USA > Maine > History of Methodism in Maine, 1793-1886 > Part 13
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Voted, That the Presiding Elder of Portland district, the Editor of Maine Wesleyan Journal, and the preacher in charge at Portland, be an executive committee, to take the entire oversight of the Depository, and make all necessary arrangements for its establishment.
The committee were also instructed not to involve the conference in debt above three thousand dollars, and they were required to report to the conference annually, an accurate account of the fiscal concerns of the Depository.
The conference, by vote, declined to assume any share in the supervision of Wesleyan University.
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MAINE CONFERENCE. "PACIFICATION."
A resolution was adopted, by which members of the conference pledged themselves, " in their communications in the Maine Wesleyan Journal, to avoid all intemperate expressions, and everything of a personal character, and to promote, as far as possible, conciliatory and kindly feelings with each other."
The controversy on the subject of slavery, had become somewhat bitter ; the pledge, above recorded, was evidently needed.
1838. The Maine Conference met at Wiscasset, Wednesday, June 27, Bishop Hedding, presiding ; G. F. Cox, Secretary, and S. P. Blake, Assistant Secretary. Admitted, on trial : James. Thurston, Jr., Simeon W. Pierce, Moses Springer, George Pratt, John Hobart, James Cushing, Obadiah Huse, Henry M. Blake, Howard Winslow, Daniel F. Quimby, John W. Dunn, John W. True, Charles Collins, John G. Pingree, Moses Brown, Charles Andrews, Rufus H. Stinchfield, Francis A. Soule.
Six districts ; one hundred and nine circuits and stations ; one hundred and thirty-one traveling preachers : seven places to be supplied. Members, 18,422; increase, this year, 2,589 ; members of Methodist Episcopal church, 696,549; increase, this year, 47,481; traveling preachers, 3,106 ; increase, this year, 1730.
The agitation of the subject of slavery, had become widespread, and the excitement increasingly intense. In order to allay excitement increasingly intense. Iu order to allay excitement, and bring about a more friendly state of feeling among the members of conference, Rev. G. F. Cox read the following articles of pacification, and proposed that individuals append their names to the document, for publication. The conference voted to take the questions by yeas and and nays.
ARTICLES OF PACIFICATION.
Whereas, the Methodist Episcopal church in the North, has been, and still is, greatly excited on the subject of American slavery, and the means which should be used for its removal from the church. And, whereas, we deem it of vital importance, that the peace of the church should be secured, in order to her prosperity ; and, whereas, it is recognized as a cardinal virtue in religion, by our blessed Lord, that his followers should be peace makers, and love one another, and which are ever given as tests of discipleship. There- fore, the undersigned ministers of said church, after mutual consultation, have agreed to adopt the following principles and measures, for the purpose above named.
PRINCIPLES.
We believe that the system of American slavery is a great moral evil, and that the relations springing from this which bind an innocent race to perpetual bondage to others, against their wish, are sinful; although we concede that the master, who sustains this relation, is not necessarily guilty.
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PACIFICATION. G. F. COX.
MEASURES.
We agree that, in any action we may be disposed to take, on this, or any other subject, we will,
1. Never attack an officer, clergyman, or private member of the church, iu a public journal or lecture, or publicly arraign the official acts of any church officer; but all such difficulties shall be adjusted according to the discipline of our church. Provided, however, that this shall not prevent the courteous investigation of principles and opinions.
2. We agree that we will not countenance any brother in leaving his proper work, to engage in agencies, to lecture on this, or any other subject, without the sanction of the proper anthorities of the church.
3. No paper shall be established ostensibly, for the purpose above stated, by our aid or sanction, or shall be countenanced by us, which claims to be controlled by any Methodist or Wesleyan societies, or having appellations attached to them, peculiar to our church.
4. We agree that no societies or conventions, claiming the character specified in section three, shall receive our approbation or aid. Our conviction is, that, in the present state of affairs, the peace of the church claims, at our hauds, that organizations of this character, should not exist.
5. We hold that our ministers and private members, are at liberty, (nor shall it be regarded as an offense for them thus to do) to connect themselves, as they may choose, with any anti-slavery society, independent of the church; provided, however, that our action in such cases, shall not contravene the principles of this agreement.
6. It shall not be regarded as an offense by us, but considered just, that prayer be offered in public, for the master and his slave, or for the abolishment of the system. But we recommend, that apostolic language be used, as far as may be, in such devotions.
7. Our preachers have liberty, not only to read our general rules, once a quarter, to the societies, and once a year, to the whole congregation, but to explain, at these seasons, any part of our discipline.
