CHAPTER XXXVII.

THE PUBLISHING DEPARTMENT

Art. 1. (1) There shall be and is a Publishing Department of the C. M. E. Church in America.

2. The Publishing House shall be located in Nashville, Tenn.

3. The Publishing Department was established for the object and purpose of spreading the Christian religion by the publication, sale and dissemination of moral and religious literature, the promotion of Christian education, and for publishing books, book-making, book selling and for the transaction of such other business as is legitimately connected with a Publishing Department.

4. This department shall publish weekly the Christian Index, as the Official Organ of the church, and shall supervise the publication of the Eastern Index and the Western Index, which shall also be published weekly. Subscription to the Christian Index shall be $1.50 per year; of the Eastern Index and the Western Index, $1.00 each, per year.

5. The interests of the Publishing Department and the publication of the Christian Index shall be under the management of the Book Agent, who, with the Editor, shall be elected by the General Conference.

6. The editors of the Eastern Index and Western Index shall be elected by the General Conference and shall co-operate with the Agent in furthering the interests of the Publishing House.

Article II. (1) The Publishing Board shall have general supervision and direction of all the publishing interests of the church.

2. The officers of the Board shall be a chairman, who shall be one of the Bishops of the Church, a secretary and such other officers as may be necessary.

3. The annual meeting of the Publishing Board shall be held on the first Wednesday in May of each year, or at such other times and places as the Board may appoint or as the chairman may direct. At all meetings of the Board, a majority shall, constitute a quorum.

4. The Publishing Board shall keep a correct record of all its proceedings and shall examine carefully into the affairs of the Publishing Department.

Article III. (1) There shall be an Auditing Committee elected by the General Conference consisting of three members, one of whom shall be a layman, and two clerical (members), who shall live in proximity to the Publishing Department. The auditors shall meet annually, at least a week before the regular meeting of the Board, to audit the accounts of the Agent, inspect the entire business of the Publishing Department, and to see that all complaints about the management of the Book House in neglecting to fill orders for publications, including the Index are properly adjusted. The expenses of said committee shall be borne by the Publishing Department.

2. The General Conference shall elect quadrennially a Book Agent who under the direction of the Publishing Board, shall have authority to regulate the production and distribution of our publications and to conduct the affairs of the Publishing Department.

3. It shall be the duty of the Book Agent to publish, purchase, sell and distribute such books, periodicals and publications as are authorized by the General Conference or the Publishing Board.

4. The Book Agent shall keep the account of the Publishing Department by such uniform system as he may think best or as directed by the Auditing Committee.

5. The Book Agent shall receive all General Funds, keep an itemized account of the same, and report to the Publishing Board the whole amount of General Funds received from each Annual Conference, and finally at the General Conference report all moneys received during the quadrennium.

6. He shall pay the Bishops their salaries and traveling expenses quarterly, and shall give his entire time to promote the success of the Publishing Department and faithfully perform all duties which properly belong to his office.

Article V. (1) The editor of the Christian Index shall faithfully perform all duties which properly belong to the editorial office and co-operate with the Agent in doing whatever he can to build up the interests of the Publishing Department.

2. The salary of the Book Agent shall be fifteen hundred ($1500.00) dollars per annum and the salary of the editor of the Christian Index shall be fifteen hundred ($1500.00) dollars per annum.

3. The editors of the Eastern and Western Index shall receive $600 per annum each to be applied to publication of the respective papers and in part payment on salary. They shall serve a charge for balance of support.

3. The Publishing Board by a two-third vote shall have power to suspend the Agent or Editor for immoral conduct or inefficiency in office during the interval of the General Conference. In such cases, if an investigation is found necessary, the accused shall be given due notice, and one of the Bishops shall be appointed to preside at the investigation. If the accused shall be judged guilty, he shall be suspended from office, and the Annual Conference to which he belongs shall proceed to try him as provided by the book of Discipline.

Article VI. (1) The proceeds of the Publishing House after a sufficient amount with which to carry on its affairs has been retained, shall be regularly applied to the benefit of the traveling, supernumerary and retired preachers, their widows and children.

2. All laws in conflict with this constitution are hereby repealed.