Trial Of Rev. G. Beckley: On The Charges Of "Slander, Falseh...

As this trial invoives the ments of the whole contr.oversy on the subject of slavery, now in progress in the M. E. Church, - and as there have been calis from different parts of the State for n 'fiill report of my trial,' I have cuncluded to give it at lenglh. Charges wore preferred against me by the j Rcv. Mr. Frazee, of' Northville, and a coinmittee wan designated to meet at Ann Arbor, July 6, to investigóte them. Four of the committee Messru. Young, Wakélin, Pike, Si Crippin were present, and listencd tothe evidence as presented by Mr. Frnzee. No formnl defence was made on my part. Tho commitlee found an indic!ment against me on the following Charges and Specifications: CHARGK I. - SI.ANDER. Spec. Tn stating of Bishop Waugh, of the M. K. Churcb, in the Signnl of Liberty of Maren 2th, Iiï43, tiiat "ín 1840 he ordained and set apnrt for the office of eider, in said church, a ílnveholder vvho resided at tlie time in Keniucky, where ïhe laws adinit of etnancipation, and permil the liberaleil slave to enjoy frecdom ." CUAKC.E II. FALSEIIOOD. In endorsing (in the Sijjnal of Liberty of 7th of November, 12th of December and 20th ofFebruary last,) the "Address of the Wesloynn Methodist Annual Co.iference," sisrneri 'Marcus Swift Prest.' iu the Signal of Liberty of tlie 3tst of Ociobor last, in five Specifications as follow?, 10 wit: Spec. 1 . "Her (the M. E Church,) disciplino has been modified and changed, until as ashield.her power and influence, is plndrred to Ihe support of the foulest tyranny, provided the tyrnnt only ndmits the prudent enfbrcement thnt their"' challéis personal' öhould rend the word of CJod.' Spec. 2. 'Her filie RI. E. Church') highest jndirntory lias joined the crusade of robbery nnd plunder upon the fceble nnd broken henrted siave.by cutting offJiis testiinonr, when he would teil tlie story of his flesh lacerated with the fcourg-e, and his bones broken with the bludgeon." Spec. ''And nrw prerogatives hnve been creatpd and added to her (the M. E. Church,) already overgrown aristocracy." Spec. 4. "To facilítate the expulsión of every shred of renl eympathy, from withiu her pale for the poor sufferer." CHARGK II!. INVEIGHING AGAIJfST THELINE OF THK M. K. CHURCH. Spec. I. Sce Sprc. 1. under charge 2. Sprc. 2. " ' 2. " " " Spec. 3. " " 8. " " " 'Spco. 4. H " 4. " " Spec. 5. "Lef. thosc whoiu we llave lefl be!ind,who Inve yet to wasli themselves frotn the ccclesinstica) polltitions of sluvery." See Addres of the Ves!cyar. Animal 1 fcrence, and Rev. G. Beckley's cndorsement ns nbove. Spcc. 6. "Thrv (ihe Wnsloyan Methodists) are componed principally of persons who have BRceded f'rom tlie M. E. Churcl). on ac-j comt ofits conticction willi slavcry, anc' it nrbitrary nnd despotic form of government.'" - Soe Sínnal, 7th Oct. ]ast, Editorial orticle, "Wesleyan Methodists.'' Fivc other speofications were allegcd before tho commilte, but were not sustnined by them. I appcared before the Ann Arbor Quarlerly Conference which met July 20, and the whole matter was investigated by them. The j pers contaiuing the evidence before the Coniniittee were first read, ond the Conference votcd.to examine the original tcstimon)'. At tho request of Mr. Frazee, Jodge J)exter was permitted to ossist him as counsel in conducting the preseculion. Mr. Frnzee thxn presented the evidence in support of the charges. No wltnesses wcc examined, as the charges referred to anieles published in the Signal, and I was of course respoii3ible for them. The evidence was then callcd for on ny part, and I offered to read upon the first charge the published etatement of Rev. J. A. Merrill, and the Resolutions of the Boston Methodist A. S. Convention, as published m Zions Hemld, an official paper of the M. E. Church. I proposed to read these, not as legal evidence that Bishop Waugh ordained a slaveholder, but for the purpose of showing 'liat, even if I werc mistaken, I had avffickntI reasonfor btlicving that such was the f act, nnd conuequently J could not be guilty of Slander. The President of the Conference, Rev. H. Colclozer, refused to odrait this testimony for thie purpose, nnd I was thus cut off from all opportunity of showing the grounds upon which l made the osseition which was charged as slanderoue. I conceivcd the decisión to be utteriy unjust, and accordingly asked nn nppenl from his decisión to the Conference.