South-western Methodism ; a history of the M. E. Church in the South-west, from 1844 to 1864.

Front matter

SOUTH-WESTERN METHODISM.

A HISTORY

OF THE

Preface

This volume professes to be a brief history of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Missouri, and the parts beyond, but especially of Missouri, from the time of the great secession from the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1844-45, to the beginning of the year 1865. From this narrative of facts and events it will be seen that to be a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in these regions, during the period above specified, was the greatest crime known by the pro-slavery men of the South- West, as membership in that Church was synonymous with negro thief, incendiary, insurrectionist, and the like.

Most of the information here presented was collected by the writer from May, 1860, to May, 1864, while he was editor of the Central Christian Advocate. A few of the preachers of our Church in Missouri wrote to us accounts of the persecutions they endured. But most of them did not. Yet we culled from their occasional communications much of the matter of this history. My duties as editor prevented me from furnishing the volume before this time. It is now presented to the public as a part of the history of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the South- West.

CHARLES ELLIOTT.

Iowa Wesleyan University, ) April i, 1865. )

EDITOE'S PEEFAOE.

This volume was prepared while the author was editing, without assistance, the Central ...Christian Advocate at the close of a long and laborious public and literary career, with the infirmities of age pressing heavily upon him. Otherwise " edited and revised, etc.," on the title-page would be unmeaning or absurd. As it is, the editor has not been without something to do.

The manuscript has been handled reverently and with indisposition to make changes, however trivial, although the partial confidence of the author gave libertv "to abridge, amend, or alter, as seemed best, provided only his sentiments be maintained." Abridgment seemed impracticable. The changes made are such only as the author would doubtless have effected himself, with leisure for their consideration.

Embracing Church history in which "truth is stranger than fiction," as well as much of the general history of Missouri, the book can scarcely fail to interest the general reader. The volume, such as it is, goes forth to a charitable public, with an ardent hope and prayer that it may promote true Christianity, especially in the territory it surveys!

L. M. VERNON.

St. Charles College, Dec. 5, 1867.

Chapter I

INTRODUCTION. Page.

1. Views of leading American States-

men 11

Washington — Declaration of Independence — Jefferson — Congress of 1787 — Madison — Randolph— Marion — Clay — Benton.

2. Recent opinions of Pro-slavery

Statesmen 13

Prof. Dew in 1832— Gov. M'Duffie in 1834 — Gov. Hammond in 1835— J. C. Calhoun.

3. Early teaching of American

Churches 13

Baptists in 1789 — Presbyterians in 1794— Presbyterians in 1818.

4. The Methodists 15

Their Principles in 1780 — And

5. Errors of Southern Methodists in

1856, and onward 17

6. Teachings of Scripture 18

7. The South-West occupied first by

preachers from the North 19

Chapter II. The Restoration Of The Methodist

EPISCOPAL CHURCH IN THE

SOUTH-WEST.

1. Preachers of our Church in Mis-

souri from 1845 to 1848 21

Rev. A. Bewley.

2. Rev. Mark Robertson 22

3. Rev. Nelson Henry 22

4. Bishop Soule at the Missouri Con-

ference of 1845 22

5. Laborers in the South- West from

6. Arrangements for 1846 24

Page,

7. Reorganization of the Methodist

Episcopal Church in the South-west in 1848. 24

Meager support of Bewley and Robertsoti — Eating a Negro Wench.

8. Warning of Robertson to leave

Batesville 2G

9. Bewley's Children Excluded from

School 27

He is Warned to leave the Country.

10. Missouri Conference of 1851 29

11. Arkansas Conference of 1852 30

Political Secession predicted.

12. Arkansas Conference of 1853 31

Martyrdom of Kelly.

13. Arkansas Conference of 1854 34

Bewley and the Campbellites —

Kansas-Nebraska Bill — Stopping the Supplies — General Rule on Slavery — Memphis Advocate on Slavery.

14. Persecution of Rev. Wm. Sellers... 39 Persecuting Declarations of Fa-

bius Township, Marion County, Mo.

15. Rev. H. C. Atwater on Missouri

Affairs 43

Play on the Term Abolitionist.

Chapter III

1. The Arkansas Conference 45

Apostasy of Rev. B. M. Scrivner.

2. Persecution of Rev. W. H. Wiley. 46 Action of Missouri Conference on

this.

