LOCAL PREACFIERS. An order of lay preachers in the INTethodist churches, their name distinguishing them from the itinerant or traveling preachers. They are not, RS the regular preachers are, members of annual conferences, nor are they, like them, appointed by the bishops or stationing committees. They are licensed, and are sub. jected to the direction of the pastor or presiding elder in whose charge they reside. Sonietinws a local preacher, by special arrangenient and by the authority of the presiding elder, appointed a pastor for a specified period. For appointment as a local preacher a p2rson nni:,t be recommended by the leader's meeting of the church to which lie belongs, and must be elected by a quarterly conference before which he has been exam ined as to doctrines and discipline. As proof of his appointment he receives a license. signed by the president of the conference, which is for one year only, and must be renewed every year afterwards. For ordination, a local preacher must have held a local preacher's license for four consecutive years, must have beeh examined in the quarterly conference on doctrines and discipline, must have received a " testimonial " from the quarterly conference signed by the president and .secretary, and must pass an examina
tion as to character and attainments before the annual conference.
The office of local preacher was instituted by Wesley. These preachers are laymen who support themselves by their secular business during the week, and preach on the Lord's day, mostly in poor or new churches, receiving, with rare exceptions, no fee or reward for their services. Their number in the United States in all the Methodist bodies is about 22,000. A national local preachers' association has been formed, which meets annually for counsel and the discussion of questions pertaining to their work. Branch associations have been formed iu various parts of the United States. In England a Local Preachers' Magazine is published.