Transcriber's Note:
Obvious printer errors have been corrected. Hyphenation has been
rationalised.
The text is divided into fifty eight Chapters, which are grouped into
nine Parts. The Chapters are not identified in the Contents pages: they
mostly coincide with the topics noted there, though not with their
numbering. The numbering of pages is occasionally out of sequence,
generally when a topic is discussed more than once.
Both the Index and the Contents Pages use expressions that identify the
page number and section/subsection to which they relate. These
expressions are explained in the Note immediately before the Index.
A number of words and phrases are bolded in the original. These are
identified in this text by =equal signs=. Where the original treatment
is unclear a guess has been necessary.
Passages in smaller font in Part IX (The Ritual), that describe actions
to be taken by a minister or the congregation, are identified by +plus
signs+.
THE DOCTRINES
AND
DISCIPLINE
OF THE
COLORED METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
REVISED EDITION 1918
COPYRIGHTED 1918,
By The AGENT and Publishers of the
COLORED M. E. CHURCH
=Episcopal Address=
To the Members of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church:
We esteem it our duty and privilege most earnestly to recommend to you,
as members of our Church, our form of Discipline, which has been founded
on the experience of a long series of years.
We wish to see this publication in the house of every member of the
Colored Methodist Episcopal Church; and the more so, as it contains the
Articles of Religion maintained more or less, in part or in whole, by
every reformed Church in the world.
Far from wishing you to be ignorant of any of our doctrines, or any part
of our Discipline, we desire you to read, mark, learn, and inwardly
digest the whole. You ought, next to the Word of God, to procure the
Articles and Canons of the Church to which you belong.
We deem it proper, in this place, to give you a brief account of the
organization of our Connection:
From the introduction of Methodism on this continent, we have ever
constituted a part of the great Methodist family—first, as members of
the Methodist Episcopal Church in America, and also after the change
took place by which we were known as the Methodist Episcopal Church in
the United States; and when the division took place, in 1844, which we
regard as a legal and constitutional division of the Church, we formed a
part of that division called the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
which relation we continued to sustain until the organization of our
Church took place at the General Conference held at Jackson, Tenn.,
which began its session December 15, 1870. The day was spent in prayer
and supplication to the Almighty that his blessings might rest upon us;
and on the following day the regular business of the session began,
Bishop Robert Paine, D. D., of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in
the chair.
The circumstances which led to our separate and distinct organization
were as follows:
When the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
met in New Orleans, April, 1866, the Conference found that, by
revolution and the fortunes of war, a change had taken place in our
political and social relation, which made it necessary that a change
should also be made in our ecclesiastical relations, and provision was
made for our organization into separate congregations, Districts, and
Annual Conferences, if we desired it; and that when two or more Annual
Conferences should be formed, if it was our wish, and met the
approbation of the Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, we
should have a General Conference organization like that of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, and that our preachers should receive
ordination according to the regulations and requirements of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, as Deacons and Elders; and should a
General Conference be organized, and suitable men be elected to the
office of Bishops, that the Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, would ordain and set them apart as Chief Pastors among us. At the
General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at Memphis,
Tennessee, May, 1870, it was found that five Annual Conferences had been
formed among us, and that an almost universal desire had been expressed
on our part that we might be organized into a separate and distinct
Church, which was acquiesced in by the Bishops of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, and recommended to said Conference in their
address; whereupon, by our request, the Bishops of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, together with A. L. P. Green, Samuel Watson,
Edmund W. Sehon, Thomas Whitehead, R. J. Morgan, and Thomas Taylor, were
appointed by said Conference to aid in organizing our General Conference
at the time and place above specified. At the succeeding sessions of our
Annual Conferences, delegates were elected to attend our General
Conference, in accordance with the Discipline of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South.
It was further determined by the acts of the General Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, 1866, that should the time arrive
when we should be formed into a separate and distinct organization, that
all property which was intended for the use and benefit of people of
color, held by the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
should be transferred to Trustees appointed by us, to be held forever
for our use and benefit.
