CHAPTER XXXII.

I. SUPPORT OF PASTORS

1. Every minister, who by the rules and usages of the Church is a claimant on its funds, shall, as far as practicable, have his claim estimated by those who are to pay it, or by an agent authorized to act for them.

2. The salary and traveling expenses of preachers on circuits and stations shall be estimated by their respective Boards of Stewards.

3. The Stewards shall report to each Church meeting the whole amount to be raised, and that part of it which each congregation is expected to pay. The Church Conference shall adopt its own method of raising this money.

II. SUPPORT OF PRESIDING ELDERS

1. The salary and traveling expenses of Presiding Elders shall be estimated by the Joint Board of Finance.

2. The Joint Board of Finance shall apportion the amount allowed among the different pastoral charges of the District, whose Boards of Stewards shall add the sum, thus apportioned, to the amounts agreed on to be raised for their preachers, and its collection shall be provided for in the same way.

III. SUPPORT OF BISHOPS

The Bishops shall be supported according to the following plan:

1. The allowance of the Bishops for salary and traveling expenses shall be estimated by the Committee on Finance of the General Conference and the sum thus allowed shall be paid out of the General Fund by the Book Agent.

2. The Book Agent shall pay each Bishop one fourth of the sum allowed per annum, quarterly, according to the provision in the Financial Plan.

3. The Bishops who shall have been placed on the retired list, shall be paid the sum of six hundred ($600.00) dollars per annum, to be paid quarterly as other Bishops.

4. Those Bishops who are unable to do full work shall be paid the same amount and in the same way as those who are efficient and actively engaged in the work.

5. In case of the death of a retired Bishop, the remainder of his allowance for that year shall be paid to his widow.

6. The Book Agent shall pay to the widows of deceased Bishops twenty ($20.00) dollars per month, to be paid quarterly as long as she remains a widow in good standing in the C. M. E. Church. If she should die before her children, they shall receive the same allowance until they become fourteen years of age.

IV. SUPPORT OF THOSE NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

All officers appointed by the General Conference, and not otherwise provided for by law, shall have their salaries fixed by the Joint Board of Finance of the Conference of which they are members, or within the bounds of which the work assigned them by the General Conference lies; and be paid from the proceeds of their office, or by such other means as the Conference may devise.

CHAPTER XXXIII.
CHURCHES AND PARSONAGES

I. CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS

Any church or churches in any Annual Conference of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America, shall have the right to establish an OLD FOLKS' Home, ORPHAN ASYLUM, HOSPITAL, or other charitable institutions in conformity to the laws of the State or Territory in which they are located. The Trustees of all such institutions shall be members of the Colored M. E. Church, and shall have authority to found, maintain and operate such institutions in the name of the C. M. E. Church in America.

II. BUILDING CHURCHES

Ques. Is anything advisable in regard to building churches?

Ans. 1. Let all our churches be plain and decent, and with free seats, as far as practicable; and they shall in no wise be used for political purposes or assemblages.

2. In order more effectually to prevent our people from contracting debts which they are not able to discharge, it shall be the duty of the Quarterly Conference of every circuit and station where it is contemplated to build a house of worship to secure the ground or lot on which such house or houses are to be built, according to our deed of settlement, which deed must be legally executed; and also said Quarterly Conference shall appoint a judicious committee of at least three members of our church, who shall form an estimate of the amount necessary to build; and three-fourths of the money, according to such estimate, shall be secured or subscribed before any such building shall be commenced.

3. In all cases where debts for building houses of worship have been or may be incurred contrary to, or in disregard of, the above recommendation, our members and friends are requested to discountenance by declining pecuniary aid to all agents who shall travel abroad beyond their own circuits or districts for the collection of funds for the discharge of such debts, except in such peculiar cases as may be approved by an Annual Conference.

4. In future, we will admit no charter, deed, or conveyance for any house of worship to be used by us, unless it be provided in such charter, deed, or conveyance, that the Trustees of said house shall at all times permit such ministers and preachers, belonging to the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America, as shall from time to time be duly authorized by the General Conference of our Church, or by the Annual Conferences, to preach and expound God's holy Word, and to execute the Discipline of the Church, and to administer the sacraments therein, according to the true meaning and purport of our deed of settlement.

III. BUILDING PARSONAGES

Ques. What advice or direction is given concerning the building of dwelling houses for the use of the married traveling preachers?

Ans. 1. It is recommended to our friends in general, to purchase a lot of ground in each pastoral charge, and to build a preacher's house thereon, and to furnish it with at least heavy furniture, and to settle the same on trustees appointed by the Quarterly Conference, according to our deed of settlement.

2. It shall be the duty of the Presiding Elders and preachers to use their influence to carry the above rules respecting building houses, for the accommodation of preachers and their families, into effect. In order to do this, each Quarterly Conference shall appoint a committee, (unless other measures have been adopted), who, with the advice and aid of the preachers and Presiding Elder, shall devise such means as may seem fit to raise money for that purpose. And it is recommended to the Annual Conferences to make a special inquiry of their members respecting this part of their duty.

CHAPTER XXXIV.
SECURING, SELLING, OR TRANSFERRING CHURCH PROPERTY.

1. SECURING CHURCHES AND PARSONAGES

Ques. What shall be done for the security of our preaching houses and parsonages, and other Church property, and the premises belonging thereto?

Ans. 1. Each Annual Conference is authorized to make such modification in the deeds as they may find the different usages and customs of law require in the different States and Territories, so as to secure the property firmly by deed, and permanently in fee simple, to the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America; but in all conveyances of ground for the building of houses of worship, or upon which they may have been already built, let the following clause be inserted at the proper place: "In trust, that said premises shall be used, kept, maintained, and disposed of as a place of Divine Worship for the use of the ministry and membership of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America; subject to the Discipline, usage, and ministerial appointments of said Church, as from time to time authorized and declared by the General Conference of said Church, and the Annual Conference within whose bounds the said premises are situated."

2. Likewise, in all conveyances of ground for the building of dwelling houses for the use of the preachers, or upon which they may have been already built, let the following clause be inserted at the proper place: "In trust, that said premises shall be held, kept, and maintained and disposed of as a place of residence for the use and occupancy of the preachers of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America, who may from time to time be appointed in said place; subject to the usage and Discipline of said Church, as from time to time authorized and declared by the General Conference of said Church, and by the Annual Conference within whose bounds the said premises are situated."

II. DIVISION, TRANSFER, OR SALE OF CHURCH PROPERTY

1. When any circuit, station, or mission shall be divided into two or more charges, each separate charge may constitute a new Board or Boards of Trustees; and the Church property held by the Trustees of the original charge shall be conveyed to the new Boards thus created, and the former Board or Boards shall be freed from all pecuniary liabilities, such being transferred to the new Boards respectively.

2. The Trustees, with the consent of the preacher in charge and the Quarterly Conference, shall have power to sell any church or parsonage property, which has gone out of use or should be removed to another place, the proceeds of which shall be under the direction of the Quarterly Conference.

3. If the said Trustees, or any of them, or their successors, have advanced, or shall advance, any sum or sums of money, or shall be responsible for any sum or sums of money, on account of Church property, and they, the said Trustees, or their successors, be obliged to pay the said sum or sums of money, they, or a majority of them, shall be authorized to raise the said sum or sums of money by a mortgage on the said property, or by selling the said property, after notice given to the preacher in charge, or the Presiding Elder of the District, if the money due be not paid to the said Trustees, or their successors, within one year after such notice has been given; provided, that in no case shall any such trustees sell or mortgage any Church property unless they are authorized by the Quarterly Conference, the Presiding Elder being present in person. Any sale or mortgage made without the authority of the Quarterly Conference is hereby declared NULL and VOID; and if such sale takes place, the said Trustees, or their successors, after paying the debt and other expenses which are due from the money arising from such sale, shall pay over the remainder of the money produced by the said sale to the Steward, or Stewards, of the circuit, station, or mission; which surplus of the produce of said sale shall be forwarded by the said Steward, or Stewards, to the Quarterly Conference within whose bounds it is situated, at its next session; which said Quarterly Conference shall dispose of the said money, by a vote of the majority for the use of the said circuit, station or mission.

PART VIII.
BOARDS AND DEPARTMENTS
FINANCIAL PLAN

CHAPTER XXXV.
FINANCIAL PLAN

Article I. (1) The General Funds of the Colored M. E. Church in America shall be one hundred thousand ($100,000) dollars per annum; provided, the assessment in any Conference or charge shall not exceed 50c per capita.

2. Said amount shall be divided as follows:

(a) Bishops' salary25 per cent
(b) Education22 per cent
(c) General Missions22 per cent
(d) Publishing Int.10 per cent
(e) Building Fund5 per cent
(f) Conf. Claimants10 per cent
(g) Contingent Fund6 per cent

Article II. (1) There shall be a Board of Equalization consisting of one Bishop, the Book Agent, and the Auditing Committee.

2. The Board of Equalization shall apportion to each Annual Conference according to its numerical strength, its pro rata of the General Assessment.

3. The Joint Board of Finance of each Annual Conference shall apportion, and adjust the same in and to all the charges according to the number of ministers and members reported in the first Annual Conference after the General Conference. Such assessment must stand unchanged for four years.

Art. III. (1) The General Funds shall be collected quarterly by the pastor in charge, and paid to the Presiding Elder each quarterly visit.

2. The Presiding Elder shall forward the amount collected from the several charges in his district quarterly to the Agent, and take his receipt for the same. The receipt for each quarterly remittance shall be kept by the Presiding Elder and turned over to the Joint Board of Finance at the Annual Conference.

3. The Joint Board of Finance shall forward the receipts with the balance of the money, that may be reported in the Annual Conference to the Book Agent and take his receipt for the whole amount of General Funds paid by said Conference during the year.

Art. IV. (1) The salary and traveling expenses of the Bishops shall be two thousand two hundred and fifty ($2250.00) dollars each per annum, one fourth of which shall be paid quarterly.

2. The salary of retired Bishops shall be six hundred ($600) dollars each per annum, one fourth of which shall be paid quarterly.

3. The allowance to widows of deceased Bishops shall be two hundred and forty ($240.00) dollars each per annum.

Art. V. The Book Agent shall receive all the General Funds, and shall keep an itemized account of the same. He shall report to the Publishing Board annually, the amount received from each Annual Conference in the connection; and to the General Conference, the whole amount received during the quadrennium.

Art. VI. The eight-four (84) per cent. of the General Funds handled by the Book Agent shall be apportioned by him according to the following plan.

(a) The Bishops shall be paid quarterly, each$562.50
(b) The retired Bishops shall be paid quarterly, each150.00

2. Should a sufficient amount not be realized from the 25 per cent. collected quarterly to enable the active Bishops to travel through their Episcopal Fields, the Agent shall draw on the whole amount of General Funds, to make up the deficiency.

3. The twenty-two per cent. collected under the provision of Article I for Missions shall be paid to the Book Agent who shall turn over 50 per cent of the above amount to the Secretary of Missions to be used for Missions and missionaries on the fields.

Art. VII. (1) All money raised for Education under the provision of Article I shall be apportioned to the Institutions of learning, recognized by the General Conference and Board of Education.

2. The Annual Conference, within whose bounds said money is raised, shall have the right to designate the school to which its money shall be paid.

3. Every Annual Conference shall have the right to direct that one half of its money be held by the Secretary for Education of a minister, or ministers on trial, and to designate the school to be attended by said minister, or ministers; provided, however that the student be required to return three-fourths at least of said money used for his expenses to the school—one fourth each year until the full amount shall have been paid.

4. No one shall be recommended to our schools to be supported by the conference unless it be proven that he is unable to pay his own expenses.

5. A student recommended for support to secure an education, shall give his personal note to the conference covering the amount to be received by him before he enters school.

6. The Joint Board of Finance shall send a statement to the Agent, naming the school to which its money shall be paid.

7. Money for Education from the General Funds shall go to the Secretary of Education. The Book Agent shall send 50 per cent. of this amount in quarterly installments, and the remainder shall be turned over after the annual meeting of the Publishing Board.

Art. VIII. (1) The ten per cent. collected under provision of Article II for Publishing Fund shall be retained by the Agent, subject to the order of the Publishing Board.

2. The Publishing Board, after paying the salaries of the Book Agent, Editor of the Christian Index, Editor of the Eastern and Western Index, shall use the balance of the money in purchasing ground, erecting buildings, and, in any other way necessary for the advancement of Publishing Interests.

3. The five per cent. raised for building fund shall be retained by the Agent for said purposes.

Art. IX. Should there be a surplus accruing from the twenty-five per cent., for Bishops' salary, it shall be kept as a contingent fund on Bishops' salary.

Art. X. (1) The ten per cent. collected under Article I for Conference Claimants shall be forwarded by the Joint Board of Finance to the Secretary of the Department for Superannuated Preachers, widows and orphans of preachers, to be applied according to the constitution of said department.