- The President refused to permit such an oppeal on the gronnd, substantially, that the decisión of questions relating to the introduction of evidencc belonged prnperly to him, and j was not a matter io be determined by the Conference. In conseqnence of this decisión, I waved the introduction of all legal testimony, and submittcd to the Conference the following statement as the only defence I had to offer. Mr. Prksident:- Before entering tipon my defence, I ask your indulgence whiie I make a few preliminary remarks. For more than twenty ycars I have been a memberofthc Methodist Episcopal Church, eighteen years of which I have been a i er, and nine years of this time a member of the itinerant connection. I hnve an extensive acquointonce in the Eastern Conferences, both in the ministry and j membership. In this State, there are hundreds Si thousands with whom I amconnected in church fellowship by the most endearing lies, and with whom I had hoped I might be permiüed to live in peace. By these friends, my moral, christian, or i ministerial charocter has never (to my ! edge) been called in question, nntil a few weeks since, whcn I was presented with the list of charges to which I am now called to answer. I .im bovrever, exceedingly rejoiced that each charge and specification now preferred ogainst me, hns grown out of my "sayings and doings," on the question of slavery and its connection with the church, nnd not on account of any gross immoralily, or outbreaking sins. It i? aücged however that these crimes are of sufficient magnitude to wurrnnt mv expulsión from tliechuich, and toexclnde me fom t!i "kingdom of grace ond glory." I nm of the opinión however that the open nnd frnnk avownl ofan honest opinión - formed according to the best of the rrind, nnr' expres?ed with no other desire, or inteniion, but to do good, will never prove the final ruin of any in tho sight of God. But l:ow, Sir, 1 would ask, has this trial been gotten tip? what was its origin? I answer, ttiat on the Sist of Oct. last we published, in the Signal of Liberty, without note or comment, an Aüdress of the 'Wesleyaii Methodist Conference to tlieir churches in this State." In compliance, however, with the wishes of some frinds we gave the address 8n editorial noïirc in the Signal of Nov. 7th which was as follows.Wkslktan Mkthodists. Thisdenominalion of Christians have recently had a session oftheir Annual Conference in tilia Stnte. Their existence here is of recent date. They nnmber, we bHieve, abont twenty ministers and six hundred communicants. Thia is certainly a resppctnble number considenng tlieir recent organizaron and the opposition with which tliey have to contend. They nre composed principally of persons who have seceded from th Methodist Episcopal Churcli on account of its connpction witli éhrtKry and its arbitran nnd dcspotic form of govemment, thouh they have had and are still cnjoyinsf a gracious revival of religión in some part of their fiold of labor. We believe that, to an individual, tlioy aro sound on the subject of liumau righls. The slaveholder nnd his beiters receive at their hands, a just and merited rebuke. In the pulpit, and at the ballot, box they spenk in behalfof God's suflbring poor. Wc hesitate not to say that tliis is the right kind of Cliristianity. That religión which If.nls iis to pray lor virluous and jvst rulers, and thon permits tis to vote for the vericst rr beid in our land- sucli as the intemperate, the profane, the licentious, the slaveholder and the apologist of slavery, is God dishonorinc: an(l man-destroying1. It emanates not from above, but is 'earthly, sensual and devüish." We published last weelc an address of the Wesleyan Conference to their members. It waa a high toned spiritcd production, well wntten and in the right spirit. It cannot fail to do good. We hope our readers will give it an attcntive perusal, especially, those who are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. This company of humble and devout Christians have our sympathies and our prayers, and we devoutly hope that they may continue their opposition to crueky ai.d oppression tintil liberty shall be proclaimed through uil tlie land unto all the nluibitants thereof. The subject then passed oif until the 28th of Nov. whcn we received and published on article from the Rev. John Scotford, purporting to be a reply to the Address and our romarks conceining it. In the Signal of Dec. 