3. Use of Blood-hounds in Missouri. 51

4. The Trade in Slaves, by Rev. J. B.

Finlcy 54

5. Rev. Wm. Hosmer on Slavery 56

Dr. Durbin's Reply.

CONTENTS.

Page.

6. The Parkville Luminary 69

Nashville Advocate quoted, and

Missouri Democrat.

7. Atwater's Strictures 61

Bishop Morris^ Reply.

8. Attacks on our Preachers 63

North-Western quoted — Conk-

lin's Reply— The Texas Advocate.

9. Controversy on the Central 67

10. Missouri Conference Removed 68

Resolutions on this.

11. Opposition to Jackson Seminary.. 72

12. Opposition of Southern Method-

ists 73

St. Louis Christian Advocate — Rev. A. Monroe— Rev. B. F.

Crouch on California.

13. Violence in the Platte Country.... 76

14. Western Virginia and Missouri

Conferences 76

15. Dr. Bond, sen., on this 77

Chapter IV

1. Persecution in the South-West.... 79 Rev. Wm. Sellers Tarred and

Feathered — Murder of Holland.

2. Pro-slavery Aid Societies 83

3. Their Address on invading Kansas 83 Undignified response of President

Pierce.

4. Attack ou Fort Leavenworth 86

5. Outrages in Kansas 87

6. Anniversary of Martyrdom of

Holland, June 30,1864 89

Chapter V

1. Indications of Disunion 91

Richmond Enquirer quoted.

2. Attempts of the South to obtain

Kansas 92

Bishop Pierce on this — The Texas Advocate — Preaching Politics.

3. Persistence of the South to ob-

tain Kansas 94

Bishop Pierce on this — Southern Christian Advocate.

4. Dr. Smith's Pro-slavery doctrines. 98

5. Dred Scott Case 99

Judge Taney's Decision — 'His

opinion in 1819.

6. University of Jefferson City 103

7. Methodist Episcopal Church in

Missouri 105

Chapter VI

1. Continued opposition to the Meth-

odist Episcopal Church in Missouri 1^7

Arkansas Conference — Lynchburg Republican quoted.

2. Distinction between the two

Churches clearly drawn 109

Excision of General Rule — Dr.

Haven's opinion — The Richmond Whig — Bishop Soule's Pro-slavery Speech. x3. Methodist Episcopal Church in

Missouri 113

Dr. M'Anally's attack.

4. Change of opinion in the South —

Confessed by Texas Advocate...ll4 And by Cartwright, of New Orleans— English and Roman laws considered.

5. The Border Conferences 117

6. Methodists from the North emi-

grating to Missouri... 118

Causes of this.

7. Sympathy of Missouri with Mary-

land. 122

CHAPTER VII. EVENTS op 1859

1. Profligacy of Southern Method-

ists 125

Dr. Smith's book.

2. Persecution in process.. 126

Meeting at Milwood, Texas — Attack on the Arkansas Conference— Resolutions of the Mobocrats — Noble course of Bishop Janes.

3. Judge Roberts's defense 131

Strictures on it.

4. Bishop Janes triumphant 134

The mob justified by Southern papers.

5. C. Elliott's plea for Southern

evangelization 138

Rage of Southern editors.

6. Raid of John Brown 143

Its folly.

CONTENTS.

Page.

7. Charter of a Methodist University

Vetoed in Missouri 145

8. Genuine character of Missouri

Methodists 147

Chapter VIII. Capture And Murder Op Bewley

1. Why Bewley left Texas 149

Bishop Pierce's Murderous Letter— Strictures on it.

2. Reasons for Bewley's Appointment to Texas 161

3. Pleas,, for driving the Methodist Episcopal Church from Texas 152

4. Public opinion in Texas 154

5. His departure from Texas 157

Incidents on the way.

6. Arrival in Benton county, Ark,. ..158

7. Is overtaken by a Mob 158

8. His arrival in Barry county, Mo. 160

9. Advertised at a Camp Meeting....l60

10. Seized by a Mob 161

11. Inhumanity of the Mob 161

12. Not allowed to see his family 162

13. Is taken to Fayetteville, Ark 162

His treatment there.

