LIBRARY OF THE 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS 
 
 AT URBANA-CHAMPAIGN 
 
 . 269.9 
 Un3d 
 
 ii . o
 
 THE 
 
 DOCTRINES 
 
 AND 
 
 DISCIPLINE 
 
 OF THE 
 
 United Evangelical Church, 
 
 FORMULATED BY 
 
 THE GENERAL CONFERENCE OF 1894. 
 
 HELD IN 
 
 Naperville, III. 
 
 1908. 
 
 BOARD OF PUBLICATION 
 OF THE 
 
 United Evangelical Church, 
 hakrisburg, pa,
 
 Copyrighted in the year 1895 
 
 By the Board of Publication of the 
 
 United Evangelical Church
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Introduction, 7-10 
 
 PART I. 
 
 The Church. 
 
 Chapter. Page. 
 
 I. Articles of Faith. 13 
 
 II. Christian Perfection, 22 
 
 III. General Rules, 27 
 
 IV. Special Rules, 30 
 
 Temperance 30 
 
 Slavery, 31 
 
 Christian Giving 31 
 
 Marriage, s^ 
 
 Divorce S3 
 
 Thoughts on Singing, ^^ 
 
 Thoughts on Prayer, 34 
 
 Bible Study 35 
 
 V. Membership ^y 
 
 Reception of Members, 37 
 
 Transfer of Membership by Certifi- 
 cate :^8 
 
 Certificate of Membership and Dis- 
 missal 38 
 
 Certificate of Reception, 39 
 
 Classes and Class Officers, 40 
 
 Stewards and their Duties 42
 
 4 CONTENTS. 
 
 Chapter. Paee- 
 
 Sunday-Schools and Their Officers. 43 
 
 Young People's Societies 45 
 
 PART II. 
 The Conferences. 
 
 I. The Conferences, 49 
 
 II. Quarterly Conference, 5^ 
 
 III. Annual Conference. 53 
 
 IV. General Conference 57 
 
 Special General Conference 58 
 
 ^ 
 
 PART III. 
 The Ministry. 
 
 I. Ministerial Qualifications and Work. 65 
 
 General Directions 65 
 
 Spiritual Qualifications 67 
 
 Evidences of a Call to Preach, 68 
 
 Hints and Directions, 71 
 
 Effective Preaching, 73 
 
 Preaching Places 74 
 
 II. Reception and Station of Ministers... 75 
 
 Recommendation 75 
 
 Questions to Applicants, 76 
 
 Ministers from Other Churches, . . 77 
 
 Deacons 77 
 
 Elders 78 
 
 Presiding Elders, 78 
 
 Bishops, 78 
 
 Itinerants. 79 
 
 Local Preachers, 79
 
 CONTENTS. > 
 
 Chapter. Page. 
 
 / Superannuated Preachei-s, 79 
 
 Supernumerary Preachers, 79 
 
 Evangelists, , 80 
 
 III. Duties of Preachers 8r 
 
 Duties of a Local Preacher 81 
 
 Duties of a Traveling Pieacher. .. 81 
 
 Duties of a Preacher in Chargj, . . 82 
 
 Duties of a Presiding Elder 84 
 
 Duties of a Bishop 85 
 
 PART IV. 
 
 Church Trials. 
 
 I. Trial of Lay-members, 89 
 
 Neglect of Duty, 89 
 
 Imprudent and Sinful Conduct. ... 90 
 
 Gross Immorality, 91 
 
 Causing Dissension, 91 
 
 Arbitration, 92 
 
 Appeal of Lay-members 93 
 
 Right to Challenge : 94 
 
 Appointment of Plaintiff 94 
 
 President of a Trial, 94 
 
 II. Trial of Ministers 95 
 
 III. Trial of a Bishop loi 
 
 IV. Court of Appeals 103 
 
 V. Jurisdiction and Evidence 104 
 
 Charges 105 
 
 Withdrawal Under Charges, 105 
 
 Evidence Admissible at Trials. . . . 106
 
 6 CONTENTS. 
 
 PART V. 
 
 The Ritual. 
 
 Chapttr. Page. 
 
 I. Administration of Baptism 109 
 
 Baptism of Infants 109 
 
 Baptism of Adults, iii 
 
 II. The Lord's Supper 114 
 
 III. Matrimony 118 
 
 IV. Burial of the Dead 121 
 
 V. Ordination 124 
 
 Ordination of Deacons. 124 
 
 Ordination of Elders. 129 
 
 VI. Laying of a Corner Stone, 141 
 
 Dedication of a Church, 143 
 
 PART VI. 
 
 Temporal Economy. 
 
 I. Support of Ministers. 149 
 
 II. Church Property, 151 
 
 III. Articles of Incorporation, 154 
 
 IV. Support of Missions, 158 
 
 V. Publishing Interest, 159 
 
 VI. Constitution of the Missionary So- " 
 
 ciety i6j 
 
 VII. Charter of the Charitable Society, . . 169 
 
 VIII. Church Extension Society, 176 
 
 PART VII. 
 
 The Lord's Prayer, 18;
 
 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 In the year 1796, Jacob Albright, yearning for the salvation, 
 of his spiritually neglected German-speaking brethren, started 
 out, as a humble layman, to preach to them the Gospel of Christ. 
 His labors extended over large portions of Pennsylvania, and into 
 parts of Maryland and Virginia, and resulted in the saving of 
 many souls. He had, originally, no thought of founding a new 
 religious organization, but finally, in 1800, he yielded to the oft 
 repeated and urgent requests of those whom he had led to the 
 Lord, and began the work of organization. Three classes, in as 
 many counties of Pennsylvania, were then organized. In Novem- 
 ber, 1803, at a council composed of Mr. Albright, his two assistants 
 and fourteen of the leading men of the Association, Mr Albright 
 was, in the name of the whole Association, declared *' a genuine 
 evangelical preacher " and solemnly ordained as such. 
 
 The Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were 
 then declared their rule of faith and practice. The need of a 
 church discipline was soon recognized, and the conference in 1807 
 directed the Rev. Jacob Albright to formulate it. Failing health, 
 terminating in death a few months thereafter, prevented him from 
 carr>'ing out the instructions of the conference, and the work was 
 then undertaken by the Rev. George Miller, and the first edition 
 of the discipline was published by him in 1809. It was largely 
 taken from the disciplines of other churches, notably that of the 
 Methodist Episcopal Church, and was issued in the German lan- 
 guage. A second edition, prepared by John Dreisbach and Henry 
 Niebel, appeared in 1816, and frequent editions, with many 
 amendments, thereafter. 
 
 In the course of time, earnest differences of opinion as to the 
 powers of the General Conference and of the episcopacy, more 
 especially the latter, arose in the church. In 1887 the General
 
 8 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Conference assumed original jurisdiction in the case of an accused 
 brother, and proceeded to try him in a manner which called forth 
 the most earnest protestatiops from many of its members. A writ- 
 ten protest, embodying their objections, and signed by forty-one 
 members of the conference, was finally presented, with the de- 
 mand that it, together with the names of the signers, be spread 
 upon the record of the conference, and published in the church 
 papers. Their demand was refused and the protest ruled out of 
 order. As a result of this, and other actions of the conference, 
 an independent paper, named The Evangelical, was shortly after- 
 wards established, in which those who were denied a hearing by 
 the General Conference and in the official organs of the church, 
 might advocate and defend their principles. This paper was, from 
 the first, most violently assailed by some of the general officers of 
 the church and others, and its publication characterized as rebel- 
 lion. It defended its right to exist and the right of its friends to 
 be heard. The contest assumed an ever increasing earnestness 
 and determination, the parties thereto being known, from their, 
 comparative strength in the General Conference of 1887, as the 
 "Majority" and "Minority" respectively. The "Majority" 
 finally entered upon a war of extermination against the "Minor- 
 ity." For the accomplishment of this purpose the most unjustifi 
 able abuse of the powers conferred by the discipline, and the most 
 high-handed usurpation of powers in open and flagrant violation 
 of the Discipline were resorted to. At the head of this " Major- 
 ity "paA>' stood two of the bishops. For having faithfully per- 
 formed what they had conceived to be their dutj- under the disci- 
 pline, no less than fortj'-seven elders were by these two bishops 
 declared through the church papers, as having forfeited " all and 
 every right possessed by ministers and members of the Evangelical 
 Association." An entire annual Conference for exercising what 
 h considered its disciplinary right and duty, was by these same 
 bishops declared and published as having "ceased to exist as an 
 Annual Conference of the Evangelical Association." Altogether, 
 more than five hundred ministers, itinerant and local, were de- 
 clared and published by them as having severed their connection 
 with, and forfeited all their rights and privileges as ministers and 
 members of the Evangelical Association. Ministers were sus- 
 pended without charges or trial. The proceedings and verdicts of 
 properly constituted tribunals were, without a shadow of warrant
 
 A 
 
 riN rKuDUCTION. .9 
 
 nder the law, declared void. The dividends and appropriations 
 from the publishing and missionary funds were, in a number of in- 
 stances, withheld from the conferences entitled thereto, and given 
 to the small minorities in those conferences which supported the 
 two bishops in their unlawful course. Different interpretations of 
 the Discipline resulted in the calling of two General Conferences. 
 Both convened on the first day of October, 1891 ; the " Majority" 
 in Indianapolis, Ind., and the "Minority" in Philadelphia, Pa. 
 A lay convention was held in connection with each General Con- 
 ference. The convention in Philadelphia, with the concurrence 
 of the General Conference of that place, proposed to the conven- 
 tion at Indianapolis, that the difficulties be adjusted " by arbitra- 
 tion by disinterested Christian brethren of other denominations." 
 This proposition was evaded by the lay convention at Indianapolis, 
 and spurned by the General Conference of that place. Later, a 
 declaration %\%wt.A\)y four hundred and forty-one ministers ad- 
 hering to the " Minority," in which they "recorded their sincere 
 desire that our difficulties be amicably settled," was published. 
 This proposal was unconditionally rejected and the motives of the 
 signers impugned. The efforts of Dr. H. K. Carroll, religious 
 editor of The Independent, oi New York, seconded by Bishop J. 
 F. Hurst, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Dr. George Dana 
 Boardman, of the Baptist Church, Dr. T. L. Cuyler, of the Pres- 
 byterian Church, and Bishop Samuel Fallows, of the Reformed 
 Episcopal Church, to effect an amicable adjustment, were disdain- 
 fully rejected, and their author charged with officiousness. Thus 
 the " Majority " made an amicable adjustment impossible. 
 
 The Indianapolis General Conference indorsed all the unlaw- 
 ful actions of the bishops, and exscinded all ministers and laymen 
 who supported the Philadelphia General Conference. 
 
 The "Majority" first resorted to the civil courts which re- 
 sulted in prolonged litigation. The courts of final resort refusing 
 to consider the moral and equitable phases of the question, upon 
 merely technical grounds, decided against the " Minority." The 
 defeated party was necessitated to seek readmission, to disband, 
 or to reorganize. They chose the last. 
 
 On October loth, 1894, the former members of the East Penn- 
 sylvania Conference met in convention and organized as the East 
 Pennsylvania Conference of the United Evangelical Church, and 
 called a General Conference to meet m Naperville, 111., Novem-
 
 10 INTRODUCTION. 
 
 ber 29th, 1894. Other conferences joined in the call, and on the 
 day designated the Conference met, and on the following day, 
 November 30th, 1894, declared itself to be the first General Con- 
 ference of the United Evangelical Church. 
 
 Articles of Faith and a Discipline were then and there formu- 
 lated. The result of this work is before the reader. While radical 
 changes have been made in the construction of the discipline ; the 
 doctrine, spirit, and purpose of the original Church have been 
 carefully preserved. We have thus briefly given the causes which 
 necessitated the creation of this Discipline, and the manner in 
 which it was produced. The United Evangelical Church un- 
 doubtedly has a great mission in this and other lands, and pos- 
 sesses, as herein-after stated, a most excellent system of laws. 
 May the Great Head of the Church bless this work to the lives 
 and hearts of all her members.
 
 PART I. 
 THE CHURCH. 
 
 ^
 
 I. Articles of Faith 
 II. Christian Perfectioi^ 
 
 III. General Rules. 
 
 IV. Special Rules. 
 V. Membership.
 
 3)i0Cipl(ne* 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Articles of Faith. 
 
 The following Articles contain our confession of 
 Christian Faith : 
 
 I. Of God. 
 
 \ I. There is but one true and living God, an 
 eternal Being, a Spirit without body, indivisible, 
 of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness ; the Cre- 
 ator and Preserver of all things, \4sible and invis- 
 ible. In this Godhead there is a Trinity, of one 
 substance and power, and co-eternal ; namely, the 
 Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. 
 
 II. Of Jesus Christ. 
 
 \ 2. The Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only be- 
 gotten Son of God, was born of the Virgin Mary, 
 grew into perfect manhood and became acquainted 
 with all the infirmities, temptations, and sorrows 
 of men. In Him dwelt all the fullness of the God- 
 head, so that uniting Deity and humanity in one 
 Christ, he is sole Mediator between God and man. 
 He gave His life a ransom for all, and by His death 
 on the cross made a full, perfect, and sufficient 
 
 13
 
 14 ARTICLES OF FAITH. 
 
 sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction for the sins of 
 the whole world. He rose from the dead and as- 
 cended into heaven, wherein He abideth, our great 
 High-Priest and King, and must reign until all 
 things are put in subjection under Him. 
 
 III. Of the Holy Spirit. 
 
 \ 3. The Holy Spirit, proceeding from the Fa- 
 ther and the Son, and of the same eternal nature, 
 power, and glory, is everywhere present with men 
 to convict of sin, work newness of life in them that 
 believe, and lead them into all truth. 
 
 IV. Of the Holy Scriptures. 
 
 1[ 4. By the Holy Scriptures we understand those 
 canonical books of the Old and New Testaments, 
 which the Church has at all times received as such. 
 These books in order are as follows : 
 
 The Old Testament. 
 
 Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuter- 
 onomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, the First Book of 
 Samuel, the Second Book of Samuel, the First 
 Book of Kings, the Second Book of Kings, the 
 First Book of Chronicles, the Second Book of 
 Chronicles, the Book of Ezra, the Book of Nehe- 
 miah, the Book of Esther, the Book of Job, the 
 Psalms, the Proverbs of Solomon, Ecclesiastes, 
 Song of Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, 
 Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jo- 
 nah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Hag- 
 gai, Zochariah Malach\
 
 ARTICLES OF FAITR. 15 
 
 / The New Testament. 
 
 Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, The Acts, Epistle 
 to the Romans, I. Corinthians, II. Corinthians, 
 Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, I. 
 Thessalonians, II. Thessalonians, I. Timothy, II. 
 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, Epistle of 
 James, I. Peter, II. Peter, I. John, II. John, III. 
 John, Jude, Revelation. 
 
 These Scriptures, given by Divine inspiration, 
 contain the will of God concerning us in all things 
 necessary to our salvation ; so that whatever is not 
 contained therein, nor can be proved thereby, is 
 not to be enjoined on any as an article of faith. 
 
 V. Of Human Depravity. 
 
 *" 5. All men have sinned, and they inherit a 
 depravity of nature which is continually propa- 
 gated in the entire race of Adam. This corrup- 
 tion of nature so far removes them from the orig- 
 inal righteousness of man that of themselves they 
 have no ability to recover from their fallen con- 
 dition, but are continually inclined to that which 
 is evil. 
 
 VI. Of Salvation Through Christ. 
 
 1 6. The love of God has made salvation possi- 
 ble to all through the mediation of Jesus Christ, 
 whereby every man is graciously provided with 
 freedom of will to accept or reject the offer of 
 eternal life.
 
 16 ARTICLKS uF FAITH. 
 
 VII. Of Repentance. 
 
 \ 7. Repentance is sorrow for sin, wrought in 
 the heart by the power of the Holy Spirit. The 
 awakened sinner is thereby made to recognize the 
 holiness of God, the righteousness of His law, and 
 the guilt and shame of his own perverse nature. 
 Thus deeply humbled, he turns unto God and for- 
 sakes his sins. 
 
 VIII. Of Justification, 
 
 \ 8. Justification is that act of God, b}- which, 
 when we yield ourselves in full confidence to our 
 Saviour, Jesus Christ, we are freely acquitted from 
 the guilt of sin, and accounted righteous in His 
 sight. We are accordingly justified, not by works 
 which we perform, but by faith in Him who died 
 for us. 
 
 IX. Of Regeneration. 
 
 \ 9. Regeneration is that work of the Holy Spirit 
 wrought in us whereby we are made partakers of 
 the Divine nature, and experience newness of life 
 in Christ Jesus. By this new birth the believer 
 becomes a child of God, receives the spirit of 
 adoption, and is made an heir of the kingdom of 
 heaven. 
 
 X. Of the Witness of the Spirit. 
 
 \ 10. The witness of the Spirit is an inward im- 
 pression on the soul, whereby the Spirit of God,
 
 / ARTICLES OF F KITH. 17 
 
 the heavenly Comforter, immediately convinces 
 the regenerate believer that he has passed from 
 death unto life, that his sins are all forgiven, and 
 that he is a child of God. 
 
 XI . Of Sanctification . 
 
 * II. Entire sanctification, or Christian perfec- 
 tion, is a state of righteousness and true holiness, 
 which every regenerate believer may attain. It 
 consists in being cleansed from all sin, loving God 
 with all the heart, soul, mind, and strength, and 
 loving our neighbor as ourselves. This graciouL 
 state of perfect love is attainable in this life by 
 faith, both gradually and instantaneously, and 
 should be earnestly sought by every child of God. 
 But it does not deliver us from the infirmities, ig- 
 norance and mistakes which are common to man. 
 
 XII. Of Good Works. 
 
 ^12. The Holy Spirit dwelling in man begets 
 within him love, joy, peace, long suffering, gen- 
 tleness, temperance, and all other ennobling vir- 
 tues, and these show themselves in numerous out- 
 ward acts, which become so many evidences of a 
 living faith. Although such good works cannot 
 put away sin, they are ever well-pleasing and ac- 
 ceptable in the sight of God. 
 
 XIII. Of Apostasy. 
 
 ^ 13. The gracious help of God is pledged to all 
 those who continue steadfast in faith ; but, on ac- 
 count of man's fre^ will which no power may
 
 18 ARTICLES OF FAITH. 
 
 coerce, apostasy from God is possible so long as 
 we continue in the flesh. Wherefore, constant 
 watchfulness, prayer, and holy living are necessary 
 on the part of man, lest he fall away from the 
 grace of God, grieve and quench the Holy Spirit, 
 and lose his soul at last. 
 
 XIV. Of Immortality. 
 
 \ 14. The soul of man is immortal, and, on its 
 separation from the body at death, continues in a 
 conscious state of existence in the world of spirits. 
 It there either enters into bliss or undergoes tor- 
 ment, according to its character as formed and 
 fixed in the present life. 
 
 XV. Of the Resurrection. 
 
 ![ '15. Christ did truly rise from the dead, and 
 took again hisown body, andascended into heaven. 
 Likewise all the Jead shall be raised up by the 
 power of God through Christ, both the just and 
 the unjust ; but those who have done good shal; 
 come forth unto an eternal life of glory, and thosf 
 who have wrought wickedness shall be adjudged 
 to everlasting punishment. 
 
 XVI. Of the Final Judgment. 
 
 ^16. God has appointed a day in which he will 
 judge all men by Jesus Christ, to whom is com- 
 mitted the judgment of this world. We must all, 
 accoidingly, appear before the judgment-seat of 
 Christ, and have our eternal destiny determined 
 according to our works.
 
 ARTICLES OP" FAITH. 
 
 XVII. Of Ht'iU 
 
 '■ 17. Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ lias 
 provided for those who are redeemed by his grace 
 a heavenly and eternal rest, into which He purposes 
 ultimately to gather them and dwell with them in 
 unspeakable glory. Thereshall be no more sorrow, 
 pain, or death, and the glorified saints shall see 
 God and walk in his light forever. 
 
 XVIII. Of Hell. 
 
 * i8. The incorrigible sinner, having rejected 
 Christ and all the offers and opportunities of grace, 
 is without God and without hope in the world, and 
 makes himself a child of Satan. When he dies, 
 his soul awakes to the torment of hell, from which 
 there is no promise or hope of deliverance, but the 
 sentence of everlasting punishment prepared for 
 the devil and his angels. 
 
 XIX. Of the Church. 
 
 \ 19. The Holy General Church consists of 
 the great body of believers who confess the Lord 
 Jesus Christ and have life in Him. The individual 
 church is a congregation or society of Chris- 
 tian believers, in which the pure worship of God 
 is maintained, His holy Word is preached, and 
 His commandments and ordinances are sacredly 
 observed. 
 
 XX. Of the Ministry. 
 
 ^ 20. The ministry, of the Gospel is a sacred 
 office and calling, ordaiued by Christ for the proc-
 
 20 ARTICLES OF FAITH. 
 
 lamation of His truth in all the world, and for the 
 orderly administration of the sacraments, the wor- 
 ship, and the discipline of the church. No man 
 may assume this office without the conviction of 
 a Divine call thereto, and the recognition and rati- 
 fication of that call by the church. 
 
 XXI. Of Baptism. 
 
 \ 21. The sacrament of baptism is the formal 
 application of water to an infant, or to an adult 
 believer, in the name of the Father, and of the 
 Son, and of the Holy Spirit, as a visible sign and 
 seal that the person so consecrated stands in a holy 
 covenant relation to God and His people. 
 
 XXII. Of the Lord's Supper. 
 
 *^ 22. The Lord's Supper is not merely a token 
 of love and union that Christians ought to have 
 among themselves, but is a sacrament instituted 
 in memory of the sufferings and death of Christ ; 
 whereby those who rightly, and worthily, receive 
 the same, partake of the body and blood of Christ 
 by faith, not in a bodily, but in a spiritual manner, 
 in eating the broken bread, and in drinking the 
 blessed cup. We thereby also continually show 
 forth our Christian faith and hope. 
 
 XXIII. Of Church Polity. 
 
 • 23. The Lord Jesus Christ ordained no partic- 
 ular form of government for hi? church, so that 
 whatever polity, rules, regulations, rites, and 
 ceremonies are adopted and approved by common
 
 ARTICLES OF FAITH. 21 
 
 authority, and are not repugnant to the Word of 
 God, may be acknowledged as sufl&cient to con- 
 stitute a true church of the living God Such 
 polity, rules, rites, and ceremonies may be law- 
 fully changed from time to time, as the needs of 
 men and the diversity of nations, countries, and 
 manners may require. 
 
 XXIV. Of Civil Government. 
 
 % 24. Civil government is an ordinance of God, 
 grounded in the necessities of human nature, and 
 essential to the maintenance of public order, the 
 security' of personal rights, and the punishment 
 of evil-doers. It is the duty of all men to be sub- 
 ject to the supreme authority of the country in 
 which they reside, and to respect and honor the 
 civil magistrates. 
 
 XXV. Of the Evangelization of the World. 
 
 •^ 25. The Gospel is designed for all nations, its 
 field of operation is the w'hole world, and the 
 church and people of God are under solemn obli- 
 gation to make known its saving truth and power 
 among the heathen. To this great work we are 
 impelled and encouraged by the command of the 
 Lord and the promises and prophecies of the Holy 
 Sciiptures. 
 
 ^
 
 22 CHRISTIAN PERFECTION. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Christian Perfectien. 
 
 *" 26. We believe that the doctrine of Christian 
 Perfection is clearly taught in the Word of God. 
 For this reason it is accepted as one of the cher- 
 ished doctrines of the United Evangelical Church. 
 God said to Abram, as recorded in Genesis 17: i : 
 " I am the Almighty God ; walk before me, and be 
 thou perfect." Our Lord and Saviour expressly 
 said to his disciples, as recorded in Matt. 5:48: 
 "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father 
 which is in heaven is perfect." Furthermore, to 
 effect this great end was plainly one of the lead- 
 ing piarposes of God in instituting the church and 
 calling laborers into his vineyard. Hear Paul to 
 the Ephesians, chapter 4, and verses 11,12 and 13 : 
 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, proph- 
 ets ; and some, evangelists ; and some, pastors and 
 teachers ; for the perfecting of the saints, for the 
 work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body 
 ot 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 stat- 
 ure of the fullness of Christ " Paul further taught 
 with much emphasis, that the best way to attain 
 to this high standard, was to preach the sinless 
 Christ as our pattern of perfection. See Colos- 
 sians 1:28: "Whom we preach, warning every 
 man, and teaching every man in all wisdom ; that 
 we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. "
 
 CHRlN rlAX PERFECTION. 23 
 
 1[ 27. As to the character of this work of grace, 
 when attainable, and its eflect upon its possessor, 
 that most excellent summary given by John Wes- 
 ley in the year 1784, fully meets our views. This 
 statement was made after the thought and expe- 
 rience of Mr. Wesley had attained their full ripe- 
 ness, for he was then within a few years of the 
 close of his life. He had given much thought to 
 this doctrine, and finally, after a careful review of 
 the whole subject, wrote the sum of what he had 
 observed in a number of brief propositions, to 
 which we as a body of Christians most heartily 
 subscribe. These propositions are as follows : 
 
 " I . There is such a thing as perfection ; for it is 
 again and again mentioned in the Scriptures. 
 
 "2 It is not so early as justification ; forjustified 
 persons are to go on unto perfection (Heb. 6:1.) 
 
 "3. It is not so late as death; for Saint Paul 
 speaks of living men that were perfect. (Phil. 3 : 
 
 15.) 
 
 "4. It is not absolute . Absolute perfection be- 
 longs not to man, nor to angels, but to God alone. 
 
 "5. It does not make a man infallible ; no one 
 is infallible while he remains in the body. 
 
 "6. Is it sinless? It is not worth while to con- 
 tend for a term. ' It is salv^ation from sin. ' 
 
 "7. It is 'perfect love.' (I. John 4:18.) This 
 is the essence of it. Its properties, or inseparable 
 fruits, are, rejoicing evermore, praying without 
 ceasing, and in every thing giving thanks. (I. 
 Thess. 5: 16, etc.)
 
 24 CHRlr>TIAN' PERFECTION. 
 
 "8. It is improvable. It is so far from being 
 incapable of increase, that one perfected in love 
 may grow in grace far swifter than he did before. 
 
 "9. It is losable, capable of being lost ; of which 
 we have numerous instances. 
 
 " 10. It is constantly both preceded and fol- 
 lowed bv a gradual work. 
 
 •'II. But is it in itself instantaneous or not? In 
 examining this, let us go on step by step. An in- 
 stantaneous change has been wrought in some be- 
 lievers ; no one can deny this. Since that change, 
 they enjoy perfect love ; they feel this and this 
 alone ; they rejoice evermore, pray without ceas- 
 ing, and in every thing give thanks. ' But in some 
 this change was not instantaneous. They did not 
 perceive the instant when it was wrought. It is 
 often difficult to perceive the instant when a man 
 dies ; yet there is an instant when life ceases. 
 And if even sin ceases, there must be a last mo- 
 ment of its existence, and a first moment of our 
 deliverance from it. 
 
 •'28. " ' But if they have this love now they will 
 loseit.' They may; but they need not. And whether 
 they do or not, they have it now ; they now expe- 
 rience what we teach. They now are all love ; 
 thev now rejoice, pray and praise without ceasing. 
 
 " ' However, sin is only suspended in them ; it is 
 not destroyed.' Call it which you please; they 
 are all love to-day ; and they take no thought for 
 
 the morrow. 
 
 " ' But this doctrine has been much abused. ' So 
 has that of justification by faith. But tliat is no
 
 CHRISTIAN PEKP^ECTION. 2:> 
 
 reason for giving up either this or any other Scrip 
 tural doctrine. 
 
 ' ' ' But those who think the}- are saved from sit 
 say they have no need of the merits of Christ. 
 They say just the contrary. Their language is : 
 ' Every moment, Lord, I need the merit of thy 
 death.' They never before had so deep, so un- 
 speakable a conviction of tie need of Christ in all 
 his offices as they have now. 
 
