Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1860-08-23

or send around the county or State to collect
his dues. It would cost more than the collec-
tions would come to-"
COMMU NICATED.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AND
SLAVFRY.-NIEETING At CHARLES CIR
CUT.
At meeting of the Quarterly Conference of
Charles Circuit Baltimore Conference, held at
Pisgah Chapel, August 11th 1860, the follow
! ing action was had:
WHEREAS the General Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church at its late session,
held at Buffalo, resolved by a large majority, to
insert new chapter into the Discipline on the
relation of master and servant, or slavery, and
though claiming only to be advisory, yet, in our
opinion, is entirely antagonistic to the usagcs
and interest of the M. +. Church-fraugl,t with
tendencies of mischievous and deleterious char
acter to the Baltimore and border Conferences
which, if not checked, will soon sap the very
foundation of our beloved church in these Con-
ferences. And achereas the said new chapter
on slavery, in our opinion, is at variance with
the teachings of Christ and his Apostles; for we
do not understand them as denouncng the rela-
ton of master and servant which seems to have
| existed from the earliest times, in every age of
the world, and under every dispensation of the
christian church. Christ while teaching often
alluded to this relation by way of appreciation
| to illustrate important truths. His Apostles
taught both master and servant their duty to
God and to each other, but no where taught the
abolition of that relation as indispensable to
! fitness for Heaven-not accommodating their
| teachings, asserted by certain German divines
and Others, to the barbarism of the age in which
they lived. A1sd uhereas, the introduction of
the new chapter on slavery sewers our connec-
ton with the northern Conferences as it existed
heretofore, and places all its adhcrents ia new
relation to the church-a relation which cannot
be sustained either by preachers or laity of the
Baltimore and border Conferences without sacri-
hcng that self-respect which they owe to them
selves as christians, and forfeting that obedience
due the laws of the land. A,ad whereas, we feel
prompted and influenced by profound sense of
duty to our Divine Master to oppose and re-
move, if possible, every scheme, rule, or plan,
that may in any way retard, hinder or obstruct
the advancement of the great cause of christiani-
ty, as taught and practised among us in the NJ
E. Church-therefore be it
| l. Resolrcd, That we do solemnly repudiate
the introduction of the new chapter on slavery
into the Discipline of the M. Z. Church and
that we do and will continue most earnestly to
resist every endeavor to induce the occupancy
of the new relation or position to the church ex-
pressed in the admonition Of said chapter upon
the declaration that slayeholding is indiscrimi-
nately sinful
2. Resozred, That we unhesitating1y condemn
the action of the majority of the General Con-
ference in the installation of ultra Abolitionists
as editors of all the church periodicals for gene
raj circulation, as altogether unchartable, and
most unjustifable exercise of power.
8. Resolred That our brethren, both preach
ers and laymen, of Maryland, District of Column
bia, East Baltimore. Philadelphia, New jersey
! Delaware, Western Virginia and all other Con-
ferences not adhering to the new chapter, are
requested with all christian courtesy and kind
ness to unite with us in an effort of resistance to
the unconstitutional and despotic proceedings of
the majority Of the last General Conference.
4. ResolUed, That would suggest with all
Difference, and as reasonable course, at least IN
our opinion, in the present emergency, that our
brethren of the Baltimore Conference in whose
fidelity and integrity we have the highest conf
! dence, make at the next session of the Confer
ence, such full and explicit declaration of the
true position Of the NJ Il. Church as shall show
clearly and conclusively, that it still unswerv-
ingly holds its time-honored course repelling
every invasion and intrusion upon the part of
the adherents of the new chapter, who, by its
introduction, have drawn the line Of separation
between us.
5. Resoyved, Whereas, the present great ext
gency Of the church in the Baltimore and bor-
der Conferences, growing out Of the insertion of
the new chapter by majority of the last Gen
eral Conference, seems to demand a call for
General Convention in order to a more effectual
concert Of action; we therefore, most respect
| fully suggest to our ministers of the Baltimore
Conference at it's next session, the propriety of
| tbo onl for tbo p,ootinrr of
the Convention-arranging the order of repre-
sentation by delegates, lay as we'll as clerical
extending a cordial invitation to the border
Conferences and all others not adhering to the
new chapter, to send delegates to the .Conven-
ton. And though the Convention may not be
clothed with legislative powers, yet it can ad-
wise such measures and adopt such resolutions
as it may deem most expedient for the benefit
and interest of the church until the next sitting
of the General Conference, which we suppose
will be at the usual time, though in separate
body from those who virtually separated them
selves from the church by adhering to the new
chapter on slavery; for we claim that the non
adherents to the new chapter constitute the NJ
q. Church proper that the General Conference
had no power, constitutional, to legislate sin
gle person out of church membership, much less
thousands and thousands of pious members !;
/
ter on slavery, subsequent to an individual be-
coming member of the church, is unconstitu-
tional, without legal force, a perfect nullity,
emanating from the usurpation of a prerogative
or power that exist only in nonentity. We feel
fully persuaded that the General Conference,
the only legislative body known to the church,
will, at its next session, do all that may be re-
quired for the future peace and prosperity of
our beloved church.
6. Resoloed, That in matter so weighty and
Of such moment, involving the highest interest
of such large and intelligent body of christians,
we should exercise every necessary precaution,
seriously and prayerfully cogitate the whole sub
Iject, and be governed in all our actions by a
spirit of christian charity, moderation and for
bearance.
7. Reso1oed, That we fully appreciate the
able and efficient services rendered the church
. by the Rev. DR.. THOMAS E. BOND, Editor of the
Baltimore Christian Adcocate, for which he will
please accept this as an evidence of our graft
tu6a