PART IV.--CHAPTER IL

RAISING SUPPLIES.

Methods for Raising Annual Supplies for the Propagation of the Gospel, and for making up the Allowance of Preachers.

¶ 294. The more effectually to raise the amount necessary to meet the above-mentioned allowances of the effective Ministers and Preachers, let the Stewards at the beginning of the year estimate the amount needed monthly. Then ascertain from each member of the Church, and, as far as practicable, from each attendant of the Congregation, what each will give as his monthly contribution.

T295. Let these sums be entered by the Recording Steward in a book which he shall keep as Treasurer of the Board of Stewards. If the total amount of these sums does not equal the amount needed monthly, then let the Stewards apportion the deficiency among all such as are willing, voluntarily, to assume such deficiency, setting down to each person, with his consent, the additional amount which they think he ought monthly to pay.

¶ 296. Let the Stewards then adopt and carry out a plan by which every one, except such as

prefer to make weekly contributions through their Class Leaders, shall have the opportunity of regularly contributing each month, or oftener, not grudgingly nor of necessity, the sum which has been pledged by him. Let these contributions be paid over regularly to the Recording Steward or Class Leader, and be brought up by him to the Leaders and Stewards' Meeting or Quarterly Conference, as the case may be; and let the Stewards report to the First Quarterly Conference of each year the details of the Financial Plan. Also, to each subsequent Quarterly Conference whether the Plan, together with the further directions contained in this chapter, have been faithfully carried out. The Recording Steward shall keep an individual account of all these pledges and contributions, and shall pay over the moneys collected, under the direction of the Stewards, to the preachers authorized to receive them.

1297. To provide to meet the claims that may be presented and determined at the Annual Conference, every Preacher shall make an Annual Collection in every Congregation of his Charge, and the money so collected shall be lodged in the hands of the Steward or Stewards, and brought or sent to the ensuing Annual Conference.

T298. Let the annual produce of the Chartered Fund, as divided among the several Annual Conferences, be applied with the above contributions, but so as not to militate against the rules of

the Chartered Fund; and also the Annual Dividend arising from the profits of the Book Concern. Out of the money so collected and brought to the respective Annual Conferences let the various allowances agreed upon in accordance with the provisions of ¶¶ 293–317 be paid.

T299. Effective men who have not been able to obtain their allowance from the people among whom they have labored may present a claim to the Conference, to be paid out of the money at the disposal of the Conference; and such claim may be paid, or any part thereof, as the Conference may determine. In no case, however, shall the Church or Conference be holden accountable for any deficiency, as in the case of debt.

T300. Every Annual Conference has full liberty to adopt and recommend such plans and rules as to it may appear necessary the more effectually to raise supplies for the respective allowances. Each Annual Conference is authorized to raise a Fund, if it judge proper, subject to its own control, and under such regulations as its wisdom may direct, for the relief of the distressed Traveling and Superannuated Preachers, their Wives, Widows, and Children; and it shall be the duty of each Annual Conference to take measures, from year to year, to raise money in every Circuit and Station within its bounds for these purposes.

PART IV.-CHAPTER III.

PROVISIONAL FUNDS.

Board of Conference Claimants.

T301. There shall be a Board of Conference Claimants consisting of twelve ministers and twelve laymen, chosen by the General Conference, who, together with the Bishops of the Church (who shall be ex-officio members), and the Corresponding Secretary, shall constitute a Board of Control. And they shall be duly and legally incorporated, with such powers and prerogatives as shall be needful for the accomplishing of the objects of the Board as shall be hereinafter stated. Nine members shall constitute a quorum. The place of business shall be Chicago, Ill.

T302. The term of service of members of the Board shall begin on the first Monday of June following their election by the General Conference, or immediately, if appointed by the Board of Control, and continue until their successors are elected and qualified. Vacancies during the interval of the General Conference may be filled by the Board on the nomination of the Bishops. The officers shall have power to convene the Board when necessary.

1303. The officers of said Board shall con

sist of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and a Corresponding Secretary, all of whom shall be elected by the Board from among its own number, except the Corresponding Secretary, who shall be nominated by the Board of Bishops, and may be either a minister or a lay

man.

¶ 304. The Corresponding Secretary shall perform his duties under the direction of the Board and shall conduct its correspondence. He shall travel among the Annual Conferences, or elsewhere, in the interest of the Society, with the approval of the Board, and be authorized to secure pledges, make collections, and do such other work as will increase the funds of the Board. He shall receive such pay as the Board of Control may determine, and shall be paid out of the proceeds of the Permanent Fund.

¶ 305. The funds of this Society shall be known as the Permanent Fund and the Disbursing Fund. The Permanent Fund shall consist of special collections, grants, wills, bequests, or other conveyance of property, from which expenses shall be deducted, and the balance placed on interest by direction of the Board.

¶ 306. The Disbursing Fund shall consist of collections by the several Annual Conferences for Conference Claimants, together with the amounts coming from the profits of the Book Concern, and all interest from the Permanent Fund