Year: 1861

ACTION OF THE PHILADELPHIA CONFERENCE.


= ln the Philadelphia Annual Conference of the NJ
4. Church, in session at Philadelphia, on Friday
the following proceedings took place:


- Rev. L. j. Thompson, from the Committee on tn
state of the Church, then arose and said: TIL
F., COMMITTEE appointed by the Conference on tn
| State of the Church, to review the memorial ant
resolutions which have been sent them by tn
| General Conference, have carefully and prayerfulll
considered the subject submitted to them. Whi
there has not been in every point entire agreemen
on the questions considered, each has felt the i'm
| portance of coming to the right conclusion upoI
the whole, and each has felt disposition to con
| cade some little point, on which they might differ
| Tor the purpose of reaching an unanimous conclu
sion. They have felt the Importance of the ques
lions committed to them, and have agreed upon
| report, which they have all signed without sin
| gle exception. The Committee would most ear.
nestly hope that the conclusion they have reached
| may meet the approval of their brethren of the
conference; and if their concurrence in it may be
taken without any extended or excited debate, the
| Committee would feel themselves much gratiied
| That, of course, we leave to the Conference.
| The following report was then read.


Your Committee appointed to consider the state of the
Church within bounds having examined papers
referred to them, and avaed themselves of all other
means of information within their reach, concluded tc
present the result of their deliberations follows:
l. On the subject of the New Chapter of Slavery.


Whereas 1t is ndispensably necessary, for alaying
1he excitement and restoring peace and harmony in the
Southern borders of Conference, that the Chap
ter Slavery inserted in Discipline by the last Gen
era Conference be repealed and that the Annual Confer
ences be left to make their own regulations this sub
ject; therefore,


Resolred That we concur in the resolutions of the
East Baltimore Conference requesting the General Con
ference, at its next session, repeal the Chapter
Slavery; and instead thereof, empower each Annual
Conference within whose bounds the institution exists
to make such regulations upon this subject in their
judgment may best subserve the interests of the Re
deemer's Kingdom among them


II. In the judgment of this body concerning this
New Chapter. This they would embody in the fol
lowing





To the Members Of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the


State of Delacare, and the Eastern Shore Of Mary


land and Virginia.


Dearly BeIoTed Brethren:-The memorials petitions
and communications laid before this body have not only
disclosed the dissatisfaction agitation and embarrass-
ment fatal to the interests of religion among you
which have grown out of the action of the late General
Conference the subject Of slavery but also called
for expression of opinion the nature of that
action with which call deem it but just and right to
comply.


We assure YOU that you have our profoundes sympa.
hie your present disquietude and itated condition.
and having the fullest confidence in your fidelity and
loyalty to the interests of Methodism exertions shall
be wanting part to redress for your grev
ances and to maintain all your ecclesiastical rights in
and under the Constitution Of the Church.


Though it is deliberate judgment-a Judgment
which must control all our actions on this subject, that
the chapter does not embody in any form a
dition of membership though it conviction that it
possesses in no degree the character of legislation law
affords basis whatever for administrative discipline
ry enactiOn the subject OF slavery. And, therefore,
there no such action under it, Nevertheless this
change in the discipline entirely uncaed fors high
y offensive brethren the border, and amenta
bic injurious to the welfare of the church, among them
and therefore, in justice TO those who suffer so much
from its effects it ought to be repealed. To this end
have concured with the resolution of the East Baltimore
Conference requesting the General Conference, at its next
session. repeal the chapter slavery, and instead
thereof empower each Annual Conference, within whose
bounds the institution exists, to make such regulation
upon the subject may best subserve the interests Of
the Redeemer's Kingdom among them.


In the meantime dear brethren let possess souls
in patience carry grievances to the throne of
heavenly grace, confidently relying Him who is ableto
deliver of all troubles who promises to work
all things together for the good of those who love Him.
and who will not suffer to be wounded in the house Of
our friends, to be scattered by our enemies.


DIVISION OF THE CONFERENCE


On this subject there before your Committee from
the various charges Peninsula memorials petitions
and resolutions from Quarterly Conferences and
Church meetings, asking for the formation of Peninsula
Conference by dividing the Philadelphia Conference by
the State line between Pennsylvania Delaware and Ma
ryand while other charges and church meetings declared
against such division at the present time nexpedent
After due delberaton your Committee agree the fol-
lowing resolution:


Rcsolued In view of present national difficulties
and embarrassments and the consequent disturbed
dition of the public mind the hand and the con-
fctug opinion of churches in Delaware and Mary
land this subject, deem it inexpedent to divide
the Philadelphia Conference by State lines at this time
But recommend all the Quarterly Conferences of the
Peninsula, during the coming year. to consider this mat
ter and give such expression of their working may
aid in determining the action of this body its next
nual session.


(Signedl J. j. THOMPSON,
JAMES A. MASSEY,
nJrr-