8. We hold that our people have the right of petitioning the General Conference, through the yearly conferences, or otherwise, upon this, or any subject with which they have to do.
9. Nevertheless, in all circumstances relating to the above, we recommend to our preachers and people to exercise "the wisdom of the serpent and the harmlessness of the dove."
Remarks by the bishop, by request of the conference, were made relative to the advice of the General Conference, expressing the opinion that while such advice was not law, it partakes of the same character, and that all members of the conference and of the church are under solemn obligation to conform to it.
After remarks by G. F. Cox in explanation, the pacification bill was passed, eighty-six voting in the affirmative and six in the negative.
This action of the conference is somewhat remarkable, when it is considered that more than one-half of those voting in favor of this conservative measure, were abolitionists. They were, however, strongly disposed to treat with much deference, the opinion of their venerable presiding bishop, and the advice of the General Conference.
The bitter vituperation, employed by some of the leading anti- slavery agitators, and the destructive doctrines advocated by them, were also among the causes that led to this action.
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MAINE CONFERENCE. DELEGATES TO GENERAL CONFERENCE.
This measure of pacification, however, did not prevent the agitation of this exciting subject; the anti-slavery sentiment prevailed more and more, in spite of all efforts to suppress it, and, the next year, a strong anti-slavery delegation, to the General Conference, was elected.
1839. The Mainc Conference met for its fifteenth session at Hampden, June 26, Bishops Waugh and Soule, presiding ; G. F. Cox, Secretary. Admitted on trial : Freeman Yates, Benjamin Foster, Nathaniel Pride, Jabez T. Gay, Randall T. Mitchell, Sylvester S. Hunt, Isaiah McMahon, John Hatch, Luther P. French, Nathan Thompson, John S. Springer, Seavey W. Partridge, Mace R. Clough, Benjamin F. Sprague.
Seven districts : Portland district, Waterford district, Readfield district, Gardiner district, Augusta district, Bangor district, Calais district ; one hundred and twelve circuits and stations ; one hundred and thirty-four traveling preachers ; thirteen places to be supplied. Members, 18,932 ; increase, during the year, 500.
Justin Spaulding, missionary in Rio de Janeiro, South America, S. Lovell and J. S. Springer, transferred to New England Conference, J. Perrin, transferred to New Hampshire Conference. W. C. Larrabee, A. Caldwell, G. F. Cox, M. Hill, and D. C. Randall, were chosen a committee, to memorialize the General Conference on the subject of slavery.
The following members were clected delegates to the next General Conference, viz. : Ezekiel Robinson, D. B. Randall, W. C. Larrabee, Moses Hill, Benjamin Jones, R. C. Bailey ; reserved delegates, J. Young, T. Smith, and A. Caldwell.
A resolution of the New England Conference, recommending an alteration of the general rule on slavery, was again brought up, and, on motion to concur, a discussion ensued. Several substitutes were offered, which were ruled out of order by the chair.
The bishop was requested to speak on the subject, whereupon, Bishop Soule addressed the conference "in a deeply interesting manner." The vote was then taken : forty-seven answering Nay, and two Yea.
Tabulated statistics from the several circuits and stations, for the first time, appear upon the Journal of Conference.
A letter to the conference, from Hon. Judah Dana, was read by the committee on education, recommending that measures be taken to establish a college somewhere in the vicinity of the Penobscot river, to
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CENTENARY OF METHODISM.
be under the direction of the conference, advising that part of the centenary funds be appropriated to this object, and proposing to convey five hundred acres of land on " Bachelder's grant " in aid of such an enterprise.
The conference gratefully acknowledged the generous proposal of Judge Dana, and referred the subject to a committee, consisting of W. C. Larrabee, G. F. Cox, George Webber, J. B. Husted and J. II. Jenne.
This committee reported to the conference of 1840, "that in their opinion, the time will come when the interests of education and of the church, will require the establishment of a college under the control and patronage of the Methodist Episcopal church, within the bounds of this State, and recommending that the trustees of this conference be authorized to receive the deed, which Judge Dana may be pleased to give, of the land to be held in trust, for such purposes as he may specify. "
The enterprise of establishing a Methodist college in the State, as contemplated by Judge Dana, has never been entered upon. The conferences in Maine and East Maine, have been sufficiently taxed in sustaining and endowing the seminaries within their bounds, includ- ing the college department for young ladies at Kent's Hill.
