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AMOolatlon  for  Infermatien  and  Imag*  Mana««iiMnt ' 

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Silver  Spring.  Maryland  20910  - 

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MRNUFRCTURED  TO  RlIM  STONDRRDS 
BY  RPPLIED  IMRGE.  INC. 


CIHIVIv 
Microfiche 
Series 
(IVIonographs) 


ICMH 

Collection  de 
microfiches 
(nr^onographies) 


Canadian  Instituta  for  Historical  Microriproductioni  /  Inatitut  Canadian  da  microraiiroductiona  hiitortquM 


.,  ■' 


■.V 


TMhnicai  and  Bibliographic  Notn  /  Notn  tachniqiiat  at  biblio«raphiquat 


Tha  Inttituta  has  attamptad  to  obtain  tha  batt  ori#nal 
copy  a»aiiabla  for  f ilnting,  Faatura*  of  thii  copy  iwhieh 
may  ba  biblioflraphieally  uniqua,  whl^  may  altar  any 
of  lh«  imagaf  in  tha  raproduction.  or  which  may 
significantly  changa  tha  usual  mathod  of  filmin«.  art 
chackadbalow. 


L'Institut  a  microfilm*  la  maillaur  axamplaira  qu'il  ' 
lui  ait*  possibia  da  sa  procurer.  Las  details  da  cat 
axamplaira  qui  sont  paut4tra  uniquas  du  point  da  vua 
bibliofraphiqua.  qui  pauvant  modif iar  una  imaga 
raproduita.  ou  qUi  pauvant  cxigar  una  modification 
dans  la  jn*thoda  normala  da  f  ilmaga  sont  indiqu*s 
ci-dassous. 


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DColourad  eovars/ 
Couvartura  da  coulaur 

□  Covars  damagad/ 
Couvartura  indommagia 

□  Covars  rastorad  and/or  laminatad/ 
Couvartura  rastaur*a  at/ou  pallicul 


D'u- 


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titra  da  couvartMra  manqua    ^|;, 


'       I       I  Coloured  maps/ 


Cartas  gtographiquas  an  dMlaur 


□ 


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Coloured,  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  Mack)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou^noire) 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  wit^  other  itfaterial/ 
Relie  avfCd'autres  documents 

Ti|ht  binding  m^y  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

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distorsion  le  long  de  la  marge  intarieure     .     . 


D 


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..^^  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  aiout*es 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
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pas  at*  f  ilm*es. 


D 


N 


Additional  commenu:/ 
Commentaires'iupplementaires: 


□  Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  da  couleur 


q: 


'ages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagtas 


□  Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  rastaur*as  et/ou  pelliculAas 

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I    ^  Pages  d*color*es,  tachat*es  ou  piqoees 

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Includes  Index(es)/ 
Comprend  un  (des)  index 

Title  on  header  taken  from:  / 
Le  titre  de  t'en-tfte  provient: 


□  Titl«^ge  of  issue/ 
Page  de  titre  de  la  livraison 


D 


Caption  of  issue/ 

Titre  de  deliart  de  la  livraison 


□  Masthead/ 
Ge 


Generique  (p^iodiques)  de  la  livraison 


*;■■ 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  f ilme  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu*  ci-dessous. 

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Th«  copy  filmed  htr«  ha«  btvn  i'«productd  thanki 
to  th«  O'nvi'oslty  of: 

Metropplltaft  Toronto  Reference  Library 

Baldwih  Room 

<  ^      ■     ■-    .  . 

Thelnftagea  appearing  here  ere  the  beat  quality 
poaalble  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  Original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  tha 
filming  contract  ipacificat(on«.  .   ^ 

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tha  last  page  with  a  prinfad  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
.other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the  . 
first  pege  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, end  ending  on<the  lest  page  with  a  printed 
or  Illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shell dcorrtein  the  symbol  — ^  (meani-ng  "CON-    < 
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whichever  appliea. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  mey  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios..  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  Included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
-beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  tu 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
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Metropolitan  Toronto  Rtf«r«nc«  Library 
Baldwin  Room  , 

Lee  imeges  eulvantee  ont  4t4  r^produltee  avec  le 
plus  grsnd  soln,  eompte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  netteta  de  rexemplaire  film*,  et  en 
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filmage.  . 

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PROPOSED    BASIS  OF   UNIQN, 

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THE  METHODIST  CHURCH   OF  CANAlU,  THE   METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CUVncn  IN 
CANADA.  THE  PRIMITIVE  METHODIST  CHURCH  IN  CANADA,  AND  THE  RIRLE 
'  .         CHRISTIAN    CHURCH    OF   CANADA,    AS   FINALLY    ADOPTED    BY    THE    JOINT 
COMMITTEE    ON    IJNION.  DECEMBFUl  6th.  IS82. 


"t 


I.  DOCTRINE,  GENEUAL  IIULEH,  OlimNANCES,  ETC. 

The  Doctrinal  Basis  of  tlio  proposed  Utiitoa  Church  shall  b«  the  StumknlH  of 
Doctrine  and  Articles  of  lleligion  contained  in  the  Book  of  Discipline  ..f  tlft>  Methodist 
Church  oC  Ci^iiada,  edition  of  1870.  from  p.  i;i  to  p.  '21.  That  portion  o  the  Book 
*  of  Discipline  of  the  said  Melhodi.st  Chur^li  of  Canada,  edition  of  lH/i»,  from  p.  '-1 
to-p,i^3,  referring  to  General  Rules,  Ordinances,  Rcceptioiucf  Members,  and  Mean^s  ot 
Gracfe,  is  also  adopted  as  part  of  the  Basis.  .'*- 

■V         "     _   -  ■    ^'  ■    "  :  '^^s-   -    '     :^ 

II.  CHURCH  GOVERNMENT.  "^ 

\ 

*  •     _  (10  THE  GENERAU  CONFERENCE.  ^ 

1.  TherVshalAbe  a  Quadrenaial  General  Conference,  composed  of  ari^xM«ftl 
juunbbr  of  MiniB*"''"^  fl'>'^  T.ay  nalagatoa  r1f"^tiPd  Hfl  hfl'-'''"''fti«"T''"^tt^e^-  with  powdicto 
'  make  mle%  and  reguiions  for  the  entire  Church.    (Se«  '^  Annual  Conferences,"  par.  ^.) 

2  No  change  slkll   be  made  in   the  Basis  of  Union,  aflfocting  cot^titutional 
questions,  or  the  rightUnd  privileges  of  Ministry  or  Laity,  except  by  a  thi^e-fonrths. 
majority  of  the  GeneVal  Conference,  and,  if  required  by  cither  order  of  Ministry  or    . 
Laity,  a  two-thirds  majoWty  of  each  order,  voting  separately.  ';.       ',  ,       ,      ' 

3  There  shall  be  on\  or  more  Itinerant  General  Superintendents- elected  by  tho 

(leneral  Cotiference,  to  hM  office  for  the  term  of  eight  yeajABut  if  it  be  decided 
at  the  iheeting  of  the  GenerV  Conference  afte»  Union  to  el^Mj^General  Superin- 
tendents, one  of  them  shall  be  elected  for   four  years  only.^^Wat   there   may  ])o  . 
a  recurring  election  or  re-election  every  four  years. 

4.  A  General   Superintfepdent  shall   preside  over  all   Sessions  of  the   General 
.  Conference,  anA  over  all  Standing  Committees  of  the  same. 

