Christian Classics
‹ History of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Volume I. Book II. From the First Conference in 1773 to the First Regular General Conference in 1792. · Chapter 3 · On the Manner by which immoral ministers and Preachers shall be brought to Trial, found guilty, reproved, and suspended in the Intervals of Conference.

Nathan Bangs · 64 of 73

Book II. From the First Conference in 1773 to the First Regular General Conference in 1792. · Chapter 3 · On the Manner by which immoral ministers and Preachers shall be brought to Trial, found guilty, reproved, and suspended in the Intervals of Conference.

Question 1. What shall be done when an elder, deacon, or preacher is under the report of being guilty of some capital crime, expressly forbidden in the word of God as an unchristian practice, sufficient to exclude a person from the kingdom of and glory, and to make him a subject of wrath and hell?

Answer Let the presiding elder call as many ministers to, the trial as he shall think fit, at least three, and if possible bring the accused and accuser face to face; if the person is clearly , he shall be suspended from official services in the church, and not be allowed the privileges of a member. But if the accused be a presiding elder, the preachers must call in the presiding elder of the neighboring district, who is required to attend, and act as judge.

If the persons cannot be brought face to face, but the supposed delinquent flees from trial, it shall he received as a presumptive proof of guilt; and out of the mouth of two or three witnesses he shall be condemned. Nevertheless, he may then demand a trial face to face, or he may appeal to the next conference in that district.

Question 2. What shall be done in cases of improper tempers, words, or actions, or a breach of the articles and discipline of the church?

Answer The person so offending shall be reprehended by his bishop, elder, deacon, or preacher that has the charge of the circuit; or if he be a bishop he shall be reprehended by the conference. Should a second take place, one, two, or three preachers may be called in if not cured then, he shall be tried at the quarterly meeting by the elder and preachers present; if still incurable, he shall be brought before the conference, and if found guilty and impenitent, he shall be expelled from the connection, and his name so returned in the Minutes.

N. B. Any preacher suspended, at a quarterly meeting, from preaching shall not resume that employment again but by the order of the conference. But it is to be observed that a preacher shall be tried by a deacon, a deacon by an elder, an elder by a presiding elder, and a presiding elder by the presiding elder of a neighboring district.