14. Bewley's farewell letter to his

family 163

15. His Execution in Texas 166

H. 0. Hoover's letter — St. Louis Advocate quoted — Bishop Morris on Bewley.

16. Survey of Bewley's character 173

E. G. Evans on Bewley — And Rev.

M. Robertson — Bishop Morris — Joshua Monroe— Dr. Cartwrigbt.

17. Bewley's family 178

Their desolate condition.

Chapter IX. Observations On The Murder Op Bewley

1. Forged letter to Wm. H. Bailey. ..181 Misrepresentations of Rev. J. K.

Burke and Dr. M'Anally.

2. Bishop Morris's letter on the

Forgery 185

3. Southern Methodist papers on it..l87

4. Strictures of the Texas Advocate.189

6. Dr. Hamilton's remarks 191

Page.

7. The Cumberlands on Bewley 192

8. Resolutions of Pittsburg Preach-

ers 194

9. Was he Bewley's Hangman 196

Southern Advocate on this.

10. Strictures of Mr. Evans on Bailey's letter 198

Chapter X. Antecedents Op 1861

1. General opposition to Methodist

Episcopal Church 200

Cynthiana News.

2. Bledsoe's Pro-slavery Book 201

3. Action of Baltimore Conference.. 204 Dr. Bond's, jr., Sentiment.

4. Dejection of Southern Clergy 206

South Carolina Advocate quoted —

Clay's Sentiments.

5. Disunion among Politicians 210

Richmond Advocate quoted.

6. Narratives of D. O. Hoover 211

7. Disunion in Border Conferences. ..217

8. Attempts to bring the Border

Conferences South 218

J. B. M'Ferrin's plan— St. Louis Advocate — Richmond Advocate— New Orleans Advocate — Rev. J. B. Morgan's Views.

9. Bishop Pierce in favor of taking

Southern Methodism North 222

10. Sensation in the South on the

Election of Lincoln 224

Southern papers on this.

Chapter XI. Events Preceding The Capture Op Camp Jackson

1. Declarations of Southern States.. 227

2. Of Southern Methodist Confer-

ences 228

South Carolina — Alabama — Georgia— New Orleans Advocate — The Nashville Advocate.

3. Plan to seize the Arsenal and

Sub-Treasury 230

4. Movements of Missouri Legisla-

ture 231

5. Action of the Legislature 231

6. Gov. Jackson's Inauguration 232

7. Convention called January 28th.232 Convention met February 28th.

CONTENTS.

12. 13. 14. 15.

Page, Fort Sumter taken April 14th.. ..233

Conspiracies in Missouri 233

Gov. Jackson seizes the Arsenal

at Liberty 234

Massachusetts Soldiers in Baltimore 235

Gov. Jackson's order 235

The State Arming 236

The Minute-Men. 237

Rebel movements in Missouri 238

16. The utterances of the Press 239

St. Louis Advocate.

Methodist Episcopal Church in

the South-West 239

Washita Journal.

Seat of Conference changed 243

19. Letters of Editor to Mr. Chase

and Mr. Cameron 243

Chapter XII. Capture Of Camp Jackson

1. Survey of Missouri Affairs 247

Gen. Harney's Proclamation — Our

Employment.

3. Truce of May 21st 251

4. Editor's Address to the Members

and Ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church 252

5. Remonstrance to Southern Meth-

odists 253

6. Persecution of Methodist Episco-

pal Church 256

Mr. Evans — Letter found in a Rebel's pocket.

7. Editorial on the Stripes and Stars261

8. Persecution of Rev.Z. S. Weller..262

9. The Dernier resort 265

10. Methodist Episcopal Church in

Missouri 267

11. Bishop Morris's letter on Obedi-

ence to Law 268

12. Encouraging items 270

Chapter XIII. Events Of June, 1861

1. Persecutions of Preachers 273

Of Rev. S. Ing — Of Rov. Win.

Wood.

2. Expulsion of Preachers in Texas.275

3. other cases 275

Of Rev. A..1. (Jsiitlior— Of Rev. R.

R. Witter— Of Rov. J. W. Prince.

Pago.

4. Support of Rebellion by papers.. .277 Tucker's paper — St. Louis Christian Advocate — Bishop Andrew quoted.

5. Persecution of Mr. Gardner 282

6. Delusion of Southern Metbodists285

7. Missouri State Journal, by Mr.

Tucker 286

CHAPTER XIV. Suppression of Methodist Episcopal Church in Missouri in 1845.288

Plan of driving out our Church— Our editorial on this.

