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METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

"5. To oversee the spiritual and temporal business of our church.

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"6. To ordain bishops, elders, and deacons." Of the Election and Ordination of travelling Elders, and of their duty. "Quest. 1. How is an elder constituted. "Answ. By the election of a majority of the yearly conference, and by the laying on of the hands of a bishop, and some of the elders that are present.

"Quest. 2. What is the duty of a travelling elder?

"Answ. 1. To administer baptism and the Lord's supper, and to perform the office of matrimony, and all parts of divine worship.

"2. To do all the duties of a travelling preacher. "No elder that ceases to travel, without the consent of the yearly conference, certified under the hand of the president of the conference, except in case of sickness, debility, or other una voidable circumstance, shall, on any account, exercise the peculiar functions of his office, or even be allowed to preach among us; nevertheless the final determination in all such cases is with the yearly conference.

"Of the Election and Ordination of travelling Deacons, and of their duty. "Quest. 1. How is a travelling deacon constituted?

"Answ. By the election of the majority of the yearly conference, and the laying on of the hands of a bishop.

"Quest. 2. What is the duty of a travelling deacon?

"Answ. 1. To baptize, and perform the office of matrimony, in the absence of the elder.

"2. To assist the elder in administering the Lord's supper.

"3. To do all the duties of a travelling preacher, "Quest. 3. What shall be the time of probation of a travelling deacon for the office of an elder.

"Answ. Every travelling deacon shall exercise that office for two years, before he be eligible to the office of elder; except in the case of missions, when the annual conference shall have authority to elect for the elder's office sooner, if they judge it expedient.

in his district during the intervals of the conferences, and in the absence of the bishop, as the discipline directs.

"4. In the absence of a bishop, to preside in the conference; but in case there are two or more presiding elders belonging to one conference, the bishop or bishops may by letter or otherwise appoint the president; but if no appointment he made, or if the presiding elder appointed do not attend, the conference shall in either of these cases elect the president by ballot, without a debate, from among the presiding elders.

"5. To be present, as far as practicable, at all the quarterly meetings; and to call together at cach quarterly meeting, a quarterly meeting conference, consisting of all the travelling and local preachers, exhorters, stewards, and leaders of the circuit, and none else, to hear complaints, and to receive and try appeals. The quarterly meeting conference shall appoint a secretary to take down the proceedings thereof, in a book kept by one of the stewards of the circuit for that purpose.

"6. To oversee the spiritual and temporal busiress of the church in his district.

"7. To take care that every part of our discipline be enforced in his district.

"8. To attend the bishops when present in his district; and to give them, when absent, all necessary information, by letter, of the state of his district."

For the particular duties of preachers to God, to themselves and each other, as well as to the people of their charge, see Discipline, sections 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17.

Besides the travelling ministry, the Methodists have a large and useful body of ministers, whom they distinguish by the name of local preachers. These attend to secular business for a livelihood; and preach generally on Sabbath days, and occasionally, as time and opportunity will permit, on other days. The following section from the discipline will clearly show their duties, powers, and privileges:

"Of the Local Preachers. "Quest. 1. What directions shall be given concerning local preachers?

"Answ. 1. There shall be held annually in each presiding elder's district, a district conference, of "No deacon who ceases to travel without the which all the local preachers in the district, who consent of the annual conference, certified under shall have been licensed two years, shall be memthe hand of the president of the conference, ex-bers; and of which the presiding elder of the cept in case of sickness, debility, or other unavoid-district for the time being shall be president; or able circumstances, shall on any account exercise in case of his absence, the conference shall have the peculiar functions of his office, or even be authority to elect a president pro tem. allowed to preach among us: nevertheless, the be the duty of the presiding elder of each district final determination in all such cases is with the to appoint the time and place of the first conannual conference." ference, after which the presiding elder shall appoint the time, and the conference the place of its own sitting.

In addition to the above, the Methodist church recognizes an officer denominated a presiding elder, who is appointed to that office by a bishop. "Of the presiding Elders, and of their duty.

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Quest. 1. By whom are the presiding elders to be chosen?

"Answ. By the bishops. "Quest. 2. What are the duties of a presiding elder.

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Ans. 1. To travel through his appointed district.

