haved dishonestly, or contracted debts without the probability of paying, let the case be disposed of according to the answer to question one of this section.

SECTION IV.

Local Preachers to have an Allowance in certain Cases.

1. Whenever a Local Preacher fills the place of a Traveling Preacher by the approbation of the Presiding Elder, he shall be paid for his time a sum proportional to the allowance of a Traveling Preacher; which sum shall be paid by the circuit at the next quarterly meeting, if the Traveling Preacher whose place he filled up were either sick or necessarily absent; or, in other cases, out of the allowance of the Traveling Preacher.

2. If a Local Preacher be distressed in his temporal circumstances on account of his service in the circuit, he may apply to the Quarterly Conference, who may give him what relief they judge proper, after the allowance of the Traveling Preachers and of their wives, and all other regular allowances, are discharged.

The Rights and Privileges of our Colored Members.

1. Our Colored Preachers and official members shall have all the privileges which are usual to others in Quarterly Conferences, where the usages of the country do not forbid it. And the Presiding Elder may hold for them a separate Quarterly Conference, when in his judgment it shall be expedient.

2. The Bishop or Presiding Elder may employ Colored Preachers to travel and preach, when their services are judged necessary. Provided, that no one shall be so employed without having been recommended by a Quarterly Conference.

3. The Bishops may call a Conference once in each year of our Colored Local Preachers, within the bounds of any one or more of our districts, for the purpose of conferring with them with respect to the wants of the work among our colored poople, and the best means to be employed in promoting its prósperity; at which Conference, the Presiding Elder within whose district, and under whose care, the colored Churches and congregations are, shall be

present.

Provided, that the holding of Baid Conference or Conferences shall be recommended by an Annual Conference, and the Bishops, upon due inquiry, shall deem it practicable and expedient.

CHAPTER IX.

OF STEWARD 8.

The Qualifications, Appointment, and Duty of the Stewards of Circuits and Stations.

Quest. 1. What are the qualifications necessary for Stewards?

Answ. Let them be men of solid piety, who both know and love the Methodist doctrine and discipline, and of good natural and acquired abilities to transact the temporal business.

Quest. 2. How are the Stewards to be appointed?

Answ. The preacher having the charge of the circuit shall have the right of nomination; but the Quarterly Conference shall confirm or reject such nomination. The Stewards so appointed shall hold office for one year, but may be reappointed in like manner from year to year.

Quest. 3. What are the duties of Stewards?

Answ. To take an exact account of all the money or other provisions collected for

the support of Preachers in the circuit or station, and apply the same as the Discipline directs; to make an accurate return of every expenditure of money, whether to the preachers, the sick, or the poor; to seek the needy and distressed in order to relieve and comfort them; to inform the Preachers of any sick or disorderly persons; to tell the preachers what they think wrong in them; to attend the quarterly meetings of their circuit, and leaders' meetings; to give advice, if asked, in planning the circuit; to attend committees for the application of money to Churches; to give counsel in matters of arbitration; provide elements for the Lord's Supper; to write circular letters to the societies in the circuit to be more liberal if need be; as also to let them know, when occasion requires, the state of the temporal concerns at the last quarterly meeting; to register the marriages and baptisms; and to be subject to the Bishops, the Presiding Elder of their district, and the Elder, Deacon, and Traveling Preachers of their circuit.

Quest. 4. To whom are the Stewards accountable for the faithful performance of their duty?