low to the general union, by an extensively cir- "We ask, Mr. Editor, and we do it seriously, culated Conference paper and a well establish- will our Southern Conferences send delegates ed bookstore; but under a different result-a longer to an assembly where a bigoted and result generally calculated on by most of those reckless majority silence all their appeals for with whom I have conversed,-our paper and justice and right, by their fanatical clamors; bookstore would give us a position of INDE- and even trample upon their feelings as men PENDENCE, the want of which would be sensibly felt.

and ministers, with the utmost indifference? We trust not? We hope, sir, if delegates are sent again it will be to fix the BOUNDARY between northern fanaticism and southern rights. Such sentiments as are held at the North, in regard to us and our institutions, imperiously deinand that such a course should be pursued."

In a letter to the editor of the Pitts

"A part of this communication I have felt it my duty to make to you as one, with others, whom you have appointed to publish the Sentinel; and the remainder, as one of your representatives in the late General Conference, in regard to facts which will not meet your eye upon the face of the Journals of that body now publishing and the whole at this time, because of burg Conference Journal, Mr. Smith their connection directly or indirectly with the interests of the Sentinel. This, I sincerely disclaimed the authorship of this plan, trust, you will seriously and prayerfully consid- and said that it was the plan of the er, and not lay down this communication until whole South, entered into at the late you have determined upon a course of action, General Conference, the evening of the and then pursue it with diligence, and all cause to fear for the success of the paper will be at day on which the bishops were elected. Here brother Fisk, is work for you. "The reasons for not addressing you through Do you not see the disorganizing spirit the columns of the Sentinel are apparent; and of the South? And who has caused it? as a private communication, your own prudence will suggest the use to be made of it,-no im- Not the abolitionists-but their oppoproper one, I hope." nents! It is the anti-abolitionists who are accused of "gross dissimulations."

an end.

Now look at the following extract from an article published in the Vir- brethren received from our General ConNot a word of reproof have these ginia Conference Sentinel, of which ference papers, or anti-abolition brethMr. Smith was publisher. This article ren! And why not? Is not this a

is signed" a voice from Virginia."Here the General Conference is charged that the hot blood of our good brethren highly censurable measure? Is it feared gross dissimulations!"

with "

in the South would boil over if such "It was hoped, Mr. Editor, by the friends of treasonable conduct should be centhe Methodist Episcopal Church, throughout sured? And must the abolitionists be the South, that the resolutions which were adopted by the last General Conference, conabused, because they will bear it? demnatory of the principles and conduct of Can such measures as are noted above the abolitionists, were indicative of a determi- to sustain slavery be passed over in sination on the part of the Methodist ministry lence by a church that "holds slavery in throughout the North, not to interfere with the domestic institutions of the South, but to the deepest abhorrence?" And is it sayavoid every thing which might excite sectional ing too much, to say, that a church whose jealousies, or tend to interrupt the peace and officers and editors will pass over such harmony of our union. But, alas, sir, before things in silence, and oppose, day and the adjournment of that body, palpable evidence was given that those resolutions were night, the only measures in operation to GROSS DISSIMULATIONS, and our fond hopes of bring about the emancipation of the unanimity and brotherly love, were forced to slaves, is giving her influence in favor give place to the strong and obvious convic-of slavery? If our brethren feel it to be tion, that PROSCRIPTION was the order of the their duty to oppose us, let them do so; The election of bishops settled that point but why not oppose slavery too? Why beyond a reasonable doubt. No one denied, not divide their opposition between "the that the most prominent candidate of the South for the Episcopate, was possessed of superior great evil" of slavery, and the great evil qualifications for the office over two of those of abolition? Will it be said that the elected. But because he was a slave-holder, discipline opposes slavery, and that is this was "disqualification" enough. It was sufficient? It may be replied, that the their northern brethren that this was a spirit General Conference has condemned abof proscription, and that they could not submit. olition, and that is sufficient! Why hunt INSULT is heaped upon INJURY, and they are down the abolitionists for holding to the told in the language of the Pittsburgh editor, heinous doctrine, that all men are creatthat they should not "attempt to force themselves as ambassadors of Christ upon those ed equal, while slaveholders, exactly on a level, says Mr. Wesley, with mensteal

day.

