tion, and to report the same to his Annual Conference according to the form published by the Sunday-School Union of the Methodist Episcopal Church, together with the amount raised for the support of missions, and for the publication of Bibles and tracts.

20. To take an annual collection in each of his appointments in behalf of the Sunday-School Union.

21. To raise a yearly subscription in those circuits that can bear it, for building churches, and paying the debts of those which have been already erected.

22. To choose a committee of lay members to make a just application of the money where it is most wanted.

Quest. 2. What other directions shall we give him?

Answ. Several.

i. To take a regular catalogue of the societies in towns and cities, as they live in the streets.

2. To leave his successor a particular account of the circuit, including an account of the subscribers for our periodicals.

3. To see that every band-leader have the rules of the bands.

4. To enforce vigorously, but calmly, all the rules of the society.

5. As soon as there are four men or women believers in any place, to put them into a band.

6. To suffer no love-feast to last above an hour and a half.

7. To warn all from time to time, that

none are to remove from one circuit to another, without a note of recommendation from the preacher of the circuit in these words:"A. B., the bearer, has been an acceptable member of the Methodist Episcopal Church." And to inform them that, without such a certificate, they will not be received into the Church in other places.

8. To recommend everywhere decency and cleanliness.

9. To read the rules of the society, with the aid of the other preachers, once a year in every congregation, and once a quarter in every society.

10. The preacher who has the charge of a circuit shall appoint prayer meetings whereever he can in his circuit.

11. Wherever it is practicable, he shall so arrange the appointments as to give the local preachers regular and systematic employment on the Sabbath.

12. He shall take care that a fast be held in every society in his circuit, on the Friday preceding every quarterly meeting: and that a memorandum of it be written on all the class papers.

13. To license such persons as he may judge proper to officiate as exhorters in the Church, provided no person shall be so licensed without the consent of the leaders' meeting, or of the class of which he is a member, where no leaders' meeting is held; and the exhorters so authorized shall be subject to the annual examination of character in the Quarterly Conference, and have their

license annually renewed by the Presiding Elder, or the preacher having the charge, if approved by the Quarterly Conference.

N. B. The preachers who have the oversight of circuits are required to execute all our rules fully and strenuously against all frauds, and particularly against dishonest insolvencies; suffering none to remain in our Church on any account who are found guilty of any fraud.

For the mode of procedure in case of insolvency of members, and in settling disputes, &c., as to the payment of debts or otherwise, see part i, chapter ix, section 4, quest. 2, 3, pages 100-102.

Quest. 3. What can be done to supply the circuits during the sittings of the Conferences?

Answ. 1. Let all the appointments stand according to the plan of the circuit.

2. Engage as many local preachers and exhorters as will supply them; and let them be paid for their time in proportion to the allowance of the travelling preachers.

3. If preachers and exhorters cannot attend, let some person of ability be appointed in every society, to sing, pray, and read one of Mr. Wesley's sermons.

4. But if that cannot be done, let there be prayer meetings.

SECTION XII.

Of the Matter and Manner of Preaching.

Quest. 1. What is the best general method of preaching?

Answ. 1. To convince: 2. To offer Christ: 3. To invite: 4. To build up: And to do this in some measure in every sermon. Quest. 2. What is the most effectual way of preaching Christ?

Answ. The most effectual way of preaching Christ is, to preach him in all his offices; and to declare his law, as well as his gospel, both to believers and unbelievers. Let us strongly and closely insist upon inward and outward holiness in all its branches.

SECTION XIII.

Rules by which we should continue, or desist from, Preaching at any Place.

Quest. 1. Is it advisable for us to preach in as many places as we can, without forming any societies?

Answ. By no means. We have made the trial in various places; and that for a considerable time. But all the seed has fallen by the way-side. There is scarce any fruit remaining.

Quest. 2. Where should we endeavour to preach most?

Answ. 1. Where there is the greatest number of quiet and willing hearers.

2. Where there is most fruit.

Quest. 3. Ought we not diligently to observe in what places God is pleased at any time to pour out his Spirit more abundantly?

Answ. We ought: and at that time to send more labourers than usual into that part of the harvest.

SECTION XIV.

Of Visiting from House to House, Guarding against those things that are so common to Professors, and Enforcing Practical Religion.

Quest. 1. How can we further assist those under our care?

Answ. By instructing them at their own houses. What unspeakable need is there of this! The world says, "The Methodists are no better than other people." This is not true in the general: but, 1. Personal religion, either toward God or man, is too superficial among us. We can but just touch on a few particulars. How little faith is there How little communion with among us! God, how little living in heaven, walking in eternity, deadness to every creature! How much love of the world! Desire of pleasure, of ease, of getting money! How little brotherly love! What continual judging one another! What gossipping, evil-speaking, tale-bearing! What want of moral honesty! To instance only one particular;