Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-05-15
INFORMANT CHuRCu niournrNrs,

"A convention of the Clergy of the Methods,
Episcopal Church, composed of members from
The Western and Southwestern States. met q,
Louisville, Kentucky, on the LIST instant, to con-
slider the question of division of the Church.
and separate and independent ecclesiastical or.
sanlzatlon OF those living in the Slave and non
S!aveholding States.
The following resolution, offered by the Rev,
j. Early after some remarks by Drs. Smith and
Bascom, was adopted:
Resolved, That committee of two memhors
from each annual conference, represented in this
convention, be appointed, whose duty it shall he
20 .ake ln'o consideration the propriety and ne.
cessity OF Southern organization, according to
tne plan OF separation, adopted by the late pener.
al conference, together with the acts of the Sever
ID annual conferences, and report the best me-
mod oil securing the contemplated object in the
appointment of this convention.
committee was then appointed in accordance
with the resolution. The members of the COM
mi.tee from the Virginia Conference, are. ]. Ear.
ly and w. A. Smith.
Some of the most eminent Minister'S in III,
South are said to be strongly opposed TO This
movement on account of the unfIiendly influence
II may have upon our political Institutions. The
danger is that more unbrided license would be
given to the tanatical spirit of Abolitionsm Inv
such separation, and that if one branch of the
Church takes the step, others will be forced ia
follow. At present, the Ministry, as a BODY.
every where keep aloof from the subject: but i,
Is doubtful whether they could or would lono do
SO under separate Church organizations.
The Rev. w. A. Booth, of Somerville. Ton
nessee' who is opposed TO the object of the Lou.
lsvi!le Convention, addressed to Mr.. Polk and
Mr.. Clay, short time since, the following oue-
ries on the subject:
'Will the division of the Methodist Episcopal
Cnurch into two separate organizations, lslayery
Dielng The cause of division, and the dividing
llne,) be likely to affect the civil connection he
tween the slave and non-slayeholding Statesa
''lf SO, will it strengthen or weaken the bonds
of their Union 90
No answer, it seems, was received from Mr..
Polk.-Mr. Clay replied, and his letter has been
published. We make the following extracts:
1t was with the deepest regret (savs Mr.. CLAW,
that heard, in the course of the past year. 81
The danger OF division of the church, in conse
quence OF a difference of opinion existing on the
delicate and unhappy subject of slavery A d.
vision, Tor such cause, would be an event great
~ TO be deplored both on account of the church
,'se'i dhu ltS poitlcal tendency. Indeed, scarce
~ any public occurrence has happened, for LONG
'ime' that gave me SO much real concern and
pain as the menaced separation of the church, by
a line, throwing all the free States on one side.
and all the slave States on the other.
Will not say that such a separation would ne.
cessarily produce dissolution of the political
union OF these States; but the example would
be fraught with imminent danger, and in co-ope
ratlon with other causes unfortunately existing.
Its tendency on the stability of the confederate
would be perilous and alarming.
Entertaining these views, il would afford me
the highest satisfaction to hear of an adjustment
oil the controversy, reconciliation between the
opposing parties In the church, and the preserya.
tion of Its unity.
In addition to the foregoing, we regret to state
that at the late meeting of the Board of Baptist
Missions, held in Boston, there was SO much ex
element produced by the agitation of the slavery
question, as TO lead to the adoption of resolutions
for peaceable and amicable dissolution of the
Board, with view to allow the North and Sopib
to act separately. These things, we fear, aupur
no good to the country.