The disloyal press 290

The Republican— St. Louis Christian Advocate— Tucker's Treason, December 18th.

Sufferings of Methodist Episcopal Church from Secession 294

Rev. E. Mudge— Rev. S. S. Wood.

4. Rev. Wood at our office 297

6. Events in July 297

Rev. J. Brooks becomes Chaplain— Rebel Flags.

6. Interesting events in July 299

Baltimore Advocate at Hannibal— Rev. N. Shumate — Fugitives coming to Missouri — Rev.

Mr. Ing — Missouri Conference Metliodist Episcopal Church South.

7. Events of August 300

Apostasy of Southern preachers —

Death of Gen. Lyon — Rev. J.

E. Baker and Rev. Keed — Rev.

S. S. Wood.

8. Sophistry of St. Louis Advocate. .303 Mr. M'Kinstry's answer — Reasons

proving its Disloyalty.

9. Persecutions of our Church 306

Rev. D. David— Macon City.

10. Letter of Rev. N. Shumate 307

11. letter of Rev. J. H. Cox 309

12. About our Flag 311

13. Our Flags 314

14. Encouraging View of Missouri. ..315

15. Encouraging Resolutions of Con-

ferences 318

10. Editor's Address to the Preachers

and Members in the South- Wcst318 17. The .State of the Country 321

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XV. Page

The Christian Soldier.... 325

Chapter XVI

1. Politics affecting the Church 331

Rev. James Boyle quoted.

2. Patriotism of our Preachers 334

3. Methodists of Louisiana 336

4. The St. Louis Christian Advocate

and the Rebel Cause 337

5. Letter of Hon. E. G. Evans 338

6. A General Survey 339

Letter from Prof. Mudge— St.

Louis Churches.

Chapter XVII. Events Op November, 1861

1. Emigration from Missouri 344

2. Sufferings of our Preachers and

People 344

Rev. A. J. Gaither— Rev. H. Martin—Rev. A. H. Powell— Rev.

Mr. Reah— Rev. F. S. Beggs.

3. Kansas City District 346

Letter of Rev. J. C. Smith.

4. The Methodist Episcopal Church

in Missouri, November 27th 348

5. State of the Country 351

ally, November 21st 351

Chapter XVIII. Events Of December, 1861

1. Notable points at this time 353

Persecution of Rev. R. J. White.

2. Sufferings of Rev. James Lee 354

3. Rev. N. Shumate and a Copper-

head Preacher 355

4. Address of the Editor 356

Exhortation to the Persecuted —

Prepare the Banners.

Chapter XIX

1. Dr. M'Anally's pleas, for Man-

stealing 359

2. Editor's plea for the Central 361

3. Case of Rev. Mr. Linan ^..361

4. Conservatives prepare to receive

Price 362

Page.

5. Southern Methodist preachers for

Rebellion 363

Rev. Mr. Caples and others.

6. Editorial remarks 365

7. Union Church in St. Louis 366

8. Session of Missouri Conference,

February 26th 369

9. Discouragements of Dr. M'Anally376

10. C. Elliott's letter to Dr. Thom-

son on opening Union Church ...377

11. Strictures on St. Louis Advocate. .381 The Democrat quoted.

12. Southern Methodists aiming at

occupying Free Territory 382

13. Rev. Joshua Richardson 383

14. Passes still required 385

15. Suppression of St. Louis Advocate385 Reasons for it.

16. Church Affairs in Missouri 390

17. Bishop Morris's letter to Rev. H.

Cox 393

18. Southern Methodist Book-Room. .394

19. Contrast of July 4th with that

20. Desolation of Southern Method-

ist Church in New Orleans 397

21. Loyal Southern Methodists 397

Contrast of the two Churches'.

Chapter XXI

1. Initiation of the Year of Jubilee. .411

2. Instances of this in Providence. ..411 Rev. John Moorhead quoted —

Preachers Murdered in Arkansas.