'  (11/)  A>^UAL  CONFEUENCES.  '  .     .'  ^         ' 

'  1.  The  Territory  occupied  by.  the  Church  shall  be  divided  into  Cooferences  as  the  ; 

General  Conference  may  from  time  to  time  direct.  "  •  ;'^>  .^" 

2  Each  Annual  Conference  shall  be  composed  of  all  Ministers  in  Full  Connexion 
within  its  bounds,  and  an  equal  number  of  Laymen,  elected  as  elsewhere  provided. 
(See  "  District  Meetings,"  par.  6.)  .  o      • 

8.  Laymen  elected  shall  have  the  right  to  bo  present  at  all  ordinary  Sessions 
of  the  Annual  Conference,  and  to  speak  and  vote  on  all  questions,  except  the  examin- 
ation of  Ministerial  character  and  qualification;  the  Reception,  by  vote,  of  Proba- 
tioners into  Full  "Connexion,  and  .their  Ordination;  and  the  granting  of' the  Super- 
annuated or  Supernumerary  relation,  on  which  exceptive  questions  Ministers  alone  • 
shall  take  action.  In  case  any  Minister's  character  shall  be  arrested,  it  shall  bo 
competent  for  the  Ministerial  members  to  meet  in  Special  Session  to  examine  into  the 
case  and  pronounce  judgment,  reporting  their  action  to  the  Mixed  Confercnce,-such 
— report  to  be  for  infownation  and  record,  and  not  for  discu'ssion. •__ 


•  t^ 


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'(    2    ) 


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4,  £iicli  Animal  ('otjforenoo  hIiiiII  Iiuvo  aiitlioiity  to  oluot  ii  ProHidoiit  from  among 
its  MiniHtorial  inoiurHTH.     "  " 

/}.  Tho  (lonoral  Hui)orinteud'ont,  wlicii  prcHciit,  shall  oj)on  tlio  Annual  Conference, 

and  preHido' during  tlio  ftr»t  day  of  itn  KesHionH,  and  iiftorwurd  nJt(»rnat<!iy  with  the 

President  oloctod  hy  tho  Conference.     In  the  ulmence  of  a  (leneral  Sjiperintendont, 

.  the  rresidont  of  tho  previous  year  shall   take  the  Chair,  and  6|)en  the  Conference. 


In  association    with   tho  ProHident,    the   (ieneral  Snperinlc 


Ordination  Sorvice,  and  they  shall  jointly  sign  the  Ordination    I'arclnnonls.     Hut  nil 


other  duties  pertaining  to  tho  presidency  of  the  Annual  Con 
tho  President  elected  hy  that  hody,  aJid  in  tho  ahsence  of 
dent  lie  shall  conduct  the  Ordination.        '  - 

(1.  Tho  President  wf  the  Annual  Conference  shatl  he  n 
the  District  in  which  he  nniy  he  stationed  during  the  year  of 

7.  The  Annual  Conference,  shall  elect  by  hallot,  witho 
Kccrotaries  as  the  case  may  ro<|uire. 

A.  The  Annual  Conference  shall  elect  hy  hallot,  without 
for  each  District  from  among  the  ordained  Ministers  wit 
District.  ♦ 

/        9.  Kacli  Annual  Conference,  at  its   Session   next  |)i-ec( 
Gonoral  (.'onferonce,  'Hliall  divide  into   Ministerial  and   Lay 


idcMit  shall    conduct   the 


eienro  shall  he  vested  in 
the  (leneral  Superiiiteu- 

oljicio  Superintondent  of 

his  ^;sidency. 

it  4ol)ate,  a  Secretary  or 

(1<H)ate,  a  Snperintei^ent 
M|i    the   hoiindH  of  such 


ling  the  Session  of  each 
llectoiiil  Conferences,  for 


tho  purpose  of  electing  Delegates  to  the  Oeneial  Confi-reiice,  each  body  electing  its 
own  Kepresentatives.  The  Delegates  shall  he  elecfed  from  within  the  boiinds  of  said 
Conference,  and  the  vote  shall  be  by  ballot.  I 

10.  Each  Annual  Couference  s]iall  liav<^  a  Stationing  Coinmittee,  composed  of  the 
President  of  the  Conference  (who  shall  preside  in  the  Committee),  the  Superintendents   "  ' 
of  Districts,  .^jid  one  Miiiister  elected  by  each  District  >fecti  jg.  sut^h  eleotion  to  bo  by 
the  joint  votes  of  ministers  and  laymen.  -      ' 

11.  Each  Annual  Conference  shall  have  authority  to  elect  into  l-'iill  Connexion  and 
ordain  any  Probationer  within  its  boiiiuls  whb  has  trnvelled  [four  years  and  fullillcd  all      i^^ 
disciplinary  requirements.     Also,  to  elect  and  ordain  Probationers  of  less  than  four 
years'  standing,  when  tho  necessities  of  the  work  reciuire  it. 

12.  All  preachers  who  Lave  received  ordination  in  any  of  the  uniting  bodies,  and 
are  in  good  standing  at  the  time  of  the  Union,  shall  retain  all  rights  and  privileges 
conf0rred  by  such  ordination. 

.         "'  '  (III.)  lySTRICT  MKKTINOH.  '        ■; 

1.  The  territory  occupied  by  eagh  Anmral  Conference  shall  be  divided  into 
Districts. 

•2.  Each  Annual  District  Meeting  sliall  insist  of  all  the  Ministers  and  Probationers 
for  the  ministry  within  its  bounds,  and  one  Lay  Delegate  for  each  Minister  or  Proba- 
tioner in  the  active  work,  from  each  Circuit,  Mission,  or  Station  throughout  the  District; 
said  Delegates  to  be  elected  by  the  (Quarterly  Meetings  as  hereinafter  provided. 

3.  Each  District  shall  be  under  the  Supervision  of  a  piesiding  ollicer,  to  be  called 
the  District. Superintendent,  who  shall  1)0  elected  by  the  Annual  Conference,  as  else- 
where provided.  He  shall  preside  in  the  District  Meetings,  oversee  the  temporal  and 
spiritual  interests  of  the  Church  in  his  District ;  and,  with  the  ISiIinister^  and  proba- 
tioners under  his  charge,  shall  administer  and  enforce  the  Discipline  of  the  Church, 
being  responsible  therefor  to  the  Annual  Conference. 

4.  The  District  Superintendent  shall  fix  the  J;ime  and  place  of  fha  first  District 
Meeting,  after  which  he  shall  fix  the  time,  and  the  District  Meeting  shall  fix  the  place.     - 
In  the  absence  of  the  District  Superintendent,  the  District  Meeting  shall  elect  from 
among  its  ministerial  members,  by  ballot,  without  debate,  a  Chairman  jno.  tern. 

5.  The  examination  of  ministerial  character  shiiU  be  the  business  of  the  first  day 
of  the  District, Meeting,  and  shall  be  confined  to  the  ininisteiial  members  alone. 

6.  Th€  Lay  Members  of  the  District  Mc'eting  siiall  meet  separately  sometime 
diiring  the  Session,  and  elect  by  ballot,  without  debate.  Lay  Jlepresentatives  to  the 
Annual  Couference,  in  the  proportion  of  one  for  each  Minister  in  full  connexion  within 
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of  u«"  1.1  .nust  hav..  I..-..  uuU^vS  tlu-  C^.urcl.  in  good  Htauam^  f..r  the  l.v.  <•..«- 
Miciitivc  yeiirs  iu'xt'im:<t>li"h' »•>"  •^f'""-      *  -  ' 

I  (iv.)  yl  .MlTKHliV.MKKTINtW. 

1    Tl.oro  Hhall'l..  .V  (,)n,..t.Mly  OHumuI  Nh..(ii.K  on-ari.  CrnMiit   Minsion  or  St  ut  ion. 

insisting  of  tiK,  Minislcs  unj  l'n.l.ittioner.  tor  tl.o  Mimstry.  tho  l...ul  I  n-tr  M-rs^ 

ho   Kslu.,t..rH,   tlu,   C.n  uit    S,..wa..ls.   tin-   l.oa.l.Ms  ctf   iMuss...   tl,.    Su,H,.mt.MulH.ts 

rSahLatl.  Schools.  .iH-ing  ,.,....11....  of  tin,    ClM-rh.)  ou.   U..,.r.-H.;.,lat,v.;  tro..|  oa.h 

L!^;;  ..f  Tru^tooMLe  1,...,.,.  ...nohorof  thoC^^.  .r.h) ;  u-a  also  ..t  a..  ....nal  I  .T^- 

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of  tho  St.'war.ls  .n»  the  Ci.-.iiife  .        ,,    .  i-   ,i      i»       .  ..., 

o    .Tl...  SuiK'ii,.(v...l.M.t    of   tl..,  Ci.r.iit  shall  1...  tlu.  Cl.a.rma..  ..f  tl...  Qu.irt.>jl> 

Mt,ct"i..«.  i'X(opt  Nvl...,.  tl...  S,.p.Mi.,I..M.l.-nt   ..f  tl...   l>lHtri..t  Hl.all  b..  ijroHout.  ...  wl....h 

caso  the  liittrMUiiy  l"c«'''t'-  I"  '         .  ■  i   .  i 

:{  Tl.o  (Juiutorly  M...;ti,.-  shall  h.-a.'  (•u..f^tlui..ts,  ,ii.a  .-...•.•.v..  au.l  t.y  a|.|'ealH  . 
re(....,....ou.l  (•.t...lub.t..s  f...-  tl..,M...ist.y  ;  .ua..a«.,  ^l.i.l  .outrul  ri,vu.l  th.a,.c..s;  a.ul 
aischargo   such  oti.o.-   .luties   as    tho    (U.,„.ial   ('..„«o,o,icc    ,„ay    f.-.,,   t,....-   to    t..,.i. 

doti'r.uiuo.  .  ■         r  »i  ,       .     t 

1    Tlu.  Oi.iirtorly  M..oti..K  sl.all,  at  tl,.'  tomth  .■..Kuhi,-  i„c(>t.i.f,' of  fl.«  yeilr.  ..|.>..t 

by  b,in..t,  witl...ut  .l..hat...  tl.o  Lay  l)..|...i,'at..s  to  .itt..,u.l  th..  cusui.,- .\,.„nal   i).sl,_,..t 

Mfet.„g,  i.i  tho  i.,-oi...,tion  of  o.u.  l>oK.-ato   for  .-a.-h  Mi.iistor  or   I'.obiit.o.u'r  ...  the 

lutivo  woiJv  0.1  tl..' Circuit.  ,>  «  ,  t-.   i    •.' 

