The examiner. [volume] (Louisville, Ky.) 1847-1849, 1848-05-27

The Conference OF lie Nj. L. Church ms
May ist, at Pittsburgh. Bishops fleddin.
Waugh, and Morris pressnt One hundred an
thirty four delegates answered to their name,
Bishop IIedding called the Conference 10 orio
J. ID. Tumble was elected Secretary; ]. 7
Peck, John Frazer. assistants. Rules adopted
committees appointed.
On the second day memorials and aDpeal
were called for. Three memorials from 81. Lon
is-the frst from Ebenezer charge, st. Lotis. a
TO the evils growing out Of the division Of IN
Church, the second from the African NJ. Z
Church, of the same city, declaring, that thougI
ZIG of their members had adhered to the M. E
Church, and seven TO the Church South, the,
had been deprived OF their place of worship
which had been given to the seven; the thin
was of like import.
Bishop Hamline appeared on the third dav
and took the chair. Certain law questions wers
m"oted-a paper presented by the President con.
tanning them, but withdrawn for revision. Rev
J. Dixon, delegate of the NJ. E. Church. Enc.
land, was introduced.
"Dr. Elliott presented petition from adherino
brethren IN Davis county, Hartford circuit Ken
lucky soliciting to be restored TO Their rights N
which they had been deprived, growing Out of tbe
action of the General Conference of lS44l He
also presented a petition from so persons OF
No Creei Society, In the Kentucky Conference
also, from Societies in the counties of Pike. lin,
com, montgomery, and Warren, in Missouri.
ana hkewlse iTom 81 persons residing IN Bates
VILE, Arkansas, all of similar tenor. Referred
Tee on he cfafa IF
''The Doctor also presented memorial from
b. Norwood, Northwestern Arkansas, asking the
General Conference TO make provision for the
recognition OF certain persons residing there an
belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church"
Rev. /. Dixon addressed the Conference. He
referred to Slavery. On this point he said:
sit would be premature and presumptuous in
me, to remark upon the circumstances which
surround Methodism In the United Ststes o,v-
ing to the brief period have been in the coun.
try, bat as far as | have been permitted to wit
ness the effects Of Methodism, I believe that Won
have been graciously blessed, and that its pfin-
ciPles prevail in their full integrity and purity.
rejoice, therefore, and believe that among vou
Is settled the true spirit and real vitality and ex
Perience Of Methodism, which ought TO be pro-
NOTED and continue to prevail among YOU. II
regret, however, in common with nv brethren
in England, that anything, that any necessity,
should have arisen among you TO produce the
sad division which has occurred between the
North and the South. Brethren, need I saw
that our sympathies land ] am sure speak the
feelings and opinions Of every preacher in Eng
land, and Of Methodism in England) are sufirs-
ly on the side Of liberty Our sympathies are en-
lrsiy on the side OF the emancipation Of slaves.
OUR desire and our prayer is, that, by the Prov
dence OF God, circumstances may arise 10 make |
I possible that this great blessing may be con- |
erred upon all the black population of this |
yreat Continent An exclamation Of sAmen,'l |
am touching, | know, a very delicate 0ues-
ion, but thought IL right TO say that our feel |
ngs on this question are all on one side With
egard 10 your particular arrangements in rela-
ion to this question, ! have nothing to do:
therefore,, il would be presumptuous in me TO /
i've any option. | only gave the opinion |
ave expressed, as that which exists in England,
md because, by a strange concurrence OF cir
umstances, | happened to take a somewhat
part In the great movement on the
nbject OF slavery, which took place In NV
ountry. | say happened TO be a member Of
he great National Committee on characterization.
the time the measure was carried ia England.
understood the question very well, and felt
eep interest in it,"
The fourth day was devoted TO memorials,
wv questions, &c. They were referred.
On the fifth day, DR.. Peck. Chairman, report
d, in answer to DIR. Pierce's letter, proposing
IA the part Of the Church South, fraternal rela-
Ons. that the proposition be declined, though
ifsring TO the delegate of the Church South ev.
~ courtesy and kindness. Debate ensued.-l
lr. TOmllnson, Of our State, said;
4
lie most heartily approved Of the resolution of
he Committee ON the state Of the Church; and
oewithstanding he was nom slsveholding
tate notwithstanding he was born and rear
in a slayehOlding State, out Of which he had
sver been many days, he would repeat that he
pproved Of the resolution. He knew il was
'mething important he should express him
IL with canton, on account Of the preiudices
hteh prevail in that community. tie, how
yer, intended 10 consult his own conscience in
matter Of this kind. And he would now say,
the language ofthe Rev. DR. Dixon, that the
impathies Of this General Conference are en-
rely on the side of liberty. Exclamation OF |
Amen"l But we would now say, although il
as little premature, and was painful fact,
lat the prevailing symPathiss Of the Church
oath were on the side of slavery. A voice,
No doubt oft. He hoped that no brother
ould feel himself hurt at this frank announce
is honest conviction, and, as an honest man
nd christian, he hesitsted not TO avow il.
nd he would now express the opinion, us a
man, that we could not fraternize
18th the Methodist Episcopal Church South, as
genuine branch Of the Wesleyan Methodist I
nily. But he would say, on the other hand,
nat ifthey wished to break up the Methodist
Episcopal Church, they would do so by fraier.
king with the Church South. lie had no
oubt Of IL. They could not ftaternize with
int Church. lie rose simply 10 propose that {
le resolution be amended SO as to read thus:
"ProUidsd, howeUer, Tina, nothing in this
solution shall be so constructed as TO operate
a bar to any propositions from DIR. Pierce, or
ny other representative Of the Methodist Epis- I
opal Church South, towards the settlement Of
listing dific ulties between that body and this"
The amendment was adopted, as part of the
-iginal resolution. DIR. Pierce replied, that
sreafter, any proposition for fraternal relations
ust come. not from the Church South, but from
Ie M. +. Church.