7. The legislation of 178-1 gave new force to the es- sential features which Kankin and Asbury, who had been trained iu the school and under the eye of Wesley, had stamped upon the American societies. I-^vangelization and suijervision, the former to extend the work, the lat- ter to secure and build up what had been won, were fuiulameiital in the methods then adopted, as they were in the measures of Wesley. The bishops were chief evauLti'lisis, almost plenary in power, yet sharing with the liuiiil)le.st iu fare and labor, insi)ecting the local so- cieticis and classes, meeting leaders and trustees, and holding themselves responsible for even the details of the work throughout the denomination. The ])r<'acher in charge of a circuit was the bishop's •■,i^>i-i,nii.' and the other preachers of the circuit wen- 1 hi' .i-^i-iam's ••help- ers," and under his direction. In still < lox r ( uuiact with the membership was the class-leader, ajjpointed by the assistant, and iu his subordinate sphere of pastorship aiding him by watching over the little band while he might be in other parts of the circuit. This " military regimen," as the historian of the Church has styled it, very remote from a democrac\% which, indeed, it never pretended to be, gave surprising vigor to all the move- ments of the system. In all the modifications which have been from time to time effected, and the numerous Ihnitations of power which the ministry have imposed upon themselves, these features of evangelization and super\ision have l)((n st( .idily maintained. The bish- op presides iu the (diir. n iin- : forms the districts ac- cording t.i Ills judgninu ; ai.pciiiiis the preachers to their li;lds. .illowing none to romaiu more than three years in succession in the same charge, except the presiding elders, who may remain four years, and a few others specially designated; ordains; travels through the con- nection at large, and oversees, in accorilauce with the prescribed regulations of the (Jeneral Conference, to which he is subject, the spiritual and temporal business of the Cluirch. The bishops are not diocesan, but have a joint jurisdiction over the whole Church, constituting on "itinerant general superintendency." The arrange- ment and division of their work is auinially made by themselves, giving to each his portion (though their respective residences are assigned by the (Jeneral Con- ference),and for its faithful and orderly performance they are responsible to the General Conference. See Ei'is- corAcv ; Itinehancy.
8. Ordinations of preachers were at first designed sim- ply to supply the sacraments to the societies, and soon an elder came for this purpose to be placed in charge of a district containiug several circuits. Thus originated the office of presiding elder, a sub-episcopate, with du- ties of oversight and administration indispensal>le in the system of the Church. Their constant travel throiigli tlu'ir districts, their presidency in the Quarterly Con- ferences, and familiarity with both churches and pas- tors, enabled the presiding elders to give the bishop the information and counsel necessary for the best adjust- ment of tlie apjiointments. In this work usage has made them his advisers, or, in more popular phrase, his "caiiinet," though without authority of law. The wis-^ dom of tlie Church has judged it iiest that the sole re- sponsibility of the appointments shall be with the Kpis- copacy.
9. Admission into an Aimual Conference is preceded by a two years' probation iu the itinerant work, and a ri^id examination in a presrribcd course of study ; and all preachers thus admitted as members are ordained j deacons, and in two years more, on the completion of I
the required studies, they are ordained elders. It de- volves upon the former to " administer baptism, solem- nize matrimony, assist the elder in administering the Lord's Supper, and to do all the duties of a travelling preacher;"' and upon the latter, iu addition to these, to "administer the Lord's Supper" and to ••conduct divine worship." Hut an eliler, deacon, or preacher may be in charge of a circuit or station, with no difference in func- tion except in the matter of the sacraments. He is the chief executive officer of the local society, charged to "take care" of its interests in accordance with the provisions of the Discipline, and is responsible to the Annual Conference both for the proper discharge of his duties and for his moral conduct. While he is the pas- tor of the flock, sub-pastors, denominated class-leaders, are charged with the oversight of small bodies of the membership, whom they are to meet weekly " for social and religious worship, for instruction, encouragement, and admonition." The local preachers, without a share in the government of the Church, except in the District and (Quarterly CoidVrences. constitute a lay ministry, a corps of self-suiiporting evangelists, numerically larger than the travelling preachers, which has been of great efficiency. See Lav Ministry. All churches and par- sonages are the property of the local society, held by trustees chosen in accordance with the law of the state or territory wherever a specific mode is required, and otherwise by the Quarterly Conference.
10. Admission to membership in the Church is pre- ceded by a probation of at least six months, during which period the candidate has opportunity for acquir- ing that familiarity with the Church, its doctrines, rules, and usages, which enables him to intelligently as- sume the obligations of a member therein. The one preliminary condition for reception on trial is "a desire to fite from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their sins," which is expected to show itself by such frints as are specified in the General Rules. Genuine spiritual life is more carefully sought than rigid dog- matic orthodoxy, the only test of the latter sort being "the doctrines of holy Scripture, as set forth in the Ar- ticles of lieligion," which, as shown above, embrace lit- tle more than the fundamentals of Christian doctrine as accepted by evangelical churches. The probationer, having been previously baptized, and also recommended by the Leaders' and Stewards' fleeting, or by his leader if there is no such meeting, ma}' be received into the Church upon giving assurance in jiresence of the Church of his doctrinal belief as just expressed, his purpose to observe and keep the rules of the Church, and to con- tribute of his worldly goods, according to his ability, for the support of its institutions. Nevertheless, persons coming frenn other orthodox churches are received at once into full fellowship without the usual probation.