NoTK.     UcHulatioiis  .•<..uc'r..i..g  tl..'  I^i.-ousiug  of  Lo<:al  Prt'a.bo.s  a.,a  I'.xhort.-rs 

are  lufurrt'd  to  the  tM  t'«"«''^' ^'""f'"'''"*^"-  ,.  ,  , 

III.  CllUIU'll  PJJOPKllTY.  • 

Upoi.  tho  ratif.catio..  .>f  tho  piop..sea  Uui...',,  such  loKislatio..  Hhall  bo  Dbtai.iod 
fio.u  Losislaturi's  l.aviug  ."^o.iipetc.t  juiisaictioi.,  as  shall  v.-st  in  tl.o  U..itod("l.,..ich 
iill  pn.povty  J.ow  held  by,  or  i.i  trust   fo.-,  tl.o   ,cHp..ctiveCl...rches  onte,...-   ...t..  tbo 

L'l.iou.  ■  ,  ^     i>         * 

•>    As   it  is  piolmblo  that   i..    so.ue    ii,Kta..cos   ClmiGb   a..d    I'arsouago  1  roporty 
„ow  1.1  ..so  will  .lot  bo  re.iuiro.l.  after  tho  Union,  for  Chur.l.  or  Ci.euit  purposes,  it  .s 
reco....uc,iaed  that  a  C'o....nitioo,  .onsistin-  of  tl..'  Distri.t   Super.ntona,.nt.  two  ^l.n- 

istersa.ul  two  Lay...e..,  bo  appointo.l  at   ll.o    Distriet    Meeting' o„  each  D.strut  wb.'re 
any  such  p'rol)orty  ...ay  l.o  situated,  who  shall  act  co.i.j..tntly  with  the  'r.-.ust.;i's  ....  ...... 

Circuit  iu  .letorn.inin-  what  pioperty  shall  b.'   lotainod  for  use,  and  what  shall  bo  sold. 

:j.  Iu  .dl  cases  who.o  such  Cl.ur.h  or  l>iirsouago  l>roi.erty...iay  bo  so  ^Id,  tho  pro- 
ceeds arising  iroiu  tl.o  sale  luay  be  applied,—  '      '  -  ,: 

(1)  To  the  pay..ioirt  of  any  debts  or  claims  upo.i  or  i.i  respect  ol  such  property. 

r')  To  the  payn.ont  of  any  .lehls  u|.....  the  p.ui>erty  rotaiiicd  for  uso  by  the 
Cougrogation  tbriuerly  using  tho  propcty  s..  sold,  or  hi  buildiu^  a  u..w  church  or  par- 
sonage where  necessary  for  the  U..iteit  C..ng.egatio...j  .  ^ 

m)  Tl.o  bahu.ck  if  any,  to  bo  applie.l,  with  the  cousont  of  U.o  I  rustces-  to  tho 
use  of  the  Church  and  l'a.sonago  \u\  Kun.l  ..f  tl.o  Unite.l  Church,  .n  U.oA.iuual 
Co.ifereuco  in  which  such  property  is  situated.  . 

'  NoTi.-The  regulations  co.itaino.liu  Chiuse  :^  and  its  subsoct..jns,  m  so  f.ir  as 
they  apply  to  property  hold  by  th.'  Bible  Christian  Church,  shall  bo  subject  to  the 
regulatio.is  adopted  in  regard/ to  Churcli  Funds  respecting  the  debt  of  tho  Miss.onary 
Fund  of  said  Church. 

/  '  Iv.  CHliilCH  FUNDS.  .  • 

aVne*S'»»m<««./«</oni<'«/K^.-Thereshallbe,  in  the  tJtiitod  Church,  a  Super- 
annuat^   Ministers-    Fund-   foi    the   Wc.tcm  ConforencoH.    und    a    Sup.^rnumerary 


.^.-. 


PS 


i 


(     4     ) 


Mini«ter«'  Fund  for  th«  tijroe  Cunforonccs  in  tho  Mnrititiie  Prrtylncen,  which  funds  vhall, 
for  tho  proHt'iit,  bo  uiidcf  tho  rrmiiuKoiiioiit  of  Hi'|)iiriitc)  Hoiirdn,  kh  hiiH  hfoii  tho  practico 
in  tho  MfethodiHt  Church  of  CJauiida.     Ah.  iuj  chikUfjo  is  (h'OMit-d  iioocHMiiry  in  ri-giird  to 

tho  KuporHunioriiry  I'tiiid  of  tho   Kiistorn   CoiiforoncoH,  Jho  rocoi «iidiitio«M   wliich 

foJh)<v,  Hiivo  tho  (iiml  oiiB,  iiro  to  ho  uijdorMtood  uh  rcfurriugHololy.to  tho  Suiierunuutttioq 
Fund  of  tho  WoHtorn ConforonceH. 

'2.  Tho  Mt'thodiHt  Churcli  of  Ciumdii  having?  an  invoHtqd  capital  for  tho  throe 
WcHtcru  Conforouocs  of  over  iJOl.'iOOO,  it  in  aj^Toi'd  that  tlio  otlior  (Miurchi-H  uniting 
«ih«U  HiipplyHuch  an  amount  of  capiial  to  Haid  Superannuation  l-'und  as  nIuiII  phico  their 
MinistpiH  on  an  ocjuahty  with  tho  MiniKtorH  of  tho  Huid  throoWostorn  ConforwnccH. 

J}.  No  chango  Hhall  bo  mado  in  ro^ard  to  tlio  claims  of  any  Minister  holding  a 
pormant'iit  Huporanniiatod  rolation  at  tho  present  linio  (t.  f .  1HH2)  ;  and  thoy  Hhall 
receive  en  tho  basiH  of  their  proHont  claims  as  far  as  tho  annual  jn(;omo  will  allow.    • 

4.  Ihcomo  arising  from  Annual  OolloctiouH  and  Halmcriptionslm  all  Congrogations 
of  tho  United  (Jhurch,  Annual  SubHcriptioim  by  Miuistttrsof  tho  same,  and  anyjunount 
appropriated  from  tim«-to  time  out  of  tho  fundHof  theMisnionary  Society,  shall  Ijo  used 
in  mooting  i^aymonts  to  all  claimants  i>n  tho  fund,  without  distinction. 

6.  Income  arising  from  tho  invested  capital  now  hehl  by  tho  Methodist  Church  of 
Canada  for  tliis  fund,  and  the  amount  annually  roceivod  from  the  prolits  of  tho  Toronto 
Book  Hoom  (until  such  time  as  tUo  Publishing  Interests- of  tho  other  uniting  Churches 
shall  bo  amalgamated,  and  their  assets  o(juaIizcd,  with  those  yf  said  IJook  Uoom),  Hhall 
bo  used  exclusively  for  the  betiofit  of  tho  claimants  on  tho  Snperaimuation  Fund  now 
Connected  with  tho  Methodist  Churcli  of  (Janada,  and  the  claims  of  Ministers  now  ia 
the  active  work  of  that  Church  wlio  may  become  superannuated  after- tho  Union. 

