Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1851-11-15

asked, "Is not the Methodist Episcopal Church
free from Slavery noww And this question is
generally accompanied by the assertion, "They
say they arc" have no doubt that many Of
them think It is so, and Others who know bet
ter are unwilling to take any pains to correct
the error, knowing that when the truth is spo-
ken, it Is spoken 10 their shame The asser-
ton, however, is untrue. This, 1 think, will |
not be doubted by any who fully investigate |
the subject. They will find them as truly slave.
holding, in spirit and practice, as they were be-
fore the division. Idesign in the present article
merely to present some Of the outlines of evil
dcncc Oh this subject that those who have no
time or data for investigation may have some
answer to give when accused of opposing the
NJ. l. Church on account of Slavery without
cause.
1t is we'll known that before tho southern
secession, (as the last general conference were
pleased to call it) every effort was made that
could be made to prevent it, except granting
them slavoholdiug bishop. This was the dar-
ling object of the south, and would have per-
lectly satisfied them but this the north did not
dare to grant at that time for fear their aboli-
tiouist members would secede and join the
Wosloyans. They frankly confessed in general
conference that slavcholding was not sinful in
their estimation, that Shareholders were as good
brethren aud as much beloved, but it would not
do for one of them TO sit in the episcopal chair,
lest the north should "go Off in troops" These
facts show three things;
/. That there was no desire among Tie north
crn members to separate from Shareholders, or
to have them separate from the north, but an
earnest effort for union with them.
g. That the division was not on account Of
opposition to slavery in the church, either min
istry or membership, for no such opposition was
expressed, but frequently denied
3. That the opposition to a siare-hoiliag bish-
OPP was not that it was sinful for him to hold
slaves, but because it would be an injury to the
northern portion of the church, and therefore
iaerpedienh
Tho love and fellowship Of Shareholders, as
faithful beloved christians, was cherished there
as strongly as ever. This was fully shown by
the powerful untiring efforts that were made 10
extend the line of division as far as possible, and
to induce as many Shareholders as possible be-
you'd the line TO connect themselves with the
northern church. This same fellowship for
slavcholding brethren, love of numbers, Sc, led
them at the last general conference to rcpudiatc
the plan of separation, that their preachers might
have better excuse to pass the line established
by the people as the boundary of the two church
cs. Iftheir object had been to convert them
from slavcholding, their motives would have
been commcndOble; but such was not their pro-
fcs5cd object, and presume it never was their
secret design. These facts show their contin-
ucd fellowship for sluveholding christianity us
it is found at the south, down to the time of the
last conference.
Other facts, too, are worthy of attention.
Since the division in the Philadelphia Confer
onco Gf am not mistaken in the one) slave
holder was elected and ordained, he being known
and declared in tho conference, at the time of
his election, TO be STAKEHOLDER. Near the
same time the Baltimore Conference declared
that they had no fellowship or sympathy for
modern abolitionism. Soon afterwards the Pro-
violence Conference resolved that they woro full
ly satisfied with the Ant-SlOyery character Of
the Baltimore Conference. From these things
we learn.
/. That Slavery is not only tolerated among
the private members OF tho NJ. Z. Church north
but also in the local ministry; and abolition
ism is wholly dislellowshiped by portion OF
them.
2. That the warm hearted Anti. Slavery min
isters of New England wero not ashamed pub
licly to declare and vouch for the Anti SLAYER
character oGthosc who ordained SHAREHOLDERS t
tho ministry, and had no fellowship with aboli
tonisni.
But to investigate this subject moro fully lc
us inquire tc what extent is the NJ. f. Churcl
connected with Slavery at the present time =
The exact number of shareholders in her com
munion will probably never be known. w
can only judge by the amount of slavcholdin;
territory within her borders, for it is general!
admitted that whore slavery exists, Methodist
hold slaves as much as other men, according t
their ability.
, BY referring to their last book Of discipline
We find that six whole slave states are include,
: within their bounds, viz, Delaware Maryland
5 Virginia, Kentucky, Missouri and Arkansas
These six states, containing moro than 237,00
square miles of slaveholding territory, arc divi
y ded among eight different conferences, some q
/ which are located wholly within tho land c
t whips and chains.
: /. The Pittsburgh Conference includes
j small portion of Maryland, and three or fou
!. counties in North Western Virginia.
h 2. The Western Virginia Conference en-
braces Western Virginia, and part of Mar.