A committee was appointed on the centenary of Methodism, consisting of George Webber, G. F. Cox, P. Munger, B. Jones, C. Baker, E. Robinson, and William Marsh.
The committee presented an eleborate report, in which they recommended :
1. That the 25th day of October, be observed as a day of thanksgiving and praise to God, for the wonderful success of the Methodist church, during the century of its existence.
2. The order of services, for the occasion, was recommended.
3. Meetings, before the 25th of October, were recommended for the purpose of obtaining subscriptions and contributions to the centenary fund. The subscription books to be provided for cach circnit and station and to be kept open during the year.
The object for which contributions were asked, were mostly to raise funds for the benefit of the superannuated preachers, their widows and children, and for the canse of education.
The committee appointed to memorialize the General Conference, upon the subject of slavery, presented a very elaborate report in which
8
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HOSTILITY TO SLAVERY.
that body is earnestly cntreated " to take some efficient measures by which the entire influence of the Methodist Episcopal church, may be turned against the great cvil of slavery. Per order, G. F. Cox."
There being no invitation from any place, for the session of the conference of 1840, Rev. W. C. Larrabee invited the conference to hold its session at Kent's Hill.
The conference, by vote, accepted the invitation, and decided to hold its next session at that place.
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GENERAL CONFERENCE AT BALTIMORE.
CHAPTER XI.
1840-1843. GENERAL CONFERENCE AT BALTIMORE, MAY 1, 1840. REV. R. NEWTON. THE BISHOP'S ADDRESS. MEMORIALS ON SLAVERY. REPORT OF COMMITTEE. MINORITY REPORTS. O. SCOTT. SILAS COMFORT'S APPEAL. RESOLUTION OF DR. FEW. MOTION TO AMEND LOST. PETITIONS FOR LAY . DELEGATION. MODERATE EPISCOPACY. PASTORAL ADDRESS. THE MAINE CONFERENCE JULY 22, 1841. AGENT OF BIBLE SOCIETY. COLLECTION. THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE. DEPOSITORY. RESOLUTIONS ON SLAVERY. ASSOCIATES OF MAINE WESLEYAN JOURNAL. EMBARRASSMENTS. G. F. Cox. MILLERISM. STATISTICAL RETURNS. MAINE CONFERENCE AT SKOWIIEGAN. TRIAL OF MEMBERS. MAINE WESLEYAN SEMINARY. RESOLUTIONS. BOOK DEPOSITORY. REPORT ON SLAVERY. ANTI-SLAVERY SENTIMENT OF THE CONFERENCE. SABBATH EXERCISES. STATISTICS. FUNDS FOR SUPERAN- NUATES, &C. MAINE CONFERENCE JULY 20, 1842, AT GARDINER. MEMORIAL SERMON BY M. HILL, ON THE DEATH OF A. CALDWELL. COMMITTEE ON DIVISION OF THE CONFERENCE. SECOND ADVENT EXCITEMENT. STATISTICS. MAINE CONFERENCE AT BATH, JULY 19, 1843. REV. C. H. PITMAN, SECRETARY OF MISSIONARY SOCIETY. MILLERISM. EXTREME EXCITEMENT. STRANGE PERSISTENCY. OTHER ERRORS. MEMBERS OF CONFERENCE REPROVED. RECLAIMED. MEMORIAL TO GENERAL CONFERENCE ON THE SUBJECT OF SLAVERY. BISHOP HEDDING'S SERMON ON THE DEATH OF BISHOP ROBERTS. DIVISION OF CONFERENCE NOT RECOMMENDED. ADMISSIONS ON TRIAL. STATISTICS. DELEGATES TO NEXT GENERAL CONFERENCE.
1840. The General Conference met in Baltimore, Friday, May 1, 1840. Bishops Roberts, Hedding, Andrew, Waugh and Morris, were present. Rev. Robert Newton, a delegate from the British Wesleyan Conference, was introduced, and addressed the conference ; also delegates from the Methodist conference in Canada were introduced and their addresses heard.
The Bishops' address was read, in which they express their approval of the pastoral address of the previous General Conference, especially that part of it relating to the subject of slavery, concurring in the advice to the entire church " to wholly abstain" from all abolition movements, and from agitating this exciting subject in the church and " that this is in perfect agreement with the individual, as well as the associated views of the superintendents."
Bishops, like civil magistrates, are necessarily inclined to con- servative views. The destructive principles and measures advocated by the ultra anti-slavery agitators, were calculated to make prudent
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REV. S. COMFORT. DR. FEW'S RESOLUTION.
men cautious. These chief ministers of the church were not without good reasons for their prudent advice.
