The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-05-04

| Methodist Episcopal Conference.
Yesterday morning the usual reading of the-ro
of members was dispensed with as not requisite
Divine service was performed. Bishop Andrew
took the Presidential chair, and called the body to
order.
The Secretary read the minutes of yesterdays
meeting, to which some amendments Of seconda-
| ry Importance, We're suggested and adopted
One was, that the names of the delegates from the
different Conferences in Canada should be specified
| in the minutes
The Chairman of the committee appointed to
| make arrangements for preaching and divine SER
wee, pointed out what he considered TO be an er-
ror In the regulation of the Conference.-The or
| sanlzing that commttee-the word should be for
the appointment of preachers instead of superfa-
| tending, as at present The alteration was adopt
| ed.
The President arose TO make few observations
before the proceedings went further. He thought
it would be well TO observe that, as strangers were
coming in and out, it would be advisable fer
bers to sit within the bar, described yesterday
mornng--namely, within the space intervening be-
tween the pulpit and the third column from IT and
for the purpose of order, he would observe, that
none bu. members and officers Of the conference
shoul be admissible within the bar, unless invited
10 take a seat by the conference Unless they were
precise and methodical in their manner of doing
business, they would get into confusion. He
observed IN the course of Yesterdays pro-
ceedngs, that they were sometimes subject to
confusion, owing principally to the fact that,
as soon as motion was made, some brother
got up to go to work directly upon It, Now, when
a resolution was put from the chair, il was time
enough to act upon it. This might be the effect of
zeal, which was very good IN Its place but he
thought 1t sometimes happened that little delay
and dehberatlon rather improved speeches than
otherwise There was still one remark he would
make, and limited it would be well received, it
was intended for the good-knowing they were
disposed to do the thing good humoredly and com
fortabiy. lie recommended to every member,
when they arose to speak, to cast their eyes around
and see if there was any other up to address the
chair;that would prevent half dozen of speaking at
once He would be happy to hear each in his turn,
but among so many it was difficult to decide and
he also thought that no speaker should be heard
unless he on his feet, and he hoped that these
remarks would not only be taken in good part, but
acted upon by them.
Rev. MIR FINLAy moved that the book agents, Messrs.
G. Lane, +. Waugh and Lansead, be invited. TO take
Seats and speak all subjects connected with the book
oncern Adopted.
The same motion was put and carried in favor of
Messrs Patton and Others admissible to speak
Mr. BANGS said that he understood fresh delegates
once present themselves.
The President concurred and two delegates each from
Louisiana and Georgia, complied.
On the motion oil Rev. Mr.. SMITH, the Rev. Messrs.
Bond and Coles invited to take seats within the bar
The Rev. Mr.. Lucky moved that the Rev. Egerton Ry
erson and the other delegates from Canada be invited to
take seats within the bar Of the conference.
Bishop SoULE said that the motion unnecessary and
he would be sorry it would pass. The brethren named
recognised as delegates from the Canada church. and
by that recognition entitled to take seats
bers OF the conference.
Mr. Lucky perfectly satisfied with theIBishops
panation.
The PRESIDENT then called for the reports of commit
ees.
Dr. BANGS, chairman, handed in the report of the
book committee which was read 1t bore testimony to
the zeal and energy OF their book CRAFTY ing
growth OF taste for reading throughout the members OF
the church-the ample supply OF means for the graica
ton OF the taste and the state Of the finances Of this de-
partment This was IN fourishing condition. large
surpussremainng unapproprated The report also spoke
of the audable and increasing disposition of the young
preachers to study theology and other sciences 1t was
referred to the committee on the book concern.
The PRESIDENT next called for the presentation of me-
MORALS and petitions to Conference.
memorial then presented from the Providence
Annual Conference on the subject OF slavery.
The President said that there motion before the
house that it be read and he would therefore request the
Secretary to proceed with its perusal
The SECRETARY accordingly proceeded to do so, but
was interrupted by member who to state that he
considered bad precedent to read these long papers to
the body and he therefore moved that be left the
table (Much excitement)
Several members got to address the house, and
the President had small trouble determine the right
claimant tor priority One moved that should be read
another hoped that would he referred to the committee
third would be sorry to any memorial from An
nual Conference laid upon the table whilst another
OF that kind before them and SUCH calculated to
to the Conference pretty fair summary of the sub.
stance OF such documents; this argument seemed to be
well received and the gentleman withdrew his motion for
leaving on the table, and read forthwith The
| memorial took strong and determined stand against
savery-repudiated it essentially an heather nstu-
tion and anagonstic to Christianity historical
as well scrptural review of the subject
the fact OF Russas gradual emancipation contempora
neousy with the progress of civilization and the retbu
tive Justice of God Poland who is now slave herself
for avoring the abominable 1t declared that the
institution OF slavery subvertng the welfare Of this
country-that their article coored testimony
disastrous to the north, while did the south good
hn tho aof
the crime oil slavery, notwithstanding their stereotype
plea that is approved by law Not one-quaer Of the
white population OF slave States save.holders and
they HAD the power, therefore, to change the law
Dr. BANGS moved that this memorial be referred to
special committee composed ofone member from each
nual conference to be called the slavery
DR. CARERS arose and pronounced the motion unfortu-
nate He declared that he fit mortified that there could
be found An annual conference capable of memorable ing
the general conference slavery if they were all
pro slavery menadvooates of the system for the sys
TENS sakefor the sake of the dollars the wealth.
such motives lie heard it read with PAM Methodist
preacher and in opposing the motion he would say that
all (Excitement) He aware differences of opinion
existed on the propriey of Introducing discussions
this topic here and he thought they had unwtngly ad
mnisercd to those differences by raising the discussion
on slavery from year to year. from conference to
ference they continued TO act MS il they were com
petent to egisate in the abstract slavery would be
source OF endless trouble. He wished mo re
slavery committees had never done any
the memorial left on the table.
Dr. WyNANs said that the fact Of that memorial being
lom Ne'ouIst tOneTenCe, entitled IL TO respect.
While he regretted with Capers that the subject
should cause marked difference Of opinion there he felt
that it matter which occupied SO much attention
and that cannot be touched upon in that confer
ence and the worst thing for them to do conne
least possible excitement He thought that refusal to
read the memorial would produce excitement When re-
ierred to committee they could report upon not
just as they thought proper; and would he
swer some things in that memorial which did not
general approval The public mind settling down
upon the matter and he thought the best way re-
fer it to committee once the best way to avoid
element
Mr. RICE made few remarks when
Dr. CArERs again got to explain Hehad no interest
in the matter OF personal kind He was no candidate
for office more than any other member OF that body but
as to treating with respect coming from annual
Conference, he would wish to do but il offence come
from brother, were they to wink at it, An annual con.
ference should know better than the views
and wishes OF Conference slavery and he thought that
all the respect the memorial deserved from him his
best how and motion that il be left on the table