(
z . .1 .
PCST.ISKE3 WXEEXT BT A COXHITTEE OF KISISTEE.3 PCS THE S02TH CAEOLTSA C0XTE2 -3CZ. J- E. CHTECH. SOTTH;-EnTS T. EETTTS. JSivr.
"Vol. Ill x0. oo.
BALEIGH, THL'ESDAY, J UZSTE 3, lSofcL
L oO n vear, inadv.'tnce.
A'D VOCATE.
b ii It lb 1 IKA
- r t'lq IM'Ij AlTvcate.
EEPOErCF PEOCEEDIKGS
f.P THE
GEHERAL CONFERENCE
tue:-;imy, may 18.
m f, . ,. r , , ;
ine General Conference met at half-
past eat o clock, Ihop Pierce in the
a icnorion.
Th e journal
t
yesterday was read
of
and authenticate!
CONFERENCE ANL STATE LOL'N IAIiIEH
T . T , . ,,
. - v-'J" v.-. H-Jllt HIV VMI1UIIHV, VII
present state
i-air?,h'i many Annual t- ;
W, returned the report cf said published at Raleigh. I
cornrnjtieo (No upon the resolution , 1L 'wh of the cffice - appointcd J
of A K Erwin, ,r,Ti,rin- into the pro-b u Conference thall be a !
pnety of TOiiforping Coc.ference bound- j (J mdi ConvrenCe a3 j
ane to State-lines, wth a resolution rnav gel,ct whh the arC)robation of j
ta ihn r, ii.,.i . a v. ,
ezpclicnt to make the change ProPo:Sj"!the
. , . - ;
w.i niivi. uj, A -
rt and resoluHon were adopted.
po
LINE BETWEEN1
Hol:-;ton A5L okokoia ;
toy ferfvci"-. : whom the Agent, as soon a3 convenient
i after the organization of the commit
also from the same committee ; f,.,.a r,j i,:ri 00.i
He
eubm.tted their report (No 10; propos -
ing certain changes in the boundary
line between th Ilojston ar.d Georgia
Conferences, which lies over' one day.
DUTIES 0V ElSIIorS, EI.iEKH, PREACU-
EKS, ETf.
A L P Green from
the Committee '
on Ilevisab, submitted their third re
port, proposing sundry changes in the
JJiscipline with respect to the election
and consecration of Bishops, aud the
rights and duties of Bishops, Elders,
Exhorters, etc.; which was read at
length by the Secretary.
1) B Nicholson In the absence of
the Presiding Elder, I perceive that,in
this report, the committee authorize
the preacher in charge to preside at a
Quarterly Conference. Now, where
there are present three preachers in
charge, and no Presiding Elder,I want
to know who is to preside at the Quar
terly Conference ?
Bishop Paine I beg leave to sug
gest that the rule, a3 laid down in Ba
ker, is,that where two or more charges
are united in one Quarterly Conference,
in the absence of the Presiding Elder
the preacher in charge where the Con
ference h held is to preside.
D B Nicholson I would like to have
that inserted.
Bishop Paine that is usage.
ALP Green submitted a paper,
sicrned by himself, entitled a plan for
the support of the Bishops-from tV
first ofPPJune,1858, to j the fi
18C2; which was read and reterr
the committee cm that subject.
J B McFerrm presented '
menttoreportNo 4 of the
on Books and Periodical
It states that the U' th(J ,ast four
has failed, by fets
pense of publica--epars.
to meet the t. fiffPPr, hnn-
tion; that, with.J.jberg) jt bag been a
dred paying pon the funds of the
constant drajat the committee re
Church ; continuance under a new
commenbjcation hereafter to- be
plan cy which may greatly diminish
subtp'
itat the Home Circle is approved
'popular should be more highly
predated should have 20,000 sub
scribers and should by all means be
continued.
That the Sunday-school Visitor is
an indispensable publication, and should
have 50,000 subscribers.
That the Nashville Christian Advo
cate has been reduced in price from 82
a year to Sl,50 has a circulation of
twelve thousand copies and is a source
of revenue to the church.
That the Southern Christian Advo
cate has a subscription list of 11,000,
and has during the past four years,
paid 15,000 into the general fund of
the (Jnurcn.