12th, we made a reply to Mr. S. which ca lied him out again, and the controversy continued for several weeks. After ita close, Mr. Scotford canie out with an article signed. "Justitia," in which hc most successfully defended the doctrines and mcasures of abolitionrsts from the charge of bping 'Mnsurrectionary and difiorgaim.ing," and hc cxprcstly dcclarcd that 'Ho break upexifltng ecclesiastical organizalions, or to over tkrow the Federal Government, or to set at drfiance conslitntional regula lions" was no part ofabolitionism, and that by $ moral sitasion and political oction," nbolitionis's were seeking the overthiow of Slovery, and that tJiis "party was the one to which hc belontred." b For to you, Mr. President, and to Dr.'Comstock that the Rev. John Scotford wns the author of "Justitie," the charge of falsehood was gravely preferred agoinst me, and that too, I suppose without ever consulting Mr. Scotford on the subject. It seems to have been taken for granted that such an anoinaly could not exist as a moral and polittcal abolitionist among Methodist travelling Preachers in Michigan, and that he musí be giiilty of faJsehood who wou ld Itave the ' pudence to make tlie assertion, This charge was afterward withdrawn. Bat who, I apk, is Mr. Frazee the man who preferred these charges against me. He is a Methodist Clergyman who through the columns of the Signal called on the Rev. Mr. West of Monroe,for the proof of certain statements made by him, during the anniversary of our Anti Slavery Society in FeL lost. In several numbers of the Signal we furniehed the proof called for by Mr. Frazee. The astounding facte presented, seemed to have stirred up all the worst passions of liis nature, and finding himself eo perfect ly "used up,'1 he gave vent 10 his fcelings in a communication wbich we published in the Signal of ihc 17th of April last of which the foU lowing are extracte. "Weld's slavery as itis." "In yonr eolicitude for my information, yon advise me to peruso this wonderful book. - This, I had done, before your ndvir.e reached me; and what do you suppose was my surprise, on finding that it was pent out into "the world in uttcr orphanage; - yes, as fatherless ns a foundling; aye, and as motherless too; for even the printer was ashamed or afraid to put his name to it. It is true, the American A. S. Society, (froni selfish vieV9 I suppose) has I become its God-Mother; but whether "by authority" or not, we are not advised, perhaps for the very good reason.thnt, Iike a hypocrite, the less is known of its origin and historv, the betïer it will pass. But, why did the Con.piler nol put his name to his bantling? I suppose it was on account of his opinión of his book, 01 his knowledge ofhimseif. Ifhethought his book too base a concoction, to be allowed to wear his name lielbre the public eye, it is certainly unwnrthy of our confidence. But ïf on the other hand, he knew that his name would doomit tofall, still-born, from the press, and, to eubsequent oblivion: he is not worthy to be believed in any thing. So that in eithercase, if I were converted by this book, I shouid thiik it to be a work of remarkably easy accomplishment. The fact is plain,the book is destitute ofnuthority; thongh perhaps Btifficitnt for manufacturing obolitionists, in these days of humbugs. The Compiler m:d Printer have skulked - a cowardly pack. And could you ! ecute the "American A. S. Society" on a libel? You might oh well undertake to prosccute a flock of Black-birds! So you and Mr. West are found wielding the dagger of the dastardly hand that wonld stab in thedark; and pedcling the filth of 'Miat coarse lieentious tnbe Of tenth-ratc type-men, gnpingfor o bribe. That rcptile race, wiln all that'sgood at strife. Who trail the:r süme through every walk of life: Stain the white tablet wlicrc a preat mnn's name Stands proudly c-hisell'd by the hnnd of Fame; Nor round tlie sacred riresidc fear to crawl. Butdrop thr.ir venonj there. andpuison nll." These extracts, together with the entire letter, we consider cxceedingly abusive. The American Anti Slavery Society, who sent Welde "Slavery As It Is," into the world, is made up of some of the wisest and best men in this nat on, and to brand them as selfish,' 'hypnerite-j' 'a cownrdly pnek,' 'libellers,' and compare them to & flock a black birds,: is beneath the dignity of any being who claims to be a man. And to apply the language "that conrse, iicentious