for such notes.
The Ministers thus become acquainted with their spiritual
state, and can welcome them into the Society.
CHAPTER II.
ADMISSION TO MEMBERSHIP IN THE WESLETAN-METHODIST,
SOCIETIES PUBLIC EECOGNITION EEMOVAL FEOM MEMBEE-
SHIP.
THE reception of persons into membership with the
Methodist Societies is preceded by a period of probation,
usually extending over two or three months, but occasionally
longer. The admission of members is the act of the Minister
at the quarterly visitation of the Classes ; but certain guards
are provided, to prevent the introduction of improper persons.
These guards are specified in the following Rules, found in
the ' Compendium of Regulations for the Methodist Societies,'
appended to the 'Rules of the Society' in the Class-Books,
by direction of the Conference of 1864, and printed, also, in
the Minutes of 1869. These Regulations, it should be added,
before being finally confirmed by the Conference, had been
approved by nearly all the Quarterly Meetings in Great
Britain.
' 1. No Preacher shall give notes (admitting persons on trial) to
any but those who are recommended by one he knows, or till they
have met three or four times in Class. It is the Leader's duty to
give them the " Rules of the Society " the first time they meet.
' 2. Neither the Superintendents, nor any other Preachers, shall
give tickets to any, till they are recommended by a Leader with
whom they have met, at least two months, on trial.
' 3. The Leaders' Meeting has a right to declare any person on
trial improper to be received into the Society ; and, after such
declaration, the Superintendent shall not admit such person into
Society.
' This Rule is expounded by the Conference in the terms
following : " That it never was intended that the names of all
those who are on trial should be laid before a Leaders' Meeting
for distinct and forma] discussion; but solely, that if there be,
PUBLIC RECOGNITION OF MEMBERS. 9
in the opinion of a Leader, any reasonable objection to the
character and conduct of any person who is on trial, such ob-
jection may be stated by him ; and that, if the validity of the
objection be established to the satisfaction of the Meeting, a
member's Ticket shall not be given to the person, so objected
to, at the Quarterly Visitation." (Mm., 1842.)
' 4. Let no member removing from one Circuit to another be
received into Society without a Note of Removal, signed by one of
the Itinerant Preachers in the Circuit whence he has come.
To this last Eule the following Note is appended:
' Members removing from Circuit to Circuit are affectionately
exhorted to avail themselves of the regular Note of Removal.
Otherwise, as many painful examples show, great spiritual loss
is likely to be suffered.'
At the Conference of 1878, the public recognition of new
members of the Society, wherever practicable, was strongly
recommended. The Minutes relating to this subject are as
follows :
4 The Conference resolves :
' 1.. That it is very desirable to adopt some more public and
formal mode of admitting new members into Society :
' (i.) Because such a practice is in accordance with early Method-
ist usage, and is, indeed, prescribed in our recognised " Form of
Discipline."*
' (ii. ) Because it is of the highest importance to give all possible
impressiveness to a member's entrance into fellowship with the
Church of Christ. A welcome thus given by the Society will, it is
believed, tend to encourage the new members, whilst the public
recognition will deepen their sense of responsibility.
'(iii.) Because such a service, as is here contemplated, will cer-
tainly prove profitable and encouraging to older members, will give
to the whole Society a stronger feeling of corporate existence, and
may be made impressive and useful to the non-members who may
be permitted to be present.
' 2. That, as the circumstances of different Circuits, in town and
country, are very dissimilar, it is not expedient to lay down specific
rules as to the exact nature of meetings to be held for the reception
of new members, or as to the frequency with which such meetings
should be held.
' 3. That, when practicable, these services may, with great ad-
vantage, be associated with the administration of the Lord's Supper.
* The document here referred to is that given in Appendix No. II.
10 REMOVAL FROM MEMBERSHIP.
1 4. That if, upon inquiry, it be found that any person, in other
respects eligible for recognition, has not received Christian baptism,
that Sacrament shall be administered before the recognition of that
person, and, if not otherwise, in connection with the recognition
service.
' 5. That in many places it will be found convenient to recognise
new members at a Society-meeting after each visitation of the
Classes, this meeting being held either on Sunday afternoon, or
after the Sunday-evening service, or on the evening of a week-day ;
and that in country places such a meeting might well take the place
of a week-evening service, and be announced on the Plan.'
With regard to the exclusion of members from the Society,
the following comprehensive statement is given in the ' Com-
pendium of Regulations' already referred to.
' The far greater number of those that are separated from us
exclude themselves by neglecting to meet in Class, and to use the
other means of grace ; and, so, gradually forsake us. With regard
to others, the foregoing ' ' Rules of the Society " prescribe the general
course to be pursued : " If there be any among us who observe
them not, who habitually break any of them, let it be made known
unto them who watch over that soul, as they that must give an
account. We will admonish him of the error of his ways ; we will
bear with him for a season. But then, if he repent not, he hath no
more place among us. We have delivered our own souls."
' No person shall be expelled from the Society till his offence
has been proved to the satisfaction of a Leaders' Meeting ; which
Meeting is also entitled to declare, by its verdict, whether the facts
alleged are or are not violations of the laws of God, or of our own
body. No sentence of expulsion shall be pronounced till at hast
one week after the trial of a person accused. Meanwhile the Super-
intendent shall seek the fullest information from individual Leaders,
and other judicious and experienced members of the Society ; and
shall also confer with his colleagues at their weekly meeting. In
the case of an alleged violation of the peace and order of the
Society, a second hearing before a Special Circuit Meeting may be
claimed by the Superintendent, or by the person complained of,
should either be dissatisfied by the decision of the Leaders' Meet-
ing. Every expelled member has a right of appeal to a Minor Dis-
trict Meeting, to the Annual District Meeting, and to the Conference.'
The constitution of the several Meetings referred to in
the last paragraph is explained in subsequent Chapters of this
work.
In reference to the trial of Trustees, the Rule is as fol-
lows :
REMOVAL FROM MEMBERSHIP.
'No Trustee, however accused, or defective in conformity to
the Rules of the Society, shall be removed from the Society, unless
his crime or breach of rule be proved in the presence of the Trustees
and Leaders ; namely, the Leaders' Meeting of the particular
Society of which he is a member, together with the Trustees of
the Chapel with which that Society is connected, such Trustees
being themselves members of the Methodist Society.' (Comp. of
Regulations.)
To meet the case of a charge being brought against a
member of the Society resident in a place where no Leaders'
Meeting is statedly held, the following Eules have been
adopted :
' When a charge is brought against any Member resident in
a place where no Leaders' Meeting is statedly held, the case shall
be referred for investigation to the Leaders' Meeting of the prin-
cipal Society in the Circuit town. The Leader or Leaders, and the
Society Stewards, of the Society of which the accused is a Member,
shall be associated with the Leaders' Meeting for the purpose of the
investigation.'
' If the accused person is a Trustee, then there shall also be
associated with the Leaders' Meeting, as above constituted, the
Trustees of the Chapel with which the Society of which he is a
Member is connected ; or, if there is no such Chapel, then the Trus-
tees of the Chapel in connection with the principal Society in the
Circuit town. But no Trustee shall, in either case, be so associated,
unless he is himself a Member of Society in the same Circuit.' (Min.,
1872, vol. xviii., p. 656.)
The method of procedure in the case of Members failing
in business is stated in Part II., Chapter xi., of this work,
where the functions and duties of Leaders' Meetings are
considered.
CHAPTEE III.
JUKIOE SOCIETY CLASSES.
pastoral oversight of the young has always been en-
forced on the Ministers of Methodism. As one method
of carrying out this oversight, the Ministers are 'solemnly
enjoined to hold, wherever practicable, regular weekly meet-
ings with the children of our people, under the age of four-
teen, on the most convenient day of the week, in every town
where a Preacher has his stated residence.' (Min., 1838,
slightly modified in 1875, Min., vol. xix., pp. 711, 712.)
The Conference has further directed that ' inquiry should be
made in Ministers' Meetings, and in the May District Meet-
ings, respecting the observance of this regulation.' (Ibid.)
In the year 1878 the Conference adopted a plan of Junior
Society Classes, designed to prepare young persons, by Chris-
tian instruction and the nurturing of spiritual sensibility, for
admission to full Church-membership. The following are the
Resolutions bearing on this subject :
' After carefully considering the recommendations of the Com-
mittee appointed by the last Conference and the Reports of the
several District Committees thereon, the Conference resolves :
' 1. That such Classes as are known (especially in our Sunday-
schools) under the designation of " Select Religious Classes,"
namely, Classes which directly provide for the religious instruction
and training of young people, which have as their object the
awakening of Christian sensibility and the development of Christian
experience and character, and which, for these purposes specifically,
make use of Scripture instruction, shall be generally established in
connection with our Societies.
' 2. That all the recognised members of such classes shall be
enrolled in books to be provided for the purpose.
' 3. That no one shall be considered a member of such a Class
until he has attended at least three months.
JUNIOR SOCIETY CLASSES. 13
' 4. That each young person recognised as a member of such a
Class shall receive some token or ticket, signed by a Minister, and
renewable every quarter.
' 5. That returns of the number of the young persons to whom
such tickets are given shall be made annually, to the Circuit
Quarterly Meeting in March, and, through the District Meeting, to
the Conference.
' 6. That membership in these Classes shall be accepted instead
of the ordinary probation in the Society-classes, but that the period
of remaining in such Classes as are now proposed shall be undefined,
and terminable at the discretion of a Minister of the Circuit, as pro-
vided in the next paragraph.
' 7. That in connection with each Society there shall be held,
once a quarter, an aggregate meeting of the members of these
Classes, at which one of the Ministers of the Circuit shall address
them, and afterwards give special notes, together with the Rules of
the Society, to such of them as, after consultation with their Leader,
he shall have deemed eligible for admission into Society-classes as
full members.
' 8. That the members of the proposed Classes shall not be liable
to assessment for Connexional Funds ; but that, with due discretion,
they shall be encouraged to support the Ministry by weekly contri-
butions or otherwise.
' 9. That these Classes shall be met regularly, and, if possible,
weekly.
' 10. That, when these Classes are not in the hands of Ministers,
they may be entrusted to other persons who have been approved by
the Leaders' Meeting of the Society with which the Classes are
connected, after nomination by the Superintendent Minister.
' 11. That the proposed Classes shall bear the name of " Junior
Society Classes " ; but that the Leaders of such Classes shall not be
thereby constituted members of the Leaders' Meeting.
' 12. That once a quarter these Leaders shall be met by the Super-
intendent or one of his colleagues, with at least one of the Society
Stewards, at a special meeting ; and that the Leaders shall bring
their Class-books, together with any contributions received, to this
meeting.' (Min., 1878, pp. 184, 185.)
PAET II.
THE CONNEXIONAL SYSTEM AND ADMINISTRATION
OF WESLEYAN METHODISM.
CHAPTER I.
THE CONTEEENCE ITS CONSTITUTION THE LEGAL CONFEEENCE.
IN anticipation of his decease, Mr. "Wesley, after taking
counsel's opinion, defined and constituted 'the Yearly
Conference of the People called Methodists,' by a Deed of
Declaration, enrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chan-
cery, and bearing the date of February 28tb, 1784.
In this instrument he associated with himself and his
brother, the Rev. Charles Wesley, ninety-eight of the Preachers
connected with him as 'the Conference': provided for the
filling tip of vacancies in the number, as they should, from
time to time, occur ; defined the powers and duties of the
Conference ; and specified certain conditions and arrange-
ments which are permanently binding. The deed of Declara-
tion is given entire in Appendix No. I.
The Legal Conference thus consists of one hundred
Ministers, appointed in accordance with the provisions of this
Deed of Declaration, sometimes called the ' Deed Poll,' because
executed by one person only.
Vacancies in the Legal Conference are caused by death, by
absence from the Conference for two successive years without
a dispensation, and by the act of the Conference, affirming that
certain persons are no longer members of that body.
THE LEGAL CONFERENCE. 15
It is under this last provision that Ministers who have been
Supernumeraries for a given time, and who have not been
Presidents of the Conference, are set aside from being members
of the Legal Hundred. They do not cease to hold this position
simply in virtue of their having been Supernumeraries for a
certain number of years, but by a distinct act of the Conference,
in the exercise of the power confided to it in the eighth clause
of the Deed of Declaration.
Until the year 1877, the period during which a Minister
should be a Supernumerary, before he retired from the Legal
Conference, was four years ; but at the Conference of that
year it was resolved that, in order to give to a larger number
of senior Ministers the opportunity of being, for a time,
members of the Legal Conference, and for other reasons, the
period should be reduced to two years, but with the under-
standing that this arrangement should not apply to those who
were then members of the Legal Conference.
The Conference is bound by the Deed of Declaration to
assemble every year ; and it is provided that the duration of
its annual meeting shall not be less than five days, nor more
than three weeks. Forty members of the Conference are
required to be present in order to make any act valid.
The first act of the Conference, on its assembling, is^ to fill
up vacancies in the Legal Conference caused by death, or
by absence for two successive years without a dispensation.
The number of one hundred members being thus complete, the
Conference proceeds to the election of its President and Secre-
tary ; and then enters upon the consideration of the retirement
of members who have been Supernumeraries for the prescribed
time, and the election of other Ministers in their stead.
With regard to the filling up of vacancies, the only re-
quirement of the Deed of Declaration is, that ' no person shall
be elected a member of the Conference, who hath not been
admitted into connexion with the Conference, as a Preacher
and expounder of Q-od's Holy Word, for twelve months.' But
the Conference has restricted the choice to Ministers who have
36 THE LEGAL CONFERENCE.
travelled at least fourteen years, and has established the
following mode of procedure. The Legal Conference having
associated with itself, during its Pastoral Session (as will be
hereafter explained), all the Ministers in Full Connexion who
have permission from their respective District Meetings to
attend its sittings, it has been arranged that every alternate
vacancy in the Legal Conference should be filled up on the
ground of nomination. It is open to any member of the
Conference to name any Minister who has travelled fourteen
years, as specially eligible for this position ; and then all
Ministers who have travelled ten years and upwards are at
liberty to vote in writing for any one of the persons so named, or
for any other Minister who has travelled fourteen years. The
Legal Conference is requested to elect the person who is
nominated by the greatest number, which it does by a separate
vote. The alternate vacancies are filled up by ballot by the
Legal Conference, from a list of Ministers in the full work made
out according to seniority.
From the very first some members of the Legal Conference
have been Ministers labouring in Ireland ; and it has for many
years been agreed that ten members out of the hundred should
belong to Ireland. When a vacancy occurs among these, the
Irish Conference nominates the successor ; and the Legal
Conference is requested to elect the person so nominated.
Any member of the Legal Conference is eligible to be
elected to the office of President as far as the provisions of the
Deed Poll are concerned ; but it was resolved in the year
1792 that ' the same President is not to be re-chosen above
once in eight years.' (.Mm., vol L, p. 269.) Any member of
the Legal Conference is eligible to be elected to the office of
Secretary ; and no restriction is placed on the re-election of
the same person to this office for any number of years which
may seem good to the Conference. It is declared in the Deed
Poll, that the President 'shall have the privilege and power
of two members in all acts of the Conference during his pre-
sidency, and such other powers, privileges, and authorities as
THE LEGAL CONFERENCE. 17
the Conference shall, from time to time, see fit to entrust into
his hands.
In the election of the President and Secretary, the same
order is observed, generally speaking, as in the election of mem-
bers into the Legal Conference on the ground of nomination.
Every Minister who is present and has travelled ten years is
at liberty to name in writing the member of the Legal Con-
ference whom he deems most fit to hold these offices re-
spectively ; and the Legal Conference is requested to elect
the Minister nominated by the greatest number of the
general body. Since 1816, when this method of election
was agreed to, it has always done so ; but it was then further
agreed that, in the very unlikely case of the Legal Conference
negativing such nomination, the general body should proceed
to a second nomination ; and ' the result of that nomination
should be, in like manner, submitted to the decision of the
Hundred, who are the legal electors.'*
The chief powers confided to the Conference by the Deed
of Declaration relate to the admission of persons to be
'Preachers and expounders of G-od's Holy "Word,' or upon
trial for this office, in connexion with them; the putting
out of any member of the Legal Conference from being a
member thereof, and of any person admitted as a Preacher
into connexion with them, or upon trial, 'for any cause
which to the Conference may seem fit or necessary ' ; and
the appointment of Preachers ' to the use and enjoyment of,
or to preach and expound God's Holy "Word in, any of the
chapels ' of the Connexion. The exercise of this last power is
restricted by the provision, that ' the Conference shall not,
nor may, appoint any person for more than three years suc-
cessively, to the use and enjoyment of any chapels or premises,
except ordained Ministers of the Church of England.'
The Conference, at each of its annual sessions, is to
appoint the time and place of its next meeting ; and, to meet
* Conference Journal.
18 THE LEGAL CONFERENCE.
the case of Ireland, and of other parts out of Great Britain,
it has power to delegate to any member or members of its
body, any or all of the powers and privileges which itself
possesses. The thirteenth clause of the Daed of Declaration,
which confers this power, is as follows :
' And for the convenience of the chapels and premises already or
which may hereafter be given or conveyed upon the trusts aforesaid,
situate in Ireland, or other parts out of the kingdom of Great
Britain, the Conference shall and may, when, and as often as it
shall seem expedient, but not otherwise, appoint and delegate any
member or members of the Conference with all or any of the
powers, privileges, and advantages, hereinbefore contained or
vested in the Conference ; and all and every the acts, admissions,
expulsions, and appointments whatsoever of such member or mem-
bers of the Conference, so appointed and delegated as aforesaid,
the same being put into writing, and signed by such delegate or
delegates, and entered in the Journals or Minutes of the Confer-
ence, and subscribed as after mentioned, shall be deemed, taken,
and be, the acts, admissions, expulsions, and appointments of the
Conference, to all intents, constructions, and purposes whatsoever,
from the respective times when the same shall be done by such
Delegate or Delegates, notwithstanding anything herein contained
to the contrary.'
In accordance with the provision contained in this clause,
the Conference, each year, appoints one of its members,
usually its President, and in the case of his unavoidable
absence, the Ex-President, or some Minister nominated by
the Irish Conference, or some other Ex-President, to be its
Delegate in Ireland ; and the formal resolution is adopted :
' The President, or other Minister, acting as Delegate under
the authority of the preceding appointment, who shall preside
at the next Conference in Ireland, shall exercise the powers
confided to him under and by virtue of the thirteenth clause
of Mr. Wesley's Deed Poll, dated the 28th of February, 1784.'
Another requirement of the Deed of Declaration is, that
the acts of the Conference shall be entered and written in its
Journal, and, after being read, shall be subscribed, in the
presence of the Conference, by the President and Secretary.
(See Appendix I., Deed of Declaration, clause 14.)
THE LEGAL CONFERENCE. 19
The acts of the Delegate in Ireland, embracing the ad-
mission of persons as Ministers into Full Connexion with the
Conference, the continuance of certain persons as Preachers
on trial, the receiving of others on trial, the removal of
persons from being in connexion with the Conference, and
the stations of the Irish Ministers, are recorded, according to
the requirements of the thirteenth clause of the Deed Poll, in
the Journals of the Conference. These ' acts ' are thus dis-
tinguished from other resolutions of the Irish Conference, in
the wider sense of that phrase.
2c
CHAPTEE II.
JHE CONFERENCE ITS CONSTITUTION (continued) LAY
REPRESENTATION.
TT^E-OM the very first the Legal Conference has associated
-L with itself all the Ministers in Full Connexion with it
who have had permission to attend its sittings, the acts of
the larger body, however, being adopted and confirmed by
the express vote of the Legal Hundred. When the Conference
first assembled after the death of Mr. "Wesley, the following
letter, which he had placed in the hands of the Rev. Joseph
Bradford, was read :
' CHESTER, April 7th, 1785.
' To THE METHODIST CONFERENCE.
' MY DEAR BRETHREN,
' Some of our travelling Preachers have expressed a fear that,
after my decease, you would exclude them, either from preaching in
connexion with you, or from some other privileges which they now
enjoy. I know no other way to prevent any such inconvenience,
than to leave these my last words with you.
' I beseech you, by the mercies of God, that you never avail
yourselves of the Deed of Declaration to assume any superiority
over your brethren ; but let all things go on, among those Itinerants
who choose to remain together, exactly in the same manner as when
I was with you, so far as circumstances will permit.
' In particular, I beseech you, if you ever loved me, and if you
now love God and your brethren, to have no respect of persons
in stationing the Preachers, in choosing children for Kingswood
School, in disposing of the Yearly Contribution and the Preachers'
Fund, or any other public money. But do all things with a single
eye,' as I have done from the beginning. Go on thus, doing all
things without prejudice or partiality, and God will be with you
even to the end.'
' JOHN WESLEY. '
On receiving this letter the Conference unanimously
resolved, ' That all the Preachers who are in Full Connexion
THE CONFERENCE. 21
with them shall enjoy every privilege that the members of
the Conference enjoy, agreeably to the above-written letter of
our venerable deceased Father in the Gospel.' (Min., 1791,
vol. i., pp. 242, 243.)
One principle involved in this arrangement has been
applied, of late, in another mode, the Conference having re-
solved to admit Lay Representatives to share in its delibera-
tions and decisions on many subjects not expressly confided to
it by the Deed of Declaration. For many years, indeed, the
affairs of most of the Departments of Methodism had been
administered by mixed Committees of Ministers and Laymen ;
and the meeting of the Conference, in each year, had been
preceded by the assembling of mixed Committees of Review,
that considered the state of each Department and any general
questions affecting it, the resolutions of which Committees
were afterwards brought before the Conference. But, after
prolonged and earnest deliberation, the Conference adopted,
in the year 1877, a scheme of Lay Representation, which was
brought into operation at the Conference of 1878. According
to this plan the Conference, consisting of Ministers only, first
holds its Pastoral Session, dealing with the subjects which
are recognised as belonging to it; and then holds its Repre-
sentative Session, in which other subjects, specified in the
scheme, come before it. During the Pastoral Session the
Conference consists of the Legal Conference and all the Minis-
ters in Full Connexion with it who have permission from their
respective District Meetings to attend its sittings ; and during
the Representative Session it consists of the Legal Conference
and the Ministerial and Lay Representatives who have been
elected according to the scheme. The acts of the Conference,
in this wider sense, both during its Pastoral and its Repre-
sentative Session, are confirmed by the vote of the Legal
Conference.
The Scheme is as follows :
'I. The Conference, when considering such matters as are herein-
22 THE CONFERENCE.
after declared to be within the province of Ministers and Laymen
acting conjointly, shall consist of the President of the Conference,
and of 240 Ministers and 240 Laymen.
' (i.) The Ministerial members of the Conference when the Lay
Representatives are present shall be, in addition to the Presi-
dent and all other members of the Legal Conference for the
time being who shall have declared at the May Meeting of the
District Committee their intention to attend the Conference:
' (a) Any Assistant Secretary of the Conference not being a
member of the Legal Conference.
' (b) All Chairmen of Districts in Great Britain, not being
members of the Legal Conference.
*(c) Six Ministers in Full Connexion, stationed in Foreign
Districts, who may be in England at the time of the sitting
of the Conference. The Conference, when consisting of
Ministers only, shall determine in what manner such Minis-
ters shall be chosen ; or if there be not six such Ministers
in England at the time of the sittings of the Conference, in
what manner their places shall be supplied.
' (d) If, in any year, any Department would not, in the judg-
ment of the Conference, be adequately represented by
members of the Legal Conference, provision shall be made
for the Ministerial Representation of such Department by
the preceding Conference when consisting of Ministers only.
' (e) The remaining Ministerial members of the Conference,
when composed of Ministers and Laymen, shall be elected
at the Annual Meetings in May of the District Committees
in Great Britain, as follows : The Ministerial members of
each District Committe shall elect from their own number
so many Ministers as, by the allocation of the Conference
preceding, are entitled to attend the ensuing Conference.
From the Ministers so elected, the Ministerial members of
each District Committee shall elect by vote, taken by ballot
after nomination, so many Ministers as were allocated by
the preceding Conference to represent such District in the
Conference when composed of Ministers and Laymen.
' N.B. The newly-elected members of the Legal Conference
in each year shall be members of the Conference when
composed of Ministers and Laymen.
' (ii.) No Layman shall be eligible as a Representative, whether
elected annually by the Conference or by the May Meeting
of the District Committee, unless he be a member of Society
of five years' continuous standing, and, at the time of his
election by the Conference or nomination in the District
Committee, a holder of office as a Trustee of Connexional
Property, a member of a Circuit Quarterly Meeting, or a
member of a District Committee. Any Layman nominated
LAY REPRESENTATION. 23
in a District Committee must be a member of Society in some
Circuit within that District.
' (a) One-eighth of the Lay Representatives shall be elected
annually by the Conference when composed of Ministers
and Laymen ; but in the case of the first Conference to be
held after the adoption of this scheme, by the preceding
Conference. This number shall in all cases include the Lay
Treasurers of the following General Connexional Funds ;
namely, the Foreign Missions Fund, the Schools Fund, the
Chapel Fund, the Metropolitan Chapel Building Fund, the
Children's Fund, the Home Mission and Contingent Fund,
the Auxiliary Fund, the Theological Institution Fund, the
Education Fund, and the Fund for the Extension of Metho-
dism in Great Britain, for the time being. One-third of the
remaining number elected in the first instance by the Con-
ference shall retire at the end of the first year ; one-third
at the end of the second year ; and one-third at the end of
the third year. This arrangement, for retirement in rota-
tion, shall be continued from year to year, and the Lay
Representatives so retiring shall not be immediately eligible
for re-election by the Conference.
' (6) For the present, the election of the remaining Lay
Representatives to the Conference shall be by the separate
vote of the Laymen, taken by ballot after nomination, in
the May Meetings of the District Committees ; such nom-
ination to be by the Lay Members only. The Circuit
Stewards of each Circuit shall be called upon at the March
Quarterly Meeting to declare their ability and willingness
to attend the ensuing Annual Meeting of the District Com-
mittee in May, or the contrary. If they, or either of them,
shall declare inability or unwillingness to attend the said
District Committee, the Quarterly Meeting shall have the
right of electing by and from its own members, and by
open vote, a Representative or Representatives to supply
the vacancy or vacancies so created.
' (c) The number of Laymen to be elected in each District
shall be determined by each preceding Confereace, when
consisting of Ministers and Laymen ; but, in the case of
the first Conference to be held after the adoption of this
scheme, by the preceding Conference.
* II. The business to be transacted by the Conference when con-
sisting of Ministers only shall be completed before that which is to
be transacted by Ministers and Laymen conjointly is entered upon.
' III. The deliberations of the Conference, when consisting of
Ministers and Laymen, shall be confined to the duly appointed mem-
bers of that Conference ; but any Minister permitted by the District
Committee to attend the Conference, when composed of Ministers
24 THE CONFERENCE.
only may be present during the Sessions of the Conference when
composed of Ministers and Laymen ; and the Lay Members of
Connexional Committees may be present during the proceedings of
the Conference when composed of Ministers and Laymen. Seats
for the purpose shall be reserved for Ministers and Laymen.
' The admission of any other persons shall be determined and
arranged according to circumstances, at the discretion of the
Conference.
' IV. The following subjects shall remain within the exclusive
province of the Conference when consisting of Ministers only ;
viz.,
' (i.) The formal constitution of the Conference : Filling up of
vacancies in the Legal Conference : Election of the President
and Secretary : and the appointment of other Officers of the
Conference.
'(ii.) Ministerial Lists : Admission and continuance of Preach-
ers on Trial : Arrangements for the Examination of Candi-
dates and of Preachers on Trial : Admission into Full
Connexion, and Ordination.
' (iii.) All Questions affecting Ministerial Character and Ability,
and of Discipline arising thereupon, or in any wise relating
thereto.
' (iv.) All Final Appeals in matters of Discipline relating either
to Ministers or Members.
' (v.) Ministers becoming Supernumeraries : Supernumeraries
returning to the Work.
' (vi.) Obituaries.
' (vii.) Stations : and all Appointments of Ministers.
' (viii. ) Pastoral consideration of the Number and State of the
Societies, and Pastoral Address.
' (ix.) Pastoral Reports : Kingswood and Woodhouse Grove
School, Clapton and Southport Schools, Sheffield and Taunton
Colleges, the Leys School, Cambridge, and any similar
Institution.
' (x.) Supervision of Connexional Literature.
' (xi.) Reception of Addresses, and Preparation and Adoption of
Replies.
' (xii.) Official Appointments, Deputations, and Delegations.
' (xiii. ) Conduct of Public Worship, in accordance with the
rules and usages of the Connexion.
' (xiv.) Time and Place of holding the next Conference, and the
Order of its Business.
' (xv.) And all Ministerial and Pastoral Subjects of like nature
with any of those specified in this Resolution, or affecting
the Ministerial or Pastoral Supervision of the Connexion.
' N.B. It is understood that the Management of the Book -Room
remains as at present.
LAY REPRESENTATION. 25
' V. The following subjects shall come within the province of
the Conference when consisting of Ministers and Lay Representa-
tives ; viz., The business now classed in the printed Minutes of the
Conference under the several heads of
' (i.) Committees of Privileges and Exigency.
'(ii.) Missions (Foreign).
'(iii.) Schools: Kingswood and Woodhouse Grove, Clapton,
Southport.
'(iv.) Chapel Affairs: (a) General Fund; (6) South Wales
District Chapel Fund ; (c) North Wales District Chapel
Fund ; (d) The Relief and Extension Fund for Methodism in
Scotland ; and (e) The Metropolitan Chapel-Building Fund.
* (v.) The Children's Fund.
1 (vi. ) The Home Mission and Contingent Fund : (a) General
Committee ; (6) Army and Navy Committee ; (c) Thames
Mission ; (d) Metropolitan Methodist Lay Mission ; (e) Man-
chester and Salford, and any similar Mission.
' (vii.) The Worn-out Ministers' and Ministers' Widows' Axixil-
iary Fund.
' (viii.) The Wesleyan Theological Institution.
*(ix.) Education: (a) The General Committee ; (6) Connexional
Sunday-School Union ; (c) Children's Home.
' (x.) Higher Education.
' (xi.) Religious Observance of the Lord's Day.
' (xii.) Extension of Methodism in Great Britain.
'(xiii.) Temperance.
' And also all questions relating to
* (xiv. ) District Sustentation Funds.
' (xv.) Proposed Alterations and Divisions of Circuits or Dis-
tricts against which there is any appeal.
' N.B. The Conference when consisting of Ministers only
shall have power to consider and decide all questions as to
alterations and divisions of Circuits or Districts on which the
Quarterly Meetings and District Committees shall be agreed,
and against which there is no appeal ; and also all proposi-
tions for the calling out of additional Ministers which shall
have received the sanction of the Home-Mission Committee.
' (xvi.) And all financial and general subjects of like nature,
with any of those specified in this Resolution, or affecting the
financial or general affairs of the Connexion.
' But all matters connected with, or arising out of, the con-
sideration or decision of the subjects specified in this Resolu-
tion, which in the foregoing Resolution are stated to be
within the province of the Conference when consisting of
Ministers only, shall be considered and decided accordingly.
' VI. The consideration and determination of all questions
raised by any Resolutions of District Committees, or by Memorials
26 THE CONFERENCE.
from Circuit Quarterly Meetings, or otherwise, shall come within
the province of the Conference when exclusively Ministerial, or
when the Lay Representatives shall be present, according to the
subject-matter thereof respectively. In all cases in which there
may be any doubt as to the province to which a matter belongs,
the President shall decide.
' VII. No new law on any subject within the province of the
Conference, when composed of Ministers only, proposed during any
Conference, shall come into force until it shall have been submitted
to the District Committees, when Ministers only are present, and
until their reports, if any, shall have been considered, and such law
shall have been confirmed by the next Conference when so com-
posed ; and no new law on any subject within the province of the
Conference when composed both of Ministers and Lay Representa-
tives, proposed during any Conference, shall come into force until
it shall have been submitted to the District Committees when
Laymen are present, and until their reports, if any, shall have been
considered, and such law shall have been confirmed by the next
Conference when so composed.
' N.B. Nothing in this Resolution shall be so construed as
to interfere with the rights of the Circuit Quarterly Meetings, as
set forth in the Minutes of Conference, 1797, vol i. , p. 393 ; 1852,
vol. xii, p. 117.' * (Min. 1877, vol. xx., pp. 419-424.)
To supplement this Scheme, the Conference of 1879
adopted the following recommendations of a Committee
which it had appointed to consider the best method of elect-
ing Lay Representatives by the Conference :
' 1. That means be adopted for securing that the voting
list of persons nominated shall contain only the names of per-
sons whose nomination is supported by six members of the
Conference.
' 2. That no person shall be regarded as elected for whom
a clear majority of the votes cast is not recorded.
' With a view to the carrying out of these two proposals
the Committee recommend that the following course be
adopted :
' (i.) That a Committee of six scrutineers be appointed.
' (ii.) That for the purposes of the nomination a paper shall be
prepared and distributed which will provide for the following
* The rights referred to in this N.B. are stated in Chapter X. of Part II.
of the present work.
LAY REPRESENTATION. 27
entries to be made in it without declaring aloud in the Con-
ference the names of the persons nominated :
(a) The name of the person nominated.
(6) The name of the person nominating,
(c) The names of six persons who support the nomination.
' N.B. The names of these supporters are to be obtained
by the persons nominating.
' (iii.) That these nomination-papers be collected by the scru-
tineers ; and that from papers which have been duly filled
up, they shall prepare a voting-sheet to be printed after the
manuscript has been read in the Conference.
' (iv.) That the manuscript shall supply the names of both the
persons nominated and persons nominating them, but not
the names of the persons supporting the several nomina-
tions.
' (v.) That the printed voting papers shall contain only the
names of the persons nominated.
* (vi.) That in counting votes the scrutineers shall reject every
voting-paper upon which more than six names are marked for
election.
'(vii.) That, having counted the votes, the scrutineers shall
report to the Conference the names of persons for whom a
clear majority of the votes cast has been recorded, and that
such persons be thereupon declared to have been duly
elected.
' (viii.) That in the event of less than six persons being elected
by this first voting, a second vote shall be taken in the fol-
lowing manner : Double the number, minus one, of the
names necessary to complete the election of six persons shall
in that event be submitted to the Conference by the
scrutineers (or if only one remains to be elected two names),
the said names being those of the persons who have obtained
in the first voting the highest number of votes, but less than
half the total number of votes cast.
' (ix.) That these names shall be submitted to the Conference
on a second voting-paper, and from among them the number
necessary to complete the election of six persons shall be
chosen." (Min., 1880, pp. 352, 353.)
CHAPTEE III.
THE CONFEBENCE THE GENEBAL OEDEB OF ITS BUSINESS THE
STATIONING COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON APPEALS THE
NOMINATION COMMITTEE.
IN connection with the scheme of Lay Representation
given in the preceding Chapter, the Conference adopted
the following Order and Form of Business, subject to such
modifications as might be found to be necessary or con-
venient :
I.
' Previously to each Conference the Stationing Committee shall
prepare and issue the First Draft of the Stations of Ministers.
II.
' The Business of the Conference when composed of Ministers
only includes the following Subjects :
' I. The formal constitution of the Legal Conference :
' (1) Calling the Roll of the Legal Conference, and granting
Dispensations to Absentees ;
' (2) Declaration of Vacancies in the Legal Conference, caused
by death or by absence for two successive years without
a dispensation, and filling up of the same.
' (3) Election of President ;
1 (4) Election of Secretary ;
' (5) Declaration of Vacancies in the Legal Conference
caused by Superannuation, and filling up of the same.
' II. Thanks to the retiring President and Secretary, and to
other Officers of the Conference.
'III. Appointment of
' (1) Assistant-Secretaries ;
' (2) Official Letter- writers.
' IV. Appointment of hours of Conference Sessions.
' N.B. The Conference Prayer-Meeting is to be held during
the first day of the Conference at a convenient hour.
ORDER OF CONFERENCE BUSINESS. 29
' V. Reception of Representatives from other Conferences ;
reading of Addresses : and appointment of Committees to draft
Replies.
' VI. Presentation of Memorials ; reading Suggestions from
District Committees ; and appointment of Committee on Memorials
and Suggestions.
' VII. Appointment of Committees :
' (1) On Appeals, and other Cases ;
' (2) To report on Chapel cases which affect discipline ;
' (3) To revise the draft of the Pastoral Address.
'VIII. Presentation of any documents which are, or may be,
legally required to be forthcoming at the Conference.
' EX. Time and Place for holding the next Conference.
' X. Appointment of a Conference Allocation Committee ; to
report upon
' (1) The number of Ministers from each District who may
attend the Conference when Ministers only are present ;
and
' (2) The number of Ministers from each District who may
attend the Conference when Ministers and Laymen are
present.
' XI. Notices of Motion. (These should be presented not later
than the second day of the Conference ; but such notices may be
given subsequently, if occasion arise. No motion, on any subject
not before the Conference in the ordinary course of its business,
can be considered until after twenty-four hours' notice thereof has
been given.)
' XII. Deaths of Ministers and Preachers on Trial :
< (1) In Great Britain ;
1 (2) In Ireland ;
' (3) In our Foreign Missions.
'XIII. Questions affecting the character of Ministers and
Preachers on Trial. .
' XIV. Supernumeraries :
' (a) Ministers becoming Supernumeraries ;
' (6) Ministers retiring for one year ; a Committee on such
cases to be appointed ;
' (c) Supernumeraries returning to the Full Work.
' XV. List of Preachers to be admitted into Full Connexion.
' XVI. Probationers :
' (1) Remaining on Trial ;
' (2) Now received on Trial.
' XVII. Candidates for the Ministry now recognised :
* (1) Candidates on the President's List of Reserve ;
' (2) Students in the Theological Institution ;
' (3) Candidates now received.
' N.B. A Candidates' Allocation Committee to be appointed.
30 ORDER OF CONFERENCE BUSINESS.
'XVIII. Alterations and Divisions of Circuits against which
there is no Appeal ; and Proposals for the increase or diminution
of the number of Ministers in any Circuit, which have received the
sanction of the Home-Mission Committee.
'XIX. Alterations and Divisions of Districts against which
there is no Appeal.
'XX. Appointment of Ministers to Departmental Offices.
' XXI. Such Reports of Committees as are necessary for the
business of the Stationing Committee, including the Report of the
Committee on Appeals, and other Cases.
' XXII. Report of the Candidates' Allocation Committee.
' XXIII. Report of the Number of Members in Society.
' XXIV. Conversation on the State of the Work of God.
'XXV. Reading and Adoption of the Pastoral Address of the
Conference to the Societies.
' XXVI. Theological Examination of Candidates for Ordination,
and their admission into Full Connexion.
' XXVII. Consideration of the Stations of Ministers and Preach-
ers on Trial.
' XXVIII. Ordination Service.
' XXIX. Election of Chairmen of Districts, and of Financial
Secretaries.
'XXX. Report of the Committee on Memorials and Sug-
gestions.
' XXXI. Report of the Book Committee ; and Supervision of
Connexional Literature.
'XXXII. Pastoral Reports (Schools.)
' XXXIII. General Report upon the Examination of Preachers
on Trial ; and Examination Arrangements.
'XXXIV. Arrangements for the Examination of Candidates
for the Ministry.
' XXXV. Adoption of Replies to Addresses of other Conferences.
' XXXVI. Appointment of Missionary Deputations :
' (1) Home ;
' (2) Foreign.
'XXXVII. Official Appointments ; Deputations and Delega-
tions.
' XXXVIII. Report of the Conference Allocation Committee.
' XXXIX. Appointment of such Ministers to attend the next
Conference when Laymen are present, as in the judgment of the
Conference may be necessary for the adequate representation of
Connexional Departments.
'XL. Revision and Confirmation of Stations.
'XLI. Reports of Special Committees appointed by the pre-
ceding Conference.
' XLII. Consideration of Motions, of which due notice has been
given, on subjects not previously disposed of.
ORDER OF CONFERENCE BUSINESS. 31
' XLIII. Presentation and recording of the acts of the Delegate
in Ireland.
' XLIV. Miscellaneous Business.
'READING AND CONFIRMATION OF THE CONFERENCE JOURNAL.'
III.
'The following Plan is intended to show how the foregoing
Business of the Conference, when consisting of Ministers only, may
he so arranged as to be transacted within the period named in the
Resolution No. II. (p. 23).
PRELIMINARY.
Wednesday. Stationing Committee to meet (or .earlier, if deemed
desirable).
' Thursday. Ditto.
' Friday. Ditto, and to issue copies of Stations.
' Saturday and Monday. At disposal for correspondence on Stations,
etc.
' (The Assistant-Secretaries of the Conference and the Secre-
taries of the several Connexional Funds to compile from
the District Minutes such Lists, etc. , as will facilitate the
business of the Conference).
' N.B. The Fernley Lecture might be delivered on the
evening of this Monday.
Sessions of the Conference : First Week.
' Tuesday. Morning: Formal constitution of the Legal Conference. (i)
' Thanks to the retiring President and Secretary, and to other
Officers of the Conference. (ii)
' Appointment of Assistant -Secretaries, and official Letter-
writers, (iii)
' Appointment of Hours of Conference Sessions. (iv)
' The Conference Prayer-Meeting.
' Evening : Reception of Representatives ; reading of Addresses ;
and appointment of Committees to draft Replies. (v)
' Wednesday, Morning : Presentation of Memorials ; reading Sug-
gestions from District Committees \ and appointment of a
Committee to draft Replies. (vi)
' Appoint Committees : (vii)
' (a) On Appeals and other Cases.
' (b) On Chapel cases which affect Discipline.
' (c) On Pastoral Address.
' Presentation of documents legally required to be forthcoming.
(viii)
' Time and Place for holding the next Conference. (ix)
32 ORDER OF CONFERENCE BUSINESS.
' Appointment of the Conference Allocation Committee. (x)
' Notices of Motion. (xi)
' Deaths of Ministers. (xii)
' Evening : Special Meeting of the Book Committee.
' Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Morning : Questions affecting
the character of Ministers and Preachers on Trial. (xiii)
' Supernumeraries. ( x i v )
' List of Preachers to be admitted into Full Connexion. (xv)
' Probationers. ( xy i)
' Candidates for the Ministry. (xvii)
' Alterations and Divisions of Circuits against which there is
no Appeal ; and Proposals for the increase or diminution
of Ministers in any Circuit which have received the sanction
of the Home-Missionary Committee. (xviii)
' Alterations and Divisions of Districts against which there is
no Appeal. (xix)
' Appointment of Ministers to Departmental offices. (xx)
' Thursday Evening : Committee on Memorials and Suggestions to
meet.
' Friday Evening : Meetings of adjourned and other Committees.
' Saturday Evening : (a) Second Sittings of Stationing Committee.
(&) Conference Love-feast.
Second Week.
CONFERENCE SUNDAY. EX-PRESIDENT'S SERMON.
' Monday. Morning : (No Session of Conference.)
' Second Sittings of Stationing Committee.
' Meeting of Committee on Appeals.
' Meeting of other Committees.
' Evening : Second Sittings of Stationing Committee.
' Meeting of other Committees.
' Public Examination of Candidates.
' Tuesday. Morning : Such Reports of Committees as are necessary
for the Stationing Committee, including that of the Com-
mittee on Appeals and other Cases. ( xx i)
' Report of the Candidates' Allocation Committee. (xxii)
' Number of Members in Society. (xxiii)
' Conversation on the State of the Work of God. (xxiv)
' Reading and Adoption of the Pastoral Address. (xxv)
' Theological Examination of Candidates for Ordination, and
their admission into Full Connexion. (xxvi)
' Evening : Second Sittings of Stationing Committee. Recog-
nition of returned Missionaries.
' Wednesday. Morning : Consideration of Stations. (xxvii)
' Evening : Meeting of the Annuitant Society.
' Thursday. Morning, 9.30 : Ordination Service. (xxviii)
ORDER OF CONFERENCE BUSINESS. 38
' Evening Session of Conference (4 o'clock) :
' Election of Chairmen of Districts and Financial Secretaries.
(xxix)
' Report of the Committee on Memorials and Suggestions, (xxx)
' Report of the Book Committee, and Supervision of Connexional
Literature. (xxxi^)
' Pastoral Reports : (Schools.) (xxxii.)
' General Report upon the Examination of Preachers on Trial,
and Examination Arrangements. (xxxiii)
'Arrangements for the Examination of Candidates for the
Ministry. (xxxiv)
' Consideration and Adoption of Replies to the Addresses of
other Conferences. (x-xxv)
' Appointment of Missionary Deputations
(1) Home ; (2) Foreign. (xxxvi)
' Official Appointments ; Deputations and Delegations, (xxxvii)
' Report of the Conference Allocation Committee. (xxxviii)
' Appointment of Ministers to attend the next Conference when
composed of Ministers and Lay Representatives. (xxxix)
' Friday. Morning: Revision and Confirmation of Stations of
Ministers and Preachers on Trial. (xl)
'Reports of Special Committees appointed by the previous
Conference. (xli)
' Consideration of Motions, of which notice has been given,
and which have not been previously disposed of. (xlii)
' Presentation and recording of the Acts of the Delegate in
Ireland. (xliii)
' Saturday. Morning : Miscellaneous Business. (xliv)
' READING AND CONFIRMATION OF THE CONFERENCE JOURNAL.
Third Week.
' Sunday. PRESIDENT'S SERMON, A.M. Administration of the
Lord's Supper to Ministers and Laymen attending the Con-
ference, at Three P.M.'
IV.
' Syllabus and Order of the Business of the Conference when com-
posed of Ministers and Laymen (as denned in the Minutes of
the Conference of 1877) ; so arranged as to show the Order of
Time in which its several subjects may be considered.
' The Order of Business proposed will be subject to such modifica-
tions as may, from time to time, be found necessary.
'N.B. The Committees of the Several Departments shall present
Reports of their proceedings during the year, with such Statis-
tical and Financial statements as may be required ; and shall
also prepare for the Conference the business of their respectiva
Departments.
84 ORDER OF CONFERENCE BUSINESS.
' Monday. Morning :
' 1. Calling of the Roll of attendance, as compiled from the
District Minutes.
' 2. Address by the President of the Conference.
' 3. Appointment of hours of Sessions.
' 4. Reception of Memorials, and Suggestions of District Com-
mittees ; and appointment of a Committee to report thereon.
' 5. Notices of Motion. (Such Notices may be given subsequently,
if occasion arise. No motion on any subject not before the
Conference in the ordinary course of its business can be con-
sidered until an interval of at least twenty- four hours has
elapsed since the giving of Notice thereof.)
'6. Appointment of a Committee to nominate Connexional Mixed
Committees. This Committee will consider nominations of
Lay Members presented by the Committees of Departments.*
'7. Appointment of a Committee to report, year by year, the
number of Laymen from each District who may attend the
Conference when composed of Ministers and Laymen.
' 8. The Home-Mission and Contingent Fund Committee : (a)
General Fund ; (6) Army and Navy Committee ; (c) Thames
Mission ; (d) Metropolitan Methodist Lay Mission ; (e) Man-
chester and Salford, and any similar Lay Mission.
' 9. Proposals for the division or alteration of Circuits or Districts
against which there is an Appeal : and requests for additional
Ministers not recommended by the Home-Mission Committee.
'- Evening :
' Meeting of the Committee on Memorials and Suggestions.
' Meeting of the Nomination Committee.
' Meeting of Trustees for Chapel Purposes.
' Tuesday :
' 10. Appointment of the Committee of the Home-Mission and
Contingent Fund.
' 11. District Sustentation Funds.
' 12. Chapel Affairs : (a) General Fund ; (&) South Wales District
' Chapel Fund ; (c) North Wales District Chapel Fund ; (d)
The Relief and Extension Fund for Methodism in Scotland ;
and (e) The Metropolitan Chapel Building Fund.
' 13. Extension of Methodism in Great Britain.
' 14. Conversation on the State of the Work of God.
' Wednesday:
' 15. The Wesleyan Theological Institution : Meeting of Trustees
of Institution Houses.
* This arrangement was modified and supplemented by the Regulations
provisionally adopted by the Conference of 1881, respecting the constitution
and duties of the Committee for nominating the Mixed Committees of
Connexional Departments and other Mixed Committees. The Regulations
are given in Appendix V.
THE STATIONING COMMITTEE. 35
' 16. Schools : Kingswood and Woodhouse Grove, Clapton,
Southport.
4 17. The Children's Fund.
' 18. Committees of Privileges and Exigency.
' 19. The Worn-out Ministers' and Ministers' Widows' Auxiliary
Fund.
' Tliursday :
1 20. Education : (a) General Committee ; (6) Connexional Sunday-
School Union ; (c) Children's Home.
' 21. Higher Education.
'22. Temperance.
' 23. Religious Observance of the Lord's Day.
' Friday :
' 24. Foreign Missions.
'25. Consideration of Report of the Committee on Memorials
and Suggestions ; and of Notices of Motion on Subjects
not already disposed of.
' 26. Miscellaneous Business.
' Saturday :
' READING AND CONFIRMATION OF THE CONFERENCE JOURNAL.'
(Min., 1877, vol. xx., pp. 424431.)
Of the Committees named in the preceding statement
there are three which require explanation, the Stationing
Committee, the Committee on Appeals and other Cases, and
the Committee for the nomination of Mixed Committees of
Connexional Departments and other Mixed Connexional
Committees.
The Stationing Committee consists of the President and
the Secretary of the Conference, who attend it in their official
character, and cannot, therefore, represent any particular
District; a Representative of each District in Great Britain,
elected by the united vote of the Ministers and Laymen
in the Annual District Meeting ; together with one of the
Secretaries of the Missionary Society, as the representative
of the Foreign Missions, one of the Secretaries of the
Home-Mission and Contingent Fund, as the representative
of the Home-Missions, and the House Governor or one of
the Tutors of each Branch of the Theological Institution.
In the second and any subsequent sitting of the Stationing
Committee, when the President and Secretary of the Con-
D8
30 COMMITTEE ON APPEALS.
ference for that year have been chosen, the President and
Secretary of the preceding year continue to be members of the
Committee. (Min., 1824, vol. v., p. 520.)
To facilitate the work of the Stationing Committee, the
Conference resolved, in the year 1874 :
' That in future, the Representative of each District shall send
to the Secretary of the Conference, not later than the 3rd day
of July, in each year,* upon a Schedule to be provided by him,
complete lists of (1) the arrangements provisionally made for the
Stationing of Ministers in his District ; (2) the invitations accepted
by Ministers in his District to Circuits in other Districts ; and (3)
all Ministers in his District for whom no arrangement has been
made : that from these lists the Secretary of the Conference shall
compile, and cause to be printed in a convenient form for use
in the Stationing Committee, one complete list of all arrange-
ments thus provisionally made, and a separate list of all Ministers
for whom provisional arrangements have not been made ; and that
a copy of these lists shall be sent to each member of the Stationing
Committee at least seven days before the meeting of that Committee.'
(Min., 1874, vol. xix., pp. 452, 453.)
The arrangement respecting the appointment of a Committee
on Appeals and other Cases was adopted in the year 1873. It is
as follows :
' At each Conference the President shall nominate, not later
than the second day, a Committee of twenty-one members of the
Conference, to whom shall be referred, without discussion, all cases
requiring further inquiry touching the character of Ministers or
Preachers on Trial, immediately after the reading of the Minutes
of District Committees therevipon, or of any notice of Charge or
Appeal relating thereto, or for any reason which the Conference
may deem sufficient.
' Any complainant or appellant, or any person under inquiry,
may object to one in three of the members of the said Committee
sitting on his case ; and the President shall then appoint some
other member of the Conference to act instead of the member so
objected to.
' Special cases to be decided upon by the Conference may be
referred to the whole Committee ; but it shall, for ordinary purposes,
be divided into three sections, for each of which a convener shall
be appointed, who shall be responsible for preparing the business
of the Committee.' (Min., 1873, vol. xix., p. 202.)
* At the Conference of 1881, the date was altered to the 27th day of June
in each year. (Min., 1881, p. 309.)
THE NOMINATION COMMITTEE. 37
The constitution and duties of the Nomination Committee
were defined by the Conference of 1881, which also pro-
visionally adopted some general Eesolutions respecting Mixed
Committees of Connexional Departments, and other Con-
nexional Committees. The Minutes bearing on these subjects
are given, in extenso, in Appendix V. ; but it seems desirable
here to introduce the Eegulations which have reference to the
constitution and functions of the Nomination Committee.
' 1. The Conference shall annually appoint the Members of each
Mixed Committee of a Connexional Department (not being
hereinafter described as ex-officio Members) after receiving the
Report of a Nomination Committee, which shall be appointed
and shall act in the manner hereinafter provided.
' The General Treasurers of the several Funds, and the Local
Treasurers of Executive Committees, shall be appointed
by the Conference after receiving the Nominations of the
Committees of the several Funds.
' 2. The Nomination Committee shall consist of:
' (a) The eighteen Laymen appointed by the previous
Conference in its Representative Session to be
Members of the Conference then next ensuing.
' (6) Eighteen Ministers to be appointed annually by the
Conference in its pastoral Session.
' (c) Two Secretaries (one Minister and one Layman), who
shall be annually appointed by the Conference to act
upon the Nomination Committee of the Conference
ensuing.
' 3. It shall be the duty of the Secretaries : (a) to convene
the meeting of the Nomination Committee, and to summon to
it persons entitled to attend its meeting : (b) to receive from the
Committee of each Connexional Department a list of persons,
ex officio and otherwise, who are proposed for appointment upon
it by the Conference : (c) to present the lists so received to the
Nomination Committee : (d) to keep the record of the proceedings
of the Committee, and (e) to report to the Conference on its
behalf.
' 4. The Nomination Committee shall meet on the Saturday
previous to the Meeting of the Representative Conference. At
that Meeting the President of the Conference shall preside, or in
his absence, some ex-President or other Minister whom he shall
depute ; and the Secretary or some other deputed representative
of each Connexional Department shall attend to give such informa-
tion as may be necessary.
' 5. The Nomination Committee shall consider the lists sent for-
38 THE NOMINATION COMMITTEE.
ward by the several Committees of Connexional Departments ; it
shall take care that the constitution of each Committee nominated
is in accordance with the regulations of the Conference ; it shall
have power to amend the lists sent forward, as it may deem desirable,
and to make any changes in reference to Ministers recommended
for nomination which the action of the Ministerial Conference may
have rendered necessary, but only in cases of necessity shall it make
any change in reference to either the Ministerial or Lay nominees
of a District Committee, and every such change shall be reported
to the Conference.' (Mm., 1881, pp. 271, 272.)
CHAPTER IV.
THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE CONFERENCE
IN THE INTERVAL BETWEEN ITS ASSEMBLING PROVISION
FOR THE CASE OF THE DEATH, OR PROLONGED ILLNESS, OF THE
PRESIDENT DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY OF THE CONFERENCE
IN THE INTERVAL BETWEEN ITS ASSEMBLING.
IMPORTANT duties devolve on the PRESIDENT during liis
year of office, and powers corresponding to those duties are
entrusted to him. It is customary for him to preside in all
the leading Connexional Committees. He is appointed to
visit Scotland, for the purpose of promoting the Missionary
cause, and also of attending the Financial District Meeting
in September. He is appointed also to attend the Annual
Meeting of one of the two Welsh District Committees,
the South Wales and the North Wales District having this
privilege alternately. Many public services, not expressly
required by the Conference, are usually undertaken by him,
at the earnest request of our Ministers and people, as far as
his health will permit.
Among the special duties devolving upon the President the
following may be particularly mentioned :
1. The List of Reserve of accepted Candidates for the
Ministry is placed in his hands, and he has power to call out
any person from that list to supply a vacancy in a Circuit
caused by death, or by a Preacher desisting from travelling, or
being placed under suspension. (Min., 1797, vol. i., p. 395 :
1807, vol. ii., p. 406.) In the same manner the President
has power to call out any person from the List of Reserve, as
a temporary supply in the case of the serious and protracted
40 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT.
illness of a Minister; but it is expressly provided that the
application to him for such a supply must be made through the
Chairman of the District ; and the Chairman is to satisfy
himself, by personal inquiry, that a local supply cannot be
obtained. (Min., 1881, Standing Orders, 7, p. 304.)
2. The President is empowered ' to sanction any change of
Preachers which it may be necessary to make in the intervals
of the Conference ; and to assist at any District Meeting, if
applied to for that purpose, by the Chairman of the District,
or by a majority of the Superintendents in such District.' He
has a right, also, ' if written to by any who are concerned, to
visit any Circuit, and to inquire into their affairs with respect
to Methodism ; and, in union with the District Committee, to
redress any grievance.' (Min., 1797, vol. i., p. 395.)
3. The President of the Conference is always, ex officio,
Chairman of the District in which he is stationed. (Min.,
1812, voL iii., p. 294.)
4. In the case of a charge being preferred against the
Chairman of a District in Great Britain, in reference either to
his personal or his official conduct, ' the accuser, after duly
apprising the Chairman of his intention, shall place his com-
plaint in the hands of the President of the Conference for the
time being, who shall have authority (if he deem such a course
necessary or expedient), to summon a meeting of such Preachers
in the District as are in Full Connexion with the Conference,
and to place the Chairman on his trial before them ; when, if
the guilt of the accused be proved, the Meeting, in conjunction
with the President, shall have power to suspend him till the
ensuing Conference, or to depose him from the Chair, and to
elect another Chairman in his place.' (Min., 1867, vol. xvii.,
p. 156.)
5. It is further provided that 'in case the Chair of any
District in Great Britain ' should ' be rendered vacant by the
death or incapacity of the Chairman, or otherwise, the duties
and responsibilities of the Chairman shall, pro tempore, devolve
upon the President of the Conference for the time being, who
POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT, 41
shall take steps, either by convening the Ministers of the
District, or by correspondence with them, to obtain their
suffrages for the Minister among themselves who is deemed by
them best qualified to fill the vacant office; and shall then
declare and appoint the Minister, thus selected, to be the
Chairman of that District till the ensuing Conference.' (Min.,
1867, vol. xvii., pp. 156, 157.)
6. The Plan for the preaching appointments at the Con-
ference, prepared by the Superintendents of the Circuits in
which the Conference shall, from year to year, assemble, is to
be submitted to the President for his approbation, and to be
issued as sanctioned by him. (Jfiw., 1821, vol. v., p. 252;
1827, vol. vi., p. 291.)
To provide for the case of the death of a President, during
his year of office, it was resolved, in the year 1816, that 'in
every such case, the last, surviving President shall immediately
enter again into the office so vacated ; and shall be considered,
for the remainder of the year, and until the election of a
successor at the ensuing Conference, as having all the powers,
privileges, and authorities of the Presidency, and as responsible
for all its duties.' (Min., 1816, vol. iv., p. 236.)
This arrangement was extended, in the year 1840, to the
severe and continued illness of a President. It was then resolved
'that, in order to provide against the difficulties and incon-
veniences which may result from the continued affliction of
the President of the Conference, in every such case the Eegu-
lation which was made in the year 1816 for the case of a
President's dying during the year of his Presidency shall be
applied according to the extent and duration of the exigency ;
that is to say, on receiving notice from the President of his
inability, through indisposition, to discharge the duties of his
office, "the last surviving President shall be considered as
having all the powers, privileges, and authorities of the Presi-
dency, and as responsible for all its duties." ' (Min., 1840,
vol. ix., p. 104.)
42 DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY.
It may be added that, according to a Resolution adopted
in 1825, a junior Preacher is always stationed with the Presi-
dent, ' to assist him in his official correspondence, etc., and to
supply his place in his Circuit during his official journeys, or
other unavoidable public engagements.' (Min., vol. vi., p. 66.)
The duties of the SECRETARY of the Conference in the
interval between its assembling are of considerable importance.
He is responsible for the accuracy of the printed Minutes, as
a record of the decisions of the Conference on the subjects to
which they relate. (Min., 1813, vol. iii., p. 388.) It devolves
on him, too, to prepare the Circulars which the Chairmen of
Districts are to send to the Superintendents of Circuits and
to the Lay Members of the District Committee, previously to
the Financial and Annual District Meetings, specifying the
business to be brought forward, and particularly mentioning
any subject which the Conference may have referred to the con-
sideration of these Meetings. (See Chapter vii. of this Part of
the present work, pp. 60, 61, 63.) It is customary, also, for the
Secretary of the Conference to address a letter to the Chair-
man of each District before the Financial and Annual District
Meetings, calling his attention to the subjects specially remitted
by the Conference to the consideration of these Meetings
respectively. If the Conference should have adopted any new
Rule affecting the Societies at large, the Secretary is to men-
tion such Rule in his letter to the Chairman of each District
before the Financial District Meeting, that the Chairman may
call the attention of the Superintendents to it as having to
be read at the September Quarterly Meetings. (Conf., 1879.)
In his letter to the Chairmen of Districts before the May
District Meeting, he is to mention, in particular, that should
special circumstances exist in any District which render
another day preferable to the second, as that on which the Lay
Members shall join the Ministers, the Chairman is left at
liberty by the Conference to act on his own discretion in the
matter. (Conf., 1873.) It belongs to the Secretary, also, to
DUTIES OF THE SECRETARY. 43
prepare in the month of March, in each year, the Circular
which the President of the Conference addresses, early in
April, to the Superintendent of each Circuit, requesting in-
formation which must be sent by him to the Financial Secretary
of the District before the first day of May.
Previously to the meeting of the Stationing Committee,
the Secretary of the Conference has to obtain, by correspon-
dence with the Chairmen of Districts, various particulars
respecting the supply of Ministers' houses, etc., which are
necessary for the guidance of that Committee when it as-
sembles. Other duties of the Secretary connected with the
Stationing Committee are specified in the Minute cited on
p. 36 of the preceding Chapter.
CHAPTER V.
THE MINISTRY CANDIDATUBE THEOLOGICAL TEAES T IlfG
PEOBATION OBDINATION.
'HE Ministry, in the economy of Wesleyan Methodism,
-A- is ordinarily recruited from the ranks of the Local
Preachers. Every Candidate must be proposed by the Super-
intendent of the Circuit to which he belongs, who is bound to
satisfy himself, by careful inquiry and personal examination,
as well as by hearing him preach, of his fitness for the work
of the Ministry. The Superintendent is also to arrange, if
practicable, for his colleagues to hear the Candidate preach ;
so that the several bodies that have to consider his case may
have the advantage of the judgment of all the Ministers of
the Circuit.
At the March Quarterly Meeting the Superintendent
nominates the Candidate ; and the approval of that Meeting
is essential. This principle, affirmed in 1797 (Min., vol. i.,
pp. 396, 677), is distinctly recognised in the latest Regulations
of the Conference on the subject, adopted in the year 1877 :
' 1. The Conference regards it as a settled principle, affirmed in
its Minutes (vol. i. , p. 677), that every Candidate for the Ministry
must be approved by the Circuit Quarterly Meeting.
' 2. The Conference believes that this law was intended to
secure the concurrent action of the pastorate and the people in the
recommendation of Candidates for the Ministry.
' 3. The Conference therefore directs that if, in future, any case
should occur in which this concurrent action is not secured, the
Chairman of the District in which the Circuit is situated shall be
held responsible for making special inquiry into the circumstances,
and for reportingthereon to the District Meeting and the Conference.'
(Min., vol. xx., p. 435.)
"When a Candidate has been approved by the Quarterly
CANDIDATURE FOR THE MINISTRY. 45
Meeting of his Circuit, the Superintendent next proposes him
at the Annual District Meeting. In doing this, he must pre-
sent a written character, signed by himself, including the sub-
jects of health, piety, moral character, ministerial abilities,
belief of our doctrines, attachment to our discipline, and
freedom from debt and all secular incumbrances ; and certi-
fying that he has read with care Mr. Wesley's Notes on the New
Testament and the first four volumes of his Sermons (numbered
from one to fifty-three), and also the Form of Discipline, given
in Appendix II. at the end of this volume. (Min., 1810, vol.
iii., p. 156). If the Candidate has not resided two years in
his present Circuit, special inquiry must be made of his
former Superintendent, and the result reported to the District
Committee. (Min., 1827, vol. vi., p. 280.)
To assist the District Committee to judge of the fitness
of a Candidate, it is required that he should preach in the
presence of at least three Ministers of the District (at or
about the time of its Annual Meeting in May), to be selected
by the Chairman, exclusive of the Superintendent by whom
he is proposed. (Min., 1844, vol. x., p. 91.) To enable the
Chairman to make suitable arrangements, the Superintendent
who recommends a Candidate must give him timely notice of
his intention before the District Committee assembles.
It is further required that ' no Candidate for the Ministry
shall be received who does not possess a fair acquaintance
with English Grammar, Orthography, Arithmetic, Geography,
and History.' The Papers for the Examination in these sub-
jects ' shall be prepared each year by the Tutors of the Theo-
logical Institution, according to the present plan for the July
Examination ' ; and ' the Examination shall be conducted during
the session of the District Meeting by a Sub-Committee of two
or three Ministers, who shall value and report on the answers
of the Candidates. This Sub-Committee shall be elected by the
District Committee. The answers shall be written in the
presence of one or more Ministers, who need not be members
of the Sub-Committee.'
4G CANDIDATURE FOR THE MINISTRY.
1 In order to secure, as far as practicable, uniformity of
valuation, figures showing the number of marks obtainable
by a complete answer shall be placed at the end of each ques-
tion ; and no Candidate shall be considered to have passed a
satisfactory Examination who does not gain one-fourth of the
maximum number of marks allotted to the whole of the
papers.'
'No Candidate who has failed to obtain the minimum
number of marks in the preliminary Examination shall undergo
the usual Examination by the District Committee, unless in the
judgment of the Committee he possesses such special gifts as
to justify an exceptional procedure.' (Min., 1881, pp. 200,
201.)
The Candidate, having passed through this preliminary
Examination, and having preached before three Ministers
of the District, is introduced to the District Committee, and
is examined by the Chairman and the Committee on his
religious experience, his knowledge of the doctrines of Chris-
tianity as held among us, and his ability to state and defend
them, and his attachment to the discipline of "Wesleyan
Methodism. (Min., 1826, vol. vi., p. 168 ; 1827, vol. vi., p.
280.) A report of the sermon preached before the Ministers
is presented to the District Committee ; and that Committee
either recommends him to the Conference or declines his offer
of service.
In the case of all Candidates recommended by the District
Committee, it is required that the report of the sermon given
to the District Meeting, together with the valuation of that
sermon by the Meeting, and the Superintendent's recommenda-
tion, must be immediately forwarded to the Secretaries of the
Committee for the Special Examination of Candidates. The
character of the vote, as passed by the District Meeting, must
be reported; and if the vote be a divided one the numbers
must be given.
It is further ordered that arrangements shall be made, by
the May District Meeting, for the hearing of each Candidate
CANDIDATURE FOR THE MINISTRY. 47
whom it may have approved, by one Minister of the District:,
in addition to those who have heard him before his recommen-
dation by the District Committee : such Minister to forward
his report to the General Secretaries of the Examination
Committee. (Min., 1873, vol. xix., pp. 171, 172.)
A further Examination of the Candidates who have passed
the District Meeting takes place in the month of July, before a
Committee annually appointed by the Conference. This Com-
mittee is divided into two Sections ; the Southern Section
meeting at Richmond, and the Northern at Didsbury. The
Examination is partly written and partly oral, and it embraces
literary attainments as well as Theological knowledge. This
Committee, having examined the several Candidates, and having
before it all the documents furnished by the respective District
Committees, together with the reports of the Sermons preached
since the District Meeting, carefully considers the case of each,
and either recommends, or declines to recommend, him to the
Conference.
It is not competent to this Committee to reject a Candidate ;
for the recommendation of the District Committee is a recom-
mendation to the Conference, which decides on every offer of
service made to it through the District Meetings. Still, the
fact that the Special Committee of Examination declines to
recommend a Candidate has, very properly, great weight with
the Conference. When the Special Committee concurs with
the District Meeting in recommending a Candidate, the Con-
ference usually accepts him without hesitation, endorsing also,
in most cases, the judgment of the Special Committee as to the
sphere of service, whether home or foreign, for which he shall
be designated.
It is only under exceptional circumstances that married
Candidates for the Ministry are accepted ; and in all such cases
a pledge is required as to the support of the wife and children
of the Candidate during his probation. The necessity of this
arises from the pecuniary arrangements of our Connexional
economy.
48 TRAINING OF ACCEPTED CANDIDATES.
The Theological training of accepted Candidates, preparatory
to their entrance upon their work as Preachers on trial, is justly
deemed of very great importance; and it is held to be very
desirable that all Candidates, whatever may have been their
educational advantages, or whatever their literary and theo-
logical attainments, should have the benefit of residence at one
of the Branches of the Theological Institution. The curriculum
of study is given in Part III., Chapter iv., of the present work.
The usual term of residence is three years ; but, in some instances,
students leave the Institution at an earlier period. The Con-
ference has also resolved that, ' in some rare cases, a fourth
year's residence in the Institution shall be allowed to specially
deserving students ; but in no instance shall such privilege be
granted without the express sanction of the Conference.'
(Min., 1875, vol. xix., p. 691.) Another important Resolution,
bearing on the residence of some Missionary Students in the
Institution, has also been adopted : ' The Conference, having
regard to the special requirements of Missionary Students who
may be intended for service in the East, resolves further, that
such Students shall be allowed to remain in the Institution an
additional year after the conclusion of the usual term, with a
view to their instruction in subjects having direct reference to
the work for which they are designated.' (Min., 1875, vol. xix.,
p. 691.)
The exigencies of the work of God render it necessary that
the President of the Conference should have, each year, as
already intimated, a List of Reserve of accepted Candidates for
the Ministry, from which he may be able to supply vacancies in
Circuits occasioned by death, long-continued illness, and other
causes. If such Candidates are sent into Circuits by the
President before Christmas, they are considered, at the ensuing
Conference, as having travelled one year. But Candidates thus
sent direct into the Circuit work are not necessarily shut out
from the benefit of the Theological Institution. The Resolution
of the Conference, bearing on their case, is as follows :
'In the case of Candidates for the Ministry, who are on the
PROBATION FOR THE MINISTRY. 49
President's List of Reserve, and have been sent into Circuits during
the year, the District Meetings to which they may belong are directed
to express an opinion as to the desirability or otherwise of their
admission to the Institution.' (Min., 1875, vol. xix., p. 691.)
In some instances, also, when Candidates for the Ministry
have been appointed by the Conference to Circuits, but wish to
enter the Theological Institution, it is deemed expedient by the
ensuing Conference to grant their request; and the Rule
affecting such cases provides that they shall sustain no loss :
' In the case of Probationers who have been a year in Circuit
work, and are received into the Theological Institution, and
subsequently appointed to a Circuit by the Conference, the first
year spent in Circuit work shall be reckoned as the first year of
their probation.' (Conf., 1873 ; Min., 1877, vol. xx., p. 515.)
When the full term of three years' residence in the Insti-
tution has been completed to the satisfaction of the Governor
and Tutors and the Local Committee, the third year is allowed
by the Conference, on the recommendation of the Committee,
to be regarded as the first year of probation for the Ministry.
The period of probation is four years ; and, during each of
these the Probationer is to undergo an examination in certain
subjects which are prescribed by the Conference from year to
year. The general Regulations respecting this examination are
as follows :
A Central Examination of the Preachers on trial in each District
is appointed to take place annually, on the same days, in the first
week of April. The Examination Papers, when filled up, are to be
forwarded at once by the District Secretary to the General Examina-
tion Secretaries, and by them to the Connexional Board of Examiners
appointed at the preceding Conference. Each Examiner shall send
to the General Secretaries ' the results of his valuation of the Papers
shown by numbers, together with any remarks upon them which he
may think desirable. In the case of the North and South Wales
Districts, such variations from the foregoing arrangements are
permitted as the Examination Secretaries may find necessary.'
From the Returns of the Examiners ' the General Secretaries shall
compile a complete Report upon the reading of each Probationer,
and forward it to the District Examination Secretary, to be presented
by him to the May District Meeting, together with such remarks
50 PROBATION FOR THE MINISTRY.
on the Examination of the Preachers on trial in the District as he
may think desirable. The numbers obtained by each Preacher on
trial in the several subjects of Examination shall be entered on the
District Minutes. The Resolutions of the District Meetings on the
Examination of Preachers on trial shall be forwarded to the General
Secretaries by the District Examination Secretaries.'
' The Conference requires every Probationer of the second, third,
and fourth years respectively to be examined in four subjects ; but
it expects such Probationers to be examined, as a rule, in five
subjects. Probationers of the first year shall be examined in four
subjects.
' The Conference resolves that, in future, the Examination shall
extend to two days.
' The Conference expects that every Probationer who can will
take the Examinations in Greek and Hebrew. Every Probationer
who has been a student in the Theological Institution shall be
examined in Greek and Hebrew unless the Tutors under whom he
studied, having taken into consideration his attainments on leaving
the Institution, are of opinion that these Examinations cannot
reasonably be required in his case.
' Every Probationer shall, not later than the end of November
in each year, inform the Examination Secretary of his District
what subjects he will present for Examination.
' All Probationers whom the President of the Conference shall
send into the work before Christmas,' in any year, ' shall be examined
in the subjects of the First Year.
' Should any Probationer be prevented by illness, or otherwise,
from attending the Annual Examination, the Chairman of the
District in which he is stationed shall, in concert with the General
Secretaries, make suitable provision for his examination.
' The Conference sees no sufficient reason for the exemption of
those brethren who have formerly been Ministers in other Churches
from the usual course of reading and examination prescribed by the
Conference for Preachers on trial, and directs that they be required
to observe such Regulations.' (Min., 1881, pp. 195 200.)
The name of any Probationer who was prevented from attending
the Central Examination should be communicated to the General
Examination Secretaries.
Every Probationer is required also to produce at the
Annual District Meeting a list of the books which he has read
since the preceding District Meeting. ' These lists,' it is
provided, ' shall be laid before the Meeting, that the senior
brethren may have an opportunity of giving to the junior
Preachers such advices and directions respecting their studies
as may appear to be necessary.' (Min., 1815, vol. iv., p. 122.)
PROBATION FOR THE MINISTRY. 51
Probationers for the Ministry, when appointed to Circuits,
are members of the Leaders' Meetings and all other official
meetings (excepting, of course, Trustees' Meetings) in their
respective Circuits ; and, as such, have a right to take part in
their proceedings and to vote. {Min., 1852, vol. xii., p. 121.)
They are not, however, entitled to vote in District Committees,
or at the Conference. Even the election of a Representative
to the Stationing Committee is not an exception. (Min., 1840,
vol. ix., p. 105.)
Probationers are not empowered ordinarily to administer
the Sacraments, but an exception is made in relation to the
Sacrament of Baptism, in cases of special emergency. The
following is the Minute on this subject adopted in the year
1829 : ' Those of our Preachers on trial who shall be deemed
proper to be appointed for this purpose by their respective
Superintendents shall be allowed to administer the holy
Sacrament of Baptism. But this permission shall extend
only to private administration, in cases where children can-
not be brought to the house of God, and where there are
circumstances of great emergency, which will not allow the
administration to be conveniently delayed.' (Min., vol. vi.,
p. 513.) It is one of the ' Standing Orders ' of the Conference,
that Superintendents, in making their Circuit-plans, are to
arrange that their junior colleagues who may be on trial
shall have proper facilities for partaking of the Sacrament
of the Lord's Supper. (Min., 1844, vol. x., pp. 91, 92; 1881,
p. 303.)
Preachers on trial are not allowed to marry during their
probation, without the special permission of the Conference.
Until their probation closes, their position is not decided ;
and their energies should be entirely devoted to qualifying
themselves for the sacred work to which they propose to
dedicate their lives.
As the period of probation approaches its close, the Can-
didate for ordination is required, at or before the May District
Meeting, to preach before three Ministers of the District, who
E2
52 ORDINATION.
are to report to the Meeting. He is further examined in
that Meeting as to his present Christian experience, his
theological knowledge, his belief of the doctrines contained
in the standard writings of Mr. "Wesley, and his attachment
to the Methodist economy and discipline. With regard to
this Examination there is the following particular require-
ment : ' Before any Preacher, having travelled four years, is
recommended by his District Meeting for admission into Pull
Connexion, he shall undergo a careful examination, by the
Chairman of that Meeting, respecting his acquaintance with
Mr. Wesley's Works in general, and especially with his
Sermons and his Notes on the New Testament, in addition to
the other examinations required by our existing rules ; and
no Preacher shall be so recommended unless the result of his
examination be satisfactory to the Meeting.' (Min., 1815,
vol. iv., p. 122.)
It is now further arranged that 'the General Examina-
tion Secretaries shall send to each District Committee, in
May, having one or more Candidates for Ordination, a Report
showing the result of the examination of every such Candi-
date during each year of his probation.' (Min., 1879, p. 182.)
The District Committee, having before it all the evidence
thus supplied of the character and ability of each Candidate
for Ordination, together with the testimony of the Superin-
tendent of the Circuit in which he is stationed, recommends
either that he be ordained at the approaching Conference, or
continued on trial, or even dropped.
The Probationers thus recommended attend the Pastoral
Session of the Conference. During this they are examined
in private by the President and some senior Ministers whom
he may associate with himself for this purpose; and also
before the Conference. If these final examinations are
satisfactory, they are admitted, by a solemn vote of the
Conference, into Full Connexion with itself ; and, on the fol-
lowing day, are publicly ordained to the work of the Christian
Ministry by the imposition of the hands of the President, the
ORDINATION. 53
Secretary, the Ex-President, and others, acting on behalf of
the whole Conference, the Charge being delivered by the
Ex-President Henceforth they are regarded as Christian
Ministers and Pastors, empowered not only to preach the
Gospel, but to administer the Sacraments of our holy religion,
and charged with all the responsibilities of the Christian
Pastorate.
CHAPTER VI.
THE MINISTRY PASTORAL DUTIES SPECIAL DUTIES OF SUPER-
INTENDENTS HOME MISSIONARY MINISTERS DISTRICT MIS-
SIONARIES ARMY AND NAVY MINISTERS THE ITINERANT
SYSTEM MINISTERS SET APART TO CONNEXIONAL OFFICES.
THE Christian Ministry is regarded by the Wesleyan
Methodists, not as a profession, but as a vocation from
Christ Himself, to which the undivided energies of those who
have received it are to be devoted. The course of probation
which has been described is designed to enable the Church to
judge of the reality of that vocation in each particular case ;
and the act of Ordination is viewed as solemnly recognising
the call of Christ, and as sefcting apart the individuals in
question for life-long service to Him.
The Ministers appointed to a Circuit are charged with the
spiritual oversight of the several Societies and Congregations
comprehended in it ; and they are charged, also, to put forth,
as well as to encourage on the part of others, evangelistic
efforts. An admirable summary of the duties of the ministry,
as exercised under the economy of "Wesleyan Methodism, is
contained in the Minutes adopted at the Liverpool Confer-
ence of 1820, which are read, and made the subject of
conversation, at each Annual District Meeting. These Minutes
are given in Appendix No. III. On several subsequent
occasions the Conference has enforced on its Ministers the
special duties of the Christian Pastorate. The Resolutions
adopted in 1821, 1835, and 1847, respectively, are given in
Appendix No. IV. In the last series there is the important
requirement, ' that no person shall be entered upon the Society
DUTIES OF SUPERINTENDENTS. OO
Schedule as a " backslider " upon slight or insufficient grounds,
nor without particular inquiry into the case, nor even, whenever
it may be practicable, without a personal visitation on the part
of one of the Ministers of the Circuit.'
It is required by the Conference that either the Liverpool
Minutes of 1820, or the Eesolutions adopted in 1835 and 1847
on the Work of God and Pastoral Duties, shall be read by the
Ministers of each Circuit at their first weekly meeting after the
September Quarterly Meeting. (Min., 1881, pp. 209, 210,
303.)
The Ministers appointed to a Circuit form an associated
Pastorate, but special duties are devolved on the Superin-
tendent. He presides in all the official meetings in his
Circuit ; he has also to care for his colleagues, and, in some
sense, to watch over them ; and while it is his duty to
confer with them on all matters affecting the interests of the
Circuit, and more especially on the appointment of all Circuit
and Society officers, the ultimate responsibility of action
rests upon himself. He is specially responsible for the en-
forcement of the discipline of Methodism, in all its branches,
in the Circuit of which he has the charge. It belongs to him
to make the Circuit-plan, or to sanction it, if made, at his
request, by his colleagues ; he has to secure the observance
of the Eules which apply to the conduct of public Worship,
the administration of the Sacraments, and the observance of
the Quarterly Fasts ; and he has to meet the Trustees of
every chapel in his Circuit, at least once a year, and, in con-
junction with other parties, audit their accounts. (Min., 1811,
vol. iii., p. 221 ; 1825, vol. vi., p. 65 ; 1821, vol. v., p. 249.) A
distinct responsibility rests upon him, as intimated in Part I. ?
Chapter ii., of this work, in the administration of discipline,
when a charge has been brought against a member of the
Society, and established to the satisfaction of the Leaders'
Meeting. The sentence, in every such case, is to be deter-
mined by him. Should the fault appear to him so serious as
56 HOME MISSIONARY MINISTERS.
to require the exclusion of the member in question from the
Society, he is required to take at least one week for careful
inquiry and deliberation. He is to seek information from
individual Leaders, and from other judicious and experienced
members of the Society : he is to confer also with his col-
leagues at their weekly meeting ; and it is not until after all
this has been done that he is to declare an individual put
away from the Society.