2. The six per cent. for Annual Conference Contingent Fund shall be retained by the Joint Board of Finance to be used as the Conference may direct.

Art. XI. It is the duty of every pastor to raise the full assessment, laid against his charge by the Joint Board of Finance. The Presiding Elder shall use his influence to help raise the same.

Art. XII. All laws in conflict with the above plan are hereby repealed.

CHAPTER XXXVI.
THE JOINT BOARD OF FINANCE

1. Each Annual Conference shall have a Joint Board of Finance, appointed by the President of the Conference, (unless otherwise ordered,) at the close of its annual session, to hold their office until the close of the next ensuing Annual Conference session.

2. Said Board shall consist of one clerical member of the Conference and one layman for each Presiding Elder's District. They shall elect their own Chairman and Secretary, and the Board shall fill all vacancies that may occur in the body; provided, they do so by keeping up an equal number of clerical and lay members.

3. It shall be the duty of the Joint Board of Finance—

(a) To receive all moneys collected as Annual Conference collections or otherwise, and to forward the amount collected for superannuated preachers, widows, and orphans to the Secretary of that fund.

(b) To estimate the amount necessary to meet the claims of the superannuated preachers, widows, and orphans of preachers, and send a list of these claimants to the Secretary of that department, together with the number of years each superannuate has served in the active itinerant ministry and the age of each child.

(c) To adjust and apportion the General and Contingent Funds in and to all the charges of the Annual Conference, according to the number of ministers and members reported at each session of the Conference.

(d) To fix the salary and traveling expenses of Presiding Elders and apportion the same in and to the several charges within the District.

(e) To decide all issues that may arise between stewards and Presiding Elders, or between stewards and preachers in charge, with regard to salary. The decision of the Joint Board shall be final, but in no case, shall any preacher hold a claim against any charge after his removal.

(f) To carefully consider and report to the conference upon all financial interests referred to it. All financial matters of the conference shall be referred to this Board.

(g) To make a full report of all its proceedings to the conference, which shall have power to amend, approve, or re-commit.

4. The Recording Steward of each circuit or station shall report to the Joint Board of Finance a full account of the transactions of the Board of Stewards of the preceding year.

5. Each Annual Conference shall adopt its own method of raising money for its legal claimants and its own expenses, provided such methods are in harmony with the General laws and do not interfere with the rights of the church conference to adopt its own method of raising money to meet its expenses.

CHAPTER XXXVII.
THE PUBLISHING DEPARTMENT

Art. 1. (1) There shall be and is a Publishing Department of the C. M. E. Church in America.

2. The Publishing House shall be located in Nashville, Tenn.

3. The Publishing Department was established for the object and purpose of spreading the Christian religion by the publication, sale and dissemination of moral and religious literature, the promotion of Christian education, and for publishing books, book-making, book selling and for the transaction of such other business as is legitimately connected with a Publishing Department.

4. This department shall publish weekly the Christian Index, as the Official Organ of the church, and shall supervise the publication of the Eastern Index and the Western Index, which shall also be published weekly. Subscription to the Christian Index shall be $1.50 per year; of the Eastern Index and the Western Index, $1.00 each, per year.

5. The interests of the Publishing Department and the publication of the Christian Index shall be under the management of the Book Agent, who, with the Editor, shall be elected by the General Conference.

6. The editors of the Eastern Index and Western Index shall be elected by the General Conference and shall co-operate with the Agent in furthering the interests of the Publishing House.

Article II. (1) The Publishing Board shall have general supervision and direction of all the publishing interests of the church.

2. The officers of the Board shall be a chairman, who shall be one of the Bishops of the Church, a secretary and such other officers as may be necessary.

3. The annual meeting of the Publishing Board shall be held on the first Wednesday in May of each year, or at such other times and places as the Board may appoint or as the chairman may direct. At all meetings of the Board, a majority shall, constitute a quorum.

4. The Publishing Board shall keep a correct record of all its proceedings and shall examine carefully into the affairs of the Publishing Department.

Article III. (1) There shall be an Auditing Committee elected by the General Conference consisting of three members, one of whom shall be a layman, and two clerical (members), who shall live in proximity to the Publishing Department. The auditors shall meet annually, at least a week before the regular meeting of the Board, to audit the accounts of the Agent, inspect the entire business of the Publishing Department, and to see that all complaints about the management of the Book House in neglecting to fill orders for publications, including the Index are properly adjusted. The expenses of said committee shall be borne by the Publishing Department.

2. The General Conference shall elect quadrennially a Book Agent who under the direction of the Publishing Board, shall have authority to regulate the production and distribution of our publications and to conduct the affairs of the Publishing Department.

3. It shall be the duty of the Book Agent to publish, purchase, sell and distribute such books, periodicals and publications as are authorized by the General Conference or the Publishing Board.

4. The Book Agent shall keep the account of the Publishing Department by such uniform system as he may think best or as directed by the Auditing Committee.

5. The Book Agent shall receive all General Funds, keep an itemized account of the same, and report to the Publishing Board the whole amount of General Funds received from each Annual Conference, and finally at the General Conference report all moneys received during the quadrennium.

6. He shall pay the Bishops their salaries and traveling expenses quarterly, and shall give his entire time to promote the success of the Publishing Department and faithfully perform all duties which properly belong to his office.

Article V. (1) The editor of the Christian Index shall faithfully perform all duties which properly belong to the editorial office and co-operate with the Agent in doing whatever he can to build up the interests of the Publishing Department.

2. The salary of the Book Agent shall be fifteen hundred ($1500.00) dollars per annum and the salary of the editor of the Christian Index shall be fifteen hundred ($1500.00) dollars per annum.

3. The editors of the Eastern and Western Index shall receive $600 per annum each to be applied to publication of the respective papers and in part payment on salary. They shall serve a charge for balance of support.

3. The Publishing Board by a two-third vote shall have power to suspend the Agent or Editor for immoral conduct or inefficiency in office during the interval of the General Conference. In such cases, if an investigation is found necessary, the accused shall be given due notice, and one of the Bishops shall be appointed to preside at the investigation. If the accused shall be judged guilty, he shall be suspended from office, and the Annual Conference to which he belongs shall proceed to try him as provided by the book of Discipline.

Article VI. (1) The proceeds of the Publishing House after a sufficient amount with which to carry on its affairs has been retained, shall be regularly applied to the benefit of the traveling, supernumerary and retired preachers, their widows and children.

2. All laws in conflict with this constitution are hereby repealed.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.
THE GENERAL MISSIONARY DEPARTMENT.

Art. 1. There shall be a Mission Board of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, chartered according to the laws of the State of Tennessee. The Mission Board shall have general supervision of all Missionary operations of the church.

Art. 2. The members of this Board shall be a Bishop, who shall be President, the Secretary of Missions, and one representative from each Episcopal District. The Secretary of Missions and the members from Episcopal Districts, shall be elected by the General Conference.

Art. 3. The Mission Board shall regulate its own operations, appropriate money for its expenses, provide for Missions not provided for by Annual Conferences, and contribute to the support of preachers in Mission Fields. It shall assist in building houses of worship, provide such literature as may be necessary for the advancement of the work and co-operate with other Methodist Bodies in similar work, whenever it may be necessary and mutually agreeable.

Art. 4. (1) The revenue of the Mission Board shall be derived from collections on General Missionary Day, Sunday Schools, Epworth Leagues, Sunday School Conventions, District and Annual Conferences, collections taken by the Secretary and the Bishops, 50 per cent. of the Mission money accruing from the General Funds, and 20 per cent. of all money raised by the Missionary Societies of Annual Conferences.

2. Twenty per cent. of all money raised by the Annual Conference Board of Missions, shall be directed to the Secretary of Missions and his receipt taken for same. The Bishops shall present the receipt of the Secretary with their reports, to the Mission Board.

Art. 5. (1) The Second Sunday in August of each year shall be General Missionary Day. This day shall be strictly observed by all Presiding Elders, pastors and congregations throughout the connection. Presiding Elders and pastors will preach at one service, on the subject of Missions, and may provide a program bearing on the same subject for another service. Care and study shall be given to teach the people the place and importance of Missionary work in the church.

2. Each member of the church is requested to pay five cents for Missions on General Missionary Day, and each congregation will be expected to report a sum equal to five cents per capita at the Annual Conference.

3. Each pastor will forward the amount raised on General Missionary Day at once to his Presiding Elder, and the Presiding Elder will remit the same at once to the Secretary of Missions and take his receipt, which receipt will be counted in the settlement of the District at the Annual Conference.

Art. VI. (1) The Secretary shall be a minister of the Gospel, but may be a member of any Annual Conference. He shall keep a permanent record of the operations of the Department, publish a synopsis of his work quarterly in one of the papers of the church, attend to all legal business relating to the work, travel throughout the church in interest of the work, and report annually, to the Board, or as often as they deem it necessary.

2. The Secretary of Missions shall devise plans and co-operate with all Annual Conference Missionaries in holding such institutes, conventions, and Missionary Meetings, as will advance the interest of the church. In all cases, the Missionary Department shall share in the money raised by such devices and meetings.

3. The Secretary shall distribute literature for all Missionaries throughout the Church, which literature, shall be uniform.

4. The Secretary of Missions is authorized to organize Missionary Societies wherever he finds it necessary, and to publish a Missionary paper, monthly, provided, it shall not cost the church more than $200 per annum.

5. The salary and traveling expenses of the Secretary shall be $1500 per annum, to be paid quarterly by the Book Agent from the Mission fund.

Art. 7. The Bishops shall report annually to the Mission Board, the number of Missionaries employed, the amount of support allowed each, the number of Missions established, the number of members, and the cost of maintaining each point. Their reports shall be written and shall embrace a statement of the condition and prospect of each Mission.

Art. 8. The funds of the Mission Board shall be deposited in bank in the name of the Board of Missions of the C. M. E. Church, subject to checks drawn by the Secretary and signed by the President.

Art. 9. Any Annual or District Conference, church, Sunday School, Epworth League Chapter, or individual, may assume in part or in whole, the support of a Missionary, Mission, or Mission School, which may be established or approved by the Mission Board, provided, that in all cases, the money be sent to the Mission Board For application.

Art. 10. Presiding Elders shall see that each pastor organize a Missionary Society or Societies, in his charge encourage the idea and spirit of Missions among the people, see that each society is supplied with literature, and preach a sermon on Missions in every charge in his District at least once a year.

Art. 11. The Mission Board shall form an auditing committee from its own membership, which committee shall audit the books of the Secretary and see that they are properly kept.

Art. 12. All laws in conflict herewith, are repealed.

CHAPTER XXXIX.
WOMAN'S MISSIONARY BOARD

Art. 1. This Society shall be known as the Woman's Home Missionary Society of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America.

Art. II. The object of this Society shall be to enlist the members of our Church in the work of giving aid to mission points and mission preachers in all our conferences; to help to build parsonages and suitable houses of worship; to foster the cause of religious instruction among the neglected poor, and to otherwise aid the cause of the blessed Master.

Art. III. This Society shall be controlled by the Annual Conference in whose bounds it may operate, which shall elect its own officers and regulate its own affairs, provided it does not interfere with any of the work that may be planned by the Mission Board.

Art. IV. The officers of the Woman's Home Missionary Society shall be elected annually, and shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary-Treasurer, and five managers, who shall be an Executive Board for the Annual Conference, controlling all the missions that may be under the supervision of the Annual Conference.

Art. V. The funds of the Society shall be derived from membership fees, mite boxes, contributions, card devices, donations, and such other means as may be adopted by the Annual Conference.

Art. VI. Each Annual Conference shall have full control of all money that may be raised by the Woman's Home Missionary Society, and shall retain the same to be used as the Conference may see fit.

Art. VII. The Annual Conference Boards shall arrange constitutions and by-laws governing the Woman's Home Missionary Society within their bounds, and shall also arrange for Juvenile Societies to be formed among the children, and they shall send a report of their work each year to the Secretary of Missions for publication.

Art. VIII. There shall be held in each District a Missionary Convention of the Woman's Home Missionary Society, which shall be under the supervision of the Presiding Elder, and composed of the preachers in charge of circuits, stations and missions, and one representative from each society formed in the District. The time for holding this Convention shall be fixed by the Presiding Elder, and the place by the Convention.

CHAPTER XL.
THE CHURCH EXTENSION DEPARTMENT

Art. I. There shall be a Board of Church Extension of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America, which shall be conducted as a body corporate under such laws and regulations as the General Conference may, from time to time, adopt.

Art. II (1) The Board shall consist of a Bishop, who shall be President, a Vice-President, the General Secretary, a Treasurer, and nine managers, who shall be elected by the General Conference. All Bishops, except the President, shall be ex-officio members of the Board.

