The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-01-05

COPAL CHORCH, IN The CITY or BAL.
TINORE.
The Convention of Laymen," which recently V
met in the Eutaw street church, IN this CITY,
adopted memorial recommending several i'm
portant measures for the consideration of the
Baltimore and East Baltimore Conferences at their
approaching session. 4 difference fopinion exists
to the prOpriety ofthe measures so recommended
1t is also regarded that the agitation of the subject
of slavery in the councils OF the church. is danger
Gus at this time, in view of the distracted condition
of the country. For these reasons it was deemed
advisable to hold this meeting of the male
members and ministers of the Church, who
opposed to any hasty separation of the
church, and who are willing for the preservation
of its peace and union to await the session of an
extra General Conference in the year 1862 or un-
til the regular session of that body in 1864 for the
purpose of procuring satisfactory relief from the
''new chapter on slavery" and such protection for
the future from like offensive action, as the inter-
ests of the church require. The meeting was held
in the Light street church, and was verv largely
attended, the body of the church and the galleries
being well filled with the male members and minis
ters.
A large number of ladies also occupied the
galleries.
At the appointed hour, Mr.. Job Smith arose and
moved that the meeting proceed to organize, and
nominated the following officers, who were unani-
mously accepted
Vice Presidents, Thomas Armstrong. Nicholas
l.. Wood, VIM. w. Watkins, Benz. +. Bennett
BENZ F. Nails, DIR. A; Hartman, James S. Suter,
William p. Spencer, William Shipley, John L.
Reese, Jabob Hoff, John W. Carter, Chas Towson,
Thomas Kelso, John Evans.
Secretaries, John B. Sedenstricker, R. Stockett
Mathews, Wm Corkran, j. Asbury Morgan.
The meeting was then opened with religious ex-
ercises, the Rev. Thomas Sewall officiating.
After the call for the meeting had been read by
MIR. }. B. Seidenstrcker, of the Secretaries
DR.. Roberts came forward for the purpose of ex-
planning the call OF the present meeting. He said,
that in the month of December lust past, n meet
ing convention of highly respectable lavrnen
was held in this city. During their deliberations,
they hau recommended measures, which those whO
called and attended the present meeting thought
involved the peace and harmony of the Church.
By the action of that Convention. the impression
made many, that all Baltimore concurred
in the opinion expressed in the memorial then
adopted, addressed to the annual Conference of
the Church.
The callers of this meeting thought that individ-
uals could speak for themselves but were not au-
thOrized to speak for all Baltimore as desiring d-
vision of the church. They thought that those who
differed with them of the Convention in sentiment
should now speak out. The members of the Con-
vention had freely without let or hindrance, dis
cussed their measures and they had met toni to
do the same. The right of petition belonged alike to
all. They had not met to speak dispar agingly of
the Convention which was highly respectable and
lnteHlRenL DOuy Oh lay MelnOulstS as lar as they
went, but they met to speak of heir acts,
and they were permitted to speak of these as they
pleased
This meeting differed totally from the sentiments
expressed by the Convention, and they had now
met to express their own sentiments, which would
be embodied in a memorial addressed to the i Iii
more and East Baltimore Conferences Those who
differed from them might adopt what measures
they might see fit, to expression to their seni-
ments; objection would be made to their course;
but whatever would make it plain, that the Meth
odist Episcopal Church not united upon the
subject of division of the church. would be salts
factory to those attendant upon this meeting.
The conclusion they had come to, was that the
chapter on slavery, adopted by the General Con-
ference, was not altogether what represented
and that the State of the Church and county, at
this time, totally forbids all hasty action looking
toward dsunion of the Church, at all. They had
invited the ministers of the Church. as far as thew
were friendly to the views of the meeting, to be
present and take part in the deliberations-they
were not disposed to separate themselves from the
advice and action of their pastors. 1t was not ex-
pected that every one would concur in all the sen
timents expressed in the Memorial; all that was
asked now, was general agreement.
Dr. Roberts, in conclusion, said, that he hoped
those present in their deliberations would keep in
view Christian propriety and rectitude. Let moth
ing be said or done that will give pain to those who
differed from them, or that would hereafter cause
any regret. "Ihe night cometh," we are all rapid
ly bending to the judgment seat of Christ Let us
The following memorial then read by r.
Stockett Matthews, ESQ.,:
A Memorial to the Baltimore and the East Baltimore
Conferences of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Fathers AND BRETHREN
This memorial OF a large and respectable meeting of
lay members of the Methodist Episcopal Church the
city of Baltimore, convened in Pursuance of public
tice in Light Street Church. Friday evening January
fourth, in the year eighteen hundred and sxy-one re-
specially represents:
That ardentIy attached to the Methodist Episco
q ly hast
araton from its acknowledged authorities. We sincerely
deplore and disapprove the existing agitation in our
Church of the subject of slavery and we are
by the distracted condition of country at large
seek to diminish rather than increase the popular excite
ment on this subject at period when public men and
the nation
We still deeply impressed with sense of our
duty to Cod to the Church and to hitherto undiy
ded country, by the soemnities of this National kas
Day whose evening closing around US, and chastened
and humbled before Him who ruleth the destnes of his
people We would by all proper 'seek peace and
pursue it,
The pledges heretofore given by our ministers to sunde
their connection with the General Conference of the Meth
odst Episcopal Church. soon as "nonslayeho!dng'
shall have been made qualification for membership me
with our cordial appreciation. But beg leave to re
mind you that until such test of membership is ac
tually and consttutionay Incorporated Book
Discipline, duty to the whole people your pas
toral care should constrain to fobear ali precipa,
action in the premises And especially and respect
fully ask that you will not adopt those measures which
recommended to your consideration by the Conven
on of Laymen which recently in the city of Bati
more. believe those measures calculated pro
duce sension and consequent division in many of ht
societies under your pastoral oversight.
If the action of the late General Conference was sun
constitutional and vioent,n as the Convention of Law
men" have declared it to have been-he results of the
action are, ar must be- of necessity null and void We
however, have been taught to believe that unconsttu
ona enacmens do not dvest Of all authority those BY
whom such enactments passed do they on the
other hand invest with exclusive rights and privileges
those who resist them.
1t is conceded to be within the power of your several
Conferences to procure from each Presiding Bishop
official Interpretation Of the New Chapter on Slavery
The Bishops presiding the Annual Conferences
are constituted the Appellate Judges of the law of the
Church. and their decisions should be respected until
versed by the General Conference. We already in
formed in advance of the sessions of your Conferences
what will be the authoritative Interpretation of the New
Chaper" At their recent meeting in Cincinnati, the
Bishops expressed their understanding of the New Chap
ties in these words: "1n to many inquiries ad
dressed to u.s. the following resolution unanimously
adopted Resotred, That in our judgment there
action of the late General Conference the Methodist
Episcopal Church which changed the terms of member
ship in the said Churce'" We may therefore, prudent
~ pause before accept the opinion THAT
General Conference did alter the terms and did make
nonsiaveholding test Of Church membership, thereby
underng our ecclesiastical organization leaving the Con
erences which refused to in the change the only
constituents OF the Methodist Episcopal Church.
separating the Conferences which did assent thereto from
the communion and fellowship Of the Church, If such
results as these inevitably follow unconstitutional legisa
ten the stability Of all governments, In Church State