Year: 1860




The Baltimore Methodist Episcopal Annual Conference
in session for days at Winchester Va, brought its
business TO a close and adjourned sine die on Thursday
morning, having previously determined that the next
Conference should be held at Staunton, Va the first
Wednesday in March next.


Amongst the business which occupied the attention Of
the Conference Wednesday last was the following re-
port on the slavery question


Your committee to whom has been referred the mem
mortal srom seyelofth the appointments in our Cohfren
the subject OF slavery beg leave to make the follow
ing report


The said memorials relate to three disfact points viz
The eXpunging OF the rule slavery the dissolution of
our counexion with the Northern Conferences and the
inccssant agitation OF the slavery question in peod
cal literature.


We recognize in all our members the right to hold and
fully express Il sentiments all these subjects and
We highly grafed with the affection and loyalty to
our Conference which the memorials breathe We also
know and painfully feel the pressure which they have
lately been made suffer upon the question which is
the main subject Of their appeal to us. But at the same
time conviction Is clear that only stand
church. nay, that only maintain existence
Conference the ground OF the discipline it is ld
mnistered by rs; neither Welding TO the demands Of
tremists North South. We satisfied that should
we give expression to of the opinions which our
dear brethren suggest in the memorials referred to-
should produce within the bounds of our Conference
and in Virginia, dissatisfaction much greater than
tina which they seek 10 alay.





Church. beg leave to say that this Conference has al
ready declared what in their opinion would be Just
cause for severance viz: any violation of TiGbh,
now held under the discipline This have said time
aud again and brethren, the memoraIists, know
that for these rights We have always earnestly and faith
fully contended. Our whole church in the bounds of
our Conference has solemn pledge and brethren
in the North well acquainted with our oft-repeated
declarations.


In reference to the character of literature alluded
! yI, e.. sN
instances, become such neither sanction
circulate yet glad TO know, far rs the
paper pres, s concerned We have an advocate Of our
own at Baltimore in the ability OF whose editor and in
his fidelity to our interests can implicitly conide


There is another fact which We beg leave to mention.
The country is unusually ogitaed upon the question
OF slavery aud the dissolution OF the Union spoken of
with freedom and even sought in some quarters with
an eagerncs, that most painfully shocI feelings
of patriotism. God forbid that this Confederation OF
States should ever do aught to aid promote these
REASONABLE designs And is our deliberate conviction
that another division OF the Church would have fearful
tendenc, in that direction. Al present there i. not
Church in the land whose government is strongly
ncNunal which is divided by strictly State lines
one And we cannot but believe that any such separa-
ton must weaken the bonds which happily hold II,
together as nation. II the TWO sections OF the Union
cannot hold together as Christians will they be able
to do it as citizens aud civilians?


While we therefore, deeply sympathzc with our
brethren the nemorialst in the troubles which th a.
ege are upon them, would aieconately remind
them that the neral Conference is the place where all
such memorials should be addrrssedth body possess
ing the sale yy'ofrr authority of the Church. the An
uua Conference being clothed only with ADMINISTRATIVE
ami judirai functions


lu view OF the foregoing considerations your commit
tee recommend the adoption OF tie following fesou.
tons


l. Rsso''sd That We sincerely depore the agitation Of
the slavery question, both in the Church and in the
State and earnestly hope and feryenty pray that this
discredtabe and disastrous strife may speedily cease.


, E,so'red That this Conference dsclaims having
the least sympathy with aboltOnism. On the contrary,
We are determined hold connection with any cclc
siasca body that makes non-savchOding condition OF
membership in the Church, and that opposed to
any inqu-ion upon the motives underlying the rela-
tious OF the master and the slave.


g. Resored That the subject Of slavery should be
mitted exclusively the jurisdiction Of the respective
Conferences in which it may be found to exist.


T. Essoltci, That action Of the General Conference
can influence TO violate principles aud practices,
As indicated in the foregoing declarations but that
will stand by ha rights and interests OF people the
last extremity.


B. Resoirf3 That our mission ministers Of the New
Testament is to preach the Gospel OF the Son of God
both 10 and slave aud 10 devote ourselves wholly
TO our appropriate work Of winning souls to Christ
q. Resoiysd That soleuEly demonstrate against
the continual aggressive DISCUSSION Of the slavery ques
ton in the newspapers and periodicals OF the Church
e. H,,oisi That the publishing funds and establish
OF the Church property, held in trust
by the General Conference for our common and equa.
use.


g. Resoirs9, That any such use Of our common pub.
fishing funds newspapers, periodical &c as precludes
our people from the benefits OF them while they in
no false ilegtimate relation to the Union, but
faithful to its covenants, Is an abuse OF trust


All Of which is respectfully submitted by the commit