2. The Board shall meet annually. Seven members shall constitute a quorum.

3. The location or headquarters of the Board shall be fixed by the General Conference at Louisville, Ky.

4. The Board shall have authority to fill all vacancies which may occur in the interval of the General Conference, regulate its own proceedings, appropriate money to meet its own expenses, determine what amount may be donated or loaned to each applicant, and do such other business as may be regular and legitimate, provided however, that no money shall be appropriated in the general work for other purposes than purchasing and securing church lots and securing or erecting church buildings, paying the General Secretary, and meeting such other expenses as are necessary to carry on the work of the Board.

Art. III. (1) There shall be an Executive Committee to consist of five members. The members of this committee shall be appointed by the Board of Church Extension.

2. The Executive Committee shall meet quarterly, unless otherwise ordered by the Board. Three members shall constitute a quorum.

3. It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to carry out the instructions of the Board given them from time to time.

Art. IV. (1) The General Secretary shall be a minister of the Gospel, but may be a member of any Annual Conference.

2. He shall be subject to the authority and control of the Board and shall conduct the correspondence under its direction.

3. He shall have access to all conferences and congregations of the connection, and be permitted to take collections in any and all of them for the Department.

4. He shall make a quarterly report to the Executive Committee of all moneys received and paid out, and to whom; this report to be signed by the President and Treasurer of the Board.

5. He shall, when called upon, go to any part of the church, in order to help Presiding Elders and pastors buy lands and build suitable churches and parsonages thereon.

6. In every case where the General Secretary helps a mission, circuit, or station, in raising money, one half of the money raised must be given to the mission, circuit, or station, and the other half must go to the Department, but, where a mission has no lot, upon which to build, it shall retain and use all money raised, but shall give a note for one half of this amount to the General Secretary, said note to be paid in one to seven years.

7. The General Secretary shall receive for salary $1500 per annum and whatever the Board of Church Extension may allow for traveling expenses.

Art. V. (1) The revenue of the Board shall be derived from an assessment of 5c per capita on the membership of the Church, special collections by the Secretary and Bishops, devices of the Secretary, and gifts and bequests.

2. In all cases, the moneys raised by the General Secretary shall be sent to the Treasurer of the Board, who shall in turn, pay out money on the order of the President and Secretary of the Board, provided the order shall be in accord with the action of the Board.

3. The General Secretary shall not charge more than 6 per cent. interest on money loaned any church; he may, wherever conditions require, and ability permits, charge less.

4. All orders for money on the Treasurer of the Board shall be signed by the President and Secretary of said Board, and, in the absence of the President, by the Vice-President.

Art. VI. (1) The Church Extension Board shall have authority to negotiate loans, furnish security for the payment of same, and to foreclose any mortgage and secure the property in fee simple to this Department, provided, that in no case, shall any fore-closure dispossess a congregation of the rightful use of the property. In case the membership should abandon the use of any property by moving away or joining other churches, both the title and possession of such property shall revert to the Board.

2. In no case, shall any loan be made on church property unless it is secured by a first mortgage.

Art. VII. All applications for aid shall set forth:

1. A description of the building for which aid is asked.

2. An estimate on probable cost to complete building.

3. Amount of cash and reliable subscription on hand.

4. The nature of the title, its validity, and whether held in trust for the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America.

5. The name of the Board of Trustees.

6. Number of church members, number of Sunday School scholars, and population of the town or city.

7. The leading industry of the town or city.

8. Any additional information that may be deemed necessary or useful to the Board.

Art. VIII. (1) Each Annual Conference shall organize a conference Board of Church Extension, which shall be auxiliary to the parent board. It shall have charge of all the interests and work of Church Extension within its conference. The Secretary and Treasurer of each Annual Conference Board shall make a report to the parent board at such times, and subject to such rules and regulations as may be provided by the parent board; shall forward all moneys raised by said board to the General Secretary without delay, but may retain 25 per cent. to be used within the bounds of said Annual Conference.

2. No one shall be authorized to organize any local auxiliary at any time.

Art. IX. (1) Presiding Elders shall call for a report of Church Extension from each charge in the District Conference, which report shall be recorded as a part of the business of the District Conference.

2. They shall bring the interests of Church Extension prominently before their Quarterly Conferences, and collect at least one fourth of the 5c per capita assessment from each charge and forward same quarterly to the General Secretary.

Art. X. The books of the Church Extension Department shall be kept open for inspection by any member of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church.

Art. XI. These laws may be amended at any session of the General Conference.

CHAPTER XLI.
THE EPWORTH LEAGUE SOCIETY

Art. I. There shall be and is an Epworth League Society of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church.

Art. II. The object of the Epworth League Society shall be to promote piety and loyalty in the young people and friends of the church; to bring into deeper sympathy, closer union, and mutual co-operation, the three stages of life, youth, middle, and old age; to stimulate the study of the Holy Scriptures; to deepen and intensify the desire for purity of heart, consecration of life, and growth in grace, and to train its members for true service to Christ and the Church.

Art. III. (1) The Epworth League Society shall consist of four general departments; The General Conference Chapter, the Annual Conference Chapter, the District Conference Chapter, and the Local Chapter.

2. Each Chapter shall have seven departmental sections or committees as follows: (1) Devotional or Spiritual; (2) Literary and Social; (3) Mercy and Help; (4) Correspondence; (5) Missions and Care for the Aged; (6) Finance; and, (7) Music.

Art. IV. (1) The General Conference Chapter shall have a Board composed of one Bishop, who shall be President, a General Secretary, who shall be fourth vice-president, and six other members, all elected by the General Conference.

2. The Epworth League Board shall hold its meetings annually at such time and place as the President may determine. It shall hear, audit, and pass on the report of the Secretary, select proper literature for use in all the Leagues, supervise and direct the work of the Secretary, and see that the Department meets the object of its organization, as set forth in Article II.

Art. V. (1) Each Annual and District Conference and Local Chapter shall have its president and a vice-president for each department. All officers shall be elected annually.

2. Each vice-president of Annual and District Conferences and Local Chapters, shall choose three (3) persons, who, with the vice-president, shall constitute an Executive Committee of his Department.

3. Officers of the Local Chapters shall be nominated by the League, and confirmed by the Quarterly Conference.

4. Annual Conference Chapters shall meet annually, separate and apart from the Annual Conference at such time as may be appointed by the Conference President, and at such place as the League may choose. The President shall notify the General Secretary of the time and place of such meeting.

5. District Chapters shall meet once a year, at such time and place as the Presiding Elder may select. The District Conference Chapter shall be composed of representatives of each Local League in the District.

6. Local Chapters should meet weekly, or as often as circumstances will permit, and shall be under the supervision of the pastor, who shall organize a chapter or chapters in his charge, and see that they are conducted in accordance with the "Guide."

7. A City League Chapter may be organized in any town or city where two or more local leagues exist. This League shall meet quarterly. The President of the League of the first church shall conduct these meetings in the same manner as meetings of Local Leagues.

Art. VI. (1) The Secretary, who may be a preacher or a layman, shall be elected by ballot by the General Conference for a term of four years.

2. He shall have supervision of the Annual and District Conference, and Local Chapters, shall conduct the correspondence of the Department, and travel throughout the Church in interest of the League. He shall keep a record of the Annual and District Conference and Local Chapters, with the number of members and work accomplished by each.

3. He shall report annually, to the Board the general state and condition of the League, the number of members and the amount of money received from each Annual Conference, and by special efforts, and quadrennially, to the General Conference.

4. The salary and traveling expenses of the General Secretary shall be $1500 annually, to be paid out of the revenue of the Department.

Art VII. (1) The revenue of the Department shall be derived from one half of the money raised by conference leagues, $1.00 from each pastoral charge or League Chapter to be paid by pastor at the Annual Conference, and from the activities of the Secretary on the field.

2. Each member of the Annual Conference League shall pay 25c at its Annual meeting, the same to be applied to the revenue of the General Department.

Art. VIII. All Presiding Elders, pastors, local preachers, and officers of Local Chapters shall be members of the Annual Conference League.

Art. IX. The business of the League shall be conducted in accordance with the Epworth League "Guide."

CHAPTER XLII.
THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

Art. 1. The educational operations of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church shall be conducted under the following provisions and regulations.

Art. 2. There shall be a Board of Education of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church to be known as the "General Conference Board of Education," to consist of nine members including a Bishop and the Secretary of Education, one from each Episcopal District, the Bishop and the Secretary being at large.

Art. 3. (1) This Board shall have an advisory relation to the schools of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, shall devise ways and means to aid our institutions, shall receive and disburse such funds as shall be committed to it from time to time. It shall serve as a Board of Reference or Arbitration, and when necessary may take measures to protect the property interests of our Educational Institutions. It shall seek to promote general, industrial, theological and Bible training, and it shall seek to promote the cause of Education throughout the church by collecting and publishing statistics by giving counsel with regard to the location and organization of our educational institutions. It shall also serve as a general agency for communications between teachers desiring employment and institutions needing their service.

2. The further objects of this Board shall be (1) to recommend institutions for connectional relations; (2) to classify the Educational Institutions of the Church; (3) to decide upon uniform entrance requirements for College and Normal courses in our Institutions; (4) to decide upon a uniform course of study for our College work as to credits required for meritorious degrees; (5) to assist in raising endowment funds and holding Educational rallies and mass meetings in large centers; (6) to prorate equitably money coming to the Board; (7) to work in every way practical to advance the cause of Education for our Church; (8) to promote Correspondence courses and Ministerial Preparation.

Art. 4. (1) The General Conference Board of Education shall meet annually at such time and place as it may appoint, and in special session when called by the President upon request of the Secretary of Education or when requested in writing by five members. Five members shall constitute a quorum for a regular and four members for a call meeting.

2. The members of the Board shall be elected by the General Conference upon nomination by the Committee on Education. The term of office shall be four years, but they "hold over" until their successors are duly elected. Vacancies occurring in the Board in the interval of the General Conference shall be filled by the Board and such member or members shall serve until the General Conference shall fill the place.

Art. 5. The work of the Board of Education shall be conducted under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the General Conference from time to time. The operations of the Board shall be conducted under charter secured by the Board according to the laws of the State of ———. The Board shall have authority to receive and apply donations, devices, bequests, to own, buy and sell real estate, to do all other things provided for in said charter, or subject to and under the provisions of the charter under which said Board shall operate.

2. The Board shall have authority to regulate its own proceedings, to provide quarters for the work of the Secretary of Education and such necessary aid as the Board shall deem advisable. The Board shall further have the authority to fix and pay the salary of a Director of a Correspondence School whenever Funds may be given to the Board to do such work; to determine annually what schools and educational enterprises shall receive aid; to appropriate money for necessary expense of maintaining the office; provided, however, that no appropriation shall be made for building except from funds contributed for that purpose, to secure and distribute aid to students preparing for the mission field or for providing aid to needy students especially the children of our itinerant preachers.

Art. 6. The Board shall have authority to raise an Endowment and Loan Fund. These shall be separate funds raised for general distribution. The Board shall have the authority to receive and hold in trust for the C. M. E. Church any real or personal property and to sell and convey same for uses and objects herein declared. Only the interest on this fund (except when the donor directs otherwise) shall be used, the principal remaining as a permanent fund.

Art. 7. The Board shall gather statistics and other educational and religious information and shall prepare, publish and distribute pamphlets and leaflets suitable to advance the cause of Christian education in our homes and schools among our people.

Art. 8. The Secretary of Education who shall be elected by the General Conference at the time of electing the other general officers for a term of four years, shall be the executive officer of the Board of Education. He shall, as corresponding secretary of the Board, receive all moneys and turn same over to the treasurer of the Board. The salary of the Secretary of Education shall be fixed by the General Conference at fifteen hundred dollars, which shall be paid out of the General Education money monthly.

All moneys of public and special collections by the Secretary shall be placed in the treasury and his traveling expenses shall be paid on his order to the treasurer.

Art. 9. The revenue of the Board of Education shall be from the education money out of the General Fund, 80 per cent. of which shall be forwarded by the Book Agent to the Secretary of Education as collected quarterly; from special collections by the Secretary of Education, the Bishops and others; and from gifts, devices, bequests and appropriations from other Boards. The Secretary of Education shall be bonded in the sum of $3,000.

Art. 10. It shall be the duty of each Annual Conference to organize within its bounds an Annual Conference Board of Education which shall have charge of all educational work within its bounds, literary and religious. The Annual Conference Board shall be auxiliary to the General Conference Board of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church; they shall conduct their work in harmony with the educational policy of the church as set forth in this constitution and other acts of the General Conference; they shall co-operate with the Board of Education in promoting both general and local educational work. The Annual Conference Board of Education shall provide for an Educational Anniversary during the Annual Conference session and shall co-operate with the Secretary of Education in providing a suitable program for such meetings. This Annual Conference Board shall hold at least one meeting annually for the consideration and promotion within the bounds of the Annual Conference of the general and local interests of literary and religious education.

Art. 11. The Board may establish a teachers' Bureau for the purpose of bringing graduates of our Church institutions and other competent persons desiring to teach into communication with institutions seeking teachers.

