The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1860-04-18

GENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE METHODIST EpIsco-
PAL CHURCH. H.-According to the constitution and
discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the
United States, a Quadrennial Conference is to be
held IN Buffalo, commencing on Tuesday, Nav lst
1t will be composed of delegates from each of the
Annual Conferences-one delegat being allowed
Tor every twenty-seven members, but each Confer
ence will be entitled to two delegates whatever
may be its number. All the free States, with Ar
kansas. Delaware, Kentucky, Maryland Missouri
and Virginia, will be represented. The recent
action on the part of some of the members of this
denomination concerning the F'Union' movement
the "savery question:" and clay deeg gations,'
will come before this Conference, and will combine
to render it one of the most interesting religious
conventions ever held connected with the NJ
E. Church. To show in what manner the action
of this Conference will affect the church at large
short history of its troubles will not be iuappro
PIRATE. In 1874, at the General Conference an ap-
parent insult offered to the Southern Conferen
ces by the suspension of Bishop Andrews on account
OF MS having become connected by marriage with
slavery, which resulted in the formation of the
Methodist Episcopal Church South, which has as
anatural consequence, since that time, become more
and more pro-siayery, while the remaining Con-
terences have in greater ratio become anti-save-
ry. The Northern Conferences not only retained
the original name of the NJ. f. Church. but they
also retained possession of the Book Concerns in this
city and Cincinnati. For few wears past political
partlsanshlp has been working in the church as
well as out oflt, and now, not content with the
rupture which already exists, some of the more
radical Conferences North and East are seeking to
still further carry out their antislavery sentiments
by Notwithstanding these churches that fellow
ship with pro-slavery partisaps. Another measure
OF Importance only second to the one we have mem
toned is that of Lay Delegation, to the Annual and
General Conferences. As they stand at present,
the church members at large have but little to saw
with regard to Church Legislation. All is wrapt
up in the Conference which is composed most
| ly by the Ministry. This movement will meet a
strong opposition but the feeling manifested in the
Conferences thus far held this spring. seem to indi-
cate that some action will be taken favorable to
the purpose in view. The extension of time of min
isterial service, and the policy of modifying the
powers OF Presiding Elders, will also be con-
| sidered at this General Conference. The number
| of this denomination in the Northern States is
about million, and in the Southern about eight
| hundred thousand. From this it appears at once
that this class of Christian wOrshppers exercise a
great influence on the moral thought and action of
this country. The paragraph going the rounds of
the press stating that ''the subject of reunion of
the Methodist Episcopal Church North and South
is being extensively discussed in various papers OF
the Church," is simple exaggeration. The sub
ject was started in a Southern paper, and the i'm
possibility OF its being effected was shown in a
paper printed in Boston, and aside from these two
papers, it has occupied space in the discussions
| of any of the press of the denomination The fol.
lowing are the votes of the several annual Confer
| ences of the Church, in regard to changing the
general rule of the Church so as to exclude slave
| holders from communion: Arkansas Conference
for change, l; against, H. Baltimore, 149 against
East Baltimore, against, 156 Philadelphia Con
| terence, for, II; against, 10. Pittsburg Confer
ence, for, lS against, l27. Missouri Conference
| against, AZ. New York Conference. 43 for l2S
| against.--N. Y. Erpress.