American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1826-12-05
MARYLAND CONVENTION

A ia convention OF members of the Methodist Episcops
"A Church favorable to reform in its government held fl
Maryland and the District of Columbia in the city of Bat
more, the 18th and 10th November 1896 the following
| preamble and resolutions were unanimously passed -
Whereas the lay members and local preachers Of The
Methodist Episcopal Church, deprived of representa-
ton in the general conference the legislative dcpartme
Of the church, and governed by laws in the
of which they are not permtedto participate and where
the nerant ministers have assumed themselves ex
csvely the legislative power and over the said church
and whereas rule exists in the book of discipline uhcl
has been construed by of the nerant preachers
having charge OF circuits as to prevent the members and
local preachers from exercising the right Of discussing the
principles and Of the government under The
penalty of accommodation and under this construction
members have actually been expelled from the church.
therefore,,
Resofzed, frs That in the opinion Of this Convention
to deprive the members or any part OF the ministers, of
representann in the law making department of the church
TO which they bcong, contrary sound policy, and
the sacred principles Of religious liberty unjust in its nature
and dangerous and degrading in its tendency nanuch as
il deprves them OF the right of suffrage, indispensable
to the dignity and we'll being of christian Community
ResOlvea secondly, That the inerant ministry, of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, in making laws for the laty
and the local preachers, without their voice and Concur
renee exercise power, not warranted by the scriptures
the nsages of the Christian church for the first three
hundred years after Christ; and which exercise of
power contrary TO that sound MAXIM which teaches that
no community should be governed by any human laws in
the enactment OF which they have no share.
Resolved thirdly That in consequence of the fact that
the rule IN the discipline respecting "inveghing against
the discipline with an intention to SOW dissenuns in
societies., has been construed operate against the
freedom OF Speech and OF the press and that under this
construction, certain members of church have been ex
PEELED, for other than that of attempting ey-
tend the principle Of representation, dangerous prece.
dent of ministerial authority has been set which calls for
every Law full in order to have by
the members ard ministers of The Methodist Episcopal
Church. and at the least for expression of their dap
probation of such high handed measures and Of their sym
pathy for all such expelled members.
Resolved, fsurshly, That this Convention fully ap
prsed Of the reports which have gone into circulation
speeding the motives and intentions of reormers; and
therefore consider it duty, which its members to
themselves, and to the OF reform, declare that il
is not within their knowledge, that any OF the aYowed
friends of the principle of representation have given Just
cause for any sspicon that it has been is now,
their intention DESIRE to destroy the inerancy class
meetings, free in houses OF religious worship the
doctrines of the churc its moral discipline thai
the member, Of this Convention, do hereby unanimously
declare their unequyoca attachment them. and that
tation, include in its operation, ay and local
preachers ard procure modification TO the man
ner Of administering dscpue al, The reports the
rary Notwithstanding.
Resefea, filthy, That in order render our church
ooty equitable and liberal in ia principles and ope
ation., the members Of this Convention, will use every
,xertion which proper Christian zeal will justify, in
Ter to effect such modification OF discipline, will
rive to the ay and local preachers share in the enact
nent Of the laws by which they to be governed.
Resatued That the above preamble ana resolutions, be
published in such newspapers, as The editorial committee
the Mutual Rights may deem advisable,
SEFUGi As SNcTHEN TICS.
GlnrcS DAVIS, srcy =