Art. 12. There shall be a Commission on Educational standards, of six practical educators appointed with the Secretary of Education to arrange and protect the standards of our Church institutions. They shall prescribe the minimum requirements to be demanded in the several courses given in our schools. The Commission shall carefully work out a plan for the classification of our schools and shall report within one year to the Board of Education, its work. It shall then be the duty of the General Conference Board of Education through its Secretary to inspect the financial condition and equipment, the amount and quality of work done in all educational institutions, of the church, to classify them as Grammar School, High School, Academy, Junior College, College, Theological Seminary according to the relation of its equipment and the work done by it to the standards established by the commission on education. The Commission on Educational Standards shall be elected by the General Conference on nomination by the Bishops and Secretary of Education.

Art. 13. The Board shall meet immediately after its election upon call of the Corresponding Secretary of Education and elect a President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary and Treasurer.

Art. 14. All laws and parts of laws in our Discipline in conflict with this enactment are hereby repealed.

CHAPTER XLIII.
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL DEPARTMENT

In order to perfect Bible knowledge for the moral and religious training of the children of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America; the General Conference of the C. M. E. Church directs that there shall be a Sunday School Department which shall be under the general supervision of a General Sunday School Board, to be authorized by the General Conference, whose chief officer shall be that of Editor, and said department shall be located in the Publishing House, wherever settled, etc.

1. The Sunday School Department shall include all of the Sunday-schools in the C. M. E. Church, and shall be subject to such rules and regulations as The General Sunday School Board and the General Conference may from time to time direct.

2. The purpose of said Department shall be to educate our young people in all of the phases of Sunday School training and service, to give course and impetus to a systematic study of the Holy Bible, and to supply the Sunday Schools with the proper literature including Catechisms and tracts, and to assist needy Sunday Schools whenever practical.

3. The General Conference shall elect an Editor for the Sunday School Department, whose term of office shall be four years, and until his successor is elected. The Editor shall be the executive officer of the Sunday School Department, and shall edit all Sunday School literature comprising Lessons, Leaves, Books, Tracts, Magazines, Lithographs and etc. It shall be the duty of the Editor to approve or disapprove of whatever Sunday School helps that may be suggested by the General Sunday School Board for use in our Sunday Schools.

4. His salary shall be fixed by the General Sunday School Board per annum plus his necessary traveling expenses. The General Sunday School Board shall fix a salary or wage for a stenographer, or other necessary help of the Department.

5. The Editor shall render an annual report to the General Sunday School Board, and an annual report to each Annual Conference in the connection as to the amount of literature used, and number of Sunday Schools using the Sunday School supplies of our own Church, within its bounds, and a quadrennial report to the General Conference.

6. The Editor of the Sunday School Department shall be amenable for his official conduct to the General Sunday School Board and to the General Conference who shall have right and power for cause sufficient to them to remove him from office; the General Board having the right to suspend and to fill the vacancy until the ensuing General Conference.

7. All of the Sunday Schools of the C. M. E. Church shall be under the management of the Sunday School Department, the regulations of which shall be as follows: There shall be a Sunday School Board in every Annual Conference and District Conference, and District Sunday School Convention, and Quarterly Conference. It shall be the duty of the Annual Conference Sunday School Board to inquire into the reports read by the pastors, as to the kind and amount of literature each Sunday School uses, and to make full reports to the Annual Conference in session on our Sunday School work, with the recommendations. This report must be printed annually in the Minutes.

As in the order above, the District Conference and District Sunday School Convention shall confine their reports and recommendations to the Sunday School work of the District. The Quarterly Conference Sunday School Board shall be composed of the pastor and superintendents, officers and teachers of a station, circuit or mission; whose duty shall be to extend the circulation and influence of our Sunday School literature into every possible local precinct, and to make report with recommendation of the progress of Sunday School work, to the quarterly conference and church conference and to the district conference and Sunday School Convention. A Sunday School Board, like a committee, may consist of from three to forty-nine.

8. An Annual Conference Sunday School Board shall be appointed by the Presiding Bishop and shall continue their work for four years. All of the district and quarterly conference Boards shall be affected and reorganized by the appointments of a Presiding Elder and pastor.

9. It shall also be the duty of the Sunday School Editor to assist the Book Agent by supplying our Sunday Schools (including needy schools) with our own literature. Suggested order of business for a local Sunday School Board.

(a) Devotion.

(b) Reading Minutes of previous meeting.

(c) Unfinished business.

(d) Report and recommendation of Superintendent.

(e) Treasurer's report.

(f) Librarian's report.

(g) New business.

CHAPTER XLIV.
SUPERANNUATED PREACHERS,' WIDOWS,' AND ORPHANS' FUND.

Art. I. (1) There shall be and is a department known as the Superannuated Preachers,' Widows,' and Orphans' Fund of the Colored M. E. Church.

2. The object of this department is to provide a fund for Superannuated Preachers, Widows and Orphans of deceased preachers.

3. This department shall be under the management of a Board of Directors consisting of a Bishop, the Secretary-treasurer and five ministers elected by the General Conference.

4. The Board of Directors shall meet annually at such time and place as the President of the Board shall determine.

5. The Board of Directors shall supervise the work of the department, hear and audit the report of the Secretary-Treasurer, and co-operate with him in every possible way to build up the department.

Art. II. (1) The Secretary-Treasurer shall receive all moneys of this department and give his receipt for the same. He shall keep an accurate account of all moneys received and paid out to claimants by Annual Conferences. He shall report annually to the Board of Directors and quadrennially to the General Conference.

2. He shall keep a record of the Superannuated preachers, widows and orphans in each Annual Conference, showing the time each superannuate has served in the active ministry, the number and age of the orphans of each minister's family, and the time served in active work by every minister, whose widow is a claimant on this fund.

3. He shall pay claims only on the recommendation of the Annual Conference, endorsed by the Presiding Bishop and the President of the Joint Board of Finance.

4. He shall make settlement with all claimants on or about January 1st of each year in order to get reports from all conferences.

5. The Secretary-Treasurer is authorized to devise plans to raise money to meet payments when it becomes necessary.

6. The Secretary-Treasurer shall furnish such bond as the Board of Directors may deem necessary for protection of the funds of the department. He shall receive for salary $1200 per annum.

7. The books of the department shall be open for inspection at any time on request of the Board.

Art. III. (1) The funds of this department shall accrue from the 10 per cent. of the General Funds for Superannuated preachers, widows and orphans, from a per capita of one dollar on all active preachers and laymen of every Annual Conference and from plans and devices of the Secretary-Treasurer.

2. Should there be an insufficient amount in the treasury to pay the minimum pension, the Secretary-Treasurer shall notify the Board and, in case they cannot make provision to raise the shortage, he shall pay each claimant in proportion to the amount of his pension.

Art. IV. (1) Superannuated preachers who have served in the itinerancy for ten or more years, shall receive a pension of not more than $250.00 nor less than $150.00.

2. Superannuated preachers who have served in the itinerancy from five to ten years, shall receive a pension of not more than $150, nor less than $100.

3. Superannuated preachers who have served from one to five years in the itinerancy shall receive not more than $100, nor less than $65.

Art. V. (1) The widow of an itinerant or superannuated preacher with children, under fourteen years of age, shall receive the same pension as her husband until the children are fourteen years old.

2. The widow of an active or superannuated preacher without children shall receive one half the pension allowed her husband so long as she remains in good standing in the C. M. E. Church.

3. When the father and mother of children under fifteen years of age die, the children shall receive the same pension allowed widows under section 2.

Art. VI. The Bishop presiding shall appoint a representative in each Annual Conference, who shall collect and send to the Secretary-Treasurer, the following items:

(1) The name of each Superannuated preacher, his age and term of active service in the ministry.

(2) Name of each widow, number and age of children; time the husband of each widow served in the active service.

(3) Name and age of children whose father and mother are dead; time father served in active ministry.

(4) The name, time of service, name of widow, and number of children of each preacher whose death is reported at each session of the Annual Conference.

CHAPTER XLV.
MISCELLANEOUS

CHILDREN'S DAY.

Ques. What directions are given concerning Children's Day?

Ans. 1. There shall be held annually throughout the Church, a day to be known as Children's Day.

2. The exercises of this day shall consist of appropriate services held in all our congregations for the especial benefit of the children.

3. The first collection at every service on that day shall be for the cause of education.

4. Each Annual Conference shall decide as to which of the recognized connectional schools the money raised for education on this day shall be appropriated.

5. Each Annual Conference shall reserve the right to fix its Children's Day.

II. GENERAL MISSIONARY DAY

The second Sunday in August of each year shall be observed in every pastoral charge throughout the connection as General Missionary Day. On said day the congregation should be asked to make an offering for the extension of our Church. Presiding Elders and pastors in charge should put forth every effort to make this day a success.

III. OFFICIAL OR LEADERS' MEETING

Ques. 1. What directions are given concerning Official or Leaders' Meetings?

Ans. 1. They shall be held weekly in every pastoral charge wherever practicable.

2. The Official Meeting shall be composed of the pastor in charge, all the Stewards, Class-leaders and Local Preachers of the circuits, stations or mission, over which the pastor or some one appointed by him shall preside.

3. The following shall be the general order of business:

(a) Are there any sick?

(b) Are there any who require temporal relief?

(c) Are there any who walk disorderly and will not be reproved?

(d) Are there any who wilfully neglect the means of grace?

(e) Are there any to be recommended for license to exhort?

(f) What amount has been raised for the pastor in charge?

(g) What amount has been raised for the Presiding Elder?

(h) Is there any other business?

IV. THE WESTERN INDEX

1. The Western Index shall be published weekly at such place as the Editor and a special committee may determine. The subscription price shall be one ($1.00) dollar per annum. The Editor shall be elected by the General Conference, and the special committee shall be composed of one member selected by each Annual Conference West of the Mississippi River.

2. The paper shall be under the management of the General Committee or Publishing Interest and the Editor.

3. The Editor shall serve an appointment, and the General Committee shall supplement the salary received from such appointment by paying him six hundred ($600.00) dollars per annum.

4. All expenses incurred in running the Western Index shall be paid out of subscriptions to, and advertisements in, the paper.

5. The Editor shall keep an account of the receipts and expenditures of the paper and report the same to the General Committee. He shall purchase no property nor printing presses unless authorized by the General Committee in its regular meeting. Any such contract or obligation made without authority of the Committee shall be on the Editor's personal responsibility, and the Committee shall in no case be responsible for any such obligation.

V. THE EASTERN INDEX

The Eastern Index shall be under similar management and subject to the same rules and regulations as the Western Index.

CHAPTER XLVI.
SCHOOLS, COLLEGES OR UNIVERSITIES

1. The General Conference or any Annual Conference or Conferences of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America shall have the right to establish and maintain, Schools, Colleges or Universities for educational purposes, which shall at all times be under control and subject to the Discipline, usage and ministerial appointments of this Church as now exist, or as from time to time authorized and declared by said General, or Annual Conference or Conferences, providing no additional schools, colleges or university shall be created without the consent of the Educational Board after June first, 1914.

2. The Schools, Colleges or Universities established, or maintained by the General, or Annual Conference or Conferences of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America shall be managed, operated or conducted by a Board of Trustees of which the Bishop of this Church in charge of the Annual Conference in whose bounds the same is located shall be President; which Board shall consist of not less than three nor more than ————; who shall be ministers of the Gospel or laymen of this Church in good standing and who shall, at all times, be amenable to and subject to removal by the General, Annual Conference or Conferences appointing them; said Trustees to be elected and held in accordance with the laws of the State or Territory in which the School, College or University, for which they were elected, is located in case of such laws, but if none then in accordance with such rules as may be prescribed by the General or Annual Conference, or Conferences appointing them.

3. The Trustees of any school, college or university may, or shall, when authorized or directed by the General, or Annual Conference or Conferences of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America establishing or maintaining the same or appointing them, incorporate under the laws of the State or Territory in which it may be located, such corporation, however, to be under control of said Church and the Trustees thereof, of either, officers to be elected, to be appointed or elected by the General or Annual Conference in whose bounds any school or college is located. The President to be subject or amenable thereto at all times and may be removed by the same at any time.

4. The Board of Trustees, of which the Bishop in charge of the Annual Conference is located is President, shall appoint or elect such officers and teachers for same as are necessary and proper and as are usually had by like institutions, such officers, however, to be subject to rejection or removal by the General or Annual Conference or Conferences, establishing or maintaining such Schools, Colleges or Universities.

5. The Board of Trustees of which the Bishop in charge of the Annual Conference in which any school, college or university is located shall be President, conducting or operating any school, college or university established or maintained by the General or Annual Conference or Conferences of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America shall make all necessary and proper rules and regulations for governing the same, subject, however, to the rejection or revision of such General or Annual Conference or Conferences at any time, and may grant diplomas to students thereof who have pursued the prescribed course of study and confer degrees of every nature as are usually conferred by like institutions.

