members of the Church, who shall, after conferring with the preachers, make an estimate of the amount necessary to furnish a comfortable support to the preacher or preachers stationed among them, taking into consideration the number and condition of the family or families of such preacher or preachers, which estimate shall be subject to the action of the Quarterly Conference, and the stewards shall provide by such methods as they may judge best to meet such amount. The traveling and moving expenses of the preachers shall not be reckoned as a part of the estimate, but be paid by the Stewards separately.

9. It shall be the duty of the Quarterly Conference of each charge within whose bounds a superannuated preacher, or the widow or child of a deceased preacher may reside, to appoint a committee, whose duty it shall be to make an estimate of the amount necessary to assist such preacher, widow, or child in obtaining a comfortable support, and such estimate shall be sent up to the Annual Conference with which the claimant may be connected, and subject to the action of said Annual Confer

ence.

Quest. 5. What is the method wherein

we usually proceed in the Quarterly Conferences?

Answ. We inquire:

1. Are there any complaints?
2. Are there any appeals?

3. Is there a written report of the number and state of the Sabbath-schools, and of the religious instruction of the children?

4. Will you have a Sabbath-school Committee?

5. What amount is estimated for the support of the pastor or pastors of this charge the present year?

6. What amount has been received for the support of the pastor or pastors the present quarter?

7. Who constitute the Missionary Committee?

8. Is there any change desired in the Board of Stewards?

9. Are there any further reports (a) from the pastor, (b) from the stewards, (c) from the trustees, (d) from committees ?

10. What amounts have been contributed (a) for Missions, (b) for Sunday-School Union, (c) for Tract Cause?

11. How many subscribers have been obtained for our periodicals?

12. Are there any recommendations for license to preach?

13. Are the Church records properly kept?

14. Who constitute the Estimating Com. mittee for the ensuing year?

15. Who is the district steward?
16. Is there any other business?

[In answer to this, at the fourth Quarterly Conference, the examination of local preachers, exhorters, and stewards, and the licensing of local preachers and exhorters, and recommendations to the Annual Conference for orders, or for admission into the traveling connection.]

N. B. 1. On circuits, the Quarterly Conference determines the place of the Quarterly Meeting, and the Presiding Elder fixes the time.

N. B. 2. Questions 10 and 11 are asked only at the fourth Quarterly Conference, and question 4 only at the first Quarterly Conference.

CHAPTER II.

THE MINISTRY.

SECTION I.

The Call and Examination of those who think they are moved by the Holy Ghost to Preach.

Quest. How shall we try those who profess to be moved by the Holy Ghost to preach?

Ans. 1. Let the following questions be asked, namely: Do they know God as a pardoning God? Have they the love of God abiding in them? Do they desire nothing but God? And are they holy in all manner of conversation?

2. Have they gifts (as well as grace) for the work? Have they (in some tolerable degree) a clear, sound understanding, a right judgment in the things of God, a just conception of salvation by faith? And has God given them any degree of utterance? Do they speak justly, readily, clearly?

3. Have they fruit? Are any truly convinced of sin, and converted to God by their preaching?

As long as these three marks concur in

any one, we believe he is called of God to preach. These we receive as sufficient

proof that he is moved by the Holy Ghost.

SECTION II.

Rules for a Preacher's Conduct. Quest. 1. What are the directions given to a Preacher?

Answ. 1. Be diligent. Never be unemployed: never be triflingly employed. Never trifle away time; neither spend any more time at any place than is strictly necessary.

2. Be serious. Let your motto be Holiness to the Lord. Avoid all lightness, jesting, and foolish talking.

3. Converse sparingly, and conduct yourself prudently with women. 1 Tim. v, 2. 4. Take no step toward marriage without first consulting with your brethren.

5. Believe evil of no one without good evidence; unless you see it done, take heed how you credit it. Put the best construction on everything. You know the judge is always supposed to be on the prisoner's side.

6. Speak evil of no one; because your word, especially, would eat as doth a canker.