A Short History Of The Methodists... - Media Sabda Org

to include ferriages, horse-shoeing and provisions for themselves and horses on the road, when they
necessarily rode a distance.
Q. "What shall be annually allowed the wives of the traveling preachers?
A. "Sixty-four dollars if they be in want of it."
It was then understood that the wives of the traveling preachers had not an equal claim with the
preachers themselves. The preachers had a claim, however favorable their circumstance in life; but
the quarterly meeting was to judge of the condition of their wives, and if they were not in want, they
were to have no claim for money. This rule was afterwards changed, and ever since the preacher and
his wife have an equal claim.
Prior to this conference we had not allowed our preachers to take any thing for performing the
marriage ceremony; but at this time a rule was made allowing any of our preachers to receive money
if offered to them, (but not to charge) for performing the marriage ceremonies.
Q. "What plan shall we pursue in appropriating the money received by our traveling ministers for
marriage fees?
A. "In all the circuits where the preachers do not receive their full quarterage, let all such money
be given into the hands of the stewards, and be equally divided between the traveling preachers of
the circuit. In all other cases the money shall be disposed of at the discretion of the district
conferences."
In the close of the section, we had the following N. B. "No minister or preacher shall receive any
money for deficiencies, or on any other account out of any of our funds or collections, without first
giving an exact account of all the money, clothes, and other presents of every kind, which he has
received the preceding year."
This rule was intended to keep all the preachers as nearly on an equal footing as possible, in their
money matters. That there might be no jealousies or envyings among us. But that we, like brethren
of the same family, might all labour together in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In order that we might not be imposed upon by improper persons, coming from a distance under
the character of Methodists, we gave this advice to him who should have the charge of the circuit,
"To warn all from time to time, that none are to remove from one circuit to another, without a note
of recommendation from a preacher of the circuit in these words: 'A. B. the bearer, has been an
acceptable member in C.' and to inform them, that without such a certificate, they will not be
received into other societies."
This regulation we found to be of great service; for previous to this direction, persons who had
been expelled for improper conduct, could easily get into our society, when they removed into places
where they were not well known.