The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1851-06-06

nation of Christians SO material to the quiet Of the
public mind, and possibly to the very existence of
the form Of government under which we live, that
fear the discharge of my duty will be inpeded by
the weight Of the responsibility imposed upon me.
The heart of the entire nation has been ievershly
FACILITATING, and is still Tapating, for fear that
through the very cause from which this dispute
springs, unless by the good sense and patriotism
Of the people, and all the authorities State and
national, it is prevented, the glory and peace for
which we have become the envy OF the world, may
be substituted by wretchedness, civil war and
bloodshed. Nor is it too much to say that the fear
full state of the public mind is to be attributed, in
great measure, to the very controversy now before
u.s. and hope that the decision of this court will
lay down such principles as will tend to appease
public alarm, well settle the particular dispute
1t will be my endeavor SO far as my ability may
extend, to assist the court in coming to this happy
| result. --4
/ What WAS the NJ E. Church of the United
| States in 1874 I? An association of men claiming
its origin from the organization in LISA In 1902
| the powers of the General Conferences which con-
vened from that time down to 1S44 were delegated
| and defined. The power to change must exist
somewhere by the nature Of things, and it is con-
tended for the plaintiffs it existed in the General
Conference. Mr.. johnson gave an eloquent ac-
count Of the origin OF Methodism in Eng land, and
| laid particular stress upon Mr. Wesley's constant
| vigilance in preventing any conflict between his
1
He showed that Wesleys power was absolute
over the church, that he delegated this sovereign
power to the General Conferences of the Metho.
dlsts organized in this country by his request after
| the declaration of Independence from the Govern
ment of Great Britain. From 1896 down to 1908,
not an indication is given that the Conference
not clothed with the entire sovereign power Of the
| church. At that time the flock had become so nu-
merons that it was necessary to leave some Of the
shepherds at home, and it was resolved that the
| General Conferences, thereafter, should be COM
posed OF delegates, instead Of the whole body OF
preachers.
He argued that the power to create, i'm piled the
power u destroy. The General Conference OF
lSa4 in the full possession Of sovereign power
and had judiclously exercised it, in authorizing the
| separation of the church. when it became apparent
that the existence OF Methodism in thirteen States
OF the Union, hazarded that its destruction
was considered inevitable unless the change was
made.
| In speaking of the absolute power of the Gen.
eral Conference, he said it in fact an aristoc
racy OF preachers. The laity had no voice, and
they had submitted to it for many years, acting on
| the maxim
| For forms of government let fools contest
That which Is best administered is BEST
But they gradually found the government of thei
church was not always best administered" ant
| there seemed to be disposition to insist upon 9
participation of the aity in the Conferences of th.
church, which would, he thought be greatly to it.
| advantage.
| This was mentioned incidentally, of course, ane
seemed to be highly approved by the audience
many OF whom were undoubtedly Methods
| laymen.
Mr.. Johnson's eloquence attracted numbers, anc
| shortly alter he commenced speaking the court
room was densely crowded. We were so deepI,
interested, that we regretted the necessity of leav
ing before he concluded.