immediately preceding. This rule was ordered to be inserted. in its proper place in the Constitution of the Missionary Society. The bishops were requested to appoint a committee, to consist of six laymen, six ministers, and three general superintendents, to review the work of the Constitutional Commission of 1888, the recommendations of the committee appointed by the General Conference of 1896, and the recommendations of all General Conference Committees on Lay Representation; also, to consider with care any memorials that may be addressed to the new committee over the signature of any five ministers or laymen of the Methodist Episcopal Church; and to report, first, a draft which shall set forth, in well-defined terms and in logically-arranged articles, the existing organic law of the Methodist Episcopal Church; and, secondly, any modifications of said organic law which the new committee may recommend for adoption by the concurrent action of the General Conference and the members of the annual conferences. It was made the duty of the new committee to present its report to the Church papers as early as January, 1899, and after revising it between January 1 and May 1, 1900, in the light of all discussions and announcements then available, to present it in its final form to the General Conference of 1900. The committee, as appointed, consists of W. F. Warren, J. M. King, R. D. Munger, E. J. Gray, F. G. Mitchell, R. J. Cooke, W. H. Shier, F. M. Bristol, Robert Forbes, J. B. Maxfield, J. T. McFarland, J. W. Jackson, Jacob Rothweiler, G. M. Booth, ministers; and David Gordon, J. F. Rusling, J. L. Romer, J. E. James, R. T. Miller, E. J. Sawyer, R. S. Tennant, L. M. Shaw, Leander Ferguson, J. H. Mickey, James Allison, A. L. Billups, Henry Bendixen, Henry French, laymen, representing the fourteen. General Conference Districts; and J. M. Buckley, T. B. Neely, and J. F. Goucher, at large, and Bishops S. M. Merrill, C. D. Foss, and W. X. Ninde.

The time of the meeting of the General Conference was changed from the first day of May to the first Wednesday of May, the change being referred to the annual conferences for approval.

A committee, consisting of Bishop Andrews, S. L. Baldwin, J. M. King, J. M. Buckley, H. A. Buttz, and W. V. Kelley, was

appointed to index and rearrange the Discipline, and Bishop Andrews was appointed to edit it.

A few minor changes were made in the Discipline, and the Conference adjourned on Thursday, May 28th.

In reading this condensed account of the action of the General Conference for the century just ending, two things will be apparent: First, that the Church has always been ready to adopt new measures of polity when circumstances, or the conditions of society, demanded; and, secondly, that its spiritual interests have continually been made prominent. While no new doctrine has been introduced, and the standards of the Wesleyan theology have been maintained in their integrity, certain of the general rules of the Church have received a wider application, such as those on slavery, temperance, needless selfindulgence, and amusements. No new tests for membership have been imposed, and the rights of both the ministry and the laity have been jealously guarded. In the case of erring members every effort to save them for this life and for that which is to come has been made. From the first the entire legislation, and the prudential measures adopted, have aimed at presenting to Christ as his bride "a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing," and this, not only in outward adornment, but making her like "the King's daughter, all glorious within.”

The Methodist Church from small beginnings has grown into wealth and influence. Once it was everywhere spoken against; now it has favor and acceptance. Let it never forget or desert its fundamental principle, that it was intended to be, and is, a teacher of holiness, and that its existence depends upon its possessing the revival spirit, the baptism of fire which came upon the first disciples on the day of Pentecost!

PART II.

TOPICAL.

CHAPTER I.

THE MINISTRY.

A CONTINUOUS narrative of the work of the twenty-seven

quadrennial sessions of the Great Methodist Legislature does not admit of a topical grouping of subjects. In order to furnish this greatly desirable feature of a history of the General Conference the following pages have been prepared, which, it is believed, will be valuable for reference by those who desire to trace its action on any given subject.

GENESIS OF THE GENERAL CONFERENCE.

The Methodist Episcopal Church abounds in conferences. For this fact two reasons may be given: First. Its aggressive mission calls for the most thorough organization, of which a large, prompt, and constant supervision is required. Second. The spirit of its ministry is so cordial and fraternal that frequent gatherings not only add to its efficiency, but are also essential to its comfort.

The first Methodist Conference was merely a private reception given by John Wesley to a few of his "helpers," whose views on certain questions he thought worth the asking. But his condescending grace so soon came to be abused that he was obliged sharply to remind them that they were not a "body" at all, but merely a handful of men whom he had felt inclined to call in "to advise, not to govern," him.

Quite different from all this was the first Methodist Conference in America. It was held inside of a partly-finished, barn-like structure, originally intended for a German church; but which afterwards passed into Methodist hands to become the memorable edifice in Philadelphia long known as "Old St. George's." The Methodists apparently bought the name of the church along with the shell.

The date of the meeting was July 14, 1773. There were ten men present, all from Great Britain, the same number that composed Mr. Wesley's first conference in London,