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^ ?50.

PERSONAL NARRATIVE

A TOUR THROUGH A PART OF THE UNITED
STATES AND CANADA :

WITH

NOTICES OP TfttB HiarORY AND INSTITUTIONS OP
MKTHOIHSM IN AMERICA.

C'ONTAININO ALSO THE IIVTH PAR'S,
HERETOFOIIE OmTfXD IN THK AMSRIOAN KDITIONS.

BY JAMBS DIXON, D. D.

THIRD EDITION.

PUB.LISHED BY LANE <fe SCOTT,

800 Mulberry-street.

J08BPH LOKGKINO, PBIKTEH.
1850.

}

BA 22S^> J) 4 18S"0

/*'■

PREFACE

TO THE THIRD AliERICAN EDITION.

In the first American edition of this book, the Finn Part
was omitted. This omission was thought to be amply jus-
tified by the fact, that, out of the 106 pages wUch that
Part contained, between 80 and 90 consisted oi extracts
from American documents. But additional reasons were
not wanting. From Dr. Dixon's own statements, as well
as from the whole tenor of his quotations, it is apparent
that he was not in a position to write intelligently upon the
.subject. His readmg h|» been confined, almost entirely, to
one side of the question, and the result is as might have
been expected. It appears that he had never seen even
the Journal of the General Conference of 1844 when he
wrote, and knew nothing of any documents bearing on the
question, except such as the compilers of the " History of
the Organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South," chose to incorporate m that work !

It is an ungracious task to say such things of an author
in the Preface to his own book. I avoided it in the former
editions, of choice ; but my course in the matter has been
so greatly, and in some cases so disingenuously, misinter-
preted, that no alternative is left but to publish the omit-
ted portion of the work : and my duty, as editor, demands,
at least, as strong an expression as is given above in regard
to its merits. J. M'Cuntook.

Jan, 9, 1850.

)

ADVERTISEMENT.

This volume has been prepared for publioatioii under
the influence of one only sentbnent ; namely, a desire to
make the Methodist body in England acquainted with the
state and progress of their lyitem of religion in the United
States.

The author is not conscious to himself of any peculiar
Inas in his opinions ; his aim being simply to state facts as
they presented themselTcs to his attention, and leave his
readers to draw their own inferences.

Not being a political agent, he has not felt himself called
upon to enter — except incidentidly— into questions of civil
government. His general impression is, however, that the
Americans possess a larger amount of social prosperity than
any other people upon earth.

But the vexed question of republicanism lies beyond his
purpose ; and he begs to inform his reader beforehand, that
whatever he may meet with is not to be construed into an
expression of opinion for or agahist this or any other form
of government, but simply as historical.

One thing, however, bearing on tUs subject, may not be
deemed out of place : it is, that the author's impressions of
the true greatness of his own country were never so strong
as during his visit to the States. America is the ofiispring
of England. England has been reproduced in America.
The character of the parent is seen in the athletic growth
of the son. The blood, the relig^n, the ideas, the opinions,
and, in substance, the institutions, of England exist in the
United States. On this soil the Anglo-Saxon race is assert-
ing its supremacy on a gigantic scale, and with a rare

ADYBRTIflBMBNT.

energy and vigour. It is a singular phenomenon, wluoh
every visitor must perceive at once, that his own country's
type of humanity is predominant. People from all nations
in Europe are seen in large numbers on the western conti-
nent; but they all become Anglicised. Just as the "father
of waters/' the Mississippi, receives the innumerable tribu-
tary streams which flow in every direction to swell and
deepen its flood, and then in turn are blended with and
become one with the parent current ; so, in like manner,
all the races which flock to America feel the force, do
homage to the superiority, and fall into the current, of
Anglo-Saxon life. In two or three generations nothing of
the German, the Dutchman, the Frenchman, the Celt re-
mains, but his name. He has lost his foreign distinctness,
much of his physiognomy, and all the peculiar character-
istics of his origin; so that the true identity existing
between England and America is an identity of race.
Other things are but the external adomings of the same
soul and body, the same mental and material organization.
England's sons, language, sentiments, freedom, enterprise,
courage, religion — all live in America ; and are imiting to
form the greatest empire of race on which the sun ever
shone. England consequently reappears on American
ground; and it is impossible Mstorically to separate the
destinies of the same people ; the annals of the Anglo-Saxon
race must ever include the American branch.

The survey now presented to the public can lay claim
to nothing more than an outline. It would require much
more leisure and information than are in the possession of
the author, to give a fuU, a complete, narrative of — as he
conscientiously believes — the most gigantic and extraordi-
nary development of religious truth which has taken place
in modem times.

The work, even in its present state, appears under some
disadvantage, from the fact that, when in the States, the
author had not the most remote idea of writing a book;

.*^

ADVBBTISBlfBNT.

hii notes were consequently not taken with any view to
such a purpose. From this circumstance his materiel was
necessarily scanty; but the scenes through which he passed,
and the facts and incidents which came before his atten-
tion, were very vividly impressed upon his memory. He has
had consequently to draw largely on this resource. With
what success, those on the spot alone can judge ; but he is
persuaded that, though many things may not be *so full
and circumstantial ais if he had entertained the intention of
publication, yet he is certam that no fact is falsified ; and
no scenery, whether of nature, society, or religion, has
received an untrue colouring.

In addition to the desire, as before stated, to give infor-
mfction respecting the state of the Methodist Church, as
the predominating motive, the author feels himself under
an imperative obligation, as a mere matter of justice, to
communicate his impressions respecting his reception by
the American body. If they received the messenger of the
British Conference with affectionate respect as such, is it
not fitting that their good-will, their fraternal regard, their
unabated affection towards the parent body, their continued
unity and oneness with us in spirit and faith, should be
made known ? And, moreover, as it has pleased Ood to
bless, to prosper, to enlarge, and to render triumphant that
Church which, in its ecclesiastical form, was planted by
John Wesley, and nurtured by some of his most distin-
guished sons in the gospel ; does it not seem proper that
such an occasion as a visit to this Church should, in some
way, be connected with a report of its actual state ? With
these impressions, though with great reluctance, the author
is impelled to publish this volume, not doubting but that
the hearty good-will of the American Methodist Church
will be as heartily reciprocated by the Methodist body in
this country.

Bimwnghamt March 26<A, 1849.

CONTENTS.

PART I.
V PBRSONAL NARBATIVB.

OHAPTEB I.

Tlie Vo]r»g«^Compu]r on Board— Sunday— ReflMtUm*— Atlantic— Agitation
— Steam-power- Miraclea— Banka of Newfoundland— A Snow-atorm— Bali-
flaa—NoTa-Scotia—Pattengera— Morality Page 13

CHAPTER n.

Beaton— The Sabbath— Changea of Doctrine— Methodiat Preachers' Meeting
at the Book-IMpdk— Bunker'a Hill— The Common — The Btate-Houae-
Churches— The City— Daniel Webster— Set out for New-York- Railroad
Gars— The Country— New-Haven— The Sound— Scene on board the Steamer
—New-Toik .Harbour tl

CHAPTER ni.

NeW-Tork- Haipera' Printing and Publishing Batablishment— The Methodist
Book-Concem— The Exchange and Custom-House— Excitement respecting
an anticipated Revolution in England— Charitabto Institutions— The City-
Leave for Baltimore— David Creamer, Esq.— The Journey— New-Jersey-
Newark— Princeton— Trenton— The Delaware— Philadelphia— TlM Chesa-
peake Bay to

CHAPTER IV. *

Baltimore and Washington— The City and Capitol— The Senate— General Cass
—Captain Fremont— Mr. Calhoun, &c. — The House of Representatives-
Debate— Visit to the President— To the Vice-President— The National Insti-
tution— Baltfaonore — ^The Sabbath— The aristocratic air of the place — ^I<eave
for Cumberland — Slavery — Harper's Ferry — Cumberland — The Alleghany
Mountains— A Mirage on the Mountain— Brownville— The Monongahela—
Scenery of the banks S9

CHAPTER V.

Pittsburgh— Lodge at the St. Charles— The Conference— The Bishops— The
Preachers— Bishop Soule— The Southern Ministers— Public Services— The
Company at the St. Charles— The Town— Manufactures — The Afirican
Church— Preach to the Blacks — Curious Scene— Leave Pittsburgh — Take
leave of Bishop Soule— His Character— The Ohio— Wheeling— Bishop Camp-
bell—Mesmerism 64

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER VI.

Cincinnati— Mr. Smitli— Auburn— A Stonn in the Country— Bishop M'Uvaine's
Country Reaidence-^A Fire— The Sabbath— The City— Start for Sanduaky—
The Forest— Difficulties of clearing Land— The Railroad through the Forest
—A Stage Joumev— Arrival at Urbana— Arrival at Sandusky Page 101

CHAPTER Vn.

The Lakes— Erie— Pass down— Buffalo— Niagara River— Scenery on its Banks
—The Falls of Niagaia^Canada— The People— Visit the Battle-Field of Lun-
dy's Lane— The Suspension-Bridge— St. Catharine's— Hamilton 109

CHAPTER Vm.

Ontario- Toronto— Dr. Ryerson— Sir F. B. Head— Bishop Strachan— The City
—Departure for Kingston — Mr. Robinson— Mr. Bolton— Coburg College —
Kingston— Pass up the Bay of Quinti— Belleville— The Canada Conference
—The Union— Return to Kingston IStt

CHAPTER IX.

'Dm St. Lawrence— The Thousand Islands— The Rapids— Mmitreal— The City
—The Cathedral— The Methodist Chapel— Storm—The Sari of Elgin— The
Romanists— PawMge to Quebec— The CSty-The FlainsofAbraliam— General
Wolfe— Fortifications— A Rural Repast— Falls of Montmotend— Tlie French
Habitaas— Reflections on Canada 138

CHAPTER X.

Return— Pass the St. Lawrence— Lake Champlain—Plattsburgh— Whitehall—
Journey by Stage— Troy— Albany— The Hudson— Arrival at Now- York— 111
—Doubtful respecting being able to return Home— Resolved to do so— De-
part for Boston— Embark on board the "America"— Passage— Arrival at
Home 159

CHAPTER XI.

Reflections on America— Unfrjriy dealt with by Travellers— A religious people
—This necessary to explain their state— The real Americans not hostile to
England— Their peaceful and prosperous condition— Education, the prin-
ples on which it is conducted— The force of Christianity in its simply divine
authority— The American's trust in this— Public Worship and the Duties
of Religion— Slavery partly removed by the influence of Christian prin-
ciple Idle

.*Sk.

00NIBNT8.

PART n.

flISTORIOAL NOTICBS OF METHODISM TS AMBRIOA.

CHAfTEB L »

Introductory remarks— Mr. Wealey'a great talent for goTemment— The conll
dence reposed in him— His disinterested encouragement to all who were cac
pable of rendering service to religion— Became the bond of onion to the fiiat
Methodists in America Page IM

CHAPTER n.

The Kntrodoction of Methodism into New-Toric— Philip Bmbory— Begiat to
preach— Captain Webb— The first Society —Preaching-Houses — Robert
Strawbridge commences preaching in Maryland— Freeborn Oarrettson—
Captain Webb's labours in Long Island and Pliiladelphia— Attempts to get
Mr. Benson iy>pointed to America— Reflections on these Agents — TheClasa*
Meeting 805

CHAFTEB m.

Application to Mr. Wesley for Missionaries— Messrs. Boaidmaa and Pilmow
m>pointed— Account of the State of Things— Messrs. Asbnry and Wright —
Account of the fonner— The Spirit of the Clergy— Mr. Jarratt— Thomas
Rankin and George Shadford arrive— First Conference 316

CHAPTER IV.

The Revolutionary Period- Messrs. Rankin, Shadford, and Rodda depart for
England— Adventures of Sltadford— Asbury determines to remain— His Exei-
cises of Mind— Finds Refuge in the House of Judge White— Persecutions of
Messrs. Hartley and Garrettson— Mr. Janatt— Reflections on the Revolu-
tion— John Calvin's Dogmar-Qriginates the Revolution— Its Success . . aS8

CHAPTER V.

Measures preparatory to the Organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church— ^
implication of the Peofde to Mr. Wesley— His Advice— Dr. Bangs's Account
—The Church formed— Success S4S

CHAPTER YL

The new Ordet of Things— Mr. Asbury becomes the real Bishop of the Churclh
—His Cliaracter and Qualifications for the Office— Dr. Coke exceeds his
Powers— Certificate — The Ei^scopacy defined and guarded— Mr. Wesley's
Offence at the Use of the Term " Bishop"- Letter to Asbury— Dr. Coke in
Difficulties respecting the Address to Washington— And on Slavery— The
<?hurch takes its Standing among the Institutions of the United States . . SM

. CONTENTS.

' PART in.

THB INSTITUTIONS OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL

CHURCH.

CHAFTEBI.

The doctrinal Buis of the Church— The Articles of Religion— This places the
Chnich on a qrttem of dogmatical Troth— The Difference between this and
the EngUsh system Page 8W

CHAPTER n.

The Federal Nature of the Church— The Idea of Unity— How secured— Doctri-
nal— Visible governing Power— Episcopacy 969

CHAPTER m.

The Methodist Church in its Subdivisions— The Circuit and Station— The Sta-
tion an innovation— The Quarterly-Meeting Conference- Its Powers ... 374

CHAPTER IV.

Subdivisions continued- The District— How constituted— The presiding Elder
. —Rules and Laws— The several Orders of Ministers S78

CHAPTER V.

Subdivisions continued— The Episcopacy— Bishops, how appointed- Laws and
Regulations — ^Reflections— The Division of Labour amongst tlte Bishops —
Names of those who iiave received this Office— Purity of Election— Popu-
larity 381

CHAPTER VI.

Subdivisions continued— The Annual Conference— How constituted— Its Func-
tions—Elects Delegates to the General Conference 388

CHAPTER Vn.

Subdivisions cor tinned— The General Conference— Dr. Bangs's Account of its
formation— Its Fundamental Powers— Principles— Reflections 389

CHAPTER Vm.

Subdivisions continued— The Author's presence at the Pittsburgh General
Conference— Impressions— The Bishops— The Ministers— Mode of Debate—
Decorum and Order— Questions at Issue— Mode of conducting Apneal Cases
—Reflections 305

CONTESTS.

EPISCOPAL

PART IV.

TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE AMERICAN METHODIST
EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

Lccount of its

T. — THE ATLANTIC CONFERBNCBS. '

Page.

Maine 310

New-Hampshire 313

New-England 313

Providence 318

New-York 319

New-Jersey SM

Philadelphia 8S5

Baltimore < >•. 837

Virginia 333

North Carolina 3S4

South Carolina 335

Georgia 337

Florida 348

II. — THE HITDBOy AND LAKE LINE.

Troy 3*7

Vermont 8S7

Black River •. 359

Oneida 363

Genesee 303

Erie 305

North Ohio 300

Michigan 307

North Indiana 307

Rock River 300

III. — THE OHIO LINE.

Pittsburgh 380

CMjio • 381

Louisville 388

Kentucky 388

Holston 389

Indiana 393

Tennessee 3^

iy.~THE MISSISSIPPI LINE.

Iowa 400

Illinois 400

Missouri 407

St.Louis 407

Arkansas 408

Memphis ^ 409

Mississippi 409

Louisiana . . . .^ 410

Alabama ■ 411

Texas 413

East Te^tas 413

Oregon , , 413

Indian Misaions 413

dOVIBKTS.

PARTY.

MBA8UBBS ADOPTED BT THB METHODIST EPISCOPAL
OHUROH ON THB SUBJECT OF SLAYBRT.

H CHAFTEB L

Laws on the Sutgect— Preachers from the beginning held aati'Slaveiy Views—
Opiwsition of the Planter*— The power of the separate States— IMOcalties
arising from this Page 4SS

CHAFTEB IL

The Wesleyan Methodist Connexion— Agitations— The Address of the British
Conference— Orange Scott— Debates at the General Conference— The Spirit
of Compromise prevails— Fails to heal the Breach— Agitations proceed—
' Separation— The New Community established 44S

CHAFTEB m.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, South— Progress of the Movement after the
former Division— Change of Opinion in the Baltimore Conference— Con-
demnation of Harding— Confirmed by the General Conference— Bishop An-
drew's case— Debato»— Resolutions against him— Rrotest of the South. . M5

CHAFTEB IV.

Organization of the Church South— Preliminary Proceedings— Convention—
Measures taken— Settlement— Real position— Reflections 914

TOUR IN AMERICA.

PART I.
PSBSONAL NABBATIYB

CHAPTER I.

Hie Vojaga— Company on Boaid— Sunday—Reflecttons— AHinttc— Ajtta^on
— 8team*Fbwer— Mimdes— BankB of Newfooodland— A ftiow>lt0nn>— Batt-
fax— NoTft-Scotiar-PHaengers— Morality.

Ws went on board the <' Acadia," Captain Stone, at Liver*
pool, bound for Boston, on Saturday, April Stb, 1846 ; ft
beautiful vessel, well fitted up with a fine and •pftoiouf
saloon above deck. I found my friend, Mr. Kaye, had
engaged for me one of the best berths, which I wmt at
once to possess. I had not been there long, before a
Quebec gentleman entered to share it with me,-Hi good-
looking, open-faced man; and, as I supposed I moat
necessarily have a cabin-mate, I thought myself weU suited
in my companion. This, however, was evidently not the
impression of my friend. Whether he was alarmed ftt the
sight of a parsonic name on my trunks, or unoontfortftble
on other grounds, I know not; but he instantly became
fidgety, exhorted me to go to the purser, and get a ber^
to myself; saying, that I should have more influence than
himself. I concluded this was perfectly unnecessary on my
part, feeling quite sure he would accomplish the cbaage
for himself, if I left him alone. In a few mbutes he came
for his luggage, having obtamed a berth " forward ;" ftodt
on seeing thie purser, he told me they had agreed to leave

TOUR IN AMBEfCA.

me " alone in my glory." This, to me, was joyful news,
and seemed a good beginning.

It is customary for passengers to choose their seats at
the table, and they who are first on board have the best
chance. Being in good time, I had the opportunity of
selectmg my own place. My friend, Mr. Willey, who went on
board with me, and knew much more of such matters than
myself, fixed upon a c(Hmer-seat, saying it would be out of
draughts. For my part, I did not much like it, inasmuch
as I thought it would place me at the lower end of the
table. I had no objection to a midway place, but felt
unwilling to be at the very bottom, and out of the way of
everybody. However, for the reason above mentioned, T
submitted, rather reluctantly, to my fate. This seat, how-
ever, turned out to be on the right hand of the chair of the
second table. The company one falls m with on board
ship, is very important. The manners, temper, conversa-
tion, disposition to accommodate, are vital points in such
contiguity; and, in the many squalls which must take
place in a voyage at sea, it is possible for people, closely
packed, to make themselves and others very unhappy, if
80 disposed.

When dinner was announced, I took my place in my
new locality, somewhat curious as to what the issue would
be. The chair was taken by an elderly ofiicer of the royal
iiavy, dressed in his uniform and the insignia of his nmk.
We looked upon him with interest. He proved to be, as
is generally the case with men in his situation, a complete
gentleman, courteous, urbane, and communicative. A
more beautifully placid and benevolent countenance cannot
be knagined. He had been in the service forty years ; had
travelled in most parts of the world ; had passed through
many interesting scenes; and willingly communicated his
stores of anecdote and information. On my right hand sat
an elderly person, a perfect pattern of an Enghsh country
gentleman of the old school. It turned out that bis home

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

was Baltimore ; and, if he might be taken as a sample of
the citizens of that place, they are certainly a fine race of
people. Before our meeting, I had seen a gentleman on
deckj whose face and bearing arrested my attention. I
said to myself, " There is something in you." I did not
much like him, however, at first sight, because he seemed
to resemble a famous statesman of our coimtry, once very
popular, now very low. This gentleman sat exactly oppo-
site me. We looked rather askance at each other. He
opened out very slowly, but did so by degrees ; and I
suppose it was the same with myself. This gentleman I
foimd to be one of the most intelligent and well-informed
men I ever met. I afterwards understood he was an
American of the old Bostonian school ; that he hved near
Plymouth, the landing-place of the "Pilgrim Fathers;"
had seen all America ; thoroughly imderstood the character
of its institutions, civil and rel^ious ; had travelled through
Europe, and in some parts more than once ; was conversant
with literary subjects ; knew all the leading politicians of
his own country, and many in European nations ; and, like
all such men, was extremely courteous, free from d<^-
matism, and, though a decided American, perfectly open
to conversation respecting their institutions, and equally
willing to admit the excellency of other countries, especially
that of England. I found thb gentleman a most interesting
companion. Thus ensconced in the outset of the voyage^
other things being favourable, we had the promise of an
agreeable passage.

On the following morning, Sunday, while at breakfast^
an officer came with Captain Stone's compliments to desire
me to conduct divine service. To this I cheerfully and
thankfully assented. Going to the captain, I asked him
if it would comport with their usages, and be agreeable,
forme to preach. He consented, on the condition that
the discourse was short ; stating, that it would be- incon-
;Venient for the men to be engaged for a long time. On

■%■■

.-:&'

TOUR IK AMERICA.

going to the desk, I found the crew and passengers in
their places, — the former neat, clean, and weU-hehaved,
and the latter perfectly orderly, and some of them appa-
rently devout. There sat beneath the desk as clerk a fine
young officer, dressed in his official habiliments. He re-
sponded most nobly, and like a person accustomed to the
employment. Wh^ the service was concluded, this young
officer came to me, (he proved to be the surgeon of the
ship,) and said, " Perhaps you may have some knowledge
of the name of my grandfather. My name is Paley. I am
the grandson of Archdeacon Paley." I assured him I was
perfectly acquainted with the writings of his great and
honoured relative, and, like everybody else, greatly esteemed
them. This young gentleman bears a striking resemblance
to the pictures of the archdeacon ; and appeared perfectly
frank, open-hearted, and honourable.

Sunday on board ship is a melancholy day ; at least so
it proved to me. The thought of the assemblies of the
saints ; the order and religion of the study, the closet, the
family ; all now broken in upon, by the strife and agitation
around : — this, together with great anxiety for those left
behind, pressed painfully upon my mind. Wesley's Hynms
were a great solace. Nothing is broad, deep, and elevated
enough for the soid in her solitude, her sorrows, and her
joys, but sacred poetry, connecting one with the Saviour,
with the mysterious, with the eternal. The sea is calcu-
lated, to heighten this feeling ; for what is the ocean, but a
mirror of God's infinity ? and what the roar of its mighty
waters, but the voice, the poetry, the music, of that infinity ?

On leaving Cape Clear, and entering the Atlantic, we
were met by its surges as if in regal wrath ! The majestie
ocean seemed perfectly infuriated by the invasion of his
domain. I could compare this seeming anger to nothing
but to that of a mighty animal taking up a diminutive one
in his teeth, and furiously shakmg him in his rage. Our
noble vessel was no more in the jaws of the Atiaotic than

PART I.—- PBB80NAL NARRATIVE.

a lap-dog m those of a lion. The wind blew right a-head,
and met us in the teeth, dashing the waves and spray furi-
ously agamst our bow. We had not to encounter a storm,
in the usual sense of the expression ; but our old sea-oflBcer,
of forty years' standing, declared he had never seen th<)
sea so rough. We were, probably, encountering the effects
of distant hurricanes. The agitation and swell were inde-
scribable. The ^'fountains of the great deep" seemed as
if " broken up ;" and from beneath, as well as from every
point of the compass, the waters presented the appearance
of universal anarchy, confusion, and agitation.

This state of things continued for foiur or five days, the
effects on the passengers being such as are usual in f. ese
cases. The ladies were entirely absent, cooped up in their
cabin, or rolling in their berths, as the case might be ; no
doubt amiably bearing with good temper such feelings as
a bilious stomach is caiculated to excite ; and, being fellows
in misfortune, expending upon each other those delicate
sympathies which companionship in misery always produces.
The gentlemen were seen, some groaning in their beds,
some lying in mummy fashion, as if deprived of the cha-
racteristics of animated, talking, and thinking beings ; and
others, more resolute, or a httle less miserable, than their
fellows, were seen staggering about deck, eagerly hastening,
every now and then, to the sides of the ship for a purpose
not to be named. One wo-begone French Canadian fixed
himself in a camp-chair near the chimney, to keep himself
warm, and, with a rare heroism of the passive sort, continued
to occupy his post nearly to the end of the voyage. By
this means he preserved s<«ie sort of eqmlibrium, and held
up in the midst of the general discomfiture. For myself, I
was as good a sailor as any of them ; and much better than
the majority. Resolution does great things in these mat-
ters. If a voyageur wishes to have a feat of sea-sickness,
as an adventure, to put into his book, he may easily obtain
one ; the power of sympathy will soon do its work : and,

TOUR Xir AlflRXOA.

in case he posseu and indulge A certain faiiidioiisness in
the sight of thinge not veiy delicate, he may pay the
penalty of his sensittyeness by becoming just as loathsome
as any of those which excited the disgust of his olfactory
or other nerves. For my own part, I entertained no am-
bition or desire to describe the icnsationi peculiar to these
8ea-ad?entures in my own person, resolutely braved every
temptation to yield, which were sometimes forcible enough,
and nearly altogether escaped.

But the effects of these agitations of the sea, in other
respects, were very singular. I was obliged to stuff some
soUd material on both sides when in my berth ; in the one
case, to keep me from rolling against the hard side of the
ship; and, in the other, to prevent the more serious
catastrophe of tumbling out up<m the floor. Some of the
passengers had the precaution to employ the carpenter to
fasten a board to prevent the lost disaster ; but I contented
myself in the use of trunks and other appliances, and by
these means preserved my balance.

But this motion was not by any means the only one.
The giant ocean not only shook the ship, making every
timber creak as if some of her bolts and screws must every
moment give way, but a similar trial of the timbers of the
human frame was equally produced by the conflicting agi-
tation. This to me was a matter of curiosity and observa-
tion. The motion seemed to pull, jerk, toss, twist one in
every possible manner. Now the action would be rolling,
then longitudinal, pulling ahead and then astern, back-
wards and forwards, as if an irresistible power had re-
solved to make sport with one.

During several days we made but slow progress. But
that we made any progress at i^l, was a remarkable proof
of the genius and the mechanical skill of man. Nothing
gives so striking an illustration of the wonderful effects
of steam-power, as progress mode in such circumstances.
The waves were constantly rolling against us ; driven by a

PART I.— PBRSONAL NARRATIVE.

mighty swell which, no doubt, was inoreased in strength by
the accumulated impetus of storms, currents, tides, all
flowing in the same direction, and meeting us in all their
power. And yet we made way against this combination of
adverse elements. We appeared in some sort to beat na-
ture in a battle with her mightiest forces. How amazmg
this power! There must be something providential and
divine in this. God seems to have bestowed upon man
the means of surmounting the difficulties of his position,
and of overcoming even the ordinary current and course of
his own laws, as they are developed in tides and winds.
We decry miracles ; what is a steamboat crossing the
Atlantic, in the midst of opposing powers, Ittit a miracle ?
Have we not here a force above nature ? What is this but
a miracle, in the sense in which miracles are generally de-
scribed ? Is not a miracle the mastery of natural elements
by mind, whether immediately by God, or mediately by
his commission to man ? Do we not in this, and in simi-
lar things, perceive the God of providence intrustmg to
man a physical and a social power, perfectly distinct and
isolated above the laws of nature, so far as this is con-
cerned ? Do we not see the mighty machine, instinct with
artificial life, — imparted, it is true, directly by the skill of
man, but given to him by the teaching and providence of
God, — ^majestically riding above the storm and the waves,
in despite of all opposition ? If in this — may we call it
humanized ? — miracle we behold nature beaten in some of
her forces and forms of power, why may not miracles, on a
higher scale, and for more sacred purposes, wrought by
the immediate interposition of God, be true and real ? We
are surrounded by mysteries and muracles, if we had eyes
to see them; and certainly one of the most remarkable
which are made visible is, that man's skill and science
should be able to achieve so great an exploit as to impel a
ship of fifteen hundred tons across the ocean, in despite of
the united forces of wind and waves.

TOUR IN iMBRIOA.

Nothing more ooonrred in our outward voyage of any
consequence, till we arrived on the banks of Newfoundland,
when whales appeared, snorting and blowing above the
surface of the mighty deep, and a remarkable snow-storm.
The whales I was not permitted to see, bemg confined to
my cabin ; but the snow-storm was such as I had never
witnessed before. It continued for the space of fifteen
hours ; during this time it descended incessantly, in quan-
tities which, had they fallen on the land, must have covered
the surface to n great depth. This storm gave us a notion
of the miserable condition of Newfoundland and Nova-Sco-
tia, from which direction it came. No iceberg, however,
appeared, and we continued our course in the midst of the
dismal scene around us.

We made Halifax in the middle of the night, and many
of the young and active spirits on board landed, and,- by
moonlight, perambulated the place, being much delighted
to set foot again on terra-Jirma. I was denied this plea-
sure, bemg still confined to my berth, and not daring to
stir to encounter the climate, which, a day or two before,
had sent us the present of the snow-storm. On inquiring
of a lady, who was about to land at Halifax, if #he knew
Mr. Bennett, our long-tried and excellent missionary there,
she told me she was well acquainted with him, and lived
nearly opposite to his dwelling. One of my anticipated
pleasures, on reaching Halifax, was to see and converse
with this venerable and eminently useful man, and the
other missionaries ; but, being deprived of this gratifica-
tion, all I could do was to send my Ohristian salutations.

The next day we steamed along the coast of Nova-Sco-
tia, which was clearly in sight for many leagues. It had
the appearance of sand-hills, and seemed most dreary and
barren. No doubt a nearer approach would have ^ven a
different view ; and a sojourn in the coimtry itself, I was
told, would, in a short period, as the season advanced,
have banished the illusion altogether. We lost sight of

PART I.— PBB80KAL NABBATIYB.

voyage of any
Newfoundland,
ing aboye the
>lo snow-storm,
ing confined to
» I had never
pace of fifteen
antly, in quan-
t have covered
ive us a notion
ind Nova-Sco-
)crgp, however,
e midst of the

fht, and many
nded, and,- by
uch delighted
ied this plea-
aot daring to

two b^re,
On inquning

if «he knew
ionary there,
n» and lived

anticipated
nd converse
m, and the
lis gratifica-
alutations.
' Kova-Sco-
es. It had
dreary and
ave given a
tself, I was

advanced,
t sight of

land again in crossing the Bay of Fundy ; but w«re cheered
by the expectation of seeing the shores of the Uflilad
States. This expectation of soon landing produees mighty
changes in the appearance of eveiybody. Countenanoes
which before had been bilious and gloomy, brightened
up ; parties whose lips had been closed by taciturn pro-
pensities were now opened, and their tongues unloosed;
those who had confined themselves very much in their
cabins, spending the time as best they could, were seen
stretching their necks on deck, to gain a first glimpse of
land ; and many who seemed, up to this time, to take little
interest in those about them, became very friendly. Be-
fore parting, a sort of confraternity was established.
Family interests and affections appeared to have grown
«up ; and a number of strangers, who never saw each other
before, parted as if bidding adieu to near relatives. These
were certainly my own feelings, and I have reason to be-
lieve that they were shared by others ; and, moreover, the
sight of one of these fellow-passengers now, Qi* at any time,
would gladden my heart in a manner very unusual with the
casual knowledge of men met with on land.

While mentioning passengers, justice requires to» to re-
cord the fact, that, through the whole of the voyage, not
the least unpleasantness, in word or deed, arose in any
quarter. The captain was a most courteous and kind-
hearted man. But to myself favours were shown from
other quarters. Perceiving that I was suffering great pain,
several young gentlemen, some of whom I had reason to
believe were officers in the army going to Canada, mani-
fested a degree of sympathy and attention not only very
agreeable, but surprising, in young men full of life and
spirits. But they had just left a home endeared to them,
no doubt, by the attachments of parents, sisters, brothers ;
and it seemed to be no constraint, either upon their nature
or their education, to manifest sympathy and regard to a
stranger in suffering. I saw, in some of these young gen-

R m AMSRIOA.

tlemen, signs of strong emotion when conversation recalled
their thoughts and feelings to their parents and homes.
Let us do justice to icfui in all conditions of his existence.
It is a pleasure to meet with exhibitions of filial piety any-
where, but especially so in such chrcumstances. And, so
far as my observation went, the morality of our little com-
munity on board the " Acadia" was unsullied by any ex-
ternal vice.

CHAPTER II.

Boston— The Sabbsth— Changes of Doctrine— Methodist Preachen' Meeting
•t the Book Depot — Bunker Hill— The Conunon— The State-Hbose—
Churches— The City— Daniel Webster— Set out for New- York— Railroad (|.
Cars— The Country— New-Haven-The Sound— Scene on board the Steamer
—New-Tork Harbour. ^

On Sunday, April 23d, after a passage of fifteen days, we
made Boston. To an inexperienced eye, the approach to
the harbour is extremely intricate ; and several points are
well fortified. One channel is so narrow, and the works
so completely command the entance, that it seems impossi-
ble for hostile ships to enter. The view of the city from
the sea is exceedingly picturesque and beautiful. The
greater part, standing on rising ground, presents to the ob-
server the aspect of a place finely laid out, and adorned by
numerous churches and public buildings. The water was
sufficiently deep to allow us to place our noble vessel along-
side the wharf, and step from the ship to the shore. We
reached the landing-place about five o'clock in the after-
noon, and were glad to set our feet again on solid land.
The business of opening our trunks for the inspection of the
custom-house officers immediately commenced. Standing
quietly on the outside of the crowd, I was warned by my
good friend, Dr. Paley, that if I did not bestir myself, and
do something to get the officers to inspect my portman-
teaus, I should be the last of the batch, and should be
driven far into the dark ; saying, at the same time, he

PART I.— PXB80NAL NASRATIVE.

would help me to open them, and speak to one of the offi-
cers. Both these kind offices he performed ; and after the
man had glanced at the contents, he went away, and Dr.
Paley told me I must pay three shillings for the trouble
of inspection.

Tins business being finished, I wended my way to the
Revere Hotel, recommended by Mr. Weston, the American
gentleman b€fore mentioned, and found most comfortable
accommodation. Having been advised by the doctor to
have my face examined by a dentist as soon as I got on
shore,; the preliminaries of eating and drinking being over,
I sent for one of these gentlemen. He was at church, and
could not be obtained for some time. It may be proper to
^mention that the blessed Sabbath appeared, in our passage
^p the city, to be strictly observed by the descendants of
the pilgrim fathers. They have very much changed their
creed from stem Calvinism to the liberal system of Ghan-
ning ; but seem to retain their church-going habits in the
midst of the change. The streets were perfectly quiet,
few persons were seen in motion, whilst every place of
worship was filled with orderly worshippers. It is, how-
ever, a painful reflection, that the churches of su^h men as
Cotton Mather should now be occupied by a race who
preach a diluted kind of Socinianism. The glory has, in
this case, surely departed ; for though the rugged doctrines
of the first settlers were not, in our views, exactly accord-
ing to the truth, yet the bold, broad, deep faith of the pil-
grims in the verities of grace, the work of the Saviour, and
the sovereign providence of God, were certainly infinitely
preferable to the meagre and flimsy philosophy now an-
nounced in their pulpits. Is not this an instance of reac-
tion ? The bow, as in many other cases, was pulled too
far ; and the consequence has been, that the perception of
the error has led to a rebound on the other side.

After divine service. Dr. Hitchcock made his appearance.
As toon as he entered he exclaimed, " Why, I am sure I

M T01TK nr AMERICA.

have seen you before. Did not jou preach missionary-
sermons at Jewin-street, London, on such an occasion, and
at such a time ?" " Yes, I certainly did," was the reply.
"Ah, then, I heard you; I was stopping at Mr. Cave's;
and you gave out the words, * Those dark Americans con-
tort :* now that was too bad." I had, of course, to ex-
plain that the hjrmn, which was composed more than a
hundred years ago, could not relate to the Ev^opean popu-
lation of America, but to the aboriginal inhabitants, the
Indians. The effect of seeing a man who knew me was
like magic. The pain left me, and I willingly took his ad-
vice to put off all idea of operati<ms until the following
morning. After performing two the next day, this gentle-
man generously refused the proffered fee, saying he never ^
took a fee from a minister. ^ ^

On Monday morning. Dr. Hitchcock undertook to inform
the Methodist ministers of the place that I had arrived.
In a short time the Rev. A. Stevens, editor of *' Zion's
Herald," made his appearance, with a profusion of apolo-
gies that none of them had met me on landing, and con-
ducted me to the house of one of the friends, who had
kindly engaged to find me lodgings in case I landed at Bos-
ton. I found this first Methodist minister whom I had the
happiness to meet in America, a very intelligent and supe-
rior man, full of land feeling, and prepared to make my
short stay as agreeable and instructive as possible. He
first took me to the Book-Concern, where the preachers of
the city were holding their weekly meeting. They had
finished their business ; but I found a dozen or more of
these good men, and had much very friendly conversation
with them. They put many questions respecting English
Methodism, and seemed greatly interested in our affairs.
In turn, I proposed some queries to them, and obtained in-
formation, of which I was before ignorant, respecting the
nature of their work, and their modes of proceeding.
Whilst this conversation was going on, my good friend

PABI I.— PBBSONAL NAB|IAIIVE.

ich missionaiy
occasion, and
ras the reply,
t Mr. Cave's;
mericans con-
sourse, to ex-
more than a
ii'opean popu-
labitants, the
blew me was
' took his ad-
he following
, this gentle-
ing he never ^

ok to inform
had arrived.

of "Zion's
►n of apolo-
ig, and con-
Is, who had
ided at Bos-
n I had the
t and supe-
> make my
ssible. He
reachers of

They had
r more of
onversation
ag Enghsh
)iir affairs,
btained in- ^
ectmg the
Toceeding.
>od friend

Stevens had hured a vehicle to take me through and round
the city.

We set off in grand style, after the American fashion,
dashing away through the crowded streets, and were not
long before we were neatly jammed in the narrow space
betwixt the body of a cart and its wheel. The collision
broke no bones, and did no damage to our vehicle, though
pretty severe, and sufficiently alarming to any one but a
Yankee. My companion drove me to Bunker Hill, the
scene of the famous battle of that name, and one of the
first fought in the war of independence. The battle-ground
is now surmounted by a pillar commemorative of the event.
The site on which it stands has not much the appearance
of a hill, being only sixty-two feet above the level of the
sea. The foundation-stone was laid by La Fayette, on
June 17th, 1825, being the jubilee, or fiftieth anniversary,
of the battle. Its form is that of an obelisk, thirty feet
square at the base, and sixteen feet four and a half inches
at the top. The height from the base is two hundred and
twenty-one feet. At the summit of this piUar is an empti-
ed chamber, seventeen feet high, and eleven feet in dia-
meter, with four windows, commanding a view in the
direction of the four points of the compass. Ascending
the steps of this monument, we obtained a most magnifi-
oeut view of the city, the sea, and the surrounding coun-
try. The town, or rather three or four towns, as seen from
this point, are curious enough. Boston proper is built on
a peninsula, three miles long and one broad ; chosen pro-
bably as furnishing the means of defence against the at-
tacks of the Indians ; so, at least, it struck me at the time.
But the modems have managed to add to it what is called
South Boston, formerly a part of Dorchester, and East
Boston, anciently Noddle's Island. The peninsula had
originally an uneven surface, and the place received the
name of " Trimountaui," so called from its three hills. The

new portions are connected with the old and principal city

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.

by various bridges and feny-boats, all of which are seen
from the monument. The place may not resemble Venice
m its chief features, but it is Venetian in the fact of its ap-
parently standing, ii' not in, yet very much surrounded by,
water.

My friend seemed to doubt whether I should have the
magnanimity to ascend this mcmument of American prowess
and independence, and was evidently surprised when he
found that it was my purpose to do so. In such circum-
stances, however, I thought the wiser way was to forget
past quarrels, and make the best of present opportunities
of observation and pleasure. It is of little use to cherish
old grudges ; and, certainly, it can indicate nothing but
folly for Englishmen and Americans to entertain ill feelings
on account of national differences.

After descending from the monument, my kind con-
ductor hastened to the Common ; a fine piece of ground,
ornamented with trees, which is, in point of fact, what we
should call " a park." This Common is the public prome-
nade of the good citizens of Boston, who resort to it for
fresh air and recreation. This place possesses, also, some
Methodistic traditionary fame. Let my friend Stevens give
the history :-»" In the centre of the Bfston Common still
stands a gigantic elm, the crowning ornament of the beau-
tiful scenery. On a fine summer afternoon in July, 1790,
a man of middle age, of a serene but shrewd countenance,
and dressed in a style of simplicity which might have been
taken for the guise of a Quaker, took his stand upon a table
beneath the branches of the venerable tree. Four persons
approached, and gazed upon him with surprise while he
sang a hymn. It was sung by his solitary voice ; at its
conclusion he knelt down upon the table, and, stretching
forth his hands, prayed with a fervour and unction so un-
wonted in the cool and minute petitions of the Puritan pul-
pits, that it attracted the groups of promenaders who had
come to spend an evening hour in the shady walks, and by

I f

PART I.— PBBSONAL KABRATIVB.

the time he rose from his knees they were itreAitting in
processions from the different points of the Oommon to«
wards him. While he opened his small Bible, and preached
to them without notes, but in the demonstration of the
Spirit and of power, the multitude grew into a denae ISMH,
three thousand strong, eagerly catching every utterance of
the singular stranger, and some of them receiving bb mes-
sage into ' honest and good hearts/ That bold evangeliat
was Jesse Lee, — the founder, under Ood, of Methodiim in
New-England."*

After exploring the Common, we visited the State-
House, that is, the parliament-house of the State of MaiM'
chusetts, standing on elevated ground at the upper end of
the Common. The House was in session, and, at the
time, engaged in their legislative functions. We met, on
entering, in one of the lobbies, a tall, athletic gentleman,
about sixty, his face and brow being marked with intelU'
gence and deep thought. He belonged to the Senate, or
Upper House ; and, after shaking hands with Mr. Steveni,
was introduced to me as one of our brethren,—- a noble
Methodist. On leaving the Senate, wc entered the Houee,
as it is called, meaning the House of Representatives.
We were conducted into the body of the chamber, and
took our seats amongst the members. This being the first
time I had seen an American legislative assembly, I, (4
course, felt curious to see and hear all I could. The hall
is circular, or semi-circular, the seats of the members rising
gradually above each other in amphitheatrical style, each
being understood to belong to the gentlemen returned for
certain constituencies, and furnished with a desk for the
convenience of writing. The debate going on was not very
interestmg, having relation to a fishery. We beard threo
or four speakers. There was nothing that could be desig*
nated eloquence ; for who could be eloquent about catcb-

* Stevens'n " Memorials of the Introduction of Methodiim into the 8Mt«m
SUtes,** pp. 1, S.

TOUR IK AMBRIOA.

ing fish ? But we had good sense, and no more unperfec-
tions of English and of style than may be heard any day in
our own House of Commons. The chamber was nearly
full of members ; every man seemed to be attending to his
duties, and intent upon the business that was before him.

We saw here portraits of all the old Puritans of former
tunes; such as Winthrop, Eliot, and others; a fine group
of noble heads and glorious characters. But the chief at-
traction was a statue of Washington, by Chantrey. With-
out pretending to any great skill in the fine arts, this statue
arrested me certainly more than any work of sculpture I
ever beheld. The form, the drapery, the attitude, the
features, the expression, are exquisitely given. The great
patriot met, in Chantrey, an artist worthy of himself. By
the by, it struck me that some of the features of Washing-
ton and John Wesley are much alike. Washington's fea-
tures, indeed, seem to be larger and broader than Wesley's,
and may not present to view so prominent and beautiful a
profile ; but the lower part of the face appears very much
to resemble that of Wesley, and the expression is very
similar.

From this central point of interest we made our way
through the entire city, and beheld its churches, public
buildings, shops, and private dwelUngs. Some parts of
Boston have an air of antiquity, somewhat unusual in an
American town. Faneuil Hall, erected in 1742, is much
celebrated, and is, m reality, a fine building. The old
State-House, at the head of State-street, is also a venerable
pile. It was originally built in 1658 ; and, after suffering
from fire, was rebuilt in 174*7. It is said there are seventy-
three churches in the city, of various dimensions and archi-
tectural beauty. I was most attracted, through the powe^
of association, with those which were occupied by the
Puritan fathers. The old churches bear the stamp of the
plain, simple, spiritual faith of their founders ; the curious
will meet little to gratify taste, but the serious Christitn

PART I.— PBBSONAIi NAIOIATIVB.

■^

much to elicit reflection. The shops are handsome, and
apparently well furnished ; and ui the suburbs there are
fine private houses. The city of Boston is thought to be
more like an Enghsh town than any other in the Union,
and this opinion is well founded ; but the resemblance is
not exact in all respects. Many of the shops are stores ;
the private bouses are not laid out in our style, but often
much better, being more spacious and airy ; the windows
and ventilation are different, being framed to suit the state
of the climate ; and the hotels, the accommodation, the
attention paid, so far as I was concerned, far exceeded any-
thing ordinarily to be met with in England.

The Bostonians are considered the most intellectual and
cultivated community in the United States. But of this
my opportunities furnished no means of judging. They
seemed, indeed, different from the New- York people ; the
latter exhibiting a much more commercial character. But
do they excel the people of Baltimore ? Not, it struck me,
in gentility of bearing, though they may outvie them in
intellectual strength and cultivation. At any rate, they
have taken the lead in all social and political movements
of any consequence. They form the true Yankee stock,
among whom the name originated, and their sentiments and
opinions have given law to the whole Union. I just saw
the shadow of their great citizen, Daniel Webster, passing
in the street ; who had returned from his senatorial duties
to attend the obsequies of a beloved son, who had fallen in
the Mexican war ; and, to complete the affliction, it was
thought by the time the remains of the son had arrived in
Boston, a daughter would have ceased to exbt, and be pre-
pared to share the same grave with her brother. Such are
the events of every quarter of the world ! Neither talent
nor station can ward off the misfortunes and sorrows of life.
The people were not wanting in sympathy ; but what sym-
pathy can reach such woes as these ?
llThe day after visiting Boston, I set out in company with

TOUR IN AMERICA.

Mr. Stevens, who, with his wife and other parties, was
going to New- York, on their way to the Conference. We
travelled by railroad to New-Haven. This was the first
time I saw an American " railroad-cai," as it is called.
My reading had furnished me with a good stock of preju-
dice, and I expected anything rather than an agreeable
journey. Bad rails, jolting carriages, disagreeable and
odious accommodation, with the likelihood of getting off
the line, and being maimed or knocked on the head, were
the several ideas which filled my mind. First appearances
did not tend to remove these impressions. The carriages
looked like great monstrous machines; the wheels much
larger, and the bodies prodigiously higher, than in our own
country. These feelings were soon dissipated. I found
myself in a spacious saloon, with an aisle, or path-way,
down the middle, and high enough for the tallest man to
stand or walk upright. The seats appeared more promising
still. They were placed across from the aisle to the win-
dow, and intended to hold two passengers each, beautifully
Imed and cushioned with velvet. These seats were so con-
structed as to turn up, and form a sort of family pew, in
which the inmates might sit face to face. These compart-
ments, so formed, accommodate four persons ; who might,
if they chose, hold a friendly tHe-d,-tHe as they journeyed
on. The saloon is windowed from end to end ; and these
windows draw up and down to admit the fresh air, at the
discretion of the passengers. Each of these saloons is also
furnished with an excellent stove, heated as the weather
may require. I know not exactly how many persons one
of these rooms will accommodate, but certainly not less
than sixty or eighty, and they are generally full. The
speed is not so rapid as our first-class trains, but eqt^I to
some of those which move at a moderate rate.

Travelling on, I began to think the thing was not so very
bad. Apprehension of an overthrow soon gave way to
confidence, and, so far as safety was a question, the mattier

PART I.— PBBSONAL NARRATIVE.

was settled. But then the great room, and the juxta-
position with all these Americans ! What of this ? I soon
found occasion to be satisfied with this matter also. By
the spaciousness of the saloons, and the means of mode-
rating the atmosphere as occasion required, we obtained
good air ; much more so than in the draughts or heated
carriages in our own country. Then, again, the windows
being continued from end to end on each side, we were
spared the mortifying disappointment always felt when a
fine view is within range by one of our lines ; we could
gaze for a considerable length of time, and to a great ex-
tent, upon every object worth notice in the country. The
landscapes obtained in this way were often very fine and
picturesque. The state of the country, the progress of
cultivation, the buildings and towns, and, in fine, everything
going on within sight of our route, might thus be pretty
accurately seen. And then to be brought into contact
with the people, — ^what can be so interesting to a traveller
as this ? He is in search of living men ; he desires to wit-
ness their habits, to judge of their character, to hear their
conversation, and to join in it. A "railroad-car" in Ame-
rica furnishes fine opportunities for all this. These con-
siderations soon put an end to my disquiet of mind, and I
began to think that, in this affair, the Yankee had improved
on the Englishman; and that his mode of constructing
carriages, and managing railroad business, did no discredit
to his sagacity and business talent.

The country through which we journeyed did not pre-
sent many points of interest. The cultivation was on the
whole good ; but the soil rocky and poor. The season,
I found, was not so far advanced as in our own country
when I left it ; and now, towards the end of April, but
little vogotation appeared. The Americans declaim against
our b<iaut>iful hedge-rows ; I suppose, on the principle of
people who, not possessing an advantage themselves, are
jealous in the case of others enjoying it. Be this as it

TOUR IN AMimOA.

may, there are few, loaroely any, quiok^set hedges in
America ; and I was told that the Knglish thorn would not
grow in their climate. Nothing oan be more odious than
the fences of the country ; the landscape is perfectly de-
formed by their appearance. The fanners employ long
pieces of wood, no doubt cut up for the purpose. These
aro laid lengthwise, crossing each other at the end, and
piled up one upon another a sufficient height to keep their
cattle from going astray. This mode of fence causes the
whole country to look like one prodigious wood-yard ; and,
in the absence of this wood, stone is employed. The en-
closures are of greater or lesser extent, in which cattle and
sheep are seen grazing, or com growing, as the case may
be. The villages and towns on our route appeared very
pretty; the houses being chiefly built of wood, painted
white, and the window'blinds green. By these means an
air of great cleanliness was secured, and many of these
wooden buildings rose to magniflcenoOi hairing a moi^ion-
like appearance. I found afterwards that houotes thus
built of wood are capable of excluding wind and .reather,
and securing as great an amount of comfort and warmth
08 the more substantial erections of brick or stone.

Springfield, the seat of one of the goremment armories,
is a beautiful place ; the whole country having a most pictu-
resque appearance, well cultivated, and the soU much bet-
ter than any we had i|!tiEiised over, ^ur line, for many
miles, lay by the side of the Connecticut ; and, as this was
the first of the great American rivers which I had seen, I
felt greatly excited by its appearance. It is a magnificent
stream, though vastly inferior to many which I afterwards
visited. The banks are very beautiful, and rich in meadow-
land, studded with farm-houses and peaceful villages. ' 1%
reading furnished me with some reminiscences respecting
the first occupancy of this country by European settlers.
How difierent now to the time when Indian tribes paddled
their canoes in these waters, and disputed with the white

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVB.

man, by war, by stratagem, by fire and blood, the posses*
sion of the soil! These sanguinary contests had taken
place on every foot of ground we were traversing. Women
and children had been cut off, and taken into a cruel cap-
tivity, in the absence of the men ; and it was not till a vast
amount of human life had been sacrificed, that peace and
abundance were made to take the place of a ruthless con-
test, which ended in the extirpation or banishment of the
original lords of the soil. Peaceful flocks were now graz-
ing, watched over by the children of the villages, where the
war-whoop and the scalping-knife used to hold dominion.

We finished our railroad journey at New-Haven, and
embarked on board a steamer. Our course lay down the
Sound, skirted on one side by the Connecticut shore, and
on the other by Long Island. The Sound is a most mag-
nificent inlet to New- York from the great Atlantic. Being
now on board an American steamer for the first time, I
was intent upon seeing whether the people indulged in
those tobacco habits which travellers have almost uniformly
attributed to them. We had been pretty free from any-
thing offensive in the railroad car ; and I began to doubt
whether the reports were true, or to think they were exag-
gerations. I was soon undeceived. The practice in ques-
tion was almost general ; and nearly the whole deck soon
became coloured and almost impassable. Among the rest
of the passengers were two young people, male and female,
who were evidently not man and wife, but in the probable
way of becoming so. ThejP^ were very respectable in their
appearance and attire, — the young man having the bearing
of a farmer of the first class ; and the lady, it is to be pre-
sumed, a fanner's daughter, of prepossessing appearance,
dressed very genteelly, and withal wearing, what seemed
to be pretty generally the fashion in America, a green veil.
Our young couple, of course, avoided the public, kept
themselves in close quarters in one comer of the deck, and

were in ardent conversation. In pacing backwards and

2*-

*Vf.^i

TOUR IN AMERICA.

forwards, my attention was attracted to this scene ; and I
observed that the young gentleman, about every five mi-
nutes or less, poured forth a stream of tobacco saliva at
the lady's feet. This, it is to be presumed, was by way of
libation to his goddess , it was an offering of love. The
thing seemed a perfect matter of course ; and neither the
lady, nor anybody else, appeared in the least annoyed. It
may be as well to dismiss this whole affair at once ; and I
am sorry to say, that, though I saw occasion to differ in
opinion with American travellers on many points, in this I
was obliged to agree with them. The deck of steamers
seems to be the favourite arena for this kind of exploit. I
declare, I saw men, again and again, sitting under the
awnings of their beautiful vessels, when it would have been
quite as convenient, and often more so, to pour the con-
tents of their mouths into the water as upon the deck;
but they invariably preferred the latter, and rendered it
next to impossible to move without treading in this liquid
nuisance.

Heaven is always propitious. In the midst of what was
so offensive in man, nature presented great beauties and
glorious scenery on every side. The entrance into New-
York harbour on the side we took is very intricate, requir-
ing great skill on the part of the pilot. We had to pass a
place which English jack-tars, when New- York was a Bri-
tish province, designated " Hell-gate," not a very religious,
but certainly a very appropriate, name. It is a sort of
whirlpool, and the waters are much agitated ; while the
rocks in the river are of such a nature as to narrow up the
channel, and render destruction certain if the exact course
is not hit by the pilot's skill. In a bend of this intricate
channel we were within an ace of running down a vebsel,
which, turning the point unseen, and getting into the cur-
rent, was rendered perfectly helpless in herself, and was
exposed to the instant rush of our steamer. With great
promptitude and skill our captain turned his vessel nearly

jng^
of

PART I.*--PBIIfiONAL NARRATIVB.

round, so as completely to avoid the ill-fated ship, and she
passed safely down the channel. The sight for some mi*
nutes was horrific. I felt perfectly certain, that nothing
could save us from being brought into collision ; and, had
this taken place, one or both vessels must have gone to the
bottom very near the place so ominously named " Hell*
gate." We wore spared this fate by a gracious interposi*
tion of Providence.

As we advanced, we obtained a good view of the build-
ings on the banks of the channel. The villas of the citizens
of New- York are seen on each side ; and many of them
ure splendid and superb. The wealthy merchants and
others seek repose from business, and invigorated health,
in these princely retreats. Ship-building establishments,
of great magnitude, arc found in these quarters ; and there
is a goodly number of hospitals, asylums, prisons, and
places of a similar description in view. New- York harbour
itself breaks upon the view of the voyager on turning «
promontory, all at once. The sight is dazzling. Nothing
can be more imposing than the harbour, the shipping, and
the city, thus bursting upon the astonished beholder.