With respect to the conduct of public worship and the
administration of discipline, the following important state-;
ment is, each year, prefixed to the Stations in the Minutes of.
the Conference :
' N.B. 1. Each of the places mentioned in these Stations, and
numbered consecutively, is the head of a Circuit ; and the Minister
first named is the Superintendent. The Superintendent and other
Minister or Ministers, stationed in or appointed to the several
Circuits undermentioned, is and are appointed by the Conference to
preach and to perform all acis of religious worship and Methodist
discipline, in each and every one of the Wesleyan-Methodist chapels
already erected, or to be erected, in each Circuit respectively, within
the space of twelve calendar months, at such time or times, and in
such manner, as to him or them shall seem proper ; subject, never-
theless, to the Superintendent Minister.
' 2. Stations without a number are placed under such supervision
as the Conference directs.'
In addition to Ministers appointed to the ordinary work
of Circuits, several others are stationed as Home Missionary
Ministers, and others are appointed to labour for the benefit
of the Army and Navy ; while a few are engaged as District
Missionaries. The Rules affecting the position and duties of
these Ministers are given in Part III., Chapter ii., of this work.
When there are two or more Circuits in the same town,
the Ministers appointed to them, or resident in them, are ad-
vised to meet together at least once a month. The Resolution
bearing on this subject was adopted in 1827 : ' The Preach-
ers of different Circuits, when resident in the same town, are
advised to meet at least once in every month, for the pur-
poses of mutual conference and prayer ; in order to promote
THE ITINERANT SYSTEM. 57
brotherly love, and to afford frequent and regular opportunities
for friendly consultation on subjects of common concern in
their respective Circuits.' (Min., voL vi., p. 281.)
One leading feature of the "Wesley an-Methodist economy
is the Itinerant System. According to the Deed of Declara-
tion no Minister can be appointed to the same chapel or
chapels for a longer consecutive period than three years ; and
this arrangement, having been fixed by Mr. Wesley in the
Deed Poll on which the Connexion rests, cannot be modified
by the Conference. The appointments to Circuits made by
each Conference are annual, and may be terminated at the end
of the year. It is usual for the March Quarterly Meeting of
the Circuit to invite the Ministers stationed in it to continue
their services, and then to express that wish to the Stationing
Committee and the Conference. In the case of a third year's
appointment, it is held that there should be an approach to
unanimity on the part of the Quarterly Meeting ; and if there
is any considerable difference of opinion and a divided vote, the
case is specially inquired into by the Stationing Committee.
To keep up the Itinerant System, the Conference re-
solved, in the year 1807, that ' in future no Preacher is to
return to a Circuit where he has before been stationed, till he
has been absent from it eight years.' (Min., vol. ii., p. 405.)
In 1866, however, this Rule was modified, ' as far as Scotland
is concerned, so as to make the period three years instead of
eight ' ; and in 187-3 it was further resolved, in relation to the
Connexion generally, ' that the period at the end of which a
Minister may be allowed to return to a Circuit shall be changed
from eight to six years.' (Min., vol. xix., p. 200.)
To secure the distribution throughout the Connexion of
the varied gifts which the Head of the Church may confer
upon His servants, the Conference further enacted, in 1830,
' that where there are more than two Circuits in the same
city or town, no Preacher shall be so stationed in them as to
remain in such town or city for a period exceeding six years in
succession.' The suggestion was brought before the Confer-
58 APPOINTMENTS TO CONNEXIONAL OFFICES.
ence of 1872, that it was inexpedient, in the present state of
English Methodism, to maintain this Rule ; and the Confer-
ence, anxious to ascertain the mind of the Connexion, referred
that suggestion to the consideration of the District Commit-
tees at their Annual Meeting in the following May, during the
presence of the Lay members of those Committees. (Jfin.,
vol. xviii., p. 651.) The result of this consultation was that
the Rule remained unchanged.
Ministers who are set apart to Connexional Offices are
appointed for a term of six years ; this appointment, however,
like that of Ministers to particular Circuits, being subject to
the annual confirmation or reversal of the Conference. The
one exception is in the case of Ministers who are made the
House Governors -of the several Branches of the Theological
Institution, the term of whose appointment is three years.
Provision is made, however, for all such appointments to be
continued for a second and any additional number of terms
which may be deemed expedient. The Rule bearing on this
subject was adopted in the year 1836, and is, in substance,
this : that if, in the course of the fifth year of a Preacher's
holding one of certain Connexional Offices, it shall appear to
the Committee having charge of the Department that his re-
appointment is so desirable as to induce them to recommend it,
' a special Committee shall be chosen by the Conference to
consider the recommendation, and if that Committee also shall
agree to it, the Conference reserves the right of re-appointing
him for another similar term, or for any shorter one.' (Min.,
vol. viii., p. 84.) In 1838 a Resolution was adopted limiting
the appointment of the same Minister to the office of House
Governor of the Theological Institution to three years ; but,
on the recommendation of the Local Committees of the several
Branches of the Institution, this arrangement has been
reversed.
"When a new appointment to some Connexional Office
becomes necessary or expedient, the following Rule, adopted
APPOINTMENTS TO CONNEXIONAL OFFICES. 59
in 1875, is brought into operation: 'The Conference resolves
that in all cases in which a Ministerial appointment is to be
made to any Departmental Office, the Committee concerned
in recommending the appointment shall send at least three
names to the Conference for selection, the vote, as before, to
be taken by ballot.' (Min., vol. xix., p. 715.)
CHAPTER
DISTEICT ORGANISATION DISTBICT COMMITTEES THE FINANCIAL
DISTBICT MEETING THE ANNUAL DISTEICT MEETING.
THE division of the Connexion into Districts was a
measure resolved upon at the first Conference held after
the death of Mr. "Wesley, and was intended to meet cases of
emergency which, during his life, had been submitted to his
personal decision. But in the gradual development of Wes-
leyan Methodism, District Meetings have become most im-
portant parts of its economy ; and the Financial and Annual
District Meetings, in particular, are essential to the carrying
out of our Connexional system.
Every District Committee is properly a Committee of the
Conference, to which body its Minutes are to be presented, and
its recommendations and suggestions reported. The Chair-
man of each District is appointed by the Conference, by the vote,
taken by ballot, of all the Ministers in Full Connexion who are
present ; and, on his election, he names the Minister in his Dis-
trict whom he considers most eligible for the office of Financial
Secretary, who is appointed simply on his nomination.
The Financial District Meeting, though inferior in import-
ance to the Annual District Meeting, may be properly con-
sidered first, as it is held very soon after the Conference, and
is empowered to make arrangements which must necessarily
affect the working of Methodism in the several Circuits of
the District throughout the year.
This Meeting is convened by the Chairman, in the month
of September, early enough to allow of its conclusions being
made known to the Michaelmas Quarterly Meetings of the
several Circuits. The Chairman is required not only to
THE FINANCIAL DISTRICT MEETING. Cl
apprise the Superintendents of the time and place of the
Meeting, who are to inform their colleagues, but to send a
Circular of invitation to each of the Lay members of the
Meeting, soliciting their attendance, specifying the business
to be brought forward, and particularly mentioning any sub-
ject that may have been specially remitted by the Conference
to its consideration. (Min., 1872, vol. xviii., p. 652.)
The Members of the Financial District Committee include
the Ministers of the District who are in Full Connexion, the
Circuit Stewards of each Circuit, and the Lay Officers herein-
after specified. It is not binding on all the Ministers of the
District to be present, as in the case of the Annual District
Meeting; but the Superintendents of Circuits are required to
attend, and the presence of as many other Ministers as can
arrange to come is very desirable.
The Lay members of the Meeting, besides the Circuit
Stewards, are the District Treasurer of the Children's Fund,
the District Treasurer of the "Worn-out Ministers' and Minis-
ters' "Widows' Fund, the District Treasurer of the Foreign
Missionary Society, the Treasurer of the District Sustentation
Fund, the District Treasurer of the Schools' Fund, and any Lay
General Treasurer of one of our Connexional Funds, being a
Member of the Society, and resident in the District, together
with the Lay Members of the District Chapel Sub-Committee
elected the previous year, the Lay Members of the District
Sunday-school Sub- Committee, and any Member of the Dis-
trict Home Mission Sub-Committee, who would not otherwise
be a member of the District Committee. During the transac-
tion of Missionary affairs, the District Missionary Secretaries
are earnestly invited to be present. The Financial Secretary
of the District is, ex offido, the Secretary of the Financial
District Meeting.
The ordinary and regular business of the Financial District
Meeting comprehends the distribution of the Grant from the
Home Mission and Contingent Fund for ordinary deficiencies
in the dependent Circuits of the District; the provision to
62 THE FINANCIAL UlSTRICT MEETING.
additional Ministers' houses ; arrangements for holding Home
Missionary Meetings in the several Circuits ; the settlement of
the amount to be contributed by the Circuits respectively
towards the quota to be raised by the District for the Children's
Fund ; the appointment of the District Treasurer of that
Fund, and of the District Treasurer of the Worn-out Ministers'
and Ministers' "Widows' Fund; the appointment of the District
Probationers' Examination Secretary, and fixing the place of
the Central Examination ; the appointment of the District
Education Secretary, and arrangements for the Examination of
Pupil Teachers in Religious Knowledge ; the appointment of
the District Sunday-School Sub- Committee, and the District
Home Mission Sub-Committee, with its Secretary ; the appoint-
ment of the Treasurer and Committee of the District Sustenta-
tation Fund ; the appointment of the District Temperance
Secretary; the appointment of the District Chapel Sub-
Committee, with its Secretary or Secretaries ; the consideration
of Chapel cases ; the arrangements for holding the Anniversary
Meetings on behalf of Foreign Missions throughout the District,
and the consideration of the expenses incurred in the previous
year in holding such Anniversaries. The several particulars
now mentioned are given more fully in the Order and Form
of Business directed by the Conference to be transacted in the
May and September Meetings of District Committees; in which
Manual the Minutes of the Conference bearing on each
subject are quoted at length. To this Manual, which will be
found of essential service to all members of District Committees,
the reader is referred for more minute information. The
leading duties devolving on the several District Officers above
referred to are specified in Chapter ix. of this Part of the
present work.
The constitution of the Annual District Meeting, which
assembles in May, is similar to that of the Financial District
Meeting, with one or two important modifications. All the
Ministers and Preachers on trial are required to be present,
THE ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING. 63
unless prevented by illness, in which case a dispensation is
granted ; though Preachers on trial have no vote on any sub-
ject brought forward. During a considerable portion of the
proceedings, the Ministers and Preachers on trial only are
present ; while in the transaction of all financial and general
business, the Circuit Stewards and the other Lay Members
of the District Committee are associated with them. In the
event of any Circuit Steward declaring at the March Quarterly
Meeting his inability or unwillingness to attend the Annual
District Meeting, that Quarterly Meeting has power to elect a
representative in his place ; and the substitute thus regularly
chosen is a member of the District Committee. This provision,
however, applies only to the Annual District Meeting, and does
not extend to the Financial District Meeting. It is the duty
of the Chairman to summon the District Committee in May,
by Circulars addressed respectively to Superintendents of
Circuits for themselves and their colleagues, and to each of
the Lay members of the Committee. In this last Circular he
is required to 'specify the business that will be brought
forward, particularly mentioning any subject that may have
been particularly remitted by the Conference to the considera-
tion of such Meeting.' (Min., 1872, vol. xviii., p. 652.) The
Secretary of the Annual District Meeting is chosen at the
commencement of its proceedings, after singing, the reading
of a portion of Scripture, and prayer, by ballot of the Ministers
present.
During the Pastoral Session of the District Committee,
which precedes the transaction of the financial and general
business, the question of ministerial character and ability first
engages attention. The questions asked respecting every
Minister and Preacher on trial are : ' Is there any objection to
his moral and religious character ? Does he believe and preach
our Doctrines? Has he duly observed and enforced our
Discipline? And has he competent abilities for our Itinerant
work ? ' It is, of course, held that, if there be opportunity,
any complaint which a member of the Meeting may design to
64 THE ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING.
allege against another should be previously communicated to
him ; but the District Committee has power to institute any
inquiries which may appear to be proper and requisite. The
Conference has expressly affirmed that ' District Committees,
whether Ordinary or Special, have the right to institute, in
their official and collective character, any inquiry or investiga-
tion which they may deem expedient into the moral, Christian,
or Ministerial conduct of any Preacher within their several
Districts, even although no formal or regular accusation may
have been previously announced on the part of any individual ;
and have also the authority of coming to such decisions there-
upon, as to them may seem most conformable to the laws of the
New Testament, and to the rules and usages of our Connexion.'
The Chairman has the official right to originate such inquiries.
' Any Preacher who refuses to submit to the friendly examina-
tion of the Chairman and of other brethren, or to take his trial,
regularly and formally, before the Preachers of an Ordinary or
of a Special District Committee, when duly required so to do,
shall be considered as, ipso facto, incurring the penalty of sus-
pension until the ensuing Conference.' (Min., 1835, vol. vii.,
pp. 549, 550.)
In connection with this inquiry into Ministerial character,
if any Minor District Meeting has been held since the Con-
ference, the Minutes of that Meeting, together with any
appeal against its decisions, must be read and carefully con-
sidered by the Annual District Meeting; and the judgment
of the District Committee, whether confirming, modifying, or
reversing the decision of the Minor District Meeting, duly
recorded. Other appeals, too, which may be made direct to
the Annual District Meeting, without the intervention of a
Minor District Meeting, must also be considered. On all
cases of discipline brought before it, the Annual District
Meeting has power to adjudicate, subject to an appeal to the
Conference, to which body the ultimate decision, in every case,
belongs.
Some other questions bearing on the observance of our
THE ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING. 65
rules by the Ministers follow this formal inquiry into
Ministerial character; and the District Committee then pro-
ceeds to inquire whether any Minister or Preacher on trial
has died during the year, and to place on its records a brief
notice of his character and labours. The retirement of
Ministers, through age or infirmity, from the active work of
the Ministry is then considered, together with the return to
the work of a Circuit of any who had rested for a shorb time.
The number of Members in the Society, and in Junior Society-
classes, as well as the attendance of the Military at our
Chapels and at Class, is reported ; and special inquiry is made
whether the Regulations adopted by the Conference for the
employment of Home Missionary Ministers, Army and Navy
Ministers, and District Missionaries have been faithfully
observed ; and a Report, in each case, is made of the work of
these brethren during the year. The important subjects of
Pastoral Visitation and the Religious Oversight of the Young
are then considered ; and the Superintendents of the several
Circuits have to say, with regard to themselves and their
Colleagues, whether the directions of the Conference on these
subjects have been observed. The state of the Work of God
in the District next passes under review ; and, after the
reading of the Liverpool Minutes, before referred to, on
Ministerial and Pastoral duties, a conversation on some of the
topics suggested takes place. The District Probationers'
Examination Secretary then presents his Report of the Results
of the Central Examination, held in the preceding April,
of the Preachers on trial in the District; and the Book-lists
of these brethren are read, and suggestions offered to them.
In this Session, or a later one, of the District Committee, when
consisting of Ministers only, Candidates for Ordination, whose
four years' period of probation is about to expire, are
examined, and their cases are individually considered, that the
District Committee may report on each to the Conference ; the
continuance of other Preachers on trial is sanctioned and
recorded : and Candidates for the Minibtry are examined, and
66 THE ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING.
the case of each is minutely inquired into and carefully dis-
cussed. The Meeting then enters upon the consideration of
any Resolutions provisionally adopted by the preceding Con-
ference during its Pastoral Session, that it may report its judg-
ment upon them to the ensuing Conference. (See Part II.,
Chapter ii., p. 26.)
It is usually found that the first day of the Annual District
Meeting does not suffice for the consideration of all these
subjects ; in which case some of them are reserved until the
final sitting of the Ministerial Members of the District Com-
mittee, when all the financial and general business has been
transacted. On the second day of the Annual District Meeting
the Lay members are associated with the Ministers. This is
the almost invariable rule : but the Conference has decided that,
should the Chairman of any District find that special circum-
stances exist in that District, which render another day
preferable to the second, as that on which the Lay members
should join the Ministers, he should be at liberty to act on his
own discretion in the matter.
The business which comes before the Annual District
Meeting, when consisting of Ministers and Laymen, is varied
and important. That which relates to the Home Mission and
Contingent Fund is taken first. The Yearly Collection from
each Circuit is paid in ; the total amount of collections and
subscriptions to the Fund is ascertained; and the District
Committee proceeds to appropriate to Home Missionary objects
within the District, or to the increase of Ministerial allowances
in feeble Circuits, three-fourths of the increase of these collections
and subscriptions upon the whole amount raised in the District
in the year ending at the Conference of 1878. Any claim for
extraordinary deficiencies, under the several heads of removal
expenses, afflictions, Circuit supplies, furniture for additional
Ministers' houses, grants to increase allowances, miscellaneous
and Connexions! expenses, is then considered, and, if approved,
is recommended to the Home Missionary Committee and the
Conference. The subject of the provision of additional
THE ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING. 67
Ministers' houses is next taken up ; and the question is asked,
' Whether any special circumstances have arisen to render
necessary a change in the ordinary grant to the District ? ' The
District Home-Mission Sub-Committee then presents its Eeport
of the work done in the District by the Lay Agents, if any,
whom it recognises ; and afterwards the District Sustentation
Fund Committee brings in its Eeport.
The business of the election of Representatives is next
entered upon ; being assigned to this position in the order
of business, in order to insure the presence of all the Lay
members of the Meeting, some of whom, in certain Districts,
might not be able to arrive in time for the commencement of
the sitting. The Representative to the Stationing Committee
is first chosen, by the united votes of the Ministers and Lay-
men ; and the Lay Representatives to the ensuing Conference,
when consisting of Ministers and Laymen, are elected by the
separate votes of the Laymen, taken by ballot after nomination ;
such nomination belonging to the Lay members of the Meeting
only.
At this stage of the business it may be proper to introduce
the nomination of a Layman, according to the Resolutions
provisionally adopted by the Conference of 1881, to be recom-
mended to the Conference as a member of the Home-Mission
and Contingent Fund Committee, the nomination of a
Minister and Layman to be recommended to the Conference for
appointment as members of the Education Committee, and the
nomination of a Minister and a Layman to be recommended for
appointment as members of the Committee of the Fund for the
extension of Methodism in Great Britain. This last nomination
belongs only to the District Committees of Districts in England.
(See Appendix, No. V.)
The Meeting next proceeds to consider proposals for the
division of any Circuit within the District, or the alteration of
the boundaries of two or more Circuits ; together with applica-
tions for additional Ministers, for the appointment of a Home
Missionary Minister, or for the lessening of the number of
F2
68 THE ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING.
Ministers. The business of the "Worn-out Ministers' and
Ministers' "Widows' Auxiliary Fund is then taken up. The
District Treasurer reports the contributions to the Fund from
the several Circuits, including the amount of the Private Sub-
scriptions and of the Public Collections ; and the District Com-
mittee considers any peculiar case of affliction or distress to be
recommended to the Committee of this Fund.
Chapel affairs come next in order. Applications for relief
by grant are considered ; proposals to erect, purchase, enlarge,
or sell any Chapel or other Trust-property, or to introduce an
organ into any Chapel, are carefully gone into ; and inquiries
are made whether any Chapel or School-house has been opened
or re-opened since the last District Meeting, and, if so, whether
the conditions agreed upon with the General Chapel Committee
have been fulfilled, and whether any Chapel or other Trust-
property has been erected, purchased, enlarged, or sold, for
which the consent of the Chapel Committee had not been
obtained. The state of those Trusts in the case of which,
according to returns previously made, the regulations of the
Conference had not been observed, is carefnlly investigated. A
question is next asked respecting applications made to the
Charity Commissioners, or to any court of law or equity,
respecting any Wesleyan Trust-property in the District ;
whether such applications were duly sanctioned, and what has
been the result ; and then the District Chapel Sub-Committee
presents its Report, and the District Committee records its
opinion of the facts and suggestions which it contains.
The Educational affairs of the District next come under
consideration. The number and state of the Sunday, Week-
day, and Infant Schools are reported ; the efforts made to
promote the formation and success of such Schook are inquired
into ; and the question is asked, ' Whether any Wesleyan Day
School has been discontinued, or transferred to other manage-
ment since the last May District Meeting, and, if so, whether
the directions of the Conference relating thereto have been
observed ? '
THE ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING. 69
The business of the Children's Fund is then entered upon,
and afterwards that of the Schools' Fund ; various data bearing
upon the working of these Funds respectively being supplied.
The District Temperance Secretary next presents his Report of
the Temperance work in the District during the year.
Inquiries are then made respecting the amount of the collections
and subscriptions to our several Funds and their due remittance ;
and afterwards respecting the efficient working of the Circuit
organisations on behalf of our Foreign Missions, and the proper
application of the sums raised by Juvenile Home and Foreign
Missionary Associations.
The financial and general affairs of the District having
thus passed under review, the District Committee proceeds to
consider any Resolutions of the preceding Conference provision-
ally adopted during its Representative Session, and to record
its judgment upon them ; and then deliberates upon any
Suggestion to the ensuing Conference which any member of
the Committee may propose.
It will be obvious that the mass of business which, in large
Districts, comes under these various heads, will often require
more than a single day for consideration ; in which case the
Lay members of the Meeting are earnestly requested to join
the Ministers on the following morning, and to remain until all
the matters now specified have been dealt with. It is often
found, also, to be expedient to deviate from the precise order
of business which has now been stated, so as to secure the
presence of the largest number of Laymen when the most
important subjects are considered ; and the Chairman of the
District, with the consent of the Meeting, exercises his discretion
in the matter.
"When the Lay members of the Meeting have retired, the
Ministers resume their Pastoral Session, and take up any
questions which tj|ey may have left over from their former
sitting. The question is then proposed, ' What Ministers have
permission to attend the ensuing Conference during its Pastoral
Session ? ' And when this is settled, the District Committee
70 THE ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING.
proceeds to elect, from among the Ministers allocated to attend
the Conference during its Pastoral Session, the Ministers who
are to represent the District in the Conference during its
Representative Session. The number allocated to each District
is stated in the Minutes of the preceding Conference ; but this
number does not include the Chairman of the District, nor
Members of the Legal Conference who may declare at the May
District Meeting their intention to attend the Conference, nor
Ministers chosen by the preceding Conference to complete the
representation of Departments, nor any Assistant Secretary of
the Conference who may not be a Member of the Legal Con-
ference. All these are recognised as members of the Conference
during its Representative Session, besides those elected by the
District Committee. The mode of election is by ballot after
nomination. (Min., 1877, vol. xx., p. 420.)
The last question relates to Suggestions which the District
Committee when composed of Ministers only, may wish to make
to the ensuing Conference. It is obviously proper, though not
absolutely enjoined, that any Minister who wishes to bring for-
ward any such Suggestion, should give notice to the Chair-
man at an earlier part of the Meeting.
Such is a general outline of the business of the Annual
District Meeting ; and it will be perceived that the proceedings
of the several District Committees, in their annual assembly,
prepare the way for the transaction of some of the most
important business of the Conference. For a more minute
specification of the business now traced in outline, the reader is
again referred to the Order and Form of Business directed by
the Conference to be transacted in. the May and September Meetings
of District Committees, and to the extracts from the Minutes of
the Conference given in that Manual.
In some years the Conference directs that the Reports of
Committees appointed to sit during the year on special
subjects shall be laid before the several District Meetings
in May ; so that the final Reports of those Committees, to
be presented to the ensuing Conference, shall be framed after
THE ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING. 71
a careful consideration of the views expressed by the several
District Committees. These Reports are introduced during
the Pastoral or the Representative Session of the District
Committee, according to the nature of the subjects to which
they refer. It is also provided, by a Rule passed in 1815,
that ' no new proposal which is designed to effect a general
augmentation of the income of the Preachers, in the Connexion
at large, shall be definitively adopted as a rule, until it shall
have received the assent of a majority of the District Meetings
throughout the kingdom, at the time when the financial affairs
of the Districts are transacted.' (Min., vol. iv., pp. 130, 131.)
CHAPTEE VIII.
DISTRICT ORGANISATION: THE MINOR DISTRICT MEETING - THE
SPECIAL DISTRICT MEETING THE MIXED DISTRICT MEETING.
Minor District Meeting was instituted in the year
-1- 1793, as affording a convenient and suitable method of
investigating charges preferred against Ministers or Preachers
on trial which must otherwise have been submitted to all the
Ministers of the District. The Eegulations adopted in that
year were as follows :
' If any Preacher be accused of immorality, the Preacher accused
and his accuser shall respectively choose two Preachers of their
District ; and the Chairman of the District shall, with the four
Preachers chosen as above, try the accused Preacher ; and they
shall have authority, if he be found guilty, to suspend him till the
ensuing Conference, if they judge it expedient.
' If there be any difference between the Preachers in a District,
the respective parties shall choose two Preachers ; and the Chairman
of the District, with the four Preachers so chosen, shall be final
arbiters to determine the matters in dispute.
' In both cases the Chairman shall have a casting voice, in case
of an equality.' (Min., vol. i., pp. 289, 290.)
In the year 1870 the Conference adopted the following
Rule, which is now found among its Standing Orders :
' In all cases in which the holding of a Minor District Meeting is
rendered necessary, such Meeting, except under the Regulation
passed by the Conference in 1840 (Mm., vol. ix., p. 94), shall be
held in the District in which the accused party resides, the accused
and the accuser selecting respectively two Ministers from the said
District, who, with the Chairman thereof, shall constitute the Minor
District Meeting.' (Min., vol. xviii., p. 154.)
To this the Conference appended the following Eule,
adopted in the year 184i, and which is included in its
Standing Orders :
THE MINOR DISTRICT MEETING. 73
' Should either party refuse or decline to choose two Ministers,
to act as Members of the Meeting, the Chairman is empowered and
directed to nominate them, so that the number required by Rule may
be made up.' (Min., 1880, p. 261.)
The Regulation referred to as passed in 1840 was designed
to meet the case of charges being preferred against a Minister
who has removed from the District in which the facts are
alleged to have taken place. It is as follows :
'When the accused Preacher's Circuit is so distant from the
locality in which the charges arise that, in the judgment of the
Chairman of his District, sanctioned by the concurrent opinion of
the President, a serious hindrance would be caused to the attendance
of witnesses, it is resolved that the case may be tried in a Minor or
Regular District Meeting of that District from which the charges
are preferred ; but the proceedings shall be fully reported to the
Chairman of the District in which the Preacher is stationed, to the
May District Meeting of that District, and to the President of the
Conference.' (Min., vol. ix., p. 94.)
The Minor District Meeting has power to suspend a Min-
ister or Preacher on trial from the exercise of his functions ;
but, in every such case, the Minutes of the Meeting must
be sent by the Chairman of the District to the President
of the Conference, when requesting that a supply may be
sent for the Preacher so suspended. Prom the sentence of
a Minor District Meeting there lies an appeal to the Annual
District Meeting, which, indeed, is bound to review the
proceedings of any Minor District Meeting held before it
assembles, and to record its judgment thereon. From the
decision of both these Meetings there lies an appeal to the
Conference, of which, however, notice must be given to the
Chairman of the District. A similar notice must be given in
the case of an appeal from a Minor District Meeting to the
Annual District Meeting.
There is one case in which the Chairman of a District is
at liberty to decline the summoning of a Minor District
Meeting, to investigate charges against a Minister or Preacher
on trial ; but even in this case an appeal is allowed to the
Annual District Meeting or to the Conference. The case is
74 THE MINOR DISTRICT MEETING.
specified in the following Minute, adopted in 1876 : ' The
Conference declares that if, in any case, it appears to the
Chairman of a District that a demand for a Minor District
Meeting rests upon charges which are frivolous or vexatious,
it is deemed to be within his discretionary power to decline
to summon such a Meeting, subject, however, to an appeal
to the District Committee, or to the Conference, on the part of
any of the persons concerned.' (Min., vol. xx., pp. 156, 157.)
The provision of the Minor District Meeting is available
also for another class of cases. When a member of the
(Society has been expelled from it, and feels himself aggrieved
by this act of the Superintendent, he is entitled to appeal to
a Minor District Meeting. This arrangement was adopted
in the year 1835 : ' An excluded person shall have the right
of selecting any two Preachers of the District to which his
Circuit belongs, and the Superintendent shall select two other
such Preachers; and these four, with the Chairman of the
District (or, if it happen that the Chairman is himself the
Superintendent whose act is impugned, then some other
Preacher, to be chosen by the four other members as their
Chairman pro tempore), shall meet in some convenient place,
and shall have the power of modifying, reversing, or con-
firming the sentence against which such appeal shall be made.
Their decision shall, in such case, be binding on all parties,
unless subsequently altered, on further appeal, by the full
District Committee, or by the Conference.' (Min., vol. vii.,
pp. 581, 582.) In illustration of the last clause, it is
sufficient to quote a preceding passage of the Minute from
which this extract is taken : ' In all cases of dissatisfaction
with the sentence of expulsion pronounced by a Superinten-
dent, the aggrieved person shall have, as heretofore, the right
of appeal to the Annual Meeting of the Preachers of his
District, and even, if still dissatisfied, to the Conference;
who will hear him by a Committee, or by a special Deputa-
tion, and endeavour to decide according to truth and to the
requirements of Holy Scripture and of our discipline.'
THE SPECIAL DISTRICT MEETING. 75
Since 1852 there has been no right of appeal to a Minor
District Meeting from the verdict of a Leaders' Meeting,
alleged to have been adopted in the spirit of faction, and to
be notoriously inconsistent with the facts proved. Should
such a case occur, the appeal lies, in the first instance, to a
Special Circuit Meeting, the constitution of which is explained
in Chapter x. of this Part of the present work.
This arrangement, adopted in the year 1852, when the
constitution of Quarterly Meetings was first authoritatively
defined, will be found, it is hoped, to render unnecessary the
summoning of Special District Meetings; but provision is
made for the intervention of the collective Pastorate of a
District, in certain extreme cases, to maintain godly order
and discipline. This was expressly affirmed in the Rules
adopted in 1852 :
' In most instances it is highly probable that a verdict which,
from any cause, may have been given by a Leaders' Meeting " in
contradiction to law and evidence " will, on a re-hearing of the case
by a Special Circuit Meeting, appointed by the Quarterly Meeting,
be corrected. But should the result unhappily show that the spirit
of faction, or any other misleading influence, so extensively prevails
in the Circuit as to prevent the ordinary administration of godly
discipline, in such case it is to be understood that the Superinten-
dent retains the right of appeal to the collective Pastorate of the
District ; and that the District Committee may then interpose by
virtue of the powers with which it was originally invested in 1791,
and which from that time it has exercised in great emergencies, and
may adopt such measures (disciplinary or otherwise) as it may deem
necessary to meet the " critical case " in question (Min., 1791, vol. i.,
pp. 249, 250), and to maintain discipline and order in the disturbed
Circuit " till the meeting of the next Conference, when the Chair-
man of the Committee shall lay the Minutes of its proceedings before
the Conference.' (Ibid.)
' Should the Quarterly Meeting refuse to appoint a Special
Meeting to re-hear the case, or should the persons appointed refuse
to give any verdict, the Superintendent may, at once, appeal, in the
usual form, to the District Committee.' (Min., vol. xii., pp. 113, 114.)
The constitution of Special District Meetings was modified,
in one important particular, in the year 1835. They include,
of course, all the Ministers in Full Connexion with the Con-
76 THE SPECIAL DISTRICT MEETING.
ference, stationed in the District in question ; but provision
is made for other parties to be associated with them. In the
year 1797 it was resolved : ' That no Chairman may have
cause to complain of the want of power, in cases which
(according to his judgment) cannot be settled in the ordinary
District Meeting, he shall have authority to summon three
of the nearest Superintendents, to be incorporated with the
District Committee, who shall have equal authority to vote,
and settle everything till the Conference.' (Min., vol. i.,
p. 395.) But in 1835 the following Resolution was passed :
' In reference to the constitution of Special District Meetings, on
whatever subject such Meetings may hereafter be deemed necessary,
and in order to render their decisions satisfactory to our people, the
Conference resolves that, instead of " three of the nearest Superin-
tendents," chosen by the Superintendent who calls the meeting,/owr
Superintendents, or other Preachers, may be called in, if either party
desire such assistance, and be incorporated with the Preachers
stationed in the District. Of these two shall be chosen by each of the
two parties concerned in the affairs to be settled by the Meeting.
The parties may severally make choice of Preachers in whom they
have most confidence, from any District, without restriction as to
contiguity ; and the President of the Conference, if he judge it
expedient, may attend and preside in all such assemblies, according
to the Regulations of 1797. The right of appeal to the Conference
from the decisions of this, as of all other inferior jurisdictions, is to
be considered as reserved to all parties.' (Min., vol. vii., p. 583.)
It is proper here to introduce a Regulation adopted in
1795, and embodied in the Plan of Pacification, to meet the
one case of a charge formally preferred against a Minister
appointed to a particular Circuit, by a majority of the
Trustees, or a majority of the Stewards and Leaders of any
Society in that Circuit, as being immoral, erroneous in doc-
trine, deficient in abilities, or as having broken some one or
more of certain new Regulations then agreed upon. The
arrangement in question occurs in a series of Resolutions,
intended to define and limit the power of Trustees, as to the
supply of the pulpits of which they are put in trust :
' The appointment of Preachers shall remain solely with the Con-
THE MIXED DISTRICT MEETING. 77
ference ; and no Trustee, or number of Trustees, shall expel or
exclude from their chapel or chapels any Preacher so appointed.
4 Nevertheless, if the majority of the Trustees, or the majority of
the Stewards and Leaders, of any Society believe that any Preacher
appointed for their Circuit ' is immoral, erroneous in doctrine,
deficient in abilities, or that he has broken any of the Rules above-
mentioned, they shall have authority to summon the Preachers of
the District, and all the Trustees, Stewards, and Leaders of the
Circuit, to meet in their chapel on a day and hour appointed (suf-
ficient time being given). The Chairman of the District shall be
the President of the assembly; and every Preacher, Trustee, Steward,
aad Leader shall have a single vote, the Chairman possessing also
the casting voice. And if the majority of the Meeting judge that
the accused Preacher is immoral, erroneous in doctrine, deficient in
abilities, or has broken any of the Rules above-mentioned, he shall
be considered as removed from that Circuit ; and the District Com-
mittee shall, as soon as possible, appoint another Preacher for that
Circuit, instead of the Preacher so removed ; and shall determine
among themselves how the removed Preacher shall be disposed of
till the Conference ; and shall have authority to suspend the said
Preacher from all public duties till the Conference, if they judge
proper. The District Committee shall also supply, as well as
possible, the place of the removed Preacher, till another Preacher
be appointed. And the Preacher thus appointed, and all other
Preachers, shall be subject to the above mode of trial. And if the
District Committee do not appoint a Preacher for that Circuit,
instead of the removed Preacher, within a month after the aforesaid
removal, or do not fill up the place of the removed Preacher till
another Preacher be appointed, the majority of the said Trustees,
Stewards, and Leaders, being again regularly summoned, shall
appoint a Preacher for the said Circuit, provided he be a member
of the Methodist Connexion, till the ensuing Conference.' (J/wi.,
vol. i., p. 341.)
A Meeting constituted as above has been termed the
Mixed District Meeting; but it is important to note that the
expression ' the District Committee,' in the preceding quota-
tion, applies not to this mixed Assembly, but to the Ministers
of the District with the Chairman at their head.
CHAPTEE IX.
DISTRICT ORGANISATION: DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE CHAIRMAN
OF A DISTRICT OTHER DISTRICT OFFICERS.
MANY of the duties devolving on the Chairmen of Dis-
tricts have been already indicated in the two preceding
Chapters, in which the constitution and proceedings of the
Financial and Annual District Meetings, together with the
summoning of Minor and Special District Meetings, and the
action which these Meetings may respectively take, have
been stated. The Chairman convenes the District Committee,
appoints the time and place of its meeting, and presides over
its deliberations, being held 'responsible to the Conference,'
though ' in conjunction with his brethren of the Committee,'
' for the execution of the kws, as far as his District is con-
cerned.' (Min., 1797, vol. i., p. 395.) He is the Chairman,
also, ex officio, of the various District Sub-Committees, the
District Chapel Sub-Committee, the District Sunday School
Sub- Committee, the District Home Mission Sub-Committee,
and the Committee of the District Sustentation Fund, if
there be one.
But other duties devolve upon the Chairman of a Dis-
trict, in the intervals of the assembling of the District
Committee.
1. He is required, for instance, ' to visit each Circuit in
his District to which only one Minister is appointed, at least
twice in each year, wherever it is at all practicable, and, if
possible, at the time of holding a Quarterly Meeting.' (Min.,
1842, vol. ix, p. 397.)
2. When applied to by the Superintendent of a Circuit in
his District, it is his duty, if possible, to attend the Quarterly
DUTIES OF CHAIRMEN OF DISTRICTS. 79
Meeting of that Circuit. In 1797 the Conference recom-
mended to the Superintendents of Circuits, ' to invite, on all
important occasions, the Chairman of their respective Dis-
trict to be present at their Quarterly Meetings.' (Min., vol. i.,
p. 395.)
3. On other occasions, too, it may become the duty of a
Chairman to visit some of the Circuits in his District. In
the year 1844, in answer to the question, ' How may the
experience, counsel, and supervision of our Chairmen of Dis-
tricts be rendered more available in cases of special difficulty
or emergency ? ' we find the Resolution : ' Each Chairman is
authorised to visit, officially, any Circuit in his District to
which he shall be invited by the Superintendent, or respecting
which, after consultation with the Superintendent, he shall be
satisfied that his timely assistance or intervention may be
necessary or salutary, for the preservation of Christian peace
and order, or for the faithful and judicious execution of our
entire Connexional economy and discipline.' (Min., vol. x.,
p. 90.)
But this provision for the ' timely assistance or inter-
vention' of the Chairman of a District does not empower
him, except in very special cases, to supersede the Super-
intendent of a Circuit in the administration of discipline.
In the year 1827 the Conference adopted the two following
Resolutions :
' (i.) That except in cases expressly provided for by the Confer
ence, viz., the Circuit Quarterly Meeting and the Special Circuit
Meeting, the Chairman of the District ought not so far to set aside
the office and responsibility of the Superintendent of a Circuit, as
to take the chair at any meeting for the administration of discipline
in any Circuit other than his own, unless a District Committee, in
special circumstances, otherwise direct.
' (ii.) That, even in such special circumstances, unless a District
Committee otherwise direct, the Superintendent should be respon-
sible for administering, after consultation with the Chairman and
his own colleagues, any measures of discipline which may be deemed
necessary.' (Min., vol. xviii., p. 650.)
80 DUTIES OF CHAIRMEN OF DISTRICTS.
4. In the event of a Special Circuit Meeting being required
in any Circuit (see the following Chapter), the Chairman of
the District is to preside at that Meeting ; and, in case of his
unavoidable absence, he is to appoint some other Minister of
the District to preside in his place.
5. The Chairman of a District is to take the oversight of
any District Missionary who may be appointed to his District ;
and should the District Missionary 'work in places not in-
cluded in any Circuit, he is to be directed in his operation by
the Chairman of the District, in conjunction with the District
Home-Mission Sub-Committee.' (Min., 1879, p. 236.)
6. In the case of any Station without a number, 'in
reference to which it is provided that the Minister appointed
to it shall act under the direction of the Chairman of the
District, the Chairman is to act as the Superintendent of that
Station.' (Min., 1878, p. 184.)
7. All applications to the President for Circuit-supplies
on occasion of sickness and various casualties are to be made
through the Chairman of the District, who is required 'to
satisfy himself, by personal inquiry, that a local supply
cannot be obtained.' (Min., 1881, Standing Orders, No. 7,
p. 304.)
We have already adverted to the Eule adopted by the Con-
ference in reference to the trial of the Chairman of a District.
So important is the relation in which he stands to the whole
District, that a charge preferred against him cannot be
brought before a Minor District Meeting, but must be
investigated by the full Ministerial District Committee, that
investigation being presided over by the President of the
Conference. The Eule is as follows :
'In case of any complaint arising against the Chairman of a
District in Great Britain, in reference either to his personal or
his official conduct, the accuser, after duly apprising the Chairman
of his intention, shall place his complaint in the hands of the Pre-
sident of the Conference for the time being, who shall have autho-
rity (if he deem such a course necessary or expedient) to summon
a meeting of such Preachers in the District as are in Full Connexion
DUTIES OF FINANCIAL SECRETARIES. 81
with the Conference, and to place the Chairman on his trial before
them ; when, if the guilt of the accused be proved, the Meeting, in
conjunction with the President, shall have power to suspend him
till the ensuing Conference, or to depose him from the chair, and to
elect another Chairman in his place.' (Min., 1837, vol. xvii., p. 156.)
This Rule does not apply to an appeal against a sentence
of expulsion pronounced by the Chairman of a District in the
capacity of Superintendent of a Circuit, which may be heard by
a Minor District Meeting, as stated in the preceding Chapter,
p. 74.
The Conference of 1867, which enacted the preceding
Rule, made provision also for the supply of a vacancy in the
Chair of any District in Great Britain, caused by the death
or incapacity of the Chairman appointed by the Conference, or
otherwise. The Minute bearing on the subject has been
quoted in Chapter iv. of this Part of the present work,
in connection with the duties of the President during the
intervals of the meeting of the Conference.
The office of Financial Secretary of a District was first
created in the year 1831, with a view more particularly to
relieve the Chairmen of Districts of the financial business
which had previously devolved upon them in connection with
the Conference. The duties of this office involve, especially
in large Districts, considerable labour. The Financial Secre-
tary has to prepare an arrangement for the Children's Fund
to be submitted to the Financial District Meeting; and to
furnish the District Treasurer of that Fund with a Copy of
the arrangements which that Meeting may adopt. Before
the Annual District Meeting, he has to prepare various lists,
from data furnished to him, to facilitate the transaction of its
business. At that Meeting he is to receive the Yearly Col-
lection from the several Circuits, which he is to remit imme-
diately afterwards to the Financial Secretary of the Home
Mission and Contingent Fund; and he is also to receive the
Collections and Subscriptions for the Education Fund, which
he is to remit to the Treasurer of that Fund. To him, also,
s
82 DUTIES OF FINANCIAL SECRETARIES.
the private Subscriptions for the "Worn-out Ministers' and
Ministers' "Widows' Fund are to be paid, on or before the
first day of each Conference. At the Conference he has to
receive the several amounts granted from the Home Mission
and Contingent Fund to Circuits or Ministers, which may not
have been previously paid, and the allowances to Supernu-
merary Ministers and Ministers' "Widows in the District from
the Auxiliary Fund, together with the Annuities to which
they may be entitled from the Methodist Preachers' Annui-
tant Society, and to remit these amounts to them either
direct, or through their respective Superintendents.
It is usually the case that the Financial Secretary is
elected by the District Committee, at its Annual Meeting in
May, as the Secretary of that Meeting; in which case it
becomes his duty to send to the Secretaries of the several
Connexional Departments a copy of that portion of its
Minutes which relates to these Departments. It is customary,
also, for him to provide, on behalf of the Chairman, availing
himself of such help as he may be able to procure, ' three
complete copies of the Minutes of the several Annual and
other Meetings of the District Committees, transcribed accord-
ing to the order of time in which such Meetings shall have been
held, and duly signed by the Chairman and Secretary.' It is
required that ' one of these copies shall be inserted in the
District Records ; a second shall be reserved for the use
of the Chairman and Financial Secretary at the Conference ;
and a third shall be sent to the Senior Assistant Secretary, not
later than June 27th, and delivered by him to the President,
during the first week of each Conference, to be preserved,
under his direction, as a document appertaining to the Con-
nexion. The several copies of the last class shall be written
on foolscap paper, that they may be annually bound together
in one volume.' (Min., 1881, pp. 307, 308.)
The Financial Secretary of the District is, ex officio, a
Member of the District Chapel Sub-Committee, and the Dis-
trict Home Mission Sub-Committee.
DUTIES -OF VARIOUS DISTRICT OFFICERS. 83
The District Treasurer of the Children's Fund is to receive
the amounts due to that Fund from the Circuit Stewards of
those Circuits which have to make payments to it, since the sum
charged upon them exceeds the Connexional allowance to the
children of the Ministers stationed in them; and he is to
make payments to the Circuit Stewards of those Circuits
which have to receive from the Fund, since the Connexional
allowance to the children upon them exceeds the amount
with which they are charged. He is also to meet the claims
of the children of Supernumerary and Deceased Ministers in
the District ; and a List of these is to be placed in his hands.
The cases of children born during the year are to be met as
they arise, by arrangement between him and the Circuit
Stewards. (Min., 1868, vol. xvii., p. 371.)
The District Treasurer of the Worn-out Ministers' and
Ministers' Widows' Fund is to receive the contributions in the
Classes to that Fund made in the month of October, and to
remit the amount to the General Treasurers not later than
the month of December. (Min., 1842, vol. ix., p. 391). At the
May District Meeting he is to present a Report of the state of
the Fund in the several Circuits in the District, including the
Private Subscriptions and the Public Collections. The Public
Collections for this Fund are to be remitted by each Superin-
tendent to the General Treasurers ; and the Private Subscrip-
tions gathered in the month of May are to be paid to the
Financial Secretary.
The District Treasurer of the Foreign Missionary Society is
to receive the amounts raised in the several Circuits for the
Foreign Missions (the incidental and local expenses being
deducted), and to remit them without delay to the Deputy
Treasurer of the Society. In the General Regulations of the
Wesleyan-Methodist Missionary Society, it is required that
such remittances should be made to the District Treasurer
once every quarter or oftener, and that he also should
remit to the Treasurer or Deputy Treasurer, at least once a
quarter. The Conference of 1881 adopted a resolution,
G 2
84 DUTIES OF VARIOUS DISTRICT OFFICERS.
requesting the Circuit Treasurers for Foreign Missions to
remit to the District Treasurers whenever they have five pounds
in hand, and requesting the District Treasurers to remit to the
Mission House whenever they have twenty-Jive pounds from
any or all sources.
The Treasurer of the District Sustentation Fund is to take
charge of the amounts contributed to that Eund, and to make
the payments ordered by the Committee.
The District Treasurer of the Schools' Fund is to receive the
Subscriptions and Collections made in the month of November
in the several Circuits of the District; and to remit these
amounts on the first Wednesday of the month, to the General
Treasurers for the time being, together with the lists of sub-
scribers' names. (Min., 1881, pp. 226, 227.)
The District Probationers' Examination Secretary has to
take charge of the Central Examination of the Preachers on
Trial in the District, to transmit the Examination Papers
written by them to the General Secretaries, and to report to
the May District Meeting the results of the Examination.
The special duty of the District Education Secretary is ' to
receive and classify the customary Day and Sunday School
Schedules, to present to the May District Meeting a general
statement or review of the whole, and to forward to the
General Committee the Circuit and District Schedules, to-
gether with any Resolutions of the District Meeting on the
subject of education.' (Min., 1859, vol. xiv., pp. 300, 301.)
With regard to the Sunday School Schedules, the above
Minute has been modified by the arrangement, that the
District Education Secretary is to bring them under the con-
sideration of the District Sunday School Sub-Committee, at
a meeting held before, or during, the sittings of the District
Committee in May, together with the Keports and Balance
Sheets of any Provincial Centre or Book Depots of the Con-
nexional Sunday School Union ; and that Sub-Committee is
to report through him, who is, ex officio, its Secretary, on
these Keports ' and on the Sunday School work of the District
DUTIES OF VARIOUS DISTRICT OFFICERS. 85
generally, to the District Meeting, and to make such Suggestions
to it as they may think desirable.' (Min., 1875, vol. xix., p. 699.)
In the case of the Financial District Meeting arranging
for a Central Examination of the Pupil Teachers of the Dis-
trict in Religious Knowledge, the District Education Secre-
tary has to take charge of that Examination, and to forward
the written answers of the Pupil Teachers to the General
Secretary of the Education Committee, to be valued by a
Central Board of Examiners. Any Meetings of Teachers
and Pupil Teachers in a District, held in connection with
such Central Examinations, are to be under the direction of
the Chairman of the District and the District Education
Secretary. (Min., 1881, pp. 304, 305.)
The Ministerial District Chapel Secretary, with whom, if
possible, a Layman is to be associated in the discharge of
the duties of his office, has to receive all Schedules relating
to Chapel cases, and to present them to the Financial or the
Annual District Meeting; to arrange with the Chairman of
the District for meetings of the District Chapel Sub-Com-
mittee, when necessary, during the year ; to receive from the
several Superintendents, not later than April 20th in each
year, the Circuit Chapel Schedules, and carefully to examine
them, so as to be prepared to submit them to the District
Chapel Sub-Committee, at its Meeting prior to, or in con-
nection with, the May District Meeting ; and to present the
Report of that Sub-Committee, together with any Suggestions
which it may offer, to the District Committee.
The duties of the Secretary of the District Home-Mission
Sttb- Committee are connected specially with the working of
the Scheme for the Employment of Lay Agents, adopted by
the Conference of 1879. (Min., pp. 238240.) It is, in par-
ticular, his duty to present to the Annual District Meeting
the Report of the District Home-Mission Sub-Committee, as to
the work done by the Lay Agents whom they recognise ; and
to transmit a copy of that Report to the Connexional Home-
Mission Committee.
86 DUTIES OF VARIOUS DISTRICT OFFICERS.
The District Temperance Secretary is to receive ' all returns
and Reports from the Circuit Unions, Bands of Hope, and
Wesleyan-Methodist Temperance Societies' in the District.
Prom these he is ' to prepare a Report on the Temperance
work in the District, to submit the same to the District Meet-
ing in May, and afterwards forward it, with any Resolutions
of the District Meeting thereupon, to the Secretaries of the
General Temperance Committee.' (Min., 1879, pp. 205, 266.)
CHAPTEE X.
CIRCUIT ADMINISTRATION : QUARTERLY MEETINGS CIRCUIT
STEWARDS SPECIAL CIRCUIT MEETING.
AMONG the official Meetings connected with the Circuit
organisation of Methodism, the Quarterly Meeting holds
the most important place. This Meeting is frequently men-
tioned in the earlier Minutes of the Conference ; but its con-
stitution was, for a long period, undefined, and was, in fact,
governed by local usage. In a few Circuits it was held that
only the Ministers of the Circuit, the Circuit Stewards, and
the Society Stewards of the several Societies comprehended in
the Circuit, were properly members of the Meeting ; and if
other parties who had formerly filled some of these offices,
and who actually held other offices of great importance, were
permitted to attend, they could only take part in the pro-
ceedings by courtesy, and were not permitted to vote. In
other Circuits the Leaders and Local Preachers, and in others
the Trustees who were members of the Society in the Circuit,
were considered to be members of the Quarterly Meeting,
besides the Ministers, the Circuit Stewards, and the Society
and Poor Stewards. But in the year 1852 the constitution
of the Quarterly Meeting was defined by the Conference, and
new functions were conferred upon it. The Regulations then
adopted were, ' that the following parties, and no others, shall
be formally recognised as members of the Quarterly Meeting ;
namely :
' 1. All the Ministers and Preachers on trial in the Circuit, and
the Supernumeraries whose names appear in the printed Minutes of
the Conference.
' 2. The Circuit Stewards, all the Society Stewards, and the Poor
Stewards.
88 QUARTERLY MEETINGS.
' 3. All the Class Leaders in the Circuit.
' 4. All the Local Preachers of three years' continuous standing,
after having been twelve months on trial; they being resident
Members of Society in the Circuit.
' 5. All the Trustees of Chapels situate in places named on the
Circuit-plan; such Trustees being resident Members of Society in
the Circuit.' (Min., vol. xii., p. 111.)
la the year 1872 the last of these Regulations wag so far
modified as to include ' Trustees who are members of Society
in the Circuit, whether resident in the Circuit or not.' (Min.,
vol. xviii., pp. 652, 653.)
The Superintendent of the Circuit is, ex officio, the Chair-
man of the Quarterly Meeting, as of all other official meetings
in his Circuit, with the single exception of the Special Circuit
Meeting, the constitution and powers of which are afterwards
explained. The Superintendent fixes the time of the Quarterly
Meeting, usually very near to the regular quarter days, and
announces the time on the Plan of the Circuit.
The business of the Quarterly Meeting is varied and im-
portant. The financial affairs of the Circuit, as far as they
bear on the support of the Ministry, devolve upon it. The
Circuit Stewards meet the Society Stewards either at the
Quarterly Meeting or previously to it, which last is the more
convenient plan, where it is practicable, audit their accounts,
settle with the Ministers, and then present to the Meeting a
financial statement, showing the receipts and expenditure of
the quarter. The numbers in the several Societies in the
Circuit are reported by the Superintendent, and a conversa-
tion usually takes 'place on the State of the "Work of God.
The consent of the Quarterly Meeting is necessary in order to
the erection, enlargement, or purchase of any Chapel, School-
room, or other Trust-property. If in any Circuit a regular
Local Preachers' Meeting cannot be held, persons must be
proposed for the office of Local Preacher at the Quarterly
Meeting of the Circuit, and be approved by that Meeting.
Any proposal for the division of a Circuit, so as to create a
new Circuit, must be considered by the Quarterly Meeting, and
QUARTERLY MEETINGS. 89
its consent obtained, before the proposal can be brought before
the District Committee. The formal passing of any scheme of
this kind belongs properly to the March Quarterly Meeting ;
but it is of great importance to have preliminary consultation,
which must be arranged for by earlier Quarterly Meetings.
In addition to the business which belongs to all Quarterly
Meetings, each of the four has its special business, which it
may be convenient to state in order.
At the September Quarterly Meeting the Circuit Treasurer
of the Worn-out Ministers' and Ministers' Widows' Fund is
appointed. It is usual for the Superintendent to propose some
one for this office ; but he does not, in this case, possess the
exclusive right of nomination. At this Meeting, too, it is
binding on the Superintendent to read ' any new Rule for the
Societies at large ' which may have been adopted by the Con-
ference; and the Meeting has the power of suspending its
operation in that Circuit during the year. The Rule on this
subject, originally adopted in 1797, and modified in 1852, so as
to give greater liberty of action to the Quarterly Meeting, is
as follows :
1 It is determined, that if at any time the Conference see it
necessary to make any new Rule for the Societies at large, and such
Rule should be objected to at the first Quarterly Meeting in any
given Circuit ; and if the major part of that Meeting be of opinion
that the enforcing of such Rule in that Circuit will be injurious to
the prosperity of that Circuit : it shall not be enforced in opposition
to the judgment of such Quarterly Meeting, before the second Con-
ference. But, if the Rule be confirmed by the second Conference, it
shall be binding to the whole Connexion. Nevertheless, the Quar-
terly Meetings, rejecting a new Rule, shall not, by publications,
public meetings, or otherwise, make that Rule a cause of contention ;
but shall strive, by every means, to preserve the peace of the Con-
nexion.' (Jlfin., 1797, voL i., p. 393 ; 1852, vol. xii., p. 117.)
At the December Quarterly Meeting, the Circuit Stewards
are appointed or re-appointed. The nomination of them rests
exclusively with the Superintendent, and the approval, or
disapproval, with the Meeting. (Jfin., 1869, Compendium of
Regulations, vol. xvii., p. 624.) Circuits are entitled to have
90 QUARTERLY MEETINGS.
two Circuit Stewards ; but it is provided that ' any Station
in which the support of the Ministry devolves on the Home
Missionary Committee, the Station contributing only its Class
and Ticket money and Quarterly Collections, or else a specified
sum,' such a Station or Circuit not having yet assumed its full
Connexional responsibilities, ' should have one Circuit Steward.'
(Min., 1878, p. 184.)
At this Meeting, too, the time of the Annual United
Trustees' Meeting is fixed, and the Circuit Chapel Secretary
is appointed.
In those Circuits in which there are Juvenile Home and
Foreign Missionary Associations, and the arrangement has
been adopted, that one-third of the amount raised should be
expended ' in support of local movements of a directly Home
Missionary character,' that portion is to be expended ' under
the direction of the Superintendent and the Quarterly Meet-
ing, or of a Committee appointed by the December Quarterly
Meeting.' (Min., 1879, p. 226.)
The March Quarterly Meeting is, in some respects, the
most important of the four. To this Meeting belongs the in-
vitation of Ministers to continue their labours in the Circuit,
or of others to succeed them ; and the requests of the Quar-
terly Meeting on these points are to be conveyed by the
Circuit Stewards to the Representative of the District, and
by him to the Stationing Committee and the Conference.
Requests for additional Ministers, or proposals to lessen
the number of Ministers are also to be considered at this
Meeting. These requests, if adopted by the Quarterly Meet-
ing, are submitted to the Annual District Meeting; and, if
approved by the District Committee, are then brought under
the consideration of the Home Mission Committee, and, if sanc-
tioned by this Committee also, may be acted upon by the Con-
ference in its Pastoral Session. (Min., 1877, vol. xx., p. 423.)
Another provision affecting the Quarterly Meetings of
Circuits to which Army or Navy Ministers are appointed, is
the following :
QUARTERLY MEETINGS. 91
' The Quarterly Meetings of Circuits to which Army Ministers
are designated shall, when such appointments are proposed, be in-
vited to send representatives to meet the Army and Navy Committee
to arrange such details. In cases where more than one Circuit is
concerned, the authorities of each Circuit shall be consulted.' (Min.,
1879, p. 237.)
At the March Quarterly Meeting the Superintendent
nominates any Candidate for the Ministry whom he has
decided to bring forward ; and it belongs to that Meeting
either to approve the nomination, or to refuse to do so. The
Eules bearing on this subject are given in Chapter v. of
this Part of the present work, p. 44.
It is the duty of the Quarterly Meeting to meet the
expenses of Afflictions which may fall upon the Ministers, or
their families, appointed to the Circuit; these being properly
included among the ordinary Circuit liabilities. Before
application is made to the District Meeting and the Home
Mission Committee for a grant towards such expenses, the
claim must first be presented to the Quarterly Meeting, and
that Meeting must be asked to meet it. Ministers designing
to make any such application to the District Committee
should bring the matter, at the latest, before the March
Quarterly Meeting. The Rule, as settled in 1879, is as
follows :
' No grant for affliction shall be paid until the claim has first
been presented to the Quarterly Meeting of the Circuit from which
the application comes, and has been approved by the District Meet-
ing to which the Circuit belongs.' (Min., 1879, p. 229.)
At the March Quarterly Meeting the Circuit Stewards
are to be ' called upon to declare their ability and willingness
to attend the ensuing Annual Meeting of the District Com-
mittee in May, or the contrary. If they, or either of them,
shall declare inability or unwillingness to attend the said
District Committee, the Quarterly Meeting shall have the
right of electing by and from its own members, and by
open vote, a Representative or Representatives to supply the
vacancy or vacancies so created.' (Min., 1877, vol. xx., p. 421.)
92 QUARTERLY MEETINGS
In the election of a Substitute, under this Regulation, no right
of nomination belongs to the Superintendent.
The number of Members in the ' Junior Society Classes '
is to be reported annually to the Circuit Quarterly Meeting in
March. (Min., 1878, p. 185.)
The statistics of the Day and Sunday Schools in the
Circuit are to be presented to the March Quarterly Meeting,
and the state of these Schools is to be carefully considered.
If, however, sufficient time is not available for the proper
consideration of this subject, it is to take place at the June
Quarterly Meeting.
The Division of Circuits has been already adverted to.
The maturing of any scheme for this object properly belongs
to the March Quarterly Meeting. The Rules bearing on this
subject are as follows :
' No Circuits shall be divided till such division has been approved
of by their respective Quarterly Meetings, and signed by the General
Stewards.' (Min., 1797, vol. i., p. 391.) 'But the boundaries of
existing Circuits may be regulated, and partial alterations made,
without dividing them, or making any new Circuit ; and such
arrangements the District Meetings have authority to make, subject
however, to the decision of the Conference, if there be any appeal
against them.' (Min., 1809, vol. iii., p. 90.)
With regard to the former of these Rules, it should be ex-
plained, that the clause which requires the Resolution of the
Quarterly Meeting to be ' signed by the General Stewards,'
or Circuit Stewards, implies that the Resolution of that Meet-
ing is to be signed by them, as such, officially. Should either
of them disapprove of the proposed division, his personal
opinion may be stated at the District Meeting. In the case of
the proposed division of two Circuits, so as to create, out of
them, a third Circuit, the consent of the Quarterly Meeting
of each of the Circuits affected is required.
In the Compendium of Regulations, adopted by the Con-
ference of 1864, the Rule is more briefly given : ' No Circuit
shall be divided until such division has been approved by the
Quarterly Meeting.' (Min., 1869, vol. xvii., p. 625.)
QUARTERLY MEETINGS. 93
In the consideration of proposals for the division of
Circuits, it is required that special attention shall be directed
to the making of 'satisfactory arrangements for the Trust-
Estates affected by the proposed division, especially in reference
to any debts existing thereon/ (J/i'/i., 1870, vol. xviii., p. 154.)
The Boundaries of Circuits which are divided must be
fully stated in the Minutes of the District Meeting to which
they belong. A copy of this record is to be forwarded by the
Secretary of the District for insertion in the Minutes of the
Quarterly Meetings of the Circuits concerned. In all such
cases, copies of the ordnance maps, or other maps, of the
several localities concerned, coloured so as to show the
boundaries, must be deposited in the safes provided for the
custody of the Trust-deeds of the Circuits. These arrange-
ments are to be made likewise in all cases of alteration in the
boundaries of existing Circuits. (Afin., 1874, vol. xix., p. 454.)
The June Quarterly Meeting has its special business. It
has just been mentioned that if, as is frequently the case,
there is not sufficient time in March for the consideration
of the state of the Day and Sunday Schools, this subject is
to be taken up in June.
It is from the June Quarterly Meeting that Memorials to
the Conference must proceed. The Regulations bearing on
this subject, adopted in the year 1852, are as follows :
' 1. That should a majority of the June Quarterly Meeting, in
any Circuit, constituted according to the preceding definition ' (see
pp. 87, 88), ' be of opinion that it is desirable to address to the Con-
ference a Memorial on any Connexional subject, and agree to do so,
that Meeting itself, subject to the Regulations which follow, shall
have authority to adopt and transmit to the Conference such a
Memorial ; and at such Meeting any Member thereof may propose,
for consideration, the propriety of addressing a Memorial to the
Conference.
' 2. That not less than ten days previously to the June Quarterly
Meeting, a copy in writing shall be given to the Superintendent,
of the particular Motion or Resolution which any Member of the
Quarterly Meeting intends to propose as the basis of a Memorial
to the Conference ; and no proposal, of which such notice has not
been given, shall be brought forward that year. But should the
94 QUARTERLY MEETINGS.
Quarterly Meeting adopt the substance or principle of a Resolution
so brought forward, it may amend, as well as simply adopt or
reject it.
' 3. A Memorial, founded on such Motion or Resolution, if ap-
proved by a majority of the persons present, shall be signed by
them individually within a week afterwards. It shall then remain
with the Superintendent, who shall be responsible for its delivery
to the President of the ensuing Conference, on or before the second
day of its session. All Memorials thus received by the Conference
shall be referred to a Committee of its Members ; who shall care-
fully examine, consider, and classify the whole, and present their
Report thereon to the Conference.
' With regard to the subjects of such Memorials, the Conference
cannot entertain any proposals which are of a manifestly revolu-
tionary character, or subversive of that system of doctrine or dis-
cipline which has been confided to it as a sacred deposit by Mr.
"Wesley, and which, as it believes, has also been committed to its
keeping by the providence and grace of God ; neither can it sanction
such Memorials as involve a direct interference on the part of one
Circuit with the local affairs or proceedings of any other Circuit.'
(Min., vol. xii., pp. Ill, 112.)
In 1874 the Conference further resolved that ' in future,
no Memorial can be received from the June Quarterly Meeting,
except in manuscript.' (Min., vol. xix., p. 454.)
The scheme recently adopted for the employment of Lay
Agents, under the direction, in part, of the District Home-
Mission Sub-Committee, 'recognises the authority of the
Quarterly Meeting. It is, in particular, provided that ' the
District Home-Mission Sub-Committee shall approve only
such Lay Agents as may be recommended by the QuarterJy
Meeting of any Circuit ' ; and that * no such Lay Agent shall
be employed in any Circuit except on the Resolution of the
Quarterly Meeting, and every such Agent shall act under the
immediate direction of a Committee appointed by the Quar-
terly Meeting. The Quarterly Meeting, or its Committee,
shall have power to engage, remove, or dismiss him, giving
due notice thereof to the District Home-Mission Sub-Com-
mittee.' In superintending the transfer of accredited Lay
Agents from Circuit to Circuit, within a District, the District
Home-Mission Sub-Committee is to act ' in harmony with the
CIRCUIT STEWARDS. 95
Circuit Quarterly Meetings, or the Circuit Home-Mission
Committees.' The District Home-Mission Sub-Committee
is to 'determine, in conjunction with the Quarterly Meetings,
or with Committees duly appointed by the Quarterly Meetings,
of the Circuits concerned, the limits of the sphere of labour of
any Lay Agent.' All Lay Agents employed in Circuits, under
these Regulations, are required to ' furnish a Report of visits
paid and services held to the Quarterly Meeting, or to the
Committee appointed by it.' (Min., 1879, pp. 238240.)
In the preceding statement of the functions of Quarterly
Meetings, the office of Circuit Stewards has been referred to,
and some of the duties belonging to the office have been men-
tioned. It should be added, that the Circuit Stewards are
the most important Lay Officers of a Circuit. They are en-
trusted with the management of the financial affairs of the
Circuit, as such ; they have, on the one hand, to consult the
comfort of the Ministers, and, on the other, to care for the
resources of the Circuit ; they are to represent the Circuit in
the Meetings of the District Committee ; and they are the
channel through which any communications affecting the ap-
pointment of Ministers to the Circuit are to be addressed to the
Stationing Committee and the Conference. The initiation of
the invitation of Ministers for the ensuing year, at the March
Quarterly Meeting, belongs to them; the nomination, in the
first instance, resting with them. On their ceasing or declin-
ing to nominate, the matter is altogether in the hands of the
Quarterly Meeting. In accordance with the provisions of the
Chapel Model Deed, the Circuit Stewards, in conjunction
with the Superintendent Minister, are to audit the accounts
of all Trust-property settled on the trusts of that Deed. In
regard to Circuit Stewards, as in regard to Society and Poor
Stewards, the Rule is in force, that ' the office of a Steward
ceases at the end of the year, and no Steward shall remain in
office above three years in succession, except in some extra-
ordinary case.' (Coinp. of Reg., Min., 1869, vol. xvii., p. 624.)
96 SPECIAL CIRCUIT MEETING.
In the Rules adopted in 1852 a new and important power
was given to the Quarterly Meeting. If the Superintendent
of a Circuit is convinced that a Leaders' Meeting has given
a verdict in a factious spirit, on a charge brought before it
and one 'notoriously inconsistent with the facts proved, and
with the plain and obvious meaning, and the general or
specific regulations, of the laws of God, or of our own body, as
applicable to those facts, or even, in certain conceivable
cases, has refused to give any verdict at all,' he is em-
powered to require a re-hearing of the case by a Special
Circuit Meeting, to be appointed by the Quarterly Meeting.
A similar right is given to a member of the Society who has
been found guilty of factious conduct by a Leaders' Meeting,
to claim a re-hearing of the case by a Special Circuit Meeting.
The Rules bearing on this subject are the following :
' 1. That when such a case as is above described shall occur, the
Superintendent shall be authorised to require a re-hearing by a
Special Circuit Meeting, consisting of not more than twelve Lay
members of the Quarterly Meeting, as hereinbefore defined, (see
pp. 87, 88,) to be chosen for the occasion by that Meeting, in such
manner as it may deem proper
' 2. That at such Special Circuit Meeting the Chairman of the
District shall preside ; or, in case of unavoidable absence, shall
appoint some other Minister of the District to preside in his
place.
' 3. That the Meeting thus constituted shall have full power to
re-hear the ease.
' 4. That if, on such re-hearing, the accused party (whether a
Leader, Local Preacher, Trustee, or other local Officer, or Member
of Society without any office) be found guilty by the verdict of the
Special Circuit Meeting, the case shall then be left in the hands of
the Pastorate ; and the Superintendent be empowered, after advis-
ing with the Chairman and his own colleagues, to remove the party
so convicted from the Society, or to administer any other measure
of discipline which may be deemed sufficient.
' 5. That, if the party so tried by the Special Circuit Meeting be
dissatisfied with the sentence of the Superintendent, he shall have
the right of appeal, first, to the Annual District Meeting, and after-
wards, if still dissatisfied, to the Conference.
' 6. The Leaders' Meeting and the Special Circuit Meeting for
re-hearing are entitled to declare, by their verdict, whether the facts
alleged are, or are not, proved to their satisfaction ; and whether,
SPECIAL CIRCUIT MEETING. 97
in their opinion, those facts are violations " of the laws of God, or
of our own body." And the verdict of a Meeting for re-hearing is
not to be reversed, unless a Special District Meeting or the Con-
ference interpose, and deem that justice requires such reversal.
' 7. In most instances it is highly probable that a verdict which,
from any cause, may have been given by a Leaders' Meeting " in
contradiction to law and evidence," will, on a re-hearing of the case
by a Special Circuit Meeting, appointed by the Quarterly Meeting,
be corrected. But should the result unhappily show that the spirit
of faction, or any other misleading influence, so extensively prevails
in the Circuit as to prevent the ordinary administration of godly
discipline, in such case it is to be understood that the Superinten-
dent retains the right of appeal to the collective Pastorate of the
District ; and that the District Committee may then interpose by
virtue of the powers with which it was originally invested in 1791,
and which from that time it has exercised in great emergencies, and
may adopt such measures (disciplinary or otherwise) as it may
deem necessary to meet the " critical case " in question (Min., 1791,
vol. i., pp. 249, 250), and to maintain discipline and order in the
disturbed Circuit " till the meeting of the next Conference, when
the Chairman of the Committee shall lay the Minutes of its pro-
ceedings before the Conference." (Ibid.)
1 8. Should the Quarterly Meeting refuse to appoint a Special
Meeting to re-hear the case, or should the persons appointed refuse
to give any verdict, the Superintendent may, at once, appeal, in the
usual form, to the District Committee.
' 9. That a member or local Officer of the Society who, by the
verdict of a Leaders' Meeting, is found guilty of factious conduct,
may (as well as the Superintendent) claim a re-hearing by such
Special Circuit Meeting, if he give notice of his wish to do so
within the seven days which, according to Rule, are to intervene,
before the sentence be pronounced. If such notice be given, the
Superintendent shall be required to take the necessary steps for the
appointment of a Special Circuit Meeting ; and the sentence shall
be postponed until after that Meeting shall have given its verdict.
Should the Special Circuit Meeting confirm the previous verdict of
the Leaders' Meeting, and a sentence of expulsion be consequently
pronounced by the Superintendent (after consulting with the Chair-
man of the District and his own colleagues), the excluded party
may appeal against the sentence to the Annual District Meeting,
and, if still dissatisfied, to the Conference.
' 10. Whether the party objecting to a verdict of a Leaders'
Meeting be the Superintendent or the person accused, the applica-
tion of the Provision for a re-hearing, by a Special Circuit Meeting,
is to be strictly limited to such cases of factious conduct as " may
possibly arise in seasons of peculiar excitement " (Min., vol. vii.,
p. 582), and as are described in the second paragraph of the preamble
98 SPECIAL CIRCUIT MEETING.
of this section.* And, further, the same Provision, while modify-
ing the Superintendent's privilege of calling for the interposition of
the District Pastorate, in such cases as are hereinbefore specified,
is not to be understood as at all affecting the visitatorial power of
the Chairman of the District, and the constitutional right of the
District Committee to interpose its authority for the due main-
tenance of our discipline in a disturbed Society or Circuit. On the
contrary, such power and right remain entire, in full and un-
diminished force, notwithstanding anything contained in these
Regulations.'
'N.B. The Regulation by which the Conference, in 1835, gave
to a member or local Officer the right of appeal, in ordin-
. ary cases, to a Minor District Meeting, against a sentence
of expulsion, pronounced by the Superintendent, after the
verdict of a Leaders' Meeting, remains unaltered by this
provision for extraordinary cases. 1 (J/m., 1852, vol. xii.,
pp. 112114.)
* In the paragraph referred to, the cases in question are described as those
in which a Leaders' Meeting is complained of ' for refusing to act its consti-
tutional part, or for acting it factiously or in contradiction to law and
evidence, in the trial of an accused Member or local Officer, or for giving a
verdict notoriously inconsistent with the facts proved and with the plain and
obvious meaning, and the general or specific regulations, of the laws of God,
or of our own body, as applicable to these facts, or as even, in certain con-
ceivable cases, refusing to give any verdict at all, thereby preventing, by
an abuse of their constitutional functions, the exercise of that discipline
which Christ has commanded, and for which He has made the Ministers of
His Church responsible to Himself.'
CHAPTEE XI.
CIRCUIT ADiOlQSTEATION : LEADEBS' MEETINGS SOCIETY AND
POOE STEWAEDS PEAYEB-LEADEES' MEETINGS TEACT
SOCIETIES.
IN the economy of Wesleyan Methodism important functions
are assigned to Leader^ Meetings connected with the par-
ticular Societies comprehended in a Circuit. The constitution
of a Leaders' Meeting was formally defined by the Conference
of 1874. The Minute on this subject is as follows :
' The Conference adopts the following definition of the consti-
tution of a Leaders' Meeting ; viz., that it shall consist of
' (i.) The Ministers and Preachers on trial who are appointed to
the work of the Circuit.
' (ii.) The Leaders of the Society, the Society Stewards, the
Stewards of the Poor Fuad, and any Circuit Steward or Stewards
who may be members of that Society.
' (iii.) In future, when a Secretary is appointed in any Leaders'
Meeting, such Secretary must be chosen from among the members
of that Meeting.' (Min., vol. xix., p. 454.)
In the fundamental Rules of the Methodist Society, pub-
lished by the Rev. John and Charles Wesley, provision is made
for Leaders' Meetings. Among the duties there assigned to
Leaders, we find the following :
' To meet the Ministers and the Stewards of the Society once a
week, in order
' To inform the Minister of any that are sick, or of any that
walk disorderly, and will not be reproved ;
( To pay to the Stewards what they have received of their
several Classes in the week preceding ; and
' To show their account of what each person has contributed.'
This passage shows the primary design of Leaders'
Meetings, and the leading business which belongs to them.
H2
100 LEADERS' MEETINGS.
They bring the Leaders of a Society into intimate connection
with the Minister, and give to the latter the means of examin-
ing into the attendance of the members at the Class-meeting,
and of ascertaining what members of the Society need his
special pastoral attention. It is expected that the Leaders
should bring their Class-books to the Leaders' Meeting ; and
that, after paying the contributions they have received to the
Society Stewards, they should show their books to the Minister
who presides, so as to give him an opportunity of noting any
facts which they disclose bearing on the state of the Society.
(Min., 1826, vol. vi., p. 168.) The observance of this Eule is
of great importance, and more particularly when the Minister
on whom the special pastoral care of the Society in question
devolves presides at the Meeting. At the Leaders' Meeting,
too, the case of poor members who may need relief is consid-
ered ; and sums are voted from the Poor Fund, a Fund made
up of the collections at the Lord's Supper and the quarterly
Lovefeast, supplemented in some cases by public collections,
according to their necessities and the resources of the Fund.
There are also special duties devolving on Leaders' Meet-
ings, and corresponding powers belonging to them. No
person, for instance, can be appointed a Leader, or a Society
Steward, or Poor Steward, without the concurrence of a
Leaders' Meeting. The Rules on this subject, as found in
the Compendium of Regulations which was formally adopted
in 1864, are the following :
' No person shall be appointed a Leader, or be removed from his
office, but in conjunction with a Leaders' Meeting ; the nomination
to be with the Superintendent, and the approval or disapproval
with the Leaders' Meeting.
' No person shall be appointed a Society Steward, or Poor
Steward, or be removed from his office, but in conjunction with a
Leaders' Meeting ; the nomination to be with the Superintendent,
and the approval or disapproval with the Leaders' Meeting.
' The office of a Steward ceases at the end of the year ; and no
Steward shall remain in office above three years in succession,
except in some extraordinary case.' (Min., 1869, vol. xvii., p. 624.)
With respect to the first of these Rules, it should be
LEADERS' MEETINGS. 101
explained that, in the event of a charge being preferred
against a Leader, and affirmed as proved by the verdict of
that Leaders' Meeting, of such a nature as to require his
removal from the Society, according to the Eules hereinafter
stated, the office of Leader ceases as a matter of course.
The appointment of Leaders of Junior Society Classes
requires the concurrence of the Leaders' Meeting; although
these parties are not, as such, members of that Meeting. In
the plan for the formation of these Classes we find the follow-
ing Eegulations :
' That, when these Classes are not in the hands of Ministers,
they may be entrusted to other persons who have been approved
by the Leaders' Meeting of the Society with which the Classes are
connected, after nomination by the Superintendent Minister.
' That the proposed Classes shall bear the name of " Junior
Society Classes '' ; but that the Leaders of such Classes shall not be
thereby constituted members of the Leaders' Meeting.' (Min., 1878,
p. 185.)
In all cases in which there is an organised body of Prayer
Leaders, no person can be fully admitted as a Prayer Leader
without being approved by the Leaders' Meeting.
In the ' Plan of Wesleyan Education,' sanctioned in 1841,
and slightly modified in the year 1873, certain powers are
secured to the Leaders' Meeting of a Society in relation to
Wesleyan Methodist Sunday Schools connected with that
Society. It is provided, for instance, that of the members of
the Committee by which such Sunday School is managed,
additional to the Ministers, the Treasurer, the General Secre-
tary, and the Superintendents of the School, one-third, being
members of the "Wesleyan Methodist Society, are to be
chosen by the Leaders' Meeting. It is further provided that
' no person shall be continued, as an Officer or Teacher, who
shall at any time be declared, by the Committee or the
Leaders' Meeting, unfit, in respect of general character or of
religious opinions, for the office he sustains, or for taking
part in the Christian education of the young.' (Min., 1873,
vol. xix., pp. 174, 176.)
102 LEADERS' MEETINGS.
The Leaders' Meeting of a Society has a right to inter-
pose to prevent improper persons, who may be on trial, from
being admitted as members. The Rule on this subject, adopted
in 1797, is thus given in the ' Compendium of Regulations '
before referred to :
' The Leaders' Meeting has a right to declare any person on trial
improper to be received into the Society ; and, after such declara-
tion, the Superintendent shall not admit such person into Society.
' This Rule is expounded by the Conference in the terms follow-
ing : " That it never was intended that the names of all
those who are on trial should be laid before a Leaders' Meet-
ing for distinct and formal discussion ; but solely, that if there
be, in the opinion of a Leader, any reasonable objection to
the character and conduct of any person who is on trial, such
objection may be stated by him ; and that, if the validity of
the objection be established to the satisfaction of the Meet-
ing, a member's ticket shall not be given to the person,
so objected to, at the Quarterly Visitation." ' (Min., 1869,
vol. xvii., pp. 620, 621.)
Important functions belong to the Leaders' Meeting in
connection with the trial of accused members of the Society.
The Rules bearing on this subject have already been quoted in
Part I., Chapter ii., of this work. "When a charge is brought
against a member of the Society, that charge must be heard
by the Leaders' Meeting of the Society of which he is a
member ; and if the accused person is a Trustee, the Trustees
of the Chapel with which that Society is connected must be
associated with the Leaders' Meeting, such Trustees being
themselves members of the Society in the Circuit. If no
Leaders' Meeting is statedly held in the place in question, the
case is to be ' referred for investigation to the Leaders' Meet-
ing of the principal Society in the Circuit town ' ; and ' the
Leader or Leaders, and the Society Stewards, of the Society
of which the accused is a member, are to be associated with
the Leaders' Meeting for the purpose of the investigation.'
It is further provided that ' if the accused person is a Trustee,
then there shall also be associated with the Leaders' Meeting,
as above constituted, the Trustees of the Chapel with which
the Society of which he is a member is connected; or, if
LEADERS' MEETINGS. 103
there is no such Chapel, then the Trustees of the Chapel in
connection with the principal Society in the Circuit town.
But no Trustee shall, in either case, be so associated, unless
he is himself a member of Society in the same Circuit.'
(Min., 1869, vol. xvii., p. 625 ; 1872, vol. xviii., p. 656.)
The Leaders' Meeting, constituted according to the above
Rules, is entitled to declare, by its verdict, not only whether
the facts alleged are proved, but also whether these facts do
or do not involve violations of the laws, of God or of our own
body. The sentence, in the event of a charge being estab-
lished, rests with the Superintendent ; but certain guards
already stated (Part I., Chapter ii., p. 10) are provided ; and
an expelled member, in particular, has a right of appeal to a
Minor District Meeting, to the Annual District Meeting, and
to the Conference.
In the case of commercial failures, the following important
Regulation was adopted in the year 1864 :
' To prevent scandal, whenever any member of Society becomes
a bankrupt, or compounds with his creditors, the Superintendent
and one of the Stewards shall talk with him at large. If a formal
investigation be considered needful, a Committee shall be chosen by
the Leaders' Meeting for that purpose, on the nomination of the
Superintendent; to consist of two or more competent persons,
members of Society, who may or may not be members of the
Leaders' Meeting : the Superintendent to be the chairman. If, on
receiving their report, the Meeting shall conclude that fair accounts
have not been kept, or that liabilities have been incurred without a
reasonable probability of meeting them, the Superintendent shall
proceed according to Rule.
' On the appointment of such Committee in the case of any
Leader, Local Preacher, or Steward, the exercise of his functions
shall be discontinued until his case is decided.
' If any of our members, who have formerly failed in business,
shall afterwards, by the blessing of God, have acquired property, it
is their plain duty to pay their whole debt.' (Comp. of Regul.,
Min., 1869, vol. xvii., p. 623.)