in vain that the southern members warned

who cannot receive them as such."

ers, are considered among the excellent conference immediately moved that it be of the earth? Who would ever infer, laid on the table, and made the order of from the conduct of such a church, that the day for the fourth of July next. she is convinced of the great evil of Nothing more was heard of the resoluslavery? "By their fruits ye shall tion. But it shows the disposition of one brother, at least, to suppress discussion on a certain subject.

know them!"

N. YORK, BALTIMORE AND GEORGIA CON

FERENCES.

BALTIMORE CONFERENCE.

You will bear in mind, brethren, that no sentence of condemnation was passed 6. It further appears that the influence against slavery at this conference. Slaveof the M. E. Church is in favor of slave- ry, it would seem, is a small evil, comry, from what the New York, Baltimore pared with abolitionism. and Georgia Conferences have done, since the last General Conference. How many other conferences have taken a The Baltimore Conference, at its last similar course, I know not. But so far session, passed the following resolution: as it respects any opposition from our doctors of divinity, bishops, or official the general rule in reference to buying and papers, every conference in the Union might take a similar course.

NEW YORK CONFERENCE.

"That in all cases of administration, under

Here it will be seen the slave trade is

selling men, women and children, &c., it be and hereby is recommended to all committees as the sense and opinion of this conference,that the said rule be taken, construed and understood so as not to make the guilt or innoIn June, 1836, the New York Confer-cence of the accused to depend upon the simple ence passed a resolution requiring all fact of purchase or sale of any such slave or slaves, but upon the attendant circumstances of her candidates for deacon's and elder's cruelty, injustice or inhumanity, on the one orders to pledge themselves that they hand, or those of kind purposes or good intenwould not agitate the church with dis- tions on the other, under which the transactions cussions on the subject of abolition. The recommended that in all such cases the charge shall have been perpetrated; and farther, it is candidates for orders that year were or- be brought for immorality, and the circumdained (to the number of over thirty) stances be adduced as specifications under that charge." under this pledge! And under it they still are. It is true, at the session of that conference for 1837, this gag-law justified, providing the "purposes are was not enforced; but the conference kind," and the " intentions good." "The has neither reconsidered nor disapproved simple fact of the purchase or sale of a of the infamous resolution, [understand slave or slaves," is not to be condemned. it is the resolution which is infamous, Who, but the slave trader himself, can not the conference who passed it! their judge of his "purposes and intentions?" "motives" are not to be impeached] And where is there a trader in human and there it stands upon their journals bones that would not justify himself on as a flaming evidence of the "one unde- this ground? Our general rule forbids viating language!" At an early period the "intention" of slavery; but the Balin the last session of the New York Con- timore Conference not only impliedly ference, Rev. N. Bangs offered the fol- justifies slavery, but directly, the slave lowing resolution, designed, it would trade; providing it is not carried on seem, to gag the whole conference. The cruelly. Is this a part of the padlocks, at the preceding session, had deviating language?" Or if it be a deonly been put on the mouths of the parture from it, has Rev. N. Bangs raised his voice or lifted his pen against such young men.

66 one un

"That, in view of the sentiments expressed gross violations of the discipline? Not he. by the last General Conference, on the subject Did the presiding bishop refuse to put of abolitionism, as well as from a conviction of this slave trade resolution? Nay verily ! duty, that it is inexpedient for the members of Had an anti-slavery conference taken this conference to indulge in public discussions on this agitating subject, and that, therefore, such an unconstitutional course, how we pledge ourselves to refrain from all such many doctors, editors and bishops would discussions." have been out upon them? But such is But it would not go. Rev. D. Ostran- the influence of slavery in the church, der, one of the oldest members of the that we cannot have even our constitu

tional rights! A resolution in opposi-room, thy unchanged belief of the true charaction to this was introduced at the last ter of AMERICAN SLAVERY, the vilest that ever session of the New Hampshire Confer- the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, saw the sun.' But if they hear not Moses and ence, but the presiding bishop refused to though one rose from the dead."