It is diflScult, without drawings, to convey a true idea of
this magnificent port — one of the finest in the world. It
is necessary to remark, that the city stands upon the fork
of two great rivers ; one to the east, called East River, the
other to the North, called North, or Hudson's River.
Opposite this tongue of land, at a considerable distance, is
the lower end of Long Island, which has the effect of land-
locking the harbour, guarding it from storms, and breaking
the swell of the Atlantic. By reason of this contiguity of
Long Island, the harbour possesses all the qualities of a
prodigious basin, with the tongue, on which New- York
stands, projecting into its centre. This fine piece of water
is entered by two channels ; the one from the Sound, which
we passed, and the other immediately from the Atlantic.
This latter entrance is so narrow, that it is capable of per-

■^

J*^

TOUR IN AMERICA.

feet defence ; and it seems impossible for any vessels to
pass without being exposed to certain destruction from the
raking fire of the batteries. The other inlet to the harbour
possesses natural defences, as no ship of war can ascend
the rocky and shallow channel we passed.

The ships ai*e moored around the tongue on wfiich th^^^
city stands, which forms a sort of crescent with the out-
ward circle projecting into the water. Many hundred ves-
sels of all sizes, some of the largest class, lay at anchor
around this point of land — if it can be called at anchor —
for there is depth of water sufficient to permit them to
touch the wharves without the use of the anchor. Here,
in crescent form, these vessels lay, apparently all round the
lower point of the city ; and many of them, ascending the
two rivers, find a resting-place on the banks of these beau-
tiful streams. From this it will appear, that in case Long
Island was removed, New- York would be anything but a
harbour ; and it would be altogether indebted to its rivers
for a place of shelter for its ships. Long Island is the pa-
tron saint of New- York, the guardian of its interests —
indeed, the cause of its greatness.

CHAPTER III.

New-York— Harpers' Printing and Publishing Establishment— The Methodist
Book Concern— The Exchange and Custom-House— Excitement respecting
an anticipated Revolution in England— Charitable Institutions— The City-
Leave for Baltimore — David Creamer, Esq. — The Journey — New-Jersey —
Newark— Princeton— Trenton— The Delaware— Philadelphia— The Chesa-
peake Bay.

On making the landing-place we were met by Dr. Bangs,
the historian of Methodism in America, Dr. Corson, au-
thor of " Loiterings in various Countries in Europe,'* ' and
two of the Harpers, who all welcomed our arrival with
hearty greetings. I was appointed to take up my residence
in the family of Mr. Fletcher Harper, who at once con-
ducted me to his hospitable home. Besides Mrs. Harper,

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

ly vessels to
ion from the
the harbour
' can ascend

1 wffich th^
ith the out-*
undred ves-
y at anchor
it anchor —
lit them to
lor. Here,
1 round the
ending the
ihese beau-
case Long
ling but a
its rivers
is the pa-
nterests —

te Methodist
it respectiog
-The City—
ew-Jersey —
The Chesa-

r. Bangs,
nson, au-
pe,'*'and
val with
esidenoe
ice con-
Harper,

sen., I here found a young lady recently married to one of
Mr. Harper's sons, a countryvroman, fyom London, the
daughter of Mr. Jeremiah Smith. Of course, I was at home
at once ; had it not been so, I must have possessed a most
morose and misanthropic nature; for everything was done
for my comfort which friendship and afiection could sug-
gest. This was the first private family I had been domi-
ciled with in America ; and certainly the reception I met
with, and the habits of the family, tended to give me a most
favourable impression of the virtues of private life in the
United States.

But besides the order, decorum, and happiness, so appa-
rent in this Christian family, the house itself struck me as
one of the most perfect I had ever seen. Everything in
America is executed on the most improved scale of com-
mon sense. Not that there is any want of taste, of ele-
gance, of decoration ; but the basis of every arrangement
seems to be that of utility and comfort. This house, so
excellent of its kind, is but a sample of the rest. It stood
in one of the streets, was one of a row of houses of the
same size and form, and was neither greater nor better in
appearance than those by which it was surrounded. This
gives some insight into the style in which the higher class
of merchants and tradesmen in New- York live.

I had only two days to spare for visiting the Uons in
New- York, and therefore set about the business in good
earnest. It is surprising how much may be done in a short
time, when resolution and industry are brought into requir
sition. On the first day, my good friend Mr. Harper con-
ducted me through the city, showing me first his own
establishment, the Methodist Book-Concern, the Custom-
House, the Exchange, Trinity Church, Broadway, the land-
side of the harbour, visiting several magnificent ships,
warehouses, and the rest. ;;

Mr. Harper's printing and publishing estabUshment is as
remarkable as anything in the way of business can well be

#■■

TOUR IN AMERICA.

imagined. Everything is done on the same premises. A
great number of presses are at work ; and one, called the
"Adams press," from the name of the inventor, is remark-
able. It was partly self-acting, an instrument of the nature
of pincers, or rather a hand, taking hold of the paper as
a roller revolved, and placing it so as to receive the de-
signed impression ; which, on coming from imder the cylin-
der, was received by a child, and placed in order. I
understood that this machine could print, if necessary,
letter-press to an indefinite length, — ^if the paper would
admit it, of miles in extent. I saw the workmen forming
stereotype plate-models, — a curious process. Vast piles
of these plates, having done their duty in time past, were
lying in store for further orders. In these extensive pre-
mises, a great number of females were employed in stitch-
ing, and matters of that nature. These females were under
the inspection of a Roman Catholic forewoman, of great
intelligence and energy. She was from England, had lived
in London; and, though a Romanist, had strayed into City-
Road chapel, and, having heard me preach at that place,
at once recognized me, and seemed well pleased to see
any one from home. We had, on entering the work-room
of these females, an example of American character and
manners. How did Mr. Harper, one of the principals of
the firm, and master of these people, accost them? Did
he rudely vociferate his orders in dictatorial and impera-
tive language, after the English fashion ? Ko ! On entering
their apartment, he took ofif his hat, paid them the compli-
ments of the morning, inquired after their health, and
addressed them by the term " young ladies." Was this
affectation ? Not in the least. It had all the appearance
of habit ; and certainly in their bearing, dress, the absence
of all sluttishness, these females deserved respectful treat-
ment. This will be sneered at by many of our countrymen,
as a specunen of Yankeeism. Well, be it so ; but, let us
ask, Which is the man of breeding, the gentleman? — the

■*.-,

-iJ

PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

boisterous, imperious, swearing John Bull, giving his or-
ders to his servants as if they were his slaves ? — or this
American, thus addressing the people who supply the
hands, the sinews, the labour, (though he may furnish the
genius,) which are creating his fortune ? Besides the exten-
sive business transacted at this establishment, these gentle-
men have branch-establishments in various parts of the
country, on a large scale. ^

This firm reprints many English books ; and, having
nothing to pay for copyright and authorship, they are
enabled to get out and publish our most approved works
at a very cheap rate. By reason of these cheap editions
of our literature, the fact is that English authors are more
extensively known in America than in our own country.
The light reading of the day, the leading periodicals,
novels, and productions of this class, have a prodigious cir-
culation. But standard works by our best writers, whether
in history, philosophy, theology, or the sciences and arts,
are in universal circulation. This importation of knowledge
is, no doubt, a present advantage ; but it sadly militates
against creative talent in the States. It is, indeed, con-
sidering their youth as a nation, and the hard and material
work they have to do, a matter of astonishment that the
competition is so successful, and that America has furnished
so many able writers.

I was extremely sorry to perceive that the Americans
exceed us as a novel-reading people. At every public
place, the termini of the rail-road, landing-places of the
steamboat, and often on board as well, numbers of lads are
found vending this trash. The people in general, the ladies
especially, are continually seen amusing or exciting them-
selves by revelling in this world of fancy, often extremely
vulgar and foolish. To give an instance : On one of my
journeys by railroad, there sat before me a family, consist-
ing of a husband, wife, and child, perhaps two years old.
This mother and wife, a very genteel and lady-like person,

m TOUB m AMEEIOA.

got hold of one of these novels, and scarcely lifted her
eyes firom her hook the whole of the distance they travelled,
which occupied the greater part of the day. The husband,
in the mean time, had the entire care of the little boy. It
cried, and he patted it into good-humour ; it slept on his
lap, and he fanned it ; it required food, he ransacked the
reticule to find cakes and sweetmeats, and, in fact, was a
perfect nurse. All this time the mother was completely
absorbed in her tale, and took not the least notice of either
husband or boy ; and, in fact, seemed unconscious that they
were present, or that she had any duties to perform towards
one or the other. This pernicious habit is eating into the
American mind, and will produce sad and deleterious
effects on a great scale.

We went next to the Methodist Book-Concern, a large
and well-conducted establishment. The premises are veiy
extensive, being designed to facilitate both the printing and
publishing departments. This institution is the centre of
Methodist literature in the United States. As in this coun-
try, this literature is of a somewhat distinctive charteter ;
the Methodist press being chiefly, though not exclusively,
engaged in the pubhcation of works emanating from the
body, and designed for its use. The Christian Advocate
and Journal, and the Methodist Quarterly Review, consti-
tute the periodical literature of this establishment. But
though the former of these works makes its appearance in
the newspaper form, it partakes much more of the character
of a magazine than a newspaper ; ■ the latter is what its
name designates, and it is conducted with considerable
ability. The standard theology of the Methodist Church
being the same as our own, it follows, that the works of
Mr. Wesley, and the most distinguished of our English
writers, constitute the staple of their trade. Vast piles of
these books are seen in their warehouses, prepared for cir-
culation through the country ; and it is pleasing to know
that the iaatniction, comfort, and encouragement which

PAST I.— PBRSONAL NABAATIVB.

these writings are so well calculated to aflbrd, will atllM
find their way into the log-hut of the backwoodsouui, to the
negro in his bondage, to the Indian m his expadiato, aftd
to the abodes of the more wealthy citizen.

But though the fathers of the Methodist bodfr on thii
side of the water are in general circulation, yet the Ame-
ricans are not destitute of sterling and valuable wKtingi
of their own. Theology, sacred criticism, speoimeni of

^pulpit eloquence, biography, narrative, abound among them.

* But, as in the case of the community at large, the Method-
ist body is too busy ; is too extensively engaged in the
vocation of the evangelist pioneer; has too mttoh rough
work to accomplish in clearing away rubbish md laying
the foundations of theur church; is obliged to carry on
operations on too extended a scale, and in the midit of
populations demanding mcessant pastoral and miniiterial
care; to make it possible to devote themselves, in any
numbers, and to any extent, to recondite studies. The
Methpdist press, notwithstanding these disadvantftgei, ifl
effecting good service for religion, and the pro|^eis of
general knowledge. As their college? become more eiH-
cient, as residence and leisure are accorded to the pro-
fessors, as facilities for study and learning are fun^thed, so
doubt the religious literature of the church will become
progressively much more rich and elevated.

But at present this Book-Concern must be chiefly con-
sidered as a centre of religious light and influence, in aid
of the living ministry. In this view of the subjeot it will
be seen as possessing immense value and importance. Ite
immediate and great purpose is now to promote the work
of God, to incite to pious and zealous activity, to confer
instruction on the privileg^es and duties of the religious lUle,
and to point<#it the way to heaven. It deals but little in
speculation. The condition of the Church will not allow
of this. It is not sufficiently advanced to find leisure for
either the. higher or the more polished subjects of religioua

?;{■<

TOUB IN AMBRIOA.

literature. The philosophy, the poetry, the refined abstrac-
tions of theology, must, in every case, rest on the founda-
tions of general knowledge. To lay these foundations is,
at present, the business of the Methodist Church. In this
department they are making admirable progress ; and, this
being the vocation of the institution, its utmost energy is
devo^'^d to this object. Its radiations of light reach through
thousands of miles, to the remotest extremities of the
Union ; ita vobo of exhortation, of admonition, of reproof,^|t^
of warning, is heard in the wilderness, the village, thevjp
city, of every part of the continent ; its life, like electrical
fire, is fusing itself into the masses of the population ; and
its lessons of divine truth are, as we trust, laying the basis
of a pure, holy, practical Christianity, as extensively as the
habitaticma of this numerous people.

In connexion with these premises is the committee-room,
for the management of missionary affairs ; a plain and hum-
ble place, with an elevated seat for the chairman, and
wooden benches for the members. Suspended upon the
walls of this room were the portraits of the bbhops of the
church, Uving and 'dead, plain, but intelligent and sedate
men ; Bishop Asbury standing out from the rest by his ro-
bust character and fine features. On the prembes was a
vile picture of Dr. Newton. 1 remember, at the time of
the doctor's visit to the States, reading a newspaper de-
scription of his person and preaching, in which the moral
painter said, among other things, ** with a little of the d — 1
in his eye." The author of this sketch might have been
the real painter of our beloved countryman ; for he has
most certainly put a sufficient quantity of the evil one in
his eye. This is unreal ; there is no demon there ; nature,
or grace, has done just the reverse, and given to that eye,
with its intelligence and genius, the bold^ .dlf^ct, simple
expression of truth and honesty.

We visited the Exchange and Custom-House ; splendid
buildings, finely laid out for business, and competed of

PilRT I.~PBRSONAL NARRATIVB.

massive blocks of granite. To obtun a new view of the
city and harbour, we mounted to the top of one of these
edifices, and were well repaid for the trouble. The city was
seen to a great extent, with its churches, public buildings,
and busy streets ; and the harbour, the sea. Long Island,
and the adjacent country, appeared in all their beauty and
glory.

Mr. Harper, who was known to the heads of these es-
tablishments, introduced me as an Englishman just arrived.
They were very solicitous for news, and desirous to elicit
my opinions respecting our state, and the probabilities of a
revolution. We had sailed from Liverpool on the Satur-
day previously to the great Chartist meeting held on Ken-
ningtoc Common on the following Monday ; so that our
packet carried out the announcement of the intended de-
monstration, without its solution. This produced great
excitement and apprehension as to the result. These gen-
tlemen pressed me as to the real facts of the CjEuse, and the
probabiUties of revolutionary success. This they did, not
in the spirit of glorying, or desire of conquest on the side
of the Chartists, but, on the contrary, of a real sympathy
with our country, and of anxiety for the preservation of
the public peace ; but they evidently entertained strong
apprehensions. I endeavoured to dissipate these alarms,
and told them I was certain we should have no revolution ;
that the Chartists had no hold in the country, they were
mere chaff, a bubble on the surface of the waters, and that
the government would gain a very easy victory. ** Well,"
said they, " the queen is gone to the Isle of Wight ; the
ministers must have some reason for dread, or they would
not have advised her removal to that place." It was re-
plied, that she was partial to that residence, and her cir-
cumstances made it necessary for her to seek the quiet and
bracing air of that retreat ; that there was nothing at all in
that fact. " Well, but then there is Ireland," it was said ;
" the Irish are threatening a rebellion ; and will not they

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.

and the Cbartists coalesce, and bring about a revolution ?"
The answer was, If any other parties had employed the
language which the Irish agitators had made use of, there
would be reason to fear ; but the bombastic bellowing of
these people, which had been heard so loud and so long,
would come to very little ; and, moreover, it was question-
able whether they would really make any movement at all,
inasmuch as the assassin never made his purpose known ;
and it was very unlikely that these men would proclaim
their rebellious purposes, in case they really intended to
revolt. In the course of these conversations the Chartists
were called " the people." It was replied, that they were
not " the people ;" and that the real people of England
were a very different class ; were well satisfied with their
institutions, and would certainly defend them, and have
the ability to do so successfully.

From these interviews and conversations I felt con-
vinced, that the class of men with whom I thus casually
held intercourse had no sympathy with the malcontents of
either England or Ireland ; and that it was their anxious
desire that we might escape the dangers which threatened
us. Whether my notion be true or not, or to what extent,
I know not ; but I certainly fancied, at the time of these
conversations, (for in substance they were constantly oc-
curring,) that some of the parties seemed somewhat re-
lieved of their fears and anxieties. Be this as it may, it
was a pleasure to deal faurly by one's country; and a
greater pleasure still, to find that the true, the genuine,
the home-bom Americans were not so inimical as to desire
her overthrow. At dinner with a party of ministers, and
other friends, the conversation turned on our institutions
compared with the American : and some reflections being
in pleasantry made on our queenly oflice and the aristo-
cracy, this called up Mrs. Harper, jun., our countrywoman,
who most heroically defended the queen and nobility, na-
turalized, as I suppose she was, as an American. Her

PART I.— PBBSONAL NABBATIVE.

kmd-hearted father-in-law, I perceived, delighted to put
her on the defensive, which always called forth a fine
burst of English feelmg. How long does it take to extin-
guish the love of home, of country ? In fine natures, this
can never be effected ; it is an undying, an immortal passion.
The next day our good friend Mr. Francis Hall, and
other friends, took me to see the charitable institutions be-
longing to the city. We visited a hospital, presided over
by Dr. Rpcese, a Methodist physician ; a man of remarkable
energy, and of great celebrity in his profession. We then
made our way to an establishment, a Befuge, half prison
and half school, for the reformation of young delinquents
of both sexes. This institution we found, also, under the
management of Methodists. The matron, a strong-minded
and sensible woman, took us to view the female depart-
ment; and from her, as well as from the master on the
other side, we were informed that their success was very
considerable, that many of the boys and girls, through the
influence of this institution, turned out good and virtuous
citizens. The Dumb and Deaf Asylum has been so often
described by such writers as Basil Hall, Charles Dickens,
and others, that it cannot be necessary to enter into" de-
tails. The inmates, however, are the most interesting
class of human beings which can well be met with. Na-
ture seems, in some measure, to have compensated the
loss of one sense, by giving peculiar delicacy and vividness
to others. As everything is done by the eye, this organ
seemed to possess extraordinary flexibility and power.
The whole soul appeared to throw herself into this bright
and beaming orb. Such expression I never saw. Let us
mention one incident. I desired the principal to convey to
them, by the usual means, our sincere thanks for their
kindness in allowing us to put them to the trouble of go-
ing through their various exercises for our gratification.
The expression on their countenances, and in their gestures,
but especially in the eye, when this was conveyed to them,

mpg-

TOUR IN AMinUOA.

was indescribable. At bow imAll a cost is it often in our
power to excite emotions of plofMurii ! Who would not do
this in the case of those who arc shut Ottti by the inscruta-
ble providence of God, from so many sources of enjoyment ?
But that which most interested mo, in this day's excur-
sion« was the African Asylum for the orphan children of
jieople of colour. Here, agaHn, wo found Methodists en-
gaged in thj entire management of the institution. The
master, mistress, and teachers were all of our own persua-
sion. The design of the establithmont is to provide a
maintenance and education for the orphan children of the
poor a£9icted African race. The name, the wrongs, the
colour of these children, I must confess, awakened all iny
sympathies. The building was spacious, and wears the
appearance of perfect order and cleanliness ; and the do-
mestic portion of the business is evidently well conducted.,
the children having the look of health and happiness. We
were taken into the schoolroom to see the little orphans ;
and what a sight! They were of all imaginable colours;
and nearly of all sizes ; some almost infants, and others
nearly grown up. What seemed most astonishing to the
ignorant in such matters, wae the fact that some of them
were, to our unpractised eye, perfectly white ; not exactly
the white of the Europewi, but pale, delicate, and very
beautiful. The countenance had altogether lost the negro
cast, — thick lips, prominent cheek-bones, woolly htur, and
all the other characteriatici ; and, in their place, the aqui-
line nose, black, straight hair, in most cases a beautiful
mouth, gave them a Circassian cast, without the florid com-
plexion and vivacity of the race. Why these fine and
beautiful specimens of human nature are treated as Afri-
cans in the United States, and on this flimsy plea oa^ out
of society, who can tell ? Others of these children, how-
ever, had retained the perfect African physiognomy, and
were as black as jet. Indeed, this interesting group va-
ried from white, tlvrough every ik^ule of colour, to perfect

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

ebony. There sat oae little creature at her desk, scarcely
high enough to reach its edge, perfectly black, and an
inimitable picture of docility and happiness. The image
of this child can never be forgotten I Poor African, it had
no consciousness of misfortune or trouble, of degradation
and injury ! To know that that innocent httle creature
must grow up in the midst of a system of proscription, and
be punished as long as life shall remain, for no other ima-
ginable crime than the colour of its skin, is painful to think
of, but absolutely certain.

These forlorn children were put through their school-
exercises, and evinced no deficiency of intellect, but, on
the other hand, great acuteness and aptitude to learn. They
sang us some of their sweet and pathetic ditties, having
relation to their circumstances ; which, with the thought of
their fate, went to the bottom of one's soul, and stirred
every emotion. Beint'' presented with some little gratuity
to procure them sweetmeats, their happiness seemed com-
plete ; and we took our leave in the midst of their child-
like farewells ; but on our own part with something more
than even powerful emotions.

On our return we called to see the Croton water-works,
connected with a remarkable aqueduct of that name, thirty-
three miles in length, thrown over gulhes, rivers, valleys,
ravines', and all sorts of impediments, to the point which
we visited ; from whence it pours its life-giving streams by
innumerable pipes through the entire city.

The city of New- York, the commercial metropolis of
America, bears all the marks of increasing wealth, and of
H great destiny. Its mercantile establishments, its banks,
its shops, its hotels, are oa^^the most magnificent scale.
Wall-street, Broadway, and other streets, ai£ equal to any-
thing which can be imagined, as thoroughrares and places
of business. The pubUc buildings, except those which are
connected with trade, are not first-rate. Romanism never
established itself in this place ; and Bomanism alone, of all

TOUR IN AMBBIOA.

religious Bystems, has left great eccksiastioal monuments
behind it : where it has not prevailed, we look in vain for
anj splendid specimens of antiquarian graadenr. Here are
pretty churches ; as Trinity, a very beautiful specimen of
architecture ; but it is like an infant in a costly dress, com-
pared with the old remains of Europe. Aristocracy, an-
other element of greatness, which has left behind ncble
remains of feudal grandeur, never obtained here ; and is
now more out of vogue than ever. We have no venerable
castles, manor-houses, mansions, from this quarter. Riches
will produce their accustomed results at a future day;
but not yet. At present the laws of property dissipate
large fortunes, by dividing them equally among children ;
and even the demi-aristocracy, such as it was at the pe-
riod of the Revolution, is now very much brought down to
the American level. It seemed strange, in such a city, to
see no gentlemen's carriages with footmen in livt^ry. They
may, for aught I know, exist to some extent ; but as far
as I recollect, I never saw one. This may be considered
a good or an evil, according to the taste and notions of
men ; but to people who witness these pageants so con-
stantly and in such numbers in this country, the contrast
is striking.

The streets of New-York are very spacious ; and what
adds much to their beauty and comfort, is found in their
being planted with fine chestnuts and poplars, which tluow
their agreeable shade over the foot-passengers.

I had no opportunity of attending any religious service,
so that I cannot speak on such questions as pulpit elo-
quence, the manner of conducting worship^ the numbers
Mid spirit of the auditors, and the fervour or decorum ob-
servable in tl^e assemblies. But the peoj^e and minis-i^
ters whom I haJ the pleasure of meeting, appeared to me
to be very intel%ent, thoughtful, and eminent Christians.
Our people, indeed, were going to regard the day I left as
a day of fasting and prayer, for God's blessing on ^e Con<

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

4»

fcrence ; — a most laudable arrangement. They urged me
to stay to preach, which I desired to do ; but had I done
so, I must have sacrificed Washington ; and this could not
be thought of. Hence, after spending two of the most
interesting days of my existence, I prepared to start for
Baltimore on the Friday morning. *

Our party consisted of the Rev. James Porter, a preside
ing elder in one of the New-England Conferences, and au-
thor of a good and heart-stirring little volume, called "The
True Evangelist," — and David Creamer, Esq., a merchant
living at Baltimore, with others. This gentleman left an
employment dear to his heart, at New- York, for the pur-
pose of accompanying me to his native city. He had been
employed for several years in studying the hymns and po-
etry of the Wesleys ; and was, at the time, employed in
bringing out a work, partly historical and partly critical,
through the press, on this interesting subject. He had
spared neither trouble nor expense in the pursuit of his
object, employing all sorts of agents in Europe to collect
every edition in existence of Charles Wesley's poetic effusions.
I am not able to give an opinion of this work, as it was
not published at the time I left ;* but from a portion of
" copy" shown me on our route, I judged it would prove
an acceptable and useful addition to the literature of the
American Methodist Church. It had been submitted to the
inspection of a committee of the Baltimore Conference, who
reported favourably, and the Conference reconunended the
work to the public. This gentleman, like all fine enthusiasts,
seemed to live in Wesley an poetry. It was his ideal of
everjrthing beautiful and glorious ; his mind was fascinated
and absorbed in his theme ; he discoursed not of politics,
or merchandise, or material things, but of Charles Wesley,
of sacred songs, of metres, sublimities, and devotional praise
to Ood. It was really refreshing to see a young man, a

* [Tho work has since been published, under the title of Methodist Hymnolo*
gy ; and is now on sale at the Methodist Book Concem.]

••»'■

TOUR IN AMERICA.

merchant, in active life, enabled to turn liis thoughts so
completely from " buying, and selling, and getting gain,"
as to devote his time and energies to a subject so delicate
and sacred. But these Americans are an amazingly ener-
getic race ; and, besides, everybody has scope, room, en-
cd&ragement. To develop everything having life, soul,
intellect, seems ta be the American principle, whether
found in poetry or prose. The public, and the churches
as well, glory in any man, no matter whether lay or cleric,
belonging either to the category of talent or piety. Their
rule evidently is, to give everybody a chance, to foster, to
prompt, to lead on, and make the best of every one's facul-
ties and power. Talent is sure to meet with a market ; it
is admired, applauded, honoured, and, when connected
with piety and goodness of character, cannot fail to elevate
its subject to an honourable position in the Church.

Our route lay througli a portion of New-Jersey, em-
bracing Jersey City, Newark, New-Brunswick, Princeton,
Trenton — ^famous in the history of the Amepican war, as
the scene of one of Washington's victories, and the capital
of New-Jersey. Here we crossed the Delaware into Penn-
sylvania, and travelled by its intern bank to Bristol, and
thence to Tacony. This town is six miles above Phila-
delphia, where we embarked on board a steamer, and
reached the city by water. The scenery was most magni-
ficent ; made so by the breadth and sweep of the river ;
the banks being rich, fertile, varied, and well cultivated ;
and, moreover, studded with excellent houses, and beauti-
ful mansions and villas. There stood the Quaker city,
peering towards skies as bright as those of Italy, resting
on the bosom of a country as fertile as imagination can
conceive; touching one of the finest rivers and bays in
the world ; receiving and giving a rich and varied com-
merce ; and presenting to view the general aspect of in-
dustry, vu*tue, peace, and happiness. It seems impossible
that William Penn, the great Quaker, could have selected

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

a finer site for his city. If anything can be perfect in
this world, one would isay Philadelphia presents a perfect
ground-plan and locale for the abode of man. Thib is
considered by the Americans themselves as their most
beautiful city. Taken as a whole, it may be so. The as-
semblage of favourable circumstances seems complete.
Earth and sky, land and water, all combine to produce this
effect. Nature has certainly selected this spot as for the
pui'pose of showing, in the beauties of even a ruined world,
some faint outline, some faded image, of what Paradise
must have been.

But yet I did not Uke Philadelphia as a city. It is too
uniform ; a beautiful landscape cannot be imagined with-
out variety. Is not this principle of variety equally neces-
sary in everything else having extent, space, magnitude ?
A city is not Uke a cottage, a lodge, a little box. There
may be uniformity, and yet taste may not be ofifended ^j
but place these neat boxes in a row, in a straight line, of,
say a mile or two long, without anything to relieve the
eye, and then it will be found that the straight line without
u curve, the uniformity of buildings, unbroken by any
variation in height and elevation, streets crossing each
other at right angles, and at equally measured distances,
produces impressions which are not in agreement with our
notions of the beautiful. The houses, indeed, are not ex-
actly uniform ; but the streets are perfectly so, securing
ventilation and a good circulation of air, but giving the
notion of a town in livery, dressed in the prim costume of
the people who founded the city. The Quaker mind has
left its impress on the material form of their city ; though
it is to be feared the Quaker spirit has long since evapo-
rated. I saw very few persons in the garb of Friends ;
though some few were observed passing along in grave and
sober dignity. The population is now perfectly miscella-
neous, as much so as any other place, and its peculiarities
are only seen in the town itself.

TOUR m AMERICA.

The Friends, in their own home, have been far outstrip-
ped by other religious denominations.

Time would not allow u» to remain long. I had only an
opportunity of running into one or two public buildings ;
of passing down a few streets, so as to obtain a general
idea of the place ; of getting a hasty dinner, and then start-
ing off towards Baltimore. I promised myself the plea-
sure of a second visit, which could not be accomplished ;
so that my adieu to Philadelphia proved to be final.

We travelled partly by railroad and partly by steam,
which, by reason of the diversity both as to mode and
scenery, is very pleasant. In this excursion we crossed or
sailed upon the Delaware, Elk river, the Patapsco, and
Chesapeake Bay. The latter, on the portion we traversed,
had widened into a sea, and had a most magnificent ap-
pearance.

CHAPTER IV.

Baltimore and Washington— The City and Capitol— The Senate— General Cass
—Captain Fremont— Mr. Calhoun, dec— The House of Representatives-
Debate— Visit to the President— To the Vice-President— The National Insti-
tution—Baltimore—The Sabbath— The atistoc^tic air of the place— Leave
for Cumberland— Slavery— Harper's Ferry— Oumberland— The Alleghany
Mountains— A Mirage on the Mountain— Brownville— The Monongahela—
Scenery of the banks.

We reached the city after dark, having travelled one hun-
dred and eighty-four miles. We were met by the Rev.
Thomas B. Sargent, who conducted me at once to my
appomted place of abode, the residence of a widow lady
of the name of Wilkins, with three or four daughters, and
a great number of black servants. This lady, I found, had
entertained the Rev. Richard Reece, Dr. Hannah, Dr. New-
ton ; and, in fact, all our brethren who had visited the
States as a deputation from England. She evidently re-
tained a very pleasant recollection of these visits. Her
eulogies of the vbnebablb and Rev. Richard Reece were

PART L^PBRSONAL NARRATIVE.

perfectly enthusiastic. His fine person, urbanity, piety,
and labours, had left a deep impression on her mind. Nor
had the excellent qualities of the other brethren been less
cherished. Indeed, they were recollected with great ad-
miration by all. The eloquent labours of Dr. Newton will
not lose their impression at Baltimore, nor indeed at any
other place he visited, during the existence of the present
generation. They are engraven indelibly on the hearts of
many himdreds and thouands of grateful and admiring
people. Dr. Hannah was a young man at the time of his
visit ; but many of the preachers especially speak of his
sermons as amongst the best and most finished specimens
of pulpit eloquence they ever heard. I found, indeed, that
the ministratiopp cf all my predecessors had left a most
happy fragrance 1 n:d. Their memory is cherished, their
services affectioi .i n^ appreciated, their mission honoured,
the bonds of brotherhood strengthened, and the character
of England, as well as Enghsh Methodism, is judged of
by these specimens of the manners and spirit of the father-
land. It became evident to me, that the religious public,
our own people at least, are not disposed to take theur
cue of England from newspapers, political sources, or the
disputes of diplomacy ; but from the men of their own
community who may be sent over, and from the general
body of Methodists.

I had known Mr. Sargent in both England and Ireland,
on his visit to this country, as the companion of Bishop
Soule. His fine spirit had lost none of its elasticity, or
depth of affeclion. His recollections of our country, of
the men he had met with, of the conference, of any, the
least, attenti<m which had been shown him, and the plea-p
sures which fell in his way, all lived, most vividly, in his
warm and ardent mind. It is delightful to meet with such
specimens of Christianized human nature. I blush to
think of the affection and kindness he manifested to me.
It embraced everything. It seemed to be the entire bus!-

TOUR IN AMERICA.

ness of his life, for the time being, to make my visit as
agreeable, as instructive, as profitable, as possible. The
charm such a spirit throws over everything enhances its
loveliness ten-fold. It puts life, vivacity, delight, and joy,
as well as piety, into the most ordinary transactions ; and
seems to add grace and beauty to every subject of con-
versation, to every object seen. It is a kind of music in
the midst of the solitudes of nature; a joyous fragrance
intermingled with her productions ; sunshine thrown upon
all things on earth. To meet with such a man is worth
crossing the Atlantic ; and to have made his friendship,
gives a new zest to life, and increases one's hope of aug-
mented happiness in immortality.

This dear friend soon fell in with my desires to see
Washington the next day, and made instant arrangements
to accompany me there. My travelling companions, the
Rev. J. Porter, and Mr. Creamer, agreed also to be of the
party ; and we set out by the first train for the capital.
The distance is forty miles, which we soon reached. We
had six or eight hours to remain, feeling obliged to return
the next day, which was Sunday, when I had engaged to
preach in Baltimore. " What can be done in seeing the
metropolis of a great republic in six or eight hours ?" some
one will say. Let us see.

But before we proceed, it may be as well to remark,
that this capital is very unlike London, or any metropoli-
tan city of any of the nations of Europe, indeed, of many
of the older cities of the New World itself. It is a great
unfinished village, laid out on a magnificent scale, but re-
maining for completion. The points of attraction are, con-
sequently, few, and easily reached.

The following account of Washington is, in the main, so
accurate, that we cannot do better than insert it : —

" The city is laid out on a plan of great magnitude, and
will, if the design of the founders be carried out, and their
anticipations realized, be a magnificent memorial of the

PART I.—PBRSONAL NARRATIVE.

great man from whom it is n<uned, and a city, the gigantic
proportions of Tvhich shall harmonize with the power find
extent of the mighty republic of which it is the capital.
The ground on which the city is built has an elevation, for
the most part, of aboi forty feet above the level of the
river. The streets cross each other at right anglei, those
running north and south being intersected by others run-
ning east and west. The different parts of the city are
connected by broad avenues. When the intersection of
these avenues with each other and with the streets would
form many acute angles, rectangular or circular spaces are
left. The avenues and principal streets radiate from im-
portant public points, and are from one hundred and thirty
to one hundred and sixty feet wide. The former are
named after the States of the Union ; the latter, beginning
at the capitol, are ranged in the order of the letters of the
alphabet; as A North and A South, B North and B South,
&c. ; and east and west, they are designated by numben,
<ns 1st East, 1st West, <&c. Pennsylvania avenue, from the
capitol to the President's house, is the most eompaetly
built, and much the handsomest, thoroughfare in the eity.
Of the avenues, five radiate from the capitol, and five others
from the mansion of the president ; thus affording these
prominent places the readiest communication with all parts
of the city.

" Of the public buildings of Washington, the capitol,
situated near the centre of the city-plot, on Oapitol Hill,
is the most splendid. This edifice, in its ample propor-
tions, in the style and execution of its architecture, and in
its embejlishments, both exterior and interior, is believed
not to be inferior to any senate-house in the world. Elevated
seventy-two feet above tide- water, it affords a command-
ing view of the city and the surrounding country. From
its immense size, and its elevated po|)tion, it is the ftrst ob-
ject that fixes our attention on approaching the city. The
building, which is of freestone, occupies an area of more

TOUR IN AMERICA.

than an acre and a half Including the wings, the front
is three hundred and fifty-two feet in length, and the depth
of the wings is one hundred and twenty-one feet. The
projection on the east or main fronts including the
steps, is eighty-five feet wide; and that on the west,
with the steps, is eighty-three feet. The projection on
the east front is ornamented with a splendid portico
of twenty-two lofty Corinthian columns; and a portico
of ten columns in the same style adorns the west pro-
jection. In grandeur of design, and beauty of execu-
tion, the portico in the eastern front has no superior. To
the top of the dome, the height of the building is one hun-
dred and twenty feet ; the rotunda in the middle of the
building, under the dome, is ninety-five feet in diameter,
and the same in height. From the cupola which crowns
this apartment, there is a fine view of the city and sur-
rounding country. The walls of the rotunda are adorned
with magnificent paintings by Trumbull, the figures being
as large as life. These fine national pictures represent in-
teresting incidents in American history, — the Presentation
to Congress of the Declaration of Independence ; the sur-
render of Burgoyne ; surrender of Cornwallis ; and Wash-
ington resigning his Commission. Congress has recently
further enriched the rotunda by the addition of two fine
paintings, — the Baptism of Pocahontas, by Chapman, and
the Embarkation of the Pilgrims, by Weir. This room is
also adorned with sculptures, in «/At> relievo, representing
the rescue of Smith by the interposition of Pocahontas ;
the landing of the Pilgrims ; Daniel Boone's conflict with
Indians ; and Penn treating with the Indians at Coaquenac.
To other attractions of the rotunda has lately been added,
Greenough's splendid statue of Washington, a colossal
figure, in a sitting posture, twice as large as life. The
library-room of the west of the rotunda is ninety-two feet
by thirty-four, and thirty-six feet high, and contains up-
wards of twenty-eight thousand volumes. Tliere is here

PART I.— PBRSONAJi NABHATIVE.

also a valuable collection of hbtorical medals, designed \fy
Denon, the Egyptian traveller; and paintings, statuary,
medallions, &c., a/e distributed about the room. The
senate-chamber, in the northern wing, is seventy-eight feet
long, and forty-five high, and of a semicircular form. The
vice-president's chair has a canopy of rich crimson dra-
pery, held by the talons of an eagle. In front of the vice-
president's chtur is a light bronze gallery, chiefly appro-
priated to ladies. Above and behind the chair is a gallery,
supported by fine Ionic columns of variegated marble,
from the Potomac. The walls richly ornamented with
stucco, the magnificent chandelier, the gorgeous lamps and
furniture, &c., give the room au imposing appearance.
Adjoining the senate-chamber, is the office of the secretary
of the Senate. Under this room i*: the apartment in which
the Supreme Court holds its sittings. It is nearly as large
as the senate-chamber, but is much less elegant. The hall
of the House of Representatives, in the south wing, is
semicircular, like the senate-chamber, but larger, being
ninety-six feet long and sixty feet high. The dome of the
hall is supported by twenty-four beautiful colunms of the
Potomac marble, with capitals of Italian marble, of the
Corinthian order. The seats are so arranged that the
members face the Speaker, whose chair is considerably
elevated above the floor, and approached by avenues that
radiate from the chair as a centre. A gallery for men sur-
rounds the circular wall opposite the Speaker ; and that
appropriated to ladies is in the chord of the arc at the
back of the Speaker's chair. The room is ornamented,
like the senate-chamber, with fine statuary tod paintings,
and its whole appearance is imposing and elegant."

Such is the capitol. Some persons look upon objects
of art as connoisseurs, having some knowledge of its pro-
ductions ; others judge of everythmg merely by such sense
and feeling as nature alone suppSes. There are advan-
tages and disadvantages in both cases. The conndisseur

TOUR IN AMERICA.

-will be able to detect flaws, blemishes, and beauties, which
the other will not be able to see ; but the latter will be
capable of a true impression, as a whole, which the critical
taste of the former may prevent. Without any pretensions
to be a connoisseur, we may be allowed to refer to such
impressions as these various objects made at the time.

Some of the pictures were found to be very impressive,
from the grandeur of the ideal. I was struck with what
seemed to me to be a very delicate design in the picture
representing the surrender of Cornwallis. Washington is
placed in the back-ground, on horseback, at a considerable
distance, looking on with intense interest, while an inferior
officer approaches the British commander, for the purpose
of recdving his sword. But, when near, instead of de-
manding the sword, he is seen stretching out his hand, and
offering it in friendship and peace to the vanquished general :
the effect is irresistible. Cornwallis is subdued ; serenity
and benignity beam in his countenance, and the two ene-
mies meet as brothers. The surrender of his sword, by
General Burgoyne, is perfectly different. The American
officer is seen approaching in an imperious and commanding
attitude ; and Burgoyne is represented as giving up his
sword under the influence of tumultuous passions, resent-
ment, pride, and contempt, though conquered. Such is
the fate of war. Here are two high-minded soldiers, the
pride and glory of the British army and nation, surrender-
ing themselves and their glories to men, no doubt, whom,
when they took the field, they considered a despicable foe ;
probably, not as soldiers at all. Great issues turned on
these two events, — the independence of America, and the
humiliation of England.

The pictures of the embarkation and landing of the Pil-
grims are exquisitely impressive. In the first, the minister
of the church in Holland, the Rev. John Robinson, ^hc
could not sail with the first expedition, on account bif the
duty of taking care of the flock left behind, is seen in the

PART I.— PEBiONAL NARRATIVE.

ities, vrhich
iter will be
the critical
pretensions
er to such
i time,
impressive,
with what
he picture
$hington is
>nsiderable
an inferior
e piu-pose
ad of de-
hand, and
d general :
; serenity
• two ene-
sword, by
American
nmandinff
g up his
IS, resent-
Such is
Hers, the
iirrender-
t, whom,
able foe ;
imed on
and the

thePil-
minister
on, jfiic
t of the
nin the

attitude of prayer, bare-headed, with outstretched bauds,
and eyes lifted up to heaven. At a short distance there
sits a venerable figure, the personification of calm, contem-
plative, abstract, and believing piety, — his hand resting on
the pages of an open Bible, through whose sacred teaching
he appears to be looking into the invisible, the future, the
divine, with unruffled composure and hope. A little in the
back-ground the form of a matronly female (a real character
who distinguished herself greatly by her piety and forti-
tude) is exhibited in the costume of the times, attending,
with profound and reverent looks and feelings, upon these
devotions. Groups of children and young peopl'^ hang
around, with a mixture of awe, surprise, hope, and youthful
joy, depicted in their countenances. I never saw rehgioii
materialized so pei-fectlyas in this picture : it cost an efibi-t
to get away. AH the graces may be said to have their
type in this canvass. Wisdom, devotion, faith, meekness,
love, courage, hope, all beam in those heaven-illumined
countenances. They appear as if they had some fora-
thought, some prescience, of their great destiny. Any
looker-on would think that they were either dressed in
their bridal robes for the " wedding-supper of the Lamb,"
or that they were under the influence of some extraordinary
inspiration, preparing them for great and glorious work.
The artist seems most fully to have caught and compre-
hended the morale of that greatest event in American
history.

The picture of the Baptism of Pocahontas, an Indian
princess, is very striking ; and, coupled with her marriage
to an English gentleman, is an interesting historical fact.
She is represented in a kneeling posture, while the venerable
clergyman is performing the rite. Her figure is beautiful,
her face interesting, and the whole effect is exquisitely im>
pressive. Poor Indians ! Had this laudable beginning of
the admixture of the races been continued, how different
would have been their fate !

-••#

i^-

TOUR IN AMERXOA.

'^'■S...

Some of the alto relievoi are very fine. One, which
represents Daniel Boone's conflict with an Indian, disputbg,
in fact, for the dominion of Ohio, i« fearful. The passions
of the savage warrior are exhibited to the life, in dreadful
ferocity. The two men are wrcitling in personal combat ;
and each is employhig the weapons of their respective
modes of attack and dtfenoo. The catastrophe is not
given ; but, of course, the child of nature, the lord of the
forest, was obliged to yield to the white man, — a distressing
emblem of an historical fact. The passions, the ferocity,
the undying resolution, the tenacious grasp, the courage of
that Indian chief, and his fall, were only representative of
the dispositions and of the doom of then* race. They strug-
gled, 08 he struggled, through the long years of their
eventful story; and as he fell beneath the blows of his
antagonist, so their nations and tribes fell before the aggres-
sions of a superior foe.

While we were examining these works of art, it was
announced that the Senate had broken up. This was occa-
sioned by information just brought from the city, that one
of their nuniber, a Mr. Ashley, wai dying. We hastened
to the Senate-House ; and to me it seemed a great disaster,
as I desked to hear some of the members in this first
assembly in the United States. In some respects it was
an advantage, however, inasmuch as it gave * : an oppor-
tunity of entering the body of the hall, and nolding per-
sonal intercourse with many of the members. Our friend
Mr. Slicer,* who seemed perfectly at home with the
senators, knew them all, and appeared to be much respected,
introduced me to many ; telling them who I was, and in-
forming them of the nature of my mission to the States.
They all shook me cordially by the hand, welcomed me
into their country, and expressed the hope that I should
be pleased and gratified. Among the gentlemen to whom
I was thus introduced, were General Cass, Colonel Benton,
* Oae of tbe chftpkUfli of Cougr«M.

PART I.— -PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

One, which
I, disputmg,
be passions
in dreadful
al combat;
respective
phe is not
lord of the
dbtressing
»e ferocity,
courage of
entative of
rhey Strug-
's of their
)W8 of his
ihe aggres-

irt, it was
was occa-
% that one
3 hastened
t disaster,

this first
ts it was
an oppor-
ding per-
)ur friend
with the
■espected,
s, and in-
le States.
)med me
I should
to whom

Benton,

General Foote, Colonel Davis, Captain Fremont, Mr. Cal-
houn, and many others. Of course, I looked with some
attention upon General Cass, many of whose violent and
belligerent speeches against this country, in connexion with
the boundary and Oregon questions, I had read; and,
moreover, who was then understood to be a candidate for
the office of President. He is a stout, athletic man, about
the middle size, but, for an American, rather corpulent
and sanguiferous in his appearance ; and, if his physiognomy
did not greatly deceive me, he is a man of strong passions,
capable, one would say, of being exalted into the furioso.
His keen eye turned upon me, as I imagined, with a some-
what sinister glance ; and, after a few remarks of no im-
portance, beseemed glad to get away. Colonel Davis had
been wounded in the Mexican war ; was just recovering,
but limped very much. This officer had greatly distin-
guished himself, but seemed, by his modesty, to be uncon-
scious of his own fame. We had considerable conversation
with this gentleman about Mexico and the war; and ho
showed himself to be a most amiable and well-informed
man. Captain Fremont, who is the son-in-law of Colonel
Benton, is a first-rate man. He conducted two or three
scientific expeditions, for the purpose of exploring various
portions of Oregon, California, and the Rocky Mountains,
and making observations on altitudes, levels, rivers, soils,
mountains, &c. His reports of these journeys, now in my
possession, are most interesting and able productions. But
he showed, in one of these missions, that the man of science
can also become the man of war. Believing that a certain
course would be favourable to the political interests of his
country, he Idid aside the sextant for the sword ; and it
was very much owing to . nis exertions that California be-
came American.

But we had most conversation with Mr. Calhoun. This
distinguished senator is now in the autumn of life, — ^the leaf
is yellow. He is tall and thin, with an upright and erect

?*■

TOUR IN AMEKICA.

bearing. His face is full of intelligence, of the sharp and
iicute kind ; he looks as if it would be perfectly natural
and easy in him to catch a boor while bungling in his lo^c,
and quite as easy to trip up his heels. With a visage
somewhat elongated, pale, after the American fashion, there
beams a keen eye, not devoid, however, of benignity, sur-
mounted by a good, square, but not very lofty brow, with
snow-white hair, turned back after the clerical fashion. We
spent considerable time in the body of the hall in conver-
sation with this gentleman. He seemed anxious respecting
our country, and European affairs in general ; and urged
the usual questions respecting the Chartist riots, the state
of Ireland, the prospects of a revolution, and all the rest.
The cnstomary answers were given. I came from the pre-
sence of Mr. Calhoun with the impression that I had seen
and conversed with a really great man ; one of the first, if
not the very first, I had met with in the United States. I
was grieved not to hear him speak. He had just been
delivering an interesting speech on a message that morning
received from the President on a very important subject.
However, as we were not permitted to hear, we were much
pleased to see, so distinguished a citizen and statesman.

The House of Representatives were in session, and we
hastened from this conversation to listen to the debates.
The President had that morning sent a message to the
two Houses, recommending a military intervention in the
affair of the Yucatan civil war, then raging between the
Indians and the people of Spanish descent. This promised
to be an interesting topic. We heard some five or six
gentlemen deliver their sentiments. Their mode of debate
seemed peculiar. Very little was said on the merits of the
question ; almost all the speakers argumg on constitutional
points, as to how the matter could be rightly disposed of,
how it could be made to agree with this and the other
rule of the House, and the provisions of the law. This, of
course, prevented all efifusions of eloquence, all fine bursts

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

of feeling, all argument on the real question. A dry detail
of opinion on the subjects mooted was nearly all we heard.
One gentleman, indeed, Mr. Joseph Ingersoll, was impas-
sioned and eloquent, and indicated that he was in poUsea-
sion of considerable powers of debate. There sat in the
chair one of the Winthrops. Honoured name ! Descended
from a good stock ; the first, one of the fathers of America,
and his descendants among the most virtuous and patriotic
of the citizens. It is delightful to see talent and virtue
hereditary ; and the expectation and belief were expressed,
that the present worthy Speaker of the House of Repre-
sentatives would some day be the President of the United
States.

From thus examining the capitol, conversing with the
senators, and listening to the members of the House of
Representatives, we hastened to the President's house, to
see if we could gain access, and be favoured with an inter-
view with the first magistrate of the republic.

On our arrival we met with a black man, the only servant
of the President we saw ; and, on asking whether it would
be possible to obtain an interview, he said he saw no diffi-
culty in the case, but would inquire. He went, with Mr.
Slicer's compliments, and soon returned with a message
that the President would be very happy to see us. We were
ushered, not into a drawing-room, or state-apartment, hxu
into a business office, with desks, tables, pens and ink,
bundles of state-papers, and books on business. And there
stood to receive us, to shake us by the hand, to bi I us
welcome, the chief of the greatest republic, if lot the
greatest state, in the world. He accosted us very kindly,
and bade us be Seated, at the same time lesuming his own
chair.

My embarrassment left me in a moment. I had felt
some little trepidation at the idea of being brought into
contact with a man so high in station. His demeanour,
however, soon dissipated this feeling. There was no state

TOUR IK AMERICA.

etiquette observed, no ceremonies but such as common
courtesy demanded, and might be performed by the plainest
person ; no court dress, no cooked hat, no sword and sash,
no bowing the knee, no kissing of hands, and, moreover, no
peer of the reahn, or officer of the court, necessary to gain
an introduction : a black boy, to obtain his master's assent,
and to show us the way, seemed all that was expected.
With our European notions, this did not really look like an
introduction to the head of a mighty nation. Truly this
American repubhcanism must either be considered as a
great retrogression into the ages of social simplicity, when
shepherds and farmers left their flocks and ploughs to
command armies and govern states, and then returned to
their avocations ; or else it must be considered as a vast
stretch into the future, the anticipation of something to
come, the Inodel of a perfectly new order of things. It is
most assuredly not identical with what has been, and con-
tinues to be, in the Old World. Is this simplicity agreeable
to nature, to common sense, to the truth of things ? I con-
fess, these questions puzzled me at the time, and continue
still to puicKle me. There is a fascination, a charm, about
royalty, greatness, courts, presentations, and all the em-
broidery connected with these things, which niake it
difficult for one to think that there b no reality in them, —
that they can be done without. So much of power, of influ-
ence, of government, have stood connected with the old
names, end insignia of thrones and courts, that many of us
cannot dispossess our minds of the idea that there is great
use, though we may not know how, in these external ac-
companiments of states.

Here, then, we were, four Methodist preachers, and one
merchant, snugly ensconced in a government office, a soi^
of counting-house, with President Polk, one of the greatest
men, by position, in the world ! Who could foi^t some
of the documents which had issued from this centre of
power* this heart of American drplomacy ? Decrees had

PART I.— PSBSONAL NABRATITB.

been framed here vhich had thrilled through the body
politic in every part of the world, producing nughty
palpitations of heart, and convnlsive throes ! Who oonld
forget some of President Polk's own " messages," directed
from this very desk, and carried probably by the black boy
to their destinations ? The policy and messages of this
very President have produced strange emotions. They
once filled Great Britain, if not with consternation, yet, at
any rate, with indignation ; they put the Parliament of
England into a ferment, and called forth the impassioned
eloquence of men of all parties ; they made it expedient to
emjAoy the diplomatic skill of Lord Ashburton,* esteemed,
at the time, one of the most sagacious peers of the realm ;
they led to treaties but little relished, and much condemned
by some of the best sons of the British empire ; and they
resulted in the political exaltation, strength, and aggran-
dizement of America. Some of these messages, moreover,
moved the military forces of the republic, by land and, sea,
to the invasion of Mexico ; to the victories of Taylor and
Scott ; to the spoiling of a feeble people ; and led to the
annexation to the States of a territory, but li^e, if at all,
inferior to the whole of Europe. These are some of the
effects produced by the decrees sent forth from this place,
with the signature of this plain little man. Things are not
then to be estimated by the appearance. The room is com-
mon, but it is the centre of mighty forces; the President
appears destitute of the forms of majesty, but possesses
its reality ; the missiles lying about are not artillery, swords,
and helmets, but they move, they shake the world.

And what of President Polk himself? He is small
of stature, and the opposite of corpulent. There is some-
what of a cadaverous and American lock about him ; but
he is grave, thoughtful, meditative, and slow and mea-
sured in his speech. A thin face is surmounted by a
fine brow, and his features indicate great decision and

* (The Ashlmrton treaty was made under Tyler's administration, not Folk's.]

TOUB IN AMERICA.

unconquerable firmness. President Polk's demeanour is
perfectly simple, his conversation natural and easy, his
dress plain, after the American fashion, and his whole
c<mtour irresbtibly reminds one of the venerable Puritans.
In the course of a lengthened conversation, besides the
matters relating to the Chartbts, the Irish, and other
general questions, two or three points of great consider-
ation were introduced. Some one having mentioned tlie
necessity of American intervention in the affairs of Yucatan,
in agreement with the President's message of the morn-
ing, it was added, " If we do not interfere, some one of the
European powers will ;" referring to England. The Pre-
sident promptly remarked, " But we will not let them ;"
and then added, " We do not meddle in European affairs,
and we will not allow them to intermeddle in American."
Here is a political axiom for Lord John Russell and his
successors in office to meditate upon, a difficulty to solve !
James Monroe's principle of " America for the Americans,"
has been fully adopted by President Polk. It was, indeed,
no mystery before ; it had been proclaimed in many of his
state-docur> nnts, and was here unequivocally asserted.
Well, but Canada, and the British provinces ! These ai*e in
America, they constitute a portion of its territory, they are
in the possession of an independent power ; and this pre-
supposes poUtical rights and duties on the part of Great
Britain. Does the fact that these possessions are colonies,
and not independent states, deprive the parent state of the
right to interfere in general questions ? This seems to be
the notion, the dogma, assumed. Time must solve this
point. It was also said by some one respectmg the Mexi-
can war, that the American armies might as well have
finished the work of conquest, and taken the entire coun-
try, as they would certainly possess it some day. To this
the President replied, " Ah, but the apple is not yet ripe !"
" Not yet ripe !" Who does not see the meaning of this V
When it is "ripe," it will fall.

■<i^

,;^,j,.;l

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

The black boy came to announce his master's dinner ;
>re made our bows, shook hands, and parted.

Our indefatigable friend, Mr. Slicer, had not yet satisfied
his own kind intentions ; and took us at once to the Vice-
President's room. We gained an easy access. Here we
found one of the most handsome men it was ever my plea-
sure to see. Vice-President Dallas is somewhat beyond
middle life. He possesses a fine and engaging person ; a
countenance perfectly ruddy and blooming, an unusual
thing in an American ; dark eyes, bright as the morning
and evening stars ; his brow is good and spacious, with hair
white as snow. We remained here about half an hour,
talking on the usual European and American topics. This
gentleman had the kindness to present me with a copy of
Hickey's " Constitution of the United States," writing his
name in the title-page, together with a large bundle of
state-papers, prepared by order of Congress, on the subject
of Mexico and California.

