The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-05-28
METHODIST GENERAL CONFERENCE.-THE MINOR
ITY REPORT ON THE SLAVERY QUESTION.

METHODIST mlNSAN
ITY REPORT ON THE SLAVERY QUESTION.
The following are the reasons given by the minority of
the committee ON slavery Submitted by the Rev John A
Collins of Batmore) for dissenting from the majority re-
port on slavery
l. The chapter proposed by the majority in lieu of the
one in the discipline slavery is manesty In con-
hicr with the constitution of church. In the nrst an
swer TO the question: What shall be done Tor the extrpa
ton OF the evil of slavery 1t Is provided that no slave
holder shall be eligible to membership In our church here
after when emancipation be effected without injury TO
the slave which creates condition OF membership I'M
known TO discipline and which cannot be enacted TN
der the general rule it now stands in relation TO
This is intended to bear upon applicants for adms-
sion into our societies.
q The answer reaches members in church. who,
by any means become the owners OF slaves ana also
those who are at present Shareholders they shall come
into the possession of In either OF those cases the
party be brought before committee TO determine the
time in which the shall be freed and in the event OF
the refusal or neglect comply with the decision OF the
committee be dealt with in cases OF immortality
thus clearly making emancipation, and IN elect nom
slaveholdng term OF communion OF ehuieh eiio"ehp
! with :.
Before this provision can be engrafed upon the discp-
line constitutionay the general rule with respect to
slavery must be essentially altered, which only be
done by compliance with the proviso to skin rsrcuon
which says:
Provided nevertheless that upon the concurrent
mendaton if threeourths of all the members OF the sew
ea annual conferences shall be present and vote on such
recommendation then majority of wohirds OF the gen
era conference succeeding shall suffice to alter any OF the
above restrictions excepting the first article and also
whenever such alteration alterations shall have first been
recommended by twothirds of the general conference so
soon as thee-fourths of the members OF all the annual
conferences shall have concurred aforesaid such atera
| ton alterations shall take place
proposed in the report Of the majority of the
committee submit this action to the operation OF the
constitutional method but to carry it by mere majority
of the conference leaving the general rule asit which,
successful and the proposed chapter be placed in the dis
cipine will be pable violation Of the constitution.
2. Because discipline, understand it is proba-
bly, strongly opposed to slavery as the state and
circumstances of the case will allow.
B. Because clearly understood to be, and &C
cepted and treated as church opposed TO slavery yet
having due regard to the authority of the State.
4. Because practice under the discipline Is faith
full and fruitful of good restraining the traffic and work
ing the cheerful and voluntary emancipation OF many
slaves.
stringencies the discipline the subject of slavery
will greatly weaken, if destroy, our church in slave
holding States and along the borders.
6. Because this reduction OF our influence as church
instead Of promoting what the majority desire, will ve5
much reard the of individual and ultimate emanc
patton and much endanger and diminish the welfare OF
the slaves for, regards the slave, we are the only
church which exercises permanent ministry and watch
full of the colorsd population within those conferences
which be affected by the proposed measures OF the
majority We have many and populous churches among
the coored people and access TO them depends upon
the good will OF their masters But by the adoption OF the
proposed measures we shall be TO great extent oFbld
den TO preach TO the slaves.
Z. The alleged above founded on the unver
sal testimony without any variation Of our brethren who
information and respectfully submit that such
testimony ought be admitted and be conclusive in the
absence of any rebutting testimony. And we believe
the church generally rightly informed as TO the true
the case she would not only be satisfied but would
approve Of letting the discipline remain as II Is And we
suggest that the best way to inform the church is TO pub
ish the alleged facts under the authority Of the general
conference We happy TO perceive that the report oil
the majority agrees with the provision herein assumed
g. We respectfully suggest also that IN lS4S we repeated
the "bow of separation TO enable to to our bfeh
rem the border work and they received expressly
the ground of the discipline il is and because they were
opposed the policy OF the Methodist Episcopal Church
South on the subject of slavery And Ii does not seem 10
Us expedenL or indeed just force upon them fur
Their measures which, in their Judgment will very seriously
cripple, IL not extnguish the work among them.
o. Because understand brethren Of the majority
report do expect that the they propose will
adsin border work. assist in ameloratng the
condition Of the slave population but judge that they
feel convinced from the testimony in committee that
| these proposed will embarrass IL much. We
cheeruy do them the justice TO that they sincerely
fore the border work ought bear the embarrassment
that may follow Ii Is for this general conference to judge
and decide in this case.
To- Because we believe that all rightminded who
had favorable opportunities to observe or to become
responsible pastors in border work. have the
conclusion expressed above and hence would respect
fully submit that brethren who sympathize with the
majority report should accept such testimony.
H. Because, finally, are Of opinion that the course
ind Gated above the proper way to exercise healhu
and legitimate influence the question Of slavery and
indeed the only way in which II be DONE BY taking
this do not repudae assault the authority
State but institute OF moral discipline which
acting with the legitimate influence of the Gospel will
fer the greatest benefit upon both the master and slave
| therefore,
H. RssoDed That we nonconcur in the action of the
majority