The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1856-07-04

) conflict with the Constitution, but they wer.
necessary TO give proper effect 10 constitutional
provisions ! come 10 the conclusion TO which
! hope every member Of this Conference will
come, that the measure before Us toes make
new term OF membership aud seeks to 90 il in
an unconstitutional wav. You were right
SIR, in the warnings pot forth in the address of
The Bishops in reference 10 measures Of unc0n-
sttutlonal bearing. You might have said it
more strongly.
The constitutional argument against the po-
posed chapter may by summed up as follows:
lf The general rale respecting slavery
which reads 'fhr buying and selling of men,
women and children with an intention 10 en-
slave them," does not in letter or spirit prohibit
slageholding By members Of the Methodist EpiS-
copal Church
ID. The general rule ADORE stated is guarded
and protected by the fourth restriction, upon
the powers olthe General Conference, which
says '.ihry lthe General Contrr+ncel shall not
revoke or change the general rules ofthe united
societies"
3D. Nothing can 60 into the discipline on
the subject OF slavery exceeding the obvious
sense and meaning Of the general rule
9TH. The measure reported by the majority
of the committee on slavery does exceed ..the
sense aud raeaning" OF the general rule it
makes nom siarehoiding term OF membership
in the Methodist Episcopal Church, which is
neither provided for nor sanctioned by said
rule
9TH To engraii the said measure or chapter
upon the discipline the general rule muat be
changed, which can only be effected by compli-
ance with The proyiso to the sixth restriction
which requires vote OF two-thirdS Of the Gem
eral Conference, concursed in by three-lourths
Of all the members Of the several annual Con-
ferences.
9th. 1t Is not proposed by the majority of the
committee on slavery to change the general
rule for the admission of their measure, or to
wait the constitutional action thereon, bnt sim
Ply 10 pass II by majority votc of his body,
and thus forge it upon tie church.
Hh. To do this is clrariy and indispuablv,
unconstitutional. Il would he an act violating
directly ths constitution ofihr church, the only
safe guard of the rights and privileges ofthe
members thereof
it is due 10 candor 10 say that ! shall vote a.
gaInst the other resolution reported bv the ma
Jority, which asks change Of the general rule
50 as to make il apply 10 siareholding, though
II looks to accomplishing it in constitutional
way, which | admit you have right to do if
you can. But beg YOU 20 pause before it is
done, Tor the moment ii is, large portiono the
people Of our Conference is unchurched, and
the balance will make common cause and 90
with them.
~. Non slateholjjng or emancipation ner-
fr Was term Of membership in the Chyistion
ChOrcb, al least of any lending denomination
Of Christians.
The friends. or Quakers, and some other
comparatively incoHsiderable denominations,
may be exceptions to this position, but not of
sufficient strength to break lbe force Of it,
lst 1t is, to say the least, exceedingly doubt
ful whether any ecclesiastical body. claiming
TO be branch of the Church Of Christ, has th..
right 10 establish term of communion not laid
down by hin,Seit or which has not the divine
warrant What authority has any denomna-
tion Of Christians to create terms of admission
lato Christ'S fold H. fixes these himself, and
has delegated to none the authority 10 add TO or
to take tlom. Whatever therefore has not
been established by the Redeemer, or has not
the disint appointment or sanction. nav not t..
made consistently with proper submission 10 the
Head ot the Church, test of membership there
IN. The visible Church is not independents
1T cannot do as it pira>es Or legslate tests to &C
cord with IFS prcuiar views and opinions-
people. Claiming to be Depository Of his
doctrines, and within it> sphere representa-
tive Of himself, every branch of the true Church
Is bound by his laws and must be governed by
the terms he laid down, without making its
own.
] say this, sir, il full vitw of the objection
that may be stated as 10 class-metting, and re-
mark further, that if Won cannot drGuce this
fairly from the word ol God, especially in view
ot the itineIant character of our ministry which
intrrieres somewhat with the pastoral relation.
and show that il is an essential auxiliary in
executing fully that relation under our govern
ment, then It is not Of divine authority, and is
a mere conventional rule or privilege, that may
be- attended to or not without poparding mem
berShip.
ID. The question has recently been rooted
as 10 whether Shareholders were admitted into
the Apostolic Church We leave this fruitIess
discussion 10 those whose tastes it may suit
The truth OF The matter seems TO be this, after
all that has been written upon the subject
The apostles were wise, discreet, holy as we'll
as inspired mrn. They had bot one aim, but
one Vurpose--to fulfill their glorious commis-
sion ''lo preach The Gospel 10 every creature
They operated upon thr world as they found il,
IN It's civil and social relations proclaimed
''thp unsearchabie riches of Cbrist"-the soul
saving doctrines Of the Cross alike TO persons IN
all conditions and relations of society and
when they brcame converted, doubtless admit
ed them indiscriminately 10 the ssfrlowship of
he saints and the ordinances of Gods house
They did not meet IN council 10 fix upon and
multiply terms of communion 10 suit changing
notions in Church or State. There was, lis