Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1845-05-08
THE SOUTHERN METHODIST EPIScn


THE SOUTHERN METHODIST EPISCO-
PAL CONFERENCE.-THE delegates to the
great Southern Convention from the slave
holding States, to be held at Louisville, XIV,
on the LIST inst, were collecting i'm that city
In great numbers on the 10Th ult., for the
avowed purpose OF e~ilecting a division of the
government of that hitherto remarkably uni
ted and we'll identified community of Chris
tians, and TO accomplish a complete govern
ment and jurisdictional separation of those
living within the southern and south western
States, holding slaves, from those within the
bounds OF the northern or northwestern States
OF the Union, based alone upon the exciting
subject of the right of the ministry and parti.
cularly the bishops to hold slaves.
The proposed object of the Convention is
strenuously opposed by some prominent south
ern ministers, on account of the political con-
sequences likely to result from a division of
the Church, alleging that it will be the first
step towards the dissolution of the Union.
The Rev. DIR. VIM. A. Booth, of Someryille.
Tenn, has taken an active part i'm this view
Of the proposed action of the Convention. as
will be seen by the following, to the editor of
the Somerville Reporter.
SoMERvILLE, April, 1S45.
Mcssrs. Editor: 1t is known to those ac-
q%uainted with the part l have acted in the con-
troversy now agitating the Methodist church.
that the main ground of my opposition to its
division was its tendency to produce a dissolu-
ton of the Union.
l have argued this point in an article deyot-
ed exclusively to its consideration. l deter
mined, however, previous TO the publication
OF this article, to procure the opinion of the
leaders OF the two great political parties. To
this end | addressed Mr.. Polk and Mr.. CLAW
the following queries.
"Wel the division of the Methodist Episco-
pal church into two separate organizations,
Sis,SiIig p fnesl re Re iissIs to- effect the ci Shr cone one
nectlon between the slave and the non-slaye-
holding States2
|, III SO, will it strengthen or weaken the
bonds of their Union?"
MIR. Folk has not answered me, but il will
be seen by the perusal of the following letter.
that my views, are endorsed by the great name
of Henry Clay. Will Methodist ministers.
or Southern Methodist editors, call the sage of
Ashland "foo young?" respectfully,
VIM. A. BOOTH.
ASHLAND, April Z, lS45.
Dear Sir: Our mutual friend, Mr.. Mitch
ell, OF Frankfort, delivered to me the day be.
lore yesterday your letter, with several publi-
cations under your name, in regard to the m-
fortunate controversy which has arisen i'm the
methodist Episcopal Church of the United
States, all of which | nave attentively perused
You desire an expression of my opinion on
certain inquiries communicated i'm your letter
have long entertained for that church SEN
timents OF profound esteem and regard. and I
nave the happiness of numbering, among its
members, some of the best friends | have in
the world. will add, with great truth. that
l have witnessed, with much satisfaction. the
hourishing condition of the church, and the
good sense and wisdom which have generally
characterized the administration of its affairs.
as lar as l have observed it.
IL was therefore with the deepest regret
mat heard, III the course of the past wear. of
the danger OF a division of the church. in con-
sequence OF a difference of opinion existing on
the delicate and unhappy subject of slavery.
"A division, Tor such cause, would be an event
greatly to be- deplored both on account of the
church itself and its political tendency. In
deed, scarcely any public occurrence has hap
pened, Tor a long time, that gave me so much
real concern and pain as the menaced separa-
ton OF the church, by a line, throwing all the
Tree states on one side, and all the slave States
on the other.
will not say that such a separation would
necessarily produce a dissolution of the polit-
zeal union OF these States; but the example
would be fraught with imminent danger, and
I'm cooperation with other causes unfortunate
ly existing, its tendency on the stability of
the confederacy would be perilous and alarm
ing.
Entertaining these views, it would afford
the highest satisfaction to hear of am adj
lustment OF the controversy, a reconciliation
between the opposing parties in the church,
and the preservation OF it's unity.
limit myself to the political aspect of the
subject. without expressing any opinion ON
either side OF the compromise and settlement
do without exposing myself to improper impu.
tations. P
with fervent hopes and wishes that some
arrangement OF the difficulty may be devised
and agreed upon, which shall preserve the
church in union and harmony, / am, respect
iully your obedient servant, III. CLAY.
DIR. w. A. BooTH.
STARVATION IN POLAND.-Letters
from Poland state that the distress there is
n nh NlHI