Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1858-06-12
A DISSOLUTION OF THE UNIGord

The Methodist Protestant Church, hi err
mined to settle the question of slavery itt m
communion, in the only sensible and IAN
manner possible, by coming out and sci ing
itself from slaveholding sinners in the CHI -
The ministers in the southwestern States{ eel.
ally in Ohio, recently became convinces that
their fellowship Of these sinners was the .test
possible hindrance to the prosperity of their
churches and the dissemination of true religion.
The people to whom they minister would not be-
lieve in, or support q chattelizing piety. Is the re.
suit of this conviction two conventions were held
in this state, from the last of which emanated a me-
mortal which was sent to ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS on
the subject, embodyipg as its chief feature, the pro-
position that slaveholding and slave trading should
henceforth be an inseparalle barrier to member
ship in the Methodist Protestant Church. This
demand was accompanied with the assurance that
without a compliance On the part of the confer
ence, a separation must occur. Rightly an iicipat-
ing the action of the conference, but few of the
ministers from the west attended its sessions,
which were held at Lynchburg, Virginia. The
memorial however found some advocates there.
A discussion was bad and the proposition of the
memorial refused.
The Western Methodist Protestant, the periodical
of the northwest, gives the following account Of
the action of the conference, and of the course to
be now adopted by the northern conferences. In
answering the question, what has the General Cen
ference done ? it says
SIT has listened to a somewhat good tempered
Report (Ne>l.) from Bros. Murray and Vickers,
both worthy Maryland brethren, in which is given
an attempted argument to show that the prayer OF
the memorialists should not be granted. This
Report contains some christian utterances which
we can duly appreciate. but exhibits some singular
over sights, and studied waving Of the main point
of difficulty. 1t contains q little unintentiona
Misrepresentation of matters in the North, Just as
the brethren think we are guilty OF some exagger,
alton and misrepresentation against the South,
and contains also in one part, an undigniied ANAL
gamation paragraph, which has been used and
worn out long since by tenth rate politicians. The
Report will be deemed, upon tho whole, q
pretty fair document, and will find popular feyor
in the South.
But this Report was laid on tho table, as was
also on a subsequent day, Report No. 8. by our
Bro. Collier, recommending concurrence in the
wishes of the momorialists. And. Report No. 2,
by good brothers Kidwell and Bib, was found to
meet the views of the Conference, as the readies.
and most summary way to dispose of an intrusive
and unwelcome subject. The Report is q simple
transcript of the we'll known action of the Gener.
al Conference of 1854. disclaiming that the Gem
eral Conference has any CONSTITUTIONS authority
to grant the prayer of the petitioners"
Such, then. is the action of the General Confer
ence Of l85S-such the answer to our petition
1t is not granted. Nothing is gained, but that we
have, as we trust, satisfied all minds, that we have
done our whole duty, putting this important issue
to the ultimate test with our Southern brethren.
Our Memorial itself, as above quoted. indicated
our course, in case of the refusal of the General
Conference, and we Stand by tie record. The Gen,
eral Conference has refused to grant any, the leas,
part Of cur demands. Our path Of duty is there.
fore plain. We falter not. We have consulted
principle, and conscience, and duty. 1t is enough
We cannot now confer with flesh and blood.
We have no reproaches 20 utter. We feel nc
unkind impulse towards our Southern brethren
Let US have 40 quarrel. We desire even no con
troversy with them.
May God vouchsafe unto us his gracious protec
ton, and help, and guidance"
This resolution of the church is manly and chris
, tian and cannot fail to secure for it the respect o
community, and greatly increase tho amount o
its usefulness. Let all our associations, ecclesiasti