Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1866-05-25


fn'0U2deI that three tourtls of all the MEM
bers OF the several annual conferences shall
concur therein.
2. Lay representation-four laymen,
one Of whom may be local preacher; TO
be elected by the district stewards or in
snch way as tue annual conference may
dlrect to each presiding elders district in
the annual conferences an eqnal number
OF laymen and clergymen as representa-
lives to the General conference, executing
the number be given TO the advantage
Of the odd number t. be given to the cler-
lcal portion--the lay members of the an
n'fai conference to elect the lay represents
tatlves to the general conference and the
clerical members to elect the clerical
representatives. Cpou the the request Of
one-titjh # the general conference, the
laymen and the clergymen can from two
distinct houses, when u concurrent ma or-
ity will be necessary to pass auy law.
Tins action, however, is subjec to the
same confirmation and approval of three
fourths Of all the preachers in the several
annual conferences.
3. The limit of the pastorate has been
extended from two to four years.
4. A system, OF church meetings was
adopted, to be held once q month if prac-
ticahle, otherwise once a quarter-to be
| presided over by the preacher IN charge
Il1e object Of II is TO put the membership
more thoroughly IN connection with vari
Gus enterprises OF the church.
! s. The probation system has heen alb
rogated-mtmbers are to 5e received for
na.ly by the preacher in charge, according
10 the form OF the baptisnal service. or
some other form in an appendix to the
discip pline
.. Glass meeting is placed npou the same
footing with prayer, meeting, and is no
longer a test of membership.
Z. This missionary society is divided
into a domestic and a foreign missionary
society, with district boards, secretaries
and treasuries-the TONER located at Nash
vile, and the latter at Baltimore.
+ s Everything in the discipline in regard
to the men and women sitting apart IN the
church, has been taken out.
i 8. The whole matter Of the quarterage
y has been merged into real support.
Il TO- Every thing advisory in regard to
!, which requires preachers to consult the
} presiding elder upon the DELICATE subject
: of matrimony.
s II. No travelling preacher can be pro-
: posed to an annual conference for ordiua-
| ton, except he shall have passed an exam
2 ination bcf re the conference committees
/ to their satisfaction in the prescribed
course OF study.
! 12. It is recommended that, for the
: present Bible chair be established in
/ connection with each of our colleges, for
# the theological education Of young preach,
d ers.
: 13. Several important changes in the
( boundaries of conferences were made, for
l. which we refer to the report OF the COM
r mittee on boundaries and Northwest
+ Texas, the Columbia, the Mobile, and the
RI Montgomery conference were formed.
o The name of the ''Rio Grande" conference
e was changed to West Texas, and that of
j. the "Ouachita'' conference to Little Rock.
d The Kansas conference was divided be-
d tween tie Missouri and ST. Lonis confer
ences. The St. Louis, the Missouri, the
,e Baltimore, the Virginia, the Georgia, and
T. the East Texas are permitted to divide
i during the next four years, if they shall
S. deem it expedent and desirable to do so.
S Ia. Ehe vote on licensing preachers and
" Recommending persons for orliLation. ii
G to be-taken by ballot in the quarterly con
ID ferences.
ID Is. The coored members of the churcl
OF are to be formed into their own quartet
and annual conferences, the latter at tn
le discretion of the bishops, with view t
a, their ultimately forming their own Ger
w eral conference. Meanwhile the h;shor