Tlx. w iK,innuna cmnsnan Advo-
cje ha3 fallen in arrears but has
oWr 7000 subscribers, and 13 likely
son to reinstate itself and pay its
N That th New Orleans Christian
Itocate- is in a sound and safe condi
ffr, with a list of 7000 subscribers,
yh an open door for usefulness.
I That the St Jaouas Christian Advo-
te occupies an important posuion,
7000 subscribers, and is able to
stain itself.
?hat the Texas Christian Advocate,
fer years of hard struggling, has now
rood prospect or success, witn a suo-
ription list oi -iuvu.
:hat the Memphis, Arkansas and
ichita Christian Advocate enjoys in
casing prosperity, with, nearly 5000
senbers, and is confident ot success.
?hat the Holston Chnstion Advo-
le, since the death of the late editor.
been merged m the Nashville.
?hat the North Carolina Christian
Ivocate asks to be received by tke
leral Conference ; which is recom
ided by the committee, on certain
litions. hereafter to be prescribed.
fhe report concludes with the reso-
n that the following items be ad-
to the report of yesterday on books
periodicals :.
) 10. Here shall b an editor for each
Icf the following papers, viz.: the Nah-;
, ville Christian 'Advocate, published by:
the Ar":r.'3 at a;h
(a-hvi.ie : tie men-
1 T
' ciond Christian Advocate,
publish-:
'ed at Richmond ; the Southern Chris- i
tian A4voca:e.pu?,!rshel at f.arieston; :
.v.,. , t ' a ,wa ,-vcu,i ;
wt Lou:g ; the Memphis and Arkansas ;
Christian Advocate, published at Mem- i
phis; the -hw Oneans Christian Ad-i
: vocatef publl-hfd at New Orleans ; the j
,Texa3 Christian Advocate, published j
at Galveston ; the Pacinc .Metho'iist, 1
published at San Francisco, California; !
'&n!A L ii v i vi vatvjiii v in 1.7 Licii . v -a
K.V. f ' V , ..I ., r. Ail
iy se
n T - Annual Conferences may,
their next session, choose such of
adopt, for the orjran of the Methodist!
"--.Episcopal Church, South, within their
j rcBpective bound3i and appoint publi3h.
in committees for these papers, to
. t or futur(J indeltednes3 of 8aid pa.
; BhaU reIease in behalf of the
: ConfrencC3 60 electing, all right and
jthle in snch pa their 6ubscription
ana tneir ouice nxtures, ana also an
claims of the Publishing House against
them for advances made heretofore in
T 'lit .1,
itneir oena i- I'roviaea. nowftver. taat
- - -
these papers shall in future devolve no
expenses upon the Publishing House,
nor involve the funds of the General
Church in any liabilities for their debts,
which shall be used for the support of
Conference depositories. Provided,
further, th.it if any one of these pa
pers, now the property of the Church,
shall not be thus adopted and received
by any Conference, the Agent shall
dispose of it at the close of the next
volume. These papers shall be pub
lished under the style, "Published by
a Committee of Ministers for the Meth
odist Episcopal Church, South;" and
the Publishing Committee &hall report,
annually, the fiscal condition of these
papers to the Annual Conference, and
quadrennially to the General Confer
ence. 13. As this plan looks to the mak
ing of small profits by our Publishing
House, and a3 an increase of capital
may become necessrry for expanding
our operations or forclajeny
thorised to appeal to the church,if they
may deem it necessary, for an annual
contribution to the Publishing House
by a collection, during a special month,
in every congregation within our
Church. Respectfully,
J. B. McFfrrin, Chairman.
Nashville, May 18th, 1858.
J B McFerrin also presented Report
No 5, from the same committee, as fol
lows :
Resolved, That the laymen of the
Church who are now in the city be re
quested to meet the Committee on
Books and Periodicals in this hall, on
Thursday afternoon, at three o'clock,
for the consideration of the proposition
of the Alabama Conference in regard
to the endowment of the Publishing
House.
The report was adopted.
J B McFerrin announced that the
contemplated meeting would be public,
and invited a general attendance.
J E Edwards presented the exhibit
of the Richmond Christian Advocate.
L M Lee explained that the reported
losses of the paper grew out of the re
duction of it3 subscription price from
2 to 1 50, that the former price had
been restored without any I033 of sub
scribers, and the paper was now able
to support itself.
