their being duly ordained ministers, and of their agreement with us in doctrine, discipline, government and usages.

73. Whenever any such minister shall be received, he shall be furnished with a certificate signed by a General Superintendent and President :--

THIS IS TO CERTIFY that received into

has been

Conference as a minister, he

having been ordained to the office of the ministry, according to the usages of the Church, of which he has been a minister; and he is hereby authorized to exercise the functions of his office in the Methodist Church so long as his life and conversation are such as become the Gospel of Christ.

Given under our hand and seal at

Of Receiving Members into the Church.

74. In order to prevent improper persons from insinuating themselves into the Church—

1. Let no one be received into the Church until such person has been at least three months on trial, and has been

recommended by the Leaders' Meeting, or, where no such meeting is held, by the Leader. Members in connection with any other body of Methodists, or other Evangelical Churches, who make application for admission into our Church, may be received by the Superintendent of the Circuit or Mission as members, without the usual term of probation.

2. Let none be admitted on trial, nor receive tickets, but those who are recommended by one you know, or until they have met three or four times in class.

3. Read the Rules to them the first time they meet.

SECTION II.

Of the Relation of Baptized Children to the Church. 75. We hold that all children, by virtue of the unconditional benefits of the atonement, are members of the kingdom of God, and, therefore, graciously entitled to baptism; but as infant baptism contemplates a course of religious instruction and discipline, it is expected of all parents or guardians who present their children for baptism, that they use all diligence in bringing them up in conformity to the Word of God; and they should be solemnly admonished of this obligation, and earnestly exhorted to faithfulness therein.

76. We regard all children who have been baptized as placed in visible covenant relation to God, and under the special care and supervision of the Church; therefore, let every Superintendent urge upon all parents in his congregation the duty and importance of presenting their children

to God in the ordinance of baptism, and keep a register of such baptisms in a Baptismal Register to be provided and kept in connection with each Circuit.

9. As soon as the children shall have attained an age sufficient to understand, let them be taught the nature, design, and obligations of their baptism, and the truths of religion necessary to make them wise unto salvation; let our Catechisms be placed in their hands, and let all who can, read and commit the same to memory; let them be encouraged to attend class, and to give regular attendance upon all the means of grace, according to their age, capacity, and religious experience. Pray earnestly for them, and talk with them at every suitable opportunity.

78. As far as practicable, it shall be the duty of every Superintendent to obtain the names of the children of his congregation, to form them into catechumen classes for the purpose of giving them religious instruction, to instruct them regularly himself, as his other duties will allow; to | appoint a suitable Leader for each class, who shall instruct them in his absence, and leave for his successor a correct list of each class, with the name of its Leader, and make returns of the same, in a separate column, to the Annual District Meeting. It is understood, however, that they shall not necessarily be included in the column headed, "Total membership of the Church."

79. Whenever a baptized child shall, by orphanage or otherwise, become deprived of Christian guardianship, the Superintendent shall ascertain and report to the Leaders' Meeting the facts in the case; and such provision shall be made for the Christian training of the child as the circumstances may admit and require.

CHAPTER IV.

MEANS OF GRACE.

SECTION I.

Public Worship.

80. For the establishment of uniformity in public wor ship among us on the Lord's day :—

1. Let the morning service consist of (1) Doxology; (2) Hymn; (3) Prayer; (4) Anthem or Hymn; (5) a Scripture lesson out of the Old, and one out of the New Testament- the minister and congregation may read a portion responsively; (6) Hymn; (7) Sermon; (8) Prayer; (9) Collection; (10) Hymn; (11) Benediction. Let one hymn or more be read, verse by verse, alternately with the singing. At the close of the service let the congregation bow their heads in silent prayer.

2. The same order shall be observed in the afternoon and evening services, except that one lesson shall suffice.

3. Let the Lord's Prayer also be used on all occasions of public worship in concluding the first prayer, the congregation being recommended to join audibly and heartily, and the Apostolic benediction in dismissing the congregation.

4. In administering the ordinances, let the form in the Discipline be used. Let our own Hymn-Book be used in all the public services.

5. Let the people be earnestly exhorted to take part in the public worship of God-first, in singing; secondly, in prayer, in the scriptural attitude of kneeling.

6. Let the Society be met, at least once a quarter, wherever it is practicable, on the Sabbath-day.

SECTION II.

The Spirit and Truth of Singing.

81. To guard against formality in singing:

1. Choose such hymns as are proper for the occasion, and do not sing too much at once; seldom more than five or six verses.

2. Let the tune be suited to the words, and do not suffer the people to sing too slowly. Exhort every person in the congregation to sing.

3. Frequently remind the people of the importance of this part of religious worship, and exhort them to "sing with the spirit and with the understanding also."

4. Recommend our tune-book; and appoint some suitable person to conduct the singing.

5. The singing and all other parts of public worship are under the control and direction of the Superintendent of the Circuit.

SECTION III.

Classes and Class Meetings.

82. Let all our members be enrolled in classes, and in order to render our Class Meetings interesting and profitable,

1. Let each Leader be careful to inquire how every soul in his Class prospers; not only how each person observes the outward rules, but how he grows in the knowledge and love of God.