Nathan Bangs · 36 of 73
Book II. From the First Conference in 1773 to the First Regular General Conference in 1792. · Chapter 3 · XXV. Of a Christian Man’s Oath
As we confess that vain and rash swearing is forbidden Christian men by our Lord Jesus Christ, and James his apostle, so we judge that the Christian religion doth not prohibit but that a man may swear when the magistrate requireth, in a cause of faith and , so it be done according to the prophet’s teaching, in justice, judgment, and truth.
That the reader may have an entire view of the doings of this conference, I think it expedient to give him the rules as they were then adopted, noticing, as we proceed in our history, such alterations or new rules as have been incorporated into the Discipline from time to time. After giving a short account of the rise of Methodism in Europe and America in Section I., they proceeded, in Section II., to state
The Method of holding a Conference, and the Business to be done therein.
It is desired that all things be considered as in the immediate . That every person speak freely whatever is in his heart.
Question 1. How may we best improve our time at the conference?
Answer
While we are conversing, let us have an especial care to set God always before us.
In the intermediate hours, let us all the time we can for private exercises.
Therein let us give ourselves to prayer for one another, and for a blessing on our labor.
Question 2. What is the method wherein we usually proceed in a conference?
Answer We inquire —
What preachers are admitted?
Who remain on trial?
Who are admitted on trial?
Who desist from traveling?
Are there any objections to any of the preachers? Who are named one by one.
How are the preachers stationed this year?
What numbers are in society?
What is collected for the contingent expenses?
How is this expended?
What is contributed toward the fund for the superannuated preachers, and the widows and orphans of the preachers?
What demands are there upon it?
Where and when shall our next conferences begin?
Question 3. Is there any other business to be done in the conference?
Answer The electing and ordaining of bishops, elders, and deacons.
After assigning some reasons for the organization which had just been accomplished, and the manner in which it had been done, the fourth section concludes thus on the manner of constituting a bishop, and of his duties and responsibilities: —
Question 2. How is a bishop to be constituted in future?
Answer By the of a majority of the conference, and the laying on of the hands of a bishop.
Question 3. What is his duty?
Answer To preside as moderator in our conferences; to fix the appointments of the preachers for the several circuits; and in the intervals of the conference, to change, receive, or suspend preachers, as necessity may require to travel through as many circuits as he can, and to direct in the spiritual business of the societies; as also to ordain bishops, elders, and deacons.
N.[athan B[angs]. The bishop has obtained liberty, by the suffrage of the conference, to ordain local preachers to the office of deacons, provided they obtain a testimonial from the society to which they belong, and from the stewards of the circuit, signed by three traveling preachers, three deacons, and three elders, (one of them being a presiding elder;) the names of those nominated being read in the conference previous to their ordination.
Question 4. To whom is the bishop amenable for his conduct?
Answer To the conference, who have power to expel him for improper conduct, if they see it necessary.
Question 5. If the bishop ceases from traveling at large among the people, shall he still exercise his office among us in any degree?
Answer If he ceases from traveling without the consent of the conference, he shall not hereafter exercise any ministerial function whatsoever in our church.
