mittee shall report to the Conference whether or not they deem a trial necessary. If they report a trial unnecessary, and the Conference differ in judgment from the committee, a second committee shall be appointed to inquire into the facts, and their report shall be final.

$266. Ans. 9. The committee of investigation, reporting a case for trial, shall formulate a bill of charges, and shall appoint some member of the Conference to prosecute the case. (49761788, 802.)

$267. Ans. 10. Every case to be tried shall be referred to a committee of not less than nine nor more than thirteen, who, in the presence of a Bishop or a chairman, whom the president of the Conference shall appoint, and one or more of the secretaries of the Conference, shall have full power to try the case; and their decision shall be final, save as to the right of appeal: provided, that the accused shall be allowed the right of peremptory challenge of five in a committee of thirteen and three in a committee of nine, besides the right of unlimited challenge for cause; and the validity of the cause shall be determined by the chairman of the committee. The committee shall make a written report to the Conference, and deliver to the secretary the whole record of the case, with the decision rendered. (¶¶778-792, 800, 802.)

Ques. 3. What shall be done in case of improper tempers, words, or actions?

9268. Ans. The preacher so offending shall be reprehended by his senior in office. (¶¶798, 799.) Should there be a second transgression, one, two, or three preachers are to be taken as witnesses. If then the offender be not cured, accusation shall be preferred at the next session of the Annual Conference, and he shall be dealt with as in a case of immorality. (¶¶761-788, 802.)

Ques. 4. What shall be done with preachers who disseminate, publicly or privately, doctrines contrary to our Articles of Religion?

¶269. Ans. The same process shall be observed as in case of immorality; but if the offending preacher solemnly engage not to disseminate such erroneous doctrines, in public or private, he shall be borne with till his case is laid before the next Annual Conference, which shall determine the matter. (49761-788, 802.) Ques. 5. What shall be done when a traveling preacher is complained of as being so unacceptable, inefficient, or secular as to be no longer useful in his work?

9270. Ans. 1. The Conference to which he belongs shall investigate the case in open Conference or through a committee, as the Conference may elect, and if it appear that the complaint is well founded, and if he fail to give

the Conference satisfactory assurance that he will amend, or voluntarily retire, the Conference may locate him, without his consent. (¶761.)

¶271. Ans. 2. He may defend himself before the Conference, in person or by representative; and if he be located in his absence, without having been previously notified of an intention thus to proceed against him, he may apply to the Conference at its next session to be heard in his defense, and the case shall be reconsidered. (¶761.)

Ques. 6. What shall be done when a preacher refuses to attend to the work assigned him?

¶272. Ans. He shall be liable to suspension or deposition from the ministry, unless he have the consent of the Bishop who made the appointment, or is in charge of the work; and the final determination in all such cases shall be with the Annual Conference. (¶777.)

¶273. In all the above-mentioned cases of trial and conviction, an appeal to the Committee of Appeals shall be allowed (¶800), if the condemned at the time of his condemnation, or as soon as he is officially informed thereof, signify to the president or secretary of the Conference his intention to appeal. (¶¶794, 801, 802.)

SECTION III

OF THE TRIAL OF A PROBATIONER

Question. What shall be done when a preacher on trial is accused of immorality?

¶274. Ans. He shall be accountable to the District Conference within the bounds of which he serves. The Presiding Elder shall appoint a committee of investigation, and the same course of discipline shall be pursued that is provided for a local preacher under a like accusation (¶¶695, 761-774): provided, that a preacher on trial, appointed as a student, shall be assigned to a Quarterly Conference, to which he shall be amenable for his moral character. (4797.)

SECTION IV

OF THE TRIAL OF A LOCAL PREACHER

Question 1. To whom is a local preacher amenable for his conduct?

¶275. Ans. To the District Conference of the District within which he resides. (¶¶761-795, 800, 801.) But when a local preacher is under report of immorality, he may be investigated and the case tried where the offense is alleged to have been committed, and by the authorities having jurisdiction there.

Ques. 2. What shall be done when a local preacher is accused of immorality?

¶276. Ans. 1. When a local preacher is under report of immorality, or accused thereof in writing signed by a member of our Church, the Presiding Elder shall appoint a committee of three local preachers, or, if local preachers cannot be obtained, three members of the Church, to investigate the report or accusation. (¶¶761796, 800, 801.)

¶277. Ans. 2. If this committee deem a trial necessary, it shall formulate a bill of charges and specifications, and appoint a local preacher or member of the Church to represent the Church before the committee of trial. A copy of the bill of charges and specifications shall be delivered to the accused a sufficient length of time before the trial to enable him to make necessary preparation for his defense. The committee shall notify the Presiding Elder of its finding, and he shall notify the accused. (¶¶761-796, 800, 801.)

¶278. Ans. 3. A local preacher who has been notified by the Presiding Elder of a bill of charges and specifications found against him shall not be allowed to exercise the functions of his office from the time of his notification until the case has been determined. (¶¶780

796, 800, 801.)

¶279. Ans. 4. When witnesses refuse to attend the trial, the Presiding Elder shall appoint some discreet member of the Church to take