To advise, reprove, comfort, or exhort, as occasion may require.
To receive what they are willing to give towards the support of the Gospel.
II. To meet the ministers and the stewards of the soci- ety once a week, in order —
To inform the minister of any that are sick, or of any that walk disorderly, and will not be reproved.
To pay to the stewards what they have received of their several classes in the week preceding, and
To show their account of what each person has con- tributed.
The original rule of Methodism was that each mem- ber contribute one penny weekly, and one shilling quar- terly when the tickets of membership were given. Even at the beginning of Methodism, and throughout its whole history, there have been members who gave six- pence, or even one shilling, weekly, and five or ten shil- lings quarterly, some twentj- shillings. Among the poor the original rule is the standing order. As early as 1748, leaders were recommended to meet in other classes to promote growth in grace. Leaders are really resident local pastors, and, as such, have in tlioiisands of instances witnessed many- most glorious and triumphant deaths. Leaders are chosen by the superintendent-preacher, and nominated by him at a leaders' meeting, the vote of the meeting fixing the appointment. Some good and useful leaders have been appointed at as early an age as six- teen years in times of special revival. Leaders are members of the quarterly meeting of society officers.
(3.) Circuit Stewards. — The most important of the circuit officers is the circuit steward, who manages all the finances. There are generally two in each circuit. They receive and pay all accounts, and report the items to each quarterly meeting. The}' are expected to at- tend the district meetings held in May and September. When ministers are invited to travel in a circuit, the steward makes the necessary arrangements. He is the official channel through which communications from a circuit are transmitted to the Conference. According to rule, the office of steward ceases at the end of the year, and no steward is to remain in office above three years in succession, except in some extraordinary cases. The}' are appointed to office by the quarterly meeting, on the nomination of the superintendent-minister.
(4.) Chapel stewards are appointed by the trustees to let and relet the sittings in a chapel, to receive the mon- ey for the same, and pay it into the hands of the treas- nrer for the trustees. They are expected to see that the chapel is kept in proper repair, to have it made ready for public worship, and to transact any business connect- ed with the chapel which can be done without calling the trustees together.
(5.) Societi/ stewards are intrusted with the financial affairs of a particular society. Where the members are few, only one is appointed, but two is the usual number. Their business is —
1. To attend the leaders' meetings; to examine the books of the leaders, and to receive the moneys which their members have contributed siuce the last leaders' meeting.
2. To prepare proper notices for the pulpit of all that is advertised upon the circuit plan, and to take care that other pulpit notices are duly signed.
3. To receive the preacher in the vestry before public worship, and to make such arrangements for the service as may be necessary, providing for the due celebration of the sacrament of baptism when it is appointed to be ad- ministered.
4. To see that the collections are made at the time specified upon the circuit plan, and to take charge of them until they can he delivered into tlie right hands.
5. To provide snitablehotnes, where needed, for preach- ers who officiate in their respective chapels, and to see that their expenses, if any, are paid.
WESLEYANS
948
WESLEYANS
They are chosen yearly on the nomination of the super- intendent-minister, the leaders' meeting approving or re- jecting as they see best. It is recommended that each so- ciety steward may be either changed annually, or one each year alternately, so as to retain one who knows the duties. ((}.) Poor-slewards receive and disburse the moneys given for the poor. The collections taken at the Lord's supper, and at love-feasts of the society, are thus dis- tributed. They attend the leaders' meeting, and pay to the leaders any sums which are voted for needy or sick members, monthly or quarterly. A special collection is often taken on the first Sunday of the new year, which yields from five to ten shillings for each poor member. The poor-stewards provide the bread and wine for the Lord's supper.and the bread and water for the love-feasts. Preachers wlio have wine after preaching are supplied by the same stewards.
(7.) Treasurers, secretaries, and members of commit- tee of the various institutions connected with Method- ism are, to some extent, offices held by intelligent and respectable members of the congregations, who are not always meml)ers of society, but persons of integrity, whose consistent Christian conduct entitles them to the confidence therel)y reposed in them. Many persons and families are by these means retained in Methodism who would be likely to drift into other comminiities of Chris- tians, but for their being thus employed in the work. Persons so occupied generally find their way into soci- ety' classes, and so Income recognised members.