Publications.— In addition to the Daily Christian Advocate published during the session of the Conference, the secretaries publish, after the Conference adjourns, 'The Journal of the General Conference,' which contains all acts and other papers in full. It also contains all proceedings but none of the debates; these are found only in the Daily Christian Advocate. They also publish 'The Doctrines and Dis cipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church,' which contains all the Church law for clergy and laity, addresses of Church officers, and the Conference Course of Study for students for the ministry. Consult Sherman, D., 'History of the Discipline' (3d ed., New York 1890); Merrill, Stephen M., 'Digest of Methodist Law' (revised by David G. Downey, New York 1912) Neeley, T. B. 'History of the Origin and Development of B., Governing Conference of Methodism' (Cincinnati 1892); Buckley, J. M.,
The General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church South has almost identical powers, restrictions and methods of business. The ratio of representation is 1 to 48, and one of the lay delegates from an Annual Conference may he a local preacher. A further difference lies in that the bishops may veto a constitutional change after it haspassed by a two-thirds vote of the General Conference and three-fourths of the members of all the Annual Conferences, if in their judgment it is unconstitutional. The Methodist Protestant Church, not having an episcopal form of government, elects its pre siding officer by ballot. Their ratio of repre sentation is one minister and one layman for each 2,000 persons in full membership. Two
thirds of the whole number of the Annual Conferences have power to call special sessions of the General Conference. Ministers and lay men may vote separately if a call is made by fivepersons.
The Free Methodist Church includes the bishops as members of the General Conference. Their ratio of representation is one layman and one clergyman, and when the aggregate mem bership of an Annual Conference reaches 800 members in full relation it is entitled to two additional delegates for every subsequent 600 members in full relation within the Conference. They have three °restrictive rules." Among other things mentioned by other churches as prohibited from being changed by the General Conference is °the free-seat system of our churches.° The will of the General Confer ence is carried out by a bishop, a minister, and a layman from each General Conference dis trict, known as the executive committee. There are 6 General Conference districts in the Free Methodist Church. There are 15 in the Metho dist Episcopal Church. The powers of the executive committee include the filling of all vacancies in General Conference offices, and the supervision of the publishing interests of the Church.
The United Brethren in Christ have a Gen eral Conference which has similar powers and restrictions to the other churches mentioned.
The African Methodist Episcopal Church is organized after the fashion of the Methodist Episcopal Church. The same may be said of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, and the Colored Methodist Episcopal churches.