 1 "29. Therefore all our preachers should make 
 a point of preaching perfection to believers con- 
 stantly, strongly and explicitly ; and all believers 
 should mind this one thing, and continually ago- 
 nize for it. ' ' 
 
 ^ 30. This is the doctrine of Jesus Christ, the 
 doctrine of St. Paul, of St. Peter, of St. James, 
 and of St, John. It is found in the oracles of 
 God, in the Old and New Testaments. Look at 
 it ; survey it on every side, and that with the 
 closest attention. In one view it is purity of in- 
 tention, dedicating all the life to God. It is the 
 giving to God of all our heart ; it is one desire and 
 design ruling all our tempers. It is the devoting 
 of, not a part, but of all our soul, body and sub- 
 stance to God. In another view, it is all the mind 
 which was in Christ, enabling us to walk as Christ 
 walked. It is the cleansing of the heart from all 
 filthiness, all inward as well as outward pollution. 
 It is a renewal of the heart in the whole image of 
 God ; the full likeness of him that created it. 
 In yet another view it is the loving of God with
 
 26 CHRISTIAN PERFECTION. 
 
 all the heart, andourneighbor as ourselves. NoW; 
 take it in whichever of these \Hews you please, 
 for there is no material difference, r nd this is the 
 whole and sole perfectir n. 
 
 ^ 31. Now let this perfection appear in iis native 
 form, and who can speak one word against it? 
 Will any dare to speak against loving the Lord our 
 God with all our heart, and our neighbor as our- 
 selves? It must be disguised before it can be op- 
 posed. Does not all that is within you crj- out, 
 *' O, who that loves can love enough ? ' ' We allow, 
 we contend, that we are justified freely through 
 the righteousness and the blood of Christ. We 
 expect likewise to be sanctified wholly through his 
 Spirit. We do expect to love God with all our 
 heart, and our neighbor as ourselves. Yea, we do 
 believe that he will in this world so " cleanse the 
 thoughts of our hearts, by the inspiration of his 
 Holy Spi'it, that we shall perfectly love him, and 
 worthily magnify his holy name." 
 
 •^ 32. Let it therefore be considered not only a 
 privilege, but the duty of all true believers tostrive 
 earnestly to attain to Christian perfection, and in 
 so far as they have ability and opportunity, to en- 
 courage all others to ' ' press toward the mark for 
 the prize of the high calling of God in Christ 
 Jesus."
 
 GENERAL RULES. 27 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 General Rules. 
 
 ^ 33. To be identified with the visible Church 
 should be regarded as a blessed privilege and a most 
 sacred duty by every trul}- enlightened heart, and 
 by all who seek redemption from sin and com- 
 pleteness in Christ Jesus our Lord. 
 
 *] 34. Of all who desire admission into the 
 United Evangelical Church, it is required as a pre- 
 vious condition that they sincerely seek to be 
 saved from sin ?nd to live in conformity with the 
 will of God, a.'^ revealed in his Holy Word. When- 
 ever such a desire is truly fixed in the heart, it will 
 be evidenced by word and deed : 
 
 *[ 35- Firsts By avoiding that which is clearly 
 prohibited in the Word of God, as follows. • 
 
 1. The taking of the name of God in vain. 
 
 2. The profaning of the Day of the Lord, either 
 by following the ordinary pursuits of labor and 
 business, or by godless and sinful holiday diver- 
 sions. 
 
 3. The use of intoxicating liquors as a beverage, 
 or the trafficking in the same in any manner. 
 
 4. Quarreling, brawling, fighting, returning evil 
 for evil, railing for railing, tale-bearing, gossiping, 
 slandering, and all communications which are 
 derogatory to the good name of persons, and the 
 peace of society. 
 
 5. Dishonesty, fraudulent dealing, takingr ad- 
 vantage in buying ^nd selling, bearing false wit- 
 ness, lying, stealing and the like fruits of darkness.
 
 28 GENERAL RULES. 
 
 6. Slave-holding, and the buying and selling of 
 men and women created in the image of God. 
 
 7. The indulgence of sinful and revengeful tem- 
 pers, either by passionate, reckless, hurtful utter- 
 ances, or by cruel and merciless deeds inflicted 
 upon man or beast. 
 
 8. The indulgence of pride, vanity, and waste- 
 fulness in dress and living. 
 
 9. The singing of frivolous songs, the reading cf 
 pernicious literature, the patronizing of questiot/- 
 able amusements and resorts, the playing of such 
 games, and indulgence in such diversions as do not 
 tend to the knowledge or love of God, and cannc»t 
 be practiced in the name of Christ. 
 
 10. And finally, all temptations to social loose- 
 ness, impropriety of conduct, and the worship of 
 mammon (wealth), so prevalent in our time, 
 whereby the soul is robbed of God and its hope of 
 heaven. 
 
 •y 36. Second, By reducing to practice that ivhich 
 is clearly taught and enjoined on believers in the 
 Word oj God, cs follows : 
 
 I. By loving God with all the heart, mind, and 
 strength, the proof of which will be witnessed by 
 a faithful attendance upon all the ordinances of 
 God and the means of grace, among which are 
 the public worship of God ; the ministry of the 
 sacred Word ; the Sacraments of the Lord's Supper 
 and Baptism ; searching and meditating upon the 
 Scriptures ; family and private devotions : fasting 
 or abstinence.
 
 GENERAL RULES. 29 
 
 2. By patterning after Christ iu a life of purity 
 and well-doing, ever active in that which is ap- 
 proved of God and beneficial to humanity, espe- 
 cially in cultivating a spirit of sympathy, helpful- 
 ness, and mercy toward the neglected and suffer- 
 ing, by feeding the hungry, clothing the destitute, 
 giving shelter to the homeless, and visiting the 
 sick and imprisoned, according to the opportunity 
 and ability which God giveth. 
 
 3. By seeking to do good to the souls of the un- 
 saved, pressing upon their attention the claims of 
 the Gospel, inviting them to the services of God's 
 house, and acquainting them with His people. 
 
 4. By helping those who are of the household of 
 faith ; lo\'ing, forbearing, and forgiving them as 
 brethren. 
 
 5. By being charitable and courteous toward all. 
 
 6. By seeking to promote peace and good will 
 among all men. 
 
 7. By practicing chastity, modesty, sobriety, and 
 honesty, as in the sight of God. 
 
 8. By speaking the truth in love, and nothing 
 but the truth. 
 
 9. By contributing to the support of the church, 
 and of Mission work, in home and foreign lands, 
 according to ability. 
 
 10. By adorning the Christian profession with a 
 life of faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, pa- 
 tience, godliness, brotherly-kindness, and love; 
 whether in honor or dishonor, in good report or 
 evil report, in prosperity or adversity, that the 
 Gospel be not bla>?ie<i.
 
 30 SI'ECIAL RULES. 
 
 II. All members of our church are required to 
 observe these General Rules, taught in the Word of 
 God, which is our only rule of faith and practice. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Special Rules. 
 
 I. Temperance. 
 
 ' 37. Temperance, in its wider meaning, is dis- 
 tinctly a Christian virtue, enjoined in the Holy 
 Scriptures. It implies a control of all the emo- 
 tions, passions, and appetites. As to food and 
 drink, it means the wise use of suitable and bene- 
 ficial articles, and the entire abstinence from such 
 as are known to be harmful. Both science and 
 human experience agree with the Holy Scriptures 
 in condemning alcoholic beverages as useless, un- 
 safe, and hurtful. 
 
 ^ 38. The business of manufacturing and vend- 
 ing such liquors is also against the principles of 
 morality, political economy, and the public wel- 
 fare. We therefore regard voluntary total ab- 
 stinence from all intoxicants as the true ground of 
 personal temperance, and complete legal prohibi- 
 tion of the traffic in alcoholic drinks as the duty 
 of civil government. None of our members shall 
 be permitted to manufacture, sell, or use as a bev- 
 erage, any intoxicating drinks ; nor to rent or lease 
 property to be used for such manufacture or sale ; 
 nor to sign a petition for granting license, or enter
 
 SPECIAL RULES. 31 
 
 as bondsmen for persons engaged in the traffic of 
 intoxicating drinks ; nor anywise to have an in- 
 terest in. or countenance and encourage such man- 
 ufacture or traffic. 
 
 * 39- ^^^ advise that in the sacrament of the 
 Lord's Supper only unfermented wine be used. 
 
 II. Slavery. 
 
 ^ 40. None of our members shall be permitted 
 under any pretense or condition whatever to own 
 slaves or to traffic in human blood, nor to give 
 countenance or encouragement to such abomina- 
 tion in any way or for any consideration. 
 
 III. Christiaji Giving. 
 
 * 41. Since it is ordained that they who preach 
 the Gospel shall live of the Gospel (I. Cor. 9 : 14 ; 
 I. Tim. 5 : 18 ', and our blessed Lord in his mission 
 of love and merc}- among men taught that it is 
 more blessed to give than to receive, Christian lib- 
 erality in support of the institutions of the Church, 
 the spread of the Gospel, the furtherance of benev- 
 olent enterprises and the relief of the worthy poor, 
 must be regarded as a privilege and a sacred duty. 
 It should, therefore, be the concern of all our mem- 
 bers to give of their substance, not grudgingly, 
 but cheerfully, for the prosperity of Zion and the 
 alleviation of the distressed. 
 
 *" 42. The practice of proportionate, systematic, 
 biblical methods in Christian benevolence is earn- 
 estly recommended to all our people, " Upon the
 
 32 SPECIAL RULES. 
 
 first day of the week let every one of you lay by 
 him in store, as God hath prospered him." (I. 
 Cor. 16:2.) 
 
 IV. Marriage. 
 
 I1 43. Marriage is an institution of Divine ap- 
 pointment, upon the proper observance of which 
 are conditioned human happiness and well-being, 
 and the maintenance of that most important factor 
 of civilization — The Christian Home. There can 
 be no virtue or morality in society ; no vStability or 
 permanence of free government, except as in this 
 best sense the Christian home is maintained in its 
 integrity. Our blessed Lord and his apostles in- 
 sisted on purity of thought as well as of deed in 
 this important matter. (Matt. 5 : 28 ; 19 -.5, 6 ; I. 
 Tim. 3 : 3, 4, 12.) This is the doctrine which the 
 Christian Church has ever advocated and prac- 
 ticed wherever she has existed in her beauty and 
 strength. Those who refuse to live by this rule, 
 forfeit their privileges of membership in the Church 
 of Christ. 
 
 % 44. In view of the gravity of the interests in- 
 volved in this subject, we especially admonish all 
 our young people : 
 
 1. To endeavor to cherish only worthy and en- 
 nobling thoughts on the subject of matrimony. 
 
 2. To avoid undue haste, and rather practice in- 
 telligent deliberaticm respecting any step proposed 
 or taken in this matter. 
 
 3. Not to enter into matrimonial relations ex- 
 cept upon a favorable personal ^cquaiptance, suf-
 
 SPECIAL, RULt.a. 33 
 
 ficient to insure to themselves the blessings of a 
 peaceable home and life. 
 
 4. To take this step only when it can be done 
 "in the Lord," as directed by Paul, in I. Cor. 7 139. 
 and thus avoid being " unequally yoked together 
 with unbelievers " in life's most intimate relation. 
 (II. Cor. 6 : 14.) Observation and experience have 
 demonstrated this to be the only safe rule. 
 
 V. Divorce. 
 
 \ 45. The Church of Christ can consistently re- 
 gard as valid only such divorces as are granted on 
 the ground of adultery ; and ministers of the Gos- 
 pel of our Lord, should not solemnize marriages 
 in cases where there is a divorced husband or wife 
 living. This rule does not apply to the innocent 
 party to a divorce caused by the adultery of hus- 
 band or wife ; nor does it apply to divorced parties 
 seeking to be reunited in marriage. 
 
 VI. Thoughts on Singing. 
 
 \ 46. I. To insure spirituality and guard against 
 formality in singing, it is the duty of Christians to 
 praise God in the congregation by the use of psalms 
 and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace 
 in their hearts to the Lord. 
 
 2. Singing has for ages constituted, and is to-day 
 an important part of public worship. It is adapted 
 to the edification of the heart and mind when 
 entered into in the spirit of true devotion. We, 
 therefore, hold that all should heartilv engage in
 
 34 SPECIAL RULES 
 
 this part of the church service. The Psalmist 
 says : " Let all the earth sing unto the Lord. " 
 
 3. The entire congregation should be supplied 
 with books so that all may participate in the songs 
 of the sanctuary. 
 
 4. It is recommended that a knowledge of at 
 least the elements of music be acquired by all, bu"- 
 the spirit of religious song should never be sacri- 
 ficed to artistic performances. 
 
 VII. Thoughts on Prayer. 
 
 ^ 47. The Christian'slife is maintained by prayer. 
 
 1. Our blessed Lord taught his disciples that 
 " men ought always to pray and not to faint." He 
 also gave to them a brief and comprehensive 
 model, embodying all the elements of true prayer. 
 In like manner, St. Paul admonishes Christians 
 "to pray without ceasing." (I. Thess. 5: 17, 18; 
 I.Tim. 2:1.) 
 
 2. Prayer is not to be esteemed simpl}- as a 
 Christian duty, but, since we are encouraged by 
 assurances of Divine benefactions, it is to be re- 
 garded as the blessed privilege of every sincere 
 and trustful heart. (Matt. 7:7-11.) 
 
 3. We are instructed to pray for special spiritual 
 blessings (James i: 5, 6), for temporal blessings and 
 prosperity, and also for all men, (I. Tim. 2: 2, 3.) 
 
 4. To be effectual, prayer must be offered in 
 faith (Mark 11:24; Heb. 11:6,) and contrition 
 (Psalm 51:17; Matt. 5:3,) and we are taught that 
 the praying, trustful heart is aided by the Holy 
 Spirit. (Rom. 8:26.)
 
 SPECIAL RULES. 35 
 
 5. The spirit of true prayer yields all interests, 
 m utter dependence and hopeful surrender, to the 
 Divine wisdom and keeping, that, with Christ, 
 we may say : ' ' Thy will be done. ' ' (Matt. 26 : 39. ) 
 
 6. Prayer is thus Heaven-ordained as a devo- 
 tional heart and mind-service before God, in ado- 
 ration, confession, supplication, intercession and 
 thanksgiving. A healthy Christian experience 
 is not separable from it, and a Christian Church 
 will be prosperous in that degree in which she is 
 truly a praying Church. 
 
 7. Let every member of our church, therefore, 
 respond faithfully to the call to prayer. See to it 
 that a vacant chair in the prayer-meeting circle 
 does not witness against you, neither let your pri- 
 vate devotions, nor your daily family prayers, be 
 neglected. (Isa. 52 : 12.) 
 
 VIII. Bible Study. 
 
 % 48. Nothing is more important for the be- 
 liever's own mental, moral, and spiritual develop- 
 ment, or for his increase in usefulness, than Bible 
 study. 
 
 The Word of God is " the sword of the Spirit," 
 the weapon of our warfare against evil; and it is 
 the instrument to use in dealing with the unsaved, 
 for men are "begotten again, not of corruptible 
 seed, but of incorruptible, through the word of 
 God." (I. Peter i : 23, R. V.) " Search the Scrip- 
 tures," said Jesus; and " Let the word of Christ 
 dwell in you richly " is Paul's direction.
 
 36 SPECIAL RULES. 
 
 Let all our people, therefore, heed and profit by 
 the following directions : 
 
 1 . Study the Bible daily. The Bereans were wise 
 as well as "noble" in that they "searched the 
 Scriptures daily." (Acts 17:11.) 
 
 2. Study it prayerfully . ' ' Open thou mine eyes, 
 that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law. " 
 (Ps. 119:18.) 
 
 3. Memorize Scripture. Do this because you 
 need it : 
 
 a. For yourself, " Thy Word have I laid up in 
 my heart, That I might not sin against thee." (Ps 
 119:11, R. V.) 
 
 b. For equipment in the Christian service, * ' That 
 the man of God may be complete, furnished com- 
 pletely unto every good work." (II. Tim. 3:17. 
 R. V.) 
 
 4. Have some method of study : 
 Study the Bible as a whole. 
 Study the individual books. 
 
 Study it topically, biographically, etc., etc. 
 
 Always remember that ' ' All Scripture is given 
 by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, 
 for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righte- 
 ousness." (II. Tim. 3 : 16. )
 
 MEMBERSHIP. 37 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 Membership. 
 
 I. Reception of Members. 
 
 \ 49. When at any meeting there are persons 
 who desire to unite with the church, the ofl&ciating 
 minister, having previously examined them and 
 found them worthy of membership, shall call the 
 applicants forward and f^ddress them as follows : 
 
 Dear Friends : We greet you as you come seek- 
 ing admission into the church which our Saviour 
 purchased with his owf blood, and rejoice with 
 you that through the gra^e of God you have been 
 brought to a knowledge ^f the truth, and have 
 been made, or desire to become, partakers of his 
 great salvation. The privil^^tres you seek are above 
 price, and the duties enjo'ned are solemn. It is 
 proper that you publicly confess your faith and 
 avow your purpose by ansv^^ring the following 
 questions : 
 
 1. Do you believe the BibH to be the Word of 
 God and that therein only is contained the knowl- 
 edge of the Gospel way of salvation ? 
 
 2. Are you fully determined , by the grace of 
 God, to renounce the devil, the world, and all un- 
 godliness, to seek redemption in Christ, to follow 
 Him, and seek to live according to. the W^ord of 
 God, and to continue steadfast in hoUoess and de- 
 votion to God and His cause until derth ? 
 
 3. Will you live according to our cburch dis- 
 cipline, and will you contribute to thempport of 
 the Gospel as God prospers you ?
 
 38 MEMBERSHIP. 
 
 4. Have you been baptized?' If not, are you 
 willing to be baptized? 
 
 ^ 50. If the persons answer the above ques- 
 tions satisfactorily, and no lawful objections 
 be made by any member, then the preacher 
 shall give his right hand to such persons as 
 members of our church, and record their 
 names in the church book; provided, however, 
 that where a local church deems it advisable 
 for its protection against imposition, a com- 
 mittee may be appointed, who, together with 
 the pastor, may make inquiry as to the ad- 
 visability of admitting such applicants to 
 membership in the church according to the 
 foregoing requirements. The same privilege 
 is also accorded a local church in the granting 
 of certificates of dismissal. 
 
 II. Transfer of Membership by Certificate. 
 
 jl 51. Any member in good standing desiring 
 to change his membership from one charge 
 to another shall upon request, be given a cer- 
 tificate of membership and dismissal by the 
 pastor, or if there be no pastor, by the pre- 
 siding elder, in the following form: 
 
 Certificate of Membership and Dismissal. 
 
 This is to certify. That is a mem- 
 ber in full communion of the. United 
 
 Evangelical Church of..: Conference. 
 
 and' that at own request. is here- 
 by dismissed and aftectionately commended to 
 
 the Christian care and fellowship of the 
 
 United Evangelical Church of
 
 MEMBERSHll'. J*) 
 
 Conference. Pastor. 
 
 Given at this 
 
 day of A. D. 
 
 This certiticate is valid for one year from 
 date thereof, except under special conditions. 
 See Book of Discipline. Chapter V., Section 
 1 1. Paragraph 53. 
 
 ^ 52. The pastor issuing the certificate shall, 
 if possible, notify the preacher-in-charge of 
 the place to which the meml)er removes. The 
 pastor receiving such a member shall inform 
 the preacher-in-charge from which the cer- 
 tificate was issued, in the following or similar 
 form: 
 
 Certificate of Reception. 
 
 This is to certify. That commend- 
 ed to our care and fellowship by the pastor 
 
 of the United Evangelical Church of 
 
 Conference, was on the day 
 
 of A. D duly received into the 
 
 membership of the United Evan- 
 gelical Church of Conference. 
 
 Pastor. 
 
 Given at this day of 
 
 A. D. 
 
 ^ 53. The certificate of membership and dis- 
 missal shall be valid for one year from date 
 thereof, except that where for any good rea- 
 son it has been impracticable to present it to 
 another charge within that time, it may be re- 
 newed by the pastor of the church from which 
 it was issued. 
 
 H 54. A certificate of membership and dis- 
 missal cannot be denied to a member in good
 
 40 MEMBERSHIP. 
 
 Standing. Wlien, in the judgment of the pas- 
 tor and committee, there are sufficient reasons 
 for withholding the certificate from a member, 
 judicial proceedings must be instituted in the 
 case as prescribed by our Discipline. 
 
 ^ 55. If a church member, who has been ab- 
 sent for more than two years from the place 
 of his ordinary residence and church connec- 
 tion, shall apply for a certificate of member- 
 ship and dismissal, the fact of his absence and 
 the knowledge of the church respecting his 
 demeanor for that time or its want of in- 
 formation concerning it. shall be distinctly 
 stated in the certificate. 
 
 III. Classes and Class Officers. 
 
 ^ 56. The members of the local churches 
 shall be divided into societies, called classes. 
 
 1. The object of such organizations shall be: 
 
 a. More easily to ascertain the spiritual con- 
 dition of the individual members. 
 
 b. The training and development of the 
 members in spiritualit}^ and public religious 
 exercises, and in general Christian activity. 
 
 2. The classes shall hold meetings for pray- 
 er, praise, and testimony at least once a week. 
 
 3. The officers of the class shall consist of 
 a leader and an assistant leader, who shall be 
 elected ever}- two years, by a majority of 
 the members present at a meeting duly an- 
 nounced for said purpose, and at which meet- 
 ing the preacher in charge shall preside.
 
 MEMBERSHIP. ^I 
 
 1i 57- The duties of the officers of the class shall 
 be: 
 
 a. To be diligent students of the Word of God, 
 so as to be able to properly instruct their classes. 
 
 b. To be circumspect in their own deportment 
 so as to set a proper example to the classes en- 
 trusted to them. 
 
 c. To take charge of the meetings of the classes, 
 and to conduct them in such a manner as to con- 
 tribute most effectually to the spiritual edification 
 and upbuilding of the members. 
 
 d. Not to seek to domineer over their brethren 
 or sisters, but to watch over them in love, and to 
 see that they progress in the Divine life, not only 
 according to the form, but that they grow in the 
 true knowledge and love of God ; and in love to 
 advise, admonish, reprove, teach, and comfort them 
 as circumstances may require. 
 
 e. To warn, with discretion and charitable con- 
 sideration, those who are unfaithful ; and inform 
 the preacher of such as lead disorderly lives, and 
 will not accept their friendly admonitions, and of 
 such as deliberately and habitually neglect their 
 duties. They shall also visit the sick and the poor, 
 and give the preacher information concerning 
 them. And they shall be especially concerned 
 about the needs of the preacher's family and those 
 of the widows and orphans of such deceased preach- 
 ers who devoted their lives to the preaching of the 
 Gospel. 
 
 f. In case of necessity, to assist the stewards in 
 collecting the preacher's salary, rent, or other
 
 *■ MEMBERSHIP. 
 
 moneys, as may be directed by the Quarterly Con- 
 ference. 
 
 g: To familiarize themselves with the doctrines 
 and rules of the United Evangelical Church, and 
 to read and explain them to their classes, and to 
 call attention to the passages of Scripture on which 
 they are based. 
 
 IV. Stewards and their Duties. 
 
 ^ 58. A steward shall be a person of accredited 
 piety, who is familiar with our rules of discipline, 
 and possesses the necessary ability to transact tem- 
 poral business. 
 
 1. The Quarterly Conference, at the last session 
 before the Annual Conference, shall elect five 
 stewards, if so many be deemed necessary, one of 
 whom shall be the recording steward ; but on charges 
 having more than five classes, one additional 
 steward may be elected for each additional class. 
 
 2. The preacher in charge shall have the right 
 io nominate persons for the office of steward. 
 
 *" 59. The duties of the stewards shall be as fol- 
 lows : — 
 
 1. As soon as practicable after the session of the 
 Annual Conference, they shall meet and inquire 
 of their preachers, what their disciplinary claims 
 are for the current year, and report to the first 
 Quarterly Conference, and they shall see to it that 
 each class contributes its proportionate amount for 
 meeting such claims. 
 
 2. They shall, unless otherwise provided for in 
 accordance with ^. 7^, part 5, receive voluntary con-
 
 MEMBERSHIP. *^ 
 
 tributions from the members of their classes or dis- 
 tricts, and from other persons who are disposed to 
 contribute to the supportof the preachers, and shall 
 pay such moneys to the preachers regularly. The 
 contributions shall be secured as early in the con- 
 ference year as possible, by subscriptions, which 
 are to be entered in the stewards' book, and the 
 payments of these subscriptions shall be properly 
 credited to the respective names. But in case any 
 person should not be disposed to subscribe the 
 sum he is willing to give, such person shall pay 
 the same to the stewards or the preacher. If paid 
 to the preacher, he shall at his earliest convenience 
 report to the stewards the amount received. 
 
 3. They shall provide the bread and wine for the 
 Lord's Supper. 
 
 4. They shall procure, or assist in procuring, 
 dwellings for the married preachers. 
 
 '' 60. The stewards shall be accountable to the 
 Quarterly Conference for the performance of their 
 official duties. 
 
 •^ 61. The Quarterly Conference shall be em- 
 powered to fill vacancies in the board of stewards. 
 
 ^ • Sunday-Schools and Their Officers. 
 
 !i 62. If practicable, there shall be a Sunday- 
 school in every local church for the moral and 
 religious instruction of all who can be gathered 
 into the same. If possible the school shall hold 
 a session at a suitable hour on each Sabbath of 
 the vear.
 
 44 MEMBERSHIP. 
 
 ^ 63. The management of the Sundaiy-school 
 shall be entrusted to a Sunday-school board, 
 to consist of the pastor, the officers, and the 
 teachers of the school. 
 
 U 64. The officers of the school shall be a 
 superintendent, assistant superintendent, sec- 
 retary, treasurer, and librarian; all of whom, 
 if practicable, shall be members of our church: 
 but in all cases the superintendent shall be a 
 member. These officers shall be elected an- 
 nually by a majority of the members of the 
 church, present at a meeting, duly announced 
 for that purpose. But if circumstances make 
 this provision impracticable, the Sunday- 
 school board shall determine who shall par- 
 ticipate in the election. Other officers may 
 be elected as the Sunday-school board may 
 determine. 
 
 H 65. In the formation of Sunday-schools in 
 communities where there is no organization of 
 our church, the preacher in charge may ap- 
 point the officers and teachers according to 
 his judgment. 
 
 H 66. The duties of the superintendent shall 
 be as follows: 
 
 1. To have immediate charge of the exer- 
 cises and interests of the school. 
 
 2. To provide classes with teachers of Chris- 
 tian principles and character. 
 
 3. To attend the Quarterly Conference, to 
 give a report of the condition of the school, 
 and to present to the last Quarterly Confer-
 
 MEMBERSHIP, 45 
 
 ence of the Annual Conference year, a sta- 
 tistical report of the school. 
 
 4. To frequently consult with the pastor in 
 reference to the interests of the school. 
 
 5. To admonish in love, officers and teachers 
 who may neglect their duties and, in case 
 there is no improvement, to report them to 
 the pastor. 
 
 1J 67. The duties of other officers and 
 teachers shall be such as usually belong to 
 their respective positions. 
 
 ^ 68. It shall be the duty of the preacher to 
 preside at the election of officers, to have a 
 general oversight of the Sunday-school, to see 
 that the school is amply supplied with suitable 
 literature and books, and to organize and to 
 maintain a weekly meeting for the study of 
 the lesson of the following Sabbath, so as to 
 prepare the teachers especially, for more effi- 
 cient work in their classes. If the pastor can- 
 not be present, the superintendent, and if he 
 cannot, some one else appointed by the pas- 
 tor shall take his place. 
 
 11 69. Vacancies in any of the offices provided 
 for in paragraphs 56 and 64, shall be filled by 
 special elections, to be called and conducted 
 in the same manner as the regular elections. 
 
 VI. Vouug People's Societies. 
 
 If 70. There shall be a Young People's So- 
 ciety in our church to be known as the Key-
 
 46 MEMBERSHIP. 
 
 Stone League uf Christian Endeavor, with 
 auxiliary organizations in local churches. 
 
 The object of this organization shall be to 
 promote among its members: 
 
 1. An earnest Christian life. 
 
 2. Efficiency and faithfulness in church 
 work. 
 
 3. Systematic and thorough Bible study. 
 
 4. Active eft'orts in works of philanthropy. 
 
 5. Christian sociability. 
 
 ^. 71. The general affairs of this organization 
 shall be under the direction of a Managing 
 Board consisting of five ministers and four 
 la}- members, who shall be elected by the Gen- 
 eral Conference for a term of four years. The 
 Managing Board shall have power to fill va- 
 cancies in itself during the interim of General 
 Conference; such vacancies to be filled from 
 the conferences or districts in which they 
 occur. 
 
