New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-05-09
GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE METH
ODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Prsns Our Own Reporter.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind, Tuesday, May 1856.
The number Of delegates composing the General
Conference is two hundred and twenty. Representa-
tyes are aso here from the British Conference from
Ireland, Germany, Canada and elsewhere M1ch ex-
element exists in regard to the contemplated changes
in the Discipline Of the church Petitions are now be-
fore the Conference asking change IN regard to the
Office of Presdirq Elders The change asked for does
rot contemplate the entire abolition OF the ONCE, bu'
such a change rs will make it merely nominal, some
thing similar to the plan OF the esl.yan Connection
which makes one OF the stationed ministers Chairman
of the district Petitions also sent IN from various
parts Of the country relation to the extension OF the
time which preacher may remain at one place. AS
the discipline STANDS, preacher can ohy reihhn
years in station, and only four consecutive yeaTs
in city. after which he mu't be removed to another
field of labor. Many ministers and churches are dis
satsfied with this arrange ment, and are anxious TO
lave change. Petitions are also presented asking
for Law representation in the legislative department
of the cbmch. 1hi- change il asked for tae ground
that il il in accordance with the genius OF our nsttu
ors aud Will to iDcle the interest OF the aty
in whatever pertains to the welfare Of tie church, and
add to its efficiency. But the crest acd an-absorbng
question which will claim the attention Of the Confer
ence IS the question of Slavery. No General Confer
ence, perIaps, has had many petitions AMI memo
ras seIt to it any subject as are Row before the
Conference in his place. A very large Committee has
been appointed consisting Of one from each Annual
Conftr. nee and amounting to thrtyeight. Toe Com
niiiec il now fully organized, the Rev. DIR. Raymond
OF New. England Conference, Chairman and the Rev.
Or Wise of Providence Conference, Secretary
The quadrenuial address OF the Bishops refers to
the subject of Slavery and Las created quite sens3-
ton They state that the resolutions asking change
il the general rules the subject Of Slavery hsf all
failed to obtain constitutional majority IN the Annual
Conferences and they give II "a their OPINION tbal the
General Conference could not change the rule on that
suljcct. The address also expressed a great doubt
tl8t any measure equivalent 10 O change N the gem
a rules be constltutionaly adopted without the
concurrence of the Annual Conferences. Inc aCdreSs
states that there are sX Annual Conferences IN wOe
or in pat emba cirg slave territory composing white
men befslip of liJ 600 with congregations Amounting
to five or six hundred Thousand; that there were
.s,Oc0 cOored members, with coioFed al
ttnGanis of upward of 100000 8nd that
there were III 600 church members in these
six Conferences and between and eight hundred
thousand hearers; that portion Of this population are
saves but they strongly attached to the church OF
their choice and look to ii Tor ministerial services re-
lgous sympathy and al the offices Of Christian KIND
ness The address also speaks Of the intelligence and
pety of the white members in these Conferences ana
their strong attachment to the doctrines and usages OF
the church comparing most fayofaby IN al these re-
sptCis with any other portion OF the church. lhey o
say that in their judgment the existence OF these Con
fere1Ces and CHURCHES under their present circum-
stances, does tend to extend pepetuate slavery
that they were organized under dlscipAne winch
chhT6cttrZes Slavery az glo0t eyu, when MAKES ho
slsythoter ineligible TO any official station IN the
church. where the laws of the State in which he ve5
vii admit Of emancipation and PERM! the Liberated
slave To ENJOY his freedom which DISTINGUISHED TaV-
ELI preacher who by any means becomes the owner
Of slave or slaves unless be executes # pracucaoie
deed Of adaptation conformsble TO the laws OF the
state III Which be lives which makes It the duty OF al
ministers 10 euiorce upon all the members the neceS-
ely teaching their slaves 10 read the worn OF rou
ard allowing them time 10 attend upon the pubic vor-
SIP OF Goc and which prohibits the buying OF se-n5
81 men, women cllIen, with AZ intention 70 en-
save len and inquiries what shall be done tor the e1
tlrDaton OF slavery, &c. .
Tie whole tenor If the Episcopal Address is thought
ny the AntlSayery members of the Conference % DC
II ayo- of the present order Of things and opposed 10
a. ehange whatever in the discipline on the suuev'
from lItstu appearances i thouS ht INN, not"'IN
stth0I Ills Episcopal influence there VII De Strong
ttort TO effect charge Of he rule on the subject OF
slavery tie object OF which viii be 10 sever the cAulen
Il, IN al CONNECTION with the sy,tem. ,
no test vote has yet * bad serving to lndee 'a7
strength Of tie parties in the Conference, unless De
The election Of the Secretary The Rev. Professor mar
NJ, OF the Ohio Wesleyan University, was elected Dy
very large majority over TIE Rev. DR.. Irmo.e' who
Ias Decn Secretary for several General TOM.
ffo!tsso! haTfls Is thoroughly Ant! slavery he mas
tctLuv ~Itien several Articles IL the cnurch papers
% the subject OF Slavery in the Church, in "mcnbe
taxes the broad strong ground that slavery u al
arc every STAKEHOLDER should be regarded a. hher'
a. u ess ho 70 Elm both against God aud man,
IN III -;eousy b ldIg BIS How man IN bJndaSe re
cloud not be allowed eihtr name or place 10 the
ChrIch Of Christ. Tie Delegates were al aware OF
Tie Iriors views on tits cue stiOn, snd though we're
wee Lumber Of candidates, among whom W. y,; ~.
Rev. M Sargent &C Ba.timore the Rev. DR.. floy "l
Ae~-lclk, and The Rev. Or. Vie Of Boston ye' DC
received majority over az candidates AMI was 80
90 ~ tie important and influential post OF seer
bF Raymond, Chairman ofthe CominliI er a, meet
y auL ounced that the Committee "oiln 49, Ill be a
us touorow aal il /. pr,.pei II here W" -
rtIo.t. taking u.. lLd ltoj,s GROUND al rv.,lIe
ard kIe FOX auge of tie ru,. wa however,
-sy.ha'. "a f,orp tie church. There ~ nan who
o. Tie Cod.ai.tee .troag PTeSlsvery men