The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-09-24

diately declared-By the two votes Just passed
II was clear and unequivocal that Bishop Andrew
mas an unquestloned standing AZ a hop of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, by vote of lartb
majority OF the church and the provisions of the
Discipline. See Journal, June 9th. 1874. Cd.
the subsequent course of Bishops Andrew and Soule
and the Southern Conferences, where Bishop
Andrew presided before the organization of the
church, South. for had they believed that he was
suspended, Bishop Soule would not have invited
MIN 10 preside and ordain in the Conferences:
Bishop Andrew would not have done IL !; and the
Annual Conferences could not have received him
as their Bishop, they being at that time all
under the jurisdiction of the Methodist Episcopal
Church' AS tor Mr.. Harding. he was suspended
because manumisson was considered practicable
and he would not do ia accordance with the Dis.
cipline of the church as il regard. Danumission
In Maryland, we have IL from undoubed authori-
~ (the records OF the counties) that manumis
sions take place very frequently. the slaves re-
manning undisturhed in the ENJOYMENT of their
liberty. But what is the law in the case p
There are four ways Of disposlng of uanumit,ed
Persons--lst, they may by leave from the proper
authority remain without impediment where thew
are "a, IT they are willing, they may be taken
10 Africa; 3D. they may 60 to the nonslavehold
ing otates, or 4ih, the Sheriff Is to convey them
beyond the hounds of the State; thus they NAV
De disposed OF. bnt there is no provision by law
tor Bringing them again into slavery, and they
now can be mannmitted at any age See Dorsey's
laws of Maryland fur 1881 and So Thus Mr.
harding, or any other, who wishes to do so, could
manumit, and the slaves thus manumitted could
not be brought into bondage again. according to
the laws of Maryland The Discipline requires
manumssion-he refused to do it, the church
suspended him for not doing what he had power
TO do. w. speaks of altering bitter denuncia
tons, and it might be well for him to review and
recall much of what he has written before he
reads homilles to- others this subject w says
the Methodists of this county are actnp under a
fearful responsibility we aware of that fact
and as w. cannot relieve from or share with us
our responsibilities to God or man, we think that
ne and Others ike minded ought not To interfere
win onr action in the premises. whether that
action be to join the church. South, or to remain
where we We think that we, and our
Southern brethren fully competent to adjust
all the matters between us without the interposi.
ton of any who do not belong 10 either branch of
the church, but who seem TO wish 10 dictate as
though they were the pillars Of the whole con-
Germ, and who deal out their anahemas against
US because we do not choose like servile slaves
to follow their bidding 1t is matter unheard
OF by us, save in this, and Northampton counties,
That men making no pretentions to religion or
church fellowship any where should wish to rule
we hope the sober minded part of the communi-
" VIII not JOIN In any such strange and uncalled
Tor interference with our personal and conscen-
tlous rights. We leave WIS CHARGES AGAINST
the MethOdiss Of Accomac of treachery, and with
this one remark that bad as w would try to
make them appear in the eyes of the public they
would not suffer by comparison on these points
with W. himself and his kindred spirits have
now exhibited some. (not alp of the palpape
MISTAKES, errors, or ,chGteUer else they may be
called. which abound in WIS pieces | have
shown by the plan adopted by the General Con-
terence that there be no change of ministers
among us until majority in the classes shall vote
TO go South. Then the ministers of the Phila
delphia Conference must retire, but until then
we expect to keep them. w. to the contrary,
Notwithstanding. We once more state to the PEG.
pie OF Accomac, that we are as we ha We ever been
entlrely hostile To modern abolitionism, having
nolhihg 10 90 with II except To oppose and con- |
denim 1t. W. says the slaves already are in a
state OF alarming exciiemeniI if this be the fact
Coz which we have not heard save from w and
other kindred spirits,) who, ask. have brought
about that excitement? Not the Methodist EMS |
copal Church, but those who like w have pro-
iessedly been endeavoring to create excitement
ny ecturIng, holding public meetings, passing in
MANDATORY resolutions, heading or courayinu
moos' or like w. making the press TEEN forth
their floods of vituperalion against the Methodist
Episcopal Church
we had hoped that persecution for conscience
sake would not have raised its serpent head again
In the land, especially in our State, where rests
the bones of Washington, Jefferson, Henry, and
host OF other kindred spirits, the noblesl cham
Plohs OF human liberty the world ever saw
COuId they come up from their tombs they doubt |
less would administer whitening rebuke 10 that
spirit of persecution, which would Cypress men
and women, because they wish to worship God
according to the dictates of their own consciences
now take my leave of w hoping that he NAV
see and feel the errors into which he has fallen.
tender my thanks to you, Mr. Editor, for the
use OF your columns. and promise to tresspass on
your patience no more, in replying to w.
Yours, respectfully,
JAMES R GARRISON. !