being so unacceptable, inefficient, or secular as to be no longer useful in his work.

SECTION III.

TRIAL OF A PROBATIONER.

119. Ques. What shall be done with a preacher on trial who is accused of immorality?

Ans. He shall be accountable to the Quarterly Conference of the circuit on which he travels. The Presiding Elder shall call a committee of investigation, and the course of discipline shall be pursued that is made and provided for a local preacher under a like accusation.

SECTION IV.

TRIAL OF A LOCAL PREACHER.

120. Ques. 1. To whom is a local preacher amenable for his conduct?

Ans. To the Quarterly Conference, which shall have power to try, acquit, or expel him.

121. Ques. 2. What shall be done when a local preacher is accused of immorality?

Ans. 1. When a local preacher is under report of immorality, or accused thereof in writing, signed by a member of our Church, the preacher in charge shall appoint a committee of three local preachers, and if local preachers cannot be obtained, of members of the Church, to investigate the report or accusation. If upon investigation this committee judge a trial necessary, they shall see that a bill of charges and specifications be drawn in proper form, and shall appoint a local preacher or member of the Church to prosecute the case before the ensuing Quarterly Conference. A copy of the bill of charges

and specifications shall be delivered to the accused a sufficient length of time before the trial to enable him to make the necessary preparations for his defense.

Ans. 2. The committee of investigation shall, in every case, make a report to the Quarterly Conference; and if the Conference differ in judgment, a new committee may be appointed to inquire into the facts and to report.

Ans. 3. A local preacher who has been notified by the Presiding Elder, or the preacher in charge, of a bill of charges and specifications thus found against him, shall not be allowed to exercise the functions of his office until the case has been presented to and determined by the Quarterly Confer

ence.

Ans. 4. The President of the Quarterly Conference shall, at the com

mencement of the trial, appoint a secretary, who shall take down regular minutes of the evidence and proceedings. The minutes, when read and approved, shall be signed by the Presi dent, and also by the members who are present, or a majority of them, and the sentence of the Quarterly Conference shall be pronounced by the President.

122. Ques. 3. What shall be done in cases of improper tempers, words, or actions?

Ans. The person so offending shall be reprehended by the preacher having charge. Should a second transgression take place, one, two, or three faithful friends are to be taken as witnesses. If he be not then cured, he shall be dealt with as in a case of immorality; and, if found guilty and impenitent, he shall be expelled from the Church.

123. Ques. 4. What shall be done with those local preachers who hold and disseminate, publicly or privately, doctrines which are contrary to our Articles of Religion?

Ans. Let the same process be observed as in case of immorality.

124. Ques. 5. What shall be done when a local elder or deacon is complained of as being so unacceptable or inefficient as to be no longer useful in his work, and the Quarterly Conference refuses to pass his character on that ground?

Ans. The Quarterly Conference next succeeding shall proceed to investigate the case; and if it appear that the complaint is well founded, and he do not give the Conference satisfaction that he will amend, or voluntarily retire, the Conference may depose him from the ministry. He shall