"Not a moral evil!" In 1780, slave

66

put it, because, as he said, it would bring the conferences into collision! Antiabolition conferences may come into ry was contrary to the laws of God, collision with the Discipline to put down evil!" In 1784, it was a "crying evil," man and nature;" now, "not a moral abolition and sustain slavery; but we and any member, in any part of the must not take Discipline ground, if it brings us into collision with them! Is" immediately expelled:" now, not a country, who "sold a slave,' 19 was to be moral evil! In 1785, it was held in the

it not so?

GEORGIA CONFERENCE.

The Georgia Conference, at its late session, passed the following resolutions, it is said, unanimously:

66

deepest abhorrence;" in 1837, "not a in 1801; and expulsion was the penalty moral evil!" It was still a crying evil for selling a slave; but, in 1836, the "Whereas there is a clause in the Discipline tion, but refused to condemn slavery: General Conference condemned abolias ever convinced of the great evil of slavery; therefore, in 1837, an annual conference and whereas the said clause has been perverted says that slavery "is not a moral evil!" by some, and used in such a manner as to pro- Can you, brethren, believe the Georgia duce the impression that the Methodist Episco- and Baltimore Conferences would ever pal Church believed slavery to be a moral evil,

of our Church which states that we are as much

evil.

The Georgia Conference evidently be

"Therefore, Resolved, That it is the sense of have taken the ground they have, had it the Georgia Annual Conference, that slavery, not been for the doings of the General as it exists in the United States, is not a moral Conference? Can you see how a Meth"Resolved, That we view slavery as a civil odist bishop could possibly put such resand domestic institution, and one with which, olutions to the vote, if a bishop has a as ministers of Christ, we have nothing to do, right in any case to decline such busifurther than to ameliorate the condition of the ness? Was that" disciplinary business?" slave, by endeavoring to impart to him and his master the benign influences of the religion of "proper conference business?" In view Christ, and aiding both on their way to heaven. of all these facts, can you doubt that the "On motion, it was Resolved, unanimously, influence of the M. E. Church is in favor That the Georgia Annual Conference regard of slavery? For all this prostration of with feelings of profound respect and approbation the dignified course pursued by our several discipline, the General Conference laid superintendents or bishops in suppressing the the foundation! attempts that have been made by various individuals to get up and protract an excitement in the churches and country on the subject of ab-lieve there are but two sides to this ques"Resolved, further, That they shall have our olition, as sustaining slavery. Hence tion. They look upon opposition to abcordial and zealous support in sustaining them their vote of approbation to the bishops in the ground they have taken.-[Extract from for their attempts to put down abolitionthe Minutes.] "THOMAS C. BENNING, Secretary." ism! The very conference which says that slavery "is not a moral evil," reGuardian, a Methodist paper published abolition! Will they not be proud of such solves to sustain the bishops in opposing in Canada, makes the following sensible tokens of "approbation" from such a resolution says slavery source, and in such a CONNECTION? One " is not a moral Sainted spirit of the venerable Wesley evil," another pledges the conference to Could shame and anger disturb thy deep and sustain the "dignified course" of the bishholy tranquillity, this would call them into ex- ops in "suppressing" abolitionism! Such ercise! If for aught thou couldst wish to re- is the reward which our venerable supervisit this world of grief and sin,' it would

olitionism.

On the above resolutions the Christian

remarks:

"ALAS! ALAS! You that have tears, prepare

to shed them now.'