tribe Oftenth-rate type men, srnping' fora b)ibe. The reptile race, with nll thai's good at strif". Who trail theirsüme through every walk oflife: Stnin the wliile tnblct where n sreat mnn's nnnie Stands proudly chiseH'd by the hand of Fnmc; Nor round the sacred fireside fenr to crawl. But drop their vcnom ther, and poison all" - to a Christian brother, is quite as exceptiona.ble as any thing I have said, or shall be likely to say. To this letter we made no formal ! replj but submitted it to the public with these fewremarks: REV. MR. FRAZEE. We do nol feel called npon to make any reply to the cornmunication of Rev. Mr.Frazpp, whicli will be found on the firt page. - We tiiink this document is not eutitled to any aiswer from itfl intrinsic merits, nor does it derive nny ndditional volue from the fact that it emnnated from a Methodist clergyman. If any credit enn retult from such a production to the author, to his cause, or to his denomination, we shall permit hun to enjoy it in undisturbed repose. From this hour it seems Mr. Frazee's mind was made up, and ho determined to commence ! operation8 Rgainst me in the Chutch,attd if possible procure my expulsión, as the only satisfaction his disappointed and wountled ppirit could enjoy. I have been repoatedly told for the lnst year, by different persons, that a plan was beinsf laid by certain traveling preachers,(somc of whom I never saw) to procure my j irion from the Church. This I did not bfilicve until within a short tirnc. A trnveling prracher of our own Church fjnve me a caH a few days ugo, and from the fuctsl reccivud from himand one of our lay brethren, I carne lo the i lowing conclusión: lst. 'That a few traveüng preachers had blended their ingeinuty and concocted a plan i by which I could be expdled from the 1 Church 2d. 'That certain Communications were to c be written for the Signal which would cali i me out in reply, and that. most probably I i shoiild say something by which I migt be communicated .' ] 3d. 'If I did not coinmit myself sufficiently i strong in my written articles, I was to be i terrogated from time to time, so that I should some way or other exposé myself to censure.' ( Here t seems was a deep laid plan to get ' me out of the Church, and that too, by those j whom I had supposed were my friends. If half the pains had been taken by those j ters to get slavery out of the Church that ! there seems to have been to procure my , sion from the same, they would h'ive some i little claim to be bslieved when ihey avow themselves (C0 'as much opposed to slaVERY AS ANY BODV.' -$ And now, Mr. President, I solemnly aver, lst. That the Communications which we have published purporting to be from John Scotford have not been in the same hand writing. This proves to a demonstraron that there was a concert of action in the business, that more than one was er.gnged in it, and probably a league formed ngainst me. 2J. That no less than five traveling preachers;have catechised me within the last few months, to whnm I have expressed my sentiments fully and freely touching the connection of the Church with slavery. From some of tlirse brethren I have received a req-iest to publish 'the facts I gave them, in the Signal,' and I was assu red if the tlnngs alleged were true, it 'must bc my duty to give them to the world.' I have always corr.plied wijh these roquests with ihe best motives and in perfect good faith, never dreaminsr j that these very persons were mutually pledg] cd for my overthrow. I will close these renmrks by calling the i atlention of this conference to the 18th chapter ard 15th, I6tb, and 17th verses of St. Matthew's Gospel and Mr. Wcsley's comment on tlie same. 15 Moreover. ifthybrother sball trespass against thee, go and teil him Jiis fault between thee and him alone; if he shall hear thee,thou hast gained thy brother. 16 Butif hewill not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that m the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be estabüshed. