Robert W. Woodruff
Library
Althea B. Edmiston
Collection
EMORY UNIVERSITY
Special Collections & Archives
THE DOCTRINES
AND
DISCIPLINE
OF THE
AFRICAN
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
WITH AN APPENDIX
Revised by the GENERAL CONFERENCE,
ST. LOUIS, MO., 1904
EDITED BY
REV* G. L. BLACK WELL, A.M., D.D.
CHARLOTTE, N. C.
A.M.E. ZION PUBLICATION HOUSE
1905
COMMITTEE ON REVISION.
By motion the General Conference ordered that
the Compiler and Committee put the Book of Disci¬
pline in harmony with itself and with the new laws
enacted.—Journal 1900, pages 76 and 87.
The Committee on Revision has not formally met at
any time since the adjournment of the General Con¬
ference in St. Louis, Mo., May, 1904, but have held
several informal meetings. The first was in Brook¬
lyn, N. Y., August, 1904; the second in Fayetteville,
N". C., January, 1905; the third in Camden, N. J.,
April, 1905, and the last at Allegheny, August, 1905.
There being a difference of opinion as to what the
General Conference meant by its legislation on the
Benevolent Assessments, and the changes made in the
law governing the Missionary Department, the revision
matter was twice referred to the Connectional Council
for interpretation and once taken up by the Bishops
for adjustment. Final agreement was reached at the
council meeting in Allegheny, Pa., August, 1905, and
the Editor, Rev. G. L. Blackwell, was ordered to pre-
3
Committee on Revision.
pare the manuscript and arrange with the Publication
House at Charlotte, N. C., to get the Book of Disci¬
pline out at once.
The revision has given us no little concern, and we
have labored with but two ends in view, namely, the
extension of our Church and the glory of God.
J. W. Hood, Chairman;
A. Walteks,
G. W. Clinton,
J. S. Caldwell,
E. A. jYIokbisey,
G. L. Blackwell, Secretary;
Committee.
4
EDITOR'S NOTE.
The delay of getting out the Book of Discipline
cannot be altogether charged to the Editor; his work
was half completed during the two months immed¬
iately following the rise of the General Conference,
but a difference in opinion among the Bishops and
General Officers of the Church as to what the General
Conference did do and did not do has led to the delay.
It is well that the general Church should know this,
so that the responsibility of the delay might be cor¬
rectly placed. However, the history of publishing the
Book of Discipline is that it has never come out
earlier than about a year or more after the General
Conference; so that after all the Editor congratulates
himself in being fortunate enough to bring it out
about two years after the adjournment-of the Gen¬
eral Conference. The labor bestowed upon it was not
as abundant as it was difficult and if all parts of the
Book harmonize, we are all fortunate, for by order
from the Committee we were compelled to let some
things remain which will appear to be contradictory
to others, but since another revision will be necessary
in four years we may rest at comparative ease.
In so far as the Editor has failed to meet the wish
of the Church he begs the clemency of the brethren,
and if the work has any merit he hopes it will meet
a thoughtful consideration on the part of the
Church.
Respectfully,
G. L. Blackwell,
Editor.
5
FOUNDERS' ADDRESS.
To the Members of the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church in America:
Beloved Brethren : We think it proper
to state briefly that, after due consideration, the
Official Members of the African Methodist Epis¬
copal Zion and Asbury Churches in the city of
New York have been led to conclude that such
was the relation in which we stood to the white
Bishops and Conference, relative to the ecclesias¬
tical government of the African Methodist Church
or Society in America, so long as we remain in
that situation our Preachers would never be able
to enjoy those privileges which the Discipline of
the white Church holds out to all its Members
that are called to preach, in consequence of the
limited access our brethren had to those privi¬
leges, and particularly in consequence of the dif¬
ference of color. We have been led also to
conclude that the usefulness of our Preachers has
been very much hindered, and our brethren in
general have been deprived of those blessings
which Almighty God may have designed to grant
Founders' Address.
them, through the means of those Preachers whom
He has from time to time raised up from among
them, because there has been no means adopted
by the said Bishop and Conference for our
Preachers to travel through the Connection and
promulgate the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ;
and they have had no access to the only source
from whence they might have obtained a support,
at least, while they traveled. Under these circum¬
stances they believed that the formation of an
itinerant plan and the establishment of a Con¬
ference for the African Methodist Preachers of
the United States, who are not yet attached to
any Conference of that nature, would be essential
to the prosperity of the spiritual concerns of our
colored brethren in general, and would be the
means of advancing our Preachers (who are now
in regular standing in connection with the white
Preachers of the Methodist Episcopal Church),
whenever it should be found necessary for the
advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom among
our brethren, to bring forward for ordination
those who are called of God to preach the Gospel
of our Lord, which may be done from time to
time, according to the best of our judgment of
the necessity thereof, and not according to the
method which is natural to suppose our white
brethren would pursue, to determine upon the
Founders' Address.
necessity of such ordination. We are under
strong impression of mind that such measures
would induce many of our brethren to attend
divine worship, who are yet careless about their
eternal welfare, and thereby prove effectual in the
hands of God in the awakening and conversion
of their souls to the knowledge of the truth.
And whereas, Almighty God, in his all-wise and
gracious providence, has recently offered a favor¬
able opportunity, whereby these Societies may be
regularly organized as an evangelical African
Methodist Church, we have therefore resolved to
embrace the said opportunity, and have agreed
that the title of the Connection shall be the
African Methodist Episcopal Church in America; *
and we have selected a form of Discipline, with
a little alteration from that of our Mother-
Church, which selection we recommend to you, for
the Doctrines and Discipline of our Church, hop¬
ing that the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls,
the. all-wise arid gracious God, will be pleased to
approve of the above measures and grant that we
may obtain and preserve those privileges which
we have been heretofore deprived of; that thereby
we may unite our mutual efforts for the prosperity
of the Redeemer's kingdom among us, and for
* The word "Zion" was added to the title by the
General Conference of 1848.
8
Founders' Address.
the encouragement of our colored brethren in the
Ministry.
Earnestly soliciting your prayers and united
efforts for the same, we remain your affectionate
brethren and servants in the kingdom of our ever-
adorable Lord.
Abraham Thompson,
James Varick,
William Miller.
9
COMMITTEE'S ADDRESS.
On the Origin of the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church in America:
Dearly Beloved : In view of the rapid
growth of our Connection and the many changes
that have been made since the issuing of the Dis¬
cipline heretofore in use, it must be clear to all
that a new compilation is an indispensable neces¬
sity. To know our laws it was necessary to
possess the Minutes of all the General Con¬
ferences since 1856, of which comparatively few
were in our possession.
The General Conference which met in Clinton
Chapel, Charlotte, N. C., on the 19th of June,
1872, appointed a Committee to revise the old
and prepare a new compilation.
The Committee submitted the result of their
labors to the General Conference, and it was
adopted. The General Conference also appointed
a compiler to prepare the matter for, and to super¬
intend its publication under the direction of the
General Book Committee. As it is proper that you
should be fully informed respecting the history of
Committee's Address.
our beloved Zion, especially as there are those who
are disposed to make erroneous impressions, we
have thought it not out of place to inform you of
our origin.
By those who are acquainted with the history
of Methodism in this country it is generally con¬
ceded that its light first shone forth in the city of
New York about the year 1765.
The John Street Church was the first Methodist
Church erected in that city. There were several
colored Members in this Church from its first
organization. Between the years 1765 and 1796
the number of colored Members largely increased,
so much so that caste prejudice forbade their tak¬
ing the Sacrament until the white families were
all served. This, and the desire for other Church
privileges denied them, induced them to organize
among themselves, which they did in the year
1796. This was the first African Methodist Epis¬
copal Church of which we have any account.
In the year 1800 they built a church and called
it Zion. This Church, unlike the other colored
Methodist Churches formed about the same
period, \vas, as regards its temporal economy,
separate from the Methodist Episcopal Church,
from its first organization. They drew up article?
of agreement with the Methodist Episcopal Church
under which she supplied them with Ministers tor
11
Committee's Address.
about twenty years. So that Zion, the oldest
Church of the Connection, that has by general
consent taken her name, must be conceded to be
the oldest Methodist organization separate from
the Methodist Episcopal Church, in this country.
As we have shown, the Connection is generally
called Zion out of respect to that first Church.
But the style and title of the Church, as the
founders tell us, is the African Methodist Epis¬
copal Church. And if there is any body of
Methodists in the world that has a pre-eminent
right to this title it is the Zion Connection, for she
assumed it before there was any other to assume
it. Trusting that the hints we have thrown out
may induce you to investigate this subject fully,
and also hoping that this compilation may facili¬
tate good government and give general satisfac¬
tion to the membership of our Church, we remain
yours in Christ,
J. P. Thompson,
Chairman of Committee.
J. W. Hood, Secretary.
12
THE BISHOPS' ADDRESS.
Beloved Brethren : Wishing that you may
not be ignorant of any of our Christian doctrines,
or any part of the Discipline of our Church, we
desire you to read carefully, mark, learn, and in¬
wardly digest the whole.
It is incumbent upon you, next to the word of
God, to procure and acquaint yourselves with the
articles and canons of the Church to which you
belong. Convinced as you must be of the im¬
portance of orders in all Societies, and especially
so in Christ's Church, therefore it is our confident
hope that you will not only acquaint yourselves
with the rules and regulations of our Church,
but that you will, for peace, order, and good
government, and the consequent prosperity
of the Church, honestly endeavor to observe
and carry them out fully, in the spirit and in
the letter.
13
The Bishops' Addkess.
We remain very affectionately, your brethren and
unceasing laborers in the vineyard of the Lord.
J. W. Hood,
T. H. Lomax,
C. R. Habbis,
*1. C. Clinton,
A. Walters,
G. W. Clinton,
*J. B. Small,
J. W. Alstobk,
J. W. Smith,
J. S. Caldwell.
'Died Tuesday, October *8, 1904.
*Died Sunday, January 15, 1905.
CONTENTS.
PAET I.
THE CHURCH.
chapter paragraph
I. Articles of Religion 1-25
II. The General Rules 26-33
III. Special Advices 34-41
Marriage 34-35
Divorce 36
Slavery 37
Temperance 38
Rising Generation 39
Love-Feast 40
Watch-Night Meeting . - . 41
IV. Membership 42-50
Probationers 42-43
Admission into Full Connection 44
Baptized Children . . 45-48
Transfer of Membership by Certificate . . 49
Receiving Societies into the Connection . . 50
V. Worship 51-59
Order of Worship 51
The Spirit and Truth of Singing 52
Classes and Class Meetings 53-59
VI. Ordinances 60-63
Mode of Baptism 60
Infant Baptism 61
Adult Baptism 62
The Lord's Supper ... 63
15
Contents.
PAET II.
THE CONFERENCES.
chapter paragraph
I. The General Conference 64-85
II. The Board of Bishops 86-92
III. The Connectional Council 93-98
IV. The Annual Conferences 99-114
V. The District Conferences 115-129
VI. The Quarterly Conferences 130-136
VII. The Leaders' Meeting 137-141
VIII. The Members' Meeting 142-143
PAET III.
THE MINISTRY.
I. Qualification and Eules of a Preach
er
His Call to Preach
Eules for a Preacher's Conduct ....
Manner aud Method of Preaching . .
II. Beception of Preachers and Minis
ters 158-133
Eeception on Trial 153-166
Admission into Full Connection .... 167-169
Ministers from other Churches 170-176
Ministers in Official Positions 177-179
Transfer of Ministers ISO
Termination of Conference Membership 1S1-183
1. By Location . 181-182
2. By Withdrawal 183
III. Deacons 184-1S8
IV. Elders 189-192
V Bishops 193-197
VI. Presiding Elders 198-204
VII. Pastors in Charge 205-209
VIII. Supernumerary and Superannuated
Ministers 210-211
16
144-157
144
. 145-155
. 156-157
CONTKNTS.
PART IV.
LOCAL PREACHERS, EXHORTERS, AND LAY HELPERS.
CHAPTER PARAGRAPH
I. Local Preachers . . 212-220
II. Exhorters 221-227
III. Class Leaders and Their Duties . 228-231
PAET V.
JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION.
I. Trial op an Accused Member .... 232-242
Immoral Conduct 232-235
Imprudent and Unchristian Conduct , . 236
Neglect of the Means of Grace 237
Sowing Discord 238
Disagreement in Business—Arbitration . 239-241
Failure to Pay Assessments 242
II. Trial of an Exhorter and a Local
Preacher 243-246
III. Trial of a Local Deacon and a Local
Elder 247-251
IV. Proceedings Against a Preacher on
Trial 252-257
V. Trial of a Traveling Minister in
Full Connection 258-269
VI. Trial of a Bishop 270-276?
VII. General Directions Concerning
Trials 277-297
VIII. Court of Appeals 298-309
PART VI.
TEMPORAL ECONOMY.
I. Financial Department 310-357
Board of Apportionment 312-313
General Fund Assessment 314
2 17
Contents.
chapter
PARAGRAPH
Appropriation of the General Fund 315
Benevolent Assessment 316-310
Disbursing Officers : 319-324
General Secretary—His Duties 325-32°
Assistant General Secretary 329
Financial Secretary—His Duties • • 330"33°
Annual Conference Board of Apportion¬
ment 337-340
General Fund Secretary 341-34°
Duties of Members 347-34°
Duties of Pastors and Presiding Elders . 349*354
Duties of the Bishop and Annual Con¬
ference 3SS-3S7
II. Anniversary Days and Collections 358-366
Children's Day 358-361
Easter Day 362
Missionary Day 363
Collection for Varick Endeavor Union . . 365
Collection for Mission Schools 366
III. Denominational Fund 367-372
IV. Support of Effective Ministers 373'4°3
Stewards 373-379
Preacher's Steward 380-382
Stewardesses 383
Support of Pastors 384-350
Support of Presiding Elders 391-395
Support of Bishops 396-403
V. Relief of Superannuated Ministers 404-407
VI. Relief of Widows and Orphans 408-415
VII. Relief of the Poor 416-418
fill Church Property 419-433
Trustees—Their Election and Duties .... 419-427
Form of Conveyance of Church Property 428-429
Form of Conveyance of Parsonage Prop¬
erty 430-431
Sale of Church Property 432-433
18
Contents.
PART VII.
educational and benevolent institutions.
chapter paragraph
I. Publication Department 434-456
Publication House 434*435
Board of Managers 436-439
General Manager 440-447
Board of Publication 448-453
Editors and Periodicals 454-456
II. Sunday School Department 457*475
Board of Publicationi 457-458
Editor of Sunday School Literature 459-460
Sunday School Board 461-468
Duties of Officers and Teachers 469-473
Duties of Presiding Elders 474
Duties of Pastors 475
III. Educational Department 476-506
Board of Education 476-481
Secretary of Education 482-486
Educational Institutions 487-495
Annual Conference Educational Board ... 496-498
Duties of Pastors and Presiding Elders ... 499-506
IV. Church Extension Department 507-524
Church Extension Board
Church Extension Secretary 514
General Committee 515*518
Annual Conference Church Extension
Board 519
Applications for Aid 520-521
Duties of Presiding Elders and Pastors .. 522-524
V. Missionary Department 525*574
Home and Foreign Mission Board 525*532
Corresponding Secretary 528
Support of Missions, Home and Foreign . 533*534
Annual Conference and Missions 535*539
Duties of Presiding Elders 540-541
Duties of Pastors 542-548
VI. Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary
Society 549*56'3
Its Name, Obiect, and Membership 549*554
Duties of Officers 555
19
Contents.
chapter paragraph
District Vice-Presidents 556-56-2
Duties of Pastors and Presiding Eiders .. 5°3
Local Woman's Home and Foreign Mis¬
sionary Society 564-574
VII. Varick Christian Endeavor Union 575-604
Board of Control ... * 5 75*5 81
President of the Union 582-586
Editor of the Varick Endeavorer 587"5°9
Annual Conference Vice-President of the
Undon 59°
Duties of Pastors and Presiding Eiders .. 591-592
Model Constitution for Local Societies ... 593-604
PART VIII.
the ritual.
Ij Baptism 618-619
Of Infants 618
Of Adults 619
II. Reception of Members 620-621
Reception on Probation 620
Reception into Full Connection 621
III. The Lord's Supper 622-623
Public Administration 622
Communion Service for the Sick 623
IV. Matrimony 624
V. Burial of the Dead 625
VI. Consecration and Ordinations 626-628
Consecration of a Bishop 626
Ordination of Elders 627
Ordination of Deacons . .• 628
VII. Corner-Stone and Dedication 629-630
Laying the Corner-Stone of a Church ... 629
Dedication of a Church 630
20
Contents.
APPENDIX.
chapter paragraph
i. offices, residences, and addresses 1-2
Bishops and Episcopal Districts 1
General Officers anid Departments 2
ii. administrative boards 3-13
Board of Connectional Trustees 3
Board of Apportionment 4
Board of Publication 5
Board of Managers Publication House 6
Board of Education ... 7
Board of Church Extension 8
Board of Missions 9
Board of Control Varick Endeavor Union.. 10
Board of Widows and Orphans 11
Board of Statistics 12
Board of Audit 13
iii. annual conferences and missions 17-18
Annual Conferences 17
Mission Work 18
iv. miscellaneous i9'25
Rules for Conference Proceedings 19
Manner of Formulating Charges 20-22
Form of Charges 21
Order of a Trial....... 22
What Constitutes a Circuit or Station 23
The Correspondence School 24
Forms of Deeds 25
v. courses of study 26-31
For Class Leaders and Exhorters 29
For Local Preachers 3°
For Traveling Preachers 31
21
PART I.
The Church.
I. ARTICLES OF RELIGION.
II. GENERAL RULES.
III. SPECIAL ADVICES.
IV. MEMBERSHIP.
V. WORSHIP.
VI. ORDINANCES.
CHAPTER I.
ARTICLES OF RELIGION.
I.— Of Faith in the Holy Trinity.
f 1. There is but one living and true God, ever¬
lasting, without body or parts, of infinite power,
wisdom, and goodness; the maker and preserver of
all things, visible and invisible. And in the unity
of this Godhead there are three persons, of one sub¬
stance, power, and eternity—the Father, the Son,
and the Holy Ghost.
II.—Of the Word, or Son of God, who was made
Very Man.
Tf 2. The Son, who is the Word of the Father, the
very and eternal God, of one substance with the
Father, took man's nature in the womb of the
blessed Virgin; so that two whole and perfect
natures, that is to say, the Godhead and manhood,
were joined together in one person, never to be
divided, whereof is one Christ, very God and very
man, who truly suffered, was crucified, dead, and
buried, to reconcile his Father to us, and to be a
sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for the
actual sins of men.
25
3. Articles of Religion.
III.—Of the Resurrection of Christ.
3. Christ did truly rise again from tlie dead, and
took again his body, with all things appertaining
to the perfection of man's nature, wherewith he
ascended into heaven, and there sitteth until he shall
return to judge all men at the last day.
IV.— Of the Holy Ghost.
H 4. The Holy Ghost, proceeding^ from the Father
and the Son, is of one substance, majesty, and glory
with the Father and the Son, very and eternal God.
V.— The Sufficiency of the Holy Scriptures for Salvation.
5. The Holy Scriptures contain all things neces¬
sary to salvation r so that whatsoever is not read
therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be re¬
quired of any man that it should be believed as an
article of faith, or be thought requisite or necessary
to salyation. In the name of the Holy Scriptures,
we do understand those canonical books of the Old
and New Testament, of whose authority there never
was any doubt in the Church. The names of the
canonical books are:
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuter¬
onomy, Joshua, Judges, Kuth, The First Book of
Samuel, the Second Book of Samuel, the First Book
of Kings, the Second Book of Kings, the First Book
of Chronicles, the Second Book of Chronicles, the
Book of Ezra, the Book of Nehemiah, the Book of
Esther, the Book of Job, the Psalms, the Proverbs,
Ecclesiastes or the Preacher, Cantica or Song of
Articles of Religion. 8.
Solomon, Four Prophets the greater, Twelve Prophets
the less.
All the books of the New Testament, a3 they are
commonly received, we do receive and account canon¬
ical.
VI.— Of the Old Testament.
H 6. The Old Testament is not contrary to the
New; for both in the Old and New Testament ever¬
lasting life is offered to mankind by Christ, who is
the only Mediator between God and man. Where¬
fore they are not to be heard who feign that the
old fathers did look only for transitory promises.
Although the law given from God by Moses, as
touching ceremonies and rites, doth not bind Christ¬
ians, nor ought the civil precepts thereof of necessity
be received in any commonwealth; yet, notwith¬
standing, no Christian whatsoever is free from the
obedience of the commandments which are called
moral.
VII.— Of Original or Birth Sin.
If 7. Original sin standeth not in the following of
Adam (as the Pelagians do vainly say), but it is the
corruption Of the nature of every man that naturally
is engendered of the offspring of Adam, whereby
man is very far gone from original righteousness,
and of his own nature inclined to evil, and that con¬
tinually.
VIII.— Of Free Will.
H 8. The condition of man after the fall of Adam
is such that he cannot turn and prepare himself, by
his own natural strength and works, to faith, and to
27
9. Articles of Religion.
calling upon God; wherefore we have no power to
do good works, pleasant and acceptable to God,
without the grace of God by Christ assisting us, that
we may have a good will, and working with us, when
we haye that good will.
IX.—Of the Justification of Man.
^[9. "VVe are accounted righteous before God only
for the merit of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
by faith, and not for our own works or deservings.
Wherefore, that we are justified by faith only is a
most wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort.
X.— Of Good Works.
10. Although good works, which are the fruits
of faith, and follow after justification, cannot put
away our sins, and endure the severity of God's
judgments; yet they are pleasing and acceptable to
God in Christ, and spring out of a true and lively
faith, insomuch that by them a lively faith may be
as evidently known as a tree is discerned by its fruit.
XT.—Of Works of Supererogation.
]] 11. Voluntary works, besides, over, and above
God's commandments, which are called works of
supererogation, cannot be taught without arrogancy
and impiety. For by them men do declare that they
do not only render unto God as much as they are
bound to do, but that they do more for his sake than
of bounden duty is required: whereas - Christ saith
plainly, When ye have done all that is commanded
of you, say, We are unprofitable servants.
Articles of Religion. 15.
XII.—Of Sin after Justification.
U 12. Not every sin willingly committed after
justification is a sin against the Holy Ghost and un¬
pardonable. Wherefore, the grant of repentance is
not to be denied to such as fall into sin after justifi¬
cation : after we have received the Holy Ghost, we
may depart from grace given, and fall into sin, and,
by the grace of God, rise again and amend our lives.
And, therefore, they are to be condemned who say
they can no more sin as long as they live here; or
deny the place of forgiveness to such as truly repent.
XIII.— Of the Church.
13. The visible Church of Christ is a congrega¬
tion of faithful men in which the pure word of God
is preached, and the Sacraments duly administered
according to Christ's ordinance, in all those things
of necessity required for the same.
XIV.—Of Purgatory.
TT14. The Romish doctrine concerning Purgatory,
pardon, worshiping, and adoration, as well of images
as of relics, and also invocations of saints, is a fond
thing, vainly invented, and grounded upon no war¬
rant of Scripture, but repugnant to the word of God.
XV.— Of Speaking in the Congregation in such a
Tongue as the People Understand.
]f 15. It is a thing plainly repugnant to the word
of God, and the custom of the primitive church, to
29
•ff 16. Articles of Religion.
have public prayer in the Church, or to minister the
Sacraments, in a tongue not understood by the people.
XVI.—Of the Sacraments.
H 16. Sacraments, ordained of Christ, are not only
badges or tokens of Christian men's profession, but
rather they are certain signs of grace and God's good
will toward us, by the which he doth work invisibly
in us, and doth not only quicken, but also strengthen
and confirm, our faith in him.
There are two Sacraments ordained of Jesus Christ
our Lord in the Gospel; that is to say, Baptism and
the Lord's Supper.
. Those five commonly called Sacraments, that is to
say confirmation, penance, orders, matrimony, and
extreme unction, are not to be counted for Sacra¬
ments of the Gospel; being such as have partly
grown out of the corrupt following of the Apostles
and partly are states of life allowed in Scriptures,
but yet have not the like nature of Baptism and the
Lord's Supper, because they have not any visible
sign or ceremony ordained of God.
The Sacraments were not ordained of Christ to be
gazed upon or to be carried about; but that we
should duly use them. And in such only as worthily
receive the same they have a wholesome effect or
operation; but they that receive them unworthily
purchase to themselves condemnation as St. Paul
saith. I. Cor. 11: 29.
30
Articles of Religion. 51 18.
XVII.— Of Baptism.
If 17. Baptism is not only a sign of profession and
mark of difference whereby Christians are distin¬
guished from others that are not baptized; but it is
also a sign of regeneration or the new birth. The
baptism of young children is to be retained in the
Church.
XVIII.—Of the Lord's Supper.
If 18. The Supper of the Lord is not only a sign
of the love that Christians ought to have among
themselves one to another, but rather is a Sacrament
of our redemption by Christ's death ; insomuch that
to such as rightly, worthily, and with faith receive
the same, the bread which we break is a partaking
of the body of Christ; and likewise the cup of bless¬
ing is a partaking of the blood of Christ.
Transubstantiation, or the change of the substance
of bread and wine into the body and blood of our
Lord, cannot be proved by Holy Writ, but is repug¬
nant to the plain words of Scripture, overthroweth
the nature of the Sacrament, and hath given occa¬
sion to many superstitions.
The body of Christ is given, taken and eaten in
the Supper only after a heavenly and spiritual man¬
ner. And the means whereby the body of Christ is
received and eaten in the Supper is faith.
The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper was not by
Christ's ordinance reserved, carried about, lifted up,
or worshiped.
31
•f[ it). Articles of Religion.
XIX.— Of Both Kinds.
19. The Cup of the Lord is not to be denied to
the Lay People, for both parts of the Lord's Supper,
by Christ's ordinance and commandment, ought to
be administered to all Christians alike.
XX.— Of the One Oblation of Christ Finished Upon
the Cross.
If 20. The offering of Christ, once made, is a per¬
fect redemption, propitiation, and satisfaction for all
the sins of the whole world, both original and actual;
and there is none other satisfaction for sin but that
alone. Wherefore the sacrifice of masses, in the
which it is commonly said that the priest doth offer
Christ for the quick and the dead, to have remission
of pain or guilt, is a blasphemous fable and danger¬
ous deceit.
XXI.— Of the Marriage of Ministers.
If 21. The Ministers of Christ are not commanded
by God's law either to vow the estate of single life,
or to abstain from marriages; therefore, it is lawful
for them, as for all other Christians, to marry at their
own discretion, as they shall judge the same to serve
better to godliness.
XXII.—Of the Rites and Ceremonies of Churches.
Tf 22. It is not necessary that the rites and cere¬
monies should in all places be the same, or exactly
alike; for they have always been different, and may
be changed according to the diversity of the coun-
32
Articles of Religion. lf*23.
tries, times, and men's manners, so that nothing be
ordained against God's word. Whosoever, through
his private" judgment, willingly and purposely doth
openly break the rites and ceremonies of the Church
to which he belongs, which are not repugnant to the
word of God, and are ordained and approved by
common authority, ought to be rebuked openly, that
others may fear to do the like, as one that offendeth
against the common order of the Church and
woundeth the consciences of weak brethren.
Every particular Church may ordain, change, or
abolish rites and ceremonies, so that all things may
be done to edification.
XXIII.— Of the Rulers of the United States of
America.
Tf 23. The President, the Congress, the General
Assemblies, the Governors and the Councils of State,
as the Delegates of the People, are the Rulers of. the
United States of America, according to the division
of power made to them by the Constitution of the
United States, and by the Constitutions of their re¬
spective States. And the said States are a sovereign
and independent Nation, and ought not to be sub¬
ject to any foreign jurisdiction. As far as it respects
civil affairs, we believe it the duty of Christians, and
especially all Christian Ministers, to be subject to
the supreme authority of the country where they,
may reside and to use all laudable means to enjoin
obedience to the powers that be; and, therefore, it is
expected that all our Preachers and People who may
3 33
11 24.
General Rules.
be under any foreign Government will behave them¬
selves as peaceable and orderly subjects.
XXIV.— Of Christian 3fen's Goods.
U 24. The riches and goods of Christians are not
common, as touching the right, title, and possession
of the same, as some do falsely boast; notwithstand¬
ing, every man ought, of such things as he possesses,
liberally to give alms to the poor according to his
ability.
XXV.— Of Christian Men's Oaths.
If 25. As we confess that vain and rash swearing
is forbidden Christian men by our Lord Jesus Christ
and James his Apostle; so we judge that the Christ¬
ian religion doth not prohibit, but that a man may
swear when the Magistrate requireth, in a cause of
faith and charity, so it be done according to the
Prophet's teaching, in justice, judgment, and truth.
CHAPTER II.
THE GENERAL RULES.
The Nature, Design, and General Rules of our United
Societies.
If 26. In the latter end of the year 1739, eight or
ten persons came to Mr. Wesley, in London, who
appeared to be deeply convinced of sin, and earnestly
groaning for redemption. They earnestly desired (as
34
General Rules. 28, § 1.
did two or three more the next day) that he would
spend some time with them in prayer, and advise
them how to flee the wrath to come, which they
saw continually hanging over their heads. That
he might have more time for this great work, he
appointed a day when they all might come together ;
which from - thenceforward they did every week,
namely, on Thursday in the evening. To these and
as many more as desired to join with them (for their
number increased daily), he gave such advice, from
time to time, as he thought most needful for them,
and they always concluded their meetings with
prayer suited to their several necessities.
Tf 27. This was the rise of the United Societies,
first in Europe, then in America. Such a society is
no other than " a company of men having the form
and seeking the power of godliness, united in order
to pray together, to receive the word of exhortation,
and to watch over one another in love, that they may
help each other to work out their salvation."
If 28. Classes.—That it may be more easily dis¬
cerned whether they are indeed working out their
salvation, each Society is divided into smaller com¬
panies, called Classes, according to their respective
places of abode; from twelve to thirty persons in a
Class, one of whom is styled The Leader. It is
his duty—
§ 1. To see each person in his Class once a week
at least; in order—(1) To inquire how his soul pros¬
pers. (2) To advise, reprove, comfort, or exhort, as
occasion may require. (3) To receive what he is
35
28, § 2. General Kules.
willing to give toward the relief of the Preachers,
Church, and Poor.
§ 2. To meet the Preacher and Stewards of the
Society once a month in order—(1) To inform the
Preacher of any that are sick, or any that walk dis¬
orderly and will not be reproved. (2) To pay the
Stewards what he has received of his Class during
the month preceding.
H29. Conditions of Membership.—There is only one
condition previously required of those who desire
admission into these Societies: "A desire to flee
from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their
sins." But wherever this is really fixed in the soul
it will be shown by its fruits.
T[ 30. It is therefore expected of all who desire to
continue therein, that they shall continue to evidence
their desire of salvation, First: By doing no harm,
by avoiding evil of every kind, especially that which
is most generally practised: such as,
The taking of the name of God in vain; pro¬
faning of the day of the Lord, either by doing ordi¬
nary work therein, or by buying and selling.
Drunkenness, buying or selling or using spirituous
or intoxicating liquors, unless in cases of extreme
necessity; fighting, quarreling, brawling; brother
going to law with brother; returning evil for evil, or
railing for railing; the using of many words in buy¬
ing and.selling; the buying and selling of goods that
have not paid the duty; giving or taking things on
usury (that is, unlawful interest); uncharitable or
unprofitable conversation; particularly speaking evil
General Rules. 31,
of Ministers and Magistrates; doing unto others
what we would not they should do unto us; doing
what we know is not for the glory of God; the
putting on of gold as a useless ornament; and taking
such diversions as cannot be done in the name of the-
Lord Jesus—such as dancing, card-playing, lottery,
policy, and other games of chance; going to circuses
and theatres; the singing of those songs and the
reading of those books that do not tend to the
knowledge and love of God; softness and need¬
less self-indulgence; laying up treasures on earth;
buying goods without the probability of paying for
them. 238.
T[ 31. It is expected of all who wish to continue
in these Societies, that they should continue to evi¬
dence their desire of salvation,
Secondly : By doing good; by being in every kind
merciful after their power; doing good of every
possible sort, and, as far as possible, to all men.
To their bodies of the ability which God giveth;
by giving food to the hungry; by clothing the
naked ; by visiting or helping them that are sick or
in prison;
To their souls, by instructing, reproving, or ex¬
horting all whom they have any intercourse with;
trampling under foot that enthusiastic doctrine that
" we are not to do good unless our hearts be free to it"
By doing good especially to them that are of the
household of faith, or groaning so to be; employing
them preferably to others; buying one of another;
helping one another in business—and so much the
32. General Eules.
more because the world will love its own, and them
only.
By all po'ssible diligence and frugality, that the
Gospel be not blamed.
By running with patience the race set before them,
denying themselves and taking up their cross daily;
submitting to bear the reproach of Christ; to be as
the filth and offscouring of the world; and looking
that men should say all manner of evil against them
falsely, for the Lord's sake.
If 32. It is expected of all who desire to continue
in these Societies that they should continue to evi¬
dence their desire of salvation,
Thirdly: By attending on all the ordinances of
God; such as, the public worship of God; the
Ministry of the word, either read or explained; the
Lord's Supper; searching the Scriptures, fasting, and
abstinence; family and private Prayer. 237.
T[ 38* Conclusion. These are the General Rules
of our Societies; all which we are taught of God to
observe, even in his written word, which is the only
Rule, and a sufficient Rule, both of our faith and
practice. And all these we know his Spirit writes on
all truly awakened hearts. If there be any among
us who observes them not, who habitually breaks any
of them, let it be known unto those who watch over
that soul as they who must give an account; we will
admonish him of the error of his ways; we will bear
with him for a season. But if then he repent not,
he hath no more place among us ; we have delivered
our own souls.
88
Special Advices. 36.
CHAPTER III.
SPECIAL ADVICES.
L Marriage.
f 34. We do not prohibit our members from
marrying persons who are not of our Church, pro¬
vided such persons have the form, and are seeking
the power of godliness; yet we feel it our duty to
discourage their marrying persons who do not come
up to this description. Many of our members have
married unawakened persons. This has produced a
bad effect; they have either been hindered for life,
or have turned back to perdition.
][ 35. In order to discourage such marriages, 1.
Let every Preacher publicly enforce the Apostle's
caution, " Be ye not unequally yoked together with
unbelievers." (II. Cor. 6 :14.) 2. Let all be ex¬
horted to take no step in so weighty a matter with¬
out advising with their most serious brethren.
II. Divorce.
T[ 36. Our Ministers shall discourage the procure¬
ment of divorce except on Scriptural grounds. All
divorces not thus obtained shall subject the persons
so offending to trial according to Discipline. No
man who has two or more living wives, or woman
who has two or more living husbands, shall be ad¬
mitted a Member of our Church, except they were
39
37. Special Advices.
unavoidably separated by slavery, so as to have not
the least prospect of being together again in this life,
or except the separation occurs on Scriptural grounds
(Matt. 19:9); in both of which cases the clearest
proof must be given to the Pastor in Charge called
upon to take cognizance of the case, and if any
Pastor in Charge receiving information to that effect
respecting any person or persons, applying for ad¬
mission into our Church, shall fail properly and
fairly to investigate the case, and shall thereby admit
such person or persons into the Church wrongfully,
said Pastor shall be deemed guilty of immorality.
HI. Slavery.
TJ 37. We believe that the buying, selling, or hold¬
ing of human beings to be used as chattels is con¬
trary to the laws of God and nature, and inconsistent
with the Golden Rule, and with our Discipline. We
will not receive any person into our Church who is a
slave-holder. All our Ministers and people are ad¬
monished to keep themselves pure from this great
evil, and seek its extirpation wherever it exists, by
all lawful and Christian means.
IV. Temperance.
Tf 38. We believe that temperance implies the sub¬
ordination of all the emotions, passions, and appe¬
tites to the control of reason and conscience, and a
wise use of suitable articles of food and drink. The
Holy Scriptures teach us to abstain from all alcoholic
liquors. The manufacturing, buying, selling and
40
Special Advices. 41.
using of spirituous liquors is both contrary to Script¬
ure, and against the principles of morality and the
public welfare. We most heartily approve of all
lawful and Christian efforts to exterminate the traffic,
and to save Society from the evil results of intem¬
perance, and earnestly advise our people to co-oper¬
ate in all reasonable measures to1 put an end to the
liquor traffic, and urge a strict observance of temper¬
ance by all our Members.
V. Rising Generation.
1[ 89. In order to benefit the rising generation let
each Minister in Charge of a circuit or station
deliver a number of lectures each year upon the
great advantage of mental and moral culture. Let
him frequently talk to the children in his Charge in
a plain and practical manner on subjects suited to
the capacity of their minds. Let him often cate¬
chize them on the Bible, and the history of their own
Church.
VL Love-Feast.
We do not regard Love-Feast as a Divine
Ordinance, but an Ecclesiastical Bule which we
observe in imitation of the Agapae of the early
Christians, and it is designed to promote fellowship
and brotherly love among the Members. Let each
Pastor observe Love-Feast once a quarter in his
Church.
VII. Watch-Night Meeting.
If 41. We regard watch-night meeting as a suit¬
able service to be observed in all our Churches on
41
42. Membership.
the eve of the New Year in order to awaken serious
reflections of past blessings, and to enforce religious
lessons and make solemn vows.
CHAPTER IV.
MEMBERSHIP.
I. Probationers.
% 42. In order that we may not admit improper
persons into our Church, let great care be taken in
receiving persons on Probation, and let no one be so
received or enrolled who does not give satisfactory
evidence of his desire to flee the wrath to come and
to be saved from his sins. Such a person satisfying
us in these particulars may be received into our
Church on six months Probation; but shall not be
admitted to Full Membership until he shall have
given satisfactory evidence of saving faith in the
Lord Jesus Christ. 619.
f 43. A person professing faith in Christ who has
previously joined on Probation may not be required
to wait six months before he is received into Full
Membership; but may be admitted to Full Member¬
ship as soon as he satisfies the Pastor and Leader as
to the soundness of his conversion.
I 1. Let every Pastor and Class Leader see that all
Persons on Probation be instructed in the Rules and
Doctrines of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
42
Membership. 44, § 2.
Church before they are admitted to Full Member¬
ship. Tf 205 § 6.
\ 2. The Pastor shall see that there is a book
called the Probation Book in which the names of
all the Probationers shall be recorded, and which
shall be examined monthly or quarterly at the Lead¬
ers' Meeting in order to inquire into the state of the
Probationers, to approve, or drop them as the case
may be. 278.
\ 3. Probationers are expected to conform to the
rules and usages of the Church, and to show evi¬
dence of their desire for fellowship in the Church ;
they are entitled to all its spiritual privileges and
benefits; but they may not enjoy the right to vote
nor be Members of the Quarterly Conference; they
may, however, testify as witnesses.
II. Admission into Foil Connection.
1[ 44. Persons may be admitted to Full Member¬
ship into our Church in two ways:
\ 1. A Probationer who has served out his Proba¬
tion, has been baptized, recommended at the Leaders'
Meeting, and if none has been held according
to law, recommended by the Leader, and on ex¬
amination by the Pastor before the Church as re¬
quired in 620, has given satisfactory assur¬
ances both of the correctness of his faith and his
willingness to observe and keep the rules of our
Church, may be admitted to Full Membership.
I 2. A Member in good standing in any other
Evangelical Church, desiring to unite with us, may
*1*4, § 3.
Membership.
be received on his Certificate of Membership, and by
giving satisfactory answers to the usual questions
laid down in our formula for the Reception of Mem¬
bers, H 620.
§ 3. Let the Pastor see that a proper Church
record is kept in each Church, and that the Church
Clerk, or where there is not a Clerk, the Secretary
of the Leaders' Meeting, properly and faithfully
enroll the names of all the Members received into
our Church, If 205, § 17.
§ 4. The Presiding Elder shall examine the roll of
Membership at each session of the Quarterly Con¬
ference, and see that the number and names of all
the Members therein recorded be reported by the
Pastor at the Annual Conference, ^ 199, \ 14.
HI. Baptized Children.
f 45. "VVe regard all children who have been bap¬
tized as placed in visible covenant relation to God,
and under the special care and supervision of the
Church, T 61, 205 g 10, 475 § 1, 2. The Pastor
shall preserve a full and accurate register of the
names of all the baptized children within his pas¬
toral care, the dates of their birth, baptism, their
parentage, and place of residence. % 205 \ 10.
46. The Pastor shall organize the baptized chil¬
dren of the Church, at the age of ten years or
younger, into Classes, and appoint suitable Leaders
(male or female) whose duty it shall be to meet them
in Class once a week, and instruct them in the
nature, design, and obligations of baptism, and the
44
Membership. 49, § 1.
truths of religion necessary to make them wise unto
salvation furge them to give regular attendance upon
the means of grace; to advise, exhort and encourage
them to an immediate consecration of their hearts
and lives to God, and to inquire into the state of their
religious experience, ft 205 \ 10. ft 475 \ 1, 2.
ft 47. Whenever baptized children shall have
attained an age sufficient to understand the obliga¬
tions of religion, and shall give evidence of piety,
they may be admitted into Full Membership in our
Church, and on the recommendation of a Leader
with whom they have met at least six months in
Class, by publicly assenting before the Church to the
baptismal covenant, and also to the usual questions on
Doctrine and Discipline, ft 205 \ 6, ft 620.
ft 48. Whenever a baptized child, orphan or other¬
wise, becomes deprived of Christian guardianship,
the Pastor shall ascertain and report to the Leaders
and Stewards' Meeting the facts in the case; and
such provisions shall be made for the Christian train¬
ing of the child as the circumstances of the case
admit and require.
IV. Transfer of Membership by Certificate.
ft 49. I 1. A Member in good standing in our
Church desiring to remove his membership from one
Pastoral Charge to another is entitled to a Certifi¬
cate. of that nature from the Pastor, or if there is no
Pastor, from the Presiding Elder; and the Pastor is
to instruct his Members from time to time not to re-
45
•J]" 49, § 2. Membership.
move from one Charge unto another without a Certifi¬
cate in this form : 205 \ 5.
" This certifies that A. the bearer, is an accep¬
table Member of African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church of of
Circuit or Station .... — Conference but, desiring
to remove Membership, is hereby affectionately
commended to the fellowship of the Pastor and Mem¬
bership of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church in or in any other place where
may decide to reside
\ 2. When a Pastor shall have received a Member
by Certificate he shall notify the Pastor of the Charge
from which the person comes so that his relationship
with the former Church may cease, in order to keep
a correct account of our Members, If 205 \ 5.
| 3. The Certificate of Membership thus given
shall not be valid longer than one year from the time
it was issued: and for any cause it was impracticable
for him to deposit it during that time, it may be
renewed.
\ 4. A Member who absents himself by leaving
the town or vicinity of his Church and does not
communicate with his Leader or Pastor, and does
not keep up his financial obligations, his name shall
be stricken from the roll, after six months of such
absence, and placed on the Probation Book.
| 5. A Certificate of Membership may not be re¬
fused, if demanded by a Member removing his resi¬
dence, except for reasons satisfactory to Pastor and
Leader to justify their withholding it. In such a
46
Membership 50, § 1.
case the person applying for said Certificate may be
given opportunity to show why the Certificate should
be given.
§ 6. A note of recommendation may be given a
Member who desires to join another Evangelical De¬
nomination.
§ 7. Whenever a Pastor removes from one place or
Charge to another he shall complete the Church
Record by entering upon it opposite the names of
his family, the words, "Members of the Pastor's
family transferred to " and see
that they are placed on the Record of the Church to
which he is appointed with this note "Members of
Pastor's family transferred from "
§ 8. All our Bishops, General Officers, Presiding
Elders, Ministers, and Preachers of every rank
together with their families shall deposit their Mem¬
bership with the Church of the town or vicinity
where they live. They shall be amenable to that
Church for their Christian conduct according to the
Discipline and shall pay their Pastor's salary, Gen¬
eral and Benevolent Assessments as ordinary Mem¬
bers, fl 242, fl 347, ff 348.
V. Receiving Societies into our Connection.
50. § 1. A Society wishing to unite with us shall
present to one of our Preachers a list of their names
accompanied with their desire to become organized
under our Discipline. The Preacher shall then read
to them the General Rules of our Church, and if they
are willing to comply with the same he shall read the
47
IF 50, § 2.
Worship.
list of names, and declare them Members in full
standing in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church.
| 2. The Preacher shall then nominate a Leader,
and the persons just admitted to membership shall
elect him as their Class-Leader. The Preacher shall
next proceed to form a Board of Trustees or Stew¬
ards and instruct them in the duties of their office.
§ B. It shall be the duty of the Trustees or Stew¬
ards so appointed to provide for the use of said
society the following articles :
A Church Record, in which to record the names of
Members, both those on Probation and those in Full
Connection; the list of Classes, the record of baptized
children, etc.
A record book for the proceedings of Trustees' or
Stewards' Meetings.
A record book for Leaders' Meetings.
A copy of our Book of Discipline.
A Bible.
Our Church Hymn Book.
CHAPTER V.
WORSHIP*
I. Order of Worship.
If 51. In order to establish uniformity in public
worship among us on the Lord's Day
48
W OJRSHIP.
If si, § l.
\ 1. We recommend the following order for morn¬
ing service:
Formula of Service.
1. Organ Prelude, or Voluntary Singing.
2. Singing from the Hymnal, the People standing.
3. Reading Psalms.
4. Scripture Lesson, by the Minister.
5. Prayer.
6. Organ Interlude and anthem.
7. Reading of Notices.
8. The Beatitudes, Congregation standing.
Blessed are the pure in spirit; for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn' for they shall be
comforted.
Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the
earth.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after
righteousness; for they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful; for they shall obtain
mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart; for they shall see
God.
Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be
called the children of God.
Blessed are they which are persecuted for right¬
eousness' sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and
persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil
against you falsely, for my sake.
Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your
4 49
H 51, § 2. Worship.
reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets
which were before you.
9. Chant: The Lord's Prayer, by Choir and Con¬
gregation.
10. Singing from the Hymnal, the People sitting.
11. Sermon.
12. Short Prayer for a blessing on the Word.
13. Collection.
14. Singing.
15. Apostles' Creed, which may or may not be re¬
peated.
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of
heaven and earth:
And in Jesus Christ his only Son, our Lord;
who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the
Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was
crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose
from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth
at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
from thence he shall come to. judge the quick and
the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic
Church, the communion of saints; the forgiveness
of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life
everlasting. Amen.
16. Doxology, and the Apostolic Benediction.
§ 2. Let the Afternoon or Evening services follow
the same general order except that either or both
the Scripture Lessons may be omitted.
\ 8. At the services during which the Sacraments
are administered any of the items of the formula
50
Worship.
IT 52, § 7.
may be omitted except singing, prayer, and the
apostolic benediction.
I 4. In administering the Sacraments, and in the
Burial of the Dead, let our form of Eitual invari¬
ably be used.
\ 5. Let the people be earnestly exhorted to take
part in the public worship of God; first, in singing;
secondly in prayer, in the scriptural attitude of
kneeling, by the repetition of the Lord's Prayer.
II. The Spirit and Truth of Singing.
^ 52. To guard against formality in singing,
\ 1. Select such hymns as are proper for the congre¬
gation and the occasion.
I 2. Do not sing too much at once; seldom more
than four stanzas.
§ 3. Let the tune be suited to the metre and the
sentiment of the hvmn.
\ 4. Do not suffer the people to sing too slowly;
this naturally tends to formality.
§ 5. Encourage every person in the congregation to
sing, and not merely one in ten; this can be facili¬
tated by giving out two lines at a time where the
people have no hymn books.
§ 6. In every congregation let due attention be
given to the cultivation of sacred music.
I 7. Should the- Pastor desire it, let the Quarterly
Conference appoint annually a Committee of three
or more, of which Committee the Pastor shall be
chairman, and they co-operating with him, shall regu¬
late all matters relating to this part of Divine Wor-
51
IT 53.
Worship.
ship. The action of said Committee shall be in every
respect subject to the control of the Quarterly
Conference.
m. Classes and Class Meetings.
U" 53. The design of organizing the membership
into Classes and the holding of Class Meetings is,
§ 1. To establish a system of subpastoral oversight
that shall effectively reach every Member of the
Church.
I 2. To establish and keep up a meeting for social
and religious worship, for instruction, encouragement,
and admonition, that shall be a profitable means of
grace to our people.
\ 3. To aid, when desired, in carrying out our gen¬
eral Financial Plan, 230 \ 7, 8, T[ 339, 1[ 340.
\ 4. To aid in carrying out the system adopted for
the support of the Pastor and the Poor of the Church.
54. A Class shall consist of from twelve to
twenty persons. As soon as there are thirty
persons in any one Class, the Pastor shall make pro¬
vision to have it divided into two Classes. A less
number may be divided if necessary.
55. The Members of each Class shall meet to¬
gether at their appointed place once every week in
order to inform their Leader how their souls are
prospering, to receive advice, reproof, comfort, or ex¬
hortation, as may be necessary, and to give their
Leader what they can afford for the benefit of the
Pastor, Poor, or Church, 229 \ 1.
56. Those persons who willfully neglect their
Ordinances. 60, § 1.
Class Meetings shall be visited by the Leader or
Pastor, who shall explain to them the consequences
of wilful neglect, and if they do not amend, they
shall be excluded from the Church; provided that
no Full Member shall be expelled without due trial
and conviction by a Committee, 75 § 3, 237, If 277.
H 57. Persons who absent themselves from the
Class Meeting three successive times or more, and do
not amend, after they have been duly admonished,
shall be brought to trial to answer for such neglect,
1 141, T 237.
Tl" 58. In the arrangement of Class Meetings two
or more Classes may meet together, and be conducted
according to the plan agreed upon by the Pastor and
Leaders, 230 £ 5.
U" 59. Let care be observed that the Members of
the Classes do not fall into formality through the use
of a uniform method. Let speaking be voluntary
and the services fresh, spiritual, and of permanent
religious profit.
CHAPTER VI.
ORDINANCES.
I. Mode of Baptism.
f 60. | 1. Let every adult person, and the parents
of every child to be baptized, have the choice of
baptism either by immersion, sprinkling, or pouring.
53
60, § 2. Ordinances.
§ 2. A Preacher must be regularly ordained to ad¬
minister the Sacraments and solemnize Matrimony,
209.
| 3. Our Ministers shall not make a charge for
administering Baptism or attendance on Burying the
Dead.