 ^ '/2. Any Young People's Society organized 
 in any of our churches, may become affiliated 
 with this organization, provided that it adopt 
 the aims and methods of the Keystone League 
 of Christian Endeavor, and that whenever 
 practicable its officers shall be members of our 
 church, and, that in all cases, the President 
 shall be a member of the United Evangelical 
 Church.
 
 PART II. 
 THE CONFERENCES.
 
 I. The Conferences. 
 II. Quarterly Conference. 
 
 III. Annual Conference. 
 
 IV. General Conference.
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 The Conferences. 
 
 Ti 73- There shall be Quarterly Conferences, 
 Annual Conferences, and a General Conference ; 
 the first to be held quarterly on each charge, the 
 second annually on each conference district, the 
 third every four years for the whole church. 
 
 1i 74- I. All deliberations and transactions shall 
 be conducted as immediately under the inspection 
 and in the presence of God. He who has occasion 
 to speak, let him speak the sentiments of his heart 
 freely, the chief concern of all being to set God be- 
 fore our eyes. 
 
 2. The intervals between the daily sessions shall 
 be spent, as much as possible, by every one indi- 
 vidually in religious devotion, particularly in pray- 
 ing for one another and imploring God's blessing 
 on all our transactions. 
 
 3. Every session shall be opened by reading a 
 portion of the Holy Scriptures and the General 
 Rules and Directions for Preachers, one or more 
 paragraphs at a session, until all are read, to be 
 followed by singing and prayer. Each session 
 shall be closed with public prayer. 
 
 4. There shall be preaching every day during 
 the session, unless otherwise ordered. 
 
 49
 
 QUARTERLY CONFERENCE. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Quarterly Conference. 
 
 ' !1 75- The Quarterly Conference shall con- 
 sist of all itinerant and local preachers, class 
 leaders and assistants, stewards. Sunday- 
 school superintendents, presidents of Keystone 
 Leagues of Christian Endeavor and a repre- 
 sentative from each .Auxiliary Missionary So- 
 ciety, and a representative from each board of 
 trustees. Mission Bands, Junior and Young 
 People's Missionary Societies are not to be 
 considered auxiliary societies in the sense 
 above provided for. 
 
 ^ "/d. The presiding elder of the district 
 shall appoint the time and the preacher in 
 charge, the place of the conference. 
 
 ^ "J"/. The presiding elder shall be the .presi- 
 dent of the conference. If there be no pre- 
 siding elder present, the preacher in charge 
 shall preside. The preacher in charge shall 
 be the secretary when present and not in the 
 chair. When he cannot act. the conference 
 shall elect a secretar}-. The secretary shall 
 keep a correct record of all conference trans- 
 actions, to be submitted to the Annual Con- 
 ference, at its next session, for inspection and 
 approval. 
 
 \ 78. The regular business of the Quarter- 
 ly Conference shall be as follows: 
 
 T. The members of conference shall be ex-
 
 QUARTERLY CONFERENCE. 51 
 
 amined to ascertain whether they hcTVc been 
 faithful, godly, and unblamable in their moral 
 and official conduct. Inquiry shall be made 
 whether the persons entrusted to their care 
 are faithful and godly, especially those who 
 may come to celebrate the Lord's Supper, so 
 I hat they may commune without offence. 
 
 2. Charges duly preferred and appeals to 
 conference shall be investigated and disposed 
 of according to the directions of the Disci- 
 pline. In all cases, however, where the defend- 
 ant demands or where circumstances require 
 that charges preferred against a person, should 
 be investigated by a committee, composed of 
 persons not members of Quarterly Conference, 
 such persons shall be prohibited from com- 
 munion until the charges are investigated and 
 the case decided. 
 
 3. The Sunday-school superintendents shall 
 submit reports on the condition and needs of 
 the Sunday-schools and the active interest of 
 the members therein, and at the last Quarter- 
 ly Conference, statistical reports of the schools 
 shall be read and recorded. 
 
 4. Candidates for the ministry shall be ex- 
 amined according to the directions of our Dis- 
 cipline, and after such examination they may, 
 by a majority of votes, be recommended to an 
 Annual or the General Conference for license. 
 
 5. It shall introduce such methods of appor- 
 tioning to the members of the various classes
 
 52 QUARTERLY CONFERENCE. 
 
 and collecting from them the claims of the 
 preachers and presiding elders and the current 
 expenses of the congregations, as it may deem 
 best. 
 
 f 79. Order of Procedure. 
 
 T. Devotions. 
 
 2. Roll Call 
 
 3. Reading the minutes for information. 
 
 4. Examination of members. 
 
 5. Examination of classes. 
 
 6. Unfinished business. 
 
 7. Appeals to the conference. 
 
 8. Class Leader's report. 
 
 9. Sunday-school reports. 
 
 10. K. L. of C. E. reports. 
 
 11. Missionary- reports. 
 
 12. Stewards' reports. 
 
 13. Trustees' reports. 
 
 14. Statistical report. 
 
 15. Recommendation of candidates for the 
 
 ministry. 
 
 16. Claims of presiding elder and preacher. 
 
 17. Election of stewards. 
 
 18. Absentees. 
 
 19. Provision of bread and wine for the 
 
 Lord's Supper. 
 
 20. Xew openings for Sunday-school or 
 
 preaching. 
 
 21. Election of delegates. 
 
 22. Miscellaneous business. 
 
 23. Approval of minutes.
 
 ANNUAL CONFERENCE. 53 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 Annual Conference. 
 
 ^ 80. The Annual Conference shall consist 
 of all Elders and of such Deacons who now 
 helong, or have belonged, to the itinerancy, to- 
 gether with one lay delegate from each charge 
 in the conference, who shall be elected by the 
 Quarterly Conference at the third or the last 
 session in the year. The sending of a lay del- 
 egate is optional with the Quarterly Confer- 
 ence, which shall in all cases provide for the 
 expenses of the delegate. The lay delegates 
 shall have all the privileges and rights of min- 
 isters in the conference, except that of voting 
 at the election of the members of the Trial 
 Court, and the Court of Appeals, and on the 
 licensing, reception, ordination, locating, suspen- 
 sion and expulsion of ministers. 
 
 \\ 81. The conference, by a majority of votes, 
 shall provide for the time and place of its ses- 
 sions. If it should become necessary to 
 change the time or place fixed by the Con- 
 ference, the Presiding Elders, b}^ and with the 
 advice and consent of a majority of the min- 
 isters, shall designate the time and place and 
 make due announcement thereof in our church 
 papers at least ten days prior to the time for 
 such meetings. 
 
 ll 82. At the Annual Conference a Bishop 
 shall preside. If a Bishop is under charges
 
 ?4 ANNt'AL CONFEREN'CE. 
 
 for unchristian conduct or ofificial misconduct, 
 or under sentence of suspension, he shall be 
 considered disqualified to preside. Whenever 
 a conference is apprised of this fact, or when 
 no Bishop is present, the conference shall 
 elect a president from among the Elders. All 
 questions of order shall be decided by the 
 chair. Any decision shall be subject to an ap- 
 peal to the conference. 
 
 ^ 83. A secretary shall be elected, who may. 
 if necessar3^ choose assistants, to accurately 
 record all transactions of the conference, 
 which record shall be submitted to the next 
 General Conference for examination. 
 
 ti 84. If it should become necessary to call 
 a special session of the annual conference, the 
 presiding elders, by and with the advice and 
 consent of a majority of the members, clerical 
 and lay, of the last preceding annual confer- 
 ence, who shall also be the members of the 
 special session, shall name the time and place, 
 and make due announcement thereof in our 
 church papers at least fourteen (14) days prior 
 to the time of meeting. Vacancies among the 
 lay delegates may be filled by either a regular 
 or special session of the quarterly conference. 
 The purpose of the special session shall be 
 clearly set forth in the call, and no busines*^ 
 shall be transacted at said session except that 
 which is set forth in the call. 
 
 ^ 85. The president and presiding elders
 
 ANNUAL CONFERENCE. 55 
 
 acting as a committee, shall assign the preach- 
 ers to their respective rields of labor for a 
 term of one year. The presiding elders shall 
 he appointed annually to their districts by the 
 conference. No preacher shall be appointed 
 til the same charge, nor any presiding elder 
 to the same district, for more than four suc- 
 cessive years. Any vacancy in the presiding 
 eldership of a district in the interval between 
 the Annual Conference sessions, shall be filled 
 as the preachers of the district in conjunction 
 with the president of the conference may de- 
 termine. 
 
 ^ 86. An itinerant preacher, who is consid- 
 ered disqualified for the itinerancy by two- 
 thirds of the members present at his Annual 
 Conference, shall be located. A local preacher 
 disqualified for his office by such vote, shall 
 have his license revoked. 
 
 li 87. The Annual Conference is possessed 
 -)f all powers, legislative, judicial and admin- 
 istrative, which it has not surrendered to the 
 General Conference by legislative enactment. 
 On the legality of its own organization, the 
 judgment of a majority of its duly qualified 
 members, is final. 
 
 ^ 88. Order of Procedure. 
 
 T. The moral and official conduct of preach- 
 ers and lay delegates shall be examined. 
 J. The standing committees shall be ap-
 
 56 ANNUAL CONFERENCE. 
 
 pointed by the president unless other- 
 wise provided for. 
 
 3. The transactions of Quarterly Conference 
 
 shall be judicially reviewed. 
 
 4. Have any preachers been deposed or ex- 
 
 pelled from the church? 
 
 5. Have any preachers located or with- 
 
 drawn? 
 
 6. Who are the supernumerary and super- 
 
 annuated preachers, and widows, and 
 orphans? 
 
 7. Have any preachers died? 
 
 8. Ordination of Deacons and Elders. 
 
 9. Statistical reports. 
 
 10. What is the amount of the contributions 
 
 for the support of preachers, and how 
 has the money been appropriated? 
 
 11. Applicants for the ministry. 
 
 12. Who are willing to travel according to 
 
 the direction of the Conference and our 
 Discipline? 
 
 13. What is to be done in the Missionary 
 
 cause? 
 
 14. \Vho are the presiding elders and how are 
 
 they stationed? 
 
 15. W^ho are the Elders and who are the Dea- 
 
 cons? 
 
 16. Who are the Local Preachers? ist. 
 
 Elders: 2d. Deacons; 3d. Preachers on 
 trial. 
 
 17. Educational institutions.
 
 23 
 
 GENERAL CONFERENCE. 57 
 
 Time and place of next session. 
 
 Election of delegates to General Confer- 
 ence. 
 
 Report of Stationing Committee. 
 
 Have pastors properly informed their suc- 
 cessors? 
 
 Miscellaneous business. 
 
 Has the secretary been authorized to 
 affix the signatures of the members? 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 General Conference. 
 
 ^ 89. The General Conference shall consist 
 of one ministerial and one lay delegate for 
 every fourteen, and for any surplus of not less 
 than seven, ministerial members of each An- 
 nual Conference; provided that any Annual 
 Conference with a membership of not less 
 than seven ministers shall be entitled to one 
 ministerial and one lay delegate. The pub- 
 lisher or publishers, and editors of our church 
 papers shall be ineligible as delegates to Gen- 
 eral Conference, but shall be advisory mem- 
 bers of that body, and their expenses to said 
 Conference shall be paid by the Publishing 
 House. 
 
 ^ 90. The Annual Conference shall resolve 
 itself into two bodi.es composed respectively 
 of the ministerial and lay members, and the
 
 58 GENERAL CONFERENCE. 
 
 ministerial body shall elect from its Elder?; 
 the ministerial delegates, and the lay body 
 shall elect the lay delegates. Each body 
 shall elect as many alternates as it deems 
 proper, provided that the number of alter- 
 nates does not exceed the number of dele- 
 gates. Each delegate is to be furnished with 
 credentials certifying his election. 
 
 ^ 91. The Conference, by a majority of 
 votes, shall provide for the time and place of 
 its sessions. 
 
 Special General Conference. 
 
 H 92. If at an\' time the holding of a special 
 General Conference should become necessary, 
 it shall be called in the following manner:The 
 Bishops, by and with the written consent of 
 the majority of the presiding elders of the 
 whole church, shall designate the time and 
 place for the proposed conference session. 
 The delegates shall be elected according to 
 paragraph 90, page ^7- in our Discipline, at 
 either the regular or special session of the an- 
 nual conferences. 
 
 ^ 93. At the General Conference, a Bishop 
 shall preside, unless disqualified. If no quali- 
 fied Bishop is present, then the President shall 
 be elected in like manner as at Annual Con- 
 ferences. Bishops when not in the chair, shall 
 be advisory members of conference. 
 
 ^ 94. A Secretary shall be elected by the 
 conference, whose duty it shall be to keep a
 
 GENERAL CONFERENCE. 59 
 
 correct record of all the conference proceed- 
 ings. 
 
 ^ 95. Two-thirds of the aggregate number 
 of delegates shall constitute a quorum. 
 
 ^i 96. The General Conference shall have 
 only such powers as are conferred upon it 
 by the Discipline. It shall have power: 
 
 1. To amend or revise the rules of Temporal 
 Economy by a majority vote of all its mem- 
 bers. 
 
 2. To amend or revise any other part of the 
 Discipline by a three-fourths vote, provided 
 such revision be first recommended or subse- 
 quently ratified by two-thirds of the members 
 of all the Annual Conferences: provided, how- 
 ever, 
 
 a. That the Articles of Faith shall never be 
 changed. 
 
 b. That the Annual Conferences shall never 
 be deprived of the right to determine the le- 
 gality of their own organization. 
 
 c. That the itinerant sj-stem shall never be 
 abolished. 
 
 3. As a court of law. it shall have power to 
 judicially decide all questions arising between 
 Annual Conferences, or between any incor- 
 porated general society of the church and its 
 officers, and all questions for which an appeal 
 to this conference is provided in the Discipline. 
 It shall have power to review and decide 
 the legality of acts of Annual Conferences, the 
 acts of organization excepted, and in case any
 
 60 GENERAL CONFERENCE. 
 
 Other act of an Annual Conference shall bf 
 declared illegal by a two-thirds vote of Gen- 
 eral Conference, such finding, together with 
 reasons for it, shall be referred to the An- 
 nual Conference in question, with instruction> 
 to correct the illegal action. 
 
 4. To arrange the boundaries of Annual 
 Conference districts, provided that no territory 
 shall be taken from or added to an Annual 
 Conference district against the protest of two- 
 thirds of the delegates from the conference 
 concerned. It shall have power to create new 
 conferences whenever desirable, provided that 
 no conference having less than fourteen mem- 
 bers shall be represented on our general 
 boards. 
 
 5. It shall have no original jurisdiction to 
 try any person. The examination of dele- 
 gates shall be held only with a view to de- 
 termine their right to sit in the conference. 
 
 ^ 97. Order of Procedure. 
 
 1. Enrollment of delegates. 
 
 2. Examination of Bishops and delegates. 
 
 3. Address by the presiding Bishop. 
 
 4. Appointment of standing committees. 
 
 5. Summary of statistics. 
 
 6. Examination of Annual Conference trans- 
 
 actions. 
 
 7. Recommendations from .\nnual Confer- 
 
 ences. 
 
 8. Temporal economy.
 
 GENERAL CONFERENCE. 61 
 
 9. Arrangement of Annual Conference dis- 
 tricts. 
 
 10. Publishing interests. 
 
 11. Election of General Conference officers. 
 
 12. K. L. of C. E. 
 
 13. Missionary cause. 
 
 14. Higher education. 
 
 15. Time and place of next session. 
 
 16. Miscellaneous business. 
 
 17. Has the Secretary been authorized to 
 
 affix the signatures of the conference 
 members? 
 
 ^
 
 PART III. 
 THE MINISTRY. 
 
 ■^
 
 I. MiNISTERIAIv QUAWFICATIONS AND WORK. 
 
 II. Reception and Station of Ministers. 
 III. Duties OF Preachers. 
 
 SS-9^
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 Ministerial i^aaliflcations and Work. 
 
 Ti 98. General Directions. 
 
 Rule I. Be diligent. Never be unemployed; 
 nor triflingly employed. Follow the rules of strict 
 economy in the use of time, even in the discharge 
 of important duties. Let necessity, and not en- 
 joyment, determine. Redeem the time. 
 
 RUI.E 2. Be serious. Be earnest Avoid light- 
 ness, jesting, and foolish talking. Your motto 
 must be : " Holiness to the Lord," 
 
 Rule 3. Converse discreetly and conduct your- 
 self prudently with the other sex. 
 
 Rule 4. Believe evil of no one without sub- 
 stantial evidence. Put the best construction on 
 everything. The judge is always supposed to be 
 on the side of the accused. 
 
 Rule 5. Speak evil of no one, because your word, 
 especially, would eat as doth a canker. Keep 
 your thoughts within your own breast, till you 
 meet the person concerned. 
 
 Rule 6 Tell every one under your care what 
 you think wrong in his temper and conduct, and 
 that candidly, lovingly, plainly ; and do this with- 
 out delay, lest it fester in your heart. Make haste 
 to cast this fire out of your bosom.
 
 66 MINISTERIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK. 
 
 Rule 7. Be yourself, avoiding all affectation. 
 As was the Master, so must the preacher of the 
 Gospel be — the servant of all. 
 
 Rule 8. Be ashamed of all sin, and of every- 
 thing that tends to its commission. 
 
 Rule 9. Be punctual. Work by rule. Do not 
 amend the rules, but keep them, not for fear, but 
 for conscience' sake. 
 
 Rule 10. You are a shepherd. Your commis- 
 sion from the Chief Shepherd is soul-saving. This 
 will require the consecration of all your time and 
 talent — to spend and be spent in this work. You 
 are to look after and visit not only those who 
 welcome you, but any who are without hope, or 
 who need the counsel and instruction of Christ's 
 ambassador. It is not the end of your calling to 
 preach only, or to take care of this or that society; 
 but to lead as many sinners to repentance and 
 saU^ation as possible, and to build them up in 
 that holiness, without which they cannot see the 
 Lord. 
 
 Rule ii. As a preacher of the United Evan- 
 gelical Church, you are expected to act in all 
 things, not according to your own will or pleasure, 
 but as a faithful son of the Gospel. As such it is 
 your duty to employ your time in the manner in 
 which our rules direct ; in preaching, in visiting 
 from house to house, in reading, meditation, and 
 prayer. Above all, if you labor with us in the 
 Lord's vineyard, it is needful that you do that 
 part of the work which is assigned you, and at
 
 MINISTERIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK. 67 
 
 those times and places which it is adjudged most 
 to His glory and the furtherance of His kingdom. 
 
 *'. 99* Spiritual Qualifications . 
 
 As a preacher of the Gospel you must know : 
 
 1. That you have peace with God through Jesus 
 Christ our Lord. 
 
 2. That the love of God is shed abroad in your 
 heart by the Holy Spirit, and that you are a child 
 of God. 
 
 3. That although sin once abounded in your 
 lieart, grace doth now much more abound, giving 
 you victory over sin, and keeping your heart and 
 mind in the love of Jesus Christ. 
 
 4. That souls are perishing for whom Christ 
 died, and that God has called you to go and pro- 
 claim the glad tidings of salvation to them, "The 
 harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are 
 few." 
 
 5. That God has given promise, that His Word 
 shall not return unto Him void, but it shall pros- 
 per in the thing whereto He sent it, and that the 
 abiding presence of the risen and glorified Lord 
 is assured, even unto the end of the world. Be 
 hopeful ; be true to your Master. Preach the 
 Word ; be instant in season, out of season. Make 
 full proof of your ministry. 
 
 6. That your essential qualification for blessed 
 results in your calling, will be assured by the fol- 
 lowing three important things : first, by being a 
 temple of the Holy Spirit, set apart, consecrated, 
 to your holy calling, by His indwelling, light, com-
 
 f,8 MINISTERIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK. 
 
 fort, power, and glory ; second^ by bearing the 
 salvation of the people entrusted to your care ten- 
 derly within your heart ; third, by understanding, 
 pondering, loving, and observing the rules and 
 Discipline of the Church. 
 
 If loo. Evidences of a Call to Preach. 
 
 We believe it is the Divine prerogative to call 
 persons to the Christian ministry. As our blessed 
 Lord "called unto Him whom He would " and 
 chose and ordained His twelve apostles " that they 
 might be with Him, and that He might send them 
 forth to preach , " so God does still choose and com- 
 mission the messengers of the blessed Gospel. 
 Nevertheless it has pleased the Holy Spirit to ac- 
 cord unto the Church the privileges of joyful rec- 
 ognition and co-operation and helpful indorsement. 
 
 Whenever the Church is convinced that a person 
 is moved by the Holy Spirit to preach the Gospel, 
 she is placed under sacred obligation to render all 
 possible assistance by proper recommendation, 
 and other lines of preparation for the work. The 
 society or class of which those professing a call to 
 preach are members, is, according to our polity, 
 entrusted with an important responsibility in this 
 matter. And what evidence shall the Church re- 
 quire as sufficientl}- conclusive, to make co-op- 
 eration on her part a conscientious duty ? In not a 
 few instances, from the nature of the case, the 
 evidence on some points will not be of the high- 
 est order, and proper allowance must be made ac- 
 cordingly.
 
 MINISTERIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK, ^g 
 
 Let the pastor of such society duly interest him- 
 self in such cases by frequent counsel and direc- 
 tion ; as also by securing to such persons opportu- 
 nities to open and conduct religious meetings, as- 
 sist publicly in revival work, and thus exercise 
 their gifts in the church. And let such persons 
 at the same time be requested to thoroughly ac- 
 quaint themselves with our book of Discipline, 
 and to read and ponder this section in particular, 
 and let them give expression to their convictions 
 regarding the points of inquiry here following. 
 No. 4, excepted, of which others are to judge, to 
 the pastor or the presiding elder, or to both. 
 
 /. Personal Experience. 
 
 Have they peace with God ? Is the love of God 
 abiding in them through the indwelling of the 
 Holy Spirit ? Do they abide in the love of Christ? 
 Is their walk and conversation pure ? Do they 
 manifest soul-concern for the spread of the Gospel 
 and the conversion of sinners about them ? 
 
 2. Thirst for Knowledge. 
 
 Are they studious ? Are they devoted to Bible 
 study, and works on Bible exposition ? Do they 
 apply themselves to the acquisition of knowledge 
 in general, pertaining to a proper qualification for 
 the Christian ministry ? Do they understand that 
 all their acquisitions of knowledge must be sub- 
 ordinated to the thought and work of soul-saving, 
 and the edification of the bodv of Christ ?
 
 ro MINISTERIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK. 
 
 J. Effectiveness. 
 Have any been converted through their instru- 
 mentality ? Have believers been edified through 
 their exhortations and preaching ? Has their 
 personal influence been helpful to the cause of 
 Christ ? 
 
 4. Gifts and Qualijications. 
 
 Perfection is not expected in the beginning ; 
 but do these persons present hopeful indications 
 of latent talent ready to respond to the inspiration 
 of application, and the call of duty in the sacred 
 office ? Have they in an acceptable sense a good 
 understanding, and a sound judgment? Have 
 they the gifts of discernment, and of adaptation ? 
 Are their views concerning the plan of redemp- 
 tion and salvation Scriptural ? Have they the gift 
 of utterance ? Do they impress as well as interest 
 an audience? 
 
 In all cases in which there is a fair degree of 
 clearness and strength of affirmative evidence in 
 these things, we believe it should be accepted as 
 a sufiBcient indication of a Divine call to the 
 ministry, to require co-operative recognition on 
 the part of the Church. Let such be assisted and 
 advanced as directed in our Discipline, by recom- 
 mendation and license, and by such other encour- 
 agement as may be rendered, or the case maj^ re- 
 quire. But let them not be unduly eager to be at 
 once appointed to a charge, but be concerned 
 rather to be found in that thoroughness of prepara- 
 tion which is Divinely approved, — workmen that
 
 MINISTERIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK.;! 
 
 need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word 
 of truth. (II. Tim. 2: 15.) 
 
 Tj loi. Hints and Directions. 
 
 1. Acquaint yourself thoroughly with our Arti- 
 cles of Faifh. Read and study them. It is your 
 duty to defend them. Ponder and pray over them. 
 They are a brief summary of important points of 
 Christian belief, as accepted and maintained by the 
 United Evangelical Church, and are in substantial 
 harmony with that portion of Protestant Christi- 
 anity which advocates vntal godliness, by actual 
 experience and practice. 
 
 2. Acquaint yourself with our Book of Discipline 
 in general, and with our general rules, in particu- 
 lar. This should not be a grievous duty, as these 
 rules treat of things of vital import, and in clear 
 and emphatic terms. 
 
 3. Be an enthusiastic student of the Bible doc- 
 trine of redemption through Jesus Christ. Study 
 the Bible not only for personal satisfaction and 
 edification, but for practical use and application 
 in the pulpit, in revival meetings, and in pastoral 
 work. In this you have the promise of Divine 
 assistance, the Holy Spirit of truth who will guide 
 you into all truth — a blessed companionship in 
 the study of the whole counsel of God, in human 
 redemption, and salvation. You are to speak as 
 the ambassador of Christ. Be careful to avoid 
 speculative definitions of the Deity. Use Bible 
 terms. These are quite sufficient, and better un- 
 derstood by the people.
 
 U MINISTERIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK. 
 
 4. Never disappoint a congregation, if at all 
 avoidable, and always begin at the time appointed. 
 
 5. As a rule preach short sermons. Have some- 
 thing to say when you arise to preach, and stop 
 when it is said. 
 
 6. Endeavor at whatever cost and labor, always 
 to adapt your subject to your audience. 
 
 7. Select a plain text, and stick to it. Do not 
 ramble in your sermon. It is a serious fault, and 
 should be overcome at any cost of painstaking. 
 
 8. Do not preach with unabated loudness. Speak 
 every word distinctly. Emphasize properly. 
 Cultivate your voice Its quality must not be 
 lacking in agreeableness, as the words fall upon 
 the ear of the auditor. 
 
 9. Avoid with care anything afifected or awk- 
 ward in your pulpit manner, gesture, phrase, or 
 pronunciation. Such novelties at such a time, 
 from such a source, will break the connection of 
 thought in the sermon with many of your hearers. 
 
 10. Let 3-our public prayers, like your sermons, 
 be adapted to the occasion ; be fervent, be spirit- 
 ual and trustful. Avoid tediousness in manner. 
 Be brief. Seek the presence and guidance of the 
 Holy Spirit . ( Rom. 8 : 26. ) 
 
 11. Adopt some plan of Bible study. Read the 
 Bible through in order. Read some portion of 
 Scripture every day, with meditation and prayer, 
 Read some passage with notes or commentary. 
 Read and enlarge upon such paragraphs as espe- 
 ciallv interest vou.
 
 MINISTERIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK. ::- 
 
 12. Make the gifts and offices of the Holy Spirit 
 as revealed in the sacred Scriptures a special study. 
 Our Lord, before His departure from His Apostles, 
 gave them repeated assurances of the coming of 
 the Comforter — the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of 
 Truth, the Promise of the Father, all of which 
 were blessedly fulfilled on the day of Pentecost. 
 Since that baptism of power, the Church of God 
 has been under the Spirit's dispensation 
 
 13. While giving to the directions contained in 
 the foregoing paragraphs all the attention which 
 their importance demands, you are not to infer 
 that the reading and studying of works of ac- 
 knowledged scientific merit, or of authentic re- 
 search in the more important lines of correlative 
 and helpful knowledge, should be treated with in- 
 difference. The one must be attended to at any 
 cost of time and earnest application ; the other 
 must not be neglected. 
 
 ^ 102. Effective Preaching. 
 
 1. An old rule gave directions to the preacher 
 on this subject : (i) To convince the mind and 
 move the heart ; ( 2 ) To offer Christ in all his 
 offices ; (3) To present and urge the Gospel invi- 
 tation ; ( 4) To build up believers ; and to do all 
 this in some measure in every sermon. 
 
 2. Another rule recommended was : To preach 
 Christ in all His offices ; to declare his law as well 
 as his Gospel, both to saint and sinner ; and, in 
 addition, to strongly insist on inward and outward 
 holiness in all its branches,
 
 -4 MINISTERIAL QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK. 
 