(y.  The  rule  adopted  abovo^  in  clause  6,  shall  a|)ply,  in  tho  case  of  the  Methodist 
Kpiscopal,  Primitive  Methodist,  and  Bible  Christia;!  Churches,  in  regard  to  any  Book 
Room  or  other  assets  available  for  their  respective  Superannuation  Funds,  until  the 
amalgamation  referred  to  in  said  clause  is  accomiJished. 

7.  So  soon  as  the  Met^Mst  Episcopal,  Primitive  Methodist,  or  Bible  Christion 
Churches  shall  furnish  an  nmouut  of  capital  equal,  in  proportion,  to  that  now  held  by 
the  Methodist  Church  of  Canada,  the  Sujjerannuated  Ministers  of  such  uniting  Churcheu, 
and  those  who  may  become  Superaniyuites  after  Union,  shall  have  a  claim  on  the  pro- 
ceeds of  the  whole  invested  capital  ju  common  with  those  who  are  now  Ministers  of  the 
Methodist  Church  of  Canada. 

8.  If  the  income  of  any  year  shall  not  be  sufficient  to  meet  tho  claims  in  full,  then 
all  claimants  shall  shar</iii  the  deficiency  in  porportion  to  tho  amount  of  their  claim. 

9.  If  any  one  of  the  three  uniting  (Churches  aforesaid  shall  fail  to  provide  its  full 
proportion  of  invested  capital.  Ministers  of  these  Churches  who  arc  now,  or  may  here- 
after become,  Superannuates,  slull  draw  in  proportion  to  the  amount  of  capital  actually 
provided.  v         _ 

10.  In  case  of  failure  by  any  of  the  Churches  above  mentioned  tb  provide  invested 
capital,  it  shall  be  competent  for  any  Minister  of  such  Churclies  ^o  provide  his 
individual  share  of  such  capital,  and  thereafter  to  draw  from  the  prdceeds  of  the 
investments  in  the  same  manner  as  Suporannuate^'of  the  present  MethodisVchiirch  of 
Canada.  This  latter  provision  sliall  apply  to  any  Minister  now  on  the  Supemunuated 
lists  of  the  Methodist  Erpiscopal,  Primitive  Methodist,  or  Bible  Chri8tiq,n  ChurcK 

11.  The. principles  embodied  in  the  foregoing  regulations  shall  be  applied  in  adjiist- 
ing  the  relations  to  the  Supernumerary  Ministers'  Fund  of  the  three  Eastern  Cot 
ferences,  of  any  Ministers  of  the  Bible  Christian  Church  who  may  be  included  by  the 
proposed  Union  in  any  of  the  said  Conferences.  '  i 

"■■■  ■  ■:  ■'  ■]■ 

[Note.— A  committee,  has  been  appoiutedj  with  power  to  employ  an  actuary  ^ 
necessary,  to  make  a  careful  estimate  of  the  value  of  existing  investments  belonging  to 
the  Superannuation  Funds,  and  report  at  the  First  General  Conference.] 


{II.yTJie  Missionary  'Fund. — 1.  On  the  consutoj 
be  one  Missionary  Fund  for  the  whole  Church.  v 


T 


i 


■4- 


ation  of  the  Union  there  shdl 


T 


i 


■4- 


,  (    «   )  ^ 

a.  Tho  MiHsiDiJiiry  Hociofy  tif  lhi>  MotlmtliHt  Church  of  Cuiiatlft  liiiviiiK  noJtjbt.iiml 
thr-  iiKDino  mill  fX|.cii(htiiru*trtMnK  niuiil,  |n»  riTninmriKhitinn  \h  iMTOHsiir') 

3.  Tho  MlsHioiiiiry  Ko<  Uty  oflho  Mi  IIkuUhI  H|.iH«o|ml  Church  hiin  a  .Mil  of  1?10,(K)(). 
iii(urn«il  ill  tho  |>ur(hiiHi'  of  |.r.)|u'Vty  tiii«l  Ihf  ori'itiiMi  t»f  ChiirrhoK  in  Muiulnliu,  thr 
prnpiTty  hfiiiK  lit-hl  liy  tlio  Smii-ty  us  h..  iirily  for  Uii- lUht.  TIih  iU-ht  in  to  Iw  lh|Uithai<tl 
out  of  th«  iiHsi'tH  of  thi-  Sociity.  htloii-  th«'  (•iniHiiiii|iiiitioii  of  tht'  Ifnioti. 

1.  Tho  MiMHionnry  Socit-ty  of  tho  liiWIr  ChristiiHi'Chiirih  lias  a  ih-lit  of  !?-2l.(>H(>,  liinn 
altout  $:J,(MM>oii  wliiih  uimilitii'H  aro  jiaiil  at  (1  pt-r  rf|it.  jut  aiiiiuin.  wliiih  aiiiiuitieH 
will  im.'hahly  «east«  in  a  tVw  years.  As  this  ih  ht  was  iiiciirrcil  iii  llio  |.uri  haso.  ami 
ort'ctioii  of  MisHioii  ('huivhos  ami  hirHoiiagoH,  il  in  conHiih'roil  ii  h'Kitiiiiali'  <  iaiiti 
against  Hiich  |)ro|H'ity.  It  i■^  lluMcforo  agrocil  that  thoUicxt  Annual  Coiil.iotin.  of 
tho  liihlo  Christian  (iniicli  shall  malM-  arran^i-nionts  to  .listrihuto  tho  Missj.uuiry  <l.-ht' 
among  tho  several  |iio|iortii'H  to  onct  or  puichaso  which  Haiil  ih'ht  lius  hoolWmurrcMl. 
Ami  in  caso  iui\-  projiorty  hvlon^'ing  to  tho  Hihlo  Christian  Cliuroh  ho  sohl.  tho  prooooilt*,. 
aftor  paying  itthor  .lol.ts  of  tho  Trust,  shall  ho  ^jiplioil  to  tho  reduction  of  tho  saiil  ^^ 
Missionary  debt.  ■ 

6.  Tho  iihovo-niontionoil  dol.ts  hoiii),'  provided  for  as  aforesaid,  tho  ('hurchos 
included  in  tho  Union  are  to  uiiite  on  e(|nal  terms. 

(Ill,)  ritg  C»ii(in;/nil  Fintil.  As  the  liivosled  Capital  of  the  Contingent  Fun.l 
of  tho  Methodist  Chnich  of  Caiiadii  I.elongs  to  I  lie  three  Western  Conforences  of  that 
Church,  it  is  agreed  that  it  he  I.  It  to  tin;  said  ConferenceH  to  propose  a  plan  for  dealing 
with  Haid  Investments,  and  repfirt  the  Hiimo  ti>  the  (leiieral  Confereiiee  of  the 
Methodist  Church  of  Caiiadii  iit  the  Special  Sessinn  to  he  held  hrfore  the  lln'>»n  is 
cbiiHUinmati'd.  As  the  other  Coiifciemes  and  ChuitheH  huvo  no  such  Investeil  Capital, 
all  furtjier  action  on  the  sul.ject  is  rofoned  to  the  flrnt  (Jeiiorul  Conference  of  tl»e 
Untt^jighurch. 

'(ivl^.  TAr  Clii')/rni'.-<  Fund.  As  tho/e  are  no  InvoHtmentH  in  coniieclion  with 
this  fund  in  any  of  the  Initiiig  Chiiichixs,  it  is  agiee<l  that  the  wlioltt  (|uestioii  lie 
rolegateil  to  tliti  tirst  (ieneiiil  Coufereiule  of  the  I'nitod  Church  to  deternuno  on 
what  basis,  if  any,  a. Children's  I'und  shall  he  niaintaiuod. 

V.  BOOK  A>il)  l'UHLlSinN(i  INTKUKSTS. 

"■'.■■'  ,>  ■*.  ■    •'■ 

^        1.  Tho  Halifax  Hook  UooiiMiiid  weekly  paper  HJialPLe  continued  as  at  prosent,  on 

account  of  their  geographical  position. 

2.  Tho  Toronto  Hook  Itooiii.  with  its  various  publications,  will  also  bi;  maintjiiiiod  ; 

^  and  no  serious  dilliculty  is  appreliemlcd  in  the  wa.vpfconsofidaling  the  other  publishing    ■ 
interests  iii'the  West  at  an  early  (late  after  the  I'nion  is  eirecteil. 

