CHAPTER X.

PASTORS AND THEIR DUTIES

Ques. 1. What are the duties of a preacher who has the charge of a circuit, station, or mission?

Ans. 1. To receive, try, and expel members, according to the provisions of the Discipline, and to subscribe for the Christian Index. Any minister failing to subscribe for the same shall be guilty of neglect of duty.

2. To appoint all the leaders, and change them when he sees it necessary.

3. To see that all the ordinances and regulations of the Church be duly observed, and that the General Rules be read at least once a year in every congregation.

4. To see that a fast be held in every congregation within his charge on the Friday preceding every quarterly meeting, and that suitable services be held on the occasion, wherever practicable.

5. To hold Quarterly Conferences in the absence of the Presiding Elder.

6. To hold a meeting of the leaders and stewards of his charge once a week, if practicable, to receive their reports.

7. To report at each Quarterly Conference the names of all who have been received into the Church, and of all who have died, removed, withdrawn, or been excluded from it during the preceding quarter, and give a statement of the general condition of his station, circuit, or mission.

8. To give an account of his charge every quarter to his Presiding Elder.

9. To see that all the people within the bounds of his charge be duly supplied with our books and periodicals.

10. To keep a directory, in which the residence of all the members shall be noted, wherever it may be necessary to facilitate pastoral visitation.

11. To leave his successor a particular account of his charge including an account of the subscribers for our periodicals.

12. To see that a permanent record be kept of all the baptisms and marriages within the bounds of his charge.

13. To see that a register be kept, in which shall be noted the names, with the time and manner of the reception and disposal of every person belonging to the Church in his station, circuit, or mission, distinguishing between local elders, deacons and preachers, and lay members; and to report to the Annual Conference the number of each that may be under his charge at the time of its session.

14. To promote all the interests of the Sunday School, Epworth League, Church Extension, Board of Missions, Superannuated Preachers, Widows, and Orphans of Preachers Society, and the Tract Society of our Church in such a way as the Discipline and Annual Conference may direct, and to report to the Annual Conference the amount raised in his charge during the year for these several claims.

15. To see that reports are made at each session of the Quarterly Conference of the number and state of the Sunday School, Epworth League, and Woman's Missionary Society, and that the report of the work for the year in the above named departments be sent to the fourth Quarterly Conference and the Annual Conference.

16. To furnish every one removing from his charge with a certificate in the following form:

CERTIFICATE OF TRANSFER

The bearer hereof................ is an acceptable member of the Colored Methodist Episcopal Church.... .........station ........... Annual Conference, and is hereby cheerfully recommended to the fellowship of any body of Christian believers with whom ...............may cast.........lot.

............Pastor. ............Sec'ty of Church.