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, teil unto the Church : but if he neglect to hear tfieChurch,let him be unte thee as an heathen man and a publican. "Whosoever observes this threefold role, will eeldom offend others,and never be offend - j ed himself. If any do any thing amiss, of which thou art an eye or ear witness, thus saith ïhe Lord, Ifthy hrother - Any who is a memoer of the same religious commuriity, Sin a gai nut thee, I. Go andreprove him alone - If it may be in person; if that cannot so well be done, by thy messenge-; or in wnting. - Observe our Lord gives no liberty to omit this; or toexchange it for either of the followwg steps. If this do not succeed, 2. Take ivith thee one or tico more - Men whom he esteems or loves, who may then confirm and enforce what thou sayest; and afterward, if need require, bear witness of what was spoken. If even this does not succeed, then, and not before, 3. Teil it to tiie elders of the church - Lay the whole matter open before those who watch over yon re and his soul.- If all this avail not,have no farther intercourse with him, only such as thou hast with heathens. Can any thingbe plainer? Christ does here ns expressly command all Christians who see a brother do evil, to take this way, not another, nnd to take these steps, in this order, as he does to honor their father and mother. Now Mr. President, let me ask, have 1 been dealt with as the Gospel requires? Has there been any disposition mnnifested to rnclaim an erring brother? Certainlj there has not.- May 1 not ask what is the reason that I have received this summary treatment? I have had but one answer to this qtiestion, and that Sir, was 'that it was supposed that I was so determined that it would do no good.' But where dowefind in the Gospel, aulhority to pass over on express command of the Saviour, because, forsooth, a brother is 'determined,' and even that, if a fact, not ascertained. If my accusers were to receive the same summary treatment frem the Judge of the Univeree for all their real errors or crimes that I have for ni)' svpposed ones, thoy would undoubtedly have reason to sue for mercy and pardon every doy of their existence. The first charge to which I am called to answer is that of Spec. 'In stating of Bishop Wangrh of the j M. E. Church in the Signal of Liberty of March 2", 1343, that' - '!n 1340 he ordained and set apart for the office of eider in said Glmrch, n slaveholder who reöided at that time in Kentucky, where the laws admit of eman' brpation, oud permit the hberated shtvc to enjoy freedom.' I ndmit Sir, ihat I made the above stntement. I did supposc at the timp, and still think that [ nnaOe' it upon the best aulhority. Stander, according to Webster is ' A false tale or report imiliciously uttered - aud tending lo injure the reputation of anothor.' To convict me of Slandcr thercforc in thisinstonce, two pointe must be established: 1. That the thing uttered was false. L. That it was maliciously uttered with a view of injuring Bishop Waugb. What are the facta? In the month of January last there was an Anti-Slavery convention held in the city of Boston, Mass. composed entirely of ministers and members of the M. E. Church, about two hundred in number, among whom were many of the oldest and most talented ministers in New tíngland. This convention adopted unanimously the following preamble and resolution: Whereas, The discipline of the Ai. E. Church, (p. 176,} provides, in substance that no slaveholder shall be eligible to any official station in the church, where the laws of the State in which he lives will admit of emancipation and permit the liberated slave to en joy freedom therein ; and whereas, it appears that one of the Bishops of said church did, in the month of May. 1840, eet apart and ordain in the holy office of eider of eaid church, a man who was a slaveholder, and Hved at ihat time in a State where the laws did permit emancipated persons to enjoy freedom therein: therefore, Resolved, That this Convention respectfully request the New England Conference of snid church, at next session, to address the next General Conference on this subject, and to instruct their delegates to that body, to take such means aa shall bring the matter fully before said General Conference, for fuil examination and adjudication. This resolution was originally published in "Zions Herald and Maine Wesleyan Journal.' This paper is the official organ of the New England Conferences of the M. E. Church. The doings of the convention were report e( at lenglh by Rev. Lathor Lee, from which '. cut the following facts touching the subject. 