8. Is the baptismal covenant equally obligatory on those baptized in infancy and in adult years?

Most assuredly.

9. Must a probationer give evidence of conversion before reception as a full member?

Certainly, since he must affirm that he has "saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ."

HISTORIC INFORMATION.

of Methodism?

WHO was the founder of, M., born at Epworth.

England, June 17, 1703.

2. Where did Methodism first take historic form? At Bristol, England, in 1739. Here Mr. Wesley organized the first Methodist "Society."

3. How came they to be named "Methodists?"

At first, in derision, at Oxford University, because of their methodical life and habits. In Great Britain they are called Wesleyans.

4. What induced the forming of these classes or societies?

The low type of piety in the Church of England and the exclusion of Mr. Wesley and others from its pulpits. 5. Did Mr. Wesley intend to organize a Methodist Church?

Not at first. He lived and died a communicant of the Church of England, but provided for the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America.

6. What was the origin of Methodism in America?

It began in 1766 in New York city in the preaching of Philip Embury, a local preacher from Ireland, who was roused to duty by the stinging words of Barbara Heck, a godly Methodist. Near the same period another Irishman, Robert Strawbridge, commenced to preach in Maryland. The Methodist Episcopal Church, as a distinc

denomination, was organized December 25, 1784, in Baltimore, Md.

7. In what countries is Methodism the strongest? In the United States and Canada.

8. How came our Church to be called the Methodist Episcopal Church?

Because Mr. Wesley and other leaders preferred the Episcopal form of Church government, and also desired to retain the distinctive name, Methodist.

9. Who was the first Bishop?

Rev. Thomas Coke, LL.D., was ordained and sent to America as the first General Superintendent, or Bishop, by Mr. Wesley. Rev. Francis Asbury was the first Bishop elected after the Church was organized in 1784. 10. How many Bishops have there been?

Forty-six, with the four Missionary Bishops (1893). 11. Are there other denominations of Methodism ? There are several denominations of Methodism, but our Church is by far the strongest and most important. 12. How do these differ from our Church?

Almost entirely in matters of Church government. In doctrine they are very similar.

13. When did the great division of Methodism take place?

In 1844.

Those who withdrew became the Methodist

Episcopal Church, South.

14. What Ecumenical Methodist Conferences have been held?

The first in August. 1881, in London, England; the second in October, 1891, in Washington. D. C.

CHURCH POLITY.

WOW is the Methodist Episcopal Church governed and administered?

By the General, Annual, Mission, District, Judicial, and Quarterly Conferences. The Discipline and pastor will explain the province and power of each of these organizations. (The probationers might be assigned to prepare brief papers on each of these Co. rences.)

2. Which is the sole legislative body of the Church? The General Conference.

3. How many orders in our ministry?

Two; Elders and Deacons.

4. How many offices in the ministry?

Four: Bishops, Presiding Elders, Elde.s, and Deacons. 5. What lay officers are in the Church?

Local preachers, exhorters, trustees, stewards, class leaders, Sunday school superintendents, deaconesses. (Probationers may be requested to prepare brief papers on the duties of each of these officers.)

6. What peculiarity in the ministry of our Church? The Itinerancy. This is a plan by which each church and each minister agrees to submit to the Bishops at the Annual Conferences the matter of fixing the appointments for each church and minister. The pastor is appointed for one year, and cannot be reappointed for a longer period than five consecutive years to one church.

7. What benevolent societies in our Church are author ized to ask contributions from each member?

The Missionary, Church Extension, Freedmen's Ald and Southern Education, Sunday School Union, Tract, American Bible Society, Education, Woman's Foreign Missionary and Woman's Home Missionary Societies. Let probationers be appointed to define the scope and work of each Society.)

8. How are these benevolences raised?

By voluntary contributions from each member.

9. Is each member obligated to contribute to all of these benevolences?

Yes.

Everyone so vows in becoming a member of

the Church?

10. Is each member obligated to support the local church?

Yes. He so promises on entering the Church. He vows to support the Church and its benevolences by "contributing according to his ability."