8.  As  th(?  assets  of  the  Hook  and  I'ublishing  llousii  of  the  Methodist  Church  of 
(,'anada  for  the  three  Westent  ('oiifeieiiC(!S,  jire  hirger  in  proportion  to  th»;  iiiiiiiber  of 
Ministers  in  those  Conferences  than  the  similar  assets  of  any  one  of  the  other  contriict- 
ing  parties,  it  is  agreed  that  each  M^iister  of  the  Methodist  I'lpiscopal,  Hriniitivo 
Methodist,  an'l  Hihle  Christian  Churches,  entering  into  the  Ciiiiui,  shall  pay  into 
the  general  Publishing  I'uml  such  a  sum  as  will  make  liis  interest  ciplal  to  the ./»;;• 
capita  interest  of  the  Ministers  of  the  three  Western  Conferon<es  aforesaid. 

4.  In  equali/ing  the  prr  aipihi  interest  as  al>ove,  paytnonts  inay  be  niado  in  caBh, 
or  by  notes,  payable  inono  or  two  years  from  the  dato'  of  I'nion  ;  such  notes  to  bear 
interest  at  8ix  per  cent  per  annum.  • 

yi.  HUUCA.TIONA|i  mTEKESTS. 

^  .  J.  The  Metliodist  Church  of.  Canada  and  tho  Methodist  Episcopal Churcli  have  a 
number  of  Educational  Institutions  ift  successful  oi>eration.  The' I'rimitive  Methodist 
and  Bible  Christian  Churches  have  no  such  institutions  in  this  country. 

♦  2.  The  Educational  Institutions  in  the  Maritime  Conferences  present  no  difficulty 
in  the  way  of  Union,  and  no  change  is  recommended  in  their  present  relations. 

•-■•■         ■  '•  ■■     ■        /■■    ■         ■/   ' 

■■  ■  'S^      '  ''     ■     ■  *■■'■ 


•   ■■■  i 


■  .  < » > 

3.  In  Tef(%ri  to  tho  W'oHlorn  (^onhtrnnc^ii,  it  Ik  Iwiittvuil  tlint  thonn  Tn»ttitutioi)i 
wliicli  |M)HMUMH  lUiivcrHJty  (loifcrH  cuii  Ih>  coiiMulidutvti,  to  the  liuiiur  uf  tlirir  gradmitea, 
Hiid  thy  iulvniitu|{«i  of  tlioir  Kduciitioniil  work. 

4,  It  IH  rvcoiiiiiH'iMlcd  tliiit  tliti  iinit»<l  Cliiiroli  iiillicr«>  to  tlic  triiditioniii  polirv  of 
MflthodiRiii  ill  rrKiini  to  ctliinitioii,  lM-li«'viiig  tliUt  the  liOHt  iiilertmtN  of  llio  Cliiiroh  iiiul 
of  pdiiciitioti  iihporutivcly  dt>iiiiiiid  tiiiit  our  ( 'dIIokum  mid   UiiivuVNiticN  Hhuiiid  bo  undur 

the  foflt«)riiig  rare  of  tilt)  Church.  ' 

■      ,'  ' " 

VII.-    MISCKM^ANMorS   ItHCOMMKNDA'riONH. 

1.  C(imix)ti(i()n  of  tlii  Fimt  (Ifiunil  Cini/fieiin'.  T)h'  Oeiicrid  ('on'f«»n'ii('o  of  tlio 
MutiiodiHt  ('hui'(  h  of  Ctiiiiidik  hiivitig  iiiitliori/.»d  thn  culling  of  u  S|io<iiiil  ScMNion  in 
18851  to  givo  vfl'iHt  to  tho  Union,  provided  a  Miitihfnctory  Imnig  iH  Huoured,  if'iM 
r(i(U)inimttidcd, 

[(i)  'I'lnit  ill  cum)  tho  MaHi*  of  I'nion  in  approved  hy  tlio  ro(|uiHito  inajoritioH  in  th« 
Quarterly  .MoctiiiHH  and  Aiiiiiiul  ('oiifcroiiccH  of  (li«  (.'hiirclum  |)ropoHiiig  to  uiiito,  it 
■Hhall  bo  coinpclcnt  for  tho  Aiiiiinil  ConforiMiccN  uf  tlio  Muthoilist  HpiHcopiil,  Primitivo 
MethodJKt,  and  iJiblo  (.'liriHtiali  ChurclioH,  to  oloct  DtdcgatcH  to  tho  I-'irHt  (lonoral 
Conforeiico  of  tlio  I'nitod  (Miurch,  in  tho  proportion  of  ono  out  (if  ton  MiniHtors  in  full 
connexion,  with  an  equal  nunibor  of  Laymen,  elected  in  Annual  Confeionce  or  Diwtrict 
Mooting  as  tho  case  may  bo ;  and  thoMe,  together  with  thh  DelegateH  compoHing  tho 
present  (ienerul  Conforonce  of  the  Methodist  ('hurfh  of  Canada,  mooting  in  joint 
HOHsion  after  tlur  latter  body  >ihall-hir*o  closed  the  Npecial  HOHsion  above  alluded  to, 
shall  (u)iii|)OHe  tho  l-'iist  Uenoral  Co\iforenco  of  tho  sai(l  United  Churcii,  with  power  to 
perforin  such  Acta  as  liiay  ho  necoHHary  to  the  final  ratilication  of  the  I'liion,  and  all 
other  A<'tH  which  come  within  the  province  of  a  (leneral  Conforeiico. 

(h)  The  Annual  Confiy^fjees.aiid  District  Meetings  of  the  Methodist  Church  of 
Canada  shall  have  authority  to  (ill  vaiNincioH  thattiviy  have  occurred  in  tly|ifedgU>ga"- 
tions,  either  lay  or  clurinal,  by  tho  usual  mode  of  election.  V^ 

2.  I'lxpcnHfs  of  GttucrnI  Confereiicr.-li'ihe   Basis  of  Union  be   apprwod,  it  is    > 
recommonded  that  the  various  .\niAial  •('onferences  make  pmvijjion  for  taking  up' a 
collection  in  every  congregation  for  the  expenses  o/  the  Uirst  (lorteiaK'onferonco. 

3.  Transfer  of  y[iniiileni.--'V\\o  .loint  Committoo  recommends  to  tho  First 
Oeneral  Conforonce  tho  matter  of  making  provision  for  tho  transfer  of  Hir^istofs  from 
one  Conforouco  to  anuthor,  so  as  to  give  all  reasonable  facilities  for  meotijig  the  wants 
of  the  work.  • 

4.  Time  of  fint  General  CovA'rfwcf.— In  Iho  event  of  tho  Basis  of  Ihiion  being 
approved,  it  is  leconiiiionded  that  tlio  tirst  (lonoral  Conference  of  tlio  United  (Ihurcdi 
bo  held  in  the  Methodist  Kjiiscopal  Tabernacle,  in  the  City  of  Hellovillo,  on  the  first 
Wednesday  in  Septembor,  188;},  commencing  at  nine  o'clock  iiitho  forenoon. 

.').  Name.-'VXw  adoption  of  a  uaino  for  the  United  Church  is  referred  to  tho  first 
«>tieneral  ('ouforenco;  but  the  Committco  recommend  that  it  be  called  "  The  Methodist 
Church."  / 


y.   j^^.;-:        *■■ 


♦ 


'l*BP 


XnROULAR    LETTER) 


'  ^it/ivdisf .  (  /line A    t'f   (,  nnaditf    and  tUf    -''hi/f    (  Arislmn 
0'kttrv/t  of  (,',it Hilda . 


l>gANI.(     llltl.Utt.ll    IInKTIIMKN    AXIi    KlIIKMIMt: 