From the rooms of the Vice-President we went to visit
the Patent-Office. The large upper room is two hundred
and seventy-five feet in length, and sixty-five feet wide,
which is appropriated to the collections of the National
Institution. Here was a most superb collection of plants,
minerals, and specimens of the American animal kingdom.
The enormous birds, serpents, and animals of South
America exhibited in this room, are most remarkable.
But the two things which attracted most of my attention
were, a collection of bugs, and General Washington's
camp-equipage. Being somewhat personally interested in
the first, "" the ground of old acquaintance' sake, they could
not be regarded but with some emotion. The prodigious
size of some of these creatures is frightful. They are more
like reptiles than anything, else. The idea of having these
mons' 'US vermin in bed, crawling about, and sucking
one'b '!ood, is perfectly horrifying. Their "local habi-
tation ' is in the hot and sunny south : had they found

TOUB m AMERICA.

a home in the north, I should have had ample expe-
rience of theh nocturnal visits ; — ^bad enough as it was,
but the warfare of the night must have been ten times
worse, if these southern gentry could have lived in the
regions I visited.

The camp-equipage of Washington is entire. His mili-
tary costume, his tea-kettle, his gridiron, and all the rest
of the utensils employed in the camp-life of the general, are
sacredly preserved. And here hang the very coat, vest,
small-clothes, boots, spurs, sword and belt, of the great
patriot! The identical clothes he wore when com-
manding the forces of his country, gaining the victories of
independence, -establishing the nationality of the colonies,
and paving the way for a new order of things in the world,
are kept as relics, with as much care as a saint's coat in a
Popish church. Who could look upon these things with-
out deep feeling ? The country is studded with his statues ;
but I confess I could not view these effigies of Washington
with the same feelings as possessed me when standing be-
fore the mute, but in some sort speaking, costume and
habiliments of war which he had actually worn. It seemed
as if his own spirit were present, though unseen. Is this
feeling superstition ? Does hero-worship originate in this
class of sensations ? The Americans next to adore, with
reason, the founder and father of his country. So pure,
so disinterested, so exalted a patriot never adorned the an-
nals of time. Moreover, he is beheved to have been a
true Christian. His whole career is said to have been mixed
with much prayer. He was known to have retired to the
woods, away from the bustle of the camp, on all emergen-
cies, to acknowledge and seek direction from God. His
great battles were always so prefaced ; and the more press-
ing the emergency and desperate the state of affairs, the
more he was observed to frequent the solitudes of nature
for purposes of devotion. Bishop Asbury says, on occa-
sion of his death, "At all times he acknowledged the pro-

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVB.

vidence of Ood, and never was ashamed of bis Redeemer :
we believe be died not fearing deatb. In bis will be or-
dered tbe manumission of bis slaves — a true son o( liberty
in all points." How different a cbaracter is Wasbingtou
to sucb charlatans as Bonapai-te, and men of bis class I and
how equally different tbe issue of their work t Had be
lived in the times when greatness in men was thought to
be divine, and thejb in consequence, were deified ; bad
shrines erected to their honour, and became objects of
popular adoration — ^bad Washington Uved in these times,
he would have been tbe god of America. As it is, be is their
model-man. If they cultivate his spirit, adhere to bis maxims,
imitate bis moderation, and preserve and work out bis iv "^
and judicious theories of government, they must prosper.

We turned our backs on the city bearing tbe name of
this wonderful man, and which was projected by bis ge-
nius, with deep feeling. We had collected ample material
for reflection. The things and the men there seen, were
not Ukely to be lost sight of: they could not, they never
can, be forgotten. Our good friend, the cbapldn, pressed
me very urgently to remain over tbe Sabbath, and take bis
place by preaching to tbe Congress. This I sboi^d gladly
have done, but bad engaged to officiate in Baltimore, We
arrived in that city late in the evening, well repaid for our
day's excursion.

The Sabbath came ; as bright and glorious a day as ever
dawned on earth. It was the first I had fully spent in
America, and brought with it the rest and spiritual exer-
cises I bad long sighed to enjoy. I preached twice, to
large and apparently very serious and devout cffligrega-
tions. Here I felt quite at home, among our own people,
just the same as in England. This was very different to
the promiscuous and mixed groups I bad to address on
board ship. Tbe worship was solemn, spuitual, And holy ;
God was, as we trust, present, and the people " ibouted
aloud for joy."

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.

In tlio course of the day we visited two or three Roman
Catholic places of worship, and among the rest the Cathe-
dral, a splendid building, full of fine paintings. Here I
saw, for the first and only time of my life, the railroad
principle applied to the purposes of worithip. There was
provided a ti'om-road to wheel round the pulpit, from some
convenient nook, which was its common resting-place, to
the centre of the building, where th6 officiating minister
might stand and obtain a commanding position for address-
ing the people. Nothing comes amiss to Papists ; they
have the adroitness to press everything into the service of
the church. It can be no matter of surprise, if, at some
time, they employ steam-power to work their machinery,
to ring their bells, to shift and move the scenery of their
dramatic exhibitions ; and to work the innumerable springs,
pulleys, and wires of their scenic worship. And, for aught
we can see, the mummeries of the system might as well be
worked by steam as by living men ; as no soul is required,
the element of liquid smoke might serve perfectly, and save
money.

Whether from the power of association, or the reality
of things, I know not, but I liked Baltimore as much, or
more, than any city I saw in America. It is, indeed, a
beautiful place. The houses are fine, spacious, and ele-
gant. There is, moreover, an tax of aristocracy, which is
seldom to be met with. It is clear enough that aristocrats
reside in this place ; and although the Americans decry
this class of men constantly, yet there is certainly some-
thing about a people, and institutions, of the aristocratic
cast, which gives the impression of superior dignity. We
were now, indeed, in one of the slave-holding States ; and
from the specimen given in this and other places visited,
it is pretty apparent, that the system of slavery tends to
produce this spirit. Indeed, the slave-holder, in despite of
the prejudices against the name, exhibits all the charac-
teristics of a perfect feudal aristocracy. As X wderstood.

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

his house is, generally, in the case of the wealthy classes,
a complete palace ; princely in its dimensions, its furniture,
its ornaments, and its luxuries. How can it be otherwise,
with a man who is the lord of a great number, not of
vassals, but of slaves ? These poor creatures are the abso-
lute property of the master, obedient to his behests, the
panderers to his passions and appetitc«, and in all things
the ser%'ants of his caprices. The young gentlemen and
ladies, brought up in the midst of slavery, learn, as early
ns they arc capable of authority, imperiously to command
the service of the menials of their father. They sttr not
without their attendance ; they are waited upon in the
most trivial matters ; they are fanned when the weather is
hot, and guarded in the most assiduous manner from the
approach of the buzzing insect ; while all their wants are,
if possible, more than anticipated by the black slaves.
What is all this, if not feudal aristocracy, in its most re-
volting features ? The lords of the European nations, when
the institution existed in its most perfect glory, were never
in so transcendental a state of power as these gentlemen.
Their vassals, though low enough in the scale of humanity,
were not so degraded as these Africans. The right of the
f^eigneurs of Europe to exact the services of their serfs,
never amounted to the absolute dominion of the slave-
holder. Probably the rule of the Boman Catholic Church,
which at firat, and for many subsequent years, was para-
mount in this place, had something to do with this aristo-
cratic character. The first colonists, as is well known,
were of the Boihan Catholic pei'suasion ; and hence the
cathedral, and other splendid churches, are now among
the chief ornaments of the city. Sir John Calvert, after-
wards Lord Bloltimore, from whom the city takes its name,
was in early life a Protestant ; but afterwards, embracing
the Romish faith, became the means of establishing that
system of religion extensively in the colony. The present
prelate in an American, the ^nt ever appointed to the see ;

■»i

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.

gj^

^Rn

it having long been the policy of the Popes to select foreign-
en, generally Irishmen.

Baltimore is sometimes called " the Monumental City,"
by reason of the number of statues it contains. " The
Washington Monument, at the intersection of Charles and
Monument streets, is a noble specimen of architecture,
both in design and execution. Built on an eminence one
hundred feet above tide-water, it rises majestically above
the city, at once forming its noble embellishment, and a
conspicuous landmark to travellers and voyagers. The
monument consists of a Doric column, rising from a base
of fifty feet square, and twenty high. Its height is one
hundred and eighty feet, including the statue of Washing-
ton, which is sixteen feet. The base is ascended by a
flight of twenty-eight steps ; the ascent to the summit is
by a winding staircase, or flight of two hundred steps.
Tlie cost of the monument, including the statue, was
200,000 dollars." This is, indeed, a noble pillar. The
above description, though, no doubt, accurate in detail,
gives but an inadequate notion of the majestic appearance
of this splendid work of art.

Heroes are not likely to be forgotten in America, any
more than elsewhere. We have another called Battle
Monument, erected to the memory of those who fell de-
fending the city in September, 1814, at the comer of Cal-
vert and Fayette streets. " The square sub-base on which
the pedestal, or column, rests, rises twenty feet from the
ground, with an Egyptian door on each front, cm which
ar3 appropriate inscriptions, in basso relievo, of some of the
incidents of the battle. The column rises eighteen feet
nbove Ibe base. This, which is of marble, in the form of
Boman fasces, is enriched by bands, in which are inscribed,
in letters of gold, the names of those whose memory and
patriotic valour the monument is designed to commemo-
rate. The column is surmounted by a female flgiure, in
marble, emblematic of the city of Baltimore. T^wlole

-W"

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIYB.

7»

height is ifty-two feet." Such ore some of the architec-
tural ornaments of this city. But none of them equal the
Popish cathedral. This, m point of fact, is the true monu-
ment of the place ; and as far as such things are concerned,
its distinction and glory. It reminds one of home, of
Europe, more than anything I saw in the United States ;
and tends to give this city a peculiarly European appear-
ance. Such are the types of time. America is pre-emi-
nently, in its whole appearance, the emblem, the type, of
modem ideas ; but there is just one memorial of the past,
of a defunct age. In the midst of the simple forms of re-
publicanism, the activity of commercial Ufe, the humble
and unostentatious churches of Protestantism, the cathe-
dral cf Baltimore seems to stand as the catacomb, the
mausoleum of departed ages ; and as a mighty fragment,
a rock, separated by some great convulsion from surround-
ing things. Nothing appears in unison ; it stands in soli-
tude, in the midst of a vast population, having no sympa-
thy to bestow, and receiving none from the young genera-
tion around.

On Monday morning, May 1st, we took an affectionate
adieu of our dear friend Sargent, and the Baltimore people,
and set out by the railroad fortOpnberland. Our party
had now increased. Beside^||^. Porter; we here met
with Dr. Pierce, the representi^i^ from the South Metho-
dist Church to the Pittsburgh Conference, Dr. Bond, the
editor of the Christian Advocate in New- York, and a gen-
tleman and his son, planters and slave-holders, from thef
Mississippi State, Methodists, and very agreeable persons.'
The assembling of these parties in the same vehicle wa^
rather ominous ; nobody coidd tell to what it might lead,
— ^whether the peace would be kept, or the tedium of our
journey be relieved by a polemic war. The two doctors
were amongst the heads and chiefs of the great controversy,
which had been^ going on for the past four years, and

wUoli'lURl ended in dividing the church; thd one by his

TOUR im AMIRXOA.

pen, and the other by hii vivA voet eloquence. Mhej had
been old friends ; and it waa pleating to »ee, that the un-
dymg instincts of Christian love soon gained the ascendant.
The knotty questions in dispute were forgotten, or only
referred to in general terms ; and the North and South, at
any rate, in this journey, met without collision.

Our route lay along a very interesting country, partly in
the State of Maryland, and portly in Virginia. We beheld
a great number of slaves at work in the fields ; the first I
had seen at their degrading labours. They exhibited no
life, no activity, in their occupation ; but seemed to drag
themselves along, as if existence were a weariness ; they
plied their implements of industry, careless as to the
amount of work done, or studious to do as little as possible.
My companion, Mr. Porter, a stanch anti'Slavery man,
descanted on the deleterious effecti of slavery on the soil
itself; endeavouring to prove that Maryland and Virginia
were worn out by this kind of cultivation. Whether it is
so or not, I cannot pretend to determine ; but the whole
country where these slaves were at work, has an extremely
barren appearance. Such is the decree of God, that this
enormous evil may wear itself out, and the planters be
obliged to turn to the cultivation of such productions as
may make it profitable to employ free labour. God ap-
pears to curse with sterility the land cultivated by slaves.
The planters, I was informed, were getting very poor ; and
it was, apparently, becoming their interest to turn their at-
tention to something else in the place of tobacco and the
other productions on which slave-labour is chiefly em-
ployed. We passed on, and soon loit tight of the hag-
gard, dispuited, broken-hearted, oppressed slave. Those
fields had witnessed the labcun', the tears, the blood, of
their race, for generations ; and, for aught which appears,^
must continue to witness the ta' )e miieries in then: chil-
dren, unless Heaven shall, in mercy, increase the intensity
of his nudediction, and render the country o^jilitely

PART I.~PBR80NAL NABRATIVB.

ley had
the un-

sccndant.
or only

Jouth, at

[partly in

e beheJd.

te first I
ibited no

to drag
w; they

to the
possible,
fy man,

the soil
Virginia
ber it is
whole
tremely
bat this
Iters be
'ions as
'od ap-
slaves.
r; and
leir at-
id the
y em-
9 hag-
Those
)d, of
pears,
•chil-
9nsity
fotely

sterile. Blit would this be any relief ? No ; these poor
wretches would be sold, and sent farther south ; and if
even the same fate should follow them into the Oarolinas
and Georgia, still there are Texas, Mexico, and California,
to be peopled and cultivated by this unfortunate race.
The evil seems to be indefinite, eternal. Provision has been
made, designedly or otherwise, by the conquests of the
States, for the progress of this scourge, for all time to
come.

Harper's Ferry, a curious phenomenon of nature, lay in
our line, and as it was our dining-place, and the Americans
not being so exact, as to time, as the railroad authorities
in this country, I obtained an interval, which, though brief,
enabled me to take a look at the scenery, in itself pre-em-
inently grand. " Harper's Ferry is situated in Jefferson
county, Virginia, at the confluence of the Shenandoah and
Potomac rivers, at the passage of these streams through
the Blue Bidge, upwards of one thousand two hundred
feet in height. At this point, the two streams, in search
of an outlet to the sea, and each, as it were, conscious of
the insufficiency of its separate exertions to overcome the
barrier that opposes its progress, united their waters, and,
rushing in one impetuous current against the mountain,
rent it asunder. Such, it is thought, was the origin of a
scene which Mr. Jefiferson has characterized as ' one of
the most stupendous in nature.'

" The scenery is of the vrildest and most majestic cha-
racter. Jefferson's Bock, named after Mr. Jefferson, and
the spot where he wrote a description of the place, in his
' Notes on Virginia,' is a place of huge detached rocks,
leaning over the steep cliffs of the Shenandoah, and look-
ing into the mountain-gorge of the Potomac. Its top, al-
most level, is twelve feet square ; its base, not exceeding
five feet in width, rests upon the top of a large mass of
rock jutting out from the hill. It is a wild ' eagles* nest,'
which) as Jefferson truly declares, is worth a trip across the

•■^•■■-

TOmi IN AMBRIGA.

-«.

ocean to behold. It is not, however, equal to thf enchant*
ing scene presented to the view from the opposite mountain,
about a mile and a half up, on the Maryland side. From
this the beholder surveys with admiration a large extent of
country, fields, woodlands, and plantations; whilst the
beautiful Shenandoah, as it breaks upon the magic picture,
appears like a series of beautiful lakes."

Such is Harper's Ferry. It is very tantalizing to be
within sight of a great object of curiosity, and not be able
to reach it. This was our case. We were at the foot of
this " rock," it stood towering above us ; and yet our time
would not allow us to ascend. But so far as the slight
glimpses which we could obtain, by nmning here and
there to catch a bird's-eye view, the above appeared a
tolerably correct description. And yet, after all, descrip-
tive writing must always depend upon the vision, the brain,
the nervous system, and the grouping powers of the obser-
ver. Had we obtained our desired point of observation,
no doubt, the prospect would Lave varied itself, in some
degree, from the account given by other minds.

In this journey our line lay, for many miles, along the
meanderings of the beautiful Potomac. Nature, as if in
bounty to man, had just left room enough for a road be-
tween the banks of the river and very lofty and precipitous
rocks. This made the route perfectly romantic, and the
scenery beautifully picturesque and agreeable. The Ame-
ricans have been charged with travelling slowly by their
trains. The mystery, however, was, that they could get on
at all in the midst of the elbows, curves, and bends of this
serpentine course ; and yet, with the difficulties of this zig-
zag kind of movement, we reached Ctimberland from Bid^
timore, a distance of one Imndred and seventy-eight mil^s,
in about nine hours.

Cumberland lies at the foot of the Alleghany moun^^
tainB; which we had now to cross in "stages" in dien%hti
I'liad' d^teimined to remain h^re till' mornings being d^

PABT I.— PBB80NAL NARBATIYE.

Birous of gaining as complete a view as possible of these
loftj regions. But I was informed that the proprietors of
the "stages" never ensured a passage, unless they could
obtain the full complement of nine, this being the number
which one of the coaches would accommodate ; and, like-
wise, that it was perfectly uncertain as to whether there
would be any such number to cross the following day.
Hence, no choice was left. I was unwilling to run the
hazard of losing a day, and therefore preferred to mount
the " stage," and cross the mighty barrier betwixt the east
and the west.

" The Alleghany Mountains, otherwise called the Appa'
lacheSf from a tribe of Indians, who lived on the banks of
the Appalachicola, (or Alleghany,) a river which proceeds
from these mountains, are a part of that extensive range
which is situated between the Atlantic, the Mississippi, and
the lakes of North America ; and which runs in a direction
from south-west to north-east, passing through the country
of the United States, and giving origin to many rivers, that
flow either into the Gulf of Mexico, or into the Western
Ocean. As the Alleghany mountains form a principal part
of the chain just alluded to, they often give their name to
the whole group, l^is range commences in Qeorgla,
stretches northward and eastward through the territory
of Virginia, passes on in the same direction through Penn-
sylvania and the northern countries, and terminates in the
division of New-Brunswick. Its whole extent, according
to Pinkerton, is not less than nine hundred geogi'aphicid
miles. As it apjH^oaches its termination, the mass rises in
height ; the chief summits are in New-Hampshire, and are
reported to be nearly eight thousand feet above the level
of the ocean. Besides the main ridge, there dre several
others which are collateral to it, as the Iron or Bald Moun-
tains, tbe White-Oak Mountains, and the Blue Mountains,
— ^the Cumberland Mountains forming the exterior skirt
toward the north-west. The breadth of the whole is often

TOUB IN AMERICA.

equal to seventy miles." This was about the breadth of the
mountain where we passed. '

Our cayalcade consisted of six or eight stages, all well
horsed and manned. On leaving Cumberland we instant-
ly plunged into the midst of rocks and precipices, the
road meandering its course among gullies and cataraets,
and then again by the side of the rising mountun. The
scene was immixed forest ; for though the mountfdn, of
course, consists of rock, yet, as is the case everywhere else,
it was covered from the bottom to its most elevated sum-
mit With noble trees. Having two or three hours before
nigiit «ilosed the prospect from our view, I had conse-
quently that space to look upon the scene as we. passed
along. The impression was a very melancholy one, in exact
agreement with the sombre aspect of all things around : —
the stillness, the indefinite and mystic character of the
forest, as if forming a sort of infinite labyriiitji; the stu-
pendous rocks and precipices ; the moaning of the waters,
as they rolled down the gullies, or dashed among the
stones ; the wilderness itself, which seemed vocal with no
note of bird or voice of man ; and then the gradual >ap-
]pr<mch of night, till the curtain <j[i'opped. This general
g^oom, I confess, produced in me the most melancholy
sensatioBB. This state of mind, however, is not unfavour-
able to reflection. The forest taught its moral ! The trees
appeared not in uniform life, verdure, and beauty. Great
numbers lay prostrate on the ground in total, decay, even
their form nearly gone ; and mother earth seemed about
again to receive to her embrace those jietble forms of life
whicih had been nursed at her bosom, and had been the
ornaments of the forest in other years and centuries. Others
had more recently fallen, and retained their perfect shape,
though beginning to decompose and lose something of their
texture as wood, and change into that of earth. *Again,
others, and that in greater numbers, had been riven, by
time or the storm, from their grasp of the soil, and leaned

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

>fthe

upon their neighbours, younger and stronger than them-
selves, for supportl^'The space, however, -wras filled up ;
no room was lost ; the generation now in their prime stood
towering over the prostrate and decaying ; and innumerable
young ones, of every age and size, filled every atom of soil
left betwixt the living and the dead. Who could help
thinking of human nature ? of the generations of the past,
of the active spirits now occupying their place, soon to
follow them ; of the young plants of humanity/so blooming,
so beautiful, so sanguine, so full of hope and joy ; waiting
for their turn, and impatient for the removal of the genera-
tion standing in the way of their enterprise and ambition ?
That forest was to me a lesson. It served to furnish matter
for reflection in the darkness ; and as the sun retired, and
hung around us the sable curtain of night, the moral seemed
complete.

Our long train of " stages," with their brilliant lamps,
reflected by the foliage, presented a singular appearance,
and not devoid of interest and beauty. Xt became very
cold as we ascended the mountain, and we were glad to
halt for supper. This was served, considering the character
of the place, in very good style ; and, no doubt, we did it
justice. After a good warming, we again renewed our
journey. The road is designated "national," being pre-
pared at the public expense ; but unpleasantly rough. The
shaking and jolting, the up-and-down kind of exerc'se wc
had to endure, made sleep in my case quite out of the
question. Hearing a remarkable noise as we proceeded,
I inquired of my companions what it meant; and* was
informed that it arose from the merry-making of frogs.
The sound was not a croak, but a chirp, very much like that
of crickets by our fire-sides, only much louder. For many
miles the mountain was perfectly vocal with the music of
these happy creatures. How good is God ! All things
serve him in their season. This concert of frogs broke
the tedium of the journey and the gloom of ni^ht ; and it

>UB IN AMBBIOA.

became my biimness to listen to this singular melody for
several hours. #

All my c<»apanions, being accustomed to this Idnd of
travelling, slept soundly ; but I ** watched for the morn-
ing" with great desire. At length it came. We had
reached the summit of the moimtain, and were no|
nlng to descend. The sun rose; and it was
foitune to behold such a sunrise. As he ascej^dpiS the
skies, they appeared tinged by the most beautiful and va-
riegated colours imaginable. They were clothed ii^the
most gorgeous dress ; the deep blue being relit ved' imd
diversified by banks of clouds, their edges being tinged with
all the colomrs of the rainbow. But on looking out on my
left hand, I saw something which I took to be a prodigious
lake ; and, being surprised at so singular a phenomenon
i^pearing on the top of a moimtain, roused cue of my fellow-
trsj^Uers, and asked, "What lake is that on the left?"
He rubbed his eyes, and grumbled out, " I reckon there is
no kdke HlM."^ He closed them again, and I could obtain
no infoil|ttA(3<^^ I continued to gaze ; and felt certain that
the object seen was the waters of a lake or sea, stretching
to an indefinite extent, and losing itself in the distance,
^'fter ruminating in this imcertainty for some considerable
^inie/ ¥b occurred to me that possibly it might be the
aurAoi:^^^ often referred to by eastern travellers. So it
turaedHSttl^ We were at a great distance from either lake
or sea ; but the sun had given the rising mist this peculiar
appearance. No wonder that the pilgrims of t|te desert,
in igiogination, quenched their burning thirst, and plunged
their weary limbs, in one of these illusive seas. Attracted
by the promise of water, they rushed towards a blessing
which retired as they approached, and left them still a
prey to thirst and misery. Had it been my lot to command
a steamer, or vessel of any kind, I should not have doubted
for a moment that the sea I fancied I saw, would furnish
depth and space enough for her navigation. Such wre the

"'*

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

illusions of life ! A fow moments suffioed to dissipate these
vapoury deceptions; it may, perchance, take a longer pe-
riod to disenchant the soul of the haze around her being,
arising from the unreal objects of desire and hope ; but the
time is certain to come when the mirage will be dissipated,
and the mountain scenery of life, rough and rugged, will
appear in its true character.

But a more gorgeous deception awaited us. Turning
my eyes to the other side of the mountain, I beheld another
most magnificent spectacle. This arose from the agency
of the same causes ; the mist lying on the side of the moun-
tain, and the beams of the rising sun shining upon it. But
in this instance his rays were not absorbed, but reflected,
and the appearance was not that of wafer, but of fire. How
shall a description of this wonderful scene be attempted ?
We have no analogies. It was unlike anything ever beheld
by me. Nothing either in the heavens or on the earth wiSk
furnish any tei.'ns of comparison or modes of illuBtraijlon.
The point of observation in surveying the ba^utic^ijilf, the
heavens is from below. We see all their gl6r.es ovet our
heads. But in this case we were elevated above the phe-
nomenon ; we did not look up, but down ; the magnified
spectacle lay at our foet, — ^like the mirage on the other side
the mountain, — stretching to an indefinite distance, ilgftiu,
this spectacle had not the appearance of ntounta^ of
clouds, heaped one upon another, variegated by tints and
hues of many colours, their edges dipped in gold, and re-
flecting every possible form of beauty; it was uniform,
presenting the same aspect and colour ; the intensity of its
brightness seemed not to admit of variation, th^>Hie ele-
ment swallowed up all inferior forms, and absorbed them
in its own indivisible purity and lustre. The arch of heaven,
the raiotbow, the rising and setting sun, the brilliant noon-
day,— none of these can give a notion of this splendid
illusion. Its position was longitudinal ; its surface, its bo-

»>m, like that of the ocean, seen from a lofty elevation,

TOUR IN AMERICA.

presented itself to view as at a great distance uiow ; —
reflecting the sun's beams back again to their fountam, and
giving their dazzling brightness as if in emulation of the
parent orb. To what shall we compare it ? It looked like
a sea of glory ! I gazed and gazed on this lovely object,
till dragged by the rumbUng motion of our vehicle be-
yond the sight of the deceptive vision. We were soon
lowered to the common level ; and, leaving these regions
of splendour and magic ^andeur, virere called to move
along the common road, in the midst of clouds and sha-
dows.

Notwithstanding all that we had seen on the mountain,
we were thankful enough to get to Uniontown, warm our
almost frozen limbs, and regale ourselves with breakfast.
Those necessary duties being soon despatched, we hastened
to Brownville, where a steamer awaited our arrival to con-
duct us to Pittsburgh.

The Monongahela, on which we embarked, descends
from the mountain in this direction, and forms a fine navi-
gation, meandering its course through a picturesque country
to its destination. We now found ourselves in the great
Valley of the Mississippi ; which, commencing at this point,
stretches to the Rocky Mountains. These two ranges of
mountains, in the geography of the continent, are held to
be the barriers on the east and west of this prodigious
tract of country. The immense space lying between us at
the moment of our embarkation at Brownville, at the foot
of th^ AUeghanies, to the great barriers raise(| by the
Rocky Mountains, and separating the Western States from
Oregon, is considered a part of this valley. The Mississippi
itself may be taken as the centre line of this ^reat tract of
country, stretching from north to south, prepared by na-
ture herself as a drain for the waters descending ^iii^pi the
east and west. We were now on one of these B#eams ;
flowing, in the main, from the east, in a westerly course,
to join the rivers descending in the opposite direction ; axui,

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

as it were, to meet in fraternal union in the aitng of i\w
" father of waters."

Everything now appeai'ed different. The cUmate hc'
came genial and balmy, and the soil much richer ; regetu-
tion appeared luxuriant ; the trees were giving out their
foliage, and the shrubs and plants their colours and fftt^
grance more richly ; the skies were clear and lofty, tho sun
warm and cY ring, while every breeze seemed to b©ftr lifo
and vivacity on its wings. Th^ river was enchanting. From
the edge of the waters the banks gradually sloped up so M
to form a hilly embankment on each side, covered with
various trees, now enriched with variegated hues. Th(^
channel of the river appeared to have been scooped out ol'
the solid earth by some giant, power, its level being below
the adjoining country, so as completely to embosom itn
waters in overhanging woods. This beautiful, umbrageoui^,
woody, sylvan scene was, it is true, broken in upon, now
and then, by human habitations, little villages, and places
of incipient commerce ; I>at, generally speaking, wo passed
through silent and unbroken solitudes. TaMng a ehair,
and placing it under the awning of the steamer, I gazed
in a sort of intoxication, wonder, and ecstasy, in perfect
silence, or, at any rate, unwilling to be disturbed for any
purpose. I can never forget the effe,;t this scenery had
upon my feelings, in this first sight of its peculiar loveli-
ness. I looked till my eyes grew dun with the dazzlinjc
iuxiu'iance of the ever-varying prospect, and my iJbraiii
fairly ached with the attempt to form some notion of itn
unique grandeur.

On our descent the banks of the river became more pre-
cipitous and rocky; and, for several miles above Pitts-
burgh, the causes of its manufacturing greatness and wealth
began to appear. For many miles beds of coal projected
their crust and edge upon the banks of the river; and,
here and there, the collier had employed his mattock and
spade in digging out of the side of the hill this valiuibiu

W'A'

TOUR IN AHBEIOA.

article of manufacture. The trouble and cost of the ope-
ration consisted in getting it out of the rock, and transport-
ing it to its destination. A slide of plnnks, fixed at the
mouth of the level, was placed, from whence the coals
were rolled down into a boat below prepared to receive
them. This was all the expense and labour attendant
upon procuring this valuable article. The same is the case
with iron ore. This is as abundant as coal, and is pro-
cured and removed in the /tame manner. How diflerent
is the oper>tJ!on in om* country ! It occurred to me, that
one of . \r friends had a pit in this locali^.y, (Birmingham,)
on rhicc he '««T,d just expended twelve or fifteen hundred
;>oi'nds, .'x> ascertain whether there was a bed of coal on liis
vvoptrtj 'rbe Americans are saved this uncertainty and
ixpeii.Ae RU.ogr;!ier. They know before they use a tool,
that tiiiik exertions will not be in vam ; for they see the
coal and iron challenging their labour, and inviting them to
enterprise. The advantage of the rivalry of the two coun-
tries, in this respect, is greatly on the side of the Americans.

CHAPTER V.

Pittsburgh— Lodge at the St. Charles— Tho Conforonce— Tho BUhops— The
Preachers— Bishop Soule— The Southein Mlni»t<)rfi-~-^Publlc Set vices— The
Company at the St. Charles— Tho Town— Manufactures— The African
Church—Preach to tho Blacks— Curioi > Scono—Loavo Pittsburgh— Take
loaY^ of Bishop Soule -His Character— The Ohio— Whoeiing— Bishop Camp-
bell—Mesmerism.

Wb made Pittsburgh about five o'clock. On calling with
the other ministers at the Book Oonctm, I found I -was
appointed to take up my board at the St. Charles Hotel.
This excellent house was kept by Mr. Miller, who, with his
wife, was very friendly. We met with several preachers
domiciled with us ; all very agreeable and excellent men.
I was at once installed as the entire master of a commo-
dious sleeping-room ; and our party had the privilege of

, - -ISiJinwi,

ii#V

!>. m

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

meeting together in the evenings in the family parlour.
This arrangement proved to be very agreeable to all par-
ties, as it afforded the means of private intercourse apart
from the general company. We took our meals at the
public table. A large and spacious room was occupied for
breakfast, dinner, and tea ; if any one chose supper, he or-
dered it specifically, and' took it in his own apartment,
lliis was our daily routine as to the common-place matter
of seating an4 drinking. Our fare was excellent, made up
of many sorts of the more substantial dishes and dessert
every day, and all prepared in the best possible manner.
We often iojmd an aggregate of not less than two hundred,
scarcely ever few«r than one hundred and fifty. These par-
ties consisted of travellers, men of business, inhabitants of
the town, and, for the time being, of Methodist preachers.
I soon found my position very pleasant; and the thing
I most coveted was now put into my hands — an opportu-
nity of observing American character and manners on h
large and diversified scale.

Being now fixed in my comfortable domicile, the next
thing was to open my commission. It began with a diplo-
matic blunder. My friend Stevens, from Boston, an inmate
at our house, told me he would arrange with one of the
senior brethren to introduce me to the Conference , and, in
due time, call for me. Accordingly, in a while he made
his appearance, and informed me he had spoken to one of
the elder ministers, who had agreed to perform the duty
of introducing me. We went together to the church where
the assembly was sitting, and I made my way into the midst
of the preachers. Happening to take a seat near my old
friend, Dr. Durbin, i accosted him, and at first he did not
know me ; but, soon recovering from this ateence of mind,
he said, I had done wrong in coming in, that they were
about to send a deputation to introduce me in form, and
that I should have waited. I offered to retire; but he
proposed to speak to the . shops ; and, on his doing so.

y^A''

«k

8^6

TOUR IN AMERICA.

they desired me to remain. In a short time they called
me up ; and when I had delivered my credentials, Bbhop
Hedding introduced me to the Conference, making sucli
observations as occurred to him. In the fev/- remarks I
made, the official short-hand writer entirely misreported me
in one particular. He represented me as saying that vre,
the English Methodists, were " all on one side ;" while the
fact is, I said, " We were all on the side of liberty, of
emancipation." By this interpretation of my remarks, 1
was made to assume the position of a partisan in the great
dispute between the North and the South ; whereas no-
thing could by possibility be farther from n^ thoughts or
meaning. Were it not that I considered myself, not as a
private person, but as the representative of the British
Conference, and that they have an interest in the spirit
and manner in which the person representing them was
received, propriety would dictate that I should be silent
on many things which occurred at this first meeting, and on
many subsequent occasions. But seeing that the Method-
ist body in England in some sort stood in my person, in
tlie presence of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Ame-
rica, in fraternal relations, undoubtedly those who sent mc
have a right to know how their greetings were received.
They may, then, be assured that they were hailed in the
most cordial, affectionate, and Christian spirit and manner.
When the British Conference (for so the matter is. to be
understood) was introduced to the American body, as a
mark of respect and good-will, every minister present
spontaneously, not by order of the chair, stood up, and
paid the parent body the most profound and hearty respect.
This was done in a manner not to be mistaken. Nothing
trifling, formal, diplomatic, marked the movement. It was
not the expression of mere courtesy to a stranger ; it was
the manly burst of affectionate regard for a body to whom,
I am perfectly sure, they feel the most devout attachment.
After these introductory greetings were finished, one of the

rsr

PART I.—PBRBONAL NARRATIVE.

brethren offered a resolution, to the effect, that the British
representative should be incorporated among themselves as
a member of Conference, and should be invited to take part
in their proceedings and debates, as he might find it con-
venient, and be so disposed. This resolution was unani-
mously carried.

■'■' Not content with a publte recognition, the five bishops
came that evening to my lodgings to pay their respects ;
not to me, let it always be kept in mind, but to the Method-
ist Church in this country. This they did in the most
handsome and hearty manner. The conversation turned,
ns might be expected, on the affairs of Methodism in both
countries. I found the Bishops, on this and all subsequent
occasions, deeply interested in our affairs. Looking up to
us as the elder branch of the great Methodistic family,
from whence they received their own birth and blessings,
they evidently entertain a most ardent attachment to us ;
and, whether well or ill deserved, certainly a high opinion
of our religious state. Whatever may be the fact respect-
ing the sentiments and feelings of the political body to-
wards the mother comitry, — ^and on this question my
opinions differ from those who consider the great body of
the American people as hostile to Great Britain, — most as-
suredly, there is nothing of ill-will in the Methodist Bishops,
ministers, and people, towards theh' brethren in England.
All our old and distinguishing characteristics, such as the
itinerancy, class-meetings, and other advantages ; the state
of piety and experimental religion, the progress we were
making, as well as our doctrinal fidelity ; were all matters
of inquiry on the part of the Bishops. After an interesting
and lengthy conversation on these and kindred subjects,
we parted; certainly with a deep impression left on my
mind, that the American Church w^s greatly favoured in
its chief officers. ■'*

Having given a narrative of conference proceedings else-
where, the account need not be entered upon here. The

TOUR IK AMIBIOA.

few remarks which remnin to be mode, must refer to men
and things. I happened to bo placed in a most favourable
position to see and hold intorcourio with everybody. All
had free access to my room, and it was hardly over empty.
The whole body of preachers, at ono time or another,
called upon me ; and I had much very pleasant and profita-
ble intercourse with them, i found them, in private, a
most pious; intelligent, and woll*informed race of men.
Their knowledge of their own system, economy, and con-
stitution, I perceived, was exact and enlightened ; their
experience of the working of the system of Methodism
complete ; for many of them had been in the service of the
church many years, and Iiad scon much of their country,
together with its habits and manners. They were well-
informed on all American aflfuit's, and took a lively interest
in their country's weal ; and, moreover, some of them were
extremely respectable in literature and general knowledge.
No man amongst them wns a neuter ; he had opinions on
nil points, and held them with tenacity ; but was perfectly
free to hear tIboBe of otlier people, and removed as far as
possible from a dogmatical spirit. Eeasoning is their forie :
they are fond of argument. I found them loyal to their
coimtry and to Methodism. They seem to entertain no
scniples or doubts as to their government being the best
in the world. This being the feeling of sober and religious
men, must be considered as worth notice, much more than
that of political zealots of any gradf. I found most of the
Methodist ministers what is called in America "Whigs,"
wliich means in our country " Conservatives." They had
an utter dislike to the war'Spirit growing up in America,
disapproved very much of the Mexican war, and denounced
the policy of Resident Polk's administration. There were,
of course, exceptioi|| ; but this seemed to be the general
opinion amongst them. The northern men were all de-
cided and zealous abolitionists. They abhor slavery as
much as it is possible to be abhorred in this country ; and

PART I.— PBRSONAL NARRATIVE.

)r to men
ivourabic
dy. All
sr empty,
another,
1 profita-
)rivate, a
of men.
and con-
d; their
Bthodism
;e of the
country,
5re well-
interest
em were
)wledge.
|nions on
jerfectly
Eis far as
ir forte :
to their
rtain no
the best
eligioiis
re than
t of the
7higs,"
ley had
merica,
ounced
e were,
jfeaeral
aUde-
ery as
^; and

many of them are sanguine as to the possibility of making
this a state question, and in a short time electing an anti-
slavery president.

Their Methodism is a belief, a truth, a principle. They
as much believe in the soundness of Methodistic doctrines,
the excellency of their ecclesiastical polity, and the rehgion
of their system, as in the truth of the word of God itself.
Republicans though they may be, they are not revolution-
ists. And the same is the case regarding their religious
convictions. In a free and easy intercourse with these
men for a fortnight, I did not hear one word which sa-
voured of disaffection to their ecclesiastical institutions.
This was the case respecting their Bishops ; not a murmur
was heard. They were perfectly loyal to the church.
This, as will be seen, must give the church great power
and force. Every man is prepared to take his place, and
do his best. None of his strength is frittered away in
wrangling disputes, in projects of reform, in tinkeiing and
mending the system. On the other hand, he occupies his
sphere of labour with the undoubted persuasion that he is
serving the cause of God; that he is connected with a
form of religion which must prevail, because divine ; and
that his business is not to mend the rules, but to keep
them. We cannot be surprised at the amazing success of
a system of religion so supported, and so worked. Every
man is possessed of an idea, a truth, which he feels himself
bound to propagate. He does this without hesitation,
puts his whole soul into his mission, and it is done unto
him according to his faith.

In a few days after my arrival. Bishop Soule made his
appearance, and took up his abode, at our hotel. This to
me was a most pleasant incident. We had much inter-
course and conversation. He had not lost his Enghsh im-
pressions. His sojourn in our country, his reception and
treatment by the conference and people, had left a very
grateful recollection on his mind. He entered fully into

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(716) •73-4503

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.

the subject of his connexion with the South ; sapng, he
supposed we should be surprised at the event. He avowed
that he acted from the dictates of his conscience, believing
that he should be best enabled, in the section of the Church
he had chosen, to advance the interests of his Master's
kingdom. Everybody who knows Bishop Soule must re-
ceive this testimony. He is incapable of equivocation, or
of anything duhonourable. He avowed that his convictions
of the evils of slavery had undergone no change ; it was as
much the object of his abhorrence as ever. His explana-
tions of his conduct amounted to this : — ^that, ia his opinion,
the only possible way of ever reaching a measure of eman-
cipation lay in bringing the population of the South, mas-
ters and slaves, under the influence of the Gospel ; and that
the only means of accomplishing this was, not in agitating
the question, but in quietly preaching the truth to both,
leaving it in the providence of God to work its own results :
moreover, that for ministers to agitate the question of
emancipation, would infallibly cause the planters of the
South to shut the door against all attempts at evangeliza-
tion, and have the effect of leaving masters and servants
in their sins.

Impressed by these considerations, he thought it best to
remain in the South, his family residing in that part of the
country, and he himself having, for many years, chiefly
laboured in these States. He desired that his affectionate
remembrances might be given to the British Conference ;
saying, he knew that, with our opinions and relations to
the American Episcopal Church, we could hold no official
communion with them; but if the conference chose to
send or allow any of their messengers, on visiting America,
to call upon them, or inspect their work, they would be
most gladly and heartily received. As long as Bishop
Soule lives, there can be no doubt that this would be the
case. The nobility of his nature is above aU petty jea^
busies ; and there are many men in the South of a like

PABT I.— PBBSONAL NABBATIVS.

wed

spirit with himself. Several other Southern men made
their appearance, as Mr. Early, the hook-agent or steward
at Richmond, Dr. Lee, and Dr. Bascom. With all these
gentlemen I held intercourse. Mr. Early presented me
with a newly-revised hymn-hook, heautifully got up and
well arranged, together with several other works connected
with the Southern question. These gentlemen manifested the
greatest kindness and urbanity ; and did all in their power to
leave an impression on my mind, that the position which they
now hold has not caused them to be less Methodistical than
before. In spirit, piety, honesty of purpose, — ^in frankness
of character, in warm afifections, — ^they certainly are not.
Dr. Lee presented me with his memoirs of his illustrious
uncle, Jesse Lee. A worthy scion this of a noble stock.
There are found here and there great roots of humanity, as
well as of forest-trees, which send forth, for some genera-
tions, noble o£fshoots. This is one. A fine young man,
full of feeling, learning, intelligence, and good principle ;
destined, it is to be hoped, for many years to adorn the
sacred calling to which he is devoted. Dr. Bascom, the
president of Transylvania University at Lexington, came
late, and I had only the opportunity of seeing him once.
But this one interview was sufficient to convince me that
he possessed a powerful intellect, of masculine form, richly
furnished, highly polished, and conversant with various
learning and knowledge. He had been making a long
preaching tour in the South during the vacation, and we
heard that his ministry had made a deep impression. This
gentleman is considered a master of eloquence ; and if he
drew up the state-papers which appear in the dispute
betwixt the South and the North in 1844, which I believe,
his pen is as eloquent as his tongue ; his eloquence, how-
ever, not being that of declamation, but of reason, and
clothed in the flowing dress of lucid and beautiful diction.
I deem it but fair thus to mention the ministers of the
South to whom I was introduced, fearing lest their con-

,»

TOIIR IK AMBRIOA.

neadon mth that church should lead to the conclusion that,
in their personal character, they are something dififerent
from other Methodist ministers.

It was my happiness to preach twice each Lord's day,
on the two Sundays I remained at Pittsburgh, and once be-
fore the conference. The worship was devout and spiritual,
the congregations were large, and everything proceeded
much in our JElnglish manner. After the morning service
on the first Sabbath, the Lord's supper wfts administered,
exactly after the order of the Prayer-Book. An incident
occurred at this service of a pleasing nature. Bishop
Soule md Dr. Pierce being present, they were invited to
take part in the service, which they did ; thus showing to
the world that the ecclesiastical differences existing be-
tween the two parties, were not deemed sufficient to sever
the bonds of religious brotherhood, to destroy the more
sacred ties of spiritual affection, or to indicate that one
party considered the other as heretics. This was very
cheering to behold.

Whilst mentioning these matters, I must state one or
two things in passing, not of much consequence in them-
selves, and yet tending to illustrate the state of feeling
amongst our friends in the States. As a loyal subject of
Queen Victoria, maugre all suspicions to the contrary, I
deemed it my duty, in every public service, to pray first for
our queen and government, and then, secondly, for the
president of the States, and government of the countrji^ ,
putting in petitions, that our union might never be inter- '
rupted by discord and war. How was this received?
Did it produce disapprobation? Just the reverse. I^
called forth hearty responses, and many expressions of ap-
proval. One more incident. We had been holding fk
school-meeting one evening in the conference chapel, wh«pD,
after the service was concluded, the choir struck up " Qi>d
save the Queen." I confess I felt this a most delicate luod
grateful compliment paid to my country ; and, nwreover,

FART I.— FXBBONAL NARRATIVE.

that a people who cotQd do this, were in posMwriMj^ «t
once, of good feeling and fine taste.

I had promised myself the acquisition of a good deal of
infoimation, in connexion with om* Ui^le d'hbte at the hotel,
by being brought into contact with so many people. But,
in truth, little came out of it. The Americans have re-
tained our English characteristics ; they are vastly taciturn ;
general conversation was out of the question altogether.
This never happened. And, in innumerable instances,
many of the people would finish their repast without
speaking a single word. One of these American meals is,
indeed, a curiosity. The despatch of business is prodigious.
The dinner is speedily over ; and every man as he finishes
rises from the table and departs ; thus thinning the ranks
of the regiment of '' beef-eaters," till the last man remains.
This was generally myself. I could not keep up at all
with the march ; and often felt perfectly ashamed at sit-
ting by myself to finish my plate. Indeed, I very often
saw that one and another of my kind-hearted friends, see-
ing my embarrassment, remained to keep me in counte-
nance. Tea was worse still. I declare I have seen men
spring from the table in three minutes after they had been
seated, and make their exit. One thing I muM mention,
however, that during the whole of this tiose, inwhich, by
the constant change of the company^, I must have ob-
served some two or three thousand peif^^, if not more, I
never saw one take a smgle glass of w^ at table, or any-
thing but water, and milk. This I took to be a remarkable
proof of the influence of the temperance principle. "But
there is a bfU"," it may be said. True ; but I never saw any
drifddng at ,the bar, or in a^ other part of the hotel, or air
inebriated p^son. Hie order, decorum, sobriety, and' vbi^
toe,* so far asoutword appearancesgo, wereascogkpletein thk
great- establishment, as in the best^regttlated privftte finally.

The servants of thk house were all peo^ of coloor ;
and^ I fotmd' the man who attended upoA me was a ran-

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.

away slave. He felt no compunction on account of this
act of self-emancipation ; why should he ? He told me a
fearful story respecting his mother and family. He had
the pain to see his parent sold and dragged away from her
children, and never saw her more. His sisters were treated
in the same manner, and he knew not what had become of
them. I found this poor black a truly religious man, and
full of faith, as he expressed it, '' that all would be right
in the end ;'* meaning by this, that at some time liberty
would come. He was as acute and intelligent as the gene-
ral class of labourers in this country, and even much more
so thaii many. These people are a distinct body of Me-
thodists, and have an episcopacy of their own. One of
the public services I conducted was in their church, newly
erected, — ^indeed, not finished ; and it was a memorable
time. The poor blacks manifested great feeling. There
sat before me a female whose countenance was lit up with
an amount of ecstatic emotion, such as I never before wit-
nessed. After the sermon the people sang some of their
own peculiarly soft and melancholy airs. This excited
them ; and we had a remarkable scene. They leaped, I
know not how high, and in a manner one would have
thought impossible. But, more than this, they danced to
their own melody, and in perfect time, and exhibited
the signs of the most rapturous happiness. This looked
strange to us sober people: I stood somewhat aghast,
fearful lest it shotdd lead to mischief. I heard of none ;
and hope it was the mere expression of joyous feeling.

I must now say a word respecting Pittsburgh. In truth,
it consists of three cities, under ore name ; as Southwark
is included in the one cognomen, London. These cities
have their separate corporate rights and jurisdiction. On^
is Pittsburgh proper; the second Alleghany, after the river
of that name ; and the third is called Birmingham. Pitts-
bui^h is often called the Birmingham of America, but iHth
little reason, except from the fact that both are smokj

PART I.^PBRSONAL NABBATIVB.

places ; and that the new town manufactures man j of the
articles which are made in the old one ; otherwise, they
are not at all alike. The city stands on the forks of the
two rivers Monongahela and Alleghany; which, after a
course of something like a hundred miles, meet at this
place, and by their imion form the Ohio. Standing, as it
does, on this point of land, the city is, of course, environed
by water on two sides of the triangle. Its facilities of trans-
port by water are complete; it is connected with the
Atlantic States, partly by canal, to Philadelphia; and with
all the Western States, and the lakes, by the Ohio, the
Mississippi, and the innumerable streams branchings from
them in every direction. The city itself is substantially
built, chiefly of brick ; the shops are not much like ours,
being generally in the store fashion ; and not, consequently,
either elegant or showy ; but many of them appear to be
in a prosperous and thriving state, as marts of business.
The manufactures are iron and steel goods of all sorts,
glass, tin, brass, and, in fine, the same precisely as are
made in Birmingham. Here, for the first time in America,
I beheld smoke. The Atlantic cities all bum anthracite
coal, which, being free from the bituminous quality, though
it gives a glowing heat, yet emits no smoke. On this ac-
count the atmosphere of the largest cities is as clear as in
the country ; the buildings are preserved in their freshness,
and appear beautifully clean. It is dififerent at Pittabm'gh.
The coal, like ours, being strongly impregnated with bitu-
minous matter, sends out, from the furnaces and tall chim-
neys, dense volumes of smoke, as in our manufacturing
towns. Besides, the city being embosomed in a valley,
and surrounded by hills, some of which are high, the sooty
nuisance cannot escape: this causes the place, in some
sta|»B of the wind and weather, to be intolerably dirty and

Bi^ these are the things which create wealth; and no-
thing can possibly prevent Fittsbui^h from becoming one

^'l^

tOV¥L m AlORIOA.

of the greatest manufactaring cities in the world. I liaet
many of onr countrymen located at this place ; giying their
genius, their knowledge, their labour, to augment tiie crea>
tive power of the great rival of their own fatherland. They
were in a thriving condition; many of them becoming
wealthy. One who had left the north of England when a
youth, a poor collier, without sixpence in his pocket, and
who began his career by heaving coals out of the side of
the hills, told me he was worth fifteen or sixteen thousand
dollars, showing me, with grateful feelings, some half-
dozen housei^ of which he was the owner. He had in-
duced all his relations to join him, and the whole family
were living in great comfort and respectability. This is
only a sample.

All the world contributes its quota of help to enrich the
Americans. When I was passing down the river, and saw
the collieries at work, I felt sure that those collieries were
not worked by Yankee hands, that my poor countrymen
were the drudges ; and on putting the question with the
express purpose to ascertain the fact, I found it perfectly
correct ; hardly a single American ever works in a coal-pit,
or, indeed, performs any analogous task. This is done for
him by the labouring hands of all portions of the worid ;
and especially by the workmen of England. ■'^"

Human life, which is often a burden in other countries,
constitutes the wealth of America. The block population
perform all the menial domestic duties; they are seen in
every house, unless superseded by Irish ^Is ; the poor Celts
from the raster island dig for their canals and railroad lines,
and carry bricks and mortar up the scaffolding, in all build-
ing processes ; and the Germans, besides yielding their
piostion of help in canal and railroad work, furnish labour,
to a great amount, in all agricultural improvements. Tbe
true American is the gentleman of the country ; and^ all
these classes constitute his mechanists and labourers; tf
he ean oofiHihtod a little capital, he wiU have th<B dkill and

PART I.— PKB80NAL NAB&ATIVB.

adroitness to put everybody else to work for him ; but let
any one find a genuine Yankee putting his own hand to
any hard work, if he can. There is no unfairness in all
this, inasmuch as the same road is open to oil the new-
comers. In the lifetime of many of them, they get into
the same position themselves, or, if this is not secured, their
children are certain to attain it. What America is to do
if the current of emigration sets in in another direction, it is
difficult to say. Will her real children turn out to the
drudgery of working coal-pits, iron-furnaces, glass-works,
brick-making, and the rest ? Heads will not do alone. At
present the Yankee seems to imagine that his calling is to
furnish the ideal, the plan, the scheme, the head ; but it
belongs to Europeans and Africans to find the hands to do
the drudgery. It is very clear, however, that the heads
may become too numerous ; how the right equilibrium is
to be maintained, is difficult to imagine.

The time for leaving Pittsburgh now came. My travel-
ling companion was the Bev. John Ryerson. On tendering
our money for the passage to Cincinnati, a distance of five
hundred miles, to occupy two days and two nights, we
were told that the regular fare was six dollars, but that
they only charged ministers five. This favour shown to
ministers is universal in the States. On occasion of ctosr'
ing one of the bridges at Pittsburgh, I saw a written notice
of the toll to be paid ; and tendering the amount to the
man, who sat, in the American style, with his legs cocked-
up on the back of a chair, and a cigar in his mouth, he
asked if I belonged to the Conference ; and being told that
I did, he said, ** Our directors have ordered me to pass you
on ; there is nothmg to pay." So, in our passage down
the Ohio, we were lodged and boarded, m the best manner,
for two days and nights, for the sum of something less
than twenty-two shillings. Many of the brethr«i accom-
panied us to the vessel, to bid us farewell. Among the
rest was Bishop Soule ; I saw hun for the last time, with

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.

an aching heart, among the group of preachers and people.
It is sad to think of seeing him no more. I felt this keenly,
as I turned my eyes from him, with the certainty that it
was a final adieu. A noble man ! One of the first spirits in
America. In bearing, a perfect gentleman, manly, courte-
ous, and dignified ; in principle, feeling, and demeanour, a
true Christian ; in the character and calibre of his mind,
strong, clear, masculine ; in moral force, firm, unwavering,
inflexible ; in official life, judicious, prudent, and decided in
his adherence to settled constitutional rule, but practical
and wise ; in evangelical toils and labours, as abundant as
any living man in the church ; and in spirit, calm, coura-
geous, and active. It is more than pleasant to meet with
such a man, it is highly instructive. For a fortnight I had
enjoyed the happiness of Bishop Soule's society ; and my
inmost soul reverenced and did homage to him, on taking
a last look of his manly and venerable form.

We soon lost sight of Pittsbuigh ; gliding rapidly down
one of the finest streams that ever graced or blessed any
coimtry in the world. The banks, for five hundred miles,
were exactly like those already described. The rocky soil
sloped up, in many places, to a considerable height, and
was invariably covered from the water's edge with rich and
beautiful foliage. The weather was most brilliant, and
towards evening we arrived at Wheeling ; and, stopping a
sufficient time to allow us to land, we visited the town. It
had no show of -beauty from the river ; but on entering, we
found it a very large and handsome place, full of fine shops,
and commercial activity. The usual rocky ascent, which
generally rose from the river's brink, had here been throwi|
in to the distance of a few miles into the interior, leaving
room on its banks for building the city. The hill, however,
appeared in due course ; but formed a sort of back-ground
to the town, the effect of which was exceedingly beautiful.
The whole scene was enchanting. The sun was retiring,
all nature was clothed in her most glorious dress ; not a

M-

,,*

PART I.— PBB80NAL NARBATIVE.

people,
keenly,
that it
pints in
courte-
monr, a
s mind,
avering,
cided in
)ractica]
dant as
coura-
set -with
It I had
and my

breath of air disturbed the universal cahn; not a cloud
or speck was seen across the deep blue sky ; our noble
river rolled majestically, but peacefully, along; and all
things conspired to make this one of those bright, illu-
sive hours, in the midst of the storms and labours of life,
which leave an indelible impression upon the soul. We
were soon called to move from our moorings ; we descended
the stream ; and the sunny hour spent at Wheeling, soon
became a vision, an idea.

