Year: 1861

The annual Conference of the Methodist Epis.
copal Church in Michigan has just closed its
session. The following resolutions were adopt
ed:


Rev. II. A. Dougherty, from the Committee on
the State Of the Country, reported as follows
Our institutions are heritage, sacred and pre-
cious, derived from venerable men trained in
the school of Providence, inspired Of God TO
frame them, founded with much prayer, embody-
ing the spirit of our God, they represent all that
Is dear and holy TO us in our civil and religious
relations. Our free institutions are the light of
the nations aud hope OF the world. Our mission,
under God, is to proclaim liberty and maintain
the Christian, the divine ideal Of manhood, till
by our influence it becomes the universal condi.
ton OF our race. The forces by which this
sublime work Is to be accomplished are symbol
lzed by the flag OF our fathers, which procaims
to every breeze and every land our motto "God
and Liberty"


halsed up for purpose SO grand, Providence
has given US an appropriate theatre, a continent
on which to expand, yet one precluding, by its
physical structure, the possibility Of more than
one nationality. On this soil, by the fiat Of
heaven, there can be but class OF institutions.
over it wave hut one flag. Events are fulfilling
this decree.


Unfortunately, an element of discord has been
tolerated among us. American Slavery is at
war with our Christian institutions il can no
more live in peace with them than Satan can
dwell quietly in heaven Between Slavery and
the spirit Of liberty and Christianity there has
always been conflict, and there must be till one
or the other is destroyer. Pnlpits, presses, and
statesmen representing the national conscience
of the spirit Of liberty, alarmed at the oorrun-
tons and inhdelity it engenders; and its naughty
threats to overthrow our Government, have
waged moral warfare against il nnd conquered
II defeated 10 this moral strife, it Hies to arms
and bathes itself in the blood of the men whose
logic 1t cannot resisti and by treason, robbery,
and war, seeks to overthrow q Government II
can no longer CONTROL


This is the real cause of the rebellion 1t ia
the evil, turbulent spirit of Slavery, armed for a
desperate lie struggle. Fortunately for the
hatlon' lhe war is waged on our part in dtf.nee
OF our Government and the integrity OF our
Union. The foes of our country are the friends
ot Slavery To give life to their vile system they
must steal part Of this soil, solemnly conse-
Grated TO freedom. This is what they propose
hence while we strike for our country, God has
so ruled TINT We strike at this foe to our peace
and perpetuity, and that we must die at its trait
orous behest or strike on till it lies dead on the
held, for life for our Union implies death to the
onuse of this rebellion.


uod has great mission for this nation in the





civilization are behind our breastworks. hence
''the battle is not ours, but Gods" aud Ills
right arm will bring us the victory. Hence it il
ihat parties sink out Of sight to all but traitorous
eyes, that proposals Of compromise or peace with
traitors offend all loyal eyes, that bitter foemen
clasp hands ground our national ark. Twenty
million freemen, sacrificing prejudice and cher
lshed opinions upon the altar Of their country,
pledge fortune, life, and sacred honor 10 her
defense.


We are assured of the justice of our cause, and
the and OF the God Of our fathers. We counsel
penitence and prayer sacrifice and struggle till
our flag again waves over every foot Of our soil.
I'LL Secession aud rebellion are dead and buried
with their father and CO. traitor, in tho bottom.
less pit; therefore,


Resot0ed. That our beloved country, in her
struggle with traitors, has our hearts our hands.
and our prayers that numbers loyalty to our
Government among its articles of religion, we
pledge our all for its support


Resotgsd, That we regard Slavery as the cause
and soul Of this rebellion, and the sworn foe of
ou- institutions; that we cannot divide this
heritage OF freedom to give it an empire without
treason to our country our God, aud our race =.
and 80 long as it lifts against this nation ,rai
torous bAde, we can offer nothing but war; and
we hope aud pray that this struggle NAV end in
its utter destruction.


hes0tred, That we approve the proclamation of
Gen Fremont believing its policy pleasing to
uod demanded by the Christian nations and the
spirit Of our free institutions, and the shortes I
way to peace and security.


hesotped, That our brethren in arms claim and
shall have our love, our support, aud our pray
ers; that while they stand in the presence Of
death to defend all that is sacred and dear to us,
we will do all we eau to bless them while Ii wing.
and honor them should they fall