Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1860-04-19

THURSDAY MORNING.. APRIL ~ 1850.
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The Methodist Episcopal Conference and
the slavery Question.
The annual Methodist Convention
now in session in the city Of New York
has, according to the usual custom Of
that body, in convention assembled,
been indulging in protracted and bitter
discussion of the everlast ng Niger
question. The subject Of this discussion
is the ere resolution, 'and its object is
to make slavc-holding a test OF men,
bership in the church; to determine
whether shareholders in general and
such Mcthodists as do not conceive u 10
be their duty to drag the slavery ques-
ton into their pulphs and preach long
Abolition sermons, are or are not entl-
tied to . seat in the Kingdom of Heav-
en- side by side with those who DO be-
lieve that the white man is in every way
equal with the niger, provided he be-
HAYES himself. This matter was brought
forward and discussed for several days
on both sides with a great deal Of spirit
and energy. On the one side all the
argument which rampant fanaticism
could muster was belched forth pious
curses were showored upon the heads OF
those who differed with them in opin-
ion, while on the other side the most
sound, pious and christian-like reasons
were advanced to maintain the position
that no such test should be made.
There are those IN tho New York con-
ference, and majority too, who are un-
willing that the Erie resolutions which
call upon the General Conference to so
change the rule Of discipline that slave
holding shall be cause for excommuni-
cation and thus cut off slavc-holders from
Communion with the saints" both now
and hereafter, should pass that body, but
who view the matter in an entirely diff
ferent light from the rabld wing OF the
Conference, and these wo are happy to
say have negatived the resolution in a
very prompt and summary manner by a
vote Of 1913 to43 This vote was scarce.
ly expected by any one. 1t was thought
that at the present meeting the vote
on this question would be carried, and
through that vote hearty endorsement
would be given by the members of that
Conference to the "irrcpressible conflict
doctrines as set forth by Seward in his
celebrated Rochester speech and in
augurated by John Brown in hi
Harper's Ferry raid. But in thi
tho sanguiue hopes of the self-right
cons have been laid low, and the so
Der second thought Of the people
has been enunciated through the me
dunn of those whose votes were cas-
against such an outrageous resolution
1t proves concusivcly that there is al
important change going on in the Meth
odist Church Of the North. This vot
will also have great effect in the coming
III
will be held at Buffalo on the LIST of May
at which place this question will I'm
doubtedly be brought up again will
great earnestncss. Let the question b.
decided which ever way it may there, il
all probability it will cause another spill
in the Methodist ranks similar to thu
one which occurred in 1914, which re
solved the Church into NJ. K. Churcl
North and the NJ. f. Church Sonth
We believe, however, that any similar
resolution will meet with a similar fate
at the Northern Convention. 1t is ex
tremely difficult to find any intelligent
BODY of men that would have the hardi
hood to pass such resolution.
The speeches upon this question il
the New York Conference are highly
interesting and will be highly sough
for by not only Methodists, but thos'
of every denomination and belief.