The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-06-14

greater snare OF the Time OF the Ieneral
was devoted, the public has had, through the me-
dunn Of the press, fair opportunity ct Judging
but as the discussions have been unusually long,
perhaps dsproportionately 60, even 10 the great
interest of the case, it may happen, it frequently
does that the proixity OF the debateunder conslde-
ration, rather tended to darken than elucldate IT,
In this view, then, brief summary Of the proceed
ings may be seasonable.
At the CONNIE ncement OF the session OF Confer
eDce, a spectator could not fail to be struck with
the indications that were observable, Of the great
hold which the question of slavery had upon the
minds Of delegates from every quarters; and
| amongst those evidences, the numerous peuuons
and addresses against slavehOldng Bishop, which
were presented, formed one OF the most obvious
The deep attention paid to them-the promptltude
with which they were delivered-the earnesness
of every alluson, whether casual or official, all be-
tokened that the matter would assume serious
aspect and that right soon. Such was the case
Scarcely week had passed in the disposal OF the
varied business before The body, when the anxiety
became too great for further reserve, and an ad-
vance made towards the vexed question. The
Committee, TO whom was referred the several petit
tons above alluded to- sent up their report recon-
between the body and Bishop Andrews, for the pur
pose of ascertalning his position IN re latlon to
slavery. The Bishops answer was plain, unvar-
nished and faithful statement OF the facts IN the
| by marriage contracted relation to II, which was
| IN the circumstances unavoidable. Without any
great pains defend the prudence of his marriage,
| or indicate the exercise of right to choose "A
wife, which none will deny to man-the tendency
Of his reply was rather calculated to convey the
impression that he regarded his connection with
slavery more unavoidable misfortune than az
a voluntary error-as greatly mitigated, if not neu
trazed, by the circumstances of the case-and
that whilst he admitted the facts, he was not pre-
pared to recognize the applicability to him OF the
bald ha XnIo nat hnN 4
not satisfy the house. A resolution was submitted
recaptuatng the leading features of the case, and
declaratory of the sense Of the body, which was
that considering the circumstances OF the case, i
appeared desirable that Bishop Andrews should
cease the exercise OF the functions OF a Superln
tendent Of the Methodist Episcopal Church The
delegates of the northern and cas- ern and a large
proportion Of the middle and western Conferences
we're unanimous in this step; whilst those of the
south we've as decidedly adverse. The debate was
long, ana assuredly useless. Each member had his
mind made up-each delegate had his instructions,
and felt responsibility to his constituents to al
tend 10 them. The men Of the south saw clearly
in the movement the old abolition agitation
vived those of the north Indignantly repelled the
insnuston. The former branded il as revolutionary
and Antl-Methodstical; the latter maintained
that il was but development OF the old genuine
methodist feeling against slavery, as transmitted
down from John Wesley himself. The Southern
delegates protested It would give mortal stab 70
the unity and extension of the church whilst north
ern enthusiasm vowed that it was the only cure tor
the virulent disease OF slavery, whose baneu lnfu-
ence was cOrrOdlng the system. Many attempts
were made to adopt some compromise, but all fall
3D. At length it was concluded that the, easiest
course was to separate and shake hands, and COM
mitee was appointed OF some OF the most able OF
the body TO settle the prellminarles series OF
resolutions were drawn up, specylns terms, far and
equitable, not forgetting the minor and unimporani
consideration of fair division OF the temperatures
Of the concern.
Although not yet formally announced, it may be
L.. ttot ali Iv Motb Hisf Entce
Church is divided The first STEP which, as the pro,
verb SAYS the most difficult has been taken, and
every day will add to the progress of those new ar
rangements necessarily growing out OF the new po-
is right and necessary they should, will go before
the several annual conferences, whose sanction
will confirm, or disapproval reverse the action OF
general conference in all that pertains TO Bishop
Andrews case; but il is almost certain that great
dissent will be expressed from the declared prlncl
pies of the delegates, by the bulk OF their consiltu
ents, in relation TO slavery; question which, long
canvassed, thoroughly sited, aud not little mOd
drncy Of eduontion, has Ions stood, II no' llne
of absolute division between its friends and foes, al
least a debsteable ground, where very few could
rest without taking sides In the controversy
Whatever be the result, the present move
ment is one of high import, and may have consld
orabe influence the future politics OF this repub
lie. The agitation of the Slavery. question gives
the deliberations and proceedings Of the Methodiss
a political cast, and so brings body OF highly in
uentla eccleslastics to assume the character OF SO
many itinerant agiators OF question which Is ad-
mted by all to be highly embarrassing, and it pos
sible better let alone for the present. 1t is to be
hoped however, that the impending separation be-
| tween the northern and southern sections OF the
Church WILL by preventing the contact of princ
pies and opinions anragonistlc to each other, have
the desirable effect of allaylng much idle dlsputa-
ton, great deal Of bad feeling, and of checking
the growth OF politico-relieous agitation, which
would submerge society in the troubled pool of par
~ strife, whose waters would be but embitered by
the infusion OF religious rancour, and whose impo-
tent violence would not heal one blemlsh or erad-
cate national malady.
From calm review Of the whole proceedings Of
the Conference, and also viewing the question in
the abstract, we have come to the conclusion, that
it was lndiscreet and inludicous to Introduce this
bone of contention at all; and we believe that that
conclusion will be borne out by the opinions Of all
other denominations on the matter. The northern
men allowed their zeal to outstrp their prudence, In
enforcing upon their southern brethren an alterna-
tive, which involved dsrespect and disopalty to
the laws of the land on one hand, and on the other
a secession from church to which they are no less
affectonately attached, and tor whose prosperity
they are as ardently DESTROYS as any others. 1t il
none of their fault that the law recognizes
the institution OF slavery, and II requires very keen
sight to discover how they could expect to sit in
peace under the shadow OF their "own vine and fig
tree, with none to make them afraid" whilst they
engaged in campaign against that which had the
uneuuivOca sanction OF the law OF the land The
man who presurnes that religion imposes such al,
obligation, is quite too fastdous. We are TO deal
with men and things as find them, and it is
short.sghted policy to quarrel with them for not be-
ing better, instead of affectionatey aboring to
make them Christianity hastor lis sublime end
and aim to ameliorate the condition OF man by the
sotest, the gentest means tits incompatible with
coercion or violence, and the very moment It's
disciples forget to "render unto Caesar the things
| which are Cmsar's"-whenever they become disre-
spectfuI to ''the powers that be"-as soon they
cease to initiate the beautiful example OF their great
predecessors, make the best OF things as they find
genial current a false direction, and to make it
what its divine author never intended ii to be, a
"burthen far too heavy to be borne"
Again we say, that the an-slavery section ofthe
Methodist Church have Justly incurred the censurc
of an observant and oo-judging public, for wrang
ling about slavery, and the sooner they to I'M
tate the wild and chimerica Of the abolition
agiators, the sooner they will be able to claim the
honorable appellation Of good citizens and good