Numerous memorials on the subjcet of slavery were presented, praying for the restoration of the original rule against slave-holding, which were referred to the committee on slavery. The report of the ·committee was in due time presented by Dr. N. Bangs, recommending no change in the rule of the church upon this subject ; a minority report was also presented by O. Scott ; both reports were laid upon the table and not taken up. The conference, however, indirectly acted upon the subject. Rev. Silas Comfort, a Presiding Elder of the of the Missouri Conference, having been judged guilty of mal-adminis- tration for admitting the testimony of a colored person in a church trial, had appealed to the General Conference against the action of his conference. The appeal was presented by George Peck, his counsel. After a protracted debate, the conference, by a majority vote, refused to affirm the decision of the Missouri Conference. A motion was made to reconsider this vote, but after some discussion, the motion was withdrawn. Whereupon, Dr. Ignatius A. Few, a delegate from the Georgia Conference, offered the following resolution, namely :
" Resolved, That it is inexpedient and unjustifiable for any preacher among us to permit eolored persons to give testimony against white persons, in any state where they are denied that privilege in trials at law."
Several amendments modifying the resolution were offered, which were laid upon the table. After considerable debate, the resolution was adopted by a vote of seventy-four to forty-six. Several attempts were made to reconsider this action, but they failed. Even to some southern members, this atrocious measure was evidently considered unwisc. Rev. W. A. Smith, delegate from the Virginia Conference, moved to add the following proviso, viz, : " Provided that when an Annual Conference, in any state or territory, shall judge it expedient to admit the introduction of such testimony within its bounds, it shall be allowed to do so." The question on the substitute, was, on motion, ordered to be taken by yeas and nays, when sixty-nine yeas and sixty-nine nays were given. So the motion failed by a tie vote. This action of the conference in relation to the testimony of colored persons, roused the indignation of northern Methodists. They had again and again conceded to the demands of the South against their sense of right ; but this was more than they could patiently endure.
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MAINE CONFERENCE AT KENT'S HILL.
Memorials, without number, were sent to the next General Conference for a repeal of this obnoxious measure.
Petitions were also presented praying for lay delegations and for a moderate episcopacy ; but the committee to which they were referred recommended no chauge in the policy of the church.
The pastoral address drawn up by Dr. George Peck, was conciliatory in tone, and uot calculated to offend either the North or the South.
The action of the conference in relation to slavery, was poorly calculated to check the spreading excitement, or preveut the agitation of this exciting subject.
1840. The Maine Conference met at Keut's Hill, July 22d, Bishop Soule, presiding ; C. W. Morse, Secretary.
Admitted on trial : Daniel Waterhouse, Mark R. Hopkins, William Campbell, William E. Pinder, Joseph Milliken, Jr., John C. Murch, Alfred C. Godfrey, Phineas Higgins, Alexander Baillic, Mark Tuell, William Wyman, James Cushing, Orlando H. Jasper, Joseph Hawkes, Samuel Ambrose, Francis Drew, John Benson, Silas S. Cummings, Benjamin Lufkin, Herrick M. Eaton, Joseph P. Hutchings.
Rev. Mr. Lane, agent of the American Bible Society, was introduced and addressed the conference on the claims of the Bible cause.
Resolutions were offered in favor of the Bible cause, aud pledging the co-operation of the members of this conference in its favor. The sum of one hundred and twenty dollars was raised on the occasion, to make Rev. J. Spaulding and Rev. W. H. Norris and their wives life members of American Bible Society, Mr. Spaulding, a member of Maine Conference, and Mr. Norris, being missionaries in South America.
The committee on the Theological Institute presented their report, which was read by B. F. Tefft, the chairman. The report coutained several resolutions approving the doings of the "Wesley Institute Association." and recommending the appointment of a committee of five to represent this conference in said association. The resolutions. were all adopted, and G. F. Cox, George Webber, David Copeland, B. F. Tefft and John Hobart, were appointed a committee for that, object.
The committee on the Depository, appointed at the last conference, reported that they had attended to the duty assigned them, and had sold out the amount of stock to Day, Lyon and Company, at the prices charged against the Depository, and had received notes for the amount.
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RESOLUTIONS AGAINST SLAVERY.
The following resolutions on the subject of slavery, were offered by Asbury Caldwell, which were adopted by a rising vote, viz. :
" 1. Resolved, That the great evil of American slavery is mainly of a moral kind, and that in our judgment it is the imperative duty of all christians, especially of all Methodists, to scek its destruction by all wise, prudent and constitutional means.
