The New York Herald Newspaper, May 22, 1851, Page 8

THE GREAT METHODIST CASE. PRA ‘United States Cireult Court. ‘The Hon. Judges Nelson and Bette presiding. MIGHLY IMPORTART CASE—THE METHODIST EPIS- OPAL CHURCH NORTH AND SOUTH—RELIGION AND SLAVERY. s¥conD Day. May 20.—Henry B. Bascom and others vs. George Lane ond cthers.—At the sitting of the Cor a sae Mr. Lord proceeded to read from the of Proofs, {From Address of the British Conference to the Bishops and Members of the General Conference of the Metho- dist E, Church in the United States of America ) “But while we freely indulge in sentiments such a6 ‘these, we cannot ‘that on one subject especially — slavery—you, our beloved breth- ren, are placed in circumstances of painful trial and per- Plexity. Ww: ter, with brotherly sym , into the situation which are now to oocupy. it on this question, we to refer you to what occurs im our address to you from the conference a oper copy of which will be handed to you by our w- ntative; as also tothe contents of our preceding Witter of 1835. "ro the principles which we have atfec- thomately but henestly declared in these two documents we sia Sp nce, ith a full conviction of their Christian trat The thine which has elapsed, and the events which have taken place, since the preparation of the above- mentioned Ts, serve only to confirm us yet more in eur views of the moral evil of slavery. Far be it from us te advocate violent and ill-considered measures. We are, however, stro: and unequivocally of it is, at this time, the paramount Christian duty of the ministers of our most merciful Lord in your eountry to maintain principle of opposition e slavery with Poo! zeal and unflineh May ‘to entreai men ‘y d, with the heartfelt solieitude of fraternal love, it that you will not omit or qualify the nebie which we have extracted, in a note to our ad- @ene, from your ‘ Book of Discipline,’ but that you will eentinue to insert it there in its primitive and unim- a] integrity.” address of the General Conference to the British Conference. “We have considered. with tionate respect and ’e, your brotherly suggestions concerning sla- and most cheerfully returo an unreserved answer m. And we do so the rather, brethren, because of the numerous prejudicial statements which haye been yat forth in certain quarters, to the wounding of th» Weassure youthen, brethren, that we hav. adopted no new principle or rule of discipline respecting ; since the time of our apostolic Asbury ; neither ‘mean toadopt any. In our general rules, (called General Rules of the United Societies,’ and which eonstitutional authority in ourehurch.) ‘the buying and selling of men, women, and ebildren, with an Intent jon to enslave them,’ ie expressly prohibited; and | u me words, eubstantially, which have been used fer the rule since 1792, Aud the extract of part 2, sec- tion 10, of our Book of Diselpline, which you quote with ™ bution, and denominate ‘a noble ony,’ is atill eto the same extent that it has been for many it nor do we entertain any purpose to omit or quaii- this section, or any part thereof, For while we should Regard St a sore evil to divert Methodism from her pro- ie work of ‘spreading reripture holiness over these lands,’ questions of tempora! import, involving the rights of ir, yet are we not the lexs minded on that aecount to Es and set forward all humane and generous we- or to prevent, to the utmost of our power, such as are evil and unchristian. It ix our first dexire, after picty teward God, to be ‘mereifal after our power, as we have opportunity, doing good of every possibie sort, and as fat aa porsibie, to all men,'—~‘to thelr bodies,’ but expecially, bove all, ‘to their souls.” “Of these United States, (to the government and laws of whieh, ‘according to the divition of power made to themn by the constitution of the Union, and the constitu: tions of the several States,’ we owe. and delight to render, sincere and patriotic loyalty.) there are several which 0 not allow of slavery. ‘There are others in which it is allowed, and there are slaves; but the tendency of the Jaws, and the minds of the majority of the people, are in favor Ofemancipation. Bat there are othere in which ery exists Ko univereally, and is so closely interwoven 0 bee rpg yop both do the —. dis- allow of emaucipation, and the great body of the people (the source of laws with us) hold it to be treasonable to eet forth anything, by word or deed, tending that way. Bach one of all these States ir independent of the rest, and sovereign, with reepect to ite internal government, fey #0 as if there existed no confederation smong for ends of common interest,) and therefore it is imposrible to frame 4 rule on slavery proper for our peo- in all the State: ike. But our church is extended rh all the States; and as it would be wrong and un- seriptural toenact a rule of discipline in opposition to ‘the constitution and laws of the State on this subject, so ‘also would it not be equitable cr eeriptural to confound the positions of our ministers and people (so different as they are in different States) with respedt to the moral qeertion whieh sia involves. “ Under the administration of the venerated Dr. Coke, thin plain distinction was once overlooked, and it was bye to urge emancipation in all the States; bus the mays almost ruinous, and was soon aban- sasceeabe “ pation ti those’ ftates emanei ion in those Btates where the laws permit it, and to erjoy freedom, we have refrained, for conscience all intermeddling with the subject in those ther States where the laws make it criminal, And such & course we think agreeable to the Scriptures, and tudicated by ft. Paul's inspired instruction to servants, ia his First Epistle to the Corinthians, chap. vii. ver. an For if servants were not to care for their ser- je when t] inight not be free, though if they might be fiee they should use it rather; so, neither when sy might Noho this Wr" hey Ad 90, itu should do «o rather, The question of the evil of slavery, ‘abstractedly considered, will readily perceive matter from a principle or to be exeeated contrary to, pn fh hy con law of Mee Methodixm ways been (except, perbaps, In le instance above) emii ‘and promotive of ord may ever continue to Ewrope and America. With this sentiment etude tye J am, ne, A & a gp) lan. guage of your no! ry and ited Watson, in their histocstioas to mission- aries, published in the Report of 1823, as follows :— “* As in the colonies in which you are called to labor, a great of the inhabitants are in a slavery, the committee most strongly call to your re- bra what was so fully to you 2 were accepted as a missionary to the West Indies, that inion that | pl, | aves the rien | The undersigned, a minority of the General Conference, | | in sting. as they do, against the late act of the m: | the revered | imberited former husband's estate, and belonging to her, after: peascthas, Ming uxwiliag fo be come their owner. ae tly bert, and the law not emancipation, 1 seoured them to her of trust. “It will be EA se) from the above statement of facts, that I have ht nor sold a slave; that in the only two instances in which Iam holder, emancipation is impracticable. yants owned by my wife, I have no legal responsi the preinises, nor could bg Ra emancipate them if she desired to do#o. Ihave legally « slave- As to tion of the General Conference. Yours A “JAMES 0. ANDREW. © Resolutions were then offered requesting the Bishop to resign, but the meeting adjourned; and at a subsequent conference the foliowing was eed i “Whereas the disei of our Chureh forbids the doing avything calculated to destroy our itinerant general superintendency, and whereas Bishop Audrew has be- come connected with slavery by marriage and otherwise, and this act having drawn after it circumstances h, in the estimation of the General Conferenee, will greatly embarass the exercise of his office as an itinerant gene- ral superintendent, if not in some places entirely prevent it; therefore, “Resolved, That it in the sense of this General Confer- ence that he desist from the exercise of his office so loag ae this impediment remain. “ During the call for yeas and nays, J. ©. Clark asked to be excused from vot , a8 he was compelled, by the want of heulth in some members of his family, to remove from Texas. Conference by # vote declined excusing him.” There was s series of resolutions then read from the General Conference among which were the following: — “And ve it further resolved, as aforeseid, That the Book Concerns at New York and Cincinnati shall be beid and conducted asthe property and for the benefit of all the Annuai Conferences as heretofore; the editors and agents to be elected