3. Calls for Loyal Preachers 414

4. Results of Emancipation Procla-

mation 414

5. Editorial survey of the present

state of things 415

6. Information from Arkansas 417

7. Uprising of Southern Methodists.418

8. Missouri Conference at Hannibal.419 Statistics of Missouri and Arkansas Conferences.

9. Encouraging prospects 421

10. Rev. A. H.Powell 422

11. Change on the subject of Slavery .422

CONTENTS.

Page,

12. Repudiation of Southern Meth-

odism 423

13. Loyal Southern Methodists of

Kansas City... 424

14. Disloyalty of Missouri Churches..426

15. Loyal Christians encouraged by

the War 427

16. Methodist Episcopal Church en-

couraged , 428

17. The Religious Element in Mis-

souri 429

18. Bushwhackers in Missouri 430

19. Contest on Slavery 432

20. Bishop Kavanaugh in Missouri. ..435

21. Arrest of Bratton 436

22. Remarks on Public Affairs 436

23. The Radicals and Conservatives.. .442

24. The Methodist Episcopal Church

in August.. 443

25 The two Political Parties 445

Page.

26. Precarious condition of Missouri.446

27. Gradual advancement in Novem-

ber and December 448

28. The Past 449

29. The Future 452

Chapter XXII

1. Methodist Episcopal Church in

Missouri 455

Statistics.

2. Murder of Arkansas Preachers.. ..458

3. Secular Affairs of Missouri 459

4. Missouri Conference 400

5. Occupancy of Southern Churches4G2

6. Methodist Episcopal Church South465 Confederate Almanac.

7. Murder by Bushwhackers 467

8. Conclusion 468

SOUTHWESTERN METHODISM.

Introduction

As preliminary to this volume, we deem it proper to present the views on slavery as they were originally entertained by our leading statesmen, next by the Churches outside of Methodism, and then by the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church South.

1. We first present the views of our leading American statesmen on this subject:

"It is the most earnest wish of America to see an entire stop forever put to the wicked, cruel, and unnatural trade in slaves." (Meeting' at Fairfax, Va., July 18, 1776, presided over by Washington.)

The Declaration of Independence was proclaimed July 4, 1776. Jefferson's original draft of this contains the following :

" The King of Great Britain has waged cruel war against human nature itself, violating its most sacred rights of life and liberty in the persons of a distant people who never offended him, captivating them and carrying them into slavery in another hemisphere, or to incur miserable death in their transportation hither."

In 1776 we have the following in the ^Declaration of ladependence: "All men are created free."

" I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just." (Jefferson's notes in 1782.)

"The scheme, my dear Marquis, which you propose as a precedent to encourage the black people in this country in a state of bondage in which they are held is a striking evidence of the goodness of your heart." (Washington to Lafayette, 1783.)

"There is not a man living who wishes more sincerely than I do to see a plan adopted for the abolition of slavery." (Washington, April 12, 1786.)

"After the year 1800 of the Christian Era there shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in any of the said States." (Ordinance of 1787, unanimously approved by Congress, and signed by Washington.)

"We have seen the mere distinction of color made in the most enlightened period of time, a ground of the most oppressive dominion ever exercised by man over man." (Madison.)

"We have found that this evil has preyed upon the very vitals of the Union, and has been prejudicial to all the States in which it has existed." (James Monroe.)

"The tariff was only the pretext, and disunion and a Southern Confederacy the real object. The next pretext will be the negro, or slavery question." (Andrew Jackson, iu 1833.)

" Sir, I envy not the heart nor the head of that man from the North who rises here to defend slavery from principle." (John Randolph.)

" The people of Carolina form two classes, the rich and the poor. The poor are very poor. The rich, who have slaves to do their work, give them no employment. The little they get is laid out in brandy, not in books and newspapers. Hence they know nothing of the comparative blessings of our country, or of the dangers which threaten it.

INTRODUCTION. 13

Therefore they care nothing about it." (General Marion to Baron de Kalb.)

" So long as G-od allows the vital current to flow through my veins I will never, never, never, by word or thought, by mind or will, aid in admitting one rood of free territory to the everlasting curse of human bondage." (Henry Clay.)

Alluding to the time the above sentiment was uttered, Thomas H. Benton declares: "That was a proud day. I could have wished that I had spoken the same words. I speak them now, telling you they were his, and adopting them as my own."

Similar sentiments were uttered by our statesmen up to the year 1832.