It will be seen from the facts in the case that our record is clear, and
that we have descended regularly from the very father of Methodism, and
that our organization is both legal and constitutional.
We remain your very affectionate brethren and pastors, who labor night
and day, both in public and in private, for your good.
LUCIUS H. HOLSEY,
ISAAC LANE,
ROBERT S. WILLIAMS,
ELIAS COTTRELL.
CONTENTS
1. Episcopal Address.
PART I. Pages 15-33
Articles of Religion 15-29
General Rules 29-33
PART II. Pages 37-66
CONFERENCES
I. GENERAL CONFERENCE
How composed, 37:1; delegates, clerical and lay, 37:1-2; voting, 38:3;
time and place of meeting, 38:4; quorum, 39:8; special session,
38-39:5-6; presiding officer, 39:9; power and restrictions, 40-42;
unconstitutional laws, 42.
II. ANNUAL CONFERENCE
How composed, 43:1-2; rights and duties of members, 43-44:3-4; number
and boundaries—how determined, 44:5; time and place, 45:6-7; presiding
officer, 45:8; order of business, 46-49; character and administration
of preachers, 49-50:1-5; other business of, 51-53:1-7; committee of
examination, 51-52; general minutes, 53:8; statistics, 53:10.
III. DISTRICT CONFERENCE
Time and place of meeting, 54:1; how composed, 55:2; officers, 55:3-4;
order of business, 55-56:1-4; lay delegates, 56:3.
IV. QUARTERLY CONFERENCE
How composed, 57:1; time and place of meeting, 57:2; duties and powers
of, 58-60:1-8; divorce, 59:6; order of business, 60-63.
V. CHURCH CONFERENCE
How composed, 63:1; secretary, 64:2; order of business, 64-66:4-6.
PART III Pages 69-93.
THE MINISTRY
I. BISHOPS
How constituted, 69:1-2; duties, 69-74:1-14; retirement of, 74:15;
restrictions, 75:16-18; veto of, 42.
II. PRESIDING ELDERS
Duties and powers of 75-78
III. PASTORS
Duties of, 78-82; location of preachers, 101:3; supernumerary, 89;
superannuated, 90.
IV. THE MINISTER AND THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Reception on trial, 82-83; admitting into full membership, 83-86;
ministers from other churches, 91-93.
V. DEACONS
How constituted, 86:1; qualification, 86:2; duties of, 87:1-3; local
preachers as, 99:2; ordination of, 317-324.
VI. ELDERS
How constituted, 87:1; qualification, 88:1; probation, 88:2; duties of,
89:1-2; local preachers as, 99-100:3; ordination of, 324-339.
PART IV. Pages 97-111
LOCAL PREACHERS, EXHORTERS AND OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH
I. THE CALL TO PREACH 97-98
II. LOCAL PREACHERS & EXHORTERS
How made, 98:1; qualification, 98-99:2; deacon, 99:2; Elder, 99-100:3;
duties of, 100-101:1; certificate of removal, 102:4.
III. EXHORTERS
How made, 102:1 duties of, 103:2; further directions, 103:1-3.
IV. CLASS LEADERS
How made, 104:1-2; duties, 103-104:3.
V. STEWARDS
How made, 105:1; qualification, 106:2; duties of, 106-107:2-3; number
108:4; junior stewards, 108:5; recording stewards, 109:6.
VI. STEWARDESSES
Number and mode of election, 109:7; duties of, 109:7:3; junior,
109:7:2.
VII. TRUSTEES
How made, 110:1; regulations concerning, 110:2; number, 111:3;
amenability, 111:4.
PART V.
CHURCH MEMBERSHIP, ORDER OF WORSHIP; MEANS OF GRACE, ETC.
I. HOW TO RECEIVE MEMBERS 115
II. ORDER OF PUBLIC WORSHIP 116-117:1
Special directions, 117-118:2-6; prayer meeting, 118.
III. CLASS MEETINGS 119-120
Division of membership, 119:1; meetings, 119:2; general class, 120:3.
IV. LOVE FEASTS
When, and by whom held, 120:1; order of service, 120:2; strangers, 121.