“2. In the absence of the bishop, to take charge of all the elders, and deacons, travelling and local preachers, and exhorters in his district. "3. To change, receive, and suspend preachers

It shall

"2. The said district conference shall have authority to license proper persons to preach, and renew their license; to recommend suitable candidates to the annual conference for deacons or elders' orders, in the local connexion, for admission on trial in the travelling connexion, and to try, suspend, expel, or acquit any local preacher in the district against whom charges may be brought. Provided, that no person shall be licensed without being first recommended by the quarterly conference of the circuit or station to which he belongs; nor shall any one be licensed to preach, or recommended to the annual con

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

ference for ordination, without first being ex- "Whenever a local preacher shall remove fina amined in the district conference on the subjects of doctrine and discipline.

"3. The district conference shall take cognizance of all the local preachers in the district, and shall inquire into the gifts, labours, and usefulness of each preacher by name.

one circuit to another, he shall procure from t presiding elder of the district, or the preache having the charge of the circuit, a certificate of his official standing in the church at the time his removal, without which he shall not be ceived as a local preacher in other places.

"No preacher among us shall distil or rets? spirituous liquors, without forfeiting his offical standing."

"4. When charges are preferred against any local preacher, it shall be the duty of the preacher in charge to call a committee consisting of three or more local preachers within the station, circuit, The supreme legislative power of the chemi or district, before whom it shall be the duty of is concentrated in a general conference, which the accused to appear, and by whom he shall be composed of delegates from each annual de acquitted, or, if found guilty, be suspended until ference, who meet together on the first day of the meeting of the next district conference. And May of every fourth year. For its powers s the president of the said district conference shall, this article, ante. In addition to the pores at the commencement of the trial, appoint a secre- there enumerated, the general conference p tary, who shall take down regular minutes of the sesses an appellate jurisdiction over all mines evidence, and proceedings of the trial; which who may have appealed from the decisions of ma minutes, when read and approved, shall be signed annual conference, and the final determinate by the said president, and also by the members of all disputes that may arise on any questio of the said district conference, or by a majority of rights, which relates either to the people t of them. preachers; elects and fixes the salary of the book agents; elects the bishops, and may create any new, or divide any of the old annual coreDOS

"And in case of condemnation, the local preacher, deacon, or elder, condemned, shall be allowed an appeal to the next annual conference, To the annual conferences is committed the provided that he signify to the said district con- oversight, in subordination to the episcopal ference, his determination to appeal; in which thority, of all the preachers and people within case the said president shall lay the minutes of their respective bounds, the standing of their own the trial above-mentioned before the said annual members, the hearing of appeals of local preachers conference, at which the local preacher, deacon, and the original jurisdiction of the members of or elder, so appealing may appear and the said their own bodies, and the adoption of such mea annual conference shall judge and finally deter-sures as they may think expedient, for raising mine from the minutes of the said trial, so laid moneys to carry on the work of God. The fol lowing questions will show the powers and pri vileges, as well as the particular business of an annual conference:

before them.

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"5. A licensed local preacher shall be eligible to the office of a deacon, after he has preached for four years from the time he received a regular license, and has obtained a testimonial from the district conference to which he belongs, after proper examination, signed by the president, and countersigned by the secretary, and his character has passed in examination before, and he has obtained the approbation of the annual conference. "6. A local deacon shall be eligible to the office of an elder, after he has preached four years from the time he was ordained a deacon, and has obtained a recommendation from the district conference of which he is a member, certifying his qualifications in doctrine, discipline, talents and usefulness, and the necessity of his official services as an elder in the circuit where he resides; signed by the president, and countersigned by the secretary. He shall, if he cannot attend, send to the annual conference such recommendation, and a note certifying his belief in the doctrine and discipline of our church: the whole being examined by the annual conference, and if approved he may be ordained; provided, nevertheless, no slave-holder shall be eligible to the office of an elder or deacon, where the laws will admit of emancipation, and permit the liberated slave to enjoy freedom.

"Of the Annual Conferences. "Quest. 3. Who shall attend the yearly co ferences?

"Answ. All the travelling preachers, who are in full connexion, and those who are to be received into full connexion.

"Quest. 4. Who shall appoint the times of holding the yearly conferences? "Answ. The bishops; but they shall allow the annual conferences to sit a week at least. "Quest. 5. Who shall appoint the places of holding the annual conferences? "Answ. Each annual conference shall appoin the place of its own sitting.

"Quest. 6. What is the method wherein we usually proceed in the yearly conference?