Alt  yniir  fi'lliiw  litlniiii'iTH  Ml  llo*  iiiiiiiolCy  of  llii'  KliirinMM  <Iim|n'I  mmI  I'tnliim  ■>(  iIm-  IIin'Ii  nf 
CliriHt,  w«  Krfrt  yiiii  iiHi'i'lliMinlrly,  in  tlir  iiniin'  >\{  v\w  KiiIIht,  iIh-  Sun,  iiikI  lln-  i-vit ,I>I>'<uu><I  llnly  H|itril, 
pnyiiiK  I'uriii'Hlly  lluit  vi'  l«'  riiriilii'it  \»illi  iill  >|iii'iliijil  li|i'uiiii({»  in  Chriii*,  liilffl  ii|>  in  lliiii.  iinil 
raluliliHln-il  in  lli<-  fiiitli  ii(  llii'  (Mm|H'l  hIimIi  liita  Im'i'Ii  ilci'liirc  I  iinln  ymi.  Ami  mi<  iirr  the  iiikii'  iiiitiniiit 
eoiici-niinv  yoiii'  wi'lfiirr  ittitiil  iIm'  iik*I<>I ■"■''' "'  <>iir  •'lii'rii>lii'il  Mrilimliitinn  in  «Iii-hi' ikinx.  Ii'hI  ye  Ii«<  ltd 
Mliltf  (riim  njliulfni'HN  i>f  |inr|HiHi',  Imniilily  nf  niintl.  iiiiil  nU'iln'iift'  to  tin-  inilli,  iifliT  llu'  ii|>iiil  <if  llif 
wiirhl  mill  tlit>  iiliiiiH  iilf  iiifii,  itml  mil  iifliT  llif  tiilml  iiml  u  ill  nf  (jihI.  Viiii  nil  kmiw  lliitt  llirn'  liii>t<lK'i'ii 
•II  itailii'Nt  ili'iiirt',  in  uiikiiv  (put'  lii'iirtw  in  our  ri'»iH't  titi-  I'liiiiilit'it.  tlnlt  Ilif  ili\iili-t|  Mi'lliotliNini  ui  lliis 
oiMiiitry  hIiouM  Im'  nniii'il  into  out'  Mi>l|nHliHl  I'iiiii'ili,  in  nnliT  ilntl  tlif  ifN't'itHiiiiiN  for  xlrifi'  •■lnnilil  U' 

riiniitfiMl,  tliiii   lo>i>  iiiiulit  till'  niorr  uIhhiiiiI,  tliiil   iIm'I' ixlil   Ih'  It'xt  wjut'li'  itnil  U'llir  ilirt'i'liun  of  llii' 

rfwiiii'ffH  of  till-  <'litiri,'li.  .mil  lliiit  tin'  tm'ii  (IikI  kivi-h  iih  to  uiiiiiHli'r  in  wunl  ilml  iliNlrliif  iniulil  \<f  I  hi' 
livltiT  u|ii|iliiyfil  to  H|ii'i'riil  tlir  riiiiiiiion  .Su«ioiir'a  niinn'  NVi<  liitM'  nil  inoiit'iit'il  ^ivir  IIh'  lonllii'liiiK 
iuMrt'HiH  itii  it|t|>rtiiwtml  IIoIiIm  of  lulxiur,  tliti  >it'itnt.y  itu|>|u>rt  of  tlm  Aliiii>try  liy  »iiutll  uixl  ilivuliil  ^inmlu'it, 
tliii  iTt'i'tioii  iif  niiiiiy  lioqj^t'H  of  wiinili(|i  tliiit  n  iinitt'il  ]h>o|iIi'  wniiM  lii'xir  lintr  ri'i|uiri'it,  tin'  ritiilry  of 
iltiiinniiniktioiiN  riirryiiix  jirt'ciwly  lliJ'  mtiin'  rtt*Trtni'B,  itnil  for  Hit-  iiiokI  |iiiri  tlif  miiih'  iiitttft'.i.  inlo  iifw 
iniHNiiiii  lii'lilH,  Itml  llin  envy  ami  ill  will  Iimi  ofti-ii  i-nKi'iiilfit'il  l>y  tlii'  |it'r|M'(iiittii>n  oi  tlii'Mf  iIixisioiik. 
Kiir  till'  rt>iiii»iil  of  tlii'itf  iH'fitHiDiu  of  tilt-  rt'iinmi'li  of  llif  lulvi'ntnrirN,  for  tin-  unity  of  ttif  X|iiril  in  llit- 
liomU  of  |H<iii'r,  for  It  wist'  hiiiI  I'Dli'ii'iit  iliri'i-lioii  tif  llif  ri'Hoiiiri'ji  of  ll|i>  (imri'li  in  litT  iihmi,  htT 
iniititKtiiiiis,  nnil  lii-r  iiiom'y,  iiml  for  llii'  roiiHi'i|iii>iit  n'viv.tl  of  tin' work  of  <!imI,  muny  Miin'i'if  |irnyi'ni 
linvtt  iffi\w  ii|i  from  tlif  in«iillH'r>i  of  all  our  ('luirclii'M  unto  tlif  lit'iii)^  IIihI,  our  Kiitlii'r  in  lli'iiti'ii. 

You  uIno  know  tliitt  tliri-f  iiri'  Ki-i'itt  ilillii'ullii-it  in  tlio  wiiy  nf  tin'  m't'oniiilinliiin'iit  of  Hiii'h  it  I'liion 
of  till.'  ilivi'rHf  liriiiii'lii'H  of  .MitliiKlisni  into  oni  Mi'tliotlint  I'liiirrli  :  ilillifultifi.,  imtt'iil,  t»l)ii'li  mi  imTi'ly 
huinaii  lliiiu^lit,  H|iirit',  or  (ilnii  I'oulil  otfri'imit'.  All  tin*  ('liurflii"«  linvi'  tlii'ir  ilu'ritlii'll  |iiilliy  uml 
prihi'i|>lfH  of  );o\i'niiiii<iit  nnil  iMliiiiniittriilion,  Hi'i'omI  only  in  iiii|iortaiH't',  in  tin'  ui'w  of  kihhI  nirh 
iimintaiiiiiii;  tlii'iii.  to  llit>  tliH'trini's  of  Holy  S<'ri|itiirf  tlii'iiiHi'lvi-H.  I'rrjuiliii'H  Imti' itriHfn  iiml  utiiinx 
fi'flliiiKit  liavi!  Ih'i'Ii  Htirri'il  :  whrri'I'ori',  it  ih  nflcn  ililliiiilt  for  tin*  iiiohI  liom-Ht  |iiir|io-.i'  to  uliliiin  n  niliii. 
impartial  vitiw:  Wiirlilly  nintivi'H  inti>rvi'm'..aml  lu'lliHli  ninm.  Hoiiii'titiifii  iloulit,  Hiispirinn,  umf  |iiii'(t« 
fuirit  liiitM  the  jiiilKiuinl'  llif  n'mi'inlirunt'i'  of  iii(ury,  ri'ul  or  fiimii'il,  iliHi'oliiiirN  llir  rity  iiiiil  U'trloiiiU 
tlit>  viHiiin.     l|o«  Wi'  m-i'il  to  pniy  to  In-  ilr'liMri'il  ftoiii  ourHclM's  ami  tin'  nn'ri-  inlliii'iil^i'  of  cirtiini 

iitam'i's,  ami  (o  I nttlili'il  to  mt  tlif  (rntli   in  its  own  clear  li|;lit,  ami  ffil   it  in  its  own  lonifort  iiiitl 

l^iiw  !      In  vii'w  of  llifM-  foriiiiilulilf  olmtHi'lfs,  Wf  art'  lonliilfnt   tlial  you  will  rfjoiif  with  uk  ami  ;;itt'  ' 
i;l<iry  to  (iiitl  that,,  in  Our^'oiiHultatioiiH   Juki  ilosiii);.  thf  Kri'iitist   hariiuiiiy  ami   lirotlicrly   Iom'   ha\f 
alMiunilrd  :  omi,  whativi-r  tlif  JKHiif ,  wc  havf  Wvw  fihlr  to  sff  niori'  clfarry  fyt'  to  fyf,  ami  iiMi-,,,htarf>i 
liavt>  lilaui  ilrawii  to;{ftlH<r  in  the  ffllowship  of  thf  Spirit  ami  tlio  friitfrnity  of  ih«  (iiispfl  of  inni-it 

'I'hf  tifiifral  ('onffi-fin'i'iti  ami  toiiMl  jliili'il  iiulhorilii'n  of  iiiir-ni'\iTal  ('liui'l'.hfH.  Iiav  ini;  nlliriuifl  thf 
ilcHirnliility  nf  t^iion,  ap|i(iiiitf<l  coinmiiiffH  of  liii'lhri'ii,  liiitliful  ami  lu'lovfil,  iif  rt^itifiT  iih  to  a  liii>j«  iif  ' 
Unitni,  ami  HKi'iirtaiti  wliftln^r  iIii'M'  Ih'  a  t'oiumon  ^'rollml  oii  which  nil  tlic  (Miiirclu'H  intcrc-iic  I  iimiIiI  jiiiii 
in  organic  Unity.  Thii  iilcntity  of  ,oiir  iloctriiifM  iiml  ruli'H  ol'  Society,  iiml  the  tiiiiiliirity  of  mir  ii-ioki'IV 
in  many  ro8|H'cts,  >{av«  UH  a  favmiralilf  Htnrlin};  piliji^.  Wf  could  caKJly  iiKri'f  on  the  iliHiriiics nf  tho 
Holy  HoriptiirfH  its  undfrKtotHl  liy  the  |M'opli' cilli'dMctffntii'.lM,  on  the  >'ulfH  of  oiir  .Sociclifi  as  yivcii  liy 
Mr.  NVfKlcy,  tho  vi'iieraliK' foiimlcr  of  kiui*coniiiion  Ali'thiMlitmi,  on  our  uhiikwh  of  worship  uml  iiifins  of 
ftrac(>,  and  on  tiiu  fxi'flli<1lcy   of   tliiv  spirit   of   love.      Itut   the   divfrKJtifH  of  polity  ami  primiplfs  of 

