The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1857-08-04
The Methodist Episcopal Discipline. as II Is
and Slavery.

The Methodist Episcopal Discipline. as II ..
and Slavery.
In our April number We were led, by the
able and eloquent article by DR.. Stevens up.
on slavery, to affirm the platform upon which
in regard to this subject, Oar Quarterly stands
The subject of changes in tho Discipline, be-
ing a point of difference between diRere Mt
sections Of the Church, we prefer TO leave to
the columns Of our sectional papers. 1t is
we'll known some sections adopt the fayorite
motto, "the Discipline as it is;" Others, more
ultra conservative, perhaps, advocate the Dis
cipline as it was. They would restore that
brief but golden period when the Church
conceded no place to slavery. That TO that
contamination we may ultimately come, We
trust is the united expectation, hope, and
prayer of nearly ALL That freedom, both in
principles and practice, will extend its area
beyond our present Southern border, and, at
no distant period, relieve the arduous task of
those who may be firmly maintaining our out
posts, we confidently trust. That the cause
of righteousness must win the battle in
Church and in State, we no more doubt than
that we stand on American soil, and live in
the nineteenth century. But while we leave
the discussion Of sectional opinions to our sec
tional organs, we place ourselves upon the
Discipline as an antislavery organ of an an
ti-slavery Church.
That we are an anti-slavery Church, was
ore Of the points placed beyond all doubt
by the unanimous profession of our last Gen.
eral Conference North and South, from
border to center, it was perfectly agreed, nay
earnestly asserted, that one and all were an
ti-slavery. Of the intensity Of that anti-sla-
veryism, if not of its future policy, it was
clear indication that, in spite of constitution
al scruples, which lessened the vote, clear
majority of thirty decided for excluding slave
holders from the Church. The order given
for the untrammeled issue of anti slavery
that John Weslev's voice was not to be smoth-
err d in the house of his friends. The man
ming of the editorial posts with men Of clear
anti slavery antccodeits, told the knell of the
reign of old Silence. In the general, from
every post we have heard clear and une-
Gn!Ecccc:a:!! G1ncc::! report, St. Louis has bravely re-
sponded to Chicago; and Boston has had no
fam. echo from Cincinnati and Pittsburgh
The pages of our last and present Quarterly
prove that New York may perhaps be able
to roll q metropolitan peal loudest and clear
est of all. The present attitude of things is
most cheering. Surely, our Church is dis
p,rsing the delusiye shadows that dimmed
hen, dlacardng the sophsms that deluded
her, rppudiatiug the false leaderships that
aisguidod her, and will come forth in her
purity and her bravery; and as she has rec.
ord on Lh" subject more bright than any 9th
or ChUJth, and fundamental declaration
more uuequivccal, SO she will take her stand
at the head of all her Protestant sisters, and
lead the march Of freedom, faith, and victory.
Let us take up that big little book, the
Discipline We have a holy pride
in it. We bless God for it. 1t is the child
Of wonderful and blessed Providence. Now
his book has fundamental rule which, at
any rate, forbids slave trading, aud morally
the intention to enslore. 1t has |
also an entire chapter on the subject Of the |
'xtirpation of slavery. Here we stop and |
lraw few incontrovertible differences as to |
what, on this subject, is or is not Methodism.
And when we say Methodism, we mean not
# course the German silver Methodsm of the
South, the genuineness of whose metal is re-
ognized by no Methodist body on earth, and
n whose pulpits John Wesley would not be
lowed to preach his Evangel of freedom.-
We mean the Methodism of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, which stands read, known,
nd acknowledged of all men; which has a
'ast history in which we glory, and a future
n which we trust; and which, when her sons
mite firmly upon the platform the fathers
AVE left, will yet win laures of faith and
rcedom not merely from the world, but from
ur Divine Master at his coming and king
|om.
l. 1t is not Methodism to affirm that slave
y is a POLITICAL matter with which the Church
md pulpit have nothing to do. Such doc
rine can indeed be shown, from various rea-
ons, to be false and cowardly. Is the minis
er TO take limitations of his commission from
he politician, or from Jesus Christg Shall
emagogue governor or partisan editor pre-
cribe to me, as a minister, the topics may
ouch? Shall political party assume what
round it pleases and thereby exclude the
Jhurch from any of the most momentous po-
ltions? Is the Church subordinate to the
aucus, and the pulpit the pupil of the news
'aper? The ministry has not been silent
pon rumselling, although political party
las made temperance its platform. II has
lever ceased to oppose popery, though anti
,opery is agitated at the ballot-box. Nor
will the Church be silent in regard to polyga-
ny when Mormonism becomes question Of
tate policy. What an abdcation of our min
sterial duty it is to decline denouncing the
,reat crime of our age and country on the pro-
ense that it is political. But, at any rate
he Methodist minister who adopts this pre-
ense is unmethodistical. Will any Methodist
Minister dare say the Methodist Discipline,
With lis fundamental rule and its full chapter
IN slavery, is a political book! TO do so
would be inveighing against the doctrines and
discipline of the Church. If it be not po-
itical book, then, slavery is moral topic,
opic belonging to the Church, within the linn
is ofp pit discussion and ecclesiastical action.
It is and it las been the doctrine of our
Church, from its foundation to the present
hour, that slavery is a matter with which she