64

surely be to erase from the records of Method- intendents have, for their opposition to ism so foul a blot upon the character of the sys- the abolition conferences! tem which claims thee as its founder; or to

inscribe beneath it, in emblazoned capitals, thy ters of Christ call that sum of all villaBut to see a body of professed minisfirm protest. Gladly wouldst thou, with Heav

en's permission, have recorded, in a hand- nies, (American slavery,) a "civil and writing upon the wall' of that conference domestic institution! How civil to rob

3

human beings of all their rights-to en-up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. slave the image of God-to steal and en-that thou wast created, till INIQUITY was found "Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day slave innocent children! If this is a civil in thee. institution, I hardly know where we should go to find a criminal institution! have filled the midst of thee with violence, and

All this passes unreproved by the official organs of the church!

"By the multitude of thy merchandize they

THOU HAST SINNED. Therefore I will cast thee out as profane out of the mountain of God: and I will destroy thee, O covering cherub, from the midst of the stones of fire.

And now I ask, has not the spirit as well as the practice of slavery increased "Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the in the M. E. Church for the last fifty of thy TRAFFIC; therefore will I bring forth a multitude of thine iniquities, by the iniquity years? I can no more doubt this, than I FIRE from the MIDST OF THEE, it shall DEVOUR can doubt my existence. If any proposi- THEE, and I will bring thee to ASHES upon the tion can be established by facts, this earth, in the sight of all them that behold thee."-Ezekiel xxviii. 14, 15, 16, 18. is fully sustained.

66

VIO

And is it not equally certain, that the The Methodist Church has stood forth influence of the M. E. Church has been in prosperity, as the anointed cherub for some time past in favor of slavery? I that covereth. She has dwelt" upon the cannot resist this conviction. I do not holy mountain of God"-and she "has believe the majority of the church have walked up and down in the midst of the intended to exert such an influence; but stones of fire?" She was perfect in I am morally certain that the M. E. her ways" from the day that she was Church is at this time one of the " great created, TILL INIQUITY WAS FOUND IN props" of slavery. I do not desire that HER! But she has made "MERCHANthis prop should be " split;" but I would DIZE of the souls of men, and have it cease to support slavery; and the LENCE " is in the midst of her; and she sooner the better. A slave holding has sinned." She has "defiled" her ministry! A slave holding church! SANCTUARIES by the iniquity of her What inconsistency! Do not many of "TRAFFIC." And does not the Almighty our ministers and members give their now threaten to cast her off as profane, influence and example to what the Bi-and to destroy her? And has he not alble calls, and Mr. Wesley considers man- ready brought "forth a FIRE from the stealing? MIDST of her, that has "DEVOURED" Are there not Achans among us, a her, and reduced her to ASHES?" IS thousand times worse than Achan of old. not the portrait of Tyre too true a likeHe robbed God in temporal things; we ness of the Methodist Episcopal Church? have robbed him of his own image? We If she does not put away her iniquity, have stolen, not a wedge of gold, a Ba- violence, and merchandize in the souls bylonish garment, and a few hundred and bodies of men, the days of her prosshekels of silver, but we have stolen hu- perity will soon be numbered. man beings, and have made merchandize It may be said that slavery has always of immortal spirits! And even in the been in the church, and nevertheless it North, we have apologized for this ini- has prospered. True; but in the first quity-we have connived at it-we have place the M. E. Church was organized attempted to cover it up with the WORD with the express understanding that slaOF GOD! The highest ecclesiastical tri- very was not to be continued in it. Secbunal of the Methodist Episcopal Church ondly, many of our fathers did all they has solemnly condemned the course of could to expel it from the church. But all her ministers and members who dare thirdly, it may perhaps be said, that the to plead the cause of the oppressed, time of this ignorance God winked at, while it has refused to breathe a syllable but now commandeth he all Methodists against those who oppress and rob God's every where, to repent. The truth is, intelligent creatures of their all! It ap- that for a number of years past, our pears to me that the language of the whole country has been asleep on this Prophet Ezekiel to ancient Tyre, is as subject. Darkness has covered the whole applicable to us as it was to her.