6. The Board of Trustees may acquire by purchase or gift, necessary land and erect necessary buildings thereon and purchase the necessary equipment for any School, College or University, operated by them for the General or Annual Conference or Conferences, and to this end contract indebtedness and borrow money and pledge or mortgage any property held by them for the use of or benefit of the General Conference or Annual Conference or Conferences establishing and maintaining such, provided, however, that no property held by said trustees, shall be pledged or mortgaged without the indorsement in writing on the instrument pledging or mortgaging the same, of the Bishop in charge of the Annual Conference in whose bounds such School, College or University is located, which shall be witnessed or acknowledged by him in accordance with the law of the State or Territory in which said property is located.

7. The Trustees of any School, College, or University established or maintained by the General, Annual Conference or Conferences of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America may acquire by purchase and hold, or receive by gift or bequest and hold real, mixed or personal property and hold in action for the use and benefit of said Church for educational purposes in connection with and for the benefits of such School, College, or University as an endowment or for any legitimate purposes of the same.

8. All deeds of conveyance or any property conveyed for the General or Annual Conference or Conferences of the Colored Methodist Church in America for educational purposes shall have the following clause inserted in the proper place "In trust that said premises shall be used, kept, maintained and disposed of for educational purposes for the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America; subject to the usage, and ministerial appointments of said Church, as from time to time authorized and declared by the General Conference of said Church and the Annual Conference or Conferences operating and maintaining such school, College or University."

9. The Trustees of any property belonging to any school, College or University of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America, with the consent of any Bishop of this Church in charge of the Annual Conference in whose bounds such property is located, which is to be indorsed upon the deed of conveyance in writing and acknowledged as deeds are acknowledged in the State or Territory in which such property is located shall have power to sell or dispose of the same when it is no longer necessary for such purposes or when it is deemed best or expedient but shall hold and use the proceeds thereof for such School, College or University, or of the General or Annual Conference or Conferences establishing or maintaining the same to be turned over to such whenever directed.

10. The Treasurer or Custodian of any money or negotiable instruments belonging to any School, College or University operated or maintained by the General Conference or Annual Conference or Conferences shall be required by the Trustees thereof to give adequate bond for the faithful performance of his duties as such and for the proper accounting for and deliverance or payment to the persons authorized to be paid by said Trustees of all such money or negotiable instruments so held.

11. All Schools, Colleges or Universities established, or which are now being maintained and operated, by the General Conference or any Annual Conference or Conferences of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church in America and all property held for the use and benefit of, or subject to the Discipline, usage and ministerial appointments of said Church, come under the operation hereof and shall be governed hereby and the Trustees thereof shall have all the authority and powers herein conferred, except where the same may be restricted, by law, or by Charter, or by instrument conveying property so as to prevent this chapter from becoming effective, and all Trustees of such, wherever it can reasonably be done are hereby directed, required, authorized and empowered to take such steps and adopt such measure as is necessary to bring into effect this Chapter.

CHAPTER XLVII.
FOUNDERS DAY

Be it resolved, first, That we set apart the Sunday nearest the sixteenth of September each year, as Founder's Day, to be observed in the Sunday-schools, Epworth Leagues, and by the Pastors and Congregations throughout the Connection.

Second, That programs be arranged and suitable services held in every charge throughout the connection. In every service effort should be directed to acquaint the public with the history of our Church, and to inspire the youth with its hope and prospects of the future.

Third, That the collections raised in the Sunday Schools and Epworth Leagues, shall be used for suffering churches in populous centers—as Kansas City, Savannah, Ga., Miles Memorial, Jacksonville, Fa., Israel Metropolitan and Berkeley, Cal.

Fourth, That the money from the Leagues and Sunday Schools shall be sent to the Book Agent, subject to the Bishop of the district, and reported by him at the mid-winter meeting. It shall then be subjected to the Publishing Board to be applied to the churches above listed in proportions to the amount due on each and its importance to the Connection.

CHAPTER XLVIII.
NAMES AND BOUNDARIES OF CONFERENCES.

Alabama Conference.—Bounded on the North by the Southern Railroad, running from Meridian, Miss., to Selma, Ala., and thence on a straight line to Georgia; on the East by Georgia; on the West by Mississippi, and on the South by the Gulf of Mexico and Florida.

Arkansas Conference.—Bounded by the State lines North of the Arkansas River, with an imaginary line running to the Indian Territory and to Perry County. The Arkansas Conference includes all territory in the Northeastern part of the state not included in the Little Rock Conference.

Central Alabama Conference.—Bounded on the North by the Mobile and Ohio Railroad from the line of Mississippi to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, thence along the Alabama Great Southern Railroad to Birmingham, thence along the Southern Railroad to the State line of Georgia; on the East by Georgia; on the West by Mississippi, and on the South by the Alabama Conference; Northport to be included in the Central Alabama Conference.

Central Georgia Conference.—Bounded on the North by the southern boundary line of the Georgia Conference; East by the State line; West by Flint River; South by the South Georgia Conference.

Central Texas Conference.—Beginning at the Northeast corner of Rockwall County, running thence East on parallel 33, across Hunt County, thence Southeast to the M. K. & T. H. R. R. (including South Greenville and Lone Oak in the Central Texas Conference) down to the T. & P. R. R., thence East on the T. & P. R. R. to the 95th meridian, then South to Troupe leaving out the Winona Circuit. Thence North from Troupe, up the I. & G. N. railroad to Longview, thence Southeast down to Tenaha, leaving Beckville Circuit, Carthage Circuit and Post Oak in the East Texas Conference; thence East to the Louisiana state line, beginning from Logansport, La., running West along the Northern boundary lines of the Shelby and Nacogdoches counties and an imaginary line running across Chewokee County to the Naches river (including Lynflat Circuit) thence up to the Naches river to the I. & G. N. R. R., thence South on the I. G. & N. R. R. to Galveston (Houston, Galveston, Trinity and Sunnyside Circuit not included in the Central Texas Conference.) The Southern boundary shall be the Gulf of Mexico and the Rio Grande. The Western boundary of the Central Texas Conference begins at the Northeast corner of Rockwall County and follows the Eastern boundary of the West Texas Conference to Corsicana, thence along the Southern boundary of the West Texas Conference to the Rio Grande River.

East Texas Conference.—Bounded on the North by Oklahoma; East by Arkansas and Louisiana to the H. E. & W. T. Railroad; West by the H. E. & W. T. Railroad to Lufkin, thence West by an imaginary line to the East boundary line of Anderson County to Trinity River. Texarkana is not included in the East Texas Conference. The H. E. & W. T. Railroad shall not include any part of Timpson circuit.

East Florida Conference.—Bounded on the West by the Aucilla River, and including all that part of the State East of said river.

El Paso-Pacific Mission Conference shall include the following territory to wit: The Pacific Slope from Canada to Mexico, Nevada, New Mexico, Arizona and such portions of Texas as lies West of the line beginning at the northeast boundary of Winkler County, and extending East on the eastern boundary line of Ward, Reems, Jeff Davis and Presadion counties to the Rio Grande River.

Florida Conference.—Includes all that part of the State of Florida West of the Aucilla River.

Georgia Conference.—Bounded on the North, East and West by the State line; South by the southern boundary line of the following counties: Richmond, Warren, Hancock (except Sparta), Putnam, Jasper, Butts, Spalding, Coweta and Heard.

Illinois Conference includes that part of Missouri South of St. Louis, the State of Illinois and Lake County, Tennessee.

Kentucky and Ohio Conference.—Bounded on the North by the northern boundary line of the State of Ohio; West by the L. & N. Railroad, running from Bowling Green to Elizabethtown, thence to the I. C. Railroad to Cecilia, thence to the I. C. Railroad to Louisville; East and South of the State line.

Louisiana Conference.—Bounded on the North by Arkansas; on the East by the Mississippi River; on the West by Texas; on the South by an imaginary line beginning at the mouth of Red River and running West across the State.

Little Rock Conference.—Bounded by all that part of Arkansas South of the Arkansas River, with an imaginary line running to Oklahoma and to Perry County; also including the city of Texarkana. Little Rock Conference embraces all other territory of the state not included in the Arkansas and Southwest Arkansas Conferences.

Memphis-Jackson Conference.—Bounded on the East by the Tennessee River; on the South by the State of Mississippi; on the West by the Miss. River; on the North by a straight line running parallel with the general course of the L. & N. R. R. to the Tennessee River.

Missouri and Kansas Conference.—Bounded on the East by the Southeast Missouri and Illinois Conference; West by the western boundary line of the State of Colorado; North by Wyoming; South by Oklahoma; said Conference to include the State of Colorado.

Mississippi Conference.—Bounded on the North by 34th parallel of North latitude and North Mississippi Conference; on the East by Alabama; on the South by the line beginning at the southwest corner of Kemper County and running between Lauderdale between Neshoba, Newton, Leake, Scott, and North between Scott and Leake to Pearl River; then Pearl River due west to the town of Canton, then west with the south corporation line to the Black River, then northeast with Black River between Madison and Yazoo Counties to Holmes County, then on the line between Yazoo and Holmes to Washington County, then on a line between Washington and Yazoo counties to Sharkey County, then with the line between Sharkey and Yazoo counties to Issaquena and Sharkey to the southwest corner of Sharkey, due west to the post office or town of Arcadia.

Mississippi Mission Conference.—Bounded on the North by the Mississippi Conference; on the East by Alabama; South by the Gulf of Mexico and Louisiana; on the West by Louisiana and the Mississippi River.

Muskogee Conference.—Bounded on the East by Arkansas; on the North by the State line of Kansas so as to include Coffeyville; on the West by Texas, and on the South by Oklahoma Conference; Spiro to be included.

New Orleans Conference.—Bounded on the North by the Louisiana Conference; on the East by the Mississippi River; on the West by Texas; on the South by the Gulf of Mexico.

North Alabama Conference.—Bounded on the North by Tennessee; on the East by Georgia; on the West by Mississippi, and on the South by the Central Alabama Conference; and includes all that portion of the State of Alabama not included in the Alabama and Central Alabama Conferences.

North Carolina Conference includes the State of North Carolina.

N. Mississippi Conference.—Bounded on the North by Tennessee; on the East by Alabama; on the South by the 34th parallel of north latitude, which runs with the south line of the corporation of the town of Okolona in the county of Chickashaw, and between Charleston on the North and Tillatoba on the South. The former in Tallahatchie and the latter in Yallabusha, with Sumner in the Mississippi Conference and Dublin in the North Mississippi Conference to the Mississippi River, and on the West by the Mississippi River.

Oklahoma Conference.—Bounded on the East by Arkansas; on the South by Red River; West by Texas, and North by a line beginning at Harrington and running East to Okafushee to south line of Muskogee Conference.

South Carolina Conference includes the State of South Carolina.

Southwest Arkansas Conference begins at the Northwestern boundary of Howard County and runs eastward along the Northern boundary of Howard County to Hot Springs County; thence South along the Eastern boundary of Clark County to Dallas County; thence across the Northern boundary of Dallas County to the Saline River; thence Southward along the river to the Louisiana state line; thence West to the line of Texas.

South Georgia Conference.—Bounded on the North and East by the northern boundary line of Troupe and Merriwether Counties to Flint River, running South to Dooly County along northern boundary line of Dooly County to Oconee River; down the Oconee River to the Altamaha River, along this river to the State line; South by Florida; West by Alabama.

Southwest Georgia Conference includes all the territory of the state not included in the Georgia, Central Georgia and South Georgia Conferences.

Tennessee Conference.—Bounded on the North by the State line; on the South by Alabama; on the West by the West Tennessee Conference; on the East by the State line.

Texas Conference.—Bounded on the North by the northern boundary lines of the counties of Shelby and Nacogdoches, and an imaginary line running across Cherokee County to the Naches River, including Woodville and Alto circuits, then up the Naches River to the I. & G. N. Railroad; East by the State line so as to take in Palestine and Wells; South by the Gulf of Mexico; West by the Colorado River. Simpson circuit included in the Texas Conference.

Washington and Philadelphia Conference includes the states of Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York and District of Columbia.

W. Tennessee Conference is bounded on the North by the Ohio River and Kentucky; on the South by the general course of the L. & N. R. R.; on the East by the Tennessee River and on the West by the Mississippi River.

W. Kentucky Conference.—Bounded on the North by the Ohio River; West by the Mississippi River; East by the Kentucky and Ohio Conference; South by the State line.

West Texas Conference.—Bounded on the East by Grayson, Collins, Rockwell and Dallas counties, down to the southern boundary line of Dallas County to Trinity River, down to Cotton Belt Railroad; South by the East boundary line of Navara and Freestone Counties to the I. & G. N. Railroad to San Antonia and Austin (San Antonia to be included in the West Texas Conference), on the Southern Pacific to Rio Grande River; North by Red River to northern corner of Grayson County.

