Page:A short account of the rise and progress of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in America.djvu/108

 The titles given to this supreme personage by Cyprian, is Bishop, President, Pastor, Governor, or Superintendent. And having given the origin of the Bishop, we shall now proceed to speak something of his duty in a very brief manner, and for this purpose we shall make another extract from the writings of Lord King, in his own words: "The Bishop's flock having been so largely discussed, it will now be necessary to speak something of the Bishop's duty towards them, and the several particulars of his honourable office. I shall not be tedious, since about this there is no great difference, only briefly enumerate the several actions belonging to his charge. In brief, therefore, the particular acts of his function were such as these, viz., preaching the word, praying with his people, administering the two sacraments of Baptism and the Lord's Supper, taking care of the poor, ordaining of ministers, governing his flock, excommunicating of offenders, absolving penitents, and, in a word, whatever acts can be comprised under those three general heads of preaching, worship, and government, were part of the Bishop's function and office." See Lord King, page 53 and 1st verse.