Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-12-14
Baltimore Conference

The Lay Convention of the Baltimore Methodist
Episcopal Ca urcL, ecenty in session in Baltimore,
adopted sc ries of very decided resolutions to be
laid before the Conference that meets in this place
on the Ord Of March. We take the following ex-
tract from the preamble, conveying the tone
and spirit of he Convention, and as dAguerreoty-
ping the sentiments of the laity throughout Vir-
ginia and Maryland:
" ith the chapter ON slavery, you are utter
ly precluded in the whole siaVe-hodng territory
OF the Conference from preaching with any sue
cess, because the people will not willingly listen to
these, placed under solemn obligation to maintain
and administer church discipline contrary to the
sentiments OF our people, and even obn ,zious to
civil ceIsure. Along the whole border you are
brought face to face with the preachers, your
brethren OF the Methodist Episcopal Church South
and the only substantial difference existing between
you ia poiut OF church economy, creed disci-
pine, is il this yexed slayary question. In the
minds OF the the only reason for your an
tagoal4tic relation to that Church is your Implied
obligation under the discipline To incuicate doc
trine that subject which constitutes the distinc
tion between Church and that.
cur silence upon the chapter, your varied ex
plantations Of it, aud your reputation OF it, avail
nothing. The hearts Of the people are closed to
YOU. The Church is ia perpetual agitation. All
Church enterprise is retarded. The building of
churches and parsonages has almost entirely ceas-
ed, a+d missionary collections called for in vain.
ne pulpit ceases IL great measures to al dress the
ungodty. and Is OF necessity compelled to fight for
the very existence OF the Church itself. 1t was
more than the Church could do prior to the late
General Conference to maintain herself among US.
With the new chapter on slavery it is impossible.
Under these circumstances dear brethren. we look
to you to provide some measure OF peace and quiet
to denomination here which shall preserve our
unity.
These the resolutions
lst. Resolued, That the Baltimore Annual Con-
ference should at It's next session declare that by
its recent uncons i;utonal and violent action the
B0alo General Conference has sun0ered the eccle-
classical conneXi1n which has hitherto held us to-
gether as one Church, and that the Baltimore Com
ference does not a1d cannot longer remain under
Its Jurisdiction submit to its authority or those
representing that authority.
I'd. Resolved That the Baltimore Annual Con
ference should also assert and claim that the said
General Conference has by its SAID action separa-
tee the several Annual Conferences represented
therein and concurring in said action, from the
Baltimore and other non cOncurrlng Conferences
and that the Baltimore and other non concurrine
Conferences constitute tae Methodist Episcopal
Church proper, and may exercise all the rights
duties and powers appertainlng properly to theil
position such.
Sd. Re8oived That the position we shall occupy
after such action as has been indicated has been ta
ken-whether it shall be that OF independence or
union with some other branch OF the Methodist
family, upon such terms might be mutua lily sat
isactory, is question which this Convention is
wiling TO leave the sound discretion of the said
Annual Conference in the lg It of all the facts and
CIRCUMSTANCES surrounding it,
Ath. Kesoved, That Committee be appointed
by this Convention 10 present the proceedings OF
the same to the next session of the Baltimore An
nuAl Conference, through such members OF Confer
ence Rs they may elect. ana that they be instructed
so to do at I he earliest practicable moment