ing between the Susquehannah and Delaware Rivers, except so much as is included in the Baltimore and Genesee Conferences; and all the state of New-Jersey, Staten Island, and so much of the state of New-York as now is or at any time may be included in the Bergen and Hamburg Circuits.

Provided that the Bishops be, and they are hereby authorized, with the advice and consent of the South Carolina and Mississippi Conferences, to form a new Conference of such sections of country, as may be included in those Conferences.

Provided also that the Bishops shall have authority to appoint other Annual Conference, if the number of Circuits should so increase as in their judgment to require it.

Quest. 2. How are the Districts to be formed?

Answ. According to the judgment of the Bishops.

In case there be no Bishops to travel through the Districts and exercise the Episcopal office, 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 is to pay its proportionate part towards the allowance of the Bishops.

SECTION. ΙΙ.

Of the Building Churches, and the Order to be observed therein.

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

Answ. 1. 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 dependent 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 ap

point 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 authorised 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 settlement.

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 been already 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 authorised 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

day of

one thousand

between

state of

(if the grantor be mar

ried, insert the name of his wife) of the

one part, and

trustees, in trust

in the state

for the uses and purposes herein after

mentioned, all of the

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, con