'Rev. J. A. Merrill , bein? called upori, sau that at the last General Conference he wa invited to take tea with one of the Bishops [Bishop Waugli of course, as he is the only Bishop who resides at Baltimore.] That afte he had got to the bishop's house, the bisho told him there was a brother present frot Kentucky, who had been elected to elder's or rlers by the Kentucky Conference, and h proposed to ordain him in his own house, aii( asked him if he wo'ild assist. Merrill askec the bishop if he was a slaveholder. The bi shop replied that he believed he did hold few servante, ns was customary in that sectio of the country, upon which he declined as sisting in the ordination. He nsked the bieho if he did not know that bishop Emory had re fused to ordain under the snme circumstance to which the bishop rpplied he did, and remarked that tLere was a difibrence of opinio among tliem on the subject. The bishop se cured other assisfauce, and ordained the man A. B. Merrill, Esq., then remarked, that h was acquainted wilh the laws of Kentuckv and that there was no law there forbiddim emancipation.' These two documents cover the entir ground and contain all the evidence I ha that Bishop Waugh ordained a slaveholde cantrary to discipline. Supposing there migh be some mistake in this matter, I have written tn Brother Merrill, and received from him a answer, which confirms the above reportec speech.mis jetter was read in Ihe defence, but ís o.BÍtted here, as it is onl a repetition of his statement above. Brother Merrill is nn aged minister in the M. E. Chureh, and bas always been eharacterized for bis prudence and devotion to the church. He has been r presiding eider for many years, and frequently a ! jerof the General Conference. The following is from the ' True Wesl eyan," of July the lst, edifed by Üie Rev. O. Scott. We were present at the time and saw the man ordained, declared by Bishop Waugh on the spot, to be a holder of servants. The circumst mees were these. J. A. Merrill, J. Horton, myself and several other Northern delpgates weie invited by Bishop ! Waugh to tea. Just before tea, the Bishop ordained, in his parlor, a Methodist preacher i from Kentucky. J. A. Merrill beinsr an oíd j prencher, was invited by Bishop Waugh to assist in the ordination. Br. M. replied that he wished to ask one question first. It was this: 'Is the brother a slaveholder?' The j shop replied, 'I believe he does hold some 1 vents,' or 'one or two servant?,' or words to that effect. Br. Merrill fhen declined. After the ordination the Bishop said, - 'Br. Merrill, I did not blame you fnr retusing to nssist in the ! ordination of that slaveholdcr. I do not see limv, with your principies, yon could do it.'- Thi, m substance, Br. M. "declared to us at' the time, and we have heard him declare it i many times since. He wrote the resolutions I on t!iis subject which were passed bv the Boston Convention, and wliich were afterwards adopted by o'her Conventions.' From the above facts it will appenr that ! what I Faid of Bishop Wangh was true, every word of it:conseqsently the thing uttered wns not fal?e. 2. Was what I said maliciously uttered? The first time J ever publicly divulged the fact of this Ilegal ordination, was in reply to Mr. Scotford, in the Signal of the LOth of February lasf. I gave no ñames, I said "one of the Bishop?.'' Stc. The fact of his ordaining the man was denied, and I was col led on for the proof by sundry persons, 1 then piiblished in the Signnl of March lSth, the preamble and resolution already referred to, eupposing a document coming from a body of two hundred ministers and layincn of our own church would be sat'jsfactory to all and especi&lly to Methodists. In this, however, I wbb mistaken. One traveling preacber told me he lbelievcd t all false' -i very word of it, and for one he wanted ames and dates." I then published in the ignal of March 20, the following statement: MBTHODÍSM AND SLAVERY. Bishop Waugb of the Methodist Episcopal hurch, resides in the city of Baltimore. In 840 he ordained and set apart for the office f eider in said churcb, a slaveholder who reded at the time in Kentucky, iftere the Javs dmit of emancipation, and 'permit the liberaed slave to enjoy freedom. He called on the Rev. J. A. Merrill, of Massachusette, who was in Baltimote at (he me, to asstst in the ordination services. Mr . Merrrü decJined the assistance on the ground íat the man was a olaveholder. Olher asístance, however, was obaned, and the slaveolder tras ordained. We have been called on for ñames and dates n this case since our recent reply to Mr. Scotord,nnd above they are n'ven. Bishop Waugh tve contend, violated the discipline