The preacher in charge shall pres at the trial, and decide all questions law appertaining to or growing out the case. He shall, at the commend ment of the trial, appoint a Secretar who shall take down regular minut of the evidence and proceeding which minutes, when read and ap proved, shall be signed by the Pres ident and the Secretary.

If the accused person evade a tria by absenting himself after sufficient notice given him, and the circumstances of the accusation be strong and presumptive, let him be esteemed as guilty, and be accordingly suspended or expelled. Witnesses from without

shall not be rejected.

2. But in case of neglect of duties of any kind, imprudent conduct, in

of disputes between members of the Church?

Ans. 1. On any dispute between two or more members of our Church, concerning the payment of debts, or otherwise, which cannot be settled by the parties concerned, the preacher in charge shall inquire into the circumstances of the case; and shall recommend to the contending parties a reference, consisting of one arbiter chosen by the plaintiff, and another chosen by the defendant; which two arbiters so chosen shall nominate the third-the three arbiters being members of our Church.

2. But if one of the parties be dissatisfied with the judgment given, such party may apply to the ensuing Quarterly Conference for a second arbitration; and if the Quarterly Conference

see sufficient reason they shall cront o

second arbitration, in which case each party shall choose two arbiters, and the four arbiters shall choose a fifth, the judgment of the majority of whom shall be final; and any person refusing to abide by such judgment shall be excluded the Church.

3. And if any member of our Church shall refuse, in cases of debt or other disputes, to refer the matter to arbitration, when recommended by him who has the charge of the circuit, or shall enter into a lawsuit with another member before these measures are taken, he shall be expelled, unless the case be of such a nature as to require and justify a process at law.

Nevertheless, in all the above-mentioned cases of trial and expulsion, an appeal to the ensuing Quarterly Conference shall be allowed, if the conJamined person signify to the pastor