The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1845-10-21
THE MErHODlSTSI NTHE SOUTHERN
STATES

The differences existing in the Methodist
Church on the subject of Slavery, it is clearly
known. has caused separation in that body, and
it appears has left bitterness between the two
sections which the religion which they profess
does not counterfeit. This feeling has also ex-
tended itself to the community by which they are
surrounded in some places, and the tarring and
feathering of preachers has been threatened The
Illinois Conference. amongst others, has embroil-
ed itself on this subject and has resolved to send
preachers into slave States, whence there are in
struc'ions made that they will be elected it they
should come. From article on this subject in
the Louisville Journal we make the following
extract. which will communicate some informa-
ton respecting this quarrel:
The editor of the Frankfurt Commonwealth.
an able ana prominent Mcthodist recently gave.
through his paper. most unequivocal warning
to the Church North" that, if that church
should send its ministers into The slave States and
they shond insist on preaching among us. it would
be at their personal peril. as the people would
take redress into their own hands. That this
warning was not mere empty threat is very
evident from the late proceedings at ParkersburG
Virginia. The Rev. A. Brown and the Rev.
John Dillon, Ohio Methodsts, were sent by the
Ohio conference TO Parkersburg tn preach the
gospel the bounds of the Ohio conference includ-
ing Parkershurg. But the people of the latter
place were resolved that no preachers from the
precincts of the " Church North" shonld preach
the gospel among them. A public meeting of the
citizens, comprising nearly all the .Meihodists of
the place, was held. and the following resolutions
were unanimously adopted and published
Res0tued, That we are not hound hy any law
moral ar a. -;
hut feel that we imperativey called on by a
high sense of duty, and after due deliheratun on
the notorious facts of the case. to remove these
men from amongst us, and beyond the limits OF
the CommonwealIh
Resolred, That committee of three be an.
pointed by the chair, whose duty it shall be ia
notify Rev. A. Brown and Rev. John Dillon, that
IN the deliberate Judgment of this meeting their
further continuance here is incompatible with the
safety, peace, and order of this community, and
that this meeting advise them forthwith TO leave
the State. The meeting then adjourned till three
o'clock to await the report of this committee
And at three o'clock Mr.. George Neale, Jr, from
the committee of three. reported that they had
waited on Mr.. Dillon. and that he requested time
to deliberate on his reply. Whereupon it was
unanimously
Resot1ed, That he be allowed until Saturday
morning next To make his arrangements to leave
the Stale, and that committee of fury he ap-
pointed whose duty it shall be to see that Rev.
Mr.. Dillon withdraws from the State by that
PERIOD and, in case of his failure, 10 take such
measures shall cause him 10 do So
j. Fl. NEAL. Chairman
NJ. j. LrrTLEBoY, JR., Secretary
Monday. September %.
Mr.. Brown and Mr.. Dillon promptly left Par
kersburg in pursuance ofthis notice. deeming such
4 step necessary tn their own bodily safety We
deeply regret snch condition of things. without
assuming the right To decide where the blame
Justly lies. We believe that the Methodist
church has accomplished vast amount of good
everywhere, and we feel the sincerest regret that
the conduct of one portion of it. the conduct of
the other portion of il, or the conduct of both por
tons combined, has brought about such a state of
things that the preachers Of one section of the
Union cannot extend their ab0rs through all the
other sections. without danger of being lynched
by their gospel brethren.