once in four years at the time of the sevsion of the Northern General ee, and the voter of the Bouthern General Conference to be cast by the delegates of that Conference attending the Northern for that purpose. “And be it further resolved, That our church organiza- tion for foreign missions shall be maintained and con- dueted jointly between the two Generul Confvrences as one chureh. fn #uch manner ae shall be agreed upon from time to time between the two great ches of the church a represented in the raid two Conferesces.” THE PROTEST. Mr. Lord then asked pormission for his vonerable frien | Doctor Smith te read the Protest. The Court acquiesced. and the Rov. Dr, Smith then proceeded to read the protest. beyinning at page 99 ani extending to page 112, of which the foltowing is an ab- +t — et: In behalf of thirteen Annval Conferences of the Me- thedist Episcopal Church, end portions of the ministry and membership of soveral other eouferenees. embrucih’ nearly five thousand ministers, travelling aud local, and 4 memberehip of nearly five hundred thousand, eonsti- tutionally represented in this Gearral Conference—we the undersigned, a minority of the tes of the Conferences several Anpual in General Conference assembled, after mature reflection, impelic ty con- vichions ‘we cannot resist, and in conformity with the rights and usages of minorities, in the and judfcial tribu- nals, in similar circumstances of division and disagree- ment, do most solemnly, and in due form, protest agains the reeent act of a majority of this General Confere in an attempt, os understood by the minority, to degrad® end punish the Rev. James 0. Andrew, one of the bishops of the Methodi«t Episcopal Church, by declaring it to be the sense or judgment of the General Conference that he desist from the exercise of bis episeopal functions, with- cut the exhibition cf any alleged offence against the laws or discipline of the church, without form of trial, or legal convietion of any kind, and in the absence of any charge want of qualification or faithfuincss in the perform- ance of the duties pertaining to his office. “© We protest against the act of the majority ia the ease of Bishop Andrew, as extra-judicial to all intentsand pur- poses, being both without law, and contrary to law. We protest against the act, because we recognize in this Gene- ral Conference no right, power, or authority, ministerial, judictal, or administrative, to suspend or depose a bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, or otherwise subject him mene official disability whatever, without the forma! presentation of a charge or charges. sileging that the bishop to be dealt with has been guilty of the violation of some law. or at least some disciplinary obligation of the church, and also upon conviction of such charge, after due form of trial. We protest against the act in ques- tion, violation of the fundamental law, usually known as the compromise law of the church, on the sub- ject of slavery—the only law which can be brought to hear npon the ease of Bishop Andrew. and the assertion aud maintenance of whieh, until it fs constitutionaily revoked, is guarantied by the honor and good faith of this body, ar the representative assembly of the thirty- three Annual Conferences known as contracting parties in the premises, “And we protest against the act. further, as an attempt to estabish a dangerous precedent, subversive of the wnion and stability of the Methodist Episcopal Church, | and especially ws placing in jeopardy the general super- | intendency of the chureh, y subjecting any bishop of the pra he any time, to the will and caprice ofa ma- jorit of the Qeneral Conference. not only without law, in defiance of the restraints and provision: of law. jority, in the virtual suspension of Bishop Andrew, re- gard it as due to themselves and those they represent, a« well as the character and interest of the church at largo, to deelare, by solemn and formal avowal, that after careful | }j | examination of the entire subjeet, en all its relations ant | Dearings, they protest asabove, for the ronsons and upo2 the ollowkny. ogetont grounds , Vin.:—Ist. The proceedings \Bishop A. im this General Corfercnee has been upon th: ‘assumption that he is conueeted with slavery—tha’ he is the legal holder and owner of slave proper . On the subject of slavery in the Methodist Episco pal Church, both as itr the ministry and member- ship, we have specie] law, upon which the adjudication of allquestion® of slavery m| intention cflaw, proceed. The case of Bishop Andrew, therofore, presents a simple question cf law and fact, and the underatgned eatmnot con: sent that the force of circumstances, and other merely ex- trinsic conriderations, shall be allowed to lead to any issue, except that indicated by the law und the facts in the case. In the late act of the majority, law. express law, | is appealed from, and expediency in’ yiew of circum: | stances—relative propriety—asrumed necessity—is sub- tate of | ro | only business is to promote the moral and religious ement of the slaves to whom you may have acoess, wit in the least degree, in public or private, inter- | fering with their civil condition’ . Counrel then read the of the Westmoreland pe- Ution, which comeluded as foltews “Can it be considered as just or reasonable to hold individuals responsible for the destiny of circumstances over which they hare no control? Thus conditioned i1 the organic arrangements and distributions of societ; there any necessary connection between the a racter of the individual and that of the system? In this way, the modifying influence of unavoidable agencies or cireumstances in the formation of ebaracter is a well known principle, and one of universal recognition in Jaw, morals, and religion, and upon which all administra- tion of law, uot unjuet and oppressive, must pro- ved. And your committer know uo reason why the rule is , of should not obtain, in relation to the subject of this 'r In conclusion, your committee would express the deliberate opinion that, while the PF rorpep oy ‘on the subject of slavery, relating to th only whore laws udiit of emancipation and mit the liberated slave to enjoy freedom, should be firmly and constantly enforced, the exeeption to the general rue, to those States where emancipation, as de- fined al le not practicable. should be recog! and nized end impartiality. The protected with equal firmuc te the Conference the commitice re«peetfally suggr propriety of adopting the Tlowing rovolution = ved, by the delegates of the several annual con- ferences in General Conference assembled. That under the provisional exception of the general rule of the ehurch on the subject of slavery, the simple holding of saver, or more ownership of slave property, in States or | main princely Territories where the laws do not admit of emancipation, and pernrit the liberated clave to enjoy freedom, evo sti- tutes no legal barrier to the election or ortination of ministers to the various grades of office known tn the ministry of the Methodiet ¥plecopal Church, and ean not, therefore, be considered ax operating any forfeiture | e of right in view of such eleetion and ordinatic Mr. Lord begged that the Court would remark the hrase, “the various grades of office known in the min- Ciey, He then read from the printed minutes, at whieh Bishops Andrew and Fouls, and the other Bishops Present. He again referred to tho Book of Proofs, hh was the case of F. A. Harding, wh 4 for refusing to manumit slaves, and it appeared, from the Journal of the General Conference, that his cusponsion was affirmed by a vote off117 to 6, In connection with thir, Mr. Lord referred to the opinion a Mr & and Mr. Keys, stating shat Me. Hardiug could not meaumit. Counsel then read from the law of Muryland. hy whieh it ts enacted thet & woman becoming po-semsed of vlaves during ¢o- verture. shall hold them in her own right cud Inde- aden of her hu that in case of her doath, the wee beeotme the of her children—the hus band having the w hem Lie Lifetime, If the wite die without children, then lates g6 to th Andrew, on whieh “The committee had ascertained. previous to the refo- renee of the resolution, that Bishop Amdrew is connected with slavery, and had obtained an interview with him on the it; and having requested bi whole in the promises, hereby tn written communication from hia in relation to thie matter, and beg leave to offer It as bis statomen( and explanation of the care To ran Commurren ow Bricor acy “Dear Prethren=Tn_ rep! mr Inquiry, T ewhmit the following statement of faring on my eonnerion with slavery. Sev 00 wn old Indy of Augusta, Georgia, be quent me & mulatto «itl, trust