The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-06-06

fsio, clessd ~ dslibsgnA1sns on Saturday.
TIE fhce ut this dissemination il the
largest ecclesiastical association ia the
United States numbering million Of mem.
bsrs-and 1t having ben we'll understood
that the ultra aDtislsvery portion of its minis
tses would mako strenuous sGorts to secure ad-
vsnced legislstion on the hbjsct Of slavery,
with view Of influencing the coming Presi-
Dental election, the proceedings of tue Con-
Interest, and warranted ~ in despstchiog
number Of our rsporsorial corps to record the
sayings and doings a the 6slesates on this ab-
eorbiDg topic--an Issue watch has produced
discord among those sliisd to each other by
the most endearing ties, and which has retsrd-
ed the spread Of the pure md peacesble prin.
ciples of the Great Teacher uore than all other
causes combined, and nov seriously threatens
the demolition of the fair fabric of our Union.
The most Of the session of the General COME
renee was spent In discussing the sin of Aueri-
can slavery, and thus important measuree,
vitality affecting the prosperity Of an intelligent
and widespread denomination, were sacrificed
to the discussion of mere abstraction.
1t may be asked. what is the position of the
Methodist church In respect to slavery What
was the proposed advanced action upon the
subjectf What was done, and who did it,
1t may not be uninteresting to stste that
the system Of itinerancy, which is a Pc
culiar Characteristic of the Methodist church,
was so well adapted to this country in
its infancy that its doctrines and ussges
were embraced by the massss, and so long as
the ministers attended to thslr legitimate work
they were successful in winning converts to
their faith and in buildsg up prosperous
organization. The master and the slave sat
side by aide listening to the Gospel of
Wesley and his coadjuton; for they first
planted the banner of Methodism on the
soil of Georgia, and under the ministra-
tons of the Methodist itinerant, the former
treated their servants with kindness, and the
latter yielded obedience 70 their superiors. The
slsvsAeldsr, on expressing desire to unite
with the church, Azst pledged himself
TO become the guardian a The slave, aud to
make psovisisa Cor his noral aud religious
cultivation by teaching hin to read the word
q 0ed. and allowing ham to attend public
worship
The Methodist church prospered more In
the slaveholding States than In any other
portion Of the country up to 1874, when,
at the General Conference held in that year,
the majority Of that body commenced TO legis-
late upon slavery, giving 1t as their opinion
that a. the bishops, In the discharge Of their
episcopal functions, were obliged to travel
through every State, they should have no con-
necton with the system; and because Bishop
Andrews held q few slaves, he was requested
TO cease from the discharge Of his episcopal
duties until be freed them. This be found ion.
practicable, and at that time the secession took
place, and the Methodist church South was or
ganized. Its ministers Immediately addressed
themselves to the propagation Of those truths
which the founder of Methodism inculcated,
and, having purged themselves from their ia
natical brethren at the North, they continued
to prosper, gaining the confidence Of the South
ern gentlemen aud winning their way 10 the
hearts OF thousands OF the colored race, 90 that
the Methodist Episcopal Church South Ia now
enjoying degree Of prosperity unparalleled
In the history Of the denomination. A compa-
on the borders Of the States Of Pennsylvania,
Maryland and Virginia adhered to antielavery
views, and associated themselves with the
Northern church; but II was not long before
they discovered that the prepondersnce of
power given to the North would cripple their
efforts in preaching the Gospel, and eventually
prove an apple Of discord. Symptoms of agi-
tation immediately presented themselves, which
gradually increased and eliminated 10 the first
official attempt to effect change In the Disci-
pline at the General Conference in 1856 The
fapatical portion Of Che ministry prostituted
their sacred calling by entering the political
arena, for they went about from house to house
begging their members to sign petitions pray
ing for more stringent rule Of discipline on
slavery; but out Of Q membership Of 100000
they only obtained 5000 signatures. and were
defeated in their attempts TO procure the inser-
lion Of law In the Discipline prohibiting the
holding Of slaves, even for merciful purposes
From 1852 to the meeting Of the Conference, the
,rgsns Of the church were constantly engaged
n sowing the seeds Of disunion, and abolition
,arapgues took the place Of religious discourses.
While tbese crazy sbolitionisb were seeking to
'venee the imaginary wrongs of the negroes
Who were happy and contented, having the
advantage Of their white fellow sinners 10 lis
ening to the stated administration Of the Sos
vel Of the Prince Of Peace), the minds Of large
majority Of the members OF the church North
we're poisoned by disunion sentiments;
hurches we're broken up, the friendships Of
ears were severed, and the party line was
Irawn as distinctly as the Distinguishing marks
Il the rival political organizations Of the day.