PART IX.
THE RITUAL

CHAPTER XLIX.
THE ORDER FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE LORD'S SUPPER

The Elder shall read one or more of these sentences, during the reading of which the stewards shall take up the collection for the poor:

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.—Matt. v. 16.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal.—Matt. vi. 19, 20.

Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets.—Matt. vii. 12.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.—Matt. vii. 21.

Zaccheus stood, and said unto the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him four-fold.—Luke xix. 8.

He which soweth sparingly shall reap sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give not grudgingly, or of necessity; for God loveth a cheerful giver.—2 Cor. ix. 6, 7.

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.—Gal. vi. 10.

Godliness with contentment is great gain; for we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.—1 Tim. vi. 6, 7.

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate, laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1 Tim. vi. 17, 18, 19.

God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister.—Heb. vi. 10.

To do good, and to communicate, forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.—Heb. xiii. 16.

Whoso hath this world's goods, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?—1 John iii. 17.

He that hath pity upon the poor, lendeth unto the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.—Prov. xix. 17.

Blessed is he that considereth the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.—Psalm xli. 1.

Then shall the elder read this invitation

Ye that do truly and earnestly repent of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbors, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways, draw near with faith, and take this holy sacrament to your comfort, and make your humble confession to Almighty God, meekly kneeling upon your knees.

Then shall the general confession be made by the minister, in the name of all those who are minded to receive the holy communion, both he and all the people kneeling humbly upon their knees and saying:

Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men, we acknowledge and bewail our manifold sins and wickedness, which we from time to time most grievously have committed, by thought, word and deed, against thy Divine Majesty, provoking most justly thy wrath and indignation against us. We do earnestly repent, and are heartily sorry for these our misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous unto us. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father: for thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ's sake forgive us all that is past, and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please thee in newness of life, to the honor and glory of thy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Then shall the Elder say:

O Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, who of thy great mercy hast promised forgiveness of sins to all them that with hearty repentance and true faith turn to thee; have mercy upon us; pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

THE COLLECT

Almighty God, unto whom all hearts be open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy name, through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Then shall the Elder say:

It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God.

Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious name, evermore praising thee, and saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord, God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord most high.

Amen.

Then shall the Elder say:

We do not presume to come to this thy table, O merciful Lord, trusting in our own righteousness, but in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under thy table. But thou art the same Lord, whose property is always to have mercy; Grant us, therefore, gracious Lord, so to eat the flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, and to drink his blood that our sinful souls and bodies may be made clean by his death, and washed through his most precious blood, and that we may evermore dwell in him, and he in us.

Amen.

Then the Elder shall say the prayer of consecration as followeth:

Almighty God, our Heavenly Father, who of thy tender mercy didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption; who made there (by his oblation of himself once offered) a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his precious death until his coming again: hear us, O merciful Father, we most humbly beseech thee, and grant that we, receiving these thy creatures of bread and wine, according to thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ's holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed body and blood; who in the same night that he was betrayed took bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you: do this in remembrance of me. Likewise after supper he took the cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them saying, Drink ye all of this; for this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you and for many, for the remission of sins; do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.

Amen.

Then shall the minister first receive the communion in both kinds himself, and then proceed to deliver the same to the other minister in like manner, if any be present. Then shall he say the Lord's Prayer, the people still kneeling and repeating after him every petition:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.

Amen.

Then a hymn may be sung, and the communicants shall be invited to the table. The minister shall deliver both kinds to the people unto their hands. When he delivereth the bread he shall say:

The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, which was given for thee, preserve thy soul and body unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for thee, and feed on him in thy heart by faith with thanksgiving.

And the minister that delivereth the cup shall say:

The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ which was shed for thee, preserve thy soul and body unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ's blood was shed for thee, and be thankful.

When all have communed, the minister shall return to the Lord's table, and place upon it what remaineth of the consecrated elements, covering the same with a fair linen cloth.

The minister may then say as followeth:

O Lord and Heavenly Father, we thy humble servants desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, most humbly beseeching thee to grant that, by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we and thy whole Church may obtain remission of our sins. And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy and lively sacrifice unto thee; humbly beseeching thee that all we who are partakers of this holy communion may be filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction. And although we be unworthy, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice, yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service; not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offenses, through Jesus Christ our Lord: by whom, and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost all honor and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end.

Amen.

Then may be said:

Glory be to God on high, and on earth peace, good-will toward men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.

O Lord, the only begotten Son, Jesus Christ: O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.

For thou only art holy: thou only art the Lord: thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father.

Amen.

Then the Elder, if he see it expedient, may put up an extemporaneous prayer; and afterwards shall let the people depart with this blessing:

May the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be among you, and remain with you always.

Amen.

If the Elder be straitened for time, he may omit any part of the service except the prayer of consecration.

If the consecrated bread or wine be all spent before all have communed, the Elder may consecrate more, by repeating the prayer of consecration.

Let those who have scruples concerning the receiving of the communion kneeling, be permitted to receive it either standing or sitting; but no person shall be admitted to the Lord's Supper among us who is guilty of any practice for which we would exclude a member of our Church.

CHAPTER L.
THE MINISTRATION OF BAPTISM TO INFANTS.

The minister, coming to the font, which is to be filled with pure water, shall use the following, or some other suitable exhortation:

Dearly beloved, forasmuch as all men are conceived and born in sin, and that our Saviour Christ saith, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God: I beseech you to call upon God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that of his bounteous mercy he will grant to this child that which by nature he cannot have; that he may be baptized with water and the Holy Ghost, and received into Christ's holy Church, and be made a lively member of the same.

Then shall the minister say, Let us pray:

Almighty and everlasting God, we beseech thee for thine infinite mercies, that thou wilt look upon this child; wash him and sanctify him with the Holy Ghost that he, being delivered from thy wrath, may be received into the ark of Christ's Church, and being steadfast in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in love, may so pass the waves of this troublesome world, that finally he may come to the land of everlasting life, there to reign with thee, world without end, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

O merciful God, grant that the old Adam in this child may be so buried, that the new man may be raised up in him.

Amen.

Grant that all carnal affections may die in him, and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in him.

Amen.

Grant that he may have power and strength to have victory, and to triumph against the devil, the world, and the flesh.

Amen.

Grant that whosoever is dedicated to thee by our office and ministry may also be endued with heavenly virtues, and everlastingly rewarded through thy mercy, O blessed Lord God, who dost live and govern all things, world without end.

Amen.

Almighty, ever-living God, whose most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of our sins did shed out of his most precious side both water and blood, and gave commandment to his disciples that they should go teach all nations, and baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: regard, we beseech thee, the supplications of thy congregation; and grant that this child, now to be baptized, may receive the fullness of thy grace, and ever remain in the number of thy faithful and elect children, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Then shall the people stand up, and the minister shall say:

Hear the words of the Gospel written by St. Mark in the tenth chapter, at the thirteenth verse.

They brought young children to Christ, that he should touch them. And his disciples rebuked those that brought them; but when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

Then the minister, addressing the parents or others presenting the child, shall say:+

In causing this child to be brought by baptism into the Church of Christ, it is your duty to teach him to renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, and the carnal desires of the flesh, so that he may not follow or be led by them; to believe all the articles of the Christian faith; and to obediently keep God's holy will and commandments all the days of his life.

Then the minister shall take the child into his hands, if convenient, and say to the friends of the child:+

NAME THIS CHILD

N., I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Amen.

The minister may, at his discretion, lay hands on the subject, accompanying the act with a suitable invocation, and then, all kneeling, close with extemporaneous devotions and the Lord's Prayer:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

CHAPTER LI.
THE MINISTRATION OF BAPTISM TO SUCH AS ARE OF RIPER YEARS.

The minister, coming to the font, which is to be filled with pure water, shall use the following, or some other suitable exhortation:

Dearly beloved, forasmuch as all men are conceived and born in sin, (and that which is born of the flesh is flesh, and they that are in the flesh cannot please God, but live in sin, committing many actual transgressions,) and that our Saviour Christ saith, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God; I beseech you to call upon God the Father, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that of his bounteous goodness he will grant to these persons that which by nature they cannot have: that they may be baptized with water and the Holy Ghost, and received into Christ's holy Church, and be made lively members of the same.

Then shall the minister say:

Almighty and immortal God, the aid of all that need, the helper of all that flee to thee for succor, the life of them that believe, and the resurrection of the dead: we call upon thee for these persons now to be baptized. Receive them, O Lord, as thou hast promised by thy well-beloved Son, saying, Ask, and ye shall receive; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: so give now unto us that ask; let us that seek find; open the gate unto us that knock; that these persons may enjoy the everlasting benediction of thy heavenly washing, and may come to the eternal kingdom which thou hast promised by Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Then shall the people stand up, and the minister shall say:

Hear the words of the Gospel, written by St. John in the third chapter, beginning at the first verse.

There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God; for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth; so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

Then the minister shall speak to the persons to be baptized on this wise:

Well-beloved, who are come hither, desiring to receive holy baptism, ye have heard how the congregation hath prayed that our Lord Jesus Christ, would vouchsafe to receive you, and bless you, to release you of your sins, to give you the kingdom of heaven, and everlasting life. And our Lord Jesus Christ hath promised in his holy word to grant all those things that we have prayed for; which promise he for his part will most surely keep and perform.

Wherefore after this promise made by Christ, ye must also faithfully, for your part, promise, in the presence of this whole congregation, that ye will renounce the devil and all his works, and constantly believe God's holy word, and obediently keep his commandments.

Then shall the minister demand of each of the persons to be baptized, severally:

Ques. Doth thou renounce the devil and all his works, the vain pomp and glory of the world, with all covetous desires of the same, and the carnal desires of the flesh, so that thou wilt not follow or be led by them?

Ans. I renounce them all.

Ques. Dost thou believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth? and in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord? and that he was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary? that he suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried? that he rose again the third day? that he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty, and from thence shall come again at the end of the world, to judge the quick and the dead?

And dost thou believe in the Holy Ghost, the Church of God, the communion of saints, the remission of sins, the resurrection of the body, and everlasting life after death?

Ans. All this I steadfastly believe.

Ques. Wilt thou be baptized in this faith?

Ans. This is my desire.

Ques. Wilt thou then obediently keep God's holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of thy life?

Ans. I will endeavor so to do, God being my helper.

Then shall the minister say:

O merciful God, grant that the old Adam in these persons may be so buried, that the new man may be raised up in them.

Amen.

Grant that all carnal affections may die in them, and that all things belonging to the Spirit may live and grow in them.

Amen.

Grant that they may have power and strength to have victory, and to triumph against the devil, the world, and the flesh.

Amen.

Grant that they, being here dedicated to thee by our office and ministry, may also be endued with heavenly virtues, and everlastingly rewarded, through thy mercy, O blessed Lord God, who dost live and govern all things, world without end.

Amen.

Almighty, ever-living God, whose most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins, did shed out of his most precious side both water and blood; and gave commandment to his disciples, that they should go teach all nations, and baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: regard, we beseech thee, the supplications of this congregation; and grant that the persons now to be baptized may receive the fullness of thy grace, and ever remain in the number of thy faithful and elect children, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Then shall the minister take each person to be baptized by the right hand; and placing him conveniently by the font, according to his discretion, shall ask the name; and then shall sprinkle or pour water upon him, (or, if he shall desire it, shall immerse him in water), saying:

N., I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Amen.

The minister may, at his discretion, lay hands on the subject, accompanying the act with a suitable invocation.

CHAPTER LII.
FORM OF THE RECEPTION AND RECOGNITION OF CHURCH MEMBERS.

The minister shall cause the candidates to be placed before the congregation, and after baptizing any who may not have been previously baptized he shall say:

Brethren, the Church is of God, and will be preserved to the end of time, for the promotion of his worship and the due administration of his word and ordinances—the maintenance of Christian fellowship and discipline—the edification of believers, and the conversion of the world. All, of every age and station, stand in need of the means of grace which it alone supplies; and it invites all alike to become fellow-citizens with the saints and of the household of God. But as none who have arrived at years of discretion can remain within its pales or be admitted to its communion, without assuming its obligations, it is my duty to demand of these persons present whether they are resolved to assume the same.

Then shall the minister address the candidates, as follows:

Dearly beloved, you profess to have a desire to flee from the wrath to come and to be saved from your sins; you seek the fellowship of the people of God, to assist you in working out your salvation; I therefore demand of you:

Do you solemnly, in the presence of God and this congregation, ratify and confirm the promise and vow of repentance, faith, and obedience, contained in the baptismal convent?

Ans. I do, God being my helper.

Will you be subject to the discipline of the Church, attend upon its ordinances, and support its institutions?

Ans. I will endeavor so to do, by the help of God.