■•  govorniiiflit,  oivd  thf  chfriKhfd  iwcnlinritifs  of  the  several  <'hi|lchfH,na\t'  to  vour  coiiiiiiiltfc  ll cusion 

of  iTiui'li  Htuily  nnd  prayer.     One  of  the  ('huri'lies   han  mitilc  pnuriiiient  in  iIh  iiilininistratioii  the  main 

,  tpiiaiife  of  tlif  riKhtH  <if  the  .Vnnmtl  Conft'rcm'es,  and  of  thi*|M'culiai'  funetiniiH  tuiil  priyiietfcs  of  the 
pa^tilrato.  Anolhfl-  Iioh  held  imswervinfily  liy  thf  coiim'xii|tral  iilca,  thf  Kiiprcinacy  of  the  lo'iieritl 
Coitf*rfnof,  anil  thf  ollicf  and  prfropilivi'H  of  an  Ilincritnt  tifiifrul  Superinlcmli'iicy.  The  oi her  two 
Churfhfs  have  tupfcially  iniiiutained  the  ri(»ht«  of  the  liiity  to  ri'|iii'Hrntatit)ii  in  the  Coiifcifm'fH  and 
Courtp  of  tho  Church,  Thi'se central  and  fumlaiiifntal  |MVitions  of  the  Churches  mc  recomiialile,  are 
incnr[|oratfd  in  tlip  liasis  of  [tninn,  aitd,  in  our  opinion,  vvill  all  tif  friind  to  !«■  elc  nifnti  "f  siifety, 
solidity,  lilierty,  amlpowfr.  This  basin,  in  its  rcHard  for  cKj'rishfd  principles  nml  iniilieiialile  rights, 
proposrs that  thf Sf  central  and  fiindaiiiiiMital  positioiiK  lie  presi\\t'd  and  coiislitnti'  the  cimimoiij.'ronml 
of  uiiitly,  w'hilf  pt'culiarities  of  Ifss  iin|iortaiicf,  in  a  spirit  of  miit>tiil  coiifessiiin,  iire  iii'iiMist  cases  h.mliil 
on  to  lili'.arraii.Uf<l  liy  thf  Cfneral  CnnffWieo  ami  conHtitiited  autl^iirilifs  of  the  I'lui.il  I 'lunch,  slimild 
luoh  I'hion,  liy  your  votuf-HUowancf,  niid  action,  v\v\  lake  place.XTlie  .Missionaiy,  Ijliic  ilioiml.  and 
financijtl  interi'siH  <)f  the  ('hurchcs,  thfir  GhurcJi  proJM'rty,  Hook  KikiHih,  and  piililisliini.'  estal'lishiiieiits 
gavf  ug\iuch  coiicfrn,  liut  wt^  are  i>fP»uiMh*il  that  in  them  is  no  ins^ieralilf  luirricr  to  Union, 
wflfai'f  OT  ilinistfrs  and  Sooiftics  was  fli  our  tlinu);lit  to  all'onl  thfiiiMill  ixissilili'sat'fKmn'ils 
8upfraiiuuatfd    MinistorH  art*  prntfctcd   in  thfii'   rights,  and   orilai'i'il    men   have 


I'he 

secured  to  ihi'tll  the 

1  iiriiverfill 


'»' 


privilf ^I'H  bikI  fniietioiig  posHossod  i»ithin  tlifir  respt'ctiv^  Chuii'hes. — Ithasliceii  ihinnrelul  uml  [ 
effort  of  your  Cuitcil  CoiniiHtttfs  tfi  dischar>;f  tlm  snortsi  trust  coidided  tn  lliein  -liv  their  several 
Confcri^nccg  and  Churchoa  ;  and  guanliiiK  ri^lits,  principles,  iMtd  inipprtant  intc n'sls,  to  Iiml  if  prncticilile 
aecordinf;  to  their  instructions,  a  luiais  on   which  the    .Methodist  jieople  of  this  Dominioa  initjht,  under 


(  »• ) 

(toil,  udlla  in  u(M>  MuthiMlM  Okuruh  U>r  tha  aiiraail  ttl  rti'rt|i(iiral  hiAutrtm  Tivar  lh«a«  iMtd*  WUk 
llagrD*  uf  r<inA>l«Aiv  Ihitl  M  4«air«l>l«  Ml  Kiul  liw  Iwxii  rmu'liml,  with  many  iirayon  (»r  ilirina  piit<i«nMi 
of  •ll  th«  ('hiimh)'*,  with  nlfaknok  u|>im  tlm  inUilli|«ii4<o  *iiil  Inyalty  i>(  our  r«'ii|MH!ti«i>  m«ntlMir*hi|>«,  •llh 
•ti  •■pwlJilton  thai  iimlu*  yn^uill<-'«  wtll  b«  laiii  mIH*.  «iiiI  lh<<  Kr»«t  iHur*  of  Iha  hour  ralmty  aiui 
eanillilljr  miii«l<l«nHt  ,  with  mi  Mlnioiiilion  that  mir  r«>«|>«i'ljki*  |i#<i|ilra  miliar  Ihatr  nmn  «<m«lllutl<(M*'  lirap 
unltml  aiul  In  tha  apiril  nffkarily  aniniin  ihaiiiaaUaa,  aml^llh  th«  aM>irau<-«  that  for  oufialvM  wa  ^n, 
in  tht-  f<*ar  of  Ooit,  haart  Mi  wiul  with  our  |wiiti|a  wilhiii  uiMMlitutioiial  action  an<l  ilmim^n,  wo  vomniaiiil 
ihalNuiaof  t'liton  ami  ati  IIm  liitarnau  thai  rliiftar  alaiwt  It- to  Iha  hoiU'il  M'ruliny  anil  thoughtful,  , 
Kntlljr  datrrminationii  of  iIm  t'hiiniliMi,  muitanl  tu  raraiva  ihi'lr  aoli'mii  ai-r(>|itan<-a  of 'it,  or  a<|uallf 
Milainii  raji'i'tion  of  It,  a«  rato  u*  tha  imltoatlon  of  rruvltlanca'anil  llic  voira  of  (Iml 

