The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-03-20
BALTIMORE.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20. 1861.


the adoption of a memorial, addressed to the |
Baltimore Annual Conference, also assembled in |
convention at Saunton, asking that immediate |
measures be taken to sever the connection |
heretofore existing between the Baltimore Confer
ence and the Methodist Episcopal Church North. |
That our readers may the better understand the
purport and bearing of this petition we recapitu-
late briefly the leading points in the history of
Methodism in the border slave States Founded
by the Wesleys, its doctrines were first preached
In Maryland by ROBERT STRAwBRIDGE, some few
years anterior to the war of the Revolution.
During the half century which succeeded that
event, the members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church increased steadily and rapidly in all the
States OF the Union. 1t is computed that
there at this time, in its several branch
es, some two millions of communicates
The first disruption of this imposing organi-
cation took place in $780, and had its origin in
difference of opinion upon Church government.
Those who seeded, on that occasion, from the
parent body, established themselves on a new and
independent basis, under the style and title of the
Methodist Protestant Church. Notwithstanding
this partial weakening of the strength of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, it was still composed
OF thirty-three Annual Conferences, and embraced
within its ecclesiastical organization all the States
OF the UNION. In 1874, however, the dispute on
the slavery question, which had gradually been
ripening to head, resulted, with but few excep-
tions, in the withdrawal of the Southern Confer
ences from those of the North, and the orpaniza.
ton of separate and distinct Church, under the
title OF the Methodist Episcopal Church South The
most prominent exception among those alluded to
was the Baltimore Conference, which, actuated by
spirit OF loyalty to the old organization, refused
to join the seeding Conferences, hoping that
the Methodist Episcopal Church North would
still content ITSELF as of old, with bearing
testimony against the system of slavery.
as social evil, and would refrain from
denouncing slaveholding as actually sinful.
But the position which the Baltimore Conference
assumed, through generous reluctance to eff
fect change in it's tme-honored ecclesiastical re
latons, was speedily found to be one of great en-
oarrassment. Its interests and sympathes were
almost wholly with the Methodist EPISCOPAL
Church, South; for in the South Law mainly the
held OF its labors. Its union with the Northern
Church was regarded in the South as an evidence
of unsoundness on the subject of slavery; whilst
In the North it was at the mercy of the sectional
quarter. The members of the Conference
though painfully conscious of the restrictions which
were thus enforced upon them, by the jealousy of
one section and the growth of the anti. slavery
sentiment in the other, resolved to remain stead
fast TO the disciplinary regulations to which they
had assented so long as those regulations remained
unaltered.
The Northern Conferences were not however
willing to let matters remain as they were. Nor
thern anti-slavery communicates camored nces.
sanity for radical change in the Discipline, and
at the General Conference which was held at Buff
lalo In May last proposition was made to expunge
the old regulation embodied in the Discipline
concerning slavery, and to substitute in lieu
OF 1t rule by which all shareholders were
to be excluded from the communion of the Church.
The contest over the adoption of the snew rule"
was bitter and protracted; but it was finally re-
Jected by vote which indicated that the victory
gained by the Border Conferences was equivalent
to defeat. This fact speedily manifested itself.
Failing to accomplish their end directly, the
Northern Conferences determined upon reaching
the same point indirectly. Close on the heels of
the defeat of the clause in relation to SHAREHOLDERS
one of the Northern members of the Conference
in the Discipline which reads as follows:
ave believe that the buying selling, holding or using
human beings as chaels contrary to the law of God
and Nature inconsistent with the Golden rule and the
fore afectionately admonsh and advise all our peone
and preachers to keep themselves from this great
evil and to seek its extpation by all lawful and Chris
tian means" ''
The border Conferences earnestly protested
against the introduction of this new and most oh
noxious Chapter into the creed of the Church: but
it was carried triumphantly The border Confer
ences were thus constrained either to conform to
the will of the North and to commence an anti
slavery crusade against their Southern brethren,
or to voluntarily secede from the organization
II they accepted the former alternative, their use
fulness as ministers of the Gospel was sensbly
impaired. If they adopted the latter, their with
drawal would debar them from all claims upon
the treasury of the Church. With spirit of self
abnegation which rebounds greatly to its
honor, the Baltimore Conference Immediately
declared the enactment to be alike anti
scriptural and unconstitutional and determined
not merely to repudiate it, but 'sto sever its rela
'uons with Church now thoroughly abolition
lzed" 10 promote this end Convention ofthe
lay members of the Baltimore and East Baltimore
Conferences was held in this city on the 9Th and
9Th OF December last. The PHILADELPHIA and Yves.
tern Virginia Conferences also sent delegates TO the
Convention. After spirited discussion in rela-
ton to the best course to be pursued-for there
was no difference of opinion with regard to the Of
fensive nature of the enactment-a memorial, adj
dressed to the Annual Conference, which is now
In session at Staunton, was adopted, asking that
body to take into consideration the grievances of
which the border Conferences complained Prior
however, to the assembling of the Convention of
lay members in this city in December last the
Presiding Elders had called a Convention of law
men to meet at Staunton at the same time that the
Baltimore Annual Conference held its appointed
session in that town. The Convention ~ Law
members has met accordingly and its labors closed
with the adoption of the memorial and resolutions
which we published yesterday The resou.
tons ask that the Baltimore Conference shall i'm
mediately sever its connection with the Methodist
Episcopal Church, North, and although they have
not yet been acted upon, there is no doubt that the
Conference will take the necessary steps to effect
that object.
We regard this history of the struggle of the
Southern Conferences with the Methodist Church
North, on the question of slavery, as not only i'm
portant in ITSELF but as exhibiting all the phases
that have characterized the more imposing contest
between the Northern and Southern States on the
same subject 1t was The antslavery sentiment
OF the North that forced the Southern Con-
ferences to secede from the Northern, and TO
organize separate and independent Church: lust
as it has compelled, more recently, seven of the
Southern States to separate themselves from the
UNION. 1t was the border Conferences which
trusting to the forbearance of the Northern Church
concluded to remain steadfast to the old or.
ganization, so long as any hope remained that the
North would meet their loyal adhesion in spirit
OF cancellation aud brotherly love. The border
states are now re ting on the same broken reed
IL was the border Conferences also that were soon
"us"' ny uie donInau section that they we're in |
nopelesa minority and hat they must either
aaop. inc arbitrary creed Of the majority in rela-
ton to slavery and slaveholdipe or follow IN The
footsteps of the Southern Conference, hr Al.
solving all connection with the North -. ~,
point the parallel ends. The border co.c--
have sorrowfully, yet firmly decided to cas-, -.
selves loose from their ancient allegiance ana -
share the fortunes of their Southern bre,hros
What the border slave States will do remains va.