Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-05-20
Men and Brethren.

Our readers may probably remember that
at the Conference OF the New England Epis'
copal Methodists, which was held at Boston o
week or two ago, Bishop Ames brough upon
himself quite storm of indignation from his
clerical brethren by expressing determine
ton to introduce several negro preachers into
Northern pulpits. The discussion ragged for
some time quite vehemently, and peace was
only restored at last by remanding the whole
matter to the quarterly conferences, where it
is destined to sleep the sleep of the seven
sleepers of Ephesus. For some days past
the uuadrcnnial conference of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, North, has also been hold
ing its session at Chicago. There are nine
Bishops present and any imaginable number
of delegates. From the very outset, however,
the conference has been in great tribulation.
Two negro delegates, from the Mission Con-
ferences of Washington and Delaware, think
ing, in the simplicity of their hearts, that they
would be received as "men and brethren" !"
presented themselves at the doors OF the con-
ference and demanded admission. The re.
suit at Chicago, as we'll as at Boston, has de.
monstrated that the love of the Northern
Methodists for the negro is measured by the
square of the distance-the temperature OF
that love being in the ratio of the remoteness
of the object. For instance, a Northern Meth.
odst has a profound affection for the negro
so long as he remains in Florida or Louisiana.
But as the negro advances Northward this
attachment grows gradually colder and col
der. until on reaching the latitude of Massa-
chusetts Bay or the Great Northern Lakes 1t
| han
When, therefore, the negro delegates from
Washington City and from Delaware deman-
ded to be admitted to seats in the quadren-
NAL conference at Chicago, and to share in
the deliberations of that body, the audacity
of the proposal seems to lave struck almost
all the white clericals with surprise. On the
spur of the moment, some of the members OF
the conference were disposed to admit their
black brethren. Others, however, were dc.
termined they should not be recognized. For
two whole days the debate on this subject was
pressed, and at last it was left to the nine
Bishops to decide what ought to be done in a
case where no less than two hunoreo ana
fifty white ministers had agreed to disagree.
So far then as the great body of the confer
ence is concerned the question of negro equal
ty has been ANONYMOUSLY e7aded.
There still remained one other trouble
some point. It was by no means difficult in
hospitable city like Chicago to assign the
white Methodist ministers to comfortable
quarters; but the difficulty was to dispose OF
the two negro delegates, who remained un-
assigned, but who could not be turned Oft
without food or lodging. Nobody seemed
willing to take them, and it must be confess
ed it was piece of downright impertinencc
in these negro brethren to thrust themselves
not only where they were not wanted, but
where they disturbed the consclenccs OF TWO
hundred and fifty white ministers, of whom
it was intended the conference should be ex
clusively composed.
In this dilemma, certain Brother Hatfield
with spirit worthy of an ancient martyr
rose and said, "the coored brethren would
be very welcome to the hospitality OF his bed
and board during the session Of the confer
ence." This heroic act Of selfabnegation wa;
greeted with immense applause, and the per
i clicking affairseemed finally to have settled
itself very pleasantly. But Brother Hatfield
is married man, and there are such things
as curtain lectures" Nov, mark the Sc
ouel On the following, morning" says the
Chicago Times, Bro. Hatfield put in an ear
" appearance. His countenance wore looF
Of discomposurc, and. he looked very much llk'
man who had not slept we'll. Getting th'
floor, he proceeded to state that, upon refec
ton, he had decided that it would not be con
yenient for him to entertain the coored broth
ers, and therefore he begged permission I!
withdraw his proffer of the day before.
was painful matter, he said, to dwell upon
but the fact was, that it wasn't exactly con
venient. At last accounts the two co!ore
brothers had been assigned to cheap nesr'
boarding house, on Fourth avenue, and peace
like dove, had lighted upon the walls
Methodist block.n-Baltimore Gazette.