History Of Methodist Reform, Volume I - Media Sabda Org

eader. It is premonitory of another action. To it the twenty-four, inclusive of Asbury, responded
affirmatively, not by voting, let it be underscored, but not dissenting; Asbury records the result. Five
were admitted into connection and are counted among the twenty-four. "Shall we continue in close
connection with the Church, and press our people to a closer communion with her? Yes. Will this
Conference grant the privilege to all the friendly clergy of the Church of England, at the request or
desire of the people, to preach or administer the ordinances in our preaching-houses or chapels?
Yes." This introduced a new custom and practice made Episcopalians of the societies. "Ought not
this Conference to require those preachers who hold slaves to give promises to set them free? Yes.
Does this Conference acknowledge that slavery is contrary to the laws of God, man, and nature, and
hurtful to society; contrary to the dictates of conscience and pure religion, and doing that which we
would not others should do to us and ours? Do we pass our disapprobation on all our friends who
keep slaves, and advise their freedom? Yes." The measure was drastic. Jesse Lee says, "The
preachers in this case went too far in their censures." The resolves fell into desuetude; but it is
interesting to note with Stevens, "Methodism thus early recorded its protest against Negro slavery,
anticipating its abolition in Massachusetts by three years; in Rhode Island and Connecticut by four
years; the thesis of Clarkson before the University of Cambridge by five years; and the ordinance of
Congress against it in the Northwestern Territory by seven years." "Does this whole Conference
disapprove the steps our brethren have taken in Virginia? Yes. Do we look upon them no longer as
Methodists in connection with Mr. Wesley and us until they come back? Agreed. What must be the
condition of our union with our Virginia brethren? To suspend all their administrations for one year,
and all meet together in Baltimore."
Thus virtual excommunication was passed by the minority upon the majority; the seceders expel
the regular Conference and all their adherents! Asbury saw it was a case of life or death for him, and
he administered heroic treatment. He had not yet heard from Wesley, so that these high-handed
proceedings were on his own responsibility, and there never was an exigency to which he did not
prove himself equal; his iron will bore down all before it. The utter ignoring of the regular
Conference found its climax in another query: "What shall the Conference do in case of brother
Asbury's death or absence? Meet once a year, and act according to the minutes." It was just what the
regular Conference was doing. A faction reconstitute Asbury General Assistant without authorization
from Wesley, who alone could appoint, expel the regular Conference and three-fifths of the
membership, and coolly declare that they are "no longer Methodists in connection with Mr. Wesley!"
"Shall brothers Asbury, Garrettson, and Watters attend the Virginia Conference and inform them of
our proceedings in this, and receive their answer? Yes." Watters says that Gatch and Ellis of the
Virginia brethren were present as spectators of these memorable transactions in the Baltimore
Conference. He acted as mediator between the parties, and while in sympathy with the regular
Conference, was willing to almost any terms that would save a final rupture. The printed Minutes
contain the plan of appointments of Asbury, but there is not the slightest reference to the
Manakintown regular Conference, except, without acknowledgment of their source, the plan of
appointments for Virginia and North Carolina is inserted. By it twenty preachers are stationed. The
statistics are given for the whole connection. Membership, 8504, showing a loss of 73. This, in
contrast with the gain of 1500 the previous year, cannot be accounted for on the ground solely of the
war draft and other such hindrances, but must include the disaffection and falling away of members
when the preachers fell out among themselves.