"Answ. We inquire,

"1. What preachers are admitted on trial? "2. Who remain on trial? "3. Who are admitted into full connexion? "4. Who are the deacons ? "5. Who have been elected and ordained ders this year?

"6. Who have been elected, by the suffrages of the general conference, to exercise the eq pal office, and superintend the Methodist E copal Church in America?

"7. Who have located this year? "8. Who are the supernumeraries? "9. Who are the superannuated or wornpreachers?

7. Every local elder, deacon, and preacher shall ha. his name recorded on the journal of the quarterly meeting conference of which he is a member. And every local preacher shall have his name enrolled on a class paper, and meet in class, if the distance of his place of residence from any class be not too great; or, in neglect thereof, the district conference, if they judge it "11. Who have withdrawn from the cưỡ proper, may deprive him of his ministerial office.nexion this year?

"10. Who have been expelled from the cutnexion this year?

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

"12. Are all the preachers blameless in life | is presumed, enable the reader to form a tolerably and conversation?

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'Quest. 8. Are there any other directions to be given concerning the yearly conferences?

Answ. There shall be twelve conferences in the year. A record of the proceedings of each annual conference shall be kept by a secretary, chosen for that purpose, and shall be signed by the president and secretary: and let a copy of the said record be sent to the general conference."

Support of the Ministry.-The ministry is supported by the voluntary contributions of the people. For this purpose, a collection is made in all the classes and large congregations in the country circuits once a quarter; in the cities, in addition to the quarterly collections, a monthly, and in some cities a weekly collection is made, which is delivered into the hands of the stewards at each leaders' meeting, or at the quarterly meeting of the circuit: the stewards keep a record of all moneys collected, and the manner in which they are appropriated.

CHARACTER.

Each denomination of Christians have some peculiarity of character, by which it is distinguished from others. And the preceding outline of the Methodist Episcopal Church will, it

correct idea of its characteristic distinction. And those who have witnessed the rise and progress of the church, in the midst of a variety of reproaches and oppositions, will be ready to admit, that a remarkable zeal for the salvation of souls has distinguished the Methodist ministry from the beginning; and that this zeal, tempered with love to God and man, has evinced itself by an ex tended and persevering plan of diffusing the Gospel, by an itinerating ministry; and also by a success in the awakening and conversion of souls, scarcely to be paralleled in ecclesiastical history, since the apostolic age. These are facts known and read of all men. And no less evident has been their own personal devotion to the cause of God and to the interests of Jesus Christ.

That particular doctrine which has characterized all their preaching is, salvation by grace through faith in the atoning merits of Christ, and no less strenuously have they enforced the necessity of holiness of heart and life, or the entire sanctification of the soul and body to God. And bating somewhat for the enthusiasm of some, the ignorance and irregularity of others, perhaps it is not too much to say, that no sect of Christians have maintained a more unexceptionable character for strict adherence to the precepts of Christ.

To undertake to estimate the comparative merits of the several sects of Christians might seem invidious; and it would be equally so, to draw a general conclusion, either for or against any body of people from the conduct of a few individuals. All, however bright they may have shone, have had their spots; and it is granted without any disparagement to the character of the main body, that there have been individuals among the Methodists who have disgraced themselves and their brethren; while the great majority of both preachers and people, have evinced deep devotion to God, and an ardent attachment to truth and holiness, and have done much to advance the kingdom of Christ among men.

TABULAR VIEW

Of the Annual Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America, containing a Statement of the number of Members, White, Coloured, and Indian, and also of the Travelling Preachers, superannuated and in active service, belonging to each Conference: from the latest oficial reports.

From minutes of 1835.

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Decrease this year,

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APPENDIX, No. II.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES.

