The Evansville daily journal., 1856-05-13
Fnisconal Add,ess.

has been published. We extract that part of
it which relates to slavery-a subject now en-
gaging the attention Of politicians more than
any other. 1t is an important document,
coming as it does, from the church that has
been rent assunder by the discussion, and at
tempted settlement, Of this yexed question:
State Jour.
In compliance with the request of the Troy,
Erie, North Ohio and Wisconsin conferences,
different resolutions asking a change in the
General Rule on slavery were laid before all
the Annual Conferences for their concurrence.
The result will be found by inspection Of the
journals, but we believe, no one of these reso-
lutions received the constitutional majority of
the members of the annual conferences. In
view of this fact the question may arise wheth-
er this body has authority to change the Dis
cipline upon this subject so as to affect mem
bership in the church. We are aware that it
is difficult to separate the consideration of the
desirableness of any measure from its consti-
tutionality and especially So, where deep feel
ings on the subject may exist. Yet we think
it to be our duty to express our strong doubts
whether in view of the restricted powers of a
delegated general conference, any measure
equivalent to change in the general rules
can be constitutionally adopted without the
concurrence of the annual conferences. As to
the propriety of any notifications not of such
character as to conflict with the constitution
al economy of the church, while opinions and
views may be various, we can fully confde in
the wisdom Of this General Conference as the
supreme council of the church.
| In our administration in the territory where
slavery exists we have been careful not to
transcend in any instance, or in any respect,
what we understood to be the will and direc-
ton of the General Conference. The body
having retained its jurisdiction over conferen-
ces previous to the organization Of additional
conferences, it became our duty to arrange the
districts, circuits, and stations, and to super
intend them as an intergral part of the church
As the result, we have six annual conferences
which are wholly or in part in slave territory
These conferences have white church mem
bership including probationers, of more than
$4,000, with the attendants upon our minis
try, making probable population Of between
five and six hundred thousand. They have
colored church membership, including proba-
TONERS, Of more than $4,000, with the attend
ants upon our ministry making a probable
population of upwards of hundred thous-
and. portion of this population are slaves.
The others are mostly poor. They are gene
rally strongly attached to the church of their
chuice and look to it confidently for ministe-
rial services, religious sympathy, and all the
offices Of christian kindness. The white mem
bership in these conferences, in respect to in
| telligence, piety, and attachment to Method
ism, discipline and economy, will compare ia
vorably with other portions of the church.
| In our Judgment the existence of these con-
ferences and churches under their present cir
cumstances does not tend to extend or per-
petuate slavery. They are known to be or
ganized under discipline which character
ICES slavery as great evil; which makes the
slave holder ineligible to any official station in
the church where the laws of the State in
which he lives will admit of emancipation and
permit the liberated slave to enjoy freedom :
which disfranchiseS a travelling minister, who
by any means becomes the owner of slave or
slaves, unless he executes, fit be practicable
a legal emancipation Of such slaves comforma-
bly, to the laws OF the State wherein he lives ;
which makes it the duty of all the ministers
to enforce upon all the members the necessity
of teaching their slaves to read the word Of
! God, and allowing them me to attend upon
the public worship of God on our regular days
Of divine service which prohibits the buying
and selling of men, women and children with
an intention to enslave them, and inquiries
what shall be done for the eXtirpation Of the
evil of slavery.
| With this discipline freely circulated among
the people, or certainly within the reach of
any who desire to examine it, and with other
churches existing in the same territory with
out these enactments, these societies and con-
fereneeS have either by elective affinity adhered
to, or from preferences associated with the
Methodist Episcopal Church. In a few in
stances their church relations have exposed
them to some peril, and in numerous cases to
sacrifices. But such have been their moral
worth, and Christian excellence, and prudence
that generally they have been permitted to en-
Joy their religious immunities and serve and
worship God according to their cOnsciences.
And now, brethren, in conclusion, will you
suffer word of exhortation? We have long
regretted two thing connected with the Gen
eral Conference proceeding, viz: needless loss of
time in the early part of the session, and too
much haste towards its termination. We
trust that on this occasion both will be avoid
ed; that the conference will enter upon its du-
ties promptly and that every member will
patiently remain at his post until every
part of it is duly considered and regularly dis
posed of. We trust your deliberations will be
characterized by fraternal courtesy and deyo-
tional spirit. May the Spirit of all grace de-
scend upon you and upon the whole church
through jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
i B. WAUGH L. A. MORRIS.
L. S. JANAs. L. ScoTT
| n. SIMPSON. o. G. BAKER
E. r. AMEs.
/ IndianaDols Nav g. 1856