Mobile register and journal. [volume] (Mobile, Ala.) 1841-1849, 1845-09-27


BIsHoP SouLE AND tbs OHIO CoNFER-
EECE.--We mentioned some days ago that the ''hlo
aunual conference oIthe Methodist Episcopal Church,
had refused 10 allow the venerable Bishop Sonf to
preside over their session. From the Western Chris
| tan Advocate obtain more full and huthehuc M
formal ion upon The subject II appears that b'snops
| SouIe and Hamine attended the conference tine
former as a visiting and the latter as the appointed
bishop) aud the latter Yielded the chair to his senior.
| Prior To this deputati0n had waited upon Bishop
Soule. unoficially urging him 10 decline occupying
| the chair.
He however expressed himself aggrieved by the
conduct of the editions Of the Christian Advocate ana
Journal and Of the Western Christian Advocate;
and deemed it his duty estsihe matter on this oc-
casion by awaiting himself of the offer of The char
rendered TO him by Bishop Hamline. Accordingly,
Bishop Soue attended conference, and opened The
session in the usual manner
AT the opening of the conference, after the Eecre
ary had called The roll, the Rev'd jacob Young
.rose Immediately before Bishop Soule, and stated
that he wished to present very important resolution
for the action of the Ohio conference Bishop Soule
seemed disposed to press a document on the confer
ence for reference in advance OF The business pro-
posed BY Mr.. Young. At this Jnncture, the Rev.
| james B. Finley said, most positively protest a.
gdlnst this conference proceeding any farther, until
| the resolution, about to be offered by Mr.. Young,
shall have been acted ON by this conference"
| The preamble and resolution were ~ follows.
W6ersas Bishops Soule and Andrew did preside
AL the convention at Louisville, in May last. compo-
sed ordeepates from the Southern conferences; and,
| whereas said convention did resolve the said con-
ference into "separate and distinct ecceslaslica
conneclion," solennly declaring that they were no
longer under The Jurisdiction oil the Methodist Epls-
copal Church: and whereas, Bishops Soue and An
drew did pledge their adherence TO the Church South
and 10 view Of the Southern organization, and the
course Of said bishops meeting o the bishops IN
New York, Bishops Morris and James declined pre-
| siding in the Southern conferences; therefore.
Resolved, That although the conferences composing
the Methodist Episcopal Church viii treat the blsh-
ops OF the Church South with due conrtsey and re-
spect yet it would be- in the estimation of this con-
ference, nexpedieni and highly improper for them
TO preside in said conference.
After the reading Of the resolution Bishop Soule
| sald,--
"ile took the chair the request Of his colleague,
and would not leave it except at the lnstigation OF
the bishop who invited hin; but that the question
which he could not put. The question be-
ing called far by many voces, and soae demanding
of Bishop Hamline that he would put the question
himself, Bishop Hamline observed that Bishop Soule
was in the presidents char. and that il would be
dlsorderly for any other person TO put the question
to the vote. Upon this Bishop Soule offered the
chair to Bishop Hamline, who declined taking it,
saying that The resolutions respected the suprein-
tendents he would request The Rev. d. Young to
take it,"
Mr.. Young, and several other minister's in suc-
cession declined king the CHAIR but 1t was nnaliy
filled by the Rev. james Qunn. The sequel we
give 10 the words of the paper referred 10.
1t was then moved and seconded That The question
be taken without debate, by rising vote But Then
tins called forth desutory debate The Rev. Mr..
Sehon declared his intention OF protesting against
the legality of the question whoever might he IN the
chair Alter some farther desultory remarks, from
which il was manifest that the conference was likely
to get into great conuson Bishop Hamline called the
conference to der, and resumed the chair himself.
On resumng the chair Bishop Hamline addressed
the confer renee nearly as follows; "Ihe confusion
which arising promises TO be SO great, that ieel
soemny bound to nterpose, and will cbeertnIly as
sumo the responsibility of doing my utmost 10 con-
| duct the conference through this CRISIS.
The Southern conferences have met, by their dele
gates in Louisville; and, undisurbed, have organ
lied Church, declaring themselves separated from
The Jurisdiction Of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
I trust, that while will not invade their rights,
we may innoceniIy seek to enjoy our own If they
expect us 10 leave them free, will expect them 10
leave US free aud undislurbed trust we viii show
our brethren of the South, that we know how to re-
spect their rights and secure our own.
| ssi am an officer ofthe Methodist Episcopal Church
and for the lime preside this conference. All
can legally do, or rghiullv sacrifice, 10 direct the
business of the conference in Il calm and devout
manner, will cheerully attempt. would sooner
have my right hand wher, than not feebly reach It
fhrtn wnen Inc peace OF Tue conference u 'Hedohtu'
and exert myself to avert the evil. These remarks
are intended to apply TO Bishop Soule, but those
which follow are.
| 81 have extended TO him visiting bishop the
usual couresies; but il this is to break up the peace
of the conferences and interrupt ts business, will
COS. YOU too much. ! cannot claim to practice cour-
,eses of mere at the expense the Church.
| now wish to know if Bishop Soue can occupy this
chair without inficling you what you deem a grie-
vance. The resolution before YOU will decide that
point. shall, therefore, put The previous question
without allowing farther debate, and, If carred, The
maln question will promptly follow"
| The previous question Then called for and put
and carried by almost unanimous vote. The
main question then put, by standing vote, and
Las voted for it and against it. So the question
was decided that it 'inexpedien and highly i'm
proper fo,l Bishops Soule and Andrew 10 preside in
conferences Of the Methodist Episcopal Church. -
! From the N. V. Com. Adv.