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

A. "To the conference: who have power to expel him for improper conduct, if they see it
necessary."
N. B. No person shall be ordained a Superintendent, Elder or Deacon, without the consent of a
majority of the conference, and the consent and imposition of hands of a Superintendent; except in
the following instance:
Q. 29. "If by death, expulsion or otherwise, there be no Superintendent remaining in our church,
what shall we do?"
A. "The conference shall elect a Superintendent, and the Elders or any three of them shall ordain
him according to our liturgy."
Another rule was, "that if a Superintendent ceases from traveling without the consent of the
conference, he shall not thereafter exercise any ministerial function whatsoever in our church." The
same rule was also made for the Elders and Deacons, in case they should cease to travel without the
consent of the conference.
There were twelve rules formed for a helper, which are proper, and worth attending to by all our
preachers; they are as follow:
1. "Be diligent. Never be unemployed. Never be triflingly employed. Never while away time:
neither spend any more time at any place than is strictly necessary."
2. "Be serious. Let your motto be, holiness to the Lord. Avoid all lightness, jesting and foolish
talking."
3. "Converse sparingly and cautiously with women: particularly with young women."
4. "Take no step toward marriage without first consulting with your brethren."
5. "Believe evil of no one: unless you see it done, take heed how you credit it. Put the best
construction on every thing. You know the judge is always supposed to be on the prisoner's side.
6. "Speak evil of no one: else your word especially would eat as doth a canker: keep your thoughts
within your own breast, till you come to the person concerned.
7. "Tell every one who is under your care, what you think wrong in his conduct and temper, and
plainly, as soon as may be, else it will fester in your heart. Make all haste to east the fire out of your
bosom.
8. "Do not affect the gentleman. -- A preacher of the gospel is the servant of all.
9. "Be ashamed of nothing but sin: not of fetching wood (if time permit) or drawing water: not
of cleaning your own shoes, or your neighbor's.