II. Infant Baptism.
Tf 61. We hold that all children, by virtue of the
unconditional benefits of the atonement, are Mem¬
bers of the kingdom of God, and therefore graciously
entitled to Baptism; but as Infant Baptism contem¬
plates a course of religious instruction and Disci¬
pline, it is expected of all parents or guardians who
present their children for Baptism, that they use all
diligence in bringing them up in conformity to the
word of God, and that they should be solemnly ad¬
monished of this obligation, and earnestly exhorted
to faithfulness therein, *[[ 45, 47, ^ 205 \ 10, 475,
U, 2.
III. Adult Baptism.
Tf 62. Baptism is a Divine Ordinance, the sign of
regeneration or the new birth. Every one professing
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, should feel duty bound"
to receive the Sacrament of Baptism if he has not
been previously baptized. Baptism should precede
the Eeception of a person into Full Connection in
our Church, 620.
IV. The Lord's Supper.
1f 68. ? 1. Let those who have scruples concern-
54
Ordinances. H 63, § 3.
ing the receiving of the Lord's Supper kneeling be
permitted to receive it sitting.
I 2. No person shall be admitted to the Lord's
Supper among us who is guilty of any practice for
which we would exclude a Member of our Church.
\ 3. It shall be the duty of every Pastor of a Cir¬
cuit or Station, at least once a quarter, on the Friday
evening next preceding the Sacrament, to meet the
Members in General Class, in order to inquire how
their souls are prospering; to exhort, reprove, advise,
etc., as duty may require, preparatory tc their re¬
ceiving the Lord's Supper, f 205 £ iL
55
PART II.
The Conferences.
I. THE GENERAL CONFERENCE.
II. THE BOARD OF BISHOPS.
III. THE CONNECT'IONAL COUNCIL
IV. THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE.
Y. THE DISTRICT CONFERENCE.
VI. THE QUARTERLY CONFERENCE,
VII. THE LEADERS' MEETING.
VIII. THE MEMBERS' MEETING.
General Conference. ^ 68.
CHAPTER I.
THE GENERAL CONFERENCE.
H 64. The General Conference shall be composed
of Ministerial and Lay Delegates.
65. The Ministerial Delegates shall consist of
one Delegate for every ten Active Pastors of each
Annual Conference, to be appointed either by senior¬
ity or choice at the discretion of such Annual Con¬
ference ; yet so that such Delegate shall have traveled
at least four years from the time he was received by
an Annual Conference of the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church, and is in Full Connection at
the time of the holding of the General Conference.
f 66. When there shall be in an Annual Confer¬
ence a fraction of two-thirds the number fixed for
the ratio of representation such Conference shall be
entitled to an additional Ministerial Delegate for
such fraction.
Tf 67. It shall require a majority of all the Dele¬
gates and Members of the General Conference who
have answered to roll call during the session, to con¬
stitute a quorum for the transaction of business, pro¬
vided, however, that a majority of all the Delegates
elected to the General Conference shall be in attend¬
ance, ][ 193.
f 68. No Annual Conference shall be denied the
privilege of one Ministerial and one Lay Delegate.
59
69. General Conference.
Tf 69. No one shall be elected as Delegate to the
General Conference who does not promise to remain
until the close of its session, unless excused by the
Conference, 110.
T]" 70. It shall be the duty of the Presiding Bishop
to see that no one is elected a Delegate to the General
Conference who is not entitled' to that privilege
according to law, and that each Delegate elected
shall receive a certificate from the Secretary of the
Annual Conference signed by the Bishop, before
adjournment, ^ 65, 74.
1171. The Lay Delegates shall consist of two Lay¬
men for each Annual Conference, except such Con¬
ferences as have but one Ministerial Delegate, which
Conferences shall be each entitled to one Lay Dele¬
gate.
11" 72. The Lay Delegates shall be each chosen by
an Electoral Conference of Laymen, which shall
assemble for the purpose on the third day of the
session of the Annual Conference at the place of its
meeting, and at its session immediately preceding
the General Conference.
73. The Electoral Conference shall be composed
of one Layman from each circuit or station within
the bounds of the Annual Conference; and on as¬
sembling the Electoral Conference shall organize by
electing a Chairman and Secretary of their own
number—such Laymen to be chosen by the last
Quarterly Conference preceding the time of its as¬
sembling ; or the District Conference may each elect
three lay delegates to the Annual Conference to rep-
General Conference. IT 76.
resent their district, who shall have a number of
votes in the Electoral Conference equal to the whole
number of circuits and stations composing the
District.'
74. No layman shall be chosen a Delegate to the
General Conference who shall have not been a
Member of our Church in Full Connection for the
four consecutive years preceding his election.
H 75. The General Conference shall have power to
make rules and regulations for our Church, under
the following limitations, to wit:
§ 1. It shall not revoke, alter, nor change our
Articles of Faith, nor establish any new standard
or rules of doctrine contrary to our present existing
and established standard.
\ 2. It shall not change nor alter any part or rule
of our government so as to do away with Episcopacy
nor destroy the plan of our Itinerancy.
§ 3. It shall not do away with the privilege of our
Ministers or Preachers of trial by Committee, and of
an Appeal; neither shall it do away with the privilege
of our Lay Members of trial before the Society or by
a Committee, and of an Appeal, If 56.
\ 4. It 'shall not revoke nor change the General
Rules of our United Societies, 26-fl 33.
§ 5. It shall not appropriate the proceeds of the
Book Concern, nor of the Chartered Fund to any
purpose other than for the benefit of the Traveling
and Superannuated Ministers, their wives, widows,
and children, H" 435.
76. The General Conference shall have power to
61
77. General Conference.
make new rules, and to revise those already made,
whenever it may deem it necessary for the general
interest of the Connection ; and all such rules shall
become valid immediately after the sanction of that
body.
^[77. The General Conference shall arrange the
Episcopal Districts and assign the Bishops to them.
78. The General Conference shall have power
to determine the salary of the Bishops and other
General Officers, f 315, H" 396.
70. The General Conference shall have power
to set off Annual Conferences in such places and at
such times as it may deem best, 1[ 104, and the Bishops
shall have power to supply such districts, by calling
from any Annual Conference District such Ministers
or Preachers as they may deem most serviceable in
establishing such fields of labor; prov'd id, always,
that there are no unavoidable circumstances to pre¬
vent such Ministers or Preachers from being removed,
IT 92 | 5.
U" 80. The General Conference shall have power
to ratify or reverse the decision of the lower court, to
try charges against a Bishop during its sitting, to
acquit, expel, or disrobe him of his Episcopal author¬
ity, or remand his case to a lower court for decision,
T[ 274 \ 2; it is also constituted a Court of Appeals
for Traveling Ministers in Full Connection who have
been convicted by a lower court, 269 \ 2, 308; it
also finally determines the. correct interpretation of
any question or opinion of law, or any ruling on the
part of a Bishop in any lower court, 197 \ 9, \ 300.
General Conference. ft 83.
81. The General Conference shall meet every four
years on the first Wednesday in May; but the
Bishops, with or by the consent of a majority of the
Annual Conferences, or, if there be no Bishop, a
majority of the Annual Conferences, shall have power
to call a General Conference sooner, if they judge
it necessary. The Board of Bishops may also, in
case of urgent necessity, change the place of meeting
of the General Conference, 86.
82. The Bishops shall preside by rotation; but
should there be no Bishop present or in power, the
General Conference shall elect a President pro-tem,
H 194.
83. The following persons are Members of the
General Conference1 by virtue of the office they hold.
1. The Bishops. 2. General Secretary. 3. Assistant
General Secretary. 4. Financial Secretary. 5. Manager
of the Publication House. 6. Editor of the Star of
Zion. 7. Editor of the Sunday School Literature. 8.
Editor of the Quarterly Review. 9. President of Liv¬
ingstone College. 10. Corresponding Secretary of Edu¬
cation. 11. Corresponding Secretary of Church Exten¬
sion. 12. Corresponding Secretary of Missions. 13.
Secretary of Varick Christian Endeavor Union. 14.
Editor of Statistical Year Book. 15. Editor of the
Zion Trumpet. 16. President, Vice-Presidents, Secre¬
tary, Corresponding Secretary and Treasurer of the
Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society and
Superintendent of the Juvenile Missionary So¬
ciety. 17. President of Greenville College.
18. President of Lancaster Normal and Indus-
63
84. General Conference.
trial School. 19. President of Clinton Institute. 20.
President of Atkinson College. 21. Principal of Lo-
max-Hannon High School. 22. Principal of Zion In¬
stitute. 23. Secretary of the Brotherhood. 24. Presi¬
dent, Secretary and Treasurer of all the Administra¬
tive Boards whose Members are elected by the General
Conference.
84. The third day of the session of each Gen¬
eral Conference shall be set apart to begin the presen¬
tation of reports from the Bishops and General Offi¬
cers in their order as follows:
1. Episcopal Address, including each district.
2. Report of General Secretary.
3. Report of Financial Secretary, and the Financial
Board.
4. Report of Manager of Publication House, and
the Board of Publication.
5. Report of Editor of Star of Zion.
6. Report of Editor of Sunday School Literature.
7. Report of Editor Quarterly Review.
8. Report of Editor Statistical Year Book.
9. Report of Editor Zion Trumpet.
10. Report of Corresponding Secretary of Educa¬
tion, and Educational Board.
11. Report of Corresponding Secretary of Church
Extension, and Board of Church Extension.
12. Report of Corresponding' Secretary of Mis¬
sions, and Board of Missions.
13. Report of President Livingstone College.
14. Report of President Greenville College.
64
General Conference. 85.
15. Report of President Lancaster Normal and In¬
dustrial School.
16. Report of Clinton Institute.
17. Report of President of Atkinson College.
18. Report of Principal Lomax-Hannon High
School.
19. Report of Principal Zion Institute.
20. Report of the Woman's Home and Foreign Mis¬
sionary Society and Juvenile Society.
21. Report of Secretary Varick Endeavor Union,
and Board of Control.
22. Report of Secretary of the Brotherhood.
23. Report of Theological Circle.
24. Report of Volunteer Ministerial Relief.
25. Report of Connectional Trustees, 372.
26. Report of Auditing Committee.
85. The election of Bishops, when there are any
to be elected, and the General Officers may take place
any time during the session after the report of said
officers shall have been made. The order of the elec¬
tion shall be as follows: 193, 194 § 1, 2, 3, 4.
1. Bishops.
2. General Secretary and Assistant.
3. Financial Secretary.
4. Manager of Publication House.
5. Editor Star of Zion.
6. Editor • Sunday School Literature.
7. Corresponding Secretary of Education.
8. Corresponding Secretary of Church Extension.
9. Corresponding Secretary of Missions.
10. President of Livingstone College.
5 65
ft 85. General Conference.
11. Editor of Quarterly Review.
12. Secretary of Varick Endeavor Union.
13. Editor Statistical Year Book.
14. Editor Zion Trumpet.
15. President of Lancaster Normal and Industrial
School.
16. President of Clinton Institute.
17. President of Greenville College.
18. President of Atkinson College.
19. Principal of Lomax-Hannon High School.
20. Principal of Zion Institute.
21. Principals of other schools.
22. Secretary of the Brotherhood.
23. President, Vice-President, Secretary, Corres¬
ponding Secretary, and Treasurer of the Woman's
Home and Foreign Missionary Society and Superin¬
tendent of the Juvenile Missionary Society.
24. The appointment of Bishops by the Episcopal
Committee.
25. The, appointment of Administrative Boards by
the Bishops.
66
Board of Bishops. 90.
CHAPTEK II.
THE BOARD OF BISHOPS.
|f 86. In the interval of the General Conference
the executive supervision of the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church shall be vested in its Bishops
who shall be known as the Board of Bishops, |f 81,
A. 19.
|f 87. The Board of Bishops shall meet semi-an¬
nually to counsel for the general interests of the Con¬
nection, and to attend to such duties as are required
by law, and shall hold such other meetings as may be
necessary.
|f 88. At each semi-annual meeting the Board
shall elect a President and Secretary. Said Presi¬
dent and Secretary shall have no extraordinary pow¬
ers in the interval, except to call special meetings
when in their judgment it may be necessary, or at the
request of two or more Members of the Board. They
shall also appoint the time and place of holding the
semi-annual meetings when not fixed by the Board.
|f 89. A majority of all the Effective Bishops shall
be necessary to form a quorum for the transaction
of business,
|f 90. The General Secretary and Financial Secre¬
tary shall be required to attend and report to each
semi-annual meeting.
67
91. Board oe Bishops.
|f 91. The Board of Bishops shall constitute a
Court of Appeals for any Bishop of the Connection
who has been suspended by a Trial Committee in the
interval of the Annual Conference, or who has been
suspended or expelled by an Annual Conference in
the interval of the General Conference, |f 274 § 1,
|f 295.
|f 92. Further duties and business of the Board of
Bishops shall be:
§ 1. To hear report from General Secretary.
§ 2. To hear report from Financial Secretary.
§ 3. To examine reports of
(1) President of Livingstone College.
(2) Manager of Publication House.
(3) Editors of official papers, magazines and
literature.
(4) Corresponding Secretary of Education.
(5) Corresponding Secretary of Church Ex¬
tension.
('6) Corresponding Secretary of Missions.
(7) Secretary of Varick Christian Endeavor
Union.
(8) Secretary of the Brotherhood.
§ 4. To provide for any vacancy that may occur in
any of the existing Episcopal Districts, |f 79.
§ 5. To fill any vacancy that may occur among
the General Officers or any of the Members of the
Boards.
§ 6. To hand down interpretations of existing
Church law, and explanations of methods for exer¬
cising the law.
68
Board of Bishops, fl 92, § 13.
§ 7. To correct, admonish, reprimand, or remove
from office any General Officer whose wilful neglect of
duty or erroneous conduct warrants it, 28'0.
§ 8. To adopt the proper measures for carrying out
the Financial Plan, and raising the collections for
our Fenevolent Institutions, 357.
§ 9. To make provisions for new Episcopal Dis¬
tricts when they deem it necessary.
§ 10. To make a quadrennial report of their labors
to the General Conference.
§ 11. To make such recommendations to the Gen¬
eral Conference as they may deem best for the good
of the Connection.
§ 12. To provide for the proper committees for the
General Conference.
09
93. CONNEGTIONAL COUNCIL.
CHAPTER III.
THE CONNECTIONAL COUNCIL.
93. The Connectional Council shall be composed
of all the Bishops, General Officers, and the Presi¬
dent, Secretary and Treasurer of all the Boards
appointed by the General Conference. The Presi¬
dent of the Board of Bishops shall be President of
the Council, and the General Secretary shall be the
Secretary of the Council.
94. The Council shall meet once a year at the
time and place of the Fall meeting of the Board of
Bishops. Nine Members, including not less than a
majority of the Board of Bishops, shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business.
95. The Council shall exercise executive power
over and possess all the rights vested in the several
Connectional Boards (the Board of Bishops excepted)
and shall have authority to make and enforce such
rules and regulations as may be necessary for tlie
successful operation of the several Boards.
|f 96. The Council shall receive reports from each
of the Boards, and make such suggestions for the
appropriations of the funds as may be deemed best
for the good of the Connection.
97. The Council shall see that each officer and
member of the several Boards perform the duties
70
Connection-al Council. 98.
required by law: if any officer wilfully neglects his
duty and suffers the work of his Board to fail from
that account, the Council may recommend his re¬
moval to the Board of Bishops.
98. Reports shall be made in the following
order:
1. General Secretary.
2. Financial Secretary, and Financial Board.
3. Manager of Publication House, and Board of
Publication.
4. Editor Star of Zion.
5. Editor of Sunday School Literature.
6. President Livingstone College.
7. Corresponding Secretary of Education, and
Board of Education.
8 Corresponding Secretary of Church Extension,
and Board of Church Extension.
9. Corresponding Secretary of Missions and Board
of Missions.
10. Editor Quarterly Review.
11. Secretary of Varick Endeavor Union, and the
Board of Control.
12. Secretary of the Brotherhood.
13. Editor of Statistical Year Book.
14. Editor of Zion Trumpet.
15. Report from the Woman's Home and Foreign
Missionary Society .and Juvenile Missionary Society.
16. Board of Connectional Trustees, Superannuated
Ministers, Widows and Orphans, Volunteer Minis¬
terial Relief, Theological Circle and Audit.
17. Miscellaneous Matter.
71
% 99. Annual Conferences.
CHAPTER IV.
THE ANNUAL CONFERENCES.
99. An Annual Conference shall be composed
of a Bishop and all the Traveling Ministers and
Preachers, both in Full Connection and those on
Trial, within the bounds of the Conference, and such
Lay Delegates as may have been legally elected to
that body.
|f 100. The Bishop shall preside in the Annual
Conference. In case no Bishop is present, a Member
of the Conference appointed by the Bishop shall pre¬
side. But if no appointment be made, or the Min¬
ister appointed does not attend, the Conference shall
elect a President from among the Elders without
debate.
101. The Annual Conference shall appoint the
time and place of its own sitting. But should it
become necessary to change the time or place of its
sitting, after it has been fixed, the Bishop can, after
obtaining the written consent of a majority of the
Ministers in the Conference, change either the time
or place.
102. Each Annual Conference shall examine
strictly into the state of the domestic Missions within
its bounds, and to allow none to remain on its list of
72
Annual Conferences, 106, § 1.
Missions which, in the judgment of the Conference,
is able to support itself.
103. Each Annual Conference shall have power
to send one Delegate to another Annual Conference
at its sitting, provided it shall pay the Delegate's fare
to said Annual Conference.
104. An Annual Conference shall have power to
set off a new Annual Conference District, but not
until the propositions shall have been brought before
the Board of Bishops in session assembled, and a
decision of a majority thereof shall have been ob¬
tained, subject to the approval of the General Con¬
ference, 79.
105. An Annual Conference has power to hear
complaints against its Members, and may try, re¬
prove, suspend, deprive of official authority or Minis¬
terial office and Credentials, expel, or acquit, any of
them against whom charges may be preferred, 265.
It also has the power to try charges against a Bishop,
ff 271/
f[ 106. That the proceedings of the Annual Con¬
ference may be properly recorded, the Statistics ac¬
curately reported, and the General Fund and Benevo¬
lent Collections duly accounted for, let the following
rules be observed:
§ 1. Each Annual Conference shall purchase and
keep a record of its proceedings. A Recording Sec¬
retary shall be chosen for that purpose, and the
Bishop shall see that every particle of the legal pro¬
ceedings is recorded before the adjournment of the
Conference, and he and the Secretary shall attach
73
106, § 2. Annual Conferences.
their signatures thereto. As soon as the minutes are
published, the Secretary shall send a copy each to
the General Secretary and Financial Secretary, 335
§ 4. He shall also report to the General Secretary
the names of the Delegates-elect to the General Con¬
ference, ff 328 § 4, fl 414, § 4, f 615.
§ 2. Each Annual Conference shall appoint a
Statistical Secretary who shall make an accurate
table of all the items contained in the Statistical
Blank, and report the aggregate to the Annual Con¬
ference before it adjourns. He shall also report to the
General Secretary for publication, the whole Statis¬
tical Table of the Annual Conference.
§ 3. Each Annual Conference shall appoint a Con¬
ference Treasurer who shall receive all the benevo¬
lent and special collections reported to the Annual
Conference, and shall report the full amount received
for each purpose, and pay over the same according
to the requirements of the Discipline, before the
adjournment of the Annual Conference, 317, 318.
§ 4. Each Annual Conference shall appoint a Gen¬
eral Fund Secretary who shall receive the General
Fund and Bishops' receipts brought to the Confer¬
ence; he shall receipt for the same, and report each
item to the Conference, and shall remit the whole
amount (Conference paying the postage) to the
Financial Secretary, or pay it over to him should he
be present, before the Conference adjourns, 341,
342, 345. The General Fund report shall be
74
Annual Conferences. "jf" 108.
submitted to an Auditing Committee and approved
by vote of the Conference, and shall bear the signa¬
tures of the Committee and Presiding Bishop, If 344,
H 346.
§ 5. On the first day of the Conference session,
each Pastor shall present his Statistical and Financial
reports correctly and plainly written, and each Pastor
and Traveling Minister shall pay over all Conference
and Connectional claims to the proper source on that
day, H 205 § 14, 616.
$ 6. The Statistical Secretary and the Conference
Treasurer shall compare the reports of collections
made for the Statistical Tables with the accounts of
money received by the Treasurer so that discrepan¬
cies, if any shall be found, may be corrected before
publication.
f 107. The Annual Conference shall cause a
proper and rigid examination of all candidates to
join the Conference, whether they come recom¬
mended by the Quarterly and District Conferences
or simply on their Credentials. No candidate shall
be admitted into the Annual Conference without at
least being examined on the Doctrines and Discipline
of our Church, f 118, 161 g 1-6, 172, A. 30.
f 108. The rights and privileges of the Laity are
permanently and effectually secured through repre¬
sentation in legislating for the better government of
the Church; therefore each station and each circuit
shall have the privilege of sending a Lay Delegate
to the Annual Conference, All such Delegates shall
be elected by the Quarterly Conference or by the
7.5
109. Annual Conferences.
Members of the circuit or station which they repre¬
sent, and shall be entitled to a seat in the Conference
upon the showing of their Credentials, properly
authenticated by the officers of the meeting in which
they were elected. Their privilege shall be restricted
to making known to that body the wants and wishes
of their various charges, ft 126.
ft 109. Nevertheless, the District Conference
which immediately precedes the meeting of the
Annual Conference may elect not more than three
Lay Delegates to represent the Laity of the District
in the next Annual Conference, and the Delegates
so chosen shall be entitled to all the rights and privi¬
leges of other Members of the Annual Confer¬
ence. The expenses of all such Delegates shall
be defrayed by the Society or Societies from which
they come, ft 75, ft 124, ft 127, ft 110. Where there
are no District Conferences the Lay Delegates present
at any session of the Annual Conference shall
have the right to elect on the first day of the session,
from their own number, as Delegates to represent
them, a number of representatives equal to one-
fourth of all the circuits and stations included in the
Conference District; which representatives shall be
entitled to all the rights and privileges of other
Members of the Annual Conference. No one shall
be elected a Lay Delegate to the Annual Conference
who does not promise to remain until the close,
unless excused by the Conference, ft 69.
ft 111. Each Annual Conference, at its session
immediately succeeding each General Conference, shall
76
Annual Conferences. ft 113.
levy such an assessment upon each Member of the
Church as may be necessary to defray the traveling
expenses of its Delegates to the General Conference.
Said assessments shall be collected at least three
months before the assembling of the General Con¬
ference by the Pastor in Charge of each circuit or
station within the bounds of said Annual Conference,
and shall be forwarded to said officer as the Annual
Conference may designate, whose duty it shall be to
pay out of the funds thus raised the traveling ex¬
penses of such Delegates, both Ministerial and Lay,
as shall be in attendance upon the General Confer¬
ence. 205 § 25.
112. Each Annual Conference shall send to the
Financial Secretary the sum of Five ($5.00) Dollars
for each Delegate it elects to the General Conference,
and each General Officer in attendance shall pay the
same amount to assist in defraying the expenses of
the General Conference, which money shall be paid
out only upon the order of the General Secretary,
signed by the Presiding Bishop.
113. The business of the Annual Conference is
as follows:
I. Preliminaries.
1. Devotional Exercises.
2. The Election of Elective Officers.
3. Calling and Correcting the Roll.
4. The Appointment of Committees.
5. The Delivery of the Episcopal Address.
0. The Settlement of all Connectional Claims.
77
f 113. Annual Conferences.
II. Reports.
1. Of Presiding Elders.
2. Of Pastors.
3. Of Financial Secretary.
4. Of Educational Secretary and Board.
5. Of Church Extension Secretary and Board.
6. Of Missionary Secretary and Board.
7. Of District President, Woman's Home and
Foreign Missionary Society and Juvenile Society.
8. Of Vice-President Varick Christian Endeavor
Union.
9. Of Committees.
10. Of Conference Treasurer.
11. Of Auditing Committee.
IIL Conference Questions.
1. Who have been Received by Transfer, and from
what Conferences ?
2. Who have been Received on Credentials, and
from what Churches ?
3. Who have been Received on Trial?
4. Who Remain on Trial?
5. Who have been Dropped ?
6. Who have been Admitted into Full Connection?
7. Who have been elected Deacons?
8. Who have been ordained Deacons during the
year?
9. Who have been ordained Deacons at Confer¬
ence?
10. Who have been elected Elders?
78
Annual Conferences.
1 113.
11. Wlio have been ordained Elders during the
year ?
12. Who have been ordained Elders at Conference?
13. Who have been ordained Local Deacons?
14. Who have been ordained Local Elders?
15. Who have been ordained Deacons under Mis¬
sionary Rule?
16. Who have been ordained Elders under Mis¬
sionary Rule?
17. Who have been Transferred, and to what Con¬
ferences ?
18. Who have Died?
19. Who have been Located?
20. Who have Located at their own request ?
21. Who have honorably Withdrawn?
22. Who have Withdrawn under Charges or Com¬
plaint ?
23. Who have been Suspended?
24. Who have been Expelled ?
25. Are there any Complaints?
26. Are there any Appeals?
27. Are all the Ministers and Preachers blameless
in life and character? (Let the Characters be ex¬
amined. )
28. Who are the Triers of Appeals?
29. Who compose the Educational Board?
30. Who compose the Church Extension Board?
31. Who compose the Mission Board?
3:2. Who are our Superannuated Ministers ?
33. Who are the Widows and Orphans of our de¬
ceased Ministers?
79
11-i. Annual Conferences.
34. Who are our Missionaries ?
35. What new Societies have been received?
36. Where are the Preachers stationed?
37. Who are our Supernumerary Preachers?
38. When, and where shall the next Conference be
held?
39. What is the Statistical report for the year?
114. Statistical Report for the Year shall be as
follows:
Statistics No. I—Sunday Schools.
Number of Schools.
Number of Officers and Teachers.
Whole number in Sunday Schools.
Increase over last year.
Number of Members of the School converted.
Number of Sermons preached by the Pastor to the
children.
Number of times the Pastor has catechised the
children.
Number of Bound Volumes in Library.
Number of Lesson Helps taken from our Publica¬
tion House.
Amount raised for Sunday School purposes.
Amount raised for Foreign Mission Schools.
Statistics No. II.—Varick Christian Endeavor Societies.
Number of Societies.
Number of Active Members.
Number of Associate Members.
Number of Honorary Members
80
Annual Conferences. 114.
Number of Junior Societies.
Number of Members in the Junior Societies.
Number of Members in both Senior and Junior
Societies.
Increase over last year.
Total amount raised by both Senior and Junior
Societies.
Amount raised for Missions.
Amount sent to the President of the Union.
Statistics No. III.—"Woman's Home and Foreign Mission¬
ary Societies*
Number of Societies.
Number of Active Members.
Number of Honorary Members.
Amount of money raised.
Amount sent to Treasurer of Woman's Home and
Foreign Missionary Society.
Amount sent to Treasurer by Juvenile Society.
Amount remaining in Treasury of both Societies.
Statistics No. IV.—Church Membership.
Number of Conversions.
Number of persons received on Probation.
Number of Probationers admitted to Full Con¬
nection.
Number of Members received by Certificate.
Number of Local Preachers and Exhorters.
Number of Local Deacons.
Number of Local Elders.
Number in Baptized Children's Classes.
6 81
H 114.
Annual Conferences.
Number of persons remaining on Probation.
Whole number of Full Members.
Increase over last year.
Number dismissed by Certificate.
Number Withdrawn.
Number Expelled.
Number of Deaths.
Number of Children Baptized.
Number of Adults Baptized.
Statistics No. V.—Church Property.
Number of Churches.
Probable Value.
Number of Parsonages.
Probable Value.
Value of other Church Property.
Amount paid on Mortgage Indebtedness with In¬
terest.
Amount paid on Floating Indebtedness.
Amount paid for Repairs.
Amount paid for Current Expenses.
Amount in Treasury for Building or Repairing.
Statistics No. VI.—Support of the Ministry.
Amount raised on Pastor's 'Salary.
Amount raised on Presiding Elder's Salary.
Amount raised for General Fund Assessment.
Statistics No. VII.—Benevolent Collections.
Amount raised on Assessment for Education.
Amount raised on Assessment for Church Exten¬
sion.
82
Annual Conferences.
11 U4.
Amount raised on Assessment for Missions.
Amount raised on Assessment for Superannuated
Ministers, Widows and Orphans, and Contingencies.
Amount raised on Children's Day.
Amount raised on Easter Day.
Amount raised on Missionary Day.
Amount raised for the Poor and Charity.
Statistics No. VIII.—Special Collections.
Amount raised for the support of Annual Confer¬
ence.
Amount raised for the support of General Confer¬
ence.
Amount raised for other miscellaneous purposes.
Total Amount raised for all purposes.
Balance in Treasury for Current Expenses. :
ft 115. District Conferences.
Statistics No. IX.—Church Periodicals.
Number of Subscribers to the Star of Zion.
Number of Subscribers to the Quarterly Review.
Number of Subscribers to Missionary Seer.
Number of Subscribers to the Varick Endeavorer.
Number of Subscribers to the Zion Trumpet.
CHAPTER V.
THE DISTRICT CONFERENCES.
115. The Annual Conferences shall be divided
into a convenient number of Presiding Elder Dis¬
tricts, and one or more District? Conferences may be
held each year at such time and place as may be ap¬
pointed by the Presiding Elder of the District.
116. The District Conference shall be composed
of all the Traveling, Supernumerary and Superan¬
nuated Ministers, Local Elders, Local Deacons, Local
Preachers, Exhorters, Superintendents of the Sunday
Schools, President of Varick Christian Endeavor So¬
cieties, District President of the Woman's Home and
Foreign Missionary Society and Juvenile Society, one
Lay Delegate from each circuit and station within
the District, and one Lay Delegate from each Sunday
School in the District and from each Varick Christian
Endeavor Society.
84
District Conferences. u 121, § 2.
H 117. The business of the District Conference
shall be to inquire into the spiritual and temporal
affairs of Churches, Schools, and Benevolent Socie¬
ties within the District.
118. All Candidates to join the Annual Confer¬
ence who have been previously examined and recom¬
mended by the Quarterly Conference and reported
to the District Conference, shall be further examined
on the studies laid down for admission into the
Annual Conference, and if such Candidates pass
creditable examinations they may be favorably re¬
ported to the Annual Conference, U" 161 \ 1, f 199
\ 16, A. 30.
][ 119. The Presiding Elder of the District shall
preside at the District Conference. But in case the
Presiding Elder is absent, an Elder appointed by
him shall preside. But if no appointment is made,
or the one appointed fails to attend, the Conference
shall proceed to elect a President from among the
Elders, without debate.
T 120. A record of the proceedings of each Dis¬
trict Conference shall be kept by a Secretary chosen
for the purpose, and a copy of said record shall be
sent to the ensuing Annual Conference.
f 121. The regular business of the District Con¬
ference shall be:
§ 1. To take the general oversight of all the
temporal and spiritual affairs of the District, sub¬
ject to the provisions of the Discipline.
I 2. To take cognizance of all the Supernumerary
and Superannuated Preachers, Local Elders, Dea-
85
ft 121 § 3. Disteiux Conferences.
eons and Preachers, and Exhorters, in the District;
to inquire as to their gifts, graces, and general use¬
fulness.
§ 3. To ascertain the correct membership of
Preachers and Laity within the District.
- § 4. To inquire whether the Assessment of General
Fund has Tbeen collected according to Discipline, and
whether the other Benevolent Collections have been
properly attended to in each Pastoral Charge, and to
adopt suitable measures for success in raising the re¬
quired amount.
§ 5- To inquire into the condition of the Sunday
Schools in the District, and to adopt suitable meas¬
ures" for insuring their success.
§ 6. To inquire into the condition of the Varick
Christian Endeavor Societies in the District, and to
adopt suitable measures for insuring their success.
§ 7. To inquire into the condition of the Woman's
Home and Foreign Missionary Societies and Juvenile
Societies within the District, and to adopt measures
for making them a success.
§ 8. To ascertain the number of baptized children
that- have been arranged into classes according to
Discipline, 45, 48.
§ 9. To ascertain from each Pastor whether he
has carried out the law spiritually and temporally
according to the duties of a Pastor.
|f 122. The order of business for the District Con
ference.
1. Devotional Exercises.
2. Election of Officers.
86
District Cojn.terences. ft 1.2.2.
3. Roll Call.
4. Appointment of Committees on
(1) Rules.
(2) Lay Delegates.
(3) Finance.
(4)Programme of Religious and Literary Ex¬
ercises.
(5) Education.
(6) Church Extension.
(7) Missions.
(8) Sunday Schools.
(9) Varick Christian Endeavor.
(10) Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary
Society and Juvenile Society.
(11) Superannuated Ministers.
(12) Widows and Orphans.
(13) Examination of Local Preachers and Ex-
horters.
(14) Examination of Candidates for admis¬
sion into the Annual Conference.
(15) Presiding Elder's Salary.
(16) Miscellaneous Matters.
5. Then shall follow reports
(1) From the Presiding Elder, as to the con¬
dition of the work under his Charge,
and his own work as Presiding Elder.
(2) From each Pastor, as to the religious con¬
dition of his Charge, his Pastoral
labors, the Benevolent Collections, and
the circulation of our Church Periodi¬
cals and Books.
87
U 122.
District Conferences.
(3) From each Lay Delegate as to the wishes
of the Churches he represents for the
return of the Pastor.
(4) From the Supernumerary Preachers within
the District, as to how they have em¬
ployed their time and talent, when and
where, with what Quarterly Conference
they are connected, and what studies in
the Course they are pursuing, A. 34.
(5) From the Local Elders and Deacons as
to the number of sermons they have
preached during the past year, how
often they have assisted in administer¬
ing the Sacraments, the number of bap¬
tisms and marriages they have per¬
formed, what assistance they have ren¬
dered the Pastor and Presiding Elder,
and what studies in the Course they are
pursuing, A. 34.
(6) From each Local Preacher as to the num¬
ber of sermons he has preached, what
service he has rendered the Pastor and
Presiding Elder, what studies he has
finished in the Course laid down, and
what studies he is pursuing, A. 33.
(7) From each Exhorter, as to how many Ex¬
hortations he has given, how many
Prayer Meetings held, and other work
he has done, especially for the sick and
poor, and what studies in the Course
he is pursuing, A. 32.
District Conferences. 124.
(8) From each Superintendent as to the gen¬
eral condition of the Sunday School
he represents.
(9) From each Sunday School Delegate as to
the numerical, financial, literary, and
spiritual condition of the Sunday
Schools he represents.
(10) From each President or Delegate of the
Varick Christian Endeavor Society as
to the numerical, financial, literary, and
spiritual condition of both the senior
and junior Societies he represents.
(11) From the District Vice-President of the
Woman's Home'and Foreign Mission¬
ary and Juvenile Society • as to the
number of Societies in the District,
the amount of money received from
each Pastor, the amount of money she
has received through the local societies,
the amount of money she has collected
through her own efforts, the remit¬
tances she has made to the Annual Con¬
ference Vice-President, and the amount
of expense incurred in the discharge of
her duty, 562.
(12) Reports from other Committees.
123. The business may be varied, so as to in¬
tersperse literary and religious exercises,
124. The District Conference shall have the
power to elect two or more Delegates, as it may deem
best, to represent the District in Annual Conference
89
U 125. District Conferences.
next ensuing. The traveling expenses of such Dele¬
gates shall be met by the District Conference. The
Delegates so elected shall have the same right of
any other Member of the Annual Conference in the
transaction of business. The President of the Dis¬
trict Conference shall see that Credentials are given
each Delegate signed by himself and Secretary,
1 75,1 108.
T[ 125. Each Pastor holding a Charge shall be re¬
quired to lift a collection of no less than One Dollar
($1.00) and bring or send the same to the District
Conference to help defray the expenses of the Dis¬
trict Conference, f 205 \ 16.
T[ 126. Where the District Conference elects Dele¬
gates to represent the Churches of the District in the
Annual Conference, they shall take the place of
Delegates from individual Charges or Churches, pro¬
vided, however, that an individual Charge or Church
may send a Delegate of its own to the Annual Con¬
ference who shall have the right to state the wishes
of the Charge or Church he represents as to the
Pastor, also the spiritual and temporal condition of
the work ; but shall not be allowed to discuss other
business of the Annual Conference, nor to exercise
the right to vote, 108.
T[ 127. Where a majority of the District Confer¬
ence decides not to elect Delegates to the Annual
Conference, but votes to allow the individual Charges
or Churches to send Delegates of their own, such
Delegates elected by the individual Charges or
Churches shall enjoy all the rights of the Annual
90
Quarterly Conferences. 130.
Conference that the two or more District Delegates
would have enjoyed, 1[ 108.
f 128. The Presiding Elder shall impress upon the
Pastors and Members of the District Conference that
every part of the Church law should be enforced in
the right spirit, and every honorable measure adopted
to make success of both the spiritual and temporal
part of the work.
f 129. It is the business of the District Conference
to examine into the condition of the Sunday Schools
and Varick Christian Endeavor Societies within the
District, but where a majority of the Members of the
District Conference decides to hold two sessions sepa¬
rately, and at different times,' this may be done.
Where the Sunday Schools and Varick Christian
Endeavor Societies meet separate from the District
Conference in annual session, their meeting shall be
styled District Convention. Nevertheless the Pre¬
siding Elder shall preside or appoint some one in his
place, *[[ 199 I 6.
CHAPTER VI.
THE QUARTERLY CONFERENCES.
130. The Quarterly Conference shall be com¬
posed of all the Traveling Ministers, Local Elders,
Deacons, and Preachers, Exliorters, Class Leaders,
Trustees, Stewards, Stewardesses, the Superintendents
of Sunday Schools, President, Secretary and Treasurer
131. Quarterly Conferences.
of the Varick Christian Endeavor Society, the Wo¬
man's Home and Foreign Missionary Society, the
Daughters of Conference of the Circuit or Station. All
of our General Officers and Ministers shall be amen¬
able to the Quarterly Conference within whose bounds
they reside. The President, Secretary and Treasurer
of any Society formed and operating in the name of the
Church shall be subject to the Quarterly Conference.
H131. The Presiding Elder shall appoint the time
and place of holding the Quarterly Conference and
shall preside over its proceedings, or he may appoint
a Traveling Elder to preside; but in the absence of
the Presiding Elder, and of the Traveling Elder so
appointed, the Pastor shall preside, 199 g 4.
If 132. The Quarterly Conference shall appoint a
Secretary, who shall accurately and faithfully keep a
record of the proceedings, which record shall be read
and approved before the Conference adjourns, and
shall be signed by the President and Secretary.
133. The regular business of the Quarterly Con¬
ference is:
|j 1. To examine into the character of all its Mem¬
bers, whose characters are subject to approval or dis¬
approval by that body.
g 2. To inquire into the gifts, labors and usefulness
of all the Ministers, Preachers, and Exhorters within
the Charge.
\ 3. To license proper persons to preach and to
exhort; to renew their Licenses annually, when in its
judgment their gifts, graces and usefulness warrant
such renewal, 199 \ 7.
Q2
Quarterly Conferences. 133, § 9.
I 4. To recommend to the Annual Conference
suitable candidates to be received on Trial, and
suitable Preachers for Deacons' and Elders' Orders,
H 199 § 8,
\ 5. To examine into the accounts of Pastor, Trus¬
tees, Stewards, and the Societies subject to the Quar¬
terly Conference, If 349.
| 6. To act as an Appellate Court for Members who
have been tried in the lower Court, to adjudicate and
finally determine the appeal, If 240.
\ 7. To try, suspend, deprive of Credentials, expel,
or acquit, any Local Elder, Local Deacon, Local
Preacher, or Exhorter, in the Circuit or Station,
against whom charges have been preferred, If 215,
If 227, If 245, 1f 249, | 255.
\ 8. To have the oversight of all the Sunday Schools
within the bounds of the Circuit or Station ; to con¬
firm or reject the Sunday School Superintendents
nominated by the Sunday School Board; to remove
any Superintendent who may prove unworthy or in¬
efficient.
g 9. To have the general oversight of the Varick
Christian Endeavor Societies, the Local Woman's
Home and Foreign Missionary Societies and other
organizations formed and operating in the name of
the Church; to confirm or reject the Presidents of the
Varick Christian Endeavor Societies, the Presidents
of the Local Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary
Society, and the President of any other Society formed
in the name of the Church, and subject to the Quar¬
terly Conference.
93
133, § 10. Quarterly Conferences.
I 10. To elect a Delegate to represent the Church
or Charge in the District or Annual Conference.
I 11. To appoint on the nomination of the Pastor
the proper Leaders, Stewards, and Stewardesses,
and a Committee on Education, Church Extension,
Missions, Superannuated Ministers, Widows and
Orphans, Sunday Schools, Music, and the Presidents
of Societies connected with and operating in the name
of the Church, and confirm those already appointed.
\ 12. To inquire after and see that our own Pe¬
riodicals and Hymnals are used in our Churches,
If 199 § 13.
If 134. The Quarterly Conference shall have orig¬
inal jurisdiction over its own Members, and shall
constitute a Court of Appeals for Lay Members,
If 290, If 293.
If 135. At the last Quarterly Conference of each
Conference year all persons whose business it is to re¬
port to the Quarterly Conference shall make a report
covering the four quarters.
If 136. The order of business in the Quarterly Con¬
ference shall be as follows :
1. Devotional Exercises.
2. Calling the roll of Members.
8. A brief address by the Presiding Elder.
4. The following reports shall then be made:
(1) Trustees, ^f 423.
(2) Leaders, ^f 231.
(3) Poor's Steward, ^f 418.
(4) Preacher's Steward, 1f 382.
(5) Stewardesses, Tf 383.
94
Quarterly Conferences. 136.
(G) Local Preachers, |f 218.
(7) Exhorters, 225.
(8) Superintendents of Sunday Schools, f[ 409
§ G.
(9) Presidents of Varick Christian Endeavor
Societies, 596 § 1.
(10) Presidents of Local Woman's Home and
Foreign Missionary and Juvenile So¬
cieties, 571 § 1 §2, § 3.
(11) Presidents of Daughters of Conference.
(12) Representatives of other Societies operat¬
ing in the Church.
(13) Committee on Education, 505.
(14) Committee on Church Extension, |f 522.
(15) Committee on Missions^ 541.
(1(5) Committee on Superannuated Ministers,
Widows and Orphans, and Contingen¬
cies, 411.
(17) Committee on Sunday Schools, 474.
(18) Committee on Music, 52 § 7.
(19) Other Committees.
(20) Pastor, |f 205 § 32.
The examination of Characters.
The following questions shall then be asked:
(1) Are there any applications for Exhorters'
or Preachers' Licenses?
(2) Are there any Licenses to be renewed?
(3) Are there any Leaders to be appointed?
(4) Are there any Trustees to be confirmed ?
(5) Are there any Poor's Stewards to be ap¬
pointed ?
95
136.
Quarterly Conferences.
(6) Are there any Preacher's Stewards to be
appointed ?
(7) Are there any Stewardesses to be ap¬
pointed ?
(8) Are there any Superintendents to be con¬
firmed ?
(9) Are there any Presidents of Varick Chris¬
tian Endeavor Societies to be confirmed?
(10) Are there any Presidents of the Local
Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary
and Juvenile Societies to be confirmed?
(11) Are there any Presidents of the Daughters
of Conference to be confirmed?
(12) Are there any Boards to be appointed or
confirmed ?
(13) Are there any Committees to be appointed
or confirmed ?
(14) What amount has been agreed upon for
the support of the Pastor?
(15) What amount has been assessed this
Charge for the support of the Presiding
Elder ?
(16) What amount has been assessed this
Charge for General Fund?
(17) What amount has been apportioned this
Charge for Benevolences?
(18) Are there any Appeals?
(19) Are the Churches in this Charge in¬
sured ?
(20) Have the Churches in this Charge the
proper Church Records?
96
Leaders' Meeting. 139.
(21) Are there any Candidates to be recom¬
mended to the Annual Conference for
Reception on Trial ?
(22) Are there any Candidates to be recom¬
mended to the Annual Conference for
Deacons' or Elders' Ordefs ?
(23) Reading and approval of the minutes.
CHAPTER VII.
THE LEADERS' MEETING.
H 137. Leaders' Meeting shall be held once in
every month in a Station, and once in every three
months on a Circuit, and shall consist of the Pastor
in Charge, who is the Chairman, the Class Leaders,
and the Stewards who have been appointed to take
charge of the money collected for the Pastor, Church,
and Poor.
f 138. Each Leader shall be closely examined by
the Pastor at least once in three months with the
utmost exactness concerning the method of meeting
his Class, and the numerical, financial and spiritual
condition of the Members of his Class.
f 139. The Preacher's Steward shall receive from
the Leaders the money collected by them in their
respective Classes, and he shall make a report of the
same to the Leaders' Meeting, 230 $4. The Poor's
Steward shall report what money he has received, and
paid out for the Poor, 230 \ 2.
% 140. Leaders' Meeting.
Tf 140. At each Leaders' Meeting let the following
questions be asked, namely :
1. Are there any sick?
2. Are there any requiring temporal relief?
3. Are there any who walk disorderly, and will not
be reproved ?
4. Are there any who willfully neglect the means
of grace?
5. Are there any changes to be made in the
Classes ?
6. Are there any Probationers to be recommended
for admission into Full Connection ?
7. Are there any to be recommended for License
to preach or exhort?
8. Are there any applications for Certificates of
Membership ?
9. Have any withdrawn without Certificates of
Membership ?
10. Who have married?
11. Who have died?
12. What amount has been raised for the Poor?
13. What amount has been received for the
support of the Pastor ?
14. What amount has been collected for the
support of the Presiding Elder ?
15. What amount has been collected on General
Fund?
Tf 141. When there are complaints entered such as
will require a trial meeting, the Pastor shall choose a
Committee of Members of the Circuit or Station
forthwith, and, if possible, aside from the Official
9*
Leaders' Meeting. 143.
Members, and shall also appoint the time of trial
and notify the accuser and the accused. A Secretary
shall be appointed to keep a record of the proceed¬
ings of the Leaders' Meetings from time to time, who
shall also keep a copy of the proceedings of the
Trial Committee in the Leaders' Meeting Book, 57,
If 237.
CHAPTER VIII.
THE MEMBERS' MEETING.
If 142. Whenever there is any business to be at¬
tended to by the local Church not otherwise vested
in the Board of Trustees, Leaders' Meeting or Quar¬
terly Conference, the Members in Full Connection
shall be called together in a Members' Meeting to
consider the matter.
143. The Pastor in Charge shall have the sole
right to make the call for and preside over the Mem¬
bers' Meeting, 421, 425, ^ 433.
99
PART IIL
The Ministry.
I. QUALIFICATIONS AND RULES OF
A PREACHER.
II. RECEPTION OF PREACHERS AND
MINISTERS.
III. DEACONS.
IV. ELDERS.
V.' BISHOPS.
VI. PRESIDING ELDERS.
VII. PASTORS IN CHARGE.
VIII. SUPERNUMERARY AND SUPER¬
ANNUATED MINISTERS.
Qualifications and Work. 145.
CHAPTER I.
QUALIFICATIONS AND RULES OF THE
PREACHER.
I. His Call to Preach.
f 144. We regard the call to preach the Gospel to
be both internal and external.
§ 1. The internal call consists of those gifts and
graces requisite to the proper and faithful discharge
of the duties of the Christian Ministry. We expect
those who profess to be moved upon by the Holy
Ghost to preach, (1) To evince an unmistakable con¬
ception of salvation by faith; (2) To possess a sound
mind; (3) To have a clear understanding of the
Scriptures; (4) To have a right judgment in the
things of God; (5) To have a good degree of utter¬
ance as a Preacher.
§ 2. The external call does not confer personal
gifts nor qualifications, but presupposes both. It is
designed to confer upon the Preacher who is found
to possess the inward call, official authority, to exer¬
cise in the name of God and in the name of the
Church, the functions of the Christian Ministry.
II. Roles for a Preacher's Conduct.
If 145. Rule 1. Be diligent. Never be unem¬
ployed. Never be triflingly employed.
103
•j 146. Qualifications and Work.
Tf 146. Rule 2. Be serious. Let his motto be
"Holiness to the Lord." Avoid all lightness, jest¬
ing and foolish talking.
T[ 147. Rule 3. Be circumspect, and conduct him¬
self prudently with women. (I. Tim. 5 : 2.)
If 148. Rule 4- Believe evil of no one without good
evidence; unless he sees it done, he must take heed
how he credits it. Put the best construction on
everything.
Tf 149. Rule 5. Speak evil of no one, because his
word, especially, would eat as doth a canker. Let
him keep his thoughts within his own breast till he
comes to the person concerned.
Tf 150. Rule 6. As a Methodist Minister he must
mind every point, great and small, in the Methodist
Discipline. Therefore he will need to exercise all
the sense and grace he has.
1(151. Rule 7. Avoid all affectation. A Preacher
of the Gospel is a servant of all.
If 152. Rule 8. Be ashamed of nothing but sin.
If 158. Rule 9. Be punctual. Do everything exactly
at the time. ' Not to mend our laws, but keep them;
not for wrath, but for conscience's sake.
1f 154. Rule 10. He should act in all things, not
according to his own will, but as a son in the Gospel.
As such it is his duty to employ his time in the man¬
ner which his brethren direct. In preaching and
visiting from house to house; in reading, meditation,
and prayer; above all, if he labors with his brethren
in the vineyard of the Lord, it is needful he should
do the part of the work that they desire at those
Qualifications and Work. 157.
times and places which they judge most for the glory
of God.
1155. Some smaller advices which may be useful
to Preachers in general are these:
1. Be sure never to disappoint a congregation. 2.
Begin at the time appointed. 3. Let his whole de¬
portment be serious, weighty and solemn. 4. Always
suit the subject to the audience. 5. Choose the
plainest text. 6. Take care not to ramble, but keep
to the text or subject, and make out what is taken in
hand. 7. Avoid anything awkward or affected either
in gestures, phrases, or pronunciations. 8. Shoijld
not usually pray extempore above eight or ten min¬
utes (at most) without intermission. 9. Frequently
read and enlarge upon a portion of Scripture; and
let young Preachers often exhort without' taking a
text. 10. Let the Preacher always avail himself of
the great festivals by preaching on those occasions.
HI. Manner and Method of Preaching,
1 156. The best method of preaching is: First. To
convince. Second. To offer Christ. Third. To in¬
vite. Fourth. To build up. And to do this in some
manner, in every sermon.
1 157. The most effectual way is, to preach Christ
in all his offices, and to declare his Law as well as
his Gospel, both to the believers and unbelievers.
Let every Minister strongly and forcibly insist upon
inward and outward holiness.
105
H" 158, Preachers and Ministers..
CHAPTER II.