It may be proper to remark, that great numbers of vil-
lages and towns, few of them, at present, of any magnitude,
lie along the shores of the Ohio. Many of these rising
towns bear the names of our own, as Liverpool, Manchester,
Portsmouth ; collieries and founderies, in an incipient state
of progress, are beginning their operations, soon to become
of gigantic power. We had the State of Ohio towards the
north, always free, never having admitted slavery ; and that
of Kentucky on the south, having always been a slave State.
The extent of many of these States may be pretty accu-
rately imderstood, when it is stated, that the river Ohio
washes one of the frontiers of Kentucky, in its windings,
for the distance of seven hundred miles.

This voyage down the Ohio was rather fortunate in
bringmg me into contact with several parties of some in-
terest. Among others Bishop Campbell introduced himself.
This gentleman was the husband of a Mrs. Campbell, who,
in Scotland, some few years ago, produced much excite-
ment by (if I recollect right) following in the train of poor
Irving, and giving utterance to noises, which used to be
called ** the tongues." In doctrine and sentiment, they,
the Campbells, adhered to the Rowite party, and dissemi-
nated their sentiments. I could not exactly understand
what church my friend was bishop of, but suppose it must
have been one founded on the principles above referred to.*'
I also met with a very intelligent fanner, living in the State
of Ohio, who expatiated much on the fertility of the soil,

£* See note on next page.]

•m

100

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.

and the social condition of the people ; but he gave me
information on another point, m which I felt a deeper in-
terest. On my saying I supposed they found it difficult to
get their children educated in the country, he assured me
that imiversal provision was made to meet this want. He
remarked, "For instance, here, where the land is cleared,
and farms established, and that is the case for many miles,
there are school-houses, built by the townships, and main-
tained by rates levied by the people themselves, at the
distance of about four miles from each other ; so that chil-
dren have to walk but two miles to school from the most
distant points, which they do, carrying their dinner with
them, by which they are enabled to remdn all day."

But, in addition to this information thus connected with
education and morals, we had on board a gentleman of an-
other genus, a lecturer on mesmerism, having in his train
three or four persons, whom he seemed to be carrying
with him for the purpose of operating upon. He favoured
the company with a lecture, with experiments upon his
subjects. The sight of this was too much for my sober-
nunded companion, Byerson, who soon retired ; but I was
determined to see it out, and remained. It was an odd
affair, most certainly. Having put them into a mesmeric
state, the operator professed to touch and move the phreno-
logical bumps of his patients ; and, whether real or feigned,
I know not, but they played off some most singular antics.
All parties were perfectly civil, no one disputing or contra- f
dieting in any way. The ladies were full of amazement ;
some in raptures, exclaiming, " How astonishing !" " Won-
derful 1" " Beautiful !" « Is it not fine ?" the men, in the -
mean time, shrugging up their shoulders, skulking back,
knitting their brows, and frowning doubt, without saying
anything.

[* Dr. Dixon has fallen into seToral eiron in regard to Mr. A. Campbell, con*
fonndlns him with a totally diiliBrent perron, Rev. Jas. M. Campbell of Bow,
Scotland, who married the lady to whom he alludes. W^have never understooa
that there was any connexion between Mr. CaayibeU oDMiuuy, and tfie Row-
ite party.— Am. £d.]

'¥■

i^-.

PART I.— PBR80NAL NARRATIVE.

101

CHAPTER VI.

CiDclnnati— Mr. Smith— Auburn— A Storm In th* Country— Blihop mivaina'g
Country Retidenco— A Fire— The Sabbath— The City— Start for Sandusky—
The Forest— Dlfficultiea of clearing Land— The Railroad through the Forest
—A Stage Journey— Arrival at Urbana— Arrival at Sandusky.

Ws arrived at Cincinnati early on Saturday morning. The
friends being informed, by telegraph, that we might be
expected, we found a carriage wfuting our arrival to con-
duct us to our lodgings. I had been appointed to stay at
the house of Christopher Smith, Esq., whom I found to be
a countryman, from Stockton, in the north of England, and
Mrs. Smith, a county-woman of my own, from Leicester-
shire. Mr. Smith had left home when young; but, before
his removal, had obtained the knowledge and enjoyment
of religion. He remembered several of the old preachers,
having waited upon them in his boyhood, and mentioned
Mr. Kershaw with great affection. He receive4 me with
genuine cordiality, and set himself to do all in his power to
make my sojourn as agreeable as possible. After the
necessary ablutions and breakfast, I set out by myself to
obtain a notion of the character of the city. Rambling
into one of the suburbs, I saw five or six large cotton-mills
by the river-side, together with other manufactories. The
day being hot, and feeling some weariness from the voy-
age, I sat down on some steps — not of stone, but of wood
— ^in the outskirts of the town, on the entrance into a gar-
den, in front of a genteel-looking house. I had not been
seated many minutes before the lady of the house came,
and asked me to walk in and take a seat. On my declining
this polite offer, she very ^oon returned with a bouquet of
most fragrant roses ; and then, in a little while after, she
came a third time, with newspapers, saying, " You would,
perhaps, wish to see the morning papers." I know not
what Mrs. Trollope would make of this instance of Ame-

102

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.

rican manners ; but I felt that any politeness could hardly
exceed this.

Bishop Morris had, in his great kindness, written to
friends living four or five miles from the city, to take me
to see a suburb, in the direction of their residence, called
Auburn ; it seems considered by the citizens as the " West
End" of Cincinnati. I was accordingly escorted in the
afternoon to this place ; and certainly it is, and promises to
be much more so, a beautiful locality. The house of our
friends is quite in the country ; and, among other pros-
pects, commands a view of the residence, which would, in
this country, be called the palace, of one of the first men
in America — ^good Bishop M'llvaine. His people have
built him a fine little church, near his residence ; and the
spire of this church, rising in the midst of the sylvan scene,
causes it to have a perfectly English appearance. The
good Bishop was from home, in his diocese ; otherwise I
might have enjoyed the benefit of hearing him, as the
church in which he usually officiates is close to the house
of Mr. Smith, and the family are in the habit of hearing
him often. The Bishop enjoys a high reputation as a faith-
ful and able minister of our Lord Jesus Christ. ^

While in the country, at our friend's hous^^^i^were
visited by a tremendous storm. This storm was eifMpingly
grand ; the chunder was loud and terrific ; the rain de-
scended in torrents ; and the lightning, unlike ours of the
forky description, appeared like sheets of fire, while the
heavens seemed enveloped in one universal blaze. This
storm did considerable damage. One of our own Method-
ist friends, being thrown from his horse, suffered some
mischief; but, providentially, his life was spared. In the
night, another of our people had' his house set on fire, near
our lodgings. The noise from the sounding of bells,
the yells of the population, and the exertions of firemen, was
awful. The fire in due time was happily subdued, though
much damage was done; the stock in tj^^ beii^ paper.

'jif

.■#■

PAET I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

10ft

':«•

-- The Sunday dawned ; and it was a blessed day. I
preached twice; the congregations being large, lively,
and devout. To show the di£ference of feeling between
the Americans and most Christians in our country, we may
ju»t mention, that Dr. Aydelott, an eminent Episcopalian
minitter, sat in the pulpit with the Methodist ministers
present, on both occasions. Having found, for the first
time, in the possession of Mr. Smith, a copy of Asbury's
Journal, I spent the intervals of worship very profitably in
periling this interesting narrative. Mr. Smith had the
goodness, afterwards, to present me with this work ; an
invaluable treasure, full of important information and inci-
dent connected with the early history of Methodism in the
United Stat'^s.

Cincinnati is called "The Queen City of the West," and
deserves the designation. It is beautifully situated on the
banks of the Oliio, on rising ground, somewhat in the form
of a half-circle. The houses and shops are spacious, and
well furnished ; the streets cut each other at right angles,
giving the place perfect uniformity of appearance ; and the
allotments of houses and buildings thus formed are called
" squares." This name at first deceived me ; when hearing
them speak of First, Second, and Third Square, and so on,
I thought a square in our sense of the term was meant, but
soon found out my mistake. When perambulating this
place, and recollecting the brevity of the period of its exist-
ence, I was much puzzled to know where the funds came
from which built and furnished all their costly houses and
shops. My friend, Mr. Smith, had resided in Cincinnati
about forty-five years. He informed me, that, when he
took up Ills abode first, there were only between nine and
ten hundred inhabitants : " And now there are," he said,
" near one hundred thousand:" at that time he made the
twenty-second member in the Methodist society ; but at
the present time there are many thousands : and wh^ he
went ftrrt| (jO th| jplace, he informed me, he used to sweep

? •«„

104

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.

out his joiner's shop for preaching, there being no other
place in the city in which they could hold divine service ;
but they have raised in the course of this time about twenty
large churches. This good man justly and gratefully ap-
preciates the dealings of Providence with himself. With
eyes brilliant with joyous emotions, he added, "And I
feel it a great mercy and privilege to have had some Uttle
hand in it all." Well might he feel grateful and happy at
the consciousness of helping forward the work of God for
so many years, and of living to witness such results !

Time pressed, and we were obliged to leave on Monday
morning. Our course lay by rails across the country to
the lakes, a distance of two hundred and nineteen miles,
I had been told that this route would a£fbrd me the oppor-
tunity of seeing, on an extended scale, the agricultural
character and resources of the western country ; and I was
not disappointed. The entire territory was either perfectly
new, or only very recently cultivated. This will appear
from the fact, that many of the rising towns bear the name
even of living men ; as Polktown, called after the Presi-
dent, and Claysville, after the eminent statesman of that
name. The whole scene was very curious ; the only uniform
and finished thmg being the railroad on which we travel-
led ; the greater part of the country still remaining un-
broken fwest. Through this forest-scene our railroad had
been cut, at a vast cost of money and labour ; the trees
having, of course, to be felled by the woodman's axe, as
well as the road itself levelled and prepared. To the inha-
bitants of these solitudes — now limited to wild animals, the
Indians being all gone — ^the blaze of our fire, the fizzing of
our steam, the sound of our whistle, the noise of our mo-
tion, and the rapidity of our speed, must appear a singular
solecism in the midst of the sylvan scenes of their joyous
freedom. What music for the forest is a railroad train !
How fine and perfect the harmony between the singing of
iHrds, the leap of squirrels, the bounding of the hind, the

PART I. — FMBMOJSAX, NARRATIVE.

105

other
srvice;
rwenty
lly ap-

With
And I

little
ppy at
od for

stag, the deer, and all the other forms of life and motion
peculiar to the wilderness ; — and the smoke, ashes, dirt,
creaking, bellowing, of a huge train, laden with human and
all other kinds of lumber ! We dashed along through these
forest scenes, indifferent as to the sentiment of concord,
the " eternal laws and fitness of things," and matters of
that sort, notwithstanding ; intent only upon our mission of
progress, though it should oblige us to cut down all the
trees in the imiverse, disturb the repose of nature in her
lair, and quench the lights of heaven by the smoke of our
civilizing chinmeys.

But to return. The country through which we passed
appeared to be extremely rich, and capable of bearing
most abundant crops of wheat, and every other kind of
grain. A great part of the land, which is considered as
cleared, and occupied for agricultural purposes, is only so
to a very imperfect degree. The trees of the forest are
cut off about two feet above their root, and the stumps left
standing in the fields. These stumps are seen everywhere,
and have not an agreeable appearance ; the farmer ploughs
and sows around them ; so that the harvest has to be reap-
ed and collected in the midst of these annoying hin-
drances to the sweep of the scythe. They are left in this
state to rot ; and when the process of decay has proceeded
to a certain point, a machine is employed to draw, that is,
to twist, them up ; just on the principle of the dentist's
operations in drawing a tooth.

On beholding this line of road, I was very deeply im-
pressed with the idea, that the matter of " clearing" fcnrest-
land is a most Herculean affair. Let any one just imagine
even an acre to be cleared by a new-comer, with only his
own hands and those of his children, either not having the
means of obtaining help, or that help not to be obtained.
How great the difficulty ! When the trees are felled, the
roots and stumps still rem^n; the soil turned up, the

crop must have time to grow, and the returns of labour be

6* "'"' ■ —-■-■'

106

TOUR IN AMERICA.

waited for till harvest ; the log-hut, built in the spare hours
saved from sleep and pressing calls of duty elsewhere, is
no defence against the wintry storm ; if domestic animals
are possessed, they are wanted for food ; if clothing is en-
joyed in the beginning of the operation, it wears out ; and
as to money to purchase new, when even the necessaries
of life have not yet been obtained from the soil — that is
out of the question. The privations, sufferings, and sacri-
fices of life, which even the matter of clearing must have
cost the human family, in the amount of forest now occu-
pied by the habitations of man in America, must be infinite.
How vital, indeed, how profound and dommant a passion
must the love of possession and independence be, to impel
such hosts of men to quit a quiet and mediocre mode of
life, but dependent, to seek in the forest, in the midst of
such toil as this, the happiness of calling their land and
their house their own ! The fii-st occupants can never, cer-
tainly, enjoy much of the fruit of their own labour, except
in very particular cases : but then here another mighty
passion comes in to help the soul in her heroic perseve-
rance ; there is the love of posterity, the hope of laying a
foundation for the happiness of children. The clearance of
the forest is no other than the development of these instincts
of nature.

The line along which we passed was evidently doing its
work. Numerous villages and towns were rising ; stores,
warehouses, mills, and buildings of every kind were being
put up ; new farm-houses were appearing at intervals all
along the road ; and, passing large portions of forest still
undisturbed, every now and then the eflFects of the wood-
man's axe were apparent in chasms made by the recent fall
of trees, and the partial cultivation of portions of the ground.\
Everything was life, bustle, and activity. Great numbers
of Irish were s^bn at work on the line, and at other em-
ploymeotfi ; a ireful and laborious class. One could not
help seeing the contrast betwixt these poor people and all

PART l.~PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

107

around them, even in America. The Celt hv r3 the unmis-
takable physiognomy of his race in all countries, for at least
one generation.

Before reaching our destination, we had to quit the rail-
road, and mount stages fourteen miles, the line t)eing
imfinished. I took a seat on the box to see the country,
but had difficulty enough to keep my equilibrium; the
jolting was horrible. Our course could not be called a
road, in any sense, except from the mere fact that it had
been traversed before, and we also were now passing over
it. We made our way across gullies, rivulets, rising hil-
locks, and then again sunk up to our axletrees in bogs.
We were roughly handled by great stones lying in our
course, roots of trees projecting their fibres ; and then
again by pieces of timber put into soft places, by way of
making a pavement for passengers to cross. Really this
journeying of the American stages, in the midst of a coun-
try such as we passed through this day, is a curiosity. It
would be, indeed, extremely difficult, a priori, to imagine
how the carriage was to escape being capsized many times
told ; how the horses were to keep their feet, and perform
their task ; and how the driver could possibly preserve his
scat, and pilot his vehicle through so many shoals to u
safe anchorage. Such, however, is use and experience,
that calamities rarely occur ; and though sufficiently shaken,
and not free from fear, yet we arrived safely at oiur des-
tined place of rest for the night.

The countiy through which we passed is of the nature
of an avenue cut through the forest, sometimes a mile or
two broad, and at other places less. This space is occu-
pied by splendid farms, rich and productive in the highest
degree. The farm-houses are nearly all good substantial
brick or stone buildings ; and many of them much like the
fine residences of our country gentry. There must be
gr^at comfort in this region, and, when the railroad is
finished, easy of ^cess^ it affording the means of transport

108

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.

for the produce of the soil, either to Cincinnati on the
Ohio on the one hand, or to the lakes on the other. And
one cannot help asking, If without this road and its advan-
tages industry and enterprise could do so much, what are
we to expect now that all these facilities of progress are
opened ? It must certainly become, shortly, one of the
richest tracts of country in America. This is a fine part
of the States for settlers in the farming line, if necessity or
inclination should cause them to leave their fatherland. In
case any such parties should cast their eyes on this book,
I should certainly recommend them to examine this region,
before they think of locating elsewhere.

Our resting-place for the night was a new and rising
town in the wilderness, called Urbana. We found a good
inn, and spoke for beds. While we were doing this, some
Methodist friends, who had been apprized of our coming
by telegraph, were in search of us. We called to pay a
friendly visit, and found them very agreeable ; but, having
engaged our lodging, declined a kind and hearty invitation
to take up our abode with them. On retiring to bed, I
was soon expelled by some old friends, who own me wher-
ever I go; and was obliged to go down stairs, and get
such rest as lying across some chairs would allow. While
in this posture, a number of young fellows, black and
white, assembled at the door of the house ; and I suppose
we had in them a specimen of back-wood language of the
worst sort. I had not, up to this time, heard an oath or
prctfane language of any kind since I left my native land,
either on board ship or in America ; but these young sin-
ners made up for the lack. I cannot repeat their oaths :
it is a shame to speak of such deeds of darkness ; but I
never heard since I existed such shocking profanity. This '^
sort of life no doubt prevailed — we have all kinds of testi-
mony to the faotH-imiversally, till the forests and woods
were visited by the messengers of salvation ; and a better
state of things was superinduced by then: labours.

PART I. — ^PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

100

We set out the next morning for Sandusky, and, reach-
ing that place towards night, beheld Lake Erie for the first
time. The town itself has no great beauty for the present.
It is, however, a busthng, sturring place ; and, from its
situation, must soon rise to magnitude and importance.

CHAPTER VII.

The Lakes—Erie — Pass down— Buffalo — Niagara River— Scenery on its Banks
—The Falls of Niagara^- Canada— The People— Visit the Battle-Field of Luii-
dy's-Lane— The Suspension-Bridge— St. Catharine's— Hamilton.

It was impossible to see this wonderful inland sea without
deep emotion. The evening was bright and calm, the
bosom of the lake unru£9ed by a breeze, the sun retired
in majesty and beauty behind the waters ; it was a lovely
sunset.

*' Lake Erie is three hundred miles in length, forty-six
at its utmost breadth, seven hundred and sixteen in cir-
cumference, and about fifty-six fathoms at its greatest
depth. At its northern extremity it is much exposed to
violent gales, and its navigation is both tedious and dan-
gerous. It contains, towards the west, a number of beau-
tiful islands, in which are many remarkable caverns, abound-
ing in curious stalactites. These islands are also full of
reptiles, especially rattlesnakes ; and the margin of the lake
is in many places completely covered, for many acres, with
the large leaves of the pond-lily, upon which, in the sum-
mer season, myriads of water-snakes are seen basking in
the sun. The bottom is a bluish limestone rock, and its
banks are clothed with wood, abounding in game and wild
animals." • , ^.

Some of these characteristics are rapidly disappearing.
Qn the American side, especially, large and flourishii^
towns are rising up ; the country, to the edge of the lake,
is being cultivate^^ ep^ a bjisy and thriving population is

\v-

110

TOUR m AMBRIOA.

taking the place of the wild animals fonnerly inhabiting
the jungle. The Canada side has not made the same pro-
gress ; but still the country is gradually being cleared and
occupied.

We departed from Sandusky, nearly at the top of the
lake, the mommg after our arrival. Our destination was
Buffalo, at the other extremity of the lake, so that the dis-
tance was something like three hundred miles. The day
was fine, and the view beautiful. We called at many
places to take in wood and passengers ; and among the
rest at Cleveland, a large and flourishing city, the termina-
tion of the Erie Canal, and consequently the link connecting
the Lakes with New- York and the Atlantic States. Keep-
ing near the American shore, a pretty good view was often
obtained of the country, which everywhere indicated
activity and progress.

We arrived at Buffalo the next morning. This is a large
and populous city, lull of business, bustle, and enterprise.
Its importance consists in the excellency of its harbour,
and its contiguity to Canada. A flourishing commerce is
apparent, which must constantly grow with the increase of
population. But other thoughts now occupied our jKpnds ;
we cared little for trade and business in the immediate
vicinity of one of the mh-acles of nature, — one of the won-
ders of the world. Our breakfast was late in coming, at
least so we thought in our feverish anxiety ; when it came,
it was soon despatched, and we at once mounted the " car"
for the Falls of Niagara. The distance is only twenty-two
miles, and we soon reached this celebrated spot. Our line
lay in sight of the Niagara River, connecting Lakes Erie and
Ontario. This is a most magnificent stream, studded with
beautiful islands ; one of which, called " Grand Island," is
of great extent. I listened with great eagerness long before
we approached we spot ; then listened again, as we ad-
vanced, with augmented intensity of interest, to catch the
sound of the cataract, but heard no not^ of the rush of

PART I.— PBRBONAL NARRATIVE.

Ill

** mighty waters." Arriving at the terminus, and alighting,
everything wore the same quiet aspect. No unusual sound
of any kind was perceptible, and the people seemed uncon-
scious of anything remarkable in their neighbourhood.
*' How is this ?" was the thought. " Is the giant asleep ?
Or have we been deceived by exaggerated reports respect-
ing the extent of sound arising from this waterfall ?" No-
thing then arose to solve the mystery, and nothing since haH
been suggested. And if it is true that the sound is heard
for fifteen miles, as is often asserted, it can only be in some
peculiar state of the atmosphere.

Some preliminary account seems to be necessary to any-
thing like an accurate description of the Falls thomselves.
We begin by observing, that the river divides, about a mile
above the cataract, into two streams. Tliis diviinon of the
water is not equal ; and the principal river suffers no per-
ceptible diminution, keeping on in a straight line. But at
the distance above mentioned a comparatively smau chan-
nel is formed to the right, and through this branch a por-
tion of the original river pours forth its torrent. The first
effect of this division is to form an island, denominated
GoatJMand. This smaller stream continues its course for
about a mile, and then returns to the main channel, re-en-
tering by its side some short distance below the Great, or
Horseshoe, Fall ; and the precipitous leap of this branch
stream into the bed of the main river constitutes the Ameri-
can, or Little, Fall.

The Rapids, extending for a mile above the Falls, con-
stitute another peculiarity. The descent in the course of
this distance Js about fifty-two feet, so that the velocity of
the waters from this cause necessarily becomes prodigiously
great. But this movement is not merely occasioned by
the above incline ; the phannel is, in the same space, nar-
rowed from something like three miles across to less than
one as it approaches the cataract ; the effect <tf this double
jprocess of descent and compression is to produce a vastly

v«t.

112

TOUR IN AMBBIOA.

augmented force and velocity. Whether from the wear
and rapidity of the stream, or from other causes, no one
can tell, but the channel through the whole of this space
is evidently shelved and broken, forming partial precipices,
over which the waves are constantly dashing, sending up
their foam and spray. The agitations, eddies, whirlpools,
eccentric encounters of wave with wave, and current against
current, unite to produce one of the most curious tumults
of water which can well be imagined ; and were it not for
the proximity of something more grand and noble, the
Rapids would be considered a singular exception to the
uniformity of nature, and would be visited as a relief to
the ennui left upon the mind by only seeing seas, lakes,
rivers, and all the other elaborations of the universe pro<
ducing their results in the ordinary manner.

The smaller stream above described is altogether on the
American side, and Goat Island is reached by a wooden
bridge spanning the channel. We hastened to cross this
bridge, and enter upon the magic ground of Goat Island ;
resolved, at the same tune, to leave every avenue to the
soul open to the inspirations of the moment, whether of
surprise, of raptiure, or of awe. ^f^JH

But this was found to be difficult. PrepossenRns in
visiting scenes of this nature are unfavourable to first im-
pressions, to a full admission of fine feelings, of lofty senti-
ments, or even of real and adequate conceptions. These
prepossessions, in my case, I found to be all untrue ; they
had all to be removed from my mind before even the
grandeurs which I beheld, which stood arrayed before me
in all their majesty and glory, could produce any accurate
ideal, or excite any corresponding emotion. ^'

These mental errors reached to everything ; just as the'
mind under the influence of one false impression is itself
placed in a wroi% position, and consequently becomes in-
capable of seeing anything aright. The whole scene, from
th^ oauaesy though not U^ ^xtraord^iary than I had

1 \

PABT L^PIBSONAL NARRATIVE.

lis

imagined, yet was so in a perfectly different manner to
anything anticipated. . ^

From all I had read, as well as from the testimony of
eye-witnesses, I had always supposed that the scenery
around, the country itself, was bold, lofty, sublime, —
whereas it is perfectly level. Through the same deception
I had imagined that the waters of the river must have
rushed through some mighty chasm, some prodigious rent
and fissure of mountain, broken through to form the chan-
nel, whilst overhanging rocks, hideous precipices, and lofty
peaks, frowned in awful majesty upon the current as it
passed ; but instead of this being the case, the banks are
quite even, and covered with verdure, plants, flowers, and
beautiful trees. Under the influence of the same miscon-
ception, I had next fancied that the visitor was always
placed at the bottom of the Falls, that the torrent fell at
his feet, that he had to lift up his astonished eyes to gaze
on the descending flood ; whilst, in reality, he finds him-
self at the top, on a level with the edge of the precipice,
having to look down into a frightful gulf below.

Our path across Goat Island brought us close to the
American Fall. I sat down on the roots of a tree on a
level with the crest of the cataract, and almost near ^ougli
to touch the waters with my foot. My companion, who
had often seen these wonders of nature previously, left me
alone, and amused himself by walking about the island. I
sat silent and motionless a long time, looking with a sort
of vacant astonishment on the whole scene. The thoughts,
'<It is grand! it is sublime! it is awful!" crossed my
mind, but nothing definite had fixed itself there ; all re-
mained in the same confusion, chaos, stupefaction. At
length, as if awaking from a dream, I exclaimed, " How
beautiful !" And then, in a moment, a thrill ran through
my soul like an electrical shock, which at once scattered the
mists ; and I exclaimed, loud enough to have been heard,
" Ah, yes, that is it, that b it, — ^it belongs to the beautiful !"

114

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.

Thii was a new idea, a revelation, and transformed the
whole scene in an instant into perfect unitj and glory.

With this general notion, this new instrument, I beg^
to examine the several objects around; endeavoured to
analyze, to separate, the elements, to watch the extraordi-
nary movements of the liquid machine which was moving
80 majestically around me ; and yet, at the same time, to
combine, to grasp the whole. Is beauty compatible with
sublimity ? Oan the two attributes exist in one and the
same object ? Must the sublime be necessarily devoid of
the beautiful ? must the beautiful be destitute, per se, of
the sublime ? These are questions which have engaged
the attention of great authorities. Generally speaking,
they seem to have entertained the notion that the ideas
are incompiitible ; that the beautiful and the sublime be-
long to distinct and separate departments, whether of na-
ture or of thought ; and that no imion, no harmony, no
concord of circumstilnces, can blend the beautiful with the
sublime, or the sublime with the beautiful, constituting
them one and the same object. We venture to differ from
these authorities ; and our proof, our demonstration, is the
Falls^f Niagara.

No^one doubts as to their sublimity ; the grandeur of
the scene is too palpable, too imposing, too overwhelming,
to admit of doubt on this point. The subject admits not
of reasoning, it is a matter of mere sensation. No human
being ever beheld these wonders without doing homage to
this sentiment. Many have, probably, been unable to
comprehend their own sensations as they have looked upon
the astonishing phenomena; but they have felt their
power, and been subdued into reverence and awe. It
seemed almost impossible for me to stir for a great length
of time ; an irresistible fascination seizing all my faculties,
as if overshadowed by the presence of a mystic power,
whose voice was heard in the thunder of many waters, as well
as his majesty seen in the grandeur of every object around.

PART I.— PBII80NAL VARRATIVK.

116

na-

But the sensations of pleasure and hftppiness are pro«
du^ed by the beautiful ; and, at the time, I considered
Niagara as the most sublimely beautiful object my eyes
ever beheld. Heaven was most propitious! The sun
shone forth in all his glory, the skies were lofty, blue, clear,
and stretched over an infinite span, an ample arch, such as
is only seen in such climates on a summer's day. Seated
on the roots of the tree before mentioned, I began to em-
ploy my new power, the idea of the beautiful, and soon
found its use. Above the crest of the cataract the water
was of a yellow colour ; but I saw that as soon as it passed,
with the exception merely of slight streaks of its primitive
hue, and in one or two places of green, which only height-
ened the effect, it instantly changed into perfect white.
This brilliant and dazzling white, as pure and spotless as
snow, was predominant, and gave its character to the whole
scene. By intense gazing, I next perceived that the de-
scending waters did not retain a smdOih, glassy, stream-
like suiface, but broke into crystals, as the dew-drops of
the morning, losing their watery appearance; and were
made brilliant and sparkling, like gems, by the illumination
of the sun's beams. This magnificent expanse of crystals
was next seen falling from the precipice in coimtless my-
riads, not in confused heaps, but in perfect order, as an
immense roll of beautiful drapery studded with brilliants,
and united by the force of some common element. This
unity and order is, in fact, one of the peculiarities of the
scene. It might be expected that the " flood of many wa-
tera" was dashed against stones and rocks, and broken
into fragments. Not so. The flow is perfectly regular ;
and the splendid sheet of white and dazzling fluid of gems
is seen to fall in a regular and continued stream. The
only deviation from this. regularity is the apparent forma-
tion of a beautiful curve at the Great Fall, the bend or
concave side being inward ; whilst, below, the flood of
white foam spreads itself out, like the robes of sovereignty

116

:f TOUR IN AMBRIOA. ' "^

at the feet of a mighty prince. But this splendid robe
does not present the aspect of an even surface ; it is gather-
ed into festoons, as if bO formed for the purposes of orna-
ment. The crest of the precipice is evidently uneven,
there are rocky projections ; and yet these are not suffi-
ciently great to divide and break the waters in their fall,
whilst the stream retains its unity. The effect of this is to
grasp the flood, as if by the human hand, into folds, which
fall gracefully down, and add much to the beauty of the
scene.

Here, then, is the combination of beauties seen at Niag-
ara. Let the reader imagine a rock, with a crest three
parts of a mile in length, and one hundred and sixty or
seventy feet above the level ground ; then let him imagine
some mysterious power everlastingly rolling from this crest
a robe of hoar-frost, white, dazzling, pearly, descending like
beautiful drapery, festooned and varied, yet regular in form,
with a long train spread on the level plain below ; and he
will have the best idea which I can give of the garniture
of Niagara. Conceptions are difficult, perfect description
impossible : , nature has, however, supplied us with the
power of short ejaculations in the place of all other means
of expression ; and, after gazing with indescribable intensity
on this glorious object, I could only exclaim, " It is like
beautiful robes falling from the shoulders of a goddess !'*

On returning from Goat Island, we observed several
Indian women with little trinkets, of their own manufacture,
for sale. One was a mother, and had a fine, chubby child,
on her lap. We gave the little urchin a piece of silver,
which its tiny hand with difficulty grasped ; and, after
pm'chasing a few articles, took our leave. They looked
interesting women, and deserved a better fate. Having
now seen all which could be seen on the American side, we
hastened to cross the river below the Falls. We found a
sort of reciprocity railroad contrivance, by which to let us
down the hill-side to the water's edge, a fearftil height ; the

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

117

doRcending oarriages dragging up, by their velocity, corre-
sponding carriagei with passengers and goods. The boat
by which we crossed was of the most fragile kmd, and
navigated by one man. Rain had come on ; but we ob-
tained a perfect view of the Falls, being within a short
distance ; and to me it seemed surprising that we were able
to croRS 80 near. A dense mist was now rising from the
spray and foam, giving an entirely new and interesting
aspect of the scene. The rain passed off before we crossed,
and the lun again shone. We leaped on shore without
thought ; but after walking up the ascent a short distance,
the truth suddenly rushed upon my mind, and I exclaimed,
" We are on the territories of Queen Victoria. Pull off
your hat I" at the same time doffing my own, in reverence
to the majesty of England. We ensconced ourselres at a
magnificent hotel just in front of the Falls, and saw them
in all their glory from the windows.

As soon as some necessary prehminaries were disposed
of, we went to see the Great Fall. The river at this pomt
is about three* fourths of a mile across ; the fall itself is in
the form of a crescent, the curve inward, and is often called
the Horse-Shoe Fall, by reason of its resemblance. The
descent of the water at the American Fall is one hundred
and sixty-fow feet ; and at this greater one, one hundred
and fifty-eight. Below the cataract, the river is only half
a mile in breadth, being, as we see, contracted after its
descent, while its depth is said to be three himdred feet.
This rush of water is connected with distant forces. The
liver forms the outlet of the waters of the great upper
lakes, which, together with Erie and Ontario, drain, accord-
ing to Professor Drake, of Kentucky, an area of country
equal to forty thousand square miles ; and the extent of
their surface is estimated at ninety-three thousand square
miles. These lakes contain nearly one-half of the fresh
water on the surface of the globe.
\ Qi^ an^ylDg n^ the fall, I placed myself on Table JWck,

' ■&,

#•

118

TOUR IN AMERICA.

the usual and best position to obtain a perfect view. With
all the characteristics of beauty mentioned in conneidon
with the first scene described, we have here many additional
elements brought to view. The difference is in position,
extent, greatness, and, if the term may be employed, the
unity and perfection of the object. The lesser fall is that
of a branch stream, — ^this is the parent river ; the former
finds its way into the channel from the side, the bank, —
this spans the channel itself; the crest of the smaller
precipice is nearly a straight line, — this is a beautiful curve ;
the dependent stream looks like an accident, a phenomenon,
that need not have been, and in which even now some
change might possibly be produced, — but the great fall
looks like the " everlasting hills," as, so to speak, an eternity,
an essential, original, immutable power of nature. A
stranger, having never seen this fall, would be led to ima-
gine that something extremely confused must prevail, like
the heavens in a^^ltorm, cloud crossing cloud, or like the
ocean agitated by opposing currents. Nothing can be a
greater mistake. The very opposite is the fact. The day
does not break, the tide does not flow, the planet does not
move in its orbit, with greater regularity and certainty than
Niagara. From Table Rock, or my bed-room at the hotel,
I always saw the same calm, unruflled, majestic object.
No diminution or augmentation of water appeared, but a
constant, inexhaustible roll of the torrent; nothing analo-
gous to the rise and fall of the tides, or the ebbing and
flowing of the sea, occurs, but one deep, even, everlasting
movement : winds and storms will scatter the spray before
the cataract is reached, but after the waters have passed,
they can have no effect ; they cannot turn the stream one
hair's breadth, or stop its course for a moment. There is
something perfectly awful in the idea of the imdeviating
uniformity of all the forces seen to be at work at this great
fall.
We behold motion, calm, but rapi4,^iuiinteirupted,

PAET I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

119

irresistible, eternal, — with the feeling that this motion has
been in progress for hundreds, for thousands, of years ; for
aught we know, from the beginning of time, or, at any
rate, ever since the flood. We see force and power, —
palpable, tangible, concentrated, and, to man, omnipotent,
— always at work, and unwearied, silent, majestic, like the
omnipotence of God. We contemplate a created sove-
reignty, a kind of rectoral glory, enthroned; — a power,
concentrating itself at this point in lofty grandeur, as if to
render itself visible, — then sweeping along, and, in regard
to all within its sway, helpless in resistance ; like the mighty
stream of time, bearing the fate and destiny of nature and
empires into the abyss below, the hades of all created things.
We follow the course of the waters, and see, at a prodigious
depth, a frightful gulf, scooped out as if to embrace the
descending flood, and conduct it to some new destiny ; —
as the present receives the past in its passage onward, and
impels it by a new impulse, together with all it bears on its
tide, to the mysterious future. We stretch our gaze over
this yawning deep, and perceive that the water has changed
its aspect altogether. It nojv has a milk-like appearance,
and is tossed, agitated, whirled, infuriated, — ^heaving its
bosom to an immense height, and sending forth its spray
and mist to be arched by the rainbow, and painted by sun-
beams with every variety of colour; thus imitating the
progress of human events in reducing old, great, majestic,
time-worn forms of power into chaos, and then handing
them over to other agencies to receive some new form, to
run in new channels, and push their way into an untried
destiay.

Such were the thoughts which passed through my mind ;
but who can grasp, who can describe, the combined effect ?
We have no analogies in nature. These Falls are alone in
the universe; they stand in peerless majesty; nothing is
like them. The sublimity consists in their combined majesty
and beauty. Their grandeur is not in the slightest degree

120

TOUR IN AMBBIOA.

|1-

in harmony with that of the Alpine mountains, rugged
heights, and overhanging rocks, corered with clouds, and
lost in darkness. It is rather as if nature had sat in council
with herself, to create a living emhodiment of her utmost
power, sovereign glory, irresistible force, rapid motion ; and
then throw around the representation of her visible symbol
— ^instinct with the life of many, of all, elements — a covering
of exquisite, of inexpressible, beauty.

There this living monument stands, a glorious emUem
of the majesty of God ! It has been looked upon with
wonder next to adoration by a countless number of visitors ;
these have all received different impressions, in accordance
with the structure of their nervous systems, the powers of
vision, and the faculty of combination. Many have given
their impressions to the public ; some in classic and eloquent,
impassioned and poetic, strains ; some, again, in scientific
and geological language ; — but aU have come short, all have
failed. This attempt to convey the impressions of another
soul, the feelings of another heart, is equally short of the
truth, is equally a failure. Who can describe thunder?
who can paint the rainbow ? who can exhibit the ocean in
language ? who can grasp the infinite ? God has left, in all
his dominions and works, space for imagination. Everjrthing
has its mystery, — ^nothing its limits. Niagara stands a
mystic creation, defying the admeasurements of the human
intellect. But he welcomes all who approach to indulge
the feelings of admiration, wonder, awe; — and by the
eternal roar of his glorious music, he sends up sounds of
adoration to God, and challenges for his Creator the homage
of all hearts. '^

We finish our sketch by inserting " Cora Lynn," by an,
accomplished American lady, Mrs. Sigoumey.

" lliott 'rt beaatifiil, sweet Cora Lynn,
In thy sequeatet'd place,
Thy plunge on plunge, 'mid wreathing foain,^
Abni^t, yet taU. of grace.

,f.

PARI I.— PBB80NAL NABRATIVE. l%\

Down, down with breatblesa apeed thou goest

Into thy rock-sown bed ;
Bright snnbeuns on thy glancing tobea.

Rude crags above thy head.

X Thy misty dew is on the trees,
And forth, with gladness meet,
They reach the infant leaf and bnd,

To take thy b«4>ti8m sweet.
No Clydesdale spears are flasliing nigh,

In foray wild and rude ;
Bat Con's time-roek'd castle sle^^
^. In peaceful solitude.

" What wouldst thou think, sweet Con Lynn,
Couldst thou Niagan spy,
• The mighty monarch of the West,

With terror in his eye ?
Thou 'dst fear him on liis ocean throne, i|;

Like lion in his lair ;
Meek snooded maiden, dowei'd with all
That father Clyde can spare.

*' For thou mifl^t'st perch, like hooded Urd,

Upon his giant hand ;
Nor 'midst his world of waters wake^

A ripple on his strand. ^P^

He'd drink thee up, sweet Con Lynn ,

And thou, to crown the sip,
Wouldst scarce a wheen of bal)bles make

Upon his monstrous lip.

*' Thy voice, that bids the foliage quake.
Around thy crystal brim,
Would quiver like the cricket's chirp,

'Midst bis hoarse thunder-hymn.
For like a thing that scorns the earth,

He rears his awful crest, t-

And takes the rtdnbow from the skies.
And folds it round his breast.

" Thou 'rt passing fah-, sweet Cora Lynn :

And he who sees thee lea'p
Into the bosom of the flood,

Might o'er thy beauty weep. >
But lone Niagara still doth speak

Of <3od both night and day :
And force, firom each terrestrial thought^

The gazer's soul away."

Every bode I had read, and every person with wh<Ha I

had conversed, after visiting America and Canada, united

in th«ir testimony as to Uie great diiBforence instantly felt on

122

TOUR IN AMBBIOA.

passing the boundary-line ; and this change seemed always
to be represented in favour of Canada ; while any attempt
at pointing out the nature of this contrast, its causes and
its characteristics, has never, so far as I know, been at-
tempted. The fact is indisputable. It is not a matter of
reasoning, of inference, of opinion ; it is instantly felt, as
much as in going out of a warm room into a cold atmos-
phere. What is it which produces the change ? The pre-
ference is, of course, a matter of taste. The American
temperament is by some generally preferred, and by others
the Canadian.
Let us look at the case. On the American side, the
^ple are all life, elasticity, buoyancy, activity ; on the
Canadian side we have a people who appear subdued, tame,
spiridess, as if living much more under the influence of
fear than hope. Again : on the American territory we
behold men moving as if they had the idea that their call-
ing was to act, to dhoose, to govern — at any rate to govern
themselves; on the Canada soil we see a race, perhaps
more polite than the other, but who seem to live under the
impression that their vocation is to receive orders, and
obey. Then, on the American side, you are placed in the
midst of incessant bustle, agitation; the hotels are filled,
coaches are in constant movement, railroad trains passing
and rejMusing with their passengers, while men of business
tupe seen pushing their concerns with impassioned ardour.
On the Canada shore we have comparatively still life ;
delicate, genteel, formal. ■ Moreover, on the American ter-
ritory, all along the shores of the lakes, the country is being
cleared, houses and vilhkges built, works put up, incipient
ports opened, and trade begun. On the Canada shore,
unbroken forest appears for miles, while the small openings
which have been made present themselves to view in a
very infantine and feeble state of progress.

All this was exhibited at once at our hotel itself. We
had been put down in the town pf Niagara on the Ameri*

PABT I.~PKBSONAL NARRATIVE.

128

can side, in the midst of an active population, and hastened
at once to one of several large hotels. Besides heing splen-
didly fitted up, it was full of people. In my ignorance I
had imagined that we were to take up our residence at this
place, and hastened to engage a room : in this attempt 1
foimd it difficult to obtain accommodation at all, and failed
altogether in securing a chamber which commanded a view
of the Falls. We crossed over to the Canadian village, and
found an equally commodious inn ; but the contrast was
most striking. The saloon to which we were directed was
equal to one of the American dining-rooms, capable of ac-
commodating from one hundred and fifty to two hundred
persons. What was the company ? When dinner wat an-
nounced, about ten persons sat at one end of a prodi^ous
table, receiving the good things of Providence in perfect
silence, except as broken by some common-place phrases
ofpoUteness.

. There sat at our table, on this and on all other ocoa*
sions, an old lady, the perfect personification of the state
of things around us. This lady had a dowager-like appear-
ance and air, the quintessence of politeness, with studied
movements and manners, as if she had been in the observ-
ance of punctilios for fifty years. Her dress, head-gear,
and ornaments, had been adjusted as if for a ball-room.
Our friend might have been taken from Niagara to any
saloon in St. James's, and would have surprised no one by
the transfer. Now these are the things which, no doubt,
please many of our voyageurs from this country, and cause
them to consider Canadian society as transcendently above
that of the United States. The 8%ht of that old lady would
settle the question at once on the score of gentility ; and
especially when it is added, that at the Canada hotel the
gentlemen and ladies take wine at dinner, and at the other
side of the border this is not the fashion.

There is another striking difference between the Ameri-
oans and the Canadiaps. In the firat-mentioned country,

»■

124

TOUR IK AMBHIOA.

ideas, esntiments, opmions — in fine, knowledge seems to be
considered a common stock. The people sit with their legs
across a ehair-bnok, or place them in some other derated po-
sition, and talk at their ease. On the other hand the Cana-
dian people seem to say, " Do you not know that I am a gen-
tleman? Keep your distance, sir." Then, again, the Ame-
rican officer never foigets that he is a citizen, and the citi-
zen does not forget that he is a man ; their intercourse is
p^ectly easy, free, unembarrassed ; the one class neyer
assumes an air of superiority ; the other never lowers his
status, or yields up his consciousness of equality, or his
self-respect. On the other hand, the Canadian (^cer never
remt)^s from his standing of assumed dignity, or conde-
8<iends to become the citizen ; he rarely almalgamates with
tiie people ; and they, on their part, as seldom think of
stepjnng beyond their line, and claiming equality. These
artificial distinctions have a powerful and obvious effect.
The manners of the Canadian population, being thus regu-
lated, appear much more in accordance with European
notions than their neighbours'. This circumstance, no
doubt, causes the one class to be decried as vulgar, and the
other to be praised as polite. The opinion, as we have said,
is a matter of taste. They who desire to see nature in its
genuine tendencies, will prefer the one ; they who admire
it most imder the restraints of distinctions and fashion, the
otlter. But it would be unjust in mc to say, that the
more unrestrained population are not polite ; for, in truth,
I met with nothing but the mo^t perfect politeness from
them all.

My companion, Mr. Ryerson, had desired that his horse
and gig might meet us at Niagara. And being thus
fovoured, on the second morning we set out, and, by the
help of this vehicle, visited several interesting places in the
neighbourhood. Among the rest Drummondville, so named
alter General Drummond, called some years ago Lttndy's-
iMnb, JkX this place A dreadful battle iras fought in iiife

PART I.^PBB80NAL HABEATTVE.

late war, between the British and American foreea. The
people have erected three or four " stands/' of considera-
ble elevation, ascended by a flight of steps in the inside,
for the purpose of showing the battle-field. We reached
the top of one of these stands, kept by an old soldier, who
described the course of the battle in all its details. Gene-
ral Scott, the dislingiushed commander of the American
armies in the late Mexican war, was second in command
at this sanguinary conflict. The old man pointed out a
grave-yard, belon^ng to a little Presbyterian chapel, where
the British artillery was planted. The Americans attacked
this artillery, and took it ; the English comnumder ordered
a body of infantry to advance, for the purpose of re^^ap-
turing the lost guns; and this proved successful. The
Americans, not willing to lose their prize, were brought
into deadly conflict with the British troops, in a charge of
bayonets. The old soldier descanted on the fact, that this
Ixma-fide crossing of bayonets constituted the third instance
on record of such a struggle ; in all other cases, when a
charge had been made, one of the parties invariably gave
way before they came into actual collision. On this
occasion the numbers were about equal; they closed
upon each other ; the steel flashed fire as the weapons of
death struck ; the struggle was that of man to man, of the
same blood, speaking the same language, posidbly descend-
ants of the same parents ; resolution, heroism, the strength
of muscle, the qualities of the soul, were all brought into
requisition ; blood flowed in torrents, hundreds fell on either
side ; the balance quiv^ed, sometimes turning on one side,
and sometimes on the other; the decisive moment at lengili
came, the Americans slowly retired, and the British were
left in possession of their guns, and of the ensanguined
baitle-field. And there they lay — ^^ctors and vanqiushed
—side by side, in the little burying-^und, quietly sleep-
ing now as brothers.
We turned aside from tins field of blood, to see the peace-

126

TOUR IN AMBRICA.

ML fraito of indtutiy and union, " The Niagara Sospension-
bridge." There has been a mighty amount of nonsense
published in the newspapers respecting this work of art.
How often have the British public been gulled and amused,
by articles respecting a bridge being " built over the Falls
of magara !" The bridge in question has no more to do
with the Falls of Niagara, than London bridge, except in
the fact of its closer proximity. The simple matter of fact
is, that the bridge now in progress is about a mile below ;
and instead of being *' over the Falls," is designed neither
more nor less than just to span the river. The following
is an American account : " Ibe Niagara suspension-bridge
will span the narrow gorge of the Niagara river, between
the cataract and the whirlpool, in view of both, by an arch
eight hundred feet long," (how can this be called an arch ?)
" forty feet wide, and two hundred and thirty feet above
the water. It will be supported by sixteen wire cables,
one thousand one hundred feet long, and upwards of twelve
inches in circumference. Its strength is to be equid to six
thousand five hundred tons' tension strain ; and it is to be
subjected to the most severe and conclusive tests, so as to
render it safe beyond any possible contingency. A rail-
road-track will extend through the centre, uniting the roads
terminating at the Falls ; there will also be carriage-ways,
and a foot-path. It is to be completed by the first of
May, 1849, at a cost of 190,000 dollars. The engineer is
Charles Hlet, Esq., of Philadelphia." - i

The work was in progress at the time we visited th<S site,
not, however, very far advanced. ■• v!hkit the frightful chasm
embracing the river was then crossed by — I know not what
it is called — a cable suspension, moved by a windlass
power, like the one at Clifton, near Bristol.

In the afternoon we took a last look of the Falls ; feeling
reluctant to leave so soon. But my companion having ar-
ranged for me to preach at St. Catharine's, a town some
miles across the country, I felt obliged to obey the cdl of

PART I.— PBRBOMAL NABRATIVE.

127

duty. This journey afforded me good opportunity of
judging of the progress of agriculture in Western Canada ;
and I am compelled to say, that I saw no farming in the
United States equal to that of this part of the country.
The land is exceedingly rich and good ; and cultivation, so
far as it has extended, has evidently been conducted on
an excellent principle. The crops appeared promising and
abundant.

We arrived at our destination in time for public service,
and had a good attendance. Here I beheld an unusual
spectacle ; when I gave out the hymn, the whole congre-
gation swung round, with the regularity of a regiment of
soldiers wheeling to the right-about, — ^turning their backs
upon me. I was startled, not knowing but the sight of an
Englishman had either put them into a fright, or produced
some other unpleasant sensation, till told that it was the
Presbyterian custom, and our people had learned it from
them. We are certainly a very Uammg people ; but the
sooner these St. Catharine folks, and all others, imlearn
this vile practice, the better.

On our route to Hamilton the next day, we called to
dine at Mr. Edwards's, the brother-in-law of my travelling
friend. Here I had an opportunity of seeing a farm-house
and family of the better class of Canadian farmers. Every-
thing wore an air of great comfort, abundance, and happi-
ness. The house itself, a wooden one, was very commodious,
well-furnished, and, in some sort, elegant. The land around
appeared exceedingly rich and fertile, bearing abundant
crops. We were hospitably and kindly entertfuned, having
for dinner the accustomed tip-top fare when friends of the
first consideration are entertained, — a sucking pig. After
a pleasant journey, (for the roads are much better in Canada
than in the States,) we arrived in Hamilton, and I found
myself happily lodged in the family of my kind companion,
Mr. Byerson.

The Sunday brought with it much peace and enjoyment.

121

TOUR nr AinmoA.

I preached in the mornmg at Dandas, a laige town, four
nfles from Hamilton, to a plain country congregation; and
m the erening at Hamilton. It is pleasant to find the
Bweet rest of the Sabbath in these joumeyings, excitements,
and converse with men : it brings one to Ood, and reminds
of heaven. Hamilton, named after the first settler on the
spot, is a fine and improving place ; one of the finest towns,
in some respects, if not the finest, in Canada. It is beau-
tifolly situated at the head of Lake Ontario ; is a place of
much trade, being placed in a position to enjoy the navi-
gation of the lakes, and to obtain an easy access to the
United States. A railroad, now in progress, will c(»mect
it with the west, so that its prospects of progress are great.
A rising hill, called " the Mountain," forms a beautiful back-
ground to the city, the slope of which is even now partly
occupied by splendid residences, commanding a magnificent
view of the lake. This hill has little pretensions to the
name " mountain ;" but being the only elevation of any
consideration in Western Canada, the definite article is
employed. This whole ridge is capable of being used for
building purposes ; and, no doubt, in time, both its ascent
and level plain above will be covered with the habitations
of men. We ascended this mountain, and obtained a most
beautiful prospect of the lake and country around. The
locality is ornamented by a tiny castle, the residence of Sir
Alan M'Nab, the only native titled gentleman in the pro-
vinces. The place is ill situated, in the vicinity of a swamp,
and the inmates are said to be exposed to that constant
consequence of such malaria, the ague.

. h

'':WW'

i^L

PART I.— PBiUBONAL KIMUTIVB. |d8

CHAPTER VIII.

Onturio— ToroaU^-Dr. Il7<> ion— Sir F. B. Hend— Blihop ftnehui— TIm City
— D«purtare for Kia|«toi»— Mr. Roblnton— Mr. Boltoiv— Coburf Collage—
Kingston— Pui up tite Bay of Qulntl— Belleville— Th« CaiMda Conference
—The Union— Return to Kingaton.

After spending Monday in this agreeable town, we started
on Tuesday morning for Toronto, in a fine steamer, down
the lake. The passage was enchanting ; everything con-
spired to make it agreeable. The day was splendid, the
lake unruffled, the company pleasant, the shore fine, and
bloonllng with a luxuriant vegetation.

The next morning we arrived at Toronto, and I was met
at the landing-place by my dear friend Dr. Ryerson, who
conducted me to his own house, where I lodged during
my sojourn in thb city. I was now at home with one
whom I had long known, and greatly esteemed. We talked
of old times, old friends, old troubles and misunderstand-
ings ; and could now well afford to rejoice in the altered
state of things, the union of the two bodies having been
effected ; and, especially, in the settled peace of the Me-
thodist Church in Canada.

I found my friend in possession of the office of chief
superintendent of the government-school system, now in
vigorous progress ; an office somewhat, analogous to 4hat
occupied in this country by Dr. Kaye Shuttleworth. He
was fully engaged by the duties of this post, was much
and zealously devoted to the cause, and, I have no doubt,
conducted its business with great ability. He had pre-
vailed upon the authorities to allow the old government-
house to bes occupied as a training school. This govemment-
Iiouse had been celebrated by Sir Francis Head, as the
place of his quiet slumbers, when the rebel Mackenzie and
his American sympathizers were approaching the city in
battle array ; and where he developed the wonderful re-

130

TOUR IN AHBRIOA.

■K

sources of his civil and military genius, and, as if by magic,
drove the rebel forces reeling, if not into the lake, yet back
again to the opposite shore. This was a rare man, this Sir
Francis ! However, one would like to know whether there
happened to be some thoughtful military officer awake,
when Sir Francis was so snugly asleep ? whether the science
and strategy of war had anything to do with the miracu-
lous magic which drove the rebels back? whether Sir
Francis, not being a military man, shared the toils and
dangers of the non-military inhabitants of the city, as a
volunteer? Be these things as they may, the house in
which all the wonderful feats of this gentleman were con-
cocted and performed, we now found to be occupied for
very different purposes. It is no longer a place for the
manufacture of bulletins and missiles of war, but a school
for training messengers of peace ; it no longer witnesses
such heroics as were played off by Sir Francis, but fur-
nishes a quiet home for the development of such faculties
as the youth of Canada may happen to possess, to enable
them to benefit their fellow-countrymen.

These schools are truly national, not denominational.
The system is very much like the British, or Borough-road
scheme ; the Bible, in the authorized version, is employed
daUy, and the more specific teaching left in the hands of
ministers and parents. Schools are planted through the
whole country, so that the children of the poor have now
the means of obtaining a good education. The moral and
religious advantages of this must be immense ; and, in due
time, will tell most beneficially on the state of the people.
An educated population is growing up ; their improved in-
telligence and morals will blend with general society, and
the effects be seen in all their ramifications and interests.

