representatives of all the annual conferences to make a quorum for transacting business.

4. One of the general superintendents shall preside in the General Conference; but in case no general superintendent be present, the General Conference shall choose a president pro tem.

5. The General Conference shall have full powers to make rules and regulations for our Church, under the following limitations and restrictions, namely

1. The General Conference shall not revoke, alter, or change our articles of religion, nor establish any new standards or rules of doctrine contrary to our present existing and established standards of doctrine.

2. They shall not allow of more than one representative for every fourteen members of the annual conference, nor allow of a less number than one for every thirty: provided, nevertheless, that when there shall be in any annual conference a fraction of two-thirds the number which shall be fixed for the ratio of representation, such annual conference shall be entitled to an additional delegate for such fraction ; and provided, also, that no conference shall be denied the privilege of two delegates. 3. They shall not change or alter any part or rule of our government, so as to do away episcopacy, or destroy the plan of our itinerant general superintendency. They shall not revoke or change the general rules of the United Societies.

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5. They shall not do away the privileges of our ministers or preachrs of trial by a committee, and of an appeal: neither shall they do away the pivileges of our members of trial before tle society, or by a committee, and of an appeal.

6. They shall not approprite the produce of the Book Concern, nor of the Charter Fund, to any purpose other than for the benefit of the travelling, supernumerary, superannuated and worn-out preachers, their wives, widows, and children. Provided, nevertheless, that upon the concurrent recommendation of three-fourths of all the members of the several Annual Conferences, who shall be present and vote on such recommendation, then a majority of two-thirds of the General Conference succeeding shall suffice to alter any of the above restrictions, excepting the first article: and also, whenever such alteration or alterations shall have been first recommended by two-thirds of the General Conference, so soon as three-fourths of the members of all the Annual Conferences shall have concurred as aforesaid, such al teration or alterations shall take effect.

SECTION III.

Of the Annual Conferences.

Quest. 1. Who shall attend the Annual Conferences ?

Answ. All the travelling preachers—both

those who are in full connexion, and those who are on trial.

Quest. 2. Who shall appoint the times of holding the Annual Conferences ?

Answ. The Bishops: but they shall allow the Annual Conferences to sit a week at least.

Quest. 3. Who shall appoint the places of holding the Annual Conferences?

Answ. Each Annual Conference shall appoint the place of its own sitting.

Quest. 4. Who shall preside at the Annual Conferences ?

Answ. The Bishop. In case no Bishop be present, a Presiding Elder, appointed by a Bishop, by letter or otherwise, shall preside. But if no appointment be made, or if the Presiding Elder appointed do not attend, the Conference shall in either of these cases elect the President by ballot, without a debate, from among the Presiding Elders.

Quest. 5. What is the method wherein we usually proceed in the Annual Conferences? Answ. We inquire,

1. What preachers are admitted on trial? ? Who remain on trial?

3 Who are admitted into full connexion? Who are the Deacons ?

5 Who have been elected and ordained Elders this year?

6. Who have located this year?

7. Who are the supernumeraries?

&. Who are the superannuated or worn-out preachers?

9. Who have been expelled from the connexion this year?

10. Who have withdrawn from the connexion this year?

11. Are all the preachers blameless in life and conversation?

12. Who have died this year?

13. What is the number of members, and what of probationers, in society?

14. What amounts are necessary for the superannuated preachers, and the widows and orphans of preachers, and to make up the deficiencies of those who have not obtained their regular allowance on the circuits?

15. What has been collected on the foregoing accounts, and how has it been applied?

16. What has been contributed for the support of Missions, what for the SundaySchool Union, what for the publicatior and circulation of tracts, and what to aid the American Bible Society?

17. Where are the preachers stationed this year?

18. Where and when shall our next Confer ence be held ?

Quest. 6. Is there any other business to be done in the Annual Conferences?

Answ. 1. The electing and ordaining of Deacons and Elders.

2. It shall be the duty of each Annual Conference to examine strictly into the state of the domestic missions within its bounds, and to allow none to remain on the list of

its missions which, in the judgment of the Conference, is able to support itself.

Quest. 7. Are there any other directions to be given concerning the Annual Conferences?

Answ. There shall be thirty-nine Conferences in the year. (See part iii. ch. 1, page 158.)

A record of the proceedings of each Annual Conference shall be kept by a Secretary, chosen for that purpose, and shall be signed by the President and Secretary; and let a copy of the said record be sent to the General Conference.

For other special duties of the Annual Conference, with reference to Missions, Sunday schools, and Tracts, see pages 190, 85, 87.

SECTION IV.

Of the Quarterly Conferences.

Quest. 1. Of whom shall the Quarterly Conferences be composed?

Answ. Of all the travelling and local preachers, exhorters, stewards, and classleaders of the circuit or station, and none else. But the male superintendents of Sunday schools, being members of our Church, shall, by virtue of their office, have a seat in the Quarterly Conference having supervision of their schools, with the right to speak and vote on questions relating to Sunday schools, and on such questions only; and the Mis