Resolved, That the editing of the Discipline shall be a part of the ANDOVER-HARVARD A69,224 DAVID G. DOWNEY, Editor ASSISTED BY BISHOP LUTHER B. WILSON AND EDMUND M. MILLS Copyright, 1920, by New York EPISCOPAL ADDRESS To the Members of the Methodist DEARLY BELOVED BRETHREN: It is our privilege and duty to recommend to you this volume, which contains the DOCTRINES and DISCIPLINE of the Methodist Episcopal Church, which we believe are agreeable to the Word of God. Although the Word of God is the only sufficient rule of faith and practice, the Church, in the liberty given to it by the Lord, and following the example of other churches, ancient and modern, has modified its Discipline from time to time in order more fully to secure the end for which it was founded. We believe that God's design in raising up the Methodist Episcopal Church in America was to aid in evangelizing the continent and "to spread scriptural holiness over these lands." Evidently God's blessing has been with us, and we have seen an extraordinary work extending throughout all the United States and Territories and throughout the British possessions in North America; also the planting of successful Missions in South America and Mexico. The Methodist Episcopal Church, in its organic form and spiritual power, has been established in Africa, Asia, and Europe, where God has given to it great prosperity. During the period in which this work has been extending, the Church has revised its legislation to meet the demands created by its own activities and by the conditions of the different peoples among whom it strives to build up the Kingdom of God. The peculiar Constitution and Administrative Rules of our Church, to which its success is largely due, deserve careful study. The Itinerant Ministry, the subpastorate through Classes, the Episcopacy, the District Superintendency, the Conferences in their gradation, the Local Ministry, the Judicial Administration, the Interdependence of Ministry and Laity, with the well-defined duties. and rights of each, are severally parts of a system which can be truly valued, profitably used, or wisely modified only by those who through loving and faithful study have become familiar with it. Therefore this volume should be found in the home of every member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; and the more so because it contains the Doctrines maintained, in part or in whole, by every Evangelical Church. The Order of Worship herein set forth (¶72) we commend to your scrupulous observance. In substance it has been received from our Fathers, and has been approved by the judgment of the Church. If uniformly observed, it will continue to be both a token and a bond of unity throughout our widespread communion. We remain your affectionate Brethren and Pastors: EARL CRANSTON, JOHN W. HAMILTON, WILLIAM F. MCDOWELL, EDWIN H. HUGHES, FRANK M. BRISTOL, BISHOPS FRANCIS W. WARNE, MISSIONARY BISHOPS JAMES M. THOBURN, |