The southern press., 1851-05-28

W es demanding that slavery, in all ils possible
forms, be separated from the church thesp, and
similar demonstrations, have onvinced the I'M
dersigned, that they cannot remain silen, or in
active without hazard and injustice to the diff
fere,t portions Of the church they represent.
"They have, therefore, thought proper 10 in
woke the attention of the church in the South 10
a state of things they are compelled to regard us
worthy the immediate notice aud action of the
church thronghou all the slaveholding States
and territories The subject of slavery aud
abolition, notwithstanding The plain law Of the
dlsci line on the subject, was agitated and de-
bated IN the late general conference for five sue
cesslve weeks; and even at the very close of the
session. the aspect Of things was less satisfac-
tory and more threatening to the South than at
any former period; and under such circum-
sta ces OF mutual dlstiust and disapreemen Mt
the general conference adjourned.
Some te before the adjournment. however
upon declaration made by the Southern d,.Ia'
gitions, setting forth the impossibili,y Of en-.
during such state Of things m oh longer. The
general conference, by very large and decided
majority, agreed to n plan of formal and pacific
separation, by which tie Southern conferences
are I" have a distinct and Independent orpaniza-
ton OF their own, in no way subject TO Northern
Jurisdiction. II affords us pleasure to state that
there were those found among the majority v ho
met this proposition with every manifestation
OF Justice and llberality. And should similar
spirit be exhibited by the ennual conferences in
the North, when submitted 10 them, as provided
TOT ~ the plan itself, there will remain no legal
impeachment to its peaceful c0nsumnation
"This plan is approved by the undersigned
as the best, and, indeed, all that can be done at
present, in remedy of the great evil under which
we labor. Provision is made for peaceable
and constitutional division of church property Of
every kind. The plan does not decide that diyi.
sion shall take place; but simply and it is
thought securely, provides that it may, if it be
found necessary. Of this necessity, you are to
De the judges, after careful survey and com.
parison OF all the reasons for and against it,
AS the undersigned have had opportunity
and advantages which those at a distance could
not possess, to form correct judgment in the
premises, and it may be expected of them that
they express their views fully on the subject,
they do not hesitate to say, that they regard a
separation at no distant day as inevitable; and
further, that the plan of separation agreed upon
is as eligible as the Southern conferences have
any right to expect at any time. We most re-
specially, therefore, and with no common soli-
cltude, beseech our brethren Of the ministry and
membership in the slaveholding Sta.es, to ex-
anime this matter carefully, and weighing it well
in all its bearings try to reach the conclusion
most proper under the circumstances. Shall
that which, in all moral likelihood must take
place soon, be attempted now, or are there rea.
sons why it should be postponed?
"We deprecate all excitement; we ask Won to
be calm and collected, and to approach and dis
pose of the subject with all the cardor and fer
bearances the occasion demands. The separa-
ton proposed is not secession. II is State or
family, separating into two different States or
families, by mutual consent. As the Methodist
Episcopal church will be found North of the
dividing line, so the Methodist Episcopal church
will be fonnd South of the same line.
"The undersigned have clung to the cherished
unity of the church with firmness of purpose
and force offeeling which nothing but invincible
necessity could subdue. If, how ever, nominal
unity must co-exist with unceasing strife and
feeling what il likely to Be gained by
its perpetuation? Every minister and member
of the church in slsveholding States must per-
ceve at orce, that the constant not to say inter-
minables agitation Of the slavery and abolition
question in the coupeiis Of the church, and else
where, must terminate in incalcuIable injury to
all the Southern conferences. Our access TO
slave and master is TO great extent cut Off
The Legislation of the church in conf ct with
that OF the State--church policy attempting TO
control public opinion and social order, must
generate an amount of hostility TO the church
impossible to be overcome, and slowly but GER
taihly diminish b,th the means ard the hope of
usefulness and extention on the part of the
church.
disposed, however, 10 defer to the Judgment
of the church, we leave this subject with you.
Our first and most direct object has been to
~ frll h.f nd .;y;n
portunity to Judge and determine for yourselves,
await your decision. The minority from the
South, in the late general conference, were most
ANXIOUS Ia adjourn the decision in the cnse of
Bishop Andrew, with all its attendant results to
the annual conferences ard 10 the church at
large, to consider and decide upon during the
next four years-as no charge AS presented
against the bishop, and especially as this measure
was urgently recommended hy the whole bench
Of bishops, although Bishop Hedding subse-
Quenily Withdrew his name. The proposition.
however, 10 refer thu whole subj ct TO the
church, was promptly rejected by the majority,
aud immediate action demanded ard had But
ns all the facts connected with the eauiyoca
suspension of Bishop Andrew will come before
YOU IN other forms, It is unnecessary to detail
them in this brief address, the main object of
which is 10 place before you, in summary way,
ne principal iacts ana reasons connected with
the proposed separation Of the Southern con-
ferences into distinct organization.
Adopted at meeting Of the Southern dele
cations, held in New York, at the close of tie
general conference, June 18th, 1874, and or
dered to be published.
assigned on behalf Of the Kentucky, Mis-
souri,, Holston, Tennessee, North Car lima,
Memphis, Arkansas, Virginia, Mississippi, Texas,
Georgia, and South Carolina annual
conferences.
Counsel then, with view to abridge the
reading. referred the court to the reports OF the
several committees on division, the reports of
The Holston conference on separation, and also
hose Of the conferences from Tennessee, Men,
phis, Mississippi, Arkansas, Virginia, North
Carolina, and he should refer to one paragraph
m the report Of North Carolina, which said
Nothing was left for the South TO do. but IN
pass from under the jurisdiction of 90 wayward
! power, to the regulations and governm, Mt of