 [ To this may be added with emphasis:^ 
 3. Whatever the method adopted upon proper 
 consecration and Biblical research, every sertnoyi 
 should be the best you can preach tinder the condi- 
 tions and at the time. At the conclusion of the 
 service, you should bear within, the assurance of 
 the Saviour's commendation, that you have done 
 what you could. 
 
 ^ 103. Preaching Places. 
 
 1. In general, the preacher should give most at- 
 tention to those places where the greatest number 
 of orderly attentive hearers of the Word can be se- 
 cured, and where there are the strongest indica- 
 tions of results in the salvation of souls and the 
 permanent establishment of the Church. 
 
 2. Preaching places once established in a com- 
 munity should not be discontinued by the preacher 
 in charge in the interval between the Annual Con- 
 ference sessions, without the consent of the pre- 
 siding elder and the Quarterly Conference ; m her- 
 ever there is a discontinuance of an appointment, 
 the preacher in charge shall transfer the names of 
 members to such adjacent classes as they may se- 
 lect. 
 
 3. As a rule only so many regular new appoint- 
 ments should be taken up, as can be served with 
 sufficient attention to give promise of good results, 
 without detriment to the regular appointments of 
 the charge. Acceptable local ministerial talent 
 may be advantageously employed to assist in the 
 extension of the work of a charge, and should be 
 so engaged with every opportunity.
 
 RECEPTION .AND STATION OF MINlSTERb. 75 
 
 4. Any person not a minisrer or representative 
 of our church interests, applying for permission 
 to preach in any of our churches, or to occupy 
 them for any other purpose, shall present proper 
 credentials, and may then be allowed the use of 
 the church by obtaining the unanimous consent 
 of the board of trustees and the preacher in 
 charge. 
 
 CHAPTER TT. 
 Reception and Station of 3Iinisters. 
 
 I. Rccommcndatioit. 
 
 1j 104. A candidate for the ministry may be li- 
 censed by an Annual or the General Conference. 
 The applicant for license must present a good 
 recommendation from the class to which he be- 
 longs, to the Quarterly Conference of the charge, 
 or to the Annual or the General Conference, in 
 the following form : — 
 
 IFe, the undersigned members of A — 's elass^ rec- 
 ommend our brother, B — C — , as a suitable 
 person for the office of the ministry, and do 
 herezi'ith give him a good testimony respect- 
 ing his conduct as a Christian, and beliez-r 
 him to be possessed of the necessary abilities, 
 and called of God to this cfficc. 
 
 It is required that ^he recommendation shall 
 contain the names of two-thirds of the members
 
 76 REBEPTION AM) SIATION OF MINISTERS. 
 
 present at a duly annoir/ced meeting, held for the 
 purpose of considering the matter, provided the 
 number of signatures finally obtained shall con- 
 stitute a majority of the entire membership ot 
 the class. 
 
 TI. Qurstious fo Applicants. 
 
 ^ 103. The Chairman of the conference is to 
 examine the candidate in the following manner : 
 
 1. Do you believe yourself to be Divinely called 
 
 to preach the Gospel ? 
 
 2. Have you obtained the pardon of your sins 
 
 and peace with God, through faith in Christ? 
 
 3. Does the Spirit of God bear witness with 
 
 your spirit that 3-ou are a child of God? 
 
 4. Do you earnestly desire and seek to have the 
 
 love of God shed abroad in your heart by 
 the Holy Spirit, in such a measure that you 
 may have victory over every sin? 
 
 5. Are you acquainted with the doctrines and 
 
 Discipline of our Church? 
 
 6. Will you observe and defend them? 
 
 7. Have you more debts than you are able to 
 
 pay? 
 
 8. Will you wholly abstain from the use of to- 
 
 bacco ? 
 If the applicant satisfactorily answers all the 
 foregoing questions, the Conference may, if an 
 Annual or the General Conference, by a majority 
 of its ministerial votes, license him as a preacher 
 on trial, and if a Quarterly Conference, recom-
 
 RECEPTION AND STATION OF MINISTERS. 77 
 
 mend him to an A'.mual or the General Confer- 
 ence for such Hcensc. 
 
 III. Mi)iistcrs from Other Churches. 
 
 H io6. If a minister of another denomination 
 desires to unite with our church, he shall produce 
 from his church approved credentials of his 
 Christian character and standing in office, and 
 present them to that conference to which he 
 makes application for reception. He shall also 
 make a statement or answer to the fourth, fifth, 
 sixth, seventh and eighth questions in the rules 
 for the licensing of ministers, and if he is an or- 
 dained minister, he shall assume, either verbally 
 or in writing, the vows contained in the form for 
 ordaining ministers. If the conference considers 
 his credentials and statements satisfactory, he may 
 be received as Deacon or Elder, according to the 
 rank which he held in his former church 
 
 I\^. Deaeo)ts. 
 
 t[ 107. All local preacher> who have served a 
 probation of six years, and who are recommended 
 by the Presiding Elder of the district on which 
 they reside, and all preachers on trial who have 
 traveled for two years under the Presiding Elder, 
 if they receive a two-thirds majority of votes of 
 the conference, shall be ordained to the office of 
 Deacon, according to the ritual of our church. 
 Any of our ministers w-ho are employed as teach- 
 ers in any of our institutions of learning, and
 
 78 RHCEPTION AND S lA IION OF MlNh>TKRS. 
 
 have served a prcbation of three years ; and those 
 in course of preparation as missionaries to the 
 heathen, after having served a probation of two 
 years, may be considered as candidates for Dea- 
 con's orders. 
 
 V. Elders. 
 
 ll io8. After a Deacon has well discharged the 
 duties of his office as an itinerant preacher among 
 us for two years, or if he has served as teacher 
 for three years in any of our institutions ot learn- 
 ing, he may be presented to the conference as a 
 candidate tor the office of Elder, and if he ob- 
 tains a two-thirds majority of votes, then he i'^ 
 to be duly ordained. 
 
 \^I. Presiding Elders. 
 
 II 109. Presiding Elders shall be elected from 
 among the Itinerant Elders, by a majority of 
 votes of an Annral Conference, for a term of 
 four years. A Presiding Elder shall not serve 
 in that capacity longer than two terms consec- 
 utively. 
 
 VTT. Bishops. 
 
 ^ no. A Bishop shall be elected by the Gen- 
 eral Conference from among the Itinerant Elders, 
 by a majority of the whole number of votes, for 
 a term of four years ; and if he proves to be a 
 faithful shepherd, lives according to the Word of 
 God. and the rules of our Discipline, in true god-
 
 RECEPTION AND STATION OF MINISTERS. 79 
 
 line5>. and if no other impediments render it im- 
 practicable, he may be re-elected, but shall not be 
 continued in office for more than two successive 
 terms. 
 
 \''II1. Itinerants. 
 
 ^111. All Elders and Deacons who have re- 
 ceived their ordination, after having traveled two 
 years, either by appointment of the stationinj> 
 committee or a Presiding Elder, shall be eligible, 
 and may be admitted into the itinerancy by a 
 two-thirds vote of the conference, and when so 
 admitted shall be known as itinerants. 
 
 TX. Local Preachers. 
 
 !l 112. A local preacher is one who is licensed 
 to serve in the Word as occasion may require and 
 opportunity offer, but who either has never been 
 received into the traveling connection by an An- 
 nual Conference, or. if he was thus received, has 
 l)een located thereby. 
 
 X. Superannuated Preachers. 
 
 ^ 113. A superannuated preacher is one who is 
 
 unable, because of bodily infirmities, to serve a 
 
 charge, and has been transferred, by the confer- 
 ence, to the superannuated list. 
 
 XT. Snpernunierary Preachers. 
 
 %,. 114. A supernume^rary preacher is one who 
 either because of bodilv infirmities or for some
 
 80 RECEPTION AND STATION OF MINISTERS. 
 
 Other reason, has retired from active pastoral 
 service, but is able to serve in some other calling. 
 
 XII. Ezaugclists. 
 
 *" 115. The Stationing Committee shall appoint 
 (Mie or more members of an Annual Conference to 
 do Evangelistic work on charges within that con- 
 ference if invited b\' their pastors and in co-oper- 
 ation with them ; or, in neglected territory with- 
 in any district, when requested by and in co-oper- 
 ation with the Presiding Elder of the district ; 
 provided, that the conference shall determine by 
 a vote how many of its members may be thus ap- 
 pointed ; and. provided further, that the said An- 
 nual Conference shall by a two-thirds vote of the 
 members present and voting, request such ap- 
 pointments. No pastor shall engage an Evan- 
 gelist other than those appointed by the confer- 
 ence, without first obtaining the written consent 
 of his Presiding Elder.
 
 DUTIES OF PREACHERS. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 Duties of Preachers. 
 
 ' 1 1 6. Duties of a Local Preacher. 
 
 1. It shall be the duty of a local preacher to 
 preach when an i wherever called upon. He shall 
 exert himself to procure new preaching places, and 
 attend to them faithfully and diligently He shall 
 acquaint the people with our Church Discipline. 
 Wherever the Lord blesses his labor in awakening 
 and converting souls, he shall , if practicable , receive 
 them into the Church, form them into classes, and 
 introduce them into the mission, circuit, or station. 
 
 2. He shall, likewise, visit the sick and assist 
 the poor and indigent ; and if called upon to con- 
 duct funeral services, he shall do it willingly and 
 never refuse, except there be some unavoidable 
 hindrance. 
 
 3. It shall be the duty of an ordained local 
 preacher, wherever necessary, to baptize, to assist 
 in administering the Lord's Supper, and to perform 
 marriage ceremonies. 
 
 4. Of him it is especially required, above other 
 local preachers, in case of necessity, to fill the ap- 
 pointments of itinerant preacl ers. 
 
 5. He shall give the church a good example of 
 charitableness, instruct all in this duty by exhor- 
 tation and preaching, and do works of charity and 
 mercy to those in need and especially to the house- 
 hold of God. 
 
 Duties of a Traveling Preacher. 
 \ 117- It shall be the duty of a traveling preacher ;
 
 82 DUTIES OF PREACHERS. 
 
 1. To preacri as mucn as possible on his 
 appointed field of labor, and never to neglect an 
 appointment. 
 
 2. To see that our Church Discipline is observed 
 in every respect on his charge . 
 
 3. When there are no stewards, to appoint 
 stewards who shall serve until the next Quarterly 
 Conference. To appoint a day preceding the 
 quarterly or general meeting as a special day for 
 fasting and prayers, and to inculcate the duty of 
 giving alms. 
 
 4. To visit the people, the sick, the prisoners, the 
 poor and needy, and to assist them in temporal and 
 spiritual things, and by example and exhortation 
 induce others thereto. He shall, at every visit, if 
 practicable, offer prayer. He shall recommend 
 cleanliness, economy, and godliness. He shall give 
 counsel and advice to the children, and, wherever 
 practicable, organize catechetical classes, and fur- 
 nish his successor in office a correct report of the 
 names of the catechumens, and how far they are 
 advanced in the catechism. 
 
 5. To form classes wherever the Lord effects 
 awakening, conviction ,and conversion by his labors; 
 or wherever a fav^orable opportunity presents itself. 
 
 Duties of a Preacher in Charge. 
 
 i 118. The following additional duties devolve 
 upon him to whom is intrusted the charge of a 
 circuit, station, or mission : 
 
 I. He shall see that the other preachers on his 
 field of labor conduct themselves well, and that 
 they lack in nothing.
 
 DUTIES OF PREACHERS. R? 
 
 2. It devolves upon him lo preside at the elec- 
 tion of class leaders and assistant leaders, and 
 renew the class books. He shall keep a general 
 Church Register, and accurately record therein the 
 names of our members on his charge, and shall 
 carefully prepare the statistics, as indicated by the 
 rules governing the Annual Conference procedure, 
 and shall record all other important occurences 
 which may be useful for his successor in office to 
 know. 
 
 3. According to the directions of our Discipline, , 
 he shall admit, examine, put back on trial, or 
 exclude members, as the case may require. 
 
 4. He shall also be diligent in forming Sunday- 
 schools where there are none, and keep watch over 
 those on his field of labor. He shall encourage 
 his societies, by word and deed, to zealous partici- 
 pation in the Sunday-schools, and in love and ear- 
 nestness admonish those who neglect these duties. 
 
 5. He shall see that the society is duly supplied 
 with such books and periodicals as may be recom- 
 mended by our General or Annual Conferences. 
 
 6. Wherever, on his field of labor, the erection 
 of church edifices or parsonages becomes neces- 
 sary, and there are prospects at hand that they can 
 be erected by voluntary contributions, it is his 
 duty to see that the work is properly commenced 
 and executed . 
 
 7. In all important matters he shall solicit the 
 advice of his brethren in office, and especially that 
 of the Presiding Elder, and give the latter infor- 
 mation respecting the condition of his field of
 
 84 DUTIES OF PRhACHERS. 
 
 labor. He shall also baptize according; to tlu 
 Word of God and perform the ceremony of mar- 
 riage. In this, however, he shall be subject to. 
 and proceed in accordance with, the laws of the 
 state in which he executes the religious function. 
 If he is an ordained preacher, he shall admin- 
 ister the Lord's Supper. 
 
 ^ 119. Duties of a Presiding Elder. 
 
 1. He shall oversee the temporal and spiritual 
 interests of the district to which he has been ap- 
 pointed, travel therein and preach as often ?i< 
 practicable. 
 
 2. He shall appoint the time of the quarterly 
 meetings and have charge of the spiritual inter- 
 ests of the camp-meetings and call such ministers 
 of his district as may be necessary to hold the 
 same. He shall preside at the Quarterly Confer- 
 ences and whenever practicable, have charge of 
 the administration of the Lord's Supper. He 
 shall inquire whether the preachers do their duty, 
 and exhort them to maintain discipline and or- 
 der, love and seriousness in the Church. He 
 shall look after the organization of young peo- 
 ple's societies on his district, and make inquiry 
 in the Quarterly Conference as to the work of the 
 societies. 
 
 3. In case of necessity, he shall have the au- 
 thority in the intervals between the .\nnual Con- 
 ference sessions, to change or transfer preachers 
 in accordance with the judgment of a majority of
 
 DUTIES OF PREACHER?. 8S 
 
 the preachers in charge on the district ; also to 
 receive preachers on trial, and to remove im- 
 moral ones within the bounds of his district, ac- 
 cording to the direction of our Church Discipline. 
 
 4. It shall be his duty to make strict inquiry as 
 to whether each pastor has received the amount ot 
 salary due him. and in case of a deficiency, to 
 make an earnest effort to secure the balance due. 
 
 5. Each Presiding Elder shall present a written 
 report of his district to his Annual Conference. 
 
 ^ 120. Duties of a Bishop. 
 
 It shall be the duty of a Bishop : 
 
 1. To preside at the Annual and General Con- 
 ferences, in accordance with the regulations of 
 our Discipline. 
 
 2. To be a member of the Stationing Commit- 
 tee when President of an Annual Conference. 
 
 3. In the intervals between Annual Conference 
 sessions, as necessity may require, to change 
 preachers from one district to another, with the 
 consent of the Presiding Elders of such districts 
 and the preachers thus changed ; and to transfer 
 preachers from one conference to another with 
 the consent of such preachers and the conferences 
 to which they are transferred. 
 
 4. To oversee the spiritual interests of the 
 Church, carefully guarding them so that every- 
 thing shall be done ^a^ccording to the Word of 
 God and the rules of our Church.
 
 86 OL riF> OH PRKACHHRS. 
 
 5. To perform the ceremony of ordination in 
 accordance with the regulations of our Discipline. 
 
 6. To prepare and submit to the General Con- 
 ference a message embracing his views concern- 
 ing the general state of the Church.
 
 PART IV. 
 CHURCH TRIALS.
 
 I. Trial of Lav Members. 
 
 II. Trial of Ministers. 
 
 III. Trial of a Bishop. 
 
 IV Court of Appeals 
 
 V. Jurisdiction and Evidence.
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Chorch Trials. 
 
 ^ 121. Church trials sliould be res^artled by all 
 ministers, pastors, and churches as an expedient of 
 last resort. The ministry and membership of the 
 Church in general, and of every local 'Jociety, with 
 its pastors and officers in particular, should make 
 every reasonable effort to adjust existing difficulties 
 before any steps are taken to institute a trial. 
 
 Trial of Lay Members. 
 
 H 122. The trial of lay members shall be before 
 a select number of the society to which they b^-long, 
 or, if necessary, for prudential reasons, before a 
 committee from another society of our Church, in 
 number not less than three, who shall, upon an im- 
 partial hearing of the evidence, determine the 
 questions of innocence, blame- worthiness, or guilt, 
 and the sentence to be pronounced. 
 
 Xeglect of Duty. 
 
 T 123. In all cases of reputed negligence and 
 lack of faithfulness respecting Christian privileges 
 and responsibilities, as clearly set forth in the Word 
 of God, and in our General Rules, it shall be the 
 duty of the class-leader and his assistant to visit 
 and admonish such in the spirit of meekness an(J
 
 90 TRIAL OF LAV MEMBERS. 
 
 love, and to do this repeatedly, if the case shall 
 require it. If no reformation is witnessed as a 
 result, such delinquent shall be reported to the 
 preacher in charge, for additional admonition and 
 reformatory efforts, and if all these shall prove un- 
 availing, trial proceedings shall be instituted, or the 
 case may be first reported to the Quarterly Confer- 
 ence for counsel and instruction. 
 
 If such a delinquent member is brought to trial 
 and convicted, lie shall be excluded from the 
 church, unless he shall at such investigation ap- 
 pear to be truly contrite and desirous to amend his 
 course, in which case he may be placed on proba- 
 tion for a period not to exceed six months. If, 
 then, the preacher in charge, the class-leader and 
 the assistant class-leader, or a majority of them, 
 shall conclude that no real improvement in his 
 conduct has taken place durine the probation, the 
 offending member shall be excluded. If in any 
 case the accused refuses to be present at such trial, 
 the hearing shall be held as if he were present. 
 
 Imprudent and Sinful Conduct. 
 
 % 124. In all cases of reputed sinful conduct, 
 vioiaiions of Christian propriety, the indulgence 
 in sinful words or temper, the buying, selling, or 
 using intoxicating liquors as a beverage, signing 
 petitions in favor of granting license for the sale 
 of intoxicating liquors, becoming bondsman for 
 persons engaged in such traffic, renting property 
 as a place in or on which to manufacture or sell 
 intoxicating liquors, patronizing amusements and
 
 TRIAL OF LAV MEMBERS. -! 
 
 games of chance of immoral tendencies, and the 
 like, proper inquiry shall first be made by the 
 class-leader or the preacher in charge respecting 
 the authenticity of such reports, and if these 
 prove to be sufficiently reliable to make them ap- 
 pear credible, the class-leader, or the preacher 
 in charge, or both of them together, shall visit 
 such member and inquire definitely into the mat- 
 ter. In case of confession, humility, and promises 
 of repentance and reformation, the erring mem- 
 ber shall be borne with for a reasonable time ; but 
 if such reformation does not follow, the accused 
 shall be brought to trial. Should the accused, 
 during the trial, manifest sufl5cient evidence of 
 true penitence and contrition to warrant the hope 
 of reformation, the same leniency may be exer- 
 cised as in the case of neglect of duty ; if not, 
 such member shall, upon conviction, be excluded 
 from the church. 
 
 Gross Immorality. 
 
 \ 125. In all cases of reputed gross immorality, 
 the member shall be visited without delay by the 
 class-leader, or the preacher in charge, or by both 
 together, and the matter shall be definitely in- 
 quired into, and if the report be found sufficiently 
 credible to demand an investigation, trial proceed- 
 ings shall be instituted according to the directions 
 given in our Discipline ; and in case of conviction, 
 he shall be expelled from the church. 
 Causing Dissension. 
 
 ^ 126. If any member of our church shall be 
 accused of causing dissension in any of our socie-
 
 92 TRIAL OF LAV MEMBERS. 
 
 ties, by inveighing against our doctrines or Disci- 
 pline, the member so offending shall be reproved 
 by the preacher in charge, and, if necessary, re- 
 peatedly admonished to a better course of thought 
 and action ; but if he shall persist in such perni- 
 cious practice, he shall be brought to trial, and, 
 upon conviction, be excluded from the church. 
 
 Arbitration. 
 
 ^ 127. In the event of disagreement between 
 two or more members of our church concerning 
 business transactions or interests, which the parties 
 are unable to satisfactorily adjust, the preacher in 
 charge shall, upon inquiry, recommend to the par- 
 ties a reference of the matter to a committee of 
 live arbiters, two to be chosen by each of the re- 
 spective parties, and these four to choose the fifth; 
 such arbiters being members of our church. 
 
 % 128. The verdict of the arbiters shall be bind- 
 ing alike on the several parties, and if either re- 
 fuse to abide by the judgment rendered, it shall be 
 regarded as an offence against the order and disci- 
 pline of the church, rendering him liable to com- 
 plaint and trial, in which case, except he can show- 
 sufficient cause for such persistence, he shall be 
 excluded. 
 
 ^ 129. A member of our church who shall refuse, 
 in case of debt or other dispute, to submit the 
 matter to arbitration when advised to do so by the 
 class-leader, or pastor, or both, and shall enter into 
 a lawsuit with another member, without first seek- 
 ing adjustment by resort to peaceable measures.
 
 TRIAL OF LAY MEMBERS. 9? 
 
 shall likewise be regarded as having violated the 
 order and discipline of the church, and shall be 
 liable as in the preceding paragraj^h. This is not 
 to apply to executors and administrators, nor in 
 cases where delay would entail financial loss. 
 
 Right of Appeal of Lay Members. 
 
 ^ 13°' In all cases of trials of lay members re- 
 sulting in the conviction and sentencing of the 
 accused, an appeal to the Quarterly Conference 
 shall be granted, provided the appellant shall, 
 within thirty days after receiving a copy of the 
 verdict, give notice to this effect to the secretary 
 of said trial, who shall thereupon send or convey 
 the record of the trial to the preacher in charge, 
 to be presented by him at the next session of the 
 Quarterly Conference, which shall carefully exam- 
 ine the charges and specifications, and the evi- 
 dence presented for and against the accused, and, 
 by a majority vote, pass upon each, which action 
 shall be final in the case. Any member of Quar- 
 terly Conference having served as juror on the 
 case, shall have no vote in Quarterly Conference 
 on the same case in appeal. 
 
 If in passing upon a case of appeal the Quarterly 
 Conference find evidence of irregularities sufiicient 
 to have prejudiced the cause of the appellant, it 
 shall annul the action of the committee and order 
 a new trial. If it fine's the action regular in all re- 
 spects, but the evidence against the accused in- 
 sufficient to warrant the verdict, it shall reverse the 
 action of the committee. If it finds the action of
 
 'M TRIAL OF LAY MEMBERS. 
 
 the committee regulai ana the evidence sufficient 
 to sustain the verdict, it shall ratif}' the same. 
 
 It shall be the duty of the secretary of the Quar- 
 terly Conference to transmit to the appellant a co})y 
 of the decision rendered in the case, without delay 
 
 Right oj Challenge. 
 
 •' 131. In all cases of trial the accused shall have 
 the right of reasonable challenge respecting thoi-e 
 who shall sit in the case as jury or trial committee. 
 A person disqualified to sit as a juror in a civil suit, 
 because of interest or prejudice, should, in an in- 
 tensified degree, be deemed out of place in a 
 church trial. 
 
 Appointment of Plaintiff. 
 
 * 132. In all cases of laj- members in which 
 trials are deemed necessary, but in which no mem- 
 ber of the society is willing to act as accuser, the 
 Quarterly Conference shall appoint a person who 
 shall serve as plaintiff on behalf of the cbnrch. 
 At such trial, the preacher in charge, the Presiding 
 Elder, or another ordained minister of the district, 
 appointed by the Presiding Elder, shall preside. 
 
 \ 133. President of a Trial. 
 
 I . In all cases of trials of lay members in which 
 the preacher in charge must not be excused for 
 prudential or other important reasons, it shall be 
 his duty to institute and preside at such trials; 
 but if, for sufficient reasons, he must be excused, 
 the Presiding Elder of the district shall take his 
 place, or appoint an ordained minister of his dis-
 
 TRIAL OF- MIMSIHRS. 
 
 trici to do so. If the preacher in cliargc preside^ 
 at a trial, he siiall also appoint the trial commit- 
 tee. If the preacher in charge, for prudential rea- 
 sons, cannot preside, the Presiding Elder shall 
 appoint the committee and also the time and 
 place, even in cases in which he cannot himself 
 preside. 
 
 2. A minister who presides at the trial of any 
 member shall in all cases preserve strictly an im- 
 partial attitude, such as would be expected of an 
 honorable jurist in a civil court, and shall have 
 no part in determining the verdict or framing the 
 -entence. He shall be accessible to the members 
 'if the trial committee to impart any needed in- 
 formation on legal points, but shall refuse to com- 
 mit himself as to the merits of the case in hand. 
 
 CH.\PTER II, 
 Trial of 3Iinisters. 
 
 ^ 134. The ministers of each Annual Confer- 
 ence shall elect annually from among their own 
 members seven or more men. Elders, if possible, 
 yet so that they do not exceed twelve in number, 
 who shall serve as a Trial Court in case of any 
 and all charges, duly preferred against any minis- 
 ter of the conference. All vacancies in the court 
 shall be filled by the remaining members. 
 
 ^ 135- When a minister is charged with a crime 
 expressly forbidden Tri the Word of God as an
 
 96 TRIAL OF MINISTERS. 
 
 un-christian practice, the Presiding Elder on 
 whose district he resides shall, after having fur- 
 nished the accused a copy of the charges, convene 
 the Trial Court at as early a day as practicable, 
 and at such place as shall be most convenient to 
 those concerned. If the accused be a Presiding 
 Elder, the Bishop shall furnish him a copy of 
 the charges, and convene the Trial Court. This 
 Trial Court, when so convened, shall have full 
 powder to try the accused, and, if necessity re- 
 quires, censure him, or suspend him from office 
 until the next session of the Annual Conference. 
 
 II136. The Trial Court shall elect a chairman 
 and a secretary from among its own members. 
 
 ^ 137. The secretary shall keep a correct record 
 of all the trial proceedings, and take charge of all 
 papers and documents submitted in the case. The 
 record, after having been approved by the court, 
 shall be signed by the president and secretary, 
 and, together with the papers and documents pre- 
 sented, shall be transmitted to the secretary of 
 the Annual Conference, to be used in reviewing 
 the trial. A certified copy of the record shall be 
 furnished the defendant if he demands it. 
 
 ^ 138. The defendant shall have the right of 
 peremptory challenge, yet not so as to reduce the 
 court below two-thirds of its original number. 
 Two-thirds of the court actually sitting in the 
 case shall be necessary to convict. If the accused 
 evade a trial it shall be received as presumptive 
 evidence against him, and the court shall proceed
 
 TRIAL OF MINISTERS. 97 
 
 with the case and deal with him as though he 
 were present. 
 
 ^ 139. If there be rumors charging a minister 
 with immoral or un-christian conduct, and to 
 one appears as accuser against him, the Presiding 
 Elder to whose district he belongs shall take one 
 or two ministers with him and inquire thorough- 
 ly into the matter, and. if they find the rumors 
 well founded, they, or any one of them, shall 
 formulate and prefer charges to the Bishop, who 
 -hall proceed in the matter as provided in ^ 135. 
 
 ^ 140. If the circumstances be such that a trial 
 cannot immediately be held in any of the cases 
 above provided for, then the Bishop or the Pre- 
 siding Elder shall suspend such a minister from 
 his office until his trial. If, however, the accused 
 be a Presiding Elder, he shall be suspended by the 
 Bishop. But such suspension can only be made 
 when the charges are in writing and subscribed 
 to by those who are willing to prosecute them ; 
 provided, however, that the defendant shall have 
 the right to demand a trial within twenty days. 
 