that 1 should take care of her until should teen y age; that with here howl then send her to Liberia} and that in case of her refusal, 1 should kee make her asfree as the laws of the Ptate of ould permit, When the time ar- rived, she refused to remain: legally my oto MAb and, of her owa profit from to live in her own hore on my lot, on and Isat precont at perfect liberty to tate hor pleecure; but the laws of the State will not perm T on such deed of erannet to leave the State, Im her case, refure, I bave been made a slavehoNter legally, but ‘not with my own con- cent. # daly. About fire yours ince, the mother of my for- mer wite lef to her danghter, not to me, a negro boy; and as my Wife died without o will more than two sinee, by the laws of the #tate he becomes Teeny my property. In thi « emancipation ts impractio shali be at liberty to lear be ratinfled that he ls prepared to ovide for himanif, or T ean have gufficlont security that he will he pro: tected and provide? for In the place to which he may go. “Miy. In tho month of January last T marriod my pre went wih, he being ot fay pme pomeveeed of ‘arve, . is ceri | ve. although Ldaeive Bo pecuniary | stending ceudernnatic | found } | per. | ' ever ] | the | | stituted in its place as @ rule of judgment “The law of the church on slavery has always existed since 1785, but expecially since 1804, and in view of the | adjustment of the whole subject, in 1818, asa virtual, though informal contraet of mutual concession and for- bearance between the North and the South, then, as now, — and existing as distinct parties, in relation te the vex rences found in States wi slavery prevailed consti- tuting the Southern party, and those in the mou-slave- hi States, the Northern, bene tog to the rule being both. The rights of the legal owners of slaves, inall the slaveholding States, are ied by the com: siitution of the United States, und by the local constitu- tions of (he States, respectively, ‘supreme law of the land, to which every minister and member of the thodist Episcopal ehurch within the Limits of the United States government subjection, and pledges him- relf to submit, as an article of Christi: nh. in the com- mon ereed of the church, Domestic eg therefore, wherever it existe in this yore ia @ elvil lation, existing under the highest sanctions of constitutional and municipal law, known to the itribunals of the country; und it bas always been assumed at the South. and relied upon as © that the North, or non-slavehoiding Btates, A no right, civil or moral, to interfore with re- lations and interests thus secured to the poople of the South by all the graver forms of law and social order. and hat it cannot be done without an abuse of the constita- ional rights of eltizenchip. The people of the North b ever, have claimed to think differently, and have uniform ly acted toward the South in accordance with «uch oppos! thon of opinon, Frecteely Ia aecordance, too, with this stat of North and South, respectively, the Methodist Episcopal Church has been divided in opiuion and feeling on the s organisation i tof and abolition, sinee i nd distinet Les vn Conferences, in sof the compromise law conceded. by express stipulation, their right to resist Northern interference in any form, upon the condit! d by the North, that while the whole chureh, convent, united in pr for the anitiga- final rem the North exeluding from hareh ; “0 ing sla eipation is not practi- sin cable, and where lave i enjoy freedom apa finally agreed ¢ sMroggle, anc derived from after a long and f his the compact now—the proof bel gin the law or ite re min the inetanes of bi fouth hate entered into the ern form consented to the law, had it been intimnted by th North that bishops must be an exception to the rule’ Are the virtuous dend of the North to be slantered b the «uppesilion thet they intended to except bMahops, and thus recompliched their purposes, in wegotiation with the South, by a rerort to deceptive and dishonorable means! The enactment was for an entire people. east West, orth, and south, Te was for the chateh, and member of it—fer the and Is, therefore, universal cation “In proportion to our lore of truths, of law, and order. ere'we not called npon to pause and weigh well the mmon Ww of the body— hazard, betore, as a General Conference, we ineur it be- yond change or remedy! The undersigned b. long looked to the great conservative law of the dieelpline on the subject of slavery and abolition, aa the only chartor of conuretional mnion between the North and the oath; and whenever this bond of connection ie rendered null and void, no matter in what form, or by what means they are compelled to regard the chareh. tical purpore,as alteady divided withou ag’ “The undersigned cet never plain law, obviously covering an assumed the offence «hall be taken, under plow of pri the hands of the law, and be resubjceted t © md passions whieh originally led t ® resort * the only safe standard of judgment. They do not understand how consclenee and Principle can attach arave blame to action not d roved by the law-~ex- press law too, made and provided in the ease--without extending condemmation to the jaw itself, end the body The chureh ean hardly be sap- posed to have settled policy and invariable easton tn contravention of law; the avowal of euch custom smi policy, therefore, excluding from the Kpiscopacy any and every inan in ang way connected with slavery, is more assumption ‘0 such concession. bayont peaceslle xubmiasion to ight of suffrage, exercised by the majority, will ever nitted to by the South, a it would amount to de- nial of equal abstract right, anda disfranchisement of the southers ministry, and could not be submitted to without injory And degradation. If, then, the North fe not es iefied with the negative right conceted to the South by Jaw In thia matter, the minority would be glad to know what principle or policy is likely to introduce y the tate: yneent, while we have « x beyond the existing provisions of law. “ Impetied by conscience and principle to the illegal arrest of 4 Bishop, becuse he bas incidentally, by be- quest, inl ner, and marrisge, come int o © slave property, im no inatahgy lateuding yo poy juestions of bora) Bong abolition—those confe- | unrestricted in its appil- | ' i } | elected, who s,s it regards the general population of the | | Mrs sese himself of such science and printipe fewre other sninutess "cr ores lay members, ui Sea sy Ms, Sek EES wut aésurances be eiven that the lawlessness expe- in a controlled, as in ruch cases it must dee aa Whe Mea eng oe cartier chet tees chal be no nt of as it the Southern mij 1 Yet, what 4 the sec of the South in the case’ Is the public faith of this , a8 instanced in the recent violations of the compromise jaw, to be relied upon as the guarantee for the redemp- tion of the pledge? What would such or assur. ance be but to remin@ the South that an: parture at ul from the great conservative pledge of law, to which Grietheliy. Wan {es pocrble to guard apsiust any obees inal an it is possible any subse- quent ofr ment, and to rake Bouth feel further thet disap; tment in the first iustance must compe) distrust with regard to the future ! ‘ “ Because bishops are in part constituted by the General Conference, the power of removal does not follow. Epis- eopacy, even in the Methodist Church, is not a mere ap- pointment to labor. It is an official! comseorated station, under the protection of law, and can only be dangerous as the law is bad or the church corrupt’ The power to appoint docs not necessarily involve the power to re- power ls derivative, as move; and when the 4ppointin, in the case of the General Contieenes, the power of r- moval does not accrue at all, unless by consent of the co-ordinate branches of the government, expressed by Jaw, made and provided in the case. When the Legisia- ture of a State. to appeal to analogy for illustration, ap- points a judge or senator in Congress does the judge or senator thervby become the officer or creature of the Legis- lature, or is he the officer or senatorial representative of of the State of whieh the Legi-lature is the mere organ ! And does the power of removal follow that of sppaintment! The answer is negative in both cases, and applies equaily to the bishops of the Methodist, Epiccopa! Chureh, who, instead of being the officers and ercatures of the Gener: Conference, are de fucto the officers and servants of the Church, chosen by the General Conference, as ite of action, and no right of removal accrues, except as fail to accomplish the aims of the Church in their ap- yointment, and then only in accordance with the pro- visions of law. If a Op of the