2. A Bishop who shall be found guilty by the committee on Episcopacy shall have the right to appeal to the General Conference then in session which shall finally determine the case.
3. No charge against a Bishop shall be tried unless it be made in writing with specifications signed by the accusers—and a copy of the charge with the specifications shall be delivered to the accused in sufficient time before the trial to enable him to make all necessary preparation for his defense.
CHAPTER XXIV.
TRIAL OF A TRAVELING PREACHER
Ques. 1. To whom is a traveling preacher amenable for his conduct?
Ans. To the Annual Conference, which shall have power to try, acquit, or expel him.
Ques. 2. What shall be done when a traveling preacher is accused of immorality?
Ans. 1. When a traveling elder or deacon is under report of being guilty of some crime expressly forbidden in the Word of God, if it be in the interval of the Annual Conference, let the Presiding Elder, in the absence of the Bishop, call as many traveling preachers as he shall think fit—at least three—and, if possible, bring the accused and the accuser face to face. If the accused be clearly convicted, he shall be suspended till the ensuing Annual Conference. The Presiding Elder shall cause an exact record of the investigation, signed by the President and Secretary, to be transmitted to the Annual Conference, by which his case shall be fully considered and determined.
If the accused be a Presiding Elder, any three traveling Elders or Deacons of his District may inquire into the case, and if they judge it necessary report to the Bishop, who shall appoint a committee of at least three Elders, from within the bounds of the Annual Conference of which the accused is a member; he shall also preside at the investigation, or some traveling Elder appointed by him; and the accused, if guilty, shall be suspended.
If the accused and the accuser cannot be brought face to face, but the supposed delinquent evades an investigation, it shall be received as a presumptive proof of guilt; and out of the mouth of two or three witnesses he shall be condemned, and be accordingly suspended. Nevertheless, even in that case, the Annual Conference shall consider and determine the whole matter.
2. When the accusation is preferred during the session of the Annual Conference, it shall first be referred to a committee of three traveling Elders for investigation, who shall report to the Conference whether or not they judge a trial necessary. If the Conference differ in judgment from the committee, a new committee may be appointed to inquire into the facts and report.