Nathan Bangs · 41 of 73

Book II. From the First Conference in 1773 to the First Regular General Conference in 1792. · Chapter 3 · On Class-Meeting

Question 1. How may the leaders of classes be rendered more useful?

Answer

Let each of them be diligently examined concerning his method of meeting a class. Let this be done with all possible exactness, at least once a quarter. In order to this, take sufficient time.

Let each leader carefully inquire how every soul in his class prospers: not only how each person observes the outward rules, but how he grows in the knowledge and love of God.

Let the leaders converse with the elder and deacon frequently and freely.

Question 2. Can any thing more be done in order to make the class-meetings lively and profitable?

Answer

Change improper leaders.

Let the leaders frequently meet each other’s classes.

Let us observe which leaders are the most useful: and let these meet the other classes as often as possible.

See that all the leaders be not only men of sound judgment, but men truly devoted to God.

Question 3. How shall we prevent improper persons from insinuating themselves into the society?

Answer

Give tickets to none until they are recommended by a leader with whom they have met at least six months on trial.

Give notes to none but those who are recommended by one you know, or until they have met three or four times in a class.

Read the rules to them the first time they meet.

Question 4. How shall we be more strict in receiving and excluding members?

Answer In large societies we may read the names of those that are received and excluded once a quarter.

Question 5. What shall we do with those members of society who willfully and repeatedly neglect to meet their class?

Answer

Let the elder, deacon, or one of the preachers visit them, whenever it is practicable, and explain to them the consequence if they continue to neglect, viz. exclusion.

If they do not amend, let the deacon exclude them in the society; showing that they are laid aside for a breach of our rules of discipline; and not for immoral conduct.