Methodist Episeo pal Chureh may, without law, and at the instance of mere party Uefgueyted be suspended from the excreise of the appropriate functions of his offlce for one act, he may for another. Admit this doctrine, and by what tenur do the hishops hold office? One thing is vertain, what ever other tenure there may be, they do not hold offic avvording to law, “To reqarst Bishop Andvov to resign, therefore, lv view of all the facts and relations of the ease, was, in the judg- mept of the minority, to punish and degrade him; and they maintain that the whole movement was without authority of law. ishence of necessity null and void, and therefore not binding upon Bishop Andrew or the mino- rity protesting against it. “We protest against the act of the majonity, instruct ing Bishop Andrew to desist from the exercise of biv oflice, ot merely on account of the injnstice and evil connecting with’ the act itself, but beeause the act must de undemtood as the exponent of: principles and. par- pores, as it regards the union of the North and South ip the Methodist Episcopal Church, woll nigh destroying all hope of its perpetuity, The true position of the parties inselation to # long-existing conventional arrangement, on the subjeet of slavery and abolition, has been fully under notice; and when men of years and wisdom, expe- rience and learning—men of no common weight f vacter, and with a well-earned aristocracy of church influence thrown about them—ns-ume and deelare, in ac- tion as well as debate, that what # plain law of the church —the only law applicable in the cuse—sustained and eu+ forced, too, by an explanatory decree of this body. at & previous seasion—deelies shall not, be a. disqualifies. Ucn for office, in any grade in the oii —when such men, the La’ 2 decision of the Genera! Couference, not- withstanding, are heerd declaring that what law pro vides for and protects nevertheless always hag been and always shall be a disqualification, what farther evidence is wanting to show thet the compromise basis of usion, from which the South hag never swerved, has been aban- doned both by the Northermand Middle Conferences, with a few exceptions in the latter. and that principles and purposes are entertained by the majority, driving the South to extreme astion, in defence both of their rights and reputation? Aud how far the long train of eventful sequences. attendant upon the threatened re- sult of division, may be traceable to the Northern and Middle Conferenees, by the issue thus provoked, is a question to be settled mot by us, but by our coutempo- rariesand posterity. “It is matter cfhistory, with regard to the past, and will not be questioned, that now, as formerly, the South is upon the basis «f the discipline, on the subject of sla- very. The minority believe St equally certain thas this is hot true with regard to the North proper especially. In view, then, of the unity of the Methodist Episcopal Chureh, which party has been, ip equity, entitled to the sympathy and protection of the Middle and umpire Con- ferences? those who through good and evil report have kept good faith and adhered to law. or those whose opiniens and purposes have led them to reck a state of thing in advanee of law, and thas dishouor its forms and sanetions? “The South‘have not been led thus to protest merely becouse of the treatment received by Bishop Andrew. or the kindred action of this body in other matters. The abandonment of the eompromise—the official re- fusaly by the majority, as we have understood them, to abide the arbitrament of Iaw—is their princi ground of complaint and remonstrance, If U minority have not entirely misanderstood the majority, the abolition and anti-slavery prineiples of the North will no longer allow them to submit to the law of the discipline on the general subject of slavery and ubo- tion; and if this be #0, if the coupromise Inw be either repealed or allowed (o remaime dead letter, the South cannot rubsnit, and the abstdute wecasity of division i+ already And should the exigent elroumstance: in which the minority fiod themselves placed, by th: facts and developements alluded to in this remonstrance render it Gnally necessary that the Southern Conferences should have a separate, independent existence, it iv hoped that the character and services of the minority, together with the —— and claims of the ministr and membership of the portion of the church represented ps ge not less than similar reasons and considera tions onthe part cf the Northern aad Middle Confe- rencea, will suggest the high moral fitness of meeting this great © ney With strong and steady purpose to do Justice toallconcerned. And it is believed that, ap” proaching the subject in this way, it will be found prac- Ueable to devise and adopt such’ measures and arrange- ments, present and z oti All secure an ble division of the church upon the broad principles of right and equity, and destined to result in the common good of the it body of ministers and members found on cither side the line of separation.” [Signed by sixty-two delegates.) Mr. Wood said that there was a reply to the protest which was — properly part of the argument of the defendants, but he would suggest that it would be well to have it read In this connection. The Court theught it would be better for the counsel for plaiutif—s to open his case without mixiug it up with the defendant's reply. Mr. Lord said that he did not think the courte eug- gered by Dir: Wood calculated to confuse the case, and © would consent to the reading of the reply in this con. | nexion, The Court assented, and Mr, Lord reed a short letter | from Dr, Bascom, who, for the sake of all parties, he re- gretted was now dead THE REPLY TO THE PROTEST. Mr. Faucher asked permission for the Kev, Dr, Peck to read the reply. The Court asseuted, and the reverend gentleman proceeded to read the reply to the protest, from which we make the following whstracta :— From the firet inetirution of the Kpi<copacy of the Me- thodist Episcopal Church. no slaveholder has been eleet- ed to that dignity, though, in several instances, candi- dotes, otherwise eminenty fitted for the station, have fuiled of success solely on account of this impediment. sinee the period refurred to, nine bishops have been were natives of the United States. Of these, ‘only three have teen Northern men, while six were natives of sdavehoiding States. Not one, however, was a slaveholder—a remarkable fact, which shows very clearly, that while much more than their jurt claim bas been conceded to the slaveholding por- tions of the chureh, » decided end uniform repngnance has. from the firet, been felt and manifested to the oveu- pancy of that high office by a alaveholder “It is known and acknowledged by all Southern breth- rem that Bishop Andrew was nominated by the J from the South Carolina and Georgia Conferences, ne a Seuthern candidate for whom Northern men might vote, Without doing vielence to their principles, as he was ne slsveholder, Bishop Andrew himself perfectly under- stood the ground of hi ften sald that he wns indebted to his poverty for b y Yenr 1802, the anti-siavery eentiment well ax in the whole rapidly gained ground; and within it | copneetion:—All the eoeleth as been roused to a special and tion to the introducti Rechmond rome other Methodtet Thod! pe preduced the anxiety thro | non-tlaveholding ; Th | curred every hy re rected me ihe mes thechureh, Many ¢ 1 1 many th Md Memorials to th and of appreber oy fore church, when th learned, on renebing thir elty, that Blchop Andre heoome a ddaveholder. The profound grief, th dismay, which iuced by this astound ligence. can be fully appreciated only by those who have icipated tn the distroasing scenes Which have since pa tw m enacted in the General Qonfere=oe “When the first emotions of «urprise and sorrow had eo far rubsided os to allow of sober thought and inquiry, it was aseertained thet Bishop Andrew had been a slave holder for several ye t his election to the Eplecepney, a lady of A ,neatbed him a fomale «lave, on vondition thet she shoult he sent to Liberia at nineteon yours of ogo, if he to emigrate could te obtained—othorwise she was to be made as froe as the laws of Georgla would permit. ty sod $0 conigeuhe, has sinee been married, and iv now enjoying all the pri Vilewes provided for her in the wi hor former mistress =she is, and must be, @ slave—eho and hor childron—- and liable to ail that may befall claves, Another slave Mshop Andrew has inhorited frou the mother of his furmer wife, and by his recent mar the owner of (it was said on the fhe furence) fourteen of fifteen more, Those belonged to Audrew in her own tight before the marriage That