588 History of Methodism 



quarterly-meetings, all official decisions made by themselves on any 

 disputed points of discipline. 



2. The presiding elders, in cases of doubt or difficulty, are to 

 consult, by letter or otherwise, the most convenient bishop; to keep 

 a written record of all their own official decisions, and those of the 

 Quarterly-meeting Conferences they may attend, on any disputed 

 points of discipline; and to report the same in writing, with an ab- 

 stract of those made by the preachers under their charge, to the 

 bishop who may preside at their next ensuing Annual Conference. 



3. In cases in which time cannot be had for the consultations 

 above mentioned, the respective officers will act according to their 

 best judgment — but are still to report and consult on such cases as 

 before provided for, in order to any corrections of administration 

 which may be judged necessary, or for the better understanding of 

 future similar cases. 



The anxious solicitude with which the South Caro- 

 lina Conference has striven to maintain the essential 

 characteristics of Methodism as laid down by Mr. 

 Wesley is made plainly to appear by the pastoral ad- 

 dresses sent forth from time to time, and which are 

 full of earnest exhortation on this subject to the mem- 

 bers of the Church. 



The following is the first published Pastoral Letter, 

 issued at the session of 1831 : 



Dearly Beloved Brethren: — By some cause, in the provi- 

 dence of God, we have been deprived of the benefit of the bishop's 

 presence at our Annual Conference ; and being also without advice 

 as to what he might desire touching the peculiar functions which 

 had thus devolved on us, we elected Brother William M. Kennedy 

 to the Presidency of the Conference, and appointed the presiding 

 elders of the past year jointly to station the preachers. This ar- 

 rangement has proved highly satisfactory; and, under the blessing 

 of God, we have had a happy and, we trust, a profitable session. 

 In the important business of stationing the preachers, which in our 

 circumstances we feared would prove most difficult, we have been 

 especially assisted; and we record it with thankfulness that the 

 committee has been enabled to act with so much unity as to fix on 

 every appointment without a division. Thus, brethren, we are 

 about to go forth again into the work among you, each with the 