The paper wa3 referred to the Com
mittee on Books and Periodicals.
"W M Wightman presented report
No 2 of the Committee on Episcopacy,
recommending that no'additional Bish-
Mnpai-o. lected ivhe present General
Conference ; which was, on motion,
adopted.
R J Boyd presented a memorial from
sundry lay brethren in the South Car
olina Conference, asking for a change
of the Discipline allowing a preacher
to remain in the same appointment six
years, instead of two only.
C E Deems moved the reconsidera
tion of the vote by which the General
Conference resolved to receive no more
petitions or memorials for the change
of the Discipline during the present
session. The motion was lost.
Bishop Soule requested an official
certified copy of the proceedings in re
lation to the legacy of Mrs White ;
which was, on motion of J E Evans, or
dered to be furnished by the Secreta
ry. THE ALABAMA RESOLUTION.
The Conference now resumed the
consideration of the unfinished business
of Saturday,, to wit, the consideration
of the report on the Alabama Resolu
tion, recommending that the rule of
Discipline against "baying and selling
men, women, and children, with the in
tention of enslaving them," be expung
ed 4;he question being on the motion
of J E Evans for the question on the
first item cf the report, viz.: That th
it'll. V.';! 7 I if
re
2 C '1'
ft-rtnee.
W A Sri.
xh desire 1 V prtse:
measure which L thought would bar
conize the views of all partit-3 on this
subject, without comproraisiLg any
principle; but II N Lee, who ws3 en
titled to i:.e oor, refuse! to 2-ve him
an or,ortinitv.and insisted c
Lis Hpt-ech before anythi
be submitted.
it j i
1 '1
g e.;e sriou.d
He said the matter row En-'er con
sideration seemed to resolve itself into
these two points ;
1. Vrhether, according to the con
stitution, the Alabama Resolution is ,
legitimately before the General Confer
ence for action.
2. Whether this rule 13 one of the
General rule3 in the proper sense, ar.d
therefore entitled to the protection of
the Restrictive Rules.
N II Lee, having the floor, proceed
ed to finish the argument he began
yesterday, which was cut off by the ad
journment. J B McFerrin also made a short
speech representing hi3 desire to pro
ceed constitutional, but add:cg in the
close, that he must vote for taking out
the rule, let it come as it may.
The debate was continued by Dr W
A Smith, J B McFerrin, S Kelly, and
ALP Green, but our limits forbid the
publication of their remarks. Finally
Dr T O Summers said In order to
cut short all debate, I propose, at the
suggestion of others, including some of
the Bishops, to offer a paper by way
of amendment in lieu of the item of
the report under consideration. It will
not interfere with any body's private
opinions, which 13 perhaps the sole mer
it of the substitute. The report, after
giving the vote, goe3 on to state that
there i3 a surplus of fifty-six votes over
the requisite constitutional majority.
There it stops ; and I propose to strike
out all beyond, and add word3 to thi3
effect : That no account be taken of
the California, and the Kansa3 and In
dian Mission Conferences, whose pro
ceedings have not been reported. But
as there is room for doubt whether we
can proceed constitutionally upon the
Alabama resolution, and as some of the
Bishops have advised against it; there
fore, Jiesolved, That thi3 General Con
ference consider it expedient to waive
the question of non-action by these
three Conferences, and proceed at once
to adopt a new proposition to expunge
the said General Rule, and passtho
- S!T respe'ctfulTy, and with much defer
ence, submit that a3 a substitute ; and,
if adopted, I shall have another paper
to offer.
The substitute wa3 adopted without
a division.
II II Montgomery now submitted a
series of four resolutions, harmonizing
with the above.
T O Summers I have not at hand
the paper to which I referred. It has
a preamble setting forth the facts, etc.
The Secretary now read a preamble
and resolution submitted by J B Mc
Ferrin. J B McFerrin I have no objection
to that.
On motion by Levi Pearce, the his
toric part of the McFerrin preamble
was stricken out.
D R McAnally moved further to
amend the proposition by striking out
the words, "purely civil," and inserting
"this question" in lieu.
Bishop Soule Thero are only fif
teen minutes to the time of adjourn
ment. I need not tell you that you
have a very grave question before you.