act, according to the laws of Georgia » them the property of Bishop Andrew, to keep or dis of ns he pleased, He conveyed them to a truetee, for the joint use of himeelf and wife, of whom the survivor isto be the sole ownter, ‘This conveyance was made for the security of Mrs. Andrew, ond with no view either to antisfy or tv mislead the epinions of the Northern church. So much, ot least, Les Andrew was understood to say te the conference. His known integrity forbide the susplolon that be would attempt to disguive the real characte: «1 the transaction “The question presented Iteelf, how the gnaw of Masnop | and decided majority, agreed toe plan of Anctew contd be so disposed of as to e this itin ‘rant general 1 If Goneral Con. ference had even been di to evade it, the con otion of it wae forced upon them by the Episcopa! a “A diversity of sentiment darted Of eating the care exietod ng t0 fhe pr pe i HE i e ie He Brgede, aE = ee ze g& at 3 night character, or justly offen- sive to the feel De of Bishop Andrew. The transaction which bad brought such distress upon the church, and asa fact—ese al —for the removal or ition of w! it was the duty ef the General Coa- ference to provide. It was inthis epirit, and for such ends, that the following resolution Log rd _ ‘Resolved, That it isthe sense of General Con- ference that he desist frem the exercise of this office so pediment remains.’ | action of the General Conference was neither ju- pewter punitive. “4 neither achieves nor intends a jon, nor 40 much as u legal suspension. Bishop Andrew is still a bishop; and should he, against the ex- Ee sense of the General Conference, proceed in the ischarge of hie functions, his official acts would be B.‘Such are the facts in the case of Bishop Andrew. We OW progeed to notice the law. “It is indeed true, that the question of slavery had been long and anxiously agitated in the charch, and the various Gereral Conferences had endeavored to adjust the matter so as to promote the greatest of all par- ties; bué this aes fore to ‘con the position as- sumed In the py : for as the attention of the church had been thus strongly called to the subject, if it had been the intention to guard the question of slavery by constitutional provisions, it would have been done when the church actually did meet to frame & constitution. But nothing of the kind apy . The only provision anywhere established by that yoo ral Conference of constitutional force, was the gemeral rale forbidding the buying and selling of human beings with an intention to enslave them, So that, in direct opposition to the assertion of the provest, we maintain the seetion on slavery is a‘ mere legislative enact ment, a simple decree of a General Conference,’ as mue under its control as any other portion of the discipliu not covered by the restrictive rules, “The protest maintains that ‘the General Conference | has uo right, power, or authorily, ministerial. judicial, or administrative, inany way to eubject @ bishop ‘to any ' official disability whatever, withont the formal presonte- | tion of @ chargé or charges. alleging that the Bishop t» be dealt with has been guilty o. the violation of some law, or at least some disciplinary obiigation of the church, 4nd also upon eonvietion of such charge, after due form of trial.’ io those who are not familiar with the Metho- dist economy, this might seem plausible. But it is, ia reality, an attempt to except, from the action of a gene- ral system, those who, least of all, ought to be éxcepted. ‘The cardipal feature of our polity is the itineranoy. “ To sustain this system, it is erential that the classes shouid receive the leagers that are appointed by the { preacher, that the societies should receive the preachers | that are stationed over them by the bishope, that the | Annual Conferences should’ receive the bishops | thet are sent to them by the General Conferen Will the Methodist Chureh sanction the doctrine, th: while a)} its other officers, of whatever naiue or degree, are | subjected to @ rleepless supervision; are counselled, a monished, or changed, ‘as necessity may require, and as the Discipline direets;” 4 bishop, who decides all ques- tlons of law tn anuual conferences, who, of hix mere mo- tion and will, controls the work and the destiny of four thousand m{visters; who appoints and ehanges at plea- eure the spiritual guides of four millions of souls; ths the depository of these vast powers, whore slightest in- dixcretions or omissions aro likely to disturb the har- mony, and even impair the efflelency, of our mighty sys- tem of operations. enjoys a virtual impunity for all deilo. queneles or misdoings not strictly criminal? “It is believed that an attempt fo establish such an epts- copal fupremacy would fill not caly part, but the whole of the eburch, ‘with alarm and dismay.’ But this doc- trine is not more at variance with the genius of Method- ism, thav it is with the express ban yg of the Diset- line, and the exposition of it by all our standard wri- ers, The constitution of the church provides that ‘the General Conferenes shall have full powers to make rules and regulations for our church,’ under six ‘limitations and restrictions; among which the only one relating to the episcopacy is thie:—They eball not change or alter any part, OF ule of our government, #0 as to do away episcopacy, or destroy the plan of our itinerant general superintendency.” As there is nothing in the restrictive s to limit the full powers of the General Conference in the premises, so is there nothing in the epecial provi- sion respecting the responsibility of a bishop. In repl to the question, ‘To whom is a bishop amenabte for 14 conduct?’ the Discipline declares,‘ To the General Con- ferenee, who have.power to expel him for improper con- duct. if they see it necersary.’ And this, belt remem- bered, fs ulf that is said respecting the jurisdiction over » bishop, with the exception of a rule for his trial, in the interval of » General Conference, if he be guilty of immo- rality, In full accordance with;the plain meaning of these provirions, is the language of all the standard wri- tere on Methodist polity. “ Bishop Emory—a map of «hom it is no injustice to the living or the dend to say, tbat he was. chief ornament and light of ur viseopacy; that he brought to the investi- gution of all ecclesiastical subjects a cool, sagasious, pow- erful, practical Lect—tully sustains the positions we hawe assumed in beialf of the powers of the eral Con- fereuce over the bishops of our church, I qualified assent te the following passages tothe Di-cipline. prepared by Bishops Asbu: sat the request of the General Conference: Viehope) are entirely dependent on the ¢ rense:’ ‘their power. their usefulness, themselves, are entirely at tho merey of the General Conierence.' “The proposition fora ful separation, (if any must teke place.) with which the protest closes, thougl. strangely at varisnee with much that ready been met by the General Conference, And the rea- diness with which that body (by a vote which would doubtless have Leen unanimous but for the belief which some entertained of the unconstitutionslity of the mea- sure) granted all that the Southern brethren themselves could ask, in such an event, must forever stand as a prec. tical refutation of any assertion that the minority have been subjected to thet, granny of a majority. “ Finally. we cannot but hope that the minority, after ores entire action of the Conference, will find that, both in thelr declaration and their protest, they Lave taken too strong a view of the ease: and that bj ] resenting it in its true light before their ie, they may be able to cheek any feelings of diseord may have arisen, so that the Methodist Ppiseopal church may still continue as one body, engaged in its yy work of ‘epresding Scriptural holiness over these lands.’ * Ir. then gave the dates of various documents for the information of the Court, and proceeded to read the communication of Bishop Soule to the General Con- ference from page 129 to 125. He also read from page 126 to 131, from which we extract the f resol. tions of the Select Committee of Nine appointed to report ‘tes from the Conferences Conferences in the slave- to unite inn distinet Mowing rule shall be ob- orthern boundary of euch tations and conferences wl Routh, by of majority of the members of raid societies, stations and conferences, sbell remain under the unmolested pa-toral care of the Southern Chureh; and the ministers of the Methodi-t Episcopal Church shat! in no wise attempt to organize churehes or rocieties within the liinits of the Chureh South, nor shall they attempt to exercise any pastoral oversight therein; it being understood that the win! of the South reciprocally observe the same rule holding States find it neces ecclesiastical connection, ed with regard to the in to stations, soeleties, and conferences adber- ing, by a vote of a majority, to the Methodiet Byplecopal Chureh; provided, also, that this rule shall apply only to sceieties, stations and conferences bordering on the line of division, and not to interior charges, which shall in all cases be left to the care of that church withia whos territory they are fitunted. 