the second and final draft, not later. than the day before the close of the Conference. 139. V. The Stationing Committee shall not allow any Minister or Probationer for the ministry to remain more than three years successively on the same Circuit, except the General Conference Officers, Superannuated and Supernumerary Ministers, the Missionaries among the Indians and on the French and Foreign Mission Districts, and such Ministers as may be appointed to our Educational Institutions; nor shall a Minister be re-appointed to a Circuit or Mission within a less interval than three years. CHAPTER II. DISTRICT MEETINGS. SECTION I. The Annual District Meeting. 140. For the preservation of our whole economy in active efficiency let the work be divided into districts. 141. The Chairman shall oversee all the spiritual and temporal business of the Church in his District, and shall, in conjunction with the Ministers and Probationers for the Ministry, under his care, be responsible to the Conference for the enforcement of Discipline. 142. The Annual District Meeting shall be composed of all members of Conference and Probationers for the Ministry stationed in each District respectively, according to the Discipline; and, except during the examination of character and other ministerial affairs,-which shall be the business of the first day,-the Recording Stewards of the several Circuits and Missions, and one other lay representative for each Minister or Probationer for the Ministry appointed in addition to the Superintendent on each Circuit or Mission; but the lay members of the District Meetings immediately preceding the General Conference shall have been elected by ballot at the previous Quarterly Official Meetings of the Circuits and Missions. 143. After the Chairman has opened the meeting by the usual devotional exercises, a Secretary shall be elected by ballot, who shall keep a record of the proceedings in a book procured for that purpose. At the close of each meeting the Minutes shall be signed by the Chairman and Secretary. The book shall be kept by the Chairman, and brought to Conference, and delivered by him to his successor. 144. In conducting the business of the District Meeting the following method shall be observed: The Chairman shall inquire, 145. First. What members are now present? 146. Second. Are the Ministers and Probationers blameless in life, conversation, and doctrine? 147. In the examination of Ministers and Probationers in the District Meeting, the Chairman is required to ask the following questions, distinctively and successively, concerning every brother: 1. Is there any objection to his moral and religious character? 2. Does he believe and preach all our doctrines ? 3. Has he duly observed and enforced our discipline? 4. Has he been punctual in attending all his appointments? 5. Has he competent abilities for our itinerant work? A separate answer to each of these questions is expected to appear in the District Minutes. 148. The Chairmen are required to examine into the case of every minister who has married during the year, whether the "Rule" has been obeyed, which says, "Take no steps towards marriage without first consulting your brethren ;" and to report to the Conference any cases in which that important direction shall appear to have been violated. This rule shall be considered as requiring in particular a consultation with the Chairman of his District, his Superintendent, or some senior minister competent to give advice in the case. 149. Third. In relation to Probationers for the Ministry the following regulations are to be observed: 150. I. Every Probationer for the Ministry shall pursue the course of study prescribed by Conference, (See Appendix No. I.) except as hereinafter provided; and before he shall be received into full connexion, he shall give satisfactory evidence to the Annual District Meeting, from year to year, of his knowledge of the subjects and books included in such course of study. 151. II. The Board of Examiners shall report to the Annual District Meetings those candidates who have passed a satisfactory examination in the Preliminary Course of Study they shall also report the character of all the other examinations. These reports are to be recorded in the Minutes of the Districts, and presented to the Annual Conference. 152. III. The Chairman shall also examine every Probationer for the Ministry respecting his acquaintance with the books recommended to him, and the general course of reading which he has pursued during the preceding year. For this purpose every such Probationer is required to deliver to the Chairman of his District a list of the books which he has read since the preceding Annual District Meeting. This list shall be laid before the Meeting, that the senior Ministers may have an opportunity of giving to the Probationers such advice and directions respecting their studies as may appear necessary. 153. IV. In addition to the preceding course of inquiry the following questions are to be put every year by the Chairman to every Probationer for the Ministry on the District, but they need not be inserted in the District Minutes. It is enough to say that the usual questions were put to the Probationers and satisfactorily answered; or, if otherwise, to state the case. 1. Have you now faith in Christ, and are you going on to perfection? 2. Have you attended regularly to private prayer, and to the devotional reading of the Scriptures, and books of a spiritual and experimental kind, in order to keep up devout and lively religious feelings in your own heart? 3. Have you carefully visited the sick under your charge, and others to whom you could obtain access? 4. Have you visited the people at their houses, inquiring into their religious state, praying with them, and administering wholesome counsel; and have you catechised the children of the schools, and those of your friends and hearers, as you have had opportunity. 5. Have you had fruit of your ministry during the year, and are you endeavouring so to state the leading truths of Christian doctrine and experience in your discourses, and so to apply them with affection, and earnestness, and prayer, as to do all in your power to secure success in your work? 6. Answer the following questions in such terms as you would use in stating the doctrines they contain to an inquirer under religious impressions, or in your sermons :— What is Evangelical Repentance? What is Justification? What is Justifying Faith? What is the direct Witness of 58, Q. for |