The Press., 1897-01-21
Continued from last weekly OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF sTAF- FORD SPRINGS.
BY REV. J. |. BARTHOLOMEW.

FONO 9EN1NS9.
 BY REV. J. l. BARTHOLOMEW.
 Resolutions on the slavery question, adopted Dec 9th, 1888, are of special in- terest. The presiding elder, Rev Asa Swinerton, was in the chair. The record, which is signed by E. Dimmick, Jr closes as follows:
 ''Resolved-Th to hold and treat a human being as property is sin
 Resolved-That if sin is more aggra- vating in the sight of God under some cir cumstances than it is under others, it is most so when found in his church, because there is the profession of his love.
 The president declined putting the re- maining resolutions to vote, and called for motion to adjourn. No motion being made, he declared the conference adjourn ed"
 The next "quarterly meeting confer ence" was held March 9th, 1889, and its last action was to vote ''that the secretary enter on the journal the doings of the last quarterly conference, after the president declared said conference adjourned" Then follows this record: ''The quarterly meeting conference, held on the 9th day of Dec, 1888, being declared adjourned by the president without any motion to that effect, the Rev. James Shepard, preacher in charge, was called to the chair, and the reading and adoption of the resolutions on slavery completed in the order following ::
 Therefore, Resolved-That slavery as it exists in the Methodist Episcopal church is exceeding. sinful. .# -... Resolved That we believe that God raised up the Methodists to spread spiritu- al holiness through the land, but slavery is repugnant to this work, and so long as this evil is tolerated we despair of seeing the chuEeh made holy.
 Resolved-That the root of all slavery is covetousness, and as is the root so are the branches, both alike are evil, there fore the whole system of slavery is evil Resolved-That, as we belong to a slave-holding nation and a slave-holding church, which nation and church we love, but which evil we deplore we consider it our right and duty as free citizens and Christians not to hate our brother in our heart, but in all laudable ways to rebuke him and not suffer sin upon him and that so long as our brethren claim it as a right to hold slaves, we shall claim the right of lifting up our warning voice in speaking, writing and discussing this great moral question.
 Resolved-That, in speaking and writ ing on this exciting subject, we will en- deavor wholly to refrain from all harsh and unkind expressions towards our brethren whose views may differ from ours, but treat them with that brotherly love which the gospel inculcates; and we earnestly recommend that the same course be per sued by all our abolition brethren. Resolved-That the secretary be re- quested to forward copy of these resolu- tions to the editors of Zion's Herald and Zion's Watchman for publication"
 The persons present at that meeting were: Asa M. Swinerton, president James Shepard and Asa Niles, circuit preachers; Nathan Bart; 3tt, Harvey Bid well, Phinehas Grover and Ephraim Dim- mick, Jr., stewards; John Bradley Eb- eneser Harwood and James F. Brooks, leaders" F.. For moral insight and courage, clearness of view, breadth of charity and manly in- dependence these men should be held in high honor by their successors.
 Gradually the membership grew until in 1865, just before the erection of the new church, the year book shows a mem- bership of 40, with 18 probationers. Rev. Wmi T. Worth was the first pastor after the church was erected, and under his la- bors the church enjoyed great prosperity. A revival began during the winter of 67 and '69, which was almost continuous throughout three years pastorate. 129 were received on probation, 85 adults were baptized, and "A were received into the church from probation. The year book then showed total membership of 222 with 38 probationers.
 Wm. McKendree Bray, appointed pastor in '69, reports revival with 30 proba. tioners. During the winter ''72 and '73 Wm. V. Morrison pastor, there were about 40 professed conversions. In "A, w. IF. Stetson pastor, there was a revival with 100 conversions reported. During the | A. Js lover 100 were converted, 87 joined the class, and 90 joined in full or by letter. l The year book then showed a membership of 271. Since that time there has beer cured under all the pastors In the con ference years, beginning April '79 ,and Apri 80; B. D. Towle pastor, six were received on probation, of whom one became full member: In '81 and '82, A. P. Palmer pastor, there were 8 received on proba tion, of whom 10 became members. 8; and'84, j. E.->Hawkins pastor, IS proba tioners, of whom 15 became members The. next two and one-half years, E. M l Taylor pastor, 51 probationers, of whom 32 have become members. During .th' next 13 months, A. E. Drew pastor, re ceived 32 on probation, of whom 27 be came members.
 Rev Edgar F: Clark was pastor iron :. January 12th 1889, to April 1892, and re ceived 26 on probation, of whom 19 be came members. '92 and '93, Dr. c. E Harris pastor, 20 were received on proba ,tion, of whom IT have become members Under the present pastor 56 have been re ceived on probation, of whom B have al ready become members. q
 The year book ought to show an in crease in membership, but, as matter O fact, it showed last April no increase sine, 1879... That is due to the fact that durin! the passionate of MT. Clark the list of mem hers 1ras- cornnletalv. rauisad All non