Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-03-09
Baltimore Conference.

Baltimore Conference.
The following extract Of the proceedings
of the Baltimore Conference, just held al
Winchester; we take from the Baltimore A.
merican. That clause ii the Methodist
Discipline relating to slavery has elected in
the last few months, much comment; but
holding, as we do, to the doctrine Of reli-
gious tolerance, in its highest aud stricsess
sense, we have hitherto studiously avoided
writing anything which might have the APP
pearance ofinterfering with the internal at
fairs of religious denomination; but we
cannot refrain from expressing, here, Our
proud satisfaction that these petitions ems-
mated from the Valley of Virginia. and our
earnest hope that their suggestions and rea-
soning may have such powerful weight with
the General Conference as to induce that
body to assert that this appearance of hostil-
ity to the institutions of Virginia shall no
longer exist:
The Bishop here presented to the Confer
ence memorials from the following places !:
Blacksburg circuit, East Rockingham cir
cult, Staunton station, Augusta circuit,
Churchville circnit, Lexington station, and
Rockbridge circuit The memorials refer
to the slauery question. and refer to the un-
pleasant and unjust position in which they
are placed, it being asserted by the South
cfn church that they are tainted with Abo-
litionism, whilst the Northern branch of
the Church, with which they are connected,
give grounds for these charges, in the fact
that they are constantly declaring that the
Baltimore Conference is entirely agreed
with the Northern church in their intense
hatred of slavery, but are prevented. through
policy, from declaring such hostility
The memorialists say they have full con-
6dence in the soundness of the members of
the Baltimore Conference, and will remem-
Der through life the kind lessons Of religious
instruction received at their hands. These
charges have however weakened the efec-
tiveness Of the Church and are daily grow
ing more intolerabie. The New York Chris
tian Advocate is referred to, and its senti-
ments 90 the slavery question declared, by
the memorialists, to be odi,us. The me-
mortal concludes with an appeal to the Bal
timore Conference to come out from the
Northern abolition branch of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. whose principles are in
direct conflict with the ministers and mem
bers of the Methodist Church in Virginia,
and declares that on the action Of the Con-
ference depends the prospect of t'ye Church
in the Valley.
Rev. E. ?. Phelps moved that a commit
tee of seven, one frcm each district, be APP
pointed by the Bishop, to consider the me-
mortal, to which committee be added one
Steward from each district
Rev. D. Thomas said this was an impor-
tant question, aud should receive the great
est consideration. He moved an amend
ment to the resolution of Mr.. Phelps. The
amendment proposed the election by the
Conference Of four members from each dis
trict to form the committee. The amend
ment was voted down. and the resolution
Of Mr.. Phelps adopted. At another stage
of the session Bishop Simpson announced
the committee, composed of the following
ministers and laymen: Rev John Bear, A.
Griffith, S. Register, j. Lanahan, G. N.
Davis, Gardner M. Goheen, A. Buhrman
Laymen. Col. ]. S. Berry, j. S. Carson.
A. L. Pitzer, P. Conway, r. ricketts,, P.
Herring and Fl. Stewart.
The int oduction of the memorials crea-
ted considerable excitement, and it is un-
derstood great efforts were made to prevent
them from coming before the body. Much
interest is expressed this evening as to the
character of the report, which will be made
on them some time tomorrow. It is thought
if the Committee fails to recommend some
action, the churches embraced in the Rock
ingham, Roanoke and Lewisbuag Districts
will take immediate steps towards separa-
ton. If these districts determine to secede
then the strength of the Baltimore Confer
ence in Virginia will have departed, as these
districts embrace the greatest portion of the
territory held by them
Conference then proceeded so select q
place for the meeting of the next Annual
Conference. Stanton Lewisburg, and
Fayette Street Station were put in nomina-
ton. Staunton received 81 votes, and 40
were cast against it. and it was declared
chosen as the next place of meeting.