erwise, 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 a third-the three arbiters being members of our Church.

130. Ans. 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 grant a second arbitration, in which case each party shall choose two arbiters, and the four arbiters shall choose a fifth, the judgment of a majority of whom shall be final; and any

person refusing to abide by such judgment shall be dealt with as in case of immorality.

131. Ans. 3. And if any member of our Church shall refuse, in cases of debt and 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 dealt with as in case of immorality, unless the case be of such a nature as to require and justify a process at law.

In all cases of suspension or expulsion the accused shall have the right to appeal to the ensuing Quarterly Conference: provided, that he signify to the pastor his intention to appeal, at the time of his condemnation, or at any time thereafter, when officially informed thereof.

CHAPTER VIII.

OF APPEALS.

SECTION I.

APPEAL OF A TRAVELING PREACHER 132. In all cases it shall be the duty of the Secretary of the Annual Conference to preserve the documents relating to the trial of members, which documents only, in an appeal from the decision of an Annual Conference, shall be presented to the General Conference, as evidence in the case.

133. When an appeal is made, and allowed by the General Conference, there shall be a committee appointed, consisting of one delegate from each Annual Conference, who, in the presence of a Bishop and one or more of the Secretaries of the General Confer

ence, shail have full power to try the case; and their decision shall be final. And the said committee shall make a faithful report to the General Conference, in writing, and deliver up to the Secretary the whole record of the case, with the decision rendered.

134. No member shall be appointed to serve on any appeal when he has been a member of the committee that first tried the case.

135. The appellant shall either state personally or by his representative (who shall be a member of the Conference) the grounds of his appeal, showing cause why he appeals, and he shall be permitted to make his defense without interruption. After which the representatives of the Annual Conference from whose decision the appeal is made shall be permitted to respond in presence of the appellant, who shall

have privilege of replying, which shall close the pleadings on both sides. This done, the appellant shall withdraw, and the committee shall decide.

136. No minister, after such form of trial and expulsion, shall be restored to the communion of the Church without giving satisfactory evidence of repentance, unless the Annual Conference shall become convinced that he was innocent of the crime for which he was expelled; in which case the Conference may restore him to his previous standing.

SECTION II.

APPEAL OF A LOCAL PREACHER.

137. When an appeal of a local preacher is made, and allowed by the Annual Conference, the President shall appoint a committee of not less than nine nor more than thirteen, who shall