Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1860-08-09


After prayer BY Rev. J. Hoffman Waugh,
Preacher IN Charge Of the Circuit. and a lev
remarks by HIM, explanatory Of the purpoee
lot which the meeting had been called. VIM
Grantham vAs elected Chairman, james NJ.
Brown, Secretary, and ThOta2s Locke, As
Sistaat. Secretary
Oo melton the chairman appointed Thomas
johnson, Bcajam H. Beall, james tran.
than. Thomas Locke, aud solomon Fleming.
committee 90 report resolutions for the CON
alteration Of the meeting in relation 10 the
acton Of the recent General Conference, on
| the subject Of .Siar.ry.
Aiter e0nierring together the committee
/ presented the following Report
| Hheroas, The General Conference Of the
Methodist Episcopal Chureh--at the session
| OF the Conference which Terminated. early IN
June last, al Buffalo, v. Yin disregard of
the unanimous declaration of the Baltimore
Annual Conference that said Annual Confer
enee would not consent 10 any connection with
an ecclesiastical organization which should
make ownership OF slaves disqualification
Tor membership; in opposition 30 the earnest
remonstronce Tin debatel of the delegates
from the Annual Conferences Of THE Bor-
der in Contempt Of the social well-being Of
the members Of the church in slaveholding
territory; and without shadow Of warrant in
the word Of God, did ~ alter the discipline"
OF the Church % render IL impossible for
any slayeowner either to enter her communion.
OF to remain therein, without total los of self.
respect, and without, also, becoming subject
10 suspicion of disloyalty to the well-being of
the Southern States and
Whereas, The change Of " Discipline" To
ierred To Is virtually, and in fact, IL not in
form, the making Of non-slaycholding condi-
ton OF membership in the Church and
Wherros, The history Of the controversy
IN the Church, for the sixteen years last past,
aud especially the action Of the late General
Conference, at Buffalo, have extinguished, for
ever, all expectation on our part of contiuu-
ing ia connection with our brethren of the
North, and, al the same time remaining in
the free and unmoles,ed exercise of the rights
OF conscience IN respect 70 our own Affairs,
social and political a. veil n religious
Ther.fore-solemnly appealing to The Di-
vine Head Of the Church for the reetitude of
our motives-be 1t
Resoired, That We utterly repudiate the
entire action GU the subject ur Slayeholding
had by the late General Conference whether
debate by the majority, or in the 80 called)
new chapter of the Discipline
=. Resoirod, That in our deliberate and
conscientious judgment the time is fully come
when decent self-respect; a true regard for
Methodism, a. transmitted from our fathers;
Just reverence for social order an enlght-
ened estimate Of the well-bcing Of the Slave
himself; and, especially loyalty To the teach
ing of the Scriptures, in the premises, unite
IN imPeratiyely demanding that the eleryy
and laity Of our Church, in Slavoholding ter
ritory, (as well beyond as within the bounds
OF the Baltimore ConferSnce) with one &C
cord, aud az the earliest practicable period.
separate themselves, completely, from the now
thoroughly aboliiioniIed Methodist Episcopal
Church of the North
3. Re~otred, That 1t is highly ca pcdient To
hold Convention of clergymen and laymeu
OF our Church, residing within the bounds of
Winchester District, for the purpose OF con-
sult!ng together As 10 what is best for a.. a.
religious community, in the present exigcn-
ey, and OF taking action accordingly that We
hereby call upon the Presiding Elder of the
District 10 summon, without unnecessary de-
lay, such Convention, at Winchester: and
that four y-delegatcs-with the same Gum.
Der of Al;ernates-be elected, by IA. mtet-
ing, Ia represent Jefferson Circuit .r
nection with our two circuit prcA 4,r. in
sud District Convention.
!. ResOieed, That il l. in tho highest de-
gree expcdieRt To- hold al IA, city OF H.lti.
more, c. at somc central or easily accessible
place, as .-oou after the approaching Presi-
identiAl Gle cti0u a. practicable a General
Convention b. III Of the clergy and laity from
the Seven Districts into which the territory
Of the Conferences j. divided for the purt.us
Of taking dcfnite aid decisive measures. by
said Convention. for our formal aud complete
severance, as q religious community from the
Methodist Episoopal Church well a. for
ascertaining and determining, authoritativsly,
whether We shall assume the position OF an in.
dependent Church, or shall cualesCe with some
other Church
3 Rcsoired. A the sense Of this nee ting
that the efficiency Of our Church. AS = rcli-
gious organization. demands that the Ia til
more Conference shall, a, its next ahuusl
meeting take such action a. will .ecurr
harmonious union with the Methodist Frisco
pal Church South
q Rss.ffe,i, That wc conhde a. heretofore
IN the loyalty Of the preachers Of the Ralti.
more Conference D. the wellbeing. social and
political no les than religious. 81 the peotls
under their pastoral care, and u the comn,u
ni;y al large IA the midst u which said
preachers reside
Z Resais,i Tia, n nothing be- done. by
the j., Of January. 1861. e. secure the meet.
ing Of General Convention that. then. each
charge ia the baltimore Conference Is advised
- elect one delegate ~ meet Ia Convention a.
stanton, sometime during our next Annual
| Conference.
: R,soirod That the course Of the Balt.
more Christian Advocs'c IN reference 30 the
present dcplorahle controversy. meet. our cor
dial approval and that W. commend that
I journal. - the patronage Of our brethren sod
ir'cnds, ~ 3 journal admirably adapted a. NJ
ford a. suec0r add defense amid our present
ombarrassmcnts
THpsAs JoHSsON, Chairman
The foregoing Report vas read and con
sidercd item BY item and adatted without
l OPPOSITION. except the 5th resolution shieb
sitter discussion failed 10 receive the votes ~
The majority 81 the meeting on the ground.
7 thai such action By this meeting would he
prematuic, add might Be considered dictate
\ rial
] - E.IH