merciful after their power; as they have opportunity, doing good of every possible sort, and, as far as possible, to all men:

To their bodies, of the ability which God giveth, by giving food to the hungry, by clothing the naked, by visiting or helping them that are sick or in prison:

To their souls, by instructing, reproving, or exhorting all we have any intercourse with; trampling under foot that enthusiastic doctrine, that "we are not to do good unless our hearts be free to it."

By doing good, especially to them that are of the household of faith or groaning so to be; employing them preferably to others; buying one of another; helping each other in business; and so much the more because the world will love its own and them only.

By all possible diligence and frugality, that the Gospel be not blamed.

By running with patience the race which is set before them, denying themselves, and taking up their cross daily; submitting to bear the reproach of Christ, to be as the filth and offscouring of the world; and looking that men should say all manner of evil of them falsely, for the Lord's sake.

32. It is expected of all who desire to continue in these Societies that they shall continue to evidence their desire of salvation,

Third: By attending upon all the ordinances of God; such are,

The Public Worship of God.

The Ministry of the Word, either read or expounded.

The Supper of the Lord.

Family and private Prayer.

Searching the Scriptures.

Fasting or Abstinence.

133. These are the General Rules of our Societies; all which we are taught of God to observe, even in his written Word, which is the only rule, and the sufficient rule, both of our faith and practice. And all these we know his Spirit writes on truly awakened hearts. If there be any among us who observes them not, who habitually breaks any of them, let it be known unto them who watch over that soul as they who must give an account. We will admonish him of the error of his ways. We will bear with him for a season. But if then he repent not, he hath no more place among us. We have delivered our own souls.

DIVISION III

ARTICLES OF ORGANIZATION AND

GOVERNMENT

CHAPTER I

Pastoral Charges, Quarterly and Annual Conferences ARTICLE I. Pastoral Charges

¶34. Members of the Church shall be divided into local Societies, one or more of which shall constitute a Pastoral Charge.

ARTICLE II. Quarterly Conferences

135. A Quarterly Conference shall be organized in each Pastoral Charge, and be composed of such

persons and have such powers as the General Conference may direct.

ARTICLE III. Annual Conferences

136. The Traveling Preachers shall be organized by the General Conference into Annual Conferences, the sessions of which they are required to attend.

CHAPTER II

The General Conference

ARTICLE I. How Composed

¶37. The General Conference shall be composed of Ministerial and Lay Delegates, to be chosen as hereinafter provided.

ARTICLE II. Ministerial Delegates

¶ 38, § 1. Each Annual Conference shall be entitled to at least one Ministerial Delegate. The General Conference shall not allow more than one Ministerial Delegate for every fourteen Members of an Annual Conference, nor less than one for every forty-five; but for a fraction of two thirds or more of the number fixed by the General Conference as the ratio of representation an Annual Conference shall be entitled to an additional Delegate.

§ 2. The Ministerial Delegates shall be elected by ballot by the Members of the Annual Conference at its session immediately preceding the General Conference. Such Delegates shall be Elders, at least twenty-five years of age, and shall have been Members of an Annual Conference four successive years, and at the time of their election and at the time of the session of the General Conference shall be Mem

bers of the Annual Conference which elected them, An Annual Conference may elect Reserve Delegates, not exceeding three in number, and not exceeding the number of its Delegates.

§ 3. No Minister shall be counted twice in the same year in the basis for the election of Delegates to the General Conference, nor vote in such election where he is not counted, nor vote in two Conferences in the same year on a constitutional question.

ARTICLE III, Lay Delegates

¶ 39, § 1. A Lay Electoral Conference shall be constituted quadrennially, or whenever duly called by the General Conference, within the bounds of each Annual Conference, for the purpose of electing Lay Delegates to the General Conference, and for the purpose of voting on constitutional changes. It shall be composed of lay members, one from each Pastoral Charge within its bounds, chosen by the lay members of the Charge over twenty-one years of age, in such manner as the General Conference may determine. Each Pastoral Charge shall also elect in the same manner one Reserve Delegate. Members not less than twenty-one years of age, and holding membership in the Pastoral Charges electing them, are eligible to membership in the Lay Electoral Conference.

§ 2. The Lay Electoral Conference shall assemble at the seat of the Annual Conference on the first Friday of the session immediately preceding the General Conference, unless the General Conference shall provide otherwise.

§ 3. The Lay Electoral Conference shall organize by electing a President and Secretary, shall adopt its

own Rules of Örder, and shall be the judge of the election, returns, and qualifications of its own members.

§ 4. Each Lay Electoral Conference shall be entitled to elect as many Delegates to the General Conference as there are Ministerial Delegates from the Annual Conference. A Lay Electoral Conference may elect Reserve Delegates, not exceeding three in number, and not exceeding the number of its Delegates. These elections shall be by ballot.

§ 5. Lay members twenty-five years of age, or over, holding membership in Pastoral Charges within the bounds of the Lay Electoral Conference, and having been lay members of the Church five years next preceding, shall be eligible to election to the General Conference.

Delegates-elect whỏ cease to be members of the Church within the bounds of the Lay Electoral Conference by which they were elected shall not be entitled to seats in the General Conferencé.

ARTICLE IV. Credentials

40. The Secretaries of the several Annual and Lay Electoral Conferences shall furnish certificates of election to the Delegates severally, and send a certificate of such election to the Secretary of the preceding General Conference immediately after the adjournment of said Annual or Lay Electoral Conference.

ARTICLE V. Sessions

¶ 41, § 1. The General Conference shall meet at 10 o'clock on the morning of the first secular day in the month of May, in every fourth year from the date of the first Delegated General Conference