2. In the year 1832 and onward our statesmen began to declare in favor of slavery.

In the year 1832 Professor Dew, of William and Mary College, Virginia, wrote an elaborate essay in favor of slavery, a copy of which we possess; and this seems to be the first open attempt to sustain, by the press, the institution. His essay was designed to counteract the movement being then made by other Virginians to do away slavery in the State as a means of preventing such slave insurrections as that made at Northampton, Va.

The next plea for slavery was made in 1834, by Mr. M'Duflie, Governor of South Carolina, in his inaugural message.

In 1835 Governor Hammond issued a similar pro-slavery message.

Mr. Calhoun was of the same opinion with these — and doubtless there were many then to agree with them — and thus the political heresy progressed till it ended in disunion, bloodshed, and every evil work.

3. The early teachings of most of the American Churches were strongly antislavery.

In 1789 Baptists in Virginia expressed themselves in these terms : "Resolved, That slavery is a violent deprivation of the rights of nature, and inconsistent with republican government; and therefore we recommend to our brethren to make use of every measure to extirpate this horrid evil from our land" etc.

Most Baptists in the South have since erred much, being rankly pro-slavery.

The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church, in 1794, adopted a note to the 142d question in the Larger Catechism in the Confession of Faith, in the words following : " 1 Tim. i, 10 : The law was made for man- stealers. This crime, among the Jews, exposed the perpetrators of it to capital punishment — Ex. xxi, 16 — and the apostle here classes them with sinners of the first rank. The word he uses, in its original import, comprehends all who are concerned in bringing any of the human race into slavery, or retaining THEM in IT. 'Hominum fures, qui servos vel liberos abducunt, retinent, vendunt, vel emunt.1 Stealers of men are those who bring off slaves or freemen, and keep, sell, or buy them. To steal a free man, says Grotius, is the highest kind of theft. In other instances we may steal human property, but when we steal or retain men in slavery we seize those who, in common with ourselves, are constituted, by the original grant, lords of the earth. (Gen. i, 28.)"

The following resolution was unanimously adopted by the Presbyterian General Assembly, in 1818: "We consider the voluntary enslaving of one part of the human race by another as utterly inconsistent with the law of God, which enjoins that "all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them."

The Presbyterian Synod of Kentucky, in 1835, adopted a report, in much detail, that denounced slavery in terms

INTRODUCTION. 15

as strong as John Wesley did, who called it " the sum of all villainies."

Such were the early views on this great subject held by Presbyterians.

4. The Methodists, as all know, have unequivocally uttered the most expressive declarations against slavery, from the organization of their Church down to the present time.

In 1780 the testimony was in the following words, from the Baltimore Conference, which, at that time, was virtually the Methodist Episcopal Church: "This Conference acknowledges that slavery is contrary to the law of Grod, man, and nature, and hurtful to society; contrary to the dictates of conscience and pure religion, and doing that which we would not that others should do to us and ours. We pass our disapprobation on all our friends who keep slaves, and advise their freedom."

The General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, at its organization in 1784, makes the following declaration: "We view slavery as contrary to the golden law of G-od, on which hang all the law and the prophets, and the unalienable rights of mankind, as well as every principle of the Revolution, to hold in the deepest debasement, in a more abject slavery than is perhaps to be found in any part of the world except America, so many souls that are all capable of the image of Grod."

October 2, 1805, the quarterly conference of Livingston circuit, of the Western Conference, then embracing Kentucky, in a memorial signed by W M'Kendree, President of the Conference, speaks as follows:

"Though we can not assist you with money, at present, to extend the work of the Lord, we can no doubt gladden your hearts by giving you a view of our purifying work at home. Isaiah saith, 'Undo the heavy burdens, let the oppressed go free, break every yoke, and thou shalt

be like a watered garden, a spring of water which faileth not; yea, thou shalt be the restorer of the paths to walk in.' This day our official brethren voluntarily submitted all their slaves to the judgment of Conference, whether bought with their money before or after joining the society, o-iven, or born in their house, and we, thereby, had the unspeakable pleasure of decreeing salvation from slavery in favor of twenty-two immortal souls; we did not reprobate one of them. Now, if the grace of Grod can prompt men to act thus, you may rest assured that the Grod of grace never designed one immortal soul for eternal burnings. Brother William Cade made a free offering of thirteen; now, eight of these cost him $1,770, bought before joined; the other five were given, or born in his house. Brother Josiah Ramsey offered up six on the altar of love; two of these cost him $850; the rest were born in his house. Brother James T. White one living man, which was his all. Brothers Lewis Barker and Robert Gralloway one apiece. All these are to have salvation recorded speedily, and brother Thomas Randolph proposed his for the next quarterly meeting. When this is done we shall, as far as we know, be free from the stain of blood in our official department. Glory! Halleluiah! Praise ye the Lord!