THE British colonies in America were princi- of the original number, who were stationed pally peopled by members of various sects, who Long Island, in New York, were also rel resorted to this new country, that they might pro-mended to use their exertions to erect a fourth c fess their peculiar creeds and modes of worship that district. The first meeting of this pr unmolested by civil penalties or disabilities, such Synod took place on the third Tuesday of Sep as their dissent from the established church ex- tember, 1717. posed them to in their native land. With this sacred object, the Puritans chose New England, the Quakers Pennsylvania, and the Roman Catholics Maryland. Among the original settlers were some Presbyterians, but they were too much scattered to form a single distinct congregation, and most of those in the New England colonies became connected with the congregational churches there. It was not until prelacy gained an absolute ascendency in the father-land, in the reign of Charles II., that the members of this denomination were compelled to seek a refuge from the intolerance of the dominant party. When two thousand ministers were at once ejected from their churches and livings, by the act of uniformity of 1662, a multitude of the Presbyterians at once turned their eyes to the asylum of these distant and peaceful colonies. A large number settled in what are now called the middle States, where full toleration was allowed by the sects who pre-occupied the ground. One church was also organized in the city of New York, and one in Charleston. Neither the precise period of the establishment of these churches, nor their number, can be ascertained. It is probable, that the First Presbyterian Church in PhiLadelphia is the oldest in the United States, and that the church of Snowhill, in Maryland, is nearly contemporary; it is certain that the form r had a pastor in 1701. The first Presbytery was that of Philadelphia, which was constituted in 1704, or 1705, comprehending not more than seven clergymen, with their churches, in Pennsylvania and the adjacent colonies. By the year 1716, the number of ministers attached to this Presbytery was increased, by ordination and immigration, to treble the original number, and twenty-six congregations were represented in that body. They maintained a friendly correspondence with the Congregational and Independent churches of New England, from whom they differed only in their views of ecclesiastical government, and endeavoured to excite the sympathy of their British brethren in behalf of those parts of the country which were destitute of religious instruction.

The Synod continued to be the chief judicaar of the church until 1741. Its members were very diverse in their spiritual idiosyncrasy, and th christian unity was sacrificed to their feely one portion, remarkable for fervid zeal charged by their brethren with enthusiasm w the allegation was retorted of coldness and rea ity. The orthodox, or 'old side, as the stan were termed, wished to require the proefs of th rough scholarship from candidates for the ris try, whilst the others believed that the state of the country demanded an immediate supply of poss faithful men, of good capacity, whatever were then deficiencies in theological or classical learning. Whilst this contrariety of opinion was ripens the Synod for total dissension, the celebrated Mr. Whitefield arrived in America. The now she wished to introduce this orator into their palate and to encourage his method of producing revivals of religion. The other party, viewing him is heterodox in his principles, irregular in his re try, and likely to cause injury by his case ardour, refused to countenance his preaching, A division of the Synod into two co-ordinate os was the result; and the Synod of New Yor comprising the supporters of Mr. Whitefiel both sides of the Delaware, was opened in 1744 This rupture quickened the religious entere both parties, and to that event is owing the esta lishment of the College of New Jersey, wh chartered through the exertions of the New Synd in 1746, was opened at once in Newark, and remove to the present buildings in Princeton in That was, however, the last year of the separata and the edifice may in charity be compared to t altar of Ed on the borders of Jordan-to be garded, not as a monument of dissension, bei pledge of union in a common faith-That your children may not say to our children in time come, Ye have no part in the Lord."

In May, 1758, the rival powers met at Ph delphia, and re-united under the title of the S of New York and Philadelphia. At that Car there were seventy-eight ministers, and seven pos In September, 1716, it was determined to sub-byteries; the latter being those of Philadelfi divide the existing body into independent Presby- New York, New Brunswick, Suffolk, first teries, which were to constitute a Synod, to meet second Newcastle, and Donnegal, to which w annually. A presbytery of six ministers was acsoon added those of Lewistown and Hanover cordingly directed to meet in Philadelphia; another in the next year the two presbyteries of Newcas of six, in Newcastle, Delaware; and a third of three were amalgamated. ministers, in Snowhill, Maryland. Two others In 1788, the Synod comprised sixteen pre

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PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES.

teries, and on account of the number of congregations, and the great extent of country over which they were scattered, it resolved in that year to divide itself into four Synods: that of New York and New Jersey, embracing the presbyteries of Duchess county, Suffolk, New York, and New Brunswick: the Synod of Philadelphia, including the Presbyteries of Philadelphia, Lewistown, Newcastle, Baltimore, and Carlisle; the Synod of Virginia,composed of Redstone, Hanover, Lexington, and Transylvania; and the Synod of the Carolinas, comprehending the presbyteries of Abingdon, Orange, and South Carolina. These Synods were to send delegates to a General Assembly, to be convened annually in Philadelphia.

