Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1861-03-26

md people in combined action by waiting
until December 18th, 1861, to give the other
Conferences an opportunity to declare the
action of the late General Conference uncon-
stitutional, and to concur with us in the ac-
ton proposed, we would wait until said date.
We do not pretend to conceal that whatev-
er course you may take to allay the strife and
excitement amongst us, we will be involved
in some difficulty. After due dellberatlon,
therefore, we have determined to ask cur
preachers of the Baltimore Annual Confer
ence, that for the sake of quiet IN our borders
for the sake of the preaching OF the. gospel,
that it may find ready entrance among us,
| for the ending of controversy, and to promote
the best interests Of Methudlsm and religion,
they redeem the pledges given time after
time to our people and sunder conneXlon-
now merely noninal-one which is full OF
strife and positive death to all hopes of peace
or the advancement of Christianity in our
midst, in the manner prescribed in the fol-
lowing resolutions:
lst Resolved, That the Baltimore Annual
Conference ought at its present session, to
declare that the General Conference of the
Nj. 4. Church, held at Buffalo, in May last
by its unconstitutional action has sundered
|
held us together as one Church, and that the
Baltimore Annual Conference does not and
cannot longer recognize its connection with
this jurisdiction.
ID, Resolved, That nevertheless, II in ac-
cordance with the spirit Of the foregoing
preamble three fourths Of the several An
nual Conferences, to be held prior to Deem
Der 4th 1861, seeing the great wrong and
injury done to the Baltimore and other Dor
der Conferences shall unite in IA demand,
that the most thorough and satisfactory re-
dress shall be given and shall instruct their
delegates 80 to vote in General Conference:
First, The abrogation of the New Chapter
Second, BY ignoring the whole subject Of
slavery in the Discipline. Third, that {; fair
proportion of the periodicals of the Church
be placed under the charge and direction of
said Conferences. Then, and not until then,
will we reunite with them in the bonds Of
Church fellowship.
And whereas this Conference is cognlZant
of the facts set forth in these memorials, that
sixteen years of contention and strife within
our Borders, brought about by the continual
agitation of the slavery question, has retar-
ded the preaching of the Gospel hindered
|
other enterprises of the church, and materi-
ally checked the growth of Methodsm i'll a
great part OF our territory.
And whereas we, the Preachers of the
Baltimore Annual Conference feeling that
we arc called to preach tile Gospel alone.
and that not Of strife and contention, but
OF peace.
And whereas the late General Conference
at Buffalo, by it's New Chapter on Slavery,
has added additional burdens which we can
not bear, placed distractions in our way, in
the forms Of doctrines, and duties which we
all know will ALLEVIATE the hearts of thu peo-
pie from us, and render lis - >
penalty and censure, and -...-..., Sc,
persed the memory of our ?, - it,, J re'
resenting them as havii Y.,'! a:'.a lied III
sin.
Therefore,
lst, Be it Resolved by the Baltimore An
nual Conference, in Convention Assembled,
That we hereby declare that the General
Conference Of the M. L. Church, held at
Buffalo, in May, 1860, by its demonstrations
al action has sundered the ecclesiastical re-
lation which has hitherto bound Us together
as one Church, SO far as any act OF theirs
could do SO. That we will not longer sub
nit to the jurisdiction of said General Con-
ference but hereby declare ourselves sepa-
rate and independent of it, still claiming TO
be, Notwithstanding an integral part OF the
NJ. Il. Church
I'd. Resolved, That nevertheless, if in ac-
cordancc with the spirit Of the foregoing
preamble, three-fourths of the several annu
al Conferences, to be held prior to the next
session of the Annual Conference, seeing
the great wrong and injury done to the Balti-
more and other Border Conferences shall
dsavow the act Of their delegates and the
action Of the late General Conference on the
subject of slavery, and shall unite in q de-
mand, that the most thorough and satisfac-
tory redress shall be given, and shall instruct
their delegates so to vote in any Convention
that may be called for the purpose OF q more
perfect union,
First, by abrogating the New Chapter.
Second, by transferring the subject of Sla
very to the exclusive jurisdiction OF the An
nual Conferences, where it exists.
Third, that u fair proportion of the periodi-
Gals of the Church he placed under the charge
and direction of said Conferences Then,
and not until then, will we re-unite with
them in the organization Of another General
Conference.
Sd. Resolved, That this Conference has
taken the action expressed in the above resp
lutions, after much long suffering and re-
proach, to give freedom to our Preachers,
in the discharge Of their duties in our terri
tory, and cannot refrain from expressing the
hope that the day may speedily come when
agitation and strife shall have ceased among
us, and the great Methodist family, East,
West. North and South, be again united ia
the common effort which engaged the hearts
and lives of our Fathers--that of spreading
Scripturul Holiness all over the land.
4th. That Committee Of seven, consisting
Of s. Register, J. S. Martin, S. S. L. R)szel,
r. Neitch, ". G. EggIeston, n. Wilson and
I. II. W. Munroe, be appointed to prepare
Pastoral Letter for our people, setting forth
the grounds and ulmas Of the action.
Ga motion of n. Wilson the vote was tax
ell upon the remainder Of his proposition.
Mr.. n. Brown gave notice that rs soon as
the business Of the Conference was resumed
he intended introducing the Morgan PLAZA.
The vote upon the Sd Resolution was unaui-
NOUS, or there were no votes cast against it.
The 4th resolution was offered by S. Reg
lister.
Mr.. Blake explained why he voted no,
and said he would not vote for the minority