Ques. 3. What shall be done in case of improper tempers, words, or actions?

¶274. Ans. The preacher so offending shall be reprehended by his senior in office. (¶¶762,763.) Should there be a second transgression, one, two, or three preacher are to be taken as witnesses. If then the offender be not cured, accusation shall be preferred at the next session of the Annual Conference, and he shall be dealt with as in a case of immorality. (¶¶725-752, 766.)

Ques. 4. What shall be done with preachers who disseminate, publicly or privately, doctrines contrary to our Articles of Religion?

¶275. Ans. The same process shall be observed as in case of immorality; but if the offending preacher solemnly engage not to disseminate such erroneous doctrines, in public or in private, he shall be borne with till his case is laid before the next Annual Conference, which shall determine the matter. (¶¶725-752, 766.)

Ques. 5. What shall be done when a traveling preacher is complained of as being so unacceptable, inefficient, or secular as to be no longer useful in his work?

¶276. Ans. 1. The Conference to which he belongs shall investigate the case in open Conference or through a committee, as the Conference may elect, and if it appear that the complaint is well founded, and if he fail to give

the Conference satisfactory assurance that he will amend, or voluntarily retire, the Conference may locate him, without his consent. (¶725.)

¶277. Ans. 2. He may defend himself before the Conference, in person or by representative; and if he be located in his absence, without having been previously notified of an intention thus to proceed against him, he may apply to the Conference at its next session to be heard in his defense, and the case shall be reconsidered. (¶725.)

Ques. 6. What shall be done when a preacher refuses to attend to the work assigned him?

¶278. Ans. He shall be liable to suspension or deposition from the ministry, unless he have the consent of the Bishop who made the appointment, or is in charge of the work; and the final determination in all such cases shall be with the Annual Conference. (¶741.)

¶279. In all the above-mentioned cases of trial and conviction, an appeal to the Committee of Appeals shall be allowed (¶764), if the condemned at the time of his condemnation, or as soon as he is officially informed thereof, signify to the president or secretary of the Conference his intention to appeal. (¶¶758, 765, 766.)

SECTION III.

OF THE TRIAL OF A PROBATIONER.

Question. What shall be done when a preacher on trial is accused of immorality?

$280. Ans. He shall be accountable to the Quarterly Conference of the charge that he serves. The Presiding Elder shall appoint a committee of investigation, and the same course of discipline shall be pursued that is provided for a local preacher under a like accusation (¶¶659, 725–738); provided, that a preacher on trial, appointed as a student, shall be assigned to a Quarterly Conference, to which he shall be amenable for his moral character. (¶761.)

SECTION IV.

OF THE TRIAL OF A LOCAL PREACHER.

Question 1. To whom is a local preacher amenable for his conduct?

281. Ans. To the District Conference of the District within which he resides. (¶¶725-759, 764, 765.) But when a local preacher is under report of immorality, he may be investigated and the case tried where the offense is alleged to have been committed, and by the authorities having jurisdiction there.

Ques. 2. What shall be done when a local preacher is accused of immorality?

¶282. Ans. 1. When a local preacher is under

report of immorality, or acccused thereof in writing signed by a member of our Church, the Presiding Elder shall appoint a committee of three local preachers, or, if local preachers cannot be obtained, three members of the Church, to investigate the report or accusation. (¶¶725760, 764, 765.)

¶283. Ans. 2. If this committee deem a trial necessary, it shall formulate a bill of charges and specifications, and appoint a local preacher or member of the Church to represent the Church before the committee of trial. A copy of the bill of charges and specifications shall be delivered to the accused a sufficient length of time before the trial to enable him to make necessary preparation for his defense. The committee shall notify the Presiding Elder of its finding, and he shall notify the accused. (¶¶725-760, 764, 765.)

¶284. Ans. 3. A local preacher who has been notified by the Presiding Elder of a bill of charges and specifications found against him shall not be allowed to exercise the functions of his office from the time of his notification until the case has been determined. (¶¶744760, 764, 765.)

¶285. Ans. 4. When witnesses refuse to attend the trial, the Presiding Elder shall appoint some discreet member of the Church to take

the written testimony of the witnesses, as provided in ¶268. (¶¶737, 750.)

¶286. Ans. 5. When notified that a trial is necessary, the Presiding Elder shall call a committee of trial of not less than seven nor more than thirteen official members of our Church. The accused shall have the same right of challenge as a traveling preacher. At the beginning of the trial the Presiding Elder shall appoint a secretary, who shall keep a record of the evidence and proceedings. When read and approved, the record shall be signed by the Presiding Elder, and also by the members of the committee, or by a majority of them; and the sentence of the committee shall be final, save as to the right of appeal. (¶¶740, 747–752, 755– 765.)

Ques. 3. What shall be done in case of improper tempers, words, or actions?

¶287. Ans. The person so offending shall be reprehended by the preacher in charge. (¶¶762, 763.) Should there be a second transgression, one, two, or three faithful friends are to be taken as witnesses. If then the offender be not cured, he shall be dealt with as in a case of immorality, and, if found guilty and impenitent, shall be expelled from the Church. (¶¶725–752, 766.)

Ques. 4. What shall be done with local preachers who disseminate, publicly or private