III  ihn  wivaral  Oharakaa  thx  Inmi*  of  Union  will  lie  nrcwnli'il  Tor  ai'liim  In  Iha  Oanaral  and 
Annual  ( 'oiifarriH'ra,  tha  QMirtarly  IIkkIiii^  ( 'onf<*n>iiPi>^  niiil  t))IU-lnl  MiM'tiiiK*  ainI  Honnla,  niiil  In  iha 
M«M'i»iiai>  anil  Mninlwn)  thwMaalvm,  uiulvr  tha  ronntltulioiial  urov l«loiii  in  thn  raoiivrtiva  Chiiri'li'-a,  and 
a<'forili|ig  io  tha  ilirmitioh  ol  thair  «a|iarala  niimtituti'il  •uOiorM ii-n,  »o  that  thara  may  lia  lh)>  iitincal 
fairm-Mi  aiiil  fraai|om  of  tli*'>ii«liHi,  lliat  no  iiniiroiiar  a<lvan(M(a  la'  lakvn,  or  unlawful  liiaa  Ki«ai»,  and 
that  Ilia  antira  ■■onatlliiandy  allV'tail  in  aauh  rawi  (hall  hava  tlit'  o|i|airtuiilty,  umlar  ita  own  ■■onititu'ion, 
UMW,  and  law,  to  atn|>loy  roio*  ami  iiilluaiii'a  for  or  aiiainit  lu  ailo|>iuiii,  ai'iiinling  to  tha  Mflrinn  and 
■■oiiwiantlon*  oonviclion  v4  iutj,  hafom  XikI  and  Ilia  ('hiiri'li,  in  Ihii  imiMtrtant  criai*  of  tha  hiatory  of 
oitr  MatluMliania.  What  grMtvr  diHiiity,  what  inora^WfiKhty  and  awful  i'harK<'  and  trual  than  thilll 
lli>ri'  la  a  vola  paMinK  far  tha  ImiMirtanuv  of  onlinary  I'ivil  and  |Mi|iti)'nl  alTaira  aniooK  iik'h.  ii  in\olva* 
luui'li  of  th«  |Miwar,  ailuiiaw,  and  daatiny  of  tha  (Jhurch  of  (IimI  '  NVhiit  an  iinmanaa  n'N|Kiiiailiility  U 
|ilai-iH|  hari'liy  U|M)n  avary  OMmliar  and  friand  of  our  /.ion  Hhnll  hi'  not  Im<  iiunh  in  itraytT' laifora  (iod, 
toiirhiiiH  our  praanntilutiatt  Hhall  wa  not  aaak  oouiim'I  of  tliv  Miml  llluh  I  l*ari<  wi>  allow  |H<ra<ini^  i>r 
worHI^  faaliiiKi  or  iaauaa,  or  inipulavH  of  prida,  jaalouay,  or  ill  will  Io  int)-r\<'iH'  in  a  liiiain<-aa  of  this 
I'hanM-tiirl  Ara  wa  not  in  duty  laiuiid  to  Walk  in  ilia  lifdit  a«  OimI  hini'alf  ia  In  Ijii'  llxht,  hnd  aaak  to 
(HMuiaHfi  all  tlii>  mind  of  inaakiMNI,  oliailii-iii-a,  and  lovn  that  waa  in  t'liHat,  our  Saviour  and  l,ord  I  4low 
•  Ua  ahull  wii  diachariia  thn  lolainn  olili^ntiona  of  Ihaaa  «\i>ntful  tiiiioa  I  Th*'  |>aat  ia  liMikiiiK  li|Min  ua  with 
ita  iiiany  liraacliaa  Io  \m  rafwirad,  iniatakca  t'orravtad,  and  ilia  raiiiailiiil,  notwitliHtandiiiK  ita  many 
aiirraaara,  for  which  w«  Joyfully  giva  gl<»ry  to  Ood.  Tlia  preMUit  ia  IrMikInK  "I"'!!  ua  in  tha  runlial 
ili'aira  and  iiilan-al  of  all  KvMt^t'liiial  (ihriitandoin  in  thia  niovaniant,  and  aaiH-i'liklly  iif  tha  prayarlul  »nd 
hrolliarly  avNipHthy  and  KifWii  of  all  tlia  MullKMliami  of  lioth  hatiriapln^n'a,  Tha  futura  ia  Imikinn  In  iia 
with  ita  alilarKiiiK  diMiianda,  opanini(dooi»,  and  inuraaijiD^  factlitian  in  tha  work  of  OimI  ;  wilh  ita  call  for 
Iha  niaintaiiuncn  and  apr««d  of  tlix'iiJSti^iar-ikM'trini'N  of  our  Mathixliani,  a  fri'a,  full,  pmaant,  iiiatan^ 
jH'rfart,  and  rtarnal^aalvAtion  to  fuiln  aniK^iliiiidiani'a  ;  and  with  ita  ((rnnd  priniilaa  and  pma|)a('ta  of  tha 
iniiltiplyiiig  vii-toriaa  of  tho  omaa,  for  tha  aiHinniiiy  of  our  raiourraa  at  lioiiia,  anil  tlia  pro|M<i'  ilirai-tion  of 
our  anarKii'H  to  tha  aalvation  of  man  liura  in  thia  fnat  iNun>lint(  Ihiminion,  niiil  Io  ilia  lamoti-Ht  |iarta  of 
tha  I'urth.  'I'lia  mimionaiiaa  and  martyra  of  all  nf(aa,  tha  lloly  Aii)(i'Ih,  ('lirial,  tlia  llaail  of  tha  (7hurrh, 
and  tha  Adoralila  Kathar  and  linly  Spirit  am  liNikiii)(  u|h)ii  ua,  tlint  what  wi>  do  wa  do  it  not  aa  Mnln 
'  nuraalva-i,  Imt-aa  unto  thn  I«rd  ;  tlwt  wa  do  MUr  liaat  to  uiiita  ounu'lvi-a,  our  idii-riahad  iirinciplaa  and 
|MiiwiTN,  our  rannurrai  au<>  efltcrfirlani  in  tha  Inva  of  lind,  ami  in  tha  faith  and  hnpt  nt  Ui>i  Hloaioua 
)(oH|N'l,  Hi><>hi){  wa  ara  ant'ompaaaad  alMiut  liy  ho  j^n-nt  a  riouil  of  witnaNaaa,  ha  it  oura  Io  lay  onido 
I'vary  w«ii(ht,  and  tha  ai^l  that  mi  aaaily  iNwt  ua ;  and,  whalliar  niTi<ptin){  or  rajactiiiK  tha  liaaia  of 
I'liion,  li't  ua  dccida  avary  i{naation  rajtanliiiK  it  aa  in  tlia  pri'tu'iiaa  of  lh.>  Iiord,  and  in  viaw  of  that  day 
whan  avary  oiia  of  ua  alioll  giva  aci-ouiit  of  hinini'lf  to  IIihI.  ('(iiiatrniiiril  of  Ilia  lova  nf'u'lirial  and  xaal 
for  till-  aiiiilnof  man,  wa  muat  caaiia  iiiiiuM'mly  atrifa,  niiil  on  a  IiomIh  of  lirotharly  and  mutual  ri'itnni,  and 
('liriHtittii  honour  and  right  which  wa  think  tha  lutaiH  liariwitli  auliniitlad  to  Im<  wa  niuat  lia  drawn 
loK'  tliar  luid  aalaliliHliiMT not  only  in  tha  unity  of  the  Spirit  and  Imndit  of  |H>nra,  hut  in  all  nr((ania  and 
viailili'  unity  to  tha  confoundiiiK  of  tha  odvarHiirii'N  of  (!|iriat,  tha  di'inoiiNl ration  of  Iha  work  of  tha 
Spirit  and  tha  k''"^  "'  ^'*x'  ^'>"  I'utliar.  And  ii'm  your  (uuitnrH  niiil  Harviiiita,  for  (Uiriat'H  aaka,  wa 
ahnll  aurm'Htly  and'l-oiitiniially  pray  that  tha  lloly  (ihoat  ilaKranil  upoji  uh  all,  mid  till  ux  with  thi' 
|(>va  of  lliid,  anK)(htau  ivary  mind,  and  purify  a\ary  haart:  niid  that  Ma  uuiila^our  ('hurchaa  to  tha 
wiai'iit  uiid'anfaat  ri'»ultu.V«<>lllK  iiraiaa  of  Hi*  (rlury.  And  to  (iml,  tha  Knlliar,  Son,  and  Holy  Spirit  Im> 
praiw  fnrtiver.  i     I    ■ 


I 


II 


■i 


\.  :-^ 


« 


SiKnad  hy  ordar'of,  and  in  tialialf  of,  tha  doiiil   Comniittan  on  tha   ITnion  of    tha   MalhndiH 
Churohei  of  thia  Country.  . 


.S.    II.    RI(?K. 

Prttilfiil  oflhf  llniftnl  >'imffitiu»  o/  Ihf 
.VrlhnlintCh'hjihnfCnaitii. 

.1.    (iOODMAN,  . 

I'miilriil    nf  Ihr     Primilii'f     .tfcMm/M 
ahiirch  in  tnihula. 

\y   I'Ast'OK, 

I'rrnhlnit  nf  tht  ^ihlt  Chrulian  I'hhrrh 
>/  Ciinaila.  , 

A.    (^AKMAN. 

Ilmlhi/i  hfllir  M'lhmtiil  KiiiKnpnl  I'hurfk 
ill  i'nimiia—  ChuirniiiH  nf  dmrntUm, 

I  ■'        -      "     ,■ 

T-i-  AI-K.X.    smiKK-LANn, 

Si-rrrlarit  of  CommiUf*. 


Toronto,  Dtti-emllfr  ^th,  JHItS. 


V        • 


,  ,   t*  -V     *  '  V  .. 