The Leaders' Meeting of any Society has the right of
memorialising the Conference on any matter specially affecting
that particular Society. This right is distinctly recognised in
104 SOCIETY AND POOR STEWARDS.
the Resolutions of the Conference in 1828. (Min., vol. vi.,
pp. 399, 400.)
In the practical administration of Methodism, the Leaders'
Meeting of a Society forms a body which the Superintendent
may properly and advantageously consult on various matters
bearing on its welfare. In many Circuits, too, it is found to
be a convenient and profitable arrangement, occasionally to
devote a Leaders' Meeting exclusively to religious exercises and
to conversation on some topics affecting the duties of Leaders,
or the means of promoting the spiritual efficiency of the several
Class-meetings. In connection with this it should be men-
tioned, that it is a Rule of the Connexion, that when a new
Leader is first introduced into the Leaders' Meeting, the
Superintendent, or the Minister who presides, shall take the
opportunity of stating the duties which belong to the office,
and of enforcing them on all present.
The duties of Leaders have been set forth in the Rules of
the Society, and in the observations now made on Leaders'
Meetings. But it may be proper to add a few words respect-
ing the duties of Society Stewards and Poor Stewards.
The former attend the Leaders' Meeting, to examine the
Class-books of the Leaders, and to receive the money contri-
buted by the members of the Society towards the support of
the Ministry. It is expected of them to be present in the
vestry before the commencement of Divine service, to advise
with the Minister as to any pulpit-notices that may be pre-
sented ; to prepare notices for the arrangements announced on
the Circuit-plan; to provide for the due celebration of the
sacrament of Baptism, when it is appointed to be adminis-
tered ; to see that the several collections are made at the times
specified on the Circuit-plan, and to take charge of them, after-
wards paying over those made for the Connexional Funds to
the Superintendent of the Circuit ; to provide suitable homes,
when needed, for Preachers who officiate in their Chapel, and
to see that their expenses, if any, are paid.
The Poor Stewards of a Society receive the collections
PRAYER-LEADERS' MEETINGS. 105
made on behalf of the poor at the Lord's Supper and at the
Lovefeasts. They provide, too, the bread and wine for the
sacrament of the Lord's Supper, and the bread and water for
the Lovefeasts. They attend the Leaders' Meeting to pay
any sums that may ba voted for the poor members of the
Society, handing the amount for distribution to the Leaders
with whom such members respectively meet.
A brief reference has been made to Prayer-Leader^
Meetings. The Conference has strongly recommended the
holding of Cottage Prayer Meetings. In the ' Liverpool
Minutes ' we read, among other advices to Ministers on pastoral
duties, ' Let us encourage public Prayer Meetings, especially
those which are held at times which do not interfere with our
general worship, in the houses of our friends, in different parts
of a town or neighbourhood ; such Meetings having been long
proved to be, when prudently conducted by persons of estab-
lished piety and competent gifts, and duly superintended by
bhe Preachers and by the Leaders' Meetings, valuable nurseries
for our congregations and Societies, and means of salvation to
many who could not have been reached at first in any other
method.' (Min., 1820, vol. v., p. 148.) In many Societies there
is a recognised body of Prayer-Leaders, and a Plan of Cottage
Prayer Meetings is prepared and published. In these cases
the Superintendent, or one of his colleagues, meets the Prayer
Leaders every quarter, to encourage them in their work, and to
inquire into their attention to their appointments, and into the
attendance at the Prayer Meetings, and any spiritual good
which may be known to have resulted from them. At these
Meetings persons are proposed for the office of Prayer Leader ;
but before their names can be placed upon the Plan, they must
be approved by the Leaders' Meeting. The practicability and
expediency of establishing additional Prayer Meetings are also
considered.
The mention of Cottage Prayer Meetings suggests another
unpretending but most valuable evangelistic agency, the dis-
tribution of religious Tracts, accompanied with a few words of
106 TRACT SOCIETIES.
affectionate invitation to the house of G-od, and sometimes
with exhortations on the necessity and blessedness of a Christian
life. The Conference has not issued any particular plan for the
formation and organisation of Tract Societies ; but it has always
encouraged them (see especially Min., 1821, vol. v., p. 250 ;
1822, vol. v., pp. 338, 343), and has evinced its solicitude to
provide an adequate supply of suitable Tracts for their use.
The London Book Committee is instructed, each year, to
appoint some of its members to be 'the Methodist Tract Com-
mittee,' the Secretary of which is a Minister appointed by the
Conference ; and this Committee issues, from time to time, a
fresh supply of Tracts for distribution. It needs scarcely be
added, that the Tract Societies in a Circuit require, and will
amply repay, the fostering care of the Ministers' and the
Leaders' Meetings.
v
CHAPTEE XII.
CIECUTT ADMINISTRATION: LOCAL PBEACHERS' MEETINGS
TRUSTEES' MEETINGS.
office of Local Preacher is one of great importance
- in the system of Methodism. Not only is it from this
class of office-bearers that the ranks of the regular Ministry
are recruited, but the labours of Local Preachers are of great
value, and in many Circuits are indispensable to the supply
of the pulpits in the towns and villages which they com-
prehend.
The general Eules affecting Local Preachers, as stated
in the Compendium of Eegulations adopted in 1864, are the
following :
' The Superintendent shall regularly meet the Local Preachers
once a quarter ; and no person shall receive a Plan as a Local
Preacher, or be suffered to preach among us as such, without the
approval of that Meeting. Or, if in any Circuit a regular Local
Preachers' Meeting cannot be held, they shall be proposed and
approved at the Quarterly Meeting of the Circuit.
' All Local Preachers shall meet in Class. No exception shall be
made in respect to any who have been Travelling Preachers.
' Let no Local Preacher be permitted to preach in any other
Circuit than his own without the consent of the Superintendent of
that Circuit.
' Let no Local Preacher hold Lovef easts without the consent of
the Superintendent, or in any wise interfere with his business. Let
every one keep in his own place, and attend to the duties of his
station.
' No Minister who has been suspended, or expelled, shall, on
any account, be employed as a Local Preacher, without the
authority of the Conference.' (J/ira., 1869, vol. xvii., pp. 624, 625.)
The Local Preachers' Meeting, referred to in the first of
these Eules, comprehends all the Local Preachers in the
108 LOCAL PREACHERS' MEETINGS.
Circuit who have been fully admitted, together with the
Ministers and Preachers on trial appointed to the Circuit.
(See Min., 1881, Standing Order No. 4, p. 303.) Persons on
trial for the office of Local Preacher are encouraged to attend,
but they are not entitled to vote. At this Meeting the name
of every Local Preacher is called over ; and inquiry is made,
whether there is any objection to him, affecting his moral and
religious character, his belief and preaching of our doctrines,
his observance of our discipline, and especially his attention
to his appointments, and his ability for the work. 'Local
Preachers,' as Mr. Grindrod has observed, ' are responsible to
their own Meeting for every part of their official conduct ; but
for all acts affecting their character and standing as members
of the Society, they are subject to the jurisdiction of the
Leaders' Meetings to which they respectively belong.' Hence
if a charge is preferred against a Local Preacher, affecting
his moral character, it must be dealt with, not in the Local
Preachers' Meeting, but in the Leaders' Meeting of the
Society to which he belongs, according to the Rules which
apply to the case of private members.
At the Local Preachers' Meeting persons are proposed by
the Superintendent, after personal and private examination,
to be placed on trial for the office of Local Preacher ; and
when the appointed period of trial is about to close, arrange-
ments are made for the hearing of each Candidate for the
office by one of the Ministers, in conjunction with two or
three of the Local Preachers. Before the admission of any
person as a full and accredited Local Preacher, he has to
undergo an examination on Christian doctrine, as well as on
his personal religious experience and his attachment to the
Methodist economy, in the presence of the Local Preachers'
Meeting ; and his admission to the office is by the vote of
that Meeting. At this Meeting, too, the Superintendent
consults the Local Preachers as to the places on the Plan,
and the possibility and expediency of opening new places.
In recent years additional Regulations affecting Local
LOCAL PREACHERS' MEETINGS. 109
Preachers have been adopted by the Conference, on the re-
commendation of a mixed Committee of Ministers and Local
Preachers. It will be perceived that, while these Regulations
are designed to secure a higher standard of attainment and
efficiency on the part of recognised Local Preachers, they
include a provision for the keeping up, in some Circuits, of a
body of Exhorters, as distinct from Local Preachers, though
subject to the approval of the Local Preachers' Meeting.
In the year 1874 the following Resolutions were passed :
' The Conference adopts the following recommendations of the
Committee appointed to consider the means of assisting Local
Preachers in preparation for their important work :
' That it is desirable and necessary, considering the exigencies
of our work, and the fact that our supply of Ministers is
drawn from our Local Preachers, that steps should be taken
to secure in every Circuit an ample and efficient supply of
this most useful class of labourers ; and that Superinten-
dents should direct their special attention to eligible and
promising young men in their respective Circuits, with a
view to their becoming Local Preachers, and, as far as
practicable, should direct their reading and studies to that
end.
' That before any Candidate comes upon the Plan on trial, the
Superintendent shall certify that he has passed a satisfactory
examination in the Second Catechism with the Appendix, and
in the Elements of English Grammar.' (Atin., vol. xix.,
p. 465.)
In 1876 the following additional Regulations were adopted
on the recommendation of the Committee, having been pre-
viously submitted to the several District Committees in Great
Britain, in May of that year :
' The Conference, after carefully considering the recommendations
of the Committee appointed last year, adopts the following
Resolutions :
' In future, no Candidate shall be fully admitted as a Local
Preacher until he has read the standard Sermons of Mr.
Wesley and his Notes on the New Testament, and until he
has passed a satisfactory examination in the definitions and
Scripture-proofs of the leading doctrines of Christianity as
there explained. Notwithstanding, such are the necessities
of our work in some localities, that certain persons may be
110 TRUSTEES' MEETINGS.
employed, as heretofore, in the capacity of Exhorters, such
persons having the approbation of the Superintendent of the!
Circuit and the Local Preachers' Meeting.
' Before any Candidate is fully admitted as a Local Preacher,
he shall have been twelve months on probation.
The Conference appoints the following Ministers a Committee
to prepare a course of studying for the guidance of persons on
probation for the office and work of Local Preachers ; viz.,
the Theological Tutors of the three Branches of our Theo-
logical Institution, and the Rev. Dr. Moulton.
' The Conference further recommends that, wherever it is
practicable, a Theological Class shall be formed in each
Circuit for the purpose of assisting the Local Preachers in
their Theological studies.' (.Mm., vol. xx., pp. 155, 156.)
Trustees' Meetings, as the name implies, are Meetings of the
Trustees of Chapels or other property conveyed to them in
trust, according to the provisions of the Deeds by which they
are held. They are summoned more or less frequently,
according to circumstances ; but there is a regular Annual
Meeting of the Trustees of all Methodist Trust-property, at
which the accounts for the year are presented, and the
Officers of the Trust, as the Treasurer, the Secretary, and the
Stewards, are appointed or re-appointed. Meetings of Trustees
are distinguished from the official meetings of a Circuit in
one important particular, that only the Superintendent of
the Circuit has the right to be present and to vote. The
other Ministers are often invited to attend, and, as a matter
of courtesy and convenience, are allowed to take part in the
transaction of the business ; but they have no legal right to do
so, or to vote on any disputed question. "Whenever a Chapel,
with its Society and congregation, is placed under the special
pastoral care of a Minister of the Circuit who is not the
Superintendent, it is manifestly desirable, and in many
cases important, that he should be present at the Meetings of
the Trustees of that Chapel, as well as the Superintendent of
the Circuit, though he is not properly a member of the Trustees'
Meeting. Should the Superintendent be unable to attend, he
can, according to the provisions of the Chapel Model Deed,
TRUSTEES' MEETINGS. Ill
depute one of his colleagues to take his place, who then enjoys
all the powers and privileges which legally belong to the
Superintendent.
The Deeds on which Methodist Trust-property is held are
various ; but it will be found that most of the Chapels of the
Connexion are now held on the trust of the Chapel Model
Deed. A. copy of that Deed may be readily procured from
the Conference Office ; and it should be carefully studied by
every Minister and every Trustee. It would be impracticable
here to give its provisions in extenso ; but a few of them may
be referred to, which bear more particularly on Trustees'
Meetings, and the practical administration of the affairs of
Trust-property.
Of the Annual Meeting for the auditing of the accounts
which duty is devolved by the Deed on the Superintendent
and the Circuit Stewards of the Circuit, or Deputies whom
they may respectively appoint in writing 'fourteen days'
notice in writing, specifying the time, place, and purpose of
such Meeting, shall and may be given under the direction of
the said Superintendent for the time being, by any one or
more of them, the said Trustees and Trustee for the time
being, to each and every the other and others of them the
said Trustees and Trustee, Circuit Stewards and Circuit
Steward for the time being, and either personally served upon
him and them respectively, or left for, or sent by the post to,
him and them at his and their most usual place and places of
abode or business.'
The other Meetings of the Trustees are considered to be
either ordinary or special. The former, for the transaction of the
ordinary business of the Trust-estate, may be held as ' soon
as the same can be conveniently convened, by notice in writing,
specifying the time and place of such Meeting, given and
signed by at least either two of the Trustees or by the Super-
intendent.' A Meeting convened ' for the purpose of taking
into consideration the propriety of making any alteration of,
or any addition to, or Mortgage or sale of, the said Chapel ox
112 TRUSTEES' MEETINGS.
place of religious worship, and premises, or any part or parts
thereof, or for contracting any debt, upon, for, or on account
thereof (other than for the ordinary current expenses thereof),
or for letting any such house or houses, school-room or
school-rooms, as aforesaid, or for fixing the rents or prices, or
making or altering rules to ascertain the rents or prices, of
such graves, tombs, pews, and seats as aforesaid, or for ap-
propriating the funds or any part of the funds of the said
Chapel, or place of religious worship (otherwise than for the
due payment of the ordinary current expenses thereof), or,
for bringing or defending any action or actions, suit or suits,
respecting the said Trust Estates and premises, or any parts
thereof, or any matter relating thereto, or for any one or
more of the above purposes, shall be, and shall be deemed
and taken to be, a Special Meeting ; and of every such Meet-
ing fourteen days' notice in writing, specifying the time,
place, and purpose or purposes of such Meeting, and signed
by at least either two of the Trustees for the time being of
these presents, or by the Superintendent Preacher for the
time being, shall be given to the other, and others, of them
and him, the said Trustees, and Superintendent Preacher,
(unless where he himself is the person giving such notice),
and either personally served upon him and them, or left for,
or sent by the post to, him and them, respectively, at his and
their most usual place and places of abode or business.'
It is provided that 'the Superintendent Preacher for the
time being of the Circuit in which the said Chapel or place of
religious worship shall for the time being be situated, or his
Deputy thereunto from time to time by him nominated and
appointed in writing under his hand, shall be the Chairman
of, and shall preside at, and shall have a Vote as such Super-
intendent Preacher or Deputy in, all Meetings held under or
by virtue of these presents; but in case the said Superin-
tendent Preacher for the time being, or his Deputy to be so
appointed as aforesaid shall, at any time, neglect to attend at
any such Meeting as aforesaid, or if the said Superintendent
TRUSTEES' MEETINGS. 113
Preacher or his Deputy appointed as aforesaid shall attend,
but shall refuse to act as the Chairman at any such Meeting
as aforesaid, or if the said Superintendent Preacher shall not
attend at any such Meeting, and shall neglect to appoint a
Deputy as aforesaid, then, and in every and any of the said
cases, it shall be lawful for the persons for the time being
composing such Meeting, and entitled to vote thereat, or for
a majority of them, to elect and choose from among them-
selves, a Chairman to preside for the time being at any such
Meeting as aforesaid, and every Meeting so held upon any
such neglect or refusal of the said Superintendent Preacher
or his Deputy as aforesaid, shall be as valid and effectual as
if the said Superintendent or his Deputy as aforesaid had
been the Chairman thereof, and had presided thereat.' Another
provision is, ' that every question or matter affecting the Trust-
estate, considered at a Trustees' Meeting, is to be decided by
the votes of the majority of the persons present and entitled to
vote ' ; and ' in case there should be an equality of votes, then
the Chairman of the Meeting shall give the casting vote, and
which casting vote he shall have in addition to the vote which
he is entitled to, in his character of Trustee, Superintendent
Preacher, or otherwise.'
The appointment of Chapel Stewards and of the Treasurer
of the Chapel rests with the Trustees' Meeting; the Super-
intendent Minister not having in this case any right of nomin
ation, as he has in the case of Circuit Stewards, Society
Stewards, and Poor Stewards. The words of the Deed on this
point are explicit ; and they imply that persons may be
appointed by the Trustees to these offices, although they are
not themselves Trustees :
'And it is hereby declared, that it shall be lawful for the
Trustees for the time being of these presents, or the major part of
them, at any Meeting to be convened and held as is hereinafter
mentioned, from time to time, and at all times hereafter, at their
discretion, to appoint any person, or persons, of decent and sober
conduct and good reputation, to be a Steward, or Stewards, of the
said Chapel or place of religious worship, and at their will and
I
114 TRUSTEES' MEETINGS.
pleasure, to remove and to dismiss such Steward or Stewards, or
any of them ; and the duty of the Steward, and Stewards, of the
said Chapel or place of religious worship, shall be, to see and attend
to the orderly conducting of the secular business and affairs of the
said Chapel or place of religious worship, under the direction and
superintendence of the Trustees for the time being of these presents
or the major part of them ; and also in like manner to appoint any
proper person, or persons, to be a Treasurer, or Treasurers, of the
funds of the said Chapel or place of religious worship and premises,
and at their will and pleasure to remove and to dismiss such
Treasurer or Treasurers, or any of them.'
Trustees withdrawing, or excluded, from the Methodist
Society do not, by that fact, cease to be Trustees ; but when
they have continued out of the Methodist Society for six
months, they may, upon the request in writing of the other
Trustees, or a majority of them, but not otherwise, and on
receiving a Bond of indemnity from them, be called upon to
relinquish the trust, and to convey and assure the property
to the other Trustees, or new Trustees properly appointed.
With regard to the appointment of new Trustees, it is
provided that, when the number of Trustees is reduced to
Jive, by death, incapacity, or refusal to act, then at a Special
Meeting of the Trustees the Superintendent of the Circuit
shall 'nominate as many persons, being members of the said
Society of the People called Methodists, in the Circuit in
which the said Chapel or place of religious worship shall for
the time being be situate (if a sufficient number of such
persons can be there found willing to take upon themselves
the burden and due execution of the trusts hereby declared,
and if not, then being members of the said Society in that
and some neighbouring or other Circuit or Circuits), as the
said Superintendent for the time being shall deem to be suit-
able persons, being not fewer than twice the number of
Trustees then to be chosen, elected, and appointed (unless
the old continuing Trustees shall be satisfied with his nomin-
ating a less number), and the old Trustees for the time being,
or the major part of them, present at such Meeting, shall
thereupon choose, elect, and appoint, from amongst the said
TRUSTEES' MEETINGS. 115
persons nominated as aforesaid, so many persons to be
Trustees of the said piece of ground, chapel, or place of
religious worship, and premises, as shall, together with such
of the old Trustees as shall continue in the trusts of these
presents, make up in the whole the original number of
Trustees ; or, if none of the old Trustees shall continue in
the trusts of these presents, then shall choose, elect, and
appoint so many of the persons nominated as aforesaid, as
shall be equal to the original number of Trustees.'
The Chapel Model Deed further contains a provision
giving the power of appointment of new Trustees, although
the number should not be reduced to five ; and, also, in case
the number should, through accident, neglect, or otherwise,
be reduced belmv that number. Power is also reserved to the
Trustees to increase the number originally appointed, but with
the restriction that the whole number shall not exceed thirty.
These are the chief provisions of the Chapel Model Deed
which require to be kept in view in the Circuit administration
of Methodism. But the entire Deed is well deserving of care-
ful study.
School-Rooms underneath Chapels, or erected on land con-
veyed for the erection of Chapels, are, of course, held by the
same Trustees and on the trusts of the Chapel-property.
School-Booms built on land separately conveyed for that
purpose are, if designed for Day Schools, usually settled on
one of the School Model Deeds, No. I. relating to School-Rooms
built with Government aid, and No. II. to School-Booms built
without such aid.
The Conference of 1880 adopted the following Resolution
respecting the use of "Wesleyan-Methodist Trust-property for
purposes not contemplated in the respective Trust-Deeds :
' Having regard to the growing practice of using our Trust -
properties for amusements and other purposes not contemplated in
the formation of the several Trusts, the Conference calls the at-
tention of Ministers and Trustees to the terms of their several
Trust-Deeds. The Conference reminds the Superintendents of
Circuits that our Trust-properties can only legally be used for such
12
116 TRUSTEES' MEETINGS.
purposes as are in accordance with the provisions of the Deeds.
Such purposes are declared by the Chapel Model Deed to he, " For
places of Religious Worship, and for public and other meetings and
services held according to the General Eules and Usages of the
People called Methodists, as they appear in and by the Annual
Minutes of the Conference from time to time published." ' (Min.,
1880, p. 191.)
In every Circuit there is an Annual United Meeting of the
Trustees of the several Chapels and other Trust-estates com-
prehended in the Circuit, the time of which is to be fixed
at the December Quarterly Meeting. At this Meeting ' an
abstract of the several Treasurers' accounts shall be examined,
and entered in a Circuit-book, to be carefully kept by a
Secretary appointed for the purpose at the December Quar-
terly Meeting ; ' and ' a Schedule, duly filled up from this
Circuit-book, shall be forwarded, every year, not later than
the 20th of April, by the Superintendent, to the Secretary of
the District Chapel Sub-Committee.' (Min., 1866, vol. xvL,
p. 568.) This United Trustees' Meeting may offer suggestions
to the Trustees of any particular Trust-estate ; but it has no
power to interfere in the administration of any Trust-estate.
CHAPTER XIII.
CIBCUIT ADMINISTRATION : SUNDAY AND WEEK-DAT SCHOOLS
BANDS OF HOPE AND TEMPEBANCE SOCIETIES.
IN the administration of Circuits the care and oversight of
Sunday and Week-Day Schools claim special attention.
The Rules sanctioned and recommended by the Conference for
the management of these Institutions are given at length in
' The Plan of Wesleyan Education' which will be found in
Part III., Chapter ix., of this work. In this place it will
only be necessary to advert to those particulars which bear
more immediately on the practical working of the system, as
included in Circuit Administration.
The general management of Wesleyan-Methodist Sunday
Schools is entrusted to a Committee, including the Ministers
of the Circuit, the Treasurer, the General Secretary, the
Superintendents of the School, and of six, nine, or more
persons, one-third of whom are to be chosen by the Leaders'
Meeting, as representing the Society with which the School is
connected, one-third being Teachers, Secretaries, or Librarians
of the School, by a General Teachers' Meeting, and one-
third by the retiring Committee at their last Meeting in
December. The persons chosen by the Leaders' Meeting and
the Teachers' Meeting must be members of the Wesleyan-
Methodist Society; while those chosen by the retiring Com-
mittee, if not members of the Society, must be members
of the congregation or subscribers to the School who are
believed to be cordially attached to the principles and polity
of Wesleyan Methodism.
The Committee is to meet at least once every quarter, and
oftener if required, with the concurrence of the Superin-
118 SUNDAY SCHOOLS.
tendent of the Circuit; and five members form a quorum.
The Superintendent of the Circuit is, ex officio, the Chairman
of the Committee; and in his absence one of the other
Ministers of the Circuit is to preside. If no Minister is pre-
sent, the Meeting is to appoint one of the Officers of the
Institution to act as its Chairman.
The Teachers, ' wherever practicable,' are to be members of
the "Wesleyan-Methodist Society ; ' but if not, they must at
least be regular attendants at the Chapel, of good moral cha-
racter, heartily attached to the doctrines and discipline of
Methodism, and willing to observe the Rules of the School.'
Persons may be received on trial for the office of Teacher by
the Superintendent of the School ; and after a probation of
three months, if it is satisfactory, they are to be ' nominated
by him at a regular Teachers' Meeting, and elected by the
Meeting; subject, however, to the approbation of the Com-
mittee.' It is further provided, that ' no person shall be con-
tinued as an Officer or Teacher, who shall at any time be
declared, by the Committee or the Leaders' Meeting, unfit, in
respect of general character or of religious opinions, for the
office he sustains, or for taking part in the Christian education
of the young.'
Teachers' Meetings for inquiry, consultation, and prayer,
are to be held quarterly, previously to the ordinary meetings
of the Committee. In these Meetings the Superintendent of
the Circuit presides, and, in his absence, one of the other
Ministers of the Circuit. Should no Minister be present, one
of the Superintendents of the School is to preside.
An important provision of the ' Plan of Wesleyan Educa-
tion,' as affecting Sunday Schools, is, that ' a United Meeting
of the Committee and Teachers shall be held once in every six
months, or oftener, if need be, on some suitable week-day
evening, expressly for the recognition of newly-appointed
Teachers, when the Chairman shall present the Rules, and give
appropriate advice and encouragement to the Teachers thus
jrecognised.' (Min., 1873, vol. xix., p. 175.)
DAT SCHOOLS. 119
The particulars now mentioned have been selected on the
principle already stated; but the entire 'Plan' needs to be care-
fully studied, and will amply repay the attention bestowed
upon it.
Day Schools form an important branch of the "Wesleyan-
Methodist economy ; and the Conference has ' earnestly urged
upon all the Societies to promote the formation of Week-day
Schools in connection with every principal Chapel in each
Circuit.' (Min., 1873, vol. xix., p. 180.) Eecent Government
Regulations tend to restrict the number of Day Schools which
can receive aid from the Parliamentary Grant towards their
maintenance. These Regulations render it specially important
that before any new Day School is undertaken the proposal to
open it should be submitted to the Secretary of the "Wesleyan
Education Committee, in order that the advice of that Committee
may be obtained through him.
Persons 'contemplating the erection or alteration of pre-
mises for the establishment of new Schools' are directed to
communicate with the General Education Committee, * for
the purpose of receiving counsel as to the general eligibility
of their protected undertakings, and the adaptation of the
premises to the system of instruction designed to be adopted.'
(Min., 1873, vol. xix., p. 181.)
Each Day School is ' under the immediate care and direc-
tion of a Local Committee, annually appointed, which must
include the Ministers of the Circuit, the Officers of the
School, such as the Treasurer, Secretaries, and Visitors ; and
a suitable number of the friends of Education connected with
our Body, either as members of our Society, or, at least, as
worshippers in our Chapels.' (Min., 1873, vol. xix., p. 178.)
In the case of Day Schools held in premises settled upon
either of the School Model Deeds, the Committee must be
constituted according to a clause in the said Deeds which is
quoted in the 'Plan of "Wesleyan Education' given in this
work, Part III., Chapter ix.
The Day Schools of a Circuit are considered by the Con-
120 DAY SCHOOLS.
ference to form part of the pastoral charge of the Ministers
of the Circuit. It is expressly required that 'arrangements
shall be made upon each Circuit-plan for the regular visi-
tation of each Day School in the Circuit, by one or more of
the Ministers of the Circuit, for religious instruction and
catechising during the time shown to be allotted for such
purposes by the time-table of each School.' (Min., 1873, vol.
xix., pp. 179, 180.) The Pupil Teachers are especially com-
mended to the pastoral regard of the Ministers, more par-
ticularly in respect of the fostering and development of their
religious principles.
The Conference deprecates the discontinuance of any
"Wesleyan-Methodist Day School, except in a case of absolute
necessity. The Resolutions adopted on this subject in 1878
and 1879 are as follows :
' The Conference expresses its opinion that, in view of the work-
ing of existing arrangements for Public Elementary Education, it
is highly desirable that the number of Wesleyan Day Schools should
at least be maintained. The Conference, therefore, strongly recom-
mends that, before any steps are taken towards the closing or
transfer of any Wesleyan Day School, the proposal to close or
transfer it be communicated to the Education Committee, in
order that they may have an opportunity of suggesting alternative
proposals for the consideration of Local Managers.
' The Conference directs that in all ordinary cases of Day
Schools conducted on Wesleyan Trust-premises, no such Schools
shall be discontinued so long as there is a reasonable prospect of
their being carried on without serious embarrassment. The same
general principle shall apply to Wesleyan Day Schools conducted in
premises rented for the purpose under the management of a recog-
nised Wesleyan School Committee. When, however, the discon-
tinuance of a Day School is proposed, before such proposal is
carried into effect the Suprintendent shall consult the Trustees, the
Managing Committee, and the Subscribers ; and if, in any case,
there is a considerable division of opinion, the case shall be sub-
mitted to the Quarterly Meeting of the Circuit. In all cases, the
general principle laid down by the Conference respecting the
Transfer of Schools viz., that the Superintendents of the Circuits,
with the Managers and Trustees acting in concert, shall consult the
Education Committee shall be adhered to.
' The Conference declares that it shall not be deemed to be
within the power and option of a Superintendent to prevent the
SANDS OF HOPE. 121
establishment or continuance of a Wesleyan Day School, so long as
responsible parties pledge themselves to bear all the financial cost
and risk.' (ATm., 1879, pp. 252, 253.)
In the few exempt cases in which it may become necessary
to transfer a "Wesleyan-Methodist Day School to a School
Board, the following Eegulations must be observed :
' In view of the interpretation which is put upon Section xxiii.
of the Elementary Education Act by the Lords of the Committee
of Council, to the effect that any transfer of a School, settled upon
our School Model Deed No. I., to a School Board, for any term
whatever, for the purposes of such School Board, must be sanc-
tioned not only by the signatures of the Trustees, but by the Con-
ference, testified by the President in writing, the Conference directs
that in every case in which the transfer of such a School is pro-
posed, the Superintendent, with the Managers and Trustees acting
in concert, shall first consult the Education Committee on the sub-
ject, and that if, for reasons given, that Committee recommends
such a transfer, the Rules of the Conference in relation to the sale
of Trust Property shall be applicable thereto ; the Education
Committee considering all questions affecting School-management,
and the Chapel Committee questions affecting Trust-property.
' In respect to Schools settled on the School Model Deed No. II.,
or on any other Deed in which the consent of the Conference is
rendered necessary for the alienation of the property, the Conference
recommends the Trustees to act upon the same principles as those
laid down in the foregoing clause in relation to Schools settled on
the School Model Deed No. I.
' In all cases of transfer which may hereafter occur, the Confer-
ence recommends that provision be made in the instrument of
transfer to secure the resumption of the premises by the Trustees,
without their being required to reimburse any money laid out upon
them by the School Board solely for its own purposes.' (Min., 1879,
pp. 253, 254.)
The Conference has, for some years, sanctioned and
encouraged the formation of Bands of Hope in connection
with Sunday Schools, under the supervision of the Ministers
of the Circuit and the local Sunday School Committees ; and
in the year 1877 a Scheme for the constitution and manage-
ment of such Bands of Hope was adopted. It is one feature
of the Scheme that the general management of them shall be
entrusted to a Committee, consisting of all the Ministers of
122 TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES.
the Circuit, a Treasurer, a Conductor, a Secretary, and a
Registrar, who shall be members of the Society, and by pre-
ference Officers or Teachers in the Sunday School, together
with six or more persons, of whom it is desirable that one-
half at least should be Abstainers. The Scheme itself is
given, in extenso, in Part III., Chapter xii., of this work.
In the Chapter just referred to will be found also the
Scheme for the formation of Circuit Organisations for the Pro-
motion of Temperance. The principle upon which every Wes-
leyan-Methodist Temperance Society must be founded is the
co-operation of Abstainers and Non-abstainers. The manage-
ment of such Societies is to be confided to a Committee,
of which the Superintendent of the Circuit is, ex officio, the
Chairman. The Committee, if practicable, is to be composed
of Abstainers and Non-abstainers. ' Two-thirds, at least, of
this Committee must be members of the Wesleyan-Methodist
Society, and the remainder regular attendants on the Wesleyan-
Methodist ministry.'
In the legislation of the Conference of 1879 a Scheme
was sanctioned for the formation of the several "Wesleyan-
Methodist Temperance Societies and Bands of Hope in any
Circuit into a Circuit Temperance Union. This Scheme also
is given in Part III., Chapter xii., of the present work.
PAKT III.
THE INSTITUTIONS AND CONNEXION!!, FUNDS
OF VESLEYAN METHODISM,
CHAPTER I.
THE WESLEYAN-METHODIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY AUXILIARY AND
BRANCH SOCIETIES JUVENILE HOME AND FOREIGN MISSION-
ARY ASSOCIATIONS THE LADIES* AUXILIARY FOR FEMALE
EDUCATION.
~\ yt~ETHODISM is essentially missionary in its spirit and
-LV_L aims ; while its organisation, from the very first, has
been designed to spread Scriptural holiness throughout our
country and the world. During the life of its Founder, Mis-
sionaries were sent forth to our North American Colonies,
the West Indies, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland. There
was not, indeed, at that time, nor for many years afterwards,
any organised Missionary Society. ' On Dr. Coke,' to quote
the language of the Report of the Jubilee Fund of the Wesley an-
Methodist Missionary Society, ' devolved the general oversight
of the work abroad, as the general oversight of the work at
home devolved on Mr. "Wesley; the funds necessary for the sup-
port of the Foreign Missions being supplied chiefly through the
private munificence and unwearied exertions of Dr. Coke.'
In the year 1813, when Dr. Coke was about to embark
for Ceylon with a band of Missionaries, the first Methodist
Missionary Meeting was held in Leeds, and a Methodist Mis-
sionary Society for the Leeds District was formed. This step
124 WESLEYAN-METHODIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
was approved by the Conference of 1814, and recommended
to the imitation of the other Districts of the Connexion. In
the following year an Executive Committee was appointed to
superintend the Missions and Missionaries, during the in-
tervals of the meeting of the Conference, and also a Committee
of Examination and Finance, consisting partly of Laymen. In
1817 various Resolutions were adopted on the recommendation
of the Committee of Examination and Finance, together with
the outline of a Plan for the formation of a General Wesleyan-
Methodist Missionary Society. That outline was enlarged and
perfected during the year ; and at the Conference of 1818, the
Scheme, in its complete form, was adopted. A few modifications
were introduced in the years 1819, 1836, and 1869 ; and still
greater changes were rendered necessary by the Scheme of Lay
Representation in the Conference, adopted in 1877, and by the
arrangements for the nomination of Mixed Committees, pro-
visionally adopted by the Conference of 1881. The changes
thus made are indicated in the Notes to the respective Articles
of the Plan.
' I. This Institution shall be designated The Wesleyan-Methodist
Missionary Society.
' II. The object of this Society is to excite and combine, on a
plan more systematic and efficient than has heretofore been accom-
plished, the exertions of the Societies and Congregations of the
Wesleyan Methodists (and of others who are friends to the con-
version of the Heathen World, and to the preaching of the Gospel
generally, in foreign lands), in the support and enlargement of the
Foreign Missions which were first established by the Rev. John
Wesley, M.A., the Rev. Thomas Coke, LL.D., and others ; and
which are now, or shall be, from year to year, carried on under
the sanction and direction of the Conference of the people called
Methodists.
' III. Every person subscribing annually the sum of One Guinea
and upwards, and every Benefactor presenting a donation of Ten
Pounds and upwards, shall be deemed a Member of this Society,
and entitled, as such, to a copy of the General Annual Report.
'IV. All Methodist Missionary Societies which have already
been formed, and those which it is intended to form as soon as it
shall be found practicable, for the several Districts in this kingdom,
or elsewhere, into which the Methodist Connexion is divided, shall
WESLEYAN-METHODIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 125
be entitled " Auxiliary Methodist Missionary Societies," for the
Districts in which they have been, or may be, formed.
' All Methodist Missionary Societies already f ormed^or hereafter
to be formed, in the particular Circuits of any District, shall be
entitled " Branch Methodist Missionary Societies," for the Circuit,
or (where there are, or shall be, more than one such Society in the
same Circuit) for the City, Town, or Village in which they are, or
shall be, established. And the formation of Ladies' Branch Asso-
ciations, and of Juvenile Branch Societies, in connection with the
Auxiliary Societies of the several Districts, is also earnestly re-
commended, wherever separate Institutions of that nature are likely
to be advantageous.
' V. The moneys raised in any Circuit for the Methodist Mis-
sions, by Branch Societies, or other Local Associations, and all
other moneys, in whatever way collected, for the same object, shall
be regularly paid, once every quarter, or ofteuer, into the hands of
the Treasurer of the Auxiliary Society for the District in which the
said Circuit is situated, with the deduction only of such sums as may
have been disbursed for the incidental and local expenses of the
Branch Society. And the Treasurer of every District Auxiliary
Society shall remit to the Treasurer or Treasurers of the General
Society in London, once in every quarter or oftener, all sums so
received by him from the various Circuits in his District, deducting
only the necessary incidental expenses incurred by the Auxiliary
Society.
' VI. The Secretaries of every Branch Society, or other Local
Association, shall forward annually to the Secretaries of the
Auxiliary Society for their District an Alphabetical List of all the
Benefactors and Subscribers during the preceding twelve months,
with an account of their respective contributions, stating at the
same time what portion of the sums so received has been detained
for local expenses, and what portion has been paid in to the
Treasurer for the District. And the Secretaries of every District
Auxiliary Society shall also forward annually to the Secretaries of
the General Society in London a similar List of the Benefactors
and Subscribers in all the Circuits of their District, and an Abstract
of the account of the Auxiliary Society, showing its gross receipts,
its local payments, and its remittances to the General Treasurers.
'VII. All Benefactors of Ten Pounds and upwards, and all
Subscribers of One Guinea and upwards, annually, to any of the
Auxiliary or Branch Societies, or other Local Associations, in con-
* The Conference of 1881 adopted a Resolution, requesting the Circuit
Treasurers for Foreign Missions to remit to the District Treasurers whenever
they have five pounds in hand, and requesting the District Treasurers to
remit to the Mission House whenever they have twenty-five pounds from any
or all sources.
126 WESLEYAN-METHODIST MISSION AET SOCIETY.
nection with this Institution, shall be deemed, in right of such
Benefaction or Subscription, Members of the General Society.
'VIII. All persons who collect to the amount of one shilling
and upwards weekly, or five shillings and upwards monthly, for this
Institution, or for any of its Auxiliaries, Branches, or Associations,
shall also be members of the General Society, and entitled to receive
a copy of each Annual Report, and of each number of the Wesleyan
Missionary Notices.
' IX. An Annual Public Meeting of the Members and Friends of
this Society, connected with such religious services as may be
deemed expedient, shall be held in London on the first Monday in
May, unless that day shall fall on the 6th or 7th of May, in which
case the meeting shall be held for that year on the 29th or 30th of
April.
' X. A General Committee shall be appointed by the Conference,
to whom shall be entrusted (in the intervals of the Annual Assem-
blies of that Body) the superintendence of the Collection and Dis-
bursement of all Moneys raised for the Foreign Missions which are
now, or may hereafter be, carried on under its sanction, and by the
Ministers in connection with it ; and also the General Management
of those Missions according to the Rules hereinafter provided. This
Committee shall consist of the President and Secretary of the Con-
ference for the time being, and of forty-eight other Members, of
whom at least one-third (eight Travelling Preachers and eight other
Members of the Methodist Society) shall be selected from the country
Circuits ; the rest shall be resident in or near London, where meet-
ings of the Committee shall be held once a month, or oftener, for
the transaction of business. Those of the Methodist Ministers who
are Annual Subscribers to the Missions of One Guinea, and one
Treasurer, Secretary, or other principal Member from every District
Auxiliary Society, who may be in London occasionally, shall be
entitled to meet and vote with the Committee.*
* The last sentence of this Clause was rescinded by the Conference of 1881
(J/m.,p.284); and the three Clauses, X., XI., XII., were modified by the arrange-
ments provisionally adopted respecting the nomination and constitution of
Mixed Committees of Connexional Departments. These arrangements are as
follows :
' The General Committee of Management of the Wesleyan-Methodist
Missionary Society shall consist of
' 1. Ex qfficio Members, namely, the President and the Secretary of the
Conference ; the Ex-President ; the General Treasurers ; the General
Secretaires ; the Honorary Secretary (if any) ; the Secretaries of the Home
Mission Committee ; the General Treasurers and the General Secretary of the
Theological Institution ; the Governor. Theological Tutor, Senior Classical
Tutor, and Secretary, of the Richmond Branch of the Institution.
' 2 Sixteen Ministers and sixteen Laymen to be chosen for nomination
and appointment from not fewer than twelve Provincial Districts : with
' 3. Sixteen Ministers and twenty Laymen resident in the London
Districts.
WESLEYAN-METHODIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY. 127
'XI. The London Members of the General Committee shall
consist of sixteen of the Methodist Ministers, stationed for the
time being in or near London, and of sixteen Gentlemen, Members
of the Methodist Society, not Ministers. Four of the last-men-
tioned sixteen shall go out annually by rotation. This rotation,
during the first three years, shall be effected by ballot of the Com-
mittee, after which it will proceed in regular course. Four of the
country Members (two Ministers and two others) shall also be
changed annually.
' XII. One or more General Treasurers, who shall be entitled to
sit and vote with the Committee during the year of their continu-
ance in office, shall be annually appointed.
' XIII. Four of the Methodist Ministers, stationed in or near
London, shall be appointed to conduct the official correspondence
of the Missions, and to perform the other duties of Secretaries.
The Secretaries shall be expected to devote themselves on the
week-days, in general, to the service of the Missions exclusively ;
being subject, however, to the Rules of the Connexion, respecting
a periodical change of Station, or formal re-appointment to office.
' XIV. As all the Missionaries supported by the Funds of this
Society are to be Ministers in connexion with, and under the
direction of, the Methodist Conference, and have generally a claim
to be received as such into the Connexion at home, on their return
from Foreign Stations, the selection of Missionaries shall be made
in the following way : viz.
' 1. Every Candidate must, in the first instance, be recommended
by the Superintendent of the Circuit in which he resides ; be ap-
proved by the Quarterly Meeting of that Circuit ; and be examined
and approved also, either by the Annual District Meeting, or, at
least, by three other Superintendents in the neighbourhood.
' 2. The List of Candidates for Missionary service, who shall
be thus recommended by their several Superintendents, Quarterly
Meetings and District Meetings, etc., shall be annually forwarded
to the General Secretaries ; and such a number of those who are
deemed most eligible as are likely to be wanted, in the course of the
' KB. The Treasurer of any District Auxiliary Society in Great Britain,
and the Chairman of any District, who may be in London at the time of hold-
ing any Meeting of the General Committee, shall be entitled to sit and vote
with the Committee ; and the Treasurer, or Treasurers, of the London
Districts' Auxiliary Societies shall be regularly summoned to the Committee.
1 The Ministers and Laymen referred to in groups 2 and 3 above, shall be
recommended for nomination to the Conference by the General Committee
at its Meeting next before the Conference in each year ; and a list of the
Ministers and Laymen so recommended shall be sent to the Secretary of the
Nomination Committee in each year as early as possible after it has been
adopted, and in no case later than ten days before the next Eepresentative
Session of the Conference." (See Appendix, No. V.)
128 WESLEYAN-METHODIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
ensuing twelve months, shall be sent for and be examined by a
Special Committee appointed by the Conference, in reference to
their Missionary views and qualifications. In cases where it may be
found inexpedient for them to attend the Special Committee, they
shall be examined by as many of the Ministers of the London Dis-
trict as can conveniently assemble for that purpose.
' 3. Those Candidates who shall be approved by the Special
Committee, and by the ensuing Conference, shall be entered on the
List of Approved Candidates, and be subject to the call of the
General Committee for such Stations as may need supply or
reinforcement.
' 4. When Ministers already engaged as such in the Connexion
at Home offer themselves for Foreign Service, they shall be person-
ally examined, in reference to that subject, by a Special Committee
appointed by the Conference ; or, if that be impracticable, by as
many of the Ministers of the London District as can conveniently
assemble for the purpose ; and shall, if approved, be placed on the
List of Received Missionaries.
'5. If it shall at any time appear to a majority of the General
Committee in London that there are reasons why any person called
out from the said List of Approved or Received Missionaries, and
proposed for a Foreign Station, should not proceed upon that
service, they shall have a right to suspend his appointment as a
Missionary until the ensuing Conference shall especially consider
and determine on his case.
' 6. If, in the interval of the Annual Meetings of the Conference,
the List of Approved or Received Missionaries shall be exhausted,
and more Missionaries shall be urgently wanted, or if an im-
mediate supply shall be needed for some Station of peculiar
difficulty, or requiring peculiar qualifications, the General Com-
mittee shall be at liberty to employ such other persons as they
deem suitable : Provided always that such persons shall have been
previously recommended by their respective Superintendents, by
the Quarterly Meetings of the Circuits in which they reside, and
either by the District Meetings, or by three neighbouring Superin-
tendents, and shall also be previously examined and approved by
as many of the Ministers of the London District as can conveniently
assemble, who shall be considered on such occasions as exercising,
on behalf of the Conference, the same functions which would in
ordinary cases belong to the Special Committee and the Conference,
according to the 2nd and 4th Articles of this Rule : Provided, also,
that this right of the Committee to employ Missionaries not entered
on the Annual Lists shall be exercised only in case of pressing
necessity, and not without the consent of the President of the Con-
ference for the time being.
' XV. The Plan for stationing the Missionaries supported by
this Society shall be annually drawn up by the Secretaries, laid
WESLEYAN-METHODIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY- 129
before the General Committee in London, and, if approved by them,
recommended to the Conference.
' XVI. The trial of Missionaries, who may at any time be ac-
cused of misconduct, or of having deviated from the doctrines and
discipline of the Connexion, shall, in all ordinary cases, be left with
the Foreign District Meeting to which such Missionaries may at the
time belong, according to the General Rules and usages of the
Methodist Conference. But the Conference shall have, as hereto-
fore, the right of recalling any Missionary, whether put on his
trial by a Foreign District Meeting or not, whenever there shall
appear to them to be reason for such recall. And, in the intervals
of the sittings of the Conference, the General Committee in London
shall possess a similar power of recall, and of putting any Mission-
ary so recalled by them upon his trial before the ensuing Conference;
or, in case of necessity for immediate decision, before a Committee,
to consist of the Superintendents of the London Circuits, and of
other Ministers who, for the time being, may be Members of the
General Missionary Committee.
1 XVII. For the satisfaction of the numerous country Friends
of this Society, on whose continued co-operation so much depends,
and many of whom are in the habit of attending the Annual
Meetings of the Conference, it is agreed that a Special Meeting of
the General Committee shall be held once a year, at the place where
the Conference is held, at nine o'clock in the morning of the
Wednesday preceding the last Thursday in July. To this Meeting
the Conference shall, from year to year, invite Nine Ministers,
and Nine other Members of the Methodist Society, resident in the
neighbourhood, who are not Ministers, together with the Treasurers
and Secretaries of the different Auxiliary and Branch Societies in
the vicinity, and such other leading country Friends of the Methodist
Missions as can conveniently attend. The persons thus assembled,
in conjunction with those regular Members of the General
Committee who can be present, shall review the Minutes of the
Financial Business transacted during the preceding year, and
examine the General Accounts of the State and Expenditure of
the Missions. Any suggestions for the improvement or extension
of the Missionary concerns of the Connexion, which this Special
Meeting may deem it expedient to recommend, shall be minuted by
the Secretaries, and promptly considered by the Conference, or at
the subsequent regular Meetings of the General Committee in
London.*
' XVIII. It is earnestly recommended to the Members of this
* This Article of the Plan has been superseded by recent legislation
respecting the constitution of the Conference in its Representative Session,
The review of Missionary affairs now devolves on the Conference itself when
the Lay Representatives are present.
130 WESLEY AN-METHODIST MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
Society, and of the Auxiliary Societies, and other Local Associations
in connection with it, to consider it as an indispensable part of their
daily Christian duty to pray to Almighty God for a blessing upon
its designs, and upon those of all similar Societies of other denom-
inations engaged in the propagation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
tinder the full conviction that unless He " prevent us in all our
doings with His most gracious favour, and further us with His con-
tinual help," we cannot reasonably hope for a succession of persons
of proper spirit and qualifications for the office of Missionaries, or
expect their labours to be crowned with the desired success. And
it is further hoped that, with the same view, all the Members and
Friends of this Society will sanction in their several neighbourhoods,
by their presence and influence, the Monthly Missionary Prayer-
Meetings, which should be held in every Chapel in the Methodist
Connexion, according to the recommendation of the Conference,
published in their Minutes for 1815 ; at which Meetings Extracts
from the Missionary Notices, containing recent intelligence from
the Foreign Stations, may be read, and united supplications offered
up for the salvation of the world.'
It will be observed that in the fourth Article of this Plan
District Auxiliary Societies and Circuit Branch Societies are
recognised, and that the formation of Juvenile Branch
Associations is earnestly recommended. Such Associations
exist in connection with many of our Sunday Schools ;
but, for the most part, the objects which they are designed
to promote are extended, and their designation is Juvenile
Home and Foreign Missionary Associations. In some cases,
one-half of the net proceeds of these Associations is given
to the Foreign Missionary Society, and one-half to the Home
Mission and Contingent Fund. When this Plan was originally
sanctioned, at the Conference of 1863, it was stipulated
that ' in every case the contribution to the Foreign Missions
shall be at least equal to what has been presented from
Christmas Offerings on the average of several preceding
years.' (Min., vol. xv., p. 528.) At the Conference of 1869,
a threefold division of the sums raised by these Associations
was sanctioned ; viz., one-third to the Foreign Missionary
Society, with the condition just cited ; ' one-third to the
Home Mission and Contingent Fund ' ; and ' one-third to
the Circuit, to be expended in support of local movements
LADIES' AUXILIARY FOR FEMALE EDUCATION. 181
of a directly Home-Missionary character, under the direction of
the Superintendent, and the Quarterly Meeting, or of a Com-,
mittee appointed by the December Quarterly Meeting.' (Min.,
vol. xvii., p. 602. See also Min., 1879, p. 226.)
In the Annual Meeting of each District Committee an in-
quiry is to be instituted, whether these Regulations respecting
Juvenile Home and Foreign Missionary Associations have
been observed. The efficiency and productiveness of every
Circuit organisation on behalf of the Foreign Missionary
Society must also be inquired into.
Among the Resolutions adopted by the Conference of
1880 was one recommending ' that the attention of the
Officers and Committees of the District, Circuit, and Branch
Societies should be directed to the subject of re-organisation,
with a view to the multiplication of Collectors, a general
and vigorous canvass of the Societies and Congregations of
Methodism, the earlier and systematic payment of subscrip-
tions, and the more prompt remittance of all moneys to the
General Treasurers.' (Min., 1880, p. 204.)
The "Wesleyan-Methodist Missionary Society receives
valuable and important aid from the Ladies' Auxiliary for
Female Education. The Committee of that Auxiliary sends
forth and supports Female Teachers, and ladies engaged in
Zenana work, besides furnishing school materials, clothing,
etc., to many parts of the Mission Field, especially China,
ludia, Ceylon, and Africa. Many Schools are assisted by
the Ladies' Committee with special grants, which, but for
this help, would have to be closed.
CHAPTEE II.
THE HOME-MISSION AND CONTINGENT FUND : COMPENDIUM OF
REGULATIONS AFFECTING IT, AND THE EMPLOYMENT OF
HOME-MISSIONAEYMINISTEBS,DISTBICT MISSION AELES, AEMY
AND NAVY MINISTEES, AND LAY AGENTS.
THE Contingent Fund is one of the oldest o the Con-
nexional Funds of Wesleyan Methodism, having been
originated by Mr. Wesley about the year 1756. In the earlier
period of Methodism, ' it was applied,' to quote the words of
Mr. Grindrod, 'to the following objects : The liquidation of
debts on those preaching-houses which had been already
built, to provide means for calling out an additional number
of Travelling Preachers, to meet the deficiencies of those
Preachers who were stationed in the poorer Circuits in Eng-
land, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland, and to enable the
Preachers to defray certain law expenses which, in those days,
they were sometimes compelled to incur, in order to obtain
protection from persecuting mobs.' The source from which
it was derived was the Yearly Collection made in the several
Classes at the March visitation. In the gradual develop-
ment of Methodism, this Fund has assumed additional im-
portance; and other sources of supply have been provided,
while a carefully organised system of administration has been
adopted. The title of the Fund now is The Home-Mission and
Contingent Fund. In addition to sustaining, either in whole
or in part, Home-Missionary Ministers, District Missionaries,
Ministers labouring in the Army and Royal Navy, and Lay
Agents, this Fund is employed to assist Circuits which could
not, without such aid, support the Ministers appointed to
them. This is one of the most important modes in which
HOME-MISSION AND CONTINGENT FUND. 133
it contributes to the maintenance and extension of the work
of God ; for without the help thus afforded, many Ministers
must be withdrawn from spheres of labour where their
services are urgently needed, to counteract pernicious errors,
and to turn men from ungodliness and vice. From this
Fund, also, grants are made, after a careful examination
of the applications by the District Committees and then by
the Committee of the Fund, to meet cases of affliction,
removal expenses, and other similar expenses, which cannot
be defrayed by the Circuits in which the Ministers have been
labouring. Supplies sent by the President to nil up vacan-
cies caused by the death or severe affliction of Ministers are
partly provided for from this Fund ; newly-married Ministers
who are stationed in Circuits where there is no Minister's
house for them to occupy, have an allowance from this
Fund in lieu of such a house ; and grants are made from it
to assist Circuits to provide additional Ministers' houses, as
well as, under certain arrangements, to augment the allow-
ances of Ministers in the poorer Circuits of the Connexion.
There are also various Connexional expenses, not properly
chargeable on Circuits, which are met by this Fund. These
are all connected with the carrying out of our Connexional
system, the maintenance of our discipline, and the guarding
of the purity of the Ministry, and the keeping up of fraternal
intercourse between the British Conference and other distant
branches of the Methodist Communion.
At the Conference of 1879, after much preparatory deliber-
ation, a Compendium of Regulations respecting the administra-
tion of this Fund, and the relations and duties of Home-
Missionary Ministers, District Missionaries, Army and Navy
Ministers, and Lay Agents, either wholly or partially supported
by it, was adopted. That Compendium was modified in some
particulars by the legislation of the Conference of 1881. The
constitution of the Home-Mission Committee, and of the Army
and Navy Sub-Committee, provisionally adopted by that Con-
ference, and the arrangements for the nomination of the
134 HOME-MISSION AND CONTINGENT FUND.
Members, are stated in Appendix No. V. The other modifica-
tions of the Compendium, being definitely resolved on by the
Conference, are given in this Chapter.
'I. TITLE OF THE FUND.
' The Title of the Fund shall be " The "Wesleyan Home-Mission
and Contingent Fund."
' II. THE HOME-MISSION COMMITTEE.
' 1. The Home-Mission Committee shall consist of fifteen Min-
isters and fifteen Laymen resident in London, and thirty-five Min-
isters and thirty-five Laymen resident in the country, together with
the President and Secretary of the Conference, the Ex-Presidents,
the Officers of the Fund, and the Treasurers and Secretary of ' The
Fund for the Extension of Methodism in Great Britain."
N.B. The Officers of the Fund shall be a Ministerial and a Lay
Treasurer, a General Secretary, and a Financial Secretary.
' 2. The Members of the Committee for the Country shall be
selected so as to secure, as far as practicable, the representation of
the several Districts.*
' 3. One-fifth of the Members of the Committee shall retire
annually, by rotation, the same persons being ineligible for im-
mediate re-election, except in special cases.
' 4. The Committee shall meet once a month for the transaction
of the ordinary business of the Fund, usually on the forenoon of
the third Thursday.
' 5. Special Meetings of the Committee shall be summoned as
soon as possible after the May District Meeting, and at such other
times as may be deemed necessary.
' 6. The Home-Mission Committee is permitted to invite Min-
isters for Army and Navy work, and for Home-Mission work, on
Stations where there are no Quarterly Meetings, in the same way as
Circuits now invite Circuit Ministers, and as Home Mission Sub-
Committees may invite District Missionaries in accordance with the
Regulations adopted by the Conference.
' III. SOURCES OF THE FUND.
' 1. The Sources of Income for the Home-Mission Fund shall be
as follows :
(i.) The Yearly Collection made in the Classes at the March
Quarterly Visitation.
* See p. 133 ad fin., and Appendix No. V.
HOME-MISSION AND CONTINGENT FUND. 135
(ii.) Congregational Collections, which shall be made yearly in
every Chapel, on some Lord's Day, and, if possible, before
the May District Meeting,
(iii.) Public Meetings, which shall be held annually in every
Circuit, and, as far as practicable, in every Chapel,
(iv.) Circuit and Juvenile Associations.
The sums collected by Juvenile Associations shall be
divided between the Home and Foreign Missionary Funds;
but in Circuits where definite Home-Missionary operations
are being carried on, the subjoined allocation shall be
allowed :
One-third of the sums received by Juvenile Home and
Foreign Missionary Associations to be paid to the Foreign
Missionary Society ;
One-third to the Home-Mission Fund ;
One-third to the Circuit, to be expended in support of
local movements of a directly Home- Missionary character,
under the direction of the Superintendent and the Quarterly
Meeting, or of a Committee appointed by the December
Quarterly Meeting,
(v.) Private Subscriptions,
(vi.) Donations and Legacies,
(vii.) Annual Subscriptions, to be requested from the Trust
Funds of Chapels.
(viii.) Contributions from Charitable Trusts, from the Book-
Room, and from such other sources as may be available.
' 2. The amount of Collections and Subscriptions received for
this Fund, in each Circuit, shall be immediately remitted to the
Financial Secretary of the Home-Mission Fund, and shall be
reported by the Superintendent at the May District Meeting.
Should any considerable deficiency appear, the Chairman shall make
strict inquiry into the case.
' 3. The District Financial Secretary shall obtain and forward
the Circuit Lists, together with all unremitted balances due to the
Fund, and shall account for the same to the Financial Secretary of
the Fund.
' 4. The Financial District Meeting shall make arrangements for
holding as many meetings as possible in the several Circuits, and
shall appoint suitable Deputations to attend them.
' IV. DISTRICT ADMINISTRATION.
' 1. With a view to encourage and stimulate exertion for the
extension of Methodism in particular localities, to maintain and
increase the general resources of the Fund for the country at large,
and to avoid the multiplication of local funds, it is desirable that
each District Meeting should have an enlarged control over the
136 HOME-MISSION AND CONTINGENT FUND.
money obtained by it for Home-Mission purposes. It is therefore
agreed that each District, whilst receiving, at least, its present
ordinary grant, shall be allowed to retain and expend three-fourths
of the entire increase upon its contributions to the Fund in the year
1878, such contributions being actually paid in at the May District
Meeting.
N.B. As the May District Committee cannot apportion its avail-
able increase unless the amount of that increase be then
known, or guaranteed, it is most desirable that arrangements
should be made in Circuits for closing their Home-Mission
accounts in time for the May District Meeting.
' 2. In the expenditure of the increased sums thus placed at the
disposal of the Districts, special regard shall be had to the following
objects :
The employment of District Missionaries, and of additional
Home-Missionary Ministers in Circuits.
The employment of Lay Agents, in accordance with the Regu-
lations of the Conferenc.
The increase of allowances to Ministers, in feeble Circuits, to
such amounts as may be in accordance with the Regulations of
the Conference.
N.B. The Fund will meet all existing obligations, or any obli-
gation which may be sanctioned by the Conference, but must not
be expected to meet any increased expenditure which may arise
from the calling out of additional Ministers through the adminis-
tration of this surplus, or from the failure of Circuits to fulfil the
pledges hereafter entered into by them to make due provision for
married Ministers, to replace the unmarried Ministers thus called
into the work.
' 3. To carry out more efficiently the objects of the Fund, and
especially to ensure the successful working of the Scheme for the
employment of Lay Agents, a District Home-Mission Sub-Com-
mittee shall be appointed by the Financial District Meeting in each
District. This District Home-Mission Sub-Committee shall consist
of the Chairman and the Financial Secretary of the District, and
not more than four other Ministers, and Six Laymen, of whom one-
half at least shall be Circuit Stewards at the time of their appoint-
ment. At least one Lay Member shall retire annually by rotation.
Any member of this Sub-Committee not being otherwise a member
of the District Committee shall become such by this appointment.
' 4. The District Home-Mission Sub-Committee shall be respon-
sible for making the necessary Financial arrangements for the
support of any District Missionary who may be employed in the
District, and may invite any Minister as Circuits invite Circuit
Ministers.
HOME-MISSION AND CONTINGENT FUND. 137
'V. GRANTS TO ASSISTED CIRCUITS.
' 1. Payments from the Home-Mission Fund, to assist Circuits
to meet the ordinary Claims of their Ministers, shall be remitted to
the Superintendents in four equal instalments ; viz., in September,
December, March, and June.
' 2. Special Grants shall be paid through the Financial Secre-
taries of the respective Districts at the time of the Annual Settle-
ment.
' Grants to increase Allowances.
' Temporary Grants, for a period to be agreed upon between the
Circuit and the Home-Missionary Committee, may be made to any
Circuit with the approval of the District Committee to which it
belongs, to bring the Allowances of its married Ministers up to
130. These Grants are not to exceed the proportion of 1 from
the Fund for 1 raised in the Circuit, and are to be made on the
condition that the Allowances shall not afterwards be reduced
below 130.
' Grants towards Removal Expenses.
1 1. If any Minister be appointed by the Conference to a Circuit
after an invitation sent by that Circuit to the Minister, every
expense incurred by his removal, beyond what the Circuit he is
leaving may provide, shall be borne by his new Circuit.
' 2. A Grant towards the removal expenses of any Minister may
be made by the Home-Mission Committee, so soon as it has been
certified by the District Home-Mission Sub-Committee that the
claim is reasonable, that it has been duly submitted to the
Quarterly Meeting of the Circuit from which the removal has
taken place, and that the Circuit is unable to meet the whole
expense.
' Grants for Afflictions.
' No Grant for Affliction shall be paid until the claim has first
been presented to the Quarterly Meeting of the Circuit from which
the application comes, and has been approved by the District Meet-
ing to which the Circuit belongs.*
' Grants towards Circuit Travelling.
' All applications for Grants on account of Circuit travelling,
before being paid, must be approved by the May District Meeting.t
' Grants towards Supplies.
' Any Minister needing a Supply must take counsel with the
* See also Resolution of the Conference of 1880, given on p. 148 (No. 4)
of this work.
t On this subject some additional Regulations were adopted by the Con-
ference of 1880. See pp. 147, 148 (No. 2) of thia work.
138 HOME- MISSION AND CONTINGENT FUND.
Chairman of the District before applying to the President of the
Conference. Any Preacher sent to supply by the President shall
be paid at the rate of Thirty Guineas per annum, for the time he
is in the Circuit. This allowance shall not include the board and
lodging of the Preacher thus sent.
N.B. A practice having grown up for Preachers on trial to
apply to the Home-Mission and Contingent Fund for Grants for
afflictions, supplies, etc., in the same manner as Ministers in Full
Connexion, the Conference declares that, for the future, it be
understood that Preachers on trial have no claim on the Fund
for any extraordinary expenses.
' Provision for Married Ministers.
' 1. Any Circuit making application for an additional Minister
shall furnish a house not later than at the end of four years, and
at the end of three years wherever practicable ; and the Superin-
tendent and Circuit Stewards, acting by the direction of the Quar-
terly Meeting, shall sign a pledge to this effect, and satisfy the
District Committee that there is a reasonable probability that such
pledge will be duly redeemed. This pledge shall be in the keeping
of the Financial Secretary of the Home-Mission Fund, and a copy
of it shall be inserted in the District Minutes.
' 2. The additional allowance from this Fund to a married Min-
ister in Full Connexion with the Conference, for whom no house is
provided, and who would otherwise receive only the allowance of
a single Minister, shall be, for Ministers who have travelled four
years, at the rate of 40 per annum ; and, for Ministers who have
travelled five years or upwards, if a house be nowhere available,
50 per annum. These amounts shall be paid in quarterly in-
stalments.
' 3. Whenever a married Minister is appointed to a Circuit which
has failed to fulfil its obligation to provide for a family, the addi-
tional amount paid to him shall be entered as a Grant to the Circuit;
and, so long as the pledge remains unfulfilled, it shall be considered
annually, first in the May District Committee, and then, on the
report of that Committee, by the Conference, whether the appoint-
ment should be longer continued.
' 4. In all arrangements for the support of married Ministers for
whom houses are not provided, Ministers stationed in Circuits and
Home-Missionary Ministers shall have the same Grants.
' 5. Any Circuit providing a house at the end of four years may
receive a Grant of 40 towards furniture ; if at the end of three
years, it may receive 50 ; if at the end of two years, 60 ; if at
the end of one year, 70 ; or, if a house be provided when the
additional Minister is appointed, 80 ; but no Circuit shall receive
more than 40 so long as any previous obligation to provide for a
family remains unfulfilled.
HOME-MISSION AND CONTINGENT FUND. 139
' VI. REGULATIONS FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF A
HOME MISSIONARY.
' The object proposed in the appointment of additional Ministers
to aggressive or Missionary work in our own country is, that
specific attention may be given to the neglected and careless portion
of the population of our large towns and the rural districts. Their
appalling moral and social condition demands a much larger share
of the practical sympathy of our Connexion. An increased concern
for the religious welfare of our countrymen is already manifested
by augmented contributions to the Wesleyan Home-Mission and
Contingent Fund ; and while anxious to give full support to existing
Circuits, to render them still more effective, the Conference desires
to see a well-organised effort to extend the Work of G-od in desti-
tute parts of the kingdom.
' Home-Mission Work not to be involved or absorbed in the present
regular Working of Circuits.
' Any new enterprise of an aggressive character, although con-
ducted in harmony with the working of our Circuits, requires
separate arrangements, until the prosperity of the Mission shall
make its incorporation practicable and desirable.
' When any Circuit requests the appointment of a Home-Mission-
ary Minister, an engagement shall be entered into that his labours
shall be devoted to a separate district or neighbourhood ; and that
such evangelical labours shall not be diverted from their proper
object, even by the supplying of vacancies occasioned by temporary
absence or inability of other Ministers. A change of appointments
with the other Ministers of the Circuit (in the forenoon, where
practicable) is however desirable. Such a change will bring the
Missionary Minister into desirable communion with the established
congregations, beneficially exercise his preaching talents, and secure
general sympathy. With this exception, it is manifestly important,
in order to the concentration both of labour and responsibility, that
the Minister so employed should give himself wholly to his distinc-
tive and proper work.
' Duties of a Home-Missionary Minister.
' He should daily visit from house to house in his District, until
all have been visited ; avoiding, however, the usual hours for meals,
when the poor naturally object to be intruded upon by strangers.
He should read the Scriptures and offer prayer, if practicable, in
every case ; and where this is not practicable, he should introduce
as much of the Scriptures as possible in conversation, giving promi-
nence to the great doctrines which concern the sinf ulness of man,
and his salvation from sin, and from its consequences, through the
one perfect sacrifice of Christ, and by the grace of the Holy Spirit.
He should urge the duties of prayer, reading the Scriptures, and
140 HOME-MISSION AND CONTINGENT FUND.
habitual attendance on the public worship of Almighty God ; earn-
estly inviting the people to any of our regular or occasional services
in the neighbourhood. In these visitations suitable Tracts should,
if possible, be distributed in every house. He should inculcate on
parents the duty of training up their children religiously, and the
importance of sending them to Week-day and Sunday Schools. He
should faithfully, but prudently and affectionately, reprove sin ;
especially profaneness, intemperance, and Sabbath-breaking. Care
should be taken to avoid all unnecessary controversy, or the intro-
duction of subjects calculated to produce irritation ; and to create,
by a truly Christian spirit and demeanour, an affectionate sympathy
and confidence between the Minister and those who are visited by
him. Without such visitation from house to house, and this indi-
vidual dealing with the people, there can be no reasonable hope of
their being gathered into the Church of Christ.
' The sick and dying imperatively demand the care of the Min-
ister. He will often find affliction aggravated by deep poverty ;
and while it is not presumed that he will be able to relieve all such
cases, he may, with advantage to his work, refer them to our
various Benevolent Institutions ; or, by application to the affluent,
obtain means for their partial relief.
' He should preach out of doors, at every suitable opportunity, in
a simple, earnest, and affectionate manner, especially in the thickly-
populated and destitute parts of our towns, and also in villages not
at present visited by our Ministers.
'It would often be practicable, in addition to regular public
worship, to obtain a room for a short service in the evening ; and
sometimes two services might be held, in different localities, on the
same evening. These services would be extemporized and informal,
consisting, in the main, of that simple and faithful preaching of
Christ crucified which, applied by the Holy Spirit, is the power of
God unto salvation.
' It is of the utmost importance that the Minister should not
attempt to embrace too large a sphere of action, either as regards
population or district. The effect of repeated visits will be to
secure greater mutual sympathy, to make his efforts more impres-
sive, to enable him to mark the effect upon the minds and lives of
the people, and more certainly to secure the spiritual harvest.
' In most places pious and earnest members of Society will be
ready to accompany the Minister, and to help him in various depart-
ments of his work ; and such training will eminently fit them for
extensive usefulness in the Church.
' Missionary Minister's Journal and Reports.
' Each Home-Missionary Minister is to keep a Journal, specifying
the number of visits paid and of religious services held by him ;
the number of persons who have been prevailed upon to attend the
HOME-MISSION AND CONTINGENT FUND. 141
house of God ; of those who have been gathered into fellowship
with the Church ; and of children obtained for our Schools. The
Journal should note remarkable instances of ignorance and social
and moral degradation ; and the strictest accuracy must be observed,
and great pains bestowed, in reporting the results of the work under-
taken. The supporters of our Home-Mission movement are entitled
to a full and particular account of the proceedings of the Ministers
employed as Home Missionaries ; and such records will often ex-
hibit plans of aggressive and successful labour. It must also be
remembered that the friends of this work will look less at the mere
number of visits and services than at the religious efficiency of each
Mission.
' Each Minister, thus employed, will be supplied with two
Journals. One of these he will use for three months, at the expira-
tion of which it must be sent to the Secretary for the inspection of
the Committee. He will then use the other for three months ; and
at the end of each quarter the Journals will be interchanged.
' The Missionary Minister must also furnish an annual Report
to the Committee of Management, not later than the end of June.
This is to be an independent document, and not a copy of the
Journal. This Report may include statements of great spiritual
destitution, and instances of permanent religious good. A few
well-selected cases, given in detail and with fulness, will best serve
the purpose. The Report should also contain a summary of the
work done (visits, services, etc.), as detailed in the Journal.
' Each Home-Missionary Minister is directed to forward to the
General Secretary, for the information of the Committee, a copy of
the Circuit-plan, and a quarterly statement of the number of full
and accredited Church-members, and of persons on trial, in con-
nection with the place or places assigned to him as his Mission
District.
' Relation of Home Missionaries to their Superintendents.
' The Superintendents under whose care such Ministers are placed
will be responsible for their proper employment, as before denned,
and must not allow them to be diverted from it. If, in any case,
it be judged expedient to make an existing place of worship the
centre of Missionary operations, such an arrangement must not
interfere with the preceding Regulations. The Superintendent will
be expected to peruse the Journal of the Missionary ; to give the
Committee of Management regular information of the spiritual and
financial condition of the work ; and to present annually to the
District Committee a report of the operation of these Missions.
' Appointment of Ministers as Home Missionaries.
' As a general rule, additional Ministers can only be appointed as
Home Missionaries to neighbourhoods where local contributions are
offered to defray part of the expense ; and Grants will be made
142 HOME-MISSION AND CONTINGENT FUND.
from the Home-Mission and Contingent Fund towards the support
of the Ministers, to supplement and encourage local liberality. For
the present, when one-half or more than one-half of what may be
required to meet the claims of a Minister, shall be provided, such
offers will, all other things being equal, receive the first attention
of the Committee in their recommendations to the Conference. It
may be desirable, in some cases, not to make the appointment of a
Minister absolutely dependent on such proportion ; but these must
be exceptions, admitted only upon proved great necessity and
reasonable prospects of success. All applications for the appoint-
ment of Home-Missionary Ministers are to be sanctioned by the
Quarterly Meetings and by the District Committees.
' Employment of Married Ministers in Home-Mission Work.
' 1. As soon as practicable the spheres of labour now occupied by
Home-Missionary Ministers shall be incorporated with the general
work of Circuits ; and in every case in which a married Minister
shah 1 be appointed to a Circuit, in connection with such an arrange-
ment, the sum of 50 shall be granted by the Committee, if
requested by the Circuit, towards furnishing the additional Minister's
house.
' 2. If necessary, a Home-Mission Grant may be made, for a
period not exceeding three years, to the Circuit in which such an
arrangement is effected, provided that the amount of Ministerial
labour in the locality to which the Home-Missionary Minister was
originally appointed be not diminished.
' 3. Should any Circuit in which such an arrangement has been
made require aid from the Home-Mission and Contingent Fund
beyond the period of three years, the amount of the Grant shall be
determined in the usual way, and be charged among " Ordinary
Deficiencies."
'4. Whenever, in the judgment of the Committee, a Home-
Mission Station should have permanently the services of a married
Minister, a house shall be provided, either in the usual way by the
Circuit to which the Station belongs, aided by the Committee's
Grant, or, if the Mission is not connected with any Circuit, by the
Committee only. In the latter case, however, the furniture shall
remain the property of the Committee (who are hereby made respon-
sible for its insurance), until, by a special agreement, it has been
transferred to a duly constituted Circuit.
'VII. EEGULATIONS FOE THE EMPLOYMENT OF A
DISTEICT MISSIONAEY.
' 1. He shall act under the direction of the Chairman of the
District, and with the concurrence of the Superintendents of Circuits
where he may occasionally labour.
HOME-MISSION AND CONTINGENT FUND. 143
' 2. Should he work in places not included in any Circuit he shall
be directed in his operation by the Chairman of the District, in con-
nection with the District Home-Mission Sub-Committee.
' 3. He shall not take the work of any Circuit Minister, except on
special occasions, and then only with the written consent of the
Chairman of the District, and on .condition that a Circuit Minister
shall supply for him.
' 4. He shall labour where he can be most serviceable in the
evangelisation of the people ; and especially in rural neighbour-
hoods where no organised Methodism now exists, and where, if the
Mission-work be successful, the places can be afterwards attached
to adjacent Circuits.
' 5. He shall pay earnest attention to places where Romanizing
practices, infidelity, and immorality prevail, and in which there is
no vigorous Evangelising Agency.
' 6. A Monthly Report shall be sent by the Missionary, through
the Chairman of the District, to the General Secretary of the Home-
Mission Fund.
' 7. No District Missionary shall make collections at the Services
which he may conduct in the District, except for the benefit of the
Mission, and with the consent of the District Home -Mission Sub-
Committee.
< VIII. ARMY AND NAVY SUB-COMMITTEE.
' 1. This Sub-Committee, for counsel and direction relative to
Wesleyan Methodists in the Army and Royal Navy, shall consist of
the Officers of the Home-Mission Fund and of the Wesleyan Mis-
sionary Society, with an equal number of the members of the
Home-Mission Committee and of the Committee of the Wesleyan
Missionary Society, and other Ministers and Laymen interested in
Methodist work in the Army and Royal Navy, who shall be
appointed by the Conference. An Assistant Secretary shall be
appointed to this Sub-Committee, for the purpose of conducting
correspondence, and advising generally on Naval and Military
matters. The Minutes of such Sub-Committee shall be submitted
to the Home-Mission Committee, and to the Committee of the
Wesleyan Missionary Society.*
' 2. A Circular shall be sent to all Superintendent Ministers
stationed in garrison towns, or where Dep6t centres are established,
informing them of the standing Regulations of the Army and
Royal Navy, which require all Troops, not on duty, to be paraded
and marched every Sunday morning to the public religious services
of their own denominations, and requesting those Ministers to take
suitable measures for gathering into our Congregations and Societies
* See pp. 133, 134, and Appendix Y.
144 HOME-MISSION AND CONTINGENT FUND.
such Officers, Non-commissioned Officers, and Soldiers, as declare
themselves Wesleyan Methodists, and those Children in Government
Schools whose parents are Wesleyan Methodists.
' 3. Ministers appointed for the benefit of Wesleyan Methodists
in the Army or Royal Navy, or both, and supported by the Home-
Mission Committee, shall conduct all special Parade Services.
' 4. Generally, it is desirable that Ministers designated to Army
work should be appointed to Circuits in the ordinary way, and that
arrangements should be made between the Home-Mission Committee
and the Circuit authorities with reference to details of work and
payment.
' 5. The Quarterly Meetings of Circuits to which Army Ministers
are designated, shall, when such appointments are proposed, be
invited to send Representatives to meet the Committee to arrange
such details. In cases where more than one Circuit is concerned,
the authorities of each Circuit shall be consulted.
' 6. The Army and Navy Sub-Committee shall have authority,
from time to time, with the concurrence of the Home-Mission Com-
mittee, to issue circulars of information for the instruction of Army
and Navy Ministers, but only in accordance with the Regulations of
the Conference.
' IX. THE EMPLOYMENT OF LAY AGENTS.
' GENERAL BASIS.
' 1. That the time has arrived when it is desirable to employ Lay
Agents on a larger scale, and in a more systematic way, than
heretofore ; and that our District Organisation affords special
facilities which may be rendered available in framing a general
Scheme for the employment of such Agents.
' 2. That, by the union of District central influence with Circuit
enterprise and reponsibility, a plan may be devised which will
meet the exigencies of the present time.
' 3. That, in any such plan, it must be a governing principle that
no interference can be allowed with the responsibility of the
Superintendent Minister, or with the constitutional rights and
authority of the Quarterly Meeting.
' 4. That, while it is not desirable for the General Home-Mission
Committee to have any responsibility in regard to the selection
or support of Lay Agents employed according to any such plan,
that Committee should keep a Register of all such Agents, and
in this way be able to facilitate the transfer of Agents from
one District to another.
' 5. That such a plan for the employment of Lay Agents shall not
have any authority or any necessary application in cases where
such Agents are entirely supported by funds obtained within
the Circuit or Circuits immediately concerned.
HOME-MISSION AND CONTINGENT FUND. 145
' GENERAL OUTLINE OF PLAN FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF LAY AGENTS.
' In conformity with the foregoing Resolutions, the following
Plan is submitted :
' 1. (i.) The District Home-Mission Sub-Committee shall approve
only such Lay Agents as may be recommended by the Quarterly
Meeting of any Circuit.
' (ii.) They shall superintend, in harmony with the Circuit
Quarterly Meetings, or the Circuit Home-Mission Committees, the
transfer from Circuit to Circuit, within the District, of duly ac-
credited Lay Agents.
' (iii.) They may provide, if they think fit, Lay Agents to labour
within the District in any sphere not now included in any Circuit
or Home-Mission Station.
' (iv.) They shall determine, in conjunction with the Quarterly
Meetings, or with Committees duly appointed by Quarterly Meet-
ings, of the Circuits concerned, the limits of the sphere of labour
of any Lay Agent ; and they shall require and receive a quarterly
Report of his labours.
' (v. ) They shall receive applications from Circuits desiring to
employ Lay Agents, and shall negotiate the amount which the
Circuits shall respectively contribute towards the support of the
Agents, and shall correspond with the Quarterly Meeting, or the
Circuit Home-Mission Committee, as to their selection, appoint-
ment, and duties.
' (vi.) It shall be the duty of the Secretary of each District
Home-Mission Sub-Committee to send to the General Secretary of
Home Missions the names of all Agents approved by such Sub-
Committee, and to communicate with him if it be deemed desirable
to transfer an Agent from one District to another.
' (vii.) The District Home-Mission Sub-Committee shall present
to the May District Meeting a Report of the work done within the
District by the Lay Agents ; and, with a view to the complete
re presentation of all Wesleyan-Methodist Home-Missionary agencies,
of whatever kind, shall also transmit a Report, through the District
Meeting, to the Connexional Home-Mission Committee, that it may
furnish, in its Annual Report, a suitable summary of the work done
in all the Districts.
' 2. No such Lay Agent shall be employed in any Circuit except
on the Resolution of the Quarterly Meeting ; and every such Agent
shall act under the immediate direction of a Committee appointed
by the Quarterly Meeting. The Quarterly Meeting, or its
Committee, shall have power to engage, remove, or dismiss him,
giving due notice thereof to the District Home-Mission Sub-Com-
mittee.
' 3. All Lay Agents shall be engaged subject to the following
146 HOMU-MISSION AND CONTINGENT FUND.
Regulations, the violation or neglect of which shall invalidate all
claims to pecuniary help from the District :
' (i.) Every such Agent must have been recommended for
employment as a Lay Agent, in the first instance, by the Quarterly
Meeting or the Superintendent of the Circuit in which he was at the
time a resident Member of Society.
' (ii.) He must be approved by the District Home-Mission Sub-
Committee.
' (iii.) No Lay Agent shall be engaged for more than one year
at a time, subject to not less than one month's notice or salary in
case of dismissal, the same notice being required should he wish to
resign ; and no Lay Agent shall remain at the same Mission Station
for a longer period than four years.
' (iv.) Every Lay Agent shall be required to keep a Journal,
which shall be submitted to the Superintendent Minister, or, if he
labour in any sphere not now included in any Circuit or Home-
Mission Station, to the Chairman of the District, at least once a
month ; he shall also furnish a Report of visits paid and services
held to the Quarterly Meeting, or to the Committee appointed by it.
' (v.) The means for the support of such Lay Agency shall not
be derived from the ordinary income of the Quarterly Meeting, but
from subscriptions and collections contributed expressly for such
Lay Agency.
