An essay on church polity : comprehending an outline of the controversy on ecclesiastical government, and a vindication of the ecclesiastical system of the Methodist Episcopal church [No particular form of church government prescribed in the Scriptures; Government of the primitive church; The apostolate temporary; The government of the church copied from the synagogue; Identity in order of bishops and presbyters; The apostolic succession; The office of deacon; Government of the Methodist Episcopal Church; Origin of the Methodist economy; Origin of the Methodist episcopacy in particular; Government of the Methodist Episcopal Church-Its structure; Absence of lay representation; Itinerancy; Episcopacy-The appointing power; Checks on the system

New York : Carlton & Porter, 1847, 1847. Book. Fair. Hardcover. 10th edition ; 206 p. ; 18 cm. ; LC: BV650; Dewey: 287.6 ; OCLC: 3701417 ; brown blind stamped cloth with gold lettering ; waterstain at bottom ; "It was suggested to the author that the plan of the volume might be advantageously extended, and made to comprehend the outline of the course of study on church polity, required of candidates for membership in our conferences. This has been attempted. Candidates are now under the necessity of studying a variety of elaborate works in their preparation for examination. It is not designed to supersede these works; they should be retained not only as standards for thorough study, but for constant reference. But they are, certainly, too numerous and too extensive for the purpose of conference examinations, especially while our course of study is otherwise so large as it is at present. A brief, but comprehensive, text-book, comprising an outline of the whole subject, it is believed, would be highly acceptable to both the candidates and committees." ; Contents: No particular form of church government prescribed in the Scriptures -- Government of the primitive church -- The apostolate temporary -- The government of the church copied from the synagogue -- Identity in order of bishops and presbyters -- The apostolic succession -- The office of deacon -- GOVERNMENT OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH -- Origin of the Methodist economy -- Origin of the Methodist episcopacy in particular -- GOVERNMENT OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH-ITS STRUCTURE -- Absence of lay representation -- Itinerancy -- Episcopacy-The appointing power -- Checks on the system -- Objections to, and dangers of, the itinerancy -- Importance of the presiding eldership -- Methodism a special system ; FAIR.