The minister shall then say to the candidates:

We rejoice to recognize you as members of the Church of Christ, and bid you welcome to all its privileges; and in token of our brotherly love, we give you the right hand of fellowship, and pray that you may be both numbered with his people here, and with his saints in glory everlasting.

The minister shall then say to the congregation:

Brethren, I commend to your love and care these persons whom we this day recognize as members of the Church of Christ. Do all in your power to increase their faith, confirm their hope, and perfect them in love.

Then may follow a hymn suitable to the occasion (as 881-889), and the minister shall say:

Let us pray.

Almighty God, we thank thee for founding thy Church, and promising that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. We bless thee for calling us to the fellowship of thy people, and for numbering us with the sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty. We especially praise thy name for enabling these thy servants to avouch the Lord to be their God. Help them to perform the promise and vow which they have made; to renounce the devil, the world, and the flesh; to believe the record which thou hast given of thy Son; and to walk in all thy commandments and ordinances blameless, to the end of their lives. May their communion with thy people be sanctified to their growth in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, being nourished and knit together, increasing with the increase of God. May thy people do them good, and may they prove a blessing to thy people. And grant, O Lord, that all who are here members of thy militant Church, through thy mercy, the merit of thy Son, and the grace of thy Spirit, may finally be made members of thy triumphant Church in heaven.

Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God, Heavenly Father, we give thee humble thanks, for that thou hast vouchsafed to call us to the knowledge of thy grace, and faith in thee; increase this knowledge and confirm this faith in us evermore. Give thy Holy Spirit to these persons, that they, being born again, may be made heirs of everlasting salvation, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, now and forever.

Amen.

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

CHAPTER LIII.
THE FORM OF SOLEMNIZATION OF MATRIMONY.

At the day and time appointed for the solemnization of matrimony, the persons to be married (having been qualified according to law) standing together, the man on the right hand and the woman on the left, the minister shall say:

Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the presence of these witnesses, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony; which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in the time of man's innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is between Christ and his Church; which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with his presence, and first miracle that he wrought in Cana of Galilee, and is commended of St. Paul to be honorable among all men; and therefore is not by any to be enterprised, or taken in hand unadvisedly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, and in the fear of God.

Into which holy estate these two persons present come now to be joined. Therefore if any can show any just cause why they may not lawfully be joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.

And also speaking unto the persons that are to be married, he shall say:

I require and charge you both, (as ye will answer at the dreadful day of judgment, when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed) that if either of you know any impediment why ye may not be lawfully joined together in matrimony, ye do now confess it; for be ye well assured, that so many as are coupled together otherwise than God's word doth allow, are not joined together by God, neither is their matrimony lawful.

If no impediment be alleged, then shall the minister say unto the man:

M., Wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?

The man shall answer,

I WILL.

Then shall the minister say unto the woman:

N., Wilt thou have this man to be thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou obey him, serve him, love, honor, and keep him, in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all other, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?

The woman shall answer,

I WILL.

When the parties so desire, the man shall give unto the woman a ring; and the minister taking the ring shall deliver it unto the man to put it upon the fourth finger of the woman's left hand; and the man, holding the ring there, and taught by the minister, shall say:

With this ring I thee wed, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Amen.

Then shall the minister say:

Let us pray.

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.

Amen.

O eternal God, Creator and Preserver of all mankind, Giver of all spiritual grace, the Author of everlasting life, send thy blessing upon these thy servants, this man and this woman, whom we bless in thy name; that as Isaac and Rebecca lived faithfully together, so these persons may surely perform and keep the vow and covenant between them made, and may ever remain in perfect love and peace together and live according to thy laws, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Then shall the minister join their right hands together, and say:

Those whom God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.

Forasmuch as M. and N. have consented together in holy wedlock, and have witnessed the same before God and this company, and thereto have pledged their faith either to other, and have declared the same by joining hands, I pronounce that they are man and wife together, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Amen.

And the minister shall add this blessing:

God the Father, God the Son, God the Holy Ghost, bless, preserve, and keep you; the Lord mercifully with his favor look upon you; and so fill you with all spiritual benediction and grace, that ye may so live together in this life, that in the world to come ye may have life everlasting.

Amen.

CHAPTER LIV.
THE ORDER OF THE BURIAL OF THE DEAD

The minister meeting the corpse, and going before it, shall say:

I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth, and believeth in me, shall never die.—John xi. 25, 26.

I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth; and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God; whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.—Job. xix. 25-27.

We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.—1 Tim. vi. 7; Job. i. 21.

After they are come into the church or home shall be read Psalm xc.

Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.

Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

Thou turnest man to destruction; and sayest, Return, ye children of men.

For a thousand years in thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night.

Thou carriest them away as with a flood: they are as a sleep; in the morning they are like grass which groweth up.

In the morning it flourisheth, and groweth up; in the evening it is cut down, and withereth.

For we are consumed by thine anger, and by thy wrath are we troubled.

Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.

For all our days are passed away in thy wrath: we spend our years as a tale that is told.

The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away.

Who knoweth the power of thine anger? even according to thy fear, so is thy wrath.

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

Return, O Lord, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants.

O satisfy us early with thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.

Make us glad according to the days wherein thou hast afflicted us, and the years wherein we have seen evil.

Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children.

And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us; and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

Then shall follow the Lesson, 1 Cor. xv. 20-58, or the following abridgement:

Now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the first-fruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule, and all authority, and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet—But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come? Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened except it die: and that which thou sowest, thou sowest not that body that shall be, but bare grain; it may chance of wheat, or of some other grain; but God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh is not the same flesh; but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial; but the glory of the terrestrial is one and the glory of the celestial is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption; it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.—Behold, I show you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump; for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Here may follow a suitable hymn, a sermon or exhortation, and an extemporary prayer.

At the grave, when the corpse is laid in the earth, the minister shall say:

Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble. He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

In the midst of life we are in death: of whom may we seek for succor, but of thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased?

Yet, O Lord God most holy, O Lord most mighty, O holy and most merciful Saviour, deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death.

Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts: shut not thy merciful ears to our prayers, but spare us, O holy and merciful Saviour, thou most worthy Judge eternal, suffer us not at our last hour for any pains of death to fall from thee.

Then the minister may say:

Forasmuch as it hath pleased Almighty God, in his wise providence, to take out of this world the soul of our deceased brother, we therefore commit his body to the ground, earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust; looking for the general resurrection in the last day, and the life of the world to come, through our Lord Jesus Christ; at whose second coming in glorious majesty to judge the world, the earth and the sea shall give up their dead; and the corruptible bodies of those who sleep in him shall be changed, and made like unto his own glorious body, according to the mighty working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself.

Then shall be said:

I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors.

A suitable hymn may here be sung; and then shall the minister say:

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

THE COLLECT.

O merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the life; in whom whosoever believeth shall live, though he die; and whosoever liveth and believeth in him, shall not die eternally: we meekly beseech thee, O Father, to raise us from the death of sin unto the life of righteousness; that when we shall depart this life we may rest in him and at the general resurrection on the last day may be found acceptable in thy sight, and receive that blessing which thy well-beloved Son shall then pronounce to all that love and fear thee, saying, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. Grant this, we beseech thee, O merciful Father, through Jesus Christ our Mediator and Redeemer.

Amen.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all.

Amen.

CHAPTER LV.
FORM OF LAYING THE CORNER STONE OF A CHURCH

At the time and place of laying the corner stone, let the minister cause a suitable hymn to be sung (e. g. 780, 781, or 782). Then shall the minister say:

Let us pray.

Almighty and everlasting God, thou art infinite in all thy perfections, and marvelous in all thy works. Thou hast made the world and all things therein; and seeing that thou art Lord of heaven and earth, thou dwellest not in temples made with hands; thou art a Spirit, and art worshiped in spirit and in truth, in all places of thy dominion; yet we thank thee that thou dost allow us to build houses for thy services, wherein thy people may attend upon thee without distraction. We bless thy holy name for putting it into the hearts of thy people to build a house, at this place, for thy worship. We beseech thee to inspire us with zeal, that we may both have a mind to the work, and may successfully accomplish the same. May neither adversary nor evil occurent hinder this work; but may the good hand of our God be upon us, that in due time we may bring forth the headstone with joy and praise. May this sanctuary, when completed, long remain a house of prayer for all people, where incense shall be offered unto thy name, and a pure offering, and thy word and ordinances by the influences of the Holy Ghost. Here may multitudes be born again, and be nurtured in knowledge and piety; so that they may be prepared, in the kingdom of thy glory. We are unworthy, O Lord, through our manifold sins, to offer unto thee any sacrifice; yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offenses, through Jesus Christ our Lord: by whom and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost all honor and glory be unto thee, Father Almighty, world without end.

Amen.

Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

Amen.

Then, shall the minister read, or cause to be read, the following sentences:

Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel our Father, forever and ever.

Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all.

Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all.

Now, therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.

But who am I, and what is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee.

For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers; our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.

O Lord our God, all this store that we have prepared to build thee a house for thine holy name cometh of thine hand, and is all thine own.

I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and has pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things; and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.

Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it; except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.

Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and the glory unto their children.

And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us; and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

His foundation is in the holy mountains.

The Lord loveth the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob. For the Lord hath chosen Zion; he hath desired it for his habitation.

This is my rest forever: here will I dwell: for I have desired it.

I will abundantly bless her provision: I will satisfy her poor with bread.

I will also clothe her priests with salvation, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy.

The stone which the builders refused is become the head-stone of the corner.

This is the Lord's doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.

For other foundation can no man lay than is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Then shall the minister, standing by the stone, announce the articles to be deposited therein. These may be a copy of the Bible, the Hymn Book, the Discipline, Church periodicals, a document setting forth the name of the Church, with the names of the pastor, trustees, and building committee, and such other articles as may be desired. The stone shall be laid by the minister, or some one appointed by him; and placing his hand upon the stone, the minister shall say:

We lay this corner stone of a house to be built and set apart, from all worldly uses, for divine worship, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Amen.

Then may follow an address, the collection (if any) the Doxology, and Benediction.

CHAPTER LVI.
FORM OF THE DEDICATION OF A CHURCH

Let the service be conducted as on the other occasions of public worship—only the hymns (e. g. 783-780,) prayer, lesson, and sermons, should be adapted to the occasion. The lessons may be Gen. xxviii. 10-22, and Heb. x. 19-25, or any other at the discretion of the minister.

FIRST LESSON. GEN. xxviii. 10-22.

And Jacob went out from Beersheba, and went toward Haran. And he lighted upon a certain place, and tarried there all night, because the sun was set; and he took of the stones of that place, and put them for his pillows, and lay down in that place to sleep. And he dreamed, and behold, a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and behold, the angels of God ascending and descending on it. And behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac; the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed. And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth; and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south; and in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed. And behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of. And Jacob, awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not. And he was afraid, and said, How dreadful is this place! this is none other but the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven. And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it. And he called the name of that place Bethel; but the name of that city was called Luz at the first. And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, so that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God: and this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house; and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee.

SECOND LESSON. HEB. x. 19-25.

Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the vail, that is to say, his flesh; having an high-priest over the house of God; let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast to the profession of our faith without wavering: for he is faithful that promised: and let us consider one another, to provoke unto love, and to good works; not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another; and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

The Collection (if any) may follow the sermon. The officers of the Church shall then address the minister in the following language:

We present to you this house, to be set apart from all unhallowed or common uses, for the worship of Almighty God.

Then shall the minister request the congregation to stand, while he pronounces the following Sentence of Dedication:

SENTENCE OF DEDICATION

Forasmuch as God has put it into the hearts of his people to build this house for his worship, and has blessed them in their undertaking, we solemnly dedicate it to his service, for the reading and expounding of his holy word, the administration of his ordinances, and for all other acts of religious worship. That he may graciously accept this labor of our hands, let us devoutly pray.

Then shall be said, all kneeling:

Almighty and everlasting God, the heaven, and the heaven of heavens, cannot contain thee, much less this house which we have built; yet thou dost humble thyself to behold the inhabitants of the earth, and dost promise that in all places where thou dost record thy name thou wilt meet with thy people, and bless them. Let thy name be recorded in this place, and here let thine honor dwell. Preserve this house, which we set apart to thy service, from injury and desecration. Accept the worship which shall be here offered to thy name. Let thy Holy Spirit accompany thy word and ordinances, which shall be here administered, so that they may prove means of grace to all who shall receive the same. May many sons and daughters be here born to the Lord Almighty. Let thy people be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house, and make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. Let their children be here fed with food convenient for them, and be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Let living waters go forth from this sanctuary, carrying life and joy to all around. Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children, and let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us; and establish thou the work of our hands upon us, yea the work of our hands establish thou it. Now, therefore arise, O Lord God, into thy resting place, thou and the ark of thy strength; let thy ministers be clothed with salvation, and let thy saints rejoice in goodness. We beseech thee, O Lord, to overlook our unworthiness, forgive our sins, and make us a habitation of God through the Spirit. We offer all our offerings through the ever-blessed name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to whom, with thee, and the Holy Spirit, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.

