have a better opportunity than the traveling preachers of performing these parts of the work of discipline, as they are more of the time with the people, are better acquainted with them, and consequently know better when and where to apply the laws of the Church, and prevent scandal and mischief." (Discourse on Discipline, p. 41.)

2. A local preacher may be employed by the Presiding Elder as a supply on a vacant circuit, station, or mission, in the interval of the Annual Conference, and be invested with the full powers of preacher in charge, for the time being. Thus employed, he is entitled to the support of a traveling preacher. For this, there may be a recommendation from the Quarterly Conference. The recommendation may be in the usual form for admission into the itinerant ministry, or a simple recommendation as a supply.

"Out of the local preachers are chosen the traveling preachers; nor can they be received upon trial as traveling preachers till they have obtained a recommendation from the Quarterly Conferences of their respective circuits. The Bishops and the Presiding Elders have the authority to call them to travel, in the intervals of the Conference, when they have received the above recommendation; otherwise, the circuits would be frequently destitute. But their call to travel must afterward be confirmed by the yearly Conference." (Notes on Discipline, by Coke and Asbury.)

3. Local preachers "aid" the itinerant in supplying the people with the ministry of the word; and this is a "duty" laid down in the Discipline. They should regulate their labors. in harmony with their pastor's, and according to a systematic plan drawn up by him. The unity of the work must be maintained. They are, in a sense, his "helpers;" yet, the preacher in charge cannot control the appointments of a local preacher unless they conflict with the plan of the circuit.

When in systematic coöperation with the pastor, local preachers may be authorized by him to do a work which is peculiarly his-not only "to form new congregations," but "to take a list of the names of all candidates for Church-membership," whom they judge to be proper persons; and even, if it be expedient under the circumstances, to "receive them into the Church." It would breed confusion, and worse, if this prerogative of receiving members should be used by local preachers not under the direction of the pastor, but operating independently of him. Therefore the Discipline requires, and makes it a condition of this authority from the pastor, that its results be promptly reported back to him, and placed under his care.

SEC. VI.-OF EXHORTERS.

1. Every exhorter, by virtue of his office, is a member of the Quarterly Conference. His

business is not to sermonize-not formally to announce a text and confine himself to the exposition of it. It is less formal. He may read a Scripture lesson, and make a practical application of its leading sentiments to the congregation, or he may speak without such a specific basis. The prayer-meeting is his chosen field. As it is one of the duties of the preacher who has charge of a circuit "to appoint prayer-meetings wherever he can," so, as early as 1779, it was made the duty of the exhorter to go by his directions. The exhorter is not subject to the stricter examination of the local preacher in theological or educational acquirements, nor is the vote for license taken by ballot. It is required, however, that before the Quarterly Conference can entertain his application, he be recommended by the Society where he holds his membership, or the leaders' meeting.

Several of the questions or tests directed to be applied in "trying those who profess to be moved by the Holy Ghost to preach," imply that they have first been exhorters, and in this tentative office have shown many of the gifts of a preacher, if they have not preached many things in their exhortation. "Have they gifts for the work?" it is asked. "Do they speak justly, readily, clearly? Have they fruit? Are any truly convinced of sin and converted to God by their preaching?"

This office is useful as an introduction into the min

istry, and making available the talents of many who ought never to go beyond it. As early as 1780 it was a solemn Conference deliverance that "no one presume to speak in public" without a written license from the pastor, subject to renewal by him, after "examination with respect to life, qualification, and reception." In 1784, it was said, "Let none exhort in any of our Societies without a note of permission from the assistant, Let every exhorter take care to have this renewed yearly." A long time the original license was given by the pastor or the Presiding Elder, on his own judgment; but as the law required-from 1816—that “exhorters so authorized shall be subject to the annual examination of character in the Quarterly-meeting Conference, and have their license annually renewed by the Presiding Elder or the preacher having the charge, if approved by the Quarterly-meeting Conference," the Quarterly Conference now grants that license in the first place, which depends on its renewal afterward. Those who are not called to expound God's holy word, but may be useful in this mode of spiritual excitation, should heed the admonition of the apostle: Let him that exhorteth wait on his exhortation. (Rom. xii. 8.)

SEC. VII.-OF CLASS-LEADERS.

1. A minister is bound to take heed to all the flock over the which the Holy Ghost hath made him an overseer. When practicable, he should have personal knowledge of them all, and especially of the state of their souls in religious expe

rience, and of their life and conversation before the Church and the world. If, by reason of the extent of his charge, or the number of souls under his pastoral care, this cannot be done in person, it should be done by proxy. For this object, mainly, class-leaders are provided.

"If," says Bishop Hedding, "the leaders cannot, or will not, do their duty, let them be changed for others who will be more faithful; and then, if it be necessary, appoint other agents to assist the leaders, so as to be sure and have a report from all the members. Sometimes when females are to be searched out, visited, comforted, exhorted, or reproved, it may be very proper and useful to appoint judicious and pious persons of their own sex to perform that service; and thus the sisters may follow the example of those in the apostolic Church who 'labored with' St. Paul 'in the gospel.""

2. The leaders' meeting has no functions assigned it which require it to be held, in all our circuits and stations, weekly or monthly; but when held according to the direction of Discipline, it is eminently adapted to promote the interests of the Church. It is composed of the pastor, and the leaders and stewards, and is empowered to recommend suitable persons for license as exhorters or local preachers.

3. The Discipline does not recognize the office of assistant class-leader. Though a member may be requested to assist a leader in the dis