The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1858-05-14
METHODIST pnorrsr.sr Grsrs.t cosrrnrscr-

METHODIST PROTESTANT GENERAL CosFERrscE -
The proceedings of this body are not Of general
Interest. The important businsss--the memorial
on slavery, from the Cincinnati Convention--was
made the order of the day for yesterday. With re.
gard to Madison College, the Conference deter
mined that its connection with it is purely advi
sorry. The report on this subject says:
That 30 mneh OF the Communication as regards
the resignation Of the former faculty of Madison
college, and their removal TO LyHehburg, we re-
gard az rejecting unjusty upon the gentlemen n, in
asnuch as we have the declaimer of these gentle
men that their resignation wholly irrespective
OF any design to establish an Institution of the
South-the latter being the offspring aud not the
cause OF their resignation.
The Lynehburg Courier,of Wednesday, noticing
the report of the committee, in response to the
anti-slavery Cincinnati Memorial, says:
Cuffy made his cable advent in the Conference
tnis morning. Cuffy draws almost as well gs Ey.
erett or Boisseau. The expectation that he would
De discussed this morning causad q large crowd of
eager spectators to assemble at an early hour
soon after the session was opened. the committee
having him in charge made their appearances, and
instantly all we're on the gs rire. The Chairman
Dr. Murray, rose and proceeded to read a report
OF great length in response to Cufys (or the Gin
cinnatD Memorial. The report proceeds to com
Dat the propositions of the memorial. The word
white" which 1t wishes to have stricken from
the constitution is not employed 10 establish an
invIdious distinction, but TO protect white MEM
bers from being oyerruled by class not morally
or mentally competent to govern. Admit them
10 equality in churc tnTeiations, and why not in
political and socia! Affairs y-granting them the
rights of citizens, and the privilege of becoming
the wives and husbands OF our sons and dauph.
ters Let the North and West make such regula-
tlons as may suit them with reference to the mat
ter, and leave Southern churches free to do the
same-not insisting that they shall be governed
by ideas of right not applicable to the circupl.
stances by which they are surrounded. To make
siaveholding test of church membership the Coin
mIttee deemed it both unnecessary and i'm mpolitic
10 aorogate the right would be to act In con
fiict with the word of God. Conference has no
authority to exercise the power. The Methodist
Protestant Church is neither pro slavery nor abo-
iition--leaves individual Churches to act as they
may deem proper. The report regrets that the
memorial asserts that the slays trade is generally
INDUCED in by Southern members, unrebuked by
the church. Such is not the case. Professional
slave dealing is detested and discounteuanced by
the Church.
1t opposes the calling of General Convention
in May, 1859, as recommended by the Memorial
Thinks such course would be tantamouut to a
disunion of the church Trusts the memorials
VIII ponder and pray before they resolve on Sc
cessOn. Will disunion be for the glory of God ?
Will it be for the good of souls? No! The church
has prospered under its present organzation-it
IS now prosperiDg. Why seek to ci nge? The
South desires the welfare of NortherL AMI Wes-
tern brethren, and union with them. If they will
go from Us, they shall 60 without cause We Of
fer no new test of membership-are satisfied with
the present ones. If Northern brethren seek to
establish others, upon them rests the responsible
lty of the consequences.