 ^ 141. In case of improper temper, words, or 
 actions, the minister so offending shall be admon- 
 ished by his Presiding Elder, or, if the offender 
 be a Presiding Elder, by the Bishop. Should the 
 offense occur the second time, one or two minis- 
 ters are to be taken along as witnesses. If he of- 
 fends a third time, let the case be proceeded with 
 according to H i35-_ 
 
 ^ 142. When a mihister fails in business, or
 
 98 TRIAL OF MINISTERS. 
 
 contracts debts which he is not able to pay, the 
 Presiding Elder, or if the brother who thus fails 
 be a Presiding Elder, the Bishop, shall appoint 
 three judicious men, members of our church, to 
 inspect the accounts, contracts, and circumstances 
 of the supposed delinquent, and if, in their opin- 
 ion, he has been dishonest, or contracted debts 
 without the probability of being able to pay them, 
 let the case be disposed of according to ^ 135. • 
 
 ^ 143. If a minister disseminate doctrines con- 
 trary to the Word of God and our articles of 
 faith, or inveighs against our Discipline, let the 
 same process be observed as in cases of immoral- 
 ity. But if such minister solemnly promise to 
 cease from disseminating such erroneous doc- 
 trines, he shall be borne with until his case shall 
 be laid before the Annual Conference, which may 
 order a trial before the Trial Court provided for 
 in H 134. 
 
 II 144. If in the examination of the moral and 
 official conduct of the preachers in the Annual 
 Conference, it appears that there are rumors, or 
 accusations of un-Christian conduct, or of official 
 misconduct, but that there are no legal charges, 
 the Conference shall appoint a committee of in- 
 quiry to whom the matter shall be referred, and 
 said committee shall report its findings to the 
 Conference. If the committee finds that there is 
 necessity for a trial, the Conference shall appoint 
 a plaintiff and order the case to be proceeded with 
 according to ^ 135.
 
 TRIAL OF A BISHOP, 99 
 
 tf 145. In all cases in which a minister who 
 stands in full connection as an Itinerant, or as a 
 local Elder, has been convicted and sentenced to 
 be censured, deposed from office, or expelled from 
 the church, he shall be allowed an appeal to the 
 Court of Appeals, provided that he notify the 
 president of the Annual Conference of his inten- 
 tion to do so within thirty days after the close of 
 the conference session. In the case of a preacher 
 on trial or of a local Deacon, the action of the 
 Annual Conference shall be final.
 
 IRIAL OF A BISHOP. 101 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Trial of a Bishop. 
 
 \\ 147. Charges of immoral or im-christian con- 
 duct against a Bishop must be preferred in writ- 
 ing, signed by at least three traveling Elders, and 
 plainl)' allege an offense clearly forbidden in the 
 Word of God. Such charges must be presented 
 to the Presiding Elder of the district on which, 
 or of the one nearest to which, the offense is al- 
 leged to have been committed. After having re- 
 ceived such written charges the Presiding Elder 
 shall convene a Judicial Conference, to be com- 
 posed of the Triers of Appeals in five neighbor- 
 ing conferences. The said Judicial Conference, 
 when so convened, shall have full power to try 
 the accused Bishop, according to the directions 
 of the Discipline, and to suspend him from the 
 functions of his ofiFice, or to expel him from the 
 church. 
 
 11 148. The accused shall have the right of per- 
 emptory challenge, yet not so as to reduce the 
 number of the conference below fifteen, of whom 
 ten, or a like a proportion, if the conference be 
 larger, shall be necessary to convict. 
 
 ^ 149. The Judicial Conference shall elect a 
 president and a secretary from among its own 
 members. An accurate record of all the proceed- 
 ings shall be kept by the secretary, and when the 
 record has been approved by the conference, it
 
 102 TRIAL OF A BISHOP. 
 
 shall be signed by the president and the secretary, 
 and transmitted to the secretary of the preceding 
 General Conference, to be preservec among the 
 papers of said conference, and to be used by it in 
 case of an appeal. A certified copy of such rec- 
 ord shall be furnished the defendant, if he de- 
 mands it. 
 
 H 150. In case there are rumors of immoral or 
 un-christian conduct concerning a Bishop, and no 
 one appears who is willing to formulate and pros- 
 ecute charges, the Presiding Elder of the district 
 on which, or of the one nearest to which, the of- 
 fense is alleged to have been committed, shall 
 take with him three or four of the Elders of his 
 district and make careful and thorough inquiry 
 into the matter, and if they find the rumors well 
 founded, they, or a majority of them, shall formu- 
 late and prefer charges against him to the Pre- 
 siding Elder of an adjacent district, who shall 
 then proceed as provided for in ij t47- 
 
 If 151. A Bishop shall have the right of appeal 
 to the next General Conference, if he signify his 
 intention to appeal within thirty days after his 
 conviction, and shall notify the president of the 
 Judicial Conference to that effect. In case of an 
 appeal, only the record of the trial and the evi- 
 dence submitted, shall be used in the hearing of 
 the same.
 
 COURT OK APPEALS. 103 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 Court of Appeals. 
 
 H J 52. The several Annual Conferences shall 
 elect, quadrennially, at the first session succeeding 
 the General Conference, from the Elders, five 
 men, who shall be known as Triers of Appeals. 
 In case of a vacancy occurring during the year, 
 the remaining Triers shall fill the vacancy until 
 the next session of the Annual Conference. 
 
 11 ^53- Whenever an appeal is taken from the 
 decision of an Annual Conference, the president 
 of the conference shall call together the Triers of 
 Appeals from three neighboring conferences, at 
 such time and place as he may, with due regard 
 to the wishes of the appellant, designate. These 
 persons, when so convened, shall constitute a 
 Court of Appeals, which shall have power to af- 
 firm or reverse the verdict and sentence of an An- 
 nual Conference. In case of irregularities suflTi- 
 cient to vitiate the proceedings of a Trial Court, 
 or an Annual Conference, the court shall have 
 power to remand the case for retrial by the body 
 in which the irregularities occurred. Its findings 
 in all cases shall be final. The president of the 
 conference shall give due notice to all concerned 
 of the time and place of meeting. The Court of 
 Appeals shall not be convened oftener than once 
 a year to try appeals from the same Annual Con- 
 ference. 
 
 ^ 154. This court shall organize by electing a
 
 104 JURISDICTION AND EVIDENCE. 
 
 president and a secretary from among its own 
 members. The president shall see that the pro- 
 ceedings are conducted in an orderly and judicial 
 manner, and the secretary shall make an accurate 
 record of all the proceedings, and shall, at the 
 close of the trial, transmit the same to the secre- 
 tary of the conference from which the appeal was 
 taken, to be preserved by him among the records 
 and documents of said conference. 
 
 ^ 155. The appellant shall have the right of 
 peremptory challenge, yet not so that the number 
 shall fall below^ nine, which number shall be re- 
 quired to make a quorum. 
 
 tl 156. The expenses of the Court of Appeals 
 shall be paid by the Annual Conferences to which 
 the Triers of Appeals belong. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Jurisdiction and Evidence. 
 
 ^ 157. Whenever a Trial Court is convened to 
 hear a case, the chairman of said court shall de- 
 cide all questions of jurisdiction. Should there 
 be a difference of opinion on any question of juris- 
 diction in the case, the matter shall be decided by 
 a majority of the court. Before proceeding to the 
 hearing of evidence in a case, the Trial Court 
 shall carefully examine the charge or charges 
 with the specifications, and if they are not in ac-
 
 JURISDICTION AND EVIDKNCK. 105 
 
 cordance with the requirements of our Discipline, 
 they shall refuse to proceed with the trial, except 
 the accuser shall reduce them to such conformity. 
 
 Charges. 
 ti 158. All charges against ministers or lay 
 members in our church shall be in writing, the 
 heading of which shall not exceed in evil import 
 the thing or things charged, and such accusation 
 shall be clearly and definitely stated, associated 
 immediately with the specifications to be alleged 
 in proof, so that the accused may be able to pre- 
 pare his defense. An exact copy of the charges 
 shall be given to the accused, or left at his resi- 
 dence by the accuser in time to prepare for the 
 trial, or not less than fourteen days in advance 
 of the time appointed. In all cases of charges 
 whether against ministers or members, the plain- 
 tiff must be a member in full and regular stand- 
 ing of our church. 
 
 Withdraival Under Charges. 
 
 ^ 159. No member or minister of our church 
 has the right to withdraw from the church while 
 legally under charges. Should any one assume to 
 do so, the church has the right to properly inves- 
 tigate the charges and pass judgment in the case. 
 If, however, all the parties concerned are agreed, 
 an accused person may for prudential reasons be 
 permitted to withdraw. Provided, That in case 
 of a minister, all papers which he holds from the 
 church be surrendered.
 
 "><• JURISDICTION AND EVIDENCE. 
 
 Evidence Admissible at Trials. 
 
 tl i6o. In all cases of trials of members or min- 
 isters, persons of good report non-members as 
 well as members of our church, may appear as 
 witnesses ; and the testimony of absent witnesses, 
 when taken before a committee of not less than 
 two members of the church and presented at the 
 trial, shall be admitted, provided in every case 
 sufficient notice had been given to the adverse 
 party of the time and place of taking such testi- 
 mony, to have enabled him to provide for cross- 
 examination if he desired to do so. No hearsay 
 testimony shall be admitted. It shall be the duty 
 of members of the church to testify in matters of 
 which they have certain knowledge, when duly 
 notified by the accuser or the accused of the time 
 and place of a pending investigation, or show just 
 cause for refusing to do so ; otherwise it shall be 
 -regarded as a violation of the order and discipline 
 of the church, and may be dealt with accordingly. 
 
 ^ i6i. In all cases of an appeal, whether of min- 
 isters or lay members, only the records of the trial 
 below, together with the papers and documents 
 there submitted, shall be used in evidence.
 
 PART V. 
 THE RITUAL.
 
 I, Baptism. 
 II. The Lord's Supper. 
 
 III. Matrimoisv. 
 
 IV. BuRiAi. Services. 
 
 V. Ordination. 
 
 VI. Cornerstone Laying and Dedica- 
 tion.
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 Forms for the Administration of Baptism. 
 
 ^ 162. Baptism of Infants . 
 
 Dearly Beloved : In presenting this child for 
 baptism, you not only signify your faith in the 
 Christian religion, which teaches the indispensa- 
 ble necessity of the new birth, of which holy bap- 
 tism is a sacramental representation, but you also 
 
 express your earnest desire that 
 
 may in early life be consecrated to God and His 
 
 service, and that may continue faithful 
 
 until death and attain the life everlasting. 
 
 In order to accomplish this, it will be your duty 
 
 as parents (or guardians) to teach early 
 
 the fear of the Lord : to watch over 
 
 education that be not led astray ; to 
 
 direct youthful mind to the Holy Scrip- 
 tures, and feet to the house of God ; to 
 
 restrain from evil associates and habits; 
 
 and as much as in you lies, to bring 
 
 up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 
 
 Ques. Will you endeavor so to do, by the help of 
 God? 
 
 Ans. I will. 
 
 109
 
 no ADMINISTRATION OF BAPTISM. 
 
 Prayer. 
 Eternal God, our Creator and Redeemer, we 
 solemnly present this child to Thee through the or- 
 dinance of Christian baptism, pleading the atoning 
 sufferingof Thine onh- begotten Son, Jesus Christ, 
 by Whom the curse of the transgression of our first 
 parents has been removed, and thus all infants 
 made heirs of the kingdom of God ; and by Whom 
 the element of water has been sanctified for this 
 holy purpose in His own baptism ; by Whom also 
 the commandment was given to His disciples to go 
 and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name 
 of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
 Ghost. Regard mercifully, we beseech Thee, O 
 God, our earnest supplication, and bless both these 
 parents, (or guardians), and this child. Give the 
 parents, (or guardians), wisdom and grace to teach 
 hhn (her) early, the fear of the Lord. May they 
 first seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit for them- 
 selves, so to walk before Thee that by example, as 
 well as precept, they may point him (her) to the 
 life spiritual and eternal. And grant unto this 
 child, now to be baptized. Thy grace as we present 
 him (her) to Thee in prayer. Grant that the Holy 
 Spirit may guide him (her) so that he (she) may 
 follow the path of truth and holiness, and may in 
 the future show himself iy:^^xs,^\i) an obedient child, 
 firm in the faith, joyful in hope and grounded in 
 love ; that, dying to self, Christ may live and 
 reign within, giving him (her) complete victory 
 over the world, the flesh, and the devil. O Thou 
 ever blessed God, give this child the fullness of Thy
 
 ADMINISTRATION OF BAPTISM. HI 
 
 grace, that he (she) may lead a useful and happy 
 life here, and finally live and reign forever with 
 Thee in Thy glorious kingdom, through Jesus 
 Christ our Lord. Amen. 
 
 Scripture reading, Mark \o : 13-16. 
 
 "And they brought young children to Him, 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. Suf- 
 fer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid 
 them not ; for of such is the kingdom of God. 
 Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive 
 the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not 
 enter therein. And He took them up in His arms, 
 put His hands upon them, and blessed them." — 
 Our Father, &c. 
 [ The parents or guardians shall then name the 
 
 child. When baptizing the child the minister 
 
 shall say: ] 
 
 A. B. — I baptize thee in the name of the Father, 
 and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. 
 
 Benediction. 
 
 \ 163. Baptism oj Adults. 
 
 Dearly Beloved : Our Lord commanded His 
 Apostles, saying : " Go ye, therefore, and teach all 
 nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, 
 and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost." 
 
 On the day of Pentecost Peter said to the multi- 
 tude anxiously inquiring for salvation : " Repent 
 and be baptized every one of you, in the name of
 
 n: ADMINISTRATION OF BAPTISM. 
 
 Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye 
 shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." 
 
 Philip, the evangelist, went down to the city of 
 Samaria and preached Christ to the people. And 
 "when they believed Philip preaching the things 
 concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of 
 Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and 
 women." 
 
 We trust that it has pleased God, in His infinite 
 mercy, to awaken you to a sense of j'our guilt and 
 danger, and to lead you to repentance and faith in 
 the Lord Jesus Christ. By presenting yourself for 
 this holy sacrament, you declare your purpose to 
 live the new life, and to seek the inheritance of the 
 saints in light. 
 
 Prayer. 
 
 Eternal God, our gracious Heavenly Father, the 
 helper of all who flee to Thee in time of need, 
 the life of all who put their trust in Thee, and the 
 resurrection of the dead, Thou hast encouraged us 
 through the promise of Thy well-beloved Son, 
 Jesus Christ, to expect great help from Thee, for 
 He said : "Ask, and ye shall receive ; seek, and j-e 
 shall find ; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." 
 Answer now, O Lord, our earnest petition offered 
 in behalf of this person (these persons) now to be 
 consecrated to Thy service by the solemn rite of 
 baptism. As w^e apply the symbolic water, an em- 
 blem of the heavenly washing, apply Thou, O 
 Lord, the Holy Spirit, to purify and sanctify him 
 (her) for holy service in Thy Kingdom. Strengthen
 
 ADMINISTRATION OF BAPTISM. m 
 
 within hi>n (her) the new life of faith, so that Adr 
 (she) may be enabled to overcome the world, the 
 flesh, and the devil ; that all carnal affections and 
 lusts may be crucified in hirn (her i, and that the 
 new man may be raised up into spiritual power and 
 usefulness. Regard, we beseech Thee, our sup- 
 plications in mercy, and grant that the person 
 (these persons) now to be baptized, ma}' receive the 
 fullness of Thy grace, and may he (she) ever remain 
 in the number of Thy faithful and elect children, 
 and finally inherit everlasting life. Amen. 
 
 [ Then shall the minister put the following ques- 
 tions to each of the persons to be baptized. '\ 
 
 Ques. Dost thou believe in God the Father Al- 
 mighty, Maker of Heaven and earth, and in Jesus 
 Christ, His only begotten Son, our Lord ; that He 
 was conceived by the Holy Ghost ; born of the 
 Virgin Mary ; that He suffered under Pontius Pi- 
 late, was crucified, dead, and buried ; that He de- 
 scended into Hades ; that the third day He rose 
 from the dead ; that He ascended into heaven, and 
 sittethat the right hand of God, ihe Father Al- 
 mighty, and from thence shall come again to judge 
 the quick and the dead? 
 
 And dost thou believe in the Holy Spirit, the 
 Holy General Church? the communion of saints? 
 the remission of sins ? the resurrection of the body, 
 and the life everlasting ? 
 
 If so, answer ; yes, I do believe it. 
 
 If thou wilt be baptized in this faith, answer ; 
 yes, I will.
 
 114 ADMINISTRATION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER. 
 
 Ques. Dost thou renounce the devil and all his 
 works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with 
 all covetous desires, so that thou wilt not follow 
 them, nor be led by the carnal desires of the flesh? 
 
 If so, answer ; yes, I renounce them all. 
 
 Ques. Wilt thou then obediently keep God's 
 holy will and commandments, and walk in the 
 same all the days of thy life ? 
 
 If so, answer ; yes, by the help of God. 
 
 [ Then shall the mitiister ask the fianie of the ap- 
 plicant and sprinkle or pour water upon him, 
 or, if he should desire it, immerse him in 
 water, saying:'] 
 
 A. B. — I baptize thee in the name of the Father, 
 and of the Son. and of the Holv Ghost. Amen. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Adminis 
 Supper. 
 
 The administration of the Lord's Supper shall 
 be introduced by an appropriate sermon or address 
 bearing on self-examination, and the reading of I. 
 Cor. II ; 23-39, Luke 32 : 14-20, or some other ap- 
 propriate passage of Scripture. 
 
 [ The7i shall the minister, for himself and for the 
 congregation, all humbly kneeling, fnake a con- 
 fession and pray either extemporaneously or 
 after the following manner:]
 
 ADMINISTRATION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER, ns 
 
 Almighty and most merciful Father ; we have 
 erred, and strayed from Thy ways like lost sheep. 
 We have followed too much the devices and desires 
 of our own hearts. We have offended against Thy 
 holy laws. We have left undone those things 
 which we ought to have done, and have done those 
 things which we ought not to have done. We do 
 earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry for these 
 our misdoings ; the remembrance of them is griev- 
 ous to us. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon 
 us, most merciful Father. Spare Thou those, O 
 God, who confess their faults. Restore Thou those 
 who are penitent, according to Thy promises de- 
 clared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord. 
 Forgive us all that is past, and grant, O merciful 
 Father, for Christ's sake, that we may ever here- 
 after serve and please Thee in newness of life, to 
 the honor and glory of Thy Holy Name. Almighty 
 God, unto Whom all hearLs are open, all desires 
 known, andfrom 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. Almighty God, our Heavenly 
 Father, Thou, of Thy tender mercy, didst give 
 Thine only Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer death upon 
 the cross for our redemption, and He there, by the 
 oblation of Himself, once offered, made a full, per- 
 fect, and sufficient sacrifice, and satisfaction for the 
 sms of the world ; and instituted, and in His gos- 
 pel commanded us to continue, a memorial of His 
 precious death until His coming again. This holy
 
 116 ADMINISTRATION OF THE LORD'S SUPPEK. 
 
 sacrament we now intend to celebrate. We do 
 not presume to come to this Thy table, O merciful 
 Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in 
 Thy great and manifold mercies. We are not worthy 
 so much as to gather up the crumbs under 'I'hy 
 table But Thou, the unchangeable God, art al- 
 ways merciful. We adore the riches of Thy mercy 
 in our redemption. Grant, Gracious Father, that 
 we may receive this holy sacrament with devout, 
 believing, and grateful heartsand that we may feel 
 the power of our Lord's redemption as we receive 
 the bread and the fruit of the vine in the memory 
 of His passion. May the Hoh' Spirit take of the 
 things of Christ and show them to us, giving us a 
 deeper insight into redeeming love. While we re- 
 member Christ, may we hate sin, and renew our 
 purpose to live for Him alone Who has bought us 
 with His blood. Let the death of Christ be ever 
 before us, ministering peace and joy to our souls, 
 and quickening us to a holy and ever abiding reso- 
 lution to serve onlv Thee through Him. 
 
 The Lord's Prayer. 
 
 Our Father which 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 debts, as we for- 
 give our debtors. And lead us not into tempta- 
 tion, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the 
 kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. 
 Amen,
 
 ADMINISTRATION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER, li: 
 
 [Then shall the minister receive the communion^ 
 and after this he shall proceed to admifiisterthe 
 same to the people ift order, kneeling. When he 
 places the bread into the hands of the communi- 
 cants he shall say . •'I 
 
 The body of our Lord Jesus Christ was given lor 
 thee. Take and eat this in remembrance that 
 Christ died for thee, and feed on Him in thy heart 
 by faith with thanksgiving. 
 
 [ When delivering the cup to the communicants, 
 the tninister shall say : ] 
 
 Drink this in remembrance that the blood of our 
 Lord Jesus Christ was shed for thee, for the wash- 
 ing away of all thy sins and the sanctification of 
 thy soul. Partake of it by faith and be thankful. 
 
 [While the communicants are gathering about 
 the altar, an appropriate hymn maj- be sung. The 
 communion service should be ended with an ex- 
 tempore prayer of thanksgiving.] 
 
 Benediction. 
 
 Now the God of peace, that brought again from 
 the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of 
 the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting 
 covenant, make you perfect in every good work to 
 do His will, working in you that which is well- 
 pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ ; to 
 whom be glory for ever and ever. A^nen. (Heb. 
 n : 20. 21.)
 
 118 SOLEMNIZATION OF MATRIMONY. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 \\ 165. Form for the Solemnization of Matrimony. 
 
 [At the day and the time appointed for the sol- 
 emnization of matrimony, the persons to be mar- 
 ried, after having been legally qualified, shall stand 
 together, the man on the right hand and the 
 woman on the left, and the minister shall say.] 
 . "There was a marriage in Cana of Galilee ; and 
 the mother of Jesus was there ; and Jesus also was 
 bidden, and His disciples, to the marriage." 
 
 Dearly Beloved : We are assembled in the pres- 
 ence of God as witnesses to unite this man and 
 this woman in holy matrimony. This state is 
 commended by the Apostle as being honorable 
 among all men. It is not to be entered unadvis- 
 edly, but discreetly, reverently, and in the fear of 
 God. 
 
 The Scriptures teach that this state was insti- 
 tuted b}^ God ; that according to His ordinance, 
 husband and wife should te one in the Lord. Per- 
 sons purposing to enter this state, should be joined 
 in the bonds of a pure affection, whereby a mutual 
 devotion, respect, and helpfulness are insured. 
 They should aspire to perfect peace and joy in their 
 wedded life, and, in all their relations, honor God. 
 
 Into this holy state these two persons now purpose 
 to enter. Therefore if any can show just cause why 
 they may not lawfully do so, let him now speak, or 
 else hereafter forever hold his peace. 
 [Addressing the persons about to be married, the 
 mifiister shall say;"]
 
 SOLEMNIZATION OF MATRIMONY. il'> 
 
 I require and charge you both that, if either of 
 you know of any impediment why you may not be 
 lawfully joined in matrimony, you do now con- 
 fess it. 
 
 [ Then shall the minister addressing- the nia?i 
 say:"] 
 
 Wilt thou, [N. N.] in the sight of God and in the 
 presence of these witnesses, take [N. N.] to be thy 
 wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance 
 in the holy state of matrimony ? Wilt thou love, 
 honor, and cherish her, in sickness and in health, 
 in prosperity, and in adversity, and, forsaking all 
 others, cleave only unto her, so long as you both 
 shall live? If so, answer " I will." 
 
 l^Then shall the minister^ addressing the woman 
 say : ] 
 
 Wilt thou, [N. N ] in the sight of God and in the 
 presence of these witnesses, take [N. N.] to be thy 
 wedded husband, to live together after God's ordi- 
 nance in the holy state of matrimonj^ ? Wilt thou 
 love, honor, and cherish him, in sickness and in 
 health, in prosperity and adversity, and, forsakifij^ 
 all others, cleave only unto him so long as you 
 both shall live? If so, answer, " I will." 
 
 [//" a ring be used, the minister shall say to the 
 man, immediately after the 7Voman has an- 
 swered " / will :'^] 
 
 What token do you give of your sincerity?
 
 120 SOLEMNIZATION OF MATRIMONY. 
 
 [The minister shall, as a response, receive the 
 ring from the man's hand, and shall say to the 
 wofnan, at the same time giving to her the 
 ring : ] 
 
 Do you in evidence of your sincerity, accept this 
 ring? 
 
 [ Thefi the man, taking the ring from the woman'' s 
 right hand, shall place if upon the third finger 
 of her left hand, and repeating after the 7ninis- 
 ter, say : ] 
 
 [With tliis ring I thee wed, and with my heart's 
 afiFections, and with my worldly goods I thee en- 
 dow, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, 
 and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. 
 
 [Then shall the minister join their right hands, 
 and, placing his right hand on the joined hands 
 of the couple, say .*] 
 
 Inasmuch then as 3'ou, [N. N.] and [N. N.] have 
 thus covenanted together in hoi}' wedlock, I do, ac- 
 cording to the ordinance of God and the laws of 
 this Commonwealth, pronounce you husband and 
 wife together, in the name of the Father, and of 
 the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Those whom 
 God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 
 Am,en. 
 
 [Then shall the minister offer the following 
 prayer : ] 
 
 O eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all man- 
 kind. Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of
 
 BURIAL SERVICES. 121 
 
 everlasting life ; send Thy blessing upon these Thy 
 servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless 
 in Thy name ; may they live faithfully together, 
 sincerely perform and keep the vow and covenant 
 between them made, and may they ever remain 
 in perfect love and peace together, and live accord- 
 ing to Thy laws, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
 
 [ Then the minister shall pronounce , in coticlu- 
 sion, the following benediction : ] 
 
 God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy 
 Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you. The Lord 
 mercifully look upon 30U with his favor, and fill 
 you with the riches of His grace ; that in this life 
 ye may so live together that in the world to come 
 ye may enjoy life everlasting. Atnen, 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 * 166. rorm for Burial Seryices. 
 
 \At the house the minister shall say .•] 
 Man that is born of a woman, 
 Is of few days and full of trouble. 
 He Cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down ; 
 He fleeth also like a shadow, and continueth not. 
 
 (Job 14: I, 2.) 
 There is but a step between me and death. (I. 
 
 Sam. 20 : 3.) 
 Lord, make me to know mine end, 
 .\nd the measure of my days, what it is ; that I 
 
 may know h:ow frail I am. (Psalm 39 : 4 )
 
 122 BURIAL SERVICES. 
 
 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the 
 
 world, and death by sin ; and so death passed 
 
 upon all men, for that all have sinned. (Rom. 
 
 5:12 ) 
 
 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren . 
 
 concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow 
 
 not, even as others which have no hope. For if we 
 
 believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so 
 
 them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with 
 
 Him. (I. Thess. 4: 13, 14. ) 
 
 [After this a short prayer may be offered, a suit- 
 able hymn be sung, and an appropriate sermon be 
 preached before repairing to the grave.] 
 
 \_After the coffin is lowered into the grave, the 
 minister shall say .•] 
 
 I am the resurrection and the life : he that be- 
 lie veth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he 
 live : and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me 
 shall never die. ( John 11 : 25, 26.) 
 
 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto 
 me. Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the 
 Lord from henceforth ; Yea, saith the Spirit, that 
 they may rest from their labors ; and their works 
 do follow them. (Rev. 14 : 13.) 
 
 Forasmuch as it has pleased God, in Whose 
 power are life and death, to remove from time to 
 eternity the soul of the departed, we commit his 
 (or her) body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes 
 to ashes, dust to dust. But we look for the general 
 resurrection at the last day and for a blessed im- 
 mortality in the world to come, through Jesus
 
 BURIAL SERVICES. 12J 
 
 Christ our Lord, who will appear in majesty and in 
 power to judge the quick and the dead, when the 
 earth and the sea shall give up their dead and the 
 corruptible bodies of those who are asleep in Him 
 shall be awakened and fashioned like unto His own 
 glorious body ; according to the mighty working 
 whereby He is able to subdue all things unto Him- 
 self. 
 
 [Then the Lord's prayer may be repeated or 
 emitted, as may be deemed best.] 
 
 Befiedidiofi. 
 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love 
 of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be 
 with you all. Amen. 
 