2. That siniete al and travelling, of every grade and office in the Methodist Kplscopal Chureh, may, a# they prefer, remain in that church, or, without blame, attach thenelyes to the Church South | &. Revelved the delegates of all the annual con. | in General Conferenocs assembled, That we re. | nd toall the annual conferences, at their first *, to authorise a change of t So that the firet clause shell re appropriate the produce of th chartered fand, to any other purpose <ther then for the benefit of the tra e ng, SUpernuune- rary, superannunted, end worn cut preachers wi ows ant children, and te euch other purpe may determined upen hy votes of two-t of the members of th aeral Conferen Mr. Lonn snid thot that eoptalns all they Intended te ead from Book of Proofs, No. 1. It tv for the ther side to produce the romatnder tn evidenee, He hen proceeded t ‘ Proofs, No, 2 the history of proceedings of d from slavehol ding tates at their meroting in New York in 18M. and the ddrees to the mini-ters nnd members of the Methediet Eplcopal Chureh in th Btates aud territ ries, from whieh ke the f - ; ADDRESS T Tur Sia “The cpinione aud puspes Nosth, onthe aulject, oth WHE the malt to the beyond ® rf nee rieting law of the ¢ uthoriges, there is inureh om slaves hope of anything bate aod action of the | f the Rev. Mr. Harding the debate and ection in Anmirew; and the opinions and pur- cated Ine manifesto of tho major. st from the minority agal from the Kast, North in all its porsible form those, aud similar demonstrath undersigned, that they eam tive without hezerd and injusth ons of the church they r at “have, therefore, thought | atten of the Choreh in the South to a state of thi | the compelled to regard as worthy t of the Church throughout and territories. The subject of « e plain law of the Dy 4 and debated in th act 1 Conference, fi i Uf the session. the nd more threatenin dj and under such | | ‘Bve successive weeks ; and | spect of things | former 'y istruct and disagreement, the O } fereveo adjourned | Some Ume before the adjournment, however, up declaration made by the Southern delegations, setting | forth the Impossibility of onduring euch a state of things | much tonger, the General Conference, by a very large | al and pr- cifte separation, by which the Southern Conferences are | to bere a iistinet and independent organization of thetr own, in no Way Fubject to Northern juriediction. Tt af. fords us pleasure to state that there were those found amorg the majority who met this proposition with every manifertation of justice and liberality. And should a cimniler spirit be exhibited by the annual conferences in the North, when submitted to them, as provided for in the plan Ktecif, there will remain no legal at to b poportyl 0 i pneral- Con ‘ the whole bench of bishops, alihough Bishop Kedding | Viduale, who are marked out for periods of time, under i | indefinite limitations, in perpetuity or for life A charity | conformity to the discipline of the charity, n¢ for In- | be entitied to. Suppose, then, that he (Mr. Lord) * right n# to the tithe of these beneficiaries and suppose that the widews and ehildren | cf the Conference Pera ety af vie phocendernignnd 20 thea bent, ! the great evil under which we Td Ve FY ; for a peaceable constitutional divixion of church mate ROP isnt Of thks seceaitiy pour usw voatbe jadges where eae Sa poave and comparison of ull the reasons for and aga’ " “As the undersigned have had opportunity and ad- vantages which thore at a distance could mot possess, to form Scores seteanene in the premises, and it may be expected of them that they express their views fully en e eubject, they do not hesitate to #ay, that they regard & separation at no distant dey es inevitable; and A that the plan of separation agreed upon iss rr the Southern conferences have any right to expect at any time. We most respectfully, therefore, and with no common solicitude, beseech our brethren of the ministry and membership in the slnveholding States, to examine ‘this matter care » and weighing it well in all its bear- ings, try to reach the conclusion ost proper under the circumstances, Shail that which, in‘all moral likelihood must take place soon, be attempted now, or are there reasons why it should be postpened ? “We depreeate all excitement; we ask you to be calm and collected, and to approach and dixpose of the sub- ject with all the candor and forbearance the occasion ‘demands. ‘The reparation proposed is not relixm, it is not secession, It is state or family separating inte two different states or families, by mutus! consent. As the ‘Methodist Episcopal Church’ will be found North of the dividing line, so the ‘Methodist Episcopal Church’ will be found South of the same line * The undersigned buve clung to the cherished unity of the church with a firmness of purpose and force of feeling which nothing but invincible necessity could subdue. If, however, nominal unity must co-exist with unceasing strife und alienated feeiing, what is likely to be gained by its perpetuation’ Every minister and member of the Church in slaveholdiug States must perceive at once. that the constant, not io say intermin- able, agitation of the slavery and abolition question in the councils of the church, and elsewhere, must termi- vate in incalculable injury to all the Southern confe- | rences, Our access to slave and master ix to a great ex- tent cut off, The legislation of the church le confttet with that of the State—chureli policy attempting to con- trol public opinion and social order, must generate an | umount of hostility to the chureh impx ssible to be ov come, and slowly Dut certainly diminish both the means | ind the hope of uscfulness and extensioa on the part of the church. “Disposed, however, to defer to the judgment of the church, we leave this subject with you, Our first and mont direct object has been to bring it fully before you, and, giving you an opportunity to judge and determine for yourelves, await your decision, "The minority from the South, in the lofe General Confirence, were most anxious to adjourn the decision in the case of Bishop Andrew. with all its attendant results, to the annual conferences and to the church at large, to consider and deeide upon during the next four years—ae no charge was presented against the bishop, and espe- clally as thi measure was urgently recommended by subsequently withdrew his name, The proposition, how- ever. to refer the whole subject to the church, wee plomptly rejected by the majority, aud \mmediate action demanded and had. But asall the facts connected with | the equivocal suspension of Bishop Andrew wiil come before you in other forms, it is unnecessary to detail them in this brief address, the main object of which is to place before you, in asummary way, the prinel- pal facts and reasons counected with the proposed sepa- Fation of the Southern Conferences Into & distiget orgu- nization, & — ata meeting of the Southern delegations, held in New York, at the close of the General Confer- ence, June 11th, 1844, and ordered to be oe . * Signed on behalf of the Kentucky, Missouri, Holston, ‘Tennessee, North Carolina, Memphis, Arkansas. Virginia, Miesissippi, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, and South Caroi annual conferences. Counsel then. with a view to abridge the reading, re- ferred tho ccurt to the reporte of the Keveral Commitieed on Division, the reports of the Holston Confirence on Separation, and also those of the con‘erences from Ten- nesace, Memphis, Mississippi, Arkansas, Virginia, North | Caroliva, and he should refer to one paragraph in the | yeport of North Carolina, which said :— * Nothing was left for the Bouth to do, but to pess from under the jurisdiction of so wayward a power, to the regulations and government of our old, wholesome and scriptural discipline. ‘This, we sorrow when we say it, has opened a great gulf—we fear an impassable gulf— between the North and the South. This consolation, however, if no other, they have—tis» good Book of Dis- cipline, containing the distinctive features of the Me- thodist Epeecoal Church, shall still lie on the south side. Compelied by circumstances