It was said by Brother Lee, I believe,
that the Northern Church was on a
boisterous sea and why ? Why, sir,
when the South Church was separated
from the North, the North lost the
helm of the ship, and no wonder they
were tossed. It reminded me of my
venerable friend, Dr Dixon, when he
said, it would be for the Northern
Church to come back to the old sound
ings. They got off soundings in the
General Conference at New York, and
they have been off ever since. But
what I desire to say to the Conference
is, that as they have so short a time
for this matter, it might be better to
defer it to another day. I wish to make
some remarks myself upon the question
of a historical character, and should
like to have the opportunity.
Bishop Paine said that last Saturday
he did not commit himself or his coir
leage3 as to the constitutionality or
unconstitutionality of this matter. He
had suggested if it would not be better
to initiate proceedings and send the
proposition round again, a3 that course
weuld be likely to harmonize the feel
ings of all. Dr Summers had, perhaps,
involved himself and colleagues, by
saying, " some of the Bishops." Some
thing was drawn up. He had not the
paper ; but it was substantially what
had been read here. He thought
there would be no difficulty about land
ing the ship landing it as the breth
ren wish. He saw no disposition to act
in hot haste oa ths pert of his brethren
of the Soath.
Bishop Andrew corroborated the
statement of Dr Summers last Satur
day with reference to the episcopal
consultation, and his own opinion giv
en. If that early intimation had been
subject i
r shoa' I hat eve
I two cr
" ttne davs
delate.
But I
.it if as
:!a4
to see the Conferer;C3 liking in that
direction r.ow, etc.
J E Evan; If he had understood
the Bishcps' decisbs, as now announ-c-:4.
he should no; h&7e made the re
marts ne u:i.
W A Smith, by a'la&Isa&us consent,
alio read and submitted a paper, to car
ry cut what he noir understood to be
tie object sought.
On motion of CE Marshall, itwa3
ordered that T O Suxmers, W X
Smith, J B McFerrh, DR ileAnally,
II II Montgomery, an I S Kelly, be
appointed a committee to digest and
arrange the chief meritsjr f the several
propositions now submitted, and report
to-morrow at D o'clock.
After the announcemt special
notifications and prtejwfeifit
merits, The Conference adjourned.
WEDNESDAY, May 10.
Bishop Pierce called the Conference
to order at 8J o'clock, vhe opeiing ex
ercises being conducted by Rtv J J
Davies. j
The journal of yesterday was read
and authenticated.
L M Lee, from the Comraittee on
Itinerancy, to whom ws3 referred the
resolution to inquire into the expedien
cy of appointing laymen to the man
agemnt of the financial interests of the
church, reported (No 6) that it was, in
their judgment, inexpedient to make
any change on that subjett ; but the'
committee proposed to in3t the words
"and educational." after the wnrd
missionary,' on page- 2&j--Di3-
cipline.
The report lies over.
THE PRESIDING ELDIT.SHIP.
f
He also from the same Dmmittee,to
whom was referred the manorial from
Portsmouth, Va., asking fir the oblit
eration of the office of Preding Elder,
or its discontinuance in thi older Con
ferences, submitted their report, (No
7,) as follow3 : j
The Committee on the itinerancy, to
whom was referred the miraorial from
Portsmouth, Virginia, asling for the
obliteration of the office if Presiding
Elder from our ecclesiastical system,or
for it3 discontinuance in the Older Con
ferences, having given due deliberat on
to the subject, respectfully represent
that while we hold the ri.ihT'T petition
?especrd"ue toits sacredress ; yet" we
do not find, in any facts brought to our
notice, or in any reasons given in the
memorial itself, any grounds for the
change in our system of government
sought by the petitioners sufficient to
authorize or justify so extreme a meas
ure: that the object asked for is not,in
the judgement of your committee, de
sired by the great body of the Church;
and believing, moreover, that the office
of Presiding Elder is one of great value
to the Church, important as an element
of our system, and material to its prac
tical operations, and therefore cannot
be abolished or abated rvithout detri
ment to the prudential regulations and
spiritual interests of the Church, we
commend to your body thi adcrption of
the following resolution :
Resolved, That the reqiest of the
memorialists be not concurred in.
Respectfully submitted :
Leroy M Lee, Chairman.
L M Lee moved its adoption ; the
motion was agreed to, and the, report
was adopted accordingly.