than two thirds of the presbyteries. The doctrines set forth in the constitution are those related it the dictionary under the title CALVINISTS, which are, however, embraced with various shades of distinction and explanation by the ministers and other members of the Presbyterian church. The controversies that have arisen on some points have resulted, it is believed, mainly from a misunder standing of the phrases employed by polemics on both sides, and do not imply any essential depar ture from the great principles of the system, which happens to be called by the name of an illustrious theologist. This confession is held to be of no au thority in itself, and is considered only as a complete digest of evangelical doctrine, as delivered in the The first Assembly met in Philadelphia, on the Holy Scriptures, which it pronounces to be the 21st of May, 1789, at which time there were under only rule of faith and obedience,' asserting, that its jurisdiction one hundred and eighty-eight minis- the infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture is ters, and four hundred and nineteen churches. the Scripture itself,' and that no church judicatoThe Rev. Dr. Witherspoon, of New Jersey, whose ry ought to pretend to make laws to bind the consignature is to the Declaration of Independence, science in virtue of their own authority. The preached the opening sermon, and the Rev. Dr. fundamental principle of the government is, that Rodgers, of New York, was elected to the office of all the congregations of members of the church Moderator, or President. Among the earliest constitute, collectively, one church; that a majority measures of the assembly was a resolution to pro- should always govern, and that, to attain this as secute the plans which had originated in the pri- nearly as possible, there should be the successive mary Synod, of sending preachers to the destitute representation of the people in the sessions, presparts of the States, especially to the frontiers, and byteries, synods, and assembly. The officers of to provide for the proper education of poor young the church consist first of the clergy, who are on men designed for the ministry. The correspon- an entire parity of rank, and are named indiscridence with other churches, substantially presbyte- minately Bishops, Pastors, Ministers, Presbyters, rian, was extended; and at this time it is main- and Elders, which titles are supposed to be synotained not only with various bodies of that descrip- nymous in the New Testament. The second tion in this country, but with some of the Protest-class of officers are Ruling Elders, composed of ant churches of Europe.

In 1810 occurred the secession of the Cumberland Presbytery, which now constitutes an independent body, as is detailed under the proper head in the body of this dictionary.

laymen, elected by the members of a church from their own number, as their representatives to serve conjointly with the Minister in such parts of his spiritual duties, other than preaching, as they may be qualified to perform; and to be connected with It was mutually resolved by the General Synod him in the spiritual government of the churches of the Associate reformed Church, and the Gene- as in admitting, trying, and disciplining members ral Assembly, in the year 1821, to effect a union When elected, they are publicly ordained by the of the two churches; as they were undistinguished minister, and with him compose the session. except by name and polity. The funds of the Deacons are the third grade, and are entrusted Synod were transferred to the treasury of the As-with the care of the members who stand in need sembly, and the theological seminaries of the two churches were consolidated. The Synod comprehended five presbyteries and thirty-two ministers, nineteen of whom were in favour of, and thirteen opposed to the union: but several of the latter afterwards acceded, though some of the churches still exist under their old name and government. In the article Presbyterians, an outline is given of the arguments upon which the principles of this form of ecclesiastical government is founded, with some account of the judicatories of the national church of Scotland. The particulars of the system are detailed, in the 'Form of Government and Directory for the worship of God,' which are appended to the Confession of Faith, Larger and Shorter Catechisms, framed by the Westminster Assembly, in 1643-9, ratified by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1645, and formally adopted by the Synod of Philadelphia, in 1729. In May, 1785, after the revolution, these standards were revised, a portion of the rules better adapted to the condition of the American church, and some inconsiderable alterations made in the confession and catechisms. With these modifications, the book was adopted as the constitution of the church, subject to farther alteration by the Assembly, upon the suggestion of not less

of temporal assistance, or are entirely dependent, on account of age and infirmity, on the church for maintenance: these are chosen in the same manner as ruling elders, and in most churches are the same individuals. It would seem, however, that this practice is a departure from the strict definition of the duties of Elders and Deacons, which are in the standards treated as distinct of fices, the former being designated as rulers in spiritual affairs, whilst to the latter is specially commended the care of the poor, with a suggestion that they should manage all the temporal concerns of the church. Those Presbyterian congregations therefore which have no deacons, can scarcely be said to adhere to the primitive model of their church. The secular business of churches is now, generally, in the hands of Trustees, who are not required to be communicating members of the church. The number of elders is to be determined by the wants of each church; their office is perpetual, but the exercise of its functions may cease when the officer becomes disabled from acting; and he is liable to deposition for misconduct or heresy. Officially they are equal in rank to ministers, all being alike presbyters; the only distinction being, that some are considered more fitted for the duties of preaching and administering the ordinances,

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