"He (the preacher) is to watch over the stewards and leaders of his circuit. He should meet them weekly when in the towns, and as often as may be in the country."

At these meetings, the leader is

"1. To inform the minister of any that are sick, or of any that walk disorderly, and will not be reproved. "2. To pay the stewards what they have received of their several classes in the week preceding." (See Discipline, p. 21.)

It is also the province of the preacher in charge "to examine each of the leaders diligently concerning his method of meeting a class." And this is to "be done with all possible exactness, at least once a quarter."

The leaders are also required to "converse with those who have the charge of their circuits frequently and freely." (See Discipline, p. 73.)

This mutual and friendly inquiry may be conducted in a very convenient and advantageous manner on the occasions of which we speak.

Thus it is through the leaders' meeting that a system of efficient finance may be obtained, that a knowledge of the spiritual state and temporal distresses of the members generally may be acquired, the responsibility of leaders enforced, and a wholesome general superintendence be exercised over the entire Church.

3. The duty of preachers is to be considered as extending to the members of which the classes are composed.

"To meet the societies, classes, and general bands," constitutes a part of their regular work. (See Disci pline, p. 48.)

While the leaders' meeting furnishes an admirable means for the exercise of a general supervision over

the society, by a faithful performance of this part of his duties, the preacher reaches in a more direct and effectual manner every member of his charge.

At the meetings of the society he has an opportunity of giving those general instructions which the case may require, of reading "the rules of the society," as the Discipline directs, and of attending to other duties which may be conveniently performed at the same time. (See Discipline, p. 54.)

At the general bands, or fellowship meetings of the society, he also meets with the different classes, and, as at our love-feasts, hears from them their religious experience, and thus becomes generally acquainted with the Christian character of his members, as time and circumstances may favour.*

But he is also required to meet the classes separately. Thus every individual comes under his immediate notice, and he becomes acquainted, more or less, with the spiritual state of all, taking the occasion for administering the counsel which every case demands.

In these visitations he is required to "be very mild, but very strict," that he may affectionately, and yet with the necessary efficiency, exercise a pastor's care over every member of his charge.

In reference to all the members of the different classes, he is required "to enforce vigorously, but calmly, all the rules of the society." (See Discipline, p. 54.)

* These meetings, although not always denominated by this name, are common among us. Sometimes they are called general classes, sometimes fellowship or communion meetings; but by whatever name they are called, the thing itself is familiar to most of us.

In thus generally enforcing the discipline of the Church, he is materially aided by the leaders' meeting, while his own personal inspection of the several classes contributes to a more satisfactory result in this respect, than could be obtained by a dependence on the leaders alone. He judges, in a great measure, for himself, while, at the same time, he has an opportunity of comparing notes with those who are appointed to act under and assist him in this, as well as other departments of his pastoral work. "Where no counsel is, the people fall; but in the multitude of counsellors, there is safety." Prov. xi, 14.

Through this most excellent system of classes, the preacher is enabled to perform his important duties, and to fulfil his obligations to God and the Church, with the greatest regularity, and in the most effectual and satisfactory manner. It cannot be doubted but what this means has, in a great measure, accomplished among us its design. Those brought into the Church have been hereby preserved to us and to Christ, and the general spiritual interests of God's people have been promoted in the highest degree, and thus the duty of our ministers towards the heritage of the Lord, which is the great thing aimed at, has been performed with the most satisfactory and encouraging results.

The Methodist minister, in entering upon a circuit or station, finds that there are different societies or neighbourhoods, comprising in many cases a great number of souls, who, for their greatest spiritual prosperity, require constant care and oversight. In his own pastoral labours he calls upon them all at their respective houses, and in this manner makes himself

as pastoral as his varied circumstances and multiplied duties will admit; but it is very evident to the most cursory observer, that if his pastorate is of any extent, before he completes the circle of his regular visits, those with whom he commenced may, in the mean time, have seriously erred and wandered out of the way. An occasional visit from the pastor, though repeated with comparative frequency, will not answer all the ends proposed. It is most certain, that, in general, he cannot visit and give religious counsel to every member of his charge, as often as the case requires. There is wanted a supervision more special and direct, and one by which his members are rendered tangible at all times. In the Christian Churches of the age generally, there seems to be no way of meeting this pressing exigency. But the economy of Methodism provides for this want. Here the system of classes steps in to the aid of the minister, and by this means, if the plan is carried out in all its details, his work, as a Christian pastor, is more completely, and with better final results, accomplished.

Whatever deficiency there is on his part, unavoidable from the nature of the case, is supplied by the zealous effort of a faithful leader, and the peculiarities of every case are met and disposed of by this most excellent and necessary officer.

C.

WE append, on the next page, a specimen of the New Class-Book, published at the Methodist Book Concern, to illustrate the manner in which a class-book should be kept, so as to show, at one view, the attendance and payments of the members.

The respective headings show the uses of the several columns.

The abbreviations are:-p. for present; a. for absent; s. for sick; and d. for distant.

Opposite each name, you have the weekly attendance and payment of each member. Below is the sum total of the weekly payments, with a line to be entered by the stewards for the amounts paid over to them.