' 4. While observing the foregoing Resolutions and Regulations,
two or more Circuits may combine for the employment of one or
more Lay Agents.
N.B. In the foregoing Scheme, the term Lay Agents is in-
tended to include both men and women, who must be Members of
the Wesleyan-Methodist Society.
'METROPOLITAN LAY MISSION.
' 1. The Members of the District Home-Mission Sub-Committees
for the three London Districts, who are resident in the Metropolitan
Circuits, shall constitute a joint Home-Mission Committee for the
Metropolis.
* 2. The Metropolitan Lay Mission shall be maintained on its
present basis, with the provision that the Members of this joint Home-
Mission Committee for London shall be Members of the Committee
of the Lay Mission, the constitution of that Committee remaining
otherwise the same as at present.
' X. MISCELLANEOUS.
' 1. Ministers who have travelled not more than twenty-one
years, and have lost their health, may be allowed to retire for one
year, and may, if in necessitous circumstances, receive in addition
to the allowances payable from the Annuitant Society and Con-
nexional Funds, a sum not exceeding 80, of which one-half shall
HOME-MISSION AND CONTINGENT FUND. 147
be provided by the Home-Mission and Contingent Fund, the other
half being paid by the Auxiliary Fund. Each case shall be con-
sidered by a mixed Committee of seven members, who shall
be appointed by the Conference ; namely, the Ex-President, three
Ministers, and three Laymen. Should the Conference deem it
indispensable, a second year's Grant may be allowed. (Min., 1879,
pp. 224241.)
' 2. With regard to Assistants to Ministers, the Conference directs
that in any special case in which an Assistant may be granted accord-
ing to the custom in force before 1872, the case shall be previously
sanctioned by a Committee consisting of the Lay Representatives
of the District in which the Conference may be held, and of an
equal number of Ministers appointed by the Conference.'* (Min.,
1881, p. 293.)
' 3. Having regard to the arrangement made with the full concur
rence of the Connexion in 1852 and 1853, by which the allowance
made for Furniture should be paid to Ministers on their retirement
from the full work of the Ministry, and to the Widows of such
as die in the work, without bringing any charge on the Worn-
out Ministers' and Ministers 1 Widows' Fund ; the Conference is of
opinion that, on grounds of fairness and equity, that arrangement
should be continued, and confirmed.' (Min., 1879, pp. 241-242.)
The following additional Regulations and Recommend-
ations were adopted by the Conference of 1880 :
' 1. The Home-Missionary Committee has authority to employ,
in addition to District Missionaries, Ministers and Lay Agents
for general evangelistic work in different parts of the Connexion.
During the next year all arrangements connected with the employ-
ment of such evangelistic Agents shall be left to the discretion of
the Home-Missionary Committee ; and the Committee shall report
to the next Conference as to the Regulations which they judge
advisable in regard to the employment of such Agents.
' 2. Inasmuch as the payments on account of Circuit Travelling
have grown, during the last ten years, from 250 to about 700,
notwithstanding the great reduction during that period in the
dimensions of Circuits and the increase in the numbers of Ministers,
the Conference resolves : (1) That no Grant for Travelling shall
be made to any Minister who is not labouring at the time in an
extensive Circuit ; (2) That no such Grant shall be made to any
* The Regulation numbered 2 under the head of 'Miscellaneous* in the
Compendium of 1879, a Regulation originally adopted in 1872, was repealed
by the Conference of 1881, and the Rule given above was adopted in its stead,
with the additional provision, ' that in those cases in which Assistants have
already been given under the Rule of 1872, application may be made for their
being continued to such Ministers during the period of their present appoint-
ments.' (J/m., 1881, p. 292.)
L2
148 HOME-MISSION AND CONTINGENT FUND.
Minister who has not been thirty years in the Ministry, except in
very special cases of physical inability ; (3) That applications in all
special cases shall be made to the Home-Mission Committee, to be
duly considered ; the Grants to be voted at the Special Meeting in
July.
' 3. Whilst every consideration and sufficient assistance should
be afforded by ordinary Grants to Circuits that are financially
unable to provide for the support of their Ministers, the Conference
directs each District Committee to encourage Circuits that are
capable of becoming self-supporting to declare themselves inde-
pendent of the Home-Mission Fund, thereby adding to their own
vigour and enterprise, as well as making the Grants now received
by them available for aggressive work in other parts of the
District.
'4. As the law of Christ not only devolves the support of
Christian Ministers upon the people of their charge, but enjoins
love and esteem towards them for their work's sake, self-supporting
Circuits are urged to avoid, as far as possible, making applications
to this Fund for Grants towards the afflictions and the funeral
expenses of their own Ministers.
' 5. The Lay Members of the Conference, who are members of
District Committees, are requested to take especial interest in the
distribution of the Grants from the Home-Mission Fund in their
respective Districts, with a view to secure an increased economy
in administration ; and to carefully consider what means may be
adopted for developing the District contributions, so that out of the
sums thus saved, and the increased contributions thus obtained, the
District Meetings (having now the responsibility of distributing, in
addition to the present ordinary Grants, three-fourths of the increase
on the amount raised within the District in 1878) may enter upon
new aggressive enterprises within their own bounds.' (Mm., 1880,
pp. 218, 219.)
The Conference of 1881 adopted the two following additional
egulations :
' 1. The Conference resolves that whenever a Minister shall be
withdrawn from a Circuit in the receipt of an ordinary Grant, the
amount of such Grant, unless used for aggressive purposes within
the District under the direction of the District Home-Mission
Sub-Committee, shall revert to the General Fund.
' 2. Claims having been made by the Trustees of several of our
chapels for payments for seats occupied by British troops, appli-
cation was made to the War-Office on this account, it being
considered that these payments constitute a fair charge on the
authorities, who require the men to be marched to our chapels ;
and Her Majesty's government having been pleased, in meeting
this claim, to offer the fullest recognition of Methodism in the
HOME-MISSION AND CONTINGENT FUND. 149
Army, by granting capitation allowances for Wesleyan soldiers,
such as are now received from the Admiralty in various Circuits
on behalf of Wesleyans in the Royal Navy ; the Conference
resolves to accept this offer, being convinced that there is no
principle involved which makes this action inexpedient, and in-
structs the Committees concerned to take such steps in relation to
the grants that may be made as will secure fair remuneration to
Trustees for pews allotted to Wesleyan soldiers in our chapels, and
at the same time the utmost efficiency of our work in the Army.'
(Min., 1881, pp. 239, 240.)
CHAPTER III.
1HE WESLEY AN SEAMEN 's MISSION THE METBOPOLIT AN METHODIS j.
LAY MISSION THE MANCHESTER AND SALFOBD LAY MISSION
THE LIVEEPOOL AND OTHEE LAY MISSIONS.
IN the year 1845 a Minister was appointed to the Thames
Mission, established in connection with the Spitalfields
Circuit. That Mission has been since continued; and its
organisation has been, from time to time, improved. At the
Conference of 1869 it was recognised as the Wesleyan Seamen's
Mission, and a Committee, consisting of Ministers and Laymen,
was appointed to manage it. In the year 1878 it was brought
into an intimate relation to the Home-Mission Committee, the
following Resolutions being adopted respecting it :
' The Seamen's Missionary is placed in relation to the Home-
Mission Committee in a similar position to that in which Home-
Missionary Ministers stand ; and a special Eeport of the Mission
shall be periodically presented to the Home-Mission Committee, and
an annual Report, through the District Meeting, to the Conference.
' The Finances of the Seamen's Mission, both as to receipts and
expenditure, are placed under the general charge of a special Sub-
Committee of the Home-Mission Committee ; which Sub-Committee
shall include the Superintendent of the London (St. George's) Cir-
cuit, the Seamen's Missionary, the Stewards of the before-men-
tioned Circuit, the Local Treasurer of the Mission, and other persons
practically conversant with Christian work among Sailors.' (Min.,
1878, p. 217.)
This Sub-Committee is appointed each year by the Con-
ference ; but in addition to the Ministers and Laymen speci-
fied by the Conference, it is provided that ten other persons
shall be elected by the Home-Mission Committee.*
* The arrangements for the nomination and constitution of the Seamen's
Mission Sub-Committee, provisionally adopted by the Conference of 1881,
are stated in Appendix No. V.
METROPOLITAN LAY MISSION. 151
The Metropolitan Methodist Lay Mission was established by
the Conference in 1871, and rules for its management, which
had been carefully drawn up by a Committee during the pre-
ceding year, were adopted. In the year 1872, it was directed
that the Committee entrusted with the oversight of the
Mission should hold a special session to revise some of these
Eules ; and the Rules, as so revised, were approved and
adopted by the Conference of 1-873. They are as follows :
' CONSTITUTION.
' 1. The object of this Mission shall be to take the Gospel to the
spiritually destitute in the Metropolis, who cannot be reached by
the ordinary agencies of the Church.
.' 2. To secure this object, Lay Missionaries and Deaconesses
shall be employed ; Mission Halls and Rooms engaged ; and a
healthy Christian Literature put into circulation.
' 3. The Mission shall be managed by a Central Committee,
consisting of the Chairmen and Secretaries of the London District
Meetings, the Ex-Presidents resident in London, the Officers of the
Home-Mission and Contingent Fund, four Ministers to be chosen
by each London District Meeting in September,* and a number of
Laymen equal to the entire number of Ministers, to be chosen at
the same time.
'4. The necessary Funds shall be raised by annual subscrip-
tions, donations and legacies, public collections, contributions from
the funds of Chapel-trusts, and from Juvenile Missionary Asso-
ciations. The financial year shall close on the 30th of June, and
the accounts shall then be audited.
' 5. The area of operations shall be determined by a radius of
twelve miles from Charing Cross.
'ESTABLISHMENT OF MISSIONS.
' 6. The Central Committee may estabb'sh a Mission in any
given locality, provided (1) that the consent of the Superintendent
Minister of the Circuit in which such locality is situate be obtained ;
(2) That the Leaders who may be employed in such Mission district
shall be appointed by the Leaders' Meeting of the nearest Chapel in
the same Circuit, which Meeting shall also receive all Class moneys.
' 7. The Committee will consider applications from Circuits for
Missionaries and Deaconesses ; also for Grants towards the cost
* The division of the London Districts into three has rendered necessary
the modification introduced above, that each of the London District Com-
mittees should elect four not six Ministers.
152 METROPOLITAN LAY MISSION.
of Halls and Rooms. Such applications to be made on Schedules
provided for the purpose, as below :
' Schedule 1. Application for a Missionary.
2. Application for a Deaconess.
3. Application for grant in aid of a Mission Hall or
Boom.
4. Application for grant in aid of a Circuit Mission,
to include Missionary or Deaconess, and Mission
Hall or Room.
' Each Schedule must have the signature of the Superintendent
Minister.
' Grants will be made from year to year, and will be paid quar-
terly, on the 25th March, June, September, and December.
'LOCAL MANAGEMENT.
' 8. Whenever a Circuit Mission is established, a Local Com-
mittee shall be appointed by the Quarterly Meeting, on the nomina-
tion of the Superintendent Minister. The Circuit Ministers shall be
members of this Committee, ex officio. The Committee shall be
elected annually in the month of December ; and, at the first meet-
ing, shall choose from their number a Local Treasurer and Secretary,
and when necessary a Lay Superintendent ; all of whom shall be
nominated by the Superintendent Minister.
' This Committee shall be convened quarterly under the direction
of the Superintendent Minister, who shall also be Chairman of its
meetings. At these meetings the Mission work of the quarter shall
be reviewed, and a Report adopted, to be sent to the Central Com-
mittee. At the same meetings arrangements shall be made for
securing the services of Local Preachers, Prayer Leaders, District
Visitors, and other Workers ; and for the vigorous prosecution of
the Mission during the ensuing quarter.
' The Central Committee shall not appoint any Agent unless
approved by the Local Committee, and if a requisition be made by
any Local Committee for the removal of an Agent, the Central
Committee shall remove such Agent without unnecessary delay.
'9. The Superintendent of the Circuit or Resident Minister
shall be the Local Superintendent ; but where found desirable
a Lay Superintendent, male or female, may be appointed. It will
be the duty of the Local Superintendent to see the Agent weekly,
examine the journal, give suitable advice and encouragement, and
unite with the Agent in prayer for the Divine blessing on the
Mission.
' 10. The Local Treasurer shall make arrangements for securing
subscriptions for the local Fund (if there be one), and for the
general Fund ; which last he shall remit without delay to the Trea-
surers of the Central Committee. He shall prepare annually a
METROPOLITAN LAY MISSION. 153
balance-sheet, which, duly audited, shall be presented to the Local
Committee, and then forwarded to the Secretary of the Central
Committee.
'11. The Local Secretary shall conduct all necessary corre-
spondence ; shall, under the direction of the Superintendent Minister,
convene the Local Committee, and take minutes of its proceedings ;
prepare and submit the Quarterly Keport, and forward the same,
signed by the Superintendent Minister, to the Secretary of the
Central Committee.
'THE AGENTS.
' 12. Each Candidate for employment in the Mission shall for-
ward to the Secretary of the Central Committee testimonials of
religious character and adaptation for Mission work, together with
one from a qualified medical practitioner as to health ; and shall be
examined by a Sub-Committee, which shall also consider the Can-
didate's testimonials and decide whether he (or she) shall be re-
commended to the Central Committee for immediate service or as
needing training.
'13. If accepted by the Central Committee as needing training,
the Candidate shall visit with one or more experienced Agents, and
attend Mission Meetings for a month (more or less).
' 14. Each Candidate shall be on probation for three months ;
at the end of which time the Candidate may be accepted, declined,
or continued on probation by the Central Committee.
' 15. The Agents shall employ their time and energies in seeking
to win unsaved souls, and in bringing them into fellowship with the
Christian Church.
' 16. Under ordinary circumstances, each Agent shall spend five
hours daily during five days of the week in house to house visitation ;
and on Sundays two hours should be spent in visiting persons who
are not usually accessible on week days.
' 17. Lay Missionaries shall exhort in the open air, and in halls
and rooms ; and shall hold or take part in other Mission Services
under the direction of the Local Superintendent. Deaconesses shall
render help in Mothers' Meetings and other Mission gatherings under
the direction of the Local Superintendent.
' 18. Each Agent shall keep a Journal, in which shall be entered
cases of encouraging success in the work, and also a daily record of
work done.
' 19. A Monthly Meeting for Prayer and Conference shall be
held, under the direction of the Secretaries of the Central Com-
mittee, at which all Agents are expected to be present.
' 20. The Agents shall not on any condition be withdrawn from
their proper duties. It shall be no part of their duty to visit sick
Church-members, lead Classes (except for those gathered in by their
own personal labours), or supply the pulpit of any Minister or
154 OTHER LAY MISSIONS.
Local Preacher, except with the special sanction of the Central
Committee.
' 21. The Agents shall be paid monthly by the Secretary of the
Central Committee.
' 22. The Agents are entitled to a fortnight's holiday in each
year, also three days at Christmas, and three days during the May
Meetings.
' 23. An Agent's engagement with the Committee is terminable
on a month's notice on either side.
' 24. As it may be found desirable to remove agents from one
part of London to another, they must be prepared to make such
changes as the Committee may deem desirable.
' 25. The Agents will be expected to observe the Rules and
Directions that may from time to time be adopted by the Central
Committee.
'NEW RULES.
' 26. No new Rule shall be considered by the Committee until a
month's notice of it has been given ; nor shall any new Rule be
adopted unless it receive the sanction of two-thirds of the members
of a duly convened meeting.
'27. All new Rules and alterations shall be reported to the
succeeding Conference for approval.'
The arrangements adopted by the Conference of 1879
respecting the functions of District Home-Mission Sub-
Committees, and of a joint Home-Mission Committee for the
Metropolis, rendered necessary a slight modification in the
constitution of the Committee of the Metropolitan Lay Mis-
sion. The Rules bearing on this subject are given in the pre-
ceding Chapter, p. 146. A R-eport of this Mission is to be laid
before the District Committee of each of the London Districts
at its Annual Meeting. (Min., 1874, vol. xix., p. 456.)
The Conference has also specially recognised the Manchester
and Salford Lay Mission, the principles and rules of which
were submitted to it in the Session of 1873, together with a
Report of its operations during the preceding year. In 1875
it was resolved that the Committee of Management should
be appointed by the Financial District Meeting of the Man-
chester District, and that the Lay Treasurers of the Mission
should be members of the Manchester District Committee
OTHER LAY MISSIONS. 155
during the transaction of financial and general affairs. (Miw.,
vol. xix., p. 713.)
In a similar manner the Financial District Meeting of the
Liverpool District is to appoint the Committee of the Liverpool
Methodist Lay Mission. (Conf., 1878.) A Minute adopted in
1878 shows the importance which the Conference attaches to
all these and similar Lay Missions :
' The Conference receives the Reports of the Metropolitan, the
Manchester and Salf ord, and the Liverpool Methodist Lay Missions,
and recognising the great need that exists for Lay Mission Work,
and the special and pressing claims which London, Manchester,
Liverpool, and other great towns have upon the entire country,
commends these Missions to the liberal support of the whole Con-
nexion.' (Min., 1878, p. 217.)
CHAPTEE IV.
THE THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION.
T I ^HE Theological Institution was established in the year
-L 1834, after careful and anxious consultation. Its design
is, to promote the intellectual and spiritual improvement of
accepted Candidates for the Ministry in the Wesleyan-Metho-
dist Connexion; and it is held to be very desirable that
all persons who, having been approved by their respective
Quarterly Meetings and District Meetings' are accepted by
the Conference, should enjoy the benefit of the training which
it affords. The subjects of study were stated in the follow-
ing paragraphs, at the time of the formation of the Institu-
tion :
' The Plan of Tuition for Eesident Students shall comprehend
as many of the following subjects as, on a careful consideration of
the previous attainments and probable opportunities of the several
Students, may be deemed suitable and practicable ; viz.,
'1. English Grammar, Composition, and Elocution; Geography
and History; and elementary instruction in the Mathematics,
Natural Philosophy, and Chemistry, and in Logic and the Phi-
losophy of the Mind.
' 2. Theology ^ including the Evidences, Doctrines, Duties, and
Institutions of Christianity, and having particular reference to
those views of the Christian system, in its application to experi-
mental and practical religion, which are held by our Body to be
conformable to the Holy Scriptures. This will also include the
General Principles of Church Order and Government, connected
with a distinct Exposition of our own established Discipline, and of
the proper methods of administering it for the purity, edification,
and preservation of our Societies ; and a view of the nature and
importance of the Pastoral Office; and Care, with special reference
to the duties and engagements of a Methodist Preacher.
' 3. The Elements of Biblical Criticism ; the best methods of
critically studying the Scriptures ; the Kules and Principles to be
THE THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION. 157
observed in their interpretation ; Hebrew, Greek, and Roman An-
tiquities ; and the Outlines of Ecclesiastical History.
' 4. The most useful methods of direct preparation for the
Pulpit ; and general instructions for the composition and acceptable
delivery of Sermons.
' 5. Such instruction in the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew languages,
as may enable the Students to read and study the Sacred Scriptures
in their original tongues, and prepare them for the successful pur-
suit of further Classical and Biblical knowledge, when they shall be
called into Circuits or Missions. This branch of instruction may,
however, be wholly omitted, at the discretion of the Officers of the
Institution, if, on examining the Student, at his first admission, or
subsequently, they shall deem it most expedient to confine his atten-
tion to the English and Theological Classes.' (Ifiw., 1834, vol. vii.,
pp. 412, 413.)
In the case of a few Students, the study of the French and
German languages has been added to the branches of literary
culture included in the preceding outline.
An important addition has been made to this curriculum,
in the case of ' Missionary Students who may be intended for
service in the East.' It has been provided that such Students
may be allowed to remain in the Institution an additional year,
with a view to their instruction in subjects having direct
reference to the work for which they are designated.' (Min.,
1875, vol. xix., p. 691.)
The curriculum of study observed in the several Branches
of the Theological Institution was reviewed by the Conference
of 1880, and the following Resolutions were adopted :
' 1. That whereas, according to the original plan of the Theo
logical Institution, one of the cardinal subjects to be included in
the system of instruction was defined to be " the general principles
of Church Order and Government, connected with a distinct
exposition of our own established Discipline, and of the proper
methods of administering it for the purity, edification, and pre-
servation of our Societies, and a view of the nature and importance
of the Pastoral Office and Care, with special reference to the duties
and engagements of a Methodist Preacher " : and whereas this
subject has not hitherto been brought into sufficient prominence in
the curriculum and time-table of the different Branches of the
Institution, in future the subject as above defined, especially so
much of it as relates to the history, general economy, and discipline
of Wesleyan Methodism, shall form a regular part of the system of
158 THE THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION.
instruction, and occupy a fixed place in the College time-table ; and
that in each Branch the House Governor and Tutors shall arrange
upon whom the specific duties referred to shall be devolved.
' 2. That, except as may be in accordance with the foregoing
Resolution, no Tutorial duties shall be assigned to the House
Governor.
' 3 That Biblical Exegesis and Hermeneutics shall form a dis-
tinct and prominent part of the curriculum in all the Branches ; and
the Tutors in Hebrew and Greek Testament shall be charged with
the responsibility of teaching them.
' 4. That the curriculum at all the Branches shall be arranged
so as to meet the requirements of the preceding Resolutions.
' 5. That the Governor and Tutors of each Branch shall prepare
and present to the General Committee, at its first meeting after
Conference, the time-table which they propose to adopt.
' 6. That at the discretion of the Tutors the Greek reading of
any of the Students may be limited to the Greek Testament.
' 7. That the Resolution of the General Committee of July 5th,
1873, be re-affirmed ; viz., " That no Student shall be allowed to
read for the London or any other University unless he has matricu-
lated before the time of his entrance into the Institution, or unless
in the united judgment of the Governor and Tutors of that Branch
of the Institution with which he is connected he is able to pursue
his University reading without prejudice to the Theological and
general course of study prescribed by the Conference " ; and further,
that at the commencement of every session each Student's relation
to the University course shall be considered, in order to determine
whether he shall be allowed to continue that course or not.
' 8. That a Report from the Tutors in each department be
annually presented through the Local Executive Committees to
the General Committee.' (Min., 1880, pp. 231, 232.)
The oversight of the Students is entrusted to a resident
Minister at each Branch of the Institution, who is called the
Governor of the Institution House, and who has to watch over
the spiritual interests of the Students, and, in particular, to
meet them in Class. On the Lord's-day many of them are
employed in preaching in neighbouring Circuits; and they
often engage in evangelistic efforts, under the direction of the
Governor, in the immediate vicinity of the respective Colleges.
Their theological and literary training is confided to a Theo-
logical Tutor and Classical and Mathematical Tutors, together
with an Assistant Tutor.
The Eegulations of the Conference as to the time of resi-
THE THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION. 159
dence in the Institution, the admission to it of Candidates
who may have been sent by the President into Circuits during
the year, and several other particulars, are given in Part II.,
Chapter v., of this work, under the head of the Theological
Training of Candidates for the Ministry.
There are now four Branches of the Theological Institution,
situated respectively at Bichmond, Didsbury, Headingley, and
Handsworth, near Birmingham. The Bichmond branch is a
Missionary Institution ; the premises at Bichmond having been
purchased by the Missionary Committee out of the Funds
raised in connection with ths celebration of the Jubilee of the
Missionary Society.
At the Conference of 1879 the following Scheme was
adopted for the general administration of the Theological
Institution. The modifications of that Scheme adopted by the
Conference of 1881 are given below, in the notes to Articles
1 and 3.
' The Conference adopts the following Resolutions in relation to
the administration of the Theological Institution :
' 1. That a General Committee of the Theological Institution
shall be annually appointed by the Conference, and that its ordinary
place of meeting shall be in Birmingham, but that the last meeting
of each year shall be held in London.
' 2. That this Committee shall be charged with the maintenance
and the management of the several Branches of the Institution,
and that it shall have authority to administer all funds available
for these purposes.
' 3. That there shall be annually appointed by the Conference
from this General Committee, to act as Sub- Committees thereof,
Local Executive Committees, one for each Branch of the Institu-
tion ; that each Local Executive Committee shall contain twelve
members ; and that with these there shall be associated other
persons who are not members of the General Committee. f
* With respect to the place of meeting of the General Committee the
Conference of 1881 resolved as follows :
'The Conference directs that the Meeting of the General Committee,
instead of being held in Birmingham three times in the year, shall be held
once each in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, and London.' (Min., 1881,
pp. 251, 252.) "
t This article of the Scheme was provisionally modified by the Resolu-
tions adopted in 1881 respecting the constitution of the Executive Commit-
tees of the several Branches of the Theological Institution. (See Appendix
So. V.)
160 THE THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION.
' 4. That the Local Executive Committees shall report to the
General Committee upon all matters affecting the maintenance,
management, and efficiency of their respective Branches ; that
these Reports shall be presented at least quarterly, and oftener
if the General Committee so determine ; that each quarterly Report
shall include a statement of the quarter's expenditure in such form
as the General Committee may direct ; and that the fourth quarterly
Report in each year shall also include a similar statement of the
expenditure for the year, and an estimate of expenditure for the
year ensuing.
' 5. That the ordinary meetings of the General Committee shall
be held quarterly, to receive and consider Reports from the Local
Executive Committees, and to determine all questions thence or
otherwise arising with reference to the maintenance, management,
and efficiency of the several Branches, or of the Institution as
a whole ; that at its meeting next before the assembling of the
Conference in each year, it shall prepare a general Report upon the
condition and efficiency of the Institution, and upon the state and
requirements of the Fund ; that this general Report shall include
the annual Reports and estimates of the several Branches, together
with the General Committee's estimate of expenditure for the
ensuing year ; and that this Report shall be submitted to the Con-
ference.
' N.B. The Richmond Branch being a Missionary Institution,the
Missionary Committee will continue to act as the Local Executive
Committee of that Branch, and shall have as now the charge of
the maintenance and management of that Branch, subject, how-
ever, to the provisions of the Trust Deed of the Richmond
Branch, and to the instructions of the General Committee on all
matters relating to the economical arrangements of the Institu-
tion.
' 6. That the payment of the travelling expenses of the Students
shall be discontinued. After the Conference of 1880, allowances
to Students shall be paid only in cases of proved necessity, the
amount not to exceed 10 per annum ; and instead of the question
which has hitherto appeared in the Schedule, a separate document
shall be prepared and forwarded to each Candidate for the Ministry,
to be filled up and signed by the parent or guardian of such Can-
didate, and countersigned by the Superintendent of the Circuit ;
and the necessity for an allowance shall be proved to the General
Committee through the Governor of the Branch to which the Can-
didate is appointed as a Student :
' Provided, however, that quarterage for the current year be
paid to Students already in the Institution at the rate of 10 per
annum, but that Students admitted to the Institution this year
shall be subject to the principle embodied in the foregoing Resolu-
tion.
THE THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION. 161
1 7. That the accounts at the several Branches shall be uni-
formly kept according to instructions to be prepared by the General
Committee.
8. That, subject to the General Committee, the same dietary
table shall be adopted in all the Branches, and that the provision,
while it is wholesome, nutritious, and sufficient, shall be plain.
' 9. That in all cases, where practicable, two Collections shall
be made annually in each Chapel on behalf of the funds of the
Institution.' (Min., 1879, pp. 249-251.)
The Conference of 1881 adopted the following resolutions
affecting contributions to the Theological Institution :
'1. The Conference resolves that the subscriptions of Missionaries
to the Theological Institution shall be paid to the Treasurers of the
Missionary Society for the support of the Richmond Branch.
' 2. The Conference resolves
' (a.) That all legacies and contributions to any Branch of the
Institution shall be acknowledged and published in the Annual
Report.
' (6.) That the amount of such legacies or contributions shall be
either at once expended for the benefit of the Branch interested, or
invested for the same, subject, however, always to the direction of
the General Committee.
'(c.) That in the case of the investment of such moneys, the
capital sum, or any portion thereof, shall at any time be liable on
account of expenditure, other than ordinary current expenditure,
on behalf of the Branch concerned, and that the annual interest of
the capital sums shall be appropriated for the benefit of the Branch,
under the direction of the General Committee.' (Min., 1881,
p. 252.)
The Conference of 1881 also resolved to appoint a Finance
Sub-Committee, which should ' meet before the first meeting of
the General Committee in each year, to consider the Beports
of the Governors as to payments to and payments by resident
and entering Students.' (Min., 1881, p. 252.)
The resolutions provisionally adopted by the Conference of
1881, respecting the nomination and constitution of the General
Committee of the Theological Institution and the Executive
Committees of the several Branches will be found in Appendix
No. V.
The following additional Resolutions respecting the Theo-
logical Institution were adopted by the Conference of 1881 :
' The Conference resolves that, wherever it is practicable, two
M
162 THE THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION.
Collections shall be made annually in each Chapel throughout the
Connexion on behalf of the funds of the Theological Institution,
and that those Collections shall be made, if possible, on some Sunday
in December.
' The Conference affirms the principle, which has from the
beginning been recognised in the administration of the Institution,
in regard to charges on account of Students, that such Students as
have the means, or whose friends have the means, shall be expected
to contribute, in whole or in part, according to their ability, towards
the cost of their own maintenance and education, and directs the
Committee to consider and adopt such methods as may be deemed
best for carrying this rule into effect.' (Min., 1881, p. 251.)
CHAPTER V.
THE WESLEYA.N-METHOD1ST BOOK-BOOM.
TT is well known that the Book-Establishment of Wes-
-L leyan Methodism was originated by the Rev. John
Wesley, and that for many years he was its sole proprietor.
At his death it passed to the Trustees appointed by him in a
Deed bearing date October 5th, 1790, the profits to be applied
to the carrying on of the work of God by Itinerant Preachers
in connection with the Conference, constituted according to
the Deed of Declaration filed in Chancery in the year 1784.
The copyright of various works has, from time to time,
been acquired by the Book-Room, and different periodicals are
issued from it.
The management of the Book-Establishment is entrusted
by the Conference to Committees which are annually ap-
pointed. The London Boole Committee, which, as a rule,
meets on the first Monday of every month, consists of the
President and the Secretary of the Conference, the Ex-Presi-
dents, the Editor, the Book Steward, the Secretary of the
Book Committee, the Secretary of the Tract Committee, the
Missionary Secretaries, the Principals of the two Branches of
the Normal Training Institution, the Governor and Tutors of
the Richmond Branch of the Theological Institution, the pre-
sent Head Master of the Leys School, Cambridge, the Secre-
taries of the Home-Mission and Contingent Fund, the
Secretary of the Fund for the Extension of Methodism, the
Secretary of the Education Committee, the Secretary of the
Sunday School Union, the Principal of the Children's Home,
the Superintendent Ministers of the London Circuits, and
some additional members chosen from among the Ministers in
London and the neighbourhood.
M2
164 WESLETAN-MJETHODIST BOOK-ROOM.
The General Book Committee, which meets at the time of
the Conference to receive the Report of the London Book
Committee and review the work of the year, consists of the
President and the Secretary of the Conference, the Ex-Presi-
dents, and all the members of the London Book Committee
who may be authorised to attend the Conference, together with
leading Ministers from all the Districts in Great Britain, and
the Eepresentatives of the Irish Conference.
To the Book Steward belongs the internal management
of the Book-Establishment, and the chief direction of its
pecuniary affairs.
The Editor is responsible for the doctrinal soundness, and
the general correctness, of all publications issued by the Book-
Room ; and he is especially charged with the care of the
Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine, and is required 'to make it
his constant and unwearied endeavour to make that periodical
as instructive and interesting as possible.'
"When a MS. is offered to the Book Committee for publi-
cation, it is usual to appoint three members of the Committee
to read it carefully, and to give independent reports of its
character and suitability at a subsequent meeting of the Com-
mittee. MSS. accepted by the Committee are carried through
the press under the care of the Editor.
The London Book Committee is instructed, each year, to
appoint from among its own members a Tract Committee, the
Secretary of that Committee having been previously appointed
by the Conference. This Committee is charged with the
preparation and issuing of suitable Tracts, in order that the
important work of Tract-distribution may be efficiently carried
on throughout the Connexion.
The disposal of the profits of the Book-Room is secured
by the Trust Deed to the Conference. They are applied in
aid of several Funds connected with the Methodist Itinerancy
in Great Britain and Ireland, and especially in support of aged
Ministers and Ministers' Widows.
CHAPTER VI.
ARRANGEMENTS AFFECTING THE ERECTION, ENLARGEMENT, ALTERA-
TION, AND SALE OF CHAPELS AND OTHER TRUST-PROPERTY,
AND THE RELIEF OF EMBARRASSED TRUSTS.
IN the year 1866, a ' Compendium of .Regulations respecting
Wesleyan-Methodist Trust-Property,' having been care-
fully revised by several Committees, was adopted by the Con-
ference. It is as follows ; with the exception of the second
head, which related to the constitution of the Committee of
Review to meet before each Conference, a Committee which
has been superseded by the admission of Laymen into the
Conference itself, when financial and general arrangements,
which include Chapel affairs, are under consideration. That
head is accordingly omitted.
' I. CHAPEL COMMITTEE.
' The Chapel Committee shall consist of thirty Ministers and
thirty Laymen, annually appointed by the Conference, including the
President and the Secretary of the Conference, the Ex-President,
and the Treasurers and Secretaries of the Chapel-Fund : the Lay
Members being nominated at a Committee of Review for Chapel
Affairs, constituted according to the Minutes of the Conference as
published year by year.
' 2. The Conference refers to this Committee the administration
of its Regulations relating to all existing and proposed Chapels,
Schools, and other property held, or to be held, in trust for the
Connexion in Great Britain, except property placed under any other
Committee appointed by the Conference.
'3. This Committee shall determine on all erections, enlarge-
ments, purchases, and sales of Trust-property, and on the erection
of Organs ; shall dispose of all Loans and Grants ; and, when
requested, may afford advice on difficult cases.
* The Committee of Review has been superseded by the Scheme of Lay
Representation in the Conference ; and the Conference of 1881 provisionally
adopted the Resolutions respecting the nomination and the constitution of the
Chapel Committee, which are given in Appendix No. V.
166 CHAPEL AFFAIRS.
' 4. The Committee shall meet once a month, usually on the first
Wednesday ; and of tener, if necessary.
' 5. All communications intended for the Committee must reach
the Secretaries not later than the Saturday preceding the day of the
usual Monthly Meeting.
' 6. A general Report of the proceedings of the Committee shall
be annually forwarded for the consideration of the Conference.
'II. CHAPEL FUND.
' 1. The supplies for the General Chapel Fund shall be raised,
' By Private Subscriptions ;
' By Public Collections, to be made yearly in every Chapel ;
' By Annual Subscriptions, to be requested from the Trust-Fund
of each Chapel ;
' By Donations, and by Legacies.
' 2. The amount of Subscriptions and Collections received for
this Fund, in each Circuit, shall be reported by the Superintendent
at th May District Meeting ; and, where any considerable de-
ficiency shall appear, the Chairman shall make strict inquiry into
the cause.
' 3. The Income of the Fund shall, after defraying expenses, be
applied, by the Chapel Committee, in Grants toward the relief of
Chapels, and either in Grants or Loans in aid of new Chapels, in
such proportions as the Committee shall, from time to time, deem
expedient.
'4. In addition to the Fund thus raised annually, the sum
appropriated to Chapel Relief and Extension from the Connexional
Relief and Extension Fund raised in 1853, and placed at the dis-
posal of the Committee, shall be applied in the way of LOAN WITH-
OUT INTEREST. One-fourth of this sum may be lent in aid of new
Chapel^, and a larger proportion if the Conference shall judge it
expedient.'
l|gr See Regulations under the heads of " Aid to Existing
Chapels " and " Aid to Proposed Chapels."
III. ERECTIONS, ENLARGEMENTS, AND PURCHASES.
'(l.) CONSENT OF SUPERINTENDENT.
' The consent of the Superintendent shall be necessary to every
erection, enlargement, alteration, or purchase.
' (ll.) CONSENT OF QUARTERLY MEETING.
' No Chapel, School, or Dwelling-house shall be erected, enlarged,
or purchased, without the previous consent of the Quarterly Meet-
ing of the Circuit.
' (ill.) CONSENT OF DISTRICT COMMITTEE.
' 1. Every ordinary application for permission to erect, enlarge,
or purchase a Chapel, School, or Dwelling-house, or to introduce
an Organ into a Chapel, or for the purchase or sale of any Trust-
CHAPEL AFFAIRS. 167
property, must be presented to the District Committee on a proper
Schedule, signed by the Superintendent, and at least three of the
acting or proposed Trustees. The approbation of that Committee
must be obtained before any such case can be sanctioned by the
Chapel Committee.
' 2. A District Chapel Sub-Committee shall be appointed yearly
at the September Meeting of the District Committee and shall
consist of the Chairman and Financial Secretary of the District, two
other Ministers, and four Laymen ; one of the Ministers to be
Chapel Secretary for the District. One Lay -Member shall retire
annually by rotation. The Lay-Members shall be Members of the
District Committee when Chapel affairs are under consideration.
' 3. Cases of Urgency. In any case of urgency, relating to the
erection, enlargement, purchase, or sale, of any Chapel, School, or
other Trust-property, where it would be seriously detrimental to
defer the consideration of the case till the meeting of the May or
the September District Committee, the Chapel Sub-Committee of
the District may consider such case ; and, on receiving from that
Sub-Committee a Schedule properly filled up and signed, the Chapel-
Committee are authorised to deal with the case as though it had
passed the District Committee. All such cases, however, with the
circumstances which rendered this mode of procedure necessary,
must be reported to the ensuing District Committee by the Chair-
man or the Secretary of the Sub-Committee. Any expenses
incurred by Sub-Committees for such purposes must be defrayed
by the parties on whose behalf the Meetings are held.
' 4. No case shall be approved by a District Committee, or
District Sub-Committee, except in conformity with the Regulations
of the Conference.
' (IV.) CONSENT OF CHAPEL COMMITTEE.
' 1. The obligation to obtain the sanction of the Chapel Com-
mittee extends to all cases of erection, purchase, or enlargement,
whether debt be incurred or not, and also to cases of alteration in
which it" is proposed to incur debt.
' 2. The Committee shall be satisfied, before giving their sanc-
tion to any case, that all land required for the purpose is, or will be,
legally secured for the intended object. Drafts of all Deeds shall
be forwarded to the Committee for examination.
' 3. Subject to the provisions hereinafter-mentioned, no Chapel
or other Property shall be erected, purchased, or enlarged, unless
the Committee are satisfied, either that the entire outlay will be
defrayed within twelve months after the opening, or that at least
three-fourths of such outlay will be defrayed within such period
of twelve months, and the remainder within a definite time to be
agreed upon with the Committee.
' (1.) In the case, however, of the erection, purchase, or acquisi-
1C8 CHAPEL AFFAIRS.
tion, by Trustees, of Property (other than Chapels or Schools)
yielding a fixed revenue, and which can be shown to be a per-
manent advantage to the Trust, the Committee shall have power,
at their discretion, to relax the preceding Rule.
' (2.) In the case of an enlargement or alteration of a Chapel
already free from debt, or of a Chapel the income of which is large
in proportion to the debt, the amount of temporary debt to be
allowed on such enlargement or alteration may be fixed with a due
regard to the ability of the Trust to discharge it out of surplus
income within a time to be agreed upon with the Committee.
'(3.) In any case in which money is lent to Trustees to be
repaid without interest, and an adequate guarantee is given that no
interest shall be charged for such money during a period of time to
be specified, the amount of interest that would have been payable
at 5 percent., if the sum so lent had been subject to interest, may
be taken into consideration, in estimating the amount of debt which
may be allowed to remain for a time on the Trust.
' (4.) In the case of money given on annuity, the value of the
annuity shall be estimated as a debt, or deduction, equal to the sum
for which a Government annuity of the same amount, for a person
of the same age, may be purchased.
' (5.) Any sum which Trustees of any other Chapel may engage
to vote out of their surplus Trust-income, year by year, for a
definite time, in aid of a new Chapel, may be estimated as equiva
lent to a present subscription, if it is to be paid within four years ;
but if it is to be paid during a longer term, then as equivalent to a
subscription not exceeding its present money- value.
' (6.) If any Trust-property be subject to ground-rent, or other
incumbrance, the capitalized value thereof shall be estimated as
part of the outlay.
' (7.) Any School-room connected with a Chapel Trust-estate,
the income of which may be available for the payment of interest,
shall be subject to the Regulations which apply to the erection and
enlargement of Chapels.
' (8.) No other School-room shall be erected, purchased, or
enlarged, unless the Committee are satisfied that the entire outlay
will be defrayed within twelve months after the opening, or
reopening, of such School-room.
' 4. Superintendents of Circuits, and promoters of Day-schools,
are to communicate, first, with the Education Committee, according
to its Rules ; and, secondly, with the Chapel Committee, in accord-
ance with the preceding Rules.
'N.B. (1.) The twelve months mentioned in the preceding
Regulations shall be considered as ending at the May District-
Meeting next following the expiration of that period.
' (2.) The preceding Regulations do not apply to the purchase
CHAPEL AFFAIRS. 169
of Sites, when by such purchase no debt is brought upon
any existing Trust -estate.
' 5. The Committee may require that Plans and Estimates of any
Chapel, School, or House proposed to be built, or enlarged, shall be
laid before them ; and, if aid toward any Chapel be solicited, the
Committee may consult an architect, if they deem it necessary.
' 6. When it is proposed to deviate from the arrangements sanc-
tioned by the Committee, so as to increase the debt beyond the sum
allowed, the proposed departure from the original plans, or terms,
shall be fully stated in a letter signed by the Superintendent, and
at least three of the Trustees, and the consent of the Committee
obtained.
' 7. A copy of the conditions on which the Committee may
sanction any erection, purchase, enlargement, or alteration shall be
sent to the Trustees for insertion in their Trust-Book.
' 8. Superintendents are directed, in every case, to give all the
particulars requested in the Schedules issued by the Committee.
Applications for modifications may be made by letter only.
' 9. Organs. Every application for permission to introduce an
Organ into a Chapel shall be made, on the Schedule provided for
the purpose, to the District Committee, or District Chapel Sub-
Committee ; and, if it obtain their approval, shall then be submitted
to the Chapel Committee. The entire cost of an Organ shall be
defrayed at or before the opening.
' 10. In all cases of erection, alteration, enlargement, purchase,
or acquisition, of Trust-property, the following directions shall
apply :
' (1.) The Committee shall, from time to time, call for proof of
the fulfilment of the prescribed conditions.
' (2.) All violations of Rule shall be reported by the Secretaries
to the respective District Committees, and to the Conference.
' (3.) When a Superintendent, on entering a Circuit, shall find
the building or enlargement of a Chapel, School, or Dwelling-
house commenced, or about to be commenced, without the
consent of the Chapel Committee, he shall forthwith give to
them all the information in his power respecting it.
' IV. INVESTIGATION BY DISTRICT COMMITTEES.
' 1. Chairmen of Districts are required to make a full examina-
tion, in the May District Meetings, of the returns relating to every
new Chapel, School, House, or Organ, and all Enlargements and
Purchases ; and District Chapel Secretaries are required to forward
immediately to the Chapel Committee all Minutes and Schedules
relating to such cases.
' 2. Chairmen of Districts are also required to examine into all
cases specially remitted to them on account of the Trustees having
failed, in former years, tp observe the prescribed conditions, and
170 CHAPEL AFFAIRS.
cause a record of the particulars to be made in the District Minutes.
In order to give effect to this Regulation, the District Minutes re-
lating to such cases shall be read at the September District Meet-
ings, that Superintendents may be prepared to produce, at the
ensuing May District Meetings, Schedules duly filled up, showing
the actual state of such Trusts.
' 3. The attention of District Committees is also directed to the
following particulars :
' (1.) All Chapels, previously to their being opened, shall be duly
registered as places of public worship, and the certificate of such
registration shall be publicly read at the opening service.
' (2.) Before the occupation, for Connexional purposes, of any
Property affected by our Rules, Superintendents shall apply for the
consent of the Chapel Committee.
' (3.) Applications for pecuniary assistance towards Chapels or
Schools shall not be made beyond the limits of the Circuits in which
such Chapels or Schools are, or are intended to be, erected, unless
such applications shall have been expressly sanctioned by the
Conference.
' (4.) Trustees violating any of our Rules relating to Chapel
Affairs shall not receive assistance from the Chapel-Fund, unless
the Conference, upon a representation of the case by the Chapel
Committee, shall authorise such assistance.
< Y.DEEDS.
' 1. All Sites acquired for new Chapels shall, whenever practi-
cable, be settled upon the Trusts of the Chapel Model Deed,
sanctioned by the Conference in 1832 ; and Sites acquired for new
Schools, if distinct from Chapel sites and management, shall be
settled upon one of the School Model-Deeds. Sites for Schools
contiguous to Chapels, when the Schools are not intended for Day-
Schools, may be most conveniently settled upon the same Trusts as
the Chapels.
' 2. Superintendent Ministers shall take immediate steps to
secure the due settlement of Chapels and Schools already built, if
not legally settled.
' 3. Appointments of new Trustees shall be duly made, as pre-
scribed by the respective Trust-Deeds.
' N.B. (1.) All Deeds creating charitable Trusts must be executed
by the conveying parties in the presence of two witnesses,
and be enrolled in Chancery within six months after the
land has been conveyed. Additional land acquired for
the same objects must be settled on the same Trusts, and
the Deeds are subject to the same Regulations respecting
attestation and enrolment.
' (2.) No alteration of existing Trusts can be made, except by the
Charity Commissioners or the Court of Chancery.
' 4. Suitable provision shall be made in every Circuit for the safe
CHAPEL AFFAIRS. 171
custody of Trust-Deeds, and a proper record of them entered in
a book, to be preserved by the Superintendent Minister.
' VI. MANAGEMENT OF TRUST-PROPERTY.
' 1. Suitable Cash and Minute Books shall be provided by the
Trustees of each Chapel or other Trust-property ; and a meeting
shall be held, once in every year, at which the annual accounts of
the Trust shall be audited. Minutes of Trustees' Meetings shall be
taken and preserved.
' 2. Superintendents are required to examine, once a year, the
accounts of each trust within their respective Circuits. Chairmen
of Districts shall institute particular inquiry, in the May District
Meetings, as to the observance of this direction.
' 3. A united Meeting of the Treasurers and Trustees of the
several Trust-estates shall be annually held in every Circuit, on
some day to be fixed at the December Quarterly Meeting ; at which
Trustees' Meeting an Abstract of the several Treasurers' accounts
shall be examined, and entered in a Circuit-book, to be carefully
kept by a Secretary appointed for the purpose at the same Quarterly
Meeting.
' 4. A Schedule, duly filled up from this Circuit-book, shall be
forwarded every year, not later than the 20th of April, by each
Superintendent, to the Secretary of the District Chapel Sub-
Committee.
' 5. This Sub-Committee shall meet prior to, or in connection with,
the May District Meeting, to examine the Schedules ; and shall
bring before the District Committee any inquiries or suggestions
arising out of such examination.
'6. Contributions to Circuits. Superintendents shall request
Trustees of Chapels to vote to the Circuit Funds as much as can
be afforded out of their Trust-income.
' Insurance. The duty of insuring Trust-property is strongly
urged upon all our Trustees.
' Annuities. Trustees are advised not to grant annuities, except
on very easy terms ; and consultation with the Chapel Committee
is recommended.
' VII. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
' 1. No lawsuit relating to Chapels, Schools, or other Trust-
property shall be commenced without the consent of the Chapel
Committee, except by the direction of the Conference. And, unless
such consent or direction be first obtained, the parties proceeding
shall be alone responsible for all expenses incurred by such lawsuit.
' No application shall be made to the Charity Commissioners
by any of our Ministers or Trustees for any Order affecting Wes-
leyan-Methodist Trust-property, unless the President, for the time
being, be a consenting party thereto ; and the Conference empowers
172 CHAPEL AFFAIRS,
the President, for the time being, to affix his signature to any
petition or application to the Charity Commissioners for the exercise
of their powers, provided that it be first certified and recommended
to him by the Chapel Committee.
' YIIL SALES.
' 1. Every application for the permission of Conference for the
sale of a Chapel, or other Trust-property, shall be approved by the
District Committee, or District Chapel Sub-Committee, and by the
Chapel Committee, who shall report to the Conference.
' 2. If the sale of a Chapel or other Trust-property should be
deemed expedient in the interval between one Conference and
another, the President for the time being is authorised, on behalf of
the Conference, to affix his signature to the document giving per-
mission to sell, provided that each case be first certified to him as
approved by the Chapel Committee.
' 3. All sales of Trust-property which shall be duly sanctioned
shall be entered in the Journal of the Conference.
'IX. AID TO EXISTING CHAPELS.
'(l). RELIEF BY LOANS WITHOUT INTEREST.
' 1. One-half of the amount of debt which the Trustees of any
Chapel, or number of Chapels united, propose to extinguish, may be
advanced as a Loan without interest ; the other half being pre-
viously paid off by the applicants.
' 2. All Loans shall be repaid by half-yearly instalments ; such
repayment to extend over a period to be agreed upon, but never
exceeding ten years. The whole amount remaining unpaid to be
immediately recoverable, in default of the due payment of any
instalment.
' 3. Satisfactory security shall be given for the due repayment
of the Loans, and for the fulfilment of the conditions which the
Committee may require.
' 4. Applicants shall produce their Trust-deeds, if required by
the Committee.
' 5. Appli cants shall engage to maintain a reasonable system of
seat-rents, to contribute annually from their Trust-income to the
Chapel Fund, and to appropriate the surplus proceeds of their
Trust-property to the support and extension of the Work of God
in their Circuits, or in aid of Connexional Institutions.
' (II.) RELIEF BY GRANTS..
' 1. Applications for relief by Grants must be submitted to the
May District Committees ; but cases of special exigency may be
considered, if they pass the September District Committees. All
such- applications must, be made upon the authorised Schedules.
CHAPEL AFFAIRS, 173
Any additional statement which Trustees may deem it necessary to
lay before the Committee must be presented in writing.
' No application for relief shall be recommended by a District
Committee unless the Trustees make Anniversary Collections in aid
of their funds, or show sufficient cause to the contrary ; nor until
they engage to contribute an annual subscription from their Trust-
estate to the Chapel Fund, the amount to be agreed upon with the
Committee.
' 3. No case shall be considered by the Chapel Committee unless
the Deeds be produced, if required.
' 4. In the case of any application for the relief of a Chapel, if
any part of the Trust-premises be occupied as a Sunday School, a
reasonable rent must be paid to the Trustees.
' 5. In all cases of Grants towards the reduction of debts, the
Chapel Committee shall see that securities to the whole amount of
the sum liquidated be cancelled, and a record of them preserved by
the Committee.
'X. AID TO PROPOSED CHAPELS.
' The following are the Rules for the administration of the Erec-
tions Fund, instituted by the Conference in 1859, and of that
portion of the Chapel Fund which may be available for new
erections :
' 1. Assistance shall be confined to Chapels respecting which it
can be shown that special reasons exist for Connexional aid.
' 2. Such a proportion of the annual income of the Fund arising
from Collections and Subscriptions, as the Committee may from
time to time deem expedient, shall be employed in Grants or Loans
to aid the building of Chapels, under such Regulations as the
Committee shall deem proper.
' 3. One- fourth of the Loan Fund raised in 1853 may be appro-
priated, at the discretion of the Committee, in Loans towards new
erections.
' 4. No case shall be considered eligible for assistance in which
our established Regulations are not complied with, by securing at
least three-fourths of the proposed outlay apart from any Loan by
the Committee. But the Committee may, if they see fit, in any
very special case, make a small Grant towards securing that pro-
portion.
' 5. In the case of Chapels costing less than 200, assistance
shall be rendered only by way of Grant.
' 6. In all cases to which aid shall be promised, it shall be an
indispensable condition that any temporary debt which may be
allowed to remain, on the Chapel shall be paid off within a definite
time to be agreed upon with the Committee.
' 7. Trustees of Chapels assisted from this Fund shall subscribe
annually out of their Trust-income to the Chapel Fund.
174 CHAPEL AFFAIRS.
' N.B. When it is intended to seek assistance from this Fund,
the Superintendent is recommended, in order to prevent the
disappointment which might otherwise be occasioned, to
make preliminary inquiry of the Chapel Committee, whether
the case is one which, if approved by the District Committee,
or District Chapel Sub-Committee, will be likely to receive
such assistance.
< XI. SCHEDULES, CIRCULARS, ETC.
' A Schedule shall be sent every year by the Secretaries of the
Committee to each District Chapel Secretary, containing the con-
ditions on which permission to build or enlarge Chapels, Schools,
or Houses, to introduce Organs, or to purchase Property, has
been given, and respecting which returns have not been made.
This Schedule shall be returned to the Committee immediately
after the District Meeting, that they may be prepared to report
to the Conference how far the prescribed conditions have been
observed.
' 2. The annual Circuit Schedules, with the Minutes of District
Committees on Chapel Affairs, and all other Chapel Documents,
shall be forwarded immediately after the May District Meetings to
the Secretaries of the Chapel Committee.
' 3. The Committee may send, when they deem it expedient,
suitable Circulars and Schedules to Superintendents, Chairmen,
and District Chapel Secretaries, as cases may require ; and such
Schedules, properly filled up and signed, shall be duly returned to
the Committee.' (Min., vol. xvi., pp. 562-571.)
Since the foregoing Compendium of Regulations was
adopted, the following modifications and additions have been
introduced.
1. On the subject of the Enrolment or Registration of
Deeds, the Conference of 1868 passed the following Resolu-
tion :
' The Conference, considering that, under the provisions 6f the
Act 31 and 32 Viet., c. 44, it is not now legally necessary, in some
cases, to enrol a Deed or other instrument declaring the trusts of
land acquired for a charitable use, and having regard to the incon-
veniences which may arise, should any such instrument be lost, and
no sufficient evidence of its provisions be available, directs that
the consent of the Chapel Committee to any erection, purchase, or
enlargement, involving the acquisition of land, shall only be given
on their receiving an engagement from the Superintendent and at
least three of the Trustees, either that the instrument declaring
trusts shall be enrolled in Chancery within six months of the date of
CHAPEL AFFAIRS. 175
its execution, or that it shall be sent to be sufficiently registered by
the Chapel Committee.' (Min., vol. xvii., p. 366.)
2. In the year 1872, the Conference adopted the follow-
ing declaratory Minute as to one of the Regulations given
above :
' The Conference declares that, not only every addition to the
area of a Chapel, but the erection of a Gallery, or of any adjoining
room shall, as heretofore, be considered an Enlargement within the
meaning of the Rule III. (iv.) 1.' (See p. 167 of this work.)
' Further, the Conference recommends Trustees to confer with the
Chapel Committee before commencing important alterations of their
Trust-premises, though they may not, in the first instance, intend
to incur debt.' (Min., vol. xviii., p. 624.)
3. Tn 1873 the provisions relative to the sale of Wesleyan-
Methodist Trust-Property were extended to the transfer, in
certain cases, of Methodist School-premises to School Boards.
The Resolution of the Conference was as follows :
' The Conference directs that the Regulations applicable to the
sale of Wesleyan-Methodist Trust-Property shall also apply to the
transfer of Wesleyan-Methodist School-premises to School Boards,
under the 23rd section of the Elementary Education Act, 1870, in
any cases in which it may be found that the consent of the Confer-
ence is necessary.' (Min., vol. xix., p. 154.)
4. In 1874 the following Regulation was adopted :
' The Conference directs that if, in any case to which a Con-
nexional Committee has paid a Grant or Loan towards the cost of
erecting a Chapel, on condition that no debt shall be left except a
Loan or Loans repayable without interest, any other debt be con-
tracted without the sanction of the Committee advancing the Loan,
and of the General Chapel Committee, the particulars of such debt,
and the circumstances which occasioned it, shall be reported to the
ensuing Annual Meeting of the District in which such Chapel is
situated, and a record of the action taken thereon by the said Dis-
trict Meeting shall be presented to the ensuing Conference.' (Min.,
vol. xix., p. 420.)
5. With respect to the relief of Chapels by Grants, the
Conference of 1876 resolved that ' in future, the Chapel
Committee shall be authorised to consider Applications for
Grants towards the removal of debts on Chapel Trusts, on
the recommendation of District Chapel Sub-Committees ; and
17G CHAPEL AFFAIRS.
each case so recommended shall be duly reported to the
ensuing meeting of the District Committee, with the other
business which has been under the consideration of such Sub-
Committee.' (Min., vol. xx., p. 117.)
6. The Conference of 1879 passed the following Resolu-
tion :
' The Conference directs that any Enlargement of a School-room
used as a Day-School, and not coiihected with a Chapel Trust-
Estate, the income of which may, in the united judgment of the
Education Committee and the Chapel Committee, be available and
sufficient for the payment of interest, as well as of any debt allowed,
shall be subject to the Regulations which apply to the enlargement
of Chapels.' (Min., 1879, p. 214.)
7. With regard to Mission Rooms, the following Resolutions
were adopted in 1879 :
' 1. That the Chapel Committee be directed to prepare a short
and simple form of agreement suitable for signature by persons in
whose names premises are acquired for temporary occupation as
Mission Rooms, defining the purposes for which the property is to
be held.
' 2. That the financial arrangements relating to such premises
shall be under the direction of the Quarterly Meeting of the Circuit
in which such premises are situated, or of a Committee appointed
thereby, and that the consent of other Connexional authorities shall
not be required to such arrangements.
' 3. That the preceding arrangements namely, the use of the
short form of agreement and the exemption from the necessity of
obtaining the consent of the Connexional authorities, other than
the Quarterly Meeting of the Circuit shall not be held to apply to
premises taken for terms of fourteen years or upwards, or to
premises taken on leases, which are renewable from time to time, or
beyond the period of fourteen years.' (Jlin., 1879, pp. 275, 276.)
CHAPTER VII.
THE METROPOLITAN CHAPEL BUILDING FUND - THE FUND FOB
THE EXTENSION OF METHODISM IN GEEAT BRITAIN THE
NORTH WALES DISTRICT CHAPEL FUND THE SOUTH WALES
DISTRICT CHAPEL FUND - THE FUND FOR THE RELIEF AND
EXTENSION OF METHODISM LN SCOTLAND.
Metropolitan Chapel Building Fund was established
-L in the year 1861, and was formally recognised and
sanctioned by the Conference of 1862. The Minute then
adopted was as follows :
' The Conference, considering the lamentable deficiency of
Chapel -accommodation in the Metropolis, has heard, with great
satisfaction, of the establishment of the Metropolitan Building
Fund, and expresses its cordial approval of the scheme ; with the
understanding, that every case of erection proposed shall, according
to our existing rules and usages, pass through the Quarterly and
District Meetings, and receive the sanction of the Chapel Com-
mittee.' (Min., vol. xv., p. 323.)
At the Conference of 1870, in compliance with a request
of the Committee of this Fund, a Minister was set apart to
the office of Secretary. This step was rendered advisable by the
liberal offer of the late Sir Francis Lycett, an offer which
the Conference gratefully acknowledged and commended to
the favourable regard of the Connexion, to give .50,000,
during the following seven years, if an equal amount were
contributed by friends throughout the Connexion, and if ten
Chapels, each seating one thousand persons, should be com-
menced in the Metropolis within ten years. The response to
this offer, on the part of the Provinces, was in every respect
satisfactory.
In the following year, the Conference adopted the sub-
178 METROPOLITAN CHAPEL BUILDING FUND.
joined Resolutions on the ' Eelation of the Metropolitan Chapel
Building Committee to the Connexion, and to the Working of
other Departments ' :
' 1. That a Report of the proceedings of the Metropolitan Chapel
Building Committee shall be annually presented at the Chapel Com-
mittee of Review, and to the Conference.
' 2. That, in future, the Committee of this Fund shall be ap-
pointed by the Conference, and printed in its Minutes ; the nomi
nation of Officers and Lay Members being made by the Committee,
as in the case of other Connexional Funds.
' 3. That, to maintain unity of action between the Committee of
the General Chapel Fund and the Metropolitan Chapel Building
Fund, one Minister and one Lay gentleman from each of those Com-
mittees be appointed yearly on the other Committee, in addition to
the President and the Secretary of the Conference, who are, ex
officio, members of each Committee.' (Min., 1871, vol. xviii., p. 399.)
It need scarcely be added, that one clause in the first of these
Resolutions has been superseded by the arrangement which
has set aside Committees of Review, and introduced Laymen
into the Conference itself during its Representative Session.
Additional Regulations were adopted in the year 1872.
The Minute is as follows : ' In accordance with a suggestion
of the District Committees of the two London Districts, the
Conference repeats its earnest recommendation, that increased
help be given to this Fund, not only by occasional Donations,
but also by annual Subscriptions and Collections in each Metro-
politan Circuit. The Conference also adopts the proposal of
these District Committees, that a Ministerial or Lay Secretary
be appointed by the June Quarterly Meeting in each of the
Metropolitan Circuits, with a view to secure more efficient
organisation.' (Min., vol. xviii., p. 628.)
The Conference of 1875 passed the following Resolution :
' The Conference directs that Annual Collections on behalf of
the Fund be made in all the Metropolitan Chapels on the Lord's
Day, and repeats its recommendation that further help be rendered
by Donations and Subscriptions, and also by an Annual Public
Meeting in each of the Metropolitan Circuits ; and also resolves
that in the May Meetings of the London Districts the interests of
this Fund be considered when the Connexional Funds are under
review.' (Min., vol. xix., pp. 679, 680.)
EXTENSION FUND FOR GREAT BRITAIN. 179
The Conference of 1881 provisionally adopted the Resolu-
tions relative to the nomination and constitution of the Com-
mittee of this Fund, given in Appendix No. V.
The Fund for the Extension of Methodism in Great Britain
was established in the year 1874. The Conference of that
year adopted the Report of the Committee which had been
appointed to deliberate on the subject. That Committee,
after adverting with satisfaction to the efforts that had been
made, throughout the Connexion, since the census of 1851,
to provide additional Chapel accommodation, and to extend
Methodism by means of Home Missions, and other Evangel-
istic agencies, went on to say : ' Nevertheless, considering the
great increase of the population during that period, and the
fact that in many instances, both in towns and villages, little
or no accommodation for worship is yet provided by the Con-
nexion ; and that it is abundantly evident that without some
special Connexional assistance adequate provision is not likely
to be made for a considerable time to come, this Committee is
deeply convinced that a speedy and general effort should be
made to raise a Fund which shall supplement the ordinary
Funds of the Connexion, and the local resources of the
people, in part to sustain an additional number of Home-
Missionary Ministers, whose duty it shall be to preach the
Gospel in districts where Methodism does not now exist, and
to facilitate the erection of Chapels where needed, and the
enlargement of others which are at present insufficient.'
The Report of the Committee, adopted by the Conference,
included the following recommendations :
' At the same time the Committee is fully aware that any plan
for the accomplishment of these purposes will necessarily involve
the calling out and training of additional Ministers, and will entail,
for a time, a serions charge upon the Home-Mission Fund, and upon
the Fund of the Theological Institution ; and therefore the Com-
mittee judges, that, whilst the larger part of the total sum to be
thus specially raised should be employed to encourage and assist
the erection and enlargement of Places of Worship in necessitous
localities, a reasonable amount should, after careful consideration,
N2
180 NORTH WALES DISTRICT CHAPEL FUND.
be applied towards meeting the additional charges upon these
Funds.
' In the judgment of this Committee it is not expedient to estab-
lish any separate Department for the distribution in detail of this
Fund ; but, while it should be maintained and reported upon as a
distinct Fund, the moneys raised should be administered through
the existing Connexional Agencies, in such manner as to give
special assistance to the objects before indicated, and in such pro-
portions as may, from time to time, be found desirable.' (Hin.,
1874, vol. xix., pp. 450, 530, 531.)
This Fund is now in active operation ; and it has afforded
important help in the erection of Chapels, in necessitous
cases, in various parts of the country. Liberal contributions
were made to it for several years ; but the canvass for addi-
tional subscriptions has been superseded by the great Con-
nexional effort, the Thanksgiving Fund, from which a
grant of 45,000 has been appropriated to the Extension
Fund.
The Conference of 1881 provisionally adopted the Resolutions
respecting the nomination and constitution of the Committee
of this Fund, given in Appendix No. V.
The North Wales District Chapel Fund was established in
the year 1867. Its Rules, as enacted by the Conference of that
year, are as follows :
' The Conference resolves: 1. A Fund shall be forthwith estab-
lished in the North Wales District, to be called " The North Wales
District Chapel Fund." It shall consist of
(1.) The Loan Fund already in operation in the District,
after full repayment of the instalments yet due to the
Chapel Committee.
(2.) The Collections and Subscriptions for the Chapel Fund
annually raised in the North Wales District.
(3.) Special Donations and Subscriptions.
(4.) Moneys to be derived from such other sources as have
been sanctioned in connection with the North Wales
Loan Fund, in the terms of arrangement between the
Chapel Committee and the North Wales Loan Com-
mittee.
' This Fund shall comprise two Branches ; viz., (A) for Loans ;
and (B) for Grants and General Expenses.
1 2. This Fund shall be administered by a Committee, to be called
the " North Wales Chapel Fund Committee." This Committee shall
NORTH WALES DISTRICT CHAPEL FUND. 181
consist of eight Ministers and eight Laymen to be annually ap-
pointed by the Conference, the Lay members being nominated by
the North Wales Annual District Meeting.
' 3. This Committee shall appoint, from among themselves, one
Minister and one Layman as Co-Treasurers of the Fund, and one
Minister as Secretary of the Committee.
' 4. All moneys received on account of the Fund shall be
deposited in a Bank, and only withdrawn under the signatures
of both Treasurers.
4 5. This Committee shall have the same power to vote and
settle Grants and Loans to Chapel Erections and Enlargements, and
in relief of existing debts, in the North Wales District, which is
now possessed by the Chapel Committee with reference to Chapel
cases in Great Britain.
' 6. The Chapel Fund shall no longer be applicable to cases in
the North Wales District, except with respect to Grants and Loans
already promised but not yet paid.
4 7. When a Grant or Loan, in aid of a proposed Erection or
Enlargement, shall be recommended by the Annual or Financial
District Committee, the North Wales Chapel Fund Committee shall,
if they deem it necessary, before finally deciding on the case,
appoint one or two of their own number to meet the Superintendent,
the Trustees, and other friends, and examine all Plans, Estimates,
Tenders, Lists of Subscriptions, and other necessary matters, and
report thereon to the Chairman of the District If the Report be
satisfactory, the Chairman shall report to the Chapel Committee,
that the case may be proceeded with according to the established
Rules of the Connexion.
' 8. In any case of Erection or Enlargement in which the North
Wales District Committee shall deem it to be expedient, the Regula-
tion requiring that three-fourths of the outlay be raised may be
relaxed. But, in every such case, no debt shall be allowed beyond
what may be advanced as a Loan by the North Wales Chapel Fund
Committee.
'9. In the case of an Erection or Enlargement to which the
North Wales Chapel Fund Committee may promise a Grant or
Loan, the Chapel Committee shall not decline to sanction the under-
taking on the ground of the proposed amount of debt, provided
that such debt shall have been agreed to by both the North Wales
District Committee, and the North Wales Chapel Fund Committee,
and that, if more than one-fourth of the proposed outlay, it shall
consist only of a Loan from the North Wales District Chapel
Fund.
4 10. No case of Grant or Loan shall be settled until the Chapel
* A modification of this Rule was provisionally adopted by the Conference
of 1881. (See Appendix No. V).
182 SOUTH WALES DISTRICT CHAPEL FUND.
Committee shall certify that, in their opinion, the property is legally
secured in trust for the Connexion.
'11. All matters relating to this Fund, arid the proceedings of
the District Committee with regard to Trust-property, and of the
District Chapel Fund Committee, shall be annually reported,
through the Chapel Committee, to the Conference. A statement
of the accounts of the North Wales District Chapel Fund shall be
printed in the Annual Report of the Chapel Committee.
' 12. In respect to all other particulars not herein expressly
mentioned, the General Laws and Regulations of the Conference
relating to Chapel affairs shall apply to cases in the North Wales
District, as in other parts of Great Britain.' (Min., vol. xvii.,
pp. 136, 137.)
The South Wales District Chapel Fund was not instituted
until the year 1873. The Resolutions of the Conference
bearing on it are the following :
' 1. A Fund shall be forthwith established in the South Wales
District, to be called " The South Wales District Chapel Fund."
' It shall comprise three Branches ; namely :
(1.) A. For the relief of debts on Chapels by the aid of Loans
only ; such Loans not to exceed in amount the contributions raised
to meet them by the Trustees of Chapels thus aided. The Loan
capital to consist of 750 ; viz., 500 already raised by contribu-
tions in South Wales, and 250 already lent by the Chapel
Committee.
' (2.) B. In aid of the Erection and Enlargement of Chapels
by Loans and Grants ; for the relief of Chapel debts, in special
cases, by Grants only ; and for general expenses. The capital to
consist of (i.) 250, to be raised by special Subscriptions in the
South Wales District, (ii.) A Loan, not exceeding 500, to be
advanced by the Chapel Committee from their Erection Loan Fund,
instead of the same amount previously promised from their Relief
Loan Fund. The Loans on the A. and B. Branches are not to
exceed in amount the special contributions in the South Wales
District to the same Branches of the Fund.
' N.B. Provision is to be made for the repayment of the balance
yet due to the Chapel Committee on the A . Branch, and for
the repayment of the Loan to be advanced to the B. Branch
of the Fund, from the same sources as have already been
sanctioned.
' (iii.) The Collections and Subscriptions for the Chapel Fund,
annually raised in the South Wales District, (iv.) Special Dona-
tions and Subscriptions, (v.) Income to be derived from such
SOUTH WALES DISTRICT CHAPEL FUND. 183
other sources as have been sanctioned in connection with the South
Wales Loan Fund, in the terms of the arrangement between the
Chapel Committee and the South Wales Loan Committee.
'(3.) C. To be a supplement to the general Scheme, and to be
applied only in aid of providing Ministers' houses, and of removing
existing debts on such houses, if duly settled upon Connexional
Trusts ; the capital to be raised by contributions expressly given
for this purpose.
1 3. Donations expressly made to any one Branch of the South
Wales Fund shall be appropriated exclusively to that Branch ; but
donations without any limitations by the donors shall be applied to
any of the Branches by which the general purposes contemplated
may, in the opinion of the South Wales Chapel Fund Committee,
be best promoted.
' 4. This Fund shall be administered by a Committee, to be
called " The South Wales Chapel Fund Committee," which shall
consist of eight Ministers and eight Laymen, to be annually
appointed by the Conference, the Lay members of the Committee
being nominated by the South Wales District Meeting.
' 5. This Committee shall appoint from among themselves one
Minister and one layman as Co-Treasurers of the Fund, and one
Minister as Secretary of the Committee.
' 6. All moneys received on account of the Fund shall be
deposited in a bank, and only withdrawn under the signature of
both Treasurers.
' 7. This Committee shall have the same power to vote and
settle Grants and Loans to Chapel Erections and Enlargements, and
in relief of existing debts in the South Wales District, which is now
possessed by the Chapel Committee with reference to Chapel cases
in other parts of Great Britain.
' 8. The Chapel Fund shall be no longer applicable to the South
Wales District, except with respect to Grants and Loans already
promised but not paid.
' 9. When a Grant or Loan, in aid of a proposed Erection or
Enlargement, shall be recommended by the Annual or Financial
District Committee, the South Wales Chapel Fund Committee shall,
if they deem it necessary, before finally deciding on the case
appoint one or two of their own number to meet the Superinten-
dent, the Trustees, and other friends, and examine all plans,
estimates, tenders, lists of subscriptions, and other necessary matters,
and report thereon to the Chairman of the District. If the report
be satisfactory, the Chairman shall report to the General Chapel
Committee, that the case may be proceeded with according to the
established Rules of the Connexion.
' 10. Aid from any Branch of the South Wales Fund shall be
* See Note on p. 181.
184 EXTENSION FUND FOR SCOTLAND.
afforded only to such cases as shall be duly approved by the
General Chapel Committee.
'11. In any case of Erection or Enlargement in which the
South Wales District Committee shall deem it to be expedient, the
Regulation requiring that three-fourths of the outlay be raised may
be relaxed. But, in every such case, no debt shall be allowed,
except what may be advanced as a Loan by the South Wales Chapel
Fund Committee, or, in the case of house-property, covered by an
adequate house rental ; and the Chapel Committee shall not decline
to sanction the undertaking on the ground of the proposed amount
of debt, provided that such debt shall have been agreed to by both
the South Wales District Committee and the South Wales Chapel
Fund Committee.
' 12. No case of Grant and Loan shall be settled until the General
Chapel Committee shall certify that, in their opinion, the property
is legally secured in trust for the Connexion.
' 13. All matters relating to this Fund, and the proceedings of
the District Committee with regard to Trust-property, and of the
District Chapel Fund Committee, shall be annually reported through
the General Chapel Committee to the Conference. A statement of
the accounts of the South Wales District Chapel Fund shall be
printed in the Annual Report of the Chapel Committee.
'14. In respect to all other particulars not herein expressly
mentioned, the General Laws and Regulations of the Conference
relating to Chapel affairs shall apply to cases in the South Wales
District, as in other parts of Great Britain.' (Min., vol. xix.,
pp. 157-159.)
The Fund for the Relief and Extension of Methodism in
Scotland was called into existence in the same year as the
North Wales District Chapel Fund. In the Minutes of the
Conference for 1867 we find the following Eesolutions :
' At the request of the Edinburgh and Aberdeen District Com-
mittee, the Conference agrees to sanction the establishment of a
"Relief and Extension Fund for Scotland," on the following
basis :
'1. The District Committee shall nominate a Committee of
Ministers and Laymen to be annually submitted to the Conference
for appointment, and to act in harmony with the Wesleyan Chapel
Committee.
' 2. The arrangements for raising this Fund shall not interfere
with the existing Rules of the Connexion with reference to the
General Chapel Fund ; the Collections and Subscriptions for which
shall be gathered and forwarded as heretofore, and as though no
separate Fund for Scotland existed.
EXTENSION FUND FOR SCOTLAND. 185
' 3. The money distributed from this Fund shall be granted only
to Schemes which shall receive the sanction of the General Chapel
Committee.
' 4. A portion of the proposed Fund shall be applied to the
erection or purchase of Houses for Ministers.
' 5. Should the proposed Fund reach a sufficient amount, a part
of it may be applied in aid of Day-Schools.' (Min., vol. xvii.,
p. 138.)
The Conference of 1877 adopted some additional Begula-
tions respecting this Fund :
' The Conference directs that Annual Collections on behalf of
the Fund be made in all the Chapels in the Edinburgh and
Aberdeen District on the Lord's Day, and recommends that further
help be rendered by Donations and Subscriptions. It resolves also,
that in the May District Meeting of the Edinburgh and Aberdeen
District the interests of this Fund shall be considered when the
Connexional Funds are under review.
' The General Treasurers and Secretaries of the Fund are to be
appointed by the Committee at their meeting to be held in connec-
tion with the Financial District Meeting of the Edinburgh and
Aberdeen District.' (Min., vol. xx., "p. 393.)
In the following year, 1878, the Conference expressed its
gratification that the Committee of this Fund had 'at length
succeeded in raising so much of the capital sum required
as to be able to commence the operations of the Fund ; and
recognising the benefits likely to result therefrom,' commended
the scheme to the ' further liberality of the friends of Method-
ism in Scotland.' Similar sentiments were expressed by the
Conference in the two following years.
With regard to the nomination and constitution of the
Committee of this Fund, the Conference of 1881 provisionally
adopted the Resolutions given in Appendix No. Y.
The Conference of 1881 also adopted additional Regulations
for the Management of this Fund, on the recommendation of a
Committee which had been appointed to consider the subject,
and resolved to publish, in connection with them, the statement
of the Original Purposes, Constitution, and Administration of
the Fund, as agreed on by the Conference of 1869. (Min.,
1881, p. 235.)
186 EXTENSION FUND FOR SCOTLAND.
The entire document is as follows :
'REGULATIONS AND DIRECTIONS FOB THE ADMINISTRATION
OP THE FUND.
' The Purposes, Constitution, and Administration of the Fund
already determined by the Conference of 1869, and contained in
the Deed of Trust of the Fund registered in the Books of the Lords
of Council and Session at Edinburgh on 4th November, 1869, are
as follows :
' PURPOSES.
' 1. The liquidation of debts yet remaining on Wesleyan
Methodist Churches, Chapels, or Manses in Scotland, or debts that
may yet be contracted with the sanction of the Wesleyan Chapel
Committee.
' 2. The purchase or erection of new or additional Places of
Worship, and of sites for such objects.
' 3. The acquisition of Manses, or investment of money to meet
house rents, thus making provision for the residence of ordained
Ministers where at present only Probationers are stationed,
and, from time to time, in other places as occasion may arise.
' CONSTITUTION.
' 1. The District Committee of the Edinburgh and Aberdeen
District shall nominate a Committee of Ministers and Laymen, to
be annually submitted to the Conference for appointment, and to
act in harmony with the Wesleyan Chapel Committee.
' 2. The arrangements for raising this Fund shall not interfere
with the existing Rules of the Connexion with reference to the
Wesleyan Chapel Fund, the collections and subscriptions for which
shall be gathered and forwarded as heretofore, and as though no
separate fund for Scotland existed.
' 3. The money distributed from this Fund shall be granted only
to schemes which shall receive the sanction of the Wesleyan Chapel
Committee.
' 4. The General Committee for the Relief and Extension Fund
to be annually submitted to the Conference for appointment, shall
consist of the Superintendent of each Scotch Circuit, one Layman
from each such Circuit, and of such other gentleman or gentlemen
from any Circuit in Scotland as the District Committee may from
time to time determine ; reserving, however, to the District Com-
mittee full power, with consent of Conference, to alter or modify
the constitution of such General Committee from time to time as
circumstances may, in their opinion, render desirable.
' 5. The meetings of this Committee shall be held in connection
with the District Committee in May and the Financial District
Committee in October, and at such other times as the Chairman of
the District may deem necessary.
EXTENSION FUND FOR SCOTLAND. 187
' 6. The funds for the Relief and Extension Scheme shall be
raised by annual Sabbath collections in all our places of Worship
in Scotland ; donations and periodical subscriptions to be paid
weekly, monthly, quarterly, or annually.
' Each Methodist Trust in Scotland shall also be respectfully
requested to contribute an annual Subscription.
' 7. The members of the General Committee shall be responsible
for the interests of the Fund in their own Circuit and localities,
and may form a Local Committee to aid them if they find it
desirable to do so.
' 8. The General Committee shall annually, at their meeting in
October, appoint, either from their own number or otherwise, one
or more suitable persons to be General Secretary or General Secre-
taries of said Fund, and one or more suitable persons to be General
Treasurer or General Treasurers of said Fund.
' 9. All moneys received for the Fund shall be forwarded monthly
to the General Treasurers.
' 10. A financial Report of the Fund shall be sent through the
District Committee to the Conference every year.
' ADMINISTRATION.
'1. All donations, collections, and subscriptions shall be invested
until the Fund shall amount to 5,000. To this shall be added
income arising from legacies, special donations, and from all
extraordinary sources, until the Capital Fund shall reach at least
10,000.
' 2. The interest of the first 5,000 of invested capital shall be
carried yearly to a separate account, and shall be used for a Loan
Fund. The interest of any additions which may be made to the
Capital Fund beyond the first 5,000, and up to 10,000, shall be
applied in free grants either for relief or extension.
' 3. All annual collections, subscriptions, or other sources of
ordinary income (after the first 5,000 shall have been raised),
shall be applied, year by year, in payment of all working expenses,
and in free grants either for relief or extension.
'4. When the capital shall amount to 10,000, all moneys
received thereafter may be capitalised or disposed of in Loans or
Grants, as the Committee of the Fund may think proper.
' 5. If any contribution or bequest be made to the Fund on
condition that it be appropriated to either Capital, Loan, or Grant,
Account, it shall be so appropriated, the foregoing arrangements
notwithstanding. '
The following additional Regulations framed in harmony
with the foregoing Purposes, Constitution, and Administration,
188 EXTENSION FUND FOR SCOTLAND.
are sanctioned by the Conference upon the recommendation of
a Committee appointed to consider the same :
'I. APPLICATIONS FOR AID.
' 1. Applications for Aid, whether by Grant or Loan, must be
made on the proper Schedules, copies of which may be had from
the Secretaries of the Fund, as follows :
(I.) Aid towards cost of New Chapels.
(II.) Aid towards removal of Debt on Existing Chapels.
(III.) Aid towards cost of New Manses, or investment of
money to meet House Rents.
(IV.) Aid towards removal of debt on existing Manses.
' For Alterations or Enlargement, Schedules I. and III. may be adapted.
' 2. All Applications are to be lodged with the Secretaries on
or before the 31st March in each year.
' 3. The Committee shall decide upon Applications for Grants
and Loans at its meeting in connection with the May District Meet-
ing, but notice of intended Application for assistance should be
given, if possible, at the meeting of the Committee in connection
with the Financial District Meeting.
' 4. A Sub-Committee, to include the Officers and Trustees of the
Fund, shall be appointed at the Autumn Meeting each year, to
consider prior to the May District Meeting the Applications then
to be presented, and to make such recommendations to the Commit-
tee as may seem desirable.
' 5. To facilitate the Work of the Sub-Committee, and also of
the Committee in May, the Secretaries shall prepare and forward to
each member of the Committee fourteen days before the Meeting
an Estimate of the sums available for Grants and Loans
respectively, and an abstract of the Applications for Aid to be
considered.
' Note. For the present, the Sub-Committee shall meet on the
Tuesday evening of the May District Meeting, and the General
Committee on the day following.
