Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1845-06-11
THE SENTINEL
YPsILANTI. WEDNESDAY JUNE IL. 1916.

YPSILANTI. WEDNESDAY JUNE H. 1915.
Controversy in the Methodist Church
To understand fully the nature of the present
controversy in the Methodist Church, the reader
need be acquainted with the heretofore existing
position of that church, in reference to the prime
cause of all the difficulty, slavery. To any one
acquainted with the writings Of MIR. John Wesley,
we need not say that in the commencement ofthat
Church, none took higher ground in opposition 10
this evil. Mr.. Wesley's language at that time
equally the language Of the Church, is most Sc.
we're and explicit in condemnation of all slavery
aud Of American Slavery as the "viIest the sun
ever saw"
But the commendable missionary zeal of this
people, as in the DAYS ofthe Apostles, spread their
,cirines and modes much faster than evils, long
establ shed, and thoroughly identified with the
feelings aud prejudices of mankind, would yield
their grasp, and give away to returning cor
rect moral sentiment. Hence arose the anomaly
of converts to the principles of Methodism, of
whose pety, sincerity. and humility, good works
gave abundau, evidence, yet who could not be-.
hold in the relation which they and their foralhers,
for generations before them, had sustained TO their
slaves any degree of guilt. This delusion, if de-
fusion it be, was uudoubtly strengthened by tie
very effect produced ia both master and slave, by
embracing the doctrines of the ilnerant Methodist
preachers. The converted master became gentle,
kind, affecticnaie aid solicitous Tor the welfare
of his slave; the converted slave became obedi-
ent and teacbable and loving toward his master.
Remember we are now speaking Of the days of
comparative virtue and simplicity Immediately
following the Revolution, and not of the present
age of deception and pompous pretensions. y
How then could the simple minded men, engaged
in their arduous labors refuse to gather the har.
vest which they had sowed in tears refuse 10
grant their own peculiar privileges, and admins
ter their ordinances TO those who had gladly re-
ceved their doctrines, for the reason that blinded
to the evil of custom by its long continuance,
they could not at once give it up? -9-
If they looked to the scriptures for direction,
they found precedent for the practice which in
clinaon would most likly lead them TO adopt -
| for had not the Apostles 10 like manner, without
dissoying the relations, received both master and
slave TO the same communion!
Thus then slavery found its way "into the
church )" but did the church thereby justify it? -
! By no means. That doctrine that we are to do
no good, because, we cannot eradicate evil by one
fell blow. is alike repugnanr 10 the common sense
Of man and the common practice Of providence.
What cannot be cured must be endured, and if the
good cannot wholly restrain evil, but yet car
moderate it, they are bound so TO do. But the
fathers of Methodism early saw the deterioratipg
nature of slavery and the probability that err
long from being content to occupy the "negro'.
seat" il would aspire to be lord over the heri
tage, and, di sp sing the endurance of the church
would claim its sanction and couutenance to cove
lis enormiiy. TIE check this tendency, at an ear
y day, the following question and answer was IN
PRODUCED, and has ever since renamed in thei
book of diciDline. What shall we do 20 Diminish
the evil o: slavery among US Answer, We de
clare we are as mach as ever opposed 10 the evi
of slavery. and to this end no person holding
slaves shall be eligible 10 any official station il
the church residing where the laws permit eman
clpa,ion. ~ ias BE -.
By this rule in effect. salveholding would dis
qualify any member of the church for the ofic,
of Bishop. FOR Bishops charge. extending
throughout the limits Of the church,, he could
choose his place Of residence either in free or
slave state, aud therefore, he could not make th,
law lorbidding the emancipation OF his slaves hi
excuse Cor holding them. But Bishops fell