Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-06-29
For the indicator
CHURcHvILLE, June 2l. 1860.

CHURCHVILLE, June Il, 1860.
Mr. Editor-Respected Tribe &C.
ton of the last General Conference on the
subject of slavery has created profound
sensation throughout this entire valley
We shall not stop to Inquire whether the
people IN many portions of our Conference
acted prematurely, or whether they should
have waited patiently the action of our
nYxt Annual Conference Neither is it
necessary to discuss the question as to
the meaning of the new chapter on slavery
whether it be statutory or advisory-is q
matter of small moment just now. 1t is
enc ugh for US to know, that In any light in
which it may be regarded, it is sufficiently
offensive to our people to require some ao-
ton upon our part, before the sitting of the
Annual Conference in Stanton. The ne.
cessity is upon us,and willing or unwilling,
we must meet it, and do so promptly -
Neither will it be profitable TO animadvert
upon the course of eur delegates, the editor
of the Baltimore Advocate, or any other
of our brethren. They are all doubtless
good men and true, having the same great
object in view-the glory of God, and the
welfare of our beloved Methodism. In
word, any question that is at all calculated
to widen the breach that now uuhappily di-
vides US. should be ignored, and tho one
great effort should DE to bring about unity
offeeling and action; otherwise, t0s are torn
into fragments, and state of things here
tofore unknown upon the border realized.-
Our only hope, as VIC humbly conceive, is
in concert of action. Whatever is done by
US, let it be done as whole. Such is my
confidence in the Baltimore Conference az
a whole. that would be willing almost uu-
coDditionally, to say, thy people shall
be my people, and thy God my God. -
Never were mortals more deceived, than va
should be did she violate her solemn pledge
made at the last session in Winchester. But
she wtN not, my, she cannot
la conclusion, let me suggest that We
hold Convention just as soon as the nec-
fessary steps can be taken to secure one J; aud
IN order that we may act 10 unison, lie, each
circuit and station hold meeting composed
Of tuymea, whose sole business it shall be
to appoint delegates to District Conven-
tionlet there be az least 2 delegates to
each circuit and staton--let it also BIG un-
derstood that no definite action as 1t regards
a separation from, the H. E. Church, is
even contemplated by the District Convon-
tons, their main and perhaps their sole bus
mess being to determine OIL General Con-
vention, indicating the time and place for
the same. We may discuss any question
that may be deemed legitimate. and in this
way let off the steam By the meeting of the
General Conuention. But our final action
should embrace alone the items referred to-
Some may ask what good these District Con-
ventious will do, if nothing definite is &C.
complished looking toward separation from
the North !? We reply. much, every way,
in addition to taking off the gas. (and of
course we mean no offence by this remark)
we can, by thus converting together, come
to some definite understanding among our
selves before the meeting of the General
Convention, and be prepared to act as q
unit. Ta:s We conceive to be the great adj
vantage to be derived from District Conveu-
lions. 1t has been suggested hat the Pre-
siding Elders meet and consult with view
to District or q General Convention. To
this there can, in our judgment, be no OBJ
lection, provided they have meeting at an
early day.
1t may be proper, before we close, to re-
mark that SO far as our membership is con-
cerned, they have the utmost confidence in
the integrity ofthe Baltimore Conference,
and most of them, (perhaps all } to use the
language of one of our most prominent Of
fetal members, would suffer any earthly
prlvation rather than become the willing
instrument in causing divisions among our
selves. This, we believe, is the universal
feeling of Churchvile Circuit.
Praying for the peace and unity Of our
beloved Methodism, We remain
Yours respectfully
D w. ARNOLD.
Valley papers please copy.