II. CONSENT OF THE WESLEYAN CHAPEL COMMITTEE.
' 1. Removal of Debts.
' The Committee of the Relief and Extension Fund shall only
entertain Applications for Aid towards the removal of debts that
have been contracted with the sanction of the Wesleyan Chapel
Committee, except in cases where debts had been in existence,
and returned in the Annual Circuit Schedule, prior to the completion
of the Fund at the Conference of 1880. Before presenting an
application for Grant or Loan towards the liquidation of debt,
EXTENSION FUND FOR SCOTLAND. 189
the Secretaries must ascertain whether the liability to be dealt with
is eligible in accordance with this regulation.
' 2. New Erections.
'(1.) The existing Regulations of the Conference, requiring
sanction to be obtained from the District Meeting (or District
Chapel Sub-Committee), and the Wesleyan Chapel Committee,
extends, as heretofore, to all cases of Erections, Purchase, or
Enlargement, in Scotland, and such consent must be obtained
whether aid be requested from the Belief and Extension Fund or
otherwise.
' (2.) Grants made from this Fund to new Erections may be
regarded as Local Contributions, and applied towards fulfilling the
conditions of the Wesleyan Chapel Committee, as to remaining
debt ; but loans to new Erections must be regarded as part of the
debt that may be sanctioned by the said Committee.
' (3.) Before definitely promising aid to any proposed new
Erection, the Committee must be certified that such Erection has
received the sanction of the Wesleyan Chapel Committee ; but, in
order to prevent disappointment, before such sanction has been
obtained, the Committee of the Relief and Extension Fund may
consider a preliminary inquiry, and indicate the kind and amount
of help likely to be given if the scheme be approved by the Wesleyan
Chapel Committee.
'HE. PROMISES OP AID.
' 1. Loans without interest shall be promised only on condition
that repayment be made by equal half-yearly instalments, extending
over a period to be agreed upon, but never exceeding ten years.
Satisfactory security, by promissory note, to be signed by responsi-
ble persons, shall be given for the punctual repayment of any Loan
advanced ; and the whole amount remaining unpaid shall be
immediately recoverable in default of the due payment of any
instalment.
' 2. A form of consent, describing the kind and amount of aid
promised, and the conditions on which the same will be paid, shall
be sent by the Secretaries of the Fund through the Superintendent
to the Trustees for insertion in their Trust Minute Book ; and a
copy of the said document shall in each case be retained for the use
of the Committee.
' 3. Aid shall only be promised to the Trustees who engage to
contribute an annual Subscription from their Trust Estate to the
Relief and Extension Fund the amount to be agreed upon with
the Committee.
IV. SETTLEMENT OF AID.
' 1. No case of Grant and Loan shall be settled until the Wesleyan
Chapel Committee shall certify that, in their opinion, the property
is legally secured in trust for the Connexion.
190 EXTENSION FUND FOR SCOTLAND.
' 2. Before the payment of any Grant or Loan promised to new
Erections, an assurance must be obtained from the Secretaries of
the Wesleyan Chapel Committee that they find, upon an examina-
tion of the Books, Vouchers, and Accounts relating to the Trust,
that the Conditions of the Chapel Committee as to remaining debts
have been fulfilled.
' 3. Upon payment of Grants and Loans, the Secretaries of this
Fund shall take a Memorandum and Engagement, signed by the
Superintendent, and as many of Trustees as possible, stating the
amount of aid given, the cost of buildings, or amount of debt
defrayed, the remaining debt, and the amount of Insurance against
loss by fire ; and engaging to maintain a reasonable system of Seat
Rents, to keep the premises in good repair, sufficiently insured
against' loss by fire, and free from debt except as agreed to, or to
be agreed to, by the Committee, to contribute from their Surplus
Trust income in the Support and Extension of the Work of God
in their own Circuit and neighbourhood, and in aid of Wesleyan
Connexional Institutions. A copy of such document is to be
entered in the Trustees' Book in each case, together with a full
statement of the accounts.'
' V. MISCELLANEOUS.
' 1. The Annual Collections and Subscriptions for the Fund are
to be remitted to the Treasurer of the Fund, and full particulars
for the Report are to be sent at the same time to the Secretaries.
' 2. All Loan Instalments, as they become due, are for the present
to be remitted to the Treasurer, per the Lay Secretary, of the
Fund, who shall keep suitable books showing the Account of each
Trust with the Treasurers of the Fund.
'3. Promissory Notes shall be made payable to the two Lay
Treasurers or their order, shall be preserved in a depository to be
determined from time to time by the Committee, and returned to
Trustees on the re-payment of the entire amount of the sum
advanced in each case. The Promissory Notes, with all other
Securities belonging to the Fund, shall be annually presented to the
Auditors of the Fund, together with an exact statement of the
accounts with each indebted Trust.
'4. A statement of receipts and payments shall be published
annually, such Statement to include Subscriptions and Collections
received, Loan instalments repaid, and aid paid to Trustees.' (Min.,
1881, pp. 348-354.)
CHAPTEE VIII.
SCHOOLS FOE THE EDUCATION OF MINTSTEBs' CHILDREN
THE SCHOOLS' FUND.
AT a very early period of his career Mr. Wesley estab-
lished a School at Kingswood, near Bristol, intended to
be a general seminary of commercial and classical learning,
conducted on strictly Christian principles. It became, by
degrees, after some years, a School for the education of the
sons of the Itinerant Preachers who laboured in connection
with him. In this Institution Mr. Wesley ever took the
liveliest interest. The Rules for its management, and the
course of study to be observed in it, were drawn up by him ;
and he watched over it with a father's care. For many
years this was the only School provided specially for the sons
of Wesleyan-Methodist Ministers ; but in 1812 a second
School was established at Woodheuse Grove, near Leeds.
The immediate oversight of each of these Establishments was
entrusted by the Conference to a Minister of standing and
experience, who was bound to maintain efficient discipline, and,
at the same time, to exercise a paternal care over the youths
committed to his charge. In addition to selecting the
Governor, the Conference reserved to itself the appointment
of the Head Master of each of the Schools. But the general
management was entrusted to Local Committees, composed of
Ministers and Laymen.
The premises at Kingswood having become dilapidated
and unsuitable, it was resolved, in the year 1846, to secure
larger and better School-premises. The site fixed upon was
at Lansdown, Bath ; and the College erected there received the
designation of New Kingswood.
192 KINGSWOOD AND WOODHOUSE GROVE SCHOOL.
In the year 1875, after lengthened deliberation, extending
over several years, the constitution and arrangements of these
Schools were modified, so as to constitute them one School, in
two Branches, the educational arrangements being under the
direction and control of one Head Master. Under this
Scheme, the New Kingswood Branch is for the senior, and
Woodhouse Grove for the younger boys. A Minister is still
appointed by the Conference to each Branch of the School, as
Governor. Instead of being cared for by Local Committees,
the School, in its two Branches, is placed under the control of
one Governing Body. The hope is cherished that it may be
possible, at an early period, to concentrate the two Branches
of the School on one site, an arrangement which would be
attended with many manifest advantages.
The Scheme for the Management of the School, as thus modi-
fied, and adopted by the Conference of 1875, is as follows :
'I. THE GOVERNING BODY.
' 1. The School and School- property shall be managed by a
Governing Body, to which shall be transferred the powers as to the
management of the Schools and School-property now possessed by
the former Committees of the Kingswood and Woodnouse Grove
Schools. The Governing Body may, under the direction of the
Conference, procure incorporation, and if they do so the School-
property shall be vested in the body so incorporated. This Govern-
ing Body shall consist of Ministers and Laymen.
' 2. The President, Ex-President, and Secretary of the Confer-
ence ;
The General Treasurers and the General Secretaries of the
Schools Fund ;
The General Treasurers and the General Secretary of the
Children's Fund ;
The Chairman, for the time being, of the Leeds, Halifax and
Bradford, Bristol, and Bath Districts ;
The Governors and Head Master of the School for the time
being ;
shall be, ex qfficio, Members of the Governing Body.
There shall be twenty-four other Members, to be called
elected Members.
' 3. The first elected Members of the Governing Body shall be
appointed by the Conference of 1875, and shall hold office until the
Conference of 1878.
KINGSWOOD AND WOODHOUSE GROVE SCHOOL. 193
' 4. The twenty-four elected Members shall retire from office at
the times and in the proportions following :
' At the Conference of 1878, eight of the elected Members, to be
determined by ballot among themselves, unless they shall otherwise
agree, shall go out of office :
' At the Conference of 1879, eight of the remaining number of
the elected Members, to be determined in like manner, shall go out
of office :
' At the Conference of 1880, the remaining eight shall go out
of office. In each instance the places of the retiring Members of the
Governing Body shall be filled up by the Conference ; and at every
subsequent Conference one-third of the elected Members of the
Governing Body, being those who have been longest in office, shall
go out of office, and their places shall be supplied in like manner.
No Member of the Governing Body retiring from office shall be
eligible for immediate re-election except in special cases. The
Members who are to retire in rotation shall hold office until
replaced.
' 5. Of the Members thus elected by the Conference, one shall be
nominated every three years by the Masters of the School, other
than the Head Master.
' 6. One shall be nominated annually by the Associates of the
School. All pupils of Kingswood, New Kingswood, or Woodhouse
Grove School, who shall have left before the date of this Scheme, and
all pupils of this School who shall hereafter receive a certificate of
honour or merit from this School, shall, if annual Subscribers to the
funds of the School, be called Associates.
' The mode of nomination under this and the preceding clause
shall be fixed by the Governing Body. The Conference shall not be
bound to accept a nominee under either of these two clauses.
' 7. Every Member of the Governing Body must be a Minister in
Full Connexion, or a Member of the Wesleyan-Methodist Society.
No Master of the School, other than the Head Master, shall be a
Member of the Governing Body.
' 8. A Member of the Governing Body shall vacate his office :
' (1) By death ;
' (2) By voluntary retirement, to be signified by him to the
Governing Body in writing ;
' (3) By resolution of the Conference removing him from
office ;
' (4) By becoming lunatic or bankrupt, or by the liquidation
of his affairs ; or
' (5) By neglecting, for one year, to attend any Meeting of
the Governing Body, or any Sub-Committee thereof.
' Vacancies under this clause shall not be filled up until
the period when the Member vacating office would
have retired in rotation.
194 KINGSWOOD AND WOODHOUSE GROVE SCHOOL.
1 9. The Governing Body may act, notwithstanding vacancies
in their body.
1 10. Subject to any regulations which may be made by the Con-
ference, the Governing Body may fix their own times and places
of meeting, their mode of summoning Meetings and transacting
business, their quorum and procedure. They may appoint Sub-
Committees with such powers as they think fit. They shall keep
minutes and accounts, and may appoint a Vice-Chairman, who shall
act in the absence of the President of the Conference. They shall
also appoint a Secretary and a Treasurer, and may appoint any
other officers.
4 11. The Accounts of the School up to the end of June in each
year shall be audited in the month of July in that year, by a
professional Auditor to be appointed by the General Committee of
the Schools Fund.* No Member of the Governing Body shall be an
Auditor. A copy of the Balance- Sheet so audited shall be imme-
diately forwarded to the General Secretaries of the Schools Fund.
4 II. THE SCHOOL AND ITS MANAGEMENT.
4 12. The Governors and the Head Master shall be the chief
Officers of the School. The Governors shall be appointed and
removed by the Conference, on the recommendation of the Govern-
ing Body or otherwise. The Head Master shall be appointed by
the Governing Body, and may be removed by the Conference after
six months' notice, without assigning cause.
' 13. Each Governor shall be a Minister in Full Connexion with
the Conference ; and if suspended from his office as a Minister,
shall thereby vacate the office of Governor. If a Governor die, or
be suspended from his office as a Minister, or be incapacitated for
the discharge of his duties in the interval between the sessions of
the Conference, the Governing Body shall make due provision for
the temporary discharge of the duties of Governor.
' 14. The Governing Body may dismiss the Head Master with-
out assigning cause on six months' notice ; but the resolution dis-
missing him must be passed at two consecutive meetings of the
Governing Body, held at an interval of not more than four weeks,
or less than two weeks. Within a month from the second meeting,
the Head Master may lodge an appeal to the Conference with the
President. The dismissal shall not take effect pending the appeal,
but shall take effect immediately on the confirmation by the Confer-
ence of the dismissal, if the six months have elapsed.
4 15. Nevertheless, for urgent cause, the Governing body may,
by resolution passed at a Special Meeting duly convened for that
express purpose, and affirmed by not less than two-thirds of the
* The audit is now postponed until after the Conference, to allow of the
payment from the Children's Fund being included.
KINGSWOOD AND WOODHOUSE GROVE SCHOOL. 195
whole existing Governing Body, suspend the Head Master from
his office, and make temporary provision for the discharge of his
duties. Full notice and opportunity of defence, both against such
dismissal and against such suspension, shall be given to the Head
Master.
' 16. Every Head Master, previously to entering into office, shall
be required to sign a declaration in the Minute-Book of the Govern-
ing Body, in the following form :
' I, , declare that I will always, to the
best of my ability, discharge the duties of Head Master of the
Kingswood and Woodhouse Grove School, during my tenure of the
office ; and that if I am removed by the Conference, or the Governing
Body, according to the constitution of the said School, I will
acquiesce in such removal, and will thereupon relinquish all claim
to the Mastership and its emoluments, and will deliver up to the
Governing Body, or as they direct, possession of all their property
then in my possession or occupation.
' 17. The Governors and Head Master shall reside in the dwell-
ing-houses assigned for their respective residence. Each shall have
the occupation and use of such house and any other property of the
Trust of which he becomes occupant in respect of his official charac-
ter and duties, and not as tenant, and shall, if removed from office,
deliver up possession of such house and other property to the
Governing Body, or as they direct. He shall not, except with the
permission of the Governing Body, permit any other person to
occupy such house or any part thereof.
' 18. The Governors and Head Master shall give their personal
attention to the duties of their respective offices, and none of them,
during his tenure of office, shall accept or hold any office or ap-
pointment which, in the opinion of the Governing Body, may
interfere with the proper performance of his duties. But this
limitation shall not apply to any appointment made by the
Conference.
' 19. No Officer of the School shall receive or demand from any
boy in the School, or from any person whomsoever on behalf of
any such boy, any gratuity, fee, or payment, except such payments
as are prescribed or authorised by the Governing Body.
' 20. The Governing Body shall have the general superintendence
and management of the School, and may make any regulations not
inconsistent with this Scheme. They shall prescribe the general
subjects of instruction, the relative prominence and value to be
assigned to each group of subjects, the division of the year into
School terms and vacations, the School hours, the number of pupils,
and the maximum number of holidays to be given in the terms.
They shall take general supervision of the sanitary condition of the
School-buildings and arrangements, and make all necessary repairs,
additions, and improvements. In particular, the Governing Body
o2
196 XINGSWOOD AND WOODHOUSE GROVE SCHOOL.
may, out of such funds as may be placed in their hands for the
purpose, enlarge the School-buildings so as to accommodate such
number of pupils as the Conference may, from time to time, direct.
They shall determine what number of Assistant Masters shall be
employed. They shall every year assign the amount which they
think proper to be paid for the purpose of maintaining Assistant
Masters and other Teachers, and a proper plant or apparatus for
carrying on the instruction given in the School.
' 21. Subject to the Rules prescribed by or under the authority
of this Scheme, the Governors shall be responsible for the religious
instruction and oversight of the School. Subject, as aforesaid, the
Governors shall also superintend the domestic management of the
School.
' 22. Subject to the Rules prescribed by or under the authority
of this Scheme, the Head Master shall have under his control the
choice of books, the method of teaching, the arrangement of classes,
and generally the whole educational management of the School.
'23. The Governor and Head Master jointly shall have the
power of giving holidays, not exceeding the maximum number of
holidays to be given in the terms.
' 24. Subject to appeal to the Governing Body, the Head Master
shall be the supreme executive authority in respect of School-
studies and discipline in School-hours, and the Governor in other
respects ; but the system of discipline shall, as far as possible, be
the same throughout, and shall be arranged by the Governor and
Head Master in concert. The Governor and Head Master jointly
may remove a boy from the School ; but his parents or guardians
may appeal to the Governing Body for his restoration.
' 25. The Governor and Head Master shall jointly have the
power of appointing and of dismissing any Assistant Master or
other Teacher, and shall determine in what proportion the sum
assigned by the Governing Body for the maintenance of Assistant
Masters and other Teachers, or of plant or apparatus, ought to be
divided among the various persons and objects for the aggregate of
which it is assigned ; and the Governing Body shall pay the same
accordingly.
' 26. Any matter on which the Governor and Head Master shall
not agree shall be referred to the Governing Body.
' 27. The Governors shall receive such payment as the Con-
ference, after taking into consideration all the circumstances of the
case, shall direct.
'28. The Head "Master shall receive such payment as the
Governing Body, from time to time, may appoint.
' 29. Subject to the provisions established by or under the
authority of this Scheme, and to the Regulations of the Conference,
from time to time, the School shall be open without charge to the
sons of Wesleyan Ministers, or of deceased Wesleyan Ministers.
KINGSWOOD AND WOODHOUSE GROVE SCHOOL. 197
' 30. If the number of applications for admission should exceed
the number of vacancies, the order of admission shall be decided
by the Governing Body, having regard to the special circumstances
of each case.
' 31. No boy shall, without special leave of the Governing Body,
be admitted into the School under the age of ten years, and no
boy, without such special leave, shall remain in the School beyond
the end of the School term in which he attains the age of nineteen
years. And the Governors and Head Master shall make regulations,
subject to the approval of the Governing Body, for the withdrawal
of boys from the School in cases where, through idleness or
incapacity, they have fallen considerably below the standard of
position and attainment proper for their age.
' 32. No boy shall, without special leave, remain more than six
years in the School. Subject to the veto of the Conference, special
leave to remain for any further period may be given by the Govern-
ing Body on the recommendation of the Governor and Head
Master. Such further period shall be granted either by way of
Exhibition, or on such payment as the Governing Body may
think fit.
' 33. Every applicant for admission shall be examined, by or
under the direction of the Head Master, who shall appoint con-
venient times and places for that purpose, and give reasonable
notice to the parents. Such examination shall be graduated accord-
ing to the age of the boy, or other circumstances, at the discretion
of the Governing Body. No boy shall be admitted to the School
except on the terms of undergoing such examination, and being
found fit for admission. The Governing Body shall call for a
certificate of health, and may, in case of need, call for a certificate
of character.
' 34. There shall be, once in every year, an Examination of the
School by Examiners appointed for that purpose by the Governing
Body, and paid by them, but otherwise unconnected with the
School. The Examiners shall report to the Governing Body on the
proficiency of the scholars, and on the position of the School as
regards instruction and discipline, as shown by the result of the
Examination. They shall also mention the name of the boy who
has shown the highest attainments, and the names of any other
boys who, in their judgment, are worthy of praise or substantial
reward. But they need not report any name if, in their judgment,
the result of the Examination is wholly unsatisfactory.
' 35. The Governors and Head Master respectively shall make
Annual Reports to the Governing Body as to the general condition
of the School, and as to any special occurrences during the year.
They may also mention the names of any boys who, in their judg-
ment, are worthy of praise or substantial reward, having regard
both to proficiency and to conduct.
198 KINGSWOOD AND WOODHOUSE GROVE SCHOOL.
1 36. The Scholarships now given at the two Schools shall be
attached to this School. The Conference Scholarships shall continue
to be given.
' 37. The Governing Body shall make provision for such further
Scholarships and Exhibitions as the funds of the School, or any funds
specially given for the purpose, will allow, and, subject to the terms
of such gifts, may fix the terms of election to all Scholarships.
' 38. The School shall be divided into two Departments, an Upper
School and a Lower School. Subject to the directions, from time
to time, of the Governing Body, the Upper and Lower Schools shall
be so arranged that the pupils pass from the Lower to the Upper
School at an age of about thirteen years.
' 39. The Upper School shall be divided into Classical and
Modern Departments.
' 40. Subject to any directions, from time to time, of the Gov-
erning Body, after consultation with the Governors and Head
Master as to matters within their respective provinces, the subjects
of instruction shall be
' In both the Schools. Thorough English education, Biblical
instruction, History, Geography, Singing, and Drawing.
' Lower School. Writing, Latin, French, Arithmetic, Elementary
Mathematics, and Object Lessons in Science.
' Upper School Classical Side. Latin, Greek, French, German,
Mathematics, and Physical Science.
' Modern Side. Latin, French, German, Mathematics, Book-
keeping, Land Surveying, Physical Science, and Political
Economy.
' General.
' 41. The Governing Body may appoint a Steward or Stewards,
and a Matron or Matrons, and fix their salaries and duties.
' 42. The Governing Body may receive Donations or Endowments
for the general purposes of the School, or for any Scholarships,
Exhibitions, or other special purposes of the School
' 43. If the Conference shall, at any time, resolve to admit to the
School boys not the sons of Wesleyan Ministers, the Governing
Body may admit such boys on such terms as they, subject to any
Resolutions of the Conference, shall think expedient. In that case
the Governing Body may extend the School, either on the hostel or
house system.
' 44. The Governing Body shall make, in the month of July in
each year, a Report to the Conference on the state of the School ;
such Report to be accompanied by the Auditor's Report. f
* The Conference of 1880 resolved ' that the appointments to the Confer-
ence Scholarships at New Kingswood should be placed at the discretion of
the Governing Body of the School for Boys.' (Min., 1880, p. 206.)
f See note on page 194.
SCHOOLS FOR MINISTERS' DAUGHTERS. 199
' 45. The expenses of the School shall be defrayed by the Gov-
erning Body out of such moneys as shall, under the authority of the
Conference, be paid over to them by the General Committee of the
Schools Fund.
' 46. The Governing Body may, with the sanction of the Con-
ference, alter this Scheme.' (Min., vol. xix., pp. 767-774.)
In the year 1870 a School for Ministers' Daughters at
Clapton, which had been commenced by private enterprise,
was settled on Trustees, and adopted as a Connexional
Institution ; and a second School was soon afterwards estab-
lished in that neighbourhood. The late noble-minded Mr.
John Fernley also began to build, at his own cost, School-
premises for the reception of forty Ministers' daughters at
Southport, an act which the Conference of 1871 most
gratefully acknowledged. The Schools at Clapton have been
since removed to Queenswood, Clapham, where they are
united in one establishment. This School, and that at Trinity
Hall, Southport, are now placed under the management of a
Governing Body, from the Members of which an Executive
Committee is appointed for each of the Girls' Schools. In
relation to the Schools for the daughters of Ministers, the
Conference has resolved as follows : ' That, until as ample
provision be made for the Connexional education of the
daughters as for the sons of our Ministers, no girl shall be
received into the Schools under twelve years of age, and that
the time of continuance in the Schools be restricted to four
years.' (Min., 1873, vol. xix., p. 151 ; 1878, p. 204.)
With respect to the admission of children to the Connex-
ional Schools, the fDllowing additional Regulations have been
adopted :
1. ' The Conference directs that a certificate of health, signed by
a medical practitioner, shall be required at the commencement of
each term, in the cast of all boys and girls received into, or return-
ing to, our Connexiotal Schools.' (Min., 1878, p. 204.)
2. ' The name and age of every applicant for admission to the
Schools must be sent, not later than the 1st of March in each year,
in the case of boys, to one of the Secretaries of the Governing
Body,' named by the Conference from year to year. (Min., 1879,
200 ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS.
pp. 209, 210) ; and in the case of girls, to the Convener of the Govern-
ing Body of the Schools for Girls, the admission of girls to those
Schools being now placed at the discretion of the Governing Body
instead of the Executive Committees. (Min., 1880, p. 206.)
3. ' Each applicant for admission is required to pass an Entrance
Examination. These Examinations embrace the following subjects:
' (1.) For Boys. READING. The Candidate must be able to read,
with intelligence, a few lines of poetry, selected by the Examiner.
' WRITING. Small hand. Eight lines to be slowly dictated from
a reading-book.
'ARITHMETIC. The four simple rules and the four compound
rules (Money).
' GEOGRAPHY. Outlines of the Geography of England.
' ENGLISH GRAMMAR. To point out nouns, adjectives, and verbs.
' (2.) For Girls. READING. The Candidate must be able to
read, with intelligence, a few lines of poetry, selected by the
Examiner.
' WRITING. Small hand. Eight lines to be slowly dictated from
a reading-book. This will be also a test of spelling.
' ARITHMETIC. The four simple rules and the four compound
rules. (Money and Weights and Measures. )
' GEOGRAPHY. Outlines of the Geography of Europe in general,
particularly of England.
' ENGLISH GRAMMAR. To parse simple sentences correctly and
readily.
' HISTORY. To have a fair knowledge of Bible History and of
the History of England.
' The Candidate must give evidence of skill in plain needlework.'
(Min., 1878, pp. 204, 205.)
The travelling expenses of the boys are to be ' defrayed out
of a common Fund, on a scale to be fixed, from time to time,
by the Governing Body, this Fund being raised by an equal
charge upon every parent, for each boy he has at the School.'
(Mm., 1874, vol. xix., p. 416.)
In some exceptional cases extra years are granted, under
special circumstances, to bojs and girls; bit in all such cases,
.30 per annum must be paid by the parents. ' This sum shall
include the 6 6s. from the Children's Fund, which the parents
are to receive in their Circuits.' In the case of boys regard
must be had to Clause 32 of the Scheme of Management.*
* See page 197.
THE SCHOOLS FUND. 201
Extra year payments are to be ' made in four instalments,
one on each quarter day.' (Min., 1880, pp. 206, 209.)
The Connexions! Schools not being large enough to admit
all the children o Ministers who are of an age to receive the
education there given, and some Ministers preferring to make
local arrangements for their children, the allowance of 12
per annum is made for the education of all children of
Ministers who are not admitted into the Schools. In regard
to these payments, the following Rules have been adopted :
' For the convenience of the officers of the Fund, the payment
for education to both boys and girls shall commence at nine years
instead of eight years, and be continued until fifteen years, the
ninth year to be reckoned from the Christmas before payment.'
'In any case in which the Education Allowance has been
received by the parent, the claim upon the Schools Fund shall be
understood to have been met and satisfied for that year.' (Min.,
1869, vol. xvii, p. 594.)
In the Minutes just quoted reference is made to the Schools
Fund. This is raised by private Subscriptions and public
Collections in all the Chapels of the Connexion, in the month
of November ; and it is supplemented by a contribution from
the Children's Fund, towards meeting any deficiency that
may exist. The management of this Fund, as well as the
general management of the Schools for Ministers' children,
is now entrusted to a General Committee annually appointed
by the Conference. The Scheme adopted by the Conference
of 1879, and modified by that of 1880, is as follows :
'1. A General Committee of Education for Ministers' Children
shall be annually appointed by the Conference. The meetings of
this Committee shall be held once each in Leeds, Liverpool, Bristol,
and London ; and the first meeting after the Conference shall be
held early in September.
'2. It shall be the duty of this Committee to consider and
report to the Conference touching all questions relating to the
education of Ministers' Children ; to collect the necessary funds,
and to appropriate them in accordance with the directions of the
Conference.
' 3. The members, for the time being, of the Governing Body of
the Kingswood and Woodhouse Grove School, elected in accordance
202 THE SCHOOLS FUND.
with any regulations already or hereafter to be adopted by the
Conference, shall be, ex officio, members of the General Committee.
' 4. A Governing Body for the Girls' School shall be annually
appointed by the Conference ; and the members thereof shall be
also, ex officio, members of the General Committee.
' 5. So many other members of the General Committee shall be
appointed as, together with the Governing Bodies before named,
will make the number not more than seventy-four ; and of these
a considerable proportion shall be Ministers and Laymen residing
in the localities where the Committee meets.
' 6. From the Governing Body of the Girls' Schools and as Sub-
Committees thereof, there shall be appointed an Executive Com-
mittee for each of the Girls' Schools, consisting of ten members ;
the Treasurer and Secretary of each Executive Committee shall be
additional and ex officio members of the other Executive Com-
mittee or Committees ; and with the members of each Executive
Committee thus appointed by the Conference, there shall be as-
sociated, as additional members, other persons who shall not be
members of the Governing Body unless they have been appointed
to it by the Conference. The additional members of the Executive
Committees shall be appointed by the General Committee upon the
nomination of each Executive Committee.
' 7. One-third of the members of the Governing Body for the
Girls' Schools shall retire annually, retiring members being eligible
for re-election in special cases ; and the Governing Body shall send
forward to the General Committee nominations for the supply of
vacancies.
' 8. From each Governing Body a Report respecting the School
or Schools of which it has charge shall be presented to the General
Committee at least once every year ; and so much of tener, and at
such time or times, as the Committee may require.
' 9. Before the meeting of the Conference, in each year, and at
such time as the General Committee may determine, each Govern-
ing Body shall present, as part of its Annual Report, a statement of
Income and Expenditure for the year then closing, and together
therewith an estimate of Expenditure for the year ensuing.
1 10. After examination and consideration of the returns and
estimates thus furnished, the General Committee shall determine
the maximum Expenditure which, in its judgment, should be
allowed for each Governing Body and Executive Committee during
the following year.
c 11. The General Committee shall prepare a Report upon the
condition and efficiency of the Schools, and upon the state and
requirements of the Fund ; this Report shall include the returns,
estimates, and amounts allowed, as before described ; and it shall
be submitted to the Conference.' (Min., 1879, pp. 208, 209 ; 1880,
pp. 206, 207.)
THE SCHOOLS FUND. 203
Additional Regulations, affecting the School for boys, were
adopted by the Conference of 1879, to the following effect :
'(1.) That the cost of clothing be charged to the Parents of Boys
at School ; and that it be an instruction to the Governors of the
Schools for Boys to provide the clothing, as heretofore, and charge
the cost to the Parents. (2.) That in the case of Supernumeraries
and Widows the Governing Body be empowered, at their discretion,
to remit the whole or any part of the charge for clothing. (3.) That
special efforts be made to increase the amount of the annual Sub-
scriptions and Collections. (4.) That the utmost economy be
enforced in all the Schools, and in matters of general expenditure.'
(Min., 1879, pp. 207, 208.)
The Conference of 1879 expressed a decided opinion in
favour of ' the concentration of the Boys' Schools on one site ' ;
and directed the General Committee to report to the next
Conference as to the best method of accomplishing this. On
receiving this Report the Conference of 1880 resolved as
follows :
' 1. That as the District Committees of certain important
Districts in the north of England have forwarded suggestions
against the concentration of the Boys' Schools on one site, the
Conference directs that, notwithstanding the Resolution of the last
Conference on the subject, and notwithstanding the recommenda-
tion of the General Committee now presented, the whole subject of
the concentration of the Schools shall be referred to the District
Committees next May for the expression of their opinion, and that
a Report thereon shall be presented to the next Conference.
'2. The District Committees are also instructed to consider
the question of the continuance of the Schools for Girls and the
provision of necessary funds, as also the following recommenda-
tions of the General Committee : (i.) That the number of years
which a boy may spend at school without payment be reduced
from six to five, (ii.) That in those Circuits in which more than
six guineas a year are paid to children the Circuit Stewards
should be requested to pay the excess through the Ministers to
the Schools Fund in respect of the children at the Connexional
Schools.
' 3. The District Committees are further instructed to express an
opinion as to whether the time has not now come when Ministers,
whose children are not admitted to our Connexional Schools, should
be regarded as having equal monetary claims with those whose
children are admitted to the Schools.
' 4. That the General Committee of the Schools Fund be directed
204 THE SCHOOLS FUXD.
to prepare a Statement of the financial position and prospects of the
Fund, for the guidance of the District Committees in considering
the matters referred to them ; and that the recommendations and
suggestions of the District Committees be forwarded to the General
Committee, in order that they may report upon them to the next
Conference. The General Committee shall also submit a Scheme
to the Conference for carrying on the Schools.
' 5. The Conference empowers the General Committee to act
according to its discretion in the administration of the affairs of
the Fund during the forthcoming year, especially as to the re-
duction of expenditure or the increase of debt.' (Af'm., 1880,
pp. 207, 208.)
After considering the Report of the General Committee,
drawn up after a careful examination of the recommendations
and suggestions of the several District Committees, the Con-
ference of 1881 adopted the following Resolutions :
' 1. The Conference directs that the Scheme for the immediate
concentration of the Schools at New Kingswood be carried out
by the General Committee ; but that the estate at Woodhouse
Grove be retained with a view to any future use for any Wes-
leyan-Methodist Educational purposes which may hereafter be
found necessary or advisable.
' 2. The Conference directs
' (i.) That the Girls' Schools be continued, and that the
necessary funds be provided by a general scheme for
the maintenance of the Fund.
' (ii.) That such further reductions in the expenditure of
each School as may be consistent with their efficiency,
be arranged for by the General Committee.
' 3. The Conference directs that the number of years which a
boy may spend at School without payment be reduced from six
to five.
' 4. The Conference is of opinion that it is not expedient to
adopt the proposal for the payment of the surplus above 6 6s.
to the Schools Fund.
' 5. The Conference is of opinion that the question whether
Ministers whose children are not admitted to our Connexional
Schools should be regarded as having equal pecuniary claims
with those whose children are admitted, cannot be further con-
sidered at present with advantage.' (Min., 1881, p. 224.)
The Conference of 1881 further adopted a provisional
scheme, to meet the anticipated deficiency of the Schools Fund
THE SCHOOLS FUND. 205
for the years 1881-2, 1882-3, 1888-4. That scheme included
a contribution from the several Districts in Great Britain, and
the following requirements from Ministers and Preachers on
trial ; subject, however, to a modifying provision to the effect,
that any increase in the income of the Fund raised in any
Circuit over the amount of the ordinary subscriptions and
collections for the year 1881 in that Circuit may be devoted
towards the reduction of contributions named below, as follows,
viz. : Any sum not exceeding one-half of such increase to-
wards the reduction of contributions by Ministers in that
Circuit, and the remainder towards the reduction of the Circuit
contribution :
' (i.) That each ordained minister at home in full work shall
subscribe not less than one guinea per annum to the
Schools Fund.
' (ii.) That each preacher on trial at home shall subscribe
half-a-guinea per annum.
' (iii.) That Ministers in Circuit work having children at
the Schools shall pay 2 for each child.' (Min., 1881,
pp. 224, 225.)
Other Resolutions adopted by the Conference of 1881,
affecting the Schools Fund, are as follows:
' The Conference directs that in those cases in which children
are admitted to our Schools, whose fathers were admitted into Full
Connexion subsequent to the birth of such children, unless the
amount fixed as compensation money in the proposed Memo-
randum of Agreement,* has been paid, 30 a year shall be charged
for each child received into the Schools instead of 20 as at
present.
* The reference in this expression is to a preceding Eesolution of this
Conference, viz. : ' Whereas certain married Ministers with families are
occasionally admitted into Full Connexion with the Conference, from other
Conferences or Churches, and whereas misunderstandings have arisen and
are likely to arise with regard to the claims of such Ministers upon the
several Connexional Funds, the Conference resolves that a Committee, con-
sisting of the Officers of the Home-Mission Fund, the Schools Fund, the
Auxiliary Fund, and of the Wesleyan Missionary Society, shall draw up a
Memorandum of Agreement setting forth the claims of the several Funds
and the privileges to which such Ministers will or will not be entitled.
'N.B. This Agreement shall include in its terms the Home-Mission
Fund, the Schools Fund, the Children's Fund, and the Auxiliary Fund.'
206 THE SCHOOLS FUND.
' The Conference directs
' (i.) That the organisation of the Schools Fund shall be made
more complete by the appointment, by the September
District Meeting, of a District Treasurer to whom the
Subscriptions and Collections appointed to be made in
the month of November shall be remitted.
' (ii.) That the District Treasurers be instructed to remit, on
the first Wednesday of the month, the amounts re-
ceived by them, to the General Treasurer for the
time being, together with the list of subscribers'
names, etc.
' (iii.) That the District Treasurers of the Schools Fund
shall be, ex officio, members of the District Com-
mittees.
' The Conference directs that the Meetings of the General
Committee shall be ordinarily held in London, and that the first
Meeting of the General Committee be held early in September.'
(Min., 1881, pp, 226, 227.)
With respect to the constitution of the General Committee
of the Schools Fund, the Governing Body of the Kingswood
and "Woodhouse Grove School, the Governing Body of the
Girls' Schools, and the Executive Committee of the Girls'
Schools, the Conference of 1881 provisionally adopted the
Resolutions given in Appendix No. V.
CHAPTER IX.
GENEEAL EDUCATIONAL AEEANGEMENTS : SUNDAY SCHOOLS ELE-
MENAEY DAT SCHOOLS PLAN OF WESLEYAN EDUCATION
CIRCUIT SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNIONS PUPIL TEACHEES AD-
MISSION TO THE TBAINING COLLEGES THE EDUCATION FUND
MIDDLE-CLASS EDUCATION HIGHEE EDUCATION.
THE influence of "Wesleyan Methodism has, from the first,
been exerted in favour of education. Its Founder was
deeply impressed with the value of mental culture, and
sought in every practicable way to promote it. Soon after
the establishment of Sunday Schools, Mr. Wesley expressed
his approval of the scheme, and exhorted his people to seek
in this way to bring the children of the poor under religious
instruction. The Conference, in the year 1817, affirmed its
conviction, ' that well-conducted Sunday Schools are of the
greatest utility and importance, and deserve the zealons sup-
port of our Preachers and friends ' ; and then went on to
assert the principle ' that, in order to secure and perpetuate
the full religious benefit which such Institutions are capable
of affording, they should be connected as closely as possible
with the Church of Christ ; and that the school-hours should
be so arranged as not to interfere, more than is absolutely
unavoidable, with the punctual attendance, both of teachers
and children, on those ordinances of public worship which
are appointed by God.' (Min., vol. iv., pp. 343, 344.)
In the year 1827, after careful preparatory consultation, a
Plan was adopted for the management of Wesleyan-Methodist
Sunday Schools, embracing certain Principles which should
govern all their arrangements, and laying down general Rules,
formed in accordance with these principles, for their govern-
308
ment and working. The Rules were carefully revised in the
year 1868, and subsequently in the years 1873 and 1874 ; and
in their revised form are contained in the ' Plan of Wesley an-
Methodist Education' given in this Chapter. The Principles
on which they are based deserve to be placed on permanent
record. They are as follows :
' First Principle. Sunday Schools should be strictly and entirely
religious Institutions, and ought therefore to be schools for the
Christian instruction and education of the children of the poor ; as
it is only on this ground that the occupation of the Lord's day
in tuition can be held to consist with the due observation of the
Christian Sabbath.
' Second Principle. Schools designed for the religious education
of poor children ought to be conducted in distinct and avowed con-
nection with some particular branch of the visible Church of Christ.
1 Third Principle. Sunday Schools should be most conscien-
tiously and anxiously so conducted that they may not interfere,
further than an invincible necessity may compel, with the primary
and universal duties of the holy Sabbath ; and. in particular, with
the constant attendance of teachers and children on the public wor-
ship of God's house, at the hours most generally devoted to that
purpose, and best adapted to secure their edification,
' Fourth Principle. On the same ground of vigilant concern for
the best interests both of children and of their teachers, the bustle
and the secularity of mere school-business should be, as much as
possible, avoided in the management of Sunday Schools ; and the
spiritual objects and character of the Institutions should be so care-
fully kept in mind, as to regulate and control the whole plan and
process of Sabbath-education.' (Min., 1827, vol. vi., pp. 284-286.)
In the year 1836 the attention of the Conference was
earnestly directed to the subject of Education in general, and
in particular, to the importance of establishing "Wesleyan-
Methodist Day Schools ; and a small Committee was appointed
to make inquiries and to offer suggestions bearing on the
subject. These were carefully considered in the following
year ; and a Wesleyan Education Committee was annually
appointed, the functions of which were defined from time to
time. In 1840 it was decided to spend the interest of the
sum of <5,000, which had been appropriated from the Cen-
tenary Fund to that Committee, chiefly in training Teachers.
PLAN OF WESLEY AN EDUCATION. 209
In the year 1843 an important movement was made through-
out the Connexion for the general establishment of Week Day
and Infant Schools. In 1851 the Training College at Westmin-
ster was opened, the Eev. John Scott being its first Principal ;
and in 1872 a second Training College was opened at Battersea,
being designed for the training of female Teachers, so as to
leave that at Westminster available exclusively for young men.
The following is the general ' Plan of Wesleyan-Methodist
Education.' It was adopted very much as it now stands by
the Conferences of 1873 ; but some modifications and addi-
tions were made in the several Conferences of 1874, 1875, and
1878, most of which had been rendered necessary by recent
legislation.
'I. CONSTITUTION OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE
OF EDUCATION.
' The General Committee of Education shall consist of at least
Twenty -four Ministers and Twenty -four Laymen, with Two General
Treasurers and a Secretary, to be annually appointed by the Con-
ference.
'II. FUNCTIONS OF THE COMMITTEE.
' 1. To exercise a general supervision of the affairs of Wesleyan
Education ; to connect and combine the whole of our School opera-
tions, in their aggregate character, for the purpose of public utility ;
to be a medium of communication for the Connexion, on Educa-
tional subjects, whether with the Government of the country or with
other public bodies ; and to promote and facilitate the adoption, in
Wesleyan Schools, of such Regulations as shall tend to secure the
greatest practical efficiency, and to preserve Connexional harmony.
' 2. To direct the application of any Funds which may be
entrusted to their care from any sources whatsoever.
' 3. To superintend the selection and training of Teachers, and
to recommend such Teachers to Schools, on application rom Local
Committees.
' 4. To collect information on matters relating to the general
interests of Education ; to correspond with the Local Committees
and Friends of Education, on various questions connected with
Teachers, Inspectors, etc. ; to promote the formation of New Schools,
wherever practicable, as well as to encourage those already formed,
especially by advice and friendly co-operation.
'The Resolutions provisionally adopted by the Conference of 1881 respect-
ing the nomination and constitution of the General Committee of Education
are given in Appendix No. V.
P
210 PLAN OF WESLEY AN EDUCATION.
' 5. To prepare, from their official documents, an Annual Report
of their proceedings, and of the general progress of Wesleyan
Education.
' III. PRINCIPLES ON WHICH WESLEYAN SCHOOLS
ARE TO BE CONDUCTED.
'i. SUNDAY-SCHOOLS.
'GENERAL RULES.
' The General Principles recommended by the Conference of
1827* for the regulation of Wesleyan-Methodist Sunday Schools shall
form the permanent basis for the management of such Schools ;
and, in harmony therewith, the following Draft of General Rules is
affectionately commended to the adoption of the Committees of our
Sunday Schools throughout the Connexion.
' I. Each School shall be conducted in distinct and avowed con-
nection with the Wesleyan-Methodist Society ; and shall, in every
practicable way, be worked in harmony with its arrangements, and
with a view to its increase and benefit.
' II. Its main object shall be to instruct and train scholars in "the
doctrines, privileges, and duties of the Christian religion," and only
so much secular teaching as is necessary to secure this end shall
be given in it on the Sabbath-day. The Holy Scriptures and the
Catechisms of the Wesleyan Methodists shall be used as the means
of such instruction and training.
' III. The general management shall be entrusted to a Committee,
consisting
' 1. Of all the Ministers of the Circuit.
' 2. Of the Treasurer, the General Secretary, and the Superin-
tendents of the School, appointed as hereinafter men-
tioned.
' 3. Of six, nine, or more persons, to be chosen as follows ; viz.,
One-third being Members of the Wesleyan-Methodist
Society, by the Leaders' Meeting, in the month of
December.
One-third, being Teachers, Secretaries, or Librarians, who
are also Members of the Wesleyan-Methodist Society, by
a General Teachers' Meeting, in the month of December.
One-third by the Committee for the time being, at their
last meeting in December, from Members of the Congre-
gation or Subscribers to the School, who, if not Members
of Society, are nevertheless believed to be cordially
attached to the principles and polity of WesJeyan
Methodism.
' IV. The Annual Meeting of the Committee and Subscribers, of
* See p. 208 of this work.
PLAN OF WESLEY AN EDUCATION. 211
which due notice shall be given by the General Secretary, shall be
held as early as convenient in the month of January, to receive the
financial Report and the lists of the persons chosen, in the manner
above described, to be Members of the Committee for the ensuing
year ; and to appoint a Treasurer and Auditors for the ensuing year.
' N.B. 1. Subscribers within the meaning of this Rule are those
persons, not under twenty-one years of age, who contribute
annually five shillings or upwards towards the support of the
School.
' 2. Those Teachers who have attained the age of twenty-one,
and have been fully received not less than one year, shall be consid-
ered as having a right to attend and take part with the Subscribers
in the proceedings of the Annual Meeting.
' 3. When it is deemed necessary, in addition to the Annual
Meeting, a Public Meeting, to promote the interests of the School
and of Christian education generally, may be held at any time
of the year most convenient.
' V. The Superintendent Minister of the Circuit shall preside in
the Annual Meeting (Rule IV.) ; also in all meetings of the Com-
mittee, and in all meetings of the Teachers. If at any one of the
said meetings the Superintendent Minister be not present, one of
the other Ministers of the Circuit shall preside. If, either at an
Annual Meeting or at a meeting of the Committee, no Minister is
present, the meeting shall appoint one of the Officers of the Institu-
tion to act as its Chairman. If at any Teachers' Meeting no
Minister is present, one of the Superintendents of the School shall
preside.
' VI. The Officers of the School shall be as follows ; viz.,
' 1. A Treasurer.
' 2. A General Secretary, one or more Superintendents, and one
or more Visitors ; to be annually appointed by the Com-
mittee.
'3. One or more School Secretaries, and a Librarian ; to be
annually chosen by the Teachers' Meeting, subject to the
approval of the Committee.
'N.B. All the Officers, with the exception of the Treasurer, shall
be selected exclusively from the Members of the TVesleyan-
Methodist Society.
'VII. The Committee shall meet at least once a quarter, and
oftener, if required, with the concurrence of the Superintendent of
the Circuit ; and five shall form a quorum for the transaction of
business.
' VIII. The Teachers, wherever practicable, shall be Members of
the Wesleyan-Methodist Society ; but if not, they must at least be
regular attendants at the Chapel, of good moral character, heartily
attached to the doctrines and discipline of Methodism, and willing
to observe the Rules of the School.
P2
212 PLAN OF WESLEY AN EDUCATION.
' IX. They may be received on trial by the Superintendent of the
School ; and, after a probation of three months, shall be nominated
by him at a regular Teachers' Meeting, and elected by the Meeting ;
subject, however, to the approbation of the Committee.
' X. A united meeting of the Committee and Teachers shall be
held once in every six months, or of tener, if need be, on some suit-
able week-day evening, expressly for the recognition of newly-
appointed Teachers ; when the Chairman shall present the Rules,
and give appropriate advice and encouragement to the Teachers
thus recognised.
' XI. Teachers' Meetings for inquiry, consultation, and prayer
shall be held quarterly, previous to the ordinary Meetings of the
Committee.
' XII. In the selection of Teachers for the elder classes, special
attention shall be paid to their Christian experience ; and those
only shall be so employed who are able to teach the scholars clearly
and fully what they must do to be saved.
' XIII. No person shall be continued, as an Officer or Teacher,
who shall at any time be declared by the Committee or the Leaders'
Meeting, unfit, in respect of general character or of religious
opinions, for the office he sustains, or for taking part in the Christian
education of the young.
' XIV. The Elementary books employed in teaching even the
younger children shall be such as contain the largest portion of
Scriptural instruction, and the Holy Scriptures shall be regularly
used by all who are sufficiently advanced.
'XV. Catechetical exercises shall form a constant part of the
system of the School, and the Catechisms used shall be those pub-
lished under the sanction of the Wesleyan-Methodist Conference.
' XVI. The School shall be opened and closed with singing and
prayer; and the large Hymn-Book, "the Methodist Scholars' Hymn-
Book," or " the Wesleyan-Methodist Sunday School Hymn-Book,"
shall be used.
' XVII. Neither the art of writing, nor any branch of merely
secular knowledge, shall be taught on the Lord's day.
' XVIII. The Library, together with the School furniture, shall
be the property of the Committee, without whose approval no book
shall be introduced ; and, wherever practicable, the distribution of
books shall take place on some week-day evening, so as not to
occasion, either to the Librarian or to the readers, an unnecessary
and injurious diversion of any portion of the Lord's day from em-
ployments directly spiritual.
' XIX. No sales of books, ,or of other articles used in the School,
shall be allowed on the Sabbath, but suitable facilities for the
supply of the scholars shall be provided on week-days.
* To these must now be added the valuable ' Methodist Sunday School
Hymn-Book,' recently issued by the Connexional Sunday School Union.
PLAN OF WESLEY AN EDUCATION. 213
' XX. The meetings of the Committee, for ordinary business,
shall not be held on the Lord's-day, and Teachers' Meetings, if
unavoidably so held, shall be fixed for such hours as will not inter-
fere with attendance at Public Worship, Society Meetings, or the
Lord's Supper.
' XXI. All the scholars shall be trained to regular attendance on
Public Worship, at least once on the Lord's-day. As many as can
be accommodated shall attend the Chapel every forenoon ; and the
elder scholars, especially, shall be encouraged to attend the evening
service also.
' N.B. We earnestly entreat our friends who may be concerned in
the future erection or enlargement of Chapels to have this ob-
ject in view, as one of unspeakable importance to the interests
of religion and of our country ; and to include in their plans
the provision of large and convenient accommodation, not
only for the adult poor, but for their children also.
' XXII. Whenever it is practicable, a select class, or classes,
of those scholars who are seriously disposed shall be formed, for
special religious instruction and prayer, and be met by pious
teachers in separate class-rooms, towards the close of the Sunday
afternoon, or on some convenient week-night. 6
' PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS FOR INTERNAL MANAGEMENT.
' 1. The Committee. The general duties of the Committee are, to
devise means for raising the necessary supplies ; to disburse the
funds according to the requirements of the School ; and to exercise
a vigorous control over all the affairs of the institution, in accord-
ance with its established Rules.
' 2. The Treasurer. The Treasurer should receive and pay all
money on account of the School, under the direction of the Com
mittee.
' 3. The Auditors. The auditors should certify the accuracy of
the Treasurer's accounts, by affixing their names to them, after they
have examined them with the vouchers.
' 4. The General Secretary. The General Secretary should con-
vene and attend all meetings of the Committee or of the Subscribers,
take minutes of their proceedings, and prepare a written Report on
the state of the School for the Annual Meeting.
' 5. The Superintendents. The Superintendents are responsible
for opening and closing the School with singing and prayer ; for the
admission of scholars, and the arrangement of classes and Teachers ;
and for the internal management of the School.
' 6. The School Secretaries. The School Secretaries should take
charge of the School Registers and Journal ; give notice of Teachers'
* It should be added, that the Conference has authorised the observance
of the third Sunday in October in each year as a day for Special Prayer on
behalf of Sonday Schools and young people.
214 PLAN OF WESLEYAN EDUCATION.
Meetings, both to the Superintendent or other Minister, and to the
Teachers, and take minutes of their transactions ; and furnish
periodical Eeports of the condition of the School for the Committee.
' 7. The Teachers. Teachers are expected to be regular and
punctual in their attendance at the School, and to accompany their
classes to the house of God ; and to do all in their power, both by
teaching and example, to promote the great end of the institution,
the religious instruction and salvation of the scholars.
' A Teacher, when prevented from attending the School, should
either provide a proper substitute, or give the Superintendents
timely notice of his intended absence.
' Definite arrangements should be made for the visitation of
absentee scholars, either by the Teachers themselves, or by a Visitor
or Visitors duly appointed.
' 8. The Scholars. Children, especially when coming from
another School, should be admitted on the application of parents
or guardians. Very young children, and adults, are best taught in
a separate room.
'9. The Library. Every School should, if possible, have a
Library for the use of the Officers and Teachers, and such Scholars
as may be deemed worthy of that privilege.
< n. DAY-SCHOOLS.
' (I.) RELIGIOUS INSTRUCTION AND WORSHIP.
' Stfch Schools shall be of a distinctively religious character ;
and, as practical means to realise this important purpose, the follow-
ing elementary arrangements are deemed indispensable ; viz.,
' 1. The BIBLE, in the Authorised Version only, shall be the basis
of all the religious instruction ; and a certain portion of every day,
at least half-an-hour, shall be set apart for the devotional reading of
the Holy Scriptures, with explanations by the Teacher, Minister, or
duly appointed Visitor, or for Catechetical instruction.
' 2. The Authorised WESLEYAN CATECHISMS shall be used in all
our Schools, subject to such provisions of the Elementary Education
Act of 1870, as are commonly known collectively as " The Con-
science Clause."
' 3. CHRISTIAN PSALMODY in which the Wesleyan Hymn-Book,
or other Hymn-Book, published or approved by the Wesleyan Edu-
cation Committee, shall be used shall form a part of the daily
exercises.
' 4. The School duties of each day shall begin and end with
PRAYER.
' (II.) GOVERNMENT.
( Each Day School shall be under the immediate care and direc-
PLAN OF WESLEY AN EDUCATION. 215
tion of a Local Committee, annually appointed, which shall include
the Wesleyan Ministers of the Circuit, for the time being ; the
Officers of the School, such as the Treasurer, Secretaries, and
Visitors ; and a suitable number of the friends of Education con-
nected with our Body, either as members of our Society, or at least
as worshippers in our Chapels.*
' (HI.) SUPPORT.
' The pecuniary support of each School shall be provided for by
the Local Committee, from the weekly payments of the Scholars,
from Local Subscriptions and Collections, and from any other
available sources.
' (IV.) TEACHERS.
' 1 . Every Teacher employed in the Schools, or trained for them,
shall be of a decidedly religious character, and in connection with
the Wesleytn-Methodist Society.
' 2. Every such Teacher shall be recommended by the Superin-
tendent Minister of the Circuit in which he or she resides ; and
previously to his or her actual nomination to a School by the
General Committee of Education, shall have been examined and
approved br them, or by persons deputed to examine on their
behalf.
' (V.) SCHOOL-HOUSES.
'All the School-Rooms or Houses built, or to be built, for Wes-
leyan Schools, shall be held in trust for the Connexion, in a manner
similar to tie settlement of Chapel property among the Wesleyan
Methodists, and in accordance with the provisions of the School
Model Deed (formerly known as No. II.) adopted by the Conference
in 1845.
* In th3 case of Day-Schools which are held in premises settled upon
either of the School Model Deeds, the Committee must be constituted in
detail as directed by the subjoined Clause of the said Deeds :
' That the said School or Schools shall be under the immediate care,
direction, and control of a Local Committee of Management, to be annually
appointed as hereinafter mentioned, and which shall consist of the Ministers
of the said Connexion appointed and stationed for the time being by the
said yearly Conference to, and in, the Circuit of the said Connexion in which
the sail School or Schools, and premises, shall, for the time being, be situate ;
two Trustees for the time being, of the said School-house or School-houses,
or Sclool-room or School-rooms, and premises, to be annually appointed
by the Trustees for the time being, from among themselves ; the Society
Steward or Stewards, for the time being, of the Society of Wesleyan
Methodists, in immediate connection with the said School, or Schools ; and
a suitable number (as circumstances may, from time to time, render expe-
dient), being not less than six persons, to be elected and chosen at the Annual
General Meeting of the subscribers to, and friends of, such School or Schools,
by :he annual subscribers of not less than five shillings each, to the support
thereof, of which suitable number two-thirds at least shall, at the time of
their appointment, be members of the said Wesley an-Methodist Society.'
216 PLAN OF WESLEY AN EDUCATION.
' (VI.) STATISTICS.
' The Secretary of each School shall be requested to furnish to
the General Committee, through the Superintendent of the Circuit,
an Annual Report of the state of the School, as provided for by
Schedules and other forms of inquiry issued by direction of the
General Committee.
'IV. GENERAL CONNEXIONAL AID AND CO-OPERA-
TION.
'THE RULES OF THE CONFERENCE ARE AS FOLLOWS:
' 1. The following questions shall be considered in each May
District Meeting, during that portion of the business of tiie District
Committee when both Ministers and Laymen are present ; and the
answers obtained shall be recorded in the Minutes of each District ;
viz.,
' (1.) What is the number and state of the Wesleyan Sunday
and Week-Day Schools in this District ?
' (2.) Are all possible care and effort used to promote the
formation and success of Week- Day Schools in connection
with our Societies in this District ?
' (3.) Has any Wesleyan Day- School been discontinued, or trans-
ferred to other management, since the last May District
Meeting ; and, if so, have the directions of the Conference
relating thereto been observed ? (Min., 1874, vol. iix., p. 442.)
' 2. Previously to the District Meeting, the Superintendent in
each Circuit, or one of his Colleagues appointed by him, shall make
timely application to the School Secretaries of each place in the
Circuit where a Sunday or Week-Day School is establishei, for the
information required for the filling up of the Schedules provided
by the General Committee ; and after filling them up and laying
them before the Quarterly Meeting, shall forward them as directed
by the Conference. (" The Conference directs that the Education
Schedules, having been duly filled up and presented to the March
Quarterly Meeting, shall be sent by the Superintendents 10 the
District Education Secretary, not later than April 20th." Min.
1878, p. 242.)
' 3. The Education Secretary appointed by each District Meeting,
in accordance with the Regulations of the Conference, shall collect
the Schedules, summarise the Statistics contained in them,* present
to the District Committee in May a Report on the Schools of the
District, and transmit the Schedules, with any Resolutions of the
* See below, p. 218 of the present work ; see also Part II., Chapter ix.,
pp. 84, 85, and Part III., Chapter x., pp. 228, 229.
PLAN OF WESLEYAN EDUCATION. 217
District Committee relating to Education, to the Secretary of the
General Education Committee.
' 4. Arrangements shall be made upon each Circuit-plan for the
regular Visitation of each Day-School in the Circuit, by one or
more of the Ministers of the Circuit, for religious instruction and
catechising during the time shown to be allotted for such purposes
by the time-table of each School.
' 5. It is earnestly urged upon all the Societies to promote the
formation of Week-Day Schools in connection with every principal
Chapel in each Circuit, and to encourage the formation of School
Libraries and Bible-classes, for the explanation, illustration, and
religious application of the Scriptures, whenever practicable.*
' 6. The Conference directs that in all ordinary cases of Day-
Schools conducted on Wesleyan Trust premises, no such Schools
shall be discontinued so long as there is a reasonable prospect of
their being carried on without serious embarrassment. The same
general principle shall apply to Wesleyan Day- Schools conducted in
premises rented for the purpose under the management of a recog-
nised Wesleyan School Committee. When, however, the discon-
tinuance of a Day-School is proposed, before such proposal is
carried into effect the Superintendent shall consult the Trustees,
the Managing Committee, and the Subscribers ; and if in any case
there is a considerable division of opinion, the case shall be sub-
mitted to the Quarterly Meeting of the Circuit. In all cases, the
general principle laid down by the Conference respecting the
transfer of Schools, namely, that the Superintendents of the Cir-
cuits, with the Managers and Trustees acting in concert, shall
consult the Education Committee, shall be adhered to. (JJin.,
1878, pp. 240, 241.)
' 7. The Conference declares that it shall not be deemed to be
within the power and option of a Superintendent to prevent the
establishment or continuance of a Wesleyan Day-School, so long as
responsible parties pledge themselves to bear all the financial cost
and risk. (Min., 1878, p. 241.)
'8. (ii.) In view of the interpretation which is put upon Section
xxiii. of the Elementary Education Act of 1870 by the Lords of
the Committee of Council, to the effect that any transfer of a
School, settled upon our School Model Deed No I., to a School
Board, for any term whatever, for the purposes of such School
Board, must be sanctioned, not only by the signatures of the
Trustees, but by the Conference, testified by the President in writ-
* Regulations of the Education Department respecting Government
Grants to new Schools, which have been made since this Resolution was
adopted by the Conference, render it specially desirable that the Secretary of
the Wesleyan Education Committee should be communicated with respecting
any project for opening new Public Elementary Schools.
218 PLAN OF WESLEYAN EDUCATION.
ing, the Conference directs that in every case in which the transfer
of such a School is proposed, the Superintendent, with the Managers
and Trustees acting in concert, shall first consult the Education
Committee on the subject, and that if, for reasons given, that Com-
mittee recommends such a transfer, the Rules of the Conference in
relation to the sale of Trust Property shall be applicable thereto :
the Education Committee considering all questions affecting School
management, and the Chapel Committee questions affecting Trust
Property. (2.) In respect to Schools settled on the School Model
Deed No. II., or on any other Deed in which the consent of the
Conference is rendered necessary for the alienation of the property,
the Conference recommends the Trustees to act upon the same
principles as those laid down in the foregoing clause in relation to
Schools settled on the School Model Deed No. 1. (3.) In all cases
of transfer which may hereafter occur, the Conference recommends
that provision be made in the instrument of transfer to secure
the resumption of the premises by the Trustees without their
being required to reimburse any money laid out upon them by the
School Board solely for its own purposes.' (Min., 1873, vol. xix.,
pp. 173, 181.)
One of the preceding Eegulations, IV. 3 (pp. 216, 217),
has been modified by the appointment of District Sunday
School Sub-Committees. In the Minutes defining their con-
stitution and functions, it is provided that the District
Education Secretary is to bring the Sunday School Schedules
and Reports of the District, together with the Reports and
balance-sheets of the Provincial Centres and Book Depots
of the Connexional Sunday School Union under the con-
sideration of this Sub-Committee, at a meeting to be held
before or during the Meeting of the District Committee in
May ; and that the District Sub- Committee is to report,
through him as its Secretary, on these Reports, 'and on the
Sunday School -work of the District generally, to the District
Meeting, and to make such suggestions to it as they may
think desirable.' (Min., 1875, vol. xix., p. 699.)
The functions of District Sunday School Sub-Committees
were further enlarged by the Conference of 1880, which
directed that they should 'have charge also of the interests
of the Day-Schools in their respective Districts.' (Min., 1880,
p. 235.)
CIRCUIT SUNDAY SCHOOL UNIONS. 219
The subject of Circuit Sunday School Unions engaged the
attention of the Conference of 1869 ; and a Draft of Kules
prepared by the Education Committee was ordered to be sent
to every Superintendent Minister in Great Britain, who, after
consultation with his colleagues, was to return it with his
observations to the Education Committee. After careful
deliberation on the part of that Committee, the revised draft
was submitted to the Conference of 1870, and adopted by it.
The Scheme is as follows :
' The Conference approves the following scheme for the form-
ation of Wesleyan-Methodist Sunday School Circuit Unions ; and
affectionately commends it to the adoption of the Committees of
our Sunday Schools throughout the Connexion.
' OBJECTS.
' The objects of this Union shall be :
' 1. To establish mutual intercourse amongst the Officers and
Teachers of the Schools in town and country.
' 2. To promote the opening of new, and the extension and
improvement of existing Schools.
' 3. To circulate information relative to the organisation and
discipline of Schools, as well as the best methods of instruction.
' 4. To collect statistics, and report interesting particulars and
instances of usefulness.
' 5. To stimulate and encourage those who are engaged in the
religious education of the young in the Circuit to seek greater
spiritual results of their labours.
< RULES.
' 1. All Officers, Teachers, and Members of Committees in
connection with the Wesleyan-Methodist Sunday Schools in the
Circuit, shall be considered Members of this Union.
' 2. The business of the Union shall be conducted and its funds
administered by a Committee, to be constituted as follows :
' The Ministers of the Circuit (one of whom shall preside in all
meetings), the Circuit Stewards, a Treasurer, two Secretaries,
the School Superintendents and Secretaries of Committees,
with one School Secretary and two Teachers from each of
the town Schools, and one School Secretary and one Teacher
from each of the country Schools ; such Secretaries and
Teachers to be annually chosen by the respective Teachers'
Meetings. All must be members of the Wesleyan-Methodist
Society.
220 PUPIL TEACHERS.
' The Secretaries of each School shall be responsible for for-
warding the names and addresses of the members of the
Committee elected to act on behalf of the School to the Sec-
retaries of the Union Committee.
' 3. The Treasurer and Secretaries of the Union Committee, and
a Deputation to visit the Schools, shall be elected by the members
of that Committee, at the first meeting in each year.
' 4. The Committee shall meet at least twice a year, to receive
the Reports of the Deputation.
' 5. All the Schools in the Union shall be visited at least twice
in the year by the Deputation, who shall ascertain from the Secre-
tary of each School the number of Teachers and of Scholars, wijh
the average attendance of both ; the number of Teachers and of
Scholars who are members of Society, and the number of Scholars
in Select Classes ; whether the School regularly attends Divine
worship on the Sabbath ; to what extent the Conference Catechisms
and Scripture Lessons are used ; and the state of the Library.
' It shall also be the duty of the Deputation to present a Report
as to the books used in the Schools, the modes of instruction
employed, and the general order and efficiency of the Schools.
' 6. An Aggregate Meeting of the members and friends of the
Union shall be held at least once a year for mutual encouragement
and improvement, at which a general Report of the state of the
Schools shall be presented, instances of usefulness shall be detailed,
and addresses delivered suited to the occasion. When thought
desirable, the preparation of papers or addresses, on given subjects,
shall be requested previously.
' 7. The Officers of each School shall furnish the Secretaries of
the Union with such statistical and other information as they may
require to complete the Annual Report of the Union, not later than
a fortnight before the Aggregate Meeting.
' 8. Any expenses that may be incurred by the Union shall be
defrayed by each School contributing its quota, or by private Sub-
scription.' (Min., vol. xviii., pp. 144-146.)
Among the arrangements connected with the Elementary
Day Schools of Methodism, the training of Pupil-Teachers
claims special mention. Their progress in the various
branches of general learning is tested each year by her
Majesty's Inspectors ; but the Conference has provided for an
annual Examination of all Pupil-Teachers in Religious Know-
ledge. The Standing Order on this subject it as follows :
' The Conference directs that the Annual Examination of Pupil-
ADMISSION TO THE TRAINING COLLEGES. 221
Teachers in Religious Knowledge shall be held on the last Saturday
in October and on the first Saturday in March ; that the questions
shall be prepared by the General Committee ; that the Examination
shall be held, either in the several Circuits by the Superintendent
Ministers or their Colleagues, or at suitable places for Central
District Examinations, as may be determined by the September
District Meetings, and agreed to by the respective School Com-
mittees ; and that the written answers shall be forwarded to
the General Secretary, and shall be valued by a Central Board of
Examiners to be elected by the General Committee. The Conference
further recommends that, in connection with Central Examinations,
Meetings of Teachers and Pupil -Teachers be held under the direc-
tion of the Chairman of the District and the District Educational
Secretary.' (Min., 1880, pp. 263, 264.)
The Education Committee has published in the Report
for 1879-1880 a syllabus of the subjects for Examination,
both for Candidates for the office of Pupil-Teacher, and for
Pupil-Teachers during the several years of their term.
Beference has already been made to the Training Colleges
at Westminster and Southlands. The admission of persons
to these Colleges as Students is preceded by a Government
Examination, and also by an Examination on the part of the
Education Committee. The terms of admission, and the sub-
jects comprehended in the Government Examination for
Scholarships, are published in the Eeport of the Wesleyan
Education Committee ; and prospectuses and forms of applica-
tion for admission may be obtained on application to the Secre-
tary of that Committee, at 130, Horseferry Eoad, "Westminster.
Among other things it is expressly provided that ' candidates
must be of decidedly religious character ; must, if they have
not passed the Annual Examinations of Wesleyan Pupil-Teach-
ers, be specially examined in Religious Knowledge ; engage
to remain the full term in College, and afterwards to conduct
Schools under the Wesleyan Education Committee, if so
required.' It has been arranged by the Education Committee
that ' the marks gained ' by Pupil-Teachers ' at the Annual
Examinations in Religious Knowledge' which marks are
registered from year to year shall be ' taken into account
222 MIDDLE-CLASS EDUCATION.
in estimating the eligibility of Candidates for admission to
the Training Colleges.'
The Education Fund, derived from public Collections and
private Subscriptions, not only provides, together with
Government Grants and Entrance Fees, for the maintenance
of the two Training Colleges, but grants are made from it
towards the outfit of new Day-Schools, and, in some excep-
tional cases, towards the sustenance of Schools in necessitous
districts. A grant is also made annually to the Connexional
Sunday School Union.
The subject of Middle-Class Education has recently en-
gaged earnest attention. In the interval between the Confer-
ences of 1874 and 1875 a Scheme was formed by the Education
Committee for the establishment of Middle-Class Day Schools,
which was approved by the Conference of the latter year.
(Min., vol. xix., pp. 693-695.) But the subject has been
taken up with renewed zeal in 'connection with the great move-
ment of the Thanksgiving Fund. An influential Committee
was appointed by the Conference of 1878 to consider the whole
question ; and, in the following year, that Committee was
enlarged, and was ,' empowered to make appropriations, by
way of grant, or loan, or otherwise, on account of the sum
of 10,000 allotted from the Thanksgiving Fund, in aid of
Middle-Class Schools,' and was ' further empowered to appoint
five Trustees to whom this sum, or any instalment thereof,
shall be paid.' (Min., 1879, p. 276.) The Conference of
1880 re-appointed the Committee, authorising them ' to exer-
cise the same powers and functions as were assigned to them '
in the preceding year ; and formally appointed the five Trus-
tees who had been selected ' to hold, invest, and apply, under
the direction of the Committee, the funds appropriated for
the purpose of Middle-Class Education.' That Conference also
recognised the Cornwall Wesleyan-Methodist School Associa-
tion, and the Jersey ^Ladies' College, which had been estab-
HIGHER EDUCATION. 223
lished partly by the aid of the Committee ; and appointed
certain persons to act on the Directorate of those Institutions.
In a similar manner the Conference of 1881 appointed certain
persons to be Directors of the East-A.nglia Wesleyan-Methodist
School Association. (Min., 1881, p. 290.)
The interests of Higher Education have not been overlooked
in the Wesleyan-Methodist Connexion. The first great move-
ment in this direction was the establishment of Wesley College,
Sheffield. This was effected mainly through the indefatigable
exertions of the late Rev. Dr. Waddy, whose name will ever
be associated with this Institution, and who will long be
remembered as having been for eighteen years its efficient
Governor. The next Establishment of this kind was the
Wesleyan Collegiate Institution at Taunton, which has also a
very honourable history. Both these are Proprietary Institu-
tions; but the Trust-Deed of each has been framed with a
view to secure its "Wesleyan-Methodist character. The Gov-
ernor of each is a Minister appointed by the Conference. In
the Trust-Deed of Wesley College it is expressly provided
that the religious doctrines taught shall be those contained in
the standard Sermons of Mr. Wesley, and his Notes on the
New Testament. The Chairman of the Sheffield District, and
four of the Superintendents of the Sheffield Circuits (inclusive
of the Chairman if he should be stationed in Sheffield) are
members of the Committee; and the President of the Con-
ference has the right to visit the College at all convenient
times, so as not to interfere with the other regulations thereof,
and to attend any meeting of the Committee. In the case of
Taunton, the President of the Conference, for the time being,
is the President of the Institution, and has the right of visit-
ing it at all convenient times, so as not to interfere with the
other arrangements thereof. The Chairman of the District
in which Taunton is included, and the Superintendent of the
Taunton Circuit, are the Vice-Presidents ; while all the Min-
isters of the Taunton Circuit, who are in Full Connexion with
224 HIGHER EDUCATION.
the Conference, and the Superintendent Ministers of the
several Circuits comprehended in the District, are likewise
members of the Board of Directors.
Among proprietary Establishments for the promotion of
Higher Education the Dunheved College, Launceston, and the
College at Harrogate, claim respectful recognition : and many
private Schools, conducted by Methodist gentlemen of exten-
sive culture and large experience in tuition, are rendering
essential service.
The Leys School, Cambridge, placed under the care of the
Rev. Dr. Moulton, as the Governor and Head Master, was
formed on a Scheme directly approved by the Conference.
This School does not belong to any Proprietary Body, but
has been established on the system of having Life Donors
and Donors, who are entitled to certain nominations of pupils.
It has been conveyed to Trustees, to be held on the Scheme
of trusts sanctioned by the Conference. Among other things
it is provided that the President, the Ex-President, and
the Secretary of the Conference shall be, ex offtcio, members
of the Governing Body ; that three other members shall
be elected by the Wesleyan Education Committee, two by
the officers of the Branches of the "Wesleyan Theological
Institution, one by the resident Masters, and eleven by the
Life Donors. The entire Scheme of the Constitution and
Management of the Leys School is given in Appendix xii.
to the Minutes of the Conference of 1875. (Vol. xix.,
pp. 802-811.)
CHAPTER X.
THE CONNEXIONAL SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION DISTEICT SUNDAY
SCHOOL SUB-COMMITTEES PBOVINCIAL CENTRES OF THE
SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.
THE subject of the formation of a Conneodonal Sunday
School Union was carefully considered by the Conference
of 1878, on the presentation of certain recommendations of
the Education Committee. The desirableness of such an
Institution, and the objects to which it should be directed,
were affirmed by that Conference ; and the draft of arrange-
ments for its constitution and working, which had been
prepared by the Education Committee, was provisionally
approved. It was ordered, however, that this draft should be
submitted to the several Financial District Meetings in Great
Britain, and that their suggestions should be carefully con-
sidered by the Education Committee. The President, also,
was authorised ' to convene a Special Meeting of Ministers and
Laymen to consider the Scheme after its final revision ' by that
Committee. That Meeting was held ; and a Report of its
proceedings, and various Resolutions relating to the proposed
Union submitted by the Education Committee, were presented
to the Conference of 1874. After these preliminary con-
sultations, that Conference agreed to the formation of a
Connexional Sunday School Union, which should be under
the general management of the Education Committee, in
such manner as it might determine, in harmony with the
following Plan ; viz.,
' 1. That the OBJECTS of the Connexional Sunday School Union
shall be as follows :
' i. To promote the development of the Sunday School system,
Q
226 CONNEXIONAL SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION.
with the special design of securing greater spiritual results, and
the gathering of Sunday Scholars into the Wesleyan-Methodist
Society.
'ii. To promote a closer sympathy and relationship between
the School, the Society, and the Ministry.
' iii. To promote union and co-operation among Wesleyan-
Methodist Sunday Schools in the several Circuits, and to encourage
the Connexional element in the character and working of such
Schools.
' iv. To promote the establishment of Wesleyan-Methodist
Sunday Schools, and the formation of Circuit Unions, wherever
practicable.
' v. To supply Teachers with such aid and information as shall
tend to the more efficient instruction of their classes.
' vi. To collect and give information respecting the best methods
for the organisation and management of Wesleyan-Methodist
Sunday Schools.
' vii. To obtain, record, and supply statistical details as to the
condition of our Sunday Schools.
' viii. To render aid in the supply of suitable School-books and
appliances, and of books for rewards and libraries.
' ix. To promote such other purposes as experience and obser-
vation may, in the future, suggest for the benefit of the Sunday
Schools of the Connexion.
' 2. That it is desirable to establish in connection with the
Union, as soon as convenient, a Connexional Central Agency, pro-
vided with sale and show-rooms, library, reading-room, and other
appliances, in some suitable locality in or near the City, besides a
warehousing and wholesale department at the Book-Room.
' 3. That it is also desirable to establish, as may be found
practicable, (i.) Sub-Centres of the Union in Metropolitan districts,
which may include provision for Teachers' reading rooms and
libraries, and model-lessons ; and (ii.) Provincial Centres, which may
include Teachers' reading-rooms and libraries, provision for model-
lessons, and depots for the sale of Sunday School publications.
' 4. That the Union shall be empowered to make grants in aid
of the outfit of such Sub-Centres and Provincial Centres.
' 5. That the Union shall direct special attention to the prepar-
ation and provision of Sunday School Lesson-books, and general
Sunday School literature, periodical and otherwise.
' 6. That the Union shall supply books, stationery, and appar-
atus suited to Sunday Schools, at reduced prices.
' 7. That the publications of the Connexional Sunday School
Union shall be under the direction of a Sub-Committee of the
Education Committee, in the constitution of which Sub-Committee
*he Book- Steward and the Connexional Editor shall be included as
CONNEXIONAL SUNDAY-SCHOOL UNION. 227
ex officio members, together with certain selected members of the
Book Committee ; also, that in conjunction with the Secretary of
the Education Committee, or any Minister who may be appointed
by the Conference to act as the Secretary to the Sunday School
Union, the Connexional Editor shall be responsible to the Con-
ference for the publications of the Union, and shall be regarded as
representing this department in the Book Committee.
' 8. The Conference approves the following arrangements
which have been agreed upon between the Education Committee
and the Book Committee : viz.,
' That inasmuch as the proportion of new business which the
Connexional Sunday School Union will bring to the Book -Room
cannot be ascertained at present, it is inexpedient to conclude a
permanent agreement between the Union and the Book Com-
mittee ; but that until the Conference of 1876 the Connexional
Sunday School Union shall be entitled upon all sales at its Central
Depot, both of such books as are the property of the Book-Room,
and of all other books, to discounts agreed upon ; together with
a contribution, at a prescribed rate, upon the annual amount of
Book-Room sales of Sunday School publications and supplies of
books to Sunday Schools, so far as that amount shall exceed
that of such sales and supplies for the year ending Midsummer,
1873.*
' 9. The Conference resolves that admission to the advantages
of the Union shall be by subscription : (1) On the part of separate
Schools, of a minimum payment of five shillings ; (2) On the part
of Circuit Unions for connected Schools, of a minimum average
payment of four shillings per School per annum in Unions contain-
ing not less than five such Schools. Schools subscribing, either
separately or through their Circuit Unions, shall be entitled to
library grants, and such other advantages as the Union can afford.
' 10. The Conference empowers the Connexional Sunday School
Union to promote the occasional holding of meetings for conference
on Sunday School topics in convenient centres.
' 11. The Conference adopts the following Proposals, which
have been submitted to it by the Education Committee :
' L That the Rev. John Clulow be appointed to act under the
direction of the Education Committee in the visitation of Day
and Sunday Schools, and as the Secretary of the Connexional
Sunday School Union, t
' ii. That the Education Committee shall appoint a lay Assist-
* Certain modifications of the business-arrangements between the Book-
Boom and the Sunday School Union were the subject of careful and length-
ened consideration on the part of the Book-Committee and the Education
Committee, in the early part of the year 1880, and were ultimately agreed
upon.
f This office is now held by the Rev. Charles H. Kelly.
Q2
228 DISTRICT SUNDA Y-SCHO OL SUB- COMMITTEES.
ant Secretary, to act under the direction of the Secretary in tl e
work of the Union, whose duties shall include sub-editorial work,
attention to Union finance, Sunday School statistics, correspond-
ence, and oversight of the Central Agency.
' 12. The Conference sanctions an application to the Connexion
for the funds required to defray the initial expenses of the Union,
including the outfit of the Central Agency ; and anticipates that the
subsequent annual cost of such an agency, and the annual expendi-
ture of the Union, will be provided for by a Fund to be derived
from the following sources : (1) Subscriptions of School Com-
mittees, Sunday School Unions, and of private friends ; (2) an
annual grant from the General Education Fund ; (3) any profits
which may accrue from the sales of the Central Agency ; and (4)
payments from the Book-Committee in accordance with the arrange-
ments between it and the Education Committee already adopted by
the Conference.
' 13. The Conference directs that a separate account of income
and expenditure on behalf of the Connexional Sunday School Union
shall be kept, and annually published by the Education Committee.
'The Conference commends the Connexional Sunday School
Union to the hearty sympathy of the Ministers and of the Con-
nexion at large, and trusts that such co-operation and financial
support will be afforded to this undertaking as will contribute to
render it of much advantage to the Sunday School work of the
Connexion.' (Min., vol. xix., pp. 438-440.)
The subject of District Sunday School Sub-Committees has
been adverted to in the preceding Chapter of this work ; but
the functions assigned to them have so intimate a relation to
the Connexional Sunday School "Union, that it will be convenient
to give in this place the Minutes, in extenso, respecting them :
' To complete the Organisation of the Connexional Sunday
School Union, the Conference recommends the formation of District
Sunday School Sub-Committees, the Object, Constitution, and
Functions of which shall be as follows :
' 1. Object : To promote the interests of the Wesleyan Sun-
day Schools of the District, in harmony with the plans of the
Connexional Sunday School Union.
' 2. Constitution : The Sub-Committee shall consist of the
Chairman of the District, the District Education Secretary (who
shall act as Secretary of the Sub-Committee), another Minister,
and three Laymen, being Members of Society, who shall be elected
by the District Committee in September. One Lay member shall
retire annually by rotation. The Lay members shall be members
of the District Committee during the transaction of Financial and
Statistical Affairs.
PROVINCIAL CENTRES OF S. S. UNION. 229
' In the constitution of this Committee due regard shall be had
to Provincial Centres and Circuit Unions which may exist in the
District, and to the securing of the services of Ministers and Lay-
men who have taken an active interest in Sunday School work.
' 3. Functions : (1.) To meet before, or during, the sittings
of the District Committee in May ; to receive, through the
District Education Secretary, the Circuit Sunday School Schedules
and Reports, and the Reports and Balance-sheets of the Provin-
cial Centres and Book Depots ; to report thereon, and on the
Sunday School work of the District generally, to the District
Meeting, and to make such suggestions to it as they may think
desirable.
* (2.) To act during the year as a District Branch Committee of
the Connexional Sunday School Union ; to further the objects
contemplated in the Union Scheme, including measures for secur-
ing better spiritual results, the formation of Provincial Centres
and Circuit Unions, and " the occasional holding of meetings for
conference on Sunday School topics." Such action shall be taken
only after consultation with the Superintendents of the Circuits
concerned, and in concert with the respective Committees of any
Provincial Centres, or Circuit Unions, which may exist, and
whose interests may be affected.