RECEPTION OF PREACHERS AND MINISTERS.
1* Reception on Trial.
Tf 158. A Preacher is to be received on Trial bv
the Annual Conference.
T[ 159. During the interval of the Annual Con¬
ference a Bishop or Presiding Elder may receive a
Preacher on Trial temporarily, and use him until the
sitting of the Annual Conference next ensuing.
f 160. Before he can be received on Trial by a
Bishop or a Presiding Elder he must give the Quarterly
Conference that recommends him satisfaction as to
his knowledge of the branches laid down in the Dis¬
cipline to be studied by Candidates for Reception on
Trial, and his general ability to enter upon the duties
of a Pastor, A. 30.
161. Before he can be received into the Annual
Conference, whether he has been previously used by
a Bishop or Presiding Elder or not, he must :
\ 1. Present a recommendation to the Examining
Committee from the Quarterly Conference (and one
from the District Conference, provided he was exam¬
ined there) of which he was a Member, duly signed
by the President and Secretary thereof.
§ 2. He shall give the Annual Conference satisfac¬
tory evidence of his knowledge of the studies pre-
106
Preachers and Ministers. 164.
scribed for, and to be pursued by Candidates for Re¬
ception on Trial.
§ 3. He must satisfy the Conference that he is not
encumbered by debts or otherwise embarrassed so as
to prevent his going to and entering upon the work
of his Charge.
\ 4. He must satisfy the Conference as to his gen¬
eral habits, especially as they refer to temperance and
the use of narcotics.
\ 5. He must give satisfactory evidence that he is
acquainted with the Qualifications and Rules of a
Preacher.
(1) His Call to Preach.
(2) Rules for a Preacher's Conduct.
(3) Manner and Method of Preaching.
g 6. If he satisfy the Conference on the above
and present the proper recommendation he may be
received on Trial, H" 107, U" 118, A. 30.
162. Reception on Trial is entirely different from
admitting a Preacher into Full Connection. A
Preacher taken on Trial may be dropped when occa¬
sion requires it without any formal trial.
f 163. When an unordained Preacher is dropped
from the Conference Roll he shall become subject to
the Quarterly Conference where he resides, which
Conference shall renew or reject his License within
one year, and thereafter be dealt with as a Local
Preacher.
164. While he is on Trial the Annual Confer¬
ence alone has jurisdiction over his authority to
preach, and his appointment from year to year will
107
165. Preachers and Ministers.
be a sufficient guarantee for the renewal of his
License.
IT 165. If the person on Trial is a Deacon or Elder,
and shall be dropped from the Conference Roll, he
shall be subject to the Quarterly Conference where he
resides, but his License will not have to be renewed;
his rank shall at once become a Local Deacon or
Local Elder.
If 166. When a Preacher's name is not printed in
the Conference minutes, he must receive a written
License from a Bishop or Elder.
II. Admission Into Fall Connection.
H 167. A Preacher on Trial who has been employed
in the regular itinerant work on Circuits or Stations,
or as an instructor in an institution of learning, for
two successive years from the time he was received
on Trial, may be admitted into Full Connection in the
Annual Conference after he has given satisfactory
evidence of his knowledge of the first two years of
the Conference Course of Study, and after the exam¬
ination before the Conference prescribed in ^ 168.
T[ 168. In admitting a Preacher into Full Con¬
nection, after solemn fasting and prayer, he shall be
asked, before the Conference, the following questions,
with any others which may be thought necessary,
namely:
1. Have you saving faith in Christ?
2. Are you going on to perfection ?
3. Do you expect to be made perfect in love in this
life?
108
Preachers and Ministers. 169.
4. Are you groaning after it ?
5. Are you resolved to devote yourself to God and
his work ?
6. Do you know the general Rules of our Church ?
7. Will you keep them ?
8. Do you constantly attend the Lord's Supper ?
9. Have you studied the doctrines of the African
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church ?
10. Will you preach and maintain them ?
11. Have you studied our form of Church Disci¬
pline and Polity?
12. Will you support and maintain them ?
13. Have you considered the Rules for a Preacher,
especially those relating to Diligence, Punctuality
and to Doing the Work to which you are assigned?
14. Will you keep them for conscience's sake?
15. Are you determined to employ your time in
the work of God ?
16. Will you diligently instruct the children in
every place ?
17. Will you visit from house to house ?
18. Will you recommend fasting and abstinence
both by precept and example ?
19. Are you embarrassed by debts, so as to prevent
you from traveling?
20. Do you use intoxicating drugs or tobacco ?
169. If he give satisfactory answers to questions
contained in 168, after he has been employed two
successive years in the regular itinerant work, he
may by vote be received into Full Connection.
109
*[f 170. Preachers and Ministers.
IIL Ministers from otter Churches.
170. A Minister coming to us, whether Local or
Itinerant, in good standing from another Methodist
Church, may be received by the Quarterly Conference
or the Annual Conference, on the face of his Cre¬
dentials without the reimposition of hands, on the
condition of his giving satisfactory evidence of his
being in orders and taking upon himself our Ordi-
nation Vows.
f 171. A Minister coming to us from a Denomina¬
tion which recognizes only one Ordination, shall be
received as a Deacon. Nevertheless, if on examina¬
tion, he be found to agree with us in doctrine and
Church Polity, and is qualified according to our
standard, he may be ordained an Elder immediately,
provided he has been engaged in pastoral work for at
least four years.
f 172. A Minister wishing to unite with us from
another Church or Denomination shall give satisfac¬
tion to the Committee on Holy Orders in the Annual
Conference as to his gifts, graces and culture, but such
a Minister shall need no recommendation from the
Quarterly Conference, f 107, 161.
H 173. A Minister wishing to unite with us from
any other Church or Denomination must be duly
accredited as in good standing in his own Church
until his withdrawal or dismissal therefrom, and
must be, as far as we can ascertain, blameless in life
and character.
174. Ministers of the above description may be
received on Trial or into Full Connection according
110
Preachers and Ministers. 176.
to the number of years they have engaged in pastoral
work and in conformity to the Rules governing our
own Ministers. Whenever they are so received the
usual questions for such Reception shall be asked
them in addition to the Ordination Vows, 161 \ 1-
6, If 171. _ /
TT175. Ministers of the above description shall be
subject to the Course of Study laid down in our Dis¬
cipline for Preachers of their rank, and unless they
have finished the Course, or its equivalent, they shall
be required to pursue the Studies according to the
year they are judged to enter.
IT 176- Whenever such Ministers are received they
shall be furnished with a Certificate signed by one of
our Bishops in the following order :
" This is to Certify that __ Conference
having examined the Credentials of Rev. as
(Elder or Deacon) of the and
having received other testimonials of his Orace, Gifts,
and Usefulness, and being satisfied tlterewith, has■ this
day accepted and recognized him in due form as
{an Elder or a Deacon) according to the usage of the
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and he is
hereby authorized to exercise the functions of his office
in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, so
long as his life, conduct, and conversation are such as
become the Gospel of Christ.
Given under my hand and seal, at , this
day of in the year of our Lord
Done at
, 19
111
% 177. Preachers and Ministers.
IV, Ministers in Official Positions.
T[ 177. Traveling Ministers who have been elected
to official positions by the General Conference, or ap¬
pointed to similar positions by the Annual Conference
or Bishop shall be Members of such Annual Conference
as they may select upon the approval of the Bishop.
Tf 178. In case they wish to remove their Member¬
ship from one Annual Conference unto another, they
shall like all other Ministers secure a transfer.
179. All of our Bishops, General Officers, Presi¬
dents of Institutions of Learning who are Ministers,
and all other Traveling Ministers shall hold their
Membership in, and be subject to, some Annual Con¬
ference.
V. Transfer of Ministers.
f 180. After a Minister has become a Member of
an Annual Conference, the Bishop or Conference may
transfer him to any other Conference District in the
Connection, with his consent; provided, further, that
no Bishop shall refuse to grant a transfer to any Min¬
ister applying for the same, when in good standing
according to the Discipline. The Bishop shall give
him a transfer in the following form :
"To the Bishop and Members of the
Annual Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church, greeting:
"This is to Certify that the bearer, Rev
having been a Member of the Annual
Conference, is transferred to your District.
" (Signed) ,
Bishop."
112
Preachers and Ministers. 188.
VI. Termination of Conference Membership,
1. By Location.
T[ 181. An Annual Conference may grant to any
Member who is in good standing therein a Location,
certified by the Bishop of the Conference. Such Min¬
ister shall thereupon hold his Membership as a Local
Elder (or Deacon), as the case may be, in the Quar¬
terly Conference where he resides.
182. Whenever a Member of the Annual Con¬
ference applies for a Location, it shall be asked, Has
he settled up all his Assessments and Conference
Claims ? Is there anything against his Moral, or
Christian, or Ministerial Character? If he has met
all his claims and found to be blameless, he shall be
granted his Location.
2. By Withdrawal.
188. A Member of the Annual Conference in
good standing wishing to withdraw from our Church
and Ministry to join another Church, his Credentials
should be surrendered to the Conference, and he given
a Certificate of recommendation, signed by the Bishop
and Secretary of the Conference. Or should he de¬
sire, his Credentials may be returned to him with
the words written across the face : " This Certifies that
j>eV- has honorably withdrawn
from the Annual Conference of
the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.'"
8
113
If 184.
Deacons.
CHAPTER III.
DEACONS.
H 184. A Deacon is constituted by the election of a
majority of the Annual Conference and the laying
on of the hands of a Bishop.
185. A Deacon has the authority to preach; to
conduct Divine Worship ; to solemnize Matrimony;
to administer Baptism; and to assist the Elder in
administering the Lord's Supper.
1[ 186. A Deacon shall exercise the functions of his
office at least two years before he is eligible for elec¬
tion to the office of an Elder; but in case of necessity
the Annual Conference may elect him to the office
of an Elder sooner.
187. A Deacon who ceases to travel without the
consent of the Annual Conference, certified to under
the hand of the Bishop of the Conference, except in
case of sickness, disability, or other unavoidable cir¬
cumstances, shall not be allowed to exercise the pe¬
culiar functions of his office among us. Neverthe¬
less, the Annual Conference shall determine such
cases.
188. The following Preachers are eligible to the
office of Deacon:
§ 1. Local Preachers who have served as such at
least two years, have satisfactorily completed the
Course of Study laid down for Local Preachers, and
114
Elders.
IT 191,
have been properly recommended by the Quarterly
Conference, f 220.
| 2. Traveling Preachers who have been in the
Annual Conference on Trial for two years, have satis¬
factorily completed the first two years of the Con¬
ference Course of Study laid down for Preachers on
Trial.
\ 3. Traveling Preachers who shall be appointed
by a Bishop to a foreign Mission or to a remote field
in the Conference where it is difficult for them to
have the oversight of an Elder, and the necessities of
the field require the Preacher to be in orders. In
such a case the Bishop and Presiding Elders may
recommend their election, and tbey may be ordained
to Deacons' Orders by what is known as Missionary
Rule.
CHAPTER IV.
ELDERS.
t f 189. An Elder is constituted by the election of a
[.majority of the Annual Conference, and by the laying
■on of the hands of a Bishop and two or more Elders.
T[ 190. An Elder has authority to Preach; to con¬
duct Divine Worship; to solemnize Matrimony ; and
;o administer the Sacraments of Baptism and the
Lord's Supper.
I If 191. Preachers of the following classes are eli¬
gible to the office of Elder:
115
IT 191, § 1.
Elders.
I 1. Those who have been for four years Local
Deacons, have completed satisfactory to the Annual
Conference the studies prescribed for Deacons who
are Candidates for Elders' Orders, and have been
properly recommended by the Quarterly Conference
for Elders' Orders.
\ 2. Preachers who have been Deacons for two
years in the Traveling Connection, and have been in
Full Connection during the same period, have com¬
pleted satisfactory to the Annual Conference the
Course of Study prescribed for Deacons who are Can¬
didates for Elders' Orders.
\ 3. Preachers who having been admitted to Full
Connection, and have been elected to the office of
Deacon under the Missionary Eule, have traveled two
years, and have completed the Course of Study pre¬
scribed for Candidates for Elders' Orders.
\ 4. Those Preachers who unite with us from
Churches that recognize only one Ordination and
have been received as Deacons, but who upon exam¬
ination satisfy the Annual Conference of their
knowledge of the Course of Study prescribed for
Deacons who are Candidates for Elders' Orders.
f 192. When an Elder ceases to travel without the
consent of the Annual Conference, or a certificate
under the hand of a Bishop, except in case of sick¬
ness, disability, or other unavoidable circumstances,
he shall not be allowed to exercise the peculiar func¬
tions of his office.* Nevertheless, the Annual Con¬
ference shall determine the case.
116
Bishops.
tf 190, § 4.
CHAPTER Y.
BISHOPS.
193. A Bishop shall be constituted by the elec¬
tion of two-thirds of all the Members of the General
Conference who have answered to roll call during the
sesgion, and the laying on of the hands of three or
more Bishops, or at least one Bishop and two Elders,
H 67.
194. If by death, or otherwise, there be no Bish¬
op remaining in our Church, the General Conference
shall elect a Bishop, and! the Elders present, or any
three of them, who shall be appointed by the General
Conference for that purpose, shall consecrate him
according to our Ritual, |f 82.
195. A Bishop is consecrated for life, or so long
as his spirit and practice are such as become the Gos¬
pel. If a Bishop cease from traveling at large among
the people without the consent of the General Con¬
ference, he shall not be allowed in any degree to
exercise his Episcopal office; if by infirmity or by old
age he become incompetent to travel and perform his
official duties, the General Conference may by a ma¬
jority vote retire him on One Thousand ($1,000.00)
Dollars a year, 80, 271.
|f 196. No Elder is eligible to the office of Bishop:
§ 1. Who has not been twenty years a Traveling
Minister.
§ 2. Who has not attained to the age of forty years.
117
If 197-
Bishops.
§ 3. Who has two living wives.
§ 4. Who has been expelled from our Church or
from any other Denomination for gross immorality.
197. The duties of a Bishop are:
§ 1. To preside in the Annual and General Con¬
ferences.
§ 2. To form the Presiding Elder Districts accord¬
ing to the judgment of the Conference.
§ 3. To make out the appointments of the Preach¬
ers under the following restrictions:
(1) He shall appoint the Preachers to Charges
annually.
(2) He shall allow a Preacher to remain in a
Charge four consecutive years, provided in his judg¬
ment it is best; but no longer, unless he is building a
Church or parsonage or engaged in paying off some
heavy Church debt: he then may allow him to stay
longer at his discretion. Provided, however, that
this rule does not refer to Preachers in foreign
fields.
(3) He shall appoint no Preacher to a Pas¬
toral Charge who is not a subscriber to the Star of
Zion.
§ 4. To appoint Agents when requested by the
Annual Conference, to travel throughout the bounds
of such Conference for the purpose of collecting
money for the benefit of the Institutions belonging
to our Church, 539.
§ 5. To change in the interim of the Annual Con¬
ference, the appointments of the Preachers as ne¬
cessity may require.
118
Presiding Elders. 199.
§ 6. To receive and transfer Preachers when neces¬
sary according to law; he shall not transfer a Preacher
from one Conference to another without his con¬
sent, 180.
§ 7. He shall travel throughout his entire District
once a year, to oversee the spiritual and temporal
affairs of the work, 355.
§ 8. To consecrate Bishops who have been elected
by the General Conference, and ordain Deacons and
Elders who have been elected by the Annual Confer¬
ence, and to furnish them Credentials.
§ 9. To decide all questions of law in the Annual
Conference subject to an appeal to the General Con¬
ference, but the application of law shall in all cases
be with the Annual Conference, 80.
§ 10. To appoint Presiding Elders over Districts
for the efficiency of the work.
§ 11. To sit as judge when appealed to by a Min¬
ister convicted by a Trial Committee, to call and
preside over the Court of Appeals for Ministers con¬
victed by an Annual Conference, 264 § 1.
CHAPTER VI.
PRESIDING ELDERS.
198. Every Annual Conference shall adopt the
Presiding Elder System, and it shall be divided into
a suitable number of districts for that purpose.
199. The duties of a Presiding Elder are:
119
II 199, § 1. Presiding Elders.
\ 1. To travel through his District and labor for
the promotion of the spiritual and temporal upbuild¬
ing of the work committed to his charge.
g 2. In the absence of the Bishops to take charge
of all the Traveling Ministers, Local Preachers, and
Exhorters in his District as the Discipline directs.
| 3. To fill vacancies in appointments, temporarily,
when necessary, subject to the approval of the Bish¬
op, but he shall not change an appointment made
by a Bishop or appoint another to fill the vacancy
without consulting the Bishop when it is reasonably
convenient for him to do so.
I 4. To appoint the time and place of the Quar¬
terly Meeting, and to be present and preside over the
Quarterly Conference, or, if unable to be present, to
appoint some Traveling Elder to preside in his stead,
H 131.
\ 5. To decide all questions of law in proceedings
pending in a District or Quarterly Conference sub¬
ject to ao appeal to the Bishop, to the Triers of
Appeals, or to the General Conference, but the appli¬
cation of the law shall in all cases be with the Con¬
ference.
$ 6. After consulting with the Pastors in Charge in
the District, to appoint the time and place of holding,
the District Conference and Sunday School Conven¬
tion, and preside over the same, or appoint some one
to preside in his absence, 129.
\ 7. To issue Licenses to the proper persons, and
to renew them according to the action of the Quar¬
terly Conference, 1[ 133 I 3.
120
Presiding Elders. 199, § 13.
| 8. To attach his signature to the recommenda¬
tions given to any Candidate by the Quarterly Con¬
ference for Reception on Trial in the Annual Confer¬
ence, also to any Certificate given Delegates to the
Annual Conference, ft 133 \ 4.
I 9. To see that all Church property is well in¬
sured.
i 10. To see that all Deeds, Charters, and other
conveyances of Church property in his District con¬
form strictly to the laws of the State or Territory
within which such property is situated, and according
to the Discipline of the African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church, 428.
| 11. To promote'by all proper means the collect¬
ing of the assessments, and the interests of Education,
Church Extension, Missions, Sunday Schools and
Varick Endeavor Societies, to observe the rules of the
Church concerning these and other benevolent causes
himself, and see that they are observed by every
Pastor and Church within his District; and to ex¬
plain the purpose of the different benevolences to the
Quarterly Conference, and endeavor to secure uni¬
formity in our Churches in their observances, ^ 349,
T 522, | 524.
§ 12. To attend the Bishop when present in his
District, and to give him by letter, when absent, all
necessary information of the condition of his- Dis¬
trict.
I 13. To see that our Hymnals, Disciplines, Sun¬
day School Literature and other Church Periodicals
are used in our Churches, H 133 $ 12.
121
199, § 14. Presiding Elders.
§ 14. To see that there is a record in each Church
and the names of all the Full Members and Proba¬
tioners are duly recorded. At the last Quarterly
Conference of the Conference year he shall person¬
ally examine the record and see that the number of
Members reported to the Annual Conference sub¬
stantially corresponds to the record as he examined
it, 44 | 4.
§ 15. To assist in apportioning the amount to be
assessed each Charge for general purposes, f 337.
g 16. To instruct Candidates for the Ministry of
the necessity of taking advantage of a thorough
training in our literary and theological schools before
applying for admission into the Annual Conference,
and to direct the attention of those who are admitted
on Trial to the Course of Study laid down to be pur¬
sued, 118, 504, A. 30.
§ 17. To explain and enforce the law as wTell as the
Gospel, but always in the spirit of Christ.
200. The Presiding Elder shall not employ a
Preacher who has been rejected by the Annual Con¬
ference without the consent of a majority of the
Quarterly Conference of which the Preacher is a
Member, and without permission from the Bishop.
1[ 201. The Presiding Elder shall not cease to
•travel without the consent of the Bishop or Annual
Conference, except in case of sickness, disability, or
other unavoidable circumstances, the reasonableness
of which shall be determined by the Annual Con¬
ference.
202. Whenever it shall appear to the Bishop
122
Pastors in Charge, 205, § 2.
that the Presiding Elder is incompetent, either from
want of administrative ability, knowledge of law, pru¬
dence or piety to honor the office and bless the
Church, he shall remove him and appoint another to
fill his place.
203. The Presiding Elder shall be chosen and
appointed by the Bishop as a Pastor is appointed,
for one year at a time, but may be allowed to remain
in one District, as it is profitable.
204. The Presiding Elder shall not assume Pas¬
toral functions where there is a Pastor; nor shall he
be appointed to a Pastoral Charge, except in cases
where it is not convenient to give him a District suffi¬
ciently large to occupy his time and to give him the
proper support.
CHAPTER VII.
PASTORS IN CHARGE.
205. The duties of a Pastor in Charge of a cir¬
cuit or station are:
§ 1. To have the oversight of all Ministers, Preach¬
ers, Exhorters and officials in his Pastoral Charge.
§ 2. To see that the Ministers, Preachers, Exhort¬
ers and officials behave themselves well, and to ar¬
range appointments for Local Preachers and Ex¬
horters so as to give them systematic work, 503.
123
205, § 3. Pastors in Charge.
\ 3. To appoint Class Leaders; to change them at
the Quarterly Conference or during the interval when
he deems it necessary for the good of the Classes and
Church; and to provide for new Classes.
g 4. To hold Leaders' Meeting once a month in a
station, and at least once in three months on a cir¬
cuit ; to examine each Leader with all possible ex¬
actness, concerning the method of leading his Class,
and to make such changes in Membership as necessity
demands.
§ 5. To receive persons on Probation, and into Full
Connection after Probation is out; to receive and
dismiss Members by Certificate, T[ 49 § 1-7.
\ 6. To instruct Probationers in the Doctrines and
General Rules of our Church before they are received
into Full Connection; also to acquaint those who
wish to unite with us from other Denominations with
our Doctrin'es and Rules, ^ 43 \ 1, ^ 44 \ 2.
\ 7. To read and explain the General Rules at
least once a quarter in every Society, 26—If 33.
§ 8. To enforce vigorously but calmly the rules of
the Church.
g 9. To try and expel Members according to our
form of Discipline, 232-^[ 242.
I 10. To form classes of the Baptized Children
within his Charge and to catechise and preach to
them, also to appoint Leaders for them, Tf 45-fl 48,
f 61,1 475 I 1, 2.
§ 11. To hold Watch-night Meetings yearly, and
Love-Feasts and General Class Quarterly. He may
suffer Watch-night Meetings to last from three to
124
Pastors in Charge, ft 205, § 17.
four hours, and Love-Feast and General Class from
one to two hours, 40, 41, 63, § 3.
§ 12. To catechise the children publicly in Sunday
School and at special meetings appointed for that
purpose, and also privately; to organize Sunday
Schools in places where ten children can be procured;
also to organize Varick Christian Endeavor Societies,
Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Societies,
Daughters of Conference,, and to appoint such other
Boards and Committees required by the Discipline,
11 475.
§ 13. To nominate Trustees, and the elective offi¬
cers in the Quarterly Conference.
§ 14. To observe the following Anniversary collec¬
tions: Children's Day, Easter Day, Missionary Day,
Church Extension, Varick Christian Endeavor, and
to collect and pay over the General Fund and Benevo¬
lent Assessment according to Discipline, j[ 106 § 5,
fl 358.
§ 15. To call the Stewards and Trustees as often as
may be necessary at least once in three months to
inquire into the state of the funds, and to look over
their accounts, of which Boards he is ex-officio Chair¬
man.
§ 16. To lift a collection of One Dollar or more,
each, for the specific purpose of bearing the expense
of the District and the Annual Conferences, 106
§ 5, ft 125.
§ 17. To see that each Church in his Charge is
supplied with a Church Record in which the Member¬
ship, including Probationers, shall be recorded, and
125
205, § 18. Pastors in Charge.
to bring a list of all his Members and Probationers
to the Annual Conference: to leave his successor an
exact account of the names, street, and number of
all the Members and Probationers in his Charge,
IT 441 3.
| 18. To see that every Church in his Charge be
supplied with our Hymn Books and other Church
literature.
§ 19. To renew the Love-Feast tickets quarterly,
and that the Leaders take up a collection in their
Classes for the Poor when they give out the tickets.
§ 20. To lift a collection for the Poor at every
Quarterly Meeting; oftener if necessary, *|[ 416.
I 21. To appoint Prayer Meetings whenever advis¬
able in his Charge, and persons to hold them.
§ 22. In the absence of the Presiding Elder or his
appointee, to preside in the Quarterly Conference,
provided, however, that if the Pastor be not an Elder
these duties shall be performed by another Elder,
1131.
§ 23. In the interval of the Quarterly Conference
to fill all vacancies occurring in that body, f 133
I 11. II 425.
I 24. To attend the Bishop when present, and
give him whatever information is necessary, by
letter or in person, for the good of the work.
§ 25. To carry out the law respecting the expenses
of the General Conference, and any other special
collections levied by the proper power for the success
of the Church, 112.
I 26. To recommend that a fast be held in every
126
Pastobs in Charge, 205, § '62.
Society on the Friday preceding every Quarterly
Meeting,- and see that a memorandum of it be writ¬
ten on all the Class-books.
§ 27. To see that no Mem,ber of his Charge officiate
in public as a Preacher or Exhorter without obtain¬
ing a License for that purpose.
§ 28. To warn his Members from time to time that
none are to remove from one Charge to another with¬
out a Certificate of Membership, 49.
§ 29. To attend and report to the District and
Annual Conferences.
§ 30. To become a personal Subscriber to the Star
of Zion, Quarterly Review, Missionary Seer and Va-
rick Endeavorer, 197 § 3, 3, 455-456.
§ 31. To make a written report at each Quarterly
Conference in the following form:
Quarterly Report.
Of the Pastor in Charge of to the
Quarterly Conference held at on the day
of 19
1. Pastoral Labor.
1. Number of Pastoral visits made.
2. Number of Marriages performed.
3. Number of Funerals conducted.
127
j[ 205, § 32. Pastors in Change.
4. Number of Adults baptized.
5. Number of Children baptized.
6. Number of Sermons preached.
7 Other Items.
II. Changes in Membership.
1. Number of Conversions.
2. Number received on Probation.
3. Number of Probationers received into Full Con¬
nection.
4. Number of Members received on Certificate.
5. Number of Certificates granted.
G. Number withdrawn without Certificates.
7. Number Expelled.
8. Number of Deaths.
9. Present number of Probationers.
10. Present number of Full Members.
11. Increase over last quarter.
III. Benevolent Collections this Quarter.
1. For Education.
2. For Church Extension.
3. For General Missions.
4. For Superannuated Ministers, Widows and Or¬
phans, and Contingencies.
5. For General Fund.
6. On Children's Day.
7. On Easter Day.
8. On Missionary Day.
128
Pastors in Charge. fl 208.
9. For the Poor.
10. For Charity.
IV. Subscribers for our Periodicals.
1. Star of Zion.
2. Quarterly Review.
3. Missionary Seer.
4. Varick Endeavorer.
5. Zion Trumpet.
6. Other Periodicals.
Pastor in Charge.
206. To make an exact report to the Annual
Conference of all the items embraced in the Statistics
of the Conference, and to pay to the Conference
Treasurer or to the proper persons all the moneys
raised for our benevolent causes, and to report in
open Conference whether he has presented the claims
of our benevolent causes according to the require¬
ments of the Discipline, 10'6 § 5, 316, 349-fl 354.
207. In order to supply the circuits and stations
during the sitting of the Annual Conference, let the
appointments stand according to the plan of the
circuit or station, and let the Bishop, or, in his
absence, the Minister in Charge, engage as many
Local Preachers and Exhorters as will supply the
circuit or station, 387.
208. If Preachers or Exhorters cannot be ob¬
tained, then let some person of ability be appointed,
by the authority aforesaid, to sing and to read one of
Mr. Wesley's sermons; but if this cannot be done,
let there be Prayer Meeting at the regular times of
public* worship.
9 129
U 209. Supernumerary, Superannuated.
1f 209. If the Pastor in Charge be not an ordained
Minister he shall perform all the duties of a Pastor,
except (1) To hold Quarterly Conference, (2) To
administer the Lord's Supper, (3) To baptize, (4) To
perform the marriage ceremony, If 60 2 2.
CHAPTER VIII.
SUPERNUMERARY AND SUPERANNUATED
MINISTERS.
L Supernumerary Preachers.
If 210. A Supernumerary Preacher is one who has
been left without an appointment by the Bishop either
from lack of ability, from lack of sufficient Charges
to supply him, from temporarily impaired health or
at his own request to be left without an appointment.
He is subject to receive an appointment during the
interval of the Annual Conference from the Bishop,
or from the Presiding Elder, by the consent of the
Bishop. He still remains a Member of, and is ex¬
pected to attend the Annual Conference until his re¬
lation is properly severed, but shall be subject during
the year and enjoy the privileges of the Quarterly
Conference where he resides, and shall report to the
District Conference, 1f 116. He shall make the fol¬
lowing report at the last Quarterly Conference of the
year:
130
Supernumerary, Superannuated. 211.
1. Number of Sermons preached.
2. Number of Marriages solemnized.
3. Number of Baptisms performed.
4. Other labors performed.
II. Superannuated Ministers,
211. A Superannuated Minister is one who has
worn himself out in the Ministry, and is not able to
render further effective service. When a Traveling
Minister has rendered no less than five years of
effective service in the African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church, maintained a good standing in the
Traveling Connection and become too feeble to hold
a Charge by reason of service, he may by vote of the
Annual Conference of which he is a Member be
placed in the Superannuated relation. He shall still
be a Member of the Annual Conference, and shall
enjoy the privileges of the Quarterly Confer¬
ence where he resides. He shall be taken
cognizance of by the Presiding Elder, who shall re¬
port his Christian and Ministerial conduct to the
Annual Conference. He shall render the following
report, to the last Quarterly Conference of the year,
n 610.
1. Number of Sermons preached.
2. Number of Marriages solemnized.
3. Number of Baptisms performed.
4. Other labors performed.
131
PART IV.
Local Preachers, Exhorters
and Lay Helpers.
I. LOCAL. PREACHERS.
II. EXHORTERS.
III. CLASS LEADERS.
Local Preachers. IF 214.
CHAPTER I.
LOCAL PREACHERS.
212. A Local Preacher is constituted by a major¬
ity of the Quarterly Conference of the Charge of which
he is a Member. When an Exhorter or a Member
of our Church wishes to obtain License to Preach, he
shall make it known at the Leaders' Meeting, either
in person, by letter, or otherwise. If his moral and
Christian conduct warrants his being recommended
for License, the Pastor shall examine him upon the
Course of Study laid down for persons applying for
License as a Local Preacher, A. 33. If the Pastor
and Leaders are satisfied with his knowledge of the
Course of Study, the Pastor shall appoint a time when
the applicant shall preach a trial sermon before the
Pastor, Officials and Members, in order to further
judge of his qualifications.
fl 213. After the applicant has preached his trial
sermon, and a majority of the Official Members who
were present and heard him, are satisfied with his
gifts, graces and general knowledge, they may recom¬
mend him to the Quarterly Conference for License to
preach.
U 214. When a person is recommended to the
Quarterly Conference for License to preach, the
Chairman shall satisfy himself as to the ability and
fitness of the applicant for the position, and if(a ma-
135
*f[ 215. Local Preachers.
jority of the Quarterly Conference Members concur,
he shall be granted License to preach, which License
must be renewed annually, or it shall become null
and void.
Form of the License.
" This is to Certify that — - -
is duly authorized to preach in the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church, so long as his life and conduct
comport with the Gospel rule, and he conform to the
Discipline of the above named Church.
On behalf of the Quarterly Conference held at
on the — day of 19 -
(Signed).__ ,
Presiding Elder and Chairman.
, Secretary.
N. B.—Be careful to have this renewed annually
215. Every Local Preacher, not holding a
Charge shall be a Member of, and amenable to the
Quarterly Conference where he resides, f 205. And
when he shall change his residence he shall procure
from the Pastor of the Charge from which he goes,
or from the Presiding Elder of the District, a Cer¬
tificate of his Official Standing and shall present it
to the Pastor of the Charge to which he goes.
Should he neglect to do this he shall not be recog¬
nized, nor shall he use the office of a Local Preacher
in the Charge to which he goes, but continue to be
amenable to the Quarterly Conference of the Charge
from which he goes, which may, if the neglect be
protracted, after due notice has been given him, try
Local Preachers. 220.
him for persistent disobedience to the order of our
Discipline, and upon conviction thereof, deprive him
of his Credentials, 133 g 7, 243.
I 216. Should a Local Preacher be appointed to
a Charge by the Presiding Elder he shall then be¬
come a Member of and subject to the Quarterly Con¬
ference of his own Charge, and shall be allowed a
salary as any other Pastor, H" 384.
217. Every Local Preacher shall be enrolled in
a Class, and the same rules of attendance shall apply
to him as are applied to other Members of the
Church, H 49 | 8, 55.
218. Each Local Preacher shall make a report
to the Quarterly Conference as follows:
1. Number of Sermons preached.
2. Number of Prayer Meetings held.
3. Number of Class Meetings attended.
4. Number of times attended Sunday School.
5. Number of Funerals conducted.
6. What service he has rendered the Pastor.
7. What service he has rendered the Presiding
Elder.
8. What studies he is pursuing.
9'. Miscellaneous items.
1[ 219. If a Local Preacher be found neglectful
of any of the above duties, and proves himself un¬
worthy of the office, the Quarterly Conference may,
after due trial,' deprive him of his Credentials,
T 133 § 7.
220. No Local Preacher shall receive Deacon's
Orders without the consent of a majority of the
137
If 221.
Exhoeters.
Quarterly Conference, and the concurrence of the
Annual Conference. Each Local Preacher shall be
a Member of and attend the District Conference,
and render a report of his labors to that body, 188.
CHAPTER II.
EXHORTERS.
^ 221. An Exhorter shall be constituted by a
majority of the Quarterly Conference of the Charge
of which he is a Member.
Tf 222. When a Member of our Church wishes to
obtain a License to exhort he shall make it known in
the Leaders' Meeting. When such request is made
known the Pastor shall examine him upon the
Course of Study laid down for applicants who wish
to obtain Licenses to exhort, and require of him a
trial discourse, A. 32. After delivering the trial dis¬
course, if he satisfies the Pastor and Leaders of his
fitness for such License, and his gifts, graces, and
usefulness warrant it, he may be recommended to
the Quarterly Conference for such License; and if
the Chairman and a majority of the Quarterly Con¬
ference concur in his general ability for the office he
shall be granted License, which License must be
renewed annually or become null and void.
138
Exhokters. 226.
Form of the License.
" This is to Certify that is duly
authorized to exhort in the African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church, so long as his life and conduct comport
with the Gospel rule, and he conform to the Discipline
of the above named Church.
On behalf of the Quarterly Conference held at
on the day of 19
{Signed) ,
Presiding Elder and Chairman.
, Secretary.
N. B.—Be careful to have this renewed annually."
223. An Exhorter shall be a Member of and sub¬
ject to the Quarterly Conference. He shall labor at
such time and place within the bounds of the circuit
or station as the Pastor in Charge or Presiding
Elder may direct, f 205.
f 224. No person shall be granted a License to
exhort who cannot read and write.
][ 225. He shall render to the Quarterly and Dis¬
trict Conference a report of his labors in the follow¬
ing form:
1. Number of Discourses delivered.
2. Number of Prayer Meetings held.
3. Number of times attended Sunday School.
4. Number of Class Meetings held.
5. What studies he is pursuing.
6. Miscellaneous items.
Tf 226. Each Exhorter shall be enrolled in a Class,
and the same rules of attendance shall apply to him
139
227. Class Leadeks and their Duties.
as are applied to other Members of the Church, 49
§ 8, T 55.
227. If an Exhorter be found neglectful of any
of the above duties, and proves himself unworthy of
the office, the Quarterly Conference may, after due
trial, deprive him of his Credentials, f 133 \ 7, If 243.
CHAPTER III.
CLASS LEADERS AND THEIR DUTIES.
Tf 228. A Class Leader shall be appointed by the
Quarterly Conference as follows: The Pastor in
Charge shall nominate the person, and a majority of
the Quarterly Conference present shall elect him, if
there be no objection to his character, to serve one
year, and no longer, unless re-appointed. He must
be a man of sound judgment and truly devoted to
God.
1] 229. Previous to the expiration of the time a
Leader has to serve, the Pastor shall ascertain from
the Members of his Class, by vote or otherwise,
whether they wish their Leader re-appointed or not.
They shall have said privilege by applying to the
Quarterly Conference, if there be no objection to his
character or conduct.
If 230. The duties of a Class Leader are:
\ 1. To meet his Class once every week at the
140
Class Leaders and their Duties. IT 231.
appointed place of meeting, and to visit those who
may be absent as soon as possible, in order to inquire
how their souls prosper; to advise, reprove, comfort,
or exhort, as occasion may require, ]f 55, If 56.
§ 2. To make a collection in his Class once in three
months for the poor at the time of giving out the
Love-Feast. t^^ete>*and. ip^4djag.out the Love-Feast
tickets he shall be uhdte'r ~tfoe same restrictions as a
Pastor in that particular, If 139.
\ B. To make such weekly or monthly collections
for the support of the Pastor as shall be agreed upon
by the Special Conference, Trustees and Stewards'
Boards and the Quarterly Conference from time to
time.
\ 4. To pay into the hands of the Preacher's
Steward the money received from his Class, Tf 139.
I 5. To meet each other's Classes as often as con¬
venient, and to see that the sick and poor Members
have proper attention given them, If 58.
\ 6. To apply through the Pastor to the Poor's
Steward for means of relief for his needy Members,
If 418.
I 7. To collect from his Members whatever assess¬
ment has been agreed upon for the support of the
Presiding Elder, ^f 395.
§ 8. To collect from his Members as much as he
can of the General Fund Assessment and Special
Assessment, and report the same to the Pastor, Tf 53
§ 3, ^ 339, If 340.
Tf 231. The Leader is required to make the follow¬
ing report at the Quarterly Conference:
14-1
231. Class Leaders and Their Duties.
1. Number of Members in his Class.
2. Number of Probationers.
3. Average attendance.
4. Number habitually absent.
5. Number of Class Meetings held.
6. Number of visits made.
7. Number who contribute to the support of the
Church.
8. Number of Church papers taken by Class Mem¬
bers.
9. Amount collected for Presiding Elder's support.
10. Amount the Leader has paid Pastor.
11. Amount collected from Class Members for
Pastor.
12. Amount of General Fund Assessment paid by
Leader.
13. Amount of General Fund Assessment collected
.from Class Members,
14. Amount of Benevolent Assessment paid by
Leader.
15. Amount of Benevolent Assessment collected
from Class Members.
16. Amount collected for the Poor from Class
Members.
17. Amount collected for Charity from Class
Members.
18. Miscellaneous Matters.
142
PART V.
Judicial Administration.
I. TRIAL OF AN ACCUSED MEMBER.
II. TRIAL OF AN EXHORTER OR A
LOCAL PREACHER.
III. TRIAL OF A LOCAL DEACON OR A
LOCAL ELDER.
IV. PROCEEDINGS AGAINST A PREACH¬
ER ON TRIAL.
V. TRIAL OF A TRAVELING MINISTER
IN FULL CONNECTION.
VI. TRIAL OF A BISHOP.
VII. GENERAL DIRECTIONS CONCERN¬
ING TRIALS.
VIII. COURT OF APPEALS.
Trial of an Accused Member. 234.
CHAPTER I.
TRIAL OF AN ACCUSED MEMBER.
I. Immoral Conduct.
232. A MembeV of our Church against whom the
charge of immorality has been made shall be brought
to trial before the Society of which he is a Member,
or a select number of the same, of not less than five
or more than twelve persons, aside, if possible, from
the Official Members (and if the Pastor deem it nec¬
essary, the Committee may be selected from any
neighboring Church in our Connection), in the pres¬
ence of the Pastor in Charge, who shall preside and
cause exact minutes of the trial to be taken. The
accuser, or the next best evidence, and, if possible,
the accused must be present, 281.
]f ^33. If the accused person be found guilty by the
decision of a majority of the Members before whom
the case is brought, and the crime be such as is ex¬
pressly forbidden in the word of God, sufficient to
exclude a person from the kingdom of grace and
glory, the offender must be expelled, Tf 288.
If 234. But if in view of mitigating circumstances
and of humble and penitent confession, the Commit¬
tee finds that a lower penalty is proper, it may
either impose censure on the offender, or suspend
10 145
235. Trial of an Accused Member.
him from all Church privileges for a definite time, at
its discretion.
T[ 235. If the accused person evade a trial by
absenting himself, after sufficient notice is given
him, and the circumstances' of the case afford strong
presumption of guilt, he shall be tried in his absence,
and if found guilty, he shall be accordingly expelled.
II. Imprudent and Unchristian Conduct.
T[ 236. In cases of neglect of 'duties of any kind,
imprudent conduct, indulging sinful tempers or
words, the buying, selling or using intoxicating
liquors as a beverage, or disobedience to the order
and Discipline of our Church, first, private reproof
shall be given by the Leader or Pastor, and if there
be an acknowledgment of the fault, proper humilia¬
tion, the person may be borne with. On a second
offense the Leader or Pastor shall take one or two
Members of tlie Church with him. On the third
offense the person shall be brought to trial, and if
found guilty, and there be no sign of real humility,
he shall be cut off, If 30, 75 § 3, H" 291.
IH. Neglect of the Means of Grace.
^ 237. When a Member of our Church habitually
neglects the means of grace, such as the public wor¬
ship of God, the Lord's Supper, Class Meetings and
Prayer Meetings, his Leader or the Pastor in Charge
shall visit him, whenever it is practicable, and explain
to him the consequence of such neglect. If he do
not amend, let a charge be preferred against him and
Trial of an Accused Member. % 240.
lie be dealt with accordingly, and if he be found
guilty of wilful neglect by a majority of the Mem¬
bers before whom he is arraigned, let him be expelled,
T 32, T 56, If 57.
IV. Sowing Discord.
U 238. If a Member of our Church shall be ac¬
cused of sowing discord so as to break up the har¬
mony of Christian fellowship among the Members,
the person so offending shall first be reproved by the
Leader or Pastor in Charge, and if he afterward per¬
sist in such pernicious practice, he shall be brought
to trial, and, if found guilty, he shall be expelled^
IT &0, IT 291.
V. Disagreement in Business—Arbitration.
f 239. In any dispute between two or more Mem¬
bers of our Society concerning the payment of any
debts or moneys, or otherwise, which cannot be set¬
tled by the parties concerned, the Pastor who has
charge of the circuit or station shall inquire into the
circumstances of the case, and shall recommend to
the contending parties a reference to arbitration; one
arbiter to be chosen by the defendant and another
by the plaintiff, which two arbiters shall choose the
third, the three being Members of our Church.
U" 240. But if one of the parties be dissatisfied with
the judgment given, such party may apply to the en¬
suing Quarterly Conference of the circuit or station
for permission to have a second arbitration ; in which
case each party shall choose two arbiters, and the
147
241. Trial of an Accused Member.
four shall choose a fifth, the judgment of whom shall
be final; and any person refusing to abide by their
decision in the case shall be excluded from the
Church, U" 133 § 6.
If 241. But if any Member of our Church shall re¬
fuse, in case of debts or other disputes, to refer the
matter to arbitration when recommended as aforesaid,
or shall enter into a lawsuit with another Member
before these measures are taken, such person shall
be expelled, except the case be of such a nature as
to justify and require an immediate process at law.
VI. Failure to Pay Assessments.
IT 242. Any Member of our Societies who neglects
to pay such assessment as the General Conference
imposes, or as the Quarterly Conference may impose
from time to time, in order to meet the lawful de¬
mands of the Society or General Church, when in
his power to do so, he shall be admonished by his
Leader and Pastor, and if, after sufficient time has
been given him he wilfully and persistently refuses
to pay such assessment he shall be deprived of his
Membership as provided in 49 \ 8, 75 § 3, f 347,
If 348.
us
Trial of an Exhorter. 245.
CHAPTER II.
TRIAL OF AN EXHORTER OR A LOCAL
PREACHER.
f 243. When an Exhorter or a Local Preacher is
reported to be guilty of some crime or immoral con¬
duct, expressly forbidden in the word of God, sufficient
to exclude a person from the kingdom of grace and
glory, the Pastor in Charge shall call a Trial Com¬
mittee consisting of three or more Official Members ;
or if the Official Members cannot be procured, then
he shall call three or more Members, of which the
Pastor shall be the Chairman, and before which it
shall be the duty of the accused to appear, and by
which, if the charge is sustained, he shall be sus¬
pended. At the beginning of the trial, the Chairman
shall demand the License of the accused party.
f 244. If the accused refuse or neglect to appear
before said Committee the trial may proceed in his
absence. The Chairman shall cause exact minutes
of the charges, testimony, and proceedings of the
trial, together with the decision of the Committee to
be taken, which, when read and approved, shall be
signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Com¬
mittee.
f 245. If the accused be found guilty of the charge
by a majority of the Committee (T[ 285) he shall be
suspended from his office and all Church privileges
.149
246. Trial of a Local jjeacon.
Until the ensuing Quarterly Conference, which Con¬
ference shall have the power to confirm the decision
of the Committee, to suspend, expel, or acquit, as
the case may be, and its decision shall be final,
1 133 § 7.
If 246. In case of minor offences, such as improper
conduct, tempers, words, or actions, the Exhorter or
Local Preacher so offending shall be admonished by
the Pastor in Charge. If he shall heed not the ad¬
monition of his Pastor, and continue to offend, he
shall be called to trial as provided for in 243.
CHAPTER III.
TRIAL OF A LOCAL DEACON OR A LOCAL
ELDER.
247. When a Local Deacon or a Local Elder is
reported to be guilty of some crime or immoral con¬
duct, expressly forbidden in the word of God, sufficient
to exclude a person from the kingdom of grace and
glory, the Pastor in Charge shall call a Committee
consisting of three or more Local Preachers, who with
himself as Chairman, shall constitute a Trial Commit¬
tee, before which it shall be the duty of the accused to
appear, and by which, if the charge is not sustained,
he shall be acquitted, but if sustained, he shall be
suspended from all the functions of his office and
150
Trial of a Local Deacon. 251.
Church privileges until the ensuing Quarterly Con¬
ference, T 285. At the beginning of the trial, the
Chairman shall demand the License of the accused
party.
1f 248. If the accused refuse or neglect to appear
before said Committee the trial may proceed in his
absence. The Chairman shall cause exact minutes
of the charges, testimony and proceedings of the trial,
together with the decision of the Committee to be
taken, which when read and approved, shall be signed
by the Chairman and Secretary of the Committee,
and a copy of the same shall be laid before the Quar¬
terly Conference, where it shall be the duty of the
accused to appear.
249. The Quarterly Conference shall have the
power to confirm the decision of the Trial Committee,
to suspend, expel, or acquit as the case may be,
If 133 § 7.
Tf 250. A Local Deacon or Local Elder convicted
by the Quarterly Conference shall have the right of
an appeal to the Annual Conference, which shall
have the power to finally determine the case, If 293.
f 251. In case of improper conduct, tempers,
words, or actions, the Local Deacon or Local Elder
so offending shall be admonished by the Pastor in
Charge. Should a second transgression take place,
one, two, or three Members of the Church must be
taken as witnesses. If he continue to offend, he shall
be called to trial as provided for in 247.
151
252. Preacher on Trial.
CHAPTER IV.
PROCEEDINGS AGAINST A PREACHER ON
TRIAL.
f 252. A Preacher on Trial is accountable for his
conduct to the Quarterly Conference of his Charge.
11 253. "When a Preacher on Trial in an Annual
Conference is reported to be guilty of some crime or
immoral conduct, expressly forbidden in the word of
God, sufficient to exclude a person from the kingdom
of grace and glory, the Presiding Elder shall call a
Committee consisting of three Local Preachers
(If 284) who with himself as Chairman, shall consti¬
tute a Trial Committee before which it shall be
the duty of the accused to appear, and by which, if
the charge is not sustained, he shall be acquitted, but
if sustained, he shall be suspended from all Minis¬
terial functions and Church privileges until the en¬
suing Quarterly Conference, ^ 285. At the beginning
of the trial the Chairman shall demand the Credentials
of the accused party.
254. If the accused refuse or neglect to appear
before said Committee, the trial may proceed in his
absence. The Chairman shall cause exact minutes
of the charges, testimony and proceedings of the trial,
together with the decision of the Committee, to be
taken, which when read and approved, shall be signed
by the Chairman and Secretary of the Committee,
152
Trial of Traveling Minister. 258, § 1.
and a copy of the same shall be laid before the Quar¬
terly Conference where it shall be the duty of the
accused to appear.
255. The Quarterly Conference shall have the
power to confirm the decision of the Trial Commit¬
tee, to suspend, expel, or acquit, as the case may be,
1 133 § 7,
256. A Preacher on Trial convicted by the Quar¬
terly Conference shall have the right of an appeal to
the Annual Conference which shall have the power
to finally determine the case, 293.
Tf 257. In case of improper conduct, tempers, words,
or actions, the Preacher on Trial so offending shall be
admonished by the Presiding Elder in Charge. If
he continue to offend he shall be called to trial as
provided for in ^ 252.
CHAPTER Y.
TRIAL OF A TRAVELING MINISTER IN
FULL CONNECTION.
T[ 258. When a Traveling Minister is under re¬
port of being guilty of some crime or immoral con¬
duct, expressly forbidden in the word of God,
sufficient to exclude a person from the kingdom of
grace and glory, the following actions shall be taken.
§ 1. In the interval of the Annual Conference let
153
H 258, § 2. Trial of Traveling Minister.
the Elder to whom the complaint is made call two
other Traveling Ministers (][ 284) which three shall
constitute a Committee of Investigation, 282. This
Committee shall call the accused Minister and
examine into the nature of the complaint. If the
Committee find that the complaint warrants a trial,
a formal charge shall be made against the accused
by a competent person, and the Investigating Com¬
mittee shall call two or more other Traveling Min¬
isters, which number shall constitute a Trial Com¬
mittees.
g 2. After due notice is given the Trial Committee
shall meet, before which it shall be the duty of the
accused, and if possible the accuser to appear, and
by which if the charge is not sustained, the accused
shall be acquitted, but if sustained, he shall be sus¬
pended from all Ministerial functions and Church
privileges until the ensuing Annual Conference,
11 285.
§ 3. Iftheaccusedandtheaccusercannotbebrought
face to face, but the supposed delinquent evades trial,
it shall be received as a presumptive proof of guilt,
and out of the mouth of two or three witnesses he
shall be condemned.
| 4. If the accused refuse or neglect to appear
before the said Committee after due notice has been
given him, the trial may proceed in his absence.