CONFERENCE FUNDS.
L M Lee, from the same comnittee,
to whom wa3 referred the memorill in
regard to uniformity in the application
of the Conference funds,submitted iheir
report, vo o,) to tne ionowmg enci .
The Committee on Itinerancy to
whom was referred the duty of cojsid
ering: the " differences in the several
Annual Conferences in the o-i"1";on
of Conference funds," espec re
lation to " the preachersoTTmiSaiuns,"
and report a plan for uniform action in
the Conferences, having had the same
under consideration, lespectfully report
that they find no necessity for new or
additional legislatioi on this siiject,
and recommend to your body the adop
tion of the following resolution : ;
Resolved, That the whole matter be
left, a3 heretofore, to such action as
the Annual Conferences may deem
proper to the subject.
Respectfully submitted :
Lerot M Lei, Chairman.
The report and resolution were adopted-.
ADMISSION INTO THE TRAVELING CON
NECTION. L M Lee, from the same committee,
to whom had been referred the duty of
inquiring into the expediency of eo al
tering the Discipline on pages 61 to 65,
and 58, as to require examination for
admission on trial into the traveling
connection, instaad of as now, receiv
ing them into fall connection, also sub
mitted their report, (No 9,) to the ef
fect that, haviBg examined the subject
and believing the change desirable,both)
from the propriety cf the case and it
importance in fixing the character of
the ministry, the committee recom
mend a change of the Discipline ia sec
iii, pages 39, 40, eo as to include those
r.-.
,2 rece;rea
1
r.se
I
e receive! is fall
thct V.V f
in c-thc-r
-
TT cf
a US i'J
changed as
to be
to this al-
deration anl arra-Demer.t
section; and the committ?' submitted
resolution?, earning ou the objects set
forth in the report.
Made the special order of the day
for Friday, 10 o'clock.
GENERAL P.t'LE ON SIVXHY.
The order of the day now came n?
the report 03 the committee appointed
yesterday to digest and arrange the
chief merits of the several propositions
that had teen submitted to the Confer
ence touching the General Rule on
! Slavery-
I T O Summers, chairman of that
committee, read the report, as follows:
REPORT of tlw Commit on cxjjunyln'j
the General Rul Jorli Jiny tht Luyltfj
and selling of men, uomrn ami ri7
dren, tciih an ird'.ntl'j, to-enclave thtm
The committee appointed to report a
fu . p .1 1 r r t
the expunction of the rule m the Gen-
i t c 1 ia- .i 1 a
eral Rule forbidding " the buving and
selling ot men, women and children, 1
k . 1 1 tt 1 '
with an intention to enslave them, beg
1 4 ltl n, A 0
leave to report the following a3 the re-
n r a 1 tv.
suit of their deliberations :
Whereas, The rule in ti;
11c ucnciai I
r ; r I r. m rl 1 1
tt- .e iL. ir.ii..i:.i t: i
ituies 01 me xeinouisi. .episcopal j
ni u c...u i".i:i i: ti.L-i : t
j ii- r 3 fi
and selling of men, women and chil-
dren,
them,'
with
an intention to enslave
13 ambiguous in its phraseology,
tic to the institution of slavery, in re
gard to which the Church has no right
to meddle, except in enforcing the du
ties of masters and servants, a3 set
forth in the Holy Scriptures ; and
whereas, a strong, desire for the ex
punction of said rule has been express
ed in nearly all parts of our ecclesias
tical connection ; therefore,
Resolved, 1. By the delegates of the
Annual Conferences of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, in General
1P t.l.l .U-i. .U- 1
forbidding "the buying and selling of;
womftn and childrpn. with an in-!
for
question ha3
fer.
Resolved, 3. That the Bishops, or
others presiding in the Annual Confer
ences, be and are hereby instructed to
lay the foregoing resolutions before
each of the Annual Conferences at their
neztt ensuing sessions, for their concur
rent action.
