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made the same acknowledgement, freely and with her own consent, without being induced thereto through fear or threats of her said husband. In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal, the day and year first above written. Here the justice's name. (L. S.)

N. B. Let nine trustees be appointed for preaching houses, where proper persons can be procured; otherwise seven or five.

SECTION III.

Of the Qualifications, Appointment, and Duty of the Stewards of Circuits. Quest. 1. What are the qualifications necessary for Stewards?

Answ. Let them be men of solid piety, who both know and love the Methodist doctrine and discipline, and of good natural and acquired abilities to transact the temporal business.

Quest. 2. How are the Stewards to be appointed?

Answ. The preacher having the charge of the circuit, shall have the right of nomination; but the quarterly meeting conference shall confirm or reject such nomination. Quest. 3. What are the duties of Stewards?

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Answ. To take an exact account of ail the money, or other provision collected for the support of preachers in the circuit; to make an accurate return of every expenditure of money, whether to the preachers, the sick or the poor; to seek the needy and distressed, in order to relieve and comfort them; to inform the preachers of any sick or disorderly persons: to tell the preachers what they think wrong in them; to attend the quarterly meetings of their circuit; to give advice, if asked, in planning the circuit; to attend committees for the application of money to churches ; to give counsel in matters of arbitration; provide elements for the Lord's Supper; to write circular letters to the societies in the circuit to be more liberal if need be; as also to let them know, when occasion requires, the state of the temporal concerns at the last quarterly meeting; to register the marriages and baptisms, and to be subject to the Bishops, the Presiding Elder of their district, and the Elder, Deacon, and travelling preachers of their circuit.

Quest. 4. To whom are the Stewards accountable for the faithful performance of their duties?

Answ. To the Quarterly meeting Conference of the circuit or station.

Quest. 5. What number of Stewards are necessary in each circuit?

Answ. Not less than three, or more than seven, one of whom shall be the recording Steward.

SECTION IV.

Of the Allowance to the Ministers and Preachers, and to their Wives, Widows, and Children.

1. The annual allowance of the travelling preachers shall be one hundred dollars, and their travelling expenses.

2. The annual allowance of the wives of travelling preachers shall be one hundred dollars; but this provision shall not apply to the wives of those preachers who were single when they were received on trial, and marry under four years, until the expiration of said four years.

3. Each child of a travelling preacher shall be allowed sixteen dollars annually, to the age of seven years, and twenty-four dollars annually from the age of seven to fourteen years; and those preachers whose wives are dead, shall be allowed for each child annually a sum sufficient to pay the board of such child or children during the above term of years: Nevertheless, this

rule shall not apply to the children of preachers whose families are provided for by other means, in their circuits respectively.

4. The allowance of superannuated, worn out, and supernumerary preachers shall be one hundred dollars annually.

5. The annual allowance of the wives of superannuated, worn out, and supernumerary preachers, shall be one hundred dollars.

6. The annual allowance of the widows of travelling, superannuated, worn out and supernumerary preachers, shall be one hundred dollars.

7. The orphans of travelling, superannuated, worn out, and supernumerary preachers, shall be allowed by the annual conferences, if possible, by such means as they can devise, sixteen dollars annually.

8. Local preachers have an allowance in certain cases, as mentioned section 8, page 188.

SECTION V.

Of raising annual supplies for the Propagation of the Gospel, making up the allowance of the Preachers, &c.

1. Every preacher who has the charge of a circuit, shall earnestly recommend to

every class or society in his circuit, to raise a quarterly or annual collection by voluntary contribution, or in such other way or manner as they may judge most expedient from time to time; and the moneys so collected shall be lodged with the steward or stewards of the circuit, to be brought or sent to the annual conferences, with a regular account of the sums raised for this purpose, in the classes or societies respectively.

2. Wherever there remains in the hands of the stewards a surplus of the moneys raised for the use of the circuit preachers, after paying the allowances of the preachers in the circuit, let such surplus be brought or sent to the annual conference.

3. Every preacher who has the charge of a circuit, shall make a yearly collection, and if expedient, a quarterly one, in every congregation, where there is a probability that the people will be willing to contribute: 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. To this end, he may read and enlarge upon the following hints :

"How shall we send labourers into those parts where they are most of all wanted? Many are willing to hear, but

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