of the hurch in th.3 above act. See Sectioa 10, Ans. , Page 188. From the above t appears that so far 'rom having malicíously uttered what I did stuciously aVoided giving the name of the Bishop, lest he should be made to suffer hereby, I only used the fact to show ihe connection of the church with slavery. I leave this charge therefore, and specification with the fullest confidence that I should be exonerated from all blane in this matter, ïf k has cómelo this,that Methodist preachers cannot repeat statements coming from large bodies of Methodist ministers and laymen,backed up by eye witnesses of ourown churcb, and published in our official papéis, without subiecting themselves to the charge ot slander, we have moRt certainly fallen upo strange times. The second charge preferred agarast me that of T AI.SEHOOD; "In efldörsing (in the Signal of Liberty of the 7th Nov. and 12th De:, last and 2uth of Feb. last,) the Address of the Wesleyan Methodist Annual Conference," signed iMarcu3 Swift, Pres. in the Signal of Liberty of the 3l8t of Oct. last, in five specifications. In pnblishing and endorsing the "Wesleyan Address," we did what it is the universal cus- torn of editors to do, both religious and politica!. We believed the sentiment of the Address correct, and the spirit brealhed boing that of freedom and equal rights met our approbation,and we endorsed it. AM the phraseology of tbis document I do not approvef and had Í written it myself it would have been different, though perhaps no better. To the facts of the case we will now attcn 1 , Spec. 1. "Her (the Methodist E. Churcb) Discipline has been modified and changed until as a shield, her power and influence ia pledged to the support of the foolest tyranny, provided the tyrant oniy adm?t the prudent enforcement that their personal" sbould read the word of God." There seem to be two points in this speoification that demand attention. 1. "Her discipline has been modified and changed." That such is the fact, is susceptible of the clearest proof. In 1784, when our church was regularly organize.?, in this country, the following rules were adopted. 1 "Every tnember in our Society, whohaa slaves, in those States wbere tíje laws wil] admit of freeing them, sholl, after notice given1 him by the preacher, within twelve monthsCexcept in Virginia, and there within two years) legally execute and record an instrument, whereby he sets free every slave in his possession; those who are from forty to fortyfive, immediately, or at farthest ai the' age of five. j"Those who are bètween the ages of f wentyfive and fort}, imrnediately, or witliin the course of fiv yenrs. Those who are between the ogps of twcnty and twcnty-five. immediately, or at farthest at the age of thirty.- Those who are under the age of twenty, as soon as they are tweniy-five at fnrthcst. And every infant, immediately on its birth. "Every norson concerned, who will not comply with these rules, shall have liberty quietly to withdraw from our Society within the twelve months following; the notice being given him, asaforesaid; otherwise thea&sistant shall exclude him in the Society. "No person, holding slaves, sball. in fntore, be admitted into Society, or to the Lord's Supper, till he previously comply wiLb-fhese rules, concerning Slavery. "Tioje who buy, sel!, or them mcay, unlens on jmrpose to [ree themf shall be expelled immediately. - Lees History of the Melhodisls. In 1785, she held the following languag-e: "We do hold in the dkkpkst abhoiiRKNCK THE FRACT1CE OF SLAVERT and SHALI. not cease to skkk ils DESTRUCTION, by al! wise and prudent means." In a discipline printed in 1801 is the following article hended slavery. The greater part of thnt article must have been left out of the discipline at the General Conference of 1304 or 1808, as it is not in a copy which was published sometime during the year 1308. "Of Slavfry. "Questwn. What regulations shall be made tbr the extirpation of the crying evil of African slavery? "Jlnsicer. 1. We declare tliat we ore more Hum eter convinced of the great evil of African slavery, which still exists in these United States, and do most earncstly recommend to the Yearly Conferences, Quarterly Meetings, and to those who have the oversight of Districts and Circuits, to be cxceedinprlr cautious what persons they admit to officiol stations in our chnrch; and in the ense of future admiseion to official stations, to requirc such