The district-meeting was sitting in Toronto ; so that I
had the opportunity of judging of the state of things in the
Canadian body, so far as they were developed by the pro-
ceedings of this assembly. Poverty pressed upon the

PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

181

brelhren ; their deficiencies in many of the circuits were
ooniiderable, which they had not tJie means of meeting ;
and the preachers were obliged to bear the loss themselves,
which they did without murmuring. Their religious state
was found to be good ; they had increased in numbers al-
most everywhere, and progress was apparent in every de-
partment.

On Sunday I had the happiness to preach twice, in Ade-
laide and Richmond-street chapels, to spiritual and lively
congregations. Whilst at this city, Dr. Ryerson took me,
amongst other visits, to pay our respects to the lord bishop
of Toronto, Dr. Strachan, a Lowland Scotchman, one
would say by his stature ; possessing all the shrewdness
and toot of his countiymen ; a clever man of business,
having long had much influence in public affairs. We
found he had lost none of the brogue of the north ; and to
listen to the sounds of his voice one would have supposed
the place of interview to have been Glasgow instead of
Toronto. We were very politely received, and after half
an hour's conversation on general questions, took our leave.

Toronto is beautifully situated on Lake Ontario ; the
country is level, but free from swamp, and perfectly dry ;
the city is new, but there are many excellent buildings ;
imd King-street is about the finest in America : the shops
of this street are not stores, but finished and decorated in
English style ; and, in appearance, would be no disgrace
to Regent-street, if placed by its side.

After spending four or five days at Toronto, we took our
departure for Kingston on Monday morning. On board
the steamer we met Chief-Justice Robinson, and Mr. Bol-
ton, late Chief-Justice of Newfoundland, now a resident in
Toronto, and one of the members of the House of Assem-
bly. Th^se gentlemen belonged to different grades in
politics ; Mr. Robinson being at the head of the conserva-
tives, and the leading member of the late government;
whilst Mr. Bolton belongs to the Liberals, and supports

182

TOUR IN AMERICA.

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♦

the present party in power. They were going on circuit,
the one as a judge, and the other as counsel. We found
them veiy agreeable men, Chief-Justice Robinson being
evidently a man of first-rate intellect and mental power.
Mr. Bolton, whom I met again on board the " America,"
on my return to this country, complained much of the
treatment he had met with in connexion with his office of
chief-justice in Newfoundland. He had quarrelled with
the popish power on that island ; and in the dispute, the
home-government, in Lord Melbourne's time, had, as usual,
taken part, as he said, with the Papists. He was ob-
structed in the discharge of his duties by open violence ;
the popish bishop offered to help him out of his difficulties
if he would allow his official influence and commands to
pass through his hands to the people ; by this, proposing
to put the judge's office in commission, the bishop being
the chief commissioner. This he indignantly spumed, and
determined that the law should be enforced by the civil,
the constitutional power. This brought the judge into im-
mediate collision with the popish party ; and disputes, agi-
tations, and riots ensued. He was in danger of personal
violence ; and his wife, a Romanist herself, took sides with
her husband, and heroically sheltered him from his enemies.
The issue was dismissal from office. The civil power, the
o(Mistitution, the flag of Queen Victoria, were made, as was
always the case in those times, to succumb to popish vio-
lence. Mr. Bolton could never extort from the home
government, either by personal application, or by getting a
friend to push the matter in the Commons, any explanation
of the cause of his dismissal, though he knew perfectly,
that it was done to gratify, to conciliate, the papists. His
notions of the Romanists on the one hand, and of their
friends and patrons, the then British government, on the
other, were anything but favourable to either.

Towards evening we reached Coburg, where these gen-
tlemen left us. The captain had the politeness to remain

* \

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

138

>»

longer than his usual time, to allow us to run up and take
a hasty glance at Victoria College. Nature could not fur-
nish a finer site. The building stands on an eminence be-
hind the town, commanding a most glorious view of the
lake and surroundmg country. It was vacation-time ; we
did not consequently see the young men. It is a fine in-
stitution, and promises to be of great benefit to the Me-
thodist Church in Canada. After regaling our sight with
this lovely scene, we hastened on board, and were soon
again in motion : such is life.

We arrived at Kingston the next morning, and hoped to
go on immediately to Belleville, our destmation, and the
town where the Canadian Conference was appointed to be
held. Our expectations, however, were doomed to be dis-
appointed. A steamer had been engaged to take us ; but
behold, on our arrival we found, to our consternation, that
a telegraphic communication had been sent, countermand-
ing the order ; and the vessel having been despatched to
Montreal, no other could be obtained. I had risen in great
pain and misery, and was obliged to go to a friend's house,
and lie on the sofa all day. In consequence of this disaster,
I had little opportunity of seeing Kingston.

At night, an hour or two before dark, we began our voy-
age up the Bay of Quinti, one of the loveliest pieces of
water in Canada, and surrounded by fine and beautifully
wooded banks. Our steamer was a miserably poor afiair ;
our accommodations indifferent ; the night wet and cold ;
and, to complete the discomfort, a number of our brethren
placed themselves just against the door of my cabin, sup-
posing I was asleep, and indulged themselves in conversa-
tion till about one o'clock. Altogether, it was a most
miserable night. We arrived at Belleville towards nine
o'clock ; and) as soon as we had finished breakfast, pro-
ceeded to open the conference, and begin business.

Most of the brethren had arrived, and we mustered
more than a hundred men, The business was chiel9y rou-

184

TOUR IN AMERICA.

tine, and not of much public interest. The union had
been effected the year before, by the good-will and co-
operation of nearly all parties, but chiefly by the prudence
and indefatigable exertions of Dr. Alder. He laboured at
this laudable task with great ability and perseverance, and
happily succeeded in his exertions. In all such conditions
of the church as obtained in Canada, there must, of course,
be hostile elements, — passions and prejudices called forth
by former antagonistic operations ; things in themselves of
little consideration are elevated, in the opinion of dispu-
tants, to the importance and dignity of principles ; imagi-
nary interests, honour, and consistency are considered as at
stake ; and, moreover, the separate movements of the par-
ties will be thought by themselves to embody the cause of
God. These difficulties stood in the way of the union so
happily effected. When the good men, — ^for they are
good men, — of both parties came to consider the question
dispassionately, their judgment was convinced, and their
prejudices so far gave way, as to lead them to assent to the
proposition of union. But it may easily be seen that it
would require a skilful hand to manage these clashing in-
terests, and bring all parties into a state of harmony. By
the good providence of God, this experienced pilot was
found in Dr. Alder: his knowledge of the men, his ac-
quaintance with the work, his influence in the country, all
came in to aid his excellent judgment ; and a work was
accomplished on which he and all parties will have cause
to reflect with great satisfaction. To heal divisions, to re-
move stumbling-blocks, to bring brethren estranged from
each other by misunderstandings into a state of unity, —
must surely be considered a good work, and in agreement
with the entire spirit of the Gospel.

We heard little on the subject at conference, except
exultations that the measure had been effected. The few
preachers who had expressed opposing sentiments the
year before, were now not only satisfied, but became zeal-

r#r'''

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

0U8 eulogists of the measure. We heard not a word of
dissatisfaction from any portion of the people; though I-^
have understood that smce, on the removal of their pastor,
an Englishman in connexion with the British Conference,
the people in one place have taken occasion to revolt, and
some have left the hody. On the whole, the miion may
be considered as complete, and to work well. It is to be
hoped that the issue will be seen in the extension of true
religion, and the revival of the work of God.

I found that many, probably one-half, of the preachers
are Englishmen. They are laborious and diligent in their
work, are men of good sense and sound piety, much attach-
ed to all the distinctive characteristics of Methodism, alive
to the progress and prosperity of the work in which they
are engaged, and prepared to endure much privation for the
accomplishment of the object of their desires and prayers.
They have already done much in the cultivation of Western
Canada; their chapels, schools, and religious institutions,
are numerous, and on a respectable scale; their circuits
pervade the enture country, embracing the back settlements
and outposts, as well as the cities and larger towns : the
character and moral influence of the Church are such as to
command the respect of the entire community; and as
population progresses, and the resources of the country are
developed, this people must, in the ordinary course of events,
become an increasingly great and influential body.

We closed our business on Thursday, June 15th, at
noon ; thus accomplishing our work in a week and one day.
It required close attention, much evening labour, no super-
fluity of talk, good order, and brotherly kindness, to bring
this about : all of which were happily observed. Many of
the good brethren seemed surprised at themselves when
they had done ; they imagined the thing impossible. We
broke up, as we had continued together, in great harmony
and concord. For myself, I left them with unfeigned
regret and entire affection ; and they will never be forgotten,

■*

186

TOUB IN AMERICA.

tbey wHl never cease to be objects of my most cordial
esteem and regard.

It had been my happiness to be entertained at the house
of Mr. Flint, a member of the Assembly, and a most kind-
hearted man. Our pleasure was, however, in some measure
r abated by the circumstance of his*being afflicted with ague,
which came upon him at regular periods of the day, and
I "XKluced the most depressing prostration. Mrs. Flint is u
most chaiming and excellent lady, and did her utmost to
make our abode in the family agreeable and happy. From
these kind friends we parted with sincere regret, and prayers
for their continued happiness.

Nothing is so pleasant as to recount kindnesses; but
when all are kind, it is difficult to select instances without
appearing invidious. But I must confess, in parting with
my Canadian brethren, that I should be most ungrateful
were I not to say, that from Mr. John Ryerson, in a long
journey through the States as well as Canada, by residence
and fellowship at Pittsburgh, at Hamilton, at Belleville,
down the St. Lawrence, to tiie very end of cur intercourse,
— I received nothing but the most cordial acts of kindness ;
not, I am sur&, so much on my own account, as to betoken
his respect for the Methodist Conference in this country.
Ouj* friend, the Rev. Enoch Wood, Superintendent of
Missions, residing at Toronto, I found to be a very able
man ; and universally respected for his excellent character,
ability, and devotedness to the service of his Divine Master.
It was, moreover, refreshing to meet once more with our
old brethren and acquaintance, Peter Jones and Jolm
Sunday They hold on their way, retain all the freshness
of religion, devote themselves to the work of God among
their countrymen, and do much good. John Sunday made
us a missionary speech with as much spirit as ever, height-
ened by the interest he felt — and caused us to feel^from the
fact that he was brought to God at Belleville, in the ohapel
in which he was then speaking for his heavenly Master,

I r

^^^

PART I.—WmSONAL NARRATIVE.

Another noble evangelist, whose name is perfectly familiar
to our people in this country, also attended the conference,
— the Key. William Case ; a man of beautiful simplicity,
fine sense, great moderation and charity, fervent piety, and
most abundant and useful labours. There are men in
Canada destined, as I hope, to perpetuate and carry out to
a blessed consummation the good work already existing.

We embarked on board the steamer about four o'clock
on the day we finished our confeience business, and made
our way rapidly down the Bay of Quinti. The daylight
remained for many hours, so that I obtained a prolonged
view both of land and water. The whole scenery was most
enchanting : the banks were covered with unbroken forests,
with rich blue foliage, bending to the water's edge ; and
were studded, here and there, with flourishing villages and
fertile farms. At the close of day we landed, and found a
fine little town, situated in a singular nook formed by an
inlet of the bay, and apparently lost in the midst of the
forest. The night was passed in tranquillity ; and early in
the morning we found ourselves at Kingston. I now saw a
little more of this i?ity ; it is situated in a most lovely local-
ity, and it may be fairly doubted whether any inland town
in the world can vie with it, in either its astonishing conflu-
ence of waters, or, in some respects, beautiful scenery.
Placed at the extremity of Lake Ontario, and at the head
of the St. Lawrence, Kingston commands the navigation of
both. By the river, it is connected with the Atlantic, and
consequently with Europe; and by the lakes, with the
interior of Canada and the United States. Its military
strength, moreover, gives it the complete command of the
channel and of the country ; and in any war with America,
it must be considered as the key of the St. Lawrence, and
y^U cost Jonathan a severe struggle to master. We hope
this tug of war may never arise ; if it should, the fate of
Kingston must have much influence in settling the question,
as to who shall be masters of Canada.

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188

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.

CHAPTER IX.

Tlie St. L»wrence~The Thooiand Iilandt— The Rapids—Montreal— The City
—Hie Cathedral— The Methodist Chapel— Storm— The Earl of Elgin— The
Romanists— Passage to Quebec— The City— The Plains of Abraham— General
Wolfe— Fortifications— A Rural Repast— FaUs of Montmorenci— The French
Habitans— Reflections on Canada.

Our steamer from Montreal was awaiting our arrival ; and
after some time we got on board, and were soon off again,
for fresh scenes and a new destination. We at once got into
the current of the St. Lawrence, and found ourselves in the
midst of, I should think, the most perfect faiiy-scene in the
world, — ^the Thousand Islands. These islands are so called,
not because they have been counted, — a definite being put
for an indefinite number. They extend, from the singular
union of waters by the termination of the Lake Ontario, the
Bay of Quinti, and the head of the St. Lawrence, for a
space of thirty miles. They are of every size and form,
though never attaining any great elevation; and are all
covered with trees and shrubs. Our passage lay in the
midst of this wonderful group, through which we threaded
our course safely, though it needed the most skilful pilotage.
Some of the islands appeared to occupy a considerable
space on the bosom of the flood; but one isolated little
thing, just standing in our course, and requiring some tact
to avoid, looked exactly like a flower-pot, with one plant
growing in its centre, of diminutive size, reaching only the
elevation which its scanty soil could nourish. So true is
nature to her laws ! Had this tiny shrub risen higher, the
winds would soon have levelled and sent it floating in the
water. ,

The day was clear, the sun bright, the winds soft and
genial : could anything more perfectly remind one of Pava-
dise than this scene ? No ruined castles, it is l^rue, graced
these islands ; no rising turrets, covered with ivy, mantled
these spots of primitive beauty ; no baronial traditions, no

.i%k

PART I.— PBRSONAL NARRATIVE.

189

deserted halls, no banqueting-rooms, once the scenefi of
revelry, of love, and of revenge, n ere here open to mspec*
tion. All was simple, primeval; — ^nature clothed in her
own attire of leafy loveliness. Not a building, not a cottage,
was seen. No ascending smoke, no signs of human life,
no bleating animals, no ploughman's note, no stroke of the
woodman's axe, no labours of the spade or hoe, were any-
where visible ; silence and repose reigned in these islands, —
which, in ancient times, would have been peopled, in the
imagination of poets, with nymphs and goddesses, — ^without
one interrupting sound, except the whispers of the wind.
Nature lay undisturbed in her own soft bed ; cradled in the
waters ; rocked by the elements ; and soothed by the rip*
pling stream as it passed along. This simple, primitive
state of things, has always been, from the time when God
first spoke creation into existence ; or, certainly, from the
period when, some convulsion breaking off these fragments
from the main land, he stretched out his hand to place
them in their present position, to show his love of beauty,
and teach mankind lessons of grateful admiration.

One only inhabitant has been known to dwefl on these
islands, a sort of freebooter, who made them the head-
quarters of his piracy for some time. He shifted his abode
as occasion dictated, in order to avoid detection; and,
sallying forth upon passers-by, feeble enough to tempt his
cupidity, plundered them of their effects, and then hastened
to his lurking-places in the islands, to enjoy the spoil.
He was at last detected, and is now expiating his offences
in some distant prison, or living at large with the brand of
infamy upon his forehead, as the violater of the sanctities
of a spot hallowed to innocence, peace, and beauty.

In the course of the day we passed down the Rapids,
rendered classical by Tom Moore's celebrated " Canadian
Boat Song." They are perfectly frightful. The descent is
considerable, the river narrow, the current impetuous, the
rocks turning the stream into foaming and dashing fury.

TOUB IN AMBBIOA.

liko the waters of the sea on a shelving shore. A perfect
knowledge of the channel is necessary in the pilot, a keen
eye, a strict and vigilant watchfulness : if any of these
should be wanting, or an accident in any way happen ; if
the ship, from any cause, should refuse to obey the helm,
in the smallest degree; destruction would be inevitable.
In one place the bend of the river is so abrupt, and the
angle so acute, that one would suppose the vessel must go
headlong against the shore. Such, however, was the skill
of our pilot, that at this point we suddenly wheeled round
with the current, and passed safely the whole course of the
Rapids.

We lay to for the night a few miles above Montreal, having
other Rapids to pass, and the day-light not serving. Early
<m Saturday morning we were again in motion, and passed
the frightful flood of agitated waters. No vessel can pass
up these Rapids ; and to facilitate the navigation, the Wel-
land Canal has been constructed. A noble work this !
Vessels of great tonnage can ascend this canal, and by
these artificial means an easy communication is secured up
the river to the Lakes. About nine miles from Montreal,
we were met by several friends, who conducted us by rail-
road to the city. One of these friends, the Honourable
James Ferrier, took me to his own house, where I was
domiciled during my stay in the place. I found with this
fine family a very happy home. It was never my pleasure
to meet with a more perfect Christian household than this.
Parents and children seemed to be actuated by the same
spirit ; the one by the most tender but judicious paternal
affection, and the young people vnth devout and deferential
filial regard.

I was immediately conducted to see the curiosities of the
place. Montreal wears the appearbhce of the olden times ;
the stately and majestic cathedral being its chief ornament.
We went first of all to inspect thb building ; and found
t^H^ its interior, (»mamei^, and pictures, in tbe usual sl^jf

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PART I.^PBRSOMAL KABRATIVE.

141

of the popish church, did no discredit to its external mag-
nificence. Various superstitions and follies were then, and
hftd long heen, going on. Among the rest, a bell, said to
be iiciavier, and every way larger, than " Great Tom " of
Lincoln, was suspended by machinery, employed for the
purpose, waiting to bo baptized the day following ; which
ceremony was performed with great pomp, attended by
immense crowds of people. Nothing is done without pay
in popery ; and all who witnessed this baptism of the bell
were obliged to pay for their devotions or amusement. A
beautiful hill is seen in the back-ground of the city, as
usual, covered with fine shrubs and trees. The ascent is
filled with houses, — some, very large and splendid gentle-
men's villas. Around this hill Mr. Ferrier took me for a
ride in the evening, and the scenery was most lovely. We
passed the country residence of the Governor- General ; no
very splendid place, but finely situated, in perfect seclusion.
On Sunday I preached twice, — in the evening in the
large chapel. This is by far the most spacious, beautiful,
and splendid chapel I have seen in Methodism, at home or
abroad ; and the congregation corresponds. It is quite as
great as any of the Yorkshire chapels, and much more
elegant, and well furnished. The day was, as I think, the
hottest I ever lived through, the thermometer being about
a hundred and forty in the sun. During the evening ser-
vice a thunder-storm came on^ with overwhelming torrents
of rain. The thunder was so loud, that I could scarcely
hear my own voice ; and this lasted a good part of the
sermon. The lightning was of the same terrific nature ;
and some of the lower wmdows abutting against high
ground, about level with themselves, the nun rushed
through in torrents ; so much so, as greatly to wet and
discompose the dress of inany of the females sitting in that
part of the building. Altogether, it was a most distressing
seaswi.
. The following day we wnited upoalSieQovemor-General,

142

TOUR IK AMRRIOA.

at Oovernment-house, in the city. In the «nte-room we
found a fine old popish priest, waiting for an audience.
This was a most intelligent man, frank, open, affable ; the
very opposite of the Jesuit class. We conversed freely
with this priest on various matters, and were pleased to
find that a bad system had not succeeded in defacing the
characteristics of a noble nature. On being called into the
presence of his Excellency, we were very courteously re-
ceived. Lord Elgin is, in appearance, bearing, and de-
meanour, a fine specimen of the British peer. We had,
however, in him, a clear evidence of the nature of the re-
sponsible government principle, as understood in Canada,
and as it is being carried out by the British authorities.
He could not be prevailed upon to give any answer to our
inquiries on the business we had come upon, nor even so
much as give an opinion. He told us he would lay the
matter before his council ; and we could get no further
than this. My companions were astonished, and not much
pleased at this ; not understanding how a Govemor-Oeneral
should not himself settle a question of the nature proposed,
and at once decide the whole case. For myself, I confess,
that I was neither surprised nor displeased, well understand-
ing, that if the principles of the British constitution are to be
carried out literally in Canada, the representative of the
soveref^ cannot act as if he were the representative of an
absolute monarch ; he must take counsel with his ministers,
council, or whatever else his advisers may be (galled. This
principle, in one form or other, no doubt, had much to do
in paving the way for the severance of the colonies, now
constituting the United States, from the mother country.
Its adoption may have the same effect in Canada ; but how
it is to be got rid of, in the present state of things, or whe-
ther desirable, if it could, are difficult questions to solve.
In the present state of the world, absolute or irresponsible
power is out of the queslioh, at any rate, in regions which
h lye been blessed with British role. .^„^

>-;c^/

itf

. .^lisgi

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PABT i.'Phuional narrative.

148

• With a view to ascertain the fact, I examined the names
over the shops and places of business, both in Montreal
and afterwards in Quebec, and found that they were nearly
all English and Scotch. The bulk of the population being
French, it is clear from this, that our countrymen have
pushed the French inhabitants into the obscure parts of
these cities, and obtained for themselves the command of
the chief trade and commerce of the country. This, indeed,
b notoriously the case. The original founders of these
cities are now seen inhabiting small dwellings in the obscure
and meaner streets, keeping little fruit and hucksters' shops,
and other trades of a similar description. They are re-
ported as very inert, improvident, and careless ; they even
alienate their lands without much concern, though natu-
rally addicted to a rural life ; and, like the Irish, seem to
claim kindred with the soil on which they have been bred.
They appear, in themselves, a very harmless race, are alto-
gether under the influence of their political chiefs and
priests, and, consequently, easily excited ■ one way or
other, and never think of acting for themselves. Educa-
tion, and, indeed, information of every kind, is at a very low
ebb among them ; and I was told by the highest authority
in the country, on this subject, that it was extremely diffi-
cult to get them to employ the government grant for
educational purposes ; the treasurer always having a large
sum of unappropriated money belonging to them in hand.
It will be in the recollection of many, that Lord Mel-
bourne's government restored the island of Montreal to the
order or society of St. Sulpice, to whom it was originally
granted by the French king ; but in the midst of the con-
fusions of the world, arising out of the French revolution,
the society becoming extinct, or from some other cause, it
had been alienated to the crown. The society having been
revived in the general resuscitation of popery, the right
had been restored, in the desire to conciliate popery, so
that the fee-simple of the whole island now bel(»|g8 to this

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TOUR IN AMBRICA.

..i***

body. I was told, on good authority, that, on every trans-
fer of property, by fine, or the renewal of lease, the priest-
hood obtain a sum equal to eight shillings in the pound, as
their share in the transaction. The island being large ; the
city now being made the seat of government ; the commer-
cial transactions of the place being extensive; and, alto-
gether, this being the most flourishing port in Canada ; it
results that the revenue derived from these sources is enor-
mous. Certainly, popery presents here the aspect of great
wealth, and evidently occupies a commandhig position.
Their fetes far transcend, in splendour and cost, those of
any other country, in the present day ; and while the
Church of Rome seems in a state of decay everywhere else,
it is in great life and prosperity under the British dominion
in Canada. But little impression has ever been made upon
it by Protestantism ; and it is evidently as imdisturbed and
secm'e in its supremacy, as if the country had remained
under the sway of the Bourbons. The industry of the
British people, in the mean time, by its restored title to the
proprietorship of the island, tends to enrich the church and
build up its power ; every shilling which is expended in
impro\ements, as the fruit of British enterprise and indus-
tr}', puts, as we see, more than one-third into the pockets
of the priests.

I found, also, that the Jesuits were earnestly urging their
claim to their forfeited possessions. When the society be-
came extinct, they, of course, lost their rights of property
in the country. They were in possession of numerous
houses, large tracts of land, and privileges of various sorts,
when in their days of power and glory. When in Quebec,
I lodged exactly opposite a large building, once a college
of Jesuits, now employed as barracks. The nature of theu*
influence, the extent of their possessions, (for they must
have enjoyed pay and food, as well as lodging,) and their
numbers, may be pretty accurately judged of by this build-',
\fig. It is, I should believe, large enough to hold a re^

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

145

'great

ment of ioldiers; and, supposing Jesuits would require
acoommodation superior to the army, it would certainly
accommodate, even in that case, not less than five or six
himdred. Whether, in the progress of conciliation, — ^for
00 many years followed by the British government, — ^this
Jesuits' college and their other possessions will ever be re-
stored, it is impossible to say. The local government is,
at present, resisting the claim ; and I read, when in the
country, very able articles from the pen of one of the chief
functionaries against concedmg these claims. This 'i& pro-
bably the security of the country. Society at large, having
an interest in preseiTing the present settlement of property,
and in keeping themselves free from the dominion and yoke
of the Society of Jesus, may possibly be able to resist the
encroachments sought to be made ; whereas, if the matter
were entirely in the hands of the home-government, nothing
would be more likely than Jesuitical success, and for the
world to see them again installed in the college at Quebec,
as well as enjoying all other kmds of property and power,
—now enhanced a thousand-fold by Protestant enterprise
and labour.

The steamers only pass between Montreal and Quebec
by night ; and on Monday evening I embarked with Mr.
Ferrier, Dr. Eichey, the Rev. John Jenkins, and other
friends, for the latter place. We had a pleasant night-trip,
sitting up late to see Mr. Ferrier off, who had to land at
Three Eivers, for the purpose of attending to business in
connexion with some iron-founding operations; the only
works of the sort, as I understood, in the country. ^

Mr. Ferrier, and a fine old gentleman, one of the owners
0t the steamer in which we were passing down the river,
had a long debate respecting steam navigation. This latter
gentleman I found, in connexion with his father, was the
first to employ steam power on the St. Lawrence, and had
been very suooesstul in hk vocation. I learned from this
conversation many things respecting American steamers,

i"fc

r.*

►'"'"

146

TOUR IN AMERICA, t^'

of which I had before been ignorant. I had seen that
these vessels possessed amazing space, especially on deck,
giving them the means of providing a splendid saloon and
beautiful state-rooms by their sides for passengers, and an
equally fine promenade on the outside, where I had often
sat or walked, enjoying^ the fresh air, and looking at the
surrounding country. I found now that this space was
gained by projections from the sides of the vessel in the
form of beams or spars, and on these projections a platfoim
considerably wider than the vessel itself was obtained.
But was there no danger of the steamer, in case of a
squall arising, turning over on her beam-ends ? To obviate
this, it seems, an instrument, on the principle of the cork-
jacket employed by amateurs in swimming, is placed on
each side ; so that, in case the vessel reels, she is righted
again by this instrument. It was told me that by the use
of these appliances, it is impossible for any vessel in any
weather to be capsized. The argument of these two clever
and experienced disputants turned on the possibility of
crossing the Atlantic in one of these flat-bottomed steamers
so guarded ; Mr. Ferrier taking the affirmative side, and
our other friend the negative. All manner of science was
brought to bear on the points in dispute ; and whether
it might be more profitable to employ this species of ship,
I know not ; but think, from what I heard, that it is pos-
sible to cross the ocean in one of these flat-bottomed
American river vessels, sufficiently guarded by the cork-
jacket. Our countrymen need not be surprised if they see,
some day, in the Mersey, a grand flat-bottomed steamer,
with a saloon as magnificent as the drawing-room of a
palace, and state-rooms as convenient and beautiful as the
sleeping apartments of a first-rate hotel.

We reached our destination in good time in the morning.
Quebec is unique in its appearance within and without ;
there is nothing equal to it in America. Like New- York
and Pittsburgh, it stands on the point formed by two rivers;

/
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,>A

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PART 1.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

147

though not, Uke them, meetmg in terminia. The majestic
St. Lawrence is one of these rivers, and still rolls along its
course ; and the other is the St. Charles, emptying itself into
the greater stream from the north-west, and thus forming
the triangular point on which the city stands. It wears, in
its general aspect, an appearance of great antiquity, quite
unlUce any other place on the continent. The streets are
narrow, irregular, and steep ; like many of the old seaports
on our coast, or those of France, on the opposite side of the
Channel. The ecclesiastical buildings of all sorts — cathe-
drals, (for there are two, Popish and Protestant,) churches,
convents, hospitals, Hdtels deDieu, and all the rest — ^are
seen to predominate over everything secular — Uke some old
cathedral town in a Popish country. This feature, together
with iha mihtary air of the place, causes Quebec to wear
an ai^:i . <:i and feudal appearance, perfectly dissimilar
to the tr»v>aiig and commercial aspect of all other places in
America, whether belonging to the States, or to Great
Britain.

As soon as possible after our arrival, the friends had two
or three carriages ready to convey us roimd the city, under
the projecting rocks overhanging the road, to Wolfe's Cove
— up the heights leading to the fortifications — to the Pltuns
of Abraham — and to Cape Diamond.

It must be understood that thes angle referred to before,
formed by the two rivers, terminates, not in a slope leading
down to the waters, but abruptly, in a prodigious rock
three hundred and fifty feet above the level of the river ;
and seeming at a distance to overhang it, but in reaUty
leaving space for roads and buildings. This culminating
; point is called Cape Diamond ; and, while standing on this
elevation, on the right flows' the St. Lawrence, and on the
left the St. Charles, while the space immediately in the rear
forms the Plams of Abraham. From this elevated region,
there is no descent at all — the rock is next to perpendicular ;
but farther on, both towards the St. Lawrence and the St.

■ Ml ;

TOUR IN AMERICA.

V I

Charles, the ground, in some places gradually, hut often
ahruptly, descends : this descent, however, admits of roads,
winding round the mountain, hy which the summit is reached.
I am thus particular, for a reason which must now be
eicplained. When this city was taken by the immortal
Wolfe, he, by some mirioulous means, in the night, pushed
his fleet, with his army and artillery on board, from below,
past this Cape Diamond, with its terrible fortifications,
unobserved by the enemy, and reached a part of the hill
where an ascent was possible, now called Wolfe's Cove.
His troops immediately climbed up the sides of the eleva*
tion ; and by prodigious exertions dragged up several pieces
of ordnance. When the next day dawned, the French
general found, to his astonishment, the British army, with
artillery, formed, in line of battle, on the Heights of Abra^
ham. I was conducted by my friends through the whole
of this scene. We traced the course of the fleet up the
river, its anchorage, the place where the troops disembark^
ed, the track of the artillery, of the soldiers up the moun-
tain ; and I, for myself, determined to climb up in the path
which tradition has marked as the identical line which was
trodden by the immortal hero, who added, by his genius
and bravery on this occasion, an empire to his country's
possessions. When at the top, we, in our ummMt&ry and
t^nprofessional way, endeavoured to trace the course of
events, and bidieve we obtained a pretty accurate notion
oi the battle. Th<^ i^ue is known. The spot where Wolfe
received the 1|$&i^, " They flee," and then expired, is
mariced by a niean and paltry monumental stone. I clung
with intense feeling to this spot ; looking again and again
to the place where the destinies of a mighty country were
fixed, by the decrees of Ood, in the death-throes of the
successful instrument. There are events in history which
turn the tide of nationid interests ; form the epochs of
time; raise. the monunients of great destinies; pillars
written upon by the finger of God, in the annals 6t tho

PABT L-~JPBRSONAL NABBATIYB.

149

world, as the data of nationalities : and that littte monu-
mental stone on the summit of the Plains of Abraham is
one of these mementos.

We went from this scene to exanune the fortifications.
These are denominated the Gibraltar of Ameriofty and are
certainly the sti ngest on the contiaent. But they are not
much like Gibraltar. The celebrated batteries of the latter
fortress are pretty familiar to my recollection, and greatly
surpass their supposed type at Quebec. One would say,
however, that these are perfectly impregnable, having been
much strengthened since they came into the hands of the
English. We went to the Cape Diamond rock ; and, stand-
ing on its elevation, obtuned a most magnificent view of
the country around. The glorious St. Lawr^ice rolls ma-
jestically at the foot of the mountain, and the ships in the
harbour looked most diminutive, their masts reaching but a
very short way towards the point where we stood. The
country is seen to a prodigious distance by reason of the
clearness of the atmosphere; the mountains and plains
alternately stret^jhing in fine plateaux, or rearing their heads
to the clouds. The scene also presents to view, what is
scarcely ever seen in America, a finished picture. The land
is well cultivated, and herds of cattle were grazing quietly
in the meadows ; while the whole country was dotted with
the whitewashed cottages of the French habitam ; and
here and there through the landscape a country church
reared its beautiful spire in the midst of the rural scene.
The river was seen to an immense distance, moihdering its
course towards the sea. Altogether, the view from Cape
Diamond is one of the most splendid ima^nable, and far
surpassed anything I had seen in America. Western Ca-
nada is, with the exception of what they call " The Moun-
tain," perfectly level ; but this part of the country is full
of lofty ridges, often rising to the elevation and ruggedness
of real mountain scenery, with bold and abrupt peaks, lost
in the clouds.

l&O

TOUR IK AMERICA.

We were taken to dine in the country, a distance of four
or five miles, with a fine old Methodist friend, originally
from Guernsey. The table was spread under the umbiti-
gebus breaches of a lovely tree, on a lawn near the house ;
and on this spot, protected from the rays of the sun, we
partook of our social repast in great harmony and joy.
Th& was a bright oasis in the desert of life, an innocent and
happy meeting of Christian friends, favoured to see each
other once, never to meet again. This house possesses
some traditional importance, as it was chosen by the famous
American general, Arnold, for his head-quarters, and whero
he himself lodged, in his mad expedition against Quebec.
This man afterwards turned traitor against his country ;
and it was in connexion with his perfidy, in delivering up
West Point to the English, that the brave and accom-
plished Major Andr^, employed by the British general to
negotiate the surrender of that place, fell into the hands of
the Americans, ani lost his life. Strange things happen
in the course of one's existence. I had been reading, on
my voyage out, a very minute account of these transac-
tions ; and now it was my lot to dine, not in the house of
Arnold's head-quarters, but under a tree by its side, which
he had often looked upon, and, if he had not dined under
its shady branches, had probably been protected from the
storm. Having to preach at night, our sojourn could not
be long. We hastened back in time for the service, and
had a fine congregation. Here I met with quite a pheno-
menon in Canada, — a Presbyterian minister, who, in the
midst of the general disruption, had adhered to the old
kirk. I found him a good, moderate, and truly sensible
man.

One day only remamed for Quebec. In good time, my
kind friends and myself set out to visit the Falls of Mont-
morenci, a distance of nine miles. By this journey I had
an opportunity of seeing a little of the state of the French
people in the country. We called at a small inn for re-

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

151

freshment, and found it very comfortable ; but as different
from the same sort of haUtation in our own country as possi-
ble. The farms seemed small, the cottages corresponding;
but the people were clean, tidy, and apparently very contented
and happy. They are a primitive race, remuning in much
the same state as they were in the time of their ancestors'
coming to the country. British rule causes no innovation
in their manners and habits ; they retain the use of their
own language exclusively ; and are perfectly docile to the
priesthood, and obedient to the Church. The difference
betwixt the Anglo-Saxon race and these people of French
descent, is most glaring. The one is a restless, grumbling,
thrifty, and ambitious set, wherever found ; the other d-
most as stationary as the nonitidic tribes of the East. Even
Popery fails to amalgamate the Irish and French races.
They cannot agree to say ^nass together. The antipathy
of the French to the Irish, is equal to the ^itipathy of poor
Pat to the English. The rude, vociferous, agitating spirit
of the sons of the Green Isle, cannot be endured by the
quiet Canadians; and the priests are compelled to part
them. There is a sort of dual Popery in Quebec ; the
Irish being obhged to keep to themselves, and perform
their religious duties in their own peculiar way of roaring
riot ; whilst the gentle hahUans are left to walk in the foot-
steps of their quiet predecessors. The Falls of Montmo-
renei are very fine, and the descent of the waters.is greater
than at Niagara ; but after beholding tbiat wonder of na-
ture, they appear v^ insignificant as a whole. In this
country they would be a prodigy, and attract universal at-
tention ; but in the midst of the stupendous waters of
America, they look like a little riU, a mountain torrent,
falling from a lofty eminence.

We hastened back to town in time for a hasty dinner
and a cordial farewell ; and then an embarkation agaii.
Truth obliges me to say, that I never In my existence met
with a fin0r people than our friends in Que))ec ; generous,

152

TOUR IN AMERICA.

open-hearted, frank, intelligent, pious, and perfectly united
amongst themselves. They occupy a very important reli-
l^ous position ; and, it is hoped; will be the means of much
good. I found they had begun a new chapel, the exact
size, and intended in all things to be the counterpart, of
the magnificent one at Montreal ; so that Lower Canada
will, ere long, contain the most magnificent places of wor>
ship in the Methodist world. It is intended to get Dr.
Bangs, on his visit to the Canada Conference next summer,
to open this new place of worship. This will, to all par-
ties, be interesting ; as I believe this eminent minister of
Christ was the first to preach our doctrines in this city. A
man is often permitted, in his own life-time, to see great
results from small beginnings in America. Taking a most
affectionate leave of this kind people, many of whom had
assembled for the purpose, we got on board the steamer
in the evening ; and, ascending the St. Lawience during
the night, found ourselves again in Montreal for breakfast
the next morning, at the house of Mr. Kay, a countryman,
and belonging to one of the numerous families of that
name in Lancashire.

Before quitting Canada, a remark or two may be proper
on general subjects. No one can see this country without
being convinced of its great importance. Its area is that
of a mighty empire ; for, though thousands of square miles
are barren, and must always remain so, by reason of their
northern positioi^ yet still there will be left, for profitable
cultivation, probably as large a portion as the 'whole of
central Europe. The soil of this vast space is most pro-
lific, capable of bearing abundant crops of wheat, and
every other kind of grain and fruit, suited to a wheat-
growing country. Moreover, this territory being inter-
sected by noble rivers, navigable in most places, and capa-
ble of being made so by canal-adjimcts almost universally,
is, of itself, an infinite advantage, and presents vast facili-
ties of intercourse, and cheap transmission of both people

PART I.— PBRSONAL NARBATIVB.

168

and produce from ^laoe to place. My duties called me to
pass along the shores of Queen Victoria's possessions, for
just about a thousand miles. This was effected, partly
by the course of the Lakes, and partly by the Bay of
Quinti and the river St. Lawrence ; whilst at the same
time I did not see the termination of the latter by be-
twixt three and four hundred miles. This magnificent
river, with the Lakes, through which it is always con-
sidered as passing, is of greater length than even the
Mississippi ; and is, in itself, of the value of an empire.
Those who command the navigation of the St. Lawrence
must be the masters of a highway of water-communication
of prodigious importance.

Every year will increase thib value, sf the return of
every season must develop the resources and riches of the
country. In speaking of the command of the river, T am
reminded, that, in passing between Kingston and Montreal,
there was seen a branch of the main channel, which, after
running some miles, returned to the parent stream. The
shore on the right bank belongs to America, and that on
the left to Canada. To my utter surprise, and equal indig-
nation, by some sort of diplomatic concession to Jonathan,
I found our statesmen had given up both banks ; so that
America is the owner of the entire stream, and the branch
river constitutes the boundaiy-line. This is just as if it
were agreed upon in general terms by the authorities, that
the Grand Junction Bailroad between Birmingham and
London should be the boundary of territorial rights ; but,
on some subsequent occasion, one party should say the
meaning of the treaty was, that the line should go through
Oxford, leaving them in possession of the main trunk, and
compelling the opposite party, in going to town, to turn
off and proceed by the University city ; — ^with this excep-
tion, indeed, that the branch river is unnavigable ; so that,
in case of dispute, the British would be altogether shut

out. These boundary-treaties are most humiliating to this

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154

TOUR IN AMERICA.

country ; they always result in favour of the claims of
America. Indeed, it seems a settled conviction in the
American mind, an axiom of policy, and one would think a
standing rule in the offices of the government, that, on all
occasions of diplomacy, John Bull is destined, made, to be
diddled, to be gulled, to be beaten. Our dandy, blunder-
ing diplomatists are a poor match for the long-headed,
practical, scheming statesmen of the United States. Cana-
da is full of just complaints on this point, not even except-
ing the famous Ashburton and Oregon treaties.

My good friend, Mr. Ferrier, told me a most laughable
instance of this kind of thing. Tlie subject-matter was a
railroad from Montreal to — I think the name of the place
is — Rochester, [Portland,] on the Atlantic seaboard, or, at
any rate, somewhere in the east. There lived at this Ro-
chester a Judge , whose interest it was, as will be

seen, to promote the business of Rochester, and get the
trains to run to that place. But the new line had to con-
nect itself with the line to Boston, and the Boston line was
on the broad gauge. What did our worthy Yankee judge
do ? He went to Montreal to persuade the boobies that
the broad gauge is a very bad gauge, and that it would be
much for their interest to adopt the narrow gauge ; thus
preventing the new line from connectmg with the Boston,
and making it necessary for every bale of goods to be un-
sliipped from one train to the other, at j. considerable
amount of trouble and expense, or else to run on to Ro-
chester. By this contrivance the probabilities were, that
the goods would be sent on to Rochester, and increase its
traffic. The judge prevailed upon the company to believe
that the narrow gauge was much the best, and they
forthwith adopted it. The bill came before the provin-
cial parliament; and Mr. Ferrier was so convinced of
the folly of the thing, that when it came before the senate,
he offered it his most strenuous opposition, and for the
time defeated the scheme of the judge. But he was not at

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

155

all disoom6ted ; he w«nt again to Montreal, and now, get-
ting amongst the senators, prevailed upon them to believe
that the broad gauge is a very bad gauge ; and the rail-
road is either already constructed, or is in course of con-
struction, on the principle of the narrow gauge. And this
very judge. Diddle or Bibble, (his name is one or the other,)
is the very person whose dicta ruled in the treaty betwixt
Lord Ashburton and the States: a measure pompously
put forth, at the time, as a most masterly piece of states-
manship, but which every tyro m politics in Canada knows
to be a surrender of the main points in dispute, and a most
humiliating affair to Great Britain.

I found the country full of complaints and dissatisfaction
from one end to the other. The people everywhere, and
of all shades of politics, spoke the same language. Their
fortunes were wrecked, their commerce destroyed; their
agricultiu^, the sinews of the colony, enfeebled, ruined.
Of course, all blamed the home-govemmeni.. They refused
to do anything, they said, to support their credit, or to fur-
ther their exertions to obtain any loan, to assist in the public
works; — the execution of these was required, to expand
their strength, and to develop the resources of the coun-
try, but they could obtain no help. Nay, it was asserted,
by men of first-rate intelligence, and who had been engaged
in the attempt, that they even could not get a hearing ;
nobody among the bureaucracy in London could be found
to acquaint themselves with their affairs, or pay any atten-
tion to them. Hence the only railroad in Canada is the
insignificant line, of about a dozen miles, from Montreal to
the place where the steamers land their passengers for
that place. This one fact shows clearly enough the stag-
nant state of the country. When raihroads are, of all the
gifts of Providence now known, best calculated to call forth
the hidden resources of such a country as Canada, their
absence is sufficiently indicative of the want of patronage
on the part of government, or of indolence in the people;

166

TOUR IN AMBiaOA.

and, as the latter cannot be truly aflSnued, the cause must
be attributable to the former. There is a pretty general
belief, indeed, that England has virtually given them up ;
and, because of this, it would not be in the power of min-
isters to get the sanction of Parliament for any great scheme
of colonization and credit. The capitalists of England, they
believe, will not embark their money without government
security, entertaining the notion that the colony is vibrating
in the balance ; and this not being accorded, probably for
the same reason, there they are, floundering in a mighty
ocean of greatness and wealth, for the want of the means
of picking it up. How long this state of things will last,
nobody can tell. The connexion between the mother-
country and this her most athletic ofifspring, is now merely
political ; or as nearly so as possible. All England now
does for Canada, they said, again and again, is to appoint
them a governor, and make them pay him five times more
than they should in case they appointed him themselves ;
and to maintain an army at a prodigious expense to keep
them in order. This talk was not the conversation of radi-
cals, of demagogiies, of French republicans ; but of many
of the best subjects of the British crown in America ; men
of intelligence, of integrity, of honour, of loyalty, of reli-
gion ; and these men are beginning <^enly to propose the
question, ''What are the advantages of English connexion ?"
and to weigh and discuss those of anneiaztion, A

It does not become me to enter into such a siibject in
detail ; but the fact is, that the recent policy of this coun-
try — ^the free-trade policy — has had the eflfect of throwing
aU the advantages possessed by Canada, as a part of the
British empire, (and which, as such, the people considered
that they had a right to possess,) into the hands of the
United States. Montreal used to be the great market for
English produce, the centre whence it flowed to the whole
of the provinces ; but now almost all this trade has found
its way to New- York. On the enactment of Lord Stanley's

PART I.— TBR60NAL NAURATIVE.

167

bill respeq^g the adnuMion of Canada flour into this coun-
tiy, a vast outlay in building mills took place, which mills
had just begun to work profitably ; but the new policy
effectually crushed this trade. I myself saw one of these
mills, belonging to one of our friends, — a new building of
great size, and which must have cost many thousand
pounds in its erection, — standing still. This I understood
was generally the case. Before the new measures, the
people of Canada could afford to purchase com in the
United States, and, turning it into flour at these mills, obtain
a market for it in Europe ; thus deriving a benefit to i.7iem
selves from the soil of the States. The tables are now
completely turned. The Americans are now the millers ;
and corn-dealers from the States come over to buy up the
grain of the country, turn it into " bread-stuffs," and sell
Canadian-grown wheat in our markets as American flour.
This is rather too much for flesh and blood to bear. Canada
and the United States are now placed, as nearly as possible,
on an equal footing with regard to commercial transactions
with this country ; the one being a colony of the British
empire, and the other the greatest rival this nation has to
contend with in the world. How long this state of things
can last, is for statesmen to consider. Canada now only
belongs to Great Britain by a figment, a tradition, a loyalty,
a recollection of heroic deeds ; and not by any material in-
terest or benefit. Kay, in the present state of things, cast
off by the mother country, and left to their own • e^^urces,
with the United States just by their side, possessing vast
political power and influence ; a growing credit, and mone-
tary resources ; a prodigious mercantile r^nd commercial
navy ; an active, industrious, and virtuous people ; a govern-
ment capable, in all respects, and equally disposed, to
foster, protect, and strengthen all its possessions ; — ^we say,
with all these things staring them in the face, the policy
of this country has made it the plain, palpable interest of
the Canadians to seek for annexation. This is as clear as

#'-

!58

TOUR IN AMBRICA. i ^fe^!

any problem in Euclid. How long the tradition and the
loyalty will weigh against the interests now put in the
balance against them, nobody need be at a loss to deter-
mine. Perhaps the non-election of General Cass will settle
the question for the next four years ; but, had that gentle-
man obtained the presidency of the States, — why, the
world would have presented itself in different phases at the
end of the above period.

Whether these fears and auguries take place or not,
Canada must have a great and noble destiny. A country
so magnificent, a soil so prolific, water communication so
abundant, and a people, moreover, in whose veins British
blood flows, and who are in possession of the incipient
principles, freedom, and laws of England, safely planted
in the soil; such a country must rise to greatness and
power. The French leaven is constantly losing its relative
strength, and the British is as constantly increasing. The
one population is rapidly getting ahead of the other, and
assuming the lead. This must, in the nature of things,
fix the destiny of the colony. Our language, our institu-
tions, and our religion, will prevail. A mighty empire
will rise up, enriched with knowledge, with public and
private virtue, and possessed of all the appliances of poli-
tical power and wealth. We wish them well ; they are at
present our children; and, in all future time and contin-
gencies, they will be our brethren. They will carry out
and perpetuate all that is valuable in our system, and,
planting old England on a new soil, will reproduce our
nation on a gigantic scale.

i-m

'■t v'lPi

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PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

150

■■ "ip't'fv

CHAPTER X.

Return—Paia the St. Lawrence— Lake Champlain— Plattsburgh— WhitehaU—
Joumty by Stage— Troy— Albany— The Hudson— Arrival at New-York— 111
— Doubtful respecting being able to return Home— Resolved to do so— De-
part for Boiton— Embark on board the "America"— Passage— Arrival at
llome.

On Thursday, June 2 2d, the day on which we came up
from Quebec, we bade farewell to our dear friends at Mont-
real, and took a last look at Canada. Last things are
painful, and full of interest. We parted from those who
had endeared themselves by every kind of attention and
affectionate regard, with the desire, never to be effaced, for
their highest happiness. We crossed the St. Lawrence,
and soon entered Lake Champlain. A portion of the wa-
ters of this lake belong to the British ; as usual, just the
fag-end, whilst the great body of the lake is owned by the
States. The lines of demarcation are marked by a fort, of
small dimensions or strength, which might easily be dis-
mantled. This is, unquestionably, the finest lake I had
seen. The scenery on its banks is perfectly enchanting ;
and, unlike Lakes Erie and Ontario, it commands a view
of mountain scenery of the most majestic description. This
lake is one hundred and thirty-two miles in length, and
varies in breadth from the narrow channel above mentioned
to nine or ten miles. Many beautiful islands stud the wa-
ters, and have a fine effect. At the close of the day we
approached a place called Plattsburgh. The scene was
the most beautifully romantic which nature can possibly
present : A blue sky, deep, lofty, stretching its heavenly
arch to span ^he landscape, the sun setting in all his gor-
geous glory, the lake smooth as glass, except as disturbed
by our motion, wild fowl fluttering about and enjoying the
cool evening, the majestic mountains of Vermont looming
in (he distance, and all the intermediate space filled with

160

TOUR IN AMERICA.

cultivated fields and towering forests, — ^and then the lonely
little town of Plattsburgh, touching the fringe of the lake,
and presenting the most perfect aspect of rural peace and
quiet on which the eye ever gazed. My manliness was
here for the first tune overcome ; I longed and longed to
get on shore, to fix my tent, and remain forever. This
sentiment was new ; I had never before felt any remarka-
ble desire to locate in any place I had seen ; but here, for
a moment, I was perfectly overcome. Other aflfections, of
course, soon sprang up, and wafted my soul across the At-
lantic, where treasures dearer than even these beauties had
their dwellmg. During this little paroxysm, delirium, or
whatever it may be called, my kind companion, Dr. Bichey,
had retired to his cabin, so that one of my wants could not
be relieved, — a vent for exclamations of delight ! This was
just one of those moments which can never be forgotten,
an Eden, a paradisiacal scene, into which none can enter
with one, and which leaves its picture vividly pencilled on
the soul. But how soon things change, and in their reality
fade away ! We left this spot, passed on, the night closed
in, the curtain dropped.

" So even now this hour had sped

In rapturous thought o'er me ; -$ ^

Feeliug myself with nature wed,

A holy mystery !
A part of earth, a part of heaven, .c;»*>B|!^^r' -^-j jjSjj(

A part, great God, of thee." rt.- ■ ^

In the morning, in good time, we found ourselves at
Whitehall, a port at the head of the lake ; a place of con-
siderable traffic and growing importance. After breakfast
we had to mount the stage for Troy and Albany, a dismal
road, if it can be called road, of between seventy and eighty
miles. The jolting was prodigious, and at the end of the
journey I was completely knocked up. My physical man
had not failed till now ; but this tumbling about perfectly
disordered me, and I was glad to arrive at the end of the
journey. We stayed to dine at Troy, a large and well-

•*\*'

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

161

built city, and there again took the f/Mge for Albany, being
too late for the rails. It was nigh^ i^hen we arrived ; and
being too unwell to move out, except to see one or two of
the main streets, I had not much opportunity of inspecting
the place. But I saw it was a large, fine, and most respect-
able-looking city ; many of the houses being spacious, the
streets broad, and the public buildings very commanding.
This is the capital of the State of New- York, the seat of
government, and of the State Parliament.

We embarked on the Hudson the next morning, and
descended this classical stream, the pride and glory of the
Americans, being esteemed by them as presenting the most
beautiful scenery m the States. It well deserves its fame.
The banks are studded with towns and villages, rich fields
in a state of fine cultivation, stupendous and rugged rocks,
together with mountain scenery of the most interesting and
majestic nature, some near, and some in the distance;
abrupt and precipitous shores, yawning and frowning upon
the passers by ; and splendid landscapes, and picturesque
views, enriched with umbrageous woods and forests. I
could only now and then take a peep at this magic combi-
nation of land and water, being obliged the greater part of
the voyage to keep in my cabin.

We were on board one of the most complete of the
American river-boats. Nobody in this country can form
an idea of the nature of one of these vessels ; our ships
fm-nish no analogies, except in the fact that both are pro-
pelled by ;iteam, and glide on the water. For, by reason
of the peculiar structure of the class of steamers already
referred to, this vessel presented the aspect of prodigious
sL'^" both below and above. The dining-room was below,
ana occupied the space between the sides of the ship,
reachmg from stem to stem, and was filled with five or six
tiers of berths, one above another ; the saloon was equally
irge, with state-rooms on each side. This enormous float-
\ig palace could accommodate a thousand persons on board.

.ra

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162

TOUR IN AMERICA.

The term " palace " is used, of course, improperly, as a ship
camiot be like a palace. But in fittings-up, in decoration,
in ornament, it was a perfect palace : and altogether pre-
sented a scene of magnificence of a very extraordinary
description. •'

^ We arrived at New- York in the evening; and being too
miwell to trouble any private friend, we took up our resi-
dence for the night f* the City Hotel. The necessity of
applying to Mr. Harper for Dr. Belcher's address, brought
him acquainted with my situation, and in the afternoon he
kindly took me to his own house. In passing through the
streets of New- York, it was very pleasing to see the crowds
returning from their places of worship. Blacks, coloured
people, and whites, were all mingled together in a long
flowing tide, quietly and gravely passing along to their
homes. ••<

.* By Tuesday morning I had begun to amend, and, feeling
better, the thought suddenly rushed into my mind, " I can
go home, and I will." But the doctor must be consulted.
He came ; and, on telling him my thoi^hts and feeUngs,
he said, the probability was that I should do very well ;
but there was just a chance that I might have a relapse.
The reply was, " Then the probability shall have it, and
we will throw the chances to the winds." ' *' ^ •

We took our leave of our affectionate friends, the Har-
pers, about four in the afternoon. The steamer made her
way down the Sound, and we soon lost sight of New- York,
and its splendid harbour. I found, on trial, that my cabin
was just over some kind of machinery which produced a
jarring and upheaving motion, which precluded the possi-
bility of rest ; and when night came on, I was obliged to
drag my mattress into the saloon, but failed to get one
wink of sleep. We left the vessel about daylight, and
passed on by railroad to Boston. After spending a few
hours at the Revere, and in visiting the city, we went on
board the " America," lying in the offing, four or five miles

;#.

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

163

long
their

distant. This noble ship had made the voyage from Eng-
land in eleven days and a half, the shortest trip ever known ;
and is, of her class, the finest steamer in the world. We
got under way about four in the afternoon, and soon lost
sight of the shores of America.

Nothing of any consequence took place on the voyage.
We made Halifax again in the night, so that I could not
see anything either of the harbour or the city. Here I lost
ray dear friend. Dr. Richey, and became truly desolate.
He had been my companion at Pittsburgh, at the Canada
Conference at Belleville, and travelled with me through
Canada, and forward to this place. Truth and justice
demand that I should say, that Dr. Richey is one of the
most perfect Christian gentlemen I ever came . '^ contact
with. Politeness, founded on gentle, warm, and genuine
affections, is the very element of his nature. I never heard
from him a rash, rude, or unkind word, much less ever saw
him perpetrate an unchristian or unbecoming action. I
looked after my dear friend as far as the dim lamps would
allow me to see him, and in my heart bade him a sad, a
long, a last adieu.

