Kanawha Valley star. [volume] (Charleston, Va. [W. Va.]) 1856-1861, 1858-06-08
ME Methodist Church, South.

The General Conference Of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church. in session al
Nashville, has expunged frsm the Book
Of Discipline, all references 10 the subject
pf buying and selling slaves, According
to the constitutional law of 1.-The Church,
three fourths Of the annual Conferences
must concur ia this action, butthere can
not be q question as tosthe result. The
vote stood ayes 40, noes s.absent 3st---
The resolutions thus almost unanimously
adopted, was as follows 's
Whereas the rule in. the General Rules
Of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, forbidding { the buying and
selling of men, women and children,
with the intent 10 enslave tbem.n is am
biguous in its phraseology. and liable 10
be construed as antagonistic sto The insti-
tuition Of slavery, ia regard to whichstlie
Church has no right TO NEEDLE, except
10 enforcing the duties Of masters and
servants, as set forth in the Holy Scrip
lures; and whereas a strong desire for
the expunction Of said rule has been Iii.
pressed in nearly all parts Of our ecclesi-
astieal connection therefore,
Resolved BY the delegates Of the An
nual Conferences Of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church South. ia General Conference
assembled, that the rule forbidding & the
buying and selling Of men, women and
children with an intention q to enslaFe
theni.p be expunged from the General
Rules oflhe Methodist Episcopal Church
South. ysI f.si 81.
Resolved, That in adopting the fore
going resolution this Conference ex-
presses no opinion in regard to the Affi-
can slave trade.to which the rule 10 ques-
ton has been I. understood TO refer.
Lest the adoption ofthsse resolutions
might be understood as fayorlng ia
renewal Of the slave trade, Bishop Pierce
explained the matter thus II: 33E
The whole philosophy of the proceed
ing seems to be founded on the TACT that
I it's not the province Of the church to
decide any question with reference to
African slavery The South Church
maintains that slavery IS not q sab.
jet Of ecclesiastical legislation, The
single object was. That while we disciaim-
ed the rightof legislation upopfhat sub
ject. we wish 70 make the Discipline
conform tofthat professioa Tie Con
ference BY is action this morning has
not parted with its a1thority or the au-
thority of the Ghurch oYerlits members,
10 any respect. Every member Of the
church claims % be loyal citizen
We declare here that African slavery IL
no reason 6ralarm about losing church
control. IF we turn to the 22d Article
Of Religion we shall find there that the
church retains its proper authority over
its members with reference to the snbiect.
We therefore, by this act. simply main
tam our original position--that of having
nothing 70 doywith the subject Of shaver
more than any other civil mat ter over
which the laws Of the country ara Ell
tended / beg the brethren therefore Al
pc easy. There is nothing here Is war
rant any construction looking towards ~
repeal q the laws Of the United States III
regard 70 the African slave. There i no
occasion for sensitiveness, nor for anvI
legislation on the subject any where else
10 harm has been done to any body To-
day We have only set ourselves right
on 3 vexed question and we may SAFELY
defy al The efforts Of our enemies. North |
ana south. To- damage the church fo,
taking clear position upon this subj