The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1862-04-04
lrsaal Z .stll1
For the BEDFORD Gazette.
The Vote at the E. Baltimore Conference.

years, am induced for the first time, to invoke
the aid of a public journal for the purposes of
explanation and defence. Nor should l. tres
pass upon your kindness, Mr.. Editor, even now,
nor thrust myself before the public in this way,
but for the fact, that the vote felt in conscience
compelled to cast ut the recent session of my
Conference in Baltimore, has created some SEN
sation in the public mind, which many valued
friends think viii be entirely removed by a
brief analysis, both of fact and argument, with
regard to the grounds upon which that vote
was given. Even at this early period, errone-
Gus impressions have been so completely dissi-
pated by some private letters TO some of my
friends during my absence at the seat of Con-
ference, stating the reasons for my course in the
Conference, and which have already been cir
culated in community, that I am almost led to
conclude that any further agency on my part,
either public Or private, is at this time no longer
a necessity. Lest, however, any lingering doubt
should remain in any quarter, with men of cam
did and ingenious minds, submit the follow
ing brief course of remark
Ever since my connexion with the sanctity of
Che Ministerial Office, | have been jealous of
the doctrine of the Union of Church and State
always looking upon such a doctrine as utterly
subyersivc of the constitution Of the Church of
Jesus Christ, and as tending only to anarchy
and confusion, to pride and vain-glory, to des-
potism, irreligion and high handed misrule and
oppression in their most odous and ruinous
forms. presume, Mr.. Editor, that none who
may read this article, will deny that such are
the legitimate results Of the doctrine referred
to, who have either any acquaintance with, or
any faith in the plain testimony Of history
With these unalterablc convictions, which |
dare not sacrifice, no matter how plausible So
ever the reasons may be for so doing, even
though they approach me under the very grab
of patriotism itself Ca word, by the way, which
enkndes my heart even into glowing raptures,
as a citizen of the State) | was most unexpec-
tedly called upon, the very first day of the
Conference, to act with my dear brethren, upon
State docameat, political as l firmly be'icre IN its
bearings, and entirely foreign to Conference business.
Under such views and sentiments, What was
] to do l-Couid | repudiate, at once, all the
antecedents Of my ministerial life, and endorse
the paper as part and parcel Of the legitimate
business of court Of LeSas Christ! No. Mr..
Editor, | could not thus bctray, what believed
lat least for myself, without judging my dear
brethren who both thought and acted otherwisel
was my own stern trust and duty, both in my
! conscience, and in the sight of my Great Mas
| ter, who had said to me many years before
'.Nly Kingdom is not OF this world, else would
my servants fight" Accordingly when my name
was called by the Secretary, | made u briei
statement of my views concerning the paper SC
unfortunately introduced, in my judgment, into
Conference, and, looking upon it as political
movement exclusively, gave the following, as
my reasons for negative vote :. That the pa
per was in itself, Unnecessary, Inappropriate
! laerpedeat, and lastly, would, if passed by the
Conference tend to the most msschecous results.
In thus voting No felt that it might possibly
ciat and ae'atite bearing very dear to myself, bu
felt, best Of all to my bleeding heart, that
was acting under the approving smile of the
Great Head Of The Church, and thus '.confess
ing Him before men," with some little fidelity
at least, as an unworthy servant. IF, in all
| this, | have erred, and [ claim 10 exemption
from the maxim, ''EiTare ct nescle h,p.anpa
est" have only to say, that after the most earn
est and patient examination of the question
mooted, it is an error. Of the head and not o
the heart.--But is it really necessary, MIR. Ed
itor, that should say anything on the subject
OF love to the country which gave me birth
and which as a'tender mother has nursed me
in infancy, watched over me along the dangerous
! paths of inexperienced youth educated me in
one Of her literary Institutions, and ultimately
in the woodworking Providence of God, ele.
waited me, though unworthy, TO name and q
place in the Church of Christ, in connexior
with the high functions and responsibilities OF
the office of the Christian Ministry? If my
testimony, then, be asked for by men of honest
hearts, | Frankly and chevfu!iy and cordially give
it.--With a loflier, because II more hallowed
and sanctfed sentiment than that which promp-
ted the ancient to mean every thing III the dee
| laration, 81 am Roman" do I respond from
the very depths of my heart, an an ''Amcri-
can citizen" / sag cre,y thing in Ms.--I mean,
that am true, even as steel, if you say so, to
''Constitution, the Union and TIE LG,ps" | mean,
| that | am no A5olitionit, and that / am no
.SeceSS'on'St; and mean, also, Mat I am no al
cocate for rhemtrodUcton Of r0htics iaio the CAsuch
| Of our Lord Jesus Christ. In a word, mean
with all my heart and mind and soul and
strength, that | am for ''the defence and main
teaance Of the supremacy Of tic Constitution and
| the preservation Of the Union, triM all tie dignity
equality and rights Of the sererafStates uainpaned,
! "'"o"t oe0 ""oU"tJ W WtetJdU9 UHH 0'e !tJ'ts
or established Institutions Of any Of the States "
Yes, am for tie Americaa Union to,ecer;-and
| am happy in the belief, that my vote in Balti-
more, was in keeping with all these great posi-
tons in the judgment of multitudos of men OF
the brightest intellects and and the most refined
sense, both in church, and State. May refer
in this connection, to the views of q distinguish
ed Cabinet functionary of the present Admins
tration2 During the session of the General
Assembly of the Pres. Ch., last May, in Phila-
delphia, Rev. DR.. Wines of St. Louis, thus tel
egraphed Judge Bates. .-''Hon. Edward Bates,
Washington City Have you said that in your
opinion, and that of other members of the Cab