METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH, organized in 1830 by a portion of the Methodist Episcopal church who, agreeing with the majority in doctrine, were opposed to the episcopacy and to the exclusion of the laity- from a voice in the government of the churn. Each annual conference elects by ballot its presiding officer, and in all legisla tion and government the laity and clergy equally participate. The general conference, meeting every four years, is composed of delegates elected by the annual conferences in the ratio of one minister and one layman for every 1000 communicants. Under specified restrictions it has authority to make rules for the government of the church declarative of the laws of Christ; to determine the duties and compensation of traveling ministers, preachers, and other officers; to devise ways and means for raising funds; and to declare the boundaries of the annual conferences. The annual conference, consisting of all the ordained itinerant ministers in the district, elects to orders, stations ministers, preachers and missionaries, makes rules for their support, and declares the boundaries of circuits and districts. The quarterly conferenoe—composed of the trustees, ministers, preachers, exhorters, leaders, and stewards of a district—examines the official character of its mem bers, licenses preachers, and recommends candidates for ordination to the annual con ference. The classes, leaders, and stewards are similar to those in the 3lethodist Epis copal church. In 1858 the Methodist Protestant church was divided by differences on the subject of slavery into the Methodist Protestant church of the north-western states, with its headquarters at Springfield, Ohio; and the 3Iethodist Protestants of the south ern states, with headquarters at Baltimore. At the time of the division the church
contained 2,000 stationed ministers, 1200 churches, 90,000 members, and property worth $1,500,000. In the hope of a speedy reunion of the separated branches, the Protestant Methodists, North, changed their name to The _Methodist Church, aiad removed their head quarters to Pittsburg, Penn. Their college at Adrian, Mich., is flourishing. Their mis sionary board, while zealously engaged in the home work, has also formed plans for the foreign field. The strength of the Methodist Protestants, South, was principally in Vir ginia, Maryland, and some parts of Pennsylvania and Ohio. They have three colleges: the Western Maryland, at Westminster, Carroll co.; Yadkin college, North Carolina; and one in Western Virginia. Initiatory steps had been taken with a view to the union of all non-Episcopal Methodists under the title of The ..ifethodist Church, but before this was accomplished the two branches of 'the Methodist Protestants met in convention at Balti more in 1877 and formed an organic union under the original name of the Methodist Protestant church. In 1880 the reunited church reported 1314 itinerant ministers, 925 Iocal preachers, and 113,405 lay members. Their headquarters are continued both at Baltimore and Pittsburg.