V. CHILDREN
Dedication, 121:1; pastoral instruction, 121:2; members of church,
122:3; catechism and doctrine, 122:4.
VI. SUNDAY SCHOOL
How formed, 123; board of managers, 124:2; superintendent of, 124:5;
department of, 223-228.
PART VI.
JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION, Pages 129-159
I. TRIAL OF A BISHOP
Investigation, 129; 132:4; suspension, 130; Court of Appeals,
131-132:3; accusation raised at General Conference, 133:4; trial, 133.
II. TRIAL OF A TRAVELING PREACHER.
Amenability, 141:1; investigation, 141-142; trial, 137; improper
tempers, words, or actions, 137-138:3; erroneous doctrines, 138:4;
inefficiency, 138:5; refusing to attend work, 139:6.
III. TRIAL OF A PREACHER ON TRIAL 140:1.
IV. TRIAL OF A LOCAL PREACHER
Amenability, 141:1; investigation, 141-142:1-3; trial, 142:4; improper
tempers, words, or actions, 142-143:3; erroneous doctrine, 143:4;
inefficiency, 143:5.
V. TRIAL OF A MEMBER
Investigation, 145:a; trial, 145: b, c, d, e; neglect of duty, sinful
tempers, dancing, etc., 147:2; sowing dissension, 147:3; arbitration,
148-149.
VI. MINISTERIAL COURT OF APPEALS
How composed, 150:1-4; the right of appeal, 151:5; challenge, 151:7;
further procedure, 152:9.
VII. APPEAL TO THE GENERAL CONFERENCE
Appeal carried up, 153:2; trial, 153-154:2-3-4.
VIII. APPEAL OF A LOCAL PREACHER
Committee, 155:12; the evidence, 155:3; procedure, 156:4.
IX. APPEAL OF A MEMBER.
The evidence, 156-157:2; procedure 157:4.
X. RESTORATION OF CREDENTIALS
Traveling Elders and Deacons, 158:1-2; local elders and deacons, 159.
PART VII. Pages 163-174
SUPPORT OF THE MINISTRY, BUILDING CHURCHES AND PARSONAGES, SECURING AND
TRANSFERRING CHURCH PROPERTY
I. SUPPORT OF THE MINISTRY
Support of pastors, 163:1; of superannuated preachers, 231:IV:1-3;
support of presiding elders, 163:2; 185:d; support of Bishops, 164:3;
179:IV:1; retired Bishops, 164:3; 179:V-2; widows of Bishops, 165:6;
179:IV:3.
II. SUPPORT OF GENERAL OFFICERS
Book Agent and Editor of Christian Index, 191:V:2; secretaries of;
Missions, 197:5; Church Extension, 205:IV:7; Education, 219:8; Epworth
League, 213:IV:4; Ministerial Aid, 230, II:6; Sunday School, 225:4; not
otherwise provided for, 165:4.
III. CHURCH PROPERTY
Charitable institutions, 166:1; building churches, 166-168:II; building
parsonages, 169:III.
IV. BUYING AND SELLING CHURCH PROPERTY
Securing churches and lots, 170-171:1; securing parsonages and lots,
171-172:2; sale of church property, authority of, 172:II:2; relief of
trustees, 173:3.
PART VIII. Pages 177-258.
BOARDS AND DEPARTMENTS
I. FINANCIAL PLAN
General Assessment, 177:1:1; Board of Equalization, 177:II:1-2; Book
Agent, 178-182:III:V:VII.
II. JOINT BOARD OF FINANCE
How constituted, 184:2; duties of, 185-186:3:a-g; right of Annual
Conference, 186:5.
III. Publishing Department 187-193
IV. Gen. Missionary Department 193-199
V. Woman's H. Miss. Society 199-201
VI. Woman's Gen. Miss. Board 375-376
VII. Church Extension Board 201-209
VIII. Epworth League Board 209-214
IX. Board of Education 214-223
X. Sunday School Board 223-228
XI. Superannuated Preachers, Widows and Orphans Board 228-233
XII. MISCELLANEOUS
Children's Day, 233-234; General Missionary Day, 234; Official Meeting,
235; The Western Index, 236; the Eastern Index, 237.
