Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1901-04-20
CAUSE OF DIVISION
Methodist Episcopal Church Dissen-
sions Over Slavery Question,
SEPARATION INTO TWO BODIES In 1914
FIRST Methodist Abolition Society
Formed Seven Years Earlier.
ANTI-SLAVERY CONVENTION

ANTI-SLAVERY CONVENTION
The. question is repeatedly asked in these
days. when there is SO much desire on the
part of the great majority of the members
OF both the Methodist Episcopal Church
and the Methodist Episcopal Church South
to promote fraternaI feelings, why the di
vision took place in 1914 and resulted in
the formation of the two bodies.
The answer is to be found in records
which can he consulted at the Library of
congress. 1t is stated that from its founda-
ton in the United States until the year
ISp Methodism had testified against Slav-
cry as a moral evil. Many of its enact
ments were uncompromising, and all We're
beyond the position taken by other
churches and in advance of public senti-
mcnt. although very soon after the Meth
ndst Episcopal Church was organized con-
cessions began to be made in view of the
necessities of the south. The tone of con-
demnatiOn was sOftened in 1904. and in
fS'Is all that related to slaveholding among
private members was stricken out of the
book of discipline and no rule on the sub
jet has existed since.
The New England Anti-Slavery Society
was organized in 1882. the American in
M. NJ a convention III fnllduelpDld lHcTc
We're SiNty-three abOlltiOnlStS from eleven
states of the Union, among them William
Lloyd Garrison and John G. Whittier. They
ieCtUred and distributed tracts until in the
year 1870 they were able to expend $4,000.
issue a million publications, organize 800
auxiliary societies and keep fourteen lee
tUre agents employed
The Ohio conference in that year passed
a resolution against abolition and anti
slavery societies. The Baltimore confer
ence in 1886 declared itself convinced of the
great evil of slavery, but opposed in every
part and particular to the proceedings of
the abolitonists. The Philadelphia. Pitts
burg and Michigan conferences of 1858
passed similar resolutions. declaring it in
compatible with the duties and obligations
of Methodist preachers to deliver abolition
lectures. promote meetings in the interest
of that movement. attend it's conventions or
circulate its publications.
First Abolition Society.
The first Methodist abolition society was
formed in New York city in 1893. La Roy
Sund, rland presided and Bishop Hedding
chosen permanent president, but de-
clined to serve. The New England confer
ence. sitting at Lynn i'll 1885. organized n
society advocating the Immediate and I'M
conditional abolition of slavery, and the
English abolittonist was invited to preach
To- them. The same year the New Hamp-
shire conference formed similar organi-
cation.
III tDc sixteen ueieSdIeS erected by the
New England and New Hampshire confer
euces to the general conference of 1896
fourteen were pronounced aboiitionists.
one memorial was presented. signed by
2u1 ministers, asking for the restoration of
tn original rule on slavery. Another was
signed by 2,2S4 lay members. Many other
petitions were referred to committee, but
the conference passed resolutions condemn
ing abolitionism and CenSured Geo. Storrs
and Samuel Norris for attending abolition
meetings.
After the general conference of 1886 the
ahOlitioniSts increased their activity, being
greatly stirred up by the declarations of
that body. The aboItionists in the New
England conference III 1887, anticipating
that the bishop would refuse to put any
motion involving slavery and abolition. de-
tcrmined that they would block all BUSH
ness and adjourn from time to time, and
notified Bishop Waugh of their purpose
He offered to allow item to adopt a re-
spectful petition to the next general con-
ference. Conventions were held. each aug
menting the excitement and committing
the members to the strongest position on
slavery and the bishop refused in many in
stances TO put motions relating to the sub
jet Bishop Waugh. III the New England
conference, refused to put a motion to
refer To committee memorials on slavery
and would not allow an appeal from this
decision; declined to gI' C an opinion as to
whether the memorials had been received
and refused to put motion for an eX-
preston as to whether The said memorials
were in possession of the conference.
The bishop presiding at the New Hamp-
shire conference stipulated six conditions
before allowing the appointment of d COM
mIttce on slavery, and these the confer
"rce refused to accept The New York con-
ference resolved that no one ought to be
elected to the office Of deacon OF elder
unless he would give a pledge that he
would refrain from sgitating the church
with discussions on slavery.
Anti-Slavery Convention.
The first regular Methodist anti-slavery
convention was held in the Methodist Epis-
C"pal Church at Cazenovia. y. Y, August
=. 1871. The SECOND large one was held at
Utica. y. Y. May %. 1888. 1t elected Or
auge Scott and Luther Lee delegates to
represent Methodist abolitionists before the
English Wesleyan and the Canada Wesley
an conferences. respectively. Lee was in
formed by the president of the Canada con-
ference in private interview that though
il was In sympathy with the abolitionists
il would be improper to receive a delegate
LIST the friendly relations between the two
bodies be disturbed. ON that account Scott
did not visit England.
TIL" third general convention was held in
Lowell. Mass, in November 1888. pursuant
I" a call issued by James Porter and signed
by 10" names Joseph A. Merrill presided
Timothy Merritt was vice president and La
Roy Sunderland. Elihu Scott and l.. C. Mat
ZACH were secretaries.
While these proceedings were taking
"
cited, Were being held and resolu-
tons Correspondingly intense were being
passed in the south both in church and
state In the condition of mind naturally
induced by them the general conference of
1910 assembled.
Just before that the annual conferences
were asked to pass judgment on a charge
IN the general rule on slavery proposed by
the New England conference, so that il
should condemn slavery. but only one in
seven of the twenty-eight annual confer
tfcrs asked for anti-slavery action
The house of delegates of the legislature
of Maryland early in 1912 passed a resolu-
tinH the tendency of which would be 10
drive from Maryland or reduce to bondap e
free negroes The bill was entitled IAN
acc for the better security of negro slaves
and promoting industry and honesty among
thr free people of color" DIR. Thomas F.
Bond. who had written so vigorously and
rcientlessly against the abolitionists. and
VIII" was a native of Maryland. denounced
the resolution as beyond the ordinary evil
aEG wic&edneSs of men,
Aroused to their danger by threatened
establishment of what was to be known as
h. Wesleyan q