provisions of the Discipline, under support of Ministers as relate to the financial duties of the stewards. ST 294, 297-300. The Board shall keep a record of its proceedings, and send the same to the fourth Quarterly Conference for approval. CHAPTER IX LEADERS AND STEWARDS' MEETING 104. The Pastor shall, as often as practicable, hold a meeting of all the Leaders and Stewards of the Charge, to be denominated the Leaders and Stewards' Meeting, in order to inquire, 1. Are there any sick? 2. Are there any requiring temporal relief? 3. Are there any who walk disorderly and will not be reproved? 4. Are there any who willfully neglect the means of grace? 4. Are any changes to be made in the classes? 6. Are there any persons to be recommended for admission into the Church? 7. Are there any to be recommended for License to exhort or preach? 8. What amount has been received for the support of the Pastor or Pastors? 9. Is there any miscellaneous business? I. QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK II. MINISTERS AND ANNUAL CONFERENCES III. DEACONS IV. ELDERS V. PASTORS VI. SUPERNUMERARY MINISTERS VII. SUPERANNUATED MINISTERS VIII. DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENTS IX. MISSIONARY BISHOPS X. BISHOPS XI. SUPERANNUATED BISHOPS CHAPTER I QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK I. Call to Preach ¶ 105. In order that we may try those persons who profess to be moved by the Holy Ghost to preach, let the following questions be asked, namely: § 1. Do they know God as a pardoning God? Have they the love of God abiding in them? Do they desire nothing but God? 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? Has God given them any degree of utterance? Do they speak justly, readily, clearly? § 3. Have any been truly convinced of sin and converted to God, and are believers edified, by their preaching? § 4. As long as these marks concur in anyone, we believe he is called of God to preach. These we receive as sufficient proof that he is moved by the Holy Ghost. II. Rules for Preacher's Conduct ¶ 106. Rule 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. ¶ 107. Rule 2. Be serious. Let your motto be, "Holiness to the Lord." Avoid all lightness, jesting, and foolish talking. ¶ 108. Rule 3. Converse sparingly and conduct yourself prudently with women (1 Tim. 5. 2). ¶ 109. Rule 4. 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. ¶ 110. 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 come to the person concerned. ¶ 111. Rule 6. Tell everyone under your care what you think wrong in his conduct and temper, and that lovingly and plainly, as soon as may be; else it will fester in your heart. Make all haste to cast the fire out of your bosom. ¶ 112. Rule 7. Avoid all affectation. A Preacher of the Gospel is the servant of all. ¶ 113. Rule 8. Be ashamed of nothing but sin. ¶ 114. Rule 9. Be punctual. Do everything exactly at the time. And do not mend our rules, but keep them; not for wrath, but for conscience' sake. 115. Rule 10. You have nothing to do but to save souls; therefore spend and be spent in this work; and go always not only to those that want you, but to those that want you most. Observe! it is not your business only to preach so many times, and to take care of this or that Society, |