Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-06-08
WI ethOdist Episcopal General
Conference.

1t was stated recently that among those
who participated in the slavery debate, i on
Friday last, before the Methods. Episcopal
General Conference at Buffalo, was the vene-
rable Rev. Alfred Griffith, of Baltimore.
The following is sketch Of his remarks:
He said that he would not discuss the
question Of slavery, about which no new idea
haa been developed in the last twenty years.
His position in regard to it was the same as
that Of the Church Discipline. He referred
to that passage Of the report congratulating
the church upon its success inwpancipating
slaves. The credit of this should be given
to the border ministers. He feared that this
conflict about slavery would end in blood.
The Methodist Church was first tainted with
anti-slavery doctrines in 1886, by English
men. May God rebuke this agitation
Cries of 'Amen!"] The South Of course
repealed these angry demonstrations against
her institutions. All Of the Southern States,
except Delaware, prohibited the manumis
sion of slaves The Southern Methodist
preachers did the best they could, but, be-
cause negroes were not emancipated by
thousands, the Northern brethren were a.
boutto exclude them from the church. This
is Northern justice. They tied our hands,
and now treat US as a cul prlts and castigate
us al severely as masters ever tortured sla-
yes. That is what they call brotherly kind
ness. From It'll to 1892 all the Metho
dist ministers came from Virginia, the North
producing only brethren. Southern minis
ters alone, in 1854 give the church its pres
ent type, while New England's were still
upon their sable platform, singing sApld
Lang Syne."
The majority seemed to think the border
men SO obtase that they could not see the
evil of slavery He looked forward to the
time when the slave would be qualified to
enjoy liberty. There was no process so slow
as that Of emerging from barbarlsm to ciylli-
cation Our fathers could not trust the ne
groes dnring the revolution. Was it SO
damning sin to compel the slave to serve
until a favorable time should arrive to give
them freedom? Wesley knew nothing about
slavery, except in its immediate connection
with the african slave trade, and his state
ment that slavery was the sum Of all villa
Mes referred to that Ii he had spoken in
regard to slavery as it existed here. how
could be have taken Shareholders into his
church? Was he an honest man thus to
bring slavery into the church? The vene-
rable speaker (the Oldest member Of the
body) closed his remarks BY saying that
never again would they see bis face in the
general conference. For ffty-four years he
had labored for the prosperity Of the church
de had never been place-seeker or politi-
cian He thought the Union OF church and
State retarded Christianity more than any
thing else, and the doings Of this body were
looked upon as having an influence upon the
political action of the country In view Of
that fact be warned them to take heed in
their steps. If they dragged the church into
the mire Of politics, they must be RESPONSE
BILE for the destructive issue. If mem bers
could be legislated out of the church, then
the titIe OF membership wss a mockery and
delusion.
HUEFALo. Nay 26 Tweny- second Day.
The discussion of the slavery subject was
for the day Rev. G. Peck, Of
Wyoming, submitted report from the com
nittee On episcopacy, declaring it inexpe-
lient to change the form Of ordaining bish- |
ops, sustaining rulings Of the bishops IN the
Eenesee and North Ohio Conferences, de-
,laring that the decisions of bishops IN an
lual conferences shall not have the force Of
aw outside of the annual conferences, def |
ling the rights Of members Of annual con-
erences in relation to their withdrawal, set
ing forth the opinion that no more bishops
hould be elected, that bishop to reside on
he Pacific coast is not required, and appro-
,ing the administration of the bishops
This report was adopted entire.
Rev. E. Thomson, of North Ohio, from
he committee on, itineraucy, reported against
he transfer Of ministers at their own re-
|uest, OR at the request Of congregations =
t. was laid on the table. The same COM
aittee reported against any change Of the
discipline with regard to the presiding elder
hip; minority report favored amendments
ghlch should provide for their appointment
0 pastoral charges and their support from
he moneys from which the preachers derive
heirs Both reports were laid on the ia
lie. So was a report from the same COM
nittee in favor Of changing the day ofmeet-
ng of the General Conference. SO that it
hall be held on the first Thursday of No
ember, 1866, and quadrennially thereaf-
er.
The committee on the book-concern re-
,orted in favor of securing new buildings in
lew York, Boston and Pittsburg; in favor
f establishing new monthly Sunday school
amer in New York, and Scandinavian
,aper; in fayer Of retrenchment, as far as
ossible. of the expenses Of the Western
,ook concern. and directing the annual COM
erences to pay the expenses OF their delega-
es to the general conference. The report
tas adopted. except so much Of it as propo-
ed changes in the discipline, which was laid
yer.
Rev Robinson Scott. delegate from the
IRISH conference, took his leave. He gave
he result thus far of the effort in behalf of
he church in ireland. After paying the
Excuses of the Irish delegates to this coun
~. S3S. 900 had been transmitted to Ire
md. lands valued at SO, 600 had been dona-
I'd and there were $40, 900 in unpaid SUBJ
crlrt;oas outstanding. A resolution COM
lmentary 70 Mr.. Scott has been adopted
TIE BEARD. writer in the Lynn ere
orter" says: =.
.The deaths by consumption have de-
reased some fifty per cent. per snnum a
aono the stone cutters of Quincy, Milton,
,ockport, and the marble works Of Yer
,ont s;nco thew nave ceased shaving, and