"2. Resolved, That we have reason to fear that the cause of emancipation has seriously suffered from the apparent hostility of some of its friends to the institutions and constituted authorities of the church. This we deebly deplore, and we are penetrated with a solemn sense of the importance of seeking our object by such means only as are in accordance with our constitutional obligations and the pacific principles of the gospel of Christ.
"3. Resolved, That we highly approve the course pursued by our delegation in the late General Conference on Dr. Few's resolution relative to the admission of the testimony of colored persons in church trials."
Resolutions were adopted recommending the appointment of a committee to prepare a more systematic plan of Sunday school and Bible class instruction, and of returns of Sunday school statistics.
The associates of the Maine Wesleyan Journal having represented that the associates were exceedingly embarrassed by a heavy debt, the conference disclaimed any responsibility, inasmuch as the conference, in 1838, had conveyed the whole concern to Rev. G. F. Cox, agreeably to his own proposal ; nevertheless, the conference recommended that a liberal subscription be made by the members, to relieve the associates, and that special efforts be made to solicit individual contributions from the brethren in their several charges. The list of the conference was read for the purpose of obtaining subscriptions in aid of the associates. The result of this measure is not recorded in the journal of the conference. The financial affairs of the Maine Wesleyan Journal were evidently becoming seriously embarrassed. The anti-slavery controversy carried on in its columns had become bitter, and distasteful to many subscribers ; and to add to the embarrassment of the paper, the editor, previous to this time, had committed himself to the vagaries of William Miller, and he was now availing himself of his position as Presiding Elder of Portland district, to disseminate his views upon this subject.
The statistical returns were more systematic than at previous conferences. Sixty-six circuits and stations reported Sunday schools in operation, with an aggregate of nine hundred and twenty-five
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MAINE CONFERENCE AT SKOWHEGAN.
teachers and five thousand three hundred and forty-six scholars. The committee on Sunday schools, in their report, express their regret that fifty circuits and stations sent no report of Sunday schools for the year. The statistical report, however, shows an encouraging advance in this line of church work.
Seven districts ; one hundred and eleven circuits and stations ; one hundred and forty-five traveling preachers ; twenty-four places left to be supplied ; J. Spaulding, superindentent of mission in Rio de Janeiro ; J. C. Aspenwall, transferred to New Hampshire Conference. Members, 22,538 ; increase this year, 3,596. W. C. Larrabee, principal of Maine Wesleyan Seminary.
The amount received, from all sources for superannuated preachers and other claimants, was nine hundred and thirty-six dollars and forty-three cents, of which sixty-two dollars and twenty cents was paid to the bishops, and the rest distributed to superannuates and other claimants.
The Maine Conference met for its eighteenth session at Skowhegan July 21, 1841, Bishop Hedding, presiding ; C. W. Morse, Secretary. He subsequently was excused and W. H. Pilsbury chosen in his place.
Admitted on trial : William D. Jones, Amos P. Battey, Cornelius Stone, Robert R. Richards, Charles Munger, Abijah Kendall, Hezekiah C. Tilton, Benjamin F. Hilton, Zebulon Manter, Edward Brackett.
The conference was occupied several days, most of the time in trying the cases of two members who had been suspended by a council, on charges of immorality. The charges were sustained, and one of the accused members was expelled, and the other suspended for one year.
A committee was appointed to inquire into the fiscal concerns of Maine Wesleyan Seminary, and a resolution was adopted recommending that the sum of five thousand dollars be raised during the ensuing year in aid of that institution. The resolution did not bring the needed relief to the struggling seminary. A motion prevailed, directing that all papers and accounts of the Book Depository be put into the hands of J. Hobart for collection and settlement.
The committee on slavery consisting of Moses Hill, D. B. Randall, C. C. Cone, G. F. Cox and B. F. Tefft, presented their report, which was adopted without dissent. The report contained the following resolutions :
"1. Resolved, That it is the deliberate and solemn conviction of this conference that slavery is a sin against God, man and nature,
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ACTION ON SLAVERY.
contrary to the dictates of conscience and true religion, and ought to be immediately and universally abandoncd.
"2. Resolved, That, as a body of christian ministers, we regard the existence of slavery within the sacred enclosure of our own church, with the decpest mortification, and that it is our duty to scck its immediate aud entire extirpation, by all wise and prudent means.
"3. Resolved, That a committee be appointed and instructed to prepare a memorial to the next General Conference, on the reception of eolored testimony 1 in church trials."
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