New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-05-17
NEw.YoRK. Nav 10. ls44.
Imuortant Decision.

Those who read the reports which appear in our
columns of the proceedings OF the General Confer
encc of the Methodist Episcopal Church, now in
session in this city, will have observed that an ni-
portant decision was made in that body on Saturday
last, which hardly fail to attract universal at
tention. The facts in the briefly these: At
the last meeting OF the Baltimore Annual Conference,
Francis A. Hardin, travelling preacher,
pended from his Ministerial functions for refusing TO
emancipae five slaves which had come into his pos
session by marriage with Miss Swan, of StAlary SEQ.
Nd. From this decision he appealed 10 the General
Conference, and after devoting nearly four days an
investigation OF the and hearing ofthe parties,
that body Saturday last rendered a verdict affirm
ing the decision the Baltimore Conference, by avote
Of liz TO 80, thus settling the principle that slave
holder in State where the laws do not render eman-
cipaon absolutely impossible, ought not TO be or
dained as a preacher in the Methodist Episcopal
Church. This verdict will be seen to be the more
emphatic in its bearings Slavery, when the ground
on which Mr.. Hardin placed his defence is taken
into consideration. Ii was shown distinctly that
the laws OF Marylan allowed emancipation only on
condition OF the removal of the slave beyond the
limits OF the State. On this point the highest legal
authority was quoted, and ii was commended that in
such a saveholding did not work forfeiture OF
ministerial character, the Discipline only requiring
the preacher TO execute, If IL be practicable,
legal emancipation Of his slaves, conformaby to the
laws OF the State in which he lives" II was not
denied that the laws OF Maryland did contain the
provisions relied upon by the appellant in his de-
fence, and yet strong the feeling against Sla
very, that the General Conference decided bv vote
of more than two 10 one that the decision of the
Baltimore Conference should stand as the solemn
decision Of the whole Church.
Those who not acquainted with the internal
policy OF the Methodist Church may perhaps infer
from this that hereafter no stakeholder can be or
dained minister oil that Church, in any part OF
the country. However natural such an inference
might be, we suppose it will not be warranted by
the premises. With the exception Of the Delegates
CT the Baltimore Conference, located partly in Ma
ryland and Virginia and partly in syyania one
Delegate of the Missouri Conference and one from
the Texas Conference, all the Southern Delegates
voted in the minority; while all from the North
with the exception Of three from the Philadelphia
and two from the New Jersey Conference, voted
with the majority The division, therefore, was
essentially between the slaveholding and non-slave-
holding States; and as the question turned upon the
proper meaning OF a clause Of the Discipline, it is
probable that the Southern Conferences will con-
tinue TO give il the same construction as heretofore
nor is il likely that the General Conference will call
them to account for so doing. The moral influence
of the decision, however, must be widely felt; and
when it is considered that the Southern Delegates
contested the with all their strength the issue
must be regarded highly important in its bear
ings upon Slavery as connected with the Methodist
Church.
CANAL Boar SUSK.-The canal boat d. Marble,
Capt. Schuyler, having on board 353 bbs. of flour
and several bales OF wool, was sunk on Wednesday
morning by the Boston, the ferry boat belonging 10
the Western K. K. Co. The -four is all damaged,
and the loss will probably amount TO $500.
Albany Atlas. 18th.
The FROST on MONDAY NIGHT.-We learn bv
persons from Webster that ice made on standing
water in that town Sunday night, Of the thickness
OF ordinary window glass.
There was quite stiff frost on Monday morning,
but confined mainly 10 low places where there was
little 10 be injured by ii. [Roch. Daily Adv
II We hear from every direction Of the prospect
OF an abundant Wheat crop this season, and in the
Wabash Valley there never has been better pros
pect for an abundant crop, than is this season.
Lafayette tlnd Museum.
CHESANGo CANAL.-At Binghampton the first
week OF navigation, ST. $50 10 were received in tolls
-an amount almost equal TO the tolls received from
this Canal n that ali ,ba f~,, o.