''The Probationer's Catechism'', also called ''The Probationer's Handbook'', is a

catechism A catechism (; from , "to teach orally") is a summary or exposition of Catholic theology, doctrine and serves as a learning introduction to the Sacraments traditionally used in catechesis, or Christian religious teaching of children and adult co ...

authored by

Methodist Methodism, also called the Methodist movement, is a Protestant Christianity, Christian Christian tradition, tradition whose origins, doctrine and practice derive from the life and teachings of John Wesley. George Whitefield and John's brother ...

divine S. Olin Garrison for probationary members of the

Methodist Episcopal Church The Methodist Episcopal Church (MEC) was the oldest and largest Methodist denomination in the United States from its founding in 1784 until 1939. It was also the first religious denomination in the US to organize itself nationally. In 1939, th ...

seeking full membership. First published in 1883, it has been the most used probationer's manual in the history of Methodism in the 19th and 20th centuries. It was widely used in the thirty years since it was first printed, with over a half-million sold. Several editions of ''The Probationer's Handbook'' have been released, including those of "1885, 1887, 1896, 1904, and 1909." The period of probationary membership in Methodist connexions normatively lasts six months. As such, the text provides a "topic and resources for each of the six months for the prescribed probationary period." ''The Probationer's Catechism'' teaches Methodist history, doctrine and

polity A polity is a group of people with a collective identity, who are organized by some form of political Institutionalisation, institutionalized social relations, and have a capacity to mobilize resources. A polity can be any group of people org ...

; it includes the Articles of Religion, General Rules, as well as holiness standards on "amusements, dress marriage, temperance, and tobacco". The Baptismal Covenant,

Apostles' Creed The Apostles' Creed (Latin: ''Symbolum Apostolorum'' or ''Symbolum Apostolicum''), sometimes titled the Apostolic Creed or the Symbol of the Apostles, is a Christian creed or "symbol of faith". "Its title is first found c.390 (Ep. 42.5 of Ambro ...

, General Confession,

Ten Commandments The Ten Commandments (), or the Decalogue (from Latin , from Ancient Greek , ), are religious and ethical directives, structured as a covenant document, that, according to the Hebrew Bible, were given by YHWH to Moses. The text of the Ten ...

, as well as the rite for baptism, the rite for the reception of probationary members, and the rite for receiving probationers as full members are contained in ''The Probationer's Catechism'', along with a prayer of

consecration Sacred describes something that is dedicated or set apart for the service or worship of a deity; is considered worthy of spiritual respect or devotion; or inspires awe or reverence among believers. The property is often ascribed to objects ( ...

. The book includes lectures that would be important to Methodist probationers, such as "Duty of Church Membership" by Bostwick Hawley.

References

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External links

''The Probationer's Handbook'' by S. Olin Garrison (1887)
Catechisms Methodist texts