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countable for the faithful performance of their duty?

Answ. To the Quarterly Conference of the circuit or station, which shall have power to dismiss or change them at pleasure.

Quest. 5. What number of Stewards are necessary in each circuit?

Answ. Not less than three, nor more than seven, one of whom shall be the Recording Steward.

SECTION V.

Of raising Annual Supplies for the Propagation of the Gospel, making up the Allowance of the Preachers, &c.

1. Every preacher who has the charge of a circuit shall earnestly recommend to every class or society in his circuit to raise a quarterly or annual collection by voluntary contribution, or in such other way or manner as they may judge most expedient from time to time; and the moneys so collected shall be lodged with the Steward or Stewards of the circuit, to be brought or sent to the Annual Conference, with a regular account of the sums raised for this purpose in the classes or societies respectively.

2. Wherever there remains in the hands of the Stewards a surplus of the moneys raised for the use of the circuit preachers, after paying the allowance of the preachers in the circuit, let such surplus be brought or sent to the Annual Conference.

3. Every preacher who has the charge of

a circuit shall make a yearly collection, and, if expedient, a quarterly one, in every congregation where there is a probability that the people will be willing to contribute; and the money so collected shall be lodged in the hands of the Steward or Stewards, and brought or sent to the ensuing Annual Conference. To this end, he may read and enlarge upon the following hints:

"How shall we send labourers into those parts where they are most of all wanted? Many are willing to hear, but not to bear the expense. Nor can it as yet be expected of them. Stay till the word of God has touched their hearts, and then they will gladly provide for them that preach it. Does it not lie upon us, in the mean time, to supply their lack of service? To raise money out of which, from time to time, that expense may be defrayed? By this means, those who willingly offer themselves may travel through every part, whether there be societies or not, and stay wherever there is a call, without being burdensome to any. Thus may the gospel, in the life and power thereof, be spread from sea to sea. Which of you will not rejoice to throw in your mite to promote this glorious work?

"Besides this, in carrying on so large a work through the continent, there are calls for money in various ways, and we must frequently be at a considerable expense, or the work must be at a full stop. Many, too, are the occasional distresses of our preachers, or their families, which require an im

mediate supply, otherwise their hands would hang down, if they were not constrained to depart from the work.

"The money contributed will be brought to the ensuing Conference.

"Men and brethren, help! Was there ever a call like this since you first heard the gospel sound? Help to relieve your companions in the kingdom of Jesus, who are pressed above measure. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. Help to send forth able and willing labourers into your Lord's harvest: so shall ye be assistants in saving souls from death, and hiding a multitude of sins. Help to propagate the gospel of your salvation to the remotest corners of the earth, till the knowledge of our Lord shall cover the land as the waters cover the sea. So shall it appear to ourselves and all men, that we are indeed one body, united by one spirit; so shall the baptized heathens be yet again constrained to say, 'See how these Christians love one another!"

4. A public collection shall be made at every Annual and every General Conference, for the above purposes.

5. Let the annual produce of the Charter Fund, as divided among the several Conferences, be applied with the above contributions: but so as not to militate against the rules of the Charter Fund; and also the annual dividend arising from the profits of the Book Concern. Out of the moneys so collected, and brought to the respective An

nual Conferences, let the various allowances agreed upon in the second section be made up; but each Annual Conference shall have full power to determine, by a full vote of all the members present and voting, who among the superannuated and supernumerary preachers, and the widows and orphans of deceased preachers belonging to the Conference, shall be claimants on the funds of said Conference, and what amount each claimant shall receive from year to year. But in no case shall an allowance be made to any travelling preacher who has travelled

any circuit where he might, in the judgment of the Annual Conference, have obtained his full quarterage, if he had applied for it; and if at any Conference their remain a surplus after making up all such allowances, the Conference shall send such surplus forward to that Conference they judge to be the most necessitous.

6. Every Annual Conference has full liberty to adopt and recommend such plans and rules as to them may appear necessary the more effectually to raise supplies for the respective allowances. Each Annual Conference is authorized to raise a fund, if they judge it proper, subject to its own control, and under such regulations as their wisdom may direct, for the relief of the distressed travelling, superannuated, and supernumerary preachers, their wives, widows, and children, as also for missionary purposes.

7: shall be the duty of each Annual Conference to take measures, from year to

year, to raise moneys in every circuit and station within its bounds, for the relief of its necessitous superannuated and supernumerary ministers, widows, and orphans. And the Conference shall annually appoint a committee to estimate the several sums necessary to be allowed for the extra expenses. of such necessitous claimants, who shall be paid in proportion to the estimates made and the moneys in hand.

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8. To defray the expenses of the delegates composing the General Conference, a collection shall be taken up in each circuit and station some time previously to the sitting of the Conference, and the sums so collected shall be brought up to the General Conference, and applied to the object herein contemplated in proportion to the expenses of the several delegates.

SECTION VI.

Of Building and Renting Houses for the Use of the Travelling Preachers.

Quest. What advice or direction shall be given concerning the building or renting of dwelling-houses for the use of the married travelling preachers?

Answ. 1. It is recommended by the General Conference to the travelling preachers, to advise our friends in general to purchase a lot of ground in each circuit, and to build a preacher's house thereon, and to furnish it with, at least, heavy furniture, and to