Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-06-20
METHODIST CHURCH.

The harmony which has heretofore distinguish
ed this large and hourishing Christian denomina-
ton, seems likely to be much impaired, If not en-
tirely destroyed by the recent proceedings of the
General Conference at New York, in the cases of
the Rev. Mr.. Harding and Bishop Andrew. The
spirit OF Mort bern Abolition, is the spirit of war,
fanaticism, and disunion. Its present results will
be seen in the total separation Of the Churches,
North and South--i,s ultimate evil. in the sever
ance of this glorious Union into two distinct and
perhaps hostile Confederacies.
We perceive that large meeting Of the male
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church has
been recently held in the city of Richmond, at
which an able preamble. and some strong resolu.
lions have been adopted.
After referring to the case of the Rev. Mr.. Har-
ding, they say
"The Dsposing Of this case only serv.
ed TO saew the malorIty.their real strength.
Bishop Andrew having provldentially be-
come STAKEHOLDER residing in State
where manumission is not permitted-was
next selected by their unkind policy to be
inundated upon the altar of Northern ex-
pediency. Envy itself could find no cause
Of offence in the man, and his bltterest OPP
moments were compelled TO admit the vir.
tue, piety and faiihluness ofthe minister,
nor could they shew that he had in the
most remote degree, violated one law of
the Church-one rule of duty as Chris
tian. The speeches ofhs opponents were
in the language of an eloquent champion
OF Southern rights, garands Of panegyric
with which they bound the victim they
designed 10 immediate.
1.-THE decision Of this question has been
msGe-a deep and we fear an incurable
wound has been inflicted upon the South
by the virtual deposition of James O. An.
drew, by an extra-judcial proceeding, I'M
called for and oppressive in its character,
and utterly unknown to the discipline OF
the Church.
"These several aggressions have been
met and resisted at every step by the del.
egates from the Southern Conferences,
with manly and christian eloqueace.
They have protested against any interfer-
ence with the subject Of slavery beyond
the legitimate and constitutional action OF
our rules Of discipine-they have pointed
out the difficulties with which they have
been environed by the mistaken zeal OF
their northern brethren-they have i'm
plored them TO let this exciting subject
rest quiet, by all the halowed recollec.
tons of long and happy union. The
venerable senior Bishop has raised his
voice of wisdom and experience, and lent
his influence to stay this desola,ing tide
in vain!! The misguided zeal Of the
North, protesting to meliorate the condi.
ton of the slave, rivets tighter his mana
cles and drives the iron deeper into his
SOUL"
| Again.
"The whole action of the majority of
the General Conference, leaves but one
course to be pursued by the members Of
the Methodist E. Church in the South.
They cannot, and they will not, receive
among them as religious teachers, those
who are hostile to the existing institutions
Of the South. IL we would teach the
slave If we would save his soul alive
indoctrinate him with the blessed truths
of salvation, we must show to the mas
ter that we have no affinity with the
doctrines uttered by northern majority