XIII. Schools and Colleges 237-245
XIV. Founder's Day 245-246
XV. Names and Boundaries of conferences 247-258
PART IX. Pages 261-353
THE RITUAL
I. The Lord's Supper 261-273
II. Baptism of Infants 273-278
III. Baptism of Adults 278-285
IV. Reception of Members 285-290
V. Matrimony 290-295
VI. Burial of the Dead 295-304
VII. CORNER STONE and DEDICATION
Form for laying Corner Stone of Church, 305-310; form for dedication of
church, 311-317.
VIII. ORDINATION
Form of ordaining deacons, 317; 324; of elders, 324-339; of
consecrating Bishops, 339-353.
APPENDIX
PART X. Pages 355-377
I. Addresses of Bishops and General Officers 355-356
II. Commissions and Boards 357-359
III. COURSE OF STUDY FOR PREACHERS.
Local preachers, 361-362; traveling preachers, 362-364.
IV. Rules for Organization and Conduct of General Conference 365-374
V. Woman's General Missionary Society 375-377
=PART I=
THE CONSTITUTION
CHAPTER I.
ARTICLES OF RELIGION
I. OF FAITH IN THE HOLY TRINITY.
There is but one living and true God, everlasting, without body or
parts; of infinite power, wisdom, and goodness; the maker and preserver
of all things, both visible and invisible. And in unity of this Godhead,
there are three persons of one substance, power, and eternity—the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.
II. OF THE WORD, OR SON OF GOD WHO WAS MADE VERY MAN.
The Son, who is the Word of the Father, the very and eternal God, of one
substance with the Father, took man's nature in the womb of the blessed
Virgin; so that two whole and perfect natures—that is to say, the
Godhead and manhood—were joined together in one person, never to be
divided, whereof is one Christ, very God and very man, who truly
suffered, was crucified, dead and buried, to reconcile his Father to us,
and to be a sacrifice, not only for original guilt, but also for actual
sins of men.
III. OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST
Christ did truly rise again from the dead, and took again his body, with
all things appertaining to the perfection of man's nature, wherewith he
ascended into heaven, and there sitteth until he return to judge all men
at the last day.
IV. OF THE HOLY GHOST.
The Holy Ghost, proceeding from the Father and the Son, is of one
substance, majesty, and glory, with the Father and the Son, very and
eternal God.
V. THE SUFFICIENCY OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES FOR SALVATION
The Holy Scriptures contain all things necessary to salvation; so that
whatsoever is not read therein, nor may be proved thereby, is not to be
required of any man, that it should be believed as an article of faith,
or be thought requisite or necessary to salvation. In the name of the
Holy Scripture, we do understand those canonical books of the Old and
New Testament, of whose authority was never any doubt in the Church.
THE NAMES OF THE CANONICAL BOOKS
Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth,
The First Book of Samuel, The Second Book of Samuel, The First Book of
Kings, The Second Book of Kings, The First Book of Chronicles, The
Second Book of Chronicles, The Book of Ezra, The Book of Nehemiah, The
Book of Esther, The Book of Job, The Psalms, The Proverbs, Ecclesiastes,
or the Preacher, Cantica, or Songs of Solomon, Four Prophets the
greater, Twelve Prophets the less. All the books of the New Testament,
as they are commonly received, we do receive and account canonical.
VI. OF THE OLD TESTAMENT
The Old Testament is not contrary to the New; for both in the Old and
New Testament everlasting life is offered to mankind by Christ, who is
the only Mediator between God and man, being God and man. Wherefore,
they are not to be heard who feign that the old fathers did look only
for transitory promises. Although the law given from God by Moses, as
touching ceremonies and rites, doth not bind Christians, nor ought the
civil precepts thereof of necessity to be received in any Commonwealth,
yet, notwithstanding, no Christian whatsoever is free from the obedience
of the commandments which are called moral.
