CONSTITUTIONAL RULES.

[Adopted under the provisions of the Form of Governmen' Chapter xii., Sect. vi]

No. 1.

(Adopted, 1893.)

LOCAL EVANGELISTS.

It shall be lawful for presbytery, after proper examination as to his piety, knowledge of the Scriptures, and ability to teach, to license, as a local evangelist, any male member of the Church, who, in the judgment of presbytery, is qualified to teach the gospel publicly, and who is willing to engage in such service under the direction of presbytery. Such license shall be valid for but one year unless renewed, and such licensed local evangelist shall report to the presbytery at least once each year, and his license may be withdrawn at any time at the pleasure of presbytery. The person securing such license shall not be ordained to the gospel ministry, should he desire to enter it, until he shall have served at least four years as a local evangelist, and shail have pursued and been examined upon what would be equivalent to a three years' course of study in theology, homiletics, Church history, Church polity, and the English Bible, under the direction of presbytery.

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No. 2.

(Adopted, 1897.)

TRIALS FOR LICENSURE.

Candidates for licensure, in addition to the examination required by chap. xiv., sec. 4, of the Form of Gov ernment, shall be diligently examined in the English Bible; and shall be required to exhibit a good knowledge of its contents, and of the relation of its separate parts and portions to each other.

No. 3.

(Adopted, 1901.)

CANDIDATES FOR THE MINISTRY.

I. Every applicant seeking to be taken under the care of presbytery as a candidate for the ministry shall file his application at least three months before the meeting of presbytery, addressing the same to the chairman of the education committee of the presbytery, in the care of the Stated Clerk, in order that the committee may have ample time to make a careful investigation of his Christian character, physical and mental qualifications, and his previous education; and no person shall be received by presbytery as a candidate for the ministry who has not been recommended by the session of the church of which he is a member, under whose care he shall have been for a period of at least six months. And no exception shall be made to this rule without a unanimous vote of presbytery.

II. Presbytery shall examine annually, in person or by letter, all candidates under its care, concerning their Christian experience, their progress in study, and their fidelity to the doctrines of the Church. It shall also advise with them concerning their course of study, and the institutions in which they are to pursue their studies.

No. 4.

(Adopted, 1912.)

PERMANENT COMMITTEE ON VACANCY AND SUPPLY.

The General Assembly shall have power to appoint a Permanent Committee or other agency to supervise the supply of vacant pulpits, and the service of unemployed ministers. The number of members, the officers, and their duties, shall be determined by the Assembly. The powers of the agency shall be as follows: to conduct correspondence with Synods and Presbyteries and their Committees, concerning unemployed ministers and vacant congregations; to seek to adjust in coöperation with Synodical and Presbyterial Committees the requirements of vacancy and supply, by methods adequate to the given conditions in any Synod or Presbytery; to furnish information to church sessions and ministers; to suggest to the General Assembly plans for administration, and to make an annual report to the Assembly.