which could neither be | alleviated nor contrelled—which neither the entreaties of kindness nor the force of truth could successfully re- sist, we hesitate not to decide on being forever separate from those whom we not only esteem, but love. Better far that we should suffer the loss of union, than that | thourands, yea millions of souls should perisi.”” He then referred to the reports from the conferences of South Carolina, the Indian Mission, Georgia, Florida, Texas and Alal imall fifteen or sixteen conferences, which recommended a Southern conference of the church. He then read Bishop Soules’ address tothe Conventic of Southern delegutes in 1845, The pastoral address at page 62, he would not read, but begged that it would b- considered as read. At page 67. the Court would find the report of the committee on organization, which anti- cipates all the t that the counsel for the plein- tiffs could advance on their side; it is one of the most able of all the documents, it continues to 101, and is understood to be the ot Bishop Barcom. Counsel referrod page by page to the remaining documents in Book of Proofs No. 2. and particularly to 125, 126; to show that the discipline of the Metho- dist Episcopal Church was net changed. This closed the evidence on part of the plaintiff ‘The Court asked if there was any testimony to be offer- d by the defendants, Mr. Ewing replied in the affirmative, and that it would cecupy about an hour in reading. Adjourned to Wedmesday morning, at{10 o'clock. THIRD Day. May 21 —At the sitting of the court this morping. Mr. Choate exid he would have a fow additional references to read tothe court, but he had made errangements with Mr. Lord to offer them after he gets through. For the pformation of the counsel, he now étated the references; they were page 156 of First Book of Proofs; 177 of the Journal of General Conference of 1848; the ofthe committee onthe State of the Chi and ‘Votes cast in favor of the alteration, which were 259, the number required: also from 151 to 14 of First Book of Proots. Ie would refer many times to the History of the Discipline, pages 47, 10, 254. 65. 251; to the Journals of Conference, 1844, page 83, to show that Bishop Andrew voted om the first of June; to Second Book of Proofs, page 105, and First Book. pages 43,46, 47. He would read those references after Mr. Lord had closed. Mr. Lord. in commencing his address, said that there was a starting point in this controversy, in which they were all agrecd, about which there is no doubt, and that is, that immediately previous to the separation, in the year 1844, allthe supernumerary and fe pene od preachers, the wives, widows and orphans of those who ad beon preachers in the South, were entitled to an in- terest in fund of the Book Concern, aa well as per- fons in tuch relations beionging to the Northern parts. Whatever that fund was—it a mere charity—it seemed to him that ns « mattor of right, ail of the superannuateL preachers, wives, witows and 8 were entitled to rete in ite profits, It may be said that the fund was to be distributed by the General Conference; but it Lad no discretion on thut subject. The General Conference, without an utter abandonment of its primary duty, had nothing to do with it, but to see that it was passed over to be distributed by the Annusl Conference. The latter had no interest or stake in the matter, except that as Christian men they were to see that the funds should be applied to those whom they should find within their dis- triets to be travelling, eupernumerary, eupcrannuated. or worn out preachers, their wives, widows. und they bad no discretion to “inet them for moti conduct; all they were bound to inquire was, were these preachers deficient in travetiing expenses! Were they” euperannuuted, or were they the wives, widows or ehildren ef preachers ! ‘It will scarcely be denied that these bene: ficiaries had tit in this fund through the administra. tors of its fund—not a title by leeal seeurity, or what is called equity, but it becume @ right, e«tablinied aga debt of conscience and of honor = Couneri then proceeded to define his views of charities, and to show that this was not # cheriteble fend. A specific trust, whieh bas indi- is @ truet where the bencfictaries come in by ® casual stance, che of the poor living in Water street may tome in for a charity, which next year he may not rights, the question comes up now, have they Uhose rights still! Why have they not those rights «till? Are they not Methodists’ | Have they departed from the deetrine or dirciptine of the Methodists’ He meant the & ciaries whom he represented--ore they mot in 0 m with the Methodiet Ubureh! Ma’ The gentiomen on the oth anewer, that they have fe recestion, A secus-ion from what? ‘Was there any urh forfeiture ae Veen set up by theae ntienen, end has there been any implied condi thot they have breken? On the sniject of the mod relief, he thought there would be mo difficulty In divi ih pyeeed that the fun le suet be di- may remuin inthe hands where they Ue fite turned over to the South, as long as pook concern. Thers no formal dif. ihat reepect. to be ae Nor Is It eeseotfal that i the ; roper persone should be bofore this Court, They) there the superamnuated pre but they had or children, The question comes up plainly, di and folrly for the admiuistration of this Court the charity trast. and instanced J benefit of Protestant diason Vield, Pth Wendell, 400 i sone referred to the general vagnene Han Miller ve, Jabet, uertion.) Davie The Attorney Gc ne- Lelie & Burney, 24 » republished im fd ¢ Reports, 46, and Yoh Fogiieh Chew: y * ney General ys. Pearson is alec H—note in the same fepert & Craig, 77. He (Mr pital arising from the Book ¢ ‘was the rerult of the commen labors of oll the me Nt achority; but it wasn ebari a which arose out of & pin} and se floes. and it be came a lerge fund, which waa to be administerad to thow who wou! be no longer able te lal How dil the | fund ar! In exanining Kewry) J, the Cowrt would find that ft had its origin wiftfthe proachers of (hi butch. They undertook to «apply the books, and they were to see to the payments for them. We dnd on page of the first book Of proof, “1. Peekiel Cooper is appointed superintendent of the Votk Concern, who shell have authority to regula publications, and all other parte of the husimers, neo vd- ing to the #tate of the finances from time to time. It shall be his duty to taform the Annual Conferenees tfany of the prenchers or private members ef the foslety ne. sleet tomoke due peyment, He may publich any boots ot tracts which. at any time, may be approved of or re commended hy the majerity of an Annual Conference. rovided euch books of traéts be also approved of by the ook hi shall be appointed by the Phila. Gciphia Apnaal Conference, He may reprint any brok 47 Ups Huck hae oaye boom eppeored and p eg by | power | restricted by the Wherty wherewith Ged has so ‘Be, whee, in hie, Let his acoounte ‘onference.at he eonfereece. - “2. F shall bothe dus Ro steward ser be fully supplied w to order such books e@ are wanted, and to give direc! io to whose care the sano are to benent; and he is to take the t of ail CUE docks sent bis district. und to with the sa- for the same lie is to have the books diss ributed among the several circuits im his district, am@ isto an account witb cach preacher who receives . or sells the books; amd is to receive the money, and to forward it to the superiniendent. When » residing elder is removed, he isto make a full settlement for the books sold or remaining :n hie district; and ie also vo make a transfer to his suecessor ofvall, and ae- books he has dirpored of; Le ts also to make out am im ventory of all that are remaining unsold, which shall collected at one place; the » mount of which shai gose Die credit, and be transferred to his successor, who ist take change of the save. Lf the preacher who bas tk charge of the circuit be negligent im dispensing th Looks, the presiding elder sail commit the charge of tI Looks to another. “4. The superintendent cf the book business ma, , from time to time, supply thy preachers with books in’ those circuits which ary adjxcont or convenient to. Phi- ladelphia, and rettle with ‘hem for the same; in sueb canes the souniations Teepeoting the presiding viders are not te apply. “€, Every annual conference shall appoint a come mitice oF committors to exomine the accounts of the presiding olders, preachers aad book stewards, in thelr Terpective districis or circuiis. Every presiding elder, minister, and preacher. +liul do everything in theix Sot to aneanen oa 2 to the menasin, Gaeeee all the books jonging to ibe consern, wi may te- main in the