Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

on account of death or otherwise, the districts shall be regulated in every respect by the annual conferences and the presiding elders, in the interval of general conference, ordination only excepted.

Each annual conference shall pay its proportionate part towards the allowance of each one of the bishops.

SECTION II.

Of building churches and the order to be observed therein.

Quest. 1. Is any thing advisable in regard to building?

Answ. Let all our churches be built plain and decent, and with free seats; but not more expensive than is absolutely unavoidable; otherwise the necessity of raising money will make rich men necessary to us. But if so, we must be dependant on them, yea, and governed by them. And then farewell to Methodist discipline, if not doctrine too.

2. In order more effectually to prevent our people from contracting debts which they are not able to discharge, it shall be the duty of the quarterly conference, of every circuit and station, where it is contemplated to build a house or houses of worship, to secure the

ground or lot on which such house or houses are to be built, according to our deed of settlement, which deed must be legally executed; and also said quarterly conference shall appoint a judicious committee of at least three members of our church, who shall form an estimate of the amount necessary to build; and three fourths of the money, according to such estimate, shall be secured or subscribed, before any such building shall be commenced.

3. In future, we will admit no charter, deed, or conveyance, for any house of worship to be used by us, unless it be provided in such charter, deed, or conveyance, that the trustees of said house shall at all times permit such ministers and preachers belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church, as shall from time to time be duly authorized by the general conference of the ministers of our church, or by the annual conferences, to preach and expound God's holy word, and to execute the discipline of the church, and to administer the sacraments therein, according to the true meaning and purport of our deed of settle

ment.

4. As it is contrary to our economy to build houses with pews to sell or rent, it shall be the duty of the several annual conferences, to use their influence to prevent houses from being so built in future; and as far as possible to make those houses free which have already been built with pews.

5. No person shall be eligible as a trustee to any of our houses, churches, or schools, who is not a regular member of our church.

6. No person who is a trustee shall be ejected while he is in joint security for money, unless such relief be given him as is demanded, or the creditor will accept.

Quest. 2. Is there any exception to the rule, "Let the men and women sit apart?" Answ. There is no exception.-Let them sit apart in all our churches.

Quest. 3. Is there not a great indecency sometimes practised among us, viz. talking in the congregation before and after service? How shall this be cured?

Answ. Let all the ministers and preachers join as one man, and enlarge on the impropriety of talking before or after service; and strongly exhort those that are concerned, to do it no more. In three months, if we are in earnest, this vile practice will be banished out of every Methodist congregation. Let none stop till he has carried his point.

Quest. 4. What shall be done for the security of our preaching houses, and the premises belonging thereto?

Answ. Let the following plan of a deed of settlement, be brought into effect in all possible cases, and as far as the laws of the states respectively will admit of it.-But each annual conference is authorized to make such modification in the deeds, as they may find the different usages and customs of law require in the different states and territories, so as to secure the premises firmly by deed, and permanently to the Methodist Episcopal Church, according to the true intent and meaning of the following form of a deed of settlement; any thing in the said form to the contrary notwithstanding.

THIS INDENTURE, made this

[blocks in formation]

(if the grantor be mar

ried, insert the name of his wife) of the one

part, and

trustees, in trust

tioned, all of the

in the state

for the uses and purposes herein after men

of

aforesaid, of the other part,

WITNESSETH, that the said

(if

married, insert the name of his wife) for and in consideration of the sum of

specie, to in hand paid, at and upon the sealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, hath (or have) given, granted, bargained, sold, released, confirmed and con

veyed, and by these presents doth (or do) give, grant, bargain, sell, release, confirm and convey unto them, the said

and their successors, (trustees, in trust for the uses and purposes herein after mentioned and declared) all the estate, right, title, interest, property, claim, and demand whatsoever, either in law or equity, which he the said (if married, here insert the name of his wife) hath (or have) in, to, or upon all and singular a certain lot or piece of land, situate, lying, and being in the and state aforesaid, bounded and butted as follows, to wit : (here insert the several courses and distances of the land to the place of beginning) containing and laid out for

acres of land, together with all and singular the houses, woods, waters, ways, privileges and appurtenances thereto belonging, or in any wise pertaining: TO HAVE AND TO HOLD all and singular, the above mentioned and described lot or piece of land, situate, lying, and being as aforesaid, together with all and singular the houses, woods, waters, ways, and privileges thereto belonging, or in any wise appertaining, unto them the said and their successors

in office for ever in trust, that they shall erect and build, or cause to be erected and

« AnteriorContinuar »