Answ. To the Quarterly Conference of the circuit or station, which shall have power to dismiss or change them at pleas

ure.

Quest. 5. What number of Stewards are necessary in each circuit?

Answ. Not less than three, nor more than nine, one of whom shall be the Recording Steward.

CHAPTER X.

THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CHURCH.

SECTION I.

Receiving Members into the Church.

Quest. 1. How shall we prevent improper persons from insinuating themselves into the Church?

Answ. 1. Let none be received into the Church until they are recommended by a leader with whom they have met at least six months on trial, and have been baptized; and shall on examination by the minister in charge, before the Church, give satisfactory assurances both of the correctness of their faith, and their willingness to observe and keep the rules of the Church. Nevertheless, if a member in good standing in any other orthodox Church shall desire to unite with us, such applicant may, by giving satisfactory answers to the usual inquiries, be received at once into full fellowship.

2. Let none be admitted on trial, except they are well recommended by one you know, or until they have met twice or thrice in class.

8. Read the rules to them the first time

they meet.

Quest. 2. How shall we be more exact in receiving and excluding members?

Answ. The official minister or preacher shall, at every quarterly meeting, read the names of those that are received into the Church, and also those that are excluded therefrom.

SECTION II.

How an accused Member is to be brought to trial.

I. FOR IMMORAL CONDUCT.

Quest. 1. How shall an accused member be brought to trial?

Answ. Before the society of which he is a member, or a select number, who shall not be members of the Quarterly Conference, (and if the preacher judge necessary, the Committee may be selected from any charge within the district,) in the presence of the Preacher in charge, who shall preside in the trial, and cause exact minutes of the evidence and proceedings in the case to be taken. In case of trial before a select number, the parties may challenge for cause. If the accused person be found guilty by the decision of a majority of the

members before whom he is brought to trial, and the crime be such as is expressly forbidden by the word of God, sufficient to exclude a person from the kingdom of grace and glory, let the Minister or Preacher who has the charge of the circuit expel him. If the accused person evade a trial, by absenting himself, after sufficient notice given him, and the circumstances of the accusation afford strong presumption of guilt, let him be esteemed as guilty, and be accordingly excluded. Witnesses from without shall not be rejected.

II. FOR NEGLECT OF DUTY, OR IMPRUDENT CONDUCT.

But in cases of neglect of duties of any kind, imprudent conduct, indulging sinful tempers or words, the buying, selling, or using intoxicating liquors as a beverage, or disobedience to the order and discipline of the Church: First, let private reproof be given by a Preacher or leader; and if there be an acknowledgment of the fault, and proper humiliation, the person may be borne with. On a second offense, the Preacher or leader may take one or two faithful friends. On a third offense, let the case be brought before the society, or a se

lect number; and if there be no sign of real humiliation, the offender must be cut off.

III. FOR DISSENSION.

1. If a member of our Church shall be clearly convicted of endeavoring to sow dissensions in any of our societies, by inveighing against either our doctrines or discipline, such person so offending shall be first reproved by the senior Minister or Preacher of his circuit, and if he persist in such pernicious practices, he shall be expelled from the Church.

2. Nevertheless, if in any of the abovementioned cases the Minister or Preacher differ in judgment from the majority of the society, or the select number, concerning the innocence or guilt of the accused person, the trial, in such case, may be referred by the Minister or Preacher to the ensuing Quarterly Conference, which shall have authority to order a new trial.

3. If there be a murmur or complaint from any excluded person, in any of the above-mentioned instances, that justice has not been done, he shall be allowed an appeal to the next Quarterly Conference: except such as absent themselves from