Witnesses from without shall not be rejected, and the
testimony of an absent witness may be taken before
the Chairman of the Committee or the Presiding
Elder of the District within which such witness
154
Trial of Traveling Minister. 259.
resides; provided, in every case sufficient notice has
been given to the adverse party of the time and place
of taking such testimony, 281.
\ 5. When the Trial Committee assembles, if coun¬
sel has not been provided for the Church or the
accused, the Chairman shall have power to appoint
counsel for both, or either, who shall be Members of
the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, ^ 280.
| 6. The Elder into whose hands the charges are
placed shall call the Trial Committee, and preside
throughout the proceedings of the trial, and shall
certify to, and declare the verdict of the Committee.
At the beginning of the trial he shall demand the
Credentials of the accused party.
\ 7. The Chairman shall cause a correct minute of
the charges, specifications, proceedings, evidence in
the trial, and the decision of the Committee to be
taken, which when read and approved, shall be signed
by the Chairman and Secretary of the Committee,
and transmitted to the Bishop, and the Annual Con¬
ference, H 264.
I 8. Supernumerary and Superannuated Ministers
shall be dealt with in the same manner as Traveling
Ministers.
259. In cases of improper conduct, tempers,
words, or actions, the Traveling Minister so offending
shall be admonished by the Presiding Elder of the
District. Should a second transgression take place,
one, two, or three Ministers must be taken as wit¬
nesses. If he continue to offend let him be dealt
with as in ]f 258.
260. Trial of Traveling Minister.
U" 260. When a Traveling Minister disseminates
publicly or privately, doctrines which aie contrary
to our Articles of Religion or established standards
of doctrine, let him be dealt with as in f 258. But
if, after the charge is sustained, the Minister so
offending does solemnly engage to the Trial Com¬
mittee to cease from disseminating such erroneous
doctrines in public or private, the Committee may
waive suspension, nevertheless, the Annual Con¬
ference may call him into account.
261. When a Traveling Minister in the interval
of his Annual Conference declines or ceases to do
the work to which he has been duly appointed, ex¬
cept for the reasons indicated in 187, If 192, f 201,
let him be dealt with as in f 258.
T[ 262. In cases of alleged maladministration a
Traveling Minister may-be charged with corrupt,
negligent, or partisan administration, and the Minis¬
ter so offending shall be dealt with as in T] 258.
263. When the Traveling Minister fails to keep
his part of a business transaction, or contracts debts
and fails to pay them, the Presiding Elder of the
District shall appoint three judicious Members of
the Church who shall examine the accounts, contracts,
and circumstances of the supposed delinquent, and if
possible, adjust the matter; but if the circumstances
of the case show that the said delinquent contracted
the debt or debts without the probability of paying
them, or persistently neglects to settle claims that
have been proved to be just, let the delinquent Min.
ister be dealt with as in Tf 258.
156
Trial op Traveling Minister. «ff 26G, § 2.
Tf •264. When a Traveling Minister is convicted by
a Trial Committee, be shall have the right of appeal
from the decision of the Committee as follows:
g 1. To the Bishop of his Conference, who, after
reviewing the findings, shall have the power to con¬
firm or reverse the decision of the Committee, or
order a new trial. If the case is not clear enough so
as to enable the Bishop to form a correct decision he
may have all the parties before him for examination,
so as to assist him in rendering a decision, ]] ] 97 \ 11,
If 258 2 7, A '294.
§ 2. To his Annual Conference, which, after re¬
viewing the findings, shall have the power to con¬
firm the decision of the Committee, suspend, expel,
acquit, or to order a new trial, If 258 \ 7.
Tf 265. An Annual Conference may entertain and
try charges against a Traveling Minister, even though
no trial has been held, or, even though a trial was
held and did not result in suspension, due notice
having been given to the accused, ^f 105.
f 266. The Annual Conference may at its discre¬
tion try a Traveling Minister against whom charges
have been made by either of the two methods:
I 1. The entire trial including the examination of
the witnesses may be by the Conference in Executive
session.
§ 2. Or the Conference may refer the case to a
Select Number of its Members, of which Select
Number the Bishop of the Conference shall be Chair¬
man, or appoint an Elder to act in his place, and the
Secretary of the Conference shall be Secretary of the
157
267. Trial of Traveling Minister.
Select Number. The Select Number shall have the
power to consider and determine the case according
to the rules which rjovern the Annual Conference in
euch proceedings; and they shall make a faithful re¬
port in writing of the entire proceedings of the trial
to the Annual Conference duly signed by President
and Secretary.
If 267. When a charge is brought against a Minis¬
ter before the Annual Conference, and the case can¬
not be tried during the session for want of testimony
and otherwise 296) the Conference may refer it to
an Elder who shall proceed as directed in If 258.
If 268. After a Minister shall have been regularly
tried and expelled he shall have no privileges of
Society or Sacraments in our Church, without con¬
trition, reformation, and confession, satisfactory to
the Conference from which he was expelled, If 288.
1f 269. When a Traveling Minister has been sus¬
pended or expelled by the decision of the Annual
Conference, he shall have the right of an appeal:
§ 1. To the Court of Appeals by making an appli¬
cation to any Bishop aside from the one who sat
upon his case, who when applied to, shall summon
the Triers of Appeals according to law, f 299.
§ 2. To the General Conference which shall re¬
view the case together with the findings and points
oi law contained therein, and shall confirm or reverse
Uifl previous decision or decisions of the lower
courts, and finally determine the matter, Tf 80.
158
Trial of a Bishop. 272.
CHAPTER VI.
TRIAL OF A BISHOP.
]f 270. A Bishop is amenable for his conduct to
the General Conference which shall have power to
order the manner of his trial.
Tf 271. When a Bishop is accused of a crime
or immoral conduct in the interval of the Annual
Conference the Elder to whom the accusation is
made shall call two other Traveling Elders from
neighboring circuits or stations who shall constitute
a Committee of Investigation, Tf 282. This Commit¬
tee shall call the Bishop and carefully examine into
the nature of the complaint; and if in their judg¬
ment there is reasonable ground for such accusation,
crime or misdemeanor, they or a majority of them,
shall call six other Traveling Elders from neighbor¬
ing circuits or stations, which nine Elders shall con¬
stitute a Trial Committee, and shall have the power
to acquit, or suspend the Bishop from all official
standing if they judge him guilty of the charge,
until the ensuing Annual Conference of the District
in which the crime or misdemeanor was committed,
and where his case shall be tried, 195, ]f 285.
T[ 272. No accusation shall be received against a
Bishop except it be delivered in writing, signed by
the accuser or those who are to prove the charge. A
159
If 273.
Trial of a Bishop.
copy of the same shall be given him, and sufficient
time allowed him to prepare his defense.
If 273. The Elder to whom the accusation is made
shall be the Chairman of the Trial Committee, and
shall certify to and declare the verdict of the Com¬
mittee. He shall see that a correct minute of the
charges, specifications, proceedings, and the decision
of the Committee be taken, which when read and
approved, shall be signed by the Chairman and Sec¬
retary of the Committee, and transmitted to the
Annual Conference.
If 274. When a Bishop is suspended by a Trial
Committee in the interval of the Annual Conference,
suspended or expelled by an Annual Conference
in the interval of the General Conference, he shall
have the right of an appeal:
\ 1. To the Board of Bishops who shall constitute
a competent Court of Appeals to confirm or reverse
the decision of the Trial Committee, or the decision
of the Annual Conference, ft 91.
I 2. To the General Conference which shall have
the power to ratify or reverse the decisions of the
lower courts, ft 80,
ft 275. When the General Conference ratifies the
decisions of the lower courts in expelling a Bishop,
it shall have the power to disrobe him of his Epis¬
copacy and remand him to the Annual Conference
which tried his case for final expulsion, ft 80.
ft 276. When charges are brought against a Bishop
at the sitting of the General Conference, the Gen¬
eral Conference shall proceed to try the case ih open
160
Directions Concerning Trials. 280.
Conference or refer it to a Trial Committee of its own
appointment, and said Committee shall try the charge
and report their decision to the General Conference
which shall have power to determine the case as in
If 275.
CHAPTER VII.
GENERAL DIRECTIONS CONCERNING
TRIALS.
277. No Member can be deprived of his Mem¬
bership without due trial by a Committee, and proper
process of law, ^ 56.
If 278. Probationers are not subjects for trial; if
their conduct do not correspond to the word of God.
and to the rules of our Church, they are dropped at
the Leaders' Meeting upon the recommendation of the
Leader and the concurrence of the Pastor, If 43 \ 2.
If 279. A Pastor who prefers a charge against one
of the Members of his Church, or the Minister who
prefers a charge against another Minister, shall not
sit as Chairman of the Trial Committee before which
the case is to be tried, 1f 302.
If 2S0. The accused shall have the right to call to
his assistance as counsel any Member or Minister in
good and regular standing in the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church, If 258 § 5, If 306.
11 161
281. Directions Concerning Trials.
f 281. Witnesses who are not Church Members
shall not be rejected, and the testimony of an absent
witness may be taken before the Pastor in Charge
where such witness resides, or before the Preacher
appointed by the Presiding Elder of the District
within which such witness resides, provided, in every
case sufficient notice has been given to the adverse
party of the time and place of taking such testimony,
H 258 I 4.
If 282. An Investigating Committee may formulate
charges or cause them to be formulated against the
accused, but shall not perform the duties of a Trial
Committee except when it is so stated.
2S3. Members and Ministers have the right of
peremptory challenge on the assembling of the Trial
Committee, yet not so as to reduce the number of the
Committee to less than a majority, U 304.
■][ 284. A Traveling Preacher, Deacon, or Elder,
shall be allowed the privilege of being tried by his
peers in the interval of the Annual Conference; a
Trial Committee composed of Traveling Elders shall
be competent to try charges against a Bishop in the
interval of an Annual Conference; if the case is to
be at the Annual Conference, a Bishop shall sit as
Chairman.
285. In every case the proceedings and the de¬
cision of the Trial Committee, whether resulting in
acguittal, suspension, or expulsion, shall be signed by
the Chairman and Seqretary of the Committee. A
majority of the Trial Committee shall be competent
to render a decision.
162
Directions Concerning Trials. 291.
If 286. The removal of a Member or Minister from
an official position does not necessarily carry with it
expulsion from Church Membership, ^f 292 $ 8.
If 287. In all cases requiring the accused to be ex¬
pelled, the Chairman of the Trial Committee shall
pronounce the sentence of expulsion.
If 288. After due trial and expulsion from Mem¬
bership the person expelled shall have no privilege
of Society, or of the Sacraments in our Church, with¬
out contrition, confession, and satisfactory reforma¬
tion, Tf 268.
U 289. If, in the trial of Members the Pastor in
Charge differs from the rest of the Committee con¬
cerning the guilt ot innocence of the accused, he may
refer the case to the ensuing Quarterly Conference,
which shall have power to affirm or reverse the de¬
cision, or order a new trial, If 133 § 7.
^ 290. If there be a murmur of complaint from any
excluded Member, Exhorter, or Local Preacher, that
justice has not been done, he shall be allowed an ap¬
peal to the ensuing Quarterly Conference (except such
as absent themselves after sufficient notice has been
given them), and a majority of said Quarterly Con¬
ference shall finally determine the case, If 133 \ 6.
If 291. For minor offences persons may be sus¬
pended for three or six months. Such persons shall
be deprived of all Church privileges except attend¬
ance upon means of grace. But no person shall be
deprived of membership or put back without due
trial (except those who absent themselves after due
notice), | 56, If 75 2 3. Nevertheless, if there be an
163
292. Directions Concerning Trials.
unfavorable rumor of any person, such accused person
may be deprived of all Church privileges until the
matter is investigated, 307.
H 292. Ministers and Members holding official po¬
sitions in the Church shall be dealt with according
to the rank of Membership to which they belong,
IT 179.
T1 298. An appeal of a Lay Member, Exhorter and
Local Preacher ends with the Quarterly Conference,
134. The appeal of a Local Deacon, Local Elder,
and Preacher on Trial ends with the Annual Confer¬
ence, 1 250,1 257.
f 294. A Traveling Minister in Full Connection is
allowed an appeal from the decision of the Trial
Committee in the interval of the Annual Conference
directly to the Bishop of his Conference (If 264 § 1),
and to the Annual Conference, If .264 § 2. He is
allowed an appeal from the decision of the Annual
Conference to the Court of Appeals (Tf 305), and to
the General Conference, If 269 § 2.
Tf 295. A Bishop is allowed an appeal from the
decision of the Trial Committee or the decision of the
Annual Conference directly to the Board of Bishops
and to the General Conference, ^f 80, "fl 91.
Tf 296. When a Quarterly, Annual, or1 General
Conference, or Court of Appeals sitting to hear ap¬
peals, remands a case to the lower court for a new
trial, the proper official shall proceed to try the
accused person again, unless charges are withdrawn,
If 267.
If 297. No Annual Conference shall, by reason of
164
Court of Appeals. 299.
the failure of any one to arraign a Bishop, or Travel¬
ing Minister for any misdemeanor, in the interval of
its session, be estopped or prevented from investigating
and disposing of all such cases; and the party so
neglecting to arraign or have arraigned, any Minister
or Preacher known to be charged with misdemeanor
in the interval of the Conference, may be tried for
neglect of duty, T[ 199 \ 2, If 205 \ 1.
CHAPTER VIII.
COURT OF APPEALS.
f 298. It shall be the duty of each Annual Con¬
ference, on the third day of its sitting, to choose from
among its Members five Elders, men of prudence,
piety, experience, and sound judgment in the affairs
of our Church who shall be known as Triers of Ap¬
peals.
T] 299. When notice of an appeal is made to a
Bishop, he shall proceed forthwith in accordance
with the wishes and rights of the Appellant, to call
the Triers of Appeals from two other Conferences
conveniently near to the one from which the appeal
is taken, and the Triers of Appeals from the three
Conferences shall constitute a Court of Appeals for
Traveling Ministers who have been found guilty, by
the decision of the Annual Conference, f 269 § 1.
165
300. Court of Appeals.
f 300. The Bishop who calls the Court shall pre¬
side, but should he be prevented from attending
another Bishop shall preside, and shall decide all
questions of law arising in the proceedings, subject
to an appeal to the General Conference, If 80, ^f 197
§9.
If 301. The Court shall appoint a Secretary who
shall keep a faithful record of all the proceedings,
and shall, at the close of the Court, transmit the
records made and the papers submitted in the case,
or certified copies thereof, to the General Secretary
who shall carefully preserve the same for the review
and final decision of the General Conference.
If 302. The Bishop who sat on the case of the
Appellant in the Annual Conference cannot call the
Court nor preside over its proceedings. The Appel¬
lant must make his application to another Bishop,
T 269 § 1, ^ 279.
If 303. Nine Members of the Court shall constitute
a quorum, and a majority of the Members present
shall be competent to decide the case.
If 304. The Appellant shall have the right of
peremptory challenge, yet not so as to reduce the
number of the Court below a quorum, 1f 283.
Tf 305. In all cases of trial and conviction of a
Traveling Minister in Full Connection by an Annual
Conference, he shall be allowed an appeal to the
Court of Appeals as hereinbefore provided, If 294.
^f 306. In all cases where an appeal is made, and
admitted by the Court of Appeals, the Appellant
shall state either personally or by his representative,
166
Court of Appeals. IT 308.
the grounds of his appeal, showing the reason why
he appeals, and he shall be allowed to make his
statement without interruption. After which the
person or persons who shall have been- chosen by the
Annual Conference from which the appeal is taken to
prosecute the case, shall be permitted to respond in the
presence of the Appellant, who shall have the privi¬
lege of replying to said Representative. A rejoinder
may be made by the prosecution, which shall close
the proceedings on both sides. This done, the parties
shall withdraw, and the Court of Appeals shall
decide the case. It may reverse, in whole or in part,
the findings of the Annual Conference or it may re¬
mand the case for a new trial. If it neither reverse,
in whole or in part, the judgment of the Annual
Conference, nor remand the case for a new trial, the
judgment of the Annual Conference shall stand.
Counsels on both sides shall be Members of the
Annual Conference of the African Methodist Epis¬
copal Zion Church, H 280.
307. When the case of any Minister who has
been suspended or expelled is remanded for a new
trial, he shall be suspended from all Ministerial ser¬
vice until the next ensuing session of the Annual
Conference, f 267, ][ 291.
][ 308. The General Conference shall carefully
review the decisions of Questions of Law contained
in the records and documents transmitted to it by
the Secretary of the Court of Appeals, and in case
of serious error therein, shall take such action as
justice may require, If 80.
167
309. Court of Appeals.
If 309. The right of an appeal of a Traveling
Minister to the Court of Appeals shall not take away
his right to an appeal from the decision of an An¬
nual Conference directly to the General Conference,
^ 269 I 2.
168
PART VI.
Temporal Economy.
I. FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT.
II. ANNIVERSARY DAYS AND COLLEC¬
TIONS.
III. DENOMINATIONAL FUND.
IV. SUPPORT OF EFFECTIVE MINIS¬
TERS.
V. RELIEF OF SUPERANNUATED MIN¬
ISTERS.
VI. RELIEF OF WIDOWS AND OR¬
PHANS.
VII. RELIEF OF THE POOR.
VIII. CHURCH PROPERTY.
Financial Department. fl 312.
CHAPTER I.
FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT.
310. The ways and means by which the African
Methodist Episcopal Zion Connection is to be sup¬
ported shall be regulated by the General Conference,
If 75, If 76.
311. The Ecclesiastical year as it relates to the
tenure of office and payment of General Claimants
shall begin with June 1, 328 § 12, fl 335 § 7, 398.
I. Board of Appointment.
312. The General Conference shall appoint a
Board of Apportionment consisting of all the
Bishops, General Secretary, Financial Secretary, and
one Member from each Episcopal District which shall
make an estimate of the amount necessary to run
the General Church, and shall apportion among the
Episcopal Districts the General Fund Assessment, and
the Benevolent Assessment required to be raised to
meet the estimate made. The Board shall also ap¬
portion the amounts to be raised by the several An¬
nual Conferences, which amounts shall be adequate
to meet the assessment of the Episcopal Districts.
The apportionment in either case shall be made on
the basis of the financial as well as the numerical
171
fl 313. Financial Department.
6trength of the Episcopal District or Annual Con¬
ference, fl 339, 357.
313. Whenever the assessment for the entire
Connection shall have been raised in any one year,
and there is a surplus the Board of Apportionment
shall appropriate the surplus according to their best
judgment as follows: 75 § 5, 371, ft 435.
1. To the back salaries of Bishops.
2. To meet any deficiency in the pro rata to the
General Officers.
3. To meet any deficiency in the pro rata to Living¬
stone College and to furnish as far as is consistent,
transportation for students to the College.
4. To relieve the deficiency of the Publication
House.
5. To relieve our Superannuated Ministers.
6. To relieve the Widows and Orphans of de¬
ceased Ministers.
7. To aid our Educational Institutions.
8. To increase our Church Extension Fund.
9. To increase our Mission Fund.
II. General Fund Assessment.
^ 314. The following is the General Fund Assess¬
ment on each Episcopal District and each Annual
Conference, 76.
I. Episcopal District $0000.00
Conferences.
New England
New York .. .
$1000.00
1200.00
Central North Carolina.... 3800.00
172
Financial Department. 314.
II. Episcopal District $7100.00
Conferences.
North Carolina $4000.00
South Carolina 2500.00
Georgia 600.00
III. Episcopal District $2500.00
Conferences.
Western New York ,$800.00
Blue Ridge 1200.00
South Georgia 500.00
IV. Episcopal District $4200.00
Conferences.
Western North Carolina ..$3500.00
Florida 700.00
V. Episcopal District $4700.00
Conferences.
New Jersey $1200.00
Virginia 3000.00
South Florida 500.00
VI. Episcopal District $6400.00
Conferences.
Philadelphia and Baltimore.$2500.00
Kentucky 1900.00
Alabama 2000.00
VII. Episcopal District $3400.00
Conferences.
West Alabama $2200.00
Allegheny-Ohio 1200.00
173
ft 314. Financial Department.
VIII. Episcopal District $6100.00
Conferences.
Central Alabama $2500.00
North Alabama 2500.00
South Mississippi 700.00
Louisiana 400.00
IX. Episcopal District $3000.00
Conferences.
Tennessee $1300.00
West Tennessee and Missis¬
sippi 700.00
North Louisiana 200.00
Texas 200.00
Arkansas 600.00
X. Episcopal District $3100.00
Conferences.
Missouri $800.00
North Arkansas 500.00
Palmetto 1500.00
Oklahoma 100.00
California 200.00
Total General Fund Assessment $47500.00
III. Appropriation of the General Fund,
jf 315. The General Conference directs that there
shall be appropriated out of the General Fund per
Annum for the sustentation of the Ministry and
Connectional Institutions the following amounts,
fl 78.
174
Financial Department. fl 316.
Episcopal Claimants:
Ten Bishops, $2000.00 each $20,000.00
General Official Claimants:
General Secretary 600.00
Financial Secretary 1200.00
Livingstone College 6000.00
Manager of the Publication House.... 1000.00
Editor of the Star of Zion 1000.00
Editor of Sunday School Literature. .. 1000.00
Educational Secretary 600.00
Editor of Quarterly Review 500.00
Estate Claimants:
Four Estates 1500.00
Miscellaneous Claimants:
Superannuated Ministers 1500.00
Foreign Missions 2000.00
Contingencies 2500.00
Chicago Church 1000.00
Texas Conference 500.00
Hood Theological Building 2000.00
Total Appropriated $42,900.00
IV. Benevolences.
316. In order that the African Methodist Epis¬
copal Zion Church may more appropriately help to
extend the Kingdom of Christ the General Confer¬
ence directs that each Episcopal District, each An¬
nual Conference, and each Pastoral Charge, shall be
assessed an amount equal to the General Fund As¬
sessment for the maintenance of Benevolences in the
following manner:
175
317. Financial Department.
1. An amount equal to one-fourth of the General
Fund Assessment shall be assessed for Education.
2. An amount equal to one-fourth of the General
Fund Assessment shall be assessed for Church Ex¬
tension.
3. An amount equal to one-fourth of the General
Fund Assessment shall be assessed for Missions.
4. An amount equal to one-fourth of General Fund
Assessment shall be assessed for Superannuated Min¬
isters, Widows and Orphans and Contingencies.
317. The Assessment for Benevolences shall be
raised during1 the year by the pastor and forwarded
to the proper sources as follows:
1. That for Education (which may include enough
of the Children's! Day Collection to complete the as¬
sessment) shall be sent,—eighty per cent, of it to the
Treasurer of the Educational District and twenty per
cent of it to the Corresponding Secretary of Educa¬
tion.
2. That for Church Extension shall be sent to the
Corresponding Secretary of the Church Extension So¬
ciety.
3. That for Missions (which may Include enough of
Missionary Day Collection to complete the assess¬
ment) shall be sent to the Corresponding Secretary of
Missions.
4. That for Superannuated Ministers, Widows and
Orphans and Contingencies shall be sent to tlie
Financial Secretary.
|f 318. The Corresponding Secretary of Education
and the Corresponding Secretary of Church Exten-
176
Financial Department. ft 322.
sion are required to return to each Annual Confer¬
ence at the time of its sitting ten per cent, of the
amount they have received from such Conference.
The Corresponding Secretary of Missions and the
Financial Secretary are required to return to each
Annual Conference at the time of its sitting one-half
of the amount they have received from such Confer¬
ence, ft 534.
V. Disbursing Officers,
ft 319. The General Secretary and Financial Secre¬
tary shall be the Disbursing Officers of the Funds
coming into the hands of the Financial Secretary, but
they shall be guided by the appropriations made by
the General Conference and tha modifications of the
appropriations made by the Board of Bishops, and
shall follow the directions laid down for the payment
of Claimants, ft 92 § 9, ft 315.
ft 320. The General Secretary shall make an item¬
ized account of his official expenses each month to
the Financial Secretary, ft 327.
ft 321. On Wednesday after the fourth Sunday in
every month the Financial Secretary shall report to
the General Secretary the whole amount of his re¬
ceipts for the month preceding, together with his ex¬
penses for office rent, clerk hire, postage, printing, sta¬
tionery and official traveling, including also official
expenses of the General Secretary, ft 335 § 6.
ft 322. Immediately upon the receipt of the Finan¬
cial Secretary's report, the General Secretary shall
issue drafts upon the Financial Secretary for the pay-
12
177
j[ 323. Financial Department.
ment of Claimants out of the amount in hand, less the
official expenses, upon the pro rata basis of Claim¬
ants' salaries as provided for in ft 315.
ft 323. In the month of December the Disbursing
Officers shall make two payments to Claimants, the
first on the second Wednesday and the second on
Wednesday after the fourth Sunday, ft 398, ft 400.
ft 324. In the payment of Claimants for December
the Disbursing Officers shall be guided by the follow¬
ing regulations:
§1. The Bishops' salaries shall be paid in full be¬
fore the interests of any other Claimants are con¬
sidered, ft 357, ft 396, ft 399.
§ 2. The salaries of the General Secretary and the
Financial Secretary, the appropriation to Livingstone
College and the Estates are to be paid in full, before
the interests of any other Claimants are considered
except the Bishops.
§ 3. The remaining Claimants shall receive a pro
rata share of the balance in hand of the Financial
Secretary to the amount required to balance their ac¬
count, should there be a sufficient amount on hand.
§ 4. The Contingent Fund shall be reserved to meqt
any deficiency in the payment on any specific travel¬
ing expense in the interest of the whole Church not
otherwise provided for, and for other general emer¬
gencies, ft 316 § 6.
VI. General Secretary—His Duties,
ft 325. The General Conference shall elect a Gen¬
eral Secretary who shall be a person well experienced
in the Councils of the Church, and whose literary
178
Financial Department, 328, § 5.
qualifications are well fitted for the discharging of the
duties incumbent upon that officer. His election shall
follow immediately the election of Bishops, when
there are Bishops to be elected, otherwise it shall
be the first in order of the General Officers. His
tenure of office shall be for four years, and until his
successor is elected. He shall be reponsible to the
Board of Bishops for his official conduct, who shall
have the power, for cause to them sufficient, to re¬
move him from office and fill the vacancy, jj" 92 § 6.
|f 326. The General Secretary shall be a General
Officer of the Connection and shall receive the sum
of Six Hundred ($600.00) Dollars per annum for his
services.
327. He shall be allowed his traveling expenses
when on official business and the necessary expenses
in discharging the duties of his office, |f 320.
328. The duties of the General Secretary are:
§ 1. To record the proceedings of the General Con¬
ference.
§ 2. To record the proceedings of the Connectional
Council, and to make an extract in his Journal of the
transactions of the Board of Bishops.
§ 3. To take charge of the Journal, the Books,
Papers, Documents, and other property belonging to
the General Conference not otherwise provided for.
§ 4. To record the names of all the Delegates-elect
to the ensuing General Conference, which names shall
be sent him immediately upon their election, by the
Secretary of each Annual Conference, |f 106 § 1.
§ 5. To record a brief historic statement in the
179
ff 335, § 6. Financial Department.
Journal of the Connection of any and all official acta
of the Board of Bishops, and the Connectional Coun¬
cil; the death, resignation and changes occurring
among the general officials of the Church.
§ 6. To edit and issue all necessary blanks, receipt
books, credentials and certificates for the use of the
Bishops, Presiding Elders, Pastors and Conferences.
§ 7. To issue Credentials to the Bishops which
shall be signed by the Senior Bishop and himself; to
issue Certificates of Appointment of Bishops to their
respective Districts and^ General Officers to their re¬
spective positions; and to issue Certificates of In¬
debtedness to the Bishops of any back salary that
may be due them, 401.
§ 8. To keep the seal of the Connection, and see
that all official papers issued by him shall bear its
stamp.
§ 9. To keep in his Ledger a record of all the in¬
debtedness of the Connection.
§ 10. To make out the pro rata monthly, and issue
all orders upon the Financial Se'cretary for the pay¬
ment of Claimants on the General Fund, 322.
§ 11. To present a report of his official acts to the
semi-annual meeting of the Board of Bishops, and
a quadrennial report to the General Conference, fl 84
§ 3, fl 92 § 1.
§ 12. To make an annual publication in the
Church organ or otherwise, on the first of June, of
the aggregated Statistical Table of the whole Con¬
nection.
180
Financial Department. fl 334.
VII. Assistant General Secretary,
ff 329. The General Conference shall elect an As¬
sistant General Secretary whose tenure of office
shall be for four years and until his successor is
elected, and whose duties shall be to assist the Gen¬
eral Secretary whenever his services are needed. In
case of death, resignation or otherwise of the Gen¬
eral Secretary, he shall at once assume the duties of
the General Secretary.
VIIL Financial Secretary—His Duties.
|[ 330. The General Conference shall elect a Finan¬
cial Secretary who shall be a man of considerable
prudence, and well experienced in the handling of
money.
331. His election shall follow immediately the
election of the General Secretary, and the tenure of
his office shall be for four years, and until his succes¬
sor is elected.
332. The Financial Secretary shall be a General
Officer of the Connection, and shall receive the sum
of Twelve Hundred ($1200.00) Dollars per annum
for his services.
|f 333. The Financial Secretary shall be allowed
his traveling expenses when on official business; and
Fifty ($50.00) Dollars per month for the necessary
expenses of office rent, clerk hire, postage, printing,
and stationery.
|f 334. The Financial Secretary shall receive, hold,
and pay out upon drafts issued by the General Sec¬
retary, the money collected from the General Fund
181
335, § 1. Financial Department.
Assessment and any other Connectional money so desig¬
nated according to the plan hereinafter laid down,
and shall be required to give a justified bond to the
sum of Ten Thousand ($10,000.00) Dollars for the
faithful discharge of his duty as Treasurer of the
Connection.
335. The duties of the Financial Secretary are:
§ 1. To receipt for all Connectional money coming
into his hands.
§ 2. To keep a separate as well as an aggregated
account with each Episcopal District by Annual Con¬
ferences, and with each Annual Conference by Pre¬
siding Elder Districts and Pastoral Charges.
§ 3. To report at the sitting of each Annual Con¬
ference in person, or through the General Fund Sec¬
retary of the Conference, the whole amount of General
Fund Assessment raised by each Pastor in that par¬
ticular Conference.
§ 4. To send to each Annual Conference a blank
to be filled out with the names* and addresses of each
Pastor, which blank shall be filled out and returned
to him by the Conference Secretary.
§ 5. To write to such Pastors as may not be mak¬
ing prompt remittances of the General Fund, and re¬
quire them to do so, and to inform the Bishops of
every persistent delinquent. In case the delinquent
continues to neglect the duties in this respect, the
Financial Secretary shall file charges against him in
the interval of the Annual Conference according to
258, or at the sitting of the Annual Conference,
ff 346.
1S2
Financial Department. |f 339.
§ 6. To pay the Bishops and other legal Claim¬
ants on the General Fund, their salary monthly upon
the pro rata plan as far as the funds will admit, in
accordance with the orders drawn by the General
Secretary, |f 321, |f 322.
§ 7. To make a semi-annual report to the Board of
Bishops, annual report the first of June through the
Church organ and a quadrennial report to the General
Conference of all the money coming into his hands,
|f 84, § 4, |f 92 § 2, |f 406.
|f 336. The Financial Secretary shall be responsible
to the Board cf Bishops for his official conduct, who
shall have the power, for cause to them sufficient, to
remove him from office, but not without due trial and
conviction (|f 203), and when lie is thus convicted
and removed, they shall have the power to fill the
vacancy, |f 92 § 6.
IX. Annual Conference Board of Apportionment.
|f 337. The Board of Apportionment for the
Annual Conference shall consist of the Presiding
Bishop, Conference Secretary, and the Presiding
Elders.
|f 338. The Board shall assess each Presiding
Elder's District per annum an amount to be raised
equal to the aggregate assessment of all the Pastoral
Charges within the District.
339. The Board shall assess each Pastoral Charge
an amount of the General Fund Assessment equal to
Fifty Cents per Member, or an amount equal to the
ability of the Charge to pay, whether less or more
183
340. Financial Department.
than Fifty Cents per Member, which amount shall be
a proportionate share of what is required to meet
the assessment on the Presiding Elder's District and
the Annual Conference, |f 312.
|f 34(X The Board shall also assess each Pastoral
Charge an amount equal to Fifty Cents per Member,
or an amount equal to the ability of the Charge to
pay, for benevolent purposes, |f 316.
X. General Fund Secretary.
341. The Bishop shall appoint a General Fund
Secretary to receive the General Fund and the Bish¬
ops' receipts brought to the Annual Conference by the
Pastors, whose appointment shall cease with the
adjournment of the Conference, |f 106 § 4.
342. The General Fund Secretary so appointed
shall be fully competent to discharge the duties in¬
volved. He shall receive and receipt for all the Gen¬
eral Fund and Bishops' receipts placed in his hands,
and shall render a full report of what he receives, and
the receipts of the Financial Secretary before the ad¬
journment of the Annual Conference, |f 106 § 4.
|f 343. When the Financial Secretary is present he
will assist the General Fund Secretary in settling
with the Pastors. .
|f 344. The General Fund report in each Annual
Conference shall be submitted to an Auditing Com¬
mittee appointed for that purpose, which report when
approved shall be signed by the Committee and the
Presiding Bishop. The Committee shall fill out three
blanks containing their report, one to be retained
184
Financial Department. 348.
for publication in the Minutes, one to be sent to the
General Secretary, and one to the Financial Secretary,
ff 106 § 4.
345. In the absence of the Financial Secretary
the Bishop shall see that all General Fund in the
hands of the General Fund Secretary is sent to the
Financial Secretary before the final adjournment of
the Annual Conference.
346. In the absence of the Financial Secretary
the General Fund Secretary shall have the right to ar¬
rest the character, and file charges against any Pastor
during the sitting of the Annual Conference who has
failed to discharge his duties in collecting the amount
assessed his Charge, 335 § 5.
XI. Duties of Members.
347. Every Member of the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church, including Bishops, Min¬
isters, Preachers, their wives, and Laymen, is as¬
sessed Fifty Cents per annum to meet the General
Fund Assessment laid upon the Pastoral Charge for
the support of our general Connection; provided
that children under fifteen years of age are not as¬
sessed, but shall be encouraged to pay what they can.
If the Fifty Cents per capita is not sufficient to meet
the above assessment, the deficiency shall be made up
by increasing the per capita tax, by public collections,
or otherwise, 49 § 8, 242.
348. Every Member of the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church, including Bishops, Ministers,
Preachers, their wives, and Laymen, is assessed Fifty
185
If 349. Financial Depabtment,
Cents per annum to meet the Benevolent Assessment
laid upon the Pastoral Charge for the support of our
Benevolent Institutions, |f 49 § 8, |f 242.
XII. Duties of Pastors and Presiding Elders*
349. The Pastor in Charge shall collect as much
of the assessment monthly as he can, and remit the
amount collected immediately to the Financial Secre¬
tary. He shall keep a roll of the Members paying
General Fund, which roll shall be examined by the
Presiding Elder at each Quarterly Conference; and if
one-fourth of the amount has not been raised he shall
urge greater effort, |f 199 §11.
|f 350. The Pastor shall put forth every effort to
collect the whole amount before the assembling of
the Annual Conference of which he is a Member. If
one-half of the amount is not raised within six months
after the adjournment of his .Conference, he shall
make a special appointment, and shall insist upon the
payment of that amount; and he shall do the same at
the close of the Conference year.
351. No Pastor shall send any General Fund to
the Bishop in the interval of the Annual Conference,
nor shall he pay the Bishop, nor shall the Bishop
receive any General Fund during the sitting of the
Annual Conference. He shall not at any time pay
the Bishop any General Fund without taking the
Bishop's receipt.
|f 352. On the occasion of the Bishop's visit, the
Pastor shall put forth a special effort to raise as
much of his assessment as possible, and all the money
186
Financial Department.
If 356.
raised on that occasion shall be paid the Bishop as
General Fund, provided his full assessment is not
raised, |f 355.
|f 353. The Pastor shall not send to the Financial
Secretary any part of his assessment within thirty
days of the sitting of his Annual Conference, but
shall retain the amount he may collect during that
time, and bring or send it to the Annual Conference.
354. The Pastor on taking the Bishop's receipt
for General Fund collection shall send it immediately
to the Financial Secretary, and receive the Financial
Secretary's receipt for the same, |f 335 § 1.
XIII. Duties of the Bishoo and Annual Conference,
355. The Bishop shall travel throughout his
entire District once a year and assist the Pastors
ki raising their assessments. The collections taken
at the time of his visit shall be paid him as a part
of the assessment of the Charge, and shall be ac¬
credited to the Annual Conference in which it was col¬
lected, |f 195, |f 197 § 7, |f 352.
|f 356. It shall be the duty of the Bishop and
Annual Conference to cause a rigid examination of
the report of each Pastor, and ascertain whether or
not he has done his duty in collecting the assessment,
and whether or not he has made the proper remit¬
tances to the Financial Secretary. If it be ascertained
that the Pastor has wilfully neglected his duty and
has not put forth proper efforts to collect the whole
assessment, or having collected the same has failed
to remit promptly to the Financial Secretary, they
187
ft 358. Anniversary Days.
shall cause a law to be applied as in 346. The
Bishop and Conference shall judge of a Pastor's faith¬
fulness in raising the General Fund Assessment by
the amount of money he raises for other purposes.
357. The Bishop shall see that a sufficient as¬
sessment is laid upon each Charge annually to insure
the collection of the assessment laid upon the An¬
nual Conference; provided that should the Bishop
fail to see that the assessment for his District is paid,
and thus permit a failure by his neglect of duty, he
shall forfeit an amount equal to his pro rata of what
is • short of the amount that should have been col¬
lected, and the Financial Secretary shall deduct the
amount in making his annual settlement, 92 § 9,
195, 11 324 § 1.
CHAPTER II.
ANNIVERSARY DAYS AND COLLECTIONS
I.C hildren's Day*
358. The fourth Sunday in June of each year is
hereby instituted, and shall be observed in all our
Churches and Sunday Schools as Children's Day.
Collections must be taken throughout the day in
every Church and Sunday School in the Connection,
and the amount collected shall be forwarded im¬
mediately by the Pastor to the Treasurer of the Edu¬
cational District, Provided that as much of this col-
188
Anniversary Days. ft 361.
lection as is necessary may be used to complete the
assessment, f[ 205 § 14.
359. Should any circumstance occur so as to
prevent the observance of the fourth Sunday in June
as Children's Day, the next convenient Sunday shall
be used for that purpose.
360. No Bishop, Presiding Elder, Pastor or agent
shall arrange any appointment for any other collec¬
tion on that day, nor shall the money collected be
used for any other purpose than for our Connectional
Schools.
361. There shall be eight Educational Districts,
which shall be so arranged among the Conferences as
to be helpful to our Connectional Schools as follows:
1st Educational District—Livingstone College. (1)
Western North Carolina, (2) Central North Carolina,
(3) New England, (4) New York, (5) Philadelphia
and Baltimore.
2nd Educational District—Eastern Industrial
Academy. (1) North Carolina.
3rd Educational District—Lancaster Normal and
Industrial School and Clinton Institute. (1) South
Carolina (2) South Georgia, (3) Palmetto, (4) Geor¬
gia and North Georgia, (5) South Florida.
4th Educational District—Edenton Academy. (1)
Virginia, (2) Allegheny District of Allegheny-Ohio
Conference.
5th Educational District—Lomax-Hannon High
School. (1) Alabama, (2) North Alabama, (3) Cen¬
tral Alabama. Zion Institute, Mobile, Ala.—(I)
West Alabama, (2) Florida.
189
ft 362. Anniversary Days.
6th Educational District—Greenville College. (1)
Blue Ridge, (2) Tennessee, (3) Western New York,
(4) New Jersey.
7tli Educational District—Atkinson College. (1)
Kentucky, (2) South Mississippi, (3) Missouri, (4)
Michigan and Canada, (5) Ohio District of Alle¬
gheny-Ohio Conference, (G) West Tennessee and Mis¬
sissippi.
8th Educational District—Walters Institute. (1)
Arkansas, (2) North Arkansas, (3) Texas, (4) Okla¬
homa, (5) Louisiana, (0) INorth Louisiana, (7) Cali¬
fornia.
II. Easter Day.
362. Easter Sunday shall be known and observed
in our Church as Easter "Day. On that day there
shall be a collection taken in all of our Churches
and Sunday Schools for the benefit of our Publication
Department and Church Extension Society. ■ A ser¬
mon may be preached, or an appropriate exercise
carried out or both, commemorative of the day and
the occasion. The money thus collected shall be im¬
mediately forwarded by the Pastor to the Manager
of the Publication House at Charlotte, N. C. Pro¬
vided that within thirty days after Easter the Execu¬
tive Committee shall make its first equal division of
the money between the Publication House and the
Church Extension Society, and afterward from time
to time as the money comes in, 469 § 5, 475.
III. Missionary Day.
363, 364. In the interest of our Home and
Foreign Mission work, Missionary Day is hereby in-
190
Denominational Fund. fl 367.
stituted. The Fourth Sunday in September of every
year shall be known and observed in our Church as
Missionary Day. On that day a collection shall be
taken in all of our Churches for our Home and
Foreign Missions which collection shall be forwarded
immediately by the Pastor to the Corresponding Sec¬
retary, |f 546.
IV. Collection for Varick Endeavor Union,
|f 365. At one of the services of the Varick Chris¬
tian Endeavor Society, or if there be no Society in
existence, the Pastor shall take or cause to be taken,
a collection in the month of May of each year, for
the Varick Christian Endeavor Union and shall
forward the same immediately to the Secretary of
the Union, |f 581, |f 591.
V. Collection for Mission Schools.
|f 366. On account of the meagre support given to
our mission schools there shall be a collection of One
Dollar or more taken in all our' Sunday Schools, and
sent to the Annual Conference by the Superintendent
for the specific purpose of aiding our mission schools.
The Pastor shall see that the money is brought to the
Annual Conference and paid over to the Correspond¬
ing Secretary of Missions, |f 469 § 5.
CHAPTER III.
DENOMINATIONAL FUND
|f 367. The General Conference shall appoint at
each of its quadrennial sessions a Board of Connec-
tional Trustees, consisting of the Bishops and one
191
If 368. Denominational Fund.
Member from each Episcopal District, who shall be
duly incorporated at Washington, D. C.
368. The Connectional Trustees shall hold in
trust for the benefit of the African Methodist Epis¬
copal Zion Church any and all donations, bequests,
grants, and funds in trust, etc., that may be given or
conveyed to said Board, or to the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church, as such, for any benevolent
object, and to administer the said funds, and the pro¬
ceeds of the same, in accordance with the directions
of the donors, and of the interests of the Church
contemplated by said donors, under the direction of
the General Conference.
369. When any such donation, bequest, grant
or trust is made to this Board, or to the Church, it
shall be the duty of the Pastor within the bounds of
whose Charge it occurs to give an early notice there¬
of to the Board, which shall proceed without delay
to take possession of the same according to the pro¬
visions of its Charter.
Jf 370. It shall be the duty of all our Ministers to
obtain, as far as practicable, contributions to said
Fund, by donations, bequests and otherwise.
371. The interest accumulating from said Fund
shall be subject to the order of the General Confer¬
ence for the following purposes: 1. To pay the ex¬
penses of the General Conference. 2. To pay the ex¬
penses of Delegations appointed by the General Con¬
ference to corresponding Bodies. 3. To make up any
deficiencies in the salaries of the Bishops. 4. To re¬
lieve the necessities of the Superannuated Ministers,
and the widows and children of those who have died
in the work.
372. The Board shall make a faithful report of
its doings, and of the funds and property on hand, to
each quadrennial session of the General Conference of
the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, fl 84,33.
192
Support of Effective Ministers. 377.
CHAPTER IV.
SUPPORT OF EFFECTIVE MINISTERS.
I. Stewards.
373. In order to raise the amount necessary to
meet the estimate made for the support of the Pastor
in Charge, there shall be a Board of Stewards elected
by the Quarterly Conference of each Charge, not less
than three, nor more than nine, to raise and take
charge of the money collected for the ministry.
f 374. The Pastor shall have the right to nomin¬
ate the Stewards, and the Quarterly Conference shall
confirm or reject such nomination. They shall serve
for one year and no longer unless reappointed.
]f 375. Let the Stewards be men of solid piety,
who hath known and love Methodist Doctrine and
Discipline, and who are capable of transacting the
temporal business of the Church.
376. The duties of Stewards are: To take an
exact account of all the money, or other contribu¬
tions for the support of the Pastor in Charge, and
to apply the same as the Discipline directs ; to make
provisions for the moving expenses of the Pastor and
provide a parsonage for himself and family ; to make
monthly reports to the Pastor of their collections; to
seek to relieve the needy and distressed Members.
^[ 377. Stewards are accountable for the faithful
13 193
"jj 378. Support of Effective Ministers.
discharge of their duties to the Quarterly Conference
which has power to dismiss or change them at pleas¬
ure. They shall make an accurate report of the
collections and application of money passing through
their hands at each Quarterly Conference.
If 878. They shall assist the Pastor and Leaders in
raising the salary of the Presiding Elder.
T 379. When there is no Board of Stewards the
duties hereinbefore stated shall be performed by the
Board of Trustees, except such as become the duties
of the Preacher's Steward, f 426.
IL Preacher's Steward.
Tf 380. There shall be a Preacher's Steward ap¬
pointed in each Society to serve for one year, sub¬
ject to reappointment; he shall be the Chairman of
the Board of Stewards.
381. The Pastor shall have the right to nominate
the Preacher's Steward and the Quarterly Conference
shall confirm or reject such nomination.
H 382. The duties of the Preacher's Steward are:
To see that all necessary provisions are made for the
temporal comfort of the Pastor in Charge, to officiate
in taking collections to meet the estimate made for
the support of the Pastor ; to meet the Leaders' and
Stewards' Meetings in order to receive from them
whatever they have collected for the support of Pas¬
tor through the Classes or otherwise; to consult often
with the Pastor so as to be kiformed as to the com¬
fort or necessities of the Pastor and his family; to
meet the Board of Stewardesses and advise with them
194
Support of Effective Ministers. 384.
as to what is necessary to secure the temporal relief
of the Pastor and his family; to prepare the elements
of the Lord's Supper, and for the Love-Feast; and
to make a report of his transactions to the Quarterly
Conference, which shall have the right to dismiss or
change him at pleasure.
m. Stewardesses.
If 383. At the pleasure of the Pastor in Charge
the Quarterly Conference may appoint annually
three or more female Members as Stewardesses whose
duty it shall be to assist the Preacher's Steward in
making provisions for the support and comfort of the
Pastor and his family. After their appointment they
shall meet and elect from among their number a
President, Secretary, and Treasurer, which officers
shall be amenable to the Quarterly Conference.
IV. Support of Pastors.
If 384. The Annual Allowance of a Pastor in
Charge shall be Seven Hundred ($700.00) Dollars
with Parsonage, or Eight Hundred ($800.00) Dollars
without Parsonage, and in addition thereto his travel¬
ing expenses to and from the place of destination, at.
such times as the Bishop shall demand his presence
in the interest of the Connection; nevertheless, each
Pastor shall have the privilege of making such con¬
tract with his people for his services annually as they
may agree to, and for this purpose the newly ap¬
pointed Pastor shall, immediately after entering upon
his Charge, appoint an Estimating Committee of
*f[ 385. Support of Effective MinistepvS.
three or more, who shall confer with the Pastor as to
the amount of salary necessary to furnish him a com¬
fortable support, and he may convene a Special Con¬
ference composed of the Quarterly Conference Mem¬
bers, of which he shall be Chairman, to determine the
amount of salary that shall be paid him for the year.
If 385. Whatever amount shall be agreed upon by
the Pastor and Estimating Committee and approved
by the Special Conference shall be the salary of the
Pastor for that year. Nevertheless, if either party is
dissatisfied at the amount decided on, the matter may
be referred to the Quarterly Conference next ensuing
which shall finally determine it.
]f 886. The Special Conference shall not have the
right to transact any other business, except that
which relates to the support of the Pastor, his moving
and traveling expenses, arrangement of parsonage for
himself and family, and the providing for any recep¬
tion or donations desired on the part of the Church.
The Trustees shall make such provisions as are neces¬
sary for raising the required amount, ^ 426.
K 387. The appointment of a Preacher by a Bishop
to any Charge shall be regarded as a settlement of his
claim to, and control of, the pulpit or pulpits of said
Charge and the entire direction of its spiritual affairs,
with the exercise of all the rights and prerogatives
of his office for one Conference year, commencing on
the date of said appointment and ending with the
appointment of his successor, unless sooner changed
by a Bishop or forfeited by the decision of a compe¬
tent committee, U 207, If 208, ^f 2(i8.
Support of Effective Ministers. *\\ 39!i.
Tf 388. The moving and traveling expenses of the
Pastor shall not be reckoned as a part of the estimate
for salary, but shall be provided by the Trustees and
Stewards separately.
II 889. The agreement on the amount of salary
shall be drawn up in writing and two copies provided,
the one for the Trustees and the other for the Pastor.
Arrears of salary shall be collectable as all other
Church debts which are collectable in the ordinary
way ; provided, that the Pastor shall have performed
the services required by lii3 appointment, and also
that he shall have made a written contract for salary
with the Church officers.
T 390. A minute of the proceedings shall be made
in the Quarterly Conference Record by the Quarterly
Conference Secretary, and the copy shall bear the
signature of the Chairman and Secretary.
V. Support of Presiding Elders.
T[ 391. The salary of the Presiding Elder shall be
the same as that of a Pastor in Charge, and shall be
apportioned among the Churches in the District ac¬
cording to their financial and numerical strength.
392. In all cases let the following plan be
adopted for arranging the Presiding Elder's salary,
namely: within thirty days after the adjournment of
the Annual Conference, let the Presiding Elder call
together the Pastors in Charge and one Lay Delegate
from each Charge in a District Meeting, which shall
be styled a Special District Conference, which Confer¬
ence shall assist the Presiding Elder in apportioning
197
393. OUi'l'OKT OF VK iVllJN 18TER8.
the assessment necessary to furnish him a comfort¬
able support.
][ 393. Should any Charge not be represented in
the said Special District Conference, after being duly
notified, such Charge or Charges shall be bound by
the action of the Special District Conference, and
shall pay the assessment laid upon it. If desirable
for the saving of expenses the Presiding Elder may
call the Pastors and Delegates together at the close
of the Annual Conference, and arrange for his salary,
where it can satisfactorily be done.
1[ 394. His traveling expenses shall be the same
as provided for other Traveling Ministers.
