The Debates of the General Conference of the M. E. Church, May 1844; To Which Is Added a Review of the Proceedings of Said Conference

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1845. Excerpt: ... out of order, but he thought he would not arrest the course if no one object to it# Mr. Collins then being pronounced as entitled to the floor, commenced his speech. He said he had full confidence in the statements of the brethren from the South, concerning their difficulties and the evil that would befall them if that resolution pass. He also said that he believed what the North said in relation to their difficulties. The truth is, said Mr. C, we have arrived at a fearful crisis in the history of the Church: there were rocks on either hand, and they were in difficulty from which he feared they could not escape. I cannot see how we are to get through in safety, yet I still hope that some spirit will yet come to the rescue and take the helm and eonduct us through some middle channel. I hope some middle ground may yet be found, upon which the difficulty can be adjusted. Whatever I may say, I wish to be understood that I intend no disrespect to the venerable man who, from the nature of the case, must be more or less the subject of my remarks in the debate. Nor will 1 consume time with minor matters, but at once commence my argument by attacking the argument on the other side on the subject of the usage of the church. I think the illustration drawn from the election of presidents very unfortunate. I admit that the election of most of the presidents from slaveholding States does not prove a usage in the case, but the argument in support of the usage of the church not to elect a slave hording bishop, rests upon stronger ground. Within the last 60 yeai s the church has elected nine bishops not one of whom has been a slaveholder. During the same time the nation has elected nine presidents, five of whom have been chosen from slave states, and lour from free states...