Resolved, 4. That the President of
each Annual Conference shall be re
quired, as soon a3 possible after the
adjournment of the Conference, to re
port to the Book Editor the vote on the
resolution to expunge the rule in ques
tion ; and when the Book Editor- shall
have received returns from all the An
nual Conferences on the said resolu
tion, he shall lay the information be
fore one of the Bishop3 ; and if it shall
be found that there is a concurrence of,
three-fourths of all the menbers of the j
Annual Conferences present, and voting j
on the resolution in favor of the expun--
ging of the rule, the Bishop shall direct
the Book Editor to expunge it accord-
Resolved, 5. That if any Annual
Conference or Conferences refuse or
neglect to vote on the aforesaid reso
lution, the members of such Conference
or Conferences shall not be counted for
or against the expunging of the rule.
Resolved, 6, That the publication
of the foregoing preamble and resolu
tions in the Church papers shall be
considered a sufficient notification of the
action of this Conference in the premi
ses. Resolved, 7. That the Bishops are
respectfully requested to set forth in
the Pastoral Addres3 the platform oc
cupied by the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, on the relation of mas
ters and servants, agreeably to the
principles contained in the foregeing
preamble and resolutions.
All of which i3
respectfully submitted :
T. O. Summers, Chairman.
Nashville, May 18, 1858.
Bishop Soule gave a historical ac
count of the General Rule in question.
D S Doggett confessed himself
troubled in spirit. He thought the
second resolution looked to the appro
val of the African slave-trade.
T O Summers explained the views
of the committee, and their reasons for
reporting said resolution to the effect
that the committee wished to harmo
nize the action of this Conference with
that of the last General Conference, as
reported in the Journal, p EDO. The
resolution was reported in order that
the present action might not be mis
construed. A miscellaneous discussion arose,
somewhat too chaotic for stenography ;
during wMeh the ayes and noes were
called for on the first resolution of the
report.
Permission wa3 asked, and granted,
who are t
on trial and
section ; at
the Discipli:
, , . , , . ' , 1 j iniams, a A ; v tlson, N II D : W n-
tention to enslave them, be expunged 5 gejj j, . yej '
from the General Rule3 of the Metho'j k 11' ' rn m t t
dist Eciscopal Church. South. r,1?- T . l.H' J. ?. '
Reiohei,. That in adopting th, i ' ;.!": ."V. .V
egoing resolution this Conference ex-; TT -. j.Jin.uuiiy, Sam ; Sasnett.
to rcer 1
rot; j L-eresJter.
i o il Of lit -ii a
beir.g read,
to ? was 25
ATE5. Alexin ler, Robert; Ai.l:r-
on. J ; Anderson, W II; Atkir.?. J;
Baldwin, S D ; Birrbr, W ; Bf r r ::t.
W W; Beits, C; l-hcWe!!. MJ
, Bias, Q II ; Borir.-. J ; BoiweU, TL;
jByyJ, R J : Boyle, J ; Bradfcr-!, W ;
; Branham, W R Brook. J II ; Brush, :
G W; Boris, N W; Campbell, L;
1,' WC"i SN S 1 SG
-rie, S J ; Davi?, Ji II D??m?. O F ; j
iD.nes V : DoetL D S : Dorman. T
W; Doub. Pete; Drake, BM; Ed
ward?, J E ; Erwin, A R ; Evans, J E ;
Fields, J W ; Fergwon, F G ; Field,
S ; Fisk. R ; Garae)!, W A ; Gard
ner, T N ; Gillepie, C C; Glenn, J
W ; Greer. A L P; Hamilton, J ; llan
ner, J W ; Harp, R J; Harreil, J ;
Harris G W D; Heflin, R T; Hen
kle, M M; Hicks, W; Hughes, J F;
Hunter, A ; Huston, L D ; Hutchinson,
J J ; Ivey, J. A : Jones. G ; Jon. . J
G; Johnson, W C: Kellev, .1 W:
ivozer, 1 J; -Lanhome, G : L-e.
T . x i . 'T Ii- V '
" M Leeptr, D A; Lewis. I);
T , T v t 1 V w .V '
- . rp. Vt v n A t-
-Mann, A 1 ; Marshal , C K ; Marvin.
r r.r t i- . - r t . ,1
L 31 ; McAhster, M; McAnally.