]f 395. It shall be the duty of Pastors to use their
best efforts to raise the Presiding Elder's allowance
quarterly, and to pay it to him in the Quarterly Con¬
ference. Should this be done, the entire collection
on the Quarterly Meeting Sunday (except the Poor's
money), shall be applied (1) to the payment of any
balance that may be due on the Pastor's salary;
(2) to any other indebtedness of the Church, including
indebtedness to the General Fund Assessment.
VL Support of Bishops.
T[ 396. Each effective Bishop of the African Meth¬
odist Episcopal Zion Church shall receive as salary
Two Thousand ($2000.00) Dollars per year, which shall
be paid him out of the General Fund of the Church,
T 78, If 324 I 1.
1) 397. The collections taken by fche Bishop when
198
Support of Effective Ministers. 400.
on his regular Episcopal tour shall be accredited to
the Church on General Fund, 355.
398. Each Bishop shall render an itemized ac¬
count of his collections, by Conferences,' to the Gen¬
eral Secretary and Financial Secretary pn the first
Wednesday in December and Wednesday after the
fourth Sunday in May of each year, dating his ac¬
count from the time he rendered his last report, and
Sn every case before the final payment is made. The
said amount shall be accredited to his salary less the
traveling expenses hereinafter provided for, 323.
399. Any Bishop failing to make an itemized re¬
port of his collections as the law provides, shall not
receive his pro rata until he does report, nor shall the
Financial Secretary delay his disbursements on ac¬
count of the neglect or failure of any Bishop to report
to the General Secretary and Financial Secretary as
required by law; and if by reason of his neglect or
failure to report on the first of December, he fails to
get his full salary for the year, he shall be required
to wait until it is convenient to pay him the balance,
1T 324 § 1.
400. Traveling expenses shall be allowed a
Bishop when in attendance upon the meetings of the
Board of Bishops, Connectional Council, the General
Conference, the Trustees' Meetings of Livingstone
College and other Connectional Schools, and when
visiting Missionary Conferences. No account of the
traveling expenses of the Bishops shall be taken into
consideration except on the first Wednesday in De¬
cember, 323.
199
11401. Belief of SuperanIn jated Ministers.
|f 401. The back salary due a Bishop for which he
holds a Certificate of Indebtedness at the time of his
death, shall be paid to his widow or other legal heirs
at the rate of Five Hundred ($500.00) Dollars per
annum until all that was due is paid, |f 328 § 7.
|f 402. If there is an amount due a Bishop on cur¬
rent salary for which he holds no certificate at the
time of his death, his widow or other legal heirs shall
receive a pro rata of the same during the remaining
months of that year, provided that the full amount
shall be paid on or before December of that year.
403. The back salaries due the Bishops up to
June 1, 1896, shall be paid as soon as the condition
of the General Treasury will admit, |f 328 § 9.
CHAPTER V.
RELIEF OF SUPERANNUATED MINISTERS.
|f 404. There shall be appropriated each year Fif¬
teen Hundred ($1500.00) Dollars from the General
Fund of the Church for the relief of Superannuated
Ministers, which amount shall be pro rated to them
monthly throughout the year till the month of Decem¬
ber, when, if the funds will bear it, the amount shall
be paid in full, |f 324 § 3.
|f 405. In addition to the Fifteen Hundred
($1500.00) Dollars appropriated from the General
Fund, one-third of the Benevolent Assessment, shall
200
Relief oe Widows and Orphans, 408.
be appropriated for Superannuated Ministers, 316
§4.
406. It shall be the duty of each Pastor with
the aid of a Committee appointed by the Quarterly
Conference to collect the Assessment for Superan¬
nuated Ministers, and pay it over to the Conference
Treasurer (f[ 106 § 3, f 317) and the Presiding
Bishop shall see that the Conference divides the
money according to law, retaining one-half for local
Superannuated Ministers, and forwarding the other
Aalf through the Treasurer to the Financial Secretary
before the close of the Annual Conference, 318. The
Financial Secretary shall include said money in his
reports, 335 § 7.
407. When a Superannuated Minister dies, his
widow, or legal heirs under fourteen years of age,
shall receive his pro rata share for the remaining part
of the ecclesiastical year.
CHAPTER VI.
RELIEF OF WIDOWS AND ORPHANS.
408. The General Conference shall appoint a
Board known as Widows' and Orphans' Board, con¬
sisting of all the Bishops and one Member from each
Episcopal District, who shall look after the interest
and distribute the funds received for that purpose to
201
ft 409. Relief of Widows and Orphans.
the Widows and Orphans of our deceased Minister
as hereinafter provided.
ft 409. The officers of the Widows' and Orphans
Board shall be a President, Secretary and Treasurer
The President shall preside over the meetings anc
perform the duties accorded to that officer; the Sec
retary shall compile and keep a record of all th<
Widows of our deceased Ministers, and Orphans un
der fourteen years of age, and present the same ai
each meeting of the Board; the Treasurer shall re
ceive and report the money coming to the Board anc
pay it out only as he is ordered. The Secretary anc
Treasurer shall report to the semi-annual meeting ol
the Board of Bishops, annually to the Connectiona]
Council and quadrennially to the General Conference
84 § 31, f[ 92 § 3, 15, fl 98 § 17.
410. In order to extend some relief totheWidows
and Orphans of our deceased Ministers, one-third ol
tha Benevolent Assessment shall be appropriated foi
that purpose, 31G.
411. The Pastor with the aid of a Committee
appointed by the Quarterly Conference shall collect
the assessment for Widows and Orphans, and pay it
over to the Treasurer of the Annual Conference,
fl 106 § 3, 317.
|f 412. The Annual Conference shall divide the
assessment for Widows and Orphans according to
law, retaining one-half, and paying it immediately to
the Widows, and Orphans of deceased Ministers un¬
der fourteen years of age, within the bounds of its
202
Kelief of Widows and urphans. ]\ no.
territory, and to send the other half to the Financial
Secretary, 318.
ff 413. The Bishop of the Annual Conference shall
see that the one-half of the assessment for Widows
&nd Orphans shall be sent by the Treasurer of the
Annual Conference to the Financial Secretary before
the close of its session, 318.
j[ 414. The Secretary of each Annual Conference
shall make a proper list of the Widows, and Orphans
under fourteen years of age, of deceased Ministers
residing within the bounds of the Annual Confer¬
ence territory each year, and send the same to the
Secretary of the Widows and Orphans' Board, and
the Bishop shall see that the list is also published in
the Annual Conference Minutes.
415. Widows and Orphans shall be enrolled with
the Widows and Orphans of the Conference of which
their husband or father was a Member at the time
of his death, and receive a share of the funds reported
to that Conference. The amount of money received
by the Widows and Orphans' Board shall be divided
equally among all the Widows and Orphans of de¬
ceased Ministers at the meeting of the Connectional
Council, provided that in each case the Orphans'
share shall be only one-third of the Widows' share,
IF 98 § 17.
203
416. JttELIEF OF THE .TOOK.
CHAPTER VII.
RELIEF OF THE POOR.
11416. The Pastor shall see that a collection is
taken at each Love-Feast and at the Sacrament of
the Lord's Supper for the relief of the Poor of oui
Church.
Poor's Steward.
H 417. The Quarterly Conference shall elect in
each Church a Poor's Steward upon the nomination
of the Pastor in Charge, who shall serve for one year
subject to reappointment.
f 418. The duties of the Poor's Steward are: To
receive the money collected for the poor at Love-
Feast, Sacraments or otherwise; hold the same and
pay it out only as he is directed by the Pastor and
Leaders' Meeting, H" 230 \ 6. To meet the Leaders'
and Stewards' Meetings to receive what they may
have collected for the needy and distressed Members
of the Church; to make a report of the money re¬
ceived and paid out to each Quarterly Conference,
which shall have the right to dismiss or change him
at pleasure.
Church Property.
H 422.
CHAPTER VIII.
CHURCH PROPERTY.
I. Trustees—Their Election and Duties.
419. Each Board of Trustees of our Church
Property shall consist of not less than three nor
more than nine persons, each of whom shall not be
less than twenty-one years of age and Members in
good standing in the African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church.
T1 420. In all cases where the law of the State or
Territory requires a specific mode of election, that
mode shall be observed.
T[ 421. In all other cases, the Trustees shall be
elected annually by the Members of the Church upon
the nomination of the Pastor in Charge, who shall
nominate one Candidate for each vacancy. In case
of failure to elect at the proper time a subsequent
meeting may elect, and all the Trustees shall hold
their office until their successors are elected, 143.
422. At their first regular meeting, after the
election, the Trustees shall organize their Board by
the election of a President, Secretary and Treasurer.
The President shall call and preside over the meetings
of the Board, and shall sign all orders for the pay¬
ing out of money by the Treasurer from the treasury.
The Secretary shall keep a faithful record of all the
meetings and transactions of the Board, draw up and
423. Church Property.
countersign all orders on the Treasurer for the pay¬
ing out of money, and make a report for the Board
of all their receipts and expenditures to each Quar¬
terly Conference. The Treasurer shall receive and
pay out all the money belonging to the Board by the
order of the President; he shall be subject to the
direction of the Board of Trustees from time to time,
also his accounts shall be subject to the inspection
of the Pastor in Charge.
1f 423. The Board of Trustees of every Church
shall be responsible to the Quarterly Conference of
the Charge, and shall be required to present a full
report of its acts at every Quarterly Conference.
The Conference shall have the power to confirm their
election, and to remove any one or ones of them for
causes, when not in conflict with the law of the State
or Territory.
If 424. No Trustee shall be ejected while he is iir
joint security for money unless such relief be given
him as is demanded, or the creditor will accept.
f 425. In case of a vacancy on the Board of Trus¬
tees by death, resignation or otherwise, the Pastor
shall call the membership together and proceed to
fill the vacancy in accordance with the foregoing pro¬
vision, T 143, T 205 \ 23, T[ 421.
426. It is the duty of the Board of Trustees to
take charge of and protect the Church Property with
all of its appurtenances in trust for the membership,
and to make such improvements as may be necessary
from time to time for the interest of the Society of
which they are Trustees; and to see that order and
206
Church Property. 430.
decorum are at all times observed in the Church, and
where there is not a Board of Stewards, to perform
the duties therein stated, ft 379, ft 388.
ft 427. The Pastor in Charge is ex-officio Chairman
of the Board of Trustees, ft 205 \ 15.
II. Form of Conveyance of Church Property.
ft 42S. It is the duty of the Pastor and Presiding
Elder to see that our Church Property is deeded ac¬
cording to our Book of Discipline, and duly incorpo¬
rated in accordance jvith the laws of the State or
Territory in which it is situated, ft 199 \ 10.
ft 429. In all conveyances of ground for the erection
of houses of worship, or upon which they have
already been erected, let the following clause be
inserted at the proper place :
"In trust that said premises shall be used, kept,
xrfaintained, and disposed of as a place of Divine
worship for the use of the Ministry, and member¬
ship of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
in America, subject to the provisions of the Disci¬
pline, Usage, and Ministerial appointments of said
Church, as from time to time authorized and declared
by the General Conference of said Church, and by
the Annual Conference within whose bounds the
said premises are situated."
III. Form of Conveyance of Parsonage Property.
ft 430. For all conveyance of ground for the erec¬
tion of Parsonages or upon which they may have
207
^j" 431. Chukch Fkoperty.
already been erected for the use of the Ministry of
the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church,
let the following clause be inserted at the proper
place.
" In trust that said premises shall be held, kept
and maintained as a place of residence for the use
and occupancy of the Ministry of the African Meth¬
odist Episcopal Zion Church in America, who may
from time to time be stationed in such place, subject
to the provisions of the Discipline and usage of
said Church, as from time to time authorized and
deglared by the General Conference of said Church,
and by the Annual Conference within whose bounds
said premises are situated."
f 481. In all other cases of said conveyances, let
careful conformity be had to the laws, usage and
forms of the several States and Territories in which
the property may be situated, so as to secure the
ownership of the premises in fee simple.
IV. Sale of Church Property.
432. If the Trustees, or any of them, have ad¬
vanced or shall advance any sum or sums of money,
or shall be responsible for any sum or sums of money
on account of said premises, and they, the said Trus¬
tees, or their successors be obliged to pay the said
sum or sums of money, they, or a majority of them,
shall be authorized to raise the said sum or sums of
money by a mortgage on the said premises; or by
selling the said premises after giving notice to the
Pastor or Minister who has the oversight of the Con-
208
Church Property. 433.
gregation attending Divine services on the said
premises—if the money due be not paid to the said
Trustees or their successors within one year and six
months after such notice is given. If such sale
take place the said Trustees or their successors, after
paying the debt, and other expenses which are due
from the money arising from such sale, shall deposit
the remainder of the money accruing from said sale
in the hands of the Steward or "Stewards of the
Society belonging to or attending Divine service on
the said premises, which surplus of money from such
sale so deposited in the hands of the said Steward or
Stewards, shall be at the disposal of the Quarterly
Conference according to its best judgment for the use
of the said Society..
433. The Trustees shall not in any case what¬
ever dispose of Church Property by sale or otherwise
without the conseut of the majority of all the Mem¬
bers jn Full Connection expressed by vote in a meet¬
ing called for that purpose of which due notice haa
been given, Tf 143.
Trustees' Quarterly Report.
1. Value of Church.
2. Value of Parsonage.
3. Value of other Church Property.
4. Amount paid on Mortgage.
5. Amount paid on Floating Debts.
6. Amount paid for Repairs.
7. Amount paid on Pastor's Salary.
8 Amount paid on Presiding Elder's Salary.
14 209
1| 433.
Church ]u*kopekty.
9. Amount paid for Current Expenses.
10. Amount paid for other purposes.
11. Amount raised for all purposes.
12. Balance in Treasury.
13. Present Indebtedness.
no
PART VII.
Educational and Benevo
lent Institutions.
1. PUBLICATION DEPARTMENT.
II. SUNDAY SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
III. EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
IV. CHURCH EXTENSION DEPART¬
MENT.
V. MISSIONARY DEPARTMENT.
VI. WOMAN'S HOME AND FOREIGN
MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
VII. VARICK CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR
UNION.
Publication Department. «[[ 436.
CHAPTER I.
PUBLICATION DEPARTMENT.
I* Publication House.
434. For the publication of the literature of our
Church, Sunday Schools, and Young People's Socie¬
ties, the General Conference of the African Metho¬
dist Episcopal Zion Church directs that its principal
Printing House and Book Concern shall be located at
Charlotte, North Carolina; but there may be Deposi¬
tories of our publications at such other places as the
General Conference may from time to time determine,
or that the Board of Managers may direct, subject to
the approval of the General Conference.
T[ 435. The profits arising from the Publication
House after a sufficient capital to carry on the busi¬
ness is retained, shall be regularly applied to the
relief of Effective, Supernumerary and Superan¬
nuated Ministers, their Widows, and Orphans, T] 75
$5.
II. Board of Managers,
f 436. For the proper conducting of the affairs of
our Publication House the General Conference shall
appoint a Board of Managers, consisting of all the
Bishops and one Member (who shall not be the Man¬
ager or any Editor) from each Episcopal District,
which Board shall be duly incorporated according to
law, and whose members shall serve for a term of
437. Publication Department.
four years, and until their successors are elected. The
Board shall have general supervision of the Publica¬
tion House, and examine carefully into the condition
of its business, and render a report of its transactions
to the semi-annual meeting of the Board of Bishops,
annually to the Connectional Council, and quadren¬
nially to the General Conference, Tf 84, 5, 6, ^ 98, 3.
T[ 437. The officers of the Board of Managers
shall be a President, Secretary and Treasurer.
2 1. The President shall have the authority to call
special meetings when necessary, preside over all
meetings of the Board, and perform all other duties
appertaining to that office.
§ 2. The Secretary shall keep an exact minute of
all the transactions of the Board, and make out its
reports semi-annually, annually, and quadrennially.
$ 3. The Treasurer, who shall be a member of the
Local Committee, shall receive from the General
Manager all money over and above what is required
to meet his daily emergencies, and shall pay it out
only upon the proper orders of the Manager. In
paying out money, however, he shall be under the
same restrictions as the General Manager, as in
Tf 444. He shall render a monthly report to the
Local Committee of his receipts and disbursements,
naming each item, and number of the voucher
received from the Manager. Both his and the Gen¬
eral Manager's accounts shall be subject to the Board
of Audit. He shall give a good and satisfactory
bond to the Board of Managers for a faithful dis¬
charge of the duties of his office.
214
Publication Department. 440.
Tf 438. Three members of the Board of Managers,
of which number the Treasurer shall be one, living
nearest the Publication House, shall constitute the
Local Committee, whose duty it shall be to examine
into the accounts and condition of the Publication
House once a month, and shall assist in regulating
its affairs. All local differences among officials, or
between officials and employees, which cannot be
settled by the General Manager, shall be referred to,
anjJ adjusted by the Local Committee in the absence
of the Board of Managers.
439. On the approval of the Local Committee,
the General Manager shall be allowed in case of
extreme necessity to make notes against the House
by proper endorsements to the amount of Two Hun¬
dred ($200.00) Dollars at one time; but he shall not
be allowed to make any note or notes at all against
the House without the consent of the Local Com¬
mittee, nor shall he be allowed to make a note or
notes within any one month over the amount of
Two Hundred ($200.00) Dollars, nor shall he be
allowed to mortgage the property of the Publication
House, either real or personal, for any amount with¬
out first obtaining the written consent of the Board
of Managers in meeting assembled.
II. General Manager.
440. The General Conference shall elect a Gen¬
eral Manager of the Publication House whose tenure
of office shall be for four years and until his successor
is elected, who shall have authority under thesupervi-
215
441. Publication Department.
sion of the Board of Managers hereinbefore provided,
to regulate the publications and other business of
the House, except that which belongs to the editorial
department.
If 441. The General Manager shall keep a separate
account with each Department of the business, and
with each periodical published under his supervi¬
sion, and he shall set forth in his reports the amount
of sales, receipts, and expenditures for books, peri¬
odicals, job-printing, and all other business transac¬
tions, including the amount received from Depositories,
together with a statement of the profits or losses on
the same. He shall furnish to the Local Committee
at each of its monthly meetings, a full and satisfac¬
tory statement of the transactions of the preceding
month, and if the Committee shall so require, present
for examination, vouchers for all payments during the
period specified.
If 442. The General Manager shall have authority
to hire, regulate the wages, pay, and dismiss all
employees, subject to the approval or disapproval of
the Local Committee, and shall require of all em¬
ployees a faithful performance of the work assigned
them.
If 443. The General Manager shall make all needed
improvements and repairs on the building, have
charge of, and shall keep the machinery in first-class
running order, provided, however, that he shall not
make any improvement or purchase of any kind,
except that of paper, or contract any debt against
the House exceeding Fifty ($50.00) Dollars, without
Publication Department. 446.
first submitting the matter to the Local Committee,
and obtaining its approval.
U" 444. The General Manager shall receive all
money for subscriptions to periodicals, sale of books,
printing, advertisements, Sunday School Literature
and Easter Day, and shall keep a daily account on
his cash book of the same as well as of all expendi¬
tures. He shall be allowed by the approval of the
Local Committee to hold a sufficient amount of his
receipts to meet daily emergencies, the remainder
he shall pay over to the Treasurer of the Board, f 437.
1[ 445. The General Manager shall be allowed a
reasonable amount of space in each official periodical
for inserting such advertisements as he may procure
from time to time to assist in the support of such
periodical. Should there be any question in his
mind as to the appropriateness of the advertisement
for the columns of the periodical, he shall consult
with the Editor of said periodical, 454. If there
still exist a question as to its appropriateness, the
matter shall be submitted to the Local Committee
which shall finally determine it.
446. The General Manager in addition to his
receipts and expenditures shall make an inventory
in March of each year of all stock on hand including
paper, books, furniture and machinery, and give
a statement of all assets of every kind, including
real estate, and shall also give the liabilities, and
present the same to the Board of Managers and
Board of Bishops at their Spring meeting. He shall
arrange for, and hand over to his successor in office,
ft 447. Publication Department.
such an inventory of all stock, and a statement of
assets and liabilities as shall be approved and certi¬
fied to by the Board of Managers. He shall receive
a salary of One Thousand ($1000.00) Dollars per
year, and shall be required to give his undivided
attention to the duties of his position.
447. The General Manager shall make a monthly
report to the Local Committee, a semi-annual report
to the Board of Managers and Board of Bishops, an
annual report to the Connectional Council, and a
quadrennial report to the General Conference. He
shall be amenable for his official conduct to the
Board of Managers who shall have the right to insti¬
tute proceedings against him for cause, to them suf¬
ficient, and who shall investigate and settle any
irregularities in his accounts, or any misunderstand¬
ing arising between him and any other official; should
the Board in its investigation find cause why he
should be removed, it shall have the right to report
him to the Board of Bishops who shall have the
power to remove him and fill the vacancy, 92 § 6.
IV, Board of Publication.
448. The General Conference shall appoint a
Board of Publication consisting of all the Bishops,
and General Secretary, Financial Secretary, and one
Member from each Episcopal District, who shall
serve for a term of four years and until their succes¬
sors are elected. The officers of the Board of Publi¬
cation shall be a President, Secretary and Treasurer,
218
Publication Department. <ff 453.
who shall perform the duties which usually appertain
to those offices.
H" 449. The Board of Publication shall have gen¬
eral supervision of the literary part of our Connec-
tional books, newspapers, magazines, Sunday School
Literature, catechisms, and all our other official
publications emanating from our Publication House
or elsewhere, 454.
T 450. The Board of Publication shall have the
right to determine the correctness of the doctrines
and statements, the literary character of any book,
pamphlet, magazine, or periodical, now being pub¬
lished by the authority of our Church, or may be
published, or offered for publication by any Editor,
Minister or Member of our Church.
U" 451. The Board of Publication shall have the
right to pass upon the. orthodoxy of any Biblical,
theological, or ecclesiastical work published by any
of our Ministers or Members in the interest of, and
to be used as an official guide in our Church.
f 452. The Board of Publication shall have the
right, for cause to them sufficient, to report any
Editor for neglect of his official duty, or for erroneous
doctrines, mischievous statements of their own or
those they permit to be printed under their supervi¬
sion, and utterances inconsistent to the Scriptures,
as we understand them, or contrary to our Book of
Discipline, to the Board of Bishops who shall have
the power to remove him from office and fill the
vacancy, H 92 \ 6.
If 453. The Board shall render a report of ap-
219
J 454. .Publication Department.
proval or disapproval of the official conduct of our
Editors, approval or disapproval of the mechanical
appearance and literary character of our periodicals,
also their endorsement or disapproval of any printed
publication that may have been issued, or manuscript
that may have been offered for publication during the
period, to each semi-annual meeting of the Board of
Bishops, and the Connectional Council and the Gen¬
eral Conference, fl 84 § 14, fl 92 § 3, 11, fl 98 § 14.
V. Editors and Periodicals*
454. The General Conference shall elect one Edi¬
tor for each of the periodicals herein indicated, whose
tenure of office shall be for four years, and until
his successor is elected. Each Editor shall have en¬
tire charge of the literary part of the periodicals
which he edits, except the matter for advertisements,
which shall come under., the supervision of the General
Manager of the Publication House as provided in
445, and shall render semi-annual reports to the
Board of Publication and the Board of Bishops, an
annual report to the Connectional Council, and a
quadrennial report to the General Conference. The
salary of the different Editors shall be as follows:
1. Star of Zion—Salary $1000.00 per year.
2. Sunday School Literature—Salary $1000.00 per
year.
3. Quarterly Review—Salary $500.00 per year.
4. Statistical Year Book—Salary $ .
5. Missionary Seer—Salary $ .
6. Varick Christian Endeavorer—Salary $ ft 577.
7. The Zion Trumpet—Salary $ .
220'
Publication Depaktment. f[ 456, §1.
VI. Duties of Bishops and Annual Conferences.
455. Tlie Bishop and Annual Conference shall
see that every effective Minister and Preacher sub¬
scribe for and pay his subscription to the Star of
Zion, Quarterly Review, Missionary Seer and Varick
Endeavorer, and the Bishop shall not appoint a Min¬
ister or Preacher to, nor allow him to hold a Charge
in our Church, except he is a bona fide subscriber to
these periodicals, 197 § 3, 3.
§ 1. Subscriptions to our periodicals on the part
of a Traveling Preacher or Minister shall be paid
so as to begin with the rise of the Annual Conference
of which he is a Member.
§ 2. Each Traveling Preacher or Minister is mor¬
ally bound to subscribe for and pay his subscription
to the Star of Zion, the Quarterly Review, Missionary
Seer and Yarick Endeavorer.
§ 3. The accounts of the local agents, Ministers
and Preachers with the Publication House shall be
settled up in full at the end of the Conference year,
of which said agents, Ministers, or Preachers are
members; the failure of a final settlement of the
amount current,-to be a stoppage to the passage of
their character until their accounts are settled or
otherwise provided for by their Conference, 105.
VII. Duties of Presiding Elders and Pastors.
456 § 1. The Presiding Elder shall require all
Local Preachers and Exhorters to become subscribers
to our periodicals, especially the Star of Zion, and
allow no one to be recommended for Reception on
221
f 456, § 2. Sunday School Department.
Trial in an Annual Conference who is not a sub¬
scriber to the Star of Zion, ][ 199 \ 7.
I 2. Each Pastor is required to put forth an effort
to procure subscriptions to our periodicals in his con¬
gregation from time to time, and report the same to.
the Quarterly and Annual Conference.
CHAPTER II.
SUNDAY SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.
L Board of Publication.
457. For the moral and religious instruction of
our children and for the promotion of Bible knowledge
among our people, the General Conference of the
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church directs
that there shall be a Sunday School Department
which shall be under the general supervision of the
Board of Publication, and whose office shall be located
in the Publication House at Charlotte, North Caro¬
lina.
458. The Sunday School Department shall in¬
clude all the Sunday Schools of the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church, and shall be subject to such
rules and regulations as the Board of Publication and
the General Conference may from time to time pre¬
scribe. The object of said ^Department shall be. to
educate the Church in all phases • of Sunday School
S&2
Sunday School Dkpaktment. 460.
work, to give impulse and direction in general to the
study of the Bible, to supply the Sunday Schools with
the proper literature, catechisms and requisites, and
to assist missionary and needy Schools wherever
practicable.
IL Editor of Sunday School Literature.
If 459. The General Conference shall elect an
Editor of the Sunday School Literature whose tenure
of office shall be for four years, and until his successor
is elected. He shall be the chief executive officer of
the Sunday School Department, and shall edit the
Sunday School Lesson Leaves, Books, Papers and
Tracts. He shall also in consultation with the Man¬
ager of the Publication House, edit, select, or approve
of all requisites for use in our Sunday Schools, and
shall be the General Superintendent of the Sunday
Schools throughout our Connection. His salary shall
be One Thousand ($1000.00) Dollars per year. He
shall render a semi-annual report to the Board of
Bishops, an annual report to the Connectional Coun¬
cil, and a quadrennial report to the General Con¬
ference.
Tf 460. The Editor of the Sunday School Literature
shall be amenable for his official conduct, publica¬
tions, and statements, to the Board of Publication,
who shall have the right for cause, to them sufficient,
to report him to the Board of Bishops, who shall have
the power to remove him, and fill the vacancy, If 92
2 6, If 452.
223
If 461. Sunday School Department.
ID. Sunday School Board.
461. All the- Sunday Schools of the African
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church shall be under the
control of a Sunday School Board, and shall be
auxiliary to the Sunday School Department of the
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.
Tf 462. The Sunday School Board shall consist of
the Pastor, who shall be Chairman, the Sunday School
Committee, appointed by the Quarterly Conference,
the Superintendent, the Assistant Superintendents,
the Secretaries, the Treasurer, the Librarians, and the
Teachers of the Schools.
H 468. The business of the Sunday School shall
be transacted by the Board. All nominations of
Officers and Teachers shall emanate from the Sunday
School Board, but the right of nomination shall
always be with the Pastor in Charge, except that of
Teachers, who shall be nominated by the Superin¬
tendent.
][" 464. The Superintendent shall be elected an¬
nually by the adult Members of the Sunday School,
and confirmed or rejected by the Quarterly Conference
at its session after such nomination, and in case of
vacancy, the Pastor shall superintend or secure the
superintendence of the School until another is nomi¬
nated and elected. The other Officers of the School
shall be elected annually in the same way as the
Superintendent.
T[ 465. The Teachers of the School shall be nom¬
inated by the Superintendent with the concurrence
of the Pastor, and elected by the Board. A person
224
Sunday School Department. 469, ^ 1.
to become a Teacher shall be proposed by a Member
of the Board; and if the Board is satisfied with the
religious and literary qualifications of the individual,
and he is willing to be governed by the Constitution
of the School, he may be elected a Teacher by the
concurrence of a majority of the Members of the
Board at any regular or special business meeting.
The place of any Officer or Teacher, habitu¬
ally neglecting his or her duty, or being guilty of im¬
proper conduct, may be declared vacant by two-thirds
of the Board present at any regular or special
meeting.
T[467. Teachers' Meetings may be held weekly for
the study of the Sunday School Lessons over which
the Superintendent shall preside.
H 468. Order of Business of Sunday School Board.
1. Devotional Exercises.
2. Reading of Minutes of Previous Meeting.
3. Unfinished Business.
4. Report and Recommendations of Superintend¬
ent.
5. Report of Secretary.
6. Report of Treasurer.
7. Report of Librarian.
8. Report of Teachers.
9. Miscellaneous Business.
IV. Duties of Officers and Teachers.
T[ 469 \ 1. Superintendent.—The Superintendent
shall be at the School at the hour appointed for the
opening of the session, and shall open and close the
15 225
•jl 469, § 2. Sunday School Department.
School (or call upon another) with devotional exer¬
cises, as may be prescribed by the Sunday School
Board.
I 2. He shall see that order is observed during the
time of the School and that the Teachers are at their
classes in proper time; supply vacant classes with
Teachers; grade the pupils, and often converse with
the Teachers and consult with the Pastor for the best
interests of the School.
\ 3. He shall preside at the Teachers' Meeting, and
give all necessary encouragement to Teachers to a
faithful performance of their relative duties, and
frequently to lecture them.
I 4. He shall read the regulations of our School as
often as necessary, and see that they be carried out so
that the design of our Church relative to Sunday
Schools shall be fully realized.
§ 5. He shall see that Children's Day and Easter
Day are duly observed each year by the School, and
shall put forth an earnest effort to collect as much
money as possible on those occasions for the Insti¬
tutions represented (^[ 362, ][ 363); and shall lift a
collection of One Dollar or more and send to the
Annual Conference for Mission Schools, 366.
g 6. He shall report the following items to each
Quarterly Conference and at the last Quarterly Con¬
ference *of the year make an Annual Report.
Form of the Superintendent's Quarterly Eeport.
1. Number of Sunday Schools.
2. Number of Officers and Teachers.
226
Sunday School Department. IT 471.
3. Number of Scholars in all grades.
4. Whole number in Sunday School.
5. Increase over last Quarter.
Decrease .
6. Average Attendance.
7. Number of Officers and Teachers who are
Church Members.
8. Number of Members of the School converted.
9. Number of Sermons preached by the Pastor to
the Children.
10. Number of times the Pastor has catechised the
children.
11. Number of Bound Volumes in Library.
12. Number of Lesson Helps taken from our Pub¬
lication House.
13. Amount raised for Sunday School purposes.
14. Amount Expended.
15. Amount in hand.
16. Amount raised for Mission Schools.
470. Secretary.—The Secretary shall keep a rec¬
ord of the Members who join and leave the School,
also their residences; keep the minutes of the Board's
Meetings and Teachers' Meetings; keep the School
register and a general account of the attendance of
the Teachers and scholars; assist the Superintendent
in the general management of the School when re¬
quired, and submit to the Board monthly, quarterly,
and annual reports.
If 471. Measurer.—The Treasurer shall receive
and hold all money for the School after a minute has
227
€r 472. Sunday School Department.
been made of the same by the Secretary; pay all sums
authorized by the Sunday School Board ou orders
drawn by the Secretary and signed by the Pastor
and Superintendent, and shall submit to the Board
monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
472. Librarian.—The Librarian shall deliver the
books to the Teacher of each class, for the scholars,
during the School session; keep a catalogue of all
the books in the School, and shall submit to the
Board monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
^ 4 7311. Teachers.—Teachers shall be at the School
at the time appointed for the opening of the session.
They shall go to their classes immediately on enter¬
ing the School and shall see that good order is ob¬
served in their respective classes; mark in their
class-books the attendance of the scholars, as well as
their residences; visit as often as possible the scholars
of their respective classes, and report when they are
sick or prevented from attending school from any
other cause.
| 2. The pupils are required to submit to the
Superintendent and Teachers; any misdemeanor on
their part shall be reported by the Teacher, and the
Superintendent may administer punishment at his
discretion by withholding a Library Book, by a
public reprimand, or otherwise; unless the case, in
the estimation of the Teachers' Meeting, warrants
expulsion from the School.
\ 8. Teachers are strictly admonished against con¬
versation with each other during the session, unless
UDon r>urelv school matters. Any negligence upon
Sunday School Department. it «5, § 1.
the part of the Teachers, or any misdemeanor, shall
be settled at the Teachers' Meeting; in failing so to
do, let the whole matter go before the Board.
V. Duties of Presiding Elders*
If 474. It shall be the duty of each Presiding
Elder to bring the subject of Sunday Schools before
the first Quarterly Conference of each year, and said
Quarterly Conference shall appoint a Committee of
not less than three nor more than nine for each Sun¬
day School in the Charge, to be called the Commit¬
tee on Sunday Schools of which the Preacher in
Charge shall be the Chairman, whose duty it shall
be to aid the Pastor in Charge and the Officers of
the Sunday School in procuring suitable Teachers,
in promoting in all proper ways the attendance of
children and adults on our Sunday Schools and on
our regular public worship, and assist in raising
finance for the School.
VI. Duties of Pastors.
475 § 1. It shall be the duty of the Pastor in
Charge with the aid of other Preachers and the Com¬
mittee on Sunday Schools, to form Sunday Schools in
all our congregations where ten children can be col¬
lected for that purpose, which Schools shall be aux¬
iliary to the Sunday School Department of the Afri¬
can Methodist Episcopal Zion Church; to engage the
co-operation of as many of the Members as he can,
and to visit the Schools as often as practicable; and to
preach on the subject of Sunday Schools and the re-
475, § 2. Educational Department:
ligiaua instruction of children in each congregation
at least once in six months; to form Bible classes
wherever he can for the instruction of the youth and
adults; and where he cannot superintend them per¬
sonally, to see that suitable Teachers are provided
for the purpose (ft 205 § 12), to assist in raising
finance for the School, and especially Easter collec¬
tion for the Publication Department, ft 362.
§ 2. It shall be the duty of our Ministers to enforce
faithfully upon parents and Sunday School Teachers
the great importance of instructing children in the
doctrines and duties of our holy religion; to see that
our catechisms be used as extensively as possible in
our Sunday Schools and families; to preach to the
children, and publicly catechise them in the Sunday
Schools and at public meetings appointed for that
purpose, and exhort all parents to dedicate their
children to the Lord in baptism as early as con¬
venient, ft 46, ft 205 § 12.
CHAPTER III.
EDUCATIONAL DEPARTMENT.
I. Board of Education.
ft 476 § 1. For the promotion of the Educational
work, the General Conference of the African Method¬
ist Episcopal Zion Church directs that there shall
230
Educational Department, 478.
be an Educational Department, and for the general
control of which there shall be appointed a Board of
Education, consisting of a Bishop and one Member
from each Episcopal District, which shall be duly in¬
corporated according to law, and shall have the gen¬
eral control of the affairs of Education in our Church,
and shall have the power to prescribe rules for its
operation not inconsistent with the provisions of the
Discipline. The officers of the Board shall be a
President, Secretary and Treasurer.
§ 2. The maintenance of this Department shall be
provided for as follows:
1. Eaqh Annual Conference shall raise for Educa¬
tion an amount equal to one-fourth of the General
Fund. Enough of the Children's Day collection may
be included to complete the assessment.
(a) Eighty per cent, of which amount shall be sent
to the Treasurer of the School of the Educational Dis¬
trict in which the Annual Conference is located. The
remaining twenty per cent, shall be sent to the Cor¬
responding Secretary of Education.
(b) The Secretary of Education will return one-
•half of the amount thus sent him to the Annual Con¬
ferences from which it came, the same to be used only
for educational purposes.
477. The President of the Board shall have
power to call special meetings when necessary, pre¬
side over all meetings of the Board, and perform all
other duties which appertain to the office of the
President.
47.8. The Secretary shall keep a faithful record
231
tf 479. Educational Department.
of all the proceedings of the Board, and shall report
the transactions of the Board annually to the Con-
nectional Council.
479. .The Corresponding Secretary shall receive
and hold all money coming to the Board from time
to time from all sources, keep an accurate account of
the same, and pay it out only on the order of the
Board of Education, and shall report his receipts and
disbursements semi-annually to the Board of Bishops,
annually to the Connectional Council, and quadren¬
nially to the General Conference.
|f 480. The regular meetings of the Board of Edu¬
cation shall be annually at the time and place of the
meeting of the Connectional Council; special meet¬
ings may be called at the discretion of the President.
When meeting alone five members of the Board shall
constitute a quorum for1 the transaction of business.
|f 481. The Board, under the advice of the General
Conference, shall have the power to fix the salary and
regulate the office and traveling expense of the Secre¬
tary of Education.
IL Corresponding Secretary.
482. The General Conference shall elect quad¬
rennially a Corresponding Secretary of Education
whose tenure of office shall be for four years, and un¬
til his successor is elected. He shall be an ex-officio
member of the Board of Education and the Board of
Trustees of the several Connectional Schools.
|f 483. The Corresponding Secretary shall, under
the direction of the Board and the provisions of the
232
Educational Department, 485.
Discipline, conduct the correspondence of the Depart¬
ment and promote its general interest by traveling,
lecturing, soliciting donations, and otherwise. He
shall prepare the exercises for Children's Day, and
give whatever assistance he can to increase the pro¬
ceeds of that day; visit as often as practicable all
of the Schools working under the Board of Education,
so as to be informed as to their general condition.
ft 484 § 1. The Corresponding Secretary shall put
forth every effort to stimulate an interest in the col¬
lection of the Assessment for Education by letter,
articles, and otherwise. He shall render a semi-annual
report to the Board of Bishops, and an annual report
to the Connectional Council, and a quadrennial report
to the General Conference of his travels, lectures and
collections in the interest of Education, the number
and name of all the Schools under the auspices of
the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, their
officers and number of students, the general manner
and amount of support that each one receives, to¬
gether with the condition and standing of the Schools.
He shall under the-advice of the Board, regulate
the rank of each School receiving the patronage of
the Church.
§ 2. The Corresponding Secretary in his annual
and quadrennial reports shall give an account of the
money raised by Educational Districts, Annual Con¬
ferences, and pastoral charges.
ft 485. He shall be amenable for his official con¬
duct to the Board of Education which, for cause ta
them sufficient, shall have the right to report him to
233
ft 486. Educational Department.
the Board of Bishops, who Bhall have power to re¬
move him from office and fill the vacancy.
|f 486. The Corresponding Secretary shall report
his official expenses to the Board for appoval.
111. Educational Institutions*
|f 487. No Institution of Learning shall be recog¬
nized by the Board of Education as under the aus¬
pices of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church, be inserted in its classified list of such In¬
stitutions, or receive aid from its connectional educa¬
tional funds unless it has been made a. connectional
beneficiary as provided in Article 488, provided that
all schools already adopted by the General Conference
shall be considered such beneficiaries.
|f 488. Whenever there are Schools already in ex¬
istence and not under the patronage of the Board
of Education, and wishing to be made beneficiaries of
the Board, or when there are persons desirous of
establishing a school under the auspices of our
Church, and wishing to bring it under the patronage
of the Board of Education, application must first be
made to the Board of Education througlT the Corres¬
ponding Secretary of Education, together with the
plan of support, arid the Board of Education must
recommend it to the General Conference before it can
be made a connectional beneficiary.
489. Annual Conferences shall not submit for
recommendation Schools beyond the ability of the
people to equip and maintain them.
|f 490. It shall be the duty of the Bishops, Pre-
234
Educational Department. ^ 495.
Biding Elders, and Pastors to direct the attention ol
our young people to our literary institutions, and of
the candidates of our ministry, having proper qualifi¬
cations, to our theological seminaries.
491. The Board of Education shall publish in its
annual report a list of all the educational institutions
under the patronage of the African Methodist Epis¬
copal Zion Church, classifying them according to their
capacity and the work they are actually doing.
492. The Presidents or Principals of Livingstone
College, Greenville College, Lancaster Normal and
Industrial School, Clinton Institute, Lomax-Hannon
High School, Atkinson College, and Zion Institute,
shall be elected by the General Conference; they
shall be amenable for their official conduct to the
Board of Education, which shall have the right, for
cause to them sufficient, to report them to the Board
of Bishops, who shall have the power to remove them
from office and fill the vacancy.
493. The salary of the President of Livingstone
College shall be Fifteeen Hundred ($1500.00) Dol¬
lars per year; the salaries of the other Presidents or
Principals shall be regulated by the Board of Trus¬
tees of each school respectively.
494. Each President or Principal of our Con-
nectional Schools shall render an annual statement of
the condition of the school under his charge to the
Corresponding Secretary of Education, who shall in¬
clude the same in his report to the Connectional Coun¬
cil and to the General Conference.
495. The Trustees of each Connectional School
235
1f 496. Educational Department.
shall be elected by the General Conference, and shall
render a quadrennial report of their official transac¬
tions to the Corresponding Secretary of Education,
who shall report the same in his quadrennial message
to the General Conference.
IV* Annual Conference Educational Board*
|f 496. The Annual Conference shall elect an Edu¬
cational Board consisting of five persons whose offi¬
cers shall be a President, Secretary and Treasurer,
provided that the Corresponding Secretary of Edu¬
cation shall be the Treasurer when he is present, and
in his absence the Treasurer of the Conference. The
Board shall co-operate with the Corresponding Secre¬
tary of Education, Presiding Elders and Pastors in
holding District Educational meetings, disseminating
Educational literature, and making general collec¬
tions for the increase of our educational funds. The
money so collected shall be counted on the Assess¬
ment for Education.
|f 497. The Corresponding Secretary of Education
as Treasurer of the Board, and in his absence the
Conference Treasurer, shall receive all money brought
to the Annual Conference for Education, both for
Children's Day and the Educational Assessment, and
shall report the receipts to the Annual Conference,
which shall dispose of the same according to law.
|f 317, |f 348.
|f 498. The Board shall receive all money brought
to the Annual Conference for education, both for
Children's Day and the Educational Assessment and
236
Educational Department, 502.
report its receipts to the Annual Conference, which
shall divide the same according to law, retaining
its part for local educational work and remitting
the other part to the Treasurer of the General Edu¬
cational Board (|f 313) ; or if it be Children's Day
collection, it shall be sent to the proper source be¬
fore the Conference adjourns, ft 358.
V. Duties of Pastors and Presiding Elders.
499. It shall be the duty of each Pastor to ob¬
serve Children's Day in the interest of Education in
each Church of his Charge on the fourth Sunday in
June of every year, and the collections taken through¬
out the day, in both Church and Sunday School,
shall be counted as Children's Day Collections, and
forwarded immediately by the Pastor as provided in
f 358.
500. It shall be the duty of the Pastor to co¬
operate with the Corresponding Secretary of Educa¬
tion, the Conference Educational Board, and Presid¬
ing Elders" in arranging for lectures, educational
meetings, and other enterprises in order to raise
educational funds, and the money so collected shall
be counted on his Assessment for Education. He shall
preach or cause to be preached a sermon on the
subject of Education each year.
501. It shall be the duty of the Pastor to collect
the Assessment for Education, which money shall be
disposed as in 317, 476, fl" 106 § 3, 317.
ft 502. It shall be the duty of every pastor in
charge of a circuit or station to organize the local
237
ft 503. Educational Department.
and itinerant Preachers and Exhorters residing in
his Charge, into a Preacher's Institute. The object
of the institute shall be: (1) To cultivate Christian
fellowship and helpfulness among its members. (2)
To aid its Members in gaining such knowledge as
shall be cf use to them in the discharge of the duties
required of them by the Discipline of the Church.
(3) To pursue a course of instruction or reading for
the purpose of cultivating their morai, spiritual, and^
intellectual powers.
503.-One night in every week shall be set apart
in every Charge, when the Exhorters and Local
Preachers shall conduct services in succession under
the supervision of the Pastor, who shall privately
give them such friendly criticism and instruction as
may be of benefit to those officiating in said services,
IT 205 § 2.
504. A report on the condition of the Preachers'
Institute shall be submitted to the Presiding Elder
at each Quarterly Conference.
|f 505. It shall be the duty of each Presiding
Elder to bring the subject of education before the
Quarterly Conference of each Charge within his Dis¬
trict, and at the first Quarterly Conference of the
year there shall be appointed a Committee on Edu¬
cation, consisting of not less than three nor more than
nine persons, of which Committee the Pastor shall
be Chairman. This Committee shall aid the Pastor
in canvassing the Charge for the purpose of stimulat¬
ing the interest in higher education of our youth, by
distributing catalogues and other educational litera-
238
Church Extension Department. \\ 507.
ture, and solicit funds from the Members of the
Church and Congregation and others for our Edu¬
cational Institutions, and the money so collected shall
be applied on the Assessment of the Charge for
Education, 348.
506. The Presiding Elder at the last Quarterly
Conference in the Charge shall ask:
•1. Has the sermon on Education been preached
during the year?
2 Has Children's Day been observed as required
by the Discipline?
3. Has a general canvass for Education been
made?
CHAPTER IY.
CHURCH EXTENSION DEPARTMENT.
CHURCH EXTENSION SOCIETY.
I. Church Extension Board.
507. For the promotion of the temporal welfare
of the Church, the securing, improvement and saving
of Church property, the erection of Churches
and Parsonages, to help our people to secure homes,
and to insure our Church and Parsonage property,
the General Conference of the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church directs that there shall
be an organization in our Church known as
the Church Extension Society, and for the man¬
agement of which the General Conference shall
239
ft 508. Church Extension Department.
appoint a Church Extension Board consisting of all
the Bishops, the Corresponding Secretary, and one
member from each Episcopal District, and a General
Committee appointed by the Board of Bishops, before
the General Conference adjourns. The said Com¬
mittee shall consist of all the Bishops, Corresponding
Secretary, Assistant Corresponding Secretary, Treas¬
urer, six Ministers and three Laymen. Said Commit;
tee shall have supervision over and shall conduct all
the financial affairs of the said Society, according
to the Charter and By-Laws of said Committee, pro¬
vided in all cases, that nothing shall be done con¬
trary to the Discipline of the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church. This Society shall be duly
incorporated according to law, and its officers shall
be a President, Secretary and Treasurer.
508. The President shall have the power to call
special meetings when necessary, preside at all the
meetings of the General Committee, and exercise all
the other functions which usually appertain to the
office of President.
^ 509. The Recording Secretary of the Board shall
be also the Recording Secretary of the General Com¬
mittee, and he shall keep a faithful record of every
meeting of the Board and the Committee.
If 510. The Treasurer by virtue of his office shall
be Treasurer of the General Committee, and shall
receive and hold all money belonging to the General
Committee from whatever source it may come, and
shall give receipts for all money coming into his
hands. He shall make -quarterly reports of the receipts
240
Church Extension Department. \\ 512.
and disbursements of money to the General Commit¬
tee and annual reports to the Board of Bishops and
Connectional Council, and quadrennial reports to the
General Conference, 84, 25; 92, 3, 10; 98, 5. In
submitting his reports he shall state the Episcopal
District, Annual Conference, and Pastoral Charge from
which the money comes, as well as the name of the
individual sending it. The money received by the
Treasurer shall bo deposited by him in the name of
the Church Extension Society, in such bank or banks
as shall be approved by the General Committee. He
shall pay out no money except by order of the Gen¬
eral Committee, except from the Emergency Fund.
He shall give a good, adequate, and satisfactory bond
covering all the money that may come into his hands.
His book shall at all times be open for inspection
by the Board, Committee or Corresponding Secretary,
and shall be audited semi-annually.
j[ 511. For the purpose of increasing our Church
Extension Funds the assessment for Church Exten¬
sion purposes shall be made equal to one-fourth of
the General Fund assessment upon each Charge; and
in addition tllereto the general contributions, be¬
quests and benevolences shall be solicited, and also
funds coming from any other sources or devices in¬
augurated by the General Committee or Correspond¬
ing Secretary and half of Easter Collection.
D 512. The Church Extension Board shall meet
annually at the time and place of the Connectional
Council. When meeting alone, five members shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
10 241
513. Chukch Extension Department.
513. The Board shall determine the amount of
loan and donations to be made within the bounds of
each Annual Conference. It shall advise and direct
the General Committee in all matters concerning the
trust committed to its care.
II* Corresponding Secretary.
514. The General Conference shall elect a Cor¬
responding Secretary whose tenure of office shall be
for four years, and until his successor is elected, and
who shajl be exclusively employed in advancing the
general interest of the Church Extension Society, by
traveling, lecturing, soliciting and otherwise. He
shall have power to call special meetings of the
General Committee by the advice of the President.
He shall often consult with the Bishops and the mem¬
bers of the Board and Committee as to the best
course to pursue for the promotion of the Society, and
the collecting of the funds. He shall render a quar¬
terly report to the General Committee, an annual
report to the Church Extension Board and the Con-
nectional Council, and a quadrennial report to the
General Conference, |f 84 § 24; |f 92 § 3, 5; |f 98
§ 5. He shall be amenable for his official conduct
to the Church Extension Board, who shall have the
right for cause to them sufficient, to report him to
the Board of Bishops, who shall have the power to re¬
move him from office and to fill the vacancy, |f 92 § 6.
His salary shall be Twelve Hundred ($1200.00) Dol¬
lars per year, and his office and traveling expenses
shall be regulated by the General Committee.
242
Church Extension Department, 517.
III. General Committee.
515. The Board of Bishops shall appoint a Gen¬
eral Committee consisting of the following: 1. Tie
Bishop of the District in which the office of the
Church Extension Society is located, who shall be
President of the Committee. 2. Three Vice-Presidents
who shall be Bishops. 3. Corresponding Secretary. 4.
Recording Secretary, which* Secretary shall be Sec¬
retary of the Board. 5. The Treasurer, who shall be
Treasurer of the General Committee. 6. And six other
Ministers and three Laymen appointed by the Board
of Bishops and selected so as to enable them to meet
quarterly with little or no expense to the General
Committee. The General Committee may be enlarged
as circumstances from time to time may warrant it.