' (3.) To render such aid as may be advisable in competitive
examinations of teachers and scholars.' (Min., 1875, vol. xix.,
p. 699.)
The functions of Sunday School Sub- Committees were
enlarged by the Conference of 1880. It is now directed
that they ' shall have charge also of the interests of the Day
Schools in their respective Districts.' (Min., 1880, p. 235.)
The Conference of 1875 adopted also the following recom-
mendations of the Education Committee, in reference to the
Committee of Management of Provincial Centres of the Con-
nexional Sunday School Union :
' 1. The electing body of the Committee of Management shall
consist of the Ministers of all the Circuits included in the area of
the operations of the Centre ; and a representative chosen by the
Committee of each Sunday School connected with the Union in
these Circuits. This electing body shall be convened annually
by the existing Committee of the Centre.
' 2. The Committee of Management shall consist of not fewer
than ten persons, the number to be decided by the electing body.
The Superintendent Ministers of Circuits connected with the
230 PROVINCIAL CENTRES OF S. S. UNION.
Centre shall be, ex officio, Members of the Committee, one. of
whom shall act as its Chairman. The rest of the Committee shall
be elected, in such manner as the electing body shall determine,
from among the other Circuit Ministers, and resident members of
the Wesleyan-Methodist Society, whom the electing body consider
most likely to manage the various interests of the Centre with
efficiency. The Committee of the Centre, as thus formed, shall, at
its first meeting, elect a Chairman, a Vice-Chairman, a Ministerial
and a Lay Secretary, and a Treasurer ; and shall appoint such Sub-
Committees of Finance, etc. , as may be deemed desirable. A pro-
portion of the Centre Committee (to be fixed by the electing body)
shall retire annually, the retiring members to be eligible for re-
election. The Committee shall decide when and where its meetings
shall be held, and what number of its members shall form a quorum.
The electing body shall annually appoint two Auditors of all
accounts of the Centre, including those of the Depot or Agency :
but such Auditors shall not be members of the Centre Committee.
The Managing Committee of each Centre shall prepare an Annual
Report of its proceedings, and forward it, with the Balance-sheet or
Balance-sheets as audited, to the District Sunday School Sub-Com-
mittee.' (Mm., 1875, vol. xix., p. 700.)
CHAPTEE XI.
THE CHILDBEN'S HOME AND OEPHANAGE.
E Children's Home was established in the year 1869 by
-i- the energy and zeal of the Rev. T. Bowman Stephenson,
LL.D., and was recognised by the Conference of 1871. This
invaluable institution was designed to meet the case of child-
ren who are deprived of suitable guardianship by the death of
their parents, or by their vice or extreme poverty, so that
they are in danger of falling into criminal ways. The Con-
ferences of 1871 and 1872 warmly commended the under-
taking to the support of the Connexion, only stipulating that
one-half, at least, of the Committee of Management should
be Members of the General Education Committee, and that a
Report of the proceedings of the Committee should be made,
from time to time, to the Education Committee and to the Con-
ference.
Gradually the operations of the Institution have been
extended, so that there are now four main Branches :
1. Bonner Road, London.
2. Edgworth, in Lancashire.
3. Milton-next-Gravesend.
4. Hamilton, in Canada.
In connection with the London Branch there are carried on
two important Departments, known as (1) Missions, and (2)
Training School for "Workers.
A new Branch of this work is just about to be established,
an Orphanage for the children of godly parents. In con-
nection with the Thanksgiving Fund movement a munificent
offer was made by Mr. Jevons, of Birmingham, to give
232 CHILDREN'S HOME AND ORPHANAGE.
9,000 towards the establishment of such an Orphanage,
(besides 1,000 to the Fund), if the Connexion would under-
take it. The Committee of that Fund and the Conference
gratefully accepted the offer, and resolved to appropriate
10,000 from the Fund, in addition to the 9,000, in order
to found the Orphanage. In anticipation of this important
addition to the Department, the Conference of 1879 reviewed
the Scheme of Management, and adopted the following Reso-
lutions :
' The Conference approves the following Scheme for the future
management of this Department, including the existing Branches of
the Children's Home, the New Orphanage Branch, and any others
which the Conference may in future place under the direction of
this Committee ; and requests the Trustees and General Committee
of the Children's Home to take such steps as may be rendered
necessary by the adoption of this Scheme :
' 1. A General Committee shall be appointed by the Conference
for the Children's Home and Orphanage, which shall meet at least
twice yearly, and more frequently if necessary. This Committee
shall be charged with the maintenance and general management of
the several Branches of the Institution, and shall administer, subject
to the direction of the Conference, all Funds available . for this
purpose.
' 2. The Conference shall annually appoint to act as Sub-Com-
mittees of this General Committee, Local Executive Committees,
one for each Branch of the Institution. Such Local Committees
may include persons not members of the General Committee.
' 3. At its half-yearly meeting, or of tener if it shall think fit,
the General Committee shall receive from each Local Committee a
detailed statement of Income and Expenditure for the period just
passed, and an estimate of Expenditure .for the period ensuing ;
and after considering these statements, the General Committee shall
determine the limits of expenditure to be observed by each Local
Committee during the ensuing period.
' 4. In the interval of the meetings of the General Committee,
each Local Committee shall have power to decide upon the reception
or rejection of children for whom application is made. All cases
decided in the intervals of its meetings, since its last meeting, shall
be reported to the General Committee.
' 5. The Principal and the General Treasurers shall be, ex officio,
members of every Local Committee, and of all Sub- Committees
thereof.
' 6. Each Local Committee shall appoint a Finance Sub-Corn-
CHILDREN'S HOME AND ORPHANAGE. 233
mittee, which shall meet regularly, examine all accounts, and
authorise all payments, and shall advise the Local Committee on all
questions affecting Finance.
'7. A Meeting of the Trustees and General Committee shall
be held annually at some convenient time and place. This Meeting
shall examine the accounts for the year, shall receive the Report of
the Principal, and shall forward to the Conference a Report of the
state and prospects of the Institution.
' The Conference having received information that her Majesty
the Queen would be graciously pleased to accord her royal permis-
sion that the proposed Orphanage should be named after her late
lamented Royal Highness the Princess Alice, hereby expresses its
dutiful thanks for this mark of her Majesty's favour, and resolves
that the Institution shall be designated " The Princess Alice Orphar-
age for the Children of Christian parents, founded by the Wesleyan-
Methodist Conference, in connection with the Thanksgiving Fund
of 1879." ' (Min., 1879, pp. 257, 258.)
The Conference of 1880 approved the Draft of the Trust-
Deed of the Princess Alice Orphanage which was laid before
it, and directed the General Committee ' to take such steps as
might be necessary to bring the Trust-Deeds of the other
Branches into agreement with the provisions of the Draft
Deed now approved.' (Min., 1880, pp. 257, 258.)
In the course of the year 1880, the General Committee of
the Children's Home accepted the charge of the Children's
Home at Kamsey, Isle of Man, which had been established by
the late Miss Gibson. The conditions on which they did so are
stated in Min. Conf., 1881, pp. 363, 364. This action of the
General Committee was approved by the Conference of 1881,
which also directed the General Committee to appoint a Local
Committee for the management of the Children's Home at
Ramsey, and approved the appointment of the Trustees named
by the General Committee to hold the property at Kamsey.
(Min., 1881, p. 259.)
The Eesolutions provisionally adopted by the Conference of
1881, respecting the constitution of the General Committee of
the Children's Home and Orphanage, and the Executive Com-
mittees of its several Branches, are given in Appendix No. V.
CHAPTEE XII.
THE TEMPEBANCE MOVEMENT : BANDS OF HOPE CIBCUIT TEM-
PEBANCE ORGANISATIONS CIBCUIT TEMPEEANCE UNIONS
DISTEICT TEMPEEANCE SECEETAET.
IN the year 1873 the Conference appointed a Temperance
Committee, one of the duties of which was 'to promote
legislation for the more effectual control of the liquor traffic,
for the lessening of the number of public-houses and beer-
houses, for the closing of such houses on the Lord's day, and
in general for the suppression of intemperance.' That Com-
mittee was also 'instructed to inquire into the question of
Intemperance, in relation to Christian effort in general, and
Methodism in particular; to gather information as to the
various agencies employed for its suppression ; and to consider
by what means, in consistency with the unity and harmonious
working of our Connexional system as to its discipline and
worship, the influence of Methodism may be most effectually
employed for the remedy of this widespread and demoralising
evil.' (Min., vol. xix., pp. 193, 194.)
In the following year the constitution of this Committee
was enlarged; and in 1875 it was directed to consider
whether any, and if any, what, Circuit Temperance Organisa-
tions should be recommended, Bands of Hope being, at the
same time, expressly sanctioned by the Conference, such
Bands of Hope to be in connection with our Sunday Schools,
and to be ' under the supervision of the Ministers of the Cir-
cuit and the local Sunday School Committees.'
The Schemes for Bands of Hope and Circuit Temperance
Organisations, carefully prepared by that Committee, were
BANDS OF HOPE. 235
adopted in 1877, the Conference, at the same time express-
ing its ' earnest hope that, in the working of these Regulations,
the spirit of generous conciliation ' in which they had been
framed would be 'constantly observed by all classes of our
people.'
The Schemes in question are as follows :
' I. BANDS OF HOPE.
' OBJECTS.
' Bands of Hope are intended to educate the young in the princi-
ples and practice of sobriety.
' It is a generally recognised fact that many scholars, on leaving
the Sunday School, do not unite themselves with the Christian
Church, or even become members of religious congregations ; and it
is believed that this lamentable defection from Christian ordinances
is largely owing to prevalent drinking customs. It is proposed,
therefore, to raise a barrier against the influence which those cus-
toms exert, by the establishment of " Bands of Hope," the specific
object of which shall be to train our youth in habits of abstinence
from all intoxicating liquors.
' Among the kindred objects designed to be secured by Bands of
Hope are, The regular attendance of our young people upon public
worship ; the inculcation of the moral duties of industry, honesty,
truthfulness, cleanliness, kindness ; the discouragement of the prac-
tice of smoking ; and the creation of disgust for all bad or offensive
habits, Sabbath-breaking, swearing, gambling, and suchlike.
Basing all moral duties upon the authority of Holy Scripture, the
Band of Hope, with its special organisation and appliances, is
adapted to be an important auxiliary to the Sunday School and the
Church, and thus to supply a need which has long been felt and
acknowledged.
' PRELIMINAKY STEPS IN FORMING A BAND OF HOPE.
' The Conference has sanctioned " the formation of Bands of
Hope in connection with Sunday Schools, under the supervision of
the Ministers of the Circuit and the local Sunday School Com-
mittees " ; and has directed that " the number of such Bands of
Hope shall be annually reported to the Conference." (Min., 1875,
vol. xix., p. 709.) It is therefore the duty of the promoters of this
movement
'First, To obtain the sanction of the Superintendent of the
Circuit.
' Secondly, To bring the proposal to establish a Band of Hope
before the Teachers' Meeting and before the Committee of the
School ; so that it may be worked in harmony with the other
286 BANDS OF HOPE.
arrangements of the School, and that its efficiency and usefulness
may be secured.
' Thirdly, To make application, through the Superintendent
Minister, for the use of a room in which the meetings of the Band
of Hope may be held.
' GENERAL RULES.
' The following Regulations are proposed as the basis of Manage-
ment for each Band of Hope :
'I. It shall be conducted in distinct and avowed connection with
the "Wesleyan-Methodist Society, the increase and welfare of which
it shall seek to promote in every practicable way.
' II. The General Management shall be entrusted to a Committee,
consisting of
' 1. All the Ministers of the Circuit.
' 2. A Treasurer.
' 3. A Conductor, Secretary, and Registrar, who shall be
Members of Society, and, by preference, Officers or Teachers
in the Sunday School.
' 4. Six or more persons, of whom it is desirable that one-half,
at least, should be Abstainers.
' The Officers and Committee to be elected annually by the
Sunday School Committee.
' (The Committee to meet once a quarter, or oftener if necessary,
for the transaction of business.)
' III. The Band of Hope Meeting shall be held regularly, and
begin and end promptly at the time announced, always with sing-
ing and prayer. No ordinary meeting should be prolonged beyond
an hour and a quarter.
' IV. The speakers at such meeting shall be connected with our
own or some other branch of the Christian Church.
' V. The following shall be the form of DECLARATION adopted :
" I agree to abstain from all intoxicating liquors, as beverages."
' VI. Children above the age of seven years shall be eligible as
members ; children under that age may be enrolled as candidates,
without making the Declaration.
' OFFICERS.
1 1. PRESIDENT. The Superintendent of the Circuit, or one of
his colleagues, shall be, exoflicio, President ; but it may be desirable
to elect a Conductor, whose duty it shall be to attend every meet-
ing, arrange the programme, receive the speakers, and in other
ways see that the business of each meeting is properly carried
out.
' N.B. It is understood that the arrangement of the programme
and all the other details of every meeting are under the con-
trol of the Superintendent of the Circuit and the Committee.
SANDS OF HOPE. 237
' 2. SECRETARY. The Secretary shall take minutes at Committee
Meetings, prepare Reports, conduct correspondence, and make
arrangements for meetings.
' 3. REGISTRAR. The Registrar shall keep account of officers
and members of the Band of Hope, register admissions and attend-
ance, record reasons for absence and withdrawal, fill up the Declara-
tion-cards, and supply tickets of membership.
' (In many places it may be necessary that the offices of Secre-
tary and Registrar should be held by the same person.)
' The BOOKS necessary for the Secretary and Registrar are a
Minute Book, to contain the record of the proceedings of the Com-
mittee ; an Admission Book, for entering name, age, address, etc.,
of the children received ; and an Attendance Register, for showing
the regularity with which the Members attend the meetings. *
' MEMBERSHIP, ETC.
* Any child above seven years of age desiring to become a mem-
ber, whose parents do not object, shall write his or her name under
the following Declaration : ' ' I agree to abstain from all intoxica-
ting liquors, as beverages."
' A Declaration Book shall be provided and kept for that
purpose.
' When the Declaration has been kept for three months, the
young person will be an acknowledged Member, and should pur-
chase the Card of Membership.
Especial care should be exercised in the admission of Members.
The greatest pains should be taken to ascertain that the child under-
stands the nature of the engagement into which it desires to enter.
The plan of visiting the child's parents or guardians should be
adopted in every case where application is made for admission.
'THE CONDUCT OF THE BAND OF HOPE.
' Every Meeting should be commenced with devotional exercises.
There should be two or three short addresses. Singing should be
regarded as an important feature in every meeting. If any recita-
tions be introduced, nothing vulgar or theatrical should be allowed.
' In conducting Bands of Hope, it should ever be remembered
that the sentiments and music introduced will linger in the memory,
and influence the feelings and character throughout subsequent
years ; hence they should always be pure, refining, elevating. The
singing should be lively ; the speakers should seek, not only to
* These Books, as well as Temperance Hymn Books, Tune Books, Declar-
fltion Cards, and all other necessary appliances, may be procured at the
Wesleyan Conference Office, or at the Wesleyan Sunday School Union Depot
2, Ludgate Circus Buildings, London, E.G.
238 CIRCUIT TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES.
interest and amuse, but also to instruct, and thus to build up charac-
ter on the basis of Christian principle, ever bearing in mind that
"the harvest answereth to the seed."
' N.B. No sale of literature shall be permitted on the Lord's
day.
' AUXILIARY AGENCIES.
' The efficiency of Bands of Hope may be greatly promoted by
the introduction of carefully selected literature ; by the formation
of a singing class ; by the discreet supervision of all festival
arrangements ; by the collection of small subscriptions from those
who are able to become paying members ; and, in many cases, by
the establishment ,of a Penny Bank.
'RELATION TO THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
' As the religious character and harmonious working of the
Bands of Hope will depend largely upon their close connection with
the Sunday School, it is very desirable that they should, as far as
possible, be countenanced and promoted by the Superintendents,
Officers, and Teachers of the several Schools with which they are
associated.
' THE CHIEF AIM.
' In order to secure the blessing of Almighty God, the Band of
Hope should be carried on in the spirit of faith and prayer ; the
children should be clearly taught that Total Abstinence is no sub-
stitute for Scriptural conversion ; and the whole Organisation should
be constantly regarded as only a means to the great end of winning
souls for Christ, and of retaining them within the fold of His
Church.'
'II. CIRCUIT ORGANISATIONS FOR THE PROMOTION
OF TEMPERANCE.
' TITLE.
' Every such Organisation shall be called a " Wesleyan-Methodist
Temperance Society."
' PRINCIPLES.
' 1. Every Wesleyan-Methodist Temperance Society must recog-
nise the principle, already sanctioned by the Conference, of the
co-operation of Abstainers and Non-abstainers.
' 2. In the formation of such Societies the Superintendent
Minister shall be first consulted, and his concurrence obtained.
CIRCUIT TEMPERANCE SOCIETIES. 239
' 3. Every such Society shall use the forms of Declaration here-
inafter contained.
' OBJECTS.
' To promote Temperance, and to remove the Causes which lead
to Intemperance. The following are the special objects which these
Societies should seek to secure :
' 1. The Diminution of the number of Licensed Houses for the
Sale of Intoxicating Liquors, and the shortening of the Time during
which they may be open each day.
' 2. The suppression of Beer-houses throughout the Country.
' 3. The closing of Public-Houses during the whole of the Lord's
day, except for the accommodation of bondjide travellers.
4 4. The curtailment, by appeals to the Licensing authorities, of
facilities for the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors.
' 5. The refusal of Dancing and Music Licenses to houses licensed
for the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors.
'6. The removal from Public-houses of Benefit, Friendly, and
Burial Clubs, and the discontinuance of the payment of Wages at
such houses.
' 7. The discouragement of the use of Intoxicants in " Toasts "
and "Drinking of Healths" ; in social calls and "Treating" ; in
business and commercial transactions ; and in " Footing " and
similar customs.
' 8. The encouragement of Refreshment Houses and Reading
Rooms in which strong drink shall not be supplied.
' 9. The entire disuse of Intoxicating Liquors in connection with
Sunday School Festivals and Excursions, and on similar occasions.
' 10. The reclaiming of those who have " erred through strong
drink."
' 11. The educating of Public Opinion on the foregoing objects ;
and the sending of Petitions to Parliament, when deemed desirable
by the Connexional Committee on Temperance.
' 12. The encouragement of Special Prayer for the Divine bless-
ing upon the Temperance Movement.
' MANAGEMENT.
' 1. The Superintendent of the Circuit shall be, ex ojficio, Chair-
man of the Committee of Management ; but may, when he shall
see fit, appoint one of his colleagues to act in his place.
' 2. The Committee of Management shall, if practicable, be com-
posed of Abstainers and Non-abstainers. Two-thirds, at least, of
this Committee shall be members of the Wesleyan -Methodist Society
and the remainder regular attendants on the Wesleyan-Methodist
ministry.
' 3. The Ministers of the Circuit shall be, ex officio, members of
240 CIRCUIT TEMPERANCE UNIONS.
the Committee ; the other members of the Committee shall be
elected by the Members of such Society at their Annual Meeting.
' 4. The Committee shall at its first meeting elect a Treasurer and
a Secretary. The Committee shall meet as frequently as circum-
stances may require, and, if no Minister be present, shall elect some
other member to preside.
' MEMBERSHIP.
' 1. All persons who shall sign and observe either of the follow-
ing DECLARATIONS shall be regarded as Members :
' Abstaining Members.
' I hereby agree to abstain from all Intoxicating Liquors, as
beverages ; and will endeavour to promote the objects of this
Society.
' Non- Abstaining Members.
' I hereby agree to exert myself for the suppression of Intem-
perance, and will endeavour to promote the objects of this Society.
' 2 Members shall be requested to contribute towards the
expenses of the Circuit Organisation.' (Mm., 1877, vol. xx.,
pp. 515-520.)
At the Conference of 1879 additional Regulations were
adopted, with the design of giving completeness and efficiency
to the Circuit Organisations. The following Plan of Circuit
Temperance Unions was approved.
' 1. The Wesleyan-Methodist Temperance Societies and Bands
of Hope in any Circuit may be formed into a Circuit
Temperance Union.
' 2. Every such Union shall be managed by a Committee,
annually elected, consisting equally, if possible, of ab-
stainers and non-abstainers, and comprising all the
Ministers of the Circuit, together with twelve or more
persons, one-half of whom shall be elected by the Band
or Bands of Hope in the Circuit in such proportions as
may be locally determined ; and the other half shall,
in like manner, be elected by the Temperance Society or
Societies of the Circuit. The elective body of each
Band of Hope or Temperance Society shall be, for this
purpose, its own Committee.
DISTRICT TEMPERANCE SECRETARY. 241
'3. The Circuit Union Committee shall appoint from among
themselves a Treasurer and Secretaries.
'4 The Secretaries shall convene and take Minutes of
meetings of the Committee ; keep a record of returns
received from the Temperance Societies and Bands of
Hope ; furnish, in due time, the returns required for
the District Temperance Secretary's Report ; and attend
generally to the affairs of the Circuit Temperance
Union.
* 5. The Superintendent of the Circuit shall be, ex officio, Chair-
man of the Committee, but may, when he shall see fit,
appoint one of his colleagues, or some other member of
the Committee, to act in his place.'
It was further resolved that, at the September Meeting of
each District Committee, a Ministerial District Temperance
Secretary should be appointed, to whom ' all returns and
Reports from Circuit Unions, Bands of Hope, and Temper-
ance Societies ' should be sent. On this Secretary it devolves
' to prepare a Report on the Temperance work in the District,
and submit the same to the District Meeting in May, and
afterwards forward it, with any Resolutions of the District
Meeting thereupon, to the Secretaries of the General Temper-
ance Committee.' (Min., 1879, pp. 265, 266.)
The Resolutions provisionally adopted by the Conference
of 1881 respecting the nomination and constitution of the
Connexional Temperance Committee, are given in Appendix
No.V.
It seems proper to add here the Resolutions on Sacramental
"Wine adopted by the Conference in 1877 :
' 1. The Conference cannot sanction the use of anything which
is not " the fruit of the vine " in the administration of the Lord's
Supper.
' 2. The Conference cannot sanction any usage in the adminis-
tration of that Ordinance which is the expression of Christian
unity, which would tend to divide members into two classes.
' 3. It believes that the use of Rota Tent Wine, so extensively
used among professing Christians at the Supper of the Lord,
would avoid all reasonable cause of offence, either to abstainers
or non -abstainers.' (Min., vol. xx., p. 436.)
CHAPTEE XIII.
THE SUPPOBT OP THE MINISTRY : GENERAL ARRANGEMENTS
THE CHILDREN'S FUND EDUCATIONAL ALLOWANCES
DISTRICT SUSTENTATION FUNDS.
IT is recognised as a principle in Methodism, that each
Circuit is expected to ' take upon itself the responsibility
of providing for its own Ministers ; with the understanding,
however, that infant and necessitous Circuits may receive
assistance from the Home-Mission and Contingent Fund, so
long as a pressing necessity can be proved to exist.' (Min.,
1854, vol. xii., p. 536.) The Eegulations according to which
such assistance is afforded, and the arrangements respecting
Home-Missionary Ministers, District Missionaries, and Army
and Navy Ministers, are found in the Compendium of Eegula-
tions for the administration of the Home-Mission and Contin-
gent Fund, given in Chapter ii. of this Part of the present
work.
One leading feature of the financial arrangements of the
Wesleyan-Methodist economy is, that Ministers receive sup-
port according to the presumed requirements of their families,
and not salaries according to the value which may be placed
upon their services. There is thus an allowance for every
child, until the age of twenty years has been reached ; unless,
indeed, the child should be previously independent of his or
her parents, in point of pecuniary support. To remedy the
inequalities which must necessarily arise, in carrying out this
arrangement under the system of an Itinerant Ministry, the
Children's Fund was established in the year 1819. It must
often happen that a Minister with a large family will be
appointed to a Circuit with comparatively few members and
THE CHILDREN'S FUND. 243
very limited resources ; and, on the other hand, a Minister
with no children dependent on him will be appointed to a large
and influential Circuit. The principle of the Children's Fund
is, that each Circuit is to contribute a certain amount to a
General Fund, according to the number of members of the
Society which it contains ; so that the Circuits which have a
larger number of children stationed on them than is proportion-
ate to the number of members of the Society receive from this
Fund; while those that have fewer children than their just
proportion pay to it. At each Conference a certain sum is
apportioned to each District to be raised within it, according to
the number of members which it contains. The adjustment of
the sums to be raised by the several Circuits belongs to the
Financial District Meeting; and although the number of mem-
bers in the Society returned to the preceding Conference is the
sole principle of calculation as to the amount to be charged to
the Districts, yet it is expressly provided, that in the distribution
of that amount among the several Circuits of the District, other
circumstances should be taken into the account, so that the
more burdened Circuits may be relieved by those whose circum-
stances are more favourable. In the Scheme, as adopted in
1819, there is the following paragraph :
' That although, in ascertaining the number of children's allow-
ances to be charged on every District, the number of members is to
be the sole principle of calculation, it is recommended, that in the
partition of those allowances among the several Circuits which com-
pose that District, while the number of members in each Circuit is
still to be considered as the hading principle on which the division
shall be made, the comparative circumstances of the Circuits, in
other respects, shall also be taken into the account, and allowed to
modify, in particular cases, the application of the general principle
of numbers ; so that the more burdened Circuits may, as much as
possible, be relieved by others in the same District, and the whole
quota for each District be always raised within itself.' (Min.,
vol. v., p. 45.)
The allowance for each child, adopted when the Chil-
dren's Fund was established, was Six Guineas per annum ;
B2
244 THE CHILDREN'S FUND.
and this sum is still recognised in the general arrangements
of the Children's Fund, and in calculating the balance which
Circuits, after providing for the Children stationed on them,
have to pay to, or receive from, this Fund. But many Cir-
cuits very properly augment, on their own account, the sum
which they allow for each of the children of the Ministers
appointed to them, to eight or ten guineas.
In the practical working of this Fund the following usages
are observed :
' Allowances commence the first Quarter-day after birth, and are
considered as then due in advance.' (Min., 1820, vol. v., p. 139.)
The final payment is, therefore, due on the Quarter-day preceding
the twentieth birthday.
' The cases of children born during the year are to be met as they
arise, by arrangement between the Circuit Stewards and the District
Treasurers of the Children's Fund.' (Min., 1868, vol. xvii., p. 371.)
In the case of children born after the May District Meeting, and
before June 30th, the Financial Secretary of the District shall apply
to the Secretary of the Children's Fund, during the Conference, for
the quarter's allowance.
' The sums due from Circuits, after the regular allowances for
Children on the Circuits have been paid by the Circuit Stewards, are
to be remitted to the District Treasurer immediately after each
Quarterly Meeting.' (Mm., 1819, vol. v., p. 45.)
' In case of the death of any regular Claimant on this Fund, the
Parents or Guardians of such deceased Claimant shall be entitled
to receive a sum equal to a whole year's allowance, in lieu of the
quarterly payment due at the quarter-day next after such decease,
to be a final grant from the Fund towards the expenses of affliction
and burial.' (Min., 1870, vol. xviii., p. 131.)
The Conference of 1881 adopted the following Resolutions
relative to the working of this Fund :
' 1. That the administration of the Children's Fund be entrusted
to the same Committee which has charge of the Schools Fund.
' 2. That the arrangement with the Missionary Committee
relating to compensation for children brought on the Fund from
the Foreign Missions remain as at present.
' 3. That in the case of a Minister received at once into Full
Connexion from another Conference or Church, and having a child
or children when so admitted or within six months thereafter,
inasmuch as the Connexion has not received the benefit of his
ministry during probation, in which time he would have had no
DISTRICT SUSTENTATION FUNDS. 245
child chargeable on the Children's Fund, in order to give such
child or children a claim on the Fund, compensation in the case of
one child shall be paid to the Fund to an amount equal to five
years' allowances, viz., at the present rate, 31 10& ; for a second
child, an additional sum equal to six years' allowances, viz> , at the
present rate, 69 6*. for the two children ; for a third child an
amount equal to seven years' allowances, viz., at the present rate,
113 8s. for the three children ; and for each additional child a
further increased sum at the same progressive rate.
' In the case of a Minister having a child or children when
received on probation, or born during the period of his probation
or within six months after its expiration, in order to give such
child or children a claim on the Children's Fund, he shall pay a
compensation to the Fund for each such child according to the
above arrangement.' (Min., 1881, pp. 230, 231.)
In the application of the principle, that the Ministers of
Methodism receive support according to the requirements of
their families, and not salary, provision is made for the
education of their children during six years. We have
already spoken of the Schools established for Ministers'
children ; and it is only necessary to refer to Chapter viii. of
this Part of the present work, and to repeat that for children
who cannot be admitted to the Connexional Schools, or whose
parents prefer a different arrangement for them, .12 a year
is allowed from the Schools Fund for their education dur-
ing six years, the payments commencing at nine years of age,
and being continued until fifteen years, the ninth year being
reckoned from the Christmas before payment.
The position of Ministers in some of the poorer Circuits
of the Connexion has often engaged the attention of generous
Laymen ; and in the year 1873 an important movement was
begun to improve that position. It was proposed in the
meeting of the Committee of the Home-Mission and Con-
tingent Fund preceding the Conference of that year, that the
Conference should be requested to recommend the formation
in each District of a District Sustentation Fund, to be raised
and administered by a Committee consisting chiefly of Lay
gentlemen, being members of the Society and living within
246 DISTRICT SUSTENTATION FUNDS.
the District : ' that the object of this Committee be to raise
the minimum allowance in every Circuit to .150 per annum,
with the customary addition of house-rent, taxes, etc. ; that
for the attainment of this object local Subscriptions be raised
whereby to enable the Committee to supplement the income
of Ministers until the minimum be obtained ; and that, in
order to encourage local effort, it shall be a fundamental rule
of the Committee never to make a grant beyond a moiety of
the increase of the allowance to be paid, such -other moiety
being raised by the aid of the Circuit itself.' (Min., 1873,
vol. xix., p. 253.)
This subject was remitted by the Conference to the con-
sideration of the several District Meetings in Great Britain ;
and at the following Conference the Plan was sanctioned, and
it was strongly recommended that, wherever practicable, a
District Sustentation Fund Committee should be appointed at
the Financial District Meeting. It was further recommended
' that the surplus of the Sustentation Fund in each District
be remitted to the Financial Secretary of the Home-Mission
and Contingent Fund, it being understood that such surplus
should be carried to a separate account, and appropiated to
similar objects in other and more necessitous Districts.' (Min.,
1874, vol. xix., p. 516.)
At the Conference of 1875, the principles on which the
receipts from the surplus of District Sustentation Funds
should be administered by the Home-Mission Committee, were
thus laid down :
' t. That the sum or sums so received shall not be used to relieve 1
the Home-Mission and Contingent Fund of obligations which exist
under present Regulations, and that aid from such sum or sums
shall not be confined to the claimant Circuits.
' 2. That such surplus receipts may be used in the encourage-
ment of Sustentation Funds in the Districts, by making Grants to
Committees of District Funds for their detailed Circuit distribution.
' 3. That the Grant given in all cases shall be dependent upon
there being a Sustentation Fund in the District, and upon the sum
voted being met by at least an equal amount.' (Min., vol. xix.,
p. 683.)
DISTRICT SUSTENTATION FUNDS. 247
The Conference of that year also adopted the following
^Resolution :
' The Conference directs that when hi any District a Sustentation
Fund ia formed under the Connexional Regulations, the Treasurer
shall be a member of Society, shall be elected by the District
Committee, and shall be, ex officio, a member of that Committee
during the transaction of Financial and Statistical Affairs.' (Min.,
voL six., pp. 716, 717.)
The movement thus generously commenced and sustained
has already been productive of great good. At the Confer-
ence of 1879 it was reported that thirty out of the thirty -four
Districts in Great Britain had established District Sustentation
Funds ; and that whereas, previously to the establishment of
these Funds, there were 372 Circuits paying less than the
minimum of ,150 per annum to each married Minister,
with the customary addition of house-rent, taxes, etc., and
less than the minimum of 80 to each unmarried Minister,
that number was then reduced to 217. The Eeport presented
to the Conference of 1881 stated that the number of Circuits
paying less than the proposed minimum was then reduced to
211.
r~
CHAPTEE XIV.
PROVISION FOB WORN-OUT MINISTEBS AND MINISTEBS' WIDOWS,
AND THE CHILDREN OF SUPEBNUMEBABT AND DECEASED
MINISTEBS FUND FOB THE BENEFIT OF NECESSITOUS LOCAL
PBEACHEBS.
IN an early period of Methodism there was a Fund desig-
nated the Preachers' Fund, derived partly from the contri-
butions of the Ministers, and partly from those of the people.
In the Minutes of 1797 there occurs the question, ' What is
contributed for the Preachers' Fund ? ' and the answer is
s. d.
' Collected from the people . . . 811 7 11
From the Preachers in England . . 355 5
1,166 12 II.'
(Vol. i., p. 407.) Out of this Fund payments were made,
according to certain Rules, to Supernumeraries and the widows
of deceased Ministers, and occasionally to their children. In
the year 1799 the following Resolution was adopted in relation
to this Fund : ' The Subscriptions of the Travelling Preachers
shall, in future, be considered as separate from the Subscrip-
tions of the people ; and the Subscriptions of the people shall
be considered as forming a fund of charity, which is to be
applied only to the assistance of real objects of mercy among
the Supernumerary and Superannuated Preachers, and the
widows of Preachers. Nevertheless, those who have hitherto
received allowances from the Fund shall continue to receive
them, notwithstanding this Regulation, as a retrospective law
would be unjust. The Subscriptions of the Preachers, being
their own money, subscribed in general with great difficulty
WORN-OUT MINISTERS' AND WIDOWS' FUND. 249
out of their little pittance, shall be distributed among the
Supernumerary and Superannuated Preachers and widows,
according to strict and impartial rules of justice.' (Min.,
vol. ii., p. 20.) From this time the title the Methodist
Preachers' Fund was restricted to the amount contributed,
from time to time, by the people ; while the Fund raised by
the contributions of the Ministers among themselves was
known as the Legalised Fund. In 1804 the designation of
the former was changed to the Methodist Preachers' Merciful
Fund, as more expressive of the special object for which it
was raised. From this Fund, however, in 1805, and for
several subsequent years, after the grants to individuals had
been paid, an amount was handed over to the Treasurer of
the Legalised Fund, towards the payment of the Annuitants
having claims on that Fund. In 1813 the title of the Merciful
Fund was changed to the Methodist Preachers' Auxiliary Fund,
this Fund being regarded as auxiliary to the Legalised Fund,
or Itinerant Methodist Preachers' Annuitant Society, as it is
now designated. The resources of this last Society, it should
be added, are derived chiefly from the contributions of those
Ministers who become members of it, so as to be entitled,
on being declared Supernumeraries by the Conference, to a
certain annuity, according to the number of years they have
travelled, and so that their widows, in the case of their
decease, are entitled to a smaller annuity, regulated on the
same principle.
The Auxiliary Fund, as administered previously to the
Centenary movement in 1839, did not afford support to all
Supernumerary Ministers, or all widows of deceased Min-
isters, but only met cases of necessity or peculiar difficulty,
which had been recommended by their respective District
Meetings to the consideration of the Committee entrusted
with its management. But in connection with this move-
ment, the generous laymen who took a leading part in it
urged that arrangements should be made for a more regular
and adequate provision for Supernumerary Ministers and the
250 WORN-OUT MINISTERS' AND WIDOWS' FUND.
widows of Ministers. A Plan was carefully prepared by a
Committee, and, having been cordially approved by all the
District Meetings in Great Britain, was gratefully adopted
by the Conference of 1839. Up to this time the income of
the Auxiliary Fund had been derived from private Subscrip-
tions ; but now, in addition to these, it was arranged that a
contribution of sixpence per member should be solicited from
all the members of the Society. The organisation of the
Fund was completed in the year 1840 ; but in subsequent
years some slight modifications, suggested by the practical
operation of the Fund, were introduced. The Regulations
now in force are those found in the Minutes for 1851 :
' 1. Each Circuit is to be responsible to the General Treasurers
for a yearly sum, equal, at the least, on a general average of all the
Societies included within that Circuit, to sixpence per member,
taking the numbers for the Circuit, in all cases, as returned to the
preceding Conference, and published in its Minutes.
' 2. The Conference directs that, at the renewal of the Society-
tickets during the September Visitation, every Minister shall fully
explain* to the members of each Class the nature and reasonableness
of those claims upon their justice and liberality which were in-
tended to be met by the establishment of this Fund. He shall also
give to each member a short printed Address, explanatory of the
same particulars. He shall then enter in the Class-book the indi-
vidual Subscriptions, as in the case of the Yearly Collection at the
March Visitation. At the first or second Class- Meetings in the
month of October, the Leaders shall collect the Subscriptions thus
promised, and shall pay the same to the Circuit Treasurer, as here-
inafter appointed.
' 3. In order to prevent a deficiency in the sum which an average
of sixpence per member throughout England, Scotland, and Wales
would raise, the Conference directs that the Ministers of every
Circuit be enjoined, with the assistance of our lay friends, to do
their utmost to raise its full proportion in October, by the Subscrip-
tions in the Classes ; and that in any Circuit which shall then prove
deficient, public Collections shall be made to meet such deficiency
if not otherwise provided for.
' 4. In every Circuit, at the September Quarterly Meeting, a
Circuit Treasurer for the Worn-out Ministers' and Widows' Fund
shall be appointed, whose office it shall be,
' (1.) To meet the Class Leaders, not later than the last week in
October, in order to examine the books in which the contributions
WORN-OUT MINISTERS' AND WIDOW'S FUND. 251
of the members shall have been entered ; and to receive the sums
which shall have been paid in the early part of that month.
' (2. ) To see, or send to for the same purpose, those Leaders who
cannot attend the Meeting.
' (3.) To confer with the Ministers and leading Friends of the
Circuit, if it should happen, in any case, that the amount received
in the Classes falls below the proportionate sum chargeable on the
Circuit, on the best method of making up the deficiency.
' (4.) To remit the Circuit contribution to the District Treasurer
for the Auxiliary Fund, as is the case in respect to the Children's
Fund ; this remittance to be made in the month of November at
the latest.*
' (5). At each Financial District Meeting, held in September, a
District Treasurer shall be chosen, to whom all sums raised in the
Circuits of his District shall be paid, and he shall transmit such sums
to the General Treasurer not later than the 13th of December, t
' (6.) At the Annual District Meetings held in May, when the Cir-
cuit Stewards are in attendance, the District Treasurers shall report
the sums which they have received from the several Circuits ; when,
if any Circuit has not raised its quota, the Ministers and Stewards
of that Circuit shall be urged to make up the deficiency, and
arrangements shall be made for the continued prosecution in the
several Circuits of this truly Christian measure, which the Con-
nexion in the Centenary year so unanimously recommended to the
adoption of the Conference.' (Min., vol. xi., pp. 664, 665.)
The private Subscriptions for this Fund are still maintained,
and form, indeed, an indispensable portion of its income. On
the earnest recommendation of the Committee of the Fund,
also, the Conference has directed that one Public Collection,
at least, shall ' be made in all our Chapels on behalf of this
Fund' ; and, regretting that in some Circuits the Public Col-
lection is 'taken to supplement the Class-contributions,'
' recommends that by a conscientious mention of the subject
* A slight modification of the dates specified in these Regulations has been
adopted. In the Minutes for 1880, p. 226, it is stated that < the Circuit Trea-
surers are requested to close their accounts with the Class-Leaders not later
than Christmas, and to present their statement to the Christmas Quarterly
Meeting '
t The Conference of 1881 requested the District Treasurers to remit the
contributions from the Classes, as soon as possible, to the clerical Treasurer of
the Fund, and to close their accounts not later than January 31st. It was
also directed by the Conference of that year that, ''in addition to the subscrip-
tions in the Classes, a report should be made to the Annual District Meeting
of the amount of the Private Subscriptions, and of the Public Collections in
each Circuit for the year immediately preceding? (Min., 1881, pp. 246, 247).
252 WORN-OUT MINISTERS' AND WIDOWS' FUND.
in the Classes by the Ministers, an effort be made to raise the
quota of sixpence per member, so that the Public Collection
may go to the direct augmentation of the Fund.' (Min.,
1879, p. 242.)
Cases of peculiar affliction or distress among Supernu-
meraries or the Widows of deceased Ministers are still con-
sidered by the Committee of the Auxiliary Fund, consisting
of Ministers and Laymen ; but every such case must be recom-
mended by the Annual District Meeting.
The rate of Annual Allowances to Supernumeraries and
Widows has been recently augmented, through the indefatig-
able exertions of the late Rev. John E/attenbury, who succeeded
in raising a special Fund, the interest of which is applied to
that purpose. It is a pleasure to acknowledge the generous
response of our more affluent friends to his appeals. The
present scale is as follows :
Supermimerary Ministers shall receive 1 per annum for each
year they have respectively travelled, together with 14 in addition.
The Widows of deceased Minsters shall receive 10s. per annum for
each year their husbands respectively travelled, together with 14
in addition. (.Mm., 1878, p k 235.)
' If the Widow is twelve years younger than her husband, the
Annuity is reduced to one-half ; if the disparity reaches twenty
years, no Annuity is allowed.' (Regulations of Committee.)
The following are additional Regulations bearing on the
administration of this Fund :
' Ministers becoming Supernumeraries while in the Mission work,
and the Widows of Ministers who have died in the Mission work,
are claimants on the Funds of the Missionary Society.
' All Ministers, whether members of the Methodist Preachers'
Annuitant Society or not, shall be equally entitled to the benefit of
the Auxiliary Fund.' (Min., 1872, vol. xviii., pp. 636, 637.)
' Any Claimant on this Fund who shall cease to be a member of
the Wesleyan-Methodist Society shall be removed from the List of
Claimants.' (Rule passed in 1845.)
Respecting the special provision for Ministers who have
travelled not more than twenty-one years becoming Super-
numeraries for one year, see ' Compendium of Regulations of
WORN-OUT MINISTERS'* AND WIDOWS' FUND. 253
Home-Mission and Contingent Fund' in Chapter ii. of this
Part of the present work, pp. 146, 147.
When the arrangement to secure regular and systematic
support to Supernumerary Ministers was brought into opera-
tion, the Conference adopted the following Regulations to
guard against its abuse :
' 1. When a Preacher, declared by the Conference to be a Super-
numerary, shall have travelled eighteen years or upwards, it should
be assumed, as a general principle, that he ought not to be advised
to go into business, but should employ the remainder of his life and
strength in such occasional ministerial and pastoral services as his
health may permit, and as the Conference, with due regard to his
family circumstances, or local connections, may appoint, and should
receive, as matter of course, the aid of the New Auxiliary Fund,
according to his standing.
' 2. Every Preacher, declared by the Conference to be a Super-
numerary, having travelled less than eighteen years, shall be con-
sidered as entitled to receive, as matter of course, the aid of the
New Auxiliary Fund for the term of three years ; but that at the
expiration of that term, his case shall be specially considered by the
Conference with a view to decide whether the hand of God shall
have been so laid upon him by affliction, or otherwise, as to make it
clear that, under all the circumstances, he ought, or ought not, to
employ himself in some suitable business, so as to exempt him from
the necessity of applying for the additional aid afforded by the
New Auxiliary Fund. That the terms of his being brought under
such an exemption, if it be advised, in reference to the Contingent
Fund, the Children's Fund, and the Education Fund, be settled by
special stipulation, in each particular case, according to circum-
stances ; and that he shall then cease to be regarded as a Super-
numerary, and become an accredited Local Preacher ; but that if
the Conference do not advise his entrance into business at all, he
shall then be certified to the Auxiliary Fund Committee, as a
Supernumerary Preacher, entitled, according to his standing, as a
matter of course, to the additional pecuniary benefits provided by
that Fund.
' 3. Any Preacher, declared a Supernumerary, and having
travelled less than eighteen years, who, being advised by the Con-
ference to enter into business, refuses or neglects to do so, shall
have no further claim, as a matter of course, on the New Auxiliary
Fund ; but his case may be referred, if recommended by his District
Meeting, for discretionary relief, to the Auxiliary Fund Committee.
' 4. All Supernumerary Preachers, whatever maybe their stand-
ing in the work, who shall in future enter into business, whether
254 CHILDREN OF SUPERNUMERARY MINISTERS.
with the advice of the Conference, or by their own choice and
decision, shall be considered as accredited Local Preachers only,
and not entitled to have their names retained in our Journal or on
our Minutes.
' 5. In the case of Supernumeraries marrying after they become
such, the same Regulations shall be considered as in force with
respect to the New Auxiliary Fund, which are now adopted in
similar cases by the Preachers' Annuitant Society.' (Min., 1839,
vol. viii., pp. 509, 510.)
The Resolutions provisionally adopted by the Conference
of 1881 relative to the constitution and appointment of the
Committee of the Worn-out Ministers' and Ministers' Widows'
Auxiliary Fund are given in Appendix No. V.
Until the year 1837, when a Minister became a Super-
numerary, or was removed by death, his children ceased to
have any claim on the Children's Fund ; but this great
anomaly was removed in that year, at the earnest request of
many of our people, and with the unanimous and cordial con-
currence of all the District Meetings in Great Britain. After
gratefully acknowledging the affection thus evinced, the Con-
ference of that year resolved :
' 1. That an allowance of Six Guineas per annum shall in future
be regularly granted from the Children's Fund towards the main-
tenance of the children of Supernumerary and of deceased Preach-
ers, until they attain the age of seventeen years, on the same plan
as that on which a similar allowance is now made from the same
Fund to the children of Preachers actually stationed in Circuits.
' 2. That the same allowance, like that to children of Preachers
still engaged in the work, shall also be regularly granted out of the
same Fund, from the age of seventeen to that of twenty, to such
children of Supernumerary or deceased Preachers as shall so long
continue to be more or less dependent on their parents, or surviv-
ing parent, or on their relatives and friends, in point of pecuniary
support.
' 3. That the District Meetings be directed regularly to enter
the names of all such children as come within the scope of the two
preceding Articles, in the List of Claimants on the Children's Fund,
annually forwarded to the Committee at the Conference who super-
intend that Department of our financial economy.
' 4. That these Regulations shall not be understood as applying
in the case of any Preacher who may marry while his name is on
FUND FOR NECESSITOUS LOCAL PREACHERS. 255
the List of Supernumeraries, so far as regards the children that may
be born of such marriage during the time that he is a Supernu-
merary.' (Min., vol. via., p. 215.)
The children of Supernumeraries and deceased Ministers
are eligible for admission to our Connexional Schools ; and,
if not admitted, are entitled during six years, from the age
of nine to fifteen, to the usual Educational Allowance.
In accordance with the Resolutions of the Conference of
1879, a Grant of .8,000 was made from the Thanksgiving Fund
for the benefit of necessitous Local Preachers. It was directed
that this sum should be ' invested, and the interest dis-
tributed, from time to time, by a Committee to be appointed by
the Conference.' The following Eesolutions bearing on this sub-
ject were adopted by the Conference of 1881 :
' (1.) That a Trust be formed, consisting of seven persons, three
of whom shall be Ministers, and four Laymen, to hold, invest, and
apply the Grant from the Thanksgiving Fund for the benefit of
necessitous Local Preachers, according to such rules and regulations
as the Conference may, from time to time, direct.
'(2.) That the same Trustees shall be empowered, by a pro-
vision of the Trust-Deed, to hold, invest, and apply, under the
direction of the Conference, any other sums of money which may be
hereafter given or bequeathed for the benefit of necessitous Local
Preachers.
' (3.) That the Trust-Deed shall provide for the filling up of any
vacancy in the number of Trustees which may occur by death, or by
any cause which to the Conference may seem fit or necessary as a
cause to be inserted in the Trust-Deed, disqualifying any Trustee
from continuing upon the Trust/ (Mm., 1881, p. 267.)
The Conference of 1881 also made arrangements for the
preparation of the Trust-Deed, and instructed a Committee
which it appointed 'to frame a Scheme for payments to necessi-
tous Local Preachers, which should be presented to the next
Conference for approval, and in the meantime to make pay-
ments in accordance with that Scheme.'
CHAPTEE XV.
COMMITTEE OF PRIVILEGES AND EXIGENCY COMMITTEE TOE
PROMOTING THE RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE OF THE LORD'S DAT.
THE Committee for guarding the Privileges of our religious
Communion was first appointed in the year 1803, and
consisted of three Ministers and seven laymen. In addition
to the general duty implied in the very designation of the
Committee, it was resolved that this Committee should ' be
consulted previously to the commencement of any lawsuit,
on account of the whole or any part of the Connexion; and
if any lawsuit be commenced, in future, before the Com-
mittee be consulted and their approbation be obtained, the
Conference and Connexion at large shall not be responsible
for any expenses incurred by such lawsuit.' (Min., vol. ii.,
p. 184.) Since that period the constitution of the Com-
mittee has been enlarged, so as to include a considerable
number of Ministers in Great Britain, together with the
[Representatives, from year to year, of the Irish Conference,
and a large number also of influential laymen. On various
occasions of great importance this Committee has rendered
to the Connexion most valuable service.
In the year 1843 'an acting Sub-Committee' was ap-
pointed for ' Cases of Exigency' ; but after a few years, the
smaller body was recognised as a distinct Committee, with
the designation of the Committee of Exigency. The duty of
this Committee is, ' to consider all Cases of Exigency arising
in any Department of our affairs, or otherwise, requiring
THE LORD'S DAY COMMITTEE. 257
prompt communication with the Government or with Parlia-
ment on subjects affecting our public interests.' At the
Conference of 1879 an additional arrangement was adopted.
The President, the Ex-President, and the Secretary of the
Conference, with three laymen and the Secretaries of the
Committee of Exigency, were constituted a Sub-Committee of
that Committee, and instructed to ' meet once a quarter, or
oftener if necessary, in order to consider any cases of alleged
grievance, or other matters of exigency which might arise.'
(Min., 1879, p. 202.)
The Conference of 1881 provisionally adopted Resolutions
involving extensive changes in the constitution of the Com-
mittees of Privileges and Exigency. Those Resolutions are
given in Appendix No. V.
The Committee for promoting the Religious Observance of the
Lord's Day was first appointed in the year 1848. The Confer-
ence of that year adopted the following Resolution :
' Convinced of the great and growing importance of a careful
observance of the Lord's Day to the prosperity of the Church of
Christ, and of the nation at large, the Conference appoints a Com-
mittee to watch over the general interests of the Sabbath, to
observe the course of events in reference to it, to collect such
information as may serve the cause of Sabbath-observance, to cor-
respond with persons who are engaged in similar designs, and to
report, from year to year, the results of their inquiries, with such
suggestions as they may think proper to offer to the Conference.'
(Min., vol. xi.,p. 102.)
The Committee thus appointed consisted of twelve
Ministers ; and, for a few years, its constitution, though
enlarged, was exclusively ministerial. But in the year 1855
laymen were combined with Ministers, and the number of
members was still further increased. This Committee has,
from year to year, rendered important service to the Con-
nexion in advising and stimulating effort to guard the sacred-
ness of the Lord's Day, and in watching and seeking to
obviate proposed legislation, the tendency of which would
258 THE LORD'S DAY COMMITTEE.
be to invade its hallowed rest, and to deprive the poor of
the invaluable advantages which it confers.
The Resolutions provisionally adopted by the Conference
of 1881 respecting the constitution and appointment of this
Committee are given in Appendix No. Y.
APPENDICES.
I. MR. WESLEY'S DEED OF DECLARATION, OR
DEED POLL.
II. THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE,' OR ' CODE OF
LAWS,' ISSUED BY THE CONFERENCE
OF 1797.
III. THE LIVERPOOL MINUTES' OF 1820.
IV. OTHER LEADING RESOLUTIONS OF THE
CONFERENCE ON PASTORAL DUTIES,
AND THE PROMOTION OF SPIRITUAL
RELIGION.
V. RESOLUTIONS PROVISIONALLY ADOPTED BY
THE CONFERENCE OF 1881 RESPECTING
THE NOMINATION AND CONSTITUTION
OF MIXED CONNEXION AL COMMITTEES.
s2
APPENDIX I.
DEED OF DECLARATION, OB DEED POLL, OF THE EEVEEE1TD
JOHN WESLEY.
' ^T^O all to whom these presents shall come, John Wesley,
JL late of Lincoln College, Oxford, but now of the City
Road, London, clerk, sendeth greeting.
' WHEBEAS divers buildings commonly called chapels, with a
messuage and dwelling-house or other appurtenances to each
of the same belonging, situate in various parts of Great
Britain, have been given and conveyed from time to time by
the said John Wesley to certain persons and their heirs in
each of the said gifts and conveyances named, which are
inrolled in His Majesty's High Court of Chancery, upon the
acknowledgment of the said John Wesley, pursuant to the
Act of Parliament in that case made and provided, upon
trust that the Trustees in the said several deeds respectively
named, and the survivors of them, and their heirs and
assigns, and the Trustees for the time being to be elected, as
in the said deeds is appointed, should permit and suffer the
said John Wesley, and such other person and persons as he
should for that purpose from time to time nominate and
appoint, at all times during his life at his will and pleasure,
to have and enjoy the free use and benefit of the said
premises, that he the said John Wesley, and such person
and persons as he should nominate and appoint, might
therein preach and expound God's Holy Word ; and upon
further trust that the said respective Trustees, and the sur-
vivors of them, and their heirs and assigns, and the Trustees
for the time being, should permit and suffer Charles Wesley,
brother of the said John Wesley, and such other person and
persons as the said Charles Wesley should for that purpose
from time to time nominate and appoint, in like manner
during his life, to have, use, and enjoy the said premises
respectively for the like purposes as aforesaid, and after the
decease of the survivor of them the said John Wesley and
Charles Wesley, then upon further trust that the said respec-
262 MR. WESLEY'S DEED POLL.
live Trustees, and the survivors of them, and their heirs and
assigns, and the Trustees for the time being for ever, should
permit and suffer such person and persons, and for such time
and times as should be appointed at the Yearly Conference
of the people called Methodists in London, Bristol, or Leeds,
and no others, to have and enjoy the said premises for the
purposes aforesaid : And whereas divers persons have in like
manner given or conveyed many chapels, with messuages and
dwelling-houses or other appurtenances to the same belong-
ing, situate in various parts of Great Britain, and also in
Ireland, to certain Trustees in each of the said gifts and
conveyances respectively named, upon the like trusts and for
the same uses and purposes as aforesaid (except only that in
some of the said gifts and conveyances no life estate or other
interest is therein or thereby given and reserved to the said
Charles Wesley) : And whereas, for rendering effectual the
trusts created by the said several gifts or conveyances, and
that no doubt or litigation may arise with respect unto the
same or the interpretation and true meaning thereof, it has
been thought expedient by the said John Wesley, on behalf
of himself as donor of the several chapels, with the messuages,
dwelling-houses, or appurtenances before mentioned, as of
the donors of the said other chapels, with the messuages,
dwelling-houses, or appurtenances to the same belonging,
given or conveyed to the like uses and trusts, to explain
the words Yearly Conference of the people called Methodists
contained in all the said trust deeds, and to declare what
persons are members of the said Conference, and how the
succession and identity thereof is to be continued :
' Now, therefore, these presents witness, that for accom-
plishing the aforesaid purposes the said John Wesley doth
hereby declare that the Conference of the people called
Methodists in London, Bristol, or Leeds, ever since there
hath been any Yearly Conference of the said people called
Methodists in any of the said places, hath always heretofore
consisted of the preachers and expounders of God's Holy
Word, commonly called Methodist Preachers, in connexion
with and under the care of the said John Wesley, whom he
hath thought expedient year after year to summons to meet
him in one or other of the said places of London, Bristol, or
Leeds, to advise with them for the promotion of the Gospel
of Christ, to appoint the said persons so summoned, and
MR WESLEY'S DEED POLL. 263
the other preachers and expounders of God's Holy "Word, also
in connexion with and under the care of the said John Wesley,
not summoned to the said Yearly Conference, to the use and
enjoyment of the said chapels and premises so given and con-
veyed upon trust for the said John Wesley, and such other
person and persons as he should appoint during his life as
aforesaid, and for the expulsion of unworthy and admission of
new persons under hi 3 care and into his Connexion to be
preachers and expounders as aforesaid, and also of other
persons upon trial for the like purposes, the names of all which
persons so summoned by the said John Wesley, the persons
appointed, with the chapels and premises to which they were so
appointed, together with the duration of such appointments,
and of those expelled or admitted into Connexion or upon
trial, with all other matters transacted and done at the said
Yearly Conference, have year by year been printed and
published under the title of Minutes of Conference ; and
these presents further witness, and the said John Wesley
doth hereby avouch and further declare, that the several
persons hereinafter named, to wit [here follow the names
and descriptions of one hundred persons], being preachers and
expounders of God's Holy Word under the care and in con-
nexion with the said John Wesley, have been and now are
and do on the day of the date hereof constitute the members
of the said Conference according to the true intent and mean-
ing of the said several gifts and conveyances wherein the
words Conference of the people called Methodists are men-
tioned and contained, and that the said several persons
before named and their successors for ever, to be chosen as
hereafter mentioned, are and shall for ever be construed, taken,
and be the Conference of the people called Methodists, never-
theless upon the terms and subject to the regulations herein-
after prescribed : (that is to say,)
' First, That the members of the said Conference, and
their successors for the time being for ever, shall assemble
once in every year at London, Bristol, or Leeds (except as
after mentioned) for the purposes aforesaid, and the time and
place of holding every subsequent Conference shall be ap-
pointed at the preceding one, save that the next Conference
after the date hereof shall be holden at Leeds, in Yorkshire,
the last Tuesday in July next.
'Second, The act of the majority in number of the Con-
264 MR. WESLEY'S DEED POLL.
ference assembled as aforesaid shall be had, taken, and be
the act of the whole Conference to all intents, purposes, and
construction whatsoever.
* Third, That after the Conference shall be assembled as
aforesaid they shall first proceed to fill up all the vacancies
occasioned by death or absence as after mentioned.
' Fourth, No act of the Conference assembled as aforesaid
shall be had, taken, or be the act of the Conference until
forty of the members thereof are assembled, unless reduced
under that number by death since the prior Conference or
absence as after mentioned, nor until all the vacancies occa-
sioned by death or absence shall be filled up by the election
of new members of the Conference so as to make up the
number one hundred, unless there be not a sufficient number
of persons objects of such election, and during the assembly
of the Conference there shall always be forty members present
at the doing of any act, save as aforesaid, or otherwise, such
act shall be void.
'Fifth, The duration of the yearly assembly of the Con-
ference shall not be less than five days nor more than three
weeks, and be concluded by the appointment of the Confer-
ence if under twenty-one days, or otherwise the conclusion
thereof shall follow of course at the end of the said twenty-
one days, the whole of all which said time of the assembly
of the Conference shall be had, taken, considered, and be the
Yearly Conference of the people called Methodists, and all
acts of the Conference during such yearly assembly thereof
shall be the acts of the Conference, and none other.
' Sixth, Immediately after all the vacancies occasioned by
death or absence are filled up by the election of new members
as aforesaid, the Conference shall choose a President and
Secretary of their assembly out of themselves, who shall
continue such until the election of another President or 1
Secretary in the next or other subsequent Conference, and the
said President shall have the privilege and power of two
members in all acts of the Conference during his presidency,
and such other powers, privileges, and authorities as the Con-
ference shall, from time to time, see fit to entrust into his hands.
' Seventh, Any member of the Conference absenting him-
self from the yearly assembly thereof for two years succes-
sively without the consent or dispensation of the Conference,
and be not present on the first day of the third yearly
MR. WESLEY'S DEED POLL.
assembly thereof at the time and place appointed for the hold-
ing of the same, shall cease to be a member of the Conference
from and after the said first day of the said third yearly assembly
thereof to all intents and purposes as though he were naturally
dead ; but the Conference shall and may dispense with or con-
sent to the absence of any member from any of the said yearly
assemblies for any cause which the Conference may see fit or
necessary, and such member, whose absence shall be so dispensed
with or consented to by the Conference, shall not by such
absence cease to be a member thereof.
' Eighth, The Conference shall and may expel and put out
from being a member thereof, or from being in connexion
therewith, or from being upon trial, any person member of the
Conference or admitted into connexion, or upon trial, for any
cause which to the Conference may seem fit or necessary, and
every member of the Conference so expelled and put out shall
cease to be a member thereof to all intents and purposes as
though he was naturally dead, and the Conference immediately
after the expulsion of any member thereof as aforesaid shall
elect another person to be a member of the Conference in the
stead of such member so expelled.
' Ninth, The Conference shall and may admit into connexion
with them, or upon trial, any person or persons whom they
shall approve to be preachers and expounders of God's Holy
Word, under the care and direction of the Conference, the name
of every such person or persons so admitted into connexion,
or upon trial as aforesaid, with the time and degrees of the
admission, being entered in the Journals or Minutes of the
Conference.
'Tenth, No person shall be elected a member of the Con-
ference who hath not been admitted into connexion with the
Conference as a preacher and expounder of God's Holy Word
as aforesaid for twelve months.
' Eleventh, The Conference shall not nor may nominate or
appoint any person to the use and enjoyment of or to preach
and expound God's Holy Word in any of the chapels and
premises so given or conveyed, or which may be given or con-
veyed upon the trusts aforesaid, who is not either a member of
the Conference or admitted into connexion with the same, or
upon trial as aforesaid, nor appoint any person for more than
three years successively to the use and enjoyment of any chapel
and premises already given or to be given or conveyed upon the
266 MM. WESLEY'S DEED POLL.
trusts aforesaid, except ordained Ministers of the Church of
England.
' Twelfth, That the Conference shall and may appoint the
place of holding the yearly assembly thereof, at any other city,
town, or place than London, Bristol, or Leeds, when it shall
seem expedient so to do.
' Thirteenth, And for the convenience of the chapels and
premises already or which may hereafter be given or conveyed
upon the trusts aforesaid, situate in Ireland or other parts out
of the Kingdom of Great Britain, the Conference shall and may,
when and as often as it shall seem expedient, but not other-
wise, appoint and delegate any member or members of the Con-
ference with all or any of the powers, privileges, and advantages
hereinbefore contained or vested in the Conference, and all and
every the acts, admissions, expulsions, and appointments what-
soever of such member or members of the Conference so
appointed and delegated as aforesaid, the same being put into
writing and signed by such delegate or delegates, and entered in
the Journals or Minutes of the Conference, and subscribed as
after mentioned, shall be deemed, taken, and be the acts,
admissions, expulsions, and appointments of the Conference to
all intents, constructions, and purposes whatsoever from the
respective times when the same shall be done by such delegate
or delegates, notwithstanding anything herein contained to the
contrary.
' Fourteenth, All resolutions and orders touching elections,
admissions, expulsions, consents, dispensations, delegations, or
appointments and acts whatsoever of the Conference shall be
entered and written in the Journals or Minutes of the Con-
ference, which shall be kept for that purpose, publicly read, and
then subscribed by the President and Secretary thereof for the
time being, during the time such Conference shall be assembled,
and when so entered and subscribed shall be had, taken, received,
and be the acts of the Conference, and such entry and sub-
scription as aforesaid shall be had, taken, received, and be
evidence of all and every such acts of the said Conference and
of their said delegates without the aid of any other proof, and
whatever shall not be so entered and subscribed as aforesaid
shall not be had, taken, received, or be the act of the Con-
ference ; and the said President and Secretary are hereby
required and obliged to enter and subscribe as aforesaid every
act whatever of the Conference.
MR. WESLEY'S DEED POLL. 267
* Lastly, Whenever the said Conference shall be reduced
under the number of forty members, and continue so reduced
for three yearly assemblies thereof successively, or whenever
the members thereof shall decline or neglect to meet together
annually for the purposes aforesaid during the space of three
years, and then and in either of the said events the Conference
of the people called Methodists shall be extinguished, and all
the aforesaid powers, privileges, and advantages shall cease, and
the said chapels and premises, and all other chapels and premises
which now are or hereafter may be settled, given, or conveyed
upon the trusts aforesaid, shall vest in the Trustees for the time
being of the said chapels and premises respectively, and their
successors for ever ; upon trust that they and the survivors of
them, and the Trustees for the time being, do, shall, and may
appoint such person or persons to preach and expound God's
Holy Word therein, and to have the use and enjoyment thereof,
for such time and in such manner as to them shall seem
proper.
' Provided always, that nothing herein contained shall ex-
tend or be construed to extend to extinguish, lessen, or abridge
the life estate of the said John Wesley and Charles Wesley,
or either of them, of and in any of the said chapels and
premises, or any other chapels and premises, wherein they, the
said John Wesley and Charles Wesley, or either of them, now
have or may have any estate or interest, power or authority
whatsoever.
' In witness thereof the said John Wesley hath hereunto set
his hand and seal, the twenty-eighth day of February in
the twenty-fourth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord
George the Third, by the grace of God of Great Britain, France,
and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, and so forth, and in
the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty
four, JOHN WESLEY.
WILLIAM CLTTLOW,
Sealed and delivered
(being first duly
stamped) in the
presence of
Quality Court, Chancery Lane,
London.
RICHABD YOUNG,
Clerk to the said William
Clulow.
'Taken and acknowledged by the Eev. John Wesley,
party hereto, this 28th of February, 1784, at the Public Office
before me, ' ED WARD MONTAGU.'
APPENDIX II.
THE ' FOBM OF DISCIPLINE,' OB ' CODE OF LAWS,' ISSUED
BY THE CONFEBENCE OF 1797.
Prefatory Note.
IT appears desirable to insert in this work the important
document issued by the Conference of 1797, and referred to
in the Chancery proceedings of 1835 (Warren v. Burton), being
described by the letter F. Of that document the Rev. Thomas
Jackson, then the Connexional Editor, wrote as follows in
1835 :
'In the printed Minutes of the Conference for the year 1797
(see the authorised edition, Vol. i., p. 377) there is the following
announcement : " Whereas, we, the undersigned, have, on this and
the preceding day, carefully revised the Rules drawn up and left us
by our late venerable Father in the Gospel, the Rev. Mr. Wesley,
which were published by him in our Large Minutes, to which we
consented when we were admitted, and by which we were regulated
during his life ; and whereas we have collected together those Rules
which we believe to be essential to the existence of Methodism, as
well as others, to which we have no objection, we do now
VOLUNTARILY and in GOOD FAITH sign our names, as approving of,
and engaging to comply with, the aforesaid Collection of Rules, or
Code of Laws, God being our helper." (Signed.) " THOMAS COKE,
President, SAMUEL BRADBURN, Secretary," and by WILLIAM THOMP-
SON, ALEXANDER MATHER, JOHN PAWSON, JOSEPH BENSON, THOMAS
TAYLOR, JOSEPH BRADFORD, JOHN BARBER, JAMES WOOD, HENRY
MOORE, JOSEPH TAYLOR, WALTER GRIFFITH, JOHN GAULTER,
JOSEPH ENTWISLE, JONATHAN CROWTHER, JONATHAN EDMONDSON,
CHARLES ATMORE, RICHARD REECE, and other Preachers present at
that Conference.
' In the Minutes of the same year (Vol. i., pp. 390-395) there
is an Address to the Methodist Societies, dated Leeds, August 7,
1797, and officially signed, " in behalf and by order of the Confer-
ence," by " Thomas Coke, President" and " Samuel Bradburn
' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE.'
Secretary." That Address contains seven distinct heads or articles ;
the fifth of which (see Vol. i. , p. 392) is as follows, and refers to
the "Collection of Rules or Code of Laws" above-mentioned, as
having been then made and signed by the Preachers present : " V.
We have selected all our ancient Rules, which were made before
the death of our late venerable Father in the Gospel, the Rev. Mr.
Wesley, which are essential Rules, or prudential at this present
time ; and have solemnly signed them, declaring our approbation
of them, and determination to comply with them ; one single
Preacher excepted, who, in consequence, withdrew from us."
'The "Collection of Rules," thus "selected," "revised," and
"signed," and brought down to the year 3797, inclusive, was, by
order of the Conference, published in that year, in a pamphlet,
under the following title : " Minutes of several Conversations
between the Rev. John Wesley, A.M., and the Preachers in
Connexion with him. Containing the Form of Discipline established
among the Preachers and People in the Methodist Societies.
London : Printed for G. Whitfield, City Road ; and Sold at all the
Methodist Preaching Houses in Town and Country. 1779."
' The date of 1779, thus given to the pamphlet, is manifestly
and indisputably a mis-print, and ought to have been, according to
the undoubted fact, 1797.
' This pamphlet, legally verified by affidavit on oath, was pro-
duced during certain recent proceedings in Chancery, and recognised
as a " Code," both by the Vice-Chancellor, and subsequently by the
Lord Chancellor, in their very important " judgments " upon the
case then under adjudication. The latter observed, " They (the
Conference) published what they considered to be the Code of the
Laws of Methodism, in the year 1797, and they sign that Code with
their names. That very Code has been given in evidence ; it is
the document described by the letter F. "
' Of the original pamphlet, whose history and authority have
been thus stated, the present publication is an exact and faithful
re-print. The only known variation is the insertion of the true
date, instead of the one which a typographical error had introduced
in the title-page of the first edition.
'THOMAS JACKSON, Editor.'
1 LONDON,
' July 13th, 1835.
When this pamphlet was reprinted in 1850, the Editors
appended the following Postscript to Mr. Jackson's state-
ment :
' It should be recollected by the reader, that this pamphlet pro-
fesses to contain those Rules and Regulations only which were in
270 ' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE:
existence and operation up to the year 1797. Many of these have
undergone important modifications, or been wholly superseded,
since that time ; and various others have been adopted by succes-
sive Conferences. ... In a few instances the alterations since
1 797 above mentioned, have been intimated, in this edition of the
" Code," by a note at the foot of the page : but in many cases this
could not be conveniently accomplished at present.'
In transferring this valuable document to these pages, the
author of this work has indicated, in very many additional
instances, the changes which have been made by more recent
legislation. Two sections, also, but only two, have been
omitted, as being now entirely set aside. The first (No. XXX.)
is on ' The Rules of the Preachers' Fund,' now superseded by
the ' Itinerant Methodist Preachers' Annuitant Society ' and
the ' Worn-out Ministers' and Ministers' Widows' Auxiliary
Fund.' (See Part III., Chapter xiv., of the present work.)
The second section omitted (No. XXXIII.) entitled, ' How
to Preserve the Chapels,' has been superseded by the adoption
by the Conference of the ' Chapel Model Deed.' In all other
respects the document is given verbatim.
MINUTES OF SEVEEAL CONVERSATION s BETWEEN THE KEY. JOHN
WESLEY, A.M., AND THE PREACHERS IN CONNEXION WITH
HIM. CONTAINING THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE ESTABLISHED
AMONG THE PREACHERS AND PEOPLE IN THE METHODIST
SOCIETIES. LONDON : PRINTED FOR GEORGE WHITFLELD,
CITY ROAD ; AND SOLD AT ALL THE METHODIST PREACH-
IN G-HOUSES IN TOWN AND COUNTRY. 1797.
' CONTENTS.
Section
I. The Design of God in sending the Methodist
Preachers.
II. Eise of Methodism.
III. Method of trying Candidates for the Ministry.
IV. Ofiice and Duty of a Methodist Preacher.
' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE: 271
Section
V. The peculiar Business of a Superintendent.
VI. Method of Admitting Persons into Society.
YII. Admission of Local Preachers, and their Duty.
Till. Method of holding a Conference.
IX. Business of a Helper.
X. Directions for obtaining higher Degrees of Holi-
ness.
XI. For obtaining a closer Union among the Preachers.
XII. On Preaching where we can form no Society ; and
on Field-Preaching.
XTTT. On the Decrease of the "Work, and the proper
Means of promoting a Revival.
XIV. Against Antinomianism.
XV. The most useful "Way of Preaching.
XVI. How to guard against Formality in Public Wor-
ship, especially in Singing.
XVII. On Visiting and instructing the People from House
to House.
XVQI. On Instructing the Children.
XIX. On Conformity to the World, Bribery, and Sab-
bath-Breaking.
XX. On Marrying with Unbelievers.
XXI. On Bankruptcies, Strangers staying at the Society-
Meetings, Lovefeasts, Funeral Sermons, and
Talking in the Chapels.
XXII. On Strangers being entertained at the Preachers'
Houses; and on Cleanliness.
XXIII. In what Cases we allow Service in Church-
Hours.
XXIV. How to prevent Nervous Disorders.
XXV. The Order of the Districts, and what Business is to
be done there.
XXVI. Plan of General Pacification.
XXVII. Agreement with the Trustees at Bristol, in 1794.
XXVIII. Mr. Wesley's Letter to the Conference in 1791 ; and
their determination in consequence of it.
XXIX. Certain Eules agreed to by the Conference at
different Times.
XXX. The Eules of the Preachers' Fund.
XXXI. Account of Kingswood School.
XXXII. Of the Yearly Collection.
272 ' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE:
i
Section
XXXIII. How to preserve the Chapels.
XXXIV. Eegulations made at Leeds Conference in 1797.
XXXV. Sundry Advices to the Preachers.
' MINUTES, ETC.
' TT is desired, that all things be considered as in the imme-
I diate presence of Gi-od.
* That every person speak freely whatever is in his mind.
' While we are conversing let us have an especial care to
set G-od always before us. In the intermediate hours let us
redeem all the time we can for private exercises, and let us give
ourselves to prayer for one another, and for a blessing on this
our labour.
' SECTION I.
THE DESIGN OF GOD IN SENDING THE METHODIST PEEACHEBS.
' Q. 1. IN what view may the Methodist Preachers be
considered ?
' A. As messengers sent by the Lord, out of the common
way, to provoke the regular Clergy to jealousy, and to supply
their lack of service towards those who are perishing for want
of knowledge ; and, above all, to reform the nation, by spread-
ing Scriptural holiness over the land.
'II. THE EISE OF METHODISM.
' Q. 2. WHAT was the rise of Methodism, so called?
' A. In 1729 the late Mr. Wesley and his brother, upon
reading the Bible, saw they could not be saved without holi-
ness ; they followed after it, and incited others to do the same.
In 1737 thay saw holiness comes by faith. They saw like-
wise, that men are justified before they are sanctified: but
still holiness was their point.
' God then thrust them out, utterly against their will, to
raise a holy people. When Satan could no otherwise hinder
' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE: 273
this, be threw Antinomiamsm in the way, which strikes
directly at the root of all holiness.
* HI. THE METHOD OF TRYING CANDIDATES FOR THE MINISTRY.
' Q. 3. How shall we try those who think they are moved
by the Holy Ghost to preach the Gospel ?
' A. Inquire, Do they know God as a pardoning God ?
Have they the love of God abiding in them ? Do they desire
and seek nothing but God ? And are they holy in all manner
of conversation ? Have they gifts as well as grace for the
work ? Have they a clear, sound understanding ? Have they
a right judgment in the things of God? Have they a just
conception of salvation by faith? And has God given them
an acceptable way of speaking? Do they speak justly,
readily, and clearly ? Have they had any fruit of their labour ?
Have any been truly convinced of sin, and converted to God,
by their preaching ?
' As long as the above marks concur in any one, we believe
he is called of God to preach. These we receive as sufficient
proof that he is moved thereto by the Holy Ghost.
' But before any one can be received even upon trial
among us, it is necessary that he should have been a member
of the Society for some considerable time; that he should
have acted as a Local Preacher ; that he should be recom-
mended by the Quarterly Meeting to the District Meeting,
and by that to the Conference; and at the Conference in
1797 it was agreed, that, before any Superintendent propose
any Preacher to the Conference as proper to be admitted on
trial, such Preacher must not only be approved of at the
March Quarterly Meeting, but must have read and signed the
General Minutes, as fully approving of them ; nor must any
one suppose, or pretend to think, that the Conversations which
have been on any of these Minutes were intended to qualify
them, as in the least to affect the spirit and design of them ;
that he should then travel four years upon trial, during
which time he must not marry ; and being well recommended
by the people where he has laboured, and by the Preachers
who have laboured with him, he shall then be received into
Full Connexion. The proper time for doing this is at a Con-
ference. After serious, solemn prayer, the following questions
shall be proposed to each Candidate, which he shall be
required to answer as in the presence of God :
274 ' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE:
1 " Have you a lively faith in Christ ? Do you enjoy a
clear manifestation of the love of God to your soul? Have
you constant power over all sin ? Do you expect to be per-
fected in love in this life ? Do you really desire and earnestly
seek it ? Are you resolved to devote yourself wholly to God,
and to His work ? Do you know the Methodist plan of doc-
trine and discipline ? Have you read the Plain Account of the
Methodists ; the Appeals to Men of Reason and Eeligion ? Do
you know the Rules of the Society, and of the Bands ? Are
you determined, by the help of God, to keep them ? Do you
take no snuff, tobacco, or drams ? Have you read and
seriously considered the Minutes of the Conference? Espe-
cially have you considered the Rules of a Helper ? and, above
all, the first, tenth, and twelfth ? And will you keep them for
conscience sake ? Are you determined to employ all your time
in the work of God ? "Will you preach every morning and
evening when opportunity serves, endeavouring not to speak
too long or too loud ? Will you diligently instruct the children
where you can ? Will you visit from house to house where it
may be done ? Will you recommend fasting and prayer, both
by precept and example ? Are you in debt ?"
' Having answered the above questions to our satisfaction,
we then give him the Minutes of the Conference inscribed
thus :
' " To A. B.
' " You think it your duty to call sinners to repentance.
Make full proof hereof, and we shall rejoice to receive you as
a fellow-labourer."'*
'IV. THE OFFICE AND DUTY OF A METHODIST PREACHES.
* Q. 4. WHAT is the office of a Christian Minister ?
' A. To watch over souls as he that must give account ; to
feed and guide the flock.
* It was Mr. Wesley's practice to give a copy of the Minutes thus inscribed
to each Preacher, when he was admitted on trial. When he had passed
acceptably through the period of his probation, and was admitted into Full
Connexion with the Conference, the Minutes were presented to him with the
following inscription : ' As long as you freely consent to, and earnestly
endeavour to walk by, these Rules, we shall rejoice to acknowledge you as a
fellow-labourer.' See Mr. Wesley's Works, vol. vjii., p. 326.
1 THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE: 275
* Q. 5. How shall he be fully qualified for this great
work?
'-4. By walking closely with God, and having His work
greatly at heart ; by understanding and loving every branch
of our discipline ; and by carefully and constantly observing
the twelve rules of an Helper ; viz.,
' 1. Be diligent. Never -be unemployed. Never be tri-
flingly employed. Never while away time, nor spend more
time at any place than is strictly necessary.
' 2. Be serious. Let your motto be, " Holiness to the
Lord." Avoid all lightness, jesting, and foolish talking.
'3. Converse sparingly and cautiously with women, par-
ticularly with young women.
' 4. Take no step towards marriage without solemn prayer
to God, and consulting with your brethren.
' 5. Believe evil of no one, unless fully proved ; take heed
how you credit it. Put the best construction you can on
everything. You know the Judge is always supposed to be
on the prisoner's side.
' 6. Speak evil of no one ; else your word, especially,
would eat as doth a canker ; keep your thoughts within your
own breast, till you come to the person concerned.
' 7. Tell every one what you think wrong in him, lovingly
and plainly, and as soon as may be, else it will fester in your
own heart. Make all haste to cast the fire out of your bosom.
' 8. Do not affect the gentleman. A Preacher of the
Gospel is the servant of all.
' 9. Be ashamed of nothing but sin ; no, not of cleaning
your own shoes, when necessary.
' 10. Be punctual. Do everything exactly at the time.
And do not mend our B/ules, but keep them, and thab for
conscience sake.
'11. You have nothing to do but to save souls. There-
fore spend and be spent in this work. And go always, not
only to those who want you, but to those who want you most.
' 12. Act in all things, not according to your own will, but
as a son in the Gospel, and in union with your brethren. As
such, it is your part to employ your time as our Rules direct ;
partly in preaching and visiting from house to house, partly
in reading, meditation, and prayer. Above all, if you labour
with us in our Lord's vineyard, it is needful that you should
do that part of the work which the Conference shall advise,
T 2
276 ' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE:
at those times and places which they shall judge most for His
glory.
' Observe : It is not your business to preach so many
times, and to take care merely of this or that Society ; but to
save as many souls as you can ; to bring as many sinners as
you possibly can to repentance, and, with all your power, to
build them up in that holiness without which they cannot see
the Lord. And remember, a Methodist Preacher is to mind
every point, great and small, in the Methodist discipline.
Therefore you will need all the gr-ace and all the sense you
have ; and to have all your wits about you.
'V. THE PECULIAR BUSINESS OF A SUPERINTENDENT.
' Q. 6. What is the business'of a Superintendent ?
' A. To see that the other Preachers in his Circuit behave
well, and want nothing. He should consider these (especially
if they are young men) as his pupils ; into whose behaviour
and studies he should frequently inquire ; and, at proper
times, should ask, Do you walk closely with God ? Have you
now fellowship with the Father and the Son ? At what hour
do you rise? Do you punctually observe the morning and
evening hour of retirement ? Do you spend your time profit-
ably ? Do you converse seriously, usefully, and closely ? Do
you use all the means of grace yourself, and enforce the use
of them on all other persons ? These are either instituted or
prudential :
' I. The INSTITUTED are these. 1. Prayer : In private, in
the family, and in public ; consisting of deprecation, petition,
intercession, and thanksgiving. Do you use each of these?
' Do you use private prayer every morning and evening at
least ; if you can, at six in the evening, and the hour before
or after morning preaching ? Do you forecast daily, wherever
you are, how to secure these hours ? Do you avow it every-
where? Do you ask everywhere, Have you family prayer?
