2. Before any preacher is admitted into full connection, he shall have passed an approved examination upon the Course of Study prescribed by the Bishops for candidates for the ministry; and in no case shall a vote be taken to admit any one until he is recommended by the examining committee.
3. A missionary employed on a foreign mission may be admitted into full connection, if recommended by the superintendent of the mission where he labors, without being present at the Annual Conference for examination.
Ques. 2. What method do we use in admitting a preacher into full connection at the Conference?
Ans. After solemn fasting and prayer, every person proposed shall then be asked before the Conference the following questions, (with any, others which may be thought necessary), namely: Have you faith in Christ? Are you going on to perfection? Are you groaning after it? Are you resolved to devote yourself wholly to God and his work? Are you willing to conform to the Discipline of the Church? Will you diligently instruct the children in every place? Will you visit from house to house? Will you recommend fasting, or abstinence, both by precept and example? Will you especially observe the following directions?—
1. Be diligent. Never be unemployed. Never be triflingly employed. Never trifle away time; neither spend any more time at any place than is strictly necessary.
2. Be punctual. Do every thing exactly at the time. And do not mend our rules, but keep them; not for wrath, but conscience's sake.
3. Act in all things not according to your own will, but as a son in the gospel. It is therefore your duty to employ your time in the manner which we direct; in preaching, meeting the classes, visiting from house to house, and especially visiting the sick; in reading, meditation and prayer. Above all, if you labor with us in the Lord's vineyard, it is needful you should do that part of the work which we advise at those times and places which we judge best for his glory.
If he gives satisfactory answers to these questions, the Conference, by a vote of the majority, may admit him into full connection.
III. ELECTION TO DEACON'S ORDERS
Ques. 1. How is a deacon constituted?