Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-06-07
General Conference Of TIL M. E. Church.


The slavery discussion before this body
was continued on the 9th, 2Sth and 29th
ult. The debate was able and highly III
teresiiDg, but conducted in spirit of great
fetbearance and good will.
The Rev. Henry Slicer, of the Balti-
more Conference, argued that God per-
niue6 slavery among the Jews aud that
we had high examples OF slave holders.
both in ancient and modern times; the
Patriarch Abraham. Gen. Washington and
Gen. Jackson had all held slaves. He
called Gil any man who could fluid airy i'm
junction in the New Testament against
slavery 10 point IT out.
He then went on to show his antl-slaye-
~ friends that the COUNTRY was not entire
" oyerrun yet, and no, likely 10 have its
liberties swallowed up by this slave pow
er. He proceeded TO show by compare
sons Of tie census that the proportion OF
the slave population to the free mas not so
great now as at former periods.
"a voice. That's the European emf
grafton"
MIR. Sleer siernly and impatiently turn
ing to the point whence :he interruption
came, DO you want to make speech 7"
Mr.. Steers time having expired he
was, by vote. permitted TO so on, and
spoke till the adjournment.
This was on the 2Sth. when the Rev.
Alex. Stetens of the National Magazine,
DIR. McChntock aud others spoke. On
speech. He declared himself an anti
slavery aud progressive man, The mind
OF the world was Keeling under certain
great problems; ,lavely was ole OF these
! the relation between capital and labor was
another. On this last his mind was made
up. He believed the present relations be-
tween capital and labor are wrong-so iai
| as TO moral wrong, yet he did rot feel ii
his duty to denounce them.
The brethren of the Baltimore Confer
ence told them it would destroy the work
OF the Lord in their field to pass this re-
port, and unless 1t could be shown that,he
interests Of the Church North required the
sacrifice Of that Conference he would not
vote for it. He loved The Baltimore Con
ference, and he did hot believe its sacri-
fee called for. He should therefore vote
against the report.
Asbury Lowrey then oblaihed the floor
but clamors for The question continually
interrupted him. He could not proceed
amidst The confusion, and finally agreed to
ield .he floor If the Conference would
come TO vote
The vote was then taken on the first
resolution. which proposed 10 alter the
clause il the Discipline which forbids the
buying aud srllng Of human beings as
property into "buy ing, selling AND HOLD
ING human beings"
The resolution was lost BY vote Of
ayes 1871. nays "a, Qess than two-thirds,
! which is required ioI all alteration Of the
Discipline.)
A number Of members voted under pro-
test.
| lmmediatcly after the announce OF
the vote DIR. Ray mond moved ~ take up
| The Sc, opd resolution which provides for
an alteration Of The chapter on slavery IN
the iscipline. and which had been laid
Oh the table.
DR.. KeDnaday and Dr.. Durbin both
strongly opposed taking it up. They
Wau,eh the whole matter left where it
WAS. AI attempt vas, Ho"ENei, Hdue 10
press the vote, and great excitement pre-
vailed in consequence.
The question was still under agitation
when the cars left.
Among the, petitions presented was one
by the Rev. VIM. Hamilton, of Baltimore,
from the Baltimore city station, that the
next session of ,he mex, General Confer-
ence be held in the Baltimore city sta
| ton.