Tv r . M--P. T t W c V
1 K ; Mcrernn, J B ; McMahon.Vi :
u.c I '
i.uuowaiii, .v: .uciveire. ll r :
ir- 1 1
It; Mills, J ; Mitchell. A
it
Monroe, A; Monrgomcrv, II II
i Moores, ; Mcrn.s F A ; Munsev.T
v . -.r' V tT 1 . ' "''v
j olson, D B; Oliver, C D: Owen, F A ;
; parjcs j .
avne, J B ; Pearce. G
J; Scarce, Levi; Peery, J T; l'hil
lips, J W ; Pearce, Lovick ; Pitts, F
E; Randle, T W; RatcJiffe, W P;
Reid, N F ; Richardson, S P ; Ri-gi,
A S ; Robeson, W ; Robinson, E ; Ros
ser, L; Rowzie, W B; Seat, V II ;
Sevier, E. F ; Sbeffer, G ; Shipp, A
M ; Slater, E C ; Smith, P P ; Smith,
WA; Stacy, J; Stanford. T: Ste
ven, R M ; Stevenson, E : Sullivan, N;
Summers, T O ; Talley, N ; Tavlor, Z
M
J.nweatt, n j ; TuIIis, J B
Vaught, S K ; Wadsworth, E'; Wal-
n Vw;2: 7 '
'X . ' Ji 7
V J ; atson
Aggregate ;
absentees, 3.
noes, 8 ;
Several brethren explained the rea
sons of their votes.
Bishop Pierce Mr President, I de
sire to make a, remark calculated, per
haps, to allay the feeling of the body
in relation to the action just had. The
design of the Alabama Conference in
originating that resolution, and of the
Annual Conferences which have sup
ported it, is misapprehended by some.
The whole philosophy of the proceed
ing seems to be founded on the fact,
that it isnot the province of the Church
to decide any question with reference
to African slavery. The South Church
maintains that slavery is not a subject
of ecclesiastical legislation. The single
object was,that while we disclaimed the
right of legislation upon that subject,
we wished to make the discipline con
form to that profession. The Confer
ence by its action this morning,has not
parted with its authority, or the au
thority, of the Church, over its mem
bers, in any respect. Every member
of tne church claims to be a loyal citi
zen. We declare here that African
slavery is a-purely civil institution; and
there i3 no reason for alarm about los
ing Church control. If we turn to the
23d Article of Religion, we shall find
there that the Church retains its prop
er authority over its members with re
ference to this subject. We therefore,
by this act eimply maintain our origi
nal position that of having nothing to
do with the subject of slavery more than
any other civil matter over which the
laws of the country are extended. I
beg the brethren therefore to be easy.
There is nothing here to warrant
any constriction looking toward a
repeal of the law3 of the United
States in regaad to the African slave
trade. There is- no occasion for sensi
tivene3, nor for any legislation on the
subject anywhere else. No harm ha3
been done to anybody to-day. We have
only set ourselves right on a vexed
question ; and we may safely defy all
the efforts of our enemies, North and
South, to damage the Church for tak
ing a clear position upon thb subject.
ll A C Walker Would it be in or
der for brethren who voted in the neg
ative on the second resolution to have
their votes recorded ? Some of them
have expressed such a desire.
W Closs There is no record of that
vote.
CLASS MEETINGS.
The Conference now took up the
special order of the day, namely, the
report of the select committee to whom
was referred the memorial of sandry
persons in the Stete of South Corolina,
praying for a change in the rule3 in
regard to Class Meetings, so that at
tendance thereon be made advisory in
stead of compulsory; and the resolu
alcv.
. S.
tion l-y rjtore th c!.e th c-r'g-ir.al
si? .f tclvf.
i fie f-aM rf n r'
" 1 t IfT.'th.
:i tf ;hrc
rtsoiut-crs
1. That ih'frjtr cf th mn.oriI ,
:;ta be nt5 grante 1.
2. Thai the Anr.al C nf-rcocr
1 k ir.to thi matter, r.i h j'd their
n.emLcr.Vr
to s tr;ct
.Hify
to the txliUz rales.
S. TLit local preachers I c'im
leaiers be urged hold ch?.s tre: .
iag wherever it ia practice! !,
W P ni!c!;5?pr?pnc 1 1 v trr.-.i-.1.?
report, by ftrikir.4 it tK w.d r
lotion, and substituting wo?! M
following effect: . .-'
R'tolrt l, That the B-'jI.cjvs ir.-viT
strictly concercig the acaUtrtti
by the preachers in the several An&va)
Conferences in reference das reel
ings, and that tho several Annual Con
ferences hold tho preachers to a strict
accountability cn that mbi-ct ; ar. J
that we will jstain the Bishops in
their efforts to have the dialing rule
carried out.