Amen.

The service may then be concluded with the Doxology and Benediction.

CHAPTER LI.
THE FORM AND MANNER OF ORDAINING DEACONS

When the day appointed by the Bishop is come, after a suitable sermon or exhortation, one of the Elders shall present unto the Bishop all them that are to be ordained, and say:

I present unto you these persons present, to be ordained Deacons.

Then their names being read aloud, the Bishop shall say unto the people:

Brethren, if there be any of you who knoweth any impediment or crime in any of these persons presented to be ordained Deacons; for the which he ought not to be admitted to that office, let him come forth in the name of God and show what the crime or impediment is.

If any crime or impediment be objected, the Bishop shall surcease from ordaining that person unto such time as the party accused shall be found clear of that crime. Then shall be read the following collect.

THE COLLECT.

Almighty God, who by thy divine providence hast appointed divers orders of ministers in thy Church, and didst inspire thy apostles to choose into the order of Deacons thy first martyr, St. Stephen, with others: mercifully behold these thy servants, now called to the like office and administration; replenish them so with the truth of thy doctrine, and adorn them with innocency of life, that both by word and good example they may faithfully serve thee in this office, to the glory of thy name, and the edification of thy Church, through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, now and forever.

Amen.

Then the Bishop or one of the Elders appointed by him, shall read the Epistle.

THE EPISTLE. 1 TIM. iii. 8-13.

Likewise must the Deacons be grave, not double tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre: holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a Deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the Deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a Deacon well, purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Then shall the Bishop examine every one of those who are to be ordained, in the press of the people, after this manner following:

Do you trust that you are inwardly moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon you the office of the ministry in the Church of Christ, to serve God for the promoting of his glory and the edifying of his people?

Ans. I trust so.

The Bishop. Do you unfeignedly believe all the canonical Scriptures of the Old and New Testament.

Ans. I do believe them.

The Bishop. Will you diligently read or expound the same unto the people whom you shall be appointed to serve?

Ans. I will.

The Bishop. It appertaineth to the office of a Deacon to assist the Elder in Divine service, and especially when he ministereth the holy communion, to help him in the distribution thereof, and to read and expound the Holy Scriptures: to instruct the youth; and in the absence of the Elder to baptize.

And, furthermore, it is his office to search for the sick, poor, and impotent, that they may be visited and relieved.

Will you do this gladly and willingly?

Ans. I will do so, by the help of God.

The Bishop. Will you apply all your diligence to frame and fashion your own lives (and the lives of your families) according to the doctrine of Christ; and to make both yourselves, and them, as much as in you lieth, wholesome examples of the flock of Christ?

Ans. I will do so, the Lord being my helper.

The Bishop. Will you reverently obey them to whom the charge and government over you is committed, following with a glad mind and will their godly admonitions?

Ans. I will endeavor so to do, the Lord being my helper.

Then the Bishop, laying his hands severally upon the head of every one of them, shall say:

Take thou authority to execute the office of a Deacon in the Church of God; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Amen.

Then shall the Bishop deliver to every one of them the Holy Bible, saying:

Take thou authority to read the Holy Scriptures in the Church of God, and to preach the same.

Then one of them appointed by the Bishop shall read the Gospel.

THE GOSPEL. LUKE xii. 35-38.

Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning, and ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their Lord, when he will return from the wedding, that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching. Verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

Immediately before the benediction shall be said these Collects following:

Almighty God, giver of all good things, who of thy great goodness hast vouchsafed to accept and take these thy servants into the office of Deacons in thy Church: make them, we beseech thee, O Lord, to be modest, humble, and constant in their ministration, and to have a ready will to observe all spiritual discipline; that they having always the testimony of a good conscience, and continuing ever stable and strong in thy Son Christ, may so well behave themselves in this inferior office, that they may be found worthy to be called unto the higher ministries in thy Church, through the same thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; to whom be glory and honor, world without end.

Amen.

Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Benediction

The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be among you, and remain with you always.

Amen.

CHAPTER LVIII.
THE FORM AND MANNER OF ORDAINING ELDERS.

When the day appointed by the Bishop is come there shall be a sermon or exhortation, declaring the duty and office of such as come to be admitted Elders; how necessary that order is in the Church of Christ, and also how the people ought to esteem them in their office. After which one of the Elders shall present unto the Bishop all them that are to be ordained, and say:

I present unto you these persons present, to be ordained Elders.

Then their names being read aloud, the Bishop shall say unto the people:

Brethren, these are they whom we purpose, God willing, this day to ordain Elders. For after due examination, we find not to the contrary, but that they are lawfully called to this function and ministry, and that they are persons meet for the same. But if there be any of you who know any impediment or crime in any of them, for the which he ought not to be received into this holy ministry, let him come forth in the name of God, and show what the crime or impediment is.

If any crime or impediment be objected, the Bishop shall surcease from ordaining that person, until such time as the party accused shall be found clear of that crime.

Then shall be said the Collect, Epistle, and Gospel as followeth:

THE COLLECT.

Almighty God, giver of all good things, who by thy Holy Spirit hast appointed divers orders of ministers in thy Church, mercifully behold these thy servants, now called to the office of Elder, and replenish them so with the truth of thy doctrine, and adorn them with innocency of life, that, both by word and good example, they may faithfully serve thee in this office, to the glory of thy name, and the edification of thy Church, through the merits of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, world without end.

Amen.

THE EPISTLE. EPH. iv. 7-13.

Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

THE GOSPEL. ST. JOHN x. 1-16.

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door, is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice; and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them, but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth; and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

And that done, the Bishop shall say unto them as hereafter followeth:

You have heard, brethren, as well in your private examination, (as in the exhortation which was now made to you,) and in the holy lessons taken out of the Gospel, and the writings of the apostles, of what dignity, and of how great importance, this office is, whereunto ye are called. And now again we exhort you, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you have in remembrance into how high a dignity, and to how weighty an office ye are called: that is to say, to be messengers, watchmen, and stewards of the Lord; to teach, and to premonish, to feed and provide for the Lord's family; to seek for Christ's sheep that are dispersed abroad, and for his children who are in the midst of this evil world, that they may be saved through Christ forever.

We have good hope that you have all weighed and pondered these things with yourselves long before this time; and that you have clearly determined, by God's grace, to give yourselves wholly to this office, whereunto it hath pleased God to call you: so that, as much as lieth in you, you will apply yourselves wholly to this one thing, and draw all your cares and studies this way, and that you will continually pray to God the Father, through the mediation of our only Saviour Jesus Christ, for the heavenly assistance of the Holy Ghost: that by daily reading and weighing of the Scriptures, ye may wax riper and stronger in your ministry; and that ye may so endeavor yourselves from time to time to sanctify the lives of you and yours, and to fashion them after the rule and doctrine of Christ, that ye may be wholesome and godly examples and patterns for the people to follow.

And now that this present congregation of Christ, here assembled, may also understand your minds and wills in these things, and that this your promise may the more move you to do your duties, ye shall answer plainly to these things, which we, in the name of God and of his Church, shall demand of you touching the same.

Do you think in your heart that you are truly called, according to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, to the order of Elders?

Ans. I think so.

The Bishop. Are you persuaded that the Holy Scriptures contain sufficiently all doctrine required of necessity for eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ? And are you determined, out of the said Scriptures, to instruct the people committed to your charge, and to teach nothing, as required of necessity to eternal salvation, but that which you shall be persuaded may be concluded and proved by the Scriptures?

Ans. I am so persuaded, and have so determined, by God's grace.

The Bishop. Will you then give your faithful diligence, always so to minister the doctrine and sacraments, and the discipline of Christ, as the Lord hath commanded?

Ans. I will so do, by the help of the Lord.

The Bishop. Will you be ready with all faithful diligence to banish and drive away all erroneous and strange doctrines contrary to God's word; and to use both public and private monitions and exhortations, as well to the sick as to the whole within your charge, as need shall require, and occasion shall be given?

Ans. I will, the Lord being my helper.

The Bishop. Will you be diligent in prayers, and in reading of the Holy Scriptures, and in such studies as help to the knowledge of the same, laying aside the study of the world and the flesh?

Ans. I will endeavor so to do, the Lord being my helper.

The Bishop. Will you be diligent to frame and fashion yourselves, and your families, according to the doctrine of Christ; and to make both yourselves and them, as much as in you lieth, wholesome examples and patterns to the flock of Christ?

Ans. I shall apply myself thereto, the Lord being my helper.

The Bishop. Will you maintain and set forward, as much as lieth in you, quietness, peace, and love, among all Christian people, and especially among them that are or shall be committed to your charge?

Ans. I will so do, the Lord being my helper.

The Bishop. Will you reverently obey your chief ministers, unto whom is committed the charge and government over you; following with a glad mind and will their godly admonitions, submitting yourselves to their godly judgment?

Ans. I will so do, the Lord being my helper.

Then shall the Bishop, standing up, say:

Almighty God, who hath given you this will to do all these things, grant also unto you strength and power to perform the same; that he may accomplish his work which he hath begun in you, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

After this the congregation shall be desired secretly in their prayers to make their humble supplications to God, for all these things: for which prayers there shall be silence kept for a space.

After which shall be said by the Bishop, (the persons to be ordained Elders all kneeling,) Veni, Creator, Spiritus: the Bishop beginning, and the Elders and others that are present answering by verses, as followeth:

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire.

And lighten with celestial fire.

Thou the anointing Spirit art,

Who dost thy seven-fold gifts impart.

Thy blessed unction from above

Is comfort, life, and fire of love.

Enable with perpetual light

The dullness of our blinded sight.

Anoint and cheer our soiled face

With the abundance of thy grace

Keep for our foes, give peace at home

Where thou art guide no ill can come

Teach us to know the Father, Son.

And thee of both, to be but one

That through the ages all along,

This may be our endless song;

Praise to thy eternal merit,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

That done, the Bishop shall pray in this wise, and say, Let us pray

Almighty God and Heavenly Father, who, of thine infinite love and goodness toward us, hast given to us thy only and most dearly beloved Son Jesus Christ to be our Redeemer, and the author of everlasting life; who, after he had made perfect our redemption by his death, and was ascended into heaven, sent abroad into the world his apostles, prophets, evangelists, doctors and pastors; by whose labor and ministry he gathered together a great flock in all parts of the world, to set forth the eternal praise of thy holy name; for these so great benefits of thy eternal goodness, and for that thou hast vouchsafed to call these thy servants here present to the same office and ministry appointed for the salvation of mankind, we render unto thee most hearty thanks: we praise and worship thee; and we humbly beseech thee, by the same thy blessed Son, to grant unto all who either here or elsewhere call upon thy holy name, that we may continue to show ourselves thankful unto thee for these, and all other, thy benefits; and that we may daily increase and go forward in the knowledge and faith of thee and thy Son, by the Holy Spirit: so that as well by these thy ministers, as by them over whom they shall be appointed thy ministers, thy holy name may be forever glorified, and thy blessed kingdom enlarged, through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord: who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Holy Spirit, world without end.

Amen.

When the prayer is done, the Bishop and the Elders present shall lay their hands severally upon the head of every one that receiveth the Order of Elders, the receivers humbly kneeling upon their knees, and the Bishop saying,

The Lord pour upon thee the Holy Ghost, for the office and work of an Elder in the Church of God, now committed unto thee by the imposition of our hands. And be thou a faithful dispenser of the word of God, and of his holy sacraments: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Amen.

Then the Bishop shall deliver to every one of them kneeling, the Bible, into his hands, saying:

Take thou authority to preach the word of God, and to administer the holy sacraments in the congregation.

Then shall the Bishop say:

Most merciful Father, we beseech thee to send upon these thy servants thy heavenly blessing; that they may be clothed with righteousness, and that thy word spoken by their mouths may have such success, that it may never be spoken in vain. Grant also, that we may have grace to hear and receive what they shall deliver out of thy most holy word, or agreeable to the same, as the means of our salvation; that in all our words and deeds we may seek thy glory, and the increase of thy kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Prevent us, O Lord, in all our doings, with thy most gracious favor, and further us with thy continual help; that in all our works, begun, continued, and ended in thee, we may glorify thy holy name, and finally, by thy mercy, obtain everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

THE BENEDICTION

The peace of God, which passeth all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ, our Lord; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be among you, and remain with you always.

Amen.

If on the same day the Order of Deacons be given to some, and that of Elders to others, the Deacons shall be first presented, and then the Elders. The Collects shall both be used; first that for Deacons, then that for Elders. The Epistle shall be Eph. iv. 7 to 13, as before in this office. Immediately after which, they that are to be ordained Deacons shall be examined and ordained as is above prescribed. The one of them having read the Gospel which shall be St. John x. 1-16, as before in this office, they that are to be ordained Elders shall likewise be examined and ordained, as in this office before appointed.