There sat opposite to me at our table a gentleman, with
a lady and little girl, and on my right a thin, pale, interest-
ing-looking young man, both completely Americanized in
their appearance ; their beards were sticking out on their
chins in Yankee fashion, and their dress and bearing alto-
gether seemed to bespeak them citizens of the States. We
had taken several meals in company, when the gentleman
who sat opposite said to me, "Pray, sir, is your name
Dixon ?" On replying, " Yes," he said, " And my name is
Cocker : I am the son of Henry Cocker, of Hathersage :"
and then the pale young man, who was standing by, said,
'' And my name is Ibbotson : I am the son of Mr. Ibbotson,
of Sheffield." The meeting was mutually pleasant. Mr.
Cocker left us at HaUfax ; but Mr. Ibbotson was my very
agreeable companion to the end of the voyage.

•■)**

164

TOUR IN AMERICA.

Sunday was unlike our Sabbath on board the "Acadia."
Dr. Bichey had spoken to the captain, whom he knew, and
had told him who I was, and mentioned my taking the
service ; and, moreover, he understood that the captain had
assented to the proposition. But it did not so turn out.
He read prayers himself, and finished the service with one
of Henry Blunt's sermons. The service was well read ; and
the sermon, as may be imagined from the name of the
author, was excellent. How singular is human character !
This captain would certainly not lay claim to Methodism,
and yet he seemed to take great deUght in acting the parson,
and really did it well. He is, however, somewhat celebrated
for his exclusive churchism. About a dozen American
divines sailed with him from the great Alliance Meeting in
London, not one of whom would he allow to officiate ; but
on that as on the present occasion, he performed the service
himself. One other trait of character, but quite of another
description, arose out of this affair. When the time came
to propose the captain's health, which means returning him
thanks for his conduct, a good Free-churchman, a genuine
Scot, rose up and went out. He afterward told me, that,
perceiving what was going to be done, he departed, because
he could hot in his conscience be a party to a vote of thanks
to a man who had, as he expressed himself, " insulted you,
by taking the service himself when there was a regular
minister on board." The matter had little effect on my
own mind, except in so far as it prevented me having the
pleasure of preaching the cross of Christ to the promiscuous
group around. But how truly characteristic of the real
Scotchman was the conduct of my friend ! And, moreover,
how honourable to his principles, his integrity, and his
religious convictions !

On Saturday, the 8th of July, we hove in sight of old
Erin early in the morning, and passed up Channel, all day
seeing many spots interesting in Irish history, successively
presenting themselves to view. Sunday morning we saw

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVB.

165

Holyhead. We were met, on returning home, with the
truly English welcome of a dense fog and a drenching
rain. Our pilot brought newspapers, containing an ac'
count of the massacres of Paris. We had a great number
of French on board ; they had been very gay up to
this period ; but now an entire change came over them.
Thoughtfulness, sadness, melancholy, were expressed for
the moment : how long would it last ? Some of the coun-
tenances seemed to indicate the fear, that possibly some
endeared relative might have fallen in the conflict. Had it
not been for the serious events connected with the cause
of this change, it would have been perfectly ludicrous ; it
was like the overshadowing of a sunny scene by the sud«
den rush of passing clouds.

We landed at Liverpool at half-past two. I went to
Stanhope-street chapel at night, and heard my present
coUef^e, Mr. Brice. , How sweet, how soothing, how
heavenly is the service of God's house, after the tossings of
a sea-voyage ! And how full of rest and quiet to the soul
is the society of religious friends, after dwelhng for a long
time in the midst of promiscuous company ! I hastened
down to the custom-house by five o'clock the next morn-
ing ; but could not get released till near nine. Paid eight
shillings duty for the American books which had been
given me by friends. Set out for my beloved home, ar-
rived about noon, found all well. To God be all the
glory ! Amen.

•'#

v!ffii

«1*.

■■¥

'"'*..!>,"■
-'m

166

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.

CHAPTER XI.

Reflections on America— Unfairly dealt with by Travellers— A religious people
—This necessary to explain their state— The real Americans not hostile to
this country— Their peaceful and prosperous condition— Education, the prin-

' pies on which it is conducted— The force of Christianity in its simply divine
authority— Hie American's trust in this— Public Worship and the Duties
of Religion— Slavery partly removed by the influence of Christian principle .

A LKNOTHENED investigation of objects of curiosity, or of
men, manners, and institutions, is not necessary or intended,
ts our literature abounds with books of travel, graphic de-
sbriptions of scenery, and analysis of tne institutions and
social state of America. These productions, of course,
take their colouring, m some degree, from the opinions,
tastes, prejudices, and piusions of their authors. They
abound with information, biit contain little instruction.
And it cannot be domed, by candid persons, that most of
them are grievously deformed by partial and exJEtggerated
description— caricatures— of the manners and habits of our
transatlantic brethren.

*;~' The causes of this are undoubtedly many ; and, probably,
if traced to their motive, would be found much diversified.
One of these causes, however, is obvious enough. The
Americans are a religious people ; and this element can
neither be avoided nor lightly touched. But, instead of
treating this question with either the hand of the Christian
or of the philosopher, these parties, in some instances, dis-
regard the subject altogether, and, in others, treat it with
levity or hostiUty. The religious notions and peeidiarities
of the people are turned mto ridicule and scorn ; their asso-
ciations for benevolent and Christian purposes are lam-
pooned as fanatical ; their modes of expression and devo-
tional exercises are held up to contempt ; and their absti-
nence from the amusements of the world are treated as
indicative of ill-breeding, or signs of hypocrisy.
It is obvious that writers of this class are ill-suited to

PART I.— PERSONAL ITARRATIVE.

167

understand or to delineate the character of a grove and
religious community. Taking their gauge and measure-
ment from the beau tnonde of London or of Pariuan soci'
eiy, they naturally find all sober sense, industrious habits,
and religious sentiments an eccentricity or a bore. The
point with this race of voyageura is, to see if the manners
of the plain republican are in agreement with those of the
aristocracy of old nations ; whether they come up to the
coteries of the West End, of the clubs of St. James's, of
the fashionable routs of our great parties; and, moreover,
if they speak, and dance, and play in the first style of ^
fashion. Can anything be more ridiculous than this?
.What right can the flippant dames, the military beaux, the
panderers to frivolity, have to expect a people ready made
to their several purposes ? Of what consequence can it be
to the morality, the honour, the greatness of a people, that
they should fashion their course by adopting the manners
of the most frivolous, useless, and unreal portions of our
own people ? Neither the wisdom nor the strength of
even European society will be found in these quarters.
The people who make sport of the Puritanism of the
Americans, are themselves the objects of as much con-
tempt, in their own country, as pity will allow to be just.
Like other buzzing creatures, they have just the power to
sting ; and, with a malicious pleasure, they evidently de-
light in the. gratification of their feeble natures. Were the
disposition felt, the laugh might be turned upon these tri-
flers, with as much effect as they choose to indulge in at
the expense of the " evangelkaW of the States.

The irritation produced in America by the liberties
which have been taken with Iheir innocent and unimportant
peculiarities, is not the worst effect of the ephemeral pro-
d actions of the English gossips, who have chosen to make
themselves merry at the expense of good manners. De-
ception on the public mind of this country, to a fearful and
mischievous extent, has been another of th^ consequences.

168

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.

ip Oatbering their opinions of American character from the

representations of persons only intent on making a book,
and rendering it spicy, is it any matter of surprise, that in
this nation most false and injurious notions are entertained ?
The evident intention merely to provide mental food for
our circulating libraries ; to get up the tinsel sentimentality
necessary to pamper the appetite for amusement and plea*
sure; the sardonic purpose to gratify the malevolence
which takes delight in scandal ; to train and excite the
worse than human infirmity which revels on the foibles and
weak points of our fellow-men — supposing them to exist —
merely for the sake of rendering them ridiculous ; in fine,
the disposition to meet the morbid prejudices of their read*
ers, instead of being intent on truth, and doing justice to
the character of the people they profess to exhibit ; utterly
disqualify these authors for their task, and render their
productions devoid of credit.

It is humiliating thus to write ; but much more so to
know, that gross deception has been practised in getting
up even these productions. While the stranger has been
admitted to the frank confidence of respectable and honour-
able men, he has sometimes employed this privilege in
making them the subject of a mental picture, drawn in the
mind, and anon to be transferred to his journal ; turning
into ridicule all the real or imaginary smgularities of their
manners, and making them the butt of hk wit. Their ac-
tual character is not delineated. They may be good men,
pure patriots, worthy citizens, successful merchants ; pos-
sessed of strong and well-cultivated faculties, of good prin-
ciples, of courteous manners, and generous dispositions ;
and yet all this is thro\vn into the back-ground, or never
appears at all. At the same time, every trifling and un-
important deviation from the beau id^al of dandyism is
magnified into prominency, and, by the ingenious combina-
tions of the artist, a distorted picture is drawn, as untrue to
^fe as if the noble frame of the Ainerican citizen had been

nati
as
life
mo

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PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

160

screwed into the shape of the exquisite, who has, in his
kindness, been taking his likeness. In the same spirit the
privacies of domestic life, generous hospitality, and well-
meant and courteous attentions, have all been distressingly
outraged. Not even the ladies have escaped. Whilst
they have been doing their utmost to make their home
agreeable, provide the luxuries of the table, and administer
to the pleasures of their guest, — he has had the meanness
to select them as the victims of his satire ; and, whilst in-
dulging in plaudits, compliments, and smiles, he at the
same time has been .treasuring up matter for a mean and ,
cowardly exhibition of whatever his skill could afterwards
turn to the account of his craft, in rendering ridiculous the
women of America.

Thb sort of conduct on the part of our countrymen —
not to say countrywomen — ^has had the effect of keeping
up irritation amongst the Americans, and of producing
false notions in thii^ country. Nothing can be more unfair
to a people than to make their peculiarities the ground-
work of any kind of description, physical, social, or reli-
gious. The staple of their qualities must be fixed upon,
not the exceptions ; otherwise the details will be untrue,
and the picture distorted.

On reading the productions to which reference is made,
one cannot help asking. Is there anything else in these
people ? If so, what is it ? That there must be something
in them besides the trifles dwelt upon by these authors —
even supposing them to be real — ^must be apparent to
every one who allows himself to reflect but for a moment.
The effervescences of society are not society itself: the
holiday foibles of men cannot be taken as illustrative of
their every 'day habits ; the loose and slip-slop gait of a
nation, when the day's work is over, cannot be considered
as descriptive of their state when braced to the labours of
life ; the free and familiar conversation of a people in their
moments of relaxation, cannot be considered as the et-

'^W''

170

TOUR IN AMERICA.

pression of thoee truths and priuciplos by wliich they are
guided in their serious moments ; and it could only lead to
deception to suppose for a moment that the surface of h
great community, made up as it must be of innumerable
irregularities and follies, can justly indicate the forces which
are constantly at work below. The aggregate, the totality
of moral elements must bo grappled, or otherwise any de-
scription of the character and conditions of a nation must
bo perfectly fallacious. Judged by this rule, and ex-
amined as a whole, it is the author's opinion, that the
American people would suffer nothing from a comparison
with any other.

But it b, in point of fact, extremely difficult to obtain u
tme notion of the character and opinions of the genuine
American, and especially from the public prints. Tlio old,
the home-born, the real man of the country is very differ-
ent from the alien races which are constantly transferring
themselves to the soil of the United States. These races
are not always the most creditable in character, in mo-
rals, in integrity, among the populations of Europe, which
they kindly relieve of their presence, by transplanting
themselves, and their very questionable virtues, to the New
World. Some millions of these classes are now found
located in the States ; and whatever may be the amount
of their loyalty to the nation of their adoption, it is certain
— indeed, demonstrated in no equivocal ^lanner — that they
all retain the virus of that disaffection to their own coun-
try which, in many cases, first stimulated their departure.

This is pre-eminently the case with the Irish. Steeped
in religious, political, and social disaffection at home, what-
ever may be the causes — just or unjust — these people do
not fail to nurse, with the passion and intensity of their
inflammable nature, an active and indomitable hatied
against England. But now living on the American soil,
these turbulent agitators are considered in this country as
Americans. They are no more Americans than if, perchance,

4ir

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

thoy were transplanted to China ; and, taking their place
in the midst of that quiet and peaceful race, they should*
by reason of this accidental residence, be considered Chi'
nese. It is certain, that a large amount of the vituperation
which is heaped upon this country by the public press of
tiie States is from this quarter. Partly by their own means,
and partly by the influence they exert by their priests, their
numbers, and their organization, they are enabled to perpe-
tuate in their exile the same antipathies, and to keep up
the same rancorous bullying against the Saxon, as they did
in their own beloved Erin. Their ardent and fierce pas-
sions, the author was often told, whether of sympathy with
their own island, or of animosity to ours, always last through
the first generation. The Irishman never alters in his own
person, whether found in St. Giles's or New- York. The
sunshine of civilization, the softening influence of free insti-
tutions, the example of quiet and good men, and, above all,
the blessings of true religion, are all in vain. He continues
the same fierce, intractable, restless being as when he left
the wilds, or merged from the bogs, of his native land. To
hate the English and eat potatoes were the two lessons of
bis Irish life ; and if he obtains better food in the New
World, and thus unlearns the physical lesson, he never
changes in his antipathies, or unlearns the moral, nay, the
religious, duty of eternal hostility. The leaders of these
people, some priestly and some laic, possess their newspa-
pers everywhere in the United States, and, as in Ireland
itself, are not very nice in the employment of epithets of
abuse against this nation. These, generally speaking, are
the parties who are so constantly attempting to keep up
an irritation among the citizens of America against this
country, by thieir venomous hatred, their abusive language,
their speculations on revolts and revolutions ; and are, by
these means, stimulating, as much as is in their power, the
disloyalty of their own sweet " gem of the sea," and the
Chartism of England. It is from this quarter, chiefly, that

■^#51

iii

TOtm 11^ AMEtltCA.

the fiery stream descends upon us, and not from the genu-
ine American press or people.

Then is it fair, is it honest, to attribute to the Americans
those hostile passions which, in fact, belong to our own
people ? The real Yankee and the hot-headed Irishman
are very different personages. It may bo considered by
everybody as a settled point, that the real American will
never stir without an object. His love and his hatred both
will have some rationale. He will never be found to dis-
turb his own quiet for the sake of agitating a distant nation
for no rational purpose. His political belief, his theories
of human rights, his perceptions of what he considers essen-
tial to social happiness, his ideas of the grandeur of his own
country, and of her high and glorious destiny — are, no
doubt, deeply and vividly felt in his own soul. In fact,
these thoughts and maxims live in the American as innate
powers, as indestructible laws. But he is too proud a be-
ing, is too conscious of his own dignity and strength, to be
found intermeddling in the squabbles of other nations. He
may, and no doubt does, desire that his ovm republican
regime should be taken as a model system. All Europe
and the world are welcome to the benefit of his experi-
ments in legislation and government. In no other sense than
this can the true American be considered a propagandist.
It is the impression of the author, that a nation more
proudly conscious of its own dignified position does not
exist on earth. It is not this class who are found employ-
ed in the mean and despicable drudgery of vituperation
against this country, or seeking occasions of irritation and
disturbance. This vocation is taken up and performed by
our own recreant child/en ; with how much success, we all
unhappily experience.

Thus, by the agency of the two classes referred to, the
British travellers on the one part, and the Irish residents
on the other, the two countries are, in some degree, kept
in a ^tate of feverish excitement. This is punful to the

PART I.-^PSBBONAL KABRATIVE. l*J^

real friends of both. Essentially one people, the bonds of
ttiuon ought, by the removal of offences and jealousies, to
be as much as possible tightened. The relationship is
too natural, too dear and valuable, and connected too much
with the happiness and advantage of both, to be allowed
either to be severed or shaken by such agitators as these.
It is easy to see, that the maintenance of peaceful and
friendly relations between the only two great communities in
which any real reciprocity of feeling, founded on religion
and liberty, can possibly exist, must conduce, in every way,
to the well-being and prosperity of both.

The past jealousies of the two countries have not been
unnatural, hui now ought to end. The war of independ^
once, originating, as it did, in great questions of right on the
one hand, and of independence on the other, was calculated
to awaken every passion of the soul. Time alone could, of
course, quench the fire thus kindled. Surely the cool
breeses of seventy winters may be supposed sufficient to
put out the flames then lit up. The two nations may,
possibly, have separate interests to serve ; this must be the
case ; but it is certain, that those which are common are
much more numerous and durable. The political inde-
pendence, the national freedom, the good government, the
social happiness, the intellectual advancement, the moral
and religious order and prosperity, of each, concurrently
progresttng, must necessarily act and re-act upon commu-
nities so identical in character. These higher considerations
may be strengthened by lesser ones. The trade and com-
merce of Great Britain and the States will, in all likelihood,
ebb and flow together. At any rate, it must be an infimte
advantage to each to have the other for a customer. With-
out these political and material ties, it is too much, per-
liaps, to expect nations to regard each other with much
concern. The idea of a nation is, indeed, an abstraction ;
AS a reality, it is only an aggregation of individuals ; and
men, all over the world, are certain to seek their own inte-

174

TOUB IN AMERICA.

I
i

rests. It follows, that tlie reciprocity and friendship of
nations must rest on the very vulgar fact of mutual bene-
fits. It does not belong to the mere traveller to discuss
these questions ; but he may easily see, that the good of
one community is the good of both ; and, moreover, be
pardoned if he modestly venture upon the task of advising,
that the leading and active spirits, who, in both countries,
have, and must continue to have, the main responsibility
of fashioning the destinies of the two nations, may steer
clear of all collisions, in the recollection, that on the peace,
liarmony, religion, industry, freedom, and modei p*don, of the
Anglo-Saxon people, in the two hemispheres, hang the
destinies of the human race.

A real, confiding, well-understood, and permanent union
of Great Britain and America must not only secure their
own greatness and prosperity, but indefiaitely promote the
freedom and civilization of the world. The geographical
position of the two nations, their addiction to trade, their
instinctive maritime propensities, their adventurous spirit,
their love of enterprise, must fit them to act together. But,
more than this, the real identity of their opinions, though
in some points seeming to differ, must prepare them to live
in unity and love. This identity of sentiment and feeling
may be seen in one single fact — the love of freedom. It
would puzzle the finest optician to invent an instrument ex-
actly to see the difference in this affection, a.^ existing in
the two countries. TJiey may, and, indeed, do, diflfer in
their opinions as to the best means of securing this inesti-
mable prize ; but none as to its nature, its value, its neces-
sity, its eternal oneness with the laws of nature and the will
of God. On all these points the two peoples are fully
agreed. Freedom, in each country, is a truth — a principle
— ^a right. Existence without liberty, in either hemisphere,
would be deemed a curse, and not a blessing ; the despot
would be abhorred, antagonized, and destroyed. While
tliese sentiments prevail, is it worth while for the two na-

PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

176

lene-

uss

sing,

tions to quarrel respecting the means employed by either, •'
to secure the end they have in view ? The moral grounds
for harmony and concord are, or ought to be, much more
potent than even the political ones for disunion and discord.
The one class of motives rests on the eternal laws of truth,
religion, honour, and brotherhood ; the other, on the acci-
dents and interests of the hour.

It is to be earnestly desired, that these considerations
may have the effect of drawing the two countries together
in uninterruptedly amicable relations. We are, in truth,"
the same people. In mind, in character, in habits, in
modes of thought, there is infinitely more resemblance
betwixt the British and the American populations, than
can be found between either and any other nation. It
cannot be otherwise, without a perpetual miracle. Sprung
from a common parentage, the same tide of life flowing in
the veins of each, the wonderful and mysterious type of
soul which is so evidently possessed by races dwelling in
both, each speaking the same language, and instructed and
trained by the same master mind which lives and speaks
in their common mother tongue ; — the political institutions
of the older people the models of the younger community ;
— the laws of the one country transplanted to the soil, and
constituting the code, of the other ; — and, above all, the
same religious sentiments which were embraced by tlie
British people at the Reformation, and adopted before the
pilgrim fathers took their departure to the New World, and
still retained as the popular faith of both branches of the
family : — All these things considered, how can it be other-
wise than that next to a perfect identity should exist ?

Nature is never untrue to herself, never obliterates her
own impress, never does violence to her undying emotions.
Is it in human nature for the American republic to reflect
upon the birth-place and cradle of her existence, the father- ^
land of her sires, to trace their own pedigrees and repeat
tlieir own names, without a thrill cf interest and feeling,

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TOUR IN AMERICA.

Hrhich cannot be experienced in the case of anv i. r coun-
try than our own ? This is impossible. No mda, however
far he may wander, ever forgets his homestead, the scenes
of his boyhood, the companions of his days of happy frolic
and joy ; and, especially, he never forgets the endearments
of maternal love. Tradition keeps alive what nature gives
birth to ; and it is just as credible, that the Americans aie
an abortion of nature, as that they can ever cease to vene-
rate and love the land of their sires. We have had proof
that this monstrous perversion has not in reality taken
place. It is the author's undoubted belief, that a profound
affection towards this country lives in the real American
mind. Beneath political agitations, jealousies, and mO'
mentary ebullitions of spleen and opposition, there remains,
in the depths of the human soul itself, the sure pledge, the
indubitable guarantee, of reciprocal love.

We say " reciprocal love." It is not to be expected, that
the American people should continue to cherish good feeling
towards us, if their fraternal regard is rudely or contemp-
tuously met. From several causes, it is to be feared, that
our disposition towards them is less kindly tuan theirs to-
wards us. They can better afford to indulge in generous
feelings than we can. Not to dwell on the fact that they
were the victors in the painful strife which separated them
from the mother country ; — their prodigious growth and
expansion; the vast augmentation of political power and
influence acquired in a few years ; the immense improve-
ment in their trade and commercial navy ; the successful
trial of their principles of government, and their develop-
ment on a constantly enlarging sphere of territory and
population ; in fine, the entire success of the " great experi-
ment," 80 emphatically referred to by Washington, when
laying the foundations of the republic, may well lead to
generoJis emotions, not to say complacency. But there are
other causes of the trial of our feelings in regard to Ame-
rica. It is to be feared, that the British population, in

♦

PART I. — PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

177

general, know infinitely less of the Americans than they
know of us. Silly traditions, old prejudices, and the very
natural pride and egotism of our nation, lead us often to
take a perfectly false estimate of our kinsmen in the New
World. Family quarrels and feuds, by general consent,
are allowed to be more difficult to appease than any other.
And, in the case of the American people, if nature is ex-
pected to predominate over political antipathies and jea-
lousies, by the recollection of home, of descent, of their
fatherland, ought not this to be mutual ? Can we forget,
or fail to be infliienced by the consideration, that the New
World has become, and is likely to become more and more,
the home of vast nuribers of our own children? The
young life of England is poiuing into the States like a deep
and rapid torrent. Families and individuals from the old
country are everywhere found, and in eveiy possible va-
riety of position and employment. The writer of these
pages can never forget the intense eagerness and depth of
feeling manifested by great numbers of these classes, and
the joy connectt'i with the mere opportunity of giving ex-
pression to their attachment to their country. If it was
discovered that I had been at the place of their nativity,
knew any of their relations or friends, and especially if any
of them had ever seen me before, their ecstasy seemed
complete. Are we to forget, then, om* children in the
midst of our political hatreds ? England lives in America,
and is likely to do so to a greater extent than ever. The
soil which feeds and nourishes myriads of our own flesh
and blood, who otherwise must perish ; a system which
admits them to its privileges, and adopts them as brethren ;
institutions which encourage their industry, foster their
talents, and reward their public and private virtues a
nation which lays open all its avenues of profit, employ-
ment, honour, and distinction, of every sort, to our needy
or adventurous sons ; such a land is not to be thought of

by us otherwise than with profound interest and reg^d.

ft* .

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17»

TOUR IN AMERICA.

^;!

The motives that lead the parent to follow his c!iildren
with anxiety into the world, when they first leave his
house, may well cause us, in the same spirit, to send our
thoughts after our children, so numerously seeking their
destiny in the United States.

It has been already said, that the " Americans are a
]-cligious people." Their character, habits, and institutions,
oannot possibly be understood, without taking this element
into considemtion. Persons who only look at the forms,
the sVolcton and frame-work, of society, and consider its
s'uM^^ngth find perfection to lie in these, will necessarily con-
'ilnde, ';hat America is a heterogeneous mass of human
beiu ;s, devoid of shape and symmetry. To parties whose
ii' ^s have been spent in old 'nations, whose governing
powei-, 1 'om time immemorial, has been external, and their
moans coercion, this is a very natural conclusion. The
public order, morality, peaceful demeanour, and industrious
habits of a people in thes^. old societies, are all supposed,
by their theories of government, to be enforced, — to be
worked into the mind of the body politic by appliances
from without. Government, in these cases, is like the dex-
terous avocation of the herdsman or the hunter ; who, in
the one case, pens in his animals, and only allows them to
graze at his pleasure, and, in the other, circumvents them
by his cunning and art. How far the state of these old
countries has made this essential, it is not for us to discuss ;
but, at any rate, if the necessity exists, it does not speak
)nuch for the intelligence and »:.."rality of the people. The
pageantries of state, the trappings of royalty, the draperies
and ornaments of decoratod officials, — together with the
infinite and endless, soulless ceremonies to be observed, —
are all, no doubt, brought in to heighten the impression,
and strike the senses of the vulgar. Those who place the
power of good order and national security in these external
things, will, as a corollary, think of the United States as a
most lawless community. Not having the insignia of order.

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

179

as found in their own country, they may, perchance, ima>
gine that the substance is absent.

It was the fortune, good or ill, of the present writer, to
pass from Boston to Pittsburgh, and, of consequence,
through all the intermediate space, embracing most of the
cities, towns, and country of the older States, without set-
ting his eyes on a single soldier, liveried policeman, or any
other human being wearing the dress of authority. At the
last-mentioned place he saw an assembly of volunteers,
horse and foot ; and, on inquiry, found that they had turned
out to do honour to the remains of one of their neighbours,
iin officer, who had lost his life in the Mexican war, and
had been brought home for sepulture. But though there
was not the slightest appearance of anything in the form
of external coercion through all the space mentioned, so-
ciety lay as unruffled, as peaceful and quiet, as one of their
own beautiful lakes on a summer's evening. Let it not be
imagined that this repose is the stillness of death. Pro-
bably no equal number of men on earth are so active, so
fully engaged, or have more various and complex business
transactions, than this population. Industrious, eager for
w^ealth, proud of distinctions, and sensible of the benefits
of a good standing in society, these people are working
their way up the hill ; and yet there is no visible, certainly
no military, force to keep them in order.

Here, then, are phenomena to be solved. How is this ?
What is the power leading to this state of things ? The
answer to these questions will vary with the creed of the
parties putting them. The political philosopher will look
to his theories for a solution, and attribute the power and
advancement of society to civil institutions, to the republi-
canism of the' country. He will say that the principles and
provisions of this system, lying at the basis of the body
politic, and extending their ramificaAons through the whole,
are the motive power of the existing life, contentment, and
happiness of the pe^ le. The economists, the merchants,

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180

TOUR IN AMERICA.

li.

the men of trade, the dealers m money, and the jobbers in
all sorts of speculations, will, in their turn, call in to fud the
investigation ideas and notions taken from the iride-spread
territories of the States, the fertility of the soil, the extent
and usefulness of their rivers, the spaciousness of their
harbouip, mines, forests, manufactures, farms, and all the
other agencies of industry and wealth.

Without in the least depreciating the importance and
value of all these things ; and, moreover, allowing them
their just share in producing the existiag prosperity of the
country ; we must avow our skepticism as to the power of
these means to create the greatness and the happiness of
the American nation. It is, indeed, an unspeakable ad-
vantage to be saved from the pressure of a crowded, and,
as a consequence, a pauper population. This is fully en-
joyed. Every man has scope for his enterprise without
treading upon the heels of his neighbour, or injuring his
prospects by competition. Every family has room for de-
velopment ; the young can be profitably employed, and the
certainty of success presents itself to stimulate their in-
dustry and activity. There is a sufficiency of soil for
the scions of every house to take root and spread their
branches; and, in case of suitable culture, the sunshine
of heaven, its dews, and its rains, they are certain to
rise to maturity. No kind of genius, of skill in the arts,
of inventive powers, of mechanical capacity, of eminence
in the professions, of governing talent, of senatorial elo-
(luence, or intellect of any other kind, can possibly go mi-
requited. There may be rivalries, contentions, and fierce
gymnastic-like trials of strength, for the higher prizes of
the world ; but there is an area of sufficient space to occu-
py the population in the ordinary courses of life ; whilst
great numbers have been trained in these normal schools,
to aspire to the more honourable posts.

Then» allowing for all the advantages referred to, we
usk, Are they of themselves sufficient to account for the

m.:

FART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

l&l

peaceful and progressive state of society, as it is seen in the
United States ? I confess, I am not persuaded of their
sufficiency. Tliere must be something else, more profound,
more permanent, more influential over men's souls, — some-
thing more deeply imbedded in the moral sentiments of
the people, more divine, than anything we have mentioned.
If, in the absence of external coercion, society is found to
be moral and quiet, then these virtues cannot arise from
this cause. If not guided by the skill and the power of a
master, men must be the masters of their own movements ;
and in case these movements are in the paths of wisdom,
geod order, peacQ, and morality, to what does this lead us ?
It leads to the inevitable conclusion, that moral sentiment
is the guiding light and the sustaining power of such a
community. But then is it possible for morality to have
any vitality without religion ? We think not. A morality
which is not based on the doctrines of Christianity is a
baseless fabric, a sapless tree, a lifeless mummy ; in fine, a
contradiction, a falsehood. But we are not left to specula-
tion on these points. Inferences in many cases may bo
pretty truly drawn ; but we prefer facts.

It is, then, an undoubted fact, that the American people
do pay great regard to religion ; and as this, like every-
thing else, is with them a personal and not a conventional
concern, it is all the more energetically promoted. It
seems a principle of Americanism, that the obligations of
our nature are untransferable. An American never dreams
of putting his social or religious obligations into commis-
sion. He never considers himself as having denuded him-
self of his responsibilities, when he has ^vcn his vote for a
president, and taken his share in constructing a govern-
ment. Even his political duties are not, in his own estima-
tion, put in abeyance by these transactions, much less his
moral and religious. He does not expect the government
to serve God for him, or to take into its hands the task of
publicly providing for that conservation of morality and

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182

TOUR IN AMERICA.

religion which he knows can only be secured by personal
exertions.

According to American ideas, the state does not consist
of public functionaries, whether civil or ecclesiastical, but
of the people. The souls and bodies of the population,
unitedly, constitute the State: not a function, not an
office. In the State making provision for this or the other,
the American would include himself. He has no notion
of public men taking his place, and relieving him of the
burden of his own intelligence, conscience, humanity.

This is a living power. It is refreshing even to look upon
a true and real American, with his swinging gait, in the full
consciousness of his manhood. There is something even in
his appearance different from other people. It is not reck-
lessness, not rudeness, not isolation, not misanthropy. No-
thing of this sort is seen. And yet there is an air of per-
fect independence and freedom, consciousness of strength
and power, repose in the midst of activity, calmness and
dignity with profound emotions. An American, more than
any character it was ever my happiness to study, looks like a
man who is sensible that he carries his own destinies about
him ; that he is complete m himself ; that he is a self-act-
ing, self-moving intelligence ; that he has to shape his own
course, and become the architect of his own fortune. He
does not seem to be looking without to catch the chances
of some stray events by which to fashion his life: his
thoughts are steadily fixed upon strengthening his own re-
sources, and he is always laying in a stock for the voyage
he is upon. The effect of this is to produce (I hardly
know what to call it) a rotundity, a fulness, a complete-
ness of manhood, not seen in other societies ; and to those
who do not comprehend him, or who have only been ac-
customed to the fawning flatteries — and as false as they are
fawning — of other nations, all this is extremely offensive.

Enter an American store, and, instead of being baited,
wheedled, and deceived, the language, as expressed by

see

unf(

cha

not

ing

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

188

acUou, is, '• You may buy, if you please. It is your own
concern ; do as you like." It came to the author's know-
ledge, — and the fact will illustrate our point, — that a
very popular traveller aiid writer, who was receiving the
incense of the fashionable world in the States next to ado-
ration, in the midst of this excitement, sent for a grave
tradesman to w^ait upon him at his rooms ; no doubt with
the intention of entering into somo business arrangements.
A^hat was the reply? In spirit, "My compliments to

Mr. , and inform him it is not the custom of our house

for one of its principals to seek or rec<^ive orders in such

circumstances. If Mr. wishes to do business with

us, or has anything to propose, he must come to us ; we
shall be glad to see him." " How rude !" says one of the
gentlemen of " the trade," in ** the Row," or at the West
End. Well, the question of rudeness must be settled be-
twixt the two parties. It is just possible thai the Ameri-
can might think it as rude to be summoned to attend the
English traveller, as the latter considered it in him. We
only select this instance of independence as illustrative of
character. It is a general trait.

Instead of moving and acting like the members of the
body at the bidding of some other head or will than his
own ; instead of being dragged along, like the helpless
travellers of a railroad train, by forces independent of him-
self, the American chooses to consult his own counsels, to
examine his own course, and to move the machine intrusted
to him by his Creator by his own free volitions. All this
may either be good or bad. In case the forces which are
thus put in motion are fitted to move aright, it is easy to
see that the results must be vastly important. Man, free,
unfettered, acting on his own convictions, supposing them
to be wise and good, must possess a power which men in
chains, or working in gangs like slaves in a plantation, can-
not enjoy. This individualism is, in point of fact, the lead-
ing feature of American character. The true son of the

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184

TOUR IN AMIRIOl.

soil never parts with it. The oombinfttiont, confederationfl,
wiions, and committeei into whioh politics or ccnnmercial
enterprises drive him, never despoil him of his identity.

How then, seeing that every American is expected to
act for himself, is he prepared to take his post ? Let us
examine this point. Its solution is what we want to get
atb Is he let loose on the world, a mere animal, to prey
upon its vitals, or is he religiously prepared ? This leads
us to the question of education. Great attention is paid
by the Americans to thu vital subject. What would be
called in this country national education, universally pre-
vails. Schools are provided at the public expense ; and
though this people have a proverbial antipathy to taxation,
yet they willingly tax themselves for this purpose. The
system so often attempted here, on the model of some of
the continental nations, is uot the system of America.
They have not established a central power, or educational
department, under a minister of state, or anything analo-
gous to our Committee of Privy Oouncil. The people
manage their own aflbirs in this as in other things. The
municipal bodies and the parochial authorities have the
power to assess themselves for educational purposes. This
is done on a broad scale ; ui the elder States the provision
is universal, so that every child may, if his parents choose,
obtain the advantages of a good common education. And
inaconueh as every inhabitant is obliged to pay his share of
the expense, whether he avails himself of the school or
not, this is found to operate against parental neglect. But
the advantages are so obvious ; the popular voice agfunst
ignorance, and in favour of knowledge, is so influential;
the duties of atisenship, in which all share, are so pressing,
and its honours so tempting ; that every parent is induced
to place his children in one of these schools.

Zealous partisans would probably say, that these are
not religious schools, because partieuUur creeds are not
enforced. Ifaii iroiUd bf imponible, ia a country where

tfi|»^

PART I.— PBR80NAL KABBATTVE.

185

no creed possesses a pre-eminence, or is sanctioned by the
State. But if the Holy Scriptures constitute the basis oi
Christianity, then these are Christian schools, notwithstand-
ing the absence of creeds. The Bible is read daily, it is
the standard book, the foundation of everything ; and its
divine authority is thus universally taught, and its sacred
lessons constantly inculcated. True to their principles, the
Romanists at New-York, some time ago, attempted to get
the Bible banished from the public schools. In this they
failed; for though by their union and compactness they
possess much strength, and on merely political questions,
by throwing their weight into one scale, they have it in
their power to turn the balance,— on this point, which was
deemed a religious one, and on which all the Protestants
were agreed, they utterly failed in their unholy attempt.

This educational provision, being purely popular, may
be taken as an indication of the public mind on a great
religious question. Instead of leaving their children to go
astray from their birth, we see that Christian instruction is
provided for them, as an essential and national blessing.
This does not seem as if the people were indifferent to
Christianity ; and, moreover, it proves that they desire to
seize the most fitting time in the life of man to inculcate its
sacred lessons. This, no doubt, is one of the healing ingre-
dients thrown into the troubled waters, one of the moral
forces which ever after works in determining the character
of the individual, the state of domestic life, and the condi-
tions of society. And instead of indifference in this one
arrangement, we see religion, in its most catholic form,
employed as an instrument of national order, virtue, and
peace; and, that a useful and virtuous citizenship is not
expected without the employment of suitable means.

We are considering the question of religion. Do the

; Americans trust to the processes of secular knowledge, or

the power of merely human means, for the maintenance of

public order, and social prosperity ? The answer to this

186

TODR IN AMBRICA.

question stands out in bold relief. In every city, small
and great, are seen large and spacious public buildings ;
and, on inquiry, the stranger is told that these are the
common day-schools of the place. On entering, he finds
that, besides the routine of a very good educational system,
embracing the usual matters of secular instruction, the
Scriptures are taught to the whole population ;' Ood speak-
ing to them in the impressive lessons of his own word.
Here the work of Christianity begins. Can any one calcu-
late the amount of influence produced on the public mind,
and on the moral state of a great people, by this one living,
active, pervading agency? Religion is here brought to
operate upon the youthful heart in its blandest and most
winning, attractive form; namely, that of the words of
Scripture. It is not so tery evident as some persons seem
to imagine, that the best way to impress the mind of chil-
dren is to drill them to get by heart some metaphysical,
crabbed dogmas of theology, which neither themselves nor
their teachers can in the least degree comprehend. Yet,
in the jargon of our sectarianism, this is called teaching re-
ligion, while the reading of the Bible itself is considered as
not teaching religion at all; and schools only using the
word of God, with prayer, are said to be secular. Cer-
tainly, Americans do not think so. The Holy Scriptures
are a redity with them ; and by their conduct, we have
reason to think that they place more confidence in the di-
viiiiB teaching of these "lively oracles" of God, than they
do in the step-by-step process of Catechisms, all of which
begin at the wrong end ; commence at the top, and build
downwards; start with the highest abstractions on the
divine essence and attributes, and then from this elevation
lead the poor little inquirer down into the details and facts
of revelation. Is not a population, formed on the incul-
cation of the Scripture, as likely to become real Christians
and good citizens, as a population drilled in the abstractions
of any existing Catechism ? There is a breadth, a fulness,

^m-'

PART I.— PBE80NAL NABBATIVE.

A simpUoity, and especially a divinity, in the word of Ood,
ivhioh cannot be found anywhere else ; and, least of all, in
the hare-h<me, skeleton-like lessons propounded to the poor
children of this nation. On the whole, then, it must be
seen that the entire American people are trained in reli^on
from their childhood, if the Bible teaches it. At any rate,
im impression is made as to the divine authorify of this
lioly book, that it is the word of God, the charter of salvar
tion, the guide to heaven, and the only rule of faith and
praeiice binding on the human conscience. One would
think this is doing something towards forming society, and
building the morals, happiness, and progress of the nation
on our glorious Christianity.

But besides the care taken of the young, we find that
Christianity pervades the United States in vigorous action.
This is seen in the numbers attending public worship, in
the extent of church-communion, in the observance of the
sacraments of the Church., in the respect paid to the Sab-
bath, in the number and variety of religious and charitable
institutions, in the placing of their collegiate and higher
educational departments under the jare generally of reli-
gious men, in the diffusion and influence of a Christian
literature ; and, in fine, by the depth and extent of reli-
gious feeling and principle. By these means, Christianityj^
it is evident, touches and influences the entire social and
political state.

It is not meant by this that every individual is a pious
Christian, but that the spirit of the evangelical system is
in sufficient power to give to religious opinion and senti-
ment the complete ascendant in society. A man is not
reflected upon, or deemed less fit for the higher duties of
the State, by belonging to a Christian church ; he is rather
considered th^ better qualified for even civil posts of trust
and responsibility. It happened that the writer fell in
with persons, and heard from them the declaration, that
they could not give their suffrages to a very favourite can-

'■%

T01}R IN AMERICA.

didate for the presidential chair, on the ground that he was
thought to be too lax in his habits. And, moreover, it was
sMd, again and again, that this gentleman had damaged his
position and blighted his prospects by this very circum-
stance. Afterwards, indeed, he had reformed ; and it was
stated, on good authority, that this gentleman had joined
a Christian church, so that this objection must have fallen
to the ground. This will appear foolbh and bigoted to
many of the wise mep of this world, and may be thought
to have been the feeling only of hot-headed enthusiasts.
Not so. And it illustrates the point for which it is ad-
duced, namely, that Christianity is a very powerful ele-
ment in American society.

A very sensible and amiable gentleman, living in the
States, remarked, on the voyage out, " One of the things
which will surprise you is the number of sects existing in the
country.'* By tKe by, there is not much difference in this
I'espect between the mother and the daughter. But the
fact here stated is a great stumbling-block to many, who
can entertain no idea favourable to religion itself unless it
exist as a unity, and is placed under the leadership of their
favourite ecclesiastical functionaries. Certainly such parties
will not find their " ideal church" in America. But if they
look deep enough, they will discover what is better
an external organization of stupidity and death ; they
will find very much of the vitality of Christianity, a settled
anH active faith, together with a profound conviction of the
obligations to energetic piety, and the exercise of a divine
charity.

This division of the Christian body in America into sects,
and the fact that a union with any one of these sects is no
bar against employments of the most honourable kind, is, to
us, an anomaly. A Methodist lord-chancellor, a Baptist
attorney-general, a Presbyterian commander of the forces,
an Independent secretary of the state, and an Episcopal, or
Popish, gentleman doomed to take rank yrith one of these

PART I.— PBB80NAL NARRATIVE.

18»

sectarians, or under him, as the case may be, looks strange
in this country. This is no fictitious picture, but a matter
of fact. Men are united in the common service of their
country indiscriminately, irrespective of their creed or re<
ligious coqpeidons. The sects may hate each other, as is
their wont elsewhere ; but the State knows no distinction
betwixt one class of religionists and another.
1 At the present moment, though I was told that the Pre-
sident docs not hold communion with any church, yet he
usiuUy listens to a Methodist sermon in the morning, from
one of the chaplains of Congress, who is of that persua-
sion, and to a Presbyterian minister in the evening, his
lady belongmg to that church. One of the judges of the
Supreme Court, answering as nearly as possible to our
Court of Chancery, is at this moment a member of the
Methodist Episcopal body, not nominally, but really;
observing the rules, and attending upon all the services, of
liis church in all his movements. Moreover, the talents,
character, and standing of this gentleman are such, that in
the present contest for the office of pretndent he has been
mentioned, indeed brought forward, by a numerous and
most respectable class of his fellow-citizens, as a candidate
for the high distinction. These are only mentioned as in-
stances of the working of the system ; and no doubt ev&qj^Y
other appointment is in agreement with these cases of per-*
feet impartiality.

' But the matter of fact is, that in the United States the
several churches to which reference is made are not, in our
sense of the expression, sects at all. There are no sects in
America, no Dissenters, no seceders ;-r-or, whatever other
term may be employed to designate the position and stand'
ing of a Christian society. They are all alike considered
as ChristianB ; and adopting, according to the judgment of
charity, with equal honesty, the conim(»i charter of salva-
tion> the word of God, they are treated as equal, and as
possessing similar and indefeasible rights,

■,'St

i9e

tOUR IN AMBBXOA.

HT"

^^■

■ This is certainly a new aspect of living and vbible Ohris«
tianity ; and our business wiUi it at present ii| to test its
operations on society. Can perfect liberty and equality
in reli^on work well when favoured by oiroumstonoes as in
the United States ? Is Christianity itself, in it| own reve-
lations, its own glorious platform and basis, its own provi-
sions and divinity, when made plain, and put inio the hands
of a people, sufficient, without being formed and modified
by the political society, to produce its legitimate fruits ?
This question, like many others, is in course of solution in
the States. Go into a Popish country, and speak of
Christianity, and the native of one of these natk>ns, how-
ever elevated in rank, or polished by education, instantly
thinks of Popery. He knows of no religious system but the
hierarchy of Borne ; and it is impossible to get into his
head an idea of an abstract, a divine, and an unalterable
Christianity, reposing on the truth of God, and ooniiected
with his throne. It is very much the same among our-
selves, and especially among the higher ranks. These gen-
tlemen cannot conceive of any Christianity otherwise than
that which is imbodied in their own church. In almost all
the speculations of men among us, church orgwisations,
official distinctions, ecclesiastical canons, and the dress and
^j^el which men put upon their own fond creations, are
confounded with Christianity itself, and so called. If looked
at only in this light, the evangeUcal economy must be pro-
notmced an utter failure. Of all the wretched things whose
history stands out in the annals of time, the history of
churches is the most humiliating, and the most calculated
to make human nature blush. What had eoolesiastioal,
hierarchical Christianity done for the world in ancient
times ? It has put its trammels upon the simple, primitive,
and personal piety and usefulness, which had been pro-*
duced from tune to lime by the pure Gospel, and reduced
the so-called church to the condition of one mighty oon<
glomerated mass of fl^upid ignorance and vice ; then leicr

PART I.~PERSOKAL NABRATIVE.

101

ing the reins of even political power, has entwined itself
parusitically around the institutions of society, reducing
the world to the doomnion of a politico-religious despot-

ism.

Much dejMitc has arisen in the world respecting State's
adopting the Church, then corrupting, then enslaving her.
In passing, it may be permitted one to ask the zealous par-
tisans of church purity and state corruption, of church love
of freedom and state love of tyranny, just to reverse their
inquiries, and ask, in all possible candour, as to the real
delinquents in this matter. My belief is, that, as a general
rule, the State has not corrupted the Church, except as a
participant, just as companions in vice vitiate each other ;
but the Church has, in most instances, corrupted the State.
!N^either has the State enslaved the Church, as a general
rule, though sometimes this may have been the case ; but
the Church has, whenever it was allowed, invariably enslaved
the State. Nothing is so detrimental to the liberties and
the virtues of mankind as a corrupt, a fetid religion, at the
mme time organized aiid guided by the subtle and crafty
genius of a profligate priesthood.

It can be no matter of surprise that the American peo-
ple, being favoured with the opportunity, the soil being
clear, and no old institutions standing in the way, should
be disposed to adopt a new principle, and, discarding all
authoritative church-organization, try the effect of Chris-
tianity itself, in its own native grandeur and divine simpli-
city. This they have done. We have seen that the people
is the State ; and the State, in this sense, namely, through
the people, has, with the exception of the infidels among
them, adopted Christianity ; only, instead of being an hie-
rarchical government, it is that of the Holy Scriptures —
the Bible itself being the governing light, the decisive
authority, the court of final appeal, i^ All the mterests of
society converge to this point ; religion is its life, its power,
its beauty. It is like the mhstrata of the world, on which

«^^

■'*^'

Utt

TOUR IN AMERICA. '^-h^

iki

all the Boils whence the vegetable productions spring repoaa
in security. rf

1m this common Christianity, taught and developed in
Scripture, sufficient for a nation ? May the people of a
State be safely left, other things being favoura))lo, to this
simple process ? The answer to this question is in course
of solution in the United States. So far as it has been
tested, it is believed to have answered. Notwithstanding
the number of churches, bearing diflferent names, and
adopting diversified forms of service, there is probably as
much or more unity in these States than elsewhere.
Looking at theur spirit and visible position ; that a, in the
general absence of polemic stiife, of bitter contentions
between church and church, of acrimonious declamation
against each other in their religious periodicals ; — and then
their intercommunion and good neighbourhood, joint ezer«
tions for common objects, and, on the whole, harmonious
agreement : — ^these all imite to show that these professors
of the name of Christ can meet each other on the ground
of their common Christianity, though differing in non-essen^
tial points. So far as he had the opportunity of intercourse
with ministers and Christians of various denominations, the
author is bound to say, that he met with the most frank
llmd affectionate courtesy, and saw the same spirit mani-
fested one to another ; and, moroeover, that there appeared
infinitely less of what is distinctive and sectarian than in
this country. While at the Conference at Pittsburgh, all the
Protestant pulpits of every sort were filled each Sunday by
Methodist ministers, except some one or two of the Episco-
pal churches, whose ministers were believed to be tinctured
with Puseyism.

It is no marvel that this unity of spirit prevails. The
bitterness of sectariuiism is prevented by the nature of
their position. No ^one church thinks of calling another
church, resting on the Scriptures as its basis, and only dif-
fering in eztenial oigamtloii, ''heretics/' "wluiamtifi»»!*

*■•■

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVE.

198

and " Dissenters." No class of ministers, except Popish
priests and a few hare-brained Puseyites, ever dream of
saying of other ministers that they are " imauthorized,"
have no "vocation/' are "intruders" into other men's
folds, and " usurpers" of the priestly office. These things
can have no existence where common-law Christianity pre-
vails ; they are the assimiptions of sects, of exclusive pre-
tensions, of caste claims. The only unity that ever can
be found in this world, — ^unless God miraculously cut
down all souls to one common level, — is this. No power
on earth can screw mankind into one shape and form on
matters of faith and religious opinion. Unity can never exist
in the sense of sameness, like bricks in a wfdl, or metal from
a die. What is to throw souls into the same type ? The
idea is absurd ; but this kind of unity has ever been the
cant of bigots, or oftener still the instrument of tyrants to
obtain the object of their ambition— dominion over their
fellow-men. The unity of the Gospel Ues deeper ; it is
unity in the truth, not as seen by another, but as appre-
hended by the individual mind. But this truth is large,
broad, open. The divine revelations are not given in set and
limited propositions, Uke the syllogisms of man. It seems
to be the purpose of God to leave the manner of appre-
hending and believing the Gospel undefined and free. How
should it be otherwise ? Give any dogma to the first
dozen men who may be met with, and it is certain that
every one will conceive of it dififerently. How, then, can
unity be found in the manner of holding the truth ? But
though the Gospel may be apprehended variously, yet, if
it is really embraced, and simply beheved, as the mind is
assisted by the helps within its reach, and especially as
taught by the Spirit, who shall say that this vitiates the
truth itself?

Hence, though in the United States^the churches may be
called by different names, and there may be diversities of
opmion, even in matters of faith ; yet it does not fdlow

194

TOUR IN AMIRXOA.

iik».

from this, that thoy Ar« not eveiy one of them true
churches. But it it more on pointi of discipline and church
order, than on questions of truth and faith, that differences
spring up, and become the prolific parents of separations.
Can any one prove, from Holy Scripture, that the Author
of Christianity has not left this an open question ? Or,
can any one show that Ho has given his followers a model
church, a platform, n skeleton temple ? He has done no
such thing. In hb mercy and goodness to mankind. He
has — following the analogies of nature — prepared a world,
a universe of truth and grace, appearing confused, but not
so in reality, stretching infinitely beyond the line and defi-
nitions of man. And just as men are left to build their
social state and polity, in the midst of the agencies and
provisions of nature ; to cultivate their fields, erect their
cities, appropriate to themselves the bounties of Provi-
dence, and create the forms of civilhsation for themselves ;
so, in like manner, Christians are permitted to erect their
tents, found their churches, and enjoy the blessings of reli-
gion freely, on the brood field of Scriptural truth ; and, for
anything which can be shown to the contrar}', one organi-
zation is OS lawful ns another ; the only difference being in
the fitness of such organization to edify the people them-
selves, and evangelize the world without.

The American system looks for unity on this broad basis.
As far as can be seen, it is os mu^h secured as can be well
expected in the midst of the inf jrmities of human nature.
At any rate, society is not convul)t;d, nor the state put into
jeopardy, by religious contentions, o)/Ums, and projects. If
religion does not bless, neither doci it curse, the country ;
if it does not produce liealth, neither does it extend any
social pestilence ; if, in fine, it does not allay human pas-
sions, neither does it exasperate them. But the matter is
placed too low by bang thus hypothetically put. It is my
deep conviction, thrtt religion is the conservative power of
American society. It is the salt of the community ; it is

PART I.— PERSONAL NARRATIVI.

105

the life and the soul of public and private virtue ; it is the
cement, the power of coherence, which holds the States
together ; and, by purifying the pi^blic morals, elevating
the soul with noble sentiments, creating the sense of re-
sponsibility, and stimulating to industry, it is creative of
their greatness and power.

But by the English reader it will be instantly asked, —
which, in fact, has often been the case, — If re%ion be so
powerful an element in American society, why does it not
abolish slavery ? Let us look at this question impartially.
If this is done, it will be found that either Christianity, or
some other great moral force, has done something in this
direction already. The whole continent, including all the
existing territory of the republic, was inherited, at first,
from this country, with this great curse. Has anything
been achieved to get rid of it ? The answer is, that many
of the States have freed themselves from the evil. The
States of Mame, New-Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts,
Rhode Island, Connecticut, New- York, New-Jersey, Penn-
sylvania, Delaware, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wis-
consin, Iowa, have all renounced slavery. Let us learn to
do justice where right principles have prevailed.
{ Christian truth must have had something to do in free-
ing the people of colour from their chcuns. This, no doubt,
lias been the motive power in bringing about this issue.
There remains another triumph, even in these States, for
the same influences to effect ; namely, the enfranchisement
of the liberated African race in the rights of citizenship.
They still remain aliens, though free. The constitutions
of the several States, without exception, continue to pro-
scribe them for the sin of the colour of their skin, however
religious, virti^ous, and orderly they may be.* These peo-

* The constitutions of the several States merely pretermit them, bjr enact-
ing that '* every white male" shall possess the franchise. This is sufficiently
effective. The State of New-York, indeed, mentions them expressly ; but
(Htrange to say !) in the case of the African race, they establish a property-
qualification. The words are :— " No man of colour shall vote, unless he shall

:*-

TbUB IN AMERtOA.

pie fpve their allegiance, their labour, their support to the
state ; and yet they Itre denied any place within its pale.
This is unjust, and it is as impolitic as it is oppressive. But
we must trust to time, to the growth of better principles,
to the improvement of the African race itself; and no
doubt, where so much has already been accomplished, in
the end right views and feelings will prevail.

Nothing can be said respecting those States which are
not only slave-holding, but manifest v, fixed resolution to
foster and perpetuate the evil. It is true, the difficulties
in the way of getting rid of the institution are prodigious ;
much more so than the people of this coimtry can appre-
hend. But this is no reason why tho injustice should be
cherished, and the aggregation of the mischief and misery
increased, which is undoubtedly the case. We see amongst
these southern States no disposition to take even the first
step in the direction of liberty. What the religious element
wiH ultimately do, no one can at present tell. If its les-
sons and influences are not neutralized by the antagonism
of slavery itself, in time, no doubt, it will produce the same
results as in other places. If this is not the case, then the
evil> as in other instances, must take its own course, and
work its own cure. It is impossible that so monstrous an
injustice should continue stationary. Ood has made in his
decrees, in his immutable laws, the accumulations of evil to
work their own destruction. Men may endure oppression
up to a certain point ; but beyond that point it cannot be
carried. The recoil comes, in the destruction of either the
oppressors or the oppressed. One of these two results
must, in the nature of things, take place in this case, — re-
ligion will illuminate, exalt, and set the African race free ;
or, being opposed, the ignorance, vice, discontent, and tur-
bulence of slavery will, at some time, rise in revolt, and

have been tbree years a resident of the State, and, for one year next preceding
the election, shall have owned a freehold worth two hundred and fihy dollars
above all Incumbrances, and shall have paid tax thereon."