Do you retire at six o'clock ?
' 2. Searching the Scriptures, by reading constantly, some
part every day, all the Bible, in order, carefully, seriously,
and with earnest prayer before and after : and do this fruit-
fully, immediately practising what you learn there. (2.) Me-
ditating, at set times, by a fixed rule. (3.) Hearing the
word preached at all opportunities, carefully, with earnest
' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE: 277
prayer to God for a blessing upon His word. Have you a
New Testament always about you ?
' 3. The Lord's Supper. Do you use this at every oppor-
tunity? with solemn prayer, and with earnest and deliberate
self-devotion ?
' 4. Fasting. Do you fast every Friday ? The neglect of
this is sufficient to account for our feebleness and faintness of
spirit. We are continually grieving the Holy Spirit by the
habitual neglect of a plain duty ! Let us amend from this
hour. There are several degrees of fasting, which cannot
hurt your health. Begin next Friday, and avow this duty
wherever you go. Touch no tea, coffee, or chocolate in the
morning; but, if you want it, a little milk or water-gruel.
Dine on potatoes ; and, if you want it, eat three or four
ounces of flesh in the evening. But at other times eat no
flesh suppers. These exceedingly tend to breed nervous dis-
orders.
' 5. Christian Conference. Are you convinced how im-
portant, and how difficult, it is to order your conversation
aright? Is it always in grace, seasoned with salt, meet to
minister grace to the hearers ? Do not you converse too long
at a time ? Is not an hour commonly enough ? Would it not
be well always to have a determinate end in view ? and always
to conclude with prayer ?
'II. PBUDENTIAL MEANS we may use, either as common
Christians, or as Preachers of the Gospel.
' 1. As common Christians. What particular rules have
you in order to grow in grace ? what arts of holy living ?
' 2. As Preachers. Do you meet every Society, also the
Leaders, and the Bands, if there are any ? Do you live in holy
watchfulness ; denying yourself ; taking up your cross ; and in
the exercise of the presence of God ? Do you steadily watch
against the world, the devil, yourself, and your besetting sin ?
Do you deny yourself every useless pleasure of sense, imagina-
tion, and honour ? Are you temperate in all things ? Instance
in food : Do you use only that kind, and that degree, which is
best both for your body and soul ? Do you see the necessity of
this ? Do you eat no more at each meal than is necessary ?
Do you eat no flesh-suppers, and no late suppers ? Do you use
only that kind and degree of drink which is best both for
your body and soul ? Do you drink water, or wine or ale ? Do
you want these ?
278 ' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE:
'Wherein do you take up your cross daily? Do you
cheerfully bear your cross (whatever is grievous to nature) as
a gift of God, and labour to profit thereby ?
' Do you endeavour to set God always before you ? to see
His eye continually fixed upon you ? Never can you use these
means but a blessing must ensue. And the more you use
them, the more you will grow in grace.
' A Superintendent ought also to visit the Classes quarterly,
to regulate the Bands, and to deliver Tickets ; to take in or to
put out of the Society, or the Bands : At the Conference in
1797 it was agreed, that the Leaders' Meeting shall have a
right to declare any person on trial improper to be received
into the Society : and after such declaration the Superinten-
dent shall not admit such person into the Society. And no
person shall be expelled from the Society for immorality, till
such immorality be proved at a Leaders' Meeting : To keep
Watch-nights and Lovefeasts ; to hold Quarterly Meetings,
and there diligently to inquire both into the temporal and
spiritual state of the Societies ; to take care that every Society
be supplied with books ; to send to London a circumstantial
account of every remarkable conversion, and of every remark-
able death ; to take an exact list of all the Societies in his
Circuit once a year; to meet the married men and women,
and the single men and women, in the large Societies, once a
year ; and to overlook the accounts of the Stewards.
' The following advices are recommended to all the Super-
intendents.
' Leave your successor a regular catalogue of all the
Societies in the Circuit. See that every Band-Leader has
the Band-Eules. Calmly and vigorously enforce the Rules
concerning needless ornaments, drams, snuff, and tobacco :
give no Band-ticket to any person who does not promise to
leave them off. As soon as there are four men or women
believers in any place, put them into a Band. Suffer no Love-
feast to last more than an hour and half ; and instantly stop
all from breaking the cake with one another. Warn all, from
time to time, that none are to remove from one Society to
another, without a certificate from the Superintendent in
these words : " A. B., the bearer, is a member of our Society
in C. I believe he has a sufficient reason for removing."
Everywhere recommend decency and cleanliness. Cleanli-
ness is next to godliness. Bead the Thoughts upon Dress
1 THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE: 279
once a year in every large Society. In visiting the Classes be
very mild, but very strict. Give no ticket to any who follow
the foolish fashions of the world. Meet the Bands once a
week ; and keep a Lovefeast for them only, once a quarter.
Exhort every believer to embrace the advantage. Give a
Band-ticket to none, till they have met a quarter on trial.
' As we always wish to act by united counsels, and as we
desire that every person in any office in our Societies should
fulfil the duties of his station, it is the duty of the Superin-
tendent to take care, that the Leaders be not only men of
sound judgment, but men truly devoted to God : let each of
them be diligently examined concerning his method of meet-
ing a Class. Let this be done at the quarterly visitation of
tte Classes. And, in order to this, allow sufficient time for the
visiting of each Society.
' Let each Leader carefully inquire how every soul in his
Ulass prospers ; not only how each person observes the out-
ward Rules, but how he grows in the knowledge and love of
God. Endeavour to make- the meeting of the Classes lively
and profitable. Therefore change improper Leaders. But,
in doing this, or in appointing a new Leader, great care and
tenderness must be used ; and it is highly necessary to con-
sult the rest of the Leaders on such occasions. It was agreed
at the Conference in 1797, that no person shall be appointed
a Leader, or Steward, or be removed from his office, but in
conjunction with the Leaders' Meeting : the nomination to
be in the Superintendent, and the approbation or disappro-
bation in the Leaders' Meeting.
' Let the Leaders frequently meet each other's Classes.
' Let us observe which of the Leaders are the most usef ul ;
and let these meet the other Classes as often as possible.
'VI. THE METHOD OF ADMITTING PERSONS INTO SOCIETY.
' Q. 7. How shall we prevent improper persons from in-
sinuating themselves into the Society ?
'A 1. Give notes to none but those who are recom-
mended by a person you know ; or till they have met three or
four times in a Class, and are recommended by the Leader.
' 2. Give tickets to none till they are recommended by a
Leader with whom they have met two months on trial. Give
them the Rules of the Society the first time they meet.
280 ' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE.
' 3. In large towns, admit persons into the Society on the
Sunday following the visitation of the Classes, by reading
their names over ; then read also the names of those who are
excluded. And admit persons into the Bands at the quarterly
Lovefeast after the visitation.
' 4. As to the exclusion of members from the Society, the
far greater number exclude themselves, by utterly forsakirg
us ; but with respect to others, let the Rules of the Society
be carefully attended to, and the Leaders be consulted on
such occasions, and the crime proved to their satisfaction.
' 5. Let one or more of the Stewards be changed once a
year. The proper time for doing this is at a Quarterly Meet-
ing, when the Superintendent shall consult all who ai
present respecting who may be the most proper persons 1o
act in that capacity.
' VII. BESPECTING THE ADMISSION OF LOCAL PBEACHERS, ANI
THEIE DUTY.
' 6. RESPECTING the admission of persons to be Local
Preachers : Let the Superintendent regularly meet the Local
Preachers once a quarter ; and let none be admitted but those
who are proposed and approved at that meeting ; and if in
any Circuit this cannot be done, then let them be proposed
and approved in the general Quarterly Meeting.
' 7. Every Local Preacher shall meet in Class, and conform
to all our Rules of Discipline. Let none be excused in this
respect.
' Let no Local Preacher be permitted to preach in any
other Circuit, without producing a recommendation from the
Superintendent of that Circuit in which he lives ; nor suffer
any invitation to be admitted as a plea, but from men in
office, with the consent of the Superintendent of that Circuit.
The design of this Rule is to prevent any under the character
of a Local Preacher from burdening the people, either by
collecting money, or by living upon them : and to prevent
improper persons, who bear no part of the expense, from
inviting Local Preachers to visit them. But it never was
intended to reflect the least disrespect on any of our worthy
brethren the Local Preachers ; whom, considered as a body,
we greatly respect.
' 8. Let no Local Preacher keep Lovef easts without the
consent of the Superintendent, nor in any wise interfere with
'THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE: 281
his business. Let every one keep in his own place, and attend
to the duties of his station.
'Till. THE EEGULAE METHOD OF HOLDING A CONPEBENCE.
* Q. 8. WHAT is the method wherein we usually proceed in
our Conferences ?
'A. 1. Elect a President and Secretary.
' 2. Inquire what preachers have died the preceding year.
' 3. What Preachers have desisted from travelling ?
' 4. What Preachers are to be admitted ?
' 5. Who remain on trial ; and who are to be admitted on
trial?
' 6. Inquire into the objections which may be produced
against any of the Preachers, who are to be examined one
by one.
' 7. Appoint the Preachers to their respective stations for
the ensuing year.
' 8. What numbers are in the Societies ?
'9. What is the Kings wood Collection?
'10. What boys are to be received into the School, and
what girls to be assisted ?
'11. What is the Yearly Collection ; and how this is
expended ?
' 12. What is contributed to the Preachers' Fund ; and
who are to be relieved out of it ?
' 13. How many Preachers' wives are to be provided for ;
and by what Societies ?
' 14. Where and when may the next Conference be ? *
' IX. THE PEOPEE BUSINESS OF A HELPEE.
' Q 9. WHAT is the particular business of those Preachers
who do not act as Superintendents ?
'A. To feed the flock, by constantly preaching morning
and evening ; to meet the Society and the Bands weekly ; to
meet the Leaders weekly ; to preach every morning where he
can have twenty hearers, but where he cannot, then to sing
* In consequence of the greatly enlarged extent of the Connexion, the
business of the Conference embraces many subjects beyond those here speci-
fied. The present arrangements of the Conference, and the general order of
business observed in it, are given in Part II., Chapters ii., iii., of the present
work.
282 'THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE.'
and pray with them ; and to do any other part of the work
which the Superintendent may desire him to do.
' Q. 10. Should any of our Preachers follow trades ?
'A. The question is not, whether they may not occasion-
ally work with their hands, as St. Paul did ; but whether it
be proper for them to buy or sell any kind of merchandise.
It is fully determined that this shaU not be done by any
Preacher ; no, not the selling of pills, drops, or balsams.
'X. BISECTIONS FOE OBTAINING HIGHER DEGEEES OF
HOLINESS.
' Q. 11. WHY are not we ourselves more holy? "Why do
we not live in eternity ? Why do we not walk with God all
the day long? Why are we not wholly devoted to God,
breathing the whole spirit of Missionaries ?
1 A. Because we are idle. We forget our first Rule: "Be
diligent; never be unemployed." Do we spend as many
hours in a day in God's work, as we did formerly in man's
work ? Do not some of us spend too much time in talking,
or in reading history, newspapers, or other books, which
have no tendency either to make us more holy or more
useful ?
' That this may no longer be the case, as often as possible,
rise at four o'clock. From four to five in the morning,
and from six to seven in the evening, meditate, pray, and
read, partly the holy Scriptures, and partly the most close
and practical parts of what Mr. Wesley has published. From
six in the morning till twelve (allowing an hour for break-
fast) read in order, with much prayer, the Christian Library,
and all our other books, whether in prose or in verse, and
especially all Mr. Wesley's Sermons.
' If any one will say, " I read only the Bible " ; then he
ought to teach others to read only the Bible, and, by the
same rule, to hear only the Bible. If you need no other
book but the Bible, you are got above St. Paul. He wanted
others too : " Bring the books," says he, " but especially the
parchments." If any say, " I have no taste for reading " ;
then you must contract a taste for it by use, or return home
again.
'In the afternoon visit as many of the sick, and those
who want your help as you can ; and you will have work
enough for all your time. Then no Preacher will stay with
' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE: 283
us who is as salt that hath lost its savour; for to such this
employment would be mere drudgery. And in order to it,
you will have need of all the useful knowledge you can
procure.
'XI. DIRECTIONS FOE OBTAINING A CLOSER UNION AMONG
THE PREACHERS.
' Q. 12. WHAT can be done in order to a closer union of
our Preachers with each other ?
' A. Let them be deeply convinced of the absolute necessity
of it. Let them pray for a desire of union. Let them speak
freely and lovingly to each other. When they meet, let them
never part without prayer. Let them beware how they
despise each other's gifts. Let them never speak slightingly
of each other in any kind. Let them defend each other's
characters in everything, as far as they can with a good con-
science. And let them labour in honour to prefer the other
before himself.
'XII. ON PREACHING WHERE WE CAN FORM NO SOCIETY; AND
ON FIELD- PREACHING.
' Q. 13. Is it advisable to continue preaching in those
places where we find that we can form no Society ?
1 A. By no means ; we have made the trial in various
places. But the seed has fallen by the highway side; there
is scarce any fruit remaining.
' Q. 14. Where shall we endeavour to preach the most ?
''A. Where there is the greatest number of quiet and will-
ing hearers ; and where the Lord is in a peculiar manner
reviving His work.
' Q. 15. Have we not used field-preaching too sparingly ?
1 A. We have. Because our call is to save that which is
lost. Now we cannot expect them to seek us. Therefore we
should go and seek them; because we are peculiarly called
to go into the highways and hedges, to compel them to come
in; because that reason against it is not good, "The house
will hold all that come." The house may hold all that come
to the house, but not all that would come to the field.
'The greatest hindrance to this you may expect from
the rich, or cowardly, or lazy Methodists. But regard them
not, neither Stewards, Leaders, nor people. Whenever the
weather will permit, go out in the name of the Lord into the
284 'THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE:
most public places, and call upon all to repent and believe
the Gospel; every Sunday in particular; especially where
there are old Societies, lest they should settle upon their lees.
The Stewards will frequently oppose this lest they lose their
usual collections. But this is not a sufficient reason against
it. Shall we barter souls for money ?
- ON THE DECEEASE OF THE WOEK, AND THE PEOPEE
MEANS OF PEOMOTING A EEVIVAL.
' Q. 16. How can we account for the decrease of the work
of God in any Circuit?
' A. It may be owing to the want of zeal and exactness
in the Superintendent, occasioning the want of discipline
throughout; or to the want of life and diligence in the
Preachers ; or to the people's losing the life of God, and
sinking into the spirit of the world. It may be owing to the
want of more field-preaching ; or of visiting more new places.
' Q. 17. What can be done in order to revive the work of
God where it is decayed ?
' A. Let every Preacher read carefully over the Life and
Journals of the late Mr. "Wesley, the Life of Mr. Fletcher, the
Life of David Brainerd; and let us be followers of them as
they were of Christ, in absolute self-denial, in total deadness
to the world, and in fervent love to God and man. Let us
only secure this point, and the world and the devil must fall
under our feet.
' Let all the Preachers be conscientiously exact in the
whole Methodist discipline ; and take care that no Circuit be
at any time without Preachers.
' Strongly and explicitly exhort all believers to go on to
perfection. We all agree to defend this doctrine ; meaning
thereby, salvation from all sin, by the love of God and man
filling the heart. We say, "That this may be attained in
this life." The substance then is settled. And as to the
circumstance, " Is this change gradual or instantaneous ? " it
is both the one and the other. From the time we are justified,
there ought to be a gradual sanctification, a growing in grace,
a daily advance in the knowledge and love of God. And if
sin cease before death, there must, in the nature of the thing,
be an instantaneous change. There must be a last moment
wherein it does exist,, and a first moment wherein it does not.
' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE: 285
But should we, in preaching, insist both upon the one and
the other ? Certainly, we must insist on the gradual work, and
that earnestly and constantly. And are there not reasons why
we should insist on the instantaneous work also ? If there be
such a blessed change before death, should we not encourage
all believers to expect it ? and the rather, because constant
experience shows, that the more earnestly they expect this,
the more swiftly and steadily does the gradual work of G-od
go on in their souls ; the more watchful they are against all
sin, the more careful to grow in grace, the more zealous of
good works, and the more punctual in their attendance upon
all the ordinances of G-od. Whereas, just the contrary effects
are observed whenever this expectation ceases. They are
saved by hope : by this hope of a total change with a gradually
increasing salvation. Destroy this hope, and that salvation
stands still, or rather decreases daily. Therefore, whosoever
would advance the gradual change in believers should strongly
insist on the instantaneous.
' XIV. AGAINST ANTETOMIANISM.
' Q. 18. "WHAT is. most destructive of Methodism, or the
doctrine of inward holiness ?
' A. Calvinism, that is, the doctrine of unconditional pre-
destination. All the devices of Satan have done far less
towards stopping this work of God than that single doctrine.
It strikes at the root of salvation from sin, previous to glory ;
it puts the matter quite upon another footing. This doctrine
seems to magnify Christ ; although in reality it supposes Him
to have died in vain. For the absolutely elect must have
been saved without Him, and the non-elect cannot be saved
by Him. It is highly pleasing to flesh and blood ; uncon-
ditional perseverance in particular.
' Let all our Preachers carefully read over Mr. Wesley's
and Mr. Fletcher's tracts.
' Let them frequently and explicity preach the whole truth,
though not in a controversial way. Let them take care to do
it in love and gentleness.
' Lay hold upon any that you find newly convinced of the
truth, and warn them against predestination. Answer all
their objections as occasion offers, both in public and in
private. But do this with all possible sweetness both of look
286 ' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE:
and accent. Frequently warn our people against hearing
that doctrine. And pray much, that the Lord may prevent
the evil.
' "We said in 1744, " We have leaned too much toward
Calvinism." Wherein?
' "With regard to man's faithfulness. Our Lord Himself
taught us to use the expression, and therefore we ought never
to be ashamed of it. "We ought steadily to assert, upon His
authority, that, if a man is not faithful in the unrighteous
mammon, God will not give him the true riches.
'With regard to working for life, which our Lord ex-
pressly commands us to do : '* Labour," epyaeo-$e, that is,
work, " for the meat that enduretti to everlasting life." And,
in fact, every believer, till he comes to glory, works for, as well
as from life.
' We have received it as a maxim, that a man is to do
nothing in order to justification. Nothing can be more false.
Whosoever desires to find favour with God should cease from
evil, and learn to do well. So God Himself teaches by the
Prophet Isaiah. Whosoever repents should do works meet
for repentance. And if this is not in order to find favour,
what does he do them for ?
' Once more review the whole affair. Who of us is now
accepted of God ? He that now believes in Christ with a
loving, obedient heart. But who among those that never
heard the Gospel? He that, according to the light he has,
feareth God and worketh righteousness. Is this the same
with, He that is sincere ? Nearly, if not quite. Is not this
salvation by works ? Not by the merit of works, but by works
as a condition. What then have we been disputing about
for these thirty years ? I am afraid, about words ; namely, in
some of the foregoing instances.
' As to merit itself, of which we have been so dreadfully
afraid : We are rewarded according to our works, yea, because
of our works. How does this differ from, " for the sake of
our works"? And how differs this from secundum merita
operum? which is no more than, "as our works deserve."
Let him that can, split the hair.
' The grand objection to one of the preceding propositions
is drawn from matter of fact: God does in fact justify
those who, by their own confession, neither feared God nor
wrought righteousness. Is this an exception to the general
THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE: 287
rule ? It is a doubt whether God makes any exception at all.
But how are we sure, that the person in question never did
fear God and work righteousness ? His own thinking so is
no proof. For we know, how all who are convinced of sin
undervalue themselves in every respect.
' Does not talking, without proper caution, of a justified or
a sanctified state, tend to mislead men ; almost naturally leading
them to trust in what was done in one moment ? Whereas
we are every moment pleasing or displeasing to God,
according to our works ; according to the whole of our present
inward tempers, and outward behaviour.*
' XV. THE MOST USEFUL WAT OF PBEACHING.
' Q. 19. WHAT is the best general method of preaching ?
' A. To invite, to convince, to offer Christ, to build up ;
and to do this in some measure in every sermon. The most
effectual way of preaching Christ is to preach Him in all His
offices ; and to declare His Law as well as His Gospel, both
to believers and unbelievers. Let us strongly insist upon
inward and outward holiness : and, with this view, set forth
Christ as evidently crucified before their eyes ; Christ in all
the riches of His grace, justifying us by His blood, and sanc-
tifying us by His Spirit. Always suit your subject to the
state of your audience. Choose the plainest texts you can.
Take care not to ramble, but keep to your text, and make out
what you take in hand. Be sparing in spiritualising or alle-
gorising. Let your whole deportment before the congregation
be serious, weighty, and solemn. Take care of anything
awkward or affected, either in your gesture, phrase, or pro-
nunciation. Do not usually pray above eight or ten minutes,
before or after the sermon. Be sure never to disappoint a
congregation, unless in case of life or death ; and begin and
end exactly at the time. The evening preaching should never
begin later than seven o'clock, unless in time of harvest. Young
Preachers might often exhort without taking a text.
* ' The sense in which these doctrinal Minutes are to be understood is
clearly stated by Mr. Fletcher, in his admirable Checks to Antincmianism ;
who has also proved them to be strictly Scriptural.' See, also, Mr. Watson's
Observations in his Life of the Rev. John Wesley, and Mr. Wesley's
own explanatory Declaration, given by him. (Watson's Works, vol. v.,
. pp. 235-239.)
288 ' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE.
' Everywhere avail yourself of the great festivals, by preach-
ing on the occasion, and singing our hymns, which you should
take care to have in readiness.*
' XVI. HOW TO GUARD AGAINST FORMALITY IN PUBLIC WORSHIP,
ESPECIALLY Iff SINGING.
' Q. 20. How shall we guard against formality in public
worship ?
' A. By carefully warning the people against it. By tak-
ing care that our own minds are duly affected by the truths
we preach ; never losing sight of ourselves. By choosing
such hymns as are suitable to the congregation. By singing
not too much at once, seldom more than five or six verses.
By suiting the tune to the words. By sometimes seriously
asking the people, " Now, do you know what you said last ?
Did you speak no more than you felt ? "
' Is not formality in singing creeping in, singing those
complex tunes and anthems which it is scarcely possible to
sing with devotion ? The repeating the same words so often,
and especially while another is repeating other words ; (the
horrid abuse which runs through the modern Church music,)
as it shocks all common sense, so it necessarily brings in dead
formality, and has no religion in it. Besides it is a flat con-
tradiction to our Lord's command, " Use not vain repetitions " ;
for what is a vain repetition if this is not ? What end of
devotion does it serve? Sing no anthems.
' Do not suffer the people to sing too slow ; this naturally
tends to formality. In every large Society let them learn to
sing ; and let them always learn our own tunes first. Let the
women constantly sing their own parts alone : let no man
sing with them, unless he understands the notes, and sings
the bass. Introduce no new tunes, till they are perfect in
the old ones. Let no organ be placed anywhere, till it be
proposed at the Conference. Recommend the Tune-Book
everywhere ; and if you cannot sing yourself, choose a person
or two in each place to pitch the tune for you. Exhort every
* The principal hymns on the great festivals of the Church here referred
to are inserted in the ' New Supplement ' to the Hymn-Book in general use
among the Methodists. There is not therefore the same necessity for pro-
viding those hymns as separate publications ; but their use, on the recurrence
of the great festivals of the Christian Church, may be properly urged as most
appropriate and conducive to edification. ,
' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE: 289
one, whether man or woman, in the congregation, to sing.
If a Preacher be present, let no other person give out the
words. When they wish to teach the congregation to sing
any new tune, they should only sing the tenor.
'XVII. ON VISITING AND INSTRUCTING THE PEOPLE FEOM
HOUSE TO HOUSE.
' Q. 21. How shall we farther assist those who are under
our care ?
' A. By instructing them from house to house. The
necessity of this will appear if we consider, that personal
religion, either towards God or man, is still very much
wanted among us. How little living faith is there amongst
us ! bow little communion with God ! how little living in
heaven, walking in eternity, deadness to every creature !
how much love of the world, desire of pleasure, of ease, of
getting money !
' How little brotherly love ! what continual judging one
another ! what gossiping, evil-speaking, tale -bearing ! what
want of moral honesty ! who does as he would be done by
in buying and selling, especially in selling horses ?
' Family religion is very much wanting among us. Our
religion is not deep, universal, and uniform ; but too super-
ficial, partial, and uneven. Public preaching alone, though
we could preach like angels, will not be sufficient to reform
those evils : we must therefore visit from house to house.
' But we shall find many hindrances to this, both in our-
selves and in the people.
' 1. In ourselves there is much dulness and laziness, so
that there will be much ado to get us to be faithful in the
work. "We have a base, man-pleasing temper, so that we let
men perish, for fear of offending them; we let them go
quietly to hell, lest they should be angry with us. Some of
us have a foolish bashfulness. "We know not how to begin,
and blush to contradict the devil. But the greatest hin-
drance is weakness of faith. Our whole motion is weak,
because the spring is weak. "We are unskilful in the work.
How few know how to deal with men, so as to get within
them, and suit all our discourse to their several conditions
and tempers ! to choose the fittest subjects, and follow them
with a holy mixture of seriousness and terror, of love and
meekness.
290 'THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE:
'2. And we shall meet with many difficulties from the
people. Some of them will be unwilling to be taught, till we
conquer their perverseness by the force of reason, and the
power of love. We shall find it difficult to fix things in their
minds, without which all our labour will be lost. If we have
not, therefore, great seriousness and fervency, what good can
we expect ? And after all, it is grace alone that must do
the work. And when we have made some good impressions
upon their hearts, if we do not look after them, they will die
away.
* We shall find that many are very ignorant, and know
but little of the nature of repentance, of faith, and of holiness.
Most of them have a sort of confidence that God will save
them, while the world has their hearts, and evil tempers have
dominion over them. This private instruction is implied in
those solemn words of the Apostle : " I charge thee, before
God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick
and the dead at His appearing, preach the word ; be instant
in season, out of season ; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all
longsuffering and doctrine."
' O brethren, if we could set this work on foot in all our
Societies, and prosecute it zealously, what glory would redound
to God ! If the common ignorance were banished, and the
people in every house and in every shop were busied in speak-
ing of the word and works of God, surely the Lord would
dwell in our habitations, and make us His delight.
' And this is absolutely necessary, as many of our people
neither repent nor believe to this day. Look round, and see
how many are still in danger of damnation ; and then say,
How can we walk, and talk, and be cheerful with such people,
when we know their case ? When we look such persons in
the face, ought we not to break forth into tears, as the
Prophet did when he looked upon Hazael, and then set upon
them with the most vehement and importunate exhortations ?
O, for God's sake, and for the sake of poor souls, let us bestir
ourselves, and spare no pains that may conduce to their sal-
vation !
' What cause have we to blush before the Lord this day,
that we have so long neglected this good work, if we had but
set upon it sooner how many more might we have brought
to Christ? And how much holier and happier might we
have made our Societies before now ? And why might we
' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE: 291
not have done it sooner ? There were many hindrances, and
so there always will be. But the greatest hindrance was in
ourselves, in our littleness of faith and love.
'It is objected: "This will take up too much time, so
that we shall not be able to follow our studies." Gaining
useful knowledge is a good thing ; but still saving souls is
better. By this very thing we shall gain the most excellent
knowledge, that of God and eternity. "We shall likewise
have time for gaining other knowledge, too, if we spend all
our mornings therein. Only sleep not more than we need,
and never be idle, or triflingly employed. But if we can do
but one, then let our studies alone. Better throw away all
the libraries in the world, than be guilty of the loss of one
soul.
' If some of the people will not submit to it, others will ;
and the success with them will repay us for all our labour.
O let us follow the example of St. Paul ! for our general busi-
ness, " Serving the Lord with all humility of mind " ; our
special work, " Take heed to yourselves and to all the
flock"; our doctrine, "Repentance towards G-od, and faith
in our Lord Jesus Christ"; the place, "I have taught you
publicly and from house to house " ; the object and manner
of teaching, " I ceased not to warn every one, night and day,
with tears " ; his innocence and self-denial herein, " I have
coveted no man's silver or gold " ; his patience, " Neither
count I my life dear unto myself." And among all our
motives, let these be ever before our eyes, " The Church
of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood:
grievous wolves will enter in ; yea, of yourselves will men
arise, speaking perverse things." Let us write this upon our
hearts, and it will do us more good than twenty years' study.
4 We shall find it no easy matter to teach the ignorant the
principles of religion. So true is the remark of Bishop
Usher : " Great scholars may think this work beneath them :
but they should consider, the laying the foundation skilfully,
as it is of the greatest importance, so it is the masterpiece of
the wisest builder." And let the wisest of us all try, when-
ever we please, we shall find, that to lay this ground-work
rightly, to make the ignorant understand the grounds of
religion, will put us to the trial of all our skill.
' Perhaps, in doing this, it may be well, after a few loving
words, spoken to all in the house, to take each person singly
u2
292 ' TEE FORM OF DISCIPLINE.'
into another room, where we may deal closely with him,
about his sin, his misery, and his duty : these must be set
home, or all our labour is lost. At least, let none be present
but those who are familiar with each other.
' The sum is, go into every house in course, and teach
every one therein, young and old, if they belong to us, to be
Christians, inwardly and outwardly. Make every particular
plain to their understanding, fix it in their memory, write
it in their heart. In order to this, there must be line upon
line, precept upon precept. What patience, what love, what
knowledge is requisite for this !
' We may, as we have time, read, explain, and enforce the
Instructions for Children ; the fourth volume of Sermons ;
and Mr. Henry's method of Family Prayer.
' Do we not loiter away many hours in a day ? Let each
try himself : no idleness can consist with growth in grace.
Nay, without exactness in redeeming time, we cannot retain
the grace we received in justification.
' What shall we do for the rising generation ? Unless
we take care of this, the present revival will last only the age
of a man. Who will labour herein ? Let him that is zealous
for God and the souls of men begin now.
' We must hear what the children have learned by heart.
Choose some of the weightiest points, and try if they under-
stand them ; such as, " Do you believe you are a sinner ?
What does sin deserve ? What remedy has God provided
for guilty, helpless sinners ? "
' Often with the question suggest the answer : as, " What
is repentance? Sorrow for sin, arising from a conviction
that we are guilty, helpless sinners ? " " What is faith ? A
divine conviction of things not seen ? " When we perceive
that they do not understand the stress of the question, lead
them into it by other questions. For instance, we ask,
" How do you think that your sins will be pardoned ? "
They answer, " By repenting and amending my life." We
ask farther, "But will your amendment make satisfaction
for your past sins ? " They will answer, " I hope so, or I
know not what will." One would think that these had no
knowledge of Christ at all ; and some of them have not. But
others have, and give such answers, only because they do not
understand the scope of the question. If we ask them
farther, " Can you be saved without the death of Christ ? "
' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE: 293
they immediately say, " No I " And if we ask, " What has He
suffered for you ? " they will say, " He shed His blood for
us." But many cannot express even what they have some
conception of ; no, not even when expressions are put into
their mouths. With these we are to deal exceeding tenderly,
lest they be discouraged.
' If we perceive them to be troubled, that they cannot
answer, we must take the burden off them ; answering the
question thoroughly and plainly, making a full explication of
the whole business to them.
' When we have tried their knowledge, we must proceed to
instruct them, according to their several capacities. If a
man understand the fundamentals, we must then speak of
what we perceive he most needs, either explaining farther
some doctrine, or some duty, or showing him the necessity
of something which he neglects ; if he still understands not,
we must go over it again till he does.
' Next, inquire into his state, whether convinced or uncon-
vinced, converted or unconverted, telling him, if need be,
what conversion is ; and then renew and enforce the inquiry.
' If unconverted, we must labour with all our power to
bring his heart to a sense of his condition ; setting this home
with a more earnest voice than we spoke before. We must
get to the heart, or we do nothing ; concluding all with a
strong exhortation, which should enforce the duty of the
heart, in order to receive Christ ; the avoiding former sins ;
and constantly using the means of grace ; and be sure, if
possible, to get their promise to forsake sin, to change their
company, and to wait upon God in His house. Let this be
done solemnly, reminding them of the presence of God, who
hears their promises, and expects the performance.
' Before we leave them, engage the head of each family to
call all under his care together, every Sunday before they go
to bed, and hear what they can repeat ; and so continue till
they have learned the Instructions for Children perfectly ; and
afterwards let him take care that they do not forget what they
have learned.
' If we do this earnestly, we shall soon find what a work
we have undertaken, in engaging to be Travelling Preachers.
' XVin. ON INSTRUCTING THE CHILDREN.
' WHEBE there are ten children in a Society, we must
294 ' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE:
meet them at least an hour every week ; talk with them when-
ever we see any of them at home ; pray in earnest for them ;
diligently instruct and vehemently exhort all parents at their
own houses. Some will say, " I have no gift for this." Gift
or no gift, you are to do this, or else you are not called to be a
Methodist Preacher. Do it as you can, till you can do it as
you would. Pray earnestly for the gift, and use every help
God hath put into your way, in order to attain it. Preach
expressly on the education of children when you make the
Collection for Kingswood School.
' Q. 22. We have been frequently reproached with the
dress of our Preachers' children. How ought they to dress ?
' A. Exactly according to the Rules of tbe Bands ; and it
would be well if parents in general would observe this.
' XIX. ON CONFORMITY TO THE WORLD, BRIBERY, AND SABBATH-
BREAKING.
' Q. 23. HAVE we not made too great advances towards con-
formity to the world ?
' A. We have. In order to prevent this, those school-
masters and school-mistresses who receive dancing-masters
into their schools, and those parents who employ dancing-
masters for their children, shall be no longer members of our
Society.
' Q. 24. Do not Sabbath-breaking, dram-drinking evil-
speaking, unprofitable conversation, lightness, expensiveness
or gaiety of apparel, and contracting debts, without due care to
discharge them, still prevail in several places ? How may these
evils be remedied ?
' A. Let us solemnly and frequently warn the people
against these evils. Read in every Society the sermon on
Evil-speaking. Let the Leaders closely examine, and exhort
every person to put away the accursed thing. Let the
Preachers warn every Society, that those who are guilty can-
not remain with us. Extirpate smuggling, buying or selling
uncustomed goods, out of every Society. Let none remain
with us who will not totally abstain from every kind and
degree of it. Speak tenderly, but earnestly and frequently, of
it in every Society near the coasts : and diligently disperse
among them " The Word to a Smuggler." Extirpate bribery ;
the receiving anything, directly or indirectly, for voting in
ny election. Show no respect of persons herein, but expel
' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE: 295
all that touch the accursed thing. Largely show in public the
wickedness of thus selling our country ; and everywhere dis-
perse " The "Word to a Freeholder."
' Q. 25. Several members of our Societies who make con-
science of Sabbath-breaking have been much distressed, barbers
in particular. What can be done to relieve them?
' A. Let no member of our Society employ any barber on
Sunday. Let all our people who possibly can, ^employ only
those barbers who conscientiously abstain from Sabbath-break-
ing.
' Let none of our people make any wake or feast, neither
go to any, on the Lord's day, but bear a public testimony
against them.
'A Preacher ought not to wear powder in his hair, or
artificial curls.
' No person ought to continue a member of our Society
who learns the military exercise, as a volunteer, on the Lord's
day ; nor any one who, after having been warned of the evil,
will attend in order to see them exercise on that day.
'XX. ON MABBYING WITH TTtfBELIEVEBS.
' Q. 26. SOME of our members have married with unbe-
lievers, yea, with unawakened persons : this has had fatal
effects. They had either a cross for life, or turned back to
perdition. What can be done to put a stop to this ?
' A. Let every Preacher enforce the Apostle's caution, " Be
not unequally yoked with unbelievers." Let him openly
declare, that whosoever does this will be expelled the Society.
When any such are expelled, let a suitable exhortation be
subjoined. And let all be exhorted to take no step in so
weighty a matter, without advising with the most serious of
their Christian friends.
' Q. 27. Ought a woman to marry without the consent of
her parents ?
* A. In general she ought not. Yet there may be an
exception. For if a woman be under a necessity to marry, and
if her parents absolutely refuse to let her marry any Christian,
then she may, nay, she ought to marry without their consent.
Tet even then a Methodist Preacher ought not to marry her.*
* For further Regulations on the marriage of Preachers, see Minutes of
Conference, vol. v., pp. 519, 520.
296 ' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE:
' XXI. ON BANKRUPTCIES J STRANGERS STAGING AT THE SOCIETY-
MEETINGS; LOVEFEASTS ; FUNERAL SERMONS; AND
TALKING IN OUR CHAPELS
* Q. 28. WHAT shall we do to prevent scandal, when any
of our members become bankrupt ?
' A. Let the Superintendent talk with him at large. And
if he has not kept fair accounts, or has been concerned in the
base practice of raising money by coining notes, (commonly
called the bill -trade,) let him be expelled immediately.*
' Q. 29. How often shall we permit strangers to be present
at the meeting of the Society ?
' A. At every other meeting of the Society, let no stranger
be admitted. At other times they may; but the same person
not above three times. In order to this, see that all in every
place show their tickets before they come in. If the Stewards
and Leaders are not exact, employ others that have more
resolution. And take care that no person attend a Lovefeast
without a note from the Preacher.
' Let no Lovefeast be appointed but by the consent of the
Superintendent ; nor any funeral sermon be preached without
his consent, and for those only who have died happy in the
Lord.
* Q. 30. How shall we prevent persons talking in our
chapels, before and after service is over ?
' A. Let all the Preachers join as one man and seriously
and solemnly warn the people against this growing evil.
' XXII. ON STRANGERS BEING ENTERTAINED AT THE PREACHERS'
HOUSES ; AND ON CLEANLINESS.
* LET none of our friends who travel on business expect to
be entertained at the Preachers' houses ; neither let the people
crowd into the Preachers' houses ; let no one think that he
has a right to go there, unless he has some particular
business.
' The Preachers' houses ought to be kept clean and decent.
A Preacher's wife ought to be a pattern of cleanliness in her
person, clothes, and habitation. And she should also be a
pattern of industry, always at work for herself, her husband,
or children.
* The Regulations now in force respecting Commercial Failures are given;
in Part II., Chapter xL, p. 103, of the present work.
THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE: 297
' XXIII. IN WHAT CASES WE ALLOW SEEVICE IN CHTJECH-
HOUES.
' Q. 31. IN what cases do we allow service in what are
commonly called Church-hours ?
' A. When the Minister is a notoriously wicked man ;
when he preaches Arian, or any equally pernicious, doctrine ;
when there are not churches in the town sufficient to contain
the people ; and when there is no church within two or three
miles.* And it is expected that every one who preaches in
Church-hours will either read Mr. Wesley's Abridgment of
the Cpmmon Prayer, or else the Lessons for the day.
'XXTV. HOW TO PEEVENT NEEVOUS DISOEDEES.
' Q. 32. WHAT directions shall be given to prevent the
contracting nervous disorders?
' A. Take as little meat, drink, and sleep, as nature will
require. Drink no dram on any consideration. Eat very
light, if any, supper, Never go out of the house to supper at
any time. Be always at home before nine o'clock, if possible.
And use full as much exercise daily as we did before we were
Preachers.
' XXY. THE OEDEE OF DISTEICTS ; AND WHAT BUSINESS IS TO
BE DONE THEEE.
' Q. 33. WHAT Regulations are necessary for the preserv-
ation of our whole economy ?
' A. Let the three kingdoms be divided into Districts in
the following order t :
' 1. London, Colchester, Rochester, Canterbury, Rye,
Weathersfield.
' 2. Northampton, Brackley, Bedford, Oxford, Higham-
Ferrers, St. Ives (Hunts).
4 3. Norwich, Yarmouth, Diss, Thetford, Lynn, Walsing-
ham.
' 4. Bristol, Taunton, Banwell, Bath, Stroud, Gloucester.
5. Salisbury, Portsmouth, Newbury, Poole, Bradford
(Wilts), Shepton-Mallet.
* This Eule is now obsolete.
f The number of Districts has since been increased, owing to the enlarge-
ment of the work. At present there are thirty-five in Great Britain, and ten
in Ireland ; besides many in connection with our Missions.
298 ' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE:
' 6, Isle of Jersey, Isle of Guernsey, Alderney, and Sark.
' 7. Plymouth-Dock, Collumpton, Launceston.
' 8. Redruth, St. Austle, Penzance.
* 9. Swansea, Cardiff, Brecon, Haverfordwest.
' 10. Birmingham, Worcester, Stourport, Dudley, Shrews-
bury.
' 11. Chester, Macclesfield, Burslem, North wich, Leek.
' 12. Manchester. Stockport, Bolton, Liverpool, Rochdale,
Oldham, Blackburn, Wigan.
'13. Halifax, Colne, Keighley, Bradford, Huddersfield,
Lancaster.
' 14. Nottingham, Newark, Leicester, Hinckley, Ashby-de-
la-Zouch, Burton, Derby, Castle-Donington.
' 15. Leeds, Wakefield, Birstal, Dewsbury, Hotherham,
Otley, Sheffield, Pontefract, Doncaster.
' 16. Grimsby, Horncastle, Epworth, Spalding, Barrow,
Gainsborough.
'17. Whitehaven, Isle of Man.
1 18. York, Hull, Pocklington, Bridlington, Scarborough,
Malton.
' 19. Whitby, Eipon, Stockton, Barnard-Castle, Middleham.
' 20. Newcastle, Sunderland, Hexharn, Alnwick.
' 21. Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dumfries.
' 22. Aberdeen, Dundee, Brechin, Inverness.
IRELAND.
' 23. Dublin, Wicklow, Carlow, Longford,
' 24. Cork, Bandon, Limerick, Waterford.
' 25. Athlone, Birr, Castlebar, Sligo.
* 26. Clones, Cavan, Ballyconnell, Enniskillen, Brook-
borough.
' 27. Londonderry, Coleraine, Lisleen, Ballyshannon,
Omagh, etc.
' The names of all the Preachers in each District shall be
read over by the Secretary, and a Chairman shall be chosen out
of them by ballot of the Conference. The Chairman, so chosen,
shall have authority to call a Meeting of all the Preachers in
Full Connexion in that District, on any application of the
Preachers or people, which appears to him to require it. But
he must never individually interfere with any other Circuit but
his own.
' Whenever the Chairman has received any complaint
' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE: 299
against a Preacher, he shall send an exact account of the
complaint in writing to the person accused, with the name of
the accuser or accusers, before he calls a Meeting of the
District to examine into the charge.
' If it appear on just grounds to any Superintendent, that
the Chairman of the District has been guilty of any crime, or
that he has neglected to call the District, when there were
sufficient reasons for calling it, such Superintendent shall
have authority, in that case, to call a Meeting of the District,
and to fix the time and place of meeting. The District thus
assembled shall have power, if they judge necessary, to try the
Chairman ; and, if found guilty, to suspend him from being a
Travelling Preacher till the next Conference, or to remove him
from the office of a Superintendent, or to depose him from the
chair, and to elect another in his place. Minutes shall be
taken of their proceedings, which shall be laid before the next
Conference.*
' If a Preacher be accused of immorality, the Preacher
accused and his accuser shall respectively choose two Preachers
of their District ; and the Chairman of the District shall, with
the four Preachers, chosen as above, try the accused Preacher ;
and they shall have authority, if he be found guilty, to suspend
him till the next Conference, if they judge it expedient. But
provided they cannot settle the business to the satisfaction of
the accused Preacher, then it shall be referred to the District
Meeting.
' If there be a difference between two Preachers in a
District, the respective parties shall choose two Preachers ; and
the Chairman of the District, with the four Preachers so chosen,
shall be final arbiters, to determine the matter in dispute.
In both cases the Chairman shall have a casting voice, in case
of an equality.
' If there be any accusation against a preacher, or any
difficult affair to settle, not only the Circuit or Town Steward,
but any Leader, or even member of the Society, shall be
* The statement contained in this paragraph has been modified by more
recent legislation. The Rule now in force for the trial of an accused Chair-
in in is given in Part II., Chapter ix., pp. 80, 81, of this work. The reader is
referred, also, to the three chapters on District Organisation for a more accurate
and complete statement of the functions and procedures of District Com-
mittees, than that which is found in the early Minutes.
300 ' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE:
admitted as an evidence into a District Meeting ; provided the
matter has been first heard at the Quarterly Meeting.
'The Chairman of each District, in conjunction with his
brethren of that District, shall be responsible to the Conference
for the execution of our laws, as far as his District is con-
cerned.
' The Chairman, in all cases which, in his judgment, can-
not be settled in the ordinary District Meetings, shall have
authority to summon three of the nearest Superintendents
to be incorporated with the District Committee, who shall
have equal authority to vote, and settle everything till the
Conference.
' The Conference recommends it to the Superintendents of
the Circuits to invite, on all important occasions, the Chairman
of their respective District to be present at their Quarterly
Meetings.
' In order to render our Districts more effective, the
President of the Conference shall have power, when applied to
by the Superintendent, to supply any Circuit with Preachers, if
any should die or desist from travelling ; and to sanction any
change of Preachers which it may be necessary to make in the
intervals of Conference ; and to assist at any District Meeting,
if applied to for that purpose, by the Chairman of the District,
or by a majority of the Superintendents in such District. And
he shall have a right (if written to by any who are concerned)
to visit any Circuit, and to inquire into their affairs with respect
to Methodism, and, in union with the District Committee,
redress any grievance.
' All deficiencies in the quarterage of Preachers, their wives,
and their children, with all demands concerning rents, furniture,
etc., shall be taken an account of, as far as possible, at the
Quarterly Meeting. The account shall be sent (signed by the
Circuit Steward) to the District Meeting, and from thence to
the Conference.*
' As the Leaders' Meeting is the proper Meeting for the
Society, and the Quarterly Meeting for the Circuit, we think
that other formal Meetings in general would be contrary to
the Methodist economy, and very prejudicial in their con-
* The present arrangements respecting Circuit Deficiencies will be found
in the Chapter on the Home-Mission and Contingent Fund, Part III.,
Chapter ii.
1 THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE: 301
sequences. But, in order to be as tender as possible,
consistently with what we believe to be essential to the
welfare of our Societies, we allow that other formal Meetings
may be held, if they first receive the approbation of the
Superintendent, and the Leaders' or Quarterly Meetings ;
provided also that the Superintendent, if he please, be present
at every such Meeting.
' If the Conference shall see it necessary to make any new
Rule for the Societies at large, and such Eule should be
objected to at the first Quarterly Meeting in any given
Circuit ; and if the major part of that Meeting, in conjunc-
tion with the Preachers,* be of opinion that the enforcing
that Eule in such a Circuit will be injurious to the prosperity
of that Circuit ; it shall not be enforced in opposition to the
judgment of the majority of such Quarterly Meeting before
the second Conference. But if the Eule be confirmed by the
second Conference, it shall be binding to the whole Connexion.
Nevertheless, the Quarterly Meetings rejecting a new Eule
shall not, by publications, public meetings, or otherwise, make
that Eule a cause of contention, but shall strive, by every
means, to preserve the peace of the Connexion.
'All matters relating to the building of preaching -houses
and dwelling-houses shall be determined in the District
Meetings. All matters relating to the payment of the debts
of houses, collections for houses, and everything that apper-
tains to preaching-houses and dwelling-houses, shall be con-
sidered and settled in the District Meetings. t
'And, as the Districts always meeet a little before the
Conference, they shall then choose a Eepresentative to attend
the Committee for stationing the Preachers ; and shall also
determine what Preachers in that District shall attend the
Conference.
' But nothing in any District Meeting shall be done con-
trary to any Eule of Conference.
' XXVI. THE PLAN OF GENERAL PACIFICATION.
' I. CONCERNING the Lord's Supper, Baptism, etc.
* The words in ' conjunction with the Preachers ' were formally with-
drawn by the Conference of 1852. (Min., vol. xii., p. 117.)
t The Rules affecting Chapels and other Trust-property are given in
Part III., Chapter vi., of this work.
302 ' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE:
' 1. The sacrament of the Lord's Supper shall not be
administered in any Chapel, except a majority of the Trustees
of that Chapel on the one hand, and the majority of the
Stewards and Leaders belonging to that Chapel (as the best
qualified to give the sense of the people) on the other hand,
allow of it. Nevertheless, in all cases, the consent of the
Conference shall be first obtained, before the Lord's Supper
be administered.
' 2. Wherever there is a Society but no Chapel, if the
majority of the Stewards and Leaders of that Society testify,
that it is the wish of the people that the Lord's Supper should
be administered to them, their desire shall be granted, provided
that the consent of the Conference be first obtained.
' 3. Provided, nevertheless, that in Mount-Pleasant Chapel,
at Liverpool, and in all other Chapels where the Lord's Supper
has been already peaceably administered, the administration
of it shall be continued in future.
' 4. The administration of Baptism, the Burial of the Dead,
and service in Church-hours, shall be determined according to
the Eegulations above-mentioned.
'5. Whenever the Lord's Supper shall be administered
according to the above-mentioned Eegulations, it shall always
be continued, except the Conference order the contrary.
4 6. The Lord's Supper shall be administered by those only
who are authorised by the Conference ; and at such times,
and in such manner only, as the Conference shall appoint.
' 7. The administration of Baptism and the Lord's Supper,
according to the above Regulations, is intended only for the
members of our own Society.
' We agree that the Lord's Supper be administered among
us on Sunday eyenings only ; except where the majority of the
Stewards and Leaders desire it in Church-hours ; or where it
has already been administered in these hours. Neverthe-
less, it shall never be administered on those Sundays on which
it is administered in the parish church.
' 9. The Lord's Supper shall always be administered in
England according to the form of the established Church;
but the person who administers shall have liberty to give out
hymns, to use exhortation, and extemporary prayer.
'10. Wherever divine service is performed in England on
the Lord's day in Church-hours, the officiating Preacher shall
read either the service of the Church, our venerable Father's
< THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE: 803
Abridgment, or, at least, the Lessons appointed by the
calendar. But we recommend either the full Service or the
Abridgment.
' II. Concerning discipline.
' 1. The appointment of the Preachers shall remain solely
with the Conference ; and no Trustee, or number of Trustees,
shall expel or exclude from their Chapel or Chapels any
Preacher so appointed.
'2. Nevertheless, if the majority of the Trustees, or the
majority of the Stewards and Leaders, of any Society believe
that any Preacher appointed for their Circuit is immoral,
erroneous in doctrine, deficient in abilities, or that he has
broken any of the Rules above-mentioned, they shall have
authority to summon the Preachers of the District, and all
the Trustees, Stewards, and Leaders of that Circuit, to meet
in their Chapel on a day and hour appointed (sufficient time
being given). The Chairman of the District shall be Presi-
dent of the assembly ; and every Preacher, Trustee, Steward,
and Leader, shall have a single vote, the Chairman possessing
the casting voice. And if the majority of the Meeting judge,
that the accused Preacher is immoral, erroneous in doctrine,
deficient in abilities, or has broken any of the Eules above-
mentioned, he shall be considered as removed from that Cir-
cuit; and the District Committee shall, as soon as possible,
appoint another Preacher for that Circuit, instead of the
Preacher so removed, and shall determine among themselves
how the removed Preacher shall be disposed of till the Con-
ference ; and shall have authority to suspend the said Preacher
from all public duties till the Conference, if they think proper.
The District Committee shall also supply, as well as possible,
the place of the removed Preacher, till another Preacher be
appointed. And the Preacher thus appointed, and all other
Preachers, shall be subject to the above mode of trial. And
if the District Committee do not appoint a Preacher for that
Circuit, instead of the removed Preacher, within a month
after the aforesaid removal, or do not fill up the place of the
removed Preacher till another Preacher be appointed, the
majority of the said Trustees, Stewards, and Leaders, being
again regularly summoned, shall appoint a Preacher for the
said Circuit, provided he be a member of the Methodist Con-
nexion, till the next Conference.
' 3. If any Preacher refuse to submit to the above mode
804 ' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE:
of trial, in any of the cases mentioned above, he shall be con-
sidered as suspended till the next Conference. And if any
Trustees expel from any Chapel a Preacher by their own
separate authority, the Preachers appointed for that Circuit
shall not preach in that chapel till the next Conference, or
till a trial takes place according to the mode mentioned
above.
' 4. If any Trustees expel or exclude a Preacher by their
own separate authority, from any Chapel in any Circuit, the
Chairman of the District shall summon the members of the
District Committee, the Trustees of that Circuit who have
not offended, and the Stewards and Leaders of the Circuit ;
and the members of such assembly shall examine into the
evidence on both sides ; and if the majority of them deter-
mine, that the state of the Society in which the exclusion
took place requires that a new Chapel should be built before
the meeting of the next Conference, every proper step shall
be immediately taken for erecting such Chapel. And no step
shall, on any account, be taken to erect a Chapel for such
purpose before the next Conference, till such a Meeting be
summoned, and such determination be made.
' 5. No Preacher shall be suspended, or removed from his
Circuit by any District Committee, except he have the privilege
of the trial before-mentioned.
' 6. The hundred Preachers mentioned in the enrolled
Deed, and their successors, are the only legal persons who
constitute the Conference. And we think the junior brethren
have no reason to object to this proposition, as they are regu-
larly elected according to seniority.
' 7. Inasmuch as in drawing up the preceding Eegulations,
we have laboured to restore and preserve the peace and unity
of the Society, and, in order thereto, have endeavoured to
keep the Preachers out of all disputes on the subjects therein
specified, be it understood that any Preacher who shall
disturb the peace of the Society by speaking for or against
the introduction of the Lord's Supper in our Societies, or
concerning the Old or the New Plan, so called, shall be sub-
ject to the trial and penalties before-mentioned.
' 8. And in order that the utmost impartiality be mani-
fested in these Regulations for the peace of the whole body,
we also resolve, That if any Local Preacher, Trustee, Steward,
or Leader shall disturb the peace of the Society, by speaking
1 THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE: 305
for or against the introduction of the Lord's Supper, or con-
cerning the Old or the New Plan (so called), the Superinten-
dent of the Circuit, or the majority of the Trustees, Stewards,
and Leaders of the Society so disturbed, shall have authority
to summon a meeting of the Travelling Preachers of the
Circuit, and the Trustees, Stewards, and Leaders of that
Society. Evidence shall be examined on both sides; and if
the charge be proved, the Superintendent Preacher shall expel
from the Society the person so offending.
'ADDENDA.
' 1. THE Conference by no means wishes to divide any
Society, by the introduction of the Lord's Supper ; and there-
fore, except that a majority of the Stewards and Leaders,
who desire the Lord's Supper among themselves, testify in
writing to the Conference, that they are persuaded that no
separation will be made thereby, they will not allow it.
' 2. The sacrament shall not be administered to a Society
in any private house, within two miles of the Methodist chapel
in which it is regularly administered.
' 3. We all agree that the pulpit shall not be a vehicle of
abuse.
'4. It has been our general custom, never to appoint or
remove a Steward or Leader, without first consulting the
Stewards and Leaders of that Society; and we are resolved
to walk by the same rule.
' 5. To prevent, as much as possible, the progress of strife
and debate, and consequent divisions in our Connexion, no
pamphlet or printed letter shall be circulated among us with-
out the author's name, and the postage or carriage paid.
' 6. Nothing contained in these Rules shall be construed
to violate the rights of the Trustees, as expressed in their
respective deeds.
'XXTII. THE AGREEMENT WITH THE TRUSTEES OF BRISTOL,
Df 1794.
' To the Members of the Methodist Societies.
* BKISTOL, August 8th, 1794.
BRETHREN,
' WE have again taken into our mature consideration the
x
306 < THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE:
state of our Societies in this kingdom, respecting the adminis-
tration of the Sacrament, and some other particulars which
have engaged the attention of many of our people : and for
the sake of peace and love have come to the following Reso-
lutions :
'I. Preaching in Church-hours shall not be permitted,
except for special reasons, and where it will not cause a
division, according to the Plan of Pacification.
'II. As the Lord's Supper has not been administered,
except where the Society has been unanimous for it, and
would not have been contented without it ; it is now agreed,
that it shall not be administered in future where the union
and concord of the Society can be preserved without it,
according to the Plan of Pacification.
'III. The Preachers will not perform the office of Baptism
except for the desirable ends of love and concord ; though
Baptism, and the Burial of the Dead, were performed by many
of the Preachers long before the death of Mr. Wesley, and with
his consent.
'IV. It is agreed, that the management of the temporal
and spiritual concerns of the Society shall be separated, as
far as the purposes of peace and harmony can be answered
thereby, or as they have ever been separated in times of the
greatest peace and harmony ; viz., the temporal concerns shall
be managed by the Stewards chosen for that purpose, who
shall keep books, wherein all moneys collected, received, or
disbursed, on account of their respective Societies, shall be
entered. 2. The spiritual concerns shall be managed by the
Preachers ; who have ever appointed Leaders, chosen Stewards,
and admitted members into, and expelled them from, the
Society, consulting their brethren the Leaders and Stewards,
according to the Rules before-mentioned. The Preachers,
also, as hitherto, are to appoint Lovefeasts and Watch-nights,
and to vary the time and places of Preaching, Class-meeting,
etc.
' V. That the Trustees may have the fullest assurance
that the Conference love them, and have not the shadow of a
desire to oppress them, any more than to reject any proposals
which they conceive calculated to restore and preserve peace
and harmony, the following articles are added :
'VI. The Trustees, in conjunction with the Superinten-
dent, who shall have one vote only, shall choose their own
FORM OF DISCIPLINE: 307
Steward; who shall receive and disburse all seat-rents, and
such collections as shall be made, for the purpose of paying
interest of money due upon the premises, or for reducing the
principal of all such moneys, so received and disbursed. The
aforesaid Steward shall keep proper accounts in books pro-
vided for that purpose; which books shall be open for the
inspection of the Superintendent, and audited in his presence
once every year ; or oftener, if convenient. Provided always,
that when the necessities of the work of God require it, the
Trustees shall allow, quarterly, what may appear requisite for
carrying on the work, so that it be not cramped : Provided,
that if the seat-rents and collections fall short of what will
be sufficient to discharge the rents, interest of money, and
other necessary expenses of the Chapels, the deficiency shall
be made good out of some other revenue of the Society ; and
that books shall be provided, wherein shall be inserted all the
accounts, both of the Trustees and the Stewards of the respec-
tive Societies, which shall be open for the inspection of the
Trustees and others, and that the said accounts shall be
annually audited in the presence of the Trustees : Provided
also, that nothing in these Resolutions shall be construed to
extend to alter any of the powers contained in the Trust-
deeds.
'VII. No Trustee (however accused, or defective in con-
forming to the established Rules of the Society) shall be
removed from the Society, unless his crime, or breach of the
Rules of the Society, be proved in the presence of the Trustees
and Leaders.
' Signed, in behalf of the Conference,
' THOMAS HANBY, President.
' THOMAS COKE, Secretary.
' xxTrn. ME. WESLEY'S LETTER TO THE CONFEBEKCE IK 1791 ;
AND THEIB DETEBMINATION IN CONSEQUENCE OF IT.
'TO THE CONTEBENCE.
'CHESTEE, April 7th, 1785.
' MY DEAK BEETHBEN,
* SOME of our Travelling Preachers have expressed a fear,
that after my decease you would exclude them, either from
preaching in connection with you, or from some other privi-
308 THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE?
leges which they now enjoy. I know no other way to prevent
any such inconvenience, than to leave these my last words with
you.
'I beseech you by the mercies of God, that you never
avail yourselves of the Deed of Declaration, to assume any
superiority over your brethren ; but let all things go on among
those Itinerants who choose to remain together, exactly in the
same manner as when I was with you, so far as circumstances
will admit.
' In particular, I beseech you, if ever you loved me, and if
you now love God and your brethren, to have no respect of
persons in stationing the Preachers, in choosing children for
Kingswood School, in disposing of the Yearly Collection and
the Preachers' Fund, or any other public money. But do all
things with a single eye, as I have done from the beginning.
Go on thus, doing all things without prejudice or partiality,
and God will be with you even to the end.
WESLEY.
'N.B. The Conference have unanimously resolved, That
all the Preachers who are in Full Connexion with them shall
enjoy every privilege that the members of the Conference
enjoy, agreeably to the above-written letter of our venerable
deceased Father in the Gospel, except in voting for the Presi-
dent and Secretary.
'XXIX. CERTAIN RULES AGREED TO BY THE CONFERENCE AT
DIFFERENT TIMES.
' 1. No ordination shall take place in our Connexion, with-
out the consent of the Conference ; nor shall gowns or bands
be used among us ; or the title of reverend * be used at all.
And if any brother shall break the above-mentioned Rule, he
thereby excludes himself from the Connexion.
' 2. No Preacher shall receive anything from the Circuit
on account of his children who receive what is allowed from
Kingswood School, nor after they have arrived at the age of
seventeen years. t
* This Rule hr a since been rescinded.
t By a subsequent Regulation every Preacher is authorised, with certain
exceptions, to receive the allowance for his children till they are twenty years
of age. (See Minutes, vol. iv., p. 37.)
' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE.' 309
' 3. None of us shall, either in writing or conversation,
speak lightly or irreverently of the Government under which
we live. The oracles of God command us to be subject to
the higher powers ; and " honour the king " is there connected
with the " fear of God."
' 4. No person among us shall call another heretic, bigot,
or by any other disrespectful name, on any account, for a dif-
ference in sentiment.
' 5. No Preacher shall leave his Circuit, on any considera-
tion, between the Midsummer and the Michaelmas quarter-
days.*
' 6. A General Fast shall be held in all our Societies, the
first Friday after New-year's-day, after Lady-day, after Mid-
summer-day, and after Michaelmas- day.
' 7. Every Preacher shall be considered as a Supernumerary
for four years after he has desisted from travelling, and shall
afterwards be deemed Superannuated.
' 8. Every Superintendent shall be at liberty to attend the
Conference or not ; f but in case of absence, he shall send all
his papers that are necessary, by the Representative of his
District.
'9. No division shall be made of any Circuit, where it
does not appear to the Quarterly Meeting, the District Meet-
ing, the Committee of Representatives, and the Conference,
that there is such an enlargement of the work as requires it.
' 10. Every Preacher, before he is admitted iuto Full
Connexion, shall write an account of his life, and give it to
Mr. Story.*
'11. All letters not directed to, or belonging to, the Presi-
dent, or the Committee of Representatives, are to be paid for
by the Circuits respectively from which the Preachers come.
And all the horses are to be paid for in the same way.
' 12. No Preacher who has been suspended or expelled
shall, on any account, be employed as a Local Preacher, with-
out the authority of the Conference.
* This Rule must be regarded as obsolete.
+ This Rule has since been modified. It belongs to the District Committee,
at its Annual Meeting, to decide what Ministers shall attend the ensuing
Conference, (See Min., vol. iii., p. 90 ; vol. iv., p. 455.) Members of the
Legal Conference have the right to be present.
t This and the following Regulation are now obsolete. All letters, of
course, are to be prepaid.
310 ' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE."
1 13. No Circuit shall have more Preachers than it can
support, unless in case of some extraordinary burden, in
respect to wives and children ; the Circuits in Scotland, Ire-
land, and Wales, being excepted.
' 14. "We strongly recommend the religious observance of
the Lord's day ; and desire our Superintendents to exclude
from the Society all who buy or sell on that sacred day, except
in case of medicine for the sick, or for supplying necessaries
for funerals.
'15. Any Preacher brought out in the course of the year,
if he have travelled nine monthg before the next Conference,
shall be considered as if he had travelled the whole year.*
4 16. The Lord's Supper shall be administered by the
Superintendent only, or such of his Helpers as are in Full
Connexion, as he shall appoint ; provided that no Preacher be
required to give it against his own inclination ; and should it
be granted to any place where the Preachers on the Circuit
are all unwilling to give it, the Superintendent shall in that
case invite a neighbouring Preacher, who is properly qualified,
to administer it.
' 17. As several inconveniences have arisen respecting the
change of Stewards ; to remedy this, let it be observed, that
the office of a Steward ceases at the end of the year : and
every Superintendent is required at the end of the year, to
change one Steward at least ; so that no Steward may be in
office above two years together, except in some extraordinary
cases.
' 18. No Preacher shall use tobacco for smoking, chewing,
or snuff, unless it be prescribed by a Physician. And our
people are desired not to provide pipes or tobacco for any
of our Preachers.
'19. It is desired that the money collected for the Yearly
Collection, Kingswood School, and the Preachers' Fund, be
entered in the general Steward's books, in the respective
Circuits.t
'20. It is desired that the Representatives for stationing
* By a subsequent Regulation it is determined that if a Preacher who is on
the List of Reserve be appointed to a Circuit before Christmas, he shall be
considered at the ensuing Conference as having travelled one year.
t The Subscriptions and Collections for all our Connexional Funds are
now entered in a Circuit-book, kept by the Superintendent of each Circuit.
' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE: 311
the Preachers may always meet on the Wednesday before the
Conference.*
'21. That we may be favoured with the direction and
blessing of God on our important work at the Conference, it
is agreed, that on the morning of the first day of the Confer-
ence, the President and Secretary shall be chosen, and the
rest of the day be dedicated to fasting and prayer. And it is
desired, that our Societies may join us in the solemn duties
of the day.
' 22. Whoever shall leave the Conference before the busi-
ness is finished, and the Journal signed, must not complain on
account of what may be done after their departure.
'23. As the Preachers are eminently one body, nothing
should be done by any individual which would be prejudicial
to the whole, or to any part thereof. Therefore, no Preacher
t^hall publish anything, but what is given to the Conference,
and printed at our own press ;t the Book Committee to deter-
mine what is proper to be printed : that, as a reward for his
labour, whatever shall be approved of by the said Committee,
and printed, the author shall have an hundred out of every
thousand of the books, whether large or small ; and, if pub-
lished in the Magazine, he shall have a reasonable allowance,
the Conference being judges. But should a manuscript be
rejected by the Book Committee, a Preacher may print it;
provided he do not sell it at our Chapels, nor advertise it from
our pulpits. The design of this Rule is to prevent any
Preacher in our Connexion from selling at the doors of our
Chapels, or offering to sell, any books among our people, but
those which belong to the Conference, and come from our
Book-Room.
' N.B. If any Preacher be attacked by any of our enemies,
and his character misrepresented, his printing a reply in
his own defence shall not be deemed a breach of the above
Rule.
' 24. The Districts shall determine when and where any
Chapel shall be built. But we advise that no one shall be
* The time of the meeting of the Stationing Committee is always fixed
by the preceding Conference. According to the present arrangement, that
Committee meets on the Tuesday preceding the Conference.
f This Rule has been rescinded.
312 'THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE:
built till absolutely necessary, and till two-thirds of the whole
expense be subscribed.*
' 25. Several of the Preachers have found their own horses
from the beginning. But we now recommend it to every
Circuit to find horses for the use of the Preachers. But, in
those Circuits which wish to be upon the same plan as formerly,
it is desired, that no Preacher may collect money for buying
horses ; but that whatever may be judged needful of this kind
may be done by the Steward of the Circuit.f
' 26. All apothecaries' bills shall be discharged in the Cir-
cuits. And if the Stewards cannot pay the quarterage of the
Preachers, their wives, and children, they must have fewer
Preachers the next year.
' 27-. Let no District Meeting, no Preacher, or number of
Preachers, or people whatsoever, on any consideration, involve
the Conference in any lawsuit ; nor have any demand on the
Conference for the expenses, or any part of the expenses, of
any lawsuit ; more especially concerning Chapels or Preach-
ing-houses, without the consent of the Conference previously
obtained.
* 28. We have been disappointed by married Preachers
coming out to travel, in expectation of being themselves able
to maintain their wives, independently of the Conference, who
very soon became entirely dependent. How shall this be pre-
vented ? Let no Preacher be received on this plan, unless he
can bring in writing such an account of his income, signed by
the Superintendent, as shall satisfy the Conference. And if
any person shall promise to maintain a Preacher's wife or
children, he shall give a bond to the Conference for the sum
he intends to aDow.
'29. Let every Preacher be merciful to his beast; not
only ride moderately, but see that his horse is taken proper
care of.
' 30. Let every Superintendent take care to provide every
Preacher's wife who may be stationed along with him, a
* The Regulations respecting the building of Chapels are given in Part
III., Chapter vi., of this work.
f The present circumstances of the Connexion render this Bule, generally
speaking, unnecessary. But in extensive Circuits the provision of horses for
the Ministers is still highly important.
'THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE: 813
lodging, coals, and candles, or see that she is allowed fifteen
pounds a year.*
'31. Let not all the Preachers in any Circuit come to the
Conference. And let those who do come set out as late and
return as soon as possible.
' 32. Prayer Meetings have been found exceedingly useful ;
therefore let us appoint them wherever we can make it con-
venient.
* XXX. THE RULES OF THE PBEACHEBS' FUND.f
'XXXI. AN ACCOUNT OF KTSTGSWOOD SCHOOL.
' Q. 36. WHAT can be done for the support of Kingswood
School ?
' A. Let a public Collection be made in all the Chapels
throughout the three kingdoms the Sunday before or after
Midsummer,^ and let the following account be read :
' " The wisdom and love of God have now thrust out a
large number of labourers into His harvest ; men who desire
nothing on earth but to promote the glory of Grod, by saving
their own souls, and those that hear them. And those to whom
they minister spiritual things are willing to minister to them
of their carnal things ; so that they have food to eat, raiment
to put on, and a place where to lay their head, and are content
therewith.
' " A competent provision is likewise made for the wives
of married Preachers. These also lack nothing, having a
quarterly allowance over and above for their little children ; so
that neither they nor their husbands need to be careful about
many things, but may wait upon the Lord without distrac-
tion.
' " Yet one considerable difficulty lies on those who have
boys, when they grow too big to be under their mother's
direction. Having no father to govern and instruct them, they
are exposed to a thousand temptations. To remedy this, we
* This Rule has been superseded by improved arrangements for the sup-
port of the Ministry.
f These Rules are omitted as having been entirely superseded by the
' Itinerant Methodist Preachers' Annuitant Society,' and by the formation of
the 'Auxiliary Fund.'
J This Collection is now appointed to be made in the month of November.
314 'THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE.'
have a School on purpose for them, wherein they have all the
instruction they are capable of, together with all things necessary
for the body.
'"In whatever view we look upon this, it is one of the
noblest charities that can be conceived. How reasonable is the
institution ! Is it fit that the children of those who give up
themselves wholly to the work of the Lord, and labour to save
souls from death, should want what is needful either for the
soul or body? Ought not we to supply what the parent can-
not, because of his labours in the Gospel ? How excellent are
the effects of this institution ! The parent, eased of his weight,
can the more cheerfully go on in his labour. And perhaps some
of those children may hereafter fill up the place of those that
shall rest from their labours.
'"It is well known that the children want nothing; that
they scarce know what sickness means ; that they are well
instructed in whatever they are capable of learning ; that they
are carefully and tenderly governed ; and that constant care is
taken that the behaviour of all belonging to the house is such
as becometh the Gospel of Christ.
'"But the expense of such an undertaking is very large,
so that necessity obliges us, once a year, to ask the assistance
of all those, in every place, who wish well to the work of God,
who long to see sinners converted to God, and the kingdom
of Christ set up in all the earth.
' " All of you who are thus minded have an opportunity now
of showing your love to the Gospel. Now promote, as far as
in you lies, one of the noblest charities in the world. Now
forward, as you are able, one of the most excellent designs that
was ever set on foot in this kingdom. Do what you can to
comfort the parents who give up their all for you, and to give
their children cause to bless you. You will be no poorer for
what you do on such an occasion. God is a good paymaster.
And you know, that in doing this you lend unto the Lord : in
due time He will pay you again."
' It is now agreed, that the boys shall be received into the
School at the age of eight years, and that they shall continue
till they are fourteen ; that if any Preacher can give a sufficient
reason why his boy should not go to the School, he shall be
allowed twelve pounds a year from the Kingswood Collection ;
that the daughters of Travelling Preachers, from the
1 THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE: 315
time that they are nine years of age, shall receive from the
said Collection eight guineas a year, for four years.*
'XXXII. AS ACCOUNT OF THE TEAELT COLLECTION.
' Q. 37. How may we raise a General Fund for carrying
on the work of God ?
' A. By a yearly Subscription, to be proposed by every
Superintendent, when he visits the Classes at Lady-day, to be
received either then or at the visitation following.
' To this end he may read and enlarge upon the following
hints in every Society :
' " How shall we send a sufficient number of labourers into
those parts where they are most of all wanted ? suppose the
north-west of Ireland, the north of Scotland, Wales, and many
parts of England ? Many are willing to hear, but are neither
able nor willing to bear the expense. Nor can it as yet be
expected of them: stay till the Word of God hath touched
their hearts, and then they will endeavour to provide for them
who preach it. Does it not lie upon us, in the mean time, to
supply their lack of service ? to raise a General Fund, out of ,
which, from time to time, the expense may be defrayed ? By
this means, those who willingly offer themselves may travel
through every part, and stay wherever there is a call, without
being burdensome to any. Thus may the Gospel, in the life
and power thereof, be spread from sea to sea. Which of you
will not rejoice to throw in your mite to promote this glorious
work?
' " Besides this, in carrying on so large a work through the
three kingdoms, there are calls for money in various ways,
and we must frequently be at considerable expense, or the
work must be at a full stop. Many, too, are the occasional
distresses of our Preachers, or their families, which require
an immediate supply ; otherwise their hands would hang down,
if they were not constrained to leave the work.
' *' Let every Member of Society, once a year, set his
* Several particulars in this last paragraph must be corrected by a refer-
ence to Part III., Chapter viii., of this work. Boys are not admitted into
the Kingswood and Woodhouse Grove School under ten years of age. The
Education Allowance, both for boys and girls who remain at home, com-
mences at nine years of age instead of eight ; and that allowance, in the
case of girls as well as boys, is twelve pounds per annum, and is continued
for six years.
316 < THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE:
shoulder to the work ; contributing more or less, as God hath
prospered him, at the Lady-day visitation of the Classes. Let
every one herein do as he is disposed in his own mind, and
according to the ability which God giveth, and there will be
no lack.
' " Men and brethren, help ! "Was there ever a call like
this since you first heard the Gospel sound ? Help to relieve
your companions in the kingdom of Jesus, who are pressed
above measure. ' Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil
the law of Christ.' Help to send forth able, willing labourers
into our Lord's harvest ; so shall you be assistant in saving
souls from death, and hiding a multitude of sins. Help to
spread the Gospel of your salvation into the remotest corners
of the kingdom, till the knowledge of our Lord shall cover
the land as the waters cover the sea ; so shall it appear to
ourselves, and all men, that we are indeed one body, united
by one Spirit : so shall the baptized Heathens be yet again
constrained to cry out, ' See how these Christians love one
another ! ' *
' The money thus subscribed shall be brought to the Con-
ference by the Assistant Preacher.*
'XXXIII. HOW TO PBESEBVE THE CHAPELS.f
XXXIV. CERTAIN BEGTrLATIONS MADE AT LEEDS, IS 1797.
' To the Methodist Societies.
' LEEDS, August 7th, 1797.
DEAB SEETHEE^,
' WE think it our duty to inform you, by the earliest
opportunity, of the measures we have taken, in order to
satisfy those of our brethren who have been made more or
less uneasy by sundry publications circulated through the
Societies : and we trust, that on a serious consideration of
the Regulations we have agreed to at this Conference, yod
will see that the sacrifices in respect to authority, which
* The Yearly Collection is now paid at the May District Meeting to the
Financial Secretary of the District ; and is to be remitted by him, without
delay, to the Financial Secretary of the Home-Mission and Contingent Fund.
f This section is omitted, the form of Trust-Deed given in it having been
superseded by the ' Chapel Model Deed,' adopted by the Conference in 1832,
and sold at the Wesleyan-Methodist Book-Room.
' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE: 817
we have made on the part of the whole body of Travelling
Preachers, evidence our willingness to meet our brethren in
everything which is consistent with the existence of the
Methodist discipline, and our readiness to be their servants
for Jasu's sake.
' I. In respect to finances, or money matters :
' 1. We have determined to publish annually a very
minute account of the disbursements or application of the
Yearly Collection ; and,
* 2. A full account of the affairs of Kingswood School.
* 3. That all bills for the support of Travelling Preachers,
and their families, in respect to deficiencies, house-rent, tire,
candles, sickness, travelling expenses, and all other matters
of a temporal kind for their support, for which the Circuits
cannot provide, shall first meet with the approbation of the
Quarterly Meeting, and be signed by the general Steward of
the Circuit, before they can be brought to the District Com-
mittee.
, ' II. In respect to all other temporal matters :
' 1. It has been determined that no Circuits shall be
divided till such division has been approved of by their
respective Quarterly Meetings, and signed by the general
Stewards.
' 3. That no other temporal matter shall be transacted by
the District Committees, till the approbation of the respective
Quarterly Meetings be first given, signed by the Circuit
Stewards.
'III. In respect to the receiving and excluding private
members of Society:
' 1. The Leaders' Meeting shall have a right to declare
any person on trial improper to be received into the Society ;
and after such declaration the Superintendent shall not admit
such person into the Society.
*2. No person shall be expelled from the Society for
immorality, till such immorality be proved at a Leaders'
Meeting.
' IV. In respect to the appointment and removal of
Leaders, Stewards, and Local Preachers, and concerning Meet-
ings:
' 1. No person shall be appointed a Leader or Steward, or
be removed from his office, but in conjunction with the
Leaders' Meeting; the nomination to be in the Superinten-
318 'THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE:
dent, and the approbation or disapprobation in the Leaders'
Meeting.
' 2. The former Rule concerning Local Preachers is con-
firmed; namely, "That no person shall receive a Plan as a
Local Preacher without the approbation of a Local Preachers'
Meeting."
' 3. In compliance with a request made by the Committee
of persons from various parts, namely, " That the Conference
be requested to re-consider and revise those Rules which
relate to the calling of Meetings, and appointing Local
Preachers, made last year," we say, " No Local Preacher
shall be permitted to preach in any other Circuit than his
own, without producing a recommendation from the Super-
intendent of the Circuit in which he lives ; nor suffer any
invitation to be admitted as a plea but from men in office,
who act in conjunction with the Superintendent of that
Circuit which he visits." The design of this Rule is to pre-
vent any, under the character of Local Preachers, from bur-
dening the people, either by collecting money, or by living
upon them ; and to prevent improper persons, who bear no
part of the expense, from inviting Local Preachers thus to
visit them. But it never was intended to reflect the least
disrespect on any of our worthy, brethren, the Local Preachers,
whom, considered as a body, we greatly respect. And it should
not be lost sight of, that several of the most respectable Local
Preachers in the kingdom, who were in the Committee which
met the Committee of Preachers appointed by the Conference,
declared their high approbation of the Rule, and desired that
it might be strengthened as much as possible, as none could
justly complain of it.
'4. As the Committee above-mentioned requested also,
that the minute of the last Conference, concerning the calling
of Meetings to consider of the affairs of the Society or Con-
nexion, be explained ; and as we are exceedingly desirous of
preserving the peace and union of the whole body ; we have
agreed upon the following explanation, namely,
'(1.) As the Leaders' Meeting is the proper Meeting for
the Society, and the Quarterly Meeting for the Circuit, we
think that other formal Meetings, in general, would be con-
trary to the Methodist economy, and very prejudicial in their
consequences. But,
' (2.) In order to be as tender as possible, consistently
' THE FOJtM OF DISCIPLINE: 319
with what we believe to be essential to the welfare of our
Societies, we allow that other formal Meetings may be held if
they first receive the approbation of the Superintendent, and
the Leaders' or Quarterly Meeting ; provided also, that the
Superintendent, if he please, be present at every such Meeting.
' V. We have selected all our ancient Rules, which were
made before the death of our late venerable Father in the
Gospel, the Rev. Mr. Wesley, which are essential Rules, or
prudential at this present time : and have solemnly signed
them, declaring our approbation of them, and determination to
comply with them, two Preachers excepted, who, in consequence,
withdrew from us.
' VI. We have determined that all the Rules which relate to
the Societies, Leaders, Stewards, Local Preachers, Trustees,
and Quarterly Meetings, shall be published, with the Rules
of the Society, for the benefit and convenience of all the
members.
' VIL In respect to all new Rules which shall be made by
the Conference :
* It is determined, that if, at any time, the Conference see
it necessary to make any new Rule for the Societies at large,
and such Rule should be objected to at the first Quarterly
Meeting in any given Circuit, and if the major part of that
Meeting, in conjunction with the Preachers,* be of opinion,
that the enforcing of such Rule in that Circuit will be injuri-
ous to the prosperity of that Circuit, it shall not be enforced in
opposition to the judgment of such Quarterly Meeting before
the second Conference. But if the Rule be confirmed by the
second Conference, it shall be binding to the whole Connexion.
Nevertheless, the Quarterly Meetings rejecting a new Rule
shall not, by publications, public Meetings, or otherwise, make
that Rule a cause of contention, but shall strive by every means
to preserve the peace of the Connexion.
' Thus, brethren, we have given up the greatest part of our
executive government into your hands, as represented in your
different public Meetings.
' 1. We have delivered the whole of our Yearly Collection
to your management. For we know by experience, that the
bills of the Quarterly Meetings, if only mere justice be done
to the Preachers and their families, will amount to much
* See note on page 301.
320 'THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE.'
more than the Yearly Collection. The Conference will, in
this business, have no authority whatsoever. They will have
nothing but the trouble of receiving the money, and paying the
bills which shall have been sent to them from the Quarterly
Meetings, and been approved of by the District Committees.
And when the accounts are published by the Conference,
every Quarterly Meeting may compare its own accounts with
those of the Conference, and thereby have as complete a check
as the nature of things can possibly admit of.