He made a epech ia support of thi
proposition, an 1 also regarding tho
whole premises, which, in c risidoration
of our limited spaced said ho wm hot
careful to have reported.
C F Deems submitted paper by
way of substituio for the report and
amendment, embracing threo resolu
tions to tho tffect
1. That the regulates in the Disci
pline on the subject of c! 1-- r;?eting
b'o retained.
2. That all that which m.ikcs atten
dance on claa nj;-etit3 obligitory le
rescinded.
3. That our ministry be earnestly
requested to multiply the number of
voluntary clas-ic?.
These resolutions were sign I by C
F Deems, J G Bruce, and S I) Bald
win. it vampoeu Loe3 not that piper
pronoso a change
in tho rcUnctiro
rules? If so, it must be ?M.t round for
the concurrence cf the Annual Con
ferences. C F Deems Thc4 i i contemplated.
K E Wiley I move to hiy the sub
stitute on the table.
R T Htfiin If in order, I rcovc to
lay the whole subject on the table.
The Chair (Iii she p. Kavanaugh)
There ia a brother rv tVu !-
pruuaoiy tho most import ant pubject
now left for this General Conference to
decide. I thereforo desire the body to
act with great care and deliberation;
for whichever way we may decide, we
are sure to produce a strong impression
upon the whole body of the Church. It
is now known that the question has
come before this General Conference,
and the result of our action upon this
gravest of all but ono of the questions
expected to come- before ua, rmi3t havo
it3 effect on the Church at large. I
claim, sir, to be a.i devoted a clas3
meeting pastor as any man on this floor.
I claim to be a3 firmly in favor of
Methodist classes anil to owe as much
to them, under God, as any other man
can claim. I have introduced this sub
stitute, not to damage tho clasameetiag
institution, but to advance it to in
crease it3 hold upon U3, and to extend
its benefits a3 much as possible. I wish
the brethren to understand that. It
being fairly promised that my object is
to promote class meetings, we shall
come to a better understanding.
Those of us who havo sine 1 this sub
Etitute are opposed to tie adoption of tho
report for reasons Tike those : I a the Crt
place, the report admit that wo ouht to
adopt such measures as seem likely to meet
the exigencies of tlo case in all its ber
irjgs ; but it does not meet the exigeacics
of the case 60 far forth as our lay breth
ren are concerned. The hiicplo q-jcftioD i,
How fchall we induce our people to trnbrac
the beuefits of tbia institution ? TLe ro
port, I eubojit, wholly avoids that question.
A second and Etill'tuore iroportatit objec
tion to the report is this: It fa'.surueg that
bj far the larger portion desirirsg a change
are amongst our minuter?, au J tLat it is
debired by comparatively few layrmea. -Bat
this is quite a tniolak. I assume, oa
the contrary, that far f.wer u.iimtrs than
laymen debire this change, in prvporti ;
that whilst we look at the jrcpirtka be
tween the DUE&ber of ministers and the
nanber cf laymen, there are more laymen
ia proportion who desire, not to abrogate
class meeting I am. ve?y deeply oppod
to that but who desire to Lave something
done. There is certainly a deeper interest
felt in this matter among laymen ; and so
far as I can ascertain their viewa, they be
lieve the adoption of the voluntary systena
is the best that can be done. Then, 00 the
tame page of the report, the coa-ttittee as
sume that the decline of class meetings is
far more attributable to the fault of prea
chers than people. Where is the evidence
cf that ? The preachers all will tell yoa
how they have labored f,r tho advance
meet of all our institutions. This, also, u
nothing but an assumption ; and I will
venture to. say that if this admitted decline
be the reslt of any fault, it does not lie
with preachers or people, but in the man
ner ia which we endeavor to force upon
our people an institution, good ia itself,
provided we could make it voluntary. I
believe it to be a good humane institution,
and that this decline comes from the nature
of our rules. Then, again, throughout th
report there seems to be a line of reflection
upon the ministry. It is an ea-sy thiag for
U3 here to talk about oar brethren down
there in the Annual Confereaces,and tosay
(Continued on 1th page.)
Y
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