PABT I.~PERSONAL NARRATIVB. 0f

seek its revenge. The alternative is before the Southern
people; they cannot evade it, any more than they can
stop the sun in his course. The question at present,
though difficult, adnuts of a peaceful solution ; in a while
this period of probation will pass away, and some fearful
hurricane, some dreadful catastrophe, will come in to set-
tle that which religion and justice failed to accomplish.

•

€

198

•' TOUR IN AMERICA. ^^"^

PART II.

HISTOKICAL NOTICES OF METHODISM IN AMEBICA.

CHAPTER I.

Introductory remarkc->Mr. WesJoy'i peat talent for government— The confi-
dence reposed in him'— Hi* diilntereated encouragement to all who were ca-
pable of rendering service to religion— Became the bond of union to the first
Methodists in America.

The history of Methodism in its commencement is one of
those singular facts which come in to illustrate the force of
that hidden and divine agency to which the glorious tri-
umphs of Christianity are, in holy Scripture, always attri-
buted. The insignificance of the instruments often em-
ployed in the accomplishment of the work of God, is
intended to demonstrate its spiritual, its divine oiigin.
When parties, destitute of every human distinction, are
seen i§t- commence and carry to a suecessful issue the most
difficult enterprises of religion ; it seems certain, from this,
that they are employed by a higher power — ^that they have
received a commission from God.

It is true, that, in all its branches, Methodism possessed,
from the beginning, the advantage of the counsels and con-
summate guidance of its great leader. No man was ever
better fitted for the task assigned him, in this respect, than
John Wesley. His religious opinions and his policy were
in perfect agreement, — Scriptural, simple, catholic, practi-
cal. Everything with him resolved itself into one great
purpose, — ^the promotion of the salvation and happiness of
man, in connexion with the highest glory of God. Happily
for mankind, the best blessings of religion lie within the
compass of this simple area. Policy often perplexes, but
nevir ultimately*Berves, the cause of true Christianity.

The idea will look like a paradox to men who can see no

PART II. — NOTICES OF METHODISM.

199

wisdom in government but what is circuitous, mystical^
and subtle, to say that true policy is found on the swface,
that it consists in a clear, lucid, and perspicacious adhe-
rence to simple truth. And yet this is unquestionably the
case. God, the supreme Ruler, has impressed certainty
on all his laws. His government is not a labyrinth, a con-
tmdiction, a confused and clashing contrivance, a subtle
system of expedients, intended to allure and to decoy his
creatures into certain courses. The sunbeams of heaven
are not clearer and brighter than the moral laws of the
imiverse ; and the throne of the great Parent of all is no
other than the throne of truth, which truth b being evolved
in his entire administration and government.

Confidence in this truth was never carried further, pre-
bably, by any uninspired man than by the Founder of
Methodism. His position made him necessarily the patri-
arch and the governor of his people everywhere. On what
did he depend to accomplish his work ? Nothing, certainly,
but the force of truth through his long life ; and though
often placed in very anomalous and perplexing circum-
stances, yet we never see him resorting to any kind of
linesse. He trusted his work where he trusted his soul,
in the hands of God. But his maintenance of principle
was free from passion, and equally free from narrow and
isolated notions. We never perceive any angry or coercive
enforcement even of the truth itself. Truth in his mind
was not, indeed, a cold syllogism ; it had all the power of
u command, an obligation : and yet it was only enjoined in
the language of forcible argument, tender and affectionate
persuasion, and, as occasion required, an awful lifting up
of a warning voice as to the eternal consequences of its re-
jection. His, own keen intellect, illuminated by the Spirit,
and sanctified by the grace of God, qualified him to appre-
liend the appropriate course in matters of administration, as
well as in other things, most fully and accurately : and then
the purity of his affections, and his tender regard for his

200

TOUR IN AMERICA.

fellow-men, enabled him to bear with their infirmities, ob-
tuseness, and even factious conduct, when manifested, with
entire confidence as to the result.

But Mr. Wesley was no partial adherent to a system,
any more than a dictatorial administrator of its laws. He
clearly saw that truth, like nature, is an aggregation ; that
one principle is linked with another, in harmonious concert,
through the universe, and all to the throne of God ; that
isolation is weakness, while a genuine, a cathoUc belief in
religion, gives expansion to the mind, and calmness to con-
fidence ; that government, hke Christianity itself, must em-
brace the happiness as well as the obedience of its subjects,
01* it mu:>t fail ; that man, in all grades of society, in all
conditions of life, in all obligations and duties, in all offices
and places of trust, ought to be treated with frankness,
honour, and respect ; and, moreover, that in all religious
relations the Holy Scriptures alone must be the rule, the
final appeal. A ruler who fixes his thoughts and founds
his entire policy on some favourite theory, some logical or
mathematical line, some human dogma, some narrow party
or sectarian base, — ^is sure, in the long run, to see his policy
fail ; and the loss of his chimera will bring discomfiture
and despair. His cause being frustrated, he imagines re-
ligion itself is lost ; whereas, in point of fact, nothing but
an embarrassment is gone.

Not so with John Wesley. He had no scheme, no
theory, no pet notions, in seeking to bring about the results
*of religion. He threw himself on the resources and power
of God's economy. The spiritual life, the morality, the
practical ends of government, secured, — ^he was perfectly
hidifferent regarding the external means. With him the
experience of piety, the divine affections, the purity and
holiness of soul and body ; the entire devotedness of talents,
influence, property, to God ; the operations of a saving and
practical faith in the Son of God ; the obligations to a con-
secrated and useful life ; the spread of the gospel on the

PART II.— NOTICBS OF METHODISM.

201

widest poisible scale ; and all kinds of good orices ren-
dered to each other by Christians ; — ^these were the essen-
tials of religion with him ; and whatever best promoted
these ends, he considered as all that was important in
matters of government.

Hence his administration— if we may so call his care and
authority— became easy. He did not fix his regards or
bend his efforts to the formation of an ecclesiastical system ;
but his one object was to help souls to get to heaven ; and
he taught them that in their journey it was their duty to
illustrate their Saviour's glory, and endeavour to persuade
others to go with them to the same abodes of the blessed.
In a word, it is clearly seen, in all the movements of this
great man, that he kept but one thing constantly before his
Attention ; namely, the promotion of experimental and prac-
tical religion. And, what is more, the means agreed with
the end. There was no ravelled scheme of policy in his
government ; every one saw the end he proposed, and most
persons acquiesced in the agencies employed to secure it.

Nothing is more remarkable in the history of John Wes-
ley than the confidence his character inspired. All sought
his counsel and advice, and deferred, in general, to his
opinions. By reason of his disinterested regard to all who
" loved our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity," the singleness
of his purpose, the simplicity of his course, and the urbanity
of his manners, — ^he won the entire, the unbounded reli-
ance of his followers. Unlike the vulture amongst birdfli,
devouring some and frightening the rest, he attracted all
by the music of his love, and never betrayed the confidence
reposed in him. His object was, never to crush, to si^due,
to repress the rising energies of any, even the poorest.
Christian. Op the contrary, his whole management turned
on the principle of calling out the latent powers of the
followers of his Lord, and tummg them to the best account.
No man ever did so much to exalt the lowly, to elevate
the obscure, and to put all who were capable of any kind

'^'-

202

•*W»^« TOUR IN AMERICA. -*^

of service on the right track. Myriads have been rescued
from a low and degrading position in life, and ultimately
constituted the strength and ornaments of both the reli-
gious and the social state, who, but for him, would have
passed through the world in some of its meanest and most
vicious phases. His rule of action was, in the best sense,
that of development. From his whole proceeding it is
evident, that he had great confidence in man, as man, irre-
spective of the accidents of birth and education. His
object was to make every one better and happier than he
found him. A priest himself, — ^but entirely free from the
priestly spirit, — he sought to enlist, for religion and the
progress of the gospel, all the gifts and talents created by
experimental piety. By the adoption of this course, he
appears, in all the different circumstances in which he is
seen, much more of the father than the governor of his
people ; though, in point of fact, no man more completely
directed the affairs of a church than he did ; no man ever
more really governed any body than he governed the whole
Methodist community.

We are often surprised, that instruments apparently so
very unsuited, achieved so much in the early history of
this work. The matter of fact, however, is, that all were
directed by one mind. The agencies were various, the
instruments often of the humblest kind, the talents, ab-
stracted from the love and zeal of their possessors, were
frequently of the meanest order, and the lines of operation
adopted were sometimes extremely difficult ; but, all being
moulded by the plastic power of this great master of cir-
cumstances, the chaos was reduced to order, and the ole-
ments which, in their separate state, were weak as water,
became compact, massive, and strong ; like grains of sand
compressed by the laws of nature into mighty mountains.

It has been by the union of these insignificant fragments
of piety and goodness, that the Methodist Church has risen
to its present state. But it is perfectly easy to see, that

PART U. — NOTICES OP METHODISM.

208

the power of cohesion could not exist in themselves. A
centre of attraction, a uniting force, became essential. With*
out this, the creations of religion itself must have spent
their fire, and evaporated into thin air. In the first move-
ments of any remarkable revival of the work of God, if this
take place in the " field of the world," and not within the
enclosures of an existing ecclesiastical system ; — men must,
of necessity, become these centres of attraction, and exercise
tliis power of concentration. Institutions, of course, cannot,
at this stage, do this, inasmuch as they have no existence ; they
may become rallying-points afterwards, as they take their
position, and develop their excellencies ; but in the com-
mencement, individuals constitute the centres around which
those who have not the power of self-support naturally collect.
This was the exact position of John Wesley. His labours
had put many agencies in motion which could not, of them-
selves, continue in any useful course ; but, guided by his
Avisdom, and held up by his encouraging counsels and sup-
port, these simple and good men could accomplish much
in the furtherance of the gospel. Hence the first scattered
sparks of piety, which flickered in America, at once sought
to connect themselves Avith him. The poor emigrants
from this country and Ireland, who, belonging to the Me-
thodist body, were made the instruments of introducing
the system, — carried with them the traditions of his excel-
lencies. They considered themselves his children, and
connected with the united societies; they had received
their religious enjoyments in union with his followers ; they f.
had been trained under the discipline he had established ;
and hence, in their new circumstances, they could not look
upon their expatriation as an excision from the parent tree.
This, in some measure, accounts for the facts alluded to ;
namely, that of a great result growing out of very insig-
nificant means. And yet, by reason of its connexion with
Mr. Wesley, nothing seems fortuitous. The rise and pro-
gress of Methodism in the States does not look like a happy

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204

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.

accident ; though, in some of its features, it is luffloiently
curious. The modes of the divine operation are often mys-
terious; but there seems to be one unalterable rule in the
economy of Christianity, that is, to bless man by man. The
pervading will of God, as well as the influenoei of his
grace, is, indeed, actively and constantly at w^rk in con-
nexiun with the progress of his gospel, but not lo as to
exclude human labour.

This will of God is eclectic as to the choice of agents ;
electing some to be the depositaries of power, of trust, and
of government ; giving these parties, truly and really, a
divine mission, authenticated by gifts, influence, and bless-
ing, though not by visible miracles ; and, as their work is
amongst souls, and refers especially to religion, bestowing
upon them a remarkable degree of spiritual power, in the
form of confidence, exercised in their functions and call.
On this principle our Founder was an elect man ; chosen
for his position ; endowed with divine gifts ; made the cen-
tre of a great spiritual power ; and became the instrument
and messenger of a new development of the Christian re-
ligion ; and, inasmuch as he was ** orddned A vessel unto
honour," God gave him the hearts and affections of men.
By reason of this it will be seen, that when the little rills
began here and there to bubble up in America, they con-
nected themselves directly with Mr. Wesley; and thus
brought themselves into close and intimate contact with the
Fountain of all grace, through the instrumentality of one
who had been thus chosen, as the chief channel of its
communication in the line in question. The evidences that
this is the work of God, are complete. Indeed, the social
progress of the United States is not more in proof of the
contemporary existence and operation of the moral ele-
ments of civilization — than the origin and progress of
Methodism is in proof of the presence, influence, and voii-
ous gifts and blessings, of the Spirit of God, in connexion
with its triumphs.

PART II.— NOTICES OF METHODISM.

206

CHAPTER II.

The Introduction of Methodism into New-Yorlt— Philip Embury— Begins to
preach— Captain Webb— The first Society — Freaching*Houses — Robert
Strawbridge commences preaching in Maryland— Freeborn Garrettson—
Captain Webb's Labours in Long Island and Philadelphia— Attempts to get
Mr. Benson appointed to America— Reflections on these Agents — The Class-
Meeting.

We now hasten to give some notice of the introduction of
Methodism into America. Twenty-seven years had passed
from the time of the establishment of the "United So-
cieties" in England, and thirty-seven from the period of the
meeting of the rudimental society, or " Godly Club," in
Oxford, before it made its way into New- York, in 1766.
It is impossible to suppose, that this time had elapsed
without emigi'ant Methodists having arrived from the
mother country. They had, consequently, lost their reli-
gion, or passed into other connexions ; m the former case,
they had been absorbed in the world, as the persons who,
at the above date, were instrumental in beginning the work,
were in danger of being.

** Philip Embury, and a batch of emigrant Methodists from Ire-
land, had so far given up their profession as to become card-
players, when another family arrived from Ireland, amongst whom
was ' a mother in Israel,' to whose zeal in the cause of God they were
all indebted for the revival of the spirit of piety amongst them. Soon
after their arrival, this good woman ascertained, that those who had
preceded her had so far departed from their ' first love,' as to be min-
gling in the frivolities and sinful amusements of life. The know-
ledge of this painful fact aroused her indignation, and, with a zeal
which deserves commemoration, she suddenly entered the roQm
where they were assembled, seized the pack of cards with which they
were playing, and threw them into the fire."

How great the pity, that the name and future circum-
stances of this noble-minded woman are not preserved !
She may be justly considered as the real instrument of
the work which followed; inasmuch as she roused the

206

TOUR IN AMERICA.

i^'i

slumbering men from their lethargic dreams, and put them
* in motion.

*' Addressing Embury, sho said, ' You must preach to us, or yvc
shall all go to hell togedier, and God will require our blood at your
hands.' Ho tremblingly replied, 'I cannot preach, for I have neither
a house nor a congregation.' ' Preach in your own house first, and
to our own company,' was the reply. Feeling the responsibility of
his situation, and not being able any longer to resist the importuni-
ties of his reprover, he consented to comply with her request ; and,
accordingly, preached his first seimon in his own hired house, to five
peraons only. This, it is believed, was the first Methodist scnnon
ever preached iu America." — Datuja^a ^^ Hiatory of Methodism,'* vol. i,
pp. 47, 48.

Thus began Methodism in America. The circumstances
are not very auspicious, and the chief agent, as we see, not
a very promising person. Had not the faith and zeal of
our female heroine come in to the help of pusillanimous
men, the feeble spark would, at this time, no doubt, have
gone out ; and the origin of this great cause would have
commenced at some other point, and, possibly, have as-
sumed another character. *' From this time they gradually
gathered strength, till they were able to rent a room in the
neighbourhood, of larger dimensions. Here they assembled
for mutual edification, Mr. Embury continuing to lead their
devotions, and to expound to them the w;ord of God." —
Idem, p. 46.

Captain Webb made his appearance on the scene soon
after their first feeble eflbrts, greatly strengthening the
confide&ee of the " little flock," and, instrumentally, aug-
menting their numbers. He had been brought to the
knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins, at Bristol,
about the year 1165; and, it seems, immediately began to
call sinners to repentance. The character of his preaching
may be pretty well ascertained, by an entry or two in Mr.
^Wesley's Journal. He says, —

" Captain Webb preached at tlie Foundry. I admire the wisdom

^ of God in thus raising up various preachers, according to the various

tastes of men. The captain is alllife and fire; therefore, oldiongh

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PART II. — NOTICES OP METHODISM.

207

he b not deep, or regular, yet many who would not hear a better
preacher, flock to hear him. And many are convinced under his
preaching, some justified, a few built up in love."—" Works," vol. iii,
p. 287.

" Captain Webb lately kindled a flame here, (Devizes,) and it is
not yet gone out. Several persons were still rejoicing in God ; and
the people, in general, were much quickened. I found his preaching
in the street at Winchester had been blessed greatly. Afony wore,
more or less, convinced of sin ; and several had found peace witli
(3od. I never saw the preaching-house so crowded before, with se-
rious and attentive hearers." — Idem, vol. iv, p. 261.

At the period under review, Wt captain was stationed
at Albany, the capital of the province of New- York ; and
his appearance on the theatre must have created great
interest in the public mind. His rank in life, his military
costume, — in which it seems he preached, — his dauntless
resolution, his fervid spirit, would, in a thoughtless and
dissipated population, succeed' much more in rousing at-
tention than regular ministrations, however plain or elo-
(juent. Accordingly, his preaching "drew many to the
place of worship ; and the room where they assembled
soon became too small to accommodate all who wished to
hear. Sinners were awakened and converted to God, and
added to the society. These, continuing to walk in the
' fellowship of the Holy Ghost,' were much strengthened
and comforted ; while others, who beheld their godly con-
versation, were convinced of the power and excellence of
their religion." — Bangs^s " Hiatory of Methodism,** vol. i,
pp. 49, 60.

The society of Methodists was now fairly established, the
instruments being, as we see, a timid local preacher, a fait]|^
ful and heroic woman, and a brave, believing, and zealous
military officer. The hired room now became too small for
the congregation, and the next step in advance was to rent
a rigging-loft, in Williarai-street. This place, like the other,
soon becoming too strait, the people began to entertain the .
notion of building a preaching-house.

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208

TOVa XM AMBUOA.

" While all were deliberating on the moit luitable means to be
adopted to accomplifh an object lo deiirablc, and even necessary for
their continued prosperity, an elderly lady, one of the Irish emi-
fi^ants before mentioned, while fervently engaged in prayer for direc*
tion in this important enterprise, received, with inexpressible sweet-
ness and power, this answer : ' I the Lord will do it.' At the same
time, a plan was presented to her mind, which, on being submitted
to the society, was generally approved of, and finally adopted. They
proceeded to issue a subseription-paper, waited on the mayor of the
city, and other opulent citisens, to whom they explained their object,
and fh)m them received such liberal donations, as greatly encour-
aged them to proceed in tltoir undertaking."

This led to the eroctfon of John-street chapel, sixty feet
in length, and forty-two in breadth ; the people calling it>
from respect for tbo venerable founder of Methodism,
'* Wesley Chapel." Thii was, most likely, the first chapel
ever called by this name ; as, most ossuiedly, John Wesley
would never allow either chapel, society, or anything else,
to be called after him, in England, so long as he lived, and
possessed the power to prevent it.

The name of the above female has been happily rescued
from oblivion.

" The name of this pious woman was Hick, the mother of the late
Paul Hick, who became a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church in his youth ; and was subsequently a doss-leader and trus-
tee, in which offices he continued till near the close of life ; and finally
died, in the triumph of faith, in the seventy-fourth year of his age.
He has children and grand-children, now members of the church in
the city of New- York. Ho has often conversed with the writer re-
specting the circumstances and incidents of those early days of Me-
thodism, with much apparent delight and gratitude. When quite a
lad, his mother used to lead him by the hand to the meetings ; and,
said he, * the first sixpence I could ever call my own, I put into the
^ate, which was carried uround to receive the contributions of the
people; and I felt, in so doing, on inexpressible pleasure.' God
abundantly rewarded him in after life with both temporal and spirit>>
ual blessings ; and he lived to see ' this seed of the kingdom spring
up, and bear fruit, even a hundred-fold.' "— ^an^s's " History of Me-
thodism,^* vol. i, pp. 60, 51.

In the mean time Captain W^bb continued his zealous

**«!*•

PART II.~KOTIOES OF MBTHODISM.

209

labours with great success. He preached in various placet
in Long Ic^and, produced great awakenings amongst tbe
people, aud pi'enared the way for the formation of societies.
His love to the Saviour and the souls of ifl<^n carried him
to Philadelphia, and he became the means of laying the
foundation of a great work of Ood in the famous Quaker
city. When, in 1760, the first missionaries, Messrs. Board>
man and Pilmoor, landed at Philadelphia, they found the
heroic captain in the city zealously pursuing his course,
and a society collected by his labours of upwards of one
hundred members. 4 •

Much about the time these things were taking place, an-
other agent from Ireland, Robert Strawbridge, began to
preach in Maryland with equal success. He settled, it
seems, in Frederick county in that State, and at first com-
menced preaching in his own house. These labours were
soon enlarged, and, like his contemporaries in the work,
he extended his evangelical exertions to various parts of
the country around. Tlie success attendant on these efforts
obliged our evangelist to turn his attention to the erection
of a place of worship, which he accomplished at Pipe Creek,
and which passed under the name of the " log meeting-
house." This first Methodbt place of worship in Maryland
became famous in its history, and several of the early Con-
ferences were held within its "log" walls.

It was in the midst of these first and desultory labours
of Mr. Strawbridge, that one of the earliest and most
eminent of the native American ministers became acquainted
with the way of salvation. Freeborn Garrettsok met with
Mr. Strawbridge at a friend's house in his own neighbour-
hood ; and this incident seems to be the first link in a
chain of evea^, which led that excellent man to become
one of the most honoured and successful pioneers in this
great work.

Who does not feel a pleasure in searching out among
elevated ridges the springs and rills which, in their course.

TOUR IN AMERICA.

TA9;

constitute great rivers? It maybe in imagination only;
but there is delight in sipping the water at the fountain-
head, in spanning the tiny stream as it gurgles out of the
rock, and then examining how it makes for itself a channel.
There will in this be little to please the economist and the
practical man. He only cares for results, for "organizations,
for a working power : the elements of things are nothing
to him ; these he willingly gives up to prying curiosity. But
it is clear enough that his favourite aggregations could
have no existence without these elementary processes ; the
great has its origin in the little, as the river in the fountain ;
the woodman's axe, the ploughman's art, the housewife's
spinning-wheel, the hand-loom of the humble weaver, the
rude log-hut, constitute the foundations of the most ad-
vanced civilization. To despise, or even to disregard, first
efibrts, indicates folly as well as pride. And in despite of
the generalizinga of philosophy, it will be found, in fact,
that the characters, the opinions, the modes of operation,
the tools, so to speak, which are employed, the lines of
labour marked out, and the genius, spirit, and soul of these
first essays, will give their colouring, and even forms, to
all succeeding creations.

This is evidently true in the case under consideration.
Captain Webb seems to have been a perfect embodiment
of the true genius and spirit of primitive Methodism. What
the grave New-England religionists, and all men of their
class, would consider its irregularity, enthusiasm, zeal,
activity, and faith, — seems to have ha'' a place in the soul
' and life of this noble soldier of the Lord Jesus Christ. By
k reason of his leisure, property, and position, he possessed
the means of more extensive labours than Philip Embury
or Robert Strawbridge. These good men occupied a sort
of pastoral function on a limited scale, while the good cap-
tain acted as an evangelist, pressing into every open door,
and boldly proclaiming the glad tidings of salvation. The
. writer of a letter to Mr. Wesley, signing himself T. T., dated

PART II. — NOTICES OF METHODISM. 21%

New- York, April 11th, 1768, gives us some insight into
the captain's character and proceedmgs. f

" For some time few thought it worth their while to hear ; but
God so ordered it by his providence, that, about fourteen months
ago, Captain Webb, barrack-master at Albany, (who was converted
three years ago in Bristol,) found them out, and preached in his regi-
mentals. The novelty of a man preaching in a scarlet coat soon
brought greater numbers to hear than the room could contain. But
liis doctrines were quite new to tlie hearers ; for he told them point-
blank, that all their knowledge and religion were not woi-th a rush,
unless their sins were forgiven, and they had the witness of God's
Spirit with theirs that they were his children. This strange doctrine,
with some peculiarities in his person, made him soon taken notice of,
and obliged the little society to look out for a larger house to preach

in About this period Mr. Webb, whose wife's relations lived

at Jamaica, Long Island, took a house in that neighbourhood, and
began to preach in his own house, and several other places on Long
Island. Within six months, about twenty-four pereons received jus-
tifying grace ; nearly half of them whites, the rest Negroes. While
Mr. Webb was (to borrow his own phrase) 'felling trees on Long
Island, brother Embury was exhorting all who attended on Thurs-
day evenings and Sundays, morning and evening, at the rigging-
house, to flee from the wrath to come.' It was the 26th day

of October last when I arrived, recommended to a person for lodg-
ing. I inquired of my host, who was a very religious man, if any
Methodists were in New- York ; he answered that there was one Cap-
tain Webb, a sti'ange sort of man, who lived on Long Island, and who
sometimes preached at one Embury's, at the rigging-house."

It seems that our good captain not only laboured him-
self, but exerted his influence to procure others to enter -.
the field. He had an " impression " that Mr. Benson ought
to go to America, The matter, as in all similar cases, was
referred to Mr. Wesley, who, in a letter dated March 2d, ^
1773, says, —

" Certainly, you cannot stir, unless you are clearly satisfied of your
call from God. An impression on the mind of another man is no
rule of action to you. The reasons you give on the other side are
weighty, and will not easily be answered."

This call upon Mr. Benson by the captain, roused Charles

I 'I

■^

212

t^fi;

TOUR IN AMBBIOA.

Wesley, wbo, in his usual style of frankness and energy,

gives his notions of the captain's character. ,

"I have barely time to lay, your own reaaoiu for not yet going to
America, and Christopher Hopper's, are unanswerable. Mr. E."
(Mr. Fletcher, no doubt) " is only the captahi's echo. The captain's
impressions are no more, or very little more, to be depended on than
George Bell's. He is an inexperienced, honest, zealons, loving en-
thusiast. God only knows whether yon may not be called to
America by and by. At present, your call is not clear ; therefore,
stand still, and send our friends a loving, explicit refusal."

It is singular enough, that whilst the several parties thus
dealt with the captain's " impression," they all refer to the
same principle. John Wesley thinks the " call," when di-
vine, must be addressed to the person concerned, and not
to another; he is the party to be convinced, and to be
persuaded. Charles ia not sure but the " call" may come
some time, and Mr. Benson may be sent to America ; whilst
he himself evidently refers to the same thmg, only he ar-
gues, and that so conclusively as to convince the brothers,
that to himself the "call" is not sufficiently clear and ex-
plicit. It would be difficult to prove that Captain Webb's
" impression" in this case was a tevery, an ill-founded
piece of enthusiasm. Had his election fallen on some in-
competent person, Charles Wesley's biting caustic might
have been justly applied. But the " impression " referred
to a man whose age, piety, learning, great preaching talents,
practical wisdom, entire attachment to Methodist theology,
and empnent controversial and literary attainments, seemed
in reason to point him out as the most suitable man in
England for the work. Besides, there seems to have been
a balance of judgment, two against two, — John and Charles
Wesley against, and Captain Webb and Mr. Fletcher in
favour. How prescient is Providence I Had Mr. Benson
gone to America, and taken the superintendence of the
work, as he must have done, it is probable that his influence
would have altered the whole aspect of things. Dr. Coke,
in that case, could have had no place in the organization

PART n.— NOTICES OF METHODISM.

218

of Methodism ; Francis Asbury must have been a secondary
man ; and, with Mr. Benson's views and opinions, it is ex-
tremely likely, not to say absolutely certain, that the Me-
thodist Episcopal Church would never, in its present shape,
have existed. On what wonderful contingencies hang the
greatest results !

These, then, are the agents, and this the beginning, of Me-
thodism in America ; now grown to be by far the most nu-
merous church in the United States. How different this
commencement to any other religious formations in this coun-
try ! When the pilgrim fathers sailed in the " Mayflower " with
her companion, they constituted a church, an ecclesiastical
state. Some of the most eminent Christians, probably, of
the age accompanied the expedition ; they were men of real
greatness of mind and heart ; they held a doctrinal system,
arranged, digested,r put into syllogistic order, and defended
at all points ; they had left their country for the sake of
what they considered a principle, a truth, which they car-
ried with them as a sacred deposit, as the ark of God ; the
formalities of devotion and of religious rites attended every
step ; and they seemed to act upon the conviction that they
were going, in the name of their Divine Master, to take
possession of a new " land of promise." We do not say
they were mistaken in their convictions, or that they failed
in their anticipations ; all that is meant to be noticed is,
that this was formal, and that the religion of the transaction
possessed a shape, a plan.

When William Penn took possession of Pennsylvania in
the name of Quakerism, this was the case also. The
Quaker king was himself a great man in every sense. In
family connexions, in social rank, in all the qualities of the
statesman, in ' knowledge and literary attainments, and
actual standing in society, William Penn was a man to take
rank with peers and princes, philosophers and statesmen.
Religion, imder the auspices of such a leader, has the
appearance of a great interest, and likely to prosper. It

jf^.

ai4

TOUR IN AMEftlCA.

demands respect, and claims the approval of parties who
look more at "the outward appearance/' than abstract
truth. And, moreover, though the forms of Quakerism were
very different, as was its spirit also, from the Puritanism
of the settlers of New-England, yet still it had its own
peculiar garb, and presented itself to view as' a visible em-
bodiment of Christianity.

. Methodism began in America in a perfectly different
manner. Its first disciples, we see, had no name, no rank,
no means, no scholarship, no power, no human credentials.
It was introduced by a few poor, unknown, and unnoticed
emigrants, who took their place amongst the common peo-
ple, and occupied themselves in the menial affairs of life.
The general population knew not that any parties lived
amongst them of any remarkable stamp of character. Nei-
ther themselves nor the people for a moment dreamed that
they were the chosen apostles of God to introduce a
doctrine, a system, which, in the course of time, was des-
tined to become a great church. There was certainly no
design, and no kind of forethought, of any results beyond
present religious edification. What, then, gave Methodism
its force, its momentum ? Unquestionably the truth and
the Spirit of God in the first degree ; but then, it wal^ truth
unembarrassed, unsystematized ; truth in its simplicity.
Moreover, it was not the gospel in any gorgeous array of
symbols or of ornament, it was one capital and experimental
verity ; namely, the offer of the pardon of sin, with its
attendant blessings. This was just about all that these
disciples of Methodism knew, or could preach to others.
But it is exactly such a doctrine as is calculated to arrest
attention, to excite the soul to a profound thoughtfulness,
to prepare the way for other enimciations ; and, by reason
of its exact adaptation to man in his guilt and miseries, is
likely, in the issue, to win numerous converts. Besides,
this single truth is in its nature germinant. Though but
one in itself; it leads to everything else. But how^ grefit

PART II.— NOTICES OF METHODISM.

215

the difference between the Methodist doctrine of the par-
don of sin, and the Puritan doctrine of the decrees, and the
Quaker doctrine of the inward light !

The founders of New-England and its religion sought,
by all possible means, to establish their repulsive system
of election and reprobation ; and, as if to give practical
etfect to their doctrines, refused residence and neighbow-
hood to every one, unless he believed their creed and
belonged to their church. The Quaker-prophet taught the
people to look within, and to unravel the right from the
wrong, the good from the evil, the light from the darkness,
the divine from the human ; and insisted that religion was
of the nature of an internal oracle, which, if rightly con-
sulted, would lead to truth, virtue, and God* The Method-
Ut, from the earliest period of his appearance in America,
on the contrary, went about proclaiming pardon, justifica-
tion, M freely procured by the death of Christ, and offered
to all men in the gospel. This was his mission, the blessing
ho preached, the acceptance of which he enforced upon his
audience ; teaching, at the same time, the mode of its
attainment by faith, and pointing out its evidences and
fruits. There is not so much in this to engage philosophy
and excite admiration as in the other systems referred to ;
but there is much more to meet the wants of mankind, to
satisfy the cravings of the soul, to ease the anguish of the
conscience, and to lead to peace and holiness. Mr. Ban-
croft could not write so splendid and philosophical a dis-
sertation on the Methodist doctrine of pardon, as he has
produced on the "inward light" of the Quaker system;
and yet this doctrine of pardon has done a thousand times
more to evangelize his country, and gained a hundred-
fold more disciples, than the system he so eloquently eulo-
gizes. But this doctrine is powerful, not simply because
it is so well adapted to man's state : it is effective, because
divine ; the very blessing of the gospel, to which the Holy
Spirit gives his testimony and influence. No one can pos-

216

••?»•?

TOUR IN AMERICA.

sibly account for the success of the early propagators of
Methodistio doctrine, on any other principle than this. It
owed next to nothing to its agents, but everything to its
own intrinsic truth ; — stripped of all efflorescent verbiage,
and rendered powerful by the blessing of God. *

The only external appliance which Methodism possessed,
at this first stage of its existence, was the class-meeting.
Many parties will be unable to see anything in this ; and
some will smile or sneer, as the case may be. Be this as
it may, there can be no doubt that these meetings collected
the scattered rays of light into a focus, gave solidity to the
work, and fostered the courage and confidence of the dis-
ciples ; strengthened, animated, and inflamed their piety
and love ; dre^ out their respective talents, whether for
prayer, exhortation, or any other service ; and consolidated
their means for exertion and usefulness. The social prin-
ciple in religion is power, as well as in other things ; and
it is especially necessary in the feeble commencement of any
new undertaking. We have seen that Philip Embury and
his companions had given way, when roused from their
slumbers by the importunities of a more faithful female.
The result was, the establishment of what js called " a so-
ciety;" and we hear no more of any vacillations. The
members of the "little flock" looked after each other;
became, in some sort, answerable for each other's character
and piety ; assisted each other in their daily trials, and
prompted each other ** to love and to good works ;" and,
by theSe several means, gave solidity and strength to the
whole work. But this is not all ; these class-meetings be-
came centres of life. Their several gifts were brought into
'Exercise, and, consequently, improved ; and many of the
members, as the result, became eminently useful, who
would, probably, have remained in listless obscurity. These
classes thus proved to be ** schools of the prophets ;" and,
like the fountain in the arid desert, sent forth their ferti-
lizing wftt^rs tp the regions arpund, giving reHgious vei^dui^

; 4'

PART U. — ^NOTICES OF METHODISM.

217

to places wliich must otherwise have remained in a state
of barrenness and death.

It results from all that we have seen, in connexion with
the early stages of this great revival of religion on the con-
tinent of America, that, so far as human and external
means are concerned, it owes its origin and progress to two
very simple powers, — the doctrine of pardon, and the class-
meeting. These, it may be thought by some, are inade-
quate means to produce such efifects ; that, in point of fact,
there must have been something more profound, more
recondite. On examination, however, it will be perceived,
that, in everything divine, the declaration of the apostle is
found true : " God hath chosen the weak things of this
world to confound the mighty." The men first called by
Christ to the apostolic office, were selected from amongst
the common people ; the speech they employed was plain,
pointed, and expressed in the idioms of the times ; the doc-
trines they taught were certainly such as we have indicated,
and were stated in a popular, and not a scholastic, style ;
the societies established were evidently spiritual, practical
meetings for merely religious purposes ; and the church-
officers were men of plain sense, good character, and emi-
nent sanctity; while their office itself only contemplated
the promotion of piety, or relief to the poor. In this
manner the Methodist societies were first formed, both in
America and elsewhere. Their simplicity was their beauty,
their glory, and their strength. This ill accords with the
complexity of most ecclesiastical organizations; in which
complexity many, though in great mistake, place their
strength. In this work, then, there can be no ground
for glorying in man. "Not by might, nor by" human
" power," were the foundations of Methodism laid in the
American colonies. This church can boast of no princely
power, no noble patronage, no legislative provision, no
chartered immunities, no domestic or foreign support. No
apostolic man, linked in the chain of any kind of succession,

218

TOUR IN AMERICA.

:#■

laid the foundations of this gigantic fabric. The Methodist
Church cannot count back to a Peter or a Paul, like the
pretence of Rome ; nor can they reckon on great traditional
or historic characters, as coming from afar to plant the
gospel on their shores. The period will allow of no mys-
tery; no strange missionary, as Patrick in^ Ireland, can
ever be palmed on public credulity, as the agent of this
work ; it is not, it cannot be, lost in the dim distance of a
remote antiquity. The curious can never dispute about
the origin of the movement. Philip Embury, Robert Straw-
bridge, Captain Webb, and the " mother in Israel," men-
tioned before, instrumentally, laid the foundations of one
of the most numerous, well-governed, pious, and useful
Protestant churches in the world ; and the powerlessness
of the instruments must lead all to acknowledge, that this
is, indeed, the " finger of God."

CHAPTER III.

Application to Mr. Wesley for Miisionarlei— Meiiri. Boftrdman and PUtnoor
appointed— Account of the State of TtUngii— Mesira. Aibtury and Wright-
Account of the former— The Spirit of the Clergy— Mr. Jarratt— Thomas
Rankin and George Shadford arrive— First Conference.

We now enter upon a new period in the progress of Me-
thodism in America, — the period of more regular ministra-
tions. In 1768, the society at New- York addressed Mr.
Wesley on the subject of sending them a minister. The
writer above referred to, signing himself T. T., was their
organ.

" There is another point far more mfttcriftl, and in which I must
importune your assistance, not only in my own name, but also in the
name of the whole society. We want an able and experienced
preacher ■, one who has bo^ gifts and grace neoeiiary for the Work.
God has not, indeed, despised the day of 8maU thingi. There is a
real work of grace begun in many hearts, by the preaching of Mr.
Webb and Mr. Embury; but, although they are both usefal, and
their hearts in the work, they want many qualiflcationi for such an

i .

^1^*

PART II.— NOTICES OP METHODISM.

219

undertaking ; and the progress of the Gospel here depends nrnch
upon the qualifications of preachers.

" In regard to a preacher, if possible, we must have a man of wis-
dom, of sound faith, and a good disciplinarian ; one whose heart and
soul ore in the work ; and I doubt not but, by the goodness of God,
such a flame will be soon kindled, as would never stop till it reached
the great South Sea. We may make many shifts to evade temporal
inconveniences ; but we cannot purchase such a preacher as I have
described. Dear sir, I entreat you, for the good of thousands, to use
your utmost endeavours to send one over. With respect to money
for the payment of the preacher's passage over, if they could not pro-
cure it, we would sell our coats and shirts to procure it for them."

This letter led to the appointment of the first mission-
aries from England. Mr. Wesley, referring to this in his
Journal, says, —

"Tuesday, August Ist, 1769. — Our Conference began in Leeds,
On Thursday, I mentioned the case of our brethren in New- York.
For some years past, several of our brethren from England and Ire-
land (and some of them preachers) had settled in North America,
and had, in various places, formed societies, particularly in Philadel-
phia and New- York. The society at New- York had lately built a
commodious preaching-house, and now desired help, being in great
want of money, but much more of preachers. Two of our preachers,
Bichard Boardman and Joseph Filmoor, willingly offered themselves
for the service, by whom we determined to send over £50, as a token
of our brotherly love."

The two missionaries landed at Gloucester Point, six
miles below Philadelphia, October 24th, 1769. This ought
to be regarded as a red-letter day in the history of Me-
thodism in America. It is the date of an era ; it marks
the beginning of a direct connexion between the societies,
and the father of the entire family ; and it also indicates
the period of the admission of a new, a regulating power.
Henceforward, the American societies became a part of the
pastoral charge of Mr. Wesley and the British Conference ;
and their history stands intimately connected with that of
the entire body.

On entering upon their duties, our missionaries divided ;
Mr. Boardman taking New- York as the centre of his move-

220

TOUR IN AMERICA.

mmtB, and Mr. Pilmoor, Philadelphia. But, adopting the
accustomed rule of itinerancy, they exchanged with each
other at certain intervals ; thus giving vitality and interest
to their work, by the eflfects of varied minbtrations. Mr.
Pilmoor gave an account of the state of things in Phila-
delphia, in a letter dated October Slst, 1769; only seven
days after his arrival. He says, —

" By the blessing of God, we ore safely onived here, after a tedious
passage of nine weeks. We were not a little surprised to find Cap-
tain Webb in town, and a society of about one hundred members,
who desire to be in close connexion with you. • This is the Lord's
doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes.'

"I have preached several times, and the people flock to hear in
multitudes. Sunday evening I went out upon the common. I had
the stage appointed for the horse-race for my pulpit, and I think be-
tween four and five thousand hearers, who heard with attention, still
ns night. Blessed be God for field-preaching ! When I begun to
talk of preaching at five o'clock in the morning, the people thought
it would not answer in America ; however, I resolved to try, and I
had a very good congregation.

" There seems to be a great and effectual door opening in tin's
country, and I hope many souls will be gathered in. The people, in
^neral, like to hear the word, and seem to have ideas of salvation by
tj,race.**

Mr. Boardman does not write so soon ; but on the 24th
of April, 17V0, he says, —

" Our house contains about seventeen hundred people. About a
third part of those who attend get in ; the rest are glad to hear with-
out. There appears such a willingness in the Americans to hear the
word, as I never saw before. They have no preaching in some parts
of the back settlements. I doubt not but an efi'cctual door will be
opened among them. O may the Most High now give his Son the
heathen for his inlieritance I The number of the blacks that attend
the preaching a£fects me much."

It is seen by this, that Philip Embury and Captain Webb
had done good service. A third preaching-place, holding
seventeen hundred persons, was no mean triimiph, for the
circumstances in which they were placed.

In the following year another, the most important actor

v>*

PART II.— NOTICES OF METHODISM.

221

who ever appealed from England in America, took hia
place on the continent, — Francis Asburt, accompanied
by Richard Wright. As Mr. Asbury became so conspicu-
ous a leader in the affairs of Methodism, it may be as well
to give his own account of his early life.

Mr. Asbury tells us, he was bom near the foot of Hamp-
stcad Bridge, in the parish of Handsworth, four miles from
Birmingham, on the 20th or 21st of August, 1*745. His
father and mother, Joseph and Elizabeth Asbury, " were
in common life, but remarkable for honesty and industry."
On the death of an only daughter in childhood, his mother
" sunk into deep distress, from which she was not relieved
for many years." Under this dispensation, " God was
pleased to open the eyes of her mind, and she now began
to read almost incessantly, strongly lU'ging her husband to
adopt family reading and prayer." This affected young
Francis ; and he tells us, that from childhood he neither

" Dared an oath, nor hazarded a lie."

Being sent to school early, he learned to read the Bible,
and took " great delight in the historical parts." His mas-
ter, proving a great " churl," and using him " cruelly,"
filled him with such " horrible dread," that it seems he
made his escape from this tyranny. This was the amoimt
of his education ; we hear no more of school. He then
" lived some time in one of the wealthiest and most un-
godly families in the parish ;" and became " vain, but not
openly wicked." When betwixt thirteen and fourteen, he
was " put to learn a branch of business, at which he wrought
six years and a half," enjoying great liberty in the family,
and was " treated more Uke a son than an apprentice."

When fourteen years of age, he was awakened by the
instrumentality of a "pious man, not a Methodist," who
was invited by his mother to visit the family for religious
purposes. He began to attend West Bromwich church,
hearing several eyangelical ministers, and read all the good

;*:

222

TOUR IN AMIRIOA.

books he met with. He now inquired of his mother, " whot
where, and what were the Methodists ?" and she directing
huh to " a person who could conduct him to Wednesbury
to hear them/' we find him for the first time at this place.
" The people were devout, men and women kneeling down,
saying, Amen" They sung hymns, " sweet sound ;" the
preacher had " no Prayer-Book, and yet he prayed wonder-
fully;" and, more extraordinary, "he took his text, and
preached, and yet had no sermon-book." "He talked
about confidence, asiurance, of which," he says, " all my
flights and hopes fell short." Ho adds, " I had no deep
convictions, nor had I committed any deep known sins. At
one sermon, some time after, my companion was powerfully
wrought on : I was exceedingly grieved that I could not
weep like him ; yet I know myself to be in a state of unbe-
lief. On a certain time, when we were praying in my
father's barn, I believe the Lord pardoned my sins, and
justified my soul." He was now " free from guilt and fear,
and had power over sin, and felt great inward joy." He
now began to " hold meetings " with his companions, who
were " much persecuted ;" the people opening their houses
were obliged to close them again. Being driven from these
places, he "held meetings" at his father's house, and went
also to Sutton-Colefield for the same purpose, "several
souls professing to find peace." He had preached some
months before he publicly appeared in the "Methodist
meeting-houses ;" and when his labours became more pub-
lic and extensive, " some were amazed ; not knowing how
he had exercised elsewhere." He now became a local
preacher, " the humble and willing servant of any and of
every preacher that called on him, by night or by day ;
being ready, with hasty steps, to go far and wide to do
good." Thus called, he " visited Derbyshire, Stafford-
shire, Warwickshire, "Worcestershire," " preaching, generally,
three, four, and five times a week, and, at the same time, pur-
suing his calling."— -^ifftw'/*^** •/bwrna/, vol. ii, pp. 133-136.

udfe;.

PABT II. — NOTICES OF METHODISM.

228

The account of his entrance on hia American miasiou
must be given in his own words :—

*' On tho 7th of August, 1771, tb^ Conference began at Bristol, in
England. Before this, I had foil ' or half a year strong intimationH
in my mind that I should visit America ; which I laid before the
Lord, being unwilling to do my own will, or to run before I was
sent. During this time my trials were very great, which the Lord,
I bclievo, permitted to prove and try mc, in order to prepare me for
future usefulness. At the conference it was proposed that some
preachers should go over to tho American continent I spoke my
mind and mode an offer of myself. It was accepted by Mr. Wesley
and others, who judged I had a call. From Bristol I went homo tu
acquaint my parents with my great undertaking, which I opened in
as gentle a manner as possible. Though it was grievous to flesh and
blood, they consented to let me go. My mother is one of the ten-
derest parents in the world ; but I believe she was blessed in the pre-
sent instance with divine assistance to part with mc. I visited most
of my friends in Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and Gloucestershire,
and felt much life and power among them. Several of our meetings
were held, indeed, in the spirit and life of God. Many of my friends
were struck with wonder, when they heard of my going ; but none
opened their mouths against it, hoping it was of God. Some wished
that their situation would allow them to go with me.

" I returned to Bristol in the latter end of August, where Bichard
Wright was waiting for mc, to sail in a few days for Philadelphia.
When I came to Bristol, I had not one penny of money ; but the
Lord soon opened the hearts of friends, who supplied me with
clothes, and £10. Thus I found, by experience, that the Loi^ will
provide for those who trust in him.

" On Wednesday, September 2d, wc set sail from a port near Bris-
tol ; and, having a good wind, soon passed the Channel. For three
days I was very ill with the sea-sickness ; and no sickness I ever
knew was equal to it. The captain behaved well to us. On the
Lord's day, September 8th, brother W. preached a sermon on deck,
and all the crew gave attention.

" Thursday, 12th.— I will set down a few things that lie on my
mind. Whither am I going ? To the New World. What to do ?
To gain honour ? No -, if I know my own heart. To get money ?
No ; I am going to live to God, and to bring others to do so. In
America there has been a work of God ; some moving first amongst
the Friends, but in time it declined ; likewise by the Presbyterians,
but amongst them also it declined. The people God owns in Eng-

224

TOUR IN AMERICA.

laud are the Methodists. The doctrines they preach, and the disci-
pline they enforce, are, I believe, the purest of any people in the
world. The Lord has greatly blessed these doctrines and this disci-
pline in the three kingdoms ; they must therefore be pleasing to
him. If God does not acknowledge me in America, I will soon re-
turn to England. I know my views are upright iiow ; may they
never be otherwise 1" — Joumai, vol. i, pp. 1, 2.

This is the spirit in which this apostle of Methodism iu
America began his work, and which only terminated with
his life — an eventful period of forty-four years. There were
now four missionaries from England in America ; and their
number was increased by the addition of Robert Williams
and John King, emigrants from the mother-country. The
band of brothers evidently laboured together, in general,
harmoniously, and with equal success. The only difference
among them seems to have been, on the subject of country
work. Mr. Asbury thought his brethren were too fond of
remaining in the large towns, while he felt, in the spirit
of a true evangelist, that, in order to secure the objects of
then* mission, it was necessary that the villages and country
places should share theii* attention, and enjoy the benefit
of their ministrations. With these convictions, he deter-
nuned to sally forth ; and from this time we find him pro-
secuting his itinerant labours with indefatigable zeal —
rushing into every open door, and, where an entrance
could not be found, endeavouring to make one. On this
subject his remarks are pertinent. On November 20th, he
writes : — <

" I am in York, though unsatisfied with our being both in town
together. I have not yet the thing I seek, — a circulation of preach-
ers to avoid partiality and popularity. However, I am fixed to the

Methodist plan, and do what I do faithfully as to God At

present I am dissatisfied. I judge wc arc to be shut up in the cities
this winter. My brethren seem unwilling to leave the cities; but I
think I shall show them the way. I am in trouble, and more trouble -
is at hand ; for I am detcianined to make a stand against all partial-
ity. I have nothing to seek but the glory of God, nothing to fear
but his displeasure. I atn come over mth an upright intention, and,

PART II. — ^NOTICES OP METHODISM.

2^5

through the grace of God, I will make it appear ; and I am deter-
mined that no man shall bias me with soft words and fair speeches :
nor will I ever fear (the Lord helping me) the face of man, or know
any man after the flesh, if I beg my bread from door to door; but,
whomsoever I please or displease, I will be faithfUl to God, to the
people, and to my own soul."

Here we have the moral elements forming the character
of Francis Asbury. Firmness, fearlessness, integrity, sin-
gleness of eye for the glory of God, an intense love to the
souls of men, faithfulness to the leading idea of Method-
ism, happiness in labour ; — from which he never deviated
to the end of life. Such was the man called of Provi-
dence to take the lead in this enterprise, in great measure
i^ to guide its counsels, and to become its chief apostle.

At this period the Methodist preachers in America, as
well as in England, considered themselves connected with
the Church. Two incidents may be mentioned to show how
they fared with diflferent classes of the clergy. In Kent
county, Mr. Asbury relates, that he was encountered by
Mr. B., a church minister.

" He chai'ged me with making a schism. I told him that I did
not draw the people from the church, and asked him if his churdi
was then open. He then said, tliat I hindered the people from their
work. I asked him if fairs and horse-races did not hinder them ; and
further told him, that I came to help him. He said, he had not
hired me for an assistant, and did not want my help. I told him, if
there were no swearers or other sinners, he was sufficiont. ' But,'
said he, 'what do you come for?' I replied, 'To turn sinners to
God.' He said, ' Cannot I do that as well as you V I told him that
I had authority from God. He then laughed at nio, and said, ' Yoii
are a fine fellow, indeed !' I told him I did not do this to invalidate
his authority ; and also gave him to understand, that I did not wish
to dispute wiUi him ; but he said he had business with me, and came
into the house in a great rage. I began to preach, and to exhort the
people to repent, and turn from all their transgressions, so iniquity
should not prove their ruin. After preaching, tlie parson went out,
and told the people they did wrong in coming to hear me ; and said,
I spoke against learning ; whereas, I only spoke to this purpose !—
When a man turned from all sin, he would adorn every character in
life, bQth in church And state."

10*

226

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.

This sort of clergy generally predominated in the south-
ern provinces ; but Mr. Jarratt, of Virginia, was an ex-
ception.

*' Under his preaching there woi a considerable revival at a place
called White Oak. In imitation of Mr. Wesley and his-preachers, Mr.
Jarratt formed those who were awakened to a sense of their danger
into a society, that they might assist each other in working out their
salvation. The good cifocts of these meetings were so apparent, in
producing the fruits of • good living,' that they were encouraged, and
the revival went on gradually, chiefly under the labours of Mr. Jar-
ratt, from 1771 to 1773, spreading from flflty to sixty miles in the re-
gion round about."— i?an^«'f " Iliitonj of Methodism," vol. i, p. 76.

This good man identified himself with Methodism, afford-
ed his countenance and encouragement to the preachers,
himself took part in their labourti, attended some of their
early meetings in Conference, threw open his door for
their entertainment; and, in fact, became to the infant
cause in America exactly what Mr. Fletcher of Madeley, or
Grimshaw of Haworth, were to the Methodists of England
in their day.

In June, 17*78, two other missionaries, Thomas Rankin
and George Shadford, landed in Philadelphia ; and as Mr.
Rankin had travelled several years longer in England than
Mr. Asbury, Mr, Wesley appointed him the general assist-
ant (superintendent) of the societies in America.

Mr. Rankin seems to have received, with the superintend-
ency, full powers from Mr. Wesley to hold a Conference,
Accordingly, we find, the first Conference ever held in
America was convened to meet in Philadelphia, in July,
1773, Up to this time the business of the Church had
been transacted at the quarterly meetings.

At this Conference we find the following questions and
answers : —

. "1. Ought not the authority of Mr. Wesley and that of [the Eng-
lish] Conference to extend to the preachers and people in America,
as well as Great Britain and Ireland ?

«An8.— Yes. ^.^i.i-- ''^■-

PART II.-^NOTICES OF METHODISM.

227

"2. Ought not the doctrine and discipline of the Methodists, as
contained in the Minutes, to be the sole rule of our conduct, who la-
bour in the Connexion with Mr. Wesley in America ?

•' An8. — Yes.

" 3. If so, does it not follow, that if any preachers deviate from the
Minutes, we can have no fellowship with them till they change their
conduct ?

«An8.— Yes."

The following rules were agreed to by the preachers
present : —

" 1. Every preacher who acts in connexion with Mr. Wesley, and the
brethren who labour in America, is strictly to avoid administering
the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's supper.

" 2. All the people among whom we labour to be earnestly ex-
horted to attend the church, and to receive the ordinances there ; but
in a particular manner to press the people in Maryland and Virginia
to the observance of this minute."

Thus the Methodist system was fairly established, and
its discipline agreed upon, by the consent of the brethren.
Mr. Rankin is reported to have been a stem disciplinarian
of the Presbyterian class ; a Scotchman by birth and edu-
cation, and somewhat inflexible in hi3 character, after the
manner of his countrymen.

The above resolutions were not passed without debate,
or carried into effect without opposition. There seems to
have been no demur in regard to the authority of Mr.
Wesley and the British Conference ; but on the question
of the sacraments, the feeling was not equally unanimous.
Some of the brethren, as Mr. Strawbridge, had been in the
habit of administering these sacred rites to the satisfaction
of the people, so that the rule on the subject came into
collision with the practice of some of the societies. On
other points there was some difference of opinion, and the
New- York people threatened to shut the doors of their chapel
against Mr. Rankin. These differences gradually subsided,
and by the careful enforcement of discipline, together with the
faithful ministerial labours of the preachers, order became
predominant, and prosperity attended the work. By the

-^i-^

228

TOUR IN AMEBIOA.

merciful ordination of Divine Providence, tbis work of
union took eflfect at the right time. Events of a distressing
character were approaching ; and if this consolidation had
not been then attained, the probability is, that it would not
have been secured for many years, if at all. • Peace being
established, the brethren had time to extend their evange-
lical labours through various portions of the provinces of
New- York, Virginia, Maryland, Long Island, Delaware, the
Jerseys, Pennsylvania, as well as in the cities. From what
followed, it almost seemed as if Mr. Rankin had received
an especial commission to grapple with the incipient disor-
ders which had unhappily crept in, and establish on a firm
foundation the whole Methodist system, before the revolu-
tionary hurricane broke out.

CHAPTER IV. '

The Revolutionary Period— Klessrs. Rankin, Shadford, and Rodda depart for
England— Adventiires of Shadford— Asbury determines to remaun— His Exer-
cises of Mind— Finds Refuge in the House of Judge Wliite— Persecutions of
Messrs. Hartley and Garrettson— Mr. Jarratt's Account of a Revival of
Religion in Virginia— Reflections on the Revolution— John Calvin's Dogma-
Originates the Revolution— Its Success.