The General Committee shall be incorporated accord¬
ing to law.
516. The General Committee shall continue in
office for four years and until their successors are
appointed, unless otherwise ordered. Should any ol
the members thus appointed prove inactive or inef¬
ficient, they may be reported to the Board of Bishops,
who shall have power to declare their seats vacant,
and appoint others to fill the vacancy, |f92 § 8.
|f 517. The General Committee shall meet quar¬
terly in the office of the Church Extension Society and
shall have power to make by-laws for the regulation
of its own proceedings, but in no case shall they
conflict with the Discipline of the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church and the Charter of said Com¬
mittee. It shall have power to provide for Life and
243
f 518. Church Extension Department.
Honorary Membership and any other funds for the
advancement of the Church Extension Society. In all
the meetings of the General Committee six shall con¬
stitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
518. The General Committee shall provide for
six Funds, namely, General Loan Fund, Loan Fund,
Emergency Fund, Donation Fund, Annuity Fund, and
Memorial Fund. The money received for loans shall
be used only for loans on Church and Parsouage prop¬
erty deeded to the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church, at no less than six per cent, interest. The
Emergency Fund shall be held at the disposal of the
Corresponding Church Extension Secretary and any of
the Bishops, to be used when delay would be danger¬
ous, in saving Church or Parsonage property. The Do¬
nation Fund shall be taken account of at each annual
meeting of the General Committee. In making loans
or donations, the Corresponding Secretary shall act as
agent for the Church Extension Department.
519. Each Annual Conference shall appoint three
Ministers and two Laymen who shall constitute the'
Conference Board of Church Extension. The officers
of said Board shall be a President, Vice-President.
Secretary and Treasurer, provided the Treasui'er of
the Conference shall be '.treasurer of the Board, 106
§ 3. 2. The persons selected shall be a standing
Board for four years or during the quadrennium,
and shall be so located that a quorum can be con¬
vened at any time. 3. Should a member of the Board
die or remove from the Conference or become dis¬
qualified for any reason, the Bishop shall fill the va-
244
Church Extension Department, ft 520.
cancy. 4. The Board shall have charge of the Church
Extension interest within the bounds of its Annual
Conference not • otherwise provided for and shall be
subject to and work under the directions of the
Corresponding Secretary. It shall receive all the
moneys raised in the Annual Conference District, not
otherwise remitted or provided for, and the Pastor's
name and charge and give a full report to the Corres¬
ponding Secretary. 5. There shall be set apart an
evening in each Annual Conference Session to be
known as Church Extension . Anniversary Meeting,
and the Bishop and the Conference Board shall ap¬
point the speakers for the occasion. The Board shall
make its report the same evening. 6. Immediately fol¬
lowing the adjournment of the Conference, the
Bishop shall forward to the Corresponding Church
Extension Secretary a list of the Pastoral appoint¬
ments with post office addresses and assessments.
V. Applications for Aid.
ft 520. All applications for aid shall be made on
blanks furnished by the General Committee. The
applicants shall give all the information neces¬
sary to warrant the safety of the loan asked for. The
following facts must be obtained: 1. Number of Church
Members. 2. Population of the community and
prospects of increase. 3. The legal incorporation of
Church or Trustees. 4. Location, size, and value of
the property. 5. If title of the property is in the
name of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church.
6. If the building is to be erected, plans and specifi-
*245
521. Church Extension Department.
cations must be submitted with probable cost when
building is completed, and if loan is granted, the
Committee shall have the right to modify plans and
cost if necessary. 7. The amount already raised
by the Trustees, also the amount subscribed and not
paid. 8. The prospect of raising the amount of the
loan as stipulated in the agreement, together with in¬
terest. 9. The amount of mortgage debt already on
the building. 10. The amount of floating debt. 11.
Whether property is insured, and in what company
and the amount. 12. Any other facts deemed neces¬
sary by the General Committee may be exacted before
the loan is granted. In any and all cases no loans
shall be granted unless the property is held, or is to
be held in trust by the African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church.
521. All applications for aid must first be sub¬
mitted to the Conference Board of the Church Ex¬
tension, and the said Board shall apply to the Gen¬
eral Committee, and aid shall only be granted from
the General Loan Fund, Annuity Fund, Donation
Fund or any other Funds by the concurrent action
of bothl the Conference Board and the General Com¬
mittee. Aid may be granted from the Emergency
Fund by the application of a Bishop or Presiding
Elder to the Corresponding Secretary, 199 § 11.
VI. Duties of Presiding Elders and Pastors.
522. The Presiding Elder shall bring the subject
of Church Extension before each Quarterly Confer¬
ence and report to the Corresponding Secretary the
amount collected on the assessment for Church Ex-
246
Church Extension Department, 524.
tension, and at the first Quarterly Conference of the
year in each charge shall elect not less than three
persons, who shall constitute a Committee on Church
Extension of which the Pastor shall be the Chair¬
man and who shall assist the Pastor in raising the
assessment for Church Extension laid on the charge.
The Presiding Elder shall see that the amount as¬
sessed, is raised, and where it is not, he shall report
the Pastor to the Annual Conference.
523. It shall be the duty of the Pastor with the
aid of the Committee to co-operate with the Cor¬
responding Secretary, the Conference Board and the
Presiding Elder, in arranging for lectures, Church Ex¬
tension Meetings and other enterprises to raise funds
for the Church Extension Society, and in all cases the
Pastor shall raise his full assessment for Church
Extension, 364. No Pastor's character shall pas9
until he has reported his Church Extension money.
524. It shall be the duty of the Pastor to collect
his full assessment, ff 106 § 3; 117. He shall be re¬
quired by the Bishops or Corresponding Secretary to
show his receipt for any money he may have raised
and forwarded, and to pay over what he may have
in hand for Church Extension before the passage of
his character, and in all cases where he .fails to do
his duty in this respect, or having collected money
failed to forward or pay it, as required by law, he
shall be left without an appointment until the said
money collected is paid, and should the Presiding
Elder fail to properly report a Pastor who has thus
neglected his duty, he shall be removed, 199 §11.
247
If 525. Missionary Department.
CHAPTER V.
MISSIONARY DEPARTMENT.
MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
I. Home and Foreign Mission Board.
525. For the extending of our Missionary work
in the United States and in foreign countries, the
General Conference of the African Methodist Epis¬
copal Zion Church directs that there shall be a Mis¬
sionary Society, located at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
and for the general control of which there shall he
appointed quadrennially a Home and Foreign Mission
Board, consisting of the Bishops and one Member from
each Episcopal District, which shall be duly incorpo¬
rated according to law, and be subject to the rules
and regulations which the General Conference from
time to time shall prescribe. The officers of the
Board shall be a President, Secretary and Treasurer.
If 526. The President shall have power to call spe¬
cial meetings when necessary, preside over all the
meetings of the Board and perform all other duties
which appertain to the office of President.
527. The Secretary shall keep a faithful record
of all the proceedings of the Board and perform
such other duties as the Board requires.
24S
Missioxauy Department. o2d.
II. Corresponding Secretary.
528. The General Conference shall elect quad¬
rennially a Corresponding Secretary of Missions,
whose tenure of office shall be for four years, and un¬
til his successor is elected. He shall be ex-officio a
member of the Board of Missions, and shall also be
the Treasurer of the Missionary Society. His duties
shall be to keep a correct account of all the Mission
fields, both Home and Foreign, the number and names
of Missionaries employed, and the stations they oc¬
cupy, to receive and receipt for all Mission money,
from assessment or otherwise, pay to Missionaries
the amounts allotted to them under the advice of
the Bishop of the District and the Board of Missions;
to remit whatever apportionment may be made by the
Board to Foreign Missionaries under the advice of
the Bishop of Foreign Missions, to edit and publish
the Missionary Seer, the official organ of the Mission¬
ary Department, to travel, preach, lecture, publish
literature and hold Conventions in the interest of
Missions. He shall report his transactions to the
Board of Missions semi-annually, alio to the Board
of Bishops, Connectional Council and to *the General
Conference, ft 84, 92, 98. He shall be amenable
for his official conduct to the Board of Missions, who
for cause to them sufficient, shall have the right to
report him to the Board of Bishops, who shall have
power to remove him from office and fill the vacancy.
529. The regular meetings of the Home and
Foreign Mission Board shall be held semi-annually,
and may or may not be held in connection with the
249
530. Missionary Department.
Board of Bishops and the Connectional Council. When
meeting alone five Members of the Board shall con¬
stitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
U 530. The money collected through the Home and
Foreign Missionary Society for Missions shall be used
for the support of Missionaries employed in the
Home and Foreign fields, and for the relief of Mis¬
sion points.
531. The Home and Foreign Mission Board shall
have power to employ Ministers and Preachers as
Missionaries from any of our Conferences who are
willing to labor in Mission fields with the consent of
the Bishop of said Conference, and determine the
amount of support necessary to sustain each one in
his station.
532. The Board shall have the right to change
or discontinue any Mission station and the services
of any Missionary, when it deems either one un¬
profitable.
III. Support of Missions, Home and Foreign.
533. To aid in supporting our Mission work the
following regulations of the General Conference shall
be carried out:
1. An amount equal to one-fourth of the General
Fund assessment shall be assessed each Pastoral
Charge for Missions and the money thus raised shall
be forwarded to the Corresponding Secretary. The
restrictions requiring the collection of the General
250
Missionary Department. 534.
Fund apply with equal force in the collecting of the
Missionary Assessment.
2. There shall be appropriated out of the General
Fund annually Two Thousand ($2000.00) Dollars
for Foreign Missions, which shall be paid monthly on
the pro rata basis like other Miscellaneous Claims
(fl 315) to the Corresponding Secretary for Foreign
Missionaries.
3. There shall be observed in each Annual Confer¬
ence an hour for an Anniversary Collection by the
Corresponding Secretary and the Missionary Women,
which money shall be used to increase the amount
going to Foreign Missionaries.
4. The money collected through the Woman's
Home and Foreign Missionary Society shall not be
included in the general Assessment for Missions.
5. To aid in supporting our Foreign Mission Schools
each Pastor is required to collect One ($1.00) Dol¬
lar or more from each Sunday School in his Charge
and bring the same to the Annual Conference for
that purpose, |f 366.
534. One-half of the Mission money collected as
Assessment shall be returned by the Corresponding
Secretary to the Annual Conference raising it for
local Missions within the boundary of said Annual
Conference; the other half, after the salary of the
Corresponding ~ Secretary and the other official ex¬
penses are deducted, shall be apportioned by the Board
of Missions to Home and Foreign Missions according
to the necessities of the work in the different fields.
251
\\ 535. Missionaby Depabtment.
IV* Annual Conference and Missions.
|f 535. The Annual Conference shall appoint a
Mission Board consisting of five persons, which shall
co-operate with the Presiding Elders and the Corres¬
ponding Secretary in planning for and holding Dis¬
trict Missionary Conventions and disseminating
Missionary literature and raising Missionary money.
536. The Conference Board of Missions shall
appoint its own officers, provided, however, that the
Conference Treasurer shall be the Treasurer of the
Board, and shall receive the money appropriated for
Missions within the bounds of the Conference, not
otherwise provided for, |f 528.
|f 537. The,Conference Mission Board shall assist
the Bishop and the Corresponding Secretary and the
Members of the Woman's Home and Foreign Mission¬
ary Society in arranging for the Anniversary Mis¬
sionary Meeting at each Annual Conference.
|f 538. The Bishop, Conference Secretary and the
Presiding Elders shall constitute the Board of Ap¬
portionment for Missions and shall see that an
amount equal to one-fourth of the General Fund As¬
sessment is levied on each Pastoral Charge for Mis¬
sions, and that the same be collected by the Pastor
and forwarded forthwith to the Corresponding Sec¬
retary. One-half of the Assessment collected shall be
returned to the Annual Conference by the Corres¬
ponding Secretary, to be used for local Missions and
Missionaries.
|f 539. The Conference Mission Board may employ
special agents to solicit funds within the bounds of
252
Missionary Department. 542.
the Annual Conference in the interest of the Mission
cause, said agents to receive credentials from the
Board, endorsed by Bishop of said Conference, ft 197
§ 4. The money thus collected by agents shall be
regarded as a part of the Conference Mission Fund, to
be used within the bounds of said Annual Conference,
provided the Mission Assessment has been met.
V. Duties of Presiding Elders,
|f 540. It shall -J)e the duty of each Presiding
Elder to bring the subject of Missions before the
Quarterly Conference of each Charge within his Dis¬
trict; at the first Quarterly Conference of each year
there shall be appointed a Committee of not less
than three nor more than nine, of which the Pastor
shall be Chairman, to be called the Committee on
Missions, whose duty it shall be to aid the Pastor in
carrying into effect the law of our Church for the
support of our Missions.
ft 541. It shall be the duty of each Presiding Elder
to see that the provisions of this section are faith¬
fully carried out in his District and in order thereto
he shall inquire at each session of the Quarterly Con¬
ference, What has been done by the Committee on
Missions.
VI. Duties of Pastors.
ft 542. It shall be the duty of the Pastor, aided
by the Committee on Missions, to provide for the dif¬
fusion of Missionary intelligence among the members
of the Church and Congregation.
253
543. Missionary Department.
Jf 543. It shall be the duty of the Pastor, aided
by the Committee on Missions, to hold monthly meet¬
ings whenever practicable for the purpose of inform¬
ing the people respecting Missionary work, to offer
Prayer for Missions and Missionaries and to raise
what means he can for the Mission cause.
544. It shall be the duty of the Pastor, aided
by the (Committee on Missions, to appoint Missionary
Collectors and furnish them with suitable books and
devices, that they may call on f}ie Members of the
Church and Congregation, and on other persons for
contributions for the support of Missions; said Col¬
lectors shall make monthly returns to the Pastor and
Committee, and the money thus collected shall be
counted on the Assessment for Missions.
545. It shall be the duty of the Pastor to collect
his Assessment for Missions as early in the Confer¬
ence year as possible and report the amount forthwith
to the Corresponding Secretary of Missions; he shall
also present his receipts at the Annual Conference
for the remittances he has made.
546. It shall be £Tae duty of the Pastor, aided
by the Committee on Missions, to observe Missionary
Day on the fourth Sunday in September of every
year, at which time he shall make a special effort to
bring the cause of Missions before the people, and
shall make a strong effort on that occasion to raise
money for Missions and the money so collected shall
be counted on his Assessment and forwarded directly
to the Corresponding Secretary, 363.
547. It shall be the duty of the Pastor to see
254
Woman's Missionary Society, 549.
that each Sundf^y School ai\d Varick Christian En¬
deavor Society is organized into a Missionary So¬
ciety, or have a Committee on Missions, and the
money raised from these sources shall be counted on
the Assessment for Missions.
548. It shall be the duty of the. Pastor to or¬
ganize a Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary So¬
ciety and a Juvenile Missionary Society iij each
Church of his Charge, which shall be operated under
the Constitution governing those Societies, and the
money thus collected shall be sent directly to the
Treasurer of the Woman's Home and Foreign Mis¬
sionary Society.
CHAPTER VI.
WOMAN'S HOME AND FOREIGN MISSION¬
ARY SOCIETY.
I. Its Name, Object and Membership.
549. For the more successful prosecution of the
Missionary work of our Church there shall be an
organization known as the Woman's Home and
Foreign Missionary Society of the African Methodist
Episcopal Zion Church, whose officers appointed by
the General Conference shall be as follows: President,
two Vice-Presidents, Recording Secretary, Corres¬
ponding Secretary, and Treasurer, and a Superinten¬
dent of the Juvenile Missionary Society.
255
? 550. Woman's Missionary Society
ft 550. The Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary
Society shall be auxiliai^ to the Parent Missionary
Society *of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church. The general officers of the Society shall
constitute the Executive Board, who shall have
authority to make all rules and regulations govern¬
ing the societies, not otherwise specified in the Book
of Discipline. The general officers shall be amenable
to the 'Parent Board of Missions for their official
conduct, who shall have the right for cause to them
sufficient, to report them to the Board of Bishops,
who shall have the power to remove any of them
from office and fill the vacancy.
551. The general officers of the Woman's Home
and Foreign Missionary Society shall be members
of the Connectional Council and shall sit as corres¬
ponding members of the Parent Board of Missions.
If 552. The object of the Woman's Home and
Foreign Missionary Society shall be to raise money
for Home and Foreign Missions through membership
fees, pledges, entertainments, donations, soliciting de¬
vices and special occasions, but none of which methods
shall interfere with the contributions of our people
and Sunday Schools in raising the assessment of the
Charge for Missions. The money raised by the above
methods through the Society exclusively shall be for¬
warded directly to the Treasurer of the Woman's
Home and Foreign Missionary Society.
If 553. The regular business meetings of the So¬
ciety shall be held twice a year at the home of one
of the general officers who may request it. Three
256
Woman's Missionary Society. j| 555, § 1.
members shall constitute a quorum for the transac¬
tion of business. District and Annual Conference
Conventions may be held in connection with or sepa¬
rate from the Conferences, the membership to consist
of the District Presidents, a delegate and local officers
of the Societies; a general Connectional Convention
may be held at least once a quadrennium, and its
membership shall consist of the general officers of the
Society and District Presidents.
554. The District Presidents shall sit as mem¬
bers of the Society and shall be allowed a voice in
the semi-annual meetings, and any lady who will
pay into the treasury of the Society annually One
Dollar may sustain membership in the Society; any
lady paying to the Society the sum of ^Twenty Dol¬
lars at one time may be constituted a Life Member;
any lady paying to the Society the sum of One Hun¬
dred Dollars at one time may be constituted a Life
Matron.
II* Duties of Officers.
555. 1. The President shall have power to call
Special Meetings when she deems it necessary, and
shall preside at all the Meetings of the Society, sign
drafts drawn on the Treasurer and perforip all other
duties connected with the office of President. One of
the Vice-Presidents shall perform these duties in the
absence of the President.
2. The Recording Secretary shall keep a roll of the
officers of the General Board, the roll of all Life
Members and Matrons, keep the business proceedings
17 257
556. Woman's IyIissionaey Society
of the Executive Meetings and General Conventions,
and read the same on demand. She shall draw up
and sign all orders on the Treasurer for the payment
of money.
3. The Corresponding Secretary shall conduct the
Correspondence of the Society. She shall keep in
touch with Missionary Societies of other Churches
and with all the District Presidents and Organizers,
and as far as possible, with the Local Societies;
prepare the literature and programmes for the So¬
cieties and Conventions and report lier transactions
to the Executive Board, and for the Society to the
Board of Bishops, the Connectional Council and the
General Conference.
4. The Treasurer shall receive and hold all money
raised through and paid to the Society, keep an im¬
partial account of the receipts and disbursements,
but shall pay out none, except by an order properly
signed by the President and Secretary. She shall
make remittances to the Corresponding Secretary of
Missions at least two weeks prior to the semi-annual
meeting of the Board of Missions; she shall report
from time to time to the Executive Board of tHe
Society and shall make a quadrennial report to the
General Conference.
5. The Superintendent of the Juvenile Missionary
Society shall conduct the correspondence of and as¬
sist the Corresponding Secretary of the Society in pre¬
paring literature for the Juvenile Societies, and shall
make her report in common with other officers.
556. The Executive Board shall prepare appro-
258
Woman's Missionary Society, ft 559.
priate badges to be worn by the different grades of
officers and badges for the members of the different
Societies, also for the Juveniles.
557. The Missionary Seer shall be the official or¬
gan of the Societies through which reports of their
work shall be made, and the Corresponding Secretary
shall b© one of the editors of the Missionary Seer.
Ill* District Presidents*
558. Each Annual Conference shall appoint one
or more District Presidents and one or more Juvenile
Superintendents for the Woman's Home and Foreign
Missionary Society for each Presiding Elder District,
who shall by virtue of their office be members of the
general Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary So¬
ciety, and who shall superintend the organizing of
Missionary Societies within the bounds of their An¬
nual Conference and shall put forth efforts to stim¬
ulate the raising of funds for the Society by subscript
tions, pledges, entertainments, donations, soliciting
devices and special occasions.
559. The District Presidents and Superinten¬
dents shall often confer with the Bishop, Presiding
Elder and Pastor as to the best steps to take in
prosecuting their work, and shall urgently request
every pastor to organize a Society in each one of hid
churches, where they are not organized, and they shall
keep in constant correspondence with the Correspond¬
ing Secretary and the Juvenile Superintendent as to
the best methods to pursue in advancing the Mission¬
ary Cause, but they shall adopt no method that will
259
fl 560. Woman's Missionaky Society
interfere with the duty of the Pastor in carrying out
the provisions in |J 544 and |f 545 and |f 546.
|f 560. Money collected for Missions through the
Societies exclusively, and that which may be brought
to the Annual Conference for the Woman's Home and
Foreign Missionary Society or the Juvenile Society
shall be sent directly to the Treasurer of the general
Society.
561. The traveling expenses of the District
Presidents, Superintendents and Organizers shall be
paid by the Local Societies visited; where it is neces¬
sary for any of these officers to visit the Annual
Conference in order to prosecute their work their
expenses shall be paid out of the amount of Mission
money thus collected from the Societies before it ia
forwarded to the Treasurer.
|f 562. The General Executive Board may for the
good of the work appoint upon the approval of the
Bishop, Special Organizers for certain territory.
IV. Duties of Pastors and Presiding Elders.
|f 563. It shall be the duty of each Pastor,
wherever practicable, to organize a Local Woman's
Home and Foreign Missionary Society and Juvenile
Society, and the Presiding Elder shall insist from
time to time that this duty be carried out.
Local Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary
Society.
Constitution.
|f 564. For the more effectual prosecution of Mis¬
sionary work in the African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church, there shall be organized in each church
260
Woman's Missionary Society, 569.
a local Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary So¬
ciety, and Juvenile Missionary Society, which shall be
auxiliary to the general Woman's Home and Foreign
Missionary Society, and shall co-operate with the
church and Pastor in the spiritual and temporal work
of advancing the Redeemer's Kingdom, especially as it
appertains to Missions.
565. The officers of the local Woman's Home
and Foreign Missionary Society shall consist of a
President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer,
who shall be members of the African Methodist Epis¬
copal Zion Church, and shall be elected annually by
the Members of the Society, a notice of the election
to be given at least one week before the time they
are to be elected. The officers of the Juvenile Society
shall be a Superintendent, Secretary and Treasurer.
566. The officers of the Society and of the Ju¬
veniles shall be members of and shall make a report
to each Quarterly Conference of the money collected
during the quarter and the progress made in mem¬
bership, and the work accomplished generally.
567. Any lady of the African Methodist Episco¬
pal Zion Church may become a member of the So¬
ciety, and the ladies who are not members of our
Church may be admitted to membership. Gentlemen
may be admitted to honorary membership.
568. The admission fee for ladies shall be
twenty-five cents, and for gentlemen as honorary
members, fifty cents; the monthly fee shall be five
cents.
If 569. The Society shall meet at least once a
261
570. Woman's Missionary Society
month for the transaction of business, but may hold
meetings weekly for the promotion of the cause. The
Juvenile Societies shall meet once a week for mission¬
ary exercises and to report the pennies collected for
the Mission cause.
570. The Society shall devise ways and means
by which to increase its funds. It may raise money
through membership fees, pledges, entertainments, do¬
nations, soliciting devices and special occasions. All
money raised by the Societies exclusively shall go to
their credit and shall be disposed of at the end of
each quarter after the report has been made to the
Quarterly Conference, by sending directly to the
Treasurer of the Woman's Home and Foreign Mis¬
sionary Society two-thirds of the amount collected
during the quarter; the other one-third to be retained
and disposed of by each Society for local Missionary
purposes.
571 § 1. The President shall call special meet¬
ings when necessary and preside at all meetings of
the Society, sign all drafts' on the Treasurer, when
ordered by the Society, and perform all other duties
of the President. She shall be amenable to the
Quarterly Conference. The Vice-President shall per¬
form these duties in the absence of the President.
§ 2. The Secretary shall keep an exact minute of
the transactions of the Society, draw up and sign all
drafts on the Treasurer ordered by the Society, take
an account of all the money collected in the name of
the Society, make monthly reports to the Society
and quarterly reports to the Quarterly conference.
262
Woman's Missionary Society. 573.
§ 3. The Treasurer shall receive and hold all
money collected by and for the Society, and pay it
out only on drafts ordered by the Society and prop¬
erly signed by President and Secretary. She shall
make a monthly report to the Society, and a quar¬
terly report to the Quarterly Conference, and im¬
mediately after the Quarterly Conference remit
two-thirds of the money collected for the quarter
to the Treasurer of the general Woman's Home and
Foreign Missionary Society.
§ 4. There shall be a number of Marshals ap¬
pointed at the option of the Society whose duty it
shall be to assist the presiding officer in keeping
order, to seat the people attending the meetings, and
to perform other duties imposed upon them by the
President.
§ 5. The Superintendent of the Juveniles shall per¬
form all the duties of a presiding officer in the meet¬
ings held and the other officers of the Juvenile Mis¬
sionary Society shall be governed by the rules and
regulations herein outlined.
ft 572. It shall be the duty of the Pastor in charge
to see that a Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary
and a Juvenile Missionary Society is organized and
operative in each of the churches of his charge, and
the Presiding Elder shall see that this provision i9
carried out.
ft 573. A delegate shall be elected from the local
Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary Society and
the Juvenile Missionary Society, known as the "Buds
ci Promise," to attend the District and Annual Con-
263
fl 574. Woman's Missionary Society
ference Convention; the officers of both Societies shall
be members ex-officio of both the District and Annual
Conference Conventions.
574. Order of Business for Monthly Meetings.
1. President call the house to order.
2. Singing.
3. Scripture lesson.
4. Prayer and singing.
5. Calling the roll.
6. Reading of Minutes.
7. Collecting Dues.
'3. Reception of new members.
9. Report of Secretary.
10. Report of Treasurer.
11. Report of'Committees.
12. Report of subscribers to Missionary Seer.
13. Report of Communications.
14. New Business.
15 Remarks for the good of the Societies, or a
short service of Bible reading, or song and
prayer for Missions.
1G. Notices, singing and benediction.
Form of Quarterly Report.
1. Number of Societies.
2. Number of active members.
3. Number of honorary members.
4. Increase over last quarter.
5. Number of meetings held.
6. Average attendance.
7. Amount of money collected.
8. Amount sent to Treasurer last quarter.
2fi4
Varick Christian Endeavor. If 575, § 1.
9. Amount to be sent to Treasurer this quarter.
10. Amount remaining in treasury.
11. Subscribers to Missionary Seer this quarter.
CHAPTEB VII.
VARICK CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR UNION.
I. Board of Control*
575. For the promotion of intelligent and vital
piety among the young people of our Churches and
Congregation, and for the purpose of developing them
into strong, active, Christian workers, there shall
be an organization under the authority of the General
Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Cnurch, known as the Yarick Christian Endeavor
Union, and for the government of which, the Gen¬
eral Conference shall appoint a Board of Control,
consisting of all the Bishops and one Member from
ea'ClT Episcopal District who shall serve for a term
of four years, and until their successors are elected,
and whose officers shall be a President, Secretary
and Treasurer.
§ 1. The President shall have power to call special
meetings when necessary, preside over all meetings
of the Board, and perform all other duties which
appertain to the office of President.
265
|[ 575, § 2. VARICK CHRISTIAN J&JSTDEAVOB.
§ 2. The Secretary shall keep a faithful record of
all the transactions of the Board, draw up and sign
all drafts on the Treasurer, and shall report the
transactions of the Board semi-annually to the Board
of Bishops, annually to the Connectional Council, and
quadrennially to the General Conference, 84, 29, |f 92
§ 3, «, If 98 § 6.
§ 3. The Treasurer shall receive and hold the
money over and above what is required to conduct
tne business of the Union and the Varick Endeavorer,
keep an accurate account of the same, pay it out only
on drafts properly signed by the President and Sec¬
retary, and shall report his receipts and disburse¬
ments in the same manner as the Secretary.
576. The regular meetings of the Board of
Control shall be annually at the time and place of
the meeting of the Connectional Council; special
meetings may be called at the discretion of the
President. When meeting alone five Members of
the Board shall constitute a quorum for the trans¬
action of business.
577. The Board of Control, under the advice
of the General Conference, shall have the authority
to regulate and pay the salary, and the office and
official traveling expenses of the Secretary of the
Union and the Editor of the Varick Endeavorer out
of the money received from their respective posi¬
tions; the balance remaining shall be used for the
mission cause.
578. The Union through its Secretary shall is¬
sue Charters for each Varick Endeavor Society which
266
Varick: Christian Endeavor, 581,
shall contain the portrait of the founder of tiie
Church.
If 579. All the Young People's Societies of Chris¬
tian Endeavor existing in our Churches, or which
may hereafter be organized and approved by the
Quarterly Conference of the Charge, shall be known
as Varick Christian Endeavor Societies, and shall be
auxiliaries to the Varick Christian Endeavor Union.
|f 580. The Union shall put forth efforts to pro¬
mote intelligent and vital piety among the young
Members of the Church, to aid them in becoming
strong, active, Christian workers, and for this pur¬
pose it shall publish and supply the Varick Chris¬
tian Endeavor Societies with the necessary literature
for the proper conducting of their services and busi¬
ness affairs. The official organ of the Union shall be
the Varick Endeavorer, ft 454, 5.
581. The Varick Christian Endeavor Union shall
be maintained principally by the means accruing
from the sale of literature and special donations,
but in order to assist in its maintenance, and to
stimulate a mutual interest in the Societies, the an¬
niversary of the Union shall be observed annually
in the month of May by all the Societies, and the
collection taken during the anniversary exercises shall
be forwarded to the Treasurer of the Board, and
accredited to the Society and Church. Should there
be no Varick Christian Endeavor Society existing in
the local Church, then the Pastor shall be required
to lift a collection during the month of May, and for¬
ward it to the Treasurer of the Board.
267
tf 582, Varick Christian Endeavor.
II* Secretary of the Union*
582. The General Conferenec shall elect a Secre¬
tary of the Yarick Christian Endeavor Union whose
tenure of office shall be for four years and until his
successor is elected. He shall be the chief executive
officer of the Varick Christian Endeavor Union, and
shall, under the direction of the Board of Control,
and the provisions of the Discipline conduct the cor¬
respondence, and have the general oversight of the
Union and all Young People's Societies, and shall
prepare all literature, select and approve of all re¬
quisites necessary for the use of the Societies.
583. The Secretary shall travel and deliver lec¬
tures whenever practicable and assist the Pastors in
organizing Societies.
584. The Secretary of the Union shall render a
semi-annual report to the Board of Control and the
Board of Bishops, an annual report to the Connec-
tional Council, and a quadrennial report to the Gen¬
eral Conference of his receipts, disbursements, travels,
lectures, number of the Societies, the number be¬
longing to the Societies, and all other items of in¬
terest, ff 84 § 28, 92 § 3, 6, 98 § 6.
|f 585. The Secretary shall be allowed a reason¬
able compensation for his services out of the fund9
of the Union and also his office and official traveling
expenses as provided in 577; he shall pay the bal¬
ance over into the hands of the Treasurer of the
Board.
586. The Secretary shall be amenable for his
official conduct to the Board of Control which shall
268
Varick Christian Endeavor, ft 590,
have the right for cause to them sufficient, to report
him to the Board of Bishops, who shall have the
power to remove him from office and fill the vacancy,
tf 92 § 6.
IE. Editor of the Varick Endeavorer.
587. The General Conference shall elect an
Editor of the VaricJc Endeavorer, whose tenure of
office shall be for four years and until his successor
is elected.
588. The Editor of the Varick Endeavorer shall
report semi-annually to the Board of Control and the
Board of Bishops, annually to the Connectional
Council and quadrennially to the General Confer¬
ence.
589. The Editor of the Varick Endeavorer shall
be amenable for his official conduct, doctrines, state*
ments, and utterances to the Board of Publication,
who shall have the right, for cause to them sufficient,
to report him to the Board of Bishops, who shall
have the power to remove him from office and fill
the vacancy according to 92 § 6, ft 452.
IV. Annual Conference Vice-President of the Union.
590. The Annual Conference may at its discre¬
tion appoint a Vice-President of the Varick Christian
Endeavor Union, who shall co-operate with the Secre¬
tary, Presiding Elders and Pastors in organizing
Varick Christian Endeavor Societies, within the
bounds of the Annual Conference, stimulating an in¬
terest in those already organized, and in holding
263a
ft 591, Varick: Christian Endeavor.
District or Annual Conference Conventions whenever
practicable.
V. Duties of Pastors and Presiding Elders.
591. It shall be the duty of the Pastor in Charge
to organize a Varick Christian Endeavor Society in
each Church of his Charge, and to co-operate with
the Executive Board in supplying the Society with
the proper Charter and literature, to see that the
anniversary is- observed in the month of May, and
that a collection is taken at the time and sent to
the Treasurer of the Board.
592. It shall be the duty of the Presiding Elder
to bring the subject of Varick Christian Endeavor
Societies before the Quarterly Conference, and at the
first Quarterly Conference of the year, the President
of the local Society shall be confirmed or rejected at
the discretion of the Conference.
MODEL CONSTITUTION FOR LOCAL SOCIETIES.
ARTICLE i. NAME.
593. This organization shall be known as the
Varick Christian Endeavor Society of the African
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and shall be auxil¬
iary to the Varick Christian Endeavor Union.
268b
Varick Christian Endeavor. 595.
article ii. object.
]f 594. The object of the Society shall be to pro¬
mote intelligent and vital piety and an earnest
Christian life in its Members, to increase their mu¬
tual acquaintance, to develop them into useful and
active service to God, and to encourage devotional
culture and denominational upbuilding.
article iii. membership.
][ 505. The Members of the Society shall consist
of three classes, namely : Active, Associate, and Af¬
filiated or Honorary.
1. Active Members. The Active Members shall con¬
sist of all young persons who believe themselves to
be Christians, and who sincerely desire to accomplish
the object above specified. Voting power shall be
vested only in the Active Members.
2. Associate Members. All young persons of worthy
character who are not at present willing to be consid¬
ered Christians, may become Associate Members. They
shall have the special prayers and sympathy of the
Active Members, but shall be excused from taking
part in any prayer meeting or business meeting. It
is expected that all Associate Members will habitually
attend the prayer meetings and that they will in
time become Active Members. The Society will
work to this end.
3. Affiliated or Honorary Members. All persons of
worthy character, although no longer young, who are
interested in the Society, and who wish to have some
connection with it, though they cannot regularly
269
596. Varick Christian Endeavor.
attend the meetings, may become Affiliated Members;
their names shall be kept on a list under the appro¬
priate heading, but shall not be called at roll-call
meetings.
article iy. officers and their duties.
^ 596. The officers of the Yarick Christian En¬
deavor Society shall be a President, Vice-President,
Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and
Treasurer, who shall be chosen from among the
Active Members, and who shall be elected annually.
\ 1. President. The President shall perform the
duties which usually appertain to that office. He
shall keep special watch over the interest of the
Society, and shall be careful to see that the different
officers and committees perform the duties devolving
upon them. He shall be Chairman of the Executive
Committee, and shall render a report to each Quar¬
terly Conference, and an annual report at the last
Quarterly Conference of the year of the spiritual,
numerical and financial condition of the Society.
The Vice-President shall perform the duties in the
absence of the President.
§ 2. Recording Secretary. It shall be the duty of
the Recording Secretary to keep a record of the
Members, to correct it from time to time, as may be
necessary, and to obtain the signature of each newly
elected Member to the Constitution; also to corre¬
spond with absent Members, and to inform them of
their standing in the Society, and keep_ a correct
minute of all business meetings of the Society; to
Vakick Christian Endeavor. ■[[ 597, § 1.
notify all persons of their election to office or to com¬
mittees, and to do so in writing if necessary. He
shall render a monthly report to the Executive
Board.
§ 3. Corresponding Secretary. It shall be the duty
of the Corresponding Secretary to keep the Local
Society in communication with the Varick Christian
Endeavor Union and with other local Societies; and
to present to his own Society such matters of interest
as may come from the Varick Christian Endeavor
Union, from other local Societies, and from author¬
ized sources of Christian Endeavor information. This
office shall be permanent, and the name shall be for¬
warded to the Varick Christian Endeavor Union.
\ 4. Treasurer. It shall be the duty of the Treas¬
urer to receive and hold all the money belonging to
the Society, and to pay it out only on orders properly
drawn, bearing the signatures of the President and
Secretary.
article v. committees and their duties.
T[ 597. There shall be an Executive, Look-out,
Prayer Meeting, and Social Committee, and such
other Committees as the local needs of the Society
may require, and each, except the Executive Com¬
mittee, shall consist of five Members, and shall make
a written report to the Society at the monthly busi¬
ness meeting concerning the work of the past month.
They shall be elected annually at the same time the
officers are elected.
i 1. Executive Committee. The Executive Com-
271
•f[ 597, § 2. Varick Christian Endeavor.
mittee shall consist of the Pastor in Charge, the
officers of the Society, and the Chairman of each
committee. All matters of business requiring debate
shall first be brought before this committee, and by
it reported to the Society, either favorably or ad¬
versely. All discussions or proposed measures shall
take place before this committee, instead of the
Society. Recommendations concerning the finance
of the Society shall also originate with this com¬
mittee.
\ 2. Look-out Committee. It shall be the duty of
this committee to seek for and bring new Members
into the Society, to introduce them to the work and
to the other Members, and to affectionately look after
and reclaim any that seem indifferent to their duties
as outlined in the pledge. This committee shall also
by personal investigation, satisfy itself of the fitness
of young persons to become Members of the Society,
and shall propose their names at least once a week
before their election to membership.
I 3. Prayer Meeting Committee. It shall be the
duty of this committee to have in charge the Prayer
Meetings, and to see that a topic is assigned, and a
Leader appointed for every meeting, and to do what
it can to secure the faithfulness to the Prayer Meet¬
ing pledge.
\ 4. Social Committee. It shall be the duty of this
committee to promote the social interest of the So¬
ciety by welcoming strangers to the Meetings, and
by providing for the mutual acquaintance of the
Members by occasional sociables, for which any
27 2
Varick Christian Endeavor. 598, § 2.
appropriate entertainment of which the Church
approves, may be provided.
article vi. regular meetings.
598. § 1. The Prayer Meeting. All the Active
Members shall be present at every Prayer Meeting
unless detained by some absolute necessity, and each
Active Member shall take some part, however slight,
in every meeting. To the above all Active Members
shall pledge themselves, understanding by absolute
necessity, some reason for absence which can be con¬
scientiously given to their Master, Jesus Christ.
§ 2. The Consecration Meeting. Once each month
a Consecration Meeting shall be held, at which time
Active Members shall renew their vows of consecra¬
tion. If a Member wish, he can express his feelings
by an appropriate verse or a Scriptural quotation.
(1) At each Consecration Meeting the roll shall
be called and the responses of the Active Members
shall be considered as renewed expressions of alle¬
giance to Christ. It is expected if any one is obliged
to be absent from the meeting he will send a message,
or at least a verse of Scripture to be read in response
to his name at the roll-call.
(2) If any Active Member of this Society be
absent from the monthly meeting, and fail to send
a message, the Look-out Committee is expected to
take the name of such a one, and in a kindly and
brotherly spirit ascertain the reason for the absence.
If any Active Member of the Society is absent and
unexcused from three consecutive monthly meetings,
18 273
IT 598, § 3. Varick Christian Endeavor.
such a one ceases to be a Member of the Society, and
his name shall be stricken from the list of the
Members.
(3) Any Associate Member who without good rea¬
son is regularly absent from the Prayer Meetings,
and shows no interest whatever in the work of the
Society, he may, upon recommendation of the Look¬
out Committee and Pastor, be dropped from the roll
of Members.
§ 3. Business Meetings and Elections. Business
Meetings may be held at the close of the Prayer
Meeting, or at any other time in accordance with the
call of the President. The election of the officers
and Committees shall be held annually (officers may
be elected every six months). Names may be pro¬
posed by a nominating committee appointed by the
President for the purpose, of which the Pastor shall
be a Member ex-officio.
article vii. relation of the society to the
church.
1T 599. This Society being a part of the Church,
it owes allegiance only and altogether to the Church
to which it is connected. The Pastor and all Church
officials, if not Active Members, shall be ex-officio
Honorary Members. Any difficult question shall be
laid before them for advice, and their decision shall
be final. It is to be understood that the nomination
of officers or other action taken by the Society shall
be subject to revision or veto by the Church; that in
every way the Society shall be under the control of
274
Varick Christian Endeavor. 601.
the Official Board of the Church and the Quarterly
Conference of the Charge.
article viii. relation of the junior society.
T[ 600. The Young People's Society of Christian
Endeavor and Junior Society being united by the
ties of closest sympathy and common effort, monthly
(or at least annual) reports shall be read to the Senior
Yarick Christian Endeavor by the Junior Superin¬
tendent. When the boys and the girls reach the age
of fifteen, they shall be transferred to the Senior
Society. Special pains shall be taken to see that a
share of the duties and responsibilities of the Prayer
Meeting and of the general work of the Society be
borne by the younger Members.
article ix. fellowship.
IF 601. This Society while owing allegiance only
to its own Church is united by ties of spiritual fel¬
lowship with other Endeavor Societies the world
round. This fellowship is based upon a common
love for Christ, by a common pledge and common
methods of work, and is guaranteed by a common
name "Christian Endeavor," with our denomina¬
tional name Yarick attached; by this we do not
interfere with the relations of the Societies to the
Local Unions. Our main object for having a de¬
nominational name is for denominational upbuilding.
This Society may be promoted by Local Union
Meetings, Conferences, National Congress, or Varick
Christian Endeavor Conventions; also by informa-
.275
% 602. Varick Christian Endeavor.
tion and encouragement given by the Bishops, Gen¬
eral Officers, Presiding Elders, and Pastors of the
Church, all of whom are ex-officio Honorary Mem¬
bers.
article x. transfer of membership.
If 602. Since it would in the end defeat the very
object of our organization if the older Active
Members who have been trained in the Society for
usefulness in the Church, remain content with fulfill¬
ing their pledges to the Society only, therefore it is
expected that the older Members, when it shall be¬
come impossible for them to attend the weekly Prayer
Meetings, they shall be transferred to Affiliated
Membership in the Society, if previously faithful to
their vows as Active Members. This transfer, how¬
ever, shall be made with the understanding that the
obligation to faithful service shall still be binding
upon them in the regular Churcli Prayer Meeting.
It shall be left to the Look-out Committee in conjunc¬
tion with the Pastor, to see that the transfer of mem¬
bership is made as occasion may require.
article xi. "withdrawals,
If 60S. Any Member who may wish to withdraw
from the Society, shall state the reason to the Look¬
out Committee and the Pastor, and if these reasons
seem sufficient, he may be allowed to withdraw.
article xii. amendments.
604. This Constitution may be amended at any
276
Varick Christian Endeavor. 604.
regular business meeting by a two-thirds vote of the
entire Active Membership of the Society, provided
that a written statement of the proposed amendment
shall have been read to the Society, and deposited,
with the Secretary at the regular business meeting
next preceding; provided that no alteration shall be
made that will interfere or abridge the authority of
the Church over the Society.
Form of the President's Quarterly Report,
1. Number- of Yarick Christian Endeavor So¬
cieties.
2. Number of Active Members.
3. Number of Associate Members.
4. Number of Honorary Members.
5. Number of Active and Honorary Members who
are not Members of our Church.
6. Number of Junior Societies.
7. Number of Members in Junior Societies.
8. Whole number in both Senior and Junior So¬
cieties.
9. Increase over last quarter . Decrease .
10. Average attendance*
11. Number of times the Pastor has instructed the
Society.
12. Number of bound volumes in Library.
13.. Amount raised by the Senior Society.
14. Amount raised by the Junior Society.
15. Total amount raised by both Societies.
16. Amount expended.
17. Amount in hand.
277
H 605. Ministerial Brotherhood.
18. Amount raised for Missions.
19. Amount forwarded to the Presideut of the
Union.
278
part viil
The Ritual
I. BAPTISM.
II. RECEPTION OF MEMBERS.
III. THE LORD'S SUPPER.
IV. MATRIMONY.
V. BURIAL OF THE DEAD.
VI. CONSECRATION AND ORDINA¬
TIONS.
VII. CORNER STONE AND DEDICATION.
Baptism.
IT 618.
CHAPTER I.
BAPTISM.
U" CIS. Baptism of Infants.
The minister, coming to the Font, which is to be filled
with pure water, shall use the following:
Dearly Beloved: Forasmuch as all men are
conceived and born in sin, and that our Saviour
Christ saith, Except a man be born of water and of
the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God,
I beseech you to call upon God the Father, through
our Lord Jesus Christ, that having of his bounteous
mercy redeemed this child by the blood of his Son,
he will grant that he, being baptized with water, may
be also baptized with the Holy Ghost, be received
into Christ's holy Church, and become a lively Mem¬
ber of the same.
Then shall the Minister say:
Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, who of thy great
mercy hast condescended to enter into covenant rela¬
tions with man, wherein thou hast included children
as partakers of its gracious benefits, declaring that
of such is the kingdom of God; and in thine
ancient Church didst appoint divers baptisms, fig¬
uring thereby the renewing of the Holy Ghost;-and
by thy well-beloved Son Jesus Christ gayest com-
1[618.
Baptism.
xnandment to thy holy Apostles to go into all the
world and disciple all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost:
we beseech thee that out of thine infinite mercy thou
wilt look upon this child; wash and sanctify him; that
he, being saved by thy grace, may be received into
Christ's holy Church, and being steadfast in faith,
joyful through hope, and rooted in love, may so
overcome the evils of this present world that finally
he may attain to everlasting life, and reign with thee,
world without end, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
O merciful God, grant that all carnal affections may
die in him, and that all things belonging to the Spirit
may live and grow in him. Amen.
Grant that he may have power and strength to
have victory, and to triumph against the devil, the
world, and the flesh. Amen.
Grant that whosoever is dedicated to thee by our
office and ministry may also be endowed with heavenly
virtue and everlastingly rewarded through thy mercy,
O blessed Lord God, who dost live and govern all
things, world without end. Amen.
Almighty, everlasting God, whose most dearly
beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of our
sins, did shed out of his side both water and blood,
regard, we beseech thee, our supplications; sanctify
this water for this holy Sacrament, and grant
that this child, now to be baptized, may receive
the fullness of thy grace, and ever remain in the
286
Baptism.
H618.
number of thy faithful and elect children, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then shall the Minister address the Parents or Guardians
as follows:
Dearly Beloved: Forasmuch as this child is now
presented by you for Christian Baptism, you must
remember that it is your part and duty to see that he
be taught, as soon as he is able to learn, the nature
and end of this holy Sacrament, and that he may
know these things the better you shall call upon him
to give reverent attendance upon the appointed means of
grace, such as the ministry of the word and the
public and private worship of God; and further, ye
shall provide that he shall read the Holy Scriptures,
and learn the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments,
the Apostles' Creed, the Catechism, and all other
things which a Christian ought to know and believe
to his soul's health, in order that he may be brought
up to lead a virtuous and holy life, remembering
always that Baptism doth represent unto us that
inward purity which disposeth us to follow the ex¬
ample of our Saviour Christ; that as he died and
rose again for us, so should we, who are baptized, die
unto sin and rise again unto righteousness, contin¬
ually mortifying all corrupt affections, and daily
proceeding in all virtue and godliness.
Do you therefore solemnly engage to fulfill these
duties, so far as in you lies, the Lord being your
helper?
Ans. We do.
287
■V618.
Baptism.
Then shall the People stand up, and the Minister shall
say:
Hear ye the words of the Gospel, written by St.
Mark. [Chap, x, 13-16.]
They brought young children to Christ, that he
should touch them ; and his disciples rebuked those
that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was
much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little
children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for
of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto
you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of
God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And
lie took them up in his arms, put his hands upon
them, and blessed them.
A verse may be sung.
Then the Minister shall take the Child into his arms,
and say to the Parents of the Child :
Name this child.
And then, naming the Child after them, he shall sprinkle
or pour Water upon it, or, if desired, dip it in Water,
Hay ing :
N., I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then shall the Minister offer the following Prayer, the
People kneeling:
O God of infinite mercy, the Father of all the
faithful seed, be pleased to grant unto this child an
understanding mind and a sanctified heart. May thy
providence lead him through the dangers, tempta¬
tions, and ignorance of his youth; that he. may never
Baptism.
1| 619.
run into folly, nor into the evils of an unbridled
appetite. We pray thee so to order the course of
his life that by good education, by holy examples, and
by thy restraining grace, he may be led to serve thee
faithfully all his days, so that, when he has glorified
thee in his generation and has served the Church on
earth, he may be received into thine eternal king¬
dom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty and most merciful Father, let thy loving-
kindness and compassion descend upon these, thy
servant and handmaiden, the parents [or guardians] of
this child. Grant unto them, we beseech thee, the
Holy Spirit, that they may, like Abraham, command
their household to keep the way of the Lord. Direct
their actions and sanctify their hearts, words, and
purposes; that their whole family may be united to
our Lord Jesus Christ in the bands of faith, obedi¬
ence, and charity, and that they all, being in this life
thy holy children by adoption and grace, may be ad¬
mitted into the Church of the first-born in heaven,
through the merits of thy dear Son, our Saviour and
Eedeemer. Amen.
619. Baptism of Adults.
The Minister shall use the folloiving in administering
this holy Sacrament:
Dearly Beloved: Forasmuch as all men are
conceived and born in sin, and that which is born of
the flesh is flesh, and they that are in the flesh can¬
not please God, but live in sin, committing many
19 289
% 619.
Baptism.
actual transgressions, and that our Saviour Christ
saith, None can enter into the kingdom of God
except he be regenerated and born aneiv of water
and the Holy Ghost: I beseech you to call upon God
the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that of
his bounteous goodness he will grant to these persons
that theij may be baptized with water and the Holy
Ghost, be received into Christ's holy Church, and
be made lively Members of the same.
Then shall the Minister say, standing :
Almighty and immortal God, the aid of all that
need, the help of all that flee to thee for succor, the
life of them that believe, and the resurrection of the
dead, we call upon thee for these persons, now com¬
ing to thy holy Baptism. Receive them, O Lord, as
thou hast promised by thy well-beloved Son, saying,
Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find ;
knock, and it shall be opened unto you : so give now
unto us that ask; let us that seek find; open the
gate unto us that knock: that these persons may
enjoy the everlasting benediction of thy heavenly
washing, and may come to the eternal kingdom which
thou hast promised by Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty and everlasting Gt)d, our heavenly
Father, we give thee humble thanks, for that thou
hast vouchsafed to call us to the knowledge of thy
grace and faith in thee. Increase this knowledge,
and confirm this faith in us evermore. Give thy
Holy Spirit to these persons, that they may be made
heirs of everlasting salvation, through our Lord
Baptism.
