Nathan Bangs · 61 of 73

Book II. From the First Conference in 1773 to the First Regular General Conference in 1792. · Chapter 3 · Of the Method of raising a Fund for the superannuated Preachers, and the Widows and Orphans of Preachers

Question 1. How can we provide for superannuated preachers, and the widows and orphans of preachers?

Answer

Let every preacher contribute two dollars yearly at the conference.

Let every one when first admitted as a traveling preacher pay twenty shillings Pennsylvania currency.

Let the money be lodged in the hands of the presiding elder, or lent to the college; and an account thereof kept by the deacon.

N. B. The application of the money shall rest with the conference.

4. Out of this fund let provision be made, first, for the worn-out preachers, and then for the widows and children of those that are dead.

5. Every worn-out preacher shall receive, if he wants it, not usually more than twenty-four pounds annually; Pennsylvania currency.

6. Every widow of a preacher shall receive yearly if she wants it, during her widowhood, twenty pounds.

7. Every child of a preacher shall receive once for all, if he wants it, twenty pounds.

8. But none shall be entitled to any thing from this fund till he has paid fifty shillings.

9. Nor any who neglect paying his subscription for three years together, unless he be sent by the conference out of these United States.

10. Let every assistant, as far as possible, bring to the conference the contribution of every preacher left behind in his circuit.