Agents. No literature of any of the Boards shall be published if, in the judgment of the Book Committee and the Publishing Agents, the cost be greater than the Publishing House can reasonably bear.

¶585. The Book Committee and Publishing Agents shall have authority by concurrent action, during the intervals of General Conferences, to furnish necessary assistance to the Editor of the Christian Advocate, to the Book Editor and Editor of the Review, and to the Editor of the Epworth Era.

SECTION V.

PROCEEDS OF THE PUBLISHING HOUSE.

4586. The proceeds of the Publishing House shall be appropriated to no other purpose than its own legitimate business.

SECTION VI.

CONFERENCE MEMBERSHIP OF AGENTS AND EDITORS.

4587. Each of the officers named in this chapter, if he be a traveling preacher, with the approval of the Bishops, shall select the Annual Conference of which he shall be a member.

CHAPTER XXIII.

THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE CHURCH.

SECTION I.

OF RECEIVING MEMBERS INTO THE CHURCH.

Question. How shall members be received into the Church?

¶588. Ans. 1. When persons offer themselves for Church membership, let the preacher in charge inquire into their spiritual condition, and receive them when they have given satisfactory assurances of their desire to flee from the wrath to come, and to be saved from their sins; also, of the genuineness of their faith, and of their willingness to keep the rules of the Church; and only after they have been instructed in these rules and in the baptismal and Church vows, and have agreed to accept and observe them. (¶757.)

¶589. Ans. 2. When satisfied on these points, let the minister bring the candidates before the congregation, whenever practicable, and receive them according to the prescribed form. (¶679.)

¶590. Ans. 3. If a member in good standing in another Church desire to unite with us, such applicant, by giving satisfactory answers to the

usual inquiries, may be received without these formalities.

SECTION II.

OF THE CHILDREN OF THE CHURCH.

Things especially to be noticed in the written report of the preacher in charge to the Quarterly Conference on the pastoral instruction of children.

Question. What directions are given concerning the children of the Church?

¶591. Ans. 1. Let the minister diligently instruct and exhort all parents to dedicate their children to the Lord in baptism as early as convenient. (¶649.)

¶592. Ans. 2. In his pastoral visitations let him pay special attention to the children; speak to them personally and kindly on experimental and practical godliness, according to their capacity; pray earnestly for them, and cause them to be faithfully instructed in the nature, design, privileges, and obligations of their baptism.

¶593. Ans. 3. As soon as they comprehend the responsibilities involved in a public profession of faith in Christ, and give evidence of a sincere and earnest determination to discharge them, see that they are recognized as members of the Church, according to the provisions of the Discipline.

1594. Ans. 4. Let our catechisms be used as

extensively as possible, both in our Sunday schools and families; and let the preachers faithfully enforce upon parents and Sunday school teachers the great importance of instructing children in the doctrines and duties of our holy religion.

¶595. Ans. 5. It shall be the special duty of the preachers to form Bible classes wherever they can, for the instruction of larger children and youth, and where they cannot superintend them personally, to appoint suitable leaders for that purpose.

CHAPTER XXIV.

THE MEANS OF GRACE.

SECTION I.

OF PUBLIC WORSHIP.

Question 1. What directions are given for uniformity of public worship?

¶596. Ans. 1. The morning service shall be conducted in the following order of worship:

Let all services begin exactly at the time appointed: and let the people kneel in silent prayer on entering the sanctuary.

[I. Voluntary, instrumental or vocal.]1 II. Singing from the Methodist Hymnal, the people standing.

[III. The Apostles' Creed, recited by all, still standing.

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose again from the dead, he ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

1Parts inclosed in brackets may be used or omitted.