The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-04-14

} by their congregations too, and are they not
J occasionally bought aud sold for what their
services are worth
Che Isrspressible Conflict I'm the Metho-
dist EPaAcopsl Church.
Il In another column we publish areport OF
the interesting proceedings of the Methodist
Episcopal Conference Of New York proper,
from which it will be seen that the subject Of
debate which overshadowed thing else Ii
the irrepreesible conflict proclaimed by VIII
liam H. Seward in his declaration Of war
against the South issued Ut Rochester, and
inaugurated in blood by John Brown at Har-
per's Ferry. This is now the issue of the
Presidential election. As the democrats are to
have their Convention at Charleston in ten
days, and the republicans their Convention at
Chicago next month SO the Methodist Episcopal
Church North is to have its convention at Buffs.
10 on the LIST of May Every four years, just on
the eve of the Presidential election the North
ern Methodisss hold their General Conference,
| and one of the objects Of the arrangement is to
| influence the choice Of the chief magistrate of
the Union. So it was four years ago. This time
it lie intended by the political clergy to bring
the quadrennial Conference to bear in spe-
cial manner on that question, and the Episco-
pal Methodists being by far the most numerous
body of Professionals in the Union, their action
assumes highly important aspect
At the general Conference, or Convention,
to be held at Buffalo, the slavery question is to
be taken.up, with q view to make it test Of
Christian fellowship SO as to operate in favor
of the republican candidate, and the district
conferences, or conventions, have elected, or
are now electiug, their delegates, who are to
decide the question. The New York Confer
ence. is important, because it will send
seven votes to Buffalo, and its decision,
which will have great effect, has been looked
forward to with more than ordinary interest.
The form in which the question will come up
at Buffalo will be the same as that which the
Erie Conference has given it, that body having
led the way in the agitation at its annual meet
ing ten months ago. Hence it is called the
Erie resolution. 1t is proposition to change
the rule of discipline which admits shareholders
to "the communion of saints The conserva-
tive portion of the Convention will resist the
innovation, and the conflict which is now be-
gun at various points will then fiercely rage in
the bowels of the church.
The delegates to Buffalo have been and will
be elected by the several local conferences
according to their opinions on this question
1t is understood that already majority are
elected in favor of the change which cuts off
shareholders from the kingdom of Heaven; but as
1t requires two third vote, it is possible 1t may
not be effected. 1t was lost at the last General
Conference held at Indianapolis, four years
ago, for want of this constitutional vote. We
believe the supporters of the resolution do not
anticipate that they can carry it, but their
object is by the discussion and the exhibition
Of majority to produce moral and political
effect throughout the North.
Thus, into every department of life is this
dangerous question now being introduced.
Even in the peaceful sanctuary it has become
an element of division and strife, and religion
is basely prostituted to political purposes, and
these purposes, too, Of the worst kind, involving
anarchy, bloodshed, the destruction of the
government, civil war and all the calamities
that follow in its train. And this is the
| position of ministers of the Gospel, whose
mission is to preach peace on earth, good
will among men"-a religion whose spirit is
represented by the gentleness of the dove, and
not by the ferceness of wolves, savage even
when they wear sleeps clothing.
In 1874 the Methodist Episcopal Church split
in two on the slavery question, and thenceforth
there was Methodist Episcopal Church North
and Methodist Episcopal Church South. The
two divided sections quarrelled about the
property and law suit, carried on for years
was the consequence. The Church South
gained the suit, and with it the bitter enmity
and hostility of The Church North, which ever
since has periodically renewed the antislavery
crusade, and is in great measure responsible
for the present deplorable condition Of
the country. This question is used al
a wedge by which fanatics are splitting the
Union into two halves, North and South, but il
is splitting also the North into two sub-divi
sions-- the conservative and the revolutionary
elements. The Methodist Episcopal Church
North is sharing the same fate, as may be seer
by reference to the report Of the Conference in
Connecticut, which we publish to day. The
New York Conference has not yet come to any
decision, the debate having been adjourned
till to-day; but from the tone of the proceed
iDgs there is every indication that split will
take place in this Conference also, and that the
division will probably be extended to the
whole Church at the Buffalo Conference. Thus
does even-handed justice commend the in.
gradients of the poisoned chalice to her own
lips.
| INEIIwNCE OF Political AGITATION ON Trade
Notwithstanding the efforts of the black repub
ican organ, to put good face on things, there