land. But now the light shineth. We cannot sin at so cheap a rate as we have "Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon done. The time was, when God blessed the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked our church, though it contained many

rum-sellers and rum-drinkers. Many of our brethren are practising what they our ministers and church members used believe to be wrong, or that they preach to drink rum, and enjoy religion too, a doctrine contrary to their principles. perhaps; but does that prove that they We hope therefore that they are not such can now do so, and retain the favor of hypocrites as to preach one thing and God? Certainly not. Neither is it true practise another. And if this be not that God will prosper a slave-holding the fact, the conclusion is inevitable, that church now, because he has done it in they support the system of slavery both darker times! The voice of warning by precept and example. Talk as much has gone forth, and we now sin at our as you please about slavery being a peril. These are strange times! Never" civil and domestic institution," and a till of late, has a Methodist minister dar-" political thing," it is moral influence ed to lift his voice or pen, in defence of that sustains it, and a moral influence slavery; but now the man-stealer and can put it down. It is the churches of robber finds apologists and defenders the North and South that uphold it. If among Methodist preachers, and that too northern Christians would denounce it, in the free States! We now refuse to and southern churches renounce it, its speak out to the world in the language death warrant would be sealed! But of the Discipline; and we hedge up the while the Bible is pressed into its serway of those who dare to do so. The vice, it will strike deep its roots, and greater our light, the more aggravated spread wide its branches! What could our sins. God has no attribute which we ever have accomplished in the temcan take sides with us in our struggle perance cause, had the churches continto sustain our craft, and uphold the great ued to make, sell, and drink rum! And Diana of the Americans! Our church is is there not an awful responsibility reststained with blood, and haunted with the ing upon Christians all over the land in groans of deathless spirits! Surely it is relation to the slavery question? enough. God's judgments will not alMR. BIRNEY'S LETTER. ways linger, nor his justice forever sleep. We claim the descendants of stolen hu- The following sensible remarks are man beings, as PROPERTY! We make from Mr. Birney's "Letter to the slaves of the purchase of the Redeemer's Churches." I believe the larger denomblood. We buy, sell, and enslave many inations of Christians possess all the of God's ignorant and oppressed chil- power to crucify slavery, which Mr. B. dren; and what will be the end of this ascribes to them, and that what he says system of cruelty? of the Presbyterians of Kentucky, is

C

Suppose we admit, for the sake of equally true when applied to the Methothe argument, (though in some instances dists of that State. How great, then, we can prove the contrary) that the must be the responsibility of the slaves owned by our ministers and mem-churches! bers are as well treated as the system of Well, after all this, you say, 'What can slavery will allow, still the example of we do? I answer, you can rise up to-morrow and liberate all whom you hold in bondage. all these men is in favor of slavery-of But,' you reply, what effect would this have the whole system of slavery. For they upon the great body of slaveholders in the are connected with the system, they State?' I will undertake to affirm, that, by hold slaves under the laws-and they do will have crucified the giant sin of our land; such a course, small as is your number, you not preach against slavery, unless they his dying struggles may be fierce and long propreach one thing and practise another. tracted, but his dissolution will be certain, beBut as example goes before precept, all cause the death-blow will have been given. The ministers and rulers of any of the larger such preaching would be in vain. But denominations of Christians have it in their I fear they love slavery too well to preach power to-morrow to give the fatal wound to against it. Brother Winans said on slavery in Kentucky, and if in Kentucky, the floor of the last General Conference, throughout the slaveholding region of the Unthat he had become a slave holder from principle! This may be the fact in all cases where our brethren hold slaves. This is the most charitable view of the subject. I should be sorry to know that

ion; for how would the congregations over which God has placed thein, and upon whom they would then be authorized to press this subject with all its overpowering weight, upon in the blaze of such virtuous action, and not he sound consciences and Christian hearts, stand consumed or won by it? If it were to preva