IT 619.
Jesus Christ, who liveth &nd reigneth with thee and
the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Afnen.
Then shall the People stand up, and the Minister shall say:
Hear the words of the Gospel, written by St. John.
[Chap, iii, 1-8.]
There was a man of the Pharisees named Nico-
demus, a ruler of the Jews ; the same came to Jesus
by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that
thou art a teacher come from God; for no man can
do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with
him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily,
verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again,
he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith
unto him, How can a man be born when he is old?
Can he enter the second time into his mother's
womb, and be born ? Jesus answered, Verily, verily,
I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and
of the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of
God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and
that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel
not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest
the sound thereof; but canst not tell whence it
cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that
is born of the Spirit.
Then shall the Minister speak to the Persons to be bap¬
tized, as follows :
Well Beloved, who have come hither desiring to
receive holy Baptism, ye have heard how the Congre-
291
11619.
Baptism.
gation hath prayed for you, that our Lord Jesus
Christ would vouchsafe to receive you and bless you,
to release you from your sins, to give you the king¬
dom of heaven, and everlasting life. And our Lord
Jesus Christ hath promised, in his holy word, to
grant all those things we have prayed for, which
promise he, for his part, will most surely keep and
perform. Wherefore, after this promise, made by
Christ, you must also faithfully, for your part, prom¬
ise, in the presence of this whole Congregation, that
you will renounce the devil and all his works, and
constantly believe God's holy word, and obediently
keep his commandments.
Then shall the Minister demand of each Person to be bap'
tized, severally, the following questions :
Quest. Do you renounce the devil and all his works,
the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all cove¬
tous desires of the same, and the carnal desires of the
flesh, so that you will not follow nor be led by them ?
Ans. I renounce them all.
Quests Do you believe in God the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his
only begotten Son our Lord; and that he was con¬
ceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary;
that he suffered under Pontius PiLate, was crucified,
died, and was buried ; that he arose again the third
day; that he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at
the right -hand of God the Father Almighty; and
from thence shall come, at the end of the world, to
judge the living and the dead? And do you believe
Baptism.
IT 619.
in the Holy Ghost; the holy Catholic* Church, the
communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the
resurrection of the body; and everlasting life after
death ?
Ans. All this I steadfastly believe.
Quest. Will you be baptized in this faith?
Ans. That is my desire.
Quest. Will you obediently keep God's holy will
and commandments, and walk in them all the days
of your life?
Ans. I will endeavor so to do, God being my
helper.
Then shall the Minister pray, kneeling :
O merciful God, grant that the old Adam in these
persons may be so buried that the new man may be
raised up in them. Amen.
Grant that all carnal affections may die in them,
and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live
and grow in them. Amen.
Grant that they may have power and strength to
have victory, and to triumph against the devil, the
world, and the flesh. Amen.
' Grant that they, being here dedicated to thee by
our office and ministry, may also be endued with
heavenly virtues, and everlastingly rewarded, through
thy mercy, O blessed Lord God, who dost live and
govern all things, world without end. Amen.
Almighty, everliving God, whose most dearly
beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of our
sins, did shed out of his most precious side both
* The one universal Church of Christ.
293
IT 619.
Baptism.
water and blood, and gave commandment to his dis¬
ciples, that they should go teach all nations, and
baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the
Son, and of the Holy Ghost, regard, we beseech thee,
the supplications of this Congregation, and grant
that the persons now to be baptized may receive the
fullness of thy grace, and ever remain in the number
of thy faithful and elect children, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
A short hymn may be sung.
Then the Minister shall baptize them with Tfafer, either
by sprinkling, pouring, or dipping, according to their
request, saying :
N., I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then shall the Minister, kneeling, offer the Lord's
Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy
name. Thy kingdoni come. Thy will be done in
earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread: and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive
them that trespass against its : and lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.
294
Reception or Members. 620.
CHAPTER II.
RECEPTION OF MEMBERS.
^ 620. Form for Receiving Persons Into the Church
on Probation.
Those who are to be received into the Church as Proba¬
tioners shall be called forward by name, and the Min¬
ister, addressing the Congregation, shall say:
Dearly Beloved Brethren: That none may
be admitted hastily into the Church, it is our custom
to receive all persons seeking fellowship with us on
profession of faith, into a preparatory membership on
trial, during which time such persons may have op¬
portunity to become acquainted with the Rules and
Doctrines of our Church ; and the Church may learn
the sincerity and depth of the motives which prompt
them to seek such fellowship.
The persons before you desire to be received on
Probation, and it is needful for me to remind you that
your lives should be holy examples to them, that they
may take no detriment from you. but that through
your help they may have reason to give thanks to
God that they were led into this fellowship.
Then, addressing the Persons to be received on Proba¬
tion, the Minister shall say :
Dearly Beloved: You have by the grace of God
made your decision to follow Christ and to serve him,
29p
621. Reception of Members.
which decision we trust is not based upon any
worthiness in yourselves, but solely on the merits of
our Lord Jesus Christ, and on his death and inter¬
cession for us.
That the Church may know your purpose, you will
answer the questions I am now to ask you.
Have you an earnest desire to be saved from your
sins?
Ans. I have.
Will you guard yourself against all things contrary
to the teaching of God's word, and endeavor to lead a
holy life, following the commandments of God ?
Ans. I will endeavor so to do.
Are you purposed to give reverent attendance upon
the appointed means of grace in the ministry of the
word, and in the private and public worship of God?
Ans. I am so determined, with the help of God.
The Minister shall then announce that the Candidates
are received on Probation, and shall assign them to
classes. He may then offer a short extemporary
Prayer.
If 621. Form for Receiving Persons into the Church after
Probation.
Dearly Beloved Brethren: The Scriptures
teach us that the Church is the household of God,
the body of which Christ is the head; and that it is
the design of the Gospel to bring together in one all
who are in Christ. The fellowship of the Church is
the communion that its Members enjoy one with an¬
other. The ends of this fellowship are the mainte-
296
Reception op Members. 621.
nance of sound doctrine and of the ordinances of
Christian worship, the exercise of that power of godly
admonition and discipline which Christ has com¬
mitted to his Church for the promotion of holiness.
It is the duty of all men to unite in fellowship, for it
is only those that " be planted in the house of the
. Lord that shall flourish in the courts of our God."
Its more particular duties are to promote peace and
unity, to bear one another's burdens, to seek the in¬
timacy of friendly society among themselves, to con¬
tinue steadfast in the faith and worship of the Gospel,
and to pray and sympathize with each other. Among
its privileges are peculiar incitements to holiness
from the hearing of God's word and sharing in
Christ's ordinances, the being placed under the watch¬
ful care of Pastors, and the enjoyment of the blessings
which are promised only to those who are of the
household of faith. Into this holy fellowship the
persons before you, who have already received the
Sacrament of Baptism and have been under the care
of proper Leaders on Trial, come seeking admission.
We now propose in the fear of God to question them
as to their faith and purpose, that you may know
that they are proper persons to be admitted into the
Church.
Then, addressing the applicants for admission, the
Minister shall say :
Dearly Beloved: You are come hither seeking the
great privilege of union with the Church our Saviour
has purchased with his own blood. We rejoice in
297
^7 621. Reception of Members.
the grace of God vouchsafed unto you, in that he has
called you to be his followers, and that thus far you
have run well. You have heard how blessed are the
privileges and how solemn are the duties of member¬
ship in Christ's Church; and before you are fully
admitted thereto it is proper that you do here pub¬
licly renew your vows, confess your faith, and declare
your purpose, by answering the following questions :
Quest, Do you here, in the presence of God and
this Congregation, make the solemn promise contained
in the Baptismal Covenant, ratifying and confirming
the same, and acknowledging yourselves bound faith¬
fully to observe and keep that Covenant ?
Ans. I do.
Quest. Have you saving faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ ?
Ans. I have.
Quest. Do you believe in the Doctrines of the Holy
Scriptures as set forth in the Articles of Religion of
the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church ?
Ans. I do.
Quest. Will you cheerfully be governed by the Rules
of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church,
hold sacred the Ordinances of God, and endeavor, as
much as in you lies, to promote the welfare of the
Redeemer's kingdom ?
Ans. I will.
Quest. Will you cherish friendly feelings toward
all persons, as far as possible, especially toward the
Members of the Church ?
Ans. I will.
298
Reception of Members. 621.
Quest. Will you contribute of your earthly, sub¬
stance, according to your ability, to the support of the
Gospel and the various benevolent enterprises of the
Church ?
Ans. I will.
Then the Minister, addressing the Church, shall say:
Brethren, you have heard the responses given to
our inquiries. Have any of you reason to allege why
these persons should not be received into Full Con¬
nection in the Church?
No objection being alleged, the Minister shall say to the
Candidate :
We welcome you to the communion of the Church
of God, and in testimony of our Christian affection
and the cordiality with which we receive you, I hereby
extend to you the right hand of fellowship; and may
God grant that you may be faithful and useful Mem¬
bers of the Church militant till you are called to the
fellowship of the Church triumphant, which is " with¬
out fault before the throne of God."
299
622. The Lord's Supper.
CHAPTER- III.
THE LORD'S SUPPER.
IT 622. The Order for the Administration of the Lord's
Supper.
The Elder shall say one or more of these Sentences, dur¬
ing the reading of which the Persons appointed for
that purpose shall receive the Alms for the Poor :
Let your light so shine before men, that they may
see your good works, and glorify your Father which
is in heaven. [Matt, v, 16.]
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth,
where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves
break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust
doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through
nor steal. [Matt, vi, 19, 20,]
Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you,
do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the
prophets. [Matt, vii, 12.]
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall
enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that
doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
[Matt, vii, 21.]
Zaccheus stood and said unto the Lord, Behold,
Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and
if I have taken any thing from any man by false
accusation, I restore him fourfold. [Luke xix, 8.J
300
The Lord's Supper.
622.
He which soweth sparingly shall reap also spar¬
ingly ; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also
bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth
in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of
necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. [2 Cor.
ix, 6, 7.]
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good
to all men, especially unto them who are of the house¬
hold of faith. [Gal. vi, 10.]
Godliness with contentment is great gain ; for we
brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we
can carry nothing out. [1 Tim. vi, 6, 7.]
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they
be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches,
but in the living God, who giveth richly all things
to enjoy; that they do good, that they be rich in
good works, ready to distribute, willing to communi¬
cate ; laying up in store for themselves a good foun¬
dation against the time to come, that they may lay hold
on eternal life. [1 Tim. vi, 17-19.]
God is not unrighteous to forget your work and
labor of love, which ye have showed toward -his
name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and
do minister. [Heb. vi, 10.]
To do good and to communicate, forget not; for
with such sacrifices God is well pleased. [Heb. xiii,
16.]
Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother
have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion
from him, how dwelleth the love of . God in him?
[1 John iii, 17.]
L 301
f 622.
The Lord's Supper.
He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth to the
Lord; and that which he hath given he will pay him
again. [Prov. xix, 17.]
Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the Lord
will deliver hirn in time of trouble. [Psa. xli, 1.]
After which the Elder shall give the following Invitation,
the People standing :
If any man sin, we have an Advocate with the
Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: and he is the
propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but
for the sins of the whole world.
Wherefore ye that do truly and earnestly repent
of your sins, and are in love and charity with your
neighbors, and intend to lead a new life, following
the commandments of God, and walking from hence¬
forth in his holy way; draw near with faith, and
take the holy Sacrament to your comfort: and,
devoutly kneeling, make your humble confession to
Almighty God.
Then this general Confession shall be made by the Minu¬
ter, and by all those who are minded to receive the
Holy Communion, both he and all the People devoutly
kneeling and saying:
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Maker of all things, Judge of all men, we acknowl¬
edge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness,
which we from time to time most grievously have
committed, by thought, word, and deed, against thy
Divine Majesty, provoking most justly thy wrath
The Lord's Supper. 622.
and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent,
and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; the
remembrance of them is grievous unto us. Have
mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful
Father; for thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ's sake,
forgive us all that is past; and grant that we may
ever hereafter serve and please thee in newness of
life, to the honor and glory of thy name, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then shall the Elder say :
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of thy
great mercy hast promised forgiveness of sins to all
them that with hearty repentance and true faith
turn unto thee, have mercy upon us, pardon and
deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen
us in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting life
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Collect.
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all
desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid,
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration
of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee,
and worthily magnify thy holy name, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then shall the Elder say :
We do not presume to come to this thy holy table;
0 merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness,
but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not
worthv so much as to gather up the crumbs under
303
IT 622.
The Lord's Supper.
thy table; but thou art the same Lord, whose prop¬
erty is always to have mercy: grant us, therefore,
gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son,
Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood, that we may
live and grow thereby, and that, being washed
through his most precious blood, we may evermore
dwell in him, and he in us. Amen.
The Prayer of Consecration shall then be said by the
Elder :
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of thy
tender mercy didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ
to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption;
who made there, by his oblation of himself once
offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation,
and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world; and
did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to
continue, a perpetual memory of his precious death
until his coming again: hear us, O merciful Father,
we humbly beseech thee, and grant that we, receiving
these thy creatures of bread and wine, according to
thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ's holy institution,
in remembrance of his death and passion, may be
partakers of his most blessed body and blood, who, in
(1) Here the Elder the same night he was betrayed,
may take the plate of took bread (i), and when he had
bread in his hand. . , . . . .
/n. „ . ■ „ given thanks he broke it, (2) and
(2) Here he may ° . ' v '
take the bread and gave it to his disciples, saying,
break it. Take, eat; this is my body (3)
pu't h^hanSs6 ofan which is Siven for 3'°u J do this
the bread. in remembrance of me.
304
The Lord's Supper.
If 622.
Likewise after supper he took (4) Here he may
(4) the cup; and when he had J^the cup in Ma
given thanks, he gave it to them, (5) Here he shall put
saying, Drink ye all of this; (5) his hands on all the
for this is my blood of the new vesse\s containing
testament, which is shed for you, the wine*
and for many, for the remission of sins; do this, as
oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. Amen.
Then shall the Minister receive the Communion in both
kinds himself, and proceed to deliver the same to the
other Ministers, if any be present; after which he
shall say:
It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that
we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks
unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, Almighty, Everlast¬
ing God. Therefore, with angels and archangels, and
all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy
glorious name, evermore praising thee, and saying,
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and
earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord
most high. Amen.
The Minister shall then proceed to administer the Com¬
munion to the People in order, they kneeling; and
when he delivereth the Bread he shall say :
The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was
given for thee, preserve thy soul and body unto ever¬
lasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that
Christ died for thee, and feed on him in thy heart by
faith, with thanksgiving.
20 305
622. The Lord s teuppER.
The Minister that delivereth the Cup shall say :
The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was
shed for thee, preserve thy soul and body unto ever¬
lasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ's
blood was shed for thee, and be thankful.
[Note.—If the Consecrated bread or wine be all spent before
all have communed, the Elder may Consecrate more by repeat¬
ing the Prayer of Consecration.]
When all have communed the Minister shall return to the
Lord's table and place upon it what remaineth of the
Consecrated elements, covering them with a fair linen
cloth.
The Elder shall then say the Lord's Prayer, all kneeling,
and repeating after him each petition :
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy
name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in
earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread: and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive
them that trespass against us: and lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.
After which the following shall be said:
O Lord, our heavenly Father, we thy humble ser¬
vants desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to
accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving;
most humbly beseeching thee to grant that, by the
merits and death of thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ
and through faith in his blood, we and thy whole
Church may obtain the remission of our sins, and all
306
The Lord's Supper. «f[ 622.
other benefits of his passion. And we offer and pre¬
sent unto thee, 0 Lord, our souls and bodies, to be a
reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice; humbly beseech¬
ing thee that all we who are partakers of this holy
communion may be filled with thy grace and heavenly
benediction. And although we are unworthy, through
our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice, yet
we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and
service ; not weighing our merits, but pardoning our
offenses, through Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom,
and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, all
honor and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty,
world without end. Amen.
Then shall be said :
Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good¬
will toward men! We praise thee, we bless thee, we*
worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee
for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God
the Father Almighty!
O Lord, the only begotten Son Jesus Christ; O
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that
takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon
us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world,
have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the
sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that
sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have
mercy upon us.' For thou only art holy; thou only
art the Lord; thou only, 0 Christ, with the Holy
Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father.
«J[ 623.
The Lord's Supper.
Then the Elder, if he see it expedient, may put up an ex¬
temporary Prayer, and afterward let the People depart
with this Blessing:
May the peace of God, which passeth all under¬
standing, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge
and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord;
and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Ghost, be among you, and remain
with you always. Amen.
[Note.—Any of the above may be omitted if the Elder be
strained for time, except the Invitation and the Consecration
Prayer.]
H 623* Communion Service for the Sick,
Appropriate remarks shall be made, followed by a suit¬
able hymn. Then read the following :
And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the
twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them,
With desire I have desired to eat this passover with
you before I suffer: for I say unto you, I will not
any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the king¬
dom of God. And he took the cup, and gave thanks,
and said, Take this, and divide it among your¬
selves : for I say unto you, I will not drink of the
fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall
come. And he took bread, and gave thanks, and
brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my
body which is given for you: this do in remembrance
of me. Likewise also [he took] the cup after supper,
saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood,
which is shed for you. [Luke xxii, 14-20.]
Matrimony. 624.
Then shall an extemporaneous Prayer be delivered,
followed by the Prayer of Consecration. Then shall the
Bread and Wine be given to the sick Person and other
Communicants present.
After which the Benediction shall be pronounced.
CHAPTER IV.
MATRIMONY.
U" 624. Form of Solemnization of Matrimony.
At the time appointed for Solemnization of Matrimony,
the persons to be married—having been qualified ac¬
cording to law—standing together, the Man on the
right of the Woman, the Minister shall say :
Dearly Beloved : We are gathered together
here in the sight of God and in the presence of these
witnesses, to join together this man and woman in
holy Matrimony; which is an honorable estate, insti¬
tuted of God in the time of man's innocency, signi¬
fying unto us the mystical union that is between
Christ and his Church; which holy estate he adorned
and beautified by his presence and first miracle that
he wrought in Cana of Galilee, and is commended
of St. Paul to be honorable among all men; there¬
fore it is not, by any, to be entered into unadvisedly,
but reverently, discreetly, and in the fear of God.
Into which holy estate these two persons present
309
624. Matrimony.
come flow to be joined. Therefore, if any person
can show just cause why they may not lawfully be
joined together let him now speak, or else forever
hold his peace.
The Minister shall then address the persons that are to
be married, saying:
I require and charge you both, as you will give an
account at the dreadful day of judgment, that if
either of you know any impediment why you may
not be lawfully joined together in Matrimony, you do
now confess it; for be you well assured, that so many
as are coupled together otherwise than God's word
doth allow, are not joined together by God, neither is
their Matrimony lawful.
If there be no impediment alleged, the Minister shall say
unto the Man :
M., wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded
wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the
holy estate of Matrimony? "Wilt thou love,comfort,
honor, and keep her, in sickness and in health; and
forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long
as ye both shall live?
The man shall answer :
I will.
The Minister shall then say to the Woman :
N., wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded hus¬
band, to live together after God's ordinance in the
holy estate of Matrimony ? Wilt thou love, honor,
and keep him. in sickness and in health: and forsak-
310
Matrimony. ^j" 624.
ing all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye
both shall live?
The woman shall answer :
I will.
When the parties so desire, the Man shall give unto the
Woman a ring; and the Minister, taking the ring,
shall return it to the Man, to put it upon the third
finger of the Woman's left hand ; and the Man, holding
the ring there, and taught by the Minister, shall say :
With this ring I thee wed, and with all my worldly
goods I thee endow: in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then shall the Minister say :
Let us pray.
O Eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all man¬
kind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of ever¬
lasting life, send thy blessing upon these thy servants,
this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy
name; that as Isaac and Bebecca lived faithfully
together, so these persons may surely perform and
keep the vow and covenant between them made,
and may ever remain in perfect love and peace to¬
gether, and live according to thy laws, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Then shall the Minister join their right hands together
and say :
Those whom God hath joined together, let not
man put asunder.
311
625. J5UKIAL OF THE JJEAD.
Forasmuch as M. and N. have consented together
in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before
God and this company, and thereto have pledged
their faith each to other, and have declared the same
by joining hands, I pronounce that they are husband
and wife together: in the name of the Father, and
of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
And the Minister shall add this blessing :
God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy
Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mer¬
cifully with his favor look upon you, and so fill you
with all spiritual benediction and grace that ye may
bo live together in this life that in the world to come
ye may have everlasting life. Amen.
CHAPTER V.
BURIAL OF THE DEAD.
If 625. Order for the Burial of the Dead.
The Minister, going before the Corpse, shall say:
I AM the resurrection, and the life: he that be-
lieveth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never
die. [John xi, 25, 26.]
I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall
stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though
after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my
Burial of the Dead.
•ft 625.
flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself
and mine eyes shall behold, and not another. [Job
xix, 25-27.]
We brought nothing into this world, and it is cer¬
tain we can carry nothing out. The Lord gave, and
the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of
the Lord. [1 Tim. vi, 7; Job 1, 21.]
At the House, or in the Church, the following Scripture
may be read:
Psalm xxxix.
I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not
with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle,
while the wicked is before me. I was dumb with
silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my
sorrow was stirred. My heart was hot within me;
while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I
with my tongue, Lord, make me to know mine end,
and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may
know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my
days as a handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing
before thee: verily every man at his best state is alto¬
gether vanity. Surely every man walketh in a vain
show: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth
up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.
And now, Lord, what wait I for ? my hope is in thee.
Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not
the reproach of the foolish. I was dumb, I opened
not my mouth; because thou didst it. Remove thy
stroke away from me; I am consumed by the blow
of thine hand. When thou with rebukes dost correct
313
625. Bueial of the Dead.
man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume
away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Hear
my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold
not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with
thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. O
spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go
hence, and be no more.
Psalm xc.
Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place in all
generations. Before the mountains were brought
forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the
world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art
God. Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest,
Return, ye children of men. For a thousand years
in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and
as a watch in the night. Thou carriest them away as
with a flood; they are as asleep: in the morning they
are like grass which groweth up. In the morning it
flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut
down, and withereth. For we are consumed by thine
anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled. Thou hast
set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the
light of thy countenance. For all our days are passed
away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that
is told. The days of otfr years are threescore years
and ten; and if by reason of strength they be four¬
score years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow;
for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. Who knoweth
the power of thine anger ? even according to thy fear,
so is thy wrath. So teach us to number our days, that
314
Burial of the Dead. 625.
we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Return, 0
Lord, liow long? and let it repent thee concerning
thy servants. O satisfy us early with thy mercy;
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make
us glad according to the days wherein thou hast
afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.
Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory
unto their children. And let the beauty of the Lord
our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of
our hands upon us ; yea, the work of our hands estab¬
lish thou it.
Then may follow the reading of the Epistle, as follows:
1 Cor. xv. 41-58.
There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of
the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one
star differeth from another star in glory. So also is
the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corrup¬
tion, it is raised in incorruption : it is sown in dis¬
honor, it is raised in glory : it is sown in weakness, it
is raised in power: it is sown a natural body, it is
raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and
there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, the
first man Adam was made a living soul; the last
Adam was made a quickening spirit. Howbeit that
was not first which is spiritual, but that which is
natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The
first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is
the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are
they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly,
such are they also that are heavenly. And as we
625. Burial of the Dead.
have borne the image of the earthy, \ve shall also
bear the image of the heavenly. Now this I say>
brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the
kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit
incorruption. Behold, I show you a mystery; we shall
not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment,
in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the
trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised
incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this
corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal
must put on immortality. So when this corruptible
shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal
shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought
to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed
up in victory. O death, where is thy sting ? O grave,
where is thy victory ? The sting of death is sin ; and
the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God>
which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus
Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stead¬
fast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the
Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not
in vain in the Lord.
At the grave, when the Corpse is laid in the Earth, the
Minister shall say:
Man that is born of a woman hath but a short
time to live, and is full of misery. He cometh up,
and is cut down like a flower: he fleeth as it were a
shadow, and never continueth in one stay. In the
midst of life we are in death: of whom may we seek
for succor, but of thee, O Lord, who for our sins art
Burial of the Dead. 625.
justly displeased? Yet, 0 Lord God most holy, O
Lord most mighty, O holy and most merciful Saviour,
deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death.
Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts; shut
not thy merciful ears to our prayers, but spare us,
Lord most holy, O God most mighty, O holy and
merciful Saviour, thou most worthy Judge eternal,
suffer us not at our last hour for any pains of death
to fall from thee.
Then shall be said by the Minister :
Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God, in
his wise providence, to take out of the world the soul
of the departed, we therefore commit his body to the
ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust;
looking for the general resurrection in the last day,
and the life of the world to come, through our Lord
Jesus Christ; at whose second coming in glorious
majesty to judge the world, the earth and sea shall
give up their dead, and the corruptible bodies of
those who sleep in him shall be changed and made
like unto his own glorious body; according to the
mighty working whereby he is able to subdue all
things unto himself.
I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, "Write,
From henceforth blessed are the dead who die in the
Lord. Even so, saith the Spirit; for they rest from
their labors.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
317
625. Bueial of the Dead.
The Collect.
0 Merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, who is the resurrection and the life ; in whom
whosoever believeth shall live though he die, and
whosoever livgfch and believeth in him shall not die
eternally: we meekly beseech thee, O Father, to raise
us from the death of sin to the life of righteousness;
that when we shall depart this life we may rest in
him, and at the general resurrection at the last day
may be found acceptable in his sight and receive
that blessing which thy well-beloved Son shall then
pronounce to all them that love and fear thee, say¬
ing, Come, ye blessed children of my Father, receive
the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation
of the world. Grant this, we beseech thee, 0 Merci¬
ful Father, through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and
Redeemer. Amen.
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy
name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in
earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily
bread: and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive
them that trespass against us: and lead us not into
temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the
kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.
Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love
of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Ghost, be
with us all evermore. Amen.
818
Consecration and Ordinations. 626.
CHAPTER VI.
CONSECRATION AND ORDINATIONS.
IT 626. The Form of Consecrating a Bishop.
The first lesson shall be read by one of the Elders.
[1 Tim. iii, 1-7.]
The second lesson shall be read by another Elder.
[St. John xxi, 15-17.]
Then another Elder shall read St. Matthew xxviii,
18-20.
Here follows the sermon.
After the Gospel and the Sermon are ended the Elected
Person shall be presented by two Elders unto the
Bishop, saying:
We present unto you this holy man, to be con¬
secrated a Bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church, according to our form.
Then the Bishop shall move the Congregation present to
pray, saying thus to them :
Brethren, it is written in the gospel of St. Luke
that our Saviour Christ continued the whole night
in prayer before he did choose and send forth his
twelve apostles. It is written also, in the Acts of the
Apostles, that the disciples who were at Antioch did
fast and pray before they sent Paul and Barnabas
forth on their first mission to the Gentiles. Let us,
therefore, following the example of our Saviour
626. Consecration and Ordinations.
Christ and his Apostles, first fall down and pray be¬
fore we admit and send forth this person presented
to us to the work whereunto we trust tlie Holy Ghost
hath called him.
Bishop. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from
whence cometh my help.
Ans. My help cometh from the Lord, which made
heaven and earth.
Then shall be said, all kneeling, the Bishop beginning
and the Elders answering, as follows :
We beseech thee to hear us, O Lord God, and that
it may please thee to rule and govern thy holy Church
universal in the right way.
Ans. We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.
That it may please thee to illuminate all Bishops,
Elders, and Deacons with true knowledge and under¬
standing of thy word; and that both by their preach¬
ing and living they may set it forth and show it
accordingly.
Ans. Son of God, we beseech thee to hear us.
That it may please thee to give to thy Church
unity, peace, and concord.
Ans. Grant us thy peace, good Lord.
That it may please thee to bless this our brother
elected and to send thy grace upon him; that he
may duly execute the office whereunto he is called,
to the edifying of thy Church and to the honor,
praise, and glory of thy name.
Ans. O Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins
of the world, grant us thy grace.
820
Consecration and Ordinations. 626.
Then shall be said the following prayer :
Almighty God, Giver of all good things, who, by
thy Holy Spirit, hast appointed divers offices in thy
Church, mercifully behold this thy servant, now called
to the work and ministry of a Bishop, and replenish
him so with the truth of thy doctrine and adorn him
with innocency of life, that both by word and deed
he may faithfully serve thee in this office, to the glory
of thy name and the edifying and well governing of
thy Church, through the merits of our Saviour Jesus
Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the
Holy Ghost, world without end. Amen.
Then the Bishop shall say to him that is Consecrated:
Brother, forasmuch as the Holy Scripture com¬
mands that we should not be hasty in admitting any
person to government in the Church of Christ, which
he hath purchased with no less price than the shed¬
ding of his own blood, before you are admitted to this
administration you will, in the fear of God, give
answer to the questions which I now propound:
Are you persuaded that you are truly called to this
ministration, according to the will of our Lord Jesus
Christ?
Ans. I am so persuaded.
Bishop. Are you persuaded that the Holy Script¬
ures contain sufficiently all doctrine required of
necessity for eternal salvation through faith in Jesus
Christ? And are you determined, out of the same
Holy Scriptures to instruct the people committed to
vour charge, and to teach or maintain nothing aa
3 21 321
626. Consecration and Ordinations.
required of necessity to eternal salvation but that
which you shall be persuaded may be concluded and
proved by the same?
Ans. I am so persuaded and determined, by God's
grace.
Bishop. Will you, then, faithfully exercise your¬
self in the same Holy Scriptures, and call upon God
by prayer for the true understanding of the same, so
that you may be able by them to teach and exhort
with wholesome doctrine and to withstand and
convince the gainsayers? «
Ans. I will do so, by the help of God.
Bishop. Are you ready with faithful diligence to
banish and drive away all erroneous and strange
doctrines contrary to God's word, and both privately
and openly to call upon and encourage others to the
same?
Ans. I am ready, the Lord being my helper.
Bishop. Will you deny all ungodliness and worldly
lusts, and live soberly, righteously, and godly in this
present world, that you may show yourself in all
things an example of good works unto others, that
the adversary may be ashamed, having nothing to
say against you ?
Ans. I will do so, the Lord being my helper.
Bishop. Will you maintain and set forward, as
much as shall lie in you, quietness, love, and peace
among all men; and such as shall be unquiet, disobe¬
dient, and criminal, correct and punish according to
such authority as you have in God's word, and aa
shall be committed unto you?
322
Consecration and Ordinations. 626.
Ans. I will do so, by the help of God.
Bishop. Will you be faithful in ordaining, and in
all other duties of your office ?
Ans. I will so be, by the help of God.
Bishop. Will you show yourself gentle, and be
merciful, for Christ's sake, to poor and needy people,
and to all strangers destitute of help ?
Ans. I will so show myself, by God's help.
Bishop. Will you promise conformity and obe¬
dience to the Doctrines, Discipline, and worship of
the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in
America ?
Ans. I will, by the help of God.
Then shall Veni Creator Spiritus be said, the Bishops
beginning and the Elders present answering by verse:
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with celestial fire.
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.
Thy blessed unction from above
Is comfort, life, and fire of love.
Enable with perpetual light
The dullness of our blinded sight;
Anoint and cheer our soiled face
With the abundance of thy grace ;
Keep far our foes, give peace at home;
Where thou art Guide no ill can come.
Teach us to know the Father, Son,
A,id Thee of both to be but ONE;
That through the ages, all along,
This may be our endless song :
Praise to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
626. Consecration and Ordinations.
That ended, the Bishop shall say:
Lord, hear our prayer.
Ans. And let our cry come unto thee.
Bishop. Let us pray.
Almighty God and Most Merciful Father, who of
thine infinite goodness hast given thine only and
dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ to be our Redeemer,
and the author of everlasting life; who, after he had
made perfect our redemption by his death, and was
ascended into heaven, poured down his gifts abun¬
dantly upon men, making some Apostles, some Evan¬
gelists, some Pastors and Teachers, to the edifying and
making perfect of his Church: grant, we beseech
thee, to this thy servant, such grace that he may
evermore be ready to spread abroad thy Gospel, the
glad tidings of reconciliation with thee, and use the
authority given him, not to destruction, but to salva¬
tion ; not to hurt, but to help; so that as a wise and
faithful servant, giving to the family their portion in
due season, he may at last be received into eternal
joy, thro'ugh Jesus Christ our Lord, who, with thee
and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, one God,
world without end. Amen.
Here the Bishops shall lay their hands upon the head of
him that is being consecrated, saying :
The Lord pour upon thee the Holy Ghost, for the
Office and Work of a Bishop in the Church of God,
now committed to thee by the authority of the Church,
through the imposition of hands: be thou a faithful
dispenser of the word and of the holy Sacraments,
CONSECKATION AND ORDINATIONS. 626.
and faithful in thine administration: in the name
of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then the Bishop shall deliver him the Bible and Disci¬
pline, saying:
Think upon the things contained in these books. Be
to the flock of Christ a shepherd, not a wolf. Hold up
the weak. So administer the Discipline that you
may not be remiss, or forget mercy; that when the
Chief Shepherd shall appear, you may receive the
never-fading crown of glory, through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
Then the Bishop shall say the Gloria in Excelsis, the
Elders repeating it with him :
Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good¬
will toward men! We praise thee, we bless thee, we
worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee
for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God
the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only begotten Son Jesus Christ; O
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that
takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon
us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world,
have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins
of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest
at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy
upon us. For thou only art holy; thou only art the
Lord; thou only, 0 Christ, with the Holy Ghost,
art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
627. Consecration and Ordinations.
Then the Bishop shall administer the Lord's Supper to
the newly consecrated Bishop and the Elders present.
Then the following prayer shall be said:
Guide us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most
gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help,
that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended
in thee, we may glorify thy holy name; and finally>
by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
The peace of God, which passeth all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and
love of God, and of his son Jesus Christ our Lord;
and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the
Son, and the Holy Ghost, be among you, and remain
with you always. Amen.
1[ G27. The Form of Ordaining Elders.
[When the day appointed by the Bishop is come, there shall
be a Sermon or Exhortation, declaring the Duty and Office ot
such as come to be admitted Elders; how necessary that
Order is in the Church of Christ; and also how the People
ought to esteem them in their office.]
After which one of the Elders shall present unto the
Bishop all those who are to be Ordained,'and say :
I present unto you these persons to be ordained
Elders.
Then, their names being read aloud, the Bishop shall say
unto the people:
Brethren, these are they whom we purpose, God
willing, this day to ordain Elders. For after due
326
VJONSECRATION AND ORDINATIONS. 627.
examination we find not to the contrary, but that
they are lawfully called to this function and ministry,
and that they are persons meet for the same. But if
there be any of you who knoweth any crime or im¬
pediment in any of them, for the which he ought not
be received into this holy Ministry, let him come
forth in the name of God aud show what the crime or
impediment is.
[If any crime or impediment be objected, the Bishop shall sur¬
cease from ordaining that person until such time as the party
accused shall be found clear of the same.]
Then shall be said the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel, as
follows :
The Collect,
Almighty God, Giver of all good things, who by
thy Holy Spirit hast appointed divers Orders of Min¬
isters in thy Church, mercifully behold these thy
servants now called to the Office of Elders, and so
replenish them with the truth of the doctrine, and
adorn them with innocency of life, that both by
word and good example they may faithfully serve
thee in this office, to the honor, and glory of thy
name, and the edification of thy Church, through
the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who liveth
and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, world
without end. Amen.
The Epistle. Eph. iv, 7-13.
Unto every one of us is given grace according to
the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he
327
627. Consecration and Ordinations.
saith, when he ascended up on high, he led captivity
captive, and gave gifts uuto men. Now that he as¬
cended, what is it but that he also descended first
into the lower parts of the earth ? He that descended
is the same also that ascended up far above all heav¬
ens, that he might fill all things. And he gave some,
Apostles; and some, Prophets; and some, Evangelists ;
and some, Pastors and Teachers; for the perfecting of
the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edi¬
fying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the
unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son
of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the
stature of the fullness of Christ.
After this shall be read for the Gospel part of the tenth
chapter of St. John.
St. John x, 1-16.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that entereth
not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up
some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd
of the sheep. To him the porter openeth, and the
sheep hear his voice, and he calleth his own sheep
by name, and leadeth them out. And when he put-
teth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and
the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. And
a stranger they will not follow, but will flee from
him; for they know not the voice of strangers. Thia
parable spake Jesus unto them; but they understood
not what things they were which he spake unto them.
Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I
Consecration and Ordinations. *|[ 627.
say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that
ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but
the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me
if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go
in and -out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not
but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am
come that they might have life, and that they might
have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd:
the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But
he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd, whose
own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and
leaveth the sheep, and fleeth ; and the wolf catcheth
them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth,
because he is a hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and
am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me,
even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life
for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are
not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they
shall hear my voice: and there shall be one fold and
one shepherd.
After which, the Bishop shall say unto them as follows:
You have heard, brethren, in your private exam¬
ination, and in the holy lessons taken out of the
Gospel, and the writings of the Apostles, of what
dignity and of how great importance this Office is
whereunto ye are called. And now again we exhort
you, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you
have in remembrance into how high a dignity and
to how weighty an Office ye are called: that is to
T[ 627. Consecration and Ordinations.
say, to be messengers, watchmen, and stewards of
the Lord, to teach and premonish, to feed and pro¬
vide for the Lord's family, to gather the outcast, to
seek the lost, and to be ever ready to spread abroad
the Gospel, the glad tidings of reconciliation with
God.
Have always, therefore, printed in your remem¬
brance how great a treasure is committed to your
charge. For they are the sheep of Christ, which
he bought with his life, and for whom he shed his
blood. The Church whom you must serve is his
spouse and his body. And if it shall happen the
same Church, or any member thereof, do take any
hurt or hindrance by rason of your negligence, ye
know the greatness of the fault, and also the horrible
punishment that will ensue. Wherefore consider
with yourselves the end of the ministry toward the
children of God, toward the spouse and body of
Christ; and see that you never cease your labor,
your care and diligence, until you have done all that
lieth in you, according to your bounden duty, to
bring all such as are or shall be committed to your
charge unto that agreement in the faith and knowl¬
edge of God, and to that ripeness and perfectness of
age in Christ, that there be no place left among
you, either for error in religion, or for viciousness in.
life.
Forasmuch then as your Office is both of so great
excellency and of so great difficulty, ye see with how
great care and study ye ought to apply yourselves, as
well that ye may show yourselves dutiful and thank.
330
Consecration and Ordinations. 627.
ful unto that Lord who hath placed you in so high
a dignity; as also to beware that neither ye your¬
selves offend, nor be occasion that others offend.
Howbeit ye cannot have a mind and will thereto
of yourselves; for that will and ability is given of
God alone; therefore ye ought, and have need, to
pray earnestly for his Holy Spirit. And seeing that
ye cannot by any other means compass the doing of
so weighty a work, pertaining to the salvation of
man, but with doctrine and exhortation- taken out of
the Holy Scriptures, and with a life agreeable to the
same, consider.how studious ye ought to be in read¬
ing and learning the Scriptures, and in framing the
manners, both of yourselves and of them that spe¬
cially pertain unto you, according to the rule of the
same Scriptures; and for this self-same cause how ye
ought to forsake and set aside, as much as you may,
all worldly cares and studies.
We have good hope that you have all weighed and
pondered these things with yourselves long before
this time, and that you have clearly determined, by
God's grace, to give yourselves wholly to this Office,
whereunto it hath pleased God to call you; so that,
as much as lieth in you, you will apply yourselves
wholly to this one thing, and draw all your cares and
studies this way, and that you will continually pray
to God the Father, by the mediation of our only
Saviour Jesus Christ, for the heavenly assistance of
the Holy Ghost; that by daily reading and weighing
of the Scriptures ye may wax riper and stronger in
your ministry; and that ye may so endeavor to sane-
*|J 627. Consecration and Ordinations.
tify the lives of you and yours, and to fashion them
after the rule and doctrine of Christ, that ye may be
wholesome and godly examples and patterns for the
people to follow.
And now, that this present Congregation of Chris¬
tians here assembled may also understand your minds
and wills in these things, and that this your promise
may the more move you to do your duties, ye shall
answer plainly to these things which we in the name
of God and his Church shall demand of you touch¬
ing the same.
Do you think in your heart that you are truly
called, according to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ,
to the order of Elders?
Am. I think so.
Bishop. Are you persuaded that the Holy Script¬
ures contain sufficiently all doctrine required of ne¬
cessity for eternal salvation, through faith in Jesus
Christ? And are you determined out of the said
Scriptures to instruct the people committed to your
charge, and to teach nothing as required of neces¬
sity to eternal salvation but that which you shall be
persuaded may be concluded and proved by the
6ame?
Ans. I am so persuaded, and have so determined,
by God's grace.
Bishop. Will you then give your faithful diligence
always so to minister the Doctrine and Sacraments
and Discipline of Christ as the Lord hath com*
manded?
Am. I will do so, by the help of the Lord.
832
Consecration anL Ordinations. 627.
Bishop. Will you be ready with all faithful dili¬
gence to banish and drive away all erroneous and
strange doctrines contrary to God's word ; and to use
bo^th public and private monitions and exhortations
as well to the sick as to the whole within your charge,
as need shall require and occasion shall be given?
Ans. I will, the Lord being my helper.
Bishop. Will you be diligent in prayers and in
reading of the Holy Scriptures, and in such studies
as help to the knowledge of the same, laying aside
the study of the world and the flesh ?
Ans. I will endeavor to do so, the Lord being my
helper.
Bishop. Will you be diligent to frame and fashion
yourselves and your families according to the doctrine
of Christ: and to make both yourselves and them,
as much as in you lieth, wholesome examples and
patterns to the flock of Christ?
Ans. I will apply myself thereto, the Lord being
my helper.
Bishop. Will you maintain and set forward, as
much as lieth in you, quietness, peace, and love among
all Christian people, and especially among them that
are or shall be committed to your charge?
Ans. I will so do, the Lord being my helper.
Bishop. Will you reverently obey your chief Min¬
isters, unto whom is committed the charge and gov¬
ernment over voil, following with a glad mind and will
their godly admonitions, submitting yourselves to
their godly judgment?
Ana. I will do so, the Lord being my helper.
333
627. Consecration and Ordinations.
Then shall the Bishop, standing up, say :
Almighty God, who hath given you this will to do
all these things, grant also unto you strength and
power to perform the same; that he may accomplish
his work which he hath begun in you, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
[After •which the Congregation shall be desired secretly in
their prayers to make their humble supplications to God for all
these things : for the which prayers there shall be silence kept
for a space.]
After which, shall be said by the Bishop (the Persons to
be ordained Elders all kneeling), the Bishop beginning
and the \Elders and others that are present answering,
as follows:
Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire,
And lighten with dtlestial fire.
Thou the anointing Spirit art,
Who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.
Thy blessed unction from above
Is comfort, life, and fire of love.
Enable with perpetual light
The dullness of our blinded sight:
Anoint and cheer our soiled face
With the abundance of thy grace;
Keep far our foes, give peace at home:
Where thou art Guide, no itt can come.
Teach us to know the Father, Sop,
And Thee of both to be bid ONE:
That through the ages, all along,
This may be our endless song:
Praise to thy eternal merit,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
334
Consecration and Ordinations. «|[ 627.
That done, the Bishop shall pray in this wise, and
say:
Let us pray.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of thine
infinite love and goodness toward us, hast given to
us thy only and most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ
to be our Eedeemer and the author of everlasting
life; who, after he had made perfect our redemption
by his death, and was ascended into heaven, sent
abroad into the world his Apostles, Prophets, Evan¬
gelists, Teachers, and Pastors, by whose labor and
ministry he gathered together a great flock in all
parts of the world, to set forth the eternal praise of
thy holy name: for these so great benefits of thy
eternal goodness, and for that thou hast vouchsafed
to call these thy servants here present to the same
Office and Ministry appointed for the salvation of man¬
kind, we render unto thee most hearty thanks: we
praise and worship thee; and we humbly beseech
thee by the same, thy blessed Son, to grant unto all
who either here or elsewhere call upon thy name,
that we may continue to show ourselves thankful
unto thee for these and all other of thy benefits, and
that we may daily increase and go forward in the
knowledge and faith of thee and thy Son, by the
Holy Spirit. So that as well by these thy Ministers,
as by them over whom they shall be appointed thy
Ministers, thy holy name may be forever glorified,
and thy blessed kingdom enlarged, through the same,
thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord: who liveth and
627. Consecration and Ordinations.
reigneth with thee in the unity of the same Holy
Spirit, world without end. Amen.
When the Prayer is done the Bishop, with the Elders
present, shall lay their hands severally upon the head
of every one that receiveth the Order of Elders, the
Receivers humbly kneeling upon their knees, and the
Bishop saying:
The Lord pour upon thee the Holy Ghost for the
Office and Work of an Elder in the Church of God,
now committed unto thee by the authority of the
Church through the imposition of our hands. And
be thou a faithful dispenser of the word of God and
of his holy Sacraments : in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then the Bishop shall deliver to every one of them,
kneeling, the Bible into his hands, saying :
Take thou authority as an Elder in the Church, to
preach the word of God and to administer the holy
Sacraments in the Congregation.
Then the Bishop shall say:
Most Merciful Father, we beseech thee to send
upon these thy servants thy heavenly blessings, that
they may be clothed with righteousness, and that
thy word spoken by their mouths may have such
success that it may never be spoken in vain. Grant
also that we may have grace to hear and receive
what they shall deliver out of thy most holy word,
or agreeably to the same, and the means of our
salvation; and that in all our words and deeds we
336
Consecration and Ordinations. 628.
may seek thy glory and the increase of thy kingdom,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Guide us, O Lord, in all our doings with thy most
gracious favor, and further us with thy continual
help, that in all our works, begun, continued, and
ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and
finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The peace of God, which passeth all understand¬
ing, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge
and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our
Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be among you, and
remain with you always. Amen.
[If on the same day the Order of Deacons he given to some and
that of Elders to others, the Deacons shall be first presented,"
and then the Elders. The Collects shall both be used: first that
for Deacons, then that for Elders. The Epistle shall be Eph. iv,
7-13, as before in this Office; immediately after which they that
are to be ordained Deacons shall be examined and ordained as
is above prescribed. Then one of them having read the Gospel,
which shall be St. John x,l-16, as before in this Office, they who
are to be ordained Elders shall likewise be examined and or¬
dained, as in this Office before appointed.]
If 628. The Form of Ordaining Deacons.
[When the day appointed by the Bishop is come there shall be
a Sermon or Exhortation, declaring the Duty and Office of such
as come to be admitted Deacons.]
After which one of the Elders shall present unto the
Bishop the Persons to be ordained Deacons, their
names being read aloud. The Bishop shall say unto
the people:
Brethren : If th£re be any of you who knoweth
any crime or impediment in any of these persons
22 337
If 628. Consecration and Ordinations.
presented to be ordained Deacons, for the which he
ought not to be admitted to that Office, let him come
forth in the name of God, and show what the crime
or impediment is.
[If any crime or impediment be objected, the Bishop shall sur¬
cease from ordaining that person until such time as the party
accused shall be found clear of the same.]
Then shall be read the following Collect and Epistle:
The Collect.
Almighty God, who by thy divine providence hast
appointed divers Orders of Ministers in thy Church,
and didst inspire thy Apostles to choose into the Order
of Deacons thy first martyr, St. Stephen, with others:
mercifully behold these thy servants now called to
the like Office and Administration ; replenish them so
with the truth of thy doctrine, and adorn them with
innocency of life, that both by word and good exam¬
ple they may faithfully serve thee in this Office to the
glory of thy name and the edification of thy Church,
through the merits of thy Son our Saviour Jesus
Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the
Holy Ghost now and forever.
The Epistle. 1 Tim. iii, 8-13.
Likewise must the Deacons be grave, not double-
tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy
lucre; holding the mystery of the faith in a pure
conscience. And let these also first be proved; then
let them use the Office of a Deacon, being found
blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not
slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the
Deacon be the husband of one wife, ruling his children
Consecration and Ordinations. 628.
and his own house well. For they that have used
the Office of a Deacon well, purchase to themselves a
good degree, and great boldness in the faith which
is in Christ Jesus.
Then shall the Bishop examine every one of those to be
ordained, in the presence of the People, after this man¬
ner following:
Do you trust that you are inwardly moved by the
Holy Spirit to take upon you the Office of the Minis¬
try in the Church of Christ, to serve God for the
promoting of his glory and the edifying of his
people?
Ans. I trust so.
Bishop. Do you unfeignedly believe all the canoni¬
cal Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments?
Ans. I do believe them.
Bishop. Will you diligently read or expound the
same unto the people whom you shall be appointed
to serve?
Ans. I will.
Bishop. It appertaineth to the Office of a Deacon to
assist the Elder in divine service. And especially
when he ministereth the Holy Communion, to help
him in the distribution thereof, and to read and ex¬
pound the Holy Scriptures, to instruct the youth, and
to baptize. And furthermore, it is his office to search
for the sick, poor, and impotent, that they may be
visited and relieved. Will you do this gladly and
willingly ?
Am. I will do so, by the help of God.
339
628. Consecration and Ordinations.
Bishop. Will you apply all your diligence to frame
and fashion your own lives (and the lives of your
families) according to the doctrine of Christ; and to
make (both) yourselves (and them), as much as in
you lieth, wholesome examples of the flock of Christ?
Ans. I will do so, the Lord being my helper.
Bishop. Will you reverently obey them to whom
the charge and government over you is committed,
following with a glad mind and will their godly
admonitions?
Ans. I will endeavor to do so, the Lord being my
helper.
Then the Bishop, laying his hands severally upon the
head of each of them, shall say:
Take thou authority to execute the Office of Deacon
in the Church of God: in the name of the Father,
and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
Then shall the Bishop deliver to each of them the Holy
Bible, saying :
Take thou authority to read the Holy Scriptures in
the Church of God, and to preach the same.
Then one appointed by the Bishop shall read the Gospel:
Luke xii, 35-38.
Let your loins be girded about, and your lights
burning; and ye yourselves like unto men that wait
for their Lord, when he will return from the wedding;
that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may open
unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants
whom the Lord, when he cometh, shall find watch-
CONSECEATION AND ORDINATIONS. 628.
ing. Verily I say unto you, that he shall gird him¬
self, and make them to sit down to meat, and will
come forth to serve them. And if he shall come in
the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find
them so, blessed are those servants.
