Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1861-03-21
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M SELL A n EUCS,
Written for the Smyrna Times
shau the Philadelphia Conference be
Divided?

Divided?
Mr.. EDIToR:-Much interest is now telt in
this. as we'll as in other Methodist communities,
IN regard to the proposed division of the PhiIa.
Geafefence at it's ensuing session. On the pro-
prisiy Of such division, there may be. as on
all other important subjects. an honest differ
ence Of opinion. Il is unfortunate, at this
time, that any proposed measure regarding any
msttsr whatever looking to a separation, is i'm
mediately branded with the term " secession"
The advocates of this measure. however. date
its proposal many years back, before the spirit
ofsecesson became so rife, and should not, in
any sense, be regarded az sect ssionists or sep
aratis's. Il is purely question OF church po-
lily. The prepristy Of this measure has been
discussed by both clergy aud laIty in friend
ly and christian spirit. long ago, and action to
shat end taken both by the Annual and Gener-
al Conferences, aud as the quest ion now stands,
our Conference has the matter entirely in its
swn hands. Should the Conference be divided
Your subscriber is among those vino think it
should. FIRsT, Because of its present number.
Nov the old sdage. that "large bodies move
slowly" is as applicable to this body" az any
ether. The large number Of interests of our
church to be attended 10, necessarily involves
much time in discussing the various mes sures,
and much labor upon the committees to whom
are entrusted the different departments of bu-
siness. la smaller body these objections
wesla be greatly obvialed. A division would
aes iessen the number or degree Of interests.
hss would divide the labor of the Conference.
Again, the present number of the Conference
renders it quite improbable that it will ever
hold it's sessions in any other than the city of
Philadelphia, or perhaps one or two of the
other largest cities within the bounds OF the
Conference. Now amid the excl emeRI of city
life and din of business. very little attention is
attracted TO the sessions of Conference be You'd
the circle of immediate friends or the families
by whom the preachers are entertained, and
even these become somewhat Indifferent TO it's
sessions from its frequent occurrence among
them; whereas, should it be divided, its annu.
al sessions could be held in the smaller towns
throughout both divisions; many who have
never been privileged heretofore TO "go to
Conference" would have the most lively inter.
est excited, the preachers aud people would be
brought inle more immediate relation to each
other, and thus tue interests Of the church
greatly advanced. Only in your last issue you
published very interesting account Of it's ses
sion in Smyrna many years ago, how the WorC
was preached, and how the spirit of the Lore
was with both preacher aud people. Why
should il not be so agains
SECOND. Because of the extent Of The bounds
Now IN newly and sparcely settled country
this would be OF no weight at all, but with on
presedi population, and the difference of Gil
mate in The two extremes, il seems TO us 4
be of great importance. Have we not in thi
region of country much ground yet to be oc
eupied, and many thousands of souls who ar
furnishing for the bread of lite! Let US iaten
sify as well as xpand our effOrIs; let Us devel
op Our,Own resources. morally, intellectual
aud reiigiousIy let US not allow our minds L
be diverted Too much by objects Of interests ia
away. when they are pressing upon US at gu
the ministry 10 be unwllllngly removed fror
our midst let us take care of our own super
enuaIed preachers, and the widows and OrPh
ans of those who have Iabored for our benefit
We are fully able to do il.
Third, Because of the present agitste
Stale Of things throughout our church on tn
subject Of slavery. | most heartily wish lhi
state Of affairs did not exist. The reason
above stated, though not fully elaborated, ar
fully sufficient. 10 my mind, 10 Justify division
but this is an additional weighty one. 1t
we'll known that 10 our Conference there ar
ayowed Abol .tionists, who, from year to yea
persistenly intrude their offensive sentiment
upon the body, aud throw that upon larg
PORTION of the membership. If these brethre
entertsia such opinions, how much bette
would it be to promulgate them where the
would not offend aud eInbarrass their broIhe
clergy, aud DR. We from our InhusHce many VIII
might be brought into saving knowledge I
Christ! Oniy those who are more ntimatsI
acquainted with the state of things in III
lover part Of our limits, eau rightly apprecia
the necessity OF ,.sI4on OH this account; 81
We in this section can form some idea OF il fro
the accounts in The papers and from those wi
labor there II our opinion, division won
greatly relieve the embarrassment OF our mini
Eers, and sllay the excitement among the mel
bers. Ia the name Of common senee, in vie
of the welfare Of our church, in view of d
salvation OF many souls, let the cause Of dlsss
isisction be removed as far as possible from
AID let US strive. 0s much as possible, TO a
eomplish the great object for which our ehur
was Organized--to spread scriptnraI hOlIns
over the land.
Now, Mr. Editor, ] am not sure but that
shall have done the cause harm which !
tended to advocate, but with the hurabIe des
thai soneieing may be done. ! have. 10 a {