Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-09-18

the Committee on the Episcopacy TO ascertain Inc
facts in the case and report The result. ACCORD
ing 10 the report OF this committee, made IN puI-
suance OF this resolution, il was ascertaIned tnat
Bishop Andrew was connected with slavery I'M
der the following circumstances. A female slave
had been bequealhed TO him in trust, TO take care
of her till she should be 10 years of age, then,
Nth her consent, 10 send her TO Liberia, and, in
case of her refusal to keep her and make her as
tree as the laws OF The Stale Of Georgia would
permit. When the time arrived, she refused TO
go to Liberia, and, of her own choice, remained
legally his slave, although he derived no pecu-
MARY advantage from her, and she resided in her
own house on his lot, and was al liberty to go 10
free State al her pleasure; but the laws OF Geor-
gia would not permit her emancipation, and She
refused TO leave that State. He became entitled
as husband TO another slave LEFT former wife BY
her mother. Emancipation being impraclicabe
where he lived, he declared that This slave should
be al liberty to leave The State whenever he (ihe
Bishop should be satisfied that nc Qhe slaye)
was prepared 10 provide Tor himself, or ne could
have sufficient security lha! ne (the slave) would
be projected and provided for in the place 10
which he might go.
AT the time OF his intermarriage with his pre-
sent wife, she was possessed OF slaves derived
from her former husbands estate, and belonging
TO her. Shortly alter his marriage, being unwil-
ling 10 become their owner, regarding them as
strictly hers, and the law not permitting their
emancipation he secured them 10 her by deed
of trust
Under these circumstances resolution was
adopted by vote OF / 10 80, declaring il the
sense OF the General Conference, that Bishop An
drew desla from The exercise Of his office so long
as the impeachment of his connection with slavery
by marriage and otherwise should remain. The
members Of the General Conference from The
South and Southwest, Justly regarded this ACT as
direct attack upon The deares! interests, and an
alarming encroachment upon the rights and peace,
OF the slave-hodng States. A proposition was
,hereupon submitted for the division OF the
Church, and this proposition was sanctioned BY
the General Conference.
A Convention OF Delegates from The Southern
and Southwestern Conferences of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, elected on the basis OF the Plan
OF Separation adopted by the General Conference,
assembled in the city Of Louisville, Kentucky, on
the Isl day of May. A. D., 1915. Al this Con-
vention The organization OF the Methodist Epis-
copal Church. South, was effected. To this
Church, il is believed by your commilteo that
all the Methodist Societies and Congregations in
the slayehodng States, except those in Delaware
and Maryland, and few in small portion OF
Virginia, are now attached.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, Sorlh, is
based upon the Discipline OF The Methodist Epis-
copal Church, compromising The doctrines and
entire moral, ecclesiastical and economical rules
and regulations of said discipline, except only in
So far as verba alterations are necessary IL dis.
tinct organization.
According 10 the plan Of separation, and re-
solution adopted by the Louisville Convention,
any society or station adjoining the line otdivi-
slon is al liberty 10 unite with the Methodist
Episcopal Church. South. There can be nodoubi,
therefore, that The societies in The county OF Acco-
mack have il in their power 10 unite with the
Southern Church; and in doing So, il will mol be
necessary Tor them 10 make any change what
ever 81 aith or doctrine, or Of Church organiza-
lion, as they will he subjected 10 the same Disci-
pline, 10 which they have always been accus-
toned.
II is with feelings of The deepest regret, that
your Committee have TO report that all The socie-
lies in This county, with a solitary exception,
still continue their connection with the Methodist
Episcopal Church, North whilst their brethren Of
The slave-hoiding States with The exceptions al
ready mentioned brethren with whom they are
Identified in interest, and with whom, II seems
10 your Committee, they ought 10 be Identified IN
!eelinS-are united as one man in the Church,
South II will be borne in mind that the cause
of separation was the illegal and Unauthorized
If Slavery-actS, dangerous alike 10 The interest
of the Church and OF a II others in the Slave hold
ing States. II has excited the deepest interest in
tbs entire South. We forbear, however, for The
present. 10 make further comment upon II IN lis
more general aspect, and proceed 10 present il as
il more directly affects this community
We deeply regret the present position OF the
Methodist society in this county, because we be-
lieve il is calculated TO exert most dangerous
and alarming influence upon our slaves. The
subject has long since reached their ears, and
they already look upon those in favor Of the
Church, Nonh as their friends, and upon those in
favor OF the Church, South, as their enemies. A
spirit of disaffecion and dissatisfaction is the
cessary result OF such state OF feeling; and he
is but poor Judge of ffail human nature, who
does not perceive that The transition from tins
feeling 10 that fana,ical spirit which excited the
Southampton in,urrecion 10 too easy not 10 be
Justly apprehended.
We do not believe that the members OF the
Methodist Church in this county are acluated by
other than good motives in The course which they
are pursuing. They compose large and high
w respectable class OF our fellow. citizens, and
ale as patriotic and as much devoted 10 the cause
OF peace and good order and The welfare Of So
cely, as any other portion Of our people. They
would, we are fully satisfied be very unwilling
10 do any thing in the least calculated 10 inllict
public injury, or 10 impair The value Of our pro-
perry in, and, more than all, TO excite dissatstac-
ton amongst, our slaves; or 10 DO other than good
20 that portion OF our population, anu 10 our
slaves as we stand connected with them. But,
whilst we take great pleasure in doing justice 10
the motives and 10 The high character OF our Me-
thodst friends, il is with the most unieigned ana
profound regret that we feel constrained 10 de-
clare il as our clear and settled conviction, that
~ III,
is OF The most dangerous and alarming character.
And We believe that very large portion OF our
people, out OF the Methodist Church, fully concur
with Us in this opinion; and thai there are hun
dreds amongst US. who entertain The most serious
apprehensions and alarm upon this subject.
Under these circumstances we feel Il 10 be our
duty-a duty we owe alike 10 ourselves and 10
the Methodist Chuch-tranky and publicly 10
express our views, and TO take all proper mea-
sures TO enlishien the public mind upon this SUBJ
jecl and respectfully 10 ask the members OF the
Methodist Church in this county 10 lake il into
consideration, and TO restore peace and feeling
of security 10 this community by severing their
connection with the Methodist Church, North, and
uniting with The Methodist Church, South.
We will not suffer ourselves 10 believe that the
members Of The Methodist Church in Acoomack,
hitherto so distinguished for their zeal in every
good work, will persist in course which, 10 say
the least OF it, jeopards the peace of society," and
tends 10 expose our very fresides, not only 10
constant disIrust and apprehension, but, j, is be-
licved, to the most imminent perils. No sacri-
fee Of principle is required Of them. By uniting
with the South, they will secure public conf
dencc, aay all excitement, restore peace and
harmony 10 this community, Danish all dislrusl
and dissatisfaction, and still continue MEruonIsrs
under the very discipline by which they were
governed prior 10 the General Conference OF 1874
Mehodism as it was, prior 10 that lime, is he
Mehodism OF THE South. And, moreover, in dissolv-
ing their connection with The North, the Meho
dists Of Accomack have no ties such as often
bind pastor and people to sever, which would not
be severed, whether such dissolution lake place
or not, because from The very nature OF the itne-
rancy, their ministers remain with them at far
lhest moi more than two years, when they arc
usually succeeded by others heretofore wholly
strangers to them. So far then as they are TO be
affected upon this point the only question is, whe-
Their the strangers who are 10 minister in holy
things for them, shall come from the North or