New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-05-23
Southern Methodist Conference-Slavery.
Correspondence Of The Tribune.

PETERSBURG, May ~, 1916.
Tha General Conference had an afternoon ses.
sion yesterday for the first time since came here.
The business through the day was of common in.
terest only until late in the afternoon, at which time
a discussion commenced on the subject OF Slavery,
shy proposition 20 explain the tenth section" OF
8he discipline by adding note embodying the res
sScIrfsons of the General Conferences of 1896 and
1910, on the subject
Several members spoke on the subject. Some OF
them attempted to show that the tenth section
would be an Inconsistency in the Discipline OF the
Church, South and that it would be mischievous,
especially in South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi
and Louisiana; and others maintained that II II
should be stricken out or explained, il would be
mischievous in Missouri and other portions Of the
border.
This morning after the usual call for reports Of
Standing Committees and for memorials, the Slave
question came up 10 order.
MIR. EARLY Of Va. took the floor and replied 10
some had yesterday maintained that the Conference
was pledged make change in the Discipline on that
subject He said the Conference mol really bound by
anv previous acts pledges but that they consid
cred BY many being under obligation on this sub
ect than any other he besousht the members TO desis
from the discussion of the subject and never renew H.
Mr.. PITTS Of Tenn said he had no fears OF the
adoption Of any injurious by the Conference
this subject that he did fear this subject No Gg
II, was the nrst anC nSn ground 10 De takcn
Dr. BORING Of Ala. said he not TO discuss
the question, but 10 offer substitute which that
Slavery was proper subject Of Ecclesiastical legisla
ton but when he saw disposition 10 discuss the propr
ETY. of tho substitute, he withdrew It..
Mr. SuLLEss said that they were in trouble in
East Tennessee, and that he hoped they would not In
crease the trouble OF that region by change in the
Discipline en- the subject
DR.. SMITH Of Va. said that our forefathers did
wrong in introducing the subject Of Slavery into the Dis
cpllne, and like every other wrong thing the less said
about IL the better As wrong In this matter Just
keep quiet. If people talk, let them talk He said The
tenth section" legislative act the subject Of
Slavery and that II they should introduce stating
that they did egate the subject that was not
proper subject OF legislation, would involve Them In
contradiction, and make their position before the people
than It would be without any thing said the sub
ect that the tenth section element OF strife,
and that II they undertak nerd il, modify IL, IL
will produce more and more strife.
Mr.. WINASs of Miss said that he WAS very sorry
that the debate had occurred He believed. delbe
rately that II evil hour in which the tenth
ton" was introduced into the Discipline. The NJ. F..
Church had Travelled out OF It's way introduce IL had
produced evil, and only evil yet circumstances rendered
Il ine1pedent 10 repeal IT, Il is oosc!ee-iaoperstire,
hencs great extent harmless consequently not mpor
,snt repeal t. such repeal might bring upon them the
charge Of being ProSlAvery Church. II does not
against the authority Of the States and
conservative In Its tendency.
After some other desu;ory remarks, and the disposition
OF some substitutes &c. the motion to explain lost
Thus YOU zee Conference has sdoped the Discipline Of
the NJ E. Church without any change on the subject Of
Slavery. As ever, yours, 3.