The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-01-27

solicitous for the welfare and prosperity Of our
Zion, few Of the brethren in this CITY assembled
together to deliberate upon the proprIety of adopt
ting this subject forever at rest Believing that sin
the multitude Of oounselors there is safety" they
invited five members from each station In this city to
unite with them and tho meeting, thus constituted,
eppointed committee Of nine to call public meeting
Of all the male members of the church in the city
and county of Philadelphia. At this pubuc meet
ing, after O free discussion, the preceding resou-
tions were adopted by large majority. By re-
ference to the first resolution 1t will be perceived
that 1t is go part Of the duty Of tho undersg ned to
dictate to their brethren the course to be pursued
by them in this movement. but simply to invite
them 10 send delegates to general convention of
the chur to take into consideration the proprety
of petitioniDg tho next General Conference to m AXE
suoh changes in the Law of tho church as the pro-
posed convention may recommend. IL will, Of
course, devove upon the convention to set forth ts
reasons for the changes which il may agree upon,
and the undersigned do not feel called uDon to
enter upon any argument in anticipation Of its
action. But, as they have reason to believe that
the movement is not generally understood that it
is not even regarded by some of their brethren as
dangerous, radical, and revolutionary, aud that
it will result in disoord and schism, they feel
bound most sslemnly to dscaim any insen-
ton of marring the peace mutiistlng tho
integrity Of the church. They go still further,
apd not only disclaim any Interference with the
Ep 'copacy and itinerancy Of Zoe church, but they
declare their determination to advocate aud sus.
tain them beth So far from taking any step
wplcn might exotic prejudice disirust in tho
minc OIL the laity towards the ministry, il s thsr
earnest wish to aliay and remove these by bridging
the gulf which separates the two orders 81 far
from threatening 60 withdraw their support from
the ministry, they declare their pu pose to sustain
them in their high and holy c.Ibng, by their SYN.
Iatbie their prayers, and taeir me AIS; aud SO
tar rem wishing 20 exclude them from psrtcipa-
tion in this movement, they cordially invite their
CO. operation IN seeking the contem plated change.
lAl,n "A n - -
gument that the Church has proposed, under its
present form Of goverume II, and has been nstru
mental, under Goo. IN bringing more than a mil
lion OF souls into the fold of Christ, and
an organization which has worked out such
glorious results They submit, in reply, tina
these results have been attained, not ia
consequence Of the exclusion of the laity fcom the
councils of the church bu IN spite OF it, They are
more justly attributable to the doctrines Of the
church, which address themselves to the hearts and
copsceIces OF the people, to its itnerancy its GLASS
and aver meetings, it's mourners bench, its earaest
reaching the poor If the church, by these means,
has accomplished SO much, WITH form OF govern
mont so opposed to the genius of political insti
tutions, how much more might it have done for
the salvation of men and the glory Of God if. with
the same doctrines and usages, il had had the ad.
vantage of constitution more in harmony with
the spirit of our age and people. Without do
tracing from the veneration felt by all Mothodsss
for the founder Of our church, we should do we'll to
remember that Mr. Wesley dictated our form of
ecclesiastical government at time whom the prin-
ciples of civil freedom and particularly the rights of
tho people TO govern themselves, we're not 50 well
understood as at present. He formed his system of
church poty ia accordance with III onarohica ideas;
but since that time the great experiment of self.
government has been made in this country, and
what was then regarded as doubtful trial, has
now become demonstrated fact The uader-
signed do not deny that the condition of the early
members of the chur,h may have been such as to
justify the ministry in assuming the entire legsla-
tive, judicial and executive control but that state
OF things has passed away, and, advancing with tho
steady progress of knowledge, the laity have at
tanned to degree of intellectual capacity which
qualities them to render valuable aid to their
clerical brethren in the council of the church.
They respectfully submit that the tuselage of in
fancy is not adapted to tho condition of manhood,
and that every institution should, from time to
time, SO modify it's law as to conform to the pro-
gressive movements of civilization. Changes to
suit the exigences Of progress are written on every
page of our country's history. The constitutions
of nearly all the thirteen States, which orr
ginaliy com posed our confederscy, Though adapted
to the wants the period in which they framed
have been revised and altered to meet the sstes
of the present age. And while the govern
ments OF cur sister Protestant churches have been
SO constructed ms to harmonic with our national
and State institutions, the Methodist Episcopal
Church alone remains indifferent to tho improve
ments going on around it, and pertinaciously ad-
heres to an obsolete and unprogressive system. The
undersigned believe that all civil, social and reli
gious organizations are capable of self.government
Justice, at least. require that those who pay should
be represented in the councils of those who expend
The undersigned, furthermore, submit that the
movement in which they are engaged, so far from
being radical, revolutionary and dangerous, is emil
nently conservative peaceful and safe 1t proposes
that all the usages Of the church, which have been
the springs Of its prosperity, shall be saoredy pre-
served 1t contemplates no action, except by the
hrm friends of the church, through its legally
constituted legislature, to whose wisdom they
appeal, and to whose authority they submit. 1t
hallowed gates of our Zion, but offers to
spread oil upen the troubled waters of agitation
and controversy. 1t disclaims all motives of am
bition, and seeks the sole object Of beneGtting the
entire church, by drawing more closely the bonds
Of brotherhood between the ministry and laity 1t
promises to aid the ministry, by sharing its res
possibilities; to infuse new energy into the laity,
by giving them direct interest and influence in the
work Of the church; and to remove an objection to
our polity, which has driven multitudes of its
most valuable members out of the church, and
prevented multitudes more from uniting with it.
i he undersigned cannot suppose, for q moment,
that question OF SO much Importance, submitted to
so large body, embracing almost every variety Of
mental constitution, will be acted upon without OPP
position. But may they not hopci it will receive from
their brethren calm and passionate investigation
They are far from believing that evil is the necessary
result of the discussion Of great question: but they
can readily see that indulgence in unholy tempers
and unkind epthets, in place Of brotherly inter-
change Of views, may result in injury to our beloved
Zion They, therefore, earnestly exhort their
brethren throughout the connection to endeayor,
in the consideration of the measures proposed, to
present to the church and to the world the sublime
spectacle Of vast brotherhood exhibiting in their
discussions the legitimate fruits OF our holy Christi
anity; "on earth peace and goodwill toward men"
In conclusion, the undersigned submit. for your con-
sideration and action the lowing preamble and
resolution, with their earnest prayers TO the great
Head Of the Church that he will 80 direct your hearts
and minds, that your deliberations shall promote
the triumphs Of his gospel and the "spread OF
scriptural holiness over thege lands'
Whereas az meeting q the members Of the several
Methodist Episcopal churches in ths city aud ~,
held At Union Church, tire Jtth Of December IL was
deemed advisable 20 call convention to be com po5ed
Of delegates from the Different cirsus and stations
throughout the connection; said convention DE held
in this city on thu I'd OF March next to take into
sSeraticn The proprety Of presenting oal 10 the
next General Conference asking fer such CHANGE in
government OF our church WI secure sae Introduction
81 lay delegates into conferences
Therefore, Resoved, That reeonmanj TO the ,evs.
raj circuits and stations throughout the church Co p
point sy delegates in such var as may be most eonye.
meAt elher ~ spsSss Action Of the circuits aud rita
uob OF " general meeting 10 such cities where there
~sk 49, H. 49, a 81