hands of avy person within their distriets cr circuits, Lf any preacler or member be indebted to he Book Coneern, «nd rtue to make payment, or < ome to % just settlement, ict him be dealt with for breach of irust, and such « ilectual measures be tor the recovery of euch d:bi- aa shall be agreeable to the direction of the Annua! | on erences respect a 7. There shall be no df wade upon the Concern ll its debts are dicharged, and @ sufficient: ‘apital provided for camy\¢ on the business; after which, the profits arising from the books shall be rogue! larly paid to the chartere:! fund. aud be applied:.withy the annual income of the funded stock, to the a of the distreseed Wravelling preschers and their the widows and orphans of preachers, & 1804, “7. The profits ai feom the Book Comcerm, after a sufficient capital 10 cary on the business is re- tained, shall be regularly applied to the support of the: distressed travelling preacters and their ies, the widows and orphans of preachers, &e. ‘The yeneral book steward hall every yrar send forward tw ench Annual Conference an see unt of the dividend whick the several Annual Confer rces mayfiraw that year 5 and each conference may draw for their proportionate: part, on any person who has book money in band, aud. | the drafts, with the receipt of the conference #) shall be ent to the general book steward, and be p tothe credit of the person who paid the same, But each Annual Conference is authorized, at all events, to drew on the general book steward for one huodred dole, Jars. Mr. Lone continued to say that it was the labors of the, Teachers that made this book fund the concern that it is. The presiding elder was to supply the books throng: the preachers, It was a labor. on their part, alli pecuniary accountabilty. aud he asked if ever 1 was fucd under the aspect of a charity had eo much, the appearance of u partuership. When the Court looked at the administration of thix fund to see how it ie to be dealt with, they will mx love sight of the eharscter of the persons by whom the fund was collected. After ite first great object of enlightening the Methoaist commu- nity, the second was, that (he preachers themselves should have some stimulus for activity—some hope of re- ward not for idleness. but fur their activity in providing for the fund, not only for themselves. but for their dis- tressed fellows, and the widuws and orphans of dec preachers, Counsel referred to pages 19 and 20 [alr noticed.] ard then to 2 and 2), as to theallowance to nisters and preachers, their wives, widows, and ebildren, “1. The annual allowance of the married travelling, supernumerary, and superannuated preachers, and the Bishops, shall be two hundred dollars; and their traval- Jing, exper. nd 4 ¢ aunual allowance of the wamarri: soperpumerary,and superapuuated preschors, bey shali be one hundred dollars. and their traveling ea- penses. " 3, Each child ofa travelling preacher or bisbop shall be allowed sixteen dollars avnually, to the age ct seven years, and twenty-four dollars at nually from she age of seven to fourteen years; and those preachers wi wives are dead, shall be allowed for cach chiid sneseite a sum suffieient to pay the board of such child er ¢ ren during the above term cf yours; Nevertheless, this rule shall not apply to the children of preachers wha’ . families are provided for by other moans in their circ rerpeetively, . “4. The annual allowance of the widows of travcliin 4 fuperannuated, worn-out, and rupentmerary uni the shall be ove hundred dollars, “6. The ne of travelling, supernumerary, mnpe” apnuated, and worn-out preachers, and the bishops. be allowed, by the annual conferencer, the same © respectively, which are allowed to the children of }iviths preachers. And on the death of a pucber leaving @ child or children without so much of worldly gods us should be neceseary to his, ber, or their support, the An- nual Conference,of which he was« momber, ise, im uch manner as may be decined beet. a yearly sum for the rubsistence and education of ruch orphan child or children, until be, she, or they sball have arrived at fourteen ofoge. The amount of which yearly som thall be Sxed by comunittee of the conference, et aah session, in advanee,”’ This is the entire amount for which there gentlemen were travelling through the wilderness, disseminating re- re He then referred to the Discipline, page 120, and id, with reference to the fund, that it was a profit from the travelling preachers—an «arned profit of common bor; it was a profit from bookselling—books the fund, and dispoved of by the a they were eagien By) oievions, what ceiving? Two hun dollars a year, saree sol Coe wives! Was there in upon? without the prospect of the funds of the miserable pittance allowed the preachers ¢«nable them to look to any provision for old the fund should be looked upon as a “ Tetiring pension. | This fund bexun to 1800; rf probable that a great many of thoes who ¢ Partlelpate in it now, are these who earned it; i Hi f i f tt lf g ry phans, to be visited by the annual conference’? He ah argument which will establish « Dy the act of a mere age! Tn th: claimed as a forfeiture, i does not ¢} the man, the or the orphan—it scalps ¢ one. But it ne tended by the founders that {t should be a fare. The grounds on which the dfendsate claim has been forfeited are, firet, that the ferenee had no to sanction separation. wecond place, they say that the it of Se, ee the experiment made. growl ¢ is, that the p! violated the der principle. It is not eet up that Se (ee the the Ss of id i F & F a H F ae ini! 4 fs) were heterodox. or that they had chat ; their doctrine, or their discipline. dress, Cente. to the superannuated and worn-out it doctrine is true, the Methodist Church is cut In two, and dead, if they deny there is ference, He submitted that this was not a case of bow tile separation; they edoptod the principle that if they could not agree together, they might agree boy They parted in good will. They shook bands they separated, and spoke in terms of . Me eub- mitted that the conference had the to consent, from its original construction. Ln 170d wal the firvt time cot every four years AU the preechers be denied thet in 17v2, 1800, or 1864, right to divide themselves, Tn 1806 utterly <n having fourteen eouferene ‘one of fourteen was lected, (ecameel) rub- mitted that that conference bad all the previeienary * of the conference, exeept fo far ae they were™ Testrictive article. If that © ference had chosen to become Soeinian ¢> Bayt they had a right to do eo; the mater of doctri ttetipline was in the general body of the chureb. eel then referred to Bmory's History of the Discipline, whieh sayeo— “In our civil govermments, the statutes are sentiored through the several volumes of laws which have been publiched from time to Cine, and therefore these ate all preserved. But, in the Methodist Bpiscopal Obureh, the Discipline, as revieed at cach General Conference, Deing in Iteelf complete, supplants all that hed gone be- fore it, and the prepious editions are cast aside ar of further use, Thee it bay continued, until now nearly tiaty years have elapsed rince the organisation of the chureh, ond the Discipline has undergone about twenty distinet revisions.” Of the bistory of the American he would say, it was an amicable separation from the Methodist ot Burope The civil government of thie began io revolution, but the separation of the M wes io penceand harmony. so that at the present day the mem- Lore of Uhat ody are received into each. brother hood without re-ordination, Mr. Lord then reed from page 3 of the First Book of Proofs: — “The close of the year 1784 constituted « pew and t ap. tant period in American Methodiam. The independence of the United States hat ‘been confirm ed by the pence of 1783, the authority thn cation of the American soeleties, to onganise lo explanation of bis views and wishes, he oddreseed ¥ the brethren in America a letter, of whieh. the following /# an extract :-— “As oor American brethren are now dinero tangled both from the State and from the hier- wrchy, we dare not entangle them again either with the cne “= the other. They are now at we mt to follow the seriplures and . f ho seriptures the primitive 4 we judge fit best that they should stand fast . rtrangly made them free From the procendings of the Coptrevece ot Bolimore, Tith December, 1784, he tead the following:— “quest. 2. What can be done in order to the forwre union of the Methodists? : Ans. During the life of the Rey Mr, Flay. te a writen ouraetves his come ene A imatters belonging to church go to commands And we do engage, after ror bie , de everything that we judge copstemt With wane