The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-05-22

My gs.es% 3, an; sss s c q; ~, George ae
Lord proceeded to read from the Book Of Proofs,
From Address Of the British Conference to the Bishops
and Members Of the General Conference Of the hetho-
dist Episcopal Church In the United States Of America
. But while we freely indulge In sentiments sucn as
these we cannot forget that subject especially
the subject Of American averyyou our beloved ereh-
peculiar situation which you called to occupy
IN our address to you from the conference Of 1885,
proper copy Of which will be handed to you by
letter Of 1886 To the principles which have anec-
tonaly but honestly declared In these two documents
We stll adhere with full conviction Of their Christian
"Tbs time which has elapsed, and the events which
only opnm us - vet s1 more in
views Of the moral evil OF slavery Far be it from
70 advocate violent and Ill considered measures. We
however strongly and unequivocay Of opinion that
ID at this time the paramount Christian duty Of the
ministers Of our most msrcu Lord in your country
earnest zeal and unaineh ng armness May we not also
b allowed with the heartfelt soietude Of aernal love-
testimony which have extracted in note to our ad-
dress from your Book Of Disc pine but that you win
continue to insert 1t there In Its primitive and rnm.
From address Of the General Conference to the British
Conferepcel
we have considered with aaectonate respect and
sosfdence, your brothery suggestions concerning ss-
y them And do the rather, brethren, because CT
ne numerous prsjadical statements which have been
pat forth In certain quarters 70 the wounding Of thu
church. We assure you then, brethren, that have
accepted no new principle rule Of discipline respecting
slavery, since the time Of apostolic Asbury neither
the General Rules Of the United Societies. and which
are Of constitutional authority in ehurch) the
intention to ensave them IL expressly prohibited; and
IN the same words substantially, which have been
ter the rule since 1872 And the extract Of part
zion TO- Of our Book Of Discipline which you quote with
appreciation and denominate noble testimony still
dforec TO the same extent that IL has been for many
years nor do we entertain purpose to omit quai
this section, or any part thereof For while should
regard sore evil to divert Methodsm from her pro
Per work OF spreading scripture holiness these ands
g questions oftempora import involving the rights Of
Cesar yet are we not the less minded that
promote and set forward all humane and generous
TONS to prevent to the utmost power such
are evil and unehrstian 1t is desire after pie.y
toward God to be mereiful after power have
opportunity doing good Of every possible sort and far
Mpossibe, to all men, their bodies but especially
and above all, 10 their souls
@0f these United States Ito the government laws Of
which, according to the division OF power made to
them by the constitution Of the Union and the constitu
AOns Of the several States and delight render
sincere and patriotic loyay) there several which
allowed and there are slaves but the tendeuev Of the
laws and the minds Of the majority Of the people, in
favor Emancipation But there are others in which
eavery exists SO universally and closely interviewer
with their evil institutions, that both do the laws dis
allow Of and the great body Of the people
tthe source OF laws with us hold to be reasonable TO
set forth anything by word deed, tending that way
Each one Of all these States is independent OF the rest
las much as IL there existed confederation emong
Shem for ends of common intercst and therefore it .
Impossible to frame rule slavery proper for peo
Pile in all the States alike our church extended
through all the States and II would DO wrong and
the constitution ana laws Of the state on this subject so
also would 1t not be equitable ecripual confound
the positions Of our ministers and people $50 different
they are in different Staes) with respect the moral
qsef ton which slavery involves.
Under the administration Of the venerated DR. Coke
un plain distinction was once overlooked and IL
attempted TO urge emancipation in all the States but
he attempt proved almost rulnous, and abau-
dsnsd by the doctor himself While, therefore. the
Church has encouraged emancipation in those States
who're the laws permit II, and allowed the freed
sake, from all internsddlng with the subject in those
other States where the laws make 1t criminal. And
indicated by St Pauls inspired instruction to
N his First Epistle to the Corinthians chap vii
~ n For IL servants were not TO for their
Veude whsn they might not be free, though II they
might be flee they should use II rather neither
rhoue masters be condemned for not setting ths free
should do 80 rather The question Of the evil Of slavery
ststraetediy considered you will readily perceive.
brethren very different matter from principle or
rule Of Church discipline to be executed contrary to-
and in defiance Of the law OF the land. Methodism
sbove eminently loyal and promotve Of good order;
and 90 We desire It may ever continue TO be- both in
cudc the subject adding only the corroborating Ian
gusgc Of your noble Missionary Society by the revered
and ismented Watson, in their instructions mission
srice, published In the Report OF 1888 rs follows
As in the colonies In which you called to labor
great proportion Of the Inhabitants in state OF
slavery, the committee most strongly call to your re-
membrance what fully stated to you when you
accepted a missionary 10 the West Indies, that
your only business TO promote the moral and religious
improvement Of the slaves to whom you may have
without in the least degree In public private, inter-
isring with their civil conditon'n-
Counsel then read the report Of the wcetmoreland pc
thton, which concluded as follows
Scan IL be considered just reasonable to hold
individuals responsible for the destiny II
over which they have control Thus conditioned in
the organic arrangements and distributions Of society Is
h.fx tha
ractcr OF the individual and that Of the SYSTEM In this
way the modifying influence Of unavoidable agencies
circumstances In the formation of character Is well
known principle, and ~ universal recognition In
Law, morals and religion and upon which all adminstra
coed And your committee know no reason why the rule
nappcsble, or should not obtain, In relation to the
would express the deliberate opinion that while the
general rule the subject q slavery relating 90 those
states only Whose laws admit q emancipation and per
and constantly enforced the exception to the general
rule applying to those states where emancipation DC
hned above s not practicable should be recognized aud
protected With equal frmncss and impartiality. The
committee respectfully Suggest 10 the Conference the
propnsty o. adopting the folo~ing rcsoluiicn:-
RESOLVED BY tho delegates the several annual
frenees in General Conference assembled. That under
church on the subject Of slavery the simple holding q
eavee ownership ~ slave property, in states
Territories where the law 40 not admit Of patton
and permit the liberated slave 20 enjoy freedom. con'ti
tutss no legal barrier e. the election ordination Of
ministers TO the various grades q Office known Ia the
ministry Of the Methodist Episcopal Church. and
not therefore be ccndered operating any forfeiture
81 right In view &C such election and ordination"
Mr.. Lord begged that the Court would remark the
phrase, the various grades Of oce known In the min
stryN lie then read from the printed minutes, ~
Which Bishops Andrew and culc and the other Bishop
were present lie again referred 70 the Book II Prof
Nc. !, o. ~, which the IL u. \. Harding WIZ
had bccn suspended for rcfung 20 manumt slaves and
~ which II appeared IRON The journal 81 the General
tonfersncc, that his suspension affirmed by vote
ofll7to 30 In connection With Thu Mr. Lord Inferred
10 tho opinions a VT. Nersrk and Mr. Keys. stating
that br. Harding could not nuulit. Council then
read from the Law q NUrylani w which Il 4 enacted
thet woman becoming Possessed Of siavos during
,ertGrr, shal hold them In her right and inJe.
pendent Of her husband. that In Of her death the
Raves become the property u her childrn-the hus.
hand having the use Of them during IL lifetime. II
the wife die without children then the slaves 20 to III
husband