Provided, that when any rule or regulation is adopted by the General Conference, which, in the opinion of the Bishops, is unconstitutional, the Bishops may present to the Conference which passed said rule or regulation, their objections thereto, with their reasons, in writing; and if then the General Conference shall, by a two-thirds vote, adhere to its action on said rule or regulation, it shall then take the course prescribed for altering a restrictive rule, and thus passed upon affirmatively, the Bishops shall announce that such rule or regulation takes effect from that time.
CHAPTER IV.
ANNUAL CONFERENCES.
Ques. 1. Who shall compose an Annual Conference, and what are the regulations and powers belonging to it?
Ans. 1. All the traveling preachers in full connection with it, and four lay representatives—one of whom may be a local preacher—from each Presiding Elder's District.
2. The lay members shall be chosen annually by the District Conferences; provided that no one shall be a representative who is not twenty-five years of age, and who has not been for six years, next preceding his election, a member of the Church.
3. The lay members shall participate in all the business of the Conference, except such as involves ministerial character.
4. It shall be the duty of all the members of the Conference to attend its sessions, unless providentially hindered. All the preachers on trial, and those to be admitted on trial, shall also attend the sessions, but they shall not vote on any question, nor speak unless by consent of the Conference.
Ques. 2. Who shall determine the number and boundaries of the Annual Conferences?
Ans. The General Conference.