We now approach the revolutionary period, which, to the
infant Methodist Church, was a sore trial. With the Eng-
lish preachers a point of conscience of a very perplexing
nature at once arose. The Americans began their work by
resolving themselves into an independent confederation, in
these words: "Resolved, that these united colonies are,
and of right ought to be, free and independent States ; that
they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown ;
and that all political connexion between them and the State
of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved."
This instrument bears date July 2d, 1776. — Ilickey's Con-
stitution of the United States. This, of course, left British
subjects no choice ; they were either obliged to renounce

FART II.— NOTICES OF METHODISM.

229

their allegiance to their own sovereign, leave the coun-
try, or evade the laws by concealment. All the preach-
ers, except Mr. Asbury, chose at once to return home.
But this was evidently a great exercise of their feelings.
They delighted in their work, saw much good going on, ^
and had the prospect of witnessing the spread of religion
on a magnificent scale.

The agitations of mind and positive dangers to which these
good men were exposed, are truly affecting. On Tuesday,
May 16th, 1115, Mr. Rankin remarks : —

" The preachers came together from their diflforent circuits, and
next day we began our little Conference. We conversed together,
nnd concluded our business in love. Mr. Strenger spent some time
with UB. We all came unanimously to the conclusion to follow the
advice that Mr. Wesley and his brethren had given us, and leave the
event to God. We had abundant reason to bless God for the increase
of hii work last year. We had above a thousand added to the dif-
ferent societies, and they had increased to ten circuits. Our joy in
God would have been abundantly more, had it not been for the pre-
parations of war that now rang throughout tliis city. (Philadelphia.)

I endeavoured to open up and enforce the cause of our miserj-.

I told them that the sins of Great Britain and her colonies had long
called aloud for vengeance, and in a particular manner the dreadful
»in of buying and selling the souls and bodies of the poor Africans,
the sons and daughters of Ham."

How singular that we should find, in the midst of these
notes of civil war, the following entry ! —

" I called at Mi*. Fairfax's, (a relation of old Lord Fairfax,) a gen-
tleman of large estate, and who of late years had been savingly
brought to the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was over at
Baltimore at our little conference ; and at the lovefeast that followed,
he Hpoke of what God had done for his soul with such simplicity and
unction from on high, as greatly affected every one who heard him.
May ho live' to be an ornament to the Gospel of the Lord Jesus !"
—Jackson's " Lives of Early Methodist Preadiers,^* vol. ii, pp. 189-191.

Mr. Rankin seems to have made his escape on pretty
easy terms ; but George Shadford was called to encounter
more formidable difficulties. He says, —

280

TOUR IS AMERICA.

" The next summer and winter I spent in Maryland ; the winter
on the Eastern Shore, where I could labour and be at peace ; but as
the test-oath must take place there also, I was brought to a strait. I
had sworn allegiance to the king twice, and could not swear to re-
nounce him forever. I dare not play with fast-and-loose oaths, and
swallow them in such a manner. We could not travel safe without
a pass, nor have a pass without taking the oaths. At our Quarterly
Meeting, I sold to brother Asbury, ' Let us have a day of fasting and
prayer, that tae Lord may direct us ; for we never were in such cir-
cumstances as now, sii ce we were Methodist preachers.' We did
so ; and in the evening I asked him how he had found his mind.
He said he did not see his way clear to go to England. I told him
I could not stay, as I believed I had done my work here at present ;
and that it was as much impressed upon my mind to go home now,
as it had been to come over to America. He replied, ' Then one of
us must be under a delusion.' I said, ' Not so ; I may have a call to
go, and you to stay ;' and I believe we both obeyed the call of Provi-
dence. We saw we must part, though we loved as David an ' Jona-
than. And indeed these times made ua love one another in a pecu-
liar manner. O how glad were we to meet, and pour our giief into
each other's bosom !

" Myself and another set off, having procured a pass from a colo-
nel, to travel to the general ; and, arriving at the Iiead-quarters, we
inquired for General Smallwood's apartments ; and, being admitted
to his presence, and asked our business, we told his Excellency that
we were Englishmen, and both Methodist preachers ; and, as we con-
sidered ourselves subjects of Great Britain, we could not take the
test-oath ; therefore should be very glad to return home to our na-
tive land. ' We cast ourselves,' we added, ' wholly upon your Ex-
cellency's generosity, and hope, as you profess to be fighting for your
liberties, you will grant us to have a pass, to have liberty to return to
our own land in peace.' He answered rouglily, * Now you have done
us all the hurt you can, you want to go home.' I told him our mo-
tive had been to do good ; for this end we left our own country, and
had been travelling through the woods for several years, to seek and
to save that which was lost. It was true, we could not beat the poli-
tical drum in the pulpit, preaching bloody sermons, because we con-
sidered ourselves messengers of peace, and called to preach the gos-
pel of peace. At last he told us he would give us a pass to the Eng-
lish, if we would swear we would go. directly to Philadelphia, and
from tiience embark to Great Britain. He then swore us, and gene
rously gave us our liberty without any further trouble."— Jackson's
^^ Lives of Early Methodist Preach(^8.''\

■r

PARr n.~NOTIOES OF METHODISM.

231

'" The danger, however, was not at an end. The same
night, Mr. Shadford tells us, that "a man leaped from
behind a bush with his gun loaded and cocked," and, pre-
senting it " at his breast, swore, like a fiend," that if he did
not stop he should be a dead man. This man finally
" dropped his gun," and allowed the Methodist preacher
to take his departure. The next day he got to Chester
" with his saddle-bags upon his back ;" and, at night,
" crept on his hands and knees on a narrow plank to that
part of the bridge that remained standing, and got his
horse over the next morning." He arrived at Philadelphia
the next day, and met three or four preachers who,
like himself, " were refugees." They remained six weeks
in Philadelphia, then took ship for Cork, thence to Wales,
and finally for Bristol; and Mr. Shadford "felt a very
thankful heart when he set foot on English groimd, in a
land of peace and liberty, where was no alarm of war or
bloodshed."

The stout-hearted Francis Asbury was a man of another
mould ; he would neither take the " test-oath," nor return
to his native land. He resolved to brave all difficulties,
remain at his post, and serve his brethren and the cause
of his Divine Master as best he could. There is something
remarkable in the incidents connected with the final settle-
ment of this apostle of Methodism in America. Before the
w^r broke out, there was evidently some misunderstanding
between Mr. Bankin {Weslei/'s Works, vol. vii, pp. 9, 10)
and Mr. Asbury ; and Mr. Wesley again and again recalled
the latter, but he firmly, though no doubt respectfully,
refused to obey.* Let us listen to the noble sentiments
of this true man on the subject of deserting the work in
America.

* Tlie first time I ever saw David M'NicoIl, when very young, I have a dis-
tinct recollection that he said of his countryman, Rankin, that he was Mr.
Wesley's cafa-ptm. Great men generally have this liind of animal attached to
jihem, often withojit any design of the^ owi^.

282

TOUR IN AMIBIOA.

"I received a letter from Mr. T. B., (no doubt B«nkln,) in whiiU
ho informed me, that himself, Mr. B., (BotUU,) And Mr. t>., (Demp-
ster,) had consolted, and deliberately condudod it would be best to
return to England. But I can by no moan« ogroo to leave such a
field for gathering souls to Christ as we have in America. It would
be an eternal dishonour to the Methodists, that we. should all leave
three thousand souls who desire to commit themselves to our care ,
neither is it the part of a good shepherd to leave his flock in time of
danger; therefore I am determined, by the grace of God, not to
leave them, let the consequence be what it mny. Our fHcnds here
appeared to be distressed above measure, at the thoughts of being for-
saken by the preachers. So I wrote my lontiments both to Mr. B.
and Mr. G. S."— JouJtkj/, vol. i, pp. 118, 110. t

Being soon after this left to himself, as far as regards
the English preachers, it seems from his journal that he
suffered great perplexity and agitation of mind. But he
continued through the whole period to broathe a noble
spuit of piety and devotedness to God. His apprehen-
sions of God, the strength and stability of his faith, the
tenderness of his spirit, the regularity and fervour of his
prayers, (determining to spend ten minutes in every hour
in this exercise,) fed his piety, and strengthened his reso-
lution. And then the remarkable caution, forbearance,
and prudence he manifested ; the ardent, untiring, steady
zeal, which moved in him with the regularity of the puke of
life ; the heroism of his soul in all possible sufferings and
perplexing difficulties ; the decision he continued to mani-
fest, in the midst of great temptations to deviate, in support
of the doctrines and discipline of Methodism ; and then his
indefatigable labours in travelling and preaching,— -are all
points of excellency, which are finely and fully brought out
by these trying events.

Mr. Asbury was, moreover, evidently a man of much
sorrow. The depth of his feelings corresponded ivith the
eminence of his piety, and the delicacy of his spiritual af-
fections. Instead of manifesting anything like exultation
or bravado in his differences with Ranldn, and the part he
was obliged to take during the troublefi of thi^ war, we fin4

•Klt^

PART II.— NOTICES OF MBTHODISM.

23a

his spirit is prostrate in the dust, his soul lacerated with
feelings of anguish, and he is constantly heard to sigh after
the rest and peace of heaven; very often uttering his
wishes in the pathetic language of Charles Wesley's poetry.
The outward incidents of his life, in these eventful years,
are as nothing compared with the spiritual, the sublime,
exercises of his mind. In the case of those who are in the
hands of God, everything turns to good account. Baxter
conceived the idea of his Saints' Rest at Melbourne Hall,
in a state of great debility, and when unable to perform
more active service ; and John Bunyan wrought out his
wonderful dream, the " Pilgrim's Progress," in Bedford jail.
Tliough Francis Asbury did not write a book in the seclu-
sion into which, for a part of the time, he was driven ; yet
he diligently improved his time in reading and study, so as
to attain a fitness for his subsequent work, which probably
he would not have so fully possessed without these trials.
In nothing does this eminent servant of the Lord Jesus
appear so great as in his spiritual character and walk
with God; and perhaps these excellences shine forth in
more lustre and strength at this period than at any other
of his life.-

Refusing to take the oath required in the provinces in
which he had spent most of his time, Mr. Asbury retired
to Delaware, and was most hospitably entertained and pro-
tected in the house of Judge White, for about twelve
months. He gives the following accoxmt of his reasons for
this step : —

"From March, 1778, on conscientious principles, I was a non-
jnror, and could not preach in the State of Maryland, and, therefore,
withdrew to the Delaware State, where the clergy were not required
to take the state-oath ; though, with a clear conscience, I could have
taken the oath of the Delaware State, had it been required ; and
would have done it, had I not been prevented by a tender fear of
huiting the scrupulous consciences of others. St. Paul saith, ' When
ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak consciences, ye
shi against Christ.' "-^Tournd, vol. i, p. 208.

284

TOUR IN AMERICA.

We have other sufferers in the cause of religion, as well
as Mr. Asbury.

" Mr. Joseph Hartley, also, another travelling preacher, a man of
great zeal and faithfulness, was apprehended in Queen Ann's county
for preaching the Gospel, who gave bonds and security to appear for
trial at the next court. Being forbidden to preach, he attended his
appointments; and, after singing and prayer, stood upon his knees
and exhorted the peop?'?, until his enemies said that he might as
well preach standing on his feet as his knees. He went thence to
Talbot county, where he was seized and committed to jail for ' preach-
ing Jesus Christ and him crucified.' This, however, by no means
silenced him. The people collMc^ed around the walls of his prison ;
he preached to them through the grates ; and so powerfully was the
word applied to their hearts, that some of them were deeply awaken-
ed to a sense of their lost and guilty state, and began earnestly to
seek the Lord. This induced some of the inhabitants to remark,
that unless Hartley were released from prison, he would convert the
whole town. After keeping him confined for some time, he was set
at liberty ; but such had been the blessed effects of his preaching,
that a powerful revival followed, which terminated in the establish-
ment of a flomishing society in that place." — Bangs's " History of
Methodising^ vol i, p. 127.

Mr. Freeborn Garrettson also suffered greatly.

" He was knocked off his horse by a brute named Brown, his head
much bruised by the blows he received, and was preserved from
death, probably, by a female passing at the time, who, possessing a
lancet, very opportunely bled him!llli the spot. After his restoration
to his senses, a magistrate, as violent as Brown himself, proceeded
to write a mittimus to send him to prison. But his exhortations and
appeals, delivered in the spirit of the Gospel, so disarmed his as-
sailants that they desisted, and allowed him to go at large. How
ever, after spending some time in indefatigable labours in his Mas
ter's cause, he was finally sent to jail. Though he suffered much in
body in consequence of having no other bed than the floor, with his
saddle-bags for his pillow, with two large windows open upon \am,
yst he enjoyed great spiritual consolation in prayer and meditation,
reading and writing, and was nut a little comforted by the visits and
prayers of his friends and pious acquaintances."

Before his trial commenced, however, he was hberated,
through Mr. Asbury's intercessions with the governor

PART II.— NOTICES OF METHODISM.

285

of Maryland. — Bangs's "History of Methodism,** vol. i,
p. 127.

As migLt he expected, the societies Tvere greatly agi-
tated duHng the war. The question of the sacraments, as
we have seen, came into discussion ; and, being pressed
upon the subject by the people, a part of the preachers
hud ordained each other, and administered the ordinances.
Mr. Asbury, Freeborn Garrettson, and one or two more,
however, remained faithful to Mr. Wesley's principles, and
firmly confronted the innovators. A partial separation,
for a season, took place ; but by the excellent conduct and
judicious management of Mr. Asbury, connected with much
prayer, the breach was finally healed, and the dissenting
brethren not only returned to their old fellowship, but re-
nounced their ordination and the practice of administering
the sacraments at the same time.

What is remarkable, in the midst of the commotions of
war, and the agitations of the times, — a most extraordinary
revival of religion took place in Virginia ; and very much
by the instrumentality of the Eev. Mr. Jdrratt, minister of
the English Church.

We see from this that God's spiritual temple was being
built in troublous times. War, the worst of all calamities,
was mitigated in its horrors " by the peaceable fruits of
righteousness."

In the midst of all these difficulties, Methodism, as an
organization, as well as in its spiritual triumphs^ made con-
siderable progress during these dreary years. "At the close
of the war the Church numbered eighty-three preachers,
and fourteen thousand nine hundred and eighty-six mem-
bere. The Conference held in 1'782 performed an act of
justice in regard to Mr. Jarratt by passing the following
resolution : —

" The conference acknowledge their obligations to the Rev. Mr.
Jarratt, for his kind and friendly services to the preachers and people,
from our first entrance into Virginia, and, more particularly, for at-

286

TOVR IN AMKRIOA.

tending our conference in 8u«eox, in public and private ; and advise
the preachers in the South to consult him and take his advice in the
absence of brother Asbury."

ThuB have we brought our historical notices down to one
of the moit eventful periods in the annals. of this country
and of Amerioa. The loss of her colonies by Great Britain
was an event of the greatest national consequence, an
awful catastrophe. Tlie merits of the contest, the princi-
ples involved, the spirit manifested on either side, the policy
of the Governments, and the talents and blunders of each,
are points lying altogether beyond our line. But it was u
fearful thing to see mussef of men of the same race arrayed
in deadly conflict. It may be very true that great princi-
ples were at stake, great interests the prize of battle, great
issues the result ; but this does not alter the painful nature
of the fact, that the combatants were brethren. The pas-
sions then called forth, and the animosities created, could
not but convulse both communities to their centres. To any
other nation, less ehistic and energetic than Great Britain,
the loss of such territory, wealth, population, and political
power, — must have produced a perfect paralysis, have
prostrated the imtion irrecoverably, and sunk her to the
state of a fourth or fifth rate power. And to any other
people than the children of this country, the pn7.e won
would inevitably Iiave entailed insuperable difficulties.

But the event itself is one of those stupendous facts of
history which God decrees once in the course of many
centuries, for the creation of new epochs on the theatre of
nations. Its morale is infinite : it must reach through all
time ; and touch and influence the destinies, in one way or
other, of all countries. The reflux of the tide is now felt in
all nations ; and the flow of events cannot be turned till all
old things pass away, and, for good or evil, all things be-
come new. Would the first French Revolution ever have
taken place, or, if it had occurred, h^ve assumed its demo-
cratic form, had La Fayette and his legions never visited

PART II.— NOTICES OF MBTBODISM.

287

America, and imbibed tho spirit of the revolt ? Would the
thrones of Europe have been shaken by the revolutionary
vrar, and the mighty organic changes have been effected
by even that war, which really occurred, had not this de-
mocratic spirit prevailed ? Would the decimating power
of the movement have swept away the old aristocracy, and
the older church, so as to make way for the miUtary dicta-
torship of Napoleon, had it not been for this predominant
tendency ? Would the singular events of the present day
— the republicanism of France, the revolts of all the nations
of Europe against their dynasties, the establishment of the
democratic power, more or loss developed, in new and un-
tried institutions ; the freedom of the press, the opening of
legislative chambers, the unrestrained expression of public
opinion, and the strange sight of all kings and princes per-
mitted to reign at all, borne upon the shoulders of the
people to their thrones — would these things ever have
occurred had it not been for American republicanism be*
coming indigenous on the soil of France ? Who can see
the end of these things ? No one ; it is impossible. Time
alone can develop the principles and agencies now at work.
The swell of the Atlantic, of the western waves, is now
felt on every shore of Europe and of the world; and,
from appearances, it seems not likely to abate till the
tide has borne American principles to every nation under
heaven.

How little did John Calvin think of the egg he was
hatching when, in his quiet study, in the quiet little city of
Geneva, he first broached the doctrine that it was lawful
for Christians, under certain circumstances, to resist their
rulers ! This thigiderbolt of John Calvin is the power which
has shaken the world ever since ; and it is that which is
heard in ^e air at this moment. Bight or wrong, it is
religion, that is, the dogma of a religious man, which has
worked all the revolutions of the world. John Calvin's
doctrine, studied and imbibed by the PtiritaiM^ caused

288

TOUR IN AMERICA.

them to question the power of Queen Elizabeth and the
Stuarts in ecclesiastical matters; their collisions with the
legitimate representatives of the 'Mivine right" principle
led to the English Grand Rebellion : this, again, led to
innovations in the constitution of our country, and the
existence of the Protectorate. The republicanism of Eng-
land nurseid young republicans for the wilds of America,
where, under the guise of religious freedom, they were all
along building up a democratic fabric; till the whole issued,
as we have seen, in the independence of the States, and the
mighty changes now taking place in the world. If the
present movement should^Jn its desolating efifects, subvert
even Popery itself — not a very improbable thing, as so
much has already been done — this will have been effected
by John Calvin ; that is, by the idea which he first broach-
ed, and which has been, like a rolling substance, gathering
bulk, solidity, and strength to the present moment ; and is
destined, like the ** stone cut out of the mountain without
hands," to dash in pieces the image, whether of gold, sil-
ver, brass, clay, or iron — the image of the beast and false
prophet, together with all the forms of power which have
so long propped up this monstrous tyranny.

But the American Revolution is likely to produce an
equally wide impression of a religious nature. The exam-
ple of a great nation adopting the purely voluntary princi-
ple will, it is extremely likely, be followed by others. The
people, who are now everywhere claiming for themselves
the privilege of choosing their own temporal rulers, are not
likely, for any length of time, to allow the extraneous
appointment of religious governors. The public will claim
for itself the right of giving its suffrages in matters ecclesi-
astical. This principle, indeed, is already powerfully at
work. Either a pure voluntaryism, or else nationalism,
which is only voluntaryism in a national form, as seems
from the tendencies of events, must predominate. A sys-
tem wlnl^h nations choose for thepselves, may possibly find

PART n.— NOTICES OF METHODISM.

289

a place in the new order of ideas ; but as to a religious
yoke being imposed by a foreign church — as in the case of
Popery in ancient times — this is utterly impossible in the
present state of things. The doctrines of the Papacy may
indeed prevail in places where they have been held for a
great length of time, till something better obtains ; but as
to anjTthing like the old dominion of the Holy See, this
cannot find place in the midst of the growing democracy
of the world. Indeed, institutions of every kind seem des-
tined to be controlled by the pubUc voice.

The American Revolution, both in its political and reli-
gious phases, may be considered as the advent of a new
revelation of ideas ; as initiating a new class of social
relations ', as founding a new order of institutions ; as
creating a new, a democratic force, of tremendous power ;
as ushering into the social state a new, but imiversal, ele-
ment, destined, like the atmosphere, or some other ubiqui-
tous agency, to modify all existing things ;-— in a word, to
put the world upon a new path, another probation, an
untried exercise of its moral and political capacity. America
has stood before the world, up to this timQ, like an athletic
youth just having escaped from the care of parents and
governors. How it will ultimately fare can scarcely be
divined at present. Either from the conviction of conscious
strength ; from a repugri.ance of evils, endured or imagined ;
from the teachings of history, and the antecedent miseries
of mankind, as suffered in the old world ; from the abhor-
rence of the chains which governments and priesthoods had,
in every nation of Europe, forged for the people, and suc-
cessfully riveted on their limbs ; from a detestation of the
waste of public money, the hard earnings of the labouring
classes, in the gorgeous decorations of the abodes of pam-
pered idleness and debauchery; from the notion that men,
equally made in t^e image of God, are not, as a consequence,
destined to be the playthings of vanity or the sport of
despotism, but alike possess all the rights of manhood, and

Hp**^

240

TOUR IN AIIBRICA.

are equally capable of its duties and its blessings ; from the
impression that rot and decay had entered the timbers of
the old social edifices, through the ignorance, impotency,
and pride of those who, for age after age, had inhabited
them, and which were about to fall over their heads ; from
a conviction of the dreadful evils of war and bloodshed,
generally arising out of the thirst for aggrandisement, the
lust of ambition, the support of despotism, the quarrels of
state-gamblers and prize*fighters, and never, on one side,
from truth and justice;— we say, from one or all these
considerations the American people determined on abandon-
ing the old systems, and to put themselves to the onerous
task of working out a new theory. Their trial has proved
to be the trial of the world.

The French, in the exuberance of their vanity, attribute
the advent of democratic principles to themselves. They,
in their own opinion, are the apostles of liberty; the
philosophy of modem civilisation originated with them;
their nation constitutes the only focus of light and intelli-
gence ; and, moreover, they are destined to renovate the
"World. The egotism apart, the truth is not so. The
American Revolution is the event to which we must look
as giving the impulse to the new carder of things ; and the
seeds of this were laid in the Puritanism of the first
settlers.

The disputes about the legality of this revolution are all
lost in the splendour of the issue. Nobody now ever thinks
oi the principles involved, or the disputants on either side.
The fact is, in itself, too great to admit of these minor
considerations ; it is, in truth, the fact of modern history.
What will be the consequences of independence to the
Americans themselves ? Hitherto it is vain to deny that
the att^npti at self-government have been most suecessful.
No doubt there are ferocious passions in .^erica ; and tales
about the uses made of the bowie-knife, Lynch-law, and
BMiten of that uofi, are abundantlj rife. It would* indeeu,

PART II.-^NOnOSS OF iniTHODISM.

£41

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have been a marvel, if a scattered popnlaticn, living in
remote places, away from the seats of government and
magistracy, were not guilty of some excesses. And in
passmg from under the power of the parent state, and
consolidating their own government, it would be equally a
matter of astonishment if everything connected with the
state-machine could at once be laid in an even balance, and
be made to work without friction. But, bating imavoidable
accidents, and the imperfections attendant upon all human
affairs, the establishment of the American system and social
state must be pronounced hitherto as a perfectly successful
experiment. That other races should attempt to follow in
the same direction, is no wonder; but it does not follow
that they can successfully tread in the steps of the Anglo-
American people. V soil was free, the space ample ; the
institutions fount . r. ^ng them while colonies of Great
Britain were essenbaxiy democratic ; the people had bem
educated for generations in the principles of self-govom-
ment, and in most places elected their magistrates, and
often the governor himself. In this state of things there
was no antagonistic power upon the soil. They had no
throne to overthrow, no aristocracy to decimate, no hierar-
chy to proscribe, even no code of law to abrogate. Every-
thing favoured the experiment; and, allowing for the
infirmities of human nature, it must be conceded by all
candid persons that hitherto the people have been true to
the doctrines of their origin as an independent nation; and
that the establishment of the United States in their free and
confederated nationality is the greatest event of modem

times.

242

TOUR IN AMERICA.

i»-

CHAPTER V.

Measures preparatory to the Organization of the Methodif t Episcopal Church S
Application of the People to Mr. Wesley— His Advice— Dr. Bangs's Account
—The Chmrch formed— Success.

Ws now approach a period in the history of Methodism
in the United States, of great importance ; namely, its
establishment as an independent church. On the cessation
of the war of independence, the American Methodistn
immediately resumed their intercourse with Mr. Wesley,
and sought his counsels and advice. The retirement of Mr.
Kankin had obliged them to act for themselves ; and the
preachers, by their own vote, made Mr. Asbury assistant
in his place. This term, at the time, indicated that the
person bearing the name was assistant to Mr. Wesley ; and,
consequently, implied subordination to him and the confer-
ence in England. By this act, then, it is apparent, that
they did not contemplate a separation. They had no notion
of independence, and did not assert it. The venerable man
at once entered into their case, and gave them such advice
as lie deemed most expedient in their new and altered
position. In a letter dated Bristol, October 3d, 1783, he
vntites : —

' "1. Let all of you be determined to abide by the Me&odist doc-
trine and discipline, published in tlie four volumes of sermons^ and
the Notes upon the New Testament, together with the Large
Minutes of Conference.

"2. Beware of preachers coming from Great Britain or Ireland
without a full recommendation from me. Tliree of our travellinfif
preachers here eagerly desired to go to America ; but I co|ild not
approve of it by any means ; because I am not satisfied that they
thoroughly like either our discipline or doctrines ; I think they differ
from our judgment in one or both. Therefore, if these or any othevM
come without my recommendation, take care how you receive them.

"3. Neither should you receive any preachers, however recom-
mended, who will not be subject to the American Conference, aij(i

PABT II. — NOTICES OF METHODISM.

243

cheerfully conform to the Minutes hoth of the American ftnd Eng-
lish Conferences.

"4. I do not wish our American brethren to receire any who
makfi any difficulty in receiving Francis Asbnry as the general
assistant

'< Undoubtedly the great danger to the work of God in America is
likely to arise either from ^,.«acher8 coming from Europe, or from
such as will arise among yourselves, speaking perverse things, or
bringing in among you new doctrines, particularly Calvinian. You
should guard against this with all possible care ; for it is far easier
to keep them out than to thrust them out

'* I commend you all to the grace of God, and am your friend and
brother, John Weslbt."

This advice was soon followed by greater and much more
important events. We refer to the organization of the
American societies into a regular and independent church.
This event is so important in itself, possesses so great a
bearing on the imexampled success of Methodism in the
United States ; and, by some, is thought to fix upon Mr.
Wesley the blemish of inconsistency with his cherished and
long-avowed principles ; — that it seems necessary to go into
the question. The account given by Dr. Bangs is so exact,
and his reasonings upon the case are so perfectly sober and
conclusive, and, withal, must, to most in this country, be so
new, that it is thought best to give the narration in his own
words.

'' We have arrived at a very important period in the history of
Methodism in this country. And as so much has been said respect-
ing the constituting of the Methodist societies here into an inde-
])endent Church, I shall, in the first place, give a detail of the facts in
the case, and, secondly, offer some arguments in defence of the
measure.

" I. Hitherto the Methodists, both in Europe and America, had
been considered as a society toithin a church \ in Great Britain they
considered themselves as members of the Establishment, in America
ni members of that denomination to which they might be attached.
The preachers in both hemispheres, not having been consecrated to
their work by the imposition of hands, were distinguished as 'lay-
preaohcrs,' and had not, except in the instance heretofore narrated,
presumed to administer the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's

*«l«9i^

244

TOUR IN AMERICA.

snpper. Under these circumstances much uneasiness had been
manifested both in Europe and America, more especially here. But
all solicitation, whether from the preachers or people, for the estab-
lishment of a separate church, had been strenuously resisted by Mr.
Wesley, as being foreign to his primary design, and incompatible
with the principles he had avowed from the beginning of his minis-
try. He commenced his ministerial labour with the single intention
of reviving evangelical religion in the Church, by preaching her doc-
trines, and enforcmg her discipline. This was tiie state of things at
the time of which we are now speaking.

"As, however, the colonies had now become an independent
government, no longer under the control of Great Britain, either in
civil or ecclesiastical matters, Mr. Wesley began to relax from the
sternness with which he had heretofore resisted the solicitations of
the American Methodists, and to think seriously of granting their
requests ; and after consulting with his most intimate friends re-
specting the propriety of the measure, — ^for of its lawfulness he had
no doubt, — ^he resolved to grant their request, and adopted means to
carry the resolution into effect. ' At the conference held in Leeds,
in 1784, he declared his intention of sending Dr. Coke and some
other preachers to America. Mr. Richard Whatcoat and Mr. Thomas
Vasey offered themselves as missionaries for that purpose, and were
accepted. Before they sailed, Mr. Wesley abridged the Common
Prayer-Book of the Church of England, and wrote to Dr. Coke, then
in London, desiring him to meet him in Bristol, to receive fuller
powers, and to bring the Bev. Mr. Creighton with him. The Doctor
and Mr. Creighton accordingly met him in Bristol ; when, with their
assistance, he ordained Mr. Richard Whatcoat and Mr. Thomas
Vasey presbyters for America; and being peculiarly attached to
every rite of the Church of England, he afterward ordained Dr.
Coke a superintendent, giving him letters of ordination under his
hand and seal, and at the same time the following letter, to be printed
and circulated in America :'* —

" * To Dr. Coke, Mr. Aabury, and our Brethren in North America.

" ♦ Bristd, Sept. 10/A, 1784.
" ' 1. Bt a very uncommon train of providences, many of the pro-
vinces of North America are totally disjoined from the British em
pire, and erected into independent states. The English government
has no authority over them, either civil or ecclesiastical, any more
than over the States of Holland. A civil authority is exercised over
ttMm^ 9«rtiy by the Congress, partly by the State assemblies, Bnt no

* MMm'A "Z4^^ We^," vol. ii, p. 878.

PART II.— NOTICES OF METHODISM.

245

one either exercises or claims any ecclesiastical authority at ell. In
this peculiar situation some thousands of the inhabitants of these
States desire my advice : and, in compliance with their desire, I have
drawn up a little sketch.

" '2. Lord King's Account of the Primitive Church convinced me,
many years ago, that bishops and presbyters are the same order, and,
consequently, have the same right to ordain. For many years I have
been importuned, from t>uie to time, to exercise this right, by ordain«
ing part of our travelling preachers. But I have still refused, not only
for peace' sake, but because I was determined as little as possible
to violate the established order of the national church, to which I
belonged.

" ' 3. But the case is widely different between England and North
America. Here there are bishops who have a legal jurisdiction. In
America there are none, and but few pa " h ministers ; so that, for
some hundred miles together, there is none either to baptize or to ad-
minister the Lord's supper. Here, therefore, my scruples are at an
end ; and I conceive myself at full liberty, as I violate no order, and
invade no man's right, by appointing and sending labourers into the
harvest.

" ' 4. I have accordingly appointed Dr. Coke and Mr. Francis Asbu-
ry, to be ioint superintendents* over our brethren in North America.
As also Bichard Whatcoat and Thomas Yasey to act as elders
among them, by baptizing and administering the Lord's supper.

•"5. If any one will point out a more rational and scriptural way
of feeding and guiding those poor sheep in the wilderness, I will
gladly embrace it. At present I cannot see any better method than
that I have taken.

" ' 6. It has, indeed, been proposed to desire the English bishops to
ordain part of our preachers for America. But to this I object, (i.)
I desired the bishop of London to ordain one only ; but could not
prevail: (2.) If they consented, we know the slowness of their pro-
ceedings; but the matter admits of no delay: (3.) If they would or-
dain them now, they would likewise expect to govern them. And
how grievously would tbi« entangle us! (4.) As our American
brethren are now totally disentangled both from the state and from
the English hiprarchy, we dare not entangle them again, either with
the one or the other. They are now at full liberty simply to follow
the Scriptures and the primitive Church. And we judge it best that
they should stand fast in that liberty wherewith God has so strangely
made them free. John Wesley.'

* " As the translators of our version of the Bible have used the English
word ' bishop' instead of ' superintendent,' it has been thought by us that it
would tipgnx more Scriptural to adopt their term 'bishop.'— PMctjiKne."

246

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.

** The following is the letter of ordination which Mr. Wesley gare
to Dr. Coke : —

" ' To all to whom these presents shall como, John Wesley, late
Fellow of Lincoln College, in Oxford, presbyter of the Church
of England, sendeth greeting :

" * Whereas many of the people in the Southern provinces of
North America, who desire to continue under my care, and still ad-
here to the doctrine and discipline of the Church of England, are
greatly distressed for want of ministers to adminbter the sacraments
of baptism and the Lord^s supper, according to the usage of the same
church ; and whereas there does not appear to bo any other way of
supplying them with ministers :

" ' Know all men, that I, John Wesley, think myself to be provi-
dentially called at this time to set apart some persons for the work
of the ministry in America. And, therefore, under the protection of
Almighty God, and with a single eyp to Itb glory, I have this day
set apart as a superintendent, by the imposition of my hands, and
prayer, (being assisted by other ordained ministers,) Thomas Coke,
docior of civil law, a presbyter of the Church of England, and a man
whom I judge to be well qualified for that great work. And I do
hereby recommend him to all whom it may concern, as a fit person
to preside over the flock of Christ. In testimony whereof I hare
hereunto set my hand and seal, this second day of September, in the
year of our Lord one thousand seven Iiundrcd and eighty-four.

"'JoiiK Wmlky.'

" Being thus furnished with the proper credentials, in the month
of September, Dr. Coke, in company with Messrs. Whatcoat and
Vasey, set sail for America, and londed In the city of New- York on
thedd of November, 1784. From thence they proceeded throngli
Philadelphia to the State of Delaware, where, on the 15th day of the
same month, he met Mr. Asbury, at Barratt's chapel. Mr. Asbury
gives the following account of this meeting :—

" ' Sunday, 15th.— I came to Barratt's chapel. Here, to my greot
joy, I met those dear men of God, Dr. Coke and Bichnrd Whatcoat.
We were greatly comforted together. Tlie doctor preached on
Christ our wisdom, rightconsnei>i'«, nanctiflcation, and redemption.
Having had no opportimity of conversing with them before public
worship, I was greatly surprised to see brother Whatcoat assist by
taking the cup in the administration of the sacrament. I was
shocked when first informed of the intention of these my brethren in
coming to this country : it may be of God. My answer then was,
^ the preachers unanimomly chooH nu, IshaU not act in the cajpacUy I

PART II.— NOTICES OF METHODISM.

247

have hitherto done by Mr. Wedty^a appointment. The design of oigan-
izing the Methodists into an independent Episcopal Church was
opened to the preachers present, and it was agreed to call a General
Confeirence, to meet at Baltimore the eusning Christmas ; as also
that brother Garrettson go off to Virginia to give notice thereof to
the brethren in the South.' >

" According to this arrangement, Mr. Garrettson set off imme-
diately on his Southern journey, sending letters to those he could
not see ; and Dr. Coke spent the intermediate time in visiting various
parts of the country, and preaching to the people. On Friday, the
26th, Mr. Asbury says, ' I observed this day as a day of fasting and
prayer, that I might know the will of God in the matter that is to
come before the conference. The preachers and people seem to be
much pleased with the projected plan ; I myself am led to think it is
of the Lord. I am not tickled with the hononr to be gaiof 1. I see
danger in the way. My soul waits upon God. O that he may lead
us in the way we should go ! '

" In conformity with the above aiTangement, December 25th, sixty
out of the eighty-three preachers then in the travelling connexion,
assembled in the city of Baltimore for the conference, in which Dr.
Coke presided, assisted by Mr. Asbury ; and the first act of the ccn-
fcrence was, by a unanimous vote, to elect Dr. Coke and Francis
Asbury as general superintendents; for although Mr. Asbury h'id
been appointed to that high office by Mr. Wesley, yet he declined
noting in that capacity independently of the suffrages of his brethren
over whom he must preside. After his election, being first ordained
a deacon, then an elder, Mr. Asbury was consecrated by Dr. Coke,
assisted by several ciders, to the office of a superintendent, in the
manner set forth in the following certificate : —

" ' Know all men by these presents, that I, Thomas Coke, doctor
of civil law, late of Jesus College, in tlie University of Oxford, pres-
byter of the Church of England, and superintendent of the Methodist
Episcopal Church in America; under the protection of Almighty
God, and with a single eye to his glory ; by the imposition of my
liands, and prayer, (being assisted by tMlp ordained elders,) did, on
the twenty-fifUi day of this month, December, set apart Francis As-
buiy for the x>ffice of a deacon in the aforesaid Methodist Episcopal
Church. And also on the twenty-sixth day of the said month, did,
by the imposition of my hands, and prayer, (being assisted by the
said elders,) set apart the said Francis Asbury for the office of elder
in the said Methodist Episcopal Church. And on this twenty-
seventh day of the said month, being the day of the date hereof,
havQ). by the imposition of my hands, and prayer, (being assisted by

*•

248

TOUB IN AMBRIOA.

i i

tbe said elders,) set apart the said Francis Asbtirj for the office of a
•aperintendent in the said Methodist Episcopal Church, a man whom
I jadge to be well qualified for that great work. And I do hereby
recommend him to all whom it may concern, as a fit person to pre-
side over the flock of Christ. In testimony whereof, I have hweunto
set my hand and seal, this 27th day of December, in the year of our
Lord 1784. Thomas Cokb.'

" One of the elders who assisted at the consecration of Mr. Asbury,
was the Bev. Mr. Otterbine, a minister of the German church. Hav-
ing enjoyed an intimate acquaintance with this pious and evangelical
minister of Jesus Christ, and having full fellowship with him as a
laborious and useful servant of God, Mr. Asbury requested that he
might be associated with Dr. Coke and the other elders in the per-
formance of this solemn ceremony.

" The following persons were elected, twelve of whom were conse-
crated elders : — Freeborn Garrettson, William Gill, Le Roy Cole,
John Hagerty, James O. Cromwell, John Tunnel, Nelson Beed,
Jeremiah Lambert, Beuben Ellis, James O'KoUy, Bichard Ivey,
Beverley AUen,* and Henry Willis. Mr. Garrettson and Mr. Crom-
well were set apart especially for Nova Scotia, to which place they
soon after went ; and their labours and success will be noticed in the
proper place. Mr. Lambert was ordained for the island of Antigua,
in the West Indies.

" John Dickins, Caleb Boyer, and Ignatius Figman, were elected
deacons.

" II. Having thus given an account of these transactions, we pro-
ceed to ofier a few arg-uments in their defence. Let it be recollected,

''I. That there was a loud call for these things. Most of the
.eleigy of the English Church, during the revolution, had fled from
their flocks ; and those who remained, with very few 'xceptions,
were fit for anything rather than ministers of the Gobpel. From
the hands of such men the Methodists felt unwilling to receive the
ordinances. As to the Presbyterians and Congregationalists, they
would neither baptize the children unless, at least, one of the parents
professed faith4n their doctrines, nor admit them to the communion-
table unless they became members of their church. The Baptists
were more rigid still, as they could fellowship none unless they had
been baptized by immersion. To neither of these conditions could
the Methodists submit. Besides, by these denominations, the Me-
thodists were treated as heretics, on account of their opposition to
the Calvinistic doctrine of decrees, and the final perseverance of the

* " Mr. Alien was not ordained until the conference in 1785 ; and Mr. Wil-
lis, not being present, was ordained a few weeks afterward."— Lw.

■ j^- -'

PART U.— NOTICES OF METHODISM.

240

saints. Hence a necessity, originating from the state of things in
this country, compelled the Methodists either to remain without the
ordinaaoes, to administer them by uncousecrated hands, or to pro-
vide for them in the manner they did. Those who disclaim all de-
pendence upon the argument derived from the necemty of the case,
would do well to inquire whether any man can be justified in doing
on mnecessary work, — a work that might be Scripturally dispensed
with. It appears to the writer, that if there be no weight in Uiis ar-
gument, then it follows, that Mr. Wesley, and those who acted with
him in this solemn affair, were guilty of a work of supererogation,
and therefore cannot be justified on any principle whatever, either
of Scripture, reason, or conscience.

" 2. I<et it bo recollected, also, that those who consecrated Richard
Whatcoat and Thomas Vasoy, namely, Mr. Wesley, Dr. Coke, and
Mr. Creighton, were all regular presbyters in the Church of Eng-
land ; and that those who laid hands on Dr. Coke, and set him apart
as a superintendent of the Methodist Episcopal Church in America,
vvei'e also presbyters regularly ordained to that office.

" 3. It appears manifest from several passages of Scripture, par-
ticularly Acts xiii, 1, 2, and 1 Tim. iv, 14, and the testimonies of tlie
primitive fathers of the Church, that presbyters and bishops were of
the same order, and that they originally possessed the power of or-
dination.

"4. The doctrine of uninterrupted succession from the apostles,
in a third order, by a triple consecration, as distinct from, and supe-
rior to, presbyters, has been discarded by many of the most eminent
ecclesiastical writers, as resting upon no solid foundation, not being
susceptible of proof from any authentic source.

" 5. Mr. Wesley possessed a right over the Methodists whidi no
man else did or could possess, because they were his spiritual children,
raised up under his preaching and superintendence, and hence they
justly looked to him for a supply of the ordinances of Jesus Christ.

"6. Therefore, in exercising the power with which the divine
Head of the Church liad invested him, he invaded no other man's
right, nor yet assumed that which did not belong to him.

" 7. Hence he did not, as the objection which this argument is de-
signed to refute supposes, ordain either presbyters or a bishop for the
English Church, iior for any oth^r church then existing, but simply
and solely for the Methodist societies in America. And therefore,
in doing this necessary work, he neither acted inconsistently witii
liimself as a presbyter of the Church of England, nor incompatible
with his frequent avowals to remain in that church, and not to
separate from it.'

11*

250

TOUR IN AMERICA.

" 8. For, In het, In orgtnblng the Methodist Episcopal Church, he
did not Mparote either ftvm the English or Protestant Episcopal
Church 'f for that church had no jurisdiction here, and the Methodist
was organised some time before the Protestant Episcopal Church
had an existence. Hence he acted perfectly- consjstent with hhnself,
with all his avowals of attachment to the Church of England, ndiilc
he proceeded to organise a church here ; for while ho did this, and
thereby established a separate and independent church in America,
whore the English ChuroK had no jurisdiction, he and his people in
England still remained members of the Establishment.

" 9. While the Scriptures are silent in respect to the particular
form of churcti government which should bo established, they cer-
tainly allow of an episcopal form, because it is not incompatible with
any Icnown precept or usage of primitive Christianity.

" 10. This is further manifest from the fact, that the apostles and
evangelists did exercise a jurisdiction over the entire Church, pres-
byters, deacons, and people, though, at the same time, there is no
proof that as to order, created such by a third consecration, they
were higher than the presbyters.

"II. Distinguishing, therefore, between the power of ordination
and the power of jurisdiction, we may see how an episcopal govern-
ment may be created by a Presbyterian ordination, and hence justify
the act of Mr. Wesley and his associates in setting apart Dr. Coko
to the office of a general superintendent.

" These arguments are merely stated here as the grounds on which
the organization of the Mcthoilist Episcopal Church is justified, re-
ferring the reader who may wish to see them in detail, with the proofs
on which they rest for support, to the book recently published,
called, ' An Original Ctmrch of Christ.^ In that performance he will
see all objections met, and, I trust, fully answered, and the proceed-
ings of Mr. Wesley and his co-workers amply vindicated.

" IS. Another ground of defence is in die eharactet- of those who
were employed in this transaction. As to the Bev. John Wesley, it
is almost needless now to say anything in his commendation. In
him were concentrated all the elements of a great man ; and by a
conscientious improvement of his gifts, having been made a partaker
of ' like precions faith,' he was as much distinguished by his good-
ness as by hii greatness ; but all his other endowments were pro-
pelled Of) by his inextinguishable thirst for the salvation of his fel-
low-men, and fully employed, as an evangelist, m the grand cause of
Jeius CbriNt. And such were the effects of these labours, that, at the
time of which we are now speaking, there were no less than sixty-
four tbonMUid one hundred and fifty-five members of society, and

FART U. — NOTIOBS OF METHODISM.

261

ono hundred and ninety>fivo preachers, in Europe; and fourteen
thousand nine hundred and eighty-eight members, and eighty-three
preachers, in America; making in all seventy-nine thousand one
hundred and forty-three members, and two hundred and seventy-
eight preachers. These had been raised np through his instrumen-
tality in the short space of forty-five years, as seals to his ministry,
and as evidences of his call to the work in which he was engaged.
Of his call, therefore, and qualification for the work of an evan-
gelist, there can be no doubt, any more than there should be of his
rigfd, as the spiritual father of this numerous family, to provide
them with all the means of grace."— Bangs's " History of Method-
ism" vol i, pp. 151-163.

Thus were the scattered societies iu America formed into
a regular church organization. This event, like the political
independence of the States, is one of those circumstances
which constitute epochs in the history of Christianity. The
success of the arrangement has put to silence all surmises
as to the wisdom of the settlement, whether entertained in
this country or in America. It gave, in the first place, a
free and independent action to the church so established ;
which, under the able and judicious management of the
new bishops, and especially of Bishop Asbury, at once be-
gan, as if with new life, to develop its strength. Much has
been said on the subject of Mr. Wesley's love of power,
and, by Southey, on his towering ambition ; but this whole
business palpably refutes all such allegations. It is not a
characteristic of the love of power to part with it : and *he
yielding up of authority to others, is but an ill proof >r
ambition. John Wesley might have retained an entire and
undivided exercise of government over the Americ»r! soci-
eties, just as he did at home, had he chosen to dr :;o. His
appointment of preachers would have been undisputed, and
they, on thcdr part, would have cordiallv supported his pas-
toral authority; his missives of instruction would have
been unhesitatingly received by his sons in the gospel, and
obeyed in the most perfect docility of spirit ; the decisions
of the British Conference, expressed in its Minutes, would
have been complied with, for aught that appears, as the.

252

TOUR IN AMBBICA.

canon-law of the American body : a president, sent from
England in the name of the father of the whole family,
might have presided in the Conferences, and kept wp the
link of union, and thus have secured subordination. All
tliis might have taken place ; and would; no doubt— or
some other line of policy similar in spirit — ^have been pur-'
sued, had this great man been actuated by selfish or ambi-
tious views. No act dC^is life, rightly considered, so fully
indicates the integrity of his mind, the purity of his motives,
the grandeur of his views, and the magnanimity of his cha-
racter, as this arrangement. It is the act of a generous,
noble-minded parent, dispossessing himself of his patrimony
and power, to bestow it upon a son during his own life-
time. The magnanimity of the measure, also, appears in
its largeness. It went far beyond the anticipations or de-
sires of the parties themselves. They had merely requested
to have the ordinances among them, and, for this purpose,
desired the ordination of ministers. But this could have
been secured, as in Scotland, without either the establish-
ment of an independent church, or the appointment of su-
perintendents. The only question in the mind of Mr. Wes-
ley must have been, What is best for the parties interested?
He soon answered the question by his conduct. His pene-
trating mind, his sound understanding, his knowledge of
the whole case, his Christian philosophy, and capacity
to see into the future as well as the present ; — all this,
in connexion with his noble disinterestedness, determined
him to take the initiative, and himself to originate the
organization and independent position of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.

The iss)ie has amply verified, and, one would think, more
than verified, the highest anticipations of this faithful shep-
herd. The great end he sought, in the extension of the
goepel, and the conversion of sinners, has certainly been
secured on the widest seale ever w'tnessed in modem times.
Tlais of itself wQuld be to him a sufficient reward. He had

it from
family,
up the
11. All
ibt — or
3n pur*
ir ambi'
so fully
odotives,
his cha-
enerous,
itrimony
»wn life-
pears in
IS or de-
equested
purpose,
lid have
)stablish-
it of 8U-
Ir. Wes-
erested?
is pene-
edge of
capacity
-aU this,
termined
inate the
lethodist

ink, more
ful shep-
m of the
inly been
im times.
He had

PARI U.^N0IICE3 OF MBIHODISM.

263

ao other purt)ose saye this, in all he did. The object pro-
posed by the several institutions ordained by him, was the
oztensbn of our Lord's kingdom in the salvation and hap-*
piness of mankind.

But every other purpose has been secured, as well as this
primary one. The doctrines he held so dear have been
faithfully conserved and widely dkseminated; the main
points of Methodist discipline hav^lllen sedulously guarded
and carried out ; the holy living and piety towards God,
so indefatigably promoted by him in his whole career of
labour and of shame, have been happily secured; the
unity of a numerous people, who, with few exceptions, have
given a cordial and hearty allegiance to the system he
adopted, has been exhibited for the illustration of the truth
of Scripture, and the edification of the world ; and that
evangelic action which is indicated by the establishment of
itinerancy, has been fully secured and prosecuted even be-
yond the extent of their own gigantic country.

Moreover, the world may now, if it chooses, look upon
a primitive episcopacy in actual and living operation.
Before this period it was only ideal. It might be found in
the New Testament, in the practice of the first churches,
in the remains of the primitive fathers, in the writings and
speculations of men of moderate, but true and authentic,
notions ; but the reality had long been absorbed in the
monstrous usurpations of Popery, and other systems of
ecclesiastical error and tyranny. That man must have
possessed a stout heart who, in the presence of existing
estabUshments, and the prevalent opinions of the day, and
even of the church to which he professed himself to belong
— who had the courage to return, practi'^ally, to primitive
usage, and build up a living body on the model of the
Presbytero-Episcopal Church of the first and best ages.
He could not help foreseeing, also, that the temerity which
would venture upon such a course must expose him to all
maonor of reproach. He braved it all; and the American

»r

254

TOUE IN AMERICA.

Methodist Epifcopal Church now stands, and will forever
stand, as the noble monument of his wisdom, love of truth,
disinterested devotion to his Master's honour, and his peo-
ple's good ; as well as of his own courageous contempt of
this world's petty scorn, or of the grave or bitter rebukes of
an incensed and privileged priesthood.

CHAPTER VI.

Tlie new Order of llUnrt— Mr. k»\mry becomes the real Bishop of the Church
—His Chanctor and QuaUfleationt for the Office— Dr. Coke exceeds hia
Powers— Certiflcat0—Tho Episcopacy defined and guarded— Mr. Wesley's
Offence at the Um of the Term ** Bishop"— Letter to Asbury— Dr. Coke in
Difficulties respectJof the Address to Washington— And on Slavery— The
Church takes its ttandinf among the Institutions of the United States.

Mr. Asbury, wider the new order of things, became the
real superintendent of the Methodist Church, Dr. Coke
returning home, and only occasionally visiting the conti-
nent. It was a merciful dispensation that this power fell
into his han<^". In addition to true piety, which we have
before consiuered, he was blessed with a sound judgment,
great moderation, tender sympathy with his fellow-labour-
ers, intense desire for the salvation of mankind, uncompro-
mising integrity, and entire decision of character. He
seems to have devoted himself most sedulously to the cul-
tivation of a knowledge of theology, as far as circumstances
would allow ; was a constant and zealous preacher — plain,
practical, energetic, though not eloquent; an assiduous
pastor, naturally caring for the spiritual and temporal wel-
fare of all the people ; and bent, in his evangelical toils,
upon spreading true religion through the entire continent.
But Mr. Asbuiy seems to have possessed, in an eminent
degree, that wonderful gift which is sometimes seen in
favoured individuals — an almost uresistible influence over
men. Undoubtedly this originates, in part, in confidence
in their integrity; and yet not altogether so. Indeed,

pel
pei
th(
wifl

PART II.— NOTICES OF METHODISM.

255

rever
truth,
peo-
ipt of
tesof

,e Church
ceeds his
Wesley's
'. Coke in
-ery— The
ites.

ime the
r. Coke
e conti-
>wer fell
^e have
dgment,
-labour-
compro-
ler. He
the cul-
mstances
r — ^piain,
iBsiduous
oral wel-
ical toils,
continent.

eminent
s seen in
Bnce over
ionfidence

Indeed,

without the conviction of this quality, ai d many others, the
homage would not be given ; but no assemblage of moral
excellences will, of themselves, lead to this result. It is
evidently the power of mind ; though in what that power
consists, is extremely difficult to define. To say it is intel-
lectual would not meet the case, as there are many men of
high and noble intellect who possess no very commanding
influence among their fellows. Extraordinary religious
attainments, and the reputation of exalted sanctity, though
producing great reverence, yet does not, of itself, lead to
the dominion of the mind of which we speak. It appears
to consist of — shall we call it? — ^robustness of soul,
especially in strength of will. This, when connected with a
corresponding amount of intelligence, judgment, insight
into character, integrity, and honour; and, withal, that
strange thing called "tact" — a perception of the right
time, the right means, the right spirit and mode of
proceeding — seem to constitute the elements of this cha-
racter.

Be this as it may, these characteristics all met in Mr.
Asbury. But, after all, his power was his piety, connected
with corresponding energetical labours. No natural en-
dowments could have made him what we see him to have
been. He seems to have possessed an intense and a pro-
found faith, which was constantly at work. He was a be-
liever in the living, active, omnipresent reign of God ; and
was in the habit of viewing all things through the medium
of his providence and will. His mission to America was
undertaken, as we have seen, in the full and unwavering
persuasi that it was the call and will of God. The resist-
ance he set up against Mr. Wesley's commands to return
home, after only being in the country a short time, and his
pertinacious determination to remain at his post at the
peric of the Revolution, though adopted in the midst of
the ^ jst painful and embarrassing exercises, were taken
wita the lull beliejf that his conUnmuice at his post was the

266

TOUR IN AlfERIOA.

ordination of God. So, again, when all his English bre-
thren deserted him, and his heart was left to bleed at their
loss, and especially for the loss of George Shadford, for
whom he entertained the warmest possible affection; when
he stood alone, and had to pass through years of distress,
anxiety, and sorrow ; — ^he still adhered to the belief that he
was called of God to a]^|us. In like manner, when it was
proposed to him to taraf'^the new office of superintendent,
and adopt the church-system which Mr. Wesley had framed,
and of which he seems to have had no premonition what-
ever, on consideration, connected with prayer, he entered
upon it as the appointment of God. This was the habit of
his mind. And never taking up a new position without
being entirely persuaded that it was the will of God, he
never afterward swerved.

These are the men who rule mankind. Their soul seems
to be rooted in some eternal, immutable, unalterable truth
— which, as the soil supports the oak, strengthens them
for every emergency. Hence they are always the same ;
the vacillations of weaker men, the sweep of time, and all
other contingencies, find th6m still inflexibly bent upon
their mission. But this decision of character in Mr. Asbury
by no means made him insensible, or blunted his feelings.
We often find him in deep distress of mind, his sensibilities
lacerated, his soul in an agony, as evils present themselves
before him ; but still his refuge is prayer, leading him con-
stantly to God in Christ. The miseries of his itinerant life
deeply affected him. Something like the spirit of Jonah,
when he saw his " gourd" wither, and the sun smote him,
occasionally appears in his Journals. When traversing the
untrodden forests, and crossing dangerous rivers, in the
midst of all kinds of weather, the summer's heat, and the
winter's cold ; living on the meanest fare, and that by the
charity of others ; lodging in log-huts, in the midst of filth,
vermin, and noisy children ; — ^he sometimes gives way to
exolamations of anguish, and longs for death and heayen.

PART n.--«OTIOES