 Selectiofis of Scripture appropriate for reading 
 in church on funeral occasions. 
 The sojourner's prayer : Psalm 39 : 4-13. Num- 
 bering our days: Psalm 90:1-15. All flesh is 
 grass : Isaiah 40 : 6-10. The house of mourning : 
 Ecclesiastes 7:1-4, Sorrowing for a child: II. 
 Sam. 12 : 15-23. Jesus blessing little children : 
 Mark 10: 13-16. Weeping for children : Jeremiah 
 31 : J5-17. Childlikeness : Matt. 18:1-6. Jairns' 
 daughter restored to life : Mark 5 : 22-24, 35-43- 
 The widow's son raised from death : Lul;e 7 : 11-16. 
 The Fatherhood of God : Psalm 103 : 1-22. The 
 Lord's mercies : Lamentations 3:22-33. Strength 
 in God : Isaiah 40: 25-31. The Father's House of 
 many mansions : John 14 : 1-6. The shortness of 
 time, and how to use the world : I. Cor. 7 : 29-31. 
 Consolation with regard to those who die in the
 
 124 OKDINATION. 
 
 Lord: I. Thess. 5:1-11. Certainty of the resur- 
 rection : I. Cor. 15 : 20-28. The resurrection body: 
 I. Cor. 15 : 35-49- At home with the Lord : II. Cor. 
 5:1-10. Admonition to watchfulness: Mark 13: 
 32-37. Admonition to faithfulness: Luke 12:35- 
 48. Youth or age: Eccles. 12:1-8. Resignation 
 in bereavement : Job i : 20-22. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 Ordination. 
 
 ' 167. Form for Ordaining Deacons. 
 [The time appointed for the ordination of Dea- 
 cons having come, there shall be a sermon or ex- 
 hortation, setting forth the office and duty of such 
 as are admitted to the Order of Deacons.] 
 [^ After which one of the elders present^ shall pre- 
 sent unto the Bishop {or in the absence of a 
 Bishop, to the President of co7iference) the 
 persons to be ordained Deacons, and their 
 names being read aloud, the Bishop shall say 
 unto the congregation .•] 
 
 Brethren, If there be any of you who knoweth 
 of any crime or impediment in any of these per 
 sons present, to be ordained Deacons, for the 
 which he ought not to be admitted to such office, 
 let him come forth in the name of God, and show 
 what such crime or impediment is. 
 
 [If any crime or impediment be charged, the 
 person concerned shall not be ordained until such 
 charge shall have been removed.]
 
 ORDINATION. 125 
 
 [ Then shall the following prayer be offered : ] 
 
 Almighty God, who, by Thy Divine wisdom and 
 providence hast appointed divers orders of minis- 
 ters in Thy church, and didst by Thy inspiration 
 move the apostles to choose into the order of 
 Deacons men full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, 
 of whom Stephen became the first martyr ; gra- 
 ciously behold these Thy servants, now called to 
 the like office and service ; impart unto them 
 richly those spiritual gifts in the clear discernment 
 and presentation of the Gospel message committed 
 to them, that none may be able to resist the wis- 
 dom and the spirit with which they speak ; and 
 that many, pricked in their hearts, may inquire 
 what they must do to be saved. And we beseech 
 Thee, to adorn them with innocency of life, that in 
 their walk before the people, they niay present an 
 example unblamable and unreproveable ; so that 
 both by word and deed they. may faithfully serve 
 in the office of Deacon, to the glory of Thy name 
 and the edification of the church, through Jesus 
 Christ our Lord. Amen. 
 
 [ The following Scripture shall then be read .•] 
 I. Timothy 3; 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
 
 126 ORDINATION. 
 
 be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithf'il in all 
 things. Let the Deacons be the husbands of one 
 wife, ruling their children and their own houses 
 well. For they that have used the office of a 
 Deacon well, purchase to themselves a good de- 
 gree, and great boldness in the faith which is in 
 Christ Jesus. 
 
 [ Theyi shall the Bishops or the President, in the 
 presence of the people ^ examine every one of 
 those who are to be ordained, in the manner 
 following : ] 
 
 Have you the confidence that you are inwardly 
 moved by the Holy Spirit to take upon you the 
 office of the ministry in the church of Christ, to 
 serve God for the furtherance of His kingdom and 
 glory among men, and the edification of His peo- 
 ple ? 
 
 Ans. Yes ; I have this confidence. 
 
 Question. Do you" unfeignedly believe all the 
 canonical Scriptures of the Old and the New Testa- 
 ments? 
 
 Ans. Yes ; I do believe them. 
 
 Question. Will you diligently search and ex- 
 pound them unto the people whom you shall be ap- 
 pointed to serve ? 
 
 Ans. I will do so by the grace of God. 
 
 Question. It pertaineth 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 ; to read and 
 expound the Holy Scriptures, to instruct the
 
 ORDINATION. 127 
 
 youth, and to baptize. And especially is it his 
 office to search for the sick, the poor, the afflicted, 
 that they may be visited and relieved. Will you 
 do this with a read}- heart and a willing mind ? 
 
 --/;/5. I will do so by the help of God. 
 
 Question. Will you give all diligence to fashion 
 your own life and the lives of your family accord- 
 ing to the doctrine of Christ, and to make both 
 yourself and them, as much as in you lieth, whole- 
 some examples to the flock of Christ ? 
 
 Ans. I will do so, the Lord being my helper. 
 
 Question. Will you give earnest heed to those 
 to whom the charge and supervision over you is 
 committed, following with a glad and willing 
 mind their godly counsels and admonitions? 
 
 Ans. I will endeavor to do so, the Lord being my 
 helper. 
 [^Then the Bishops or the President, with two of 
 
 the Elders, if such be present, laying his hands 
 
 upon the head of each catididate, shall say .•] 
 
 Take thou authority to execute the office of a 
 Deacon in the church of God ; in the name of the 
 Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen. 
 [ Then shall the Bishop, or the President, 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 
 unto the people. 
 
 [ Then shall the Bishop, or the President, or one of the 
 Elders appointed by him, read the Gospel. ] 
 ^uke 12 : 35-38.
 
 J2« ORDINATION. 
 
 Let }'our 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, 
 the}' may open unto Him immediately. Blessed are 
 those servants, whom the Lord, when He cometh, 
 shall find watching : verily I say unto you, that He 
 shall gird Himself, and make them to sit down to 
 meat, and will come forth and serve them. And 
 if He shall come in the second watch, or come in 
 the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those 
 servants. 
 
 \_Then shall the following prayer be offered:^ 
 Almighty God, giver of all good, who hast of 
 Thine own goodness vouchsafed to accept and take 
 these Thy servants into the office of Deacon in Thy 
 church : make them, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to 
 be pure, modest, humble, faithful in their minis- 
 trations, and to have a ready will to observe all 
 spiritual discipline ; that they, having always the 
 testimony of a good conscience, and continuing in 
 the love of Christ, may so acquit themselves in the 
 office of Deacon, as to be esteemed worthy to be 
 called in due course, to the ministrations of the of- 
 fice of Elder in the church, through Je«us Christ 
 our Lord. Atnen. 
 
 Beiiediction. 
 ' The peace of God which passeth all unaerstand- 
 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
 
 ORDINATION. 12<« 
 
 Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among 
 you, and remain with you always. Atnen. 
 
 [See directions for course of procedure in ordain- 
 ing Deacons and Elders on the same day at the 
 conclusion of the succeeding form of ordination.] 
 
 ^ 1 68. Form for Ordaining Elders. 
 The time appointed for the ordination of Elders 
 having come, there shall be a sermon or exhorta- 
 tion setting forth the duty and office of such as are 
 ordained Elders in the Church of Christ, as also 
 how the church ought to esteem the consecrated 
 ministry. 
 
 [^After which, one of the Elders present, shall present 
 tin to the Bishop, or, in the absence of a Bishop, unto 
 the President o/ Conference, the persons to be or- 
 dained, and say .*] 
 
 I present unto you these persons to be ordained 
 as Elders, A. B., C. N. 
 
 \_The Bishop shall then address the congregation, say. 
 ing:\ 
 
 Brethern, these are the persons whom we pur- 
 pose, by Divine approval, to ordain Elders. For, 
 after due examination, we find nothing contrary to 
 the belief that they are divinely called to this func- 
 tion and ministry, and that they are persons meet 
 for the same. But, if there be any one of you who 
 knowethany crime or impediment in any of them, 
 for the which he should not be ordained, let him 
 come forth, in the name of God, and show whai 
 such crime or impediment is.
 
 130 ORDINATION. 
 
 Should any crime or impediment be charged, the 
 person concerned shall not be ordained until such 
 charge shall have been removed. 
 
 [Then shall the Bishop pray, as follows .•] 
 
 Almighty God, giver of all good gifts, who, by 
 Thy Holy Spirit, has appointed divers orders of 
 ministers in Thy church, mercifully behold these, 
 Thy servants, now called to the ofiQceof Elder, and 
 replenish them so with the truth of Thy doctrine, 
 and adorn them with innocence and holiness of 
 life, that both by word and good example they may 
 faithfully serve in this office, to the glory of Thy 
 name and the edification of Thy church, through 
 the merits of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, the Head 
 and Glory of the church, world without end. 
 Amen. 
 
 [ The following ScripUtre shall then be read:] 
 
 Ephesians 4 : 7-13. 
 
 Unto every one of us is given grace according to 
 the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore He 
 saith. When He ascended up on high. He led cap- 
 tivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Now that 
 He ascended, what is it but that He also descended 
 first into the lower parts of the earth ? He that de- 
 scended is the same also that ascended up far above 
 all heavens, that He might fill all things. And He 
 gave some. Apostles ; and some, Prophets ; and 
 some, Evangelists ; and some Pastors and Teach- 
 ers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work 
 of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of
 
 ORDINATION. l''! 
 
 Christ ; till we all come in the unity of the faith, 
 and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a 
 perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the 
 fulness of Christ. 
 
 [ The following Gospel shall then be read: ] 
 St. John lo : 1-16. 
 
 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth 
 not by the door into the sheephold, but climbeth 
 up some other way, the same is a thief and a rob- 
 ber. But he that entereth in by the door is the 
 shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter open- 
 eth ; and the sheep hear his voice : and he calleth 
 his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. 
 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, hegoeth 
 before them and the sheep follow him ; for they 
 know his voice. And a stranger will they not fol- 
 low, but will flee from him ; for they know not the 
 voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto 
 them ; but they understood not what things they 
 were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus 
 unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I 
 am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before 
 me are thieves and robbers ; but the sheep did not 
 hear them. I am the door : by me if any man en- 
 ter 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 an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose
 
 1?^ ORDINATION. 
 
 own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and 
 lea veth the sheep, and fleeth ; and the wolf catcheth 
 them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling 
 fleeth, because he is an hireling, and carethnot 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. 
 
 [ Then the Bishop, or the President, of the conference 
 shall say unto the persons to be ordained Elders.^ 
 
 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 importance this office is whereunto ye 
 are called. And now again we exhort you, in the 
 name of our Ivord Jesus Christ, that ye keep in re- 
 membrance the dignity and weight of your calling; 
 to be messengers, watchmen and stewards of the 
 L/Ord ; to teach and admonish, to feed and provide 
 for the Lord's family ; to gather the outcasts, to 
 seek the lost, and to be ever ready to spread abroad 
 the glad tidings of reconciliation with God, through 
 Jesus Christ our Lord. 
 
 Have always in remembrance, therefore, the 
 greatness of the treasure committed to your 
 charge. They are the souls for whom Christ shed 
 His bloed and gave His life. The church which 
 you must serve, is His spouse and His body. And
 
 ORDINATION. IM 
 
 if it shall happen that the same church, or any 
 member thereof, take any hurt or hindrance by 
 reason of your negligence, ye know the greatness 
 of the fault, and also the fearful punishment that 
 will ensue. Wherefore consider well within your- 
 selves 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, 
 to bring such as are or shall be committed to your 
 charge unto that agreement in the faith and knowl- 
 edge of God, and to that fruitfulness and perfect- 
 ness of maturity in Christ, that Christ to them may 
 be all and in all. 
 
 Forasmuch, then, as your ofl&ce is both of so 
 great excellency and of so great diflBculty, ye see 
 with how great care and study ye ought to apply 
 yourselves, that ye may show yourselves dutiful 
 and thankful unto the Lord who hath placed into 
 your keeping such treasures, as also to beware 
 that neither you yourselves offend nor give occa- 
 sion that others offend. Howbeit, ye cannot have 
 a mind and will thereto of yourselves, for such 
 will and ability are the gift of God alone ; for 
 which cause ye ought, and have need, to pray 
 fervently for the Holy Spirit. And seeing that 
 ye cannot by other means accomplish the weighty 
 work pertaining to the salvation of man, but with 
 doctrine and exhortation in accord with and drawn 
 from the sacred Scriptures, associated with a life 
 agreeable to the same, consider well how studi- 
 ous ye ought to be in reading and acquiring a cor-
 
 154 ORDINATION. 
 
 rect knowledge of the Scriptures, and in framing 
 the manners, both of yourselves and of them that 
 specially pertain unto you, according to the doc- 
 trine of the same Scriptures ; and for this selfsame 
 cause how ye ought to forsake and set aside, as 
 much as this may be, all worldly cares and studies. 
 
 We have this confidence in you, brethren, that 
 you have all weighed and pondered these things 
 with yourselves many times, and that you have 
 clearly determined by the grace of God to give 
 yourselves wholly to this ofi5ce, whereunto it hath 
 pleased God to call you ; so that, as much as lieth 
 in you, you will apply yourselves without reserve 
 to this one thing, and concentrate all your cares 
 and studies upon the same, and that you will con- 
 tinually pray to God the Father, by the mediation 
 of Jesus Christ our only Saviour, for the blessed in- 
 dwelling of the Holy Spirit ; that by the daily 
 reading and study of the Scriptures ye may be thor- 
 oughly furnished, rightly dividing the Word of 
 Truth ; aijid that you so conduct yourselves that 
 you may be wholesome and godly examples for the 
 people to follow. 
 
 And now, that the congregation here assembled, 
 in the name of Christ, may also understand your 
 minds and wills in these things, and that this, your 
 promise, may the more move you to do your duty, 
 ye shall answer plainly to the things which we, in 
 the name of God and His Church, shall ask of you. 
 
 Question. Do you believe in your heart that you 
 are truly called, according to the will of our Lord 
 Jesus Christ, to the oflBce of an Elder?
 
 ORDINATION. 1S5 
 
 Ans. I do believe so. 
 
 Question. Are you persuaded that the Holy Scrip- 
 tures contain sufficiently all doctrine essential to 
 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 essential to eternal salva- 
 tion, but that which you shall be persuaded may be 
 contained in and proved by the Scriptures? 
 
 Ans. I am so persuaded, and have so determined, 
 by the grace of God. 
 
 Question. Will you then give faithful diligence to 
 administer the sacraments, preach the doctrines of 
 Christ, and observe and execute the Discipline of 
 the church as the Lord hath commanded ? 
 
 Ans. I vnll do so, by the help of the Lord. 
 
 Question. Will you be ready by all faithful dili- 
 gence to disprove and banish all erroneous and 
 strange doctrines contrary to God's Word, and to 
 use both public and private admonitions and ex- 
 hortations as need shall require and occasion shall 
 be given ? 
 
 Ans. I will, the Lord being my helper. 
 
 Question. Will you be diligent in prayers and in 
 reading the Holy Scriptures, and in such studies 
 as are helpful to the knowledge of the same ? 
 
 Ans. I will endeavor so to do, the Lord being 
 my helper. 
 
 Question. Will you be diligent to fashion your- 
 self and ycur family according to the doctrine of 
 Christ ; and to make both yourselves and them, as
 
 136 ORDINATION. 
 
 much as in you lieth, wholesome examples and 
 patterns to the flock of Christ ? 
 
 Ans. I will thereto apply myself, the Lord being 
 my helper. 
 
 Question. Will you, to the extent of your ability 
 cultivate and maintain harmony, peace, and love 
 among all people, especially among all Christian 
 persons and preeminently among them that are or 
 shall be committed to your care ? 
 
 Ans. I will do so, the Lord being my helper. 
 
 Question. Will you reverently submit to your su- 
 periors in office, unto whom is committed the 
 charge over you ; following with a ready heart and 
 a willing mind their godly counsels and admoni- 
 tions ? 
 
 Ans. I will do so, the Lord being my helper. 
 
 [ T/ien shall the Bishop, or the President, say .•] 
 
 trod Almighty, who hath given you this will to 
 do all these things, grant also unto you fullness of 
 ability to perform, that He may accomplish His 
 work begun in you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 
 Amen. 
 
 After this the whole congregation shall be re- 
 quested to kneel, and in silent prayer to make 
 their humble supplications to God for all these 
 things : 
 
 After which the following verses shall be read respon- 
 sively by the Bishop and the assistitig Elders, the per- 
 sons to be ordained Elders and the congregation still 
 kneeling:
 
 ORDINATION. 1^" 
 
 Come Holy Ghost our souls inspire. 
 Atid lighten with celestial fire. 
 Thou the anointing Spirit art, 
 Who dost thy seven-fold gifts impart. 
 Thy blessed unction from above 
 Is comfort, life, and fire of love. 
 
 Enable with perpetual light 
 
 The dullness of our blifided sight: 
 
 Anoint and cheer our soiled face, 
 With the abundance of Thy grace ; 
 
 Keep far our foes, give peace at home; 
 Where Thou art Guide no ill can come 
 
 Teach us to know the Father, Son, 
 And Thee of both to be but One ; 
 That through the ages all along, 
 This theme may be our endless song ; 
 Praise to Thy eternal merit,. 
 Father, Son, and Holy Spif:it. 
 
 [ That done, the Bishop, or the President, shall pray 
 in this wise .•] 
 Almighty God and Heavenly Father, who of 
 Thine infinite love and goodness towards us, hast 
 given to us Thine only and dearly beloved Son, 
 Jesus Christ, to be our Redeemer, and the author 
 of everlasting life ; who, after He had perfected our 
 redemption by His death, and was ascended into 
 heaven, sent abroad into the world his apostles, 
 prophets, evangelists, teachers, and pastors, by 
 whose labor and ministry He gathered together 
 multitudes in all parts of the world, to set forth
 
 13H ORDINATION. 
 
 the eternal praise of Thy holy name : for these un- 
 speakable benefits of Thy eternal goodness, and 
 that thou hast vouchsafed to call these Thy servants 
 here present, to the same office and ministry ap- 
 pointed for the salvation of mankind, we render 
 unto Thee most hearty thanks ; we praise and wor- 
 ship Thee through Thy dear Son, our Saviour, and 
 we humbly beseech Thee that they may ever con- 
 tinue to show forth Thy praise and that they may 
 daily increase in knowledge and all goodness by 
 the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Grant that 
 through these Thy ministers, as well as through 
 those over whom they shall be appointed Shep- 
 herds, Thy holy name may be forever glorified, and 
 Thy kingdom enlarged, through Thy dear Son, 
 Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen. 
 
 [ The Bishop^ or the President, and the assisting Elders 
 shall then lay their hands upon the head of each that 
 leceiveth the order of Elder, the candidates htimhly 
 kneeling and the Bishop, or the President, saying. ■'] 
 
 The Lord pour upon thee the Holy Spirit for 
 the office and work of an Elder in the Church of 
 God, now committed unto thee by authority of the 
 church, through the imposition of our hands. Be 
 thou a faithful dispenser of the Word of God, 
 and of the Holy Sacraments ; in the name of the 
 Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 
 Amen. 
 
 [ Then the Bishop^ or the President, shall hand to each 
 of them the Bible, saying.^
 
 ORDINATION. »^9 
 
 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 shall the Bishop read Matt. 28 : 18-20, fol- 
 lowed by prayer and benediction in the follow- 
 ing- order, the congregation and the Elders 
 standing: ] 
 
 Matt, xxviii. 18-20. 
 
 Jesus came and spake unto them, saying : All 
 power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth. 
 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing 
 them in the nam€ of the Father, and of the Son, 
 and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe 
 all things whatsoever I have commanded you ; and, 
 lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the 
 world. 
 
 Let us Pray. 
 
 Most merciful Father, we beseech Thee to im- 
 part unto these Thy servants the riches of Thy' 
 grace, and the guidance and power of the Holy 
 Spirit ; that, with clearness of discernment, and 
 readiness of utterance, they may declare unto all 
 to whom they are sent the whole counsel of God ; 
 and that through their ministrations the church 
 may be quickened, and moved to higher attain- 
 ments in godliness, and the lost be converted and 
 gathered in the fold of Christ. Grant that in all 
 things they may seek Thy glory alone, and the in- 
 crease of Thy kingdom, through Jesus Christ our 
 Lord. O merciful Father, our hope is in Thee. 
 Fill us with Thy gracious presence and favor in
 
 140 ORDINATION. 
 
 all our lot ; that in all our works, begun, continued 
 and ended in Thee, we may worthily glorify Thy 
 holy name, and finally by Thy mercy, inherit eter- 
 nal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 
 
 Benediction. 
 
 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 
 Ivord ; and the blessing of God Almighty, the 
 Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among 
 you, and remain with you always. Amen. 
 
 [If on the same day the order of Deacon be given 
 to some, and that of Elder to others, the Deacons 
 shall be first presented, and then the Elders. The 
 forms shall both be used ; first that for Deacons, 
 then that for Elders. The epistle to be read shall 
 be Eph. 4 . 7-13, as before in this office ; immedi- 
 ately after which, they who are to be ordained 
 Deacons shall be examined and ordained as is 
 heretofore prescribed. Then the Gospel, John 
 10 . 1-16, having been read as before in this office, 
 they who are to be ordained Elders shall likewise 
 be examined and ordained as directed. 
 
 Or, if preferred, those to be ordained Deacons 
 may be examined first, after reading Eph. 4 : 7-13, 
 and be seated ; then those to be ordained Elders, 
 after which the ordination maj'^ proceed together 
 without interruption, first of the Deacons, then of 
 the Elders, with conclusion as directed above.]
 
 CORNER STONE LAYxN(;. i4i 
 
 . . CHAPTER VI. 
 
 ^169. Form for Laying^ a Corner Stone. 
 
 Beloved : As God in ancient times commanded 
 His servant Moses to set up the tabernacle in the 
 camp of Israel in the wilderness, and afterward 
 bestowed his blessing upon Solomon, the king, in 
 erecting the temple in Jerusalem, where all Israel 
 worshiped, so has he moved your hearts to erect 
 at this place a sanctuary, where, in years to come, 
 His people may assemble for Scriptural instruction, 
 prayer and praise. We are assembled, at this 
 time, to lay the corner stone of this building, de- 
 voutly asking God to vouchsafe his blessings to 
 this undertaking. 
 
 [The following order of exercises may be ob- 
 served :] 
 
 1. Singing. 
 
 2. Reading of Scripture, as follows : 
 
 (Ps. 132, or I. Cor. 3. 8-23. Isa. 28: 16. Ps. 118. 
 19-29. Eph. 2: 14-22. I. Peter 2: i-io.) 
 
 3. Prayer. 
 
 Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth ; 
 Thou high and lofty one who inhabitest eternity, 
 we thank Thee that though we had wandered far 
 from Thee by sin and transgression, infinite love has 
 moved Thee to send Thine only begotten Son, 
 Jesus Christ, to us, that He might redeem and 
 purify us, and make us meet for holy fellowship 
 with Thee. We thank Thee, our Heavenly Father, 
 for this blessed spiritual fellowship in which Thy 
 church is fully framed together into an holy
 
 142 CORNER STONE LAYING. 
 
 temple and for Thy habitation through the Spirit, 
 of which Jesus Christ is the chief corner stone, — a 
 tried stone and precious — against which the gates 
 of hell shall not prevail. 
 
 We have assembled, O Lord, to lay the corner 
 stone of this building in which Thine honor shall 
 dwell, Thy great and glorious name be worshiped, 
 Thy holy sacraments administered, and Thy Holy 
 Word proclaimed for our salvation. Help us, O 
 Lord, that we may not only lay the corner stone 
 of a house to be built with hands, but that we may 
 here build also a temple of living stones — a godly 
 congregation and a holy priesthood, rendering an 
 acceptable service unto Thee. O Lord, grant suc- 
 cess and prosperity to the enterprise. Do Thou 
 Thyself build this house, for if Thy blessing be 
 withheld, the laborers shall build in vain. Estab- 
 lish, O Lord, in this place a church upon the im- 
 movable and everlasting rock of truth. Hear us. 
 O Father in heaven, dwell among us, and do 
 abundantly above all that we ask, through Jesus 
 Christ our Lord — Our Father, etc. 
 
 4. Singing. 
 
 5. Sermon or address. 
 
 6. Collection. 
 
 [Then shall the pastor, or some other minister, 
 exhibit the box to be deposited, and publish its 
 contents, after which the officiating minister, as- 
 sisted by the builder, shall deposit the box and 
 adjust the stone to its resting place. This done, 
 the officiating minister shall strike the stone thrice 
 with a trowel or a hammer, and say.] "In the
 
 CHURCH DEDICATION. 143 
 
 name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the 
 Holy Spirit, we lay this stone in the foundation of 
 this house to be erected and dedicated for the ser- 
 vice of God, where His Word shall be preached 
 and His worship maintained." Amen. 
 
 7. Singing. 
 
 8. Benediction. 
 
 ^ 170. Form for Dedicating a Church. 
 
 1. Scripture Reading. (Psalm 84 ; Isa. 62 ; Psalm 
 
 122; Psalm 24; John 17.) 
 
 2. Singing. 
 
 3. Prayer. 
 
 4. Singing. 
 
 5. Sermon. 
 
 6. Collection. 
 
 7. Address : 
 
 Beloved : It is our glorious privilege in this 
 gladsome hour to appear before the Lord, the God 
 of heaven and earth, the source and giver of every 
 good and perfect gift, who has given us both the 
 desire and ability to build this house to the glory 
 of His name ; and now, since our purpose is ac- 
 complished, to dedicate it to his service. Although 
 the Most High does not dwell in temples made 
 with hands, for heaven is His throne, and the earth 
 his footstool ; and although the heaven of heavens 
 cannot contain Him, much less this house prepared 
 by our hands, yet He commanded His servant 
 Moses to build a tabernacle in which His name 
 should be recorded and His honor dwell, and at the
 
 144 CHURCH DEDICATION. 
 
 dedication of which, as well as afterward at the 
 dedication of the temple, He sanctioned and con- 
 firmed the work by the revelation of His glory. 
 He also most graciously accepted the worship and 
 sacrifices subsequently offered, and blessed His 
 people there. And our Divine Redeemer gives us 
 the precious assurance that He will meet His peo- 
 ple wherever they assemble in His name. Having 
 this assurance, we now designate and consecrate 
 this house as (local name of church) United Evan- 
 gelical Church of (name of place) unto the triune 
 God, to be His sanctuary and dwelling place, where 
 praise, thanksgiving, and prayei shall be offered to 
 His name. His Word shall be readand expounded, 
 the holy sacramentsshallbeadministered, and such 
 other devotional services, rules, and customs, as 
 are adopted and practiced in public worship by 
 the United Evangelical Church, shall be faithfully 
 observed. In this house God shall be glorified, 
 His name honored and magnified, and His king- 
 dom built up to the salvation of men. 
 
 Responsive Reading. 
 
 Trustees. — " We will go into His tabernacles: we 
 will worship at His footstool." (Psalm 132 : 7.) 
 
 Pastor. — ' ' For the Lord hath chosen Zion : He 
 hath desired it for His habitation. 
 
 Trustees. — "This is my rest forever : here will I 
 dwell ; for I have desired it. 
 
 Pastor. — " I will abundantly bless her provision : 
 1 will satisfy her poor with bread. I will also
 
 CHURCH DEDICATION. 145 
 
 clothe her priests with salvation ; and her saints 
 shall shout aloud for joy." (Psalm 132 : 13-16.) 
 
 Trustees. — " Now, my God let, I beseech Thee, 
 Thine eyes be open, and let Thine ears be attent 
 unto the prayer that is made in this place. 
 
 Pastor. — "Now, therefore arise, O Lord God, 
 into Thy resting place, thou, and the ark of Thy 
 strength : let Thy priests, O Lord God, be clothed 
 with salvation, and let Thy saints rejoice in good- 
 ness." (IL Chron. 6:40, 41.) 
 
 All. — " Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from 
 everlasting to everlasting, and let all the people 
 say, Amen. Praise ye the Lord. " (Psalm 106 : 48. ) 
 8. Prayer. 
 
