Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1838-06-13
New.York annual Conference.

4
NewsYork Annual Conferences. |
The Newly ork Annual Conference ofthe |
Methodist Episcopal Church closed its ses- |
sion at a late hour last evening. 1t consists |
OF nearly 200 ministers and preachers, and
they have been in session daily since the 18th
instant. The Rev. Bishop Hedding pre-
sides. though he has had the assistance OF
his colleagues in the Episcopal office;
meeting of the Bishops of the entire church
having been called at this Conference. All
are present except the senior Bishop, the Rev
Robert r. Roberts, whose age and lnhrml-
ties have precluded his attendance.
The Conference has been held in the large
church in Greene-street; and for several
days the exciting subject of abolition has
been under discussion, and crowds OF speeta-
tors have been in attendance. Several OF the
members of the Conference having attended
the late Methodist Anti Slavery Convention
al Utica, were arraigned on the charge OF
!" contumacy and INSTRUMENTATION" IN view
of the ground taken by the prosecution, that
said Convention, in its character and dolngs,
was d" unauthorized, schismatic and reVolu-
tionary."' The charges were still farther
maintained on tbs ground that In attending
said Convention, as well as in other respects
agitating the church, on the subject OF abo-
=litionism, the accused had violated their
pledges, and condemned the authority of the
General Conference, who have advised all
the preachers "wholly to refrain from all
abolition movements and associations" In
some Of the cases, other specifications were
alleged besides attending conventions, such
as writing for abolition papers and pam
phlets misrepresenting their brothers; false
statements. verbal and written, and other
wise disturbing the peace and hlrmony of
the church. (I
The trials have been conducted publicly,
and each of the accused has had every OPP
portunity of defence. The result has been
that two Of the number were suspended from
the ministry, until they give satisfactory evil
deace to the conference that they will cease
from disturbing the harmony Of the church.
1t affords US great pleasure to be enabled
10 state that both these gentlemen gave, yes
terdaY, full assurance that they would, In
every particular, conform to the will of the
confereLce-consequentl they were restor-
ed to their Ministerial office. (2)
Charges were proved against two other
members, but having promptly conforned to
the requisition of the Conference, no penal
ty was inflicted.
Some others have been reproved by the
uCSiOIuS O1uSC1S duu uoNC DCCu
to abstain from interfering with the exciting
subject Of abolitionism. (3)
Resolutions have passed the Conference,
reprobating the paper published in this city
called =" lions Waterman" and prohibiting
the members of the conference from acting
as its agents, &c. on account Of its schismat-
ical and revolutionary character. (O
The great body of ministers belonging to
this conference are evidently determined to
exclude abolitionism from their pulpits, (5)
| and The decisions made, as well as the votes
| taken, show that the agitating measures by
| which the church has been disturbed, have
been confined 10 very few. (6)
Resolutions were adopted, recommending
| the American Colonization Society to the
patronage of the church; and another, pro-
| hlbiting the members Of this Conference
from attending anti-slavery conventions, or
aiding in forming anti-slavery societies, or
giving anti-slavery lectures. (7) 1t is ardent
y to be hoped, therefore, that within the
bounds of the New York Annual Confer
ence, the churches will have rest. (9)
| Although the Conference has adjourned,
the bishops will probably remain in this city
until Monday, as they have much important
business to transact, particularly relating to
the missionary cause. l9) ~ Y Spec.
| Oh Unauthorized, schismatic, revolutionary
disturbing the peace md harmony of the church,!
These are the stereotyped charges which have been
brought against every Christian reformer since the
days of the great Anthor of Christianity. All His
doings were pronounced by the Jewish Sanhedrim
to be unauthorized He was not careful to con-
suit the authority of men.
He was the chiefest of schismatics. He made
divisions in the established church, that never
| could be healed. He was a pre-eminent "disturb-
er OF the peace and harmony of the church" And
his contumacy and insubordination'' were great
that he told the rabbis occasion that they
had made the house of God "den of Themes" His
frequent afalse statements" and Hmisrepresenta-
lions of his BRETHREN will be familiar to all who
have read his history! His followers, ever since,
from Stephen, who convicted his prosecutors and
murderers, at the bar of their own consciences,
down to the disturbing and "contumacious'' alb
olionsts of this generation who dare to expose the
atrociousness of man-stealing and soul-drixing as
practiced in the American Church, have been hon
ored with like charitable epithets, and subjected to
like snlatary Discipline 80
@False statements, verbal and written, and other
rise disturbing the peace and harmony of the
church," The g 0therpise'' must of course be, by
true statements standing it does the converse of
@false statements" Doubtless the writer ought to
have made this word, & otherwise" emphatic.
81 No doubt it aaffords great PLEASURE to Sa-
tan himself to see any who has with any degree
of fidelity to Christ preached truth and righteous
ness, afterwards recanting and promising to be less
active and efficient in such unauthorized and rev.
dictionary" work Let these brethren who have
sold their birthrght for mess Of pottage read this
rejoicing of this abettor and supporter Of slavery
and be ashamed and mourn God grant that they
may yet have the same genuine repentance which
Peter had when he . went out and wept bitterIy.n
How long will they hearken to men more than to
God fs p sfs8@ i