The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1857-11-25
The slavery Queslion in the sIetho-
dist Protestant Church.

0A.A NletCAA1nt Onuftns
The Methodist Convention, which wasin ses-
sion in Cincinnati, had for its main business the
subject OfSlavery; that is, 10 bring about sepa-
ration Of the Church between North and South.
That there may be no confusion on the mind
Of the reader on this subject, we will state that
the ProtestDst Church and the Methodist Bpiis-
oqPal Church are two distinct and separate bod.
les. The former are commonly known as the
radical Methodists, who seeded from the Meth,
odist Episcopal Church number ofyears back
on account Of the aristocracy ofthe discipline 9
the Church, which denied to the laity certain
rights claimed by them. The Methodist Epis
eopai Church divided some years ago on the sla
very question, there being now two divisions o
it, the Northern and the Southern.
The Methodist Protestant Church is nov
moving in the same direction. A large portion
of the members in the Free States (says tn,
Cincinnati Eaquirer,) or at least large portion
OF the preachers, are for separating themselves
from those Of their Southern brethren who hold
slaves; they wish no longer 'to fellowship with
slave holders"
To accomplish that end, the following policy
has been determined on by the Convention just
adjourned at Cincinnati. A committee ha.
been appointed to attend the General Confer
ence at Lynchburgh, Virginia, in May next and
present to it memorial against voluntary slave
holding, &c, by members ofthe church, and
asking the Conference to take the proper steDs
coward change of the constitution and discip.
line of the Church, declaring that voluntary
slaveholdng and slave trading shall thereafter
constitute barrier to membership in the Churh
In case the General Conference refuses to take
the desired steps, then Interior proceedings are
recommended, By which convention shall be
held at Springfield, Ohio in November, 1858
to amend the constitution, and adopt new dis
cipline, which shall exclude any person from the
Church who shall voluntarily hold slaves OF
buy or sell them.
There can be no mistaking the scope and de
sign of all that. 1t means separation, peaceful
or otherwise. 1t appears that the consciences
ofsoma of the laity and preachers have become
so affected at the idea, tina. they should worship
the Almighty in the same Church with a person
who owns slave, as to seriously endanger their
eternal salvation! Is there not danger that
such persons may become so overwhelmed
with sense ofthe enormity of tho sin oil their
fellowShippihg in the Church with Slavehold-
er, as to neglect other matters essential to sal
vation and 60 to the devil before they are aware
oft? We do not wonicr that inf lelity is in
creasiny all over the land. Outsiders are forced
to have a very poor opinion Of Che religion ol
the worshipers in churches, when such feelings
are shown to be entertained and cherished by
protesting Christians.
We suppose these persons, if they weie to
meet hereafter in heaven slaveholding brother,
would think they had got into the wrong place,
and be for backing out. They may possibly
wake up som, tm,, when too late to rectify
their error, to find that they have lost their own
souls by endeavorins to be ovcr-righteous in the
wrong direction.
All suoh assemblages, with such designs, are
calculated to weaken the bonds of our glorious
Union, by producing sectional animosties, and
cannot be too deeply regretted.