The Cadiz Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1854-1864, 1860-05-16
From the Buffalo Courier.


From the Buffalo Courier.
An IntelIigibIe AccOat of the Sin
very Question iM the Methodist
Church.
Perhaps the most prominent subject for con-
sideration now before the General Conference of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, in session in
this city. is the Slavery question. Around it
centres all the interest, and its final action on
this subject is regarded with the greatest atten-
ton by all the large and influential body which
is accustomed to look upon this assembly az its
supreme temporal authority. The Church has
been sggitated for years on this subject; which
agitation has already led TO one division, and
the establishment of the Methodist Church
South. as it is called embracing all the South
except the border States. The final action OF
the present Conference is regarded as likely to
create still further division, in case its deci-
sion should be unfavorable to the morality OF
the institution as it exists in the remaining
Conferences under its jurisdiction.
In order to understand more fully the pres
ent aspect OF the case. it is necessary to state
that the present discipline Of the Church only
forbils the "buying and selling" OF men woman
and children. with the intention ofholding them
as slaves. Under this rule a portion oi the
Church have claimed that the right to hold
slaves is not inccnsisiant with discipline. The
controversy has been q wearisome one. and
many propositions have been made in order 10
settle it, Among the various propositions three
were selected by the General Conference held
four years ago, and directed to be submitted
to the va ions Annual Coz fever s in order
to obtain a full expression OtopInion upon them.
| These propositions Were suhtant'aly as follows:
The Erie proposition asks Ior the change OF
the rule so as 10 forbid slave holding; or such
Interpretation declared upon the present rule,
as shall fully carry out this design.
The Providence PropiSticn asks for such a
change as shall declare the buying and slleing
ofmen, woman and children tVh the intention
| 10 enslave them, inconsistent with Christianity"
The Cincinnati Proposition asks for change
in favor OF non-slaveholding with this addition.
that non slaveholding shall not be considered a
condition membership.
| The vote on these propositions in the various
Annual Conferences has been received and will
shortly be laid before the General Conference.
It is understood to stand as follows:
FOR THE ERIE RULE:
Erie, Michigan Upper Iowa, Indiana, New
Hampshire, West Wisconsin, Iowa, Ohio, Wy
mong.
:, FOR The ihuFlDENCE RULE
Providence, East Genesee, North Ohio Min
nesota, Black River, New England. Onodia. .. ..
FOR THE CINCINNATI RULE.
Cincinnati, Maine, New York, Troy.
Detroit, New York Fast, Northwest Indi
ana, Southeast Indiana, Kansas anil Nebraska
North Indiana, Peora South Illinois.
The following Conferences voted against any
change the rule; but those in italics are strong
pro-sltvery. and regari the rule as sntfiient.
Arkansas. Newark. Baltimore. New Jersey
California. Oregon, East Baltimore. Philadel
pha, Illinois, Pittsburgh Kentucky, Virg;ni:
Missouri, Genessee.
From the above it will be seen that twenty
nine out of the forty seven Conferences are
strongly opposed to the present rule. Fourteen
are IN favor Off, but five of these are so be
cause they consider it already sufficiently anti
slavery, if it is enforced in its true spirit The
whole subject has been referred to a committee
of one from each Conference. on the report o
which lively debate may be expected.