Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1857-09-26
DIsUNIoN DISCUSSION IN THE METHo
DIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.

DIST PROTESTANT CHURCH.
The Pittsburgh Annual Conference of the Meth
Protestant Church met in Pittsburgh week before
last. The relations of the church to slavery elc-
tied much earnest discussion, several of the prom
inent members took decidedly the only rational
ard true ground No union piM shareholders ia
tie church. Though such was the opinion of indi-
yiduals, the Conference it seems was not pre-
pared for such decided action. They need still
more insult and outrage to induce them to sepa.
rate from communion with Pirates. We make
some extracts from the debat es reported in the
Pittsburgh Gazette As explanatory of the pro
ceedings we copy the following from the Gazette.
1t tappears that the Methodist Protestant Church
from her very organization has been ngitated upon
the subject Of slavery. Mony members have al
ways been opposed to that great moral evil, and
have labored to free the church from its baneiul
influence. This has been ATTEMPTED through the
general church paper and the general Conference.
These attempts however have always proved un.
successful
/ At the meeting of the last General Conference
in Steubenvile, Ohio. in May. 1854, it was pro-
posed to establish Western paper and book con-
cern under the patronage and control OF the Cen
era Conference. The proposition WAS opposed
by Southern members of that body who objected
the antslavery sentiments which might appear in
such sheet. The demand, however Of the North
and West for the establishment of paper in
which they might freely discuss all questions per-
tanning to the welfare of of the church could not
be entirely disrega rded. 1t was therefore propos
ed to establish Western paper and book concern
TO be under the control of those annual conieren-
ces which mi ght chOuse to enter into the arrange
ments and it was also agreed that the Metho-
dis, Protestant tho official organ of the Church
should be removed from under the control of those
conte rences that might join for its support. This
proposition originated with the Southern portion
OF the Church. and was warmly supported by the
Southern members of Conference. In carrying
out this proposal, separation of the funds of the
Church effected, and thereby two independent
interests were created. This was the act of the
South occasiOned it is true by the anti slavery sem
timent of the Church in the NUrth and il presents
most clearly the fact that tho only condition on
which the unity and harmony of the Church can
| be maintained is the abandonment on the part OF
the North of the liberty of speech and of the press
in ecclesiastical connection with the South, or
the suppression of their honest convictions on
great moral questions affecting the welfare Of the
Church and the happiness nf our fellow men. The
Northern portion Of the Church being unwilling
to submit to susb thral1om the South initiated
those measures which have led to the virtual divi
sion of all the general interests of the Church
Being thus divided in fact if not in name. your
Committee conceive that the duty of the Church
in the North and West is to adopt such measures
as will secure the greatest unity and harmony
among themselves. We therefore recommend the
adoption of the following:
Resolved, That our delegates to the next Gener-
al Conference be instructed to attend the Conyen-
tiOn to be held in Cincinnati on the 2i Wednesday
in November, 1857, and cooperate with the repre-
sentatiyPs of the other northern and western Con-
ferences of the Methodist Protestent Church, in
adopting such measures as shall be deemed neces.
tha and iyn
ecclesiastical operations
Signed by j Scott, W. Reeves, James Robinson,
w. G. Williams, j, w. Rutle6ge, Ira Scott. John
b. Griffith, Wm. i. Kneedler, Abner Fordyce, j.
Cook.
Rey Dorsey contended that the Convention had
not been called after consultation with the South.
ern Churches and was a disunOn movement. lie
made speech against the adoption Of the resOlu-
ton declaring that the spirit of politicians had
crept into the church that he believed in the
brotherhood of all mankind He declared that
outside pressure had caused the feeling of discord
which we now see in the church. A feeling of
patriotism should unite us. political oisunon
would soon follow the disunOn in the churches.
Then we should warfare and blqodshed
throughout the land Because we found the south
unwilling to cooperate with the north and the
west in general organ Of the church, let us over
look it, let us keep in a spirit Of union and con-
ciaton.
| Rev. Robinson, pastor of the % NJ p. Church
of this city, made powerful speech in answer to
Rev. Dorsey lie set forth the fact that in every
decisive step hitherto taken the South has been the
leader. They have lead us to the door of dsunion
and now my brother wants us tn wait till the South
kicks out. The Reverend gentleman then went
into history of the contest tracing up from the
| beginning. lie showed that slavery is aggressive;
that it is the triumph of might over right and it
holds its own only by constant aggression. The
South had forced This church, this young virgin to
take to her bosom the black demon of American
slavery. Now this church is rapidly declining,
losing church after church and society alter socie
ty. lie trusted that the Pit,sburg Circuit would
send it's delegates to the proposed Convention
Mr., Robinson then gave his opinion of slavery in
such a way as to leave no doubt of what be
thought Of it, 1t is upas-tree, he exclaimed,
that strikes its roots down into hell and draws its
lnUurishment thence.
Rev. j, II. Hull, of Birmingham then spoke
and with great warmth and spirit against the
adoption Of the resolution. 1t was on the ques-
ton of The unconstitutonallty of the proposed
measures that he addressed his remarks,
! Rev. Mr. Kingsly then spoke. lie answered
the argument that by keeping up union was our
mode of influencing the South said, that we had
no power to influence them at all, Tor our mouths
are closed. The South having the numerical mGjori
ty yoSed US down in every case. lie referred tC
the article in their dsipline, declaring that ther,
should be no discussion in the Conferences abou
the rights of property"
a member then called for the rereading Of tn,
report 1t was read. Rev Mr.. Collier, OF Sharps
burg, Prest., asked Rev. Geo. Brown to take tn,
chair, and then proceeded tc speak upon the reso
luton with great feeling. He inquired who raj
the plow share through our general educational in
stitutons? Who had caused the present feelin,
of discord who had stirred up divisions and fos
tered them? The South had done it. He decar
ed that he was Southern man. but he could no
fall in with their demands +; be could not advocat,
an appearance of union when the spirit of it wa
gone. lie had sought of the South why they baC
not aided the church with their contributions
Why they had not stood by us? The answer II
his letter Of inquiry was that they were sensitive
on the point Of building up the churches in th
, North, lest they should become too strong for TIN
South and vote them down in General conference