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Quest. 3. Ought any woman to marry without the consent of her parents?

Answ. In general she ought not. Yet there may be exceptions. For if, 1. A woman believe it to be her duty to marry: if, 2. Her parents absolutely refuse to let her marry any Christian: then she may, nay, ought to marry without their consent. Yet even then a Methodist preacher ought not to be married to her.

We do not prohibit our people from marrying persons who are not of our church, provided such persons have the form, and are seeking the power of godliness; but we are determined to discourage their marrying persons who do not come up to this description. And even in a doubtful case, the member shall be put back on trial

SECTION VI

Of Dress.

Quest. Should we insist on the rules con

cerning dress?

Answ. By all means. This is no time to give any encouragement to superfluity of apparel. Therefore give no tickets to any till they have left off superfluous ornaments. In order to this, 1. Let every one who has the charge of a circuit, read the thoughts upon dress, at least once a year in every large society. 2. In visiting the classes, be very mild, but very strict. 3. Allow of no exempt case: better one suffer than many. 4. Give no tickets to any that wear high heads, enormous bonnets, ruffles, or rings.

SECTION VII.

Of bringing to trial, finding guilty, and reproving, suspending, or excluding, disorderly persons from society and church privileges.

Quest. How shall an accused member be brought to trial ?

Answ. 1. Before the society of which he is a member, or a select number of them, in the presence of a bishop, elder, deacon, or preacher, in the following manner: Let the accused and accuser be brought face to face; but if this cannot be done, let the next best evidence be procured. If the accused person be found guilty by the decision of a majority of the members before whom he is brought to trial, and the crime be such as is expressly forbidden by the word of God, sufficient to exclude a person from the kingdom of grace and glory, let the minister or preacher who has the charge of the circuit, expel him. If the accused person evade a

trial, by absenting himself, after sufficient notice given him, and the circumstances of the accusation be strong and presumptive, let him be esteemed as guilty, and be accordingly excluded. - Witnesses from without shall not be rejected.

2. But in cases of neglect of duties of any kind, imprudent conduct, indulging sinful tempers or words, or disobedience to the order and discipline of the church: First, let private reproof be given by a preacher or leader; and if there be an acknowledgment of the fault, and proper humiliation, the person may be borne with. On a second offence, the preacher or leader may take one or two faithful friends. On a third offence, let the case be brought before the society, or a select number, and if there be no sign of real humiliation, the offender must be cut off.

3. If a member of our church shall be clearly convicted of endeavouring to sow dissensions in any of our societies, by inveighing against either our doctrines or discipline, such person so offending, shall be first reproved by the senior minister or preacher of his circuit, and, if he persist in such pernicious practices, he shall be expelled from the church.

4. Nevertheless, if in any of the abovementioned cases the minister or preacher

differ in judgment from the majority of the society, or the select number, concerning the innocence or guilt of the accused person, the trial, in such case, may be referred by the minister or preacher, to the ensuing quarterly meeting conference.

5. If there be a murmur or complaint from any excluded person, in any of the above mentioned instances, that justice has not been done, he shall be allowed an appeal to the next quarterly meeting conference: except such as absent themselves from trial, after sufficient notice is given them: and the majority of the travelling and local preachers, exhorters, stewards, and leaders present, shall finally determine the case.

After such forms of trial and expulsion, such persons shall have no privileges of society or of sacraments, in our church, without contrition, confession, and proper trial.

SECTION VIII.

Of the Sale and Use of Spirituous Liquors. Quest. 1. What directions shall be given concerning the sale and use of spirituous liquors ?

Answ. If any member of our church retail or give spirituous liquors, and any thing disorderly be transacted under his roof on this account, the preacher who has the oversight of the circuit shall proceed against him as in the case of other immoralities: and the person accused shall be cleared, censured, suspended, or excluded, according to his conduct, as on other charges of immorality.

CHAPTER III.

SACRAMENTAL SERVICES, ETC.

SECTION I.

The Order for the Administration of the Lord's Supper.

The Elder shall say one or more of these sentences Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven, Matt. v, 16.

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal, Matt. vi, 19, 20.

Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do unto them: for this is the law and the prophets, Matt. vii, 12.

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