 Eternal and omnipresent God, Thou who dwell- 
 est in Thy majesty and glory above all the heavens, 
 and fillest the immensity of space ; thou conde- 
 scendest in Thy matchless love and mercy to dwell 
 among Thy people upon earth, wherever two or 
 three are assembled in Thy name. Be Thou pleased, 
 O Lord, to dwell in this place, and to bless us who 
 are assembled to give and dedicate this house to 
 Thee, that it may be preserved from all unholy and 
 common uses, assemblages, and exercises, and be 
 devoted alone to Thy service, and to the glory of 
 Thy holy name. Accept, gracious Heavenly Father, 
 this offering of Thy children which Thou hast 
 bestowed upon us, and which we now, in humility 
 of heart thankfully return to Thee ; and grant that 
 Thy favor and good pleasure may henceforth rest 
 upon this place, an4 that we may be §odi;§4 witU
 
 14.. CHURCH DEDICATION. 
 
 the Holy Spirit and all His graces and gifts. Let 
 the preaching of Thy Word, the administration of 
 the sacraments of Thy Church, and the worship of 
 Thy people be graciously owned and approved by 
 the Holy Spirit in this place, for our salvation and 
 Thy glory, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 
 9. Singing: "■ I love Thy kingdom Lord.'" 
 ID, Charge to the trustees and delivery of the 
 keys in the name of the Trinity, to hold in trust 
 for God and the United Evangelical Church. 
 
 11. Doxology. 
 
 12. Benediction.
 
 PART VI. 
 TEMPORAL ECONOMY.
 
 I. Articles of Faith. 
 II. Christian Perfectiox. 
 
 III. General Rules. 
 
 IV. Special Rules. 
 V. Membership.
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Support of Ministers. 
 
 *, 171- The 3'early allowance for the itinerant 
 ministers shall be left to the various Annual Con- 
 ferences, who shall decide upon the allowance at 
 their annual session, or, if they see proper, refer 
 the matter to the several Quarterly Conferences. 
 The claim tor salary, as also the amounts actually 
 received, shall be reported to the Annual Confer- 
 ence. No preacher among us shall be allowed 
 any support who has not been appointed to a 
 charge by an Annual Conference, unless he be em- 
 ployed to fill a vacancy. 
 
 TI 172. The annual allowance for the oflBcers 
 elected by General Conference shall be determined 
 by that body. 
 
 II 173. If a minister locate in consequence of 
 bodily infirmities, but is still able to follow some 
 business or vocation, or has some other income, 
 yet not sufficient to support himself and his family, 
 his circumstances shall be inquired into by a com- 
 mittee appointed by the Presiding Elder of the dis- 
 trict in which the minister may reside, and a report 
 thereof brought to the Annual Conference, which 
 shall thereupon grant to him such an allowance as 
 he may need and circumstances may permit. 
 
 14^
 
 "® SUPPORT OF MINISTERS. 
 
 i 174- The allowance for the superannuated min- 
 isters and their families, and for the widows and 
 orphans of deceased itinerant ministers, shall be 
 regulated by the Annual Conference. 
 
 '' 175- In case, however, that such a widow as 
 above mentioned should marry or be excluded 
 from the church, she shall, in either case, forfeit all 
 claim upon the church for support. In either case, 
 if necessary, the orphans shall be entitled to their 
 proportionate support from the conference to which 
 they belong. 
 
 Support of the Bishop and his Relation to the 
 Annual Conferences. 
 
 % 176- The annual allowance for the Bishop or 
 Bishops with their families shall be as ordered by 
 General Conference. Wherever a Bishop preaches, 
 a collection shall be taken for his support. If the 
 proceeds of such collections are not sufficient for 
 his support as provided for in the Discipline, then 
 the deficiency shall be apportioned to the different 
 Annual Conferences according to their church 
 membership, 
 
 T 177- Should a Bishop become physically in- 
 capacitated in the interval between the General 
 Conference sessions, the Publishing House of the 
 United Evangelical Church shall give him such 
 support as he may need, which sum shall be re- 
 funded at the next session of General Conference, 
 and thereafter the General Conference shall make 
 the necessary provision for his support.
 
 CHURCHES AND PARSONAGES. 1^1 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Churches and Parsonages. 
 
 ^ 178. When it is proposed to build or purchase 
 a church, it shall be the duty of the preacher in 
 charge to call a meeting of the congregation at 
 which he shall preside. They shall proceed to 
 elect a Board of Trustees, of not less than three, 
 who shall be members of the United Evangelical 
 Church. They may also elect a Building Commit- 
 tee which shall be composed of such persons and 
 members as may be deemed necessary. Trustees 
 and the Building Committee shall be responsible 
 to the congregation which elected them. 
 
 •" 1 79. The Building Committee and Trustees for 
 the erection and control of parsonages, on charges 
 having more than one appointment, shall be 
 elected by the Quarterly Conference ; on charges 
 having but one appointment, the parsonage prop- 
 erty shall be controlled in the same manner as 
 other church property. 
 
 •" 180. The Board of Trustees shall take charge 
 of all the property for which they have been elected 
 or other property as the congregation may direct. 
 
 ^ 181. The Board of Trustees shall be elected by 
 members of the congregation, of legal age, regard- 
 less of sex (where the laws of the state do not con- 
 flict). The election shall be for the term of one, 
 three, or five years. 
 
 ^ 182. The officers of the Board of Trustees shall 
 be a president, ^ice president, secretary, treasurer 
 and a representative to Quarterly Conference, who
 
 152 CHURCHES AXD PARSONAGES. 
 
 is to be annually chosen from among the members 
 of the board, which officials shall perform the du- 
 ties usually assigned such ofiScers. 
 
 •" 183. The secretary shall keep a correct record 
 of all business transactions of the board, which 
 shall at all times be open for the inspection of the 
 Quarterly Conference as well as the Board of Trus- 
 tees. 
 
 •" 184. The Board of Trustees shall hold an an- 
 nual meeting before the last Quarterly Conference 
 on the charge, at which time the oflScers of the 
 board shall be elected and an annual report shall be 
 prepared setting forth the transactions of the board 
 during the year past, and the condition of the 
 property belonging to the congregation. A copy 
 of this report shall be presented to the Quarterl}- 
 Conference, Special meetings shall be called by 
 the president when requested by three trustees. 
 
 1[ 185. As it is commanded that the Gospel be 
 preached to all, and as St. James enjoins upon the 
 church that the poor be neither slighted nor neg- 
 lected, therefore the seats in all our churches 
 shall be free. 
 
 Form for Deeds. 
 
 1[ 186. Deeds for churches and parsonages shall 
 contain the following provisional clause : 
 
 To . . trustees of 
 
 United Evangelica"". Church 
 
 of , to be held as a place 
 
 of worship, according to the faith of the United 
 Evangelical Church, for the use of said congrega-
 
 CHURCHES AND PARSONAGES. 15.- 
 
 tion, subject to the control of a majority of the 
 members in good standing, provided that congre- 
 gational action affecting or dissolving, or intend- 
 ed to affect, the ecclesiastical relations or connec- 
 tion of the congregation, can be taken only in the 
 month immediately preceding the regular session 
 of the Annual Conference of the United Evangel- 
 ical Church V ithin whose bounds this property is 
 located. During this time no congregational 
 meeting shall be convened by the trustees unless 
 one-fifth of all the members in good standing sub- 
 scribe to a written call for such meeting, said call 
 always to announce the purpose for which the con- 
 gregation is to be convened. Said meeting is to 
 be announced on two successive Sundays at the 
 place of public worship, and a personal notice is 
 to be mailed to each member of the congregation 
 to the address given on the church record. All 
 adult persons whose names have been on the church 
 record at least one year, and who have contributed 
 regularly to the maintenance of the congregation, 
 and have communed during said year, shall be 
 considered members in good standing. A congre- 
 gation thus convened can by a vote of two-thirds, 
 the ayes and nays being taken, determine any 
 question of ecclesiastical connection, notice of 
 which action shall be given to the Annual Confer- 
 ence at its next regular session. Such adult mem- 
 bers in good standing who decide to remain with 
 the United Evangelical Church, from which the 
 congregation has separated, shall be entitled to a 
 pro rata portion of the appraised value of the con-
 
 154 ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION. 
 
 gregational property, pro\-ided such money will be 
 used in erecting and maintaining a place of wor- 
 ship in connection with the United Evangelical 
 Church. It is further provided, that if any appro- 
 priations are made by the aforesaid Annual Con- 
 ference of the United Evangelical Church from the 
 missionary or the building funds of the conference. 
 toward the creation or maintenance of the congre- 
 gation, or its property, such appropriations are to 
 constitute a non-interest bearing debt on the prop- 
 erty, to become collectible in case the congregation 
 separates from the United Evangelical Church, 
 unless otherwise agreed between the officers of the 
 conference and the officers of the congregation. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 •^ i^:. i^rticles of Incorporation. 
 
 1. The name of this corporation is 
 
 2. Said corporation is formed for the purpose of 
 the public worship of God according to the faith 
 of the United Evangelical Church, the promotion 
 of the interests of religion, and the spread of 
 Christ's kingdom throughout the world, in con- 
 nection and association with the said United Evan- 
 gelical Church, subject to the following reserva- 
 tions and restrictions in relation to such connection 
 and association , to wit : 
 
 The said corporation reserves to itself the power 
 to dissolve this connection, and form any other 
 denominational connection, or continue as an in-
 
 ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION. 15=; 
 
 dependent congregation in the following manner: 
 Congregational action dissolving or changing, or 
 intended to dissolve or change, the ecclesiastical 
 connection or relation of the said congregation, 
 can be taken only during the thirty days immedi- 
 ately preceding the opening date of the regular 
 session of the Annual Conference of the United 
 Evangelical Church, within whose district this 
 propert}' is located. During the aforesaid thirty 
 days no congregational meeting shall be called by 
 the trustees unless one-fifth of the members in 
 good standing subscribe a written call for such 
 meeting ; said call to contain an announcement of 
 the purpose of such meeting. Said meeting is to 
 be announced on two successive Sundays in the 
 public service of the congregation, and a personal 
 notice is to be mailed to each member entitled to 
 act, to the address given on the church record. 
 All persons who are twenty-one 3-ears of age, and 
 whose names are enrolled at the time the meeting 
 is convened, and were enrolled at least one year 
 before said meeting, and who have contributed 
 regularly to the maintenance of the congregation, 
 and have communed during said year, are entitled 
 to vote. The said congregation thus convened can, 
 by a two-thirds vote of all the members qualified 
 to act, the ayes and nays being taken, dissolve any 
 existing ecclesiastical connection and determine 
 any question affecting its relation to, or connection 
 with, any ecclesiastical body. If the action taken 
 relate to the separatior of the aforesaid congrega- 
 tion from, or its connection with, the said United
 
 156 ARTICLES OP INCORPORATION. 
 
 Evangelical Church, notice thereof must be pre- 
 sented to the Annual Conference of said United 
 Evangelical Church, within whose bounds the 
 property is located, at its next regular session. 
 
 Such adult (twent3'-one or more years of age) 
 members entitled to a vote at said congregational 
 meeting, who, in the event of said congregation's 
 withdrawal, decide to remain with the said United 
 Evangelical Church, shall be entitled to a pro rata 
 share of the appraised value of the congregational 
 property, if they agree to use such money in 
 providing and maintaining a place of worship in 
 connection with the said United Evangelical 
 Church, and give notice of such purpose at said 
 meeting. Should this corporation become extinct, 
 and its property cease to be used as a place of 
 Divine worship, the property shall revert to the 
 aforesaid Annual Conference of the United Evan- 
 gelical Church. 
 
 It is further provided that if any appropriations 
 ar'e made by the said Annual Conference from its 
 building and missionar}- funds toward the creation 
 or maintenance of the said congregation, or its 
 property, such appropriations are to, and do, con- 
 stitute a non-interest bearing debt on the property, 
 to be collectible only in case said congregation, 
 separates from the United Evangelical Church, un- 
 less otherwise agreed between the oflScers of the 
 said Annual Conference and the said congregation 
 
 3. The business of this corporation is to be trans- 
 acted in 
 
 4. The said corporation is to exist perpetually.
 
 ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION. 15. 
 
 5. There is to be no capital stock, and there are 
 to be no shares of stock issued. 
 
 The names and residences of the subscribers 
 hereto are 
 
 6. The number of trustees of said corporation 
 
 is fixed at , to be elected at such time and 
 
 place, in such manner, and for such terms as may 
 be specified in the by-laws. The names of the 
 persons chosen as trustees are 
 
 7. The yearly income of the corporation shall 
 not exceed twenty thousand dollars, and the in- 
 debtedness shall not exceed 
 
 unless otherwise ordered by the members of the 
 corporation. 
 
 8. Any property, real or personal, which shall 
 hereafter be bequeathed, devised or conveyed to 
 said corporation shall be taken and held to inure 
 to it, subject to the control and disposition of the 
 lay members thereof, or such constituted ofl&cers 
 or representatives thereof as shall be composed of 
 a majority of lay members, citizens of Pennsylva- 
 nia, having a controlling power according to the 
 rules, regulations, or corporate requirements of 
 this corporation. 
 
 9. This corporation can, by a majority vote of 
 its qualified members, present at any duly called 
 congregational meeting, adopt any by-laws not in- 
 consistent with the provisions of this charter or 
 the laws of this Commonwealth, 
 
 Witness our hands and seals this 
 
 day of , A. D
 
 l=;s SUPPORT OK MISSIONS. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Support of Missions. 
 
 •" I.S8. Every Annual Conference having mission 
 charges shall appoint a standing committee on 
 missions, whose duty it shall be to estimate the 
 probable cost of each mission in the conference, 
 giving name and locality, as also name and address 
 of the missionary, such estimate to be presented 
 to the General Board of Missions, at its annual, 
 meeting, by the representative of the. Annual Con- 
 ference Missionary Society, as the basis of the an- 
 nual appropriation for such missions, which shall 
 be entered upon the records of the board and a 
 copy transmitted to the treasurer of the Conference 
 Missionary Society, that he ma}- know the amount 
 he is to draw from the treasurer of the General 
 Missionary Society of the church. 
 
 Annual Conference Auxiliary Missionary 
 Society. 
 
 ^ 189. In every Annual Conference there shall 
 be organized a missionary society, auxiliary to the 
 Missionary Society of the United Evangelical 
 Church, with branch auxiliary societies on the sev- 
 eral circuits, stations, and missions, under such 
 regulations as the conferences respectively may 
 prescribe, consistent with the constitution of the 
 General Missionary Society. 
 
 The Conference Missionary Society shall trans- 
 mit annually to the corresponding secretary of the 
 General Missionary Society a copy of its annual 
 report, and shall also inform the treasurer of the
 
 FUBLISHIN(. INTKRKSTS. IS*) 
 
 amount collected in. aid of the missionary cause, 
 which amount shall be subject to the order of the 
 treasurer of the General Missionary Society. 
 
 Missionaries Must /Report. 
 
 • igu. Every missionary shall transmit to the 
 corresponding secretary, at least once in four 
 months, a report of the condition and the prospect 
 of the mission under his care, in order to enable 
 the latter correctly to prepare his annual report to 
 the Board of Missions, respecting the condition of 
 our missionary work in general. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 Pablishing Interests. 
 
 •" 191. There shall be a Board of Publication 
 consisting of ten members, five ministers and five 
 laymen, who shall be elected by the General Con- 
 ference for four years, and who shall be held ame- 
 nable to the General Conference for the manage- 
 ment of the publishing interests of the church. 
 The Bishops shall be advisory members of the 
 Board. In case a vacancy should occur during the 
 interval between the General Conference sessions 
 the remaining members of the Board, at their 
 next annual session, shall elect a member from the 
 same district to fill the vacancy. 
 
 '' 192. This Board shall have supervision of all 
 the publishinginterests of the church, and shall 
 order all the necessary improvements that cannot
 
 160 PUBLISHING INTERESTS. 
 
 he made by the General Corrference ; and, at its 
 discretion, publish such works as have already 
 been properly sanctioned ; and, with the assistance 
 of the publisher, fix the prices of their publica- 
 tions. 
 
 ^ 193. The Board shall meet annually in regu- 
 lar session. 
 
 1[ 194. The Board shall elect three persons as 
 an Executive Committee, one from the East, one 
 from the Central and one from the Pittsburg 
 Conferences. This Executive Committee shall 
 see that the provisions of the Board are carried 
 into eflfect by the general publisher, and shall 
 have power also to provide for all cases of ne- 
 cessity during the \^ear that could not be deter- 
 mined by the Board. The Executive Committee 
 shall call special meetings of the Board in case 
 of necessity. 
 
 ^ 195. There shall be a requisite number of edi- 
 tors elected who shall edit our periodicals, and all 
 other works that may be printed, as the General 
 Conference may provide, or the Board of Publi- 
 cation may direct. They shall be elected by the 
 General Conference for a term of four years, and 
 shall be amenable for their moral conduct to the 
 Conference of which they are members, and for 
 their official conduct to the Board of Publication. 
 
 H 196. There shall be a general publisher who 
 shall conduct the entire book and publishing busi- 
 ness as the General Conference may provide, or
 
 PUBLISHING INTERESTS. 161 
 
 the Board of Publication may direct. He shall 
 keep correct accounts, and dispense all money as 
 directed in paragraph 198 in this chapter. He 
 shall inform each Annual Conference of the 
 amount that accrues to it from the profits of the 
 establishment. He shall be elected by the Gen- 
 eral Conference for a term of four years, and 
 shall be amenable for his moral conduct to the 
 Conference of which he is a member, and for 
 his official conduct to the Board of Publication. 
 
 fl" 197. Each preacher shall be responsible for 
 the payment of books which he orders from the 
 establishment. Agents shall be allowed a com- 
 mission of 25 per cent, on our own publications, 
 and in case a bill is paid within sixty days, an 
 additional discount of 10 per cent, shall be al- 
 lowed. The commission on our periodicals shall 
 be determined by the Board of Publication. On 
 Sunday-school libraries and gp'^^ral books pub- 
 lished by other houses the discounts shall be 
 regulated by the publisher and the Executive 
 Committee. They shall also regulate the dis- 
 counts to be allowed to other publishing houses. 
 ^ 198. The profits arising from the establish- 
 ment after a sufficient capital to carry on the 
 business has been retained, shall be applied to 
 the support of the superannuated preachers and 
 their families, and to the widow and orphans of 
 deceased 'tinerant preachers according to the di- 
 rections of our Discipline on page 150. These 
 profits shall be divided annually among the sev-
 
 162 MISSIONARY SOCIETY (JONSTITL'TION 
 
 eral Annual Conference, in the following man- 
 rer : 
 
 d) One-half of the annual dividends shall be 
 first equally divided amonir the several Annual 
 Conferences. 
 
 (2) The remaining half shall be divided among 
 the various Annual Conferences in proportion to 
 the amount paid to the Publishing House by each. 
 
 (3) The publisher shall keep an accurate ac- 
 count of the receipts from every Annual Confer- 
 ence. 
 
 CHAPTER VT. 
 
 ^ 199. Constitution of the Home and Foreign 
 
 Missionary Society of the United 
 
 Evangelical Church. 
 
 Article I. 
 
 This society shall be known by the name of 
 "The Home and Foreign Missionary Society of 
 the United Evangelical Church." 
 
 Article H. 
 
 The purpose of this society is to collect fund-^ 
 to extend and prosecute our missionary labors, in 
 home and foreign fields, disseminate missionary 
 information, and inspire mi'^^ionary enthusiasm. 
 
 Article TH. 
 
 Each conference shall be organized into a so- 
 cietv auxiliarv to this societv. All members of
 
 MISSIONARVBOCIETY CONSTITUTION. 165 
 
 conicrcncc and others who annually pay a certain 
 sum into the treasury of their conference auxil- 
 iary shall be members of the same. Each confer- 
 ence auxiliary shall have power to fix the annual 
 clues to be paid by its members. Any person 
 paying at one time the sum of fifty dollars into 
 the General Treasury shall be constituted an hon- 
 orary member of the Board of Missions. Such 
 shall have the privilege of being present at the 
 meetings of the Board, and take part in the dis- 
 cussion, but shall have no vote. 
 
 The auxiliaries shall constitute the General Mis- 
 sionary Society. 
 
 Artici.i: ]y. 
 
 The officers of this society shall be a president, 
 vice president, recording secretary, corresponding 
 -ecretary. and treasurer, all of whom, except the 
 vice president, shall be elected by the General 
 Conference for a term of four years. The vice 
 president shall be elected annually by the Board 
 of Missions. These officers shall also be the offi- 
 cers of the Board. The Board shall have the 
 power to fill any vacancies that may occur in the 
 interim between the sessions of General Con- 
 ference. These offices shall, as much as practi- 
 cable, be equally distributed among ministers and 
 laymen. 
 
 Article V. 
 
 The temporal affairs and property of the society 
 in general shall be administered bv a Board.
 
 164 MISSIONARY SOCIETY CONSTITUTION, 
 
 which shall consist of the officers of this society, 
 and of one delegate from each conference aux- 
 iliary, and one from the Woman's Home and For- 
 eign Missionary Society, to be elected at the an- 
 nual meetings of these auxiliaries. The Bishops 
 shall be advisory members of the Board, with the 
 privilege of serving on committees and taking 
 part in the discussions. 
 
 Article VI. 
 
 The General Board of Missions shall meet an- 
 nually at such time and place as it may determine, 
 in order to consult conceming the missionary af- 
 fairs of the United Evangelical Church, and make 
 the necessary arrangements for prosecuting our 
 missionary labors in the most effectual manner, 
 in our own and foreign countries. For this pur- 
 pose, it shall : 
 
 1. Make strict inquiries concerning the condi- 
 tion and prospects of the various missions under 
 its care, and shall make appropriations for their 
 s'-ipport accordingly. 
 
 2. Have power to establish missions in our own 
 land, beyond the territory of the various confer- 
 ence districts, and supply them wMth preachers 
 from the various Annual Conferences, such 
 preachers consenting, and to see that they are 
 supported by the funds of this society. Such 
 missions as are within the limits of the several 
 conferences are to be supplied by the respective 
 conferences themselves.
 
 MISSIONARY SOCIETY CONSTITUTION. 165 
 
 3. Carefully consider the instructions, reconi- 
 mendations, and estimates presented by the dele- 
 gates of the different conference auxiliaries, and. 
 ill view of these, it shall determine the amount 
 which each conference missionary auxiliary shall 
 expend during the ensuing year. 
 
 4. Have power, if necessary, to borrow money 
 for the prosecution of our missionary work; but 
 must make proper arrangements to discharge such 
 obligations as soon as possible. For its official 
 proceedings the Board is amenable to the General 
 Conference, to which it must submit its records 
 for approval. 
 
 5. Have power to make by-laws for the regula- 
 tion of its business : to examine incidental ex- 
 penses and see that they are paid ; to determine 
 the support of sick and superannuated mission- 
 aries under its supervision, also that of the 
 widows and orphans of deceased missionaries. 
 At each annual meeting of the Board it shall sub- 
 mit a plain report of all its proceedings, and the 
 <;tate of the society's funds. 
 
 Article VH. 
 
 There shall be an Executive Committee, con- 
 sisting of the president, the secretaries, the treas- 
 urer, the Bishops and four members, one of whom 
 shall be a member of the Woman's Missionary 
 Society. The representative of the Woman's Mis- 
 sionary Society^ shall be elected by the Woman's 
 Board and the other three members bv the Board
 
 166 MISSIONARY SOCIETY CONSTITUTION. 
 
 of Missions annually. The duty of this commit- 
 mittee shall be to see that the decisions and 
 measures of the Board are carried into effect, 
 during the intervals between its regular sessions. 
 For this purpose it shall hold meetings when- 
 ever necessary to examine the finances of the so- 
 ciety, receive and deliberate on the reports ob- 
 tained from the various missions. It shall be 
 empowered to fill vacancies, both in its own body 
 or in missions outside the Annual Conference 
 limits, whether caused by death, resignations, or 
 otherwise, as also in cases of necessity to appoint 
 missionaries, recall or transfer such as are ap- 
 pointed, and upon the whole take measures to meet 
 every pressing emergency that may arise during 
 the year. For its official conduct it shall be re- 
 sponsible to the General Board, to which it must 
 submit the records of its proceedings for ratifica- 
 tion. 
 
 Article VTIT. 
 
 At all meetings of the Board, seven, and of the 
 Executive Committee, four, shall constitute ;i 
 quorum. 
 
 Article IX. 
 
 The duties of the different officers shall be : 
 a. The president shall preside at all meetings 
 of the Board, give the casting vote in case of a 
 tie, and execute all the functions that pertain to 
 the presidents of legally constituted bodies. 
 
 h. In the absence of the president the vice
 
 MISSIONARY SOCIETY CONSTITUTION. 167 
 
 president shall preside, and in his absence, any 
 member that the Board may appoint. 
 
 r. .The recording secretary shall keep a list of 
 the members of the Board, and accurately record 
 the proceedings of both the Board and the Exec- 
 utive Committee. 
 
 (/. The corresponding" secretary shall receive all 
 reports from the missionaries, publish them at 
 discretion, conduct the correspondence relating to 
 the missionary affairs of the United Evangelical 
 Church, unless otherwise ordered, make such 
 communication of them to the General Board and 
 Executive Committee as may be needed, and at 
 each annual meeting of the Board submit a re- 
 port on the state of the missions of our church, 
 and shall perform such other duties as the Board 
 of Missions may assign to him. 
 
 e. The treasurer shall receive all moneys con- 
 tributed or bequeathed to this society, hold all se- 
 curities owned by this society, carefully note dowti 
 the receipts and expenditures, give an annual re- 
 port to the Board of Missions, and a quadrennial 
 report to the General Conference, and shall pay 
 out no money except as authorized by the Board 
 or the Executive Committee. He shall also re- 
 cord the financial report of the different confer- 
 ence auxiliaries, and of the Woman's Home and 
 Foreign Missionary Society, and submit them to 
 the Board of ^fissions. 
 
 Articlk X. 
 
 .Ml bequests, moneys, or other properties of the
 
 168 MISSIONARY SOCIETY CONSTITUTION. 
 
 society may be expended, unless it be the wish of 
 the testator to have the capital put on interest, 
 and only the income expended from time to time. 
 It shall also be the privilege of the persons or 
 auxiliaries contributing to the missionary cause, 
 to determine the mission or m.issions to which 
 their contributions shall be applied, provided that 
 such contribution shall not be less than five dol- 
 lars, and such contribution shall be published by 
 the treasurer, together with the purpose for which 
 designed. 
 
 Article XI. 
 
 Each Conference Missionary Society shall an- 
 nually send a transcript of its yearly report to the 
 corresponding secretary, and also inform the 
 treasurer of this society of its receipts and ex- 
 penditures for the year, and of the state cf its 
 funds. 
 
 Article XII. 
 
 The Woman's Home and Foreign Missionary 
 society may be expended, unless it be the wish of 
 be auxiliary to this society, and under the super- 
 vision of the Board of Missions. It shall an- 
 nually submit its proceedings to said Board for 
 examination and approval, and shall annually 
 send a report to the treasurer, of the sum of con- 
 tributions collected through its auxiliaries. 
 
 Article XIII. 
 No missionary who has not been appointed by 
 an Annual or the General Conference, the Gen-
 
 CHARITABLE SOCIETY CHARTER. 169 
 
 eral Board, or the Executive Committee shall re- 
 ceive support from the funds of this society. 
 
 Article XIV. 
 
 This constitution can only be altered by the 
 Board of Missions, upon a recommendation from 
 >he auxiliary societies, or by the auxiliary socie- 
 ties, upon recommendation by the Board. Such 
 recommendations must have a majority of the 
 combined votes taken at the annual meeting of 
 the auxiliaries composing this society, as well as 
 a majority of the votes of the members of the 
 Board. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 ^ 200. Charter of the Charitable Society. 
 
 1. The name of this corporation is "The Char- 
 itable Society of the United Evangelical Church." 
 
 2. Said corporation is formed for the purpose 
 of relieving the distress and supplying the deficien- 
 cies of itinerant and superannuated, or worn out 
 ministers of the United Evangelical Church in 
 the United States of America, who remain in con- 
 nection, and continue subject to the order and con- 
 trol of the General Conference, and also for the re- 
 lief of the wives and children, widows and orphans 
 of such ministers, and for no other use, intent 
 or purpose whatever. 
 
 3. The business of said corporation is to be
 
 170 CHARITABLE SOCIETY CHARTER. 
 
 transacted in the city of Reading. Berks County, 
 Pennsylvania. 
 
 4. The corporation is to exist perpetually. 
 
 5. The number of trustees of said corporation 
 is fixed at nine. Three shall be elected annually. 
 The term of each trustee hereafter elected shall 
 be thr^e years. The names and residences, of 
 those chosen trustees are : 
 
 I Albert M. Sampsel, 
 For one year: -' John R. Miller. 
 I JoHx H. Seibert. 
 
