The Doctrines and Discipline of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church / Revised Edition 1918

by Colored Methodist Episcopal Church

7. The Bishops shall have authority, when they judge it necessary, to change the place appointed for the meeting of the General Conference.

8. At all times when the General Conference is met, it shall take a majority of the representatives of all the Annual Conferences to make a quorum for transacting business.

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

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

(1) The General Conference shall not revoke, alter, or change our Articles of Religion, or establish any new standards or rule of doctrine contrary to our present existing and established standards of doctrine.

(2) They shall not allow of more than one representative for every fourteen members of the Annual Conference, nor allow of a less number than one for every thirty; provided, nevertheless, that when there shall be in any Annual Conference a fraction of two-thirds the number which shall be fixed for the ratio of representation, such Annual Conference shall be entitled to an additional delegate for such fraction; and provided, also, that no Conference shall be denied the privilege of two delegates.

(3) They shall not change or alter any part or rule of our government, so as to do away with episcopacy, or destroy the plan of our itinerant general superintendency.

(4) They shall not revoke or change the General Rules of the United Societies.

(5) They shall not do away with the privilege of our ministers or preachers of trial by a committee and of an appeal; neither shall they do away with the privileges of our members of trial before the Church or by a committee, and of an appeal.

Provided, nevertheless, that upon the concurrent recommendation of three-fourths of all the members of the several Annual Conferences, who shall be present and vote on such recommendation, then a majority of two-thirds of the General Conference succeeding shall suffice to alter any of the above restrictions, excepting the first article; and also, whenever such alterations shall have been first recommended by two-thirds of the General Conference, so soon as three-fourths of the members of all the Annual Conferences shall have concurred as aforesaid, such alteration or alterations shall take effect.