' The Conference has reserved to itself the management
of its own Book concerns. This is most reasonable, as the
institution was established for the carrying on of the work
of God, under the direction of Mr. Wesley and the Con-
ference ; was continued by the Deed, or codicil of Mr. Wesley's
will, for the use of the Conference ; as the whole burden of
the management of the business lies upon the Conference,
and the servants they employ, and on the Superintendents of
Circuits ; and also, as it is the only Fund which can supply
any deficiencies of the Yearly Collection, as the accounts pub-
lished in our Minutes for several years past clearly evidence,
the Yearly Collection' having not been nearly sufficient for
the wants of the Preachers and families, and for the carrying
on of the work of God in general.
' 2. The whole management of our temporal concerns
may now be truly said to be invested in the Quarterly Meet-
ings, the District Meetings having nothing left them but a
negative.
'3. Our Societies have a full check on the Superintendent
by means of their Leaders' Meeting, in regard to the intro-
duction of persons into Society; whilst the Superintendent
has sufficient scope allowed him for the increase of the
Societies, not only according to the common course of things,
but at the times of remarkable outpourings of the Spirit of
God.
'4. The Members of our Societies are delivered from
every apprehension of clandestine expulsions ; as that Super-
intendent would be bold indeed who would act with par-
tiality or injustice in the presence of the whole Meeting of
Leaders. Such a Superintendent, we trust, we have not among
us : and if such there ever should be, we should be ready to
do all possible justice to our injured brethren.
* 5. There is now no Society-Officer among us who can be
' THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE: 321
received without the consent of that Meeting to which he
particularly belongs ; nor can any Officer be appointed, except
upon the same plan.
' 6. In order to prevent any degree of precipitation in
making of new Rules, and to obtain information of the senti-
ments of our people on every such Rule, we have agreed to the
article mentioned under the seventh head, by which no Regu-
lations will be finally confirmed till after a year's consideration,
and the knowledge of the sentiments of the Connexion at large,
through the medium of all their public Officers.
'In short, brethren, out of our great love for peace and
union, and our great desire to satisfy your minds, we have
given up to you far the greatest part of the Superintendent's
authority : and if we consider, that the Quarterly Meetings
are the sources from whence all temporal Regulations during
the intervals of the Conference must now originally spring ;
and also, that the Committee formed according to the Plan of
Pacification can in every instance in which the Trustees,
Leaders, and Stewards choose to interfere respecting the gifts,
doctrines, or moral character of Preachers supersede in a great
measure the regular District Committees ; we may, taking all
these things into our view, truly say, that such have been the
sacrifices we have made, that our District Committees themselves
have hardly any authority remaining, but a bare negative in
general, and the appointment of a Representative to assist in
drawing up the rough draft of the stations of the Preachers.
And besides all this, we have given the Quarterly Meetings
opportunity of considering every new law, of suspending the
execution of it for a year in their respective Circuits, and of
sending their sentiments upon it to the Conference before it be
finally confirmed.
'We have represented these measures which we have
taken for your satisfaction, in as concise a manner as we well
could, giving you the sense of the whole, not only for brevity's
sake, but for expedition, that you may be informed of the
general heads of our proceedings as soon as possible. In the
Regulations which will be published with the Rules of the
Society, as mentioned above, you will have the whole at large.
'XXXV. SUNDRY ADVICES TO THE PBEACHEH8.
' BE tender of the character of every brother, but keep at
the utmost distance from countenancing sin.
T
322 < THE FORM OF DISCIPLINE:
' Say nothing in the Conference but what is strictly neces-
sary, and to the point in hand.
'If accused by any one, remember, recrimination is no
acquittance ; therefore avoid it.
' Beware of impatience of contradiction ; be firm, but be
open to conviction. The cause is God's, and He needs not
the hands of an TJzzah to support the ark. The being too
tenacious of a point, because you brought it forward, is only
feeding self. Be quite easy if a majority decide against you.
' Use no craft or guile to gain a point. Genuine simplicity
will always support itself. But there is no need always to say
all you know or think.
' Beware of too much confidence in your own abilities, and
never despise an opponent.
' Avoid all lightness of spirit, even what would be innocent
anywhere else. " Thou God seest me." '
APPENDIX in.
THE 'LIVERPOOL MINUTES ' OF 1820.
UESTION. What measures can we adopt for the in-
crease of Spiritual Religion among our Societies and
Congregations, and for the extension of the Work of
God in our native country ?
' Answer. After long and deeply-serious deliberation on
this important question, we have unanimously agreed to the
following results :
' 1. We, on this solemn occasion, devote ourselves afresh
to God ; and resolve, in humble dependence on His grace, to
be more than ever attentive to Personal Religion, and to the
Christian Instruction and Government of our own Families.
' 2. Let us endeavour, in our public ministry, to preach
constantly all those leading and vital Doctrines of the Gospel,
which peculiarly distinguished the original Methodist Preach-
ers, whose labours were so signally blessed by the Lord, and
to preach them in our primitive method, evangelically,
experimentally, zealously, and with great plainness and sim-
plicity ; giving to them a decided prominence in every Sermon,
and labouring to apply them closely, affectionately, and ener-
getically to the consciences of the different classes of our
hearers.
' 3. Let us consecrate ourselves fully and entirely to our
proper work, as servants of Christ and His Church, giving
ourselves " wholly " to it, both in public and in private, and
guarding against all occupations of our time and thoughts,
which have no direct connection with our great calling,
and which would injuriously divert our attention from the
momentous task of saving souls, and taking care of the flock
of Christ.
' 4. Let us " covet earnestly the best gifts," to qualify us for
an acceptable and useful ministry ; let us seek them in prayer
from Him Who is the Father of Lights and Fountain of
Y2
324 THE ' LIVERPOOL MINUTES' OF 1820.
Wisdom ; let us " stir up," and improve by study and diligent
cultivation, " the gift that is in us " ; and strive in every way
to be " workmen who need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing
the Word of Truth " ; taking care, however, that whatever
other qualifications we may acquire and use, our ministry
shall, at least, by the Divine blessing, be always characterised
by sound, evangelical doctrine, by plainness of speech, and
by a spirit of tender affection and burning zeal.
' 5. Let us frequently read, and carefully study, Mr. Wes-
ley's "Rules of a Helper," and other parts of the Large
Minutes which relate to the duties of a Preacher and Pastor.
' 6. In order to promote an increase of the congregations,
and a revival of the work of God, let us have recourse, even
in our old-established Circuits, to the practice of preaching
out of doors ; seeking, in order to save, that which is lost.
' 7. In every Circuit, let us try to open new places ; let us
try again places which have not been recently visited ; let us
be increasingly attentive to the supply and superintendence
of the country places already on the Plan ; let us not be satis-
fied till every town, village, and hamlet in our respective
neighbourhoods shall be blessed, as far as we can possibly
accomplish it, with the means of grace and salvation ; in a
word, let every Methodist Preacher consider himself as called
to be, in point of enterprise, zeal, and diligence, a Home Mis-
sionary, and to enlarge and extend, as well as keep, the Circuit
to which he is appointed.
' 8. Let us, wherever it shall appear to be practicable,
especially in the old and large Societies, employ some active,
zealous men, whose piety and general character shall be
approved by the Leaders' Meetings, to attempt the formation
of new Classes in suitable neighbourhoods, where we may
hope by that method to gather into the fold of Christ some
persons who are " not far from the kingdom of God," but who
need special invitation, and are not likely to "give them-
selves " fully " to the Lord, and to us by the will of God," with-
out more than ordinary labour and spiritual attention.
' 9. Let us speak plainly and pointedly in every place, both
in those occasional meetings of the Society at which strangers
are allowed to be present, and in our sermons, on the duty
and advantage of Christian communion ; and exhort all who
are seeking salvation, to avail themselves, without delay, of
the help of our more private means of grace.
THE 'LIVERPOOL MINUTES' OF 1820. 325
* 10. Let us encourage public Prayer Meetings, especially
those which are held at times which do not interfere with
our general worship, in the houses of our friends, in different
parts of a town or neighbourhood ; such meetings having
been long proved to be, when prudently conducted by persons
of established piety and competent gifts, and duly superin-
tended by the Preachers, and by the Leaders' Meetings,
valuable nurseries for our Congregations and Societies, and
means of salvation to many who could not have been reached
at first in any other method.
'11. In country places, where a full supply of preaching
cannot be obtained, either by Travelling or Local Preachers,
let suitable persons, belonging to the nearest Societies, be
encouraged to attend, under the direction of the Superinten-
dent, for the purpose of public Prayer and Exhortation, and
occasionally to read to the Congregations a short and plain
Sermon on the First Principles of the Doctrine of Christ, until
such places can be favoured with other and more regular
opportunities of instruction in righteousness.
* 12. Let us ourselves remember, and endeavour to impress
on our people, that we, as a Body, do not exist for the pur-
poses of party ; and that we are especially bound by the
example of our Founder, by the original principle on which
our Societies are formed, and by our constant professions
before the world, to avoid a narrow, bigoted, and sectarian
spirit, to abstain from needless and unprofitable disputes on
minor subjects of theological controversy, and, as far as we
innocently can, to " please all men for their good unto edifica-
tion." Let us, therefore, maintain towards all denominations
of Christians, who "hold the Head," the kind and catholic
spirit of primitive Methodism; and, according to the noble
maxim of our Fathers in the Gospel, " be the friends of all,
the enemies of none."
' 13. Let us, at least in every large town, establish weekly
meetings for the children of our friends, according to our
ancient custom ; and let us pay particular spiritual attention,
in public and in private, to the young people of our Societies
and Congregations.
' 14. Let us meet the Societies regularly on the Lord's
day; and frequently on the week-day evenings in country
places, where we do not preach on the Lord's day : Let the
members be accustomed, on such occasions, to show their
826 THE 'LIVERPOOL MINUTES' OF 1820
Society-tickets ; and let us endeavour to make these Meetings
interesting and appropriate to our members, as such, by
giving to our Addresses an immediate reference to the state
of the people, to the circumstances of each Society, and to their
peculiar duties, both personal and domestic, as professors of
religion and as Methodists, and by frequently explaining and
enforcing our own Rules.
' 15. Let us revive, where it has been neglected, and pro-
mote in every place, the observance of those parts of our
discipline which refer to Watch-nights, Private and Public
Bands, and Quarterly days for solemn Fasting and Prayer.
' 16. Let us, wherever we have access and opportunity, be
diligent in pastoral visits to our people, at their own houses,
especially to the sick, the careless, and the lukewarm.
' 17. But as such private visits must, in many cases, from
our plan of continual itinerancy and village-preaching, and
from the number of members in the larger Societies, be
greatly limited, let us endeavour so to arrange, in our several
Circuits, the plans for the quarterly public Visitation of the
Classes, as to allow full time for a more minute examination
into the Christian knowledge, experience and practice of the
members, and for pastoral inquiries, instructions, and counsels
respecting personal and family religion.
' 18. Let us regularly meet the Class-leaders, and examine
their Class-papers, in town and country; and do all we can
to engage both them, and our respected brethren, the Local
Preachers, to co-operate with us, in their respective depart-
ments, in promoting vital godliness among our people, and
extending the work of the Lord.
' 19. As much depends, under the blessing of God, on the
piety, knowledge, zeal, activity and Christian temper of our
Leaders, as well as on their firm attachment to the doctrines,
discipline, and cause of Methodism, let us never nominate a
new Leader, until we have conscientiously satisfied ourselves,
by previous inquiry and personal examination, as to the
character and qualifications of the person proposed ; and let
us act uniformly on the Eule respecting the Public Examina-
tion of Leaders, which is found in our Minutes of 1811.
' 20. Let us, whenever a new Leader, nominated by us, and
accepted by the Leaders' Meeting, shall be first introduced into
the Meeting, take that opportunity of stating the duties which
belong to the office, and of enforcing them on all present.
THE ' LIVERPOOL MINUTES ' OF 1820. 327
' 21. Let us affectionately, but firmly, enforce on the Lead-
ers, as an essential article of our Pastoral discipline, and one
which, in consequence of our own constant itinerancy, cannot
be dispensed with, the Rule of the Society in which it is stated
to be the duty of a Leader " to see every member in his Class
once in every week."
' 22. Let us pay particular attention to Backsliders, and
endeavour, in the spirit of meekness, to restore them that have
been overtaken in a fault, and by private efforts, as well as by
our public ministrations, to recover the fallen out of the snare
of the devil.
' 23. Let us afresh enforce on all our people a conscientious
attendance on the Lord's Supper.
' 24. Let us earnestly exhort our Societies to make the best
and most religious use of the rest and leisure of the Lord's
day ; let us admonish any individuals who shall be found
to neglect our public worship, under pretence of visiting the
sick, or other similar engagements ; -let us show to our
people the evil of wasting those portions of the Sabbath
which are not spent in public worship, in visits, or in receiv-
ing company, to the neglect of private prayer, of the perusal
of the Scriptures, and of family duties, and often to the
serious spiritual injury of servants, who are thus improperly
employed, and deprived of the public means of grace ; let us
set ah example in this matter, by refusing, for ourselves and
for our families, to *pend in visits, when there is no call of
duty or necessity, tie sacred hours of the Holy Sabbath;
and let us never alow the Lord's day to be secularised by
meetings of mere business, when such business refers only to
the temporal affairs ot the Church of God.
'25. We earnestly recommend the uniform and regular
practice of Catecheticil instruction in the families and schools
of our Connexion, as teing especially important in the present
state of our Body, and of the country at large ; and we press
upon our people the propriety of using our own Catechisms, in
preference to all others.
' 26. In conducting our Leaders' and Quarterly Meetings,
and all other official Meetings among us, let us affectionately
and steadily discountenance the spirit of strife and debate,
and promote, in the management of all our affairs, both by
our advice and exampb, the temper and manner of men who
are acting for God ii the service of His Church. Let the
328 THE 'LIVERPOOL MINUTES' OF 1820.
introduction of all topics of useless or irritating discussion, not
legitimately connected with the proper business of such Meet-
ings, be prudently repressed. Let us remember that, in a
large Body, the only way to live in peace and comfort is, to
walk by rule, and (to use the language of Mr. Wesley) " not
to mend our Rules, but to keep them for conscience' sake."
And while we readily and cheerfully protect all our members,
in Meetings in which we preside, in the exercise of such
functions as belong to them, according to our laws and
general usages, let us not forget that we are under solemn
obligations to conduct ourselves on such occasions, not as the
mere Chairmen of public Meetings, but as the Pastors of
Christian Societies, put in trust by the ordinance of God, and
by their own voluntary association with us, with the Scriptural
superintendence of their spiritual affairs, and responsible to
the great Head of the Church for the faithful discharge of the
duties of that trust.
' 27. We affectionately exhort those of our own people, who
are laudably active in various benevolent Institutions, while
they persevere in every good word and work, to guard against
the danger of expending all their leisure and influence on
mere local and subordinate Charities, so as to neglect God's
own direct and immediate Institutions, such as the public
preaching of the Gospel, or to deprive themselves of the
opportunity of regularly attending their Classes, and of pri-
vate prayer and reading of the Holy Scriptures. It should
not be forgotten that the great spiritual worTc of God depends,
under the Divine blessing, on the general and conscientious
use of His Institutions ; and that, in the success of that work,
all other good undertakings among us had their origin, and
must ever have their principal support. " These things ought
ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone."
'28. In order that the state of the V^ork may be constantly
under the eye of the Preachers, we agree to revive uniformly
the good old custom of keeping Quarterly Schedules in every
Circuit, each of which shall contain a correct Statement, for
the quarter to which it belongs, o| Persons admitted on
Trial, New Members, fully admitted Into Society after due
probation, Removals into other Circuits, Deaths, Back-
sliders, Conversions, Number in the Bands, and Total
Number of Members then in the Society. The Book-Steward
shall prepare, and furnish to every Circuit, a sufficient num-
THE 'LIVERPOOL MINUTES' OF 1820. 329
ber of Printed Forms of such a Schedule, to be filled up by
the Preachers, in reference to every distinct Class, during
their quarterly Visitations : And from these, each Superin-
tendent shall draw up every quarter one General Schedule,
containing an account of all the Societies in his Circuit, in
relation to the several particulars above-mentioned. These
General Circuit-Schedules each Superintendent is expected
to produce, whenever required so to do, at the Annual Dis-
trict Meeting, or at the Conference.
' 29. Every Superintendent is required to leave for his
successor, in. the Circuit -book, not only a List of the Town
and Circuit Stewards, and of the Annual Subscribers to our
several Funds, etc., but especially an exact List of the Names
of all the Members in his Circuit, arranged in their several
Classes and Societies, as found at the preceding Midsummer
Visitation.
' 30. But as we are deeply sensible that the great thing to
be desired, in order to a Revival and Extension of the Work
of God, without which no resolutions, or labours, or regula-
tions will avail, is A NEW AND MOBE ABUNDANT EFFUSION OF THE
HOLT SPIRIT on ourselves, on our Societies, and on our
Congregations, we solemnly agree to seek that blessing in
humble and earnest prayer.
' 31. The various Articles included in this Minute shall be
read by every Chairman at the regular Annual Meeting of his
District ; and shall then be made the subject of serious con-
versation among the brethren, with a view to their particular
bearing on the spiritual state and circumstances of each Dis-
trict respectively.'
APPENDIX IV.
OTHER LEADING RESOLUTIONS OF THE CONFERENCE ON PASTORAL
DUTIES, AND THE PROMOTION OF SPIRITUAL RELIGION.
I. RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED IN 1821.
QUESTION. What are the Spiritual State and Prospects
of our Societies in general ?
' Ansiver. The Conference having appointed a time, as
last year, for special conversation on the State of Religion in
our Societies, and on the best means of further promoting the
Work of Grod, were thankful to receive much pleasing and
encouraging information from various parts of the Connexion ;
and from the statements given by several of the Preachers
respecting the means which appear to have been especially
owned of God, were led to agree upon the following par-
ticulars ; viz.,
' 1. We resolve that there shall be a regular observance
of the Quarterly Fasts in all our Circuits, as appointed by
Mr. Wesley ; which are, the first Fridays after Michaelmas-day,
Christmas-day, Lady-day, and Midsummer-day ; on which
occasions, public Prayer Meetings shall be held in all our
Chapels, at those hours which may be deemed most conve-
nient for the attendance of our people. At the Annual Dis-
trict Meetings, the Chairmen are directed to make particular
inquiries concerning the conduct of the brethren, in reference
to this Regulation.
' 2. We agree strongly to advise the members of our
Society, especially in large towns, to meet in those Classes
which are the nearest to their respective places of residence ;
in order that their attendance may be less liable to interrup-
tion, and that they may be visited with greater facility by
their Leaders.
' 3. We earnestly exhort all our Preachers to be in-
creasingly diligent in Pastoral visits to the families of our
OTHER MINUTES ON PASTORAL DUTIES. 331
people ; endeavouring to render such visits eminently profitable
to all present, by prayer, and by spiritual conversation.
' 4. We recommend to the Preachers, in all cases where it is
practicable, the establishment and superintendence of Prayer
Meetings in private houses ; as being calculated not only to call
into exercise the gifts of our people, and to promote their
religious improvement, but also to awaken the attention of the
ignorant and profligate to the concerns of their souls, as well as
to obtain the special blessing of Q-od upon the public ministry of
His word.
' 5. We strongly advise the Preachers in their respective
Circuits, particularly in the more populous districts, and where
there is a general neglect of the means of grace already estab-
lished, to avail themselves of every opportunity to preach in
private houses, especially in the cottages of the poor ; not for
the purpose of superseding the regular exercise of their ministry
in our Chapels, or other places of public worship, but in order
to obtain access to the more neglected part of the people, and
to bring those who are at present living without Grod in the
world under such a concern for the salvation of their souls,
as will induce them to become stated attendants upon the
ordinances of the Lord's house.
' 6. The distribution of religious Tracts having, in many
instances, been followed by the most beneficial residts, the Con-
ference recommends it to the Preachers, and to our people in
general, to form Associations, in the different Circuits, for a
regular and systematic circulation of Tracts, especially of those
written by Mr. Wesley, in the way of loan and otherwise, as
may be deemed expedient.
' 7. We again exhort all our people, who have opportunity
to meet in Band, as an old established usage in our Con-
nexion, and an important means of improvement in personal
religion : and the Preachers are directed to hold general
meetings of the Bands in every Society where it is practic-
able.
' 8. For the spiritual benefit of our people, and in order
that the blessing of God may rest upon their families, we
earnestly press upon them the orderly and devout exercise of
family-worship, accompanied by a deliberate reading of the Holy
Scriptures. In order to a due discharge of this most important
duty, a suitable portion of time should be conscientiously set
apart on the morning and evening of every day, when the
332 OTHER MINUTES ON PASTORAL DUTIES.
attendance of all the members of the family, including the
servants, should be required.
' 9. We again solemnly resolve, after the example of our
venerable .Fathers in the Gospel, with all plainness and zeal to
preach a free, present, and full salvation from sin ; a salvation
flowing from the mere grace of God, through the redemption
which is in Christ Jesus, apprehended by the simple exercise of
faith, and indispensably preparatory to a course of practical
holiness. And, in this great work, our only reliance for
success is upon the promised grace of the Holy Spirit ; by
"Whose inspiration alone it is that the Gospel, in any instance,
is rendered the " power of God unto salvation."
'10. The Conference also requires, that in every Circuit
the plans for the quarterly Visitation of the Societies shall
be so arranged as not to crowd too many Classes together,
but to afford proper time for a minute examination of the
members, and for suitable advice, encouragement, and
admonition.
'11. We once more solemnly call upon the members of
our Society conscientiously to sanctify the Sabbath-day, both
individually and in their families ; especially by a regular
attendance upon the public worship of Almighty God in the
forenoon, as well as on the subsequent services of that sacred
day, and by suffering as few persons under their care as
possible to be detained at home.
' 12. We also advise the Preachers occasionally to invite,
after preaching on the Lord's day, such persons as may be
seriously concerned for the salvation of their souls, to call upon
them, and converse with them, on the following day, at an hour
which they may appoint for this purpose.
' 13. The Conference directs, that the twelve Rules of a
Helper, and the Results of the Conversation on carrying on
the Work of God, inserted in the Minutes of 1820, shall be
annually read by the Chairman in every District Meeting, and
proper time allowed for examination, and for useful conversa-
tion, on the several subjects to which they refer.
' 14. The Preachers are peremptorily required to read the
PASTOBAL ADDRESS of the Conference to all the Societies in
their respective Circuits.'
OTHER MINUTES ON PASTORAL DUTIES. 333
II. EESOLUTIONS ADOPTED IN 1835.
'THE present peculiar circumstances of the Connexion
having directed the Preachers, assembled in this Conference,
to a careful and solemn consideration of the great work in which
they are engaged, they feel it their duty to pledge themselves
anew to the principles laid down in certain important Resolu-
tions of the Conference held at Liverpool in 1820 : but as
upwards of three hundred and fifty Preachers have been ad-
mitted into the Connexion since that period, they deem it
proper further to express their views and purposes on points
of even more vital consequence than general disciplinary
Regulations ; and therefore resolve, unanimously,
' 1. That we do again most solemnly and heartily recognise
the original purpose of Methodism, " to spread Scriptural holi-
ness through the land " as the first and great calling of the
whole Body, and especially of the Preachers ; and determine,
in the strength of Grod, to make this the great rule of all our
other designs, and to renounce or subordinate all other plans
and pursuits to this our special calling.
' 2. That since the spread and increase of true godliness
in our Societies, and through the world, as far as it may be
connected with our instrumentality, depends so greatly upon
our maintaining the principles and spirit of our Fathers
in the Ministry, we resolve more than ever to study their
character and lives, and to be followers of their faith and
conversation ; that we may be more thoroughly imbued with
the spirit of true Christianity, and more conformed to the
Scriptural standard of personal holiness ; so that by our
living, as well as by our preaching, we may hold forth the
Word of Life, and rejoice, in the day of Christ, that we have
not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
' 3. That as the spirit of the times exposes us, in common
with our people, to peculiar excitements and temptations in
reference to matters foreign to the exclusive calling of
Methodist Ministers, we resolve, in dependence upon the
grace of God, to keep aloof from all merely party-purposes,
and from party-spirit; and to caution and warn our people
against these evils.
' 4. That we will use our best endeavours to convince of
their errors, by reason and by Scripture, any of our people
who may be deluded by the various arts of those who oppose
334 OTHER MINUTES ON PASTORAL DUTIES.
us ; and that by every consistent means we will seek the
recovery of such as we believe to be the deceived, rather than
the deceivers, especially when there is reason to hope that
they have not, by their general spirit and conduct, rendered
themselves unworthy of Christian communion with us.
' 5. That our conviction is more decided than ever, that
those doctrines of Christianity which we consider it our
peculiar calling to publish, enforce, and defend, have always
been acknowledged of God as His truth, and are the great
means of saving sinners, and bringing them into connection
with His Church. We are therefore resolved to be explicit
and careful in stating them, and faithful and urgent in their
application to the consciences of our hearers. And being
aware that the prominence which among us has always been
properly given to the doctrine of a present salvation is ever
liable to Antinomian abuses, and that under present circum-
stances we are peculiarly exposed to certain dangers of that
description, we will diligently and evangelically preach the
precepts as well as the privileges of the Gospel ; endeavour-
ing to build up our people in knowledge and in holiness ;
and urging them, especially, to fidelity in family duties, to
the religious care of children, and to the cultivation of peace,
and of things whereby one may edify another.
' 6. That under a deep persuasion that the unity j order,
purity, edification, and good feeling of our Societies may be
greatly promoted by our pastoral intercourse with them, and
regretting that that intercourse has not been more sedulously
and extensively cultivated, we resolve to give ourselves more
fully to this branch of our work; and more especially that
we will care for the sick and poor, and will endeavour to
obtain the help of our brethren, in order to secure to our
people of every class that affectionate and Christian oversight
of their spiritual interests which is so desirable and beneficial.
' 7. That as we are fully persuaded, from our whole history
and experience, that the doctrines we hold cannot be pre-
served and transmitted in their purity, nor the practical
efficiency of Methodism in accomplishing its original design be
maintained, without the most careful adherence to its whole
economy, as left to us, in all its essential features, by our
venerable Founder, and since modified only according to the
urgency of new circumstances ; we deliberately resolve, that
we will continue to walk by the same rule, and to mind the
OTHER MINUTES ON PASTORAL DUTIES. 335
same thing ; that we will ourselves cheerfully submit to those
rules and usages which more especially concern ourselves ;
and that we will conscientiously attend to the faithful ad-
ministration of that godly discipline which is necessary to
purify the Church, to protect the weak, and to edify the body
of Christ.
Lastly. That we determine, by God's gracious assistance, to
be more fervent and importunate in supplicating upon our-
selves, and upon our Officers, Societies, and congregations,
that rich effusion of the Holy Spirit which is always necessary
to the success of the labours of Christian Ministers and Pastors,
and which is peculiarly needed, at the present time, to prepare
both ourselves and our people for the duties, trials, and
temptations of the coming year.'
in. RESOLUTIONS ON ' PASTOEAL VISITATION'
ADOPTED IN 1847.
* Question. WHAT further measures does the Conference
direct on the subject of the PASTOBAL VISITATION of our
Societies and Congregations ?
' Answer. The Conference approves and adopts the follow-
ing Report of the Committee appointed by the Conference of
1846, to consider and present a " General Plan for securing in
every Circuit a more regular and systematic Visitation of our
people," who met in the Centenary Hall, London, on February
9th, 1847, and following days ; viz.,
' I. That this Committee recognises the absolute obligation
which is laid upon all the Ministers of our Circuits to secure
by mutual consultation and arrangement, such a general,
stated, and efficient visitation of our people at their own
dwellings, as is involved, as well in the Scriptural command
to " feed the flock of God," as in those other statements of the
Sacred Volume, which in varied language represent* Christian
Ministers as the Under-Shepherds of Christ ; that this obli-
gation has been solemnly confessed, both at the time when we
received ordination, and also when on subsequent occasions
our approval of the Minutes of 1820, in which this duty is
detailed, has been acknowledged : And that thus recognising
the obligation, this Committee suggests, that the general
ministerial duties of Circuits should, in given cases, be so
336 OTHER MINUTES ON PASTORAL DUTIES.
allotted and arranged, as that families, especially among the
working-classes, which cannot be collected or found during
the day, may be visited in the evening.
' II. That notwithstanding the obvious benefits which
accrue to our Connexion generally from our peculiar system
of Itinerancy, and of stated and extensive Village Ministra-
tions, its disadvantages as affecting this part of the pastoral
care must not be overlooked. Joining this circumstance to
the facts, that since Methodism arose the habits of society
are greatly altered, and that, even now, the disproportion
between the number of Members and Pastors, comparing ours
with other Churches, is exceedingly great, this Committee is
agreed, that it would be unreasonable to expect that personal
visits of the Minister could, under existing arrangements, be
made to all the extent that is desired ; especially when it is
further considered, that many of our members, from various
causes, are not individually accessible ; that numbers are em-
ployed in manufactories, and can only be visited at times
when the Minister is unavoidably engaged in other duties ;
and that, in large towns especially, our Ministers have their
time much occupied by claims from public and religious In-
stitutions, in addition to their own indispensable ministerial
duties and engagements. On all these accounts it is incum-
bent upon our people themselves to render us their aid in
removing difficulties out of the way, and in affording facilities
for the accomplishment of this object.
'III. That the difficulties arising from the causes just
mentioned have been greatly increased by the calls which
have been made almost perpetually upon many of our Minis-
ters for such labours as take them away from their own Cir-
cuits, the preaching of Sunday-school and Chapel Anniversary
Sermons, and the like, involving the necessity of taking
long journeys, occasioning frequent absences from home, and
thereby substracting from the time which such Ministers would
otherwise- have at their disposal for the visitation and special
oversight of their own people.
' IV. That it is painfully evident to this Committee, that
in consequence of the ever-multiplying cares which now
devolve upon our Pastorate, both of a spiritual and economical
nature, and because of the great number of persons who
statedly worship with us, and yet have not joined our Socie-
ties, who justly claim our attention, and yet are not reached
OTHER MINUTES ON PASTORAL DUTIES. 337
by our usual quarterly Visitation of the Classes, no such
full accomplishment of the object as the Conference desires
can be realised without an increase of Ministers; and the
Committee suggests, that our Circuit Stewards and Lay-
friends generally should consider the best and most prudent
means of procuring and supporting such an increase in their
several localities.
'V. That notwithstanding all the difficulties which have
been stated, this Committee is, however, convinced, that by a
wise economy of time, by a carefully arranged system, and by
perseverance and energy, much more may be accomplished ;
and that in the present day the increased temporal cares and
dangers of our own people, and their increased exposure to
the manifold seductions of worldliness and error, make this
additional zeal and energy on our part to be a matter of abso-
lute necessity.
' VI. That this Committee therefore respectfully suggests to
the Conference the propriety of enjoining as follows :
' 1. That the attention of the Class Leaders shall be again
particularly directed to that original Rule of our Societies
which requires them to give stated information to the Minis-
ter of those members who are sick, or require to be specially
visited.
' 2. That the conscientious and increased attention of our
Ministers be directed to the Minute of the Conference in 1836,
Q. xxvii., in reference to the " Occasional Visits of Preach-
ers to other Circuits " ; especially to that clause which enjoins
our Ministers to restrict their engagements of this nature
" within such bounds as will consist with their paramount and
indispensable obligations to their own Circuits"
' 6. That every Minister be required to see that the Class-
Books are properly filled up and kept, especially with reference
to the insertion of the names and residences of the members ;
and to make such use of these books as he may deem necessary
for the purpose of Pastoral Visitation.
'4. That the Ministers be exhorted frequently to direct
their attention to Mr. Wesley's Advices on the subject, con-
tained in the Minutes of 1766. in which the objects to be
attained by Pastoral Visitation are distinctly set forth, and
the spirit in which it ought to be conducted is admirably
inculcated.
'5. That in the devotional exercises connected with their
338 OTHER MINUTES ON PASTORAL DUTIES.
Pastoral Visits, the Ministers should introduce the reading of
a suitable portion of the Holy Scriptures, as constantly as
possible.
' 6. That each large Circuit be divided into Sections,
according to a mutual arrangement to be made by the Minis-
ters at their weekly meetings ; and that each Minister be held
responsible for the visitation of his own Section.
' 7. That, in harmony with the design of these Regulations,
the quarterly Visitation of the Classes be made as impressive
as possible, and used as the occasion of special admonition and
instruction ; and that no person shall be entered upon the
Society- Schedule as a " backslider " upon slight or insufficient
grounds, nor without particular inquiry into the case, nor
even, whenever it may be practicable, without a personal
visitation on the part of one of the Ministers of the Circuit.
' 8. That this important department of ministerial duty be
statedly made the subject of direct and specific inquiry and
conversation, both by the Superintendents of Circuits in
their weekly meetings with their respective Colleagues, and
by the Chairmen of Districts in their several District Meet-
ings.'
APPENDIX V.
RESOLUTIONS PEOVISONALLY ADOPTED BY THE CONFERENCE OF
1881 RESPECTING THE NOMINATION AND CONSTITUTION
OF MIXED CONNEXION AL COMMITTEES.
' r I iHE Conference receives the Report of the Committee
JL appointed in 1878, and re-appointed (subject to some
modifications) in 1879 and 1880, "to consider the constitution of
the Connexional Mixed Committees and the best method of
appointing the members thereof," and adopts the following
Resolutions in order that the satisfactoriness or otherwise of
the Scheme, submitted by the Committee, may in its details be
ascertained by actual working.
I.
' In the judgment of the Conference it is neither desirable nor
practicable to conform all Committees of Departments to one
model, either with respect to considerations governing the
appointment of individual members, or with respect to the
number of members of which each Committee should corsist.
' As to the latter point the Conference is of opinion : That
the number of members constituting Departmental Committees
may vary with the nature and range of the work entrusted to
each Committee ; but that, while the number of persons ap-
pointed to serve on any Departmental Committee should, on tLe
one hand, be adeqxaate for the efficient discharge of all its duties
and for securing the confidence of the Connexion in its admini-
stration, it should not, on the other hand, be larger than may
be necessary for these purposes.
340 CONSTITUTION OF MIXED COMMITTEES.
II.
'The Conference adopts the following RESOLUTIONS respecting
MIXED COMMITTEES OF CONNEXIONAL DEPABTMENTS.
' 1. That Members of Society, whether they are Members of
the Conference in its Representative Session or not, shall be
eligible for appointment upon Departmental Committees.
' 2. That the President of the Conference, the ex- President,
and the Secretary of the Conference, shall be ex officio Members
of every Committee of a Connexional Department.
' 3. That although exceptions may be occasionally admitted,
every Committee of a Connexional Department shall ordinarily
consist of an equal number of Ministers (in addition to the
President) and of Laymen.
' 4. That no Minister who is not an Officer of a Departmental
Committee, shall remain upon that Committee as a Member
more than six consecutive years, unless he shall have been
nominated for a further appointment thereon by the vote of
four-fifths of the Members of the Committee present.
'5. That the Standing Order (No. 16) of the Conference
(Minutes 1880, p. 264) be amended so as to read as follows:
That a certain number of Lay Gentlemen, being at least one-
sixth of the number of Lay Members of each Departmental
Committee, shall annually retire from each Committee by
rotation, the same persons being ineligible for immediate re-
appointment, except in special cases, and after nomination for
such re-appointment by the vote of four-fifths of the Members
of the Committee present.
ni.
' The Conference adopts the following REGULATIONS for the
appointment of MIXED COMMITTEES OE CONNEXIONAL DEPABT-
MENTS :
' 1. The Conference shall annually appoint the Members of
each Mixed Committee of a Connexional Department (not being
hereinafter described as ex officio Members) after receiving the
Report of a Nomination Committee, which shall be appointed
and shall act in the manner hereinafter provided.
' The General Treasurers of the several Funds, and the Local
Treasurers of Executive Committees, shall be appointed
CONSTITUTION OF MIXED COMMITTEES. 341
by the Conference after receiving the Nominations of
the Committees of the several Funds.
: 2. The Nomination Committee shall consist of :
' (a) The eighteen Laymen appointed by the previous
Conference in its Representative Session to be
Members of the Conference then next ensuing.
' (6) Eighteen Ministers to be appointed annually by the
Conference in its pastoral Session.
' (c) Two Secretaries (one Minister and one Layman),who
shall be annually appointed by the Conference to act
upon the Nomination Committee of the Conference
ensuing.
' 3. It shall be the duty of the Secretaries : (a) to convene
the meeting of the Nomination Committee, and to summon to
it persons entitled to attend its meeting : (6) to receive from the
Committee of each Connexional Department a list of persons,
ex officio and otherwise, who are proposed for appointment upon
it by the Conference : (c) to present the lists so received to the
Nomination Committee : (d) to keep the record of the proceed-
ings of the Committee, and (e) to report to the Conference on
its behalf.
' 4. The Nomination Committee shall meet on the Saturday
previous to tha Meeting of the Eepresentative Conference; At
that Meeting the President of the Conference shall preside, or,
in his absence, some ex-President or other Minister whom he
shall depute ; and the Secretary or some other deputed repre-
sentative of each Connexional Department shall attend to give
such information as may be necessary.
' 5. The Nomination Committee shall consider the lists sent
forward by the several Committees of Connexional Departments ;
it shall take care that the constitution of each Committee nomi-
nated is in accordance with the regulations of the Conference ;
it shall have power to amend the lists sent forward, as it may
deem desirable, and to make any changes in reference to
Ministers recommended for nomination which the action of the
Ministerial Conference may have rendered necessary, but only
in cases of necessity shall it make any change in reference to
either the Ministerial or Lay nominees of a District Committee,
and every such change shall be reported to the Conference.
* 6. The Conference appoints the Rev. Charles H. Kelly and
Mr. William Vanner as Secretaries of the Nomination Com-
mittee for the Conference of 1882.
342 CONSTITUTION OF NIXED COMMITTEES.
IV.
' The Conference adopts the following BEGTJLATIONS for the
CONSTITUTION or COMMITTEES or CONNEXIONAL DEPABT-
MENTS :
' HOME-MISSION AND CONTINGENT FUND.
' The General Committee shall consist of
' i. Ex officio Members, namely, the President and the Secre-
tary of the Conference : the ex-President ; the Treasurers and
the Secretaries of the Fund ; the Treasurers and the Secretary
of the Fund for the Extension of Methodism in Great Britain ;
the Secretaries of the Foreign Missionary Society :
'ii. Twelve Ministers and fifteen Laymen residing in the
London Districts, to be recommended for nomination to the
Conference by the General Committee.
' iii. (1) The Chairman of each District in Great Britain :
' (2) One Layman from each District in Great Britain, to
be nominated by the District Committee at its
Meeting in May ; with,
' (3) Eight Ministers and eight Laymen residing in other
than the London Districts, to be recommended for
nomination to the Conference by the General Com-
mittee.
' The names of the Laymen nominated by the District Com-
mittee shall be sent to the Secretaries of the General Committee,
who shall report them at its Meeting next before the Conference,
and at that Meeting the twelve Ministers and fifteen Laymen
named in section ii. above, and the eight Ministers and eight
Laymen named in section iii. (3) above, to be recommended for
nomination, shall be chosen.
'ABMYAND NAVY SUB-COMMITTEE. This Sub-Committee shall
consist of (a) the Treasurers and the Secretaries of the Home-
Mission and Contingent Fund, the Treasurers and Secretaries
of the Wesleyan-Methodist Missionary Society ; the Minister
appointed to be Assistant-Secretary of the Army and Navy
Sub-Committee ; (ft) eight Ministers and eight Laymen resident
in the London Districts ; and (c) six Ministers and six Laymen
resident in Provincial Districts. N.B. The Ministers and
Laymen named in (6) and (c) shall be recommended for nomi-
nation to the Conference in equal proportions by the Home-
Mission and the Foreign Mission Committees respectively.
CONSTITUTION OF MIXED COMMITTEES. 343
'THE SEAMEN'S MISSION SUB-COMMITTEE. The Sub-Com-
mittee shall consist of the officers of the Home Mission Fund ;
the Superintendent of the Mission ; the Superintendent of the
London (St. G-eorge's) Circuit; the Circuit Stewards of the
London (St. George's) Circuit ; four Laymen, to be nominated
by the Sub-Committee ; and ten other persons to be elected by
the Home Mission Committee.
' As early as possible after the meeting of the General Com-
mittee next before the Conference, and not later than ten days
before the opening of the next Representative session of the
Conference, the Secretaries of the Committee shall forward to
the Secretaries of the Nomination Committee a list of all persons
(together with a list of ex offtcio members), who are recom-
mended for nomination to the Conference for the General
Committee, the Army and Navy Sub-Committee, and the Sea-
men's Mission Sub-Committee respectively.
CHAPEL AFFAIRS.
' The CHAPEL COMMITTEE shall consist of
' i. Ex offtcio Members, namely, the President and the
Secretary of the Conference ; the Ex-President ; the Treasurers
of the Fund ; the Secretaries of the Committee ; the Chairman
of the Manchester District ; the Secretary and Lay Treasurers
of the Metropolitan Chapel Building Committee ; and the
Secretary of the Fund for the Extension of Methodism in Great
Britain: with,
'ii. Twenty- three Ministers and twenty-seven Laymen, who
shall be recommended by the Chapel Committee for nomination
to the Conference, chiefly from among members resident in the
Manchester, Bolton, and adjacent Districts.
' A list of the Ministers and Laymen recommended by the
Chapel Committee for nomination to the Conference (together
with a list of ex offtcio members) shall be sent by the Secretaries
of the Chapel Committee to the Secretaries of the Nomination
Committee, not later than ten days before the opening of the
next Representative session of the Conference.
THE SOUTH WALES AND NOBTH WALES CHAPEL FUND
COMMITTEES shall each consist of eight Ministers and eight
Laymen, to be recommended for nomination to the Conference
by the South Wales and the North Wales District Committees
respectively, in May of each year ; and the names of Ministers
344 CONSTITUTION OF MIXED COMMITTEES.
and Laymen so nominated shall be sent by the Secretaries of
the two District Committees to the Secretaries of the Nomina-
tion Committee, not later than ten days before the opening of
the next Representative Session of the Conference.
' RELIEF AND EXTENSION FUND FOB METHODISM IN SCOTLAND
The Committee shall consist of the Superintendent Ministers
in the Edinburgh and Aberdeen District, of one Layman from
each Circuit, to be recommended for nomination to the Con-
ference by the Committee of the Edinburgh and Aberdeen Dis-
trict, at its meeting in May of each year, and of such other
gentleman or gentlemen from any Circuit in Scotland as the
District Committee may appoint. The names of the Laymen
nominated shall be sent, by the Secretary of the District Com-
mittee, to the Secretaries of the Nomination Committee, after
the May District Meeting, and not later than ten days
before the opening of the Representative Session of the Con-
ference. The General Treasurers and Secretaries of the Fund
shall be appointed by the General Committee from amongst
the members of that Committee at their meeting, to be held
annually in connection with the Financial District Meeting of
the Edinburgh and Aberdeen District.
'METROPOLITAN CHAPEL BUILDING FUND.
' The COMMITTEE shall consist of
' i. Ex officio Members, namely, the President and the Secre-
tary of the Conference ; the Ex-President ; the Treasurers of
the Fund ; the Secretary ; two or more Assistant Secretaries,
including a Minister resident in each of the London Districts ;
the Secretaries of the Chapel Committee ; the Secretaries of the
Home-Mission and Contingent Fund ; the Chairman of each of
the London Districts ; and the Superintendent Ministers of all
Circuits within the Metropolitan Postal Districts : with,
' ii. Sixteen Ministers other than the above, and a number of
Laymen equal to the whole number of Ministers upon the Com-
mittee, in addition to the President of the Conference. The
Ministers and Laymen named in this group (ii.) shall be recom-
mended by the General Committee for nomination to the Con-
ference from among Ministers and Laymen resident in Circuits
included within the Metropolitan Postal Districts ; and a list of
their names shall be sent to the Secretaries of the Nomination
Committee (together with a list of ex officio members), not later
CONSTITUTION OF MIXED COMMITTEES. 345
than ten days before the opening of the next Eepresentative
Session of the Conference.
EXTENSION OP METHODISM IN GREAT BRITAIN.
' The COMMITTEE shall consist of
'i. Ex ojfido Members, namely, the President and the
Secretary of the Conference ; the ex-President ; the Treasurers
and Secretary of the Fund ; the Treasurers and Secretaries of
the Chapel Fund ; the Treasurers and Secretaries of the Home-
Mission and Contingent Fund :
'ii. One Minister and one Layman from each District in
England to be nominated by each District Committee at its
Meeting in May : with,
' iii. Fifteen Ministers and fifteen Laymen (ten of each of
whom shall be resident in or near London) to be recommended
for nomination by the Committee at its Meeting next before
Conference in each year.
' The names of the nominees of the District Committees shall
be sent to the Secretary of the Extension Fund Committee
immediately after the May Meeting. He shall report them to
the Committee at its Meeting next before the Conference, when
the fifteen Ministers and fifteen Laymen named in iii. above
shall be recommended for nomination. As soon as possible
after that Meeting, and not later than ten days before the
opening of the next Representative Session of the Conference,
the Secretary of the Committee shall forward to the Secretaries
of the Nomination Committee a complete list of the names of
persons (together with a list of ex officio members) recommended
for nomination for appointment upon the Extension Fund
Committee for the year ensuing.
4 WESLEYAN THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTION.
* The GEJTEBAL COMMITTEE shall consist of
' i. Ex offido Members, namely, the President and the Secre-
tary of the Conference; the ex-President; the General Treasurers;
the General Secretary ; the Treasurers and Local Secretaries of
the several Branches ; the House Governors, and the Tutors of
the several Branches :
* ii. Twenty-four Ministers and thirty-four Laymen, residing
in Districts in or near to which the several Branches of the
346 CONSTITUTION OF MIXED COMMITTEES.
Institution are situated, who shall be recommended by the
General Committee for nomination to the Conference : with,
' iii. Six Ministers and eight Laymen, who shall be recom-
mended by the Missionary Committee from amongst its members
for nomination to the Conference.
' The EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES for the DIDSBUET, HEADINGLET,
and BIBMINGHAM BRANCHES respectively shall act as Sub-
Committees of the General Committee, shall be annually
appointed by the Conference, and shall be constituted as
follows :
* (1 ) The President and the Secretary of the Conference ; the
General Treasurers and the General Secretary; the House
Governor and Tutors ; the Treasurers ; the Secretary of the
Branch :
' (2) Six Ministers and eight Laymen, who shall be appointed
from among members of the General Committee included in
groups i. and ii. above : and
' (3) An additional and equal number of Ministers and Lay-
men, not exceeding twenty-four of each.
' Each of the three Executive Committees above-named shall
forward to the General Committee for consideration at its
Meeting next before each Conference, a List showing,
' (a) The names of the Ministers and Laymen whom it sug-
gests that the General Committee should recommend
for nomination to the Conference as members of
that Executive Committee : and
' (6) The names of the persons whom it suggests that the
General Committee should nominate to the Con-
ference for appointment to the offices of Treasurers
and Secretary of the Branch.
' The names of the Members of EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES of the
three Branches above-mentioned shall be printed in the Minutes
of Conference for the year.
'The General Committee, after having received and considered
at its Meeting next before the Conference in each year the list
of names sent forward to it from the Executive Committees of
Didsbury, Headingley, and Birmingham, shall prepare and
forward to the Nomination Committee a complete Nomination
Scheme, showing (together with a list of ex officio members) the
names of Ministers and Laymen recommended for appointment
upon the General Committee and upon the Executive Com-
mittees of the three Branches named above of the Institution,
CONSTITUTION OF MIXED COMMITTEES. 347
and specifying the Minister proposed for the office of Local
Secretary for each of the four Branches.
' The above-mentioned Nomination Scheme shall be sent in
each year to the Secretaries of the Nomination Committee, as
early as possible after it has been adopted by the General
Committee, and in no case later than ten days before the opening
of the next Representative Session of the Conference.
' The Conference resolves to amend the Resolution of the
Conference, 1879, Minutes p. 249 (iii.), in accordance with the
foregoing proposals respecting Local Executive Committees.
'THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE or THE RICHMOND BRANCH.
The Missionary Committee, together with the Junior Classical
Tutor of the Branch, shall be the Executive Committee.
'THE SCHOOLS FUND.
' The GENERAL COMMITTEE shall consist of
' i. The Governing Body of the Kingswood and "Woodhouse
Grove School, and the Governing Body of the Schools for
Girls : with,
' ii. Seven Ministers and seven Laymen, residing in Districts
in or near to which the ordinary place or places of meeting for
the General Committee may be situated, who shall be recom-
mended by the General Committee for nomination to the Con-
ference.
' THE GOVERNING BODY or THE KINGSWOOD AND WOODHOUSE
GROVE SCHOOL shall consist of
' i. The following ex offtcio Members, the President and the
Secretary of the Conference; the Ex-President; the General
Treasurers and Secretaries of the Schools Eund ; the General
Treasurers and Secretaries of the Children's Fund ; the Trea-
surer and Secretaries of the Governing Body ; the Chairmen of
the Bristol, Bath, Halifax and Bradford, and Leeds Districts ;
and the Governors and Head-Master of the School : also,
' ii. Twelve Ministers and twelve Laymen to be elected in
accordance with the Scheme of Management adopted by the
Conference in 1875.
' THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE GIRLS' SCHOOLS shall consist
of
' i. The following ex offtcio Members, the President and the
Secretary of the Conference; the Ex-President; the General
Treasurers and Secretaries of the Schools Fund ; the General
348 CONSTITUTION OF MIXED COMMITTEES.
Treasurers and Secretaries of the Children's Fund ; the Chair-
men of the Second London and Liverpool Districts ; the Local
Treasurers and Secretaries, and the Convener : also
' ii. Ten Ministers and ten Laymen, being the Ministers and
Laymen who, with the Local Treasurers and Secretaries, are
appointed by the Conference to act upon the two Executive
Committees under-named.
' THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES FOB, THE GIRLS' SCHOOLS, as
appointed annually by the Conference, shall each be constituted
as follows :
' (1) Two Treasurers (a Minister and a Layman), one Local
Secretary (a Minister) :
' (2) Five Ministers and five Laymen who shall be Members
of the Governing Body : and
' (3) The Treasurers and Secretary of the other Executive
Committee.
' Each Executive Committee shall send forward to the General
Committee, for consideration at its Meeting next before each
Conference, the names of persons whom it recommends for
appointment by the Conference to be Members of that Execu-
tive Committee for the year ensuing, the name of the Minister
proposed as the Local Secretary being specified.
' The names of all Members of each Executive Committee
appointed by the Conference shall be printed in the Minutes of
Conference for the year.
' Each Executive Committee appointed by the Conference shall
have power to add to itself subject to the approval of the
General Committee any Ministers, or other persons who are
Members of Society.
' The General Committee, after having received and considered
at its Meeting next before the Conference in each year the list
of names sent forward to it from the Governing Body of the
Boys' School, and from the Executive Committees of the Girls'
Schools, shall prepare and forward to the Nomination Com-
mittee a complete Nomination Scheme, showing (together with
lists of ex officio Members) the names of persons whom it re-
commends for Nomination to the Conference (a) upon the
General Committee, (b) upon the Governing Body of the Kings-
wood and Woodhouse Grove School, (c) upon the Governing
Body of the School for Girls, and (d) .upon the Executive
Committee of each School for Girls.
'The above-mentioned Nomination Scheme shall be sent in
CONSTITUTION OF MIXED COMMITTEES. 349
each year to the Secretary of the Nomination Committee as
early as possible after it has been adopted by the General Com-
mittee, and in no case later than ten days before the opening of
the next B/epresentative Session of the Conference.
'THE CHILDEEN'S FUND.
'The Administration of the CHILDREN'S FUND shall be entrusted
to the Committee which has charge of the Schools Fund.
' EDUCATION.
' The GENERAL COMMITTEE shall consist of
' i. Ex officio Members, namely, the President and the
Secretary of the Conference ; the Ex-President ; the Treasurers ;
the Secretary of the Committee ; the Principals of the West-
minster and Southlands Training Colleges; the Secretary of
the Connexional Sunday School Union ; the Principal of the
Children's Home; the Connexional Editor; and the Book-
Steward :
' ii. Twenty-four Ministers and thirty Laymen residing in the
London Districts : with,
'iii. One Minister and one Layman from each District in
Great Britain to be nominated by each District Committee at
its Meeting in May. (In the choice of these nominees it is
desirable that regard should be had to the relations of the
Committee both to Day-school and Sunday-school work.)
' The names of the nominees of the District Committees shall
be sent to the Secretary of the Education Committee imme-
diately after the May District Meeting. He shall report them
to the Education Committee at its Meeting next before the
Conference, when the twenty-four Ministers and thirty Lay-
men named in section ii. above shall be recommended for
nomination. As soon as possible after the Meeting, and not
later than ten days before the opening of the next Representa-
tive Session of the Conference, the Secretary of the Committee
shall forward to the Secretaries of the Nomination Committee
a complete list of the persons who are recommended for nomina-
tion to the Conference (together with a list of ex officio Members),
for appointment upon the Education Committee for the ensuing
year.
350 CONSTITUTION OF MIXED COMMITTEES.
'THE CHILDBED'S HOME AND ORPHANAGE.
' The GENEBAL COMMITTEE shall consist of
i. Ex officio Members, namely, the President and the
Secretary of the Conference ; the Ex-President : the Principal ;
the General Treasurers ; the Treasurers of the Local Branches :
' ii. Ministers and Laymen who shall be Members of the
Executive Committee of one of the Branches of the Institution :
with,
' iii. Seven Ministers and seven Laymen not appointed by the
Conference upon any of the Executive Committees.
' The Ministers and Laymen mentioned in groups ii. and iii.
shall be recommended for nomination to the Conference by the
General Committee, and one moiety of the number of Minis-
terial and Lay Members of the General Committee shall be
nominated and appointed from among the members of the
Education Committee, resident in or near London.
' THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES FOB THE SEVEEAL BBANCHES, as
appointed annually by the Conference, shall each consist of one
or more Lay Treasurers, the Principal, two Ministers and two
Laymen, who shall be members of the General Committee,
together with five Ministers and five Laymen, who need not be
Members of the General Committee.
' Each of these Executive Committees shall forward to the
General Committee for consideration at its Meeting next before
each Conference, the names of Ministers and Laymen whom
it suggests that the General Committee should recommend for
nomination to the Conference, as members of that Executive
Committee.
' The names of the Members of these Executive Committees,
who are appointed by the Conference, shall be printed in the
Minutes of Conference for the year ; and each Executive Com-
mittee so appointed shall have power to add to itself, subject to
the approval of the General Committee, Ministers or other
persons, not exceeding five in number.
'The General Committee, after having received and considered
at its Meeting next before the Conference in each year, the
lists of names sent forward to it from the Executive Committees
of the several Branches, shall prepare and forward to the Nomi-
nation Committee a complete Nomination Scheme, showing the
names of Ministers and Laymen whom it recommends for
nomination to the Conference for appointment, either upon the
CONSTITUTION OF MIXED COMMITTEES. 351
General Committee, or upon the four Executive Committees
named.
' The above-mentioned Nomination Scheme shall be sent in
each year to the Secretaries of the Nomination Committee, as
early as possible after it has been adopted by the General Com-
mittee, and in no case later than ten days before the next
Representative Session of the Conference.
'FOREIGN MISSIONS.
' The GENERAL COMMITTEE OF MANAGEMENT shall consist of
' i. Ex officio Members, namely, the President and the
Secretary of the Conference ; the ex-President ; the General
Treasurers ; the General Secretaries ; the Honorary Secretary
(if any) ; the Secretaries of the Home-Mission Committee ; the
General Treasurers and the General Secretary of the Theological
Institution ; the Governor, Theological Tutor, Senior Classical
Tutor, and Secretary, of the Richmond Branch of the Institution.
' (ii.) Sixteen Ministers and Sixteen Laymen to be chosen for
nomination and appointment from not fewer than twelve Pro-
vincial Districts : with,
' (iii.) Sixteen Ministers and twenty Laymen, resident in the
London Districts.
' N.B. The Treasurer of any District Auxiliary Society in
Great Britain, and the Chairman of any District, who may be
in London at the time of holding any Meeting of the General
Committee, shall be entitled to sit and vote with the Committee;
and the Treasurer, or Treasurers, of the London Districts
Auxiliary Societies shall be regularly summoned to the Com-
mittee.
' The Ministers and Laymen referred to in groups ii. and iii.,
above, shall be recommended for nomination to the Conference
by the General Committee at its Meeting next before the Con-
ference in each year ; and a list of the Ministers and Laymen
so recommended shall be sent to the Secretary of the Nomina-
tion Committee in each jear as early as possible after it has
been adopted, and in no case later than ten days before the
next Representative Session of the Conference.
' The Conference resolves
' (1) To amend Clause X. of the ' Laws and Regulations of
the Wesleyan-Methodist Missionary Society," so as to bring it
into accord with the foregoing proposals, and to rescind the
352 CONSTITUTION OF MIXED COMMITTEES.
following words at the end of the same Clause X., namely :
" Those of the Methodist Ministers who are annual subscribers
to the Missions of one Guinea, and one Treasurer, Secretary,
or other principal member from every District Auxiliary Society,
who may be in London occasionally, shall be entitled to meet
and vote with the Committee."
' (2) To amend Clause XI. of the " Laws and Regulations," so
as to bring it into accord with the foregoing proposals, and
with the general Regulation respecting the retirement of
Ministers, and the retirement of Laymen by rotation from
Connexional Committees, now submitted to the Conference.
V.
' The Conference adopts the following REGULATIONS respect-
ing the constitution and appointment of " THE COMMITTEE OF
PEIVILEGES AND THE COMMITTEE OF EXIGENCY," THE COM-
MITTEE OF THE AlTXILIABY FtFND, THE COMMITTEE FOB
PBOMOTING THE RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE OF THE LOED'S DAT,
AND THE TEMPEEANCE COMMITTEE, namely :
' (i.) That Members of Society, whether they are Members of
the Conference in its Representative Session or not, shall be
eligible for appointment upon the Committees named above.
' (ii.) That the President and the Secretary of the Conference
and the ex-President, shall be ex officio Members of the Com-
mittees named above.
' (iii.) That each of the Committees named above shall ordi-
narily consist of an equal number of Ministers (in addition to
the President) and of Laymen.
' (iv.) That no Minister who is not an ex officio Member of the
Committee of the Auxiliary Fund, or of the Committee for
Promoting the Religious Observance of the Lord's Day, or of
the Temperance Committee, shall remain upon either Committee
as a Member during more than six consecutive years, unless
he shall have been nominated for further appointment thereon
by the vote of four-fifths of the Members of the Committee
present.
' (v.) That the Standing Order (No. 16) of the Conference
(Minutes, 1880, p. 264), as amended in accordance with a
preceding Resolution, shall be so further amended as that
members of the Committee named in the foregoing Regulation
(iv.) shall be included in its provisions.
CONSTITUTION OF MIXED COMMITTEES. 353
'(vi.) That the Conference shall annually appoint the Members
(not being ex officio Members) of the Committees named above
after receiving the Report of the Nomination Committee.
'The Treasurers shall be appointed by the Conference after
receiving the Nominations of the respective Committees.
'"THE COMMITTEE OF PRIVILEGES"; AND "THE
COMMITTEE OF EXIGENCY."
' The Conference resolves that in future Q.XX. in the Minutes
of Conference and the answer thereto, shall be worded as
tollows :
' Q. XX. What are the COMMITTEES FOE GUARDING OUB
PRIVILEGES during the ensuing year ?
'A. (i.) The OEDINABY COMMITTEE; which shall have full
power to take action in all cases affecting our Connexional
interests, unless in its judgment, or in the judgment of the Presi-
dent of the Conference, it is deemed expedient to refer any case
to the Extraordinary Committee named below. The Ordinary
Committee shall meet whenever it is convened either by direction
of the President of the Conference or by its Secretaries :
' (ii.) The EXTBAOBDINABY COMMITTEE ; which shall have full
power to take action in all cases affecting our Connexional
interests, and shall meet whenever the Ordinary Committee or
the President of the Conference shall convene it.
' The OEDIKAET COMMITTEE shall consist of
* (i.) Ex officio Members : namely, the President and Secretary
of the Conference, the Ex-President, the Connexional Editor,
the Book-Steward, two of the General Secretaries of the Mis-
sionary Society, to be recommended for nomination to the
Conference by the Missionary Committee, the Secretary of the
Education Committee, the Senior Secretary of the Chapel
Committee, the Secretary of the Metropolitan Chapel Building
Committee, the General Secretary of the Home-Mission Fund
Committee, the Senior Secretary of the Lord's Day Committee,
the Secretary of the Fund for the Extension of Methodism in
Great Britain, the Senior Secretary of the Temperance Com-
mittee, the Lay General Treasurer of the Missionary Society,
one of the Lay Treasurers of the Education Fund to be recom-
mended for nomination to the Conference by the Education
Committee, the Senior Lay Treasurer of the Chapel Committee,
the Lay Treasurer of the Home-Mission Fund, and the Lay
AA
354 CONSTITUTION OF MIXED COMMITTEES.
Treasurer of the Fund for the Extension of Methodism in
Great Britain :
' (ii.) So many Ministers (in addition to the President) as
will make the total number of Ministerial Members of the
Committee to be twenty-five. The Nomination Committee shall
annually nominate these additional Ministers to the Conference
for appointment, of whom not fewer than six shall be resident
in or near London : and,
' (iii.) So many Laymen as will make the total number of Lay
Members of the Committee to be twenty-five. The Nomination
Committee shall annually nominate the additional Lay Members
to the Conference for appointment, of whom not fewer than
twelve shall be resident in or near London.
' Not later than ten days before the opening of the Session of
the Representative Conference in each year, the Secretaries of
the Missionary Committee shall forward to the Secretaries of
the Nomination Committee the names of the General Secretaries
recommended for nomination to the Conference as ex officio
Members of this Committee, and the Secretary of the Education
Committee shall also forward in like manner the name of the
Lay Treasurer of the Education Fund nominated for appoint-
ment as an ex officio member.
' N.B. The following Ministers and Laymen shall act as a
Sub-Committee of the Ordinary Committee, and shall meet once
a quarter, or oftener if necessary, in order to consider any cases
of alleged grievance or other matters of exigency which may
arise. This Sub-Committee shall be convened quarterly, or
oftener, by the Secretaries of the Ordinary Committee. The
President of the Conference shall have power to direct that it
be convened at any time. It shall consist of the President
and Secretary of the Conference, the Ex-President, three Lay
Members of the Ordinary Committee, to be appointed by the
Conference on receiving the recommendation of the Nomination
Committee, and the Secretaries of the Ordinary Committee.
' Superintendent Ministers are directed to report to the Secre-
taries all cases of alleged grievance within their Circuits so
soon as such cases are alleged to have arisen.
' The EXTBAOBDINABY COMMITTEE shall consist of
' (i.) All the Members of the Ordinary Committee :
' (ii.) The Chairmen of Districts :
' (iii.) Thirty-four Laymen : to be nominated for appointment
to the Conference by the Nomination Committee from the Lay
CONSTITUTION OF MIXED COMMITTEES. 355
Representatives to the Conference elected by the several
District Committees, one Layman being nominated from among
the Representatives of each District : and,
' (iv.) The Lay General Treasurers of Connexions! Funds who
are not otherwise appointed to be Members of this Committee.
'THE WORN-OUT MINISTERS' AND MINISTERS'
WIDOWS' AUXILIARY FUND.
' The Committee of this Fund shall consist of
' (i.) Ex offido Members, the President and the Secretary of
the Conference, the Ex-President, the Treasurers and Secretary
of the Fund :
' (ii.) Twenty-two Ministers, of whom fifteen shall be annually
chosen for nomination to the Conference by the Nomination
Committee from among Chairmen of Districts, and seven shall
be recommended for nomination to the Conference by the
Committee of the Fund ; and,
' (iii.) Twenty- five Laymen: of whom eighteen shall be annually
chosen for nomination to the Conference by the Nomination
Committee from among the Lay Representatives elected by the
several District Committees, and seven shall be recommended
for nomination to the Conference by the Committee of the
Fund.
' Not later than ten days before the opening of the Session of
the Representative Conference in each year, the Secretary of
the Fund shall forward to the Secretaries of the Nomination
Committee the names of the seven Ministers and the seven
Laymen whom the Committee of the Auxiliary Fund recom-
mend for nomination to the Conference as Members of the
Committee.
'RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCE OF THE LORD'S DAT.
' The Committee shall consist of
' (i.) Ex cfficio Members, namely, the President and the
Secretary of Conference, the Ex-President, one of the Secre-
taries of the Temperance Committee, two Ministerial Secre-
taries :
' (ii.) Twenty-one Ministers, of whom not fewer than twelve
shall be resident in or near London : and,
'(iii.) Twenty-five Laymen, of whom not fewer than twelve
shall be resident in or near London.
356 CONSTITUTION OF MIXED COMMITTEES.
' The twenty-one Ministers and the twenty-five Laymen above-
named, shall be recommended for nomination to the Conference
by the Lord's Day Committee, and the Secretaries of that
Committee shall forward the names of the said Ministers and
Laymen to the Secretaries of the Nomination Committee, not
later than ten days before the opening of the Session of the
Representative Conference in each year.
' TEMPERANCE.
' The Committee shall consist of,
' i. Ex officio Members, namely, the President and the
Secretary of the Conference ; the Ex-President ; the Secretaries
and Lay Treasurer of the Committee ; the Book-Steward ; the
Connexional Editor ; the Secretary of the Connexional Sunday
School Union ; one of the Secretaries of the Lord's Day Obser-
vance Committee ; and,
' ii. Sixteen Ministers and twenty Laymen to be recommended
for nomination to the Conference by the Temperance Com-
mittee, not fewer than four of the said Ministers and six of
the said Laymen being resident in or near London. In the
selection and appointment of the Ministers and Laymen named
in this Clause (ii), due regard shall be had to the regulation 1,
p. 210, Minutes of Conference, 1875 ; with a view to the con-
stitution of the Committee in accordance with that regulation.
' " Not later than ten days before the opening of the Repre-
sentative Session of Conference in each year, the Secretaries of
the Temperance Committee shall forward to the Secretaries of
the Nomination Committee the names of the sixteen Ministers
and twenty Laymen who are recommended by the Committee for
Nomination to the Conference."
' The Conference re-appoints the Committee on the Nomina-
tion of Mixed Committees, and refers to its further consideration
the recommendations contained in its Report as to the travelling
expenses of ministers, as also the whole question of the expenses
of Departmental Committees.'
INDEX.
Admission to Membership in the Wesleyan-Methodist Societies, Pages
8, 279, 280, 317, 320.
Advices to the Preachers, 321, 322.
Agreement mith the Trustees at Bristol in 1794, 305 307,
Annual District Meeting, 62 71.
Annuitant Society, Methodist Preachers', 248, 249.
Antinomianism, warnings against, 285, 287.
Appeals, 10, 64, 73, 74, 75, 96, 97.
Appeals, Committee on, 36.
Army and Navy Ministers, 56, 144.
Army and Navy Sub- Committee, of Home-Missionary Committee, 143, 144.
Auxiliary Fund for Worn-out Ministers and Ministers' Widorvs,2i8 254;
Duties of Circuit Treasurers of, 250, 251 ; Duties of District
Treasurers of, 83, 251.
Auxiliary Missionary Societies, 130.
Backsliders to be cared far, 54, 55, 327, 338.
Band-Meetings, 5, 6, 331.
Bands of Hope, 121, 122, 235238.
Bankruptcies, 103, 296.
Book- Committee, London, 163; General, 164.
Book-Room, Wesleyan-Methodist, 163, 164, 320.
Book-Steward, 164.
Branch Missionary Societies, 125.
Bribery at Elections, 294, 295.
Candidates for the Ministry, 44 49.
Candidates for Ordination, 51 53.
Catechetical Instruction, 327.
ClMimten of Districts, Method of Electing, 60; Duties of, 7880;
Trial of, 80, 81 ; Provision for the Death or Incapacity of, 40, 41.
Chapel Affairs, ' Compendium of Regulations ' affecting, 166 174 ; Sub-
sequent Regulations respecting, 174 176.
358 INDEX.
Cliapel Model Deed, some leading Provisions of, 111 115.
Chapel Secretaries, District, 85.
Chapel Stewards, Mode of Appointment, 113, 114 ; Duties of, 114.
Chapel Treasurer, Mode of Appointment, 113, 114.
Children, Instruction of, 293, 294.
Children of Supernumerary and Deceased Ministers, 254.
Children's Fund, 242 245, 254. District Treasurer of, 83.
Children's Home and Orphanage, 231 233.
Children's Meetings, 12, 293, 294, 325.
Circuit Meeting, Special, 96 98.
Circuit Stewards, Functions and Duties of, 95.
Circuit Sunday School Unions, 219, 220.
Circuit Temperance Unions, 240, 241.
Class-Leaders, Appointment of, 100. 305, 317, 318, 326 ; Duties of, 2, 99,
100, 327, 337 ; Kemoval of, 100, 101.
Class-Meetings, 4, 5.
Cleanliness, 296.
' Code of Laws,' issued by the Conference of 1797, 268-322.
Commercial Failures, Mode of proceeding in, 103.
Committees, Connexwnal, Scheme for the Nomination and Constitution
of, 339356.
Conference, The, 14 38 ; The Legal Conference 14 19 ; Lay Repre-
sentation in the, 21 27 ; Business of the Pastoral Session, 24 ;
of the Representative Session, 25; Order of Business in the,
2835.
Conformity to the World. 294.
Connexwnal Offices, Appointments to, 58, 59.
Contingent Fund, 132 149.
Cottage Prayer Meetings, 105, 325.
Covenant, Renewal of the, 7.
Day Schools, 119121 ; 208 ; Rules for the Management of, 214216.
' Deed of Declaration,' or ' Deed Poll" of the Rev. John Wesley, 14,
261267.
Delegate of the Conference in Ireland, 18, 19.
District Administration of Home-Mission Funds, 135, 136.
District Chapel Secretary, 85.
District Chapel Sub- Committee, 167.
District Committees, 60 77, 277 281 ; The Financial District Meeting,
60 62 ; The Annual District Meeting, 62 71 ; Minor District
Meetings, 7274 ; Special District Meetings, 75, 76 ; The Mixed
District Meeting, 76, 77.
District Education Secretary, 84, 85.
INDEX. 859
District Financial Secretary, 81, 82.
District Home-Mission Secretary, 85.
District Home-Mission Sub- Committee, 136.
District Missionaries, 56, 142, 143.
District Probationers' Examination Secretary, 49, 50, 84.
District Sunday School Sub- Committees, 218, 228, 229.
District Sustentation Funds, 245 247.
District Sustentation Fund Sub- Committee, 245, 246.
District Temperance Secretary, 86, 241.
District Treasurer of Children's Fund, 83, 244.
District Treasurer of Foreign Missionary Society, 83, 84, 125^
District Treasurer of Schools Fund, 84, 206.
District Treasurer of Sustentation Fund, 84, 247.
District Treasurer of Worn-out Ministers' and Ministers' Widows' Fund,
83, 251.
Division of Circuits, Kules affecting, 92, 93, 309, 317.
Editor, Connexional, Duties of, 164.
Education Committee, 209, 210.
Education Fund, 222.
Education, Higher, 223, 224.
Education, Middle- Class, 222. 223.
Education of Ministers' Children, allowance for those who are not at
the Connexional Schools, 201.
Education Secretary, District, 84, 85, 216, 217.
Education, Wesley an- Methodist, Plan of, 209 218.
Election of Lay Representatives by the Conference, 23, 26, 27 ; by Dis-
trict Committees, 23.
Election of Members oftlie. Legal Conference, mode of, 15, 16.
Election of the President and Secretary of the Conference, mode of, 16, 17.
Enrolment or Registration of Chapel Deeds, 170, 174, 175.
Examination of Candidates for the Ministry, Special, 47.
Examination of Probationers, 49, 50.
Exhorters, 109, 110.
Exigency, Committee of, 256, 257.
Expulsion of Members from the Society, 10, 11, 102, 103, 317, 320.
Extension Fund for Methodism in Great Britain, 179, 180.
Extension Fund for Methodism in Scotland, 184 190.
Failures in Business, 103.
Family Worship, 331, 332.
Fasts, Quarterly, 309, 310.
Field Preaching, 283, 284.
860 INDEX.
Financial District Meeting, 6062.
Financial Secretaries of Districts, Mode of Appointment, 60 ; Duties of,
81, 82.
' Form of Discipline,' issued by the Conference of 1797, 268 322.
Formality in Public Worship, to be avoided, 288, 289.
Funeral Sermons, 296.
'Helper,' Business of a, 281, 282.
' Helper] Rules of a, 275, 276.
Holiness, means of advancing in, 282, 283.
Home- Mission and Contingent Fund, 132, 133 ; ' Compendium of Regula-
tions ' affecting, 134147 ; Additional Regulations made in 1880,
147, 148 ; in 1881, 148, 149.
Home-Mission Sub- Committee, District, 85.
Home Missionary Ministers, 56, 139 142.
Houses, Ministers', 138, 142, 296.
Invitations to Ministers, 90.
Ireland, Delegate of the Conference in, 18, 19.
Irish Members of the Legal Conference, 16.
Itinerant System, the, 57, 58.
Junior Society Classes, 12, 13.
, Juvenile Home and Foreign Missionary Associations, 130, 131, 135.
Kingsnooa School, 313 315. See also New Kingsmood and Woodhouse
Gfrove School.
Ladies' Auxiliary to the Foreign Missionary Society, 131.
' Large Minutes,' or ' Form of Discipline,' 268 322.
Lamsuits, not to be commenced without the sanction of the Committee
of Privileges, 256, 312.
Lay Agents, employed by District Home-Mission Sub-Committees,
144146.
Lay Agents of the Metropolitan Methodist Lay Mission, 145, 146.
Leaders' Meetings, Constitution of, 99 ; Functions, 99 105, 317, 318.
Leaders of Classes, how Appointed, 100, 305, 317, 318 ; Duties of, 99,
100, 327, 337.
Leaders of Junior Society Classes, how Appointed, 13, 101, 326 ; Duties
of, 13.
Leys School, Cambridge, 224.
List of Reserve, 39, 48, 49.
Liverpool Methodist Lay Mission, 155.
INDEX. 861
' Liverpool Minutes,' 303309.
Local Preachers, 107110, 280, 281, 318 ; Fund for the Benefit of
Necessitous Local Preachers, 255.
Local Preachers' Meetings, 107 1 10.
Lord's Day, Religious Observance of the, 310, 327.
Lord's Day, Committee for Promoting the Religious Observance of the,
257, 258.
Lovefeasts, 6, 7, 296.
Manchester and Salford Lay Mission, 154, 155.
Marriage with Unconverted Persons, 295.
Married Candidates for the Ministry, 47, 312.
Meetings of Ministers resident in the same town, 56, 57.
Memorials from Circuits to the Conference, 93, 94.
Methodism, Design of, 272 ; Rise of, 272, 273.
Methodist Preachers, Office and Duty of, 274276.
Metropolitan Chapel Building Fund, 177 179.
Metropolitan Methodist Lay Mission, 146, 151 154.
Minor District Meetings, 72 74.
Minutes of the Conference, on the Work of God, adopted in 1820,
323329 ; adopted in 1821, 330332 ; adopted in 1835, 333335.
Minutes on Pastoral Visitation, adopted in 1847, 335 338.
Missionary Society, Wesley an- Methodist, origin of, 123, 124 ; Laws and
Regulations of, 124 130 ; Auxiliary and Branch Societies, 124,
130; Juvenile Associations, 130, 131, 135; Ladies' Auxiliary for
Female Education, 131.
Mission Rooms, 176.
Mixed District Meeting, 76, 77, 301, 303, 304.
Nervous Disorders, how to prevent, 297.
New Kingsrvood and Woodhouse Grove School, 191 200, 203, 204.
New Laws, or Rules, 26, 89, 301, 319, 321.
Nomination Committee, 37, 38.
Nomination of Mixed Committees, Scheme of, 339 356.
North Wales District Chapel Fund, 180 182.
Officers, District, duties of, 78 86.
Offices, Connexional, Ministers set apart to, 58, 59.
Order of Business in the Conference, 2835; in the Financial District
Meeting, 61, 62 ; in the Annual District Meeting, 63 71.
Ordination to the Ministry, 51 53.
Party Spirit, to be avoided, 325, 333.
862 INDEX.
Pastoral Address of the Conference, to be read to the Societies, 332.
Pastoral Duties, 54, 55, 289293, 323329, 334.
Pastoral Visitation, 289293 ; 326, 330, 331, 334, 335338.
Plan of Pacification, 301305.
Poor Stewards, Mode of Appointing, 100 ; Duties of, 104, 105.
Pray erf or the Holy Spirit, 329, 335.
Prayer Leaders' Meetings, 105.
Prayer-Meetings, 7, 105, 325.
Preaching, the most useful way of, 287, 288, 303, 304, 314.
President of the Conference, mode of electing, 16, 17 ; Powers and duties
of, in the interval of the meeting of the Conference, 39 41 ;
Provision for the death, or prolonged illness of, 41.
Privileges, Committee of, 256, 257.
Probationers for the Ministry, 49 53.
Provincial Centres of the Connexional Sunday School Union, 229, 230.
Public Recognition of New Members of the Society, 9, 10.
Pupil-Teachers, care of, 120 ; Examination of, 220, 221.
Quarterly Meetings, Constitution of, 87, 88 ; Functions of, 88 96 ;
Special business of the September Quarterly Meeting, 89 ; of the
December Quarterly Meeting, 89, 90; of the March Quarterly
Meeting, 90 93 ; of the June Quarterly Meeting, 93, 94. See
also 300, 301.
Regulations made at Leeds in 1797, 316 321.
Removal, Note of, 9.
Reserve, President's List of, 39, 40, 48, 49.
Resolutions of the Conference on the Work of God and Pastoral Visita-
tion. See Minutes.
Representation, Lay, in the Conference, 21 27.
Representatives, Lay, to the Conference, Qualifications of, 22, 23 ; Mode
of electing, 23, 26, 27.
Representatives, Ministerial, to the Conference, in its Representative
Session, 22.
Revival, Means of Promoting a, 284, 285.
' Rules of a Helper,' 275, 276.
Rules of the Wesley an- Methodist Societies, 1 4.
Rules, Sundry, agreed to by the Conference at different times, 308 313.
Sabbath-breaking, 294, 295.
Sacraments, Administration of, 302.
Schools for Ministers' Children, 191 206 ; Scheme for the Management
of New Kingswood and Woodhouse Grove School, 192 200 ;
Schools for Ministers' Daughters, 199, 202.
INDEX. 363
Schools Fund, 201, 202, 205, 206.
Scotland, Fund for the Relief and Extension of Methodism in, 184 190.
Seamen's Mission, Wesley an, 150.
Smuggling, to be extirpated, 294.
Secretary of the Conference, Mode of electing, 16, 17 ; Duties of, in the
interval of the meeting of the Conference, 42, 43.
Secretary of the Annual District Meeting, 63, 82.
Societies, Wesleyan-Methodist, Rules of, 1 4.
Society Meetings, 6, 296, 325, 326 ; Special Society Meetings, 6.
Society Stewards, Mode of appointing, 100; Duties of, 104.
South Wales District Chapel Fund, 182184.
Special Circuit Meeting, 96 98.
Special District Meeting, 75, 76.
Stationing Committee, 35, 36, 301.
Stewards, Method of appointing, 89, 100, 113, 114 ; Change of, 100, 310.
Sivnday Schools, 117 119, 207 ; Principles on which they should be
conducted, 208 ; Rules for the management of, 210 214.
Sunday School Sub- Committees, District, 84, 218, 228, 229.
Sunday School Union, Connexional, 225 230.
Sunday School Unions, Circuit, 219, 220.
Superintendents of Circuits, special duties of, 55, 56, 276 279.
Supernumerary Ministers, retiring for one year, 146, 147 ; Provision for,
H7 j 248254 ; Children of, 254, 255.
Support of the Ministry, 2, 242247.
Talhing in our Chapels, 296.
Teachers in Sunday Schools, 118, 211 214.
Teachers' Meetings, 118, 212, 213.
Temperance Secretary, District, 86, 241.
Temperance Societies, Wesleyan-Methodist, 122, 234, 238 240.
Temperance Unions, Circuit, 240, 241.
Theological Institution, course of study in, 156 158 ; Scheme for the
Administration of, 159 161 ; Sundry Regulations affecting, 161,
162.
Theological Training of Accepted Candidates for the Ministry, 48, 49.
Tract- Committee, Wesleyan-Methodist, 106.
Tract Societies, 105, 106.
Tracts, Distribution of, 105, 106, 311.
Ti'aining Colleges for Teachers, admission to, 221, 222.
Transfer of Day- Schools, 121, 217, 218.
Trial of Members of the Society, 10, 11, 55, 56, 102, 103.
Trustees, Rules affecting the Trial of, 10, 11, 102, 103.
Trustees'' Meetings, 110 116.
864 INDEX.
Union, Connexwnal Sunday School, 225 230.
Unions, Circuit Sunday School, 219, 220.
Unions, Circuit Temperance, 240, 241.
Union among tlie Preachers, 283.
Visitation of the Society Classes, 5, 305, 306, 312.
Visitation, Pastoral. See Pastoral.
Wesley, Rev. John, his Deed of Declaration, 14, 261 267 ; his Letter to
the Conference, delivered after his decease, 20, 307, 308.
Wine, Sacramental, 241.
Worn-out Ministers' and, Ministers' Widows' Auxiliary Fund, 248 254.
Yearly Collection, 125, 315, 316.
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