 ( Benjamin J. Smoyer. 
 For two years : - Samuel S. Chubb. 
 ( John Hen del. 
 
 [ Christian S. Hamax, 
 For three years : J Walter P. Huber. 
 
 ( Charles B. Wagner. 
 
 In case of death, resignation, or expulsion from 
 church membership, according to the rule and 
 Discipline from time to time adopted by the 
 properly constittrted authority of the United 
 Evangelical Church, of any of the trustees of the 
 said corporation, or their successors, then it shall 
 be the duty of the remaining trustees to elect 
 their successors, and the persons so elected shall 
 srve for the unexpired time of the trustees whose 
 places they take. No person shall be eligible as 
 a trustee, who has not been a member of the 
 United Evangelical Church according to the
 
 CHARITABLE SOCIETY CHARTER. 171 
 
 rules and Discipline thereof, for at least one year 
 preceding his or their election as aforesaid, and 
 who is not at least twenty-one years of age. 
 
 6. The trustees shall make, ordain, establish 
 and put in execution all such by-laws, ordinances 
 and regulations as to them shall appear necessary 
 and convenient for the transaction of the business 
 of said society, not repugnant to this Charter, 
 the Constitution of the United States, or to the- 
 Constitution cf Pennsylvania ; provided, however, 
 that at any time when the General Conference of 
 the United Evangelical Church shall by official 
 action desire any modification or alteration there- 
 in, the said trustees shall make such modification 
 or alteration. 
 
 In witness whereof we have hereunto set our 
 hands and seals this 19th day of February, Anno 
 Domini one thousand, eight hundred and ninety- 
 five. 
 
 Name. Residence. 
 
 Christian S. Hamax, Reading. Pa. [seal] 
 
 John Hexdel. Reading, Pa. [se.\l1 
 
 Samuel S. Chubb, Reading. Pa. [seal] 
 
 Albert M. Sampsel. Reading, Pa. [seal] 
 
 JoHX H. Seibert. Reading. Pa. [seal] 
 
 B. J. Smover, Lebanon. Pa. [seal] 
 
 John R. Miller, Reading. Pa. [seal] 
 
 Charles B. Wagxer. Lebanon. Pa. [seal] 
 
 Walter V. Huber. .\llentown. Pa. [seal]
 
 172 CHARITABLE SOCIETY CHARTER. 
 
 BY-LAWS 
 
 Of the Chantablc Society of the United Bvan- 
 ,ciclical Church. located at Reading, Pa. 
 
 Article i. The annual meeting of the Trustees 
 shall he held the second Wednesday in January 
 of every year, in the city of Reading, Pa., for 
 the transacticn of husiness. When so met they 
 !^'hall have power to make such by-laws, rules and 
 regulations, for their government in the manage- 
 ment of their affairs, as a majority of them may 
 judge necessary, and also at such every annual 
 meeting they shall proceed to choose., ard by a 
 majority of votes, elect three of their own num- 
 ber to act. one as President, one as Secretary, and 
 one as Treasurer, of the said corporation, who 
 may be continued in office from year to year, as 
 the majority of said corporation may think 
 proper. 
 
 Article 2. A majority of the Board of Trus- 
 tees shall constitute a quorum, which quorum 
 shall, by a majority vote, have full authority by 
 deed or otherwise to grant, bargain, sell, convey, 
 or otherwise dispose of any part or parcel of the 
 estate real or personal, of and belonging to the 
 said corporation, or charge or encumber the same, 
 should they deem it expedient to do so. provided, 
 always, that the moneys arising from such sale or 
 sales shall be invested by the said Trustees, as 
 soon as convenient, in such other securities that 
 are first bens on propej-ty. as in the judgment
 
 CHARITABLE SOCIETY CHARTER. 173 
 
 of a majority of them will he most productive 
 knd safe, and provided, further, that the annual 
 interest and income, arising from the money so 
 invested, shall be exclusively applied in the man- 
 ner and for the uses and purposes mentioned and 
 declared in Article 2 of the Charter. Provided, 
 nevertheless, that the Trustees of the said corpo- 
 ration, and their successors, shall have power to 
 draw and appfy from time to time as much 
 money, belonging to the said fund, as in the judg- 
 ment of a majority of them may be required to 
 defray all the necessary expenses of conducting 
 the business of the said corporation in an eco- 
 nomical manner. 
 
 Article 3. At the annual meeting, the Board 
 s^all proceed to elect three trustees to take the 
 place of those whose terms have expired, as also 
 to fill by election any vacancies that have occurred 
 by death, resignation, expulsion, or otherwise. 
 Persons so elected shall serve until their terms 
 have expired, or until their successors shall have 
 been elected. 
 
 Article 4. It shall be the duty of the Trustees 
 to cause regular and fair accounts to be kept in 
 books to be provided for that purpose out of the 
 funds of the said corporation, of the kind and 
 amount of the capital stock, and of the annual 
 interest and income thereof, as of all and every 
 sum or sums of money which shall from time to 
 time be dr^wn therefrom, for the objects under 
 the limitations and for the uses and purposes par-
 
 174 CHARITABLE SOCIETY CHARTER. 
 
 ticularly niciitioiKd and declared in the Charter: 
 and further, it shall be the duty of the s^id trus- 
 tees, and their successors, to prepare and lay be 
 fore General Conference a statement of the con- 
 dition of the said fund during the quadrennium, 
 for inspection and examination, which said state- 
 ment shall be signed by the president, and coun- 
 tersigned by the secretary of said corporation, 
 certifying that the same is fair and correct. 
 
 Artici.k 5. The president, with the secretary 
 and treasurer of the Board, shall constitute the 
 Executive Committee, whose duty it is to attend 
 to any business that is referred to them. 
 
 Article 6. The duty of the president shati be 
 to preside at the meetings, and to call any spe- 
 cial meeting that may be deemed necessary by the 
 Executive Committee, or by a majority of the 
 members of the Board. 
 
 Article 7. The duty of the secretary shall be 
 to keep the books and accurate accounts and min- 
 utes of the proceedings of each meeting of the 
 corporation, also to send out notices to each mem- 
 ber of the Board at least five days before any 
 special meeting ordered to be called by the Exec- 
 utive Committee, or a majority of the members. 
 The books of the secretary shall at all times be 
 open to the inspection of any member of the 
 Board. He shall correspond with the secretary 
 of each Annual Conference, and ascertain the 
 number of claimants from the respective confer-
 
 CHARITABLE SOCIETY CHARTER. 175 
 
 ences in time to report at the annual meeting of 
 the Board. 
 
 Articlic 8. The duty of the treasurer .shall he 
 to receive all money's intended for the use of the 
 society. He shall give a receipt to the secretary 
 of all moneys so received, and be ready at any 
 time to pay out any money for which orders may 
 be drawn by the authority of the Board, when 
 signed by the president and secretary, he also 
 shall give bond, with approved security, for such 
 an amount as the Board may direct from time to 
 time. 
 
 Article g. No money or funds of the society 
 shall be loaned to any of the Trustees of this so- 
 ciety under any pretence whatever. 
 
 .\rticle io. An Auditing Committee shall be 
 appointed at each annual meeting to examine the 
 books of the secretary and treasurer, and report 
 to the Board before adjournment. 
 
 Article ii. Form of bequest to Charitable So 
 ciety : 
 
 I give, devise, and bequeath, to the Charitabb- 
 Society of the United Evangelical Church, organ- 
 ized by the first General Conference of said 
 church, held in Naperville. 111., beginning Nov. 
 
 29th. 1894. the sum of dollars, and the 
 
 receipt of the treasurer of the society shall be a 
 suflficient discharge thereof to my executors. 
 
 Name
 
 i CHURCH EXTENSION. 
 
 Article 12. Order of Business. 
 
 1. Devotional Exercises. 
 
 2. Roll Call. 
 
 3. Reading Minutes for Information. 
 
 4. Report of Secrr-tary. 
 
 5. Report of Treasurer. 
 
 6. Reports of Committees. 
 
 7. Unfinished Business. 
 8 New Business. 
 
 9. Election of Trustees. 
 ro.Miscellaneous Business. 
 
 11. Reading and Approval of Minutes. 
 
 12. Adiournment. 
 
 CHAPTER VITI. 
 ^201. Chnreh Extension. 
 
 1. There shall be a Board of Church Extension 
 of the United Evangelical Church, consisting of 
 three ministers, three laymen and a correspond- 
 ing secretary, all of which shall be elected by the 
 General Conference. Not more than two of these 
 shall be from any one annual conference. The 
 Board shall be duly incorporated by law, with 
 such powers and prerogatives as may be needful 
 to the objects of its appointment: said Board to 
 be subject to the Discipline of the United Evan- 
 gelical Church. The Bishops of the church shall 
 also be members of the Board. 
 
 2. The objects of the Board shall be to gather, 
 care for and distribute funds for giving aid to
 
 CHURCH EXTENSION. 177 
 
 needy and deserving congregations in the build- 
 ing of churches, or for giving rehef to churches 
 that may be in serious financial embarrassment. 
 The Board shall be especially solicitous to aid in 
 the erection of churches upon new missions where 
 it would be impossible to build a church without 
 aid. 
 
 3. The term of service of members of the 
 Board shall begin immediately after their elec- 
 tion, and shall continue during the ensuing four 
 years, and until their successors shall be duly 
 chosen and have entered upon their duties, unless 
 otherwise ordered by the General Conference. If 
 a vacancy should occur by death, resignation, or 
 otherwise, during the interval between General 
 Conferences, the remaining members of the 
 Board shall have power to fill the vacancy (ex- 
 cept as to the Bishops) until the next General 
 Conference. 
 
 4. The officers of the Board shall be a Presi- 
 dent, a vice president, a corresponding Secretary 
 and a treasurer. The president and vice presi- 
 dent shall be elected by the Board. The corre- 
 sponding secretary shall also be the recording 
 secretary. The treasurer shall be elected by the 
 General Conference from among the members of 
 the Board. 
 
 5. The corresponding secretary shall keep a 
 record of the proceedings of the Board, and con- 
 duct its correspondence. He shall conduct the 
 aflPairs of the Board, and under its direction, pro-
 
 178 CHURCH EXTENSION. 
 
 mote its general interests. He shall see that the 
 provisions of the Discipline concerning Church 
 Extension, the By-laws, and orders of the Board 
 are strictly observed. He shall in all his official 
 conduct be subject to the authority and control of 
 the Board. 
 
 6. The Board shall hold regular annual meet- 
 ings in the month of October, upon such a date 
 as its By-laws may provide. Should the Board 
 find it advantageous for the prosecution of its 
 work, it may provide for regular semi-annual 
 meetings. Special meetings may be called at any 
 time by the president, the corresponding secre- 
 tary, or by request of the Bishops. Five mem- 
 bers shall constitute a quorum for the transac- 
 tion of business. 
 
 7. The Board shall have power to make By- 
 laws for the regulation of its own proceedings, 
 not in conflict with its own Charter, the Discip- 
 line, or the provisions of General Conference. It 
 shall have power to gather and administer a Gen- 
 eral Fund ; to provide for and administer a Loan 
 Fund : to establish and administer an Annuity 
 Fund, either in connection with, or separate from, 
 the Loan Fund, as it may deem wise. It shall 
 have the power to take, and hold in trust for the 
 United Evangelical Church any real or personal 
 property: to dispose of the same for the use and 
 benefit of the church, and generally to do all and 
 singular the matters and things which shall be
 
 CHURCH EXTENSION. 17' 
 
 necessary and lawful in the execution ot us 
 trusts. 
 
 Board Funds. 
 
 8. The funds of the Board shall be, a General 
 Fund, a Loan Fund, and an Annuity Fund. 
 The general fund shall consist of: 
 
 (a) The collections coming to the Board from 
 Annual Conf^ence Church Extension societies. 
 
 (b) All other sums of money coming to the 
 Board by the collections of the corresponding 
 secretary, or otherwise, available for aiding 
 churches, or for the current expenses of the ad- 
 ministration of the Board, or for emergencies. 
 
 (c) All interest from the Loan Fund above 
 that which is needed to pay interest on annuities, 
 and money given on the annuity plan, which may 
 accumulate to the wish of the anuitant belong to 
 this Fund. 
 
 The Loan Fund includes all moneys given for 
 loans to churches, the principal of which is to be 
 preserved intact, and the interest to be applied to 
 such purposes as the Board may determine. This 
 includes such bequests as a will may designate as 
 belonging to this Fund, and such money given on 
 the annuity plan as may belong to it according to 
 the wish of the annuitant. The money belong- 
 ing to the Loan Fund is loaned to churches upon 
 approved security, at such rate of interest as the 
 Board may determine, and cannot be donated, 
 nor can the loan ever be released in any way. This
 
 180 CHURCH EXTENSION, 
 
 Fund must be preserved as a sacred fund, the 
 other sources of the Board being used to protect 
 it. 
 
 The Annuity Fund consists of such moneys as 
 have been donated by generous givers who need- 
 ed the use of their money during their life-time, 
 and to whom the Board has pledged a given rate 
 of interest. Money thus given may be the part 
 of either the General Fund or of the Loan Fund, 
 according to the wish of the Annuitant. 
 
 9. The amount of aid granted to any congrega- 
 tion shall be a debt upon its church, and in case 
 the congregation should ever decide to withdraw 
 from the United Evangelical Church, the amount 
 received by it shall be returned to the Board. 
 Every congregation receiving aid from the Gen- 
 eral Fund of the Board shall return the same 
 without interest, either as a whole or in install- 
 ments, as may be mutually agreed upon between the 
 Board and the congregation when the aid is 
 granted. The time of a loan without interest 
 shall not extend beyond ten years. A loan may, 
 however, be extended for five years beyond this 
 time at the legal rate of interest. 
 
 Money borrowed by a congregation from the 
 Loan Fund, shall be subject to tha securities 
 given the Board for it. 
 
 It is provided, however, that contributions to a 
 donation fund may be received and appropriated 
 to aid in the erection of churches ip- important
 
 CHURCH EXTENSION. 181 
 
 localities according to the wish of the donor, un- 
 der such regulations as the Board may adopt. 
 
 10. The Board shall have power to establish 
 a Parsonage Fund, if it deems it expedient to 
 do so. The Parsonage Fund shall be under the 
 same regulations as the other funds of the 
 Board. 
 
 11. When a congregation asks for aid. the cor- 
 responding secretary shall forward a blank list 
 of questions to the pastor of said church in the 
 form herein contained. Said questions shall be 
 answered and certified to by the presiding elder 
 of the district, the pastor in charge, and the 
 president of the Board of Trustees asking the aid. 
 
 List of Questions. 
 To be fully answered, and properly signed. 
 
 1. State definitely the location of the church for 
 which aid is desired. 
 
 2. What is the population of the town or vi- 
 cinity where the church is located? 
 
 3. How many and what churches are in the vi- 
 cinity? 
 
 4. Is the property deeded in accordance with 
 our church Discipline? 
 
 5. What is the value of the church? What is 
 the value of the lot? 
 
 6. Has the community been thoroughly can- 
 vassed for contributions toward the building? 
 How much of the amount needed is already se- 
 cured?
 
 182 CHURCH EXTENSION. 
 
 /. What is the membership of the congrega- 
 tion? 
 
 8. What is its approximate financial strength? 
 
 9. Does the congregation contribute regularly 
 to the various funds of the church? 
 
 10. What is the amount of aid asked for? 
 
 11. Is the property insured: if not. will you at 
 once have it insured? 
 
 12. What amount of debt, if any. will remain 
 against the property, and how soon will the trus- 
 tees agree to remove it? 
 
 13. Is it reasonably expected that the cburch 
 if aided will soon become self-supporting? 
 
 A copy of the plans and specifications for the 
 building must accompany the list of questions. 
 
 ^ 202. Aid can only be granted according to 
 the following directions : 
 
 (a) The application, filled out in due form, 
 must first be in the hands of the corresponding 
 secretary. 
 
 (/)) The Board may vote a loan or donation at 
 any of its regular or special meetings. 
 
 (c) In cases which the presiding Bishop and 
 the corresponding secretary shall consider of spe- 
 cial immediate need, the executive committee 
 may, upon the recommendation of these officials, 
 grant a loan, provided that the application is not 
 made within sixty days of the time of the regular 
 annual meeting of the Board : provided further, 
 that the loan does not exceed one-fifth of the cost 
 of the building.
 
 CHURCH EXTENSION. IbJ 
 
 (d) Xo loan shall exceed one-third the value 
 of the property, not including the lot. 
 
 (e) The treasurer shall pay out no money for 
 any loan or donation until he is satisfied that the 
 property is properly deeded in accordance with 
 our church law, and in the case of loans, until 
 the necessary securities are in his hands ; pro- 
 vided always, that a note given by the Board of 
 Annual Conference trustees in whose bounds the 
 property is situated, shall be considered adequate 
 security. He shall only pay out the money upon 
 the order of the president and secretary of the 
 Board. 
 
 ^ 203. Each Annual Conference shall maintain 
 a Church Extension Society operating within its 
 own bounds. A regular annual collection for 
 Church Extension shall be taken throughout the 
 entire church. Each Annual Conference shall 
 make an apportionment of the amount to be 
 raised by each charge. One-third of the amount 
 secured by these societies shall flow into the 
 treasury of the Board, and the remaining two- 
 thirds shall belong to the Annual Conference So- 
 ciety for its own use. 
 
 ^ 204. The Board shall have authority to make 
 such provision as it may deem wise and proper 
 for honorary membership in its body ; provided, 
 that no honorary member shall have a vote, act- 
 ting only as an advisory member. 
 
 ^ 205. The Proceedings of the Board, together 
 with a quadrennial report, shall be submitted to
 
 1«4 CHURCH EXTENSION. 
 
 the General Conference for review and approval. 
 ^ 206. It shall be the duty of the presiding 
 elder to bring the subject of Church Extension 
 to the attention of each pastor and each charge 
 upon his district, explaining the need of the work, 
 and urging that at least the amount apportioned 
 to the charge be raised. It shall be the duty of 
 each pastor to provide for the diffusion of in- 
 formation concerning the work and needs of 
 Church Extension. He shall preach, or cause 
 to be preached a sermon upon this subject in each 
 congregation in every year; and solicit contribu- 
 tions, endeavoring to secure at least the amount 
 apportioned to his charge. 
 
 tl 207. Corresponding Secretary. 
 
 The chief duties of the corresponding secretary 
 shall be as follows : 
 
 (a) To gather all possible information upon 
 missionary work and church extension work in 
 general. 
 
 (b) To familiarize himself with the conditions 
 and needs of both these interests in our own 
 Church, so as to be able to spread missionary 
 and church extension intelligence amongst our 
 people. 
 
 (c) To inaugurate and operate some sort of a 
 "follow-up" system which shall help us to care 
 for our people that move from place to place, and 
 which shall help to guide us in the location of 
 new missions.
 
 CHURCH EXTENSION. 185 
 
 (d) To endeavor to create a deeper and more 
 widespread interest amongst our people in these 
 subjects as the Boards may direct, as also to 
 gather funds as time and opportunity may permit. 
 
 (c) All his work shall be under the super- 
 vision of these respective Boards, in accordance 
 with their respective laws, and as mutually 
 agreed upon between them. 
 
 TH:^ lORD'S PRAYMR. 
 
 Our Father which art in Heaven, Hal- 
 lowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. 
 Thy will he done in earth, as it is in 
 heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. 
 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive 
 our debtors. And lead us not into tempta- 
 tion, but deliver us from evil: For Thine 
 is the kingdom, and the power, and the 
 glory, for ever. Amen.
 
 INDEX. 
 
 Numbers refer to the Paragraph!. 
 
 Agents' Discount, 97 
 
 Agents, Responsibility of 97 
 
 Annual Conference ^Membership 80 
 
 Annual Conference Order of Procedure,... 88 
 
 Annual Conference, Powers of, 87 
 
 Annual Conference President, 82 
 
 Annual Conference Secretary, . 83 
 
 Annual Conference Time and Place, 81 
 
 Apostasy, Article on, , 13 
 
 Apeal by a Bishop, 151 
 
 Appeal by a Lay Member, 130 
 
 Appeal by a Minister, 145 
 
 Appeals, Court of, 152 
 
 Appeals from an Annual Conference, 153 
 
 Appeals, Triers of, 152 
 
 Appeals, Use of Records in. 161 
 
 Applicants, Questions to 105 
 
 Arbiters, Verdict of, 128 
 
 Arbitration, 127-128 
 
 Arbitration, Refusal of, 129 
 
 Auxiliaries, Missionary, • 189 
 
 Baptism, Article on, 21 
 
 Baptism of Infants, 162 
 
 Baptism of Adults, 163 
 
 Bible Study 48 
 
 Bishop, Charges against a 147 
 
 186
 
 INDEX. 187 
 
 Bishop, Duties of a 120 
 
 Bishop, Election of a, no 
 
 Bishop, Relation to Annual Conference. ... 176 
 
 Bishop, Support of a, 176-177 
 
 Bishop, Trial of a, 147 
 
 Bishop's Trial, Record of. 149 
 
 Business Failure, 142 
 
 Call to Preach, Evidence of a 100 
 
 Certificate, Transfer of Membership 51-35 
 
 Challenge, Right of, ijL.i.^S. 148, 155 
 
 Charges against a Bishop, 150 
 
 Charges against a Layman, 123-126 
 
 Charges against a Minister, 135 
 
 Charges, How Framed 158 
 
 Charges, Withdrawal Under 159 
 
 Charitable Society, 200 
 
 Church Extension, 201 
 
 Church, The, Article on, 19 
 
 Churches, Building of, 178 
 
 Classes and Class Officers 56 
 
 Class Officers, Duties of, 57 
 
 Conduct, Imprudent and Sinful 124. 141 
 
 Conference Members, Directions for 74 
 
 Conferences, The 73-74 
 
 Corner Stone Laying 169 
 
 Court of Appeals 152 
 
 Court of Appeals, Expenses of. 156 
 
 Court of Appeals, Organization of 154 
 
 Deacons, Reception of, 107 
 
 Deacons, Ordination of, 167 
 
 Dedication of Churches, 170
 
 188 INDEX. 
 
 Deeds, Form of i86 
 
 Divorce 45 
 
 Doctrines, Disseminating False, 143 
 
 Editors 195 
 
 Effective Preaching 102 
 
 Elders, Reception of, 108 
 
 Elders, Ordination of, 168 
 
 Evangelists, 115 
 
 Evangelization, Article on 25 
 
 Evidence Admissible at Trials 160 
 
 Executive Committee, Duties of 194 
 
 False Doctrines, Dissemination of 143 
 
 Funeral Service 166 
 
 General Conference, Election of Delegates to, 90 
 
 General Conference Membership 89 
 
 General Conference. Order of Procedure of, 97 
 
 General Conference Officers, Support of, .. 172 
 
 General Conference, Powers of 96 
 
 General Conference President, 93 
 
 General Conference Quorum. . . . , 95 
 
 General Conference Secretary. 94 
 
 General Conference, Time and Place 91 
 
 General Conference, Special, . 92 
 
 Giving, Christian 41-42 
 
 God, Article on i 
 
 Good Works, Article on 12 
 
 Government, Civil. Article on 24 
 
 Heaven. Article on 17 
 
 Hell. Article on t8 
 
 Holy Scriptures, The, Article on, 4
 
 INDEX. 189 
 
 Holy Spirit. The. Article on t, 
 
 Human Depravity, Article on, . 5 
 
 Imniorality. Gross 125 
 
 Immorality, Articles on 14 
 
 Incorporation. Articles of 187 
 
 Itinerants 1 1 1 
 
 Jesus Christ. Article on 2 
 
 Judgment. The Final. Article on 16 
 
 Judicial Conference. 149 
 
 Judicial Conference. Record of 149 
 
 Jurisdiction in Trial Courts, 157 
 
 Justification, Article on, 8 
 
 K. L. of C. E., 70-72 
 
 Local Preachers 112 
 
 Local Preacher, Duties of a. 116 
 
 Lord's Supper, The, Article on 22 
 
 Lord's Supper. Ritual of The, 164 
 
 Managing Board, K. L. of C. E., 71 
 
 Marriage 43-44 
 
 Marriage Ceremony , 165 
 
 Members, Reception of 49-50 
 
 Membership. Transfer of 51-55 
 
 Ministry, The, Article on 20 
 
 Ministers, Inefficient 86 
 
 Ministers, General Directions for 98-100 
 
 Ministers, Hints and Directions for loi 
 
 Ministers. Reception of 104-115 
 
 Ministers. Official Misconduct of, 144
 
 190 INDEX. 
 
 .Ministers, Received from Other Chtirches. io6 
 
 Ministers, Support of 171 
 
 Missions. Support of. 188 
 
 Missionaries. Reports of 190 
 
 Missionary Society, Constitution of 199 
 
 Xeglect of Duty, 123-126 
 
 Ordination of Deacons 167 
 
 Ordination of Elders, 168 
 
 Parsonages, Building Committee of, 179 
 
 Perfection. Christian. Article on 26-32 
 
 Plaintiff. Appointment of. 132 
 
 Polit)', Church, Article on 23 
 
 Prayer, Thoughts on , 47 
 
 Preacher in Charge, Duties of a, i iS 
 
 Preachers. Charges Against. 135 
 
 Preachers. Reception of 104 
 
 Preachers. Trial of 134 
 
 Preaching Places 103 
 
 Presiding Elder. Duties of a 119 
 
 Presiding Elders, Election of, 109 
 
 President of a Trial 133 
 
 Property. Church 179 
 
 Publication Board 192 
 
 Publication Board. Duties of, 193 
 
 Publication Board. Executive Committee of. 194 
 
 Publication Board. Meetings of, 193 
 
 Publisher T96 
 
 Publishing Interests. 191 
 
 Publishing House Profits, 198
 
 INDEX. 191 
 
 Quarterly Conference Business, 78 
 
 Quarterly Conference Members, 75 
 
 Quarterly Conference Officers, "j' 
 
 Quarterly Conference, Order of Procedure, 79 
 
 Quarterly Conference. Time and place of, . 76 
 
 Recommendation of Preachers 104 
 
 Regeneration, Article on, 9 
 
 Repentance, Article on 7 
 
 Resurrection, The, Article on. . ,'. 15 
 
 Rules, General, 33-36 
 
 Rules, Special, t;] 
 
 Rumors against a Bishop 150 
 
 Rumors against a Preacher, 139, 144 
 
 Salvation Through Christ, Article on 6 
 
 Sanctification, Article on 11 
 
 Seats Free 185 
 
 Singing, Thoughts on, 4() 
 
 Slavery, 40 
 
 Standing Committee on Missions 188 
 
 Stationing of Preachers and Presiding Elders, 85 
 
 Stewards, Accountability of 60 
 
 Stewards and Their Duties. 58-61 
 
 Stewards, Vacancies. How Filled 61 
 
 Sunday-Schools, 62 
 
 Sunday-Schools, Management of 63 
 
 Sunday- School, New Organization of 65 
 
 Sunday-Schools and Their Officers 62-69 
 
 Sunday-School Superintendents, Duties of.. 66 
 
 Sundap-School Teachers' Meeting, 68
 
 192 INDEX. 
 
 Superannuated Preachers 113 
 
 Superannuated Preachers, Support of, .... 174 
 
 Supernumerary Preachers, 114 
 
 Supernumerary Preachers. Support of. .... 173 
 
 Suspension, Temporary 140 
 
 Temperance, 37. 39 
 
 Temporal Economy, 171 
 
 Traveling Preachers, Duties of a, 117 
 
 Transfer of Membership, 51-55 
 
 Trials, Church 121 
 
 Trial Court, 134 
 
 Trial Court, Officers of 136 
 
 Trial Court, Records of, 137 
 
 Trial of Lay Members 122 
 
 Trial of Ministers 134-145 
 
 Trial, Evading a 138 
 
 Trustees of Church Property, 180 
 
 Trustees of Parsonages, 179 
 
 Trustees, Duties of 180 
 
 Trustees, How Elected 181 
 
 Trustees, Officers of 182 
 
 Trustees, Records of 183 
 
 Trustees, Report of to Quarterly Conference, 184 
 
 Witness of the Spirit. Article on ic 
 
 Widows and Orphans, Support of 74-175 
 
 Young People's Societies, 70 
 
 Young People's Societies, Managing Board, 71 
 
 Young People's Societies, Affiliation of, ... '/2