Immediately before the Benediction shall be said these
Collects following:
Almighty God, Giver of all good things, who of thy
great goodness hast vouchsafed to accept and take
these thy servants into the Office of Deacons in thy
Church ; make them, we beseech thee, 0 Lord, to be
modest, humble, and constant in their ministration,
and to have a ready will to observe all spiritual dis¬
cipline; that they, having always the testimony of a
good conscience, and continuing ever stable and
strong in thy Son Christ, may so well behave them¬
selves in this inferior office that they may be found,
worthy to be called into the higher Ministries.in the
Church, through the same, thy Son, our Saviour
Jesus Christ; to whom be glory and honor, world
without end. Amen.
Guide us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most
gracious favor, 'and further us with thy continual
help ; that in all our works, begun, continued, and
ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and
finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life, through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Benediction.
The peace of God, which passeth all understand¬
ing, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge
If 629. Corner-stone and Dedication.
and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our
Lord, and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be among you, and
remain with you always. Amen.
CHAPTER VII.
CORNER-STONE AND DEDICATION.
If 629. Form for Laying the Corner-stone of a Church.
Dearly Beloved: We are taught in the word of
God that, although the heaven of heavens cannot
contain the Eternal One, much less the walls of tem¬
ples made with hands, yet his delight is ever with
the sons of men, and that, wherever two or three are
gathered in his name, there he is in the midst of
them. And in all ages his servants have separated
certain places for his worship: as Jacob erected a
stone in Bethel for God's house; as Moses made a
tabernacle in the desert; as Solomon built a temple
for the Lord, which he filled with the glory of his
presence before all the people. We are now as¬
sembled to lay the Corner-Stone of a new house for
the worship of the God of our fathers. Let us not
doubt that he will favorably approve our godly pur¬
pose, and let us now devoutly unite in singing his
praise and in prayer for his blessing on this our
undertaking.
Corner-stone and Dedication. 629.
Let one of the hymns %8, 382, ^1$ or 921 be sung.
Then shall the Minister say :
Let us pray.
Most Glorious God, the heaven is thy throne and
the earth is thy footstool; what house, then, can be
built for thee, or where is the place of thy rest? Yet
blessed be thy name, O Lord God, that it hath pleased
thee to have thy habitation among the sons of men,
and to dwell in the midst of the assembly of the
saints upon the earth. And now, especially, we
render thanks unto thy holy name that it hath
pleased thee to put it into the hearts of thy servants
to erect in this place a house for thy worship. We
thank thee for thy grace which has inclined them to
contribute of their substance for the glory of thy
name; and we pray thee to continue thy blessing
upon their pious undertaking. Amen.
May many unite with them in their holy work
until this habitation of thy house shall be completed
and ready for dedication to thy service, free from all
debt or claim of men. Amen.
May peace and harmony prevail in the counsels of
thy servants, and may no selfish or divided aims find
place among them. May the work of this building
be completed without hurt or accident to any person.
And when thou shalt have prospered the work of
their hands upon them, and this house shall be pre¬
pared and finished for thy service, grant that all who
shall enjoy the benefit of this pious work may show
forth their thankfulness by making a right use of it,
343
*TJ" 629. Corner-stone and Dedication.
to the glory of thy blessed name, through Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Grant that all who shall hereafter worship thee
in the temple here to be built may so serve and please
thee in all holy exercises of godliness, that in the
end they may come to that temple on high, even to
the holy place, made without hands, whose builder
and maker is God. Amen.
Hear us, O Lord, for thou art our God in whom
we trust. And when we shall cease to pray unto thee
on earth may we, with all those who in like manner
have erected such places to thy name, and with all
thy saints and redeemed ones, eternally praise thee
for all thy goodness vouchsafed unto us here on earth
and laid up for us there in heaven. Amen.
Accept these our prayers, we beseech thee, for the
sake of thy dear Son, and to thee, the only true and
living God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, be honor,
praise, and glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Then shall the Minister read the following Psalm, or the
Minister and People may read in alternate verses, the
parts in italics to be read by the People:
Psalm cxxxii.
Lord, remember David, and all his afflictions:
How he sware unto the Lord, and vowed unto the
mighty God of Jacob;
Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my
house, nor go up into my bed;
I will not give sleep to mine eyes, or slumber to my
eyelids,
344
Corner-stone and Dedication. 629.
Until I find out a place for the Lord,
A habitation for the mighty God of Jacob.
Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in
the fields of the wood.
We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his
footstool.
Arise, O Lord, into thy rest; thou, and the ark of
thy strength.
Let thy priests be clothed with righteousness ;
And let thy saints shout for joy.
For thy servant David's sake turn not away the face
of thine anointed.
The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; he will
not turn from it ;
Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.
If thy children will keep my covenant and my tes¬
timony that I shall teach them, their children shall
also sit upon thy throne for evermore.
For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for
his habitation.
This is my rest forever: here will I dwell; for I
have desired it.
I will abundantly bless her provision:
I will satisfy her poor with bread.
I will also clothe her priests with salvation :
And her saints shall shout aloud for joy.
There will I make the horn of David to bud :
I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed.
His enemies will I clothe with shame :
But upon himself shall his crown flourish.
345
629. Corner-stone and Dedication.
The Lesson. 1 Cor. iii, 9-23.
For we are laborers together with God: ye are
God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According
to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise
master-builder, I have laid the foundation, and an¬
other buildeth thereon. But let every man take
heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other founda¬
tion can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus
Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation
gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every
man's work shall be made manifest: for the day
shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire;
and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort
it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built
thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's
work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he
himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. Know ye
not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit
of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the tem¬
ple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of
God is holy, which temple ye are. Let no man de¬
ceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be
wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he
may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is fool¬
ishness with God: for it is written, He taketh the
wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord
knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
Therefore let no man glory in men: for all things are
yours, whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the
world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to
346
Corner-stone and Dedication. 630.
come; all are yours; and ye are Christ's; and Christ
is God's.
Then shall follow the Sermon, or an Address suitable to
the occasion, after which the Contributions of the People
shall be received.
[Then shall the Minister, standing by the Stone, exhibit to the Congre¬
gation a box to be placed in an excavation of the Stone. It may con¬
tain a copy of the Bible, the Hymn Bool;, the Discipline, the
Church Almanac for the year, Church periodicals of recent
date, the names of the Pastor, Trustees, and Building Com¬
mittee of the Church, with such other documents as may be
desired. A list of these may be read, after which, the Minister
may deposit the box in the Stone and cover it; and the Stone shall be
laid and adjusted by the Minister, assisted by the builder.]
Then shall the Minister say:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost, we lay this Corner-Stone for the
foundation of a house, to be builded and consecrated
to the service of Almighty God, according to the
Order and Usages of the African Methodist Episcopal
Zion Church. Amen.
The service may conclude with extemporary Prayer, the
Lord's Prayer, and the Benediction.
630. Form for the Dedication of a Church.
The Congregation being assembled in the Church, the
Minister shall say :
Dearly Beloved : The Scriptures teach us that
God is well pleased with those who build temples to
his name. We have heard how he filled the temple
of Solomon with his glory, and how in the second
temple he manifested himself still more gloriously.
630. Corner-stone and Dedication.
And the Gospel approves and commends the cen¬
turion who built a synagogue for the people. Let us
not doubt that he will favorably approve our purpose
of dedicating this place in solemn manner for the
performance of the several offices of religious worship;
and let us now devoutly join in praise to his name,
that this godly undertaking hath been so far com¬
pleted ; and in prayer for his further blessing upon
all who shall hereafter worship his name in this place.
Let one of the hymns 88, 362, 44$, 861, 927 or 1202 be
sung and extemporary Prayer be offered, the Congre¬
gation all kneeling.
Then shall the Minister or some one appointed by him
read:
The First Lesson. 2 Chron. vi, 1, 2, 18-21, 40-42; vii,
i-4.
Then said Solomon, The Lord hath said that he
would dwell in the thick darkness. But T have built
a house of habitation for thee, and a place for thy
dwelling forever.
But will God in very deed dwell with men on the
earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens
cannot contain thee; how much less this house which
I have built! Have respect therefore to the prayer
of thy servant, and to his supplication, O Lord my
God, to hearken unto the cry and the prayer which
thy servant prayeth before thee: that thine eyes may
be open upon this house day and night, upon the
place whereof thou hast said that thou wouldest put
thy name there; to hearken unto the prayer which
Corner-stone and Dedication. 630.
thy servant prayeth toward this place. Hearten
therefore unto the supplications of thy servant, and
of thy people Israel, which they shall make toward
this place: hear thou from thy dwelling-place, even
from heaven ; and when thou hearest, forgive.
Now my God, let, I beseech thee, thine eyes be
open, and let thine ears be attentive unto the prayer
that is made in this place. Now therefore arise, O
Lord God, into thy resting-place, thou, and the ark
of thy strength-: let thy priests, 0 Lord God, be
clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in
goodness. O Lord God, turn not away the face of
thine anointed: remember the mercies of David thy
servant.
Now when Solomon had made an end of praying,
the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the
burnt-offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of
the Lord filled the house. And the priests could not
enter into the house of the Lord, because the glory
of the Lord had filled the Lord's house. And when
all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down,
and the glory of the Lord upon the house, they
bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon
the pavement, and worshiped and praised the Lord,
saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for¬
ever. Then the king and all the people offered sac¬
rifices before the Lord.
The Second Lesson. Heb. x, 19-26.
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into
the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living
349
630. Corner-stone and Dedication.
way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the
veil, that is to say, his flesh; and having a high-
priest over the house of God; let us draw near with
a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our
hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our
bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the
profession of our faith without wavering, for he is
faithful that promised; and let us consider one
another to provoke unto love and to good works: not
forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as
the manner of some is; but exhorting one another:
and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
For if we sin willfully after that we have received the
knowledge of the truth; there remaineth no more
sacrifice for sin.
Then shall one of the hymns 88, 362, 861, 927 or
1202 be sung, after which the Minister shall deliver
a Sermon suitable to the occasion, after which the Con¬
tributions of the People shall be received.
Then shall the Minister read the following Psalm, or the
Minister and Congregation may read it alternately, the
parts in italics to be read by the Congregation ;
Psalm cxxii.
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into
the house of the Lord.
Our feet shall stand within thy gates, 0 Jerusalem.
Jerusalem is builded as a city that is compact
together:
Whither the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord,
350
Corner-stone and Dedication. 630.
Unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto
the name of the Lord.
For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of
the house of David.
Pray for the peace of Jerusalem :
They shall prosper that love thee.
Peace be within thy walls,
And prosperity within thy palaces.
For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now
say, Peace be within thee.
Because of the house of the Lord our Ood I will seek
thy good.
Then let the Trustees stand up before the Altar, and one
of them, or some in their behalf, say unto the Minister :
We present unto you this Building to be dedicated
as a Church for the service and worship of Almighty
God.
Then shall the Minister request the Congregation to stand
while he repeats the following
declaration.
Dearly Beloved : It is meet and right, as we
learn from the Holy Scriptures, that houses erected
for the public worship of God should be specially set
apart and dedicated to religious uses. For such a
dedication we are now assembled. With gratitude,
therefore, to Almighty God, who has signally blessed
his servants in their holy enterprise of erecting this
Church, we dedicate it to his service for the reading
of the Holy Scriptures, the preaching of the word
630. Corner-stone and Dedication.
of God, the administration of the holy Sacraments,
and for all other exercises of religious worship and
service, according to the Discipline and Usages of the
African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. And, as
the dedication of the temple is vain without the
solemn consecration of the worshipers also, I now
call upon you all to dedicate yourselves anew to the
service of God. To him let our souls be dedicated,
that they may be renewed after the image of Christ.
To him let our bodies be dedicated, that they may
be fit temples for the indwelling of the Holy Ghost.
To him may our labors and business be dedicated, •
that their fruit may tend to the glory of his great
name and to the advancement of his kingdom. And
that he may graciously accept this our solemn act,
let us pray.
The Congregation kneeling, the 3Finister shall offer the
following Prayer:
0 Most Glorious Lord, we acknowledge that we are
not worthy to offer unto thee any thing belonging
unto us. Yet we beseech thee, in thy great goodness,
graciously to accept the dedication of this place to
thy service and to prosper this our undertaking.
Receive the prayers and intercessions of all those
thy servants who shall call upon thee in this house;
and give them grace to prepare their hearts to serve
thee with reverence and godly fear. Affect them
with an awful apprehension of thy divine majesty
and a deep sense of their own unworthiness; that so
approaching thy sanctuary with lowliness and de-
Corner-stone and Dedication. 630.
votion, and coming before thee with clean thoughts
and pure hearts, with bodies undefiled and minds
sanctified, they may always perform a service accept¬
able to thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Regard, O Lord, the supplications of thy servants,
and grant that whosoever shall be dedicated to thee
in this house by Baptism may ever remain in the
number of thy faithful children. Amen.
Grant,. O Lord, that whosoever shall receive in this
place the blessed Sacrament of the Body and Blood
of Christ may come to that holy Ordinance with faith,
charity, and true repentance, and, being filled with
thy grace and heavenly benediction, may, to their
great and endless comfort, obtain remission of their
sins and all other benefits of his death. Amen.
Grant, O Lord, that by thy holy word which shall
be read and preached in this place, and by the Holy
Spirit grafting it inwardly in the heart, the hearers
thereof may both perceive and know what things
they ought to do and may have power and strength
to perform the same. Amen.
Now, therefore, arise, O Lord, and come unto this
place of thy rest, thou and the ark of thy strength.
Let thine eye be open toward this house day and
night, and let thine ear be ready toward the prayers
of thy children which they shall make unto thee in
this place; and whensoever thy servants shall make
to thee their petitions here, do thou hear them from
heaven, thy dwelling-place, the throne of the glory
of thy kingdom; and when thou hearest, forgive.
And grant. O Lord, we beseech thee, that here and
23 353
630. Corner-stone and Dedication.
elsewhere thy Ministers may be clothed with right¬
eousness and thy saints rejoice in thy salvation.
And may we all, with thy people everywhere, grow
up into a holy temple in the Lord and be at last
received into thy glorious temple above, the house
not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. And
to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit be
glory and praise, world without end. Amen.
The services to conclude with Doxology and Bene¬
diction.
354
Appendix.
I. OFFICES, RESIDENCES, AND AD¬
DRESSES.
II. ADMINISTRATIVE BOARDS.
III. AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL
ZION BENEVOLENT AND SAV¬
INGS INSTITUTION.
IV. ANNUAL CONFERENCES AND FOR-
.EIGN MISSIONS.
V. MISCELLANEOUS.
VI. COURSES OF STUDY.
Officers, Residences, and Addresses. fl 1-
CHAPTER I.
OFFICERS, RESIDENCES AND ADDRESSES.
H —I. Bishops and Episcopal Districts.
I. District.—New England, New York, and Cen¬
tral North Carolina,
James Walker Hood, D.D., LL.D.,
Fayetteville, N. C.
II. District.—North Carolina, South Carolina
and Georgia,
Thomas Henry Lomax, D.D., 412
West Hill St., Charlotte, N. C.
III. District.—Western New York, Blue Ridge,
and South Georgia,
Cicero R. Harris, D.D., Salisbury,
N. C.
IV. District.—Western North Carolina and
Florida,
Isom C. Clinton, D.D., Lancaster,
S. C.
V. District.—New Jersey, Virginia, South Flor-
rida, Cuba and Porto Rico,
Alexander Walters, A.M., D.D.,
23 Oak St., Jersey City, N. J.
VI. District.—Philadelphia and Baltimore, Ken¬
tucky and Alabama,
George Wylie Clinton, A.M., D.D.,
415 N. Myers St, Charlotte, N. O.
357
2. Officers, Residences, and Addresses.
VII. District.—Western Alabama, Allegheny-
Ohio, Africa and West Indies,
John Bryan Small, A.M., D.D., 307
E. King St., York, Pa.
VTII. District.—Central Alabama, North Alabama,
South Mississippi and Louisiana,
John Wesley Alstork, D.D., 231
Cleveland Ave., Montgomery, Ala.
IX. District.—Tennessee, West Tennessee and
Mississippi, North Louisiana,
Texas and Arkansas,
John Wesley Smith, D.D., 1309 R,
St., N. W., Washington, D. C.
X. District.—Missouri, North Arkansas, Pal¬
metto, Oklahoma, California,
Philippine Islands and Hawaii,
Josiah Samuel Caldwell, D.D., 763
S. 15th St., Philadelphia, Pa.
2.—General Officers and Departments.
1. Financial Department.
General Secretary—George Lincoln Blackwell, A.M.,
D.D.
420 S. 11th St., Philadelphia, Pa.
Assistant General Secretary—Frederick M. Jacobs,
D.D., M.D.,
194 Prince St., Brooklyn, N. Y.
Financial Secretary—Martin R. Franklin, D.D., 420
S. 11th St., Philadelphia.
Corresponding Secretary of Education—Simon G. At¬
kins, A.M.,
Winston-Salem, N. C.
353
Officers, Kesidences, and Addresses, ft 2
Corresponding Secretary of Church Extension—Wil¬
liam Henry Coffey, D.D.,
420 S. 11th St., Philadelphia, Pa.
Corresponding Secretary of Missions—George Lin¬
coln Blackwell, A.M., D.D.,
420 S. 11th St., Philadelphia, Pa.
Secretary Variclc Christian Endeavor Union—John T.
McMillan,
Tuskegee, Ala.
3. Editorial Department.
Star of Zion—George C. Clement, A.B., D.D.
206 S. College St., Charlotte, N. C.
Sunday School Literature—Robert Blair Bruce, D.D.,
206 S. College St., Charlotte, N. C.
Quarterly Review—John Charles Dancy, A.M., LL.D.,
2139 L St., N.W., Washington, D. C.
Statistical Year Book—James Harvey Anderson, D.D.,
Newbern, N. C.
Varich Endeavorer—John T. McMillan,
Tuskegee, Ala.
Missionary Seer—George Lincoln Blackwell, A.M.,
D.D,
420 S. 11th St., Philadelphia, Pa.
Zion . Trumpet—Eli George Biddle, D.D.,
167 Goff St., New Haven, Conn.
4. Educational Institutions.
Livingstone College—William Harvey Goler, D.D.,
LL'.D.,
Salisbury, N. C.
359
2. Officers, Residences, and Addresses.
2. Benevolent Department.
Manager Publication House—John F. Moreland,
Ph.D.,
206 S. College St., Charlotte, N. C.
Eastern North Carolina Industrial Academy—Rev.
William Sutton, D.D., Principal,
Newbern, N. C.
Lancaster Normal and Industrial Institute—Rev. M.
D. Lee, A.M., President,
Lancaster, S. C.
Clinton Institute—Robert J. Crockett, A.M., Presi¬
dent,
Rock Hill, S. C.
Edenton High School—Prof. C. M. Gaines, Principal,
Edenton, N. C.
Lomax-Hannon High School—Rev. S. B. Boyd, Prin¬
cipal,
Greenville, Ala.
Zion Institute—B. F. Wheeler, A.M., D.D., Principal,
500 State St., Mobile, Ala.
Greenville College—Prof. J. C. Chandler, President,
Greenville, Tenn.
Atkinson College—Bishop G. W. Clinton, A.M., D.D.,
President,
Madisonville, Ky.
Walters Institute—
Principal,
Wilmot, Ark.
3R0
Administrative Boards. ft 4
CHAPTER II.
ADMINISTRATIVE BOARDS.
3.1. Board of Connectional Trustees.
Bishop J. B. Small, Chairman. G. W. Tubneb,
Treasurer. E. D. W. Jones, Secretary.
District. Name. Conference.
I. M. A. Bradley, New York.
II. W. J. Moore, North Carolina.
JII. W. M. Lyons, Blue Ridge.
IV. S. M. Pharr, Western North Carolina.
V. M. N. Levy, Virginia.
VI. R. S. Rives, Philadelphia and Baltimore.
VII. G. W. Johnson, Allegheny-Ohio.
VIII. G. W. Turner, North Alabama.
IX. H. B. Moss, Tennessee.
X. E. D. W. Jones, Missouri.
4. II. Board of Apportionment,
Bishop A. Walters, Chairman. M. V. Maeable,
Treasurer. J. H. White, Secretary.
District. Name. Conference.
I. A. A. Crooke, New England.
II. J. M. Erwin, South Carolina.
III. E. U. A. Brookes, Western New York.
IV. M. V. Marable, Western North Carolina.
V. J. H. White, New Jersey.
VI. J. C. Laramore, Alabama.
VII. J. H. Anderson, Allegheny-Ohio.
VIII. A. S. Watkins, Central Alabama.
IX. A. P. Pettey,.West Tennessee and Mississippi.
X. A. Wakefield, Missouri.
361
If 5 Administrative Boards.
U 5. UL Board of Publication*
Bishop T. H. Lomax, Chairman. J. H. Bbanneb,
Treasurer. W. L. Lee, Secretary.
District. Name. Conference.
I. T. B. McCain, Central North Carolina.
II. W. L. Lee, South Carolina.
III. J. H. Branner, Blue Ridge.
IV. H. Blake, Western North Carolina.
V. L. A. Patrick, South Florida.
VI. G. C. Clement, Kentucky.
VII. P.' J. McEntosh, Allegheny-Ohio.
VIII. L. D. Workman, Central Alabama.
IX. B. J. Jones, Tennessee.
X. D. C. Bauis,. Palmetto.
6- IV. Board of Education.
Bishop C. R. Harris, Chairman. S. P. Cooke, Treas¬
urer. J. H. McMullen, Secretary.
District. Name. Conference.
I. J. H. McMullen, New England.
II. E. S. W. Simmons, North Carolina.
JIL 33. F. Wheeler, Western New York.
IV. B. F. Martin, South Georgia.
V. S. P. Cooke, Virginia.
VI. J. P. Scott, Philadelphia and Baltimore.
VII. W. A. H. Pringle, Allegheny-Ohio.
VIII. K. T. Thompson, North Alabama.
IX. R. B. Macon, Arkansas.
X. J. H, Manley, Palmetto.
362
Administrative Boards. 8.
tl 7. V, Board of Churcfx Extension.
Bishop G. W. Clinton, Chairman. W. H. Cham¬
bers, Treasurer. J. N. Abbey, Secretary.
District. Name. Conference.
I. E. George Biddle, New England.
II. M. Ingram, North Carolina.
III. T. A. Auten, Western New York.
IV. P. A. McCorkle, Western North Carolina.
V. J. C. Temple, New Jersey.
VI. G. L. Blackwell,.. Philadelphia and Baltimore.
VII. G. W. Lewis, Allegheny-Ohio.
VIII. W. M. Finley, Central Alabama.
IX. J. N. Abbey, Tennessee.
X. W. H. Chambers, Missouri.
U 8. VI. Board of Missions.
Bishop J. W. Hood, Chairman. H. J. Callis, Treas¬
urer. J. S. Jackson, Secretary.
District. Name. Conference.
I. H. J. Callis New York.
II. William Sutton, North Carolina.
III. J. J. Adams, Western New York.
IV. H. L. Simmons, Western North Carolina.
V. C. W. Winfield, Virginia.
VI. S. L. Corrothers,.. Philadelphia and Baltimore.
VII. J. W. Randolph, Allegheny-Ohio.
VIII. J. S. Jackson, North Alabama.
IX. J. D. Gaither, Tennessee.
X. W. D. Speight, North Arkansas.
363
9. Administrative Boards.
IF 9» VIL Board of Control of Varicfc Endeavor Union*
Bishop I. C. Clinton, Chairman. S. C. Habbis,
Treasurer. W. D. Clinton, Secretary.
District. Name. Conference.
I. W. H. Graham, Central North Carolina.
II. C. L. Alexander, North Carolina.
III. H. H. Bingham, Western New York.
IV. J. C. Lee, Florida.
V. B. W. Swain, New Jersey.
VI. T. H. Merriweather, Kentucky.
VII. W. D. Clinton, Allegheny-Ohio.
VIII. W. L. Hamblin, South Mississippi.
IX. S. C. Harris,. .West Tennessee and Mississippi.
X. J. C. Coin, Palmetto.
IT 10. Vm. Board of Widows and Orphans.
Bishop J. W. Smith, Chairman. S. P. Weight,
Treasurer. R. A. Mobrisey, Secretary.
District. Name. Conference.
1. F. K. Bird, Central North Carolina.
II. C. 0. H. Thomas, North Carolina.
III. H. P. Thomas, South Georgia.
IV. S. P. Wright, Western North Carolina.
V. G. L. White, Virginia.
' VI. I. W. Selectman, Kentucky.
VII. R. A. Morrissey, ;Allegheny-Ohio.
VIII. A. M. Lang, Louisiana.
IX. D. J. Adams, Arkansas.
X. B. G. Shaw, North Arkansas.
3C4
Administrative Boards. ft 12.
H 11. IX. Board of Superannuated Ministers*
Bishop J. S. Caldwell, Chairman. H. Bell, Treas¬
urer. G. W. Maize, Secretary.
District. Name. Conference.
I. D. T. Mitchell, Central North Carolina.
II. H. Bell, North. Carolina.
III. G. W. Maize, Blue Ridge,
IV. H. W. Smith, Western North Carolina.
V. C. D. Hazel, New Jersey.
VI. B. M. Gudger, Alabama.
VII. M. S. Kell, Allegheny-Ohio.
VIII. M. Rankins, Central Alabama.
IX. W. A. Ray, Texas.
X.J. B. Colbert, ...Missouri.
ft 12. X. Board of Appeals.
J. H. White, Chairman. A. J. Warneb, Treasurer.
A. A. Cbooke, Secretary.
District. Name. Conference.
I. A. A. Crooke, New England.
II. W. J. Moore, North Carolina.
III. G. W. Maize, Blue Ridge.
IV. A. J. Warner, Western North Carolina.
V. J. H. White, New Jersey.
VI. J. C. Laramore, Alabama.
VII. G. |W. Lewis, Allegheny-Ohio.
VIII. Wffliam Spencer, North Alabama.
IX. W. A. Ray Texas.
-■ X. J. H. Manley, Palmetto.
365
13. Benevolent and Savings Institution.
Jf 13. XI* Board of Audit*
Bishop J. W. Alstobk, Chairman. W. H. Daven¬
port, Treasurer. F. H. Hill, Secretary.
District. Name. Conference.
I. J. J. Smyer, New York.
II. W. W. Lawrence, North Carolina.
III. G. W. Maize, Blue Eidgc.
IV. A. J. Warner, Western North Carolina.
V. B. T. Parsons, Virginia.
VI. F. H. Hill, Philadelphia and Baltimore.
VII. W. H. Davenport,.. West Alabama.
VIII. A. J. Rodgers, Central Alabama.
IX. A. J. Gorham, Tennessee.
X. D. C. Baum, Palmetto.
14. XII. Board of Theological Circle*
C. D. Hazel, Chairman. P. A. Wallace, Treasurer.
P. H?. Williams, Secretary.
District. Name. Conference.
I. J. H. Thomas Central North Carolina.
II. C. O. H. Thomas ..North Carolina.
III. H. H. Bingham, Blue Eidge.
IV. W. A. Blackwell.... Western North Carolina.
V. C. D. Hazel ...New Jersey.
VI. P. A. Wallace.. . Philadelphia and Baltimore.
VII. P. H. Williams Western New York
VIII. M. C. Glover Central Alabama.
IX. G. W. Gaines.
X. W. J. Holland Missouri.
366
Benevolent and Savings Institution. 1115.
15. Board of Volunteer Ministerial Relief.
F. J. Moultrie, Chairman. W. H. Goler, Treasurer.
J. J. Smyer, Secretary.
J. C. Dancy, J. W. Wood,
E. George Biddle, J. H. Johnson,
P. R. Anderson, John Rowan,
E. D. Smith, M. S. Kell,
W. W. Matthews.
SC7
17. Conferences and Foreign Missions.
CHAPTER IY.
ANNUAL CONFERENCES AND FOREIGN
MISSIONS.
1[ 17. Annual Conferences.
1. Alabama.
2. Allegheny-Ohio.
3. Arkansas.
4. Blue Ridge.
5. California.
6. Central Alabama.
7. Central North Carolina.
8. Florida.
9. Georgia.
10. Kentucky.
11. Louisiana.
13. Missouri.
14. New England.
15. New Jersey.
16. New York.
17. North Alabama.
18. North Arkansas.
19. North Carolina.
20. North Louisiana.
21. Oklahoma.
22. Palmetto.
23. Philadelphia and Baltimore.
24. South Carolina.
368
Miscellaneous. If 19, § I-
25. South Florida.
26. South Georgia.
27. South Mississippi.
28. Tennessee.
29. Texas.
30. Virginia.
31. West Alabama.
32. Western New York.
33. Western North Carolina.
34. West Tennessee and Mississippi.
H 18. Mission Work*
I. District.—Nova Scotia, Bishop J.W. Hood.
IV. District.—Florida Keys, and Cuba,
Bishop C. R. Harris.
VIII. District.—Cape Coast, and Liberia, Africa;
Belize, British Honduras,
Bishop J. B. Small.
IX. District.—Indian Territory, Porto Eico, and
Hawaii Island,
Bishop J. W. Alstork.
CHAPTER V.
MISCELLANEOUS.
19. Rules for Conference Proceedings.
I 1. All Conference proceedings not especially con¬
stituting a rule previously decided on as such must
be introduced by a motion.
24 369
19, § 2. Miscellaneous.
§ 2. Every motion must be seconded to be intro¬
duced as such by the Chairman.
§ B. Every motion contains a proposition or pro¬
posal to do something or refrain from doing by non-
concurrence.
'§ 4. When a motion is made and seconded, or a
resolution is introduced and seconded, or a report
presented and read by the Secretary, or stated by the
Chairman it shall be deemed in possession of the
Conference. But any motion or resolution may be
withdrawn by the mover at any time before amend¬
ment or decision.
I 5.'It is the prerogative of the Chairman to rule
out or refuse to entertain a motion when it proposes
a violation of law.
§ 6. The motions to adjourn, to suspend the rules,
to lay on the table, to take from the table, and the
call for the previous question shall be taken without
debate.
\ 7. No new motion or resolution shall be enter¬
tained until the one under consideration has been
disposed of, which may be done by adoption or rejec¬
tion, unless one of the following motions should
intervene, which shall have precedence in the order
in which they are placed, namely :
(1) To fix the time when the Conference shall ad¬
journ.
(2) To adjourn.
(3) To take recess.
(4) To lay on the table.
(5) For the previous question.
370
Miscellaneous. IT 19, § 15.
(6) To postpone.
(7) To give time.
(8) To refer.
(9) To substitute.
(10) An amendment.
(11) To postpone indefinitely.
The motion for the previous question cannot be
laid on the table.
§ 8. There may be a motion to amend the propo¬
sition offered.
I 9. There may be a motion to amend the amend¬
ment.
g 10. There may be a motion to offer a substitute
for'the proposition.
§11* There may be a motion to refer the matter
to a standing or a special committee.
\ 12. If the motion to refer is lost, there may be
a motion to postpone the matter and the time named,
or to an indefinite period.
§ 13. There may be a motion to lay any of these
propositions on the table except the previous question,
which if carried, ends the further consideration of
the whole matter for the present.
§ 14. The motion to substitute takes precedence
of all motions to amend, and the motion to refer takes
precedence of all others in this connection.
§ 15. The motion to adjourn shall be taken with¬
out debate, and shall always be in order, except (1)
when a member has the floor; (2) when a question
is actually put, or a vote is being taken; (3) when
a question is pending or sustaining the demand for
19, § 16. Miscellaneous.
the previous question; (4) when the previous ques¬
tion has been called and sustained, and action under
it is still pending; (5) when a motion to adjourn has
been lost and no business or debate has intervened,
I 16. When any motion or resolution shall have
been acted upon by the Conference it shall be in
order for any member who voted with the prevailing
side to move a reconsideration; but a motion to
reconsider a nondebatable motion shall be decided
without debate.
\ 17. When any member is about to speak in
debate or to deliver any matter to the Conference he
shall arise and respectfully address the President, but
shall not proceed until recognized by him, and £he
member must address the chair from his place.
§ 18. No member shall be interrupted while
speaking except by the President to call him to order
when he departs from the question or uses person¬
alities, or uses disrespectful language, but any member
may call the attention of the Chairman to the subject
when he deems the speaker out of order, and any
member may explain when he thinks himself misrep¬
resented.
\ 19. No person shall speak more than twice on
the same question, nor more than five minutes at one
time without leave of the Conference, nor shall any
person speak more than once until every member
choosing to speak shall have spoken, provided, how¬
ever, that the committee making the report shall
through, its Chairman or one of its members, in all
cases be entitled to five minutes to close the debate.
372
Miscellaneous. 20.
§ 20. No member shall be allowed to vote on any
question who is not within the bar at the time when
the question shall be put by the Chairman except by
the leave of the Conference, when such member shall
have necessarily been absent.
§21. Every member who is within the bar at the
time the question is put shall vote unless the Confer¬
ence for special reasons excuses him.
\ 22. When the hour agreed on for adjournment
arrives, a motion for'extension of time is out of order;
if desired it must be agreed on by motion to suspend
the rule in order thereto before the time to adjourn
arrives.
I 23. When a member desires to speak on a ques¬
tion of privilege he shall briefly state the question,
but it shall not be in order for him to proceed until
the Chairman shall have decided it a privileged ques¬
tion. Privileged questions should be disposed of
immediately after the approval of the minutes.
\ 24. All actions should be settled, and reports
made by members both in Annual and Quarterly
Conferences previous to the passage of the member's
character in order to determine his fitness in the dis¬
charge of duty, and his fitness for continuance in his
position.
If 20. Manner of Formulating Charges against an Ac¬
cused Member.
In drafting charges and specifications for the trial
of an accused Member of the Church there should
be a brief statement defining the offense by its gen-
373
21, § 1. Miscellaneous.
eric name, such as "Defamation," "Dishonesty,"
"Lying," "Imprudent Conduct," "Indulging Sinful
Tempers or Words," " Disobedience to the Order and
Discipline of the Church," " Neglecting Prayer-
meetings," " Neglecting Class-meetings," etc. Each
charge should be accompanied with one or more spe¬
cifications germane to the charge ; and the following
forms may serve to illustrate the manner of prepar¬
ing charges and specifications. The charges and
specifications must be so varied in the several
cases as to meet the facts or evidence relied upon
for conviction. The bill of charges should be
signed" by one or more Members of the Church,
and must be addressed to the Preacher in Charge
of the circuit or station in which the accused person
holds his membership.
U" 21. Form of Charges.
11. IMMOKAL CONDUCT.
Form No. I.
To A. B., Preacher in Charge of Circuit or Station:
Dear Brother : The undersigned, a Member of
the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, com¬
plains to you that C. D., a Member of the same
Church, has been guilty of immoral conduct, and he
is hereby charged therewith, as follows :
charge: defamation.
Specification 1. The said C. D., on the day of
, 19 , at , did write and publish, mali¬
ciously and in violation of the Eules of the Discipline,
Miscellaneous.
"S 21, § 2.
the following false and libelous matter of and con¬
cerning E. F., to wit: (Here copy the writing com¬
plained of).
Specification 2, The said 0. D., on the day of
, 19_ , at , did utter and publish ma¬
liciously and in violation of the Rules of the Disci¬
pline, the following defamatory and libelous matter
of and concerning E. F., to wit: (Here copy the
matter published).
Specification 3. The said C. D., on the day
of , 19 , at , did, maliciously and in
violation of the Rules of the Discipline, speak, utter
and publish, in the hearing of divers persons, the
following false and slanderous words concerning E. F.,
that is to say, "He (meaning the said E. F.) is a
thief."
[Signed] M. N.
Foem No. II.
[The address to the Preacher in Charge should be
the same as in No. I.]
charge: lying.
Specification. The said C. D., on the day of
,19 . at , did, in violation of the
Rules of the Discipline, falsely and wilfully say (here
insert what was said) or words to that effect, know¬
ing the statement to be misleading and false.
[Signed] M. N.
§2. IMPRUDENT AND UNCHRISTIAN CONDUCT.
In this class of cases preliminary labor is required
before the accused person is liable to be arraigned
375
51 21, § 2. Miscellaneous.
and tried, and it should be averred in the complaint
that such preliminary labor has been performed for
such averment there is nothing to show that the per¬
son is liable to be tried. The following form may
be used:
Form No. III.
To A. B., Preacher in Charge of Circuit or Station:
Dear Brother: Inasmuch as C. D., a Member
of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church,
indulged sinful tempers, and was afterward reproved,
as the Discipline provides; yet the C. D. was guilty
of a second transgression and he was again reproved
as the Discipline provides; yet notwithstanding
these repeated reproofs, the said C. D. continues im¬
penitent and still persists in indulging sinful tem¬
pers, thereby bringing reproach upon the Church;
therefore the undersigned complains to you of the
conduct of the said C. D., and charges him as follows:
charge: indulging sinful tempers.
Specification. The said C. D., on the day of
, 19 , at , and at other places, did on
three several occasions become angry and indulge
sinful tempers, ia violation of the Rules of the Disci¬
pline.
[Signed] M. N.
Form No. IV.
To A. B., Preacher in Charge of. Circuit or Station :
Dear Brother: Forasmuch as C. D., on the
day of , 19 , at , did become angry and
indulge sinful tempers, in violation of the Rules of
376
Miscellaneous. IT 21, § 3.
the Discipline; and though reproved therefor, after
the manner provided in the Discipline, he made no
acknowledgment of the fault, and showed no proper
humiliation; and he still continues impenitent;
therefore the undersigned complains to you of the
conduct of C. D., and hereby charges him as follows:
charge: indulging sinful tempers.
Specification. C. D., on the day of , 19
at , became angry and indulged sinful tempers,
in violation of the Eules of the Discipline; and, not¬
withstanding he has been reproved on account
thereof, as the Discipline provides, he has made no
acknowledgment of the fault, and has shown no
proper humiliation, but continues impenitent, in
violation of the Eules of the Discipline.
[Signed] M. N.
\ 3. NEGLECT OF THE MEANS OF GEACE.
Form No. V.
To A. B., Preacher in Charge of. Circuit or Station :
Dear Brother: Inasmuch as C. D., a Member
of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church,
had for a long time neglected class-meetings, and
having so neglected was visited by the Leader, who
explained to him the consequences should he continue
such neglect; and yet, notwithstanding such visit
and explanation, he does not amend, but continues
to neglect class-meetings, therefore the undersigned
complains to you of the conduct of C. D., and hereby
charges him as follows:
IF 22. Miscellaneous.
charge: habitual neglect of class-meetings.
Specification. The said C. D., unmindful of his
duty, and in violation of the Rules of the Discipline,
does habitually neglect class-meetings.
[Signed] M. N.
[Note.—It is sufficient to charge the offense by its generic
name, and after such charge the complaint may set forth in
specifications as many instances of the offense as he may see
proper to insert; provided, always, the specifications may sus¬
tain the charge. In preparing the charges and specifications
care should be taken in setting out the offense, so to describe it
in each specification as that it shall embody the essential ele¬
ments of the offense, that the accused may be apprised more
certainly of the nature of the charge upon which he is to be
arraigned and tried.]
Tf 22. Order of a Trial,
For the sake of convenience the following is sub'
mitted as the order of proceedings in a Trial Com'
mittee:
1. Devotional exercises.
2. Appointing of Secretary.
3. Appointing or recognizing Counsel.
4. Challenge, waived or decided.
5. Reading and introducing of Charges.
6. The accused admits or denies the Charge.
7. The testimony for the prosecution introduced.
8. The testimony for the defense presented.
9. Rebuttals for prosecution and defense.
10. Arguments. First. For prosecution covering
the whole ground. Second. For defense in full.
Third. The prosecution closes without introducing
any new matter.
378
Miscellaneous. 23, § 1.
11. The Committee takes the case for decision, the
accused and the accuser retiring. The Members of
the Committee may refresh their minds through
reference to the testimony, which they may consider
until they are ready to vote. In voting, the Chairman
submits the question on the first specification, and
asks, Is this specification sustained? He takes a
vote on each specification in the same manner until
all are voted on. Then he asks, Do the specifica¬
tions sustained, sustain the charge? If the vote is
affirmative, the penalty must be according to the
grade of offense. If the vote on sustaining the
charge is negative, then the Chairman shall ask,
What grade of offense do the specifications sustain ?
If in the judgment of the Committee the specifica¬
tions do not sustain any grade of offense, the accused
shall be acquitted; but if in its judgment, the specifi¬
cations sustained some minor offense, the penalty
shall be accordingly.
12. The findings will then be written and must
conform exactly to the votes of the charge and speci¬
fications, and signed by the majority, but no member
of the Committee shall be compelled to subscribe to
what he did not vote for.
13. The Chairman shall then announce the find¬
ings in order of the specifications, and the sentence
which the Discipline requires.
23. What Constitutes a Circuit or Station*
| 1. A circuit is a city, town, district, or circle,
taking in several societies, whose temporal concerns
379
IT 23, § 2. Miscellaneous.
are conducted by separate bodies of Trustees or
Stewards, according to their charters or constitutions,
and consequently require separate Trustees and
Leaders' Meetings.
§ 2. A station is a city or town where there is but
one society (though having several houses of worship),
whose temporal concerns are conducted by one body
of Trustees or Stewards, or one Leaders' Meeting.
T[ 24. The Correspondence School.
(S 1. "The Correspondence School established by
the Board of Bishops of the African Methodist Epis¬
copal Zion Church is hereby incorporated. At the first
Quarterly Conference held each year an educational
session shall be held, at which all the Traveling
Preachers who have not finished their four years'
course of study, and Local Preachers residing in the
circuit or station, together with the Exhorters, shall
be examined by the Presiding Elder or his proxy
in the studies designated for them by the Book of
Discipline, including those of the Correspondence
School."
\ 2. All failing to pass said examination shall
pursue the studies prescribed for them in the Corre¬
spondence School.
I 3. At each succeeding Quarterly Conference the
students aforenamed shall be examined, and the
results reported to the ensuing Annual Conference.
§ 4. A collection shall be raised yearly in every
Church for Ministerial Education, which shall be
880
Courses of Study. IT 24, § 4.
devoted by the Quarterly Conference next ensuing
to the following objects, namely:
1. To establish and maintain a library, which
shall retain all that is required in the Conference
Course of Study or the Correspondence School.
2. To provide a supply of books to lend to those
members of the Quarterly Conference who desire, or
are required, to pursue a course of study in the
Correspondence School.
3. To furnish such literature as may be desired by
the Preachers' Institute.
4. All the surplus of said collection shall be used
in augmenting the library of the Sunday Schools.
881
Miscellaneous.
FORM OF DEED.
Deed.
TO
Deed—Consideration, $.
Dated. - day of- —, ig
Filed for Registration on the day of
, 19 , at clock,
—M., and registered in the office of the Regis¬
ter of Deeds for.
County, , this day ofL
19 , at. o'clock, —-—Jlf., in Book
of Deeds, on Page , &*c.
Register of Deeds.
f 25.
IT 25.
382
Miscellaneous.
IF 25.
State of
..County.
Eijis JBectr, made this
, ig , by.
of. County, State of..
day of
, t°
Trustees of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Trustees of the Church aforesaid, the receipt of
which is hereby acknowledged, ha bargained
and sold, and by these presents do bargain, sell,
and convey to said
Trustees, their associates and successors in office,
a of land in Cotmty, State of
. , adjoining the land of —:
and others, bounded as follows, viz:
said-
Church in America, of
State of
of
paid by
County,
WITNESSETH, That
, in consideration
100 Dollars, to
383
25. Miscellaneous.
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the aforesaid
tract. and all privileges and appur¬
tenances thereto belotiging. In trust that said prem¬
ises shall be used, kept, maintained, and disposed
of as a place of Divine Worship for the use of
the Ministry and membership of the African Metho¬
dist Episcopal Zion Church in America: subject
to the Discipline, usage, and Ministerial appoint¬
ments of said Church, as from time to time author¬
ized and declared by the General Cotiference of
said Church, and the Annual Conference in whose
bounds the said premises are situate.
And the said. jcovenant—
that seized of said premises in fee simple,
and ha the right to convey the same in fee
simple; that the same are free from all incum¬
brances, and that will warrant and defend
the said title to the same, against the claims of all
persons whatsoever.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, The said
ha hereunto set hand and seal....the day
and year above written.
----- - (L-S.)
(L.S.)
Attest:.
384
Miscellaneous.
IT 2-5.
State ot
County.
Be it Remembered, That on the
day of..
ig , before me,
personally appeared.
, the
grantor named in the foregoing Deed, who acknowl¬
edged the due execution thereof, by as.
act and deed; and thereupon the said
being by me privately examined, separate and apart
from her said husband, touching her free consent
to the execution of said deed, she on such, her
examination, declares that she executed the same
freely, of her own will and accord, and without
any force, fear, or iindue influence of her said
husband, or any other person, and does still volun¬
tarily assent thereto, and hereby relinquishes her
right of dower in said land.
Let the said deed, with this certificate, be regis¬
tered.
25
Probate Judge.
385
27. Courses of Study.
CHAPTER VI.
COURSES OF STUDY.
11" 26. The General Conference in its deliverances
on the subject of Education makes literary prepara¬
tion on the part of Candidates for the Ministry, a
necessity, and positively requires of the Candidate
a familiar acquaintance with the common English
branches before applying for admission to an Annual
Conference, and earnestly recommends the comple¬
tion of an academic course, if possible, and a course
in theology, before the Canditate applies for admission.
IT 27. The General Conference directs that each
Annual Conference will require a rigid examination
of each Candidate on the studies laid down for Ad¬
mission on Trial, and that each Preacher be required
to pass an examination each year thereafter for four
years, or until he regularly finishes the course,
whether he has, or has not been ordained before the
expiration of the time required; provided that Con¬
ferences may accept diplomas and certificates from
Institutions of learning where persons have pursued
a regular course or courses of study equivalent to or-
covering the Conference course of study in lieu of
the examination and where satisfactory proficiency is
shown; nevertheless, all Candidates shall be examined
in the Doctrines and Discipline of our Church,
If 107, U 118, 1161 I 1-6.
If 28. The General Conference recommends that
386
Courses of Study. 30, § 1.
each Presiding Bishop will select men as examiners,
whose qualifications and experience peculiarly fit
them for conducting the examination of Candidates
in the fairest manner, and that the minimum pass¬
ing average in the examination shall be seventy.
If 29. For Class Leaders and Exhorters.
Bible, with References and Helps.
Church Hymnal.
Church Discipline.—Present Edition.
Bible Catechism.—Moore.
Outlines of Methodism,—James McGee.
Church Catechism.—Harris.
Early History of the African Methodist Episcopal
% ion Church.—Rush.
The Class Leader.—Atkinson.
The Class Meeting.—Fitzgerald.
English Branches.
If 30. For Local Preachers.
§ 1. First Year.
Bible, with References and Helps.
Church Hymnal.
Church Discipline.—Present Edition.
Church Catechism.—Harris.
Outlines of Bible History.—Hurst.
Outlines of Church History.—.Hard.
Early History of our Church.—Rush.
Theological Compend— Binney.
Outlines of Methodism.—James McGee.
English Branches.
387
•ff 30, § 2. Courses of Study.
I 2. Second Year.
Bible, with References and Helps.
Church Hymnal.
Church Discipline.—Present Edition.
Handbook on Christian Theology.—Field.
Short History of the Christian Church.—Hurst.
Plain Account of Christian Perfection.— Wesley.
One Thousand Questions on Methodism.—Henry
Wheeler.
Outlines of Bible History.—Hurst.
Hints to Self-Educated Ministers.—Porter.
English Branches.
IT 31. For Traveling Preachers.
\ 1. For Admission on Trial.
English Branches.
Church Catechism.—Harris.
Church Discipline.—Present Edition.
Handbook of Christian Theology.—Field.
Outlines of Bible History.—Hurst.
Short Church History.—Hurst.
Plain Account of Christian Perfection.— Wesley.
Early History of our Church.—Hush.
Compendium of Methodism.—Porter.
One Thousand Questions on Methodism.—Henry
Wheeler.
Christian Evidences.—Fisher.
Handbook of Discipline.—Jones.
Primer of Psychology.—Ladd.
Written Sermon.
388
Courses of Study. IT 31, § 3.
§ 2. First Year.
Introduction to the Holy Scriptures.—Harm,an.
Systematic Theology (1st Vol.).—Miley.
Church Discipline.—Present Edition.
Principles of Rhetoric.—D. J. Hill.
Lectures on Preaching.—Simpson.
History of African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church.—Hood.
History of Methodism (Abridged).—Stevens.
History of the Christian'Church.—Fisher.
Doctrinal Aspects of Christian Experience.—Mer¬
rill.
Written Sermon.
To be Read:
The Life of Christ.—Stalker.
The Tongue of Fire.—Arthur.
Code on Discipline.—Small.
Star of Zion.
■ Quarterly Review.
I 3. Second Year.
Introduction to the Holy Scriptures.—Harman.
Systematic Theology (1st Vol.).—Miley.
Church Discipline.—Present Edition.
Preparation and Delivery of Sermons (Parts I. and
II.).—Broadus.
Principles of Rhetoric.—D. J. Hill.
Lessons in Logic.—Jevons.
History of Methodism (Abridged).—Stevens.
History of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion
Church.—Hood.
389
31, § 4. Courses of Study.
History of the Christian Church.—Fisher.
Written Sermon.
To be Read:
Practical Pulpiteer.—Small.
The Revival and the Pastor.—Peck.
Code on the Discipline.—Small.
Life of Paul.—Stalker.
Star of Zion.
Quarterly Beview,
I' 4. Third Year.
Introduction to the Holy Scriptures.—Harman.
Systematic Theology (2d Vol.).—Miley.
Church Discipline.—Present Edition.
Preparation and Delivery of' Sermons (Parts III-
V.).—Broadus.
History of the Christian Church.—Fisher.
Mental Philosophy.—Putnam.
Lessons in Logic.—Jevons.
Outlines of Universal History.—Fisher.
Written Sermon.
To be Read:
The Negro in the Christian Pulpit.—Hood.
Sermons and Addresses.—Jones.
The Preacher and his Models.—Stalker.
Star of Zion.
Quarterly Beview.
I 5. Fourth Year.
Systematic Theology (2d Vol.).—Miley.
Pastoral Theology.— Venet.
Moral Science.—Mahan.
390
Courses of Study. IT 31, § 5.
History of the Christian Church.—Fisher.
Church Discipline.—Present Edition.
Outlines of Universal History.—Fisher.
Written Sermon.
To be Read:
The Plan of the Apocalypse.—Hood.
. Hymn Studies.—Nutter.
Foreign Missions of the Protestant Churches.—
Baldwin-
Life and Epistles of St. Paul. — Conybeare and
Howson.
Star of Zion.
Quarterly Review.
391