VII. OF ORIGINAL OR BIRTH-SIN
Original Sin standeth not in the following of Adam, (as the Pelagians do
vainly talk,) but it is the corruption of the nature of every man, that
naturally is engendered of the offspring of Adam, whereby man is very
far gone from original righteousness, and of his own nature inclined to
evil, and that continually.
VIII. OF FREE-WILL
The condition of man after the fall of Adam is such that he can not turn
and prepare himself, by his own natural strength and works, to faith and
calling upon God; wherefore we have no power to do good works, pleasant
and acceptable to God, without the grace of God by Christ preventing us,
that we may have a good will, and working with us, when we have that
good will.
IX. OF THE JUSTIFICATION OF MAN
We are accounted righteous before God, only for the merit of our Lord
and Savior Jesus Christ, by faith, and not for our own works or
deservings; wherefore, that we are justified by faith only, is a most
wholesome doctrine, and very full of comfort.
X. OF GOOD WORKS
Although good works, which are the fruits of faith and follow after
justification, cannot put away our sins, and endure the severity of
God's judgment; yet are they pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ,
and spring out of a true and lively faith, insomuch that by them a
lively faith may be as evidently known as a tree discerned by its fruit.
XI. OF WORKS OF SUPEREROGATION
Voluntary works, besides over and above God's commandments, which are
called works of supererogation, cannot be taught without arrogancy and
impiety. For by them men do declare that they do not only render unto
God as much as they are bound to do, but that they do more for his sake
than of bounded duty is required; whereas Christ saith plainly, When ye
have done all that is commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants.
XII. OF SIN AFTER JUSTIFICATION
Not every sin willingly committed after justification, is the sin
against the Holy Ghost, and unpardonable. Wherefore, the grant of
repentance is not to be denied to such as fall into sin after
justification. After we have received the Holy Ghost, we may depart from
grace given, and fall into sin, and, by the grace of God, rise again and
amend our lives. And, therefore, they are to be condemned who say they
can no more sin as long as they live here, or deny the place of
forgiveness to such as truly repent.
XIII. OF THE CHURCH
The visible Church of Christ is a congregation of faithful men, in which
the pure word of God is preached, and the sacraments duly administered,
according to Christ's ordinance, in all those things that of necessity
are requisite to the same.
XIV. OF PURGATORY
The Romanish doctrine concerning purgatory, pardons, worshiping, and
adoration, as well of images as of relics, and also invocation of
saints, is a fond thing, vainly invented, and grounded upon no warrant
of Scripture, but repugnant to the word of God.
XV. OF SPEAKING IN THE CONGREGATION IN SUCH A TONGUE AS THE PEOPLE
UNDERSTAND
It is a thing plainly repugnant to the word of God and the custom of the
Primitive Church, to have public prayer in the Church or to minister the
sacraments in a tongue not understood by the people.
XVI. OF THE SACRAMENTS
Sacraments, ordained of Christ, are not only badges or tokens of
Christian men's profession, but rather they are certain signs of grace,
and God's good will toward us, by the which he doth work invisibly in
us, and doth not only quicken, but also strengthen and confirm our faith
in him.
There are two sacraments ordained of Christ our Lord in the Gospel; that
is to say, Baptism and the Supper of the Lord.
Those five commonly called sacraments—that is to say, Confirmation,
Penance, Orders, Matrimony, and Extreme Unction—are not to be counted
for sacraments of the Gospel, being such as have partly grown out of the
=corrupt= following of the apostles, and partly are states of life
allowed in the Scriptures, but yet have not the like nature of Baptism
and the Lord's Supper, because they have not any visible sign or
ceremony ordained of God.
The sacraments were not ordained of Christ to be gazed upon, or to be
carried about; but that we should duly use them. And in such only as
worthily receive the same, they have a wholesome effect or operation;
but they that receive them unworthily purchase to themselves
condemnation, as St. Paul saith, 1 Cor. xi. 29.
