religious service. A Secretary pro tem. was then appointed. The several Annual Conferences were called, and delegates presented their certificates of election, which were read by the Secretary. The roll having been completed, and the number present ascertained, the General Conference adjourned, and on next day completed its organization by the election of a permanent Secretary. In 1844, at 9 A.M., May 1, Bishop Soule took the chair, and opened the Conference by reading the Scriptures and hymn. "Brothers Pickering and Capers called upon God in prayer." "The Secretaries of the last General Conference were then requested to assist in organizing the Conference. The chair called the different Annual Conferences in order;" and the delegates "presented to the Secretaries their certificates of election," and the roll was made up. Having ascertained a quorum to be present, the General Conference proceeded to the election of a Secretary and assistants. In 1866 the session was opened by Bishop Andrew. "The Secretary of the last General Conference called the list of the Annual Conferences,” and delegates presented their vouchers of election; after which the Secretary was elected. More than once the Secretaries of the General Conference have not been members of that body.

3. If a quorum be not present, the organization cannot be perfected; nor can business subsequently be proceeded with when the members present are reduced below a quorum. The presiding officer must suspend business immediately when notice is taken that the number present

A smaller number

has fallen below a quorum. than a quorum may adjourn from time to time.

4. An Annual Conference has no quorum: any number of its members, met at the time and place appointed, are competent to organize and proceed to business. But, as a portion of its membership is elective, and these have a right to participate in the organization, the names of those present must be recognized and enrolled before the Conference organization can be completed.

The usual manner of organizing an Annual Conference is this: The President in the chair, after suitable religious service, requests the Secretary of the last session of the Conference to call the roll of clerical members. In his absence, a Secretary pro tem. is appointed, generally by nomination and election. The Districts are then called, and the Presiding Elder of each presents the names and certificates of the four lay delegates elected. They are enrolled, the absent as well as the present. Having ascertained its membership, the Conference proceeds to finish its organization by the election of a Secretary. This done, it is ready for business. The names of reserve delegates who are present and propose to take part in the organization, should be announced and vouched for after the names of principals have been entered and their absence declared. If reserve delegates subsequently arrive, they are admitted by announcement and consent, without a vote, unless opposition be made. If they retire upon

the coming of their principals, the act must be duly notified to the Conference, and the Journal should show it.

In the absence of a Bishop, the organization is by temporary officers. At the proper time, the Presiding Elder of the District in which the Conference meets, or some other member of age, calls to order and nominates a traveling elder as President pro tem., putting the question on his own nomination, and announcing the result. If other nominations, in addition to his own, are made, the names should be submitted by him to the Conference in the order in which they are nominated. When a majority of votes is given for any one, he should be declared elected, and invited to the chair, without voting on the other names. The President pro tem. having taken the chair, conducts the religious service of the occasion, or calls upon some competent person to do so. A Secretary pro tem. is appointed, and the roll of members made out; after which a permanent President is elected by ballot from among the traveling elders, who at once takes his seat, and the organization is completed by the election of a permanent Secretary.

5. The Quarterly Conference is not elective, in whole or in part, as are the General and Annual Conferences. Its members are such, ex officio. Its President is designated by office, and never voted for. With the election of a Secretary, its organization is finished. Its rollcall should consist of the members belonging to the body, and not merely of those present.

CHAPTER IX.

RULES OF ORDER.

SEC. I.-PARLIAMENTARY CODE.

1. EVERY deliberative body must be governed by some rules. If it has none of its own, it is of necessity placed under those which have been established by usage. It can, however, after organization, adopt special rules for its own government. What is known as parliamentary law is the code governing every enlightened assembly having no rules of its own.

2. There are certain principles and forms of proceeding and of question, which are of universal application, and by which all deliberative bodies are more or less controlled: these constitute the Parliamentary Code. For example, all members have an equal right to submit propositions, and to explain and recommend them in discussion; all questions must be decided by a concurrent vote of the majority, etc. There are forms of proceeding pointing out the manner in which subjects are to be introduced; the way in which

These

a member may exert his influence for or against a measure, and the shapes which, for the convenience of discussion or decision, a proposition may be made to assume. And there are forms of question by which pending propositions may be deferred, or modified, or suppressed. forms are convenient, as circumstances may call for their employment. They have been found useful instruments to an assembly for ascertaining the opinions of its members, for maturing and announcing its convictions, for expressing its wishes, or for executing its designs; and all may be done in order and fairly, with dignity, good temper, and economy of time.

SEC. II.-DUTIES OF THE PRESIDENT.

1. The duties of a presiding officer are the following:

(1) To call the members to order at the appointed time.

(2) To conduct the opening religious service, or appoint some suitable person to do so.

(3) To direct the roll to be called at the opening of each session, unless otherwise ordered, and have the records of the previous session read, corrected, if necessary, and approved.

(4) To call up the business, in order. When