"One thought more. If it be consistent with your authority, and it seemeth good unto you, we should be glad of liberty to exclude buying and selling from our 'Church, and to require of all slaveholders who may hereafter become members of the Church to submit their slaves to the judgment of Conference, who shall determine the time of servitude upon the same principle, and have a bill of manumission recorded in the same manner as the form of Discipline requires of buying a slave.

INTRODUCTION. 17

"We are, dear fathers, your sons and fellow-laborers in the kingdom and patience of Christ.

"Signed in behalf and by order of Conference.

"W M'Kendree, "James T. White."

Such were the doctrines of the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1805, such were they previous to that time, and even down to the present year of grace, 1868.

The teaching of the Methodist Episcopal Church may be summed up as follows: That slavery is contrary to natural law, to justice, to all the principles of the American Revolution in 1776, and to the law of God, and that it ought to be extirpated.

Yet, in the far South, after 1832, the teachings of some leading preachers seemed to run into the track of the pro-slavery politicians. Rev. Samuel Dunwoody, in 1835, preached a sermon before the South Carolina Conference which was truly pro-slavery, and in 1836 he repeated the same sentiments in Cincinnati, before the General Conference, much to the mortification of the Southern preachers. Even in 1844 the leading Southern preachers denounced slavery on the floor of General Conference.

5. But, after the secession of the Southern Methodists, in 1845, the pro-slavery elements that had been accumulating in some instances soon became general. In 1854 the Southern Methodists struck out of the Methodist Discipline the chapter against slavery, and in 1858, by the united votes of their General Conference and their Annual Conferences, they struck out of the General Rules the powerful antislavery rule that forbid all purchase and sale of human beings. Shortly after, they generally maintained that slavery was supported by Scripture, thus filling up the measure of

their apostasy by giving all the aid and comfort in their power to a direct breach of God's moral law, and then, very naturally, they became the willing partners of rebels in endeavoring to destroy the Government of the country.

6. The teachings of Scripture on this subject can be presented in a nutshell.

Abraham was an emancipator who bought many slaves and set them free, of whom the patriarch became the civil head. To these emancipated slaves, or freedmen, were added those born in the house, or raised in this free community. The instances of slavery in the days of the patriarchs were such cases as that of Joseph, which alone condemns slavery in the most decided acts of God's providence.

Among the Jews the fundamental law was, "He that stealeth a man and selleth him, or if he be found in his hand, he shall surely be put to death." Ex. xxi, 16. This law was repeated afterward to the Jews; for the bondsmen of the Jews were not slaves, and, in order to prevent the extension of the servitude agreed on between the bondman and his master, the contract must finally stop at the year of jubilee. Such was the Mosaic law, which was followed up by the prophets.

Besides, it was part of the great commission of Christ, as foretold by Isaiah, and uttered by himself, to set at liberty the captives, thus prohibiting the commencing act of enslaving. Another part of Christ's mission was to set at liberty those that were bruised; namely, all who were now slaves should be set free, while the captives taken in war should not be permitted to become slaves by their sale. Such were two of the great objects of Christ's mission; namely, to prevent any from being made slaves, as well as to set free those already in slavery,

And so does Paul teach, who ranks man-stealers with the worst class of sinners, even with murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers — 1 Tim. i, 9, 10 — and, indeed, such

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were the teachings and the practice of the first Christians for several hundred years after Christ.

7. The Methodist Episcopal Church, with her strong antislavery creed, or, if you will, with her abolition teachings and practice, was the first propagator of religion in the South-West.

In 1818 Missouri was on the Minutes in the Illinois Conference. Jesse Walker was presiding elder, with ten preachers, and 1,482 members. John Scripps was this year on Boonlick circuit, and in 1819 on Cape Girardeau circuit, and David Sharp was on Silver Creek circuit in 1819.