XVII. OF BAPTISM
Baptism is not only a sign of profession and mark of difference whereby
Christians are distinguished from others that are not baptized; but it
is also a sign of regeneration, or the new birth. The baptism of young
children is to be retained in the Church.
XVIII. OF THE LORD'S SUPPER
The Supper of the Lord is not only a sign of the love that Christians
ought to have among themselves one to another, but rather is a sacrament
of our redemption by Christ's death; insomuch that, to such as rightly,
worthily, and with faith receive the same, the bread which we break is a
partaking of the body of Christ; and likewise the cup of blessing is a
partaking of the blood of Christ.
Transubstantiation, or the change of the substance of bread and wine in
the Supper of the Lord, cannot be proved by Holy Writ, but is repugnant
to the plain words of Scripture, overthroweth the nature of a sacrament,
and hath given occasion to many superstitions.
The body of Christ is given, taken, and eaten in the Supper, only after
a heavenly and spiritual manner. And the means whereby the body of
Christ is received and eaten in the Supper, is faith.
The sacrament of the Lord's Supper was not by Christ's ordinance
reserved, carried about, lifted up, or worshiped.
XIX. OF BOTH KINDS
The cup of the Lord is not to be denied to the lay people; for both the
parts of the Lord's Supper, by Christ's ordinance and commandment, ought
to be administered to all Christians alike.
XX. OF THE ONE OBLATION OF CHRIST, FINISHED UPON THE CROSS
The offering of Christ once made, is that perfect redemption,
propitiation, and satisfaction for all the sins of the whole world, both
original and actual; and there is none other satisfaction for sin but
that alone. Wherefore the sacrifice of masses, in the which it is
commonly said that the priest doth offer Christ for the quick and the
dead, to have remission of pain or guilt, is a blasphemous fable and
dangerous deceit.
XXI. OF THE MARRIAGE OF MINISTERS
The ministers of Christ are not commanded by God's law either to vow the
estate of single life or to abstain from marriage; therefore it is
lawful to marry at their own discretion, as for them, as for all other
Christians, they shall judge the same to serve best to Godliness.
XXII. OF THE RITES AND CEREMONIES OF CHURCHES
It is not necessary that rites and ceremonies should in all places be
the same, or exactly alike; for they have been always different, and may
be changed according to the diversity of countries, times, and men's
manners, so that nothing be ordained against God's word. Whosoever,
through his private judgment, willingly and purposely, doth openly break
the rites and ceremonies of the Church to which he belongs, which are
not repugnant to the word of God, and are ordained and approved by
common authority, ought to be rebuked openly, that others may fear to do
the like, as one that offendeth against the common order of the Church,
and woundeth the consciences of weak brethren.
Every particular Church may ordain, change, or abolish rights and
ceremonies, so that all things may be done to edification.
XXIII. OF THE RULERS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
The president, the congress, the general assemblies, the governors, and
the councils of state, =as the delegates of the people= are the rulers
of the United States of America, according to the division of power made
to them by the constitution of the United States, and by the
constitution of their respective States. And the said States are a
sovereign and independent nation, and ought not to be subject to any
foreign jurisdiction.[1]
XXIV. OF CHRISTIAN MEN'S GOODS
The riches and goods of Christians are not common, as touching the
right, title, and possession of the same, as some do falsely boast.
Notwithstanding, every man ought, of such things as he possesseth,
liberally to give alms to the poor according to his ability.
XXV. OF A CHRISTIAN MAN'S OATH
As we confess that vain and rash by our Lord Jesus Christ and James, his
apostle, so we judge that the Christian religion doth not prohibit, but
that a man may swear when the magistrate requireth, in a cause of faith
swearing is forbidden Christian men and charity, so it be done according
to the prophet's teaching, in justice judgment, and truth.
[Footnote 1: As far as it respects civil affairs, we believe it the duty
of Christians and especially all Christian ministers, to be subject to
the supreme authority of the country where they reside, and to use all
laudable means to enjoin obedience to the powers that be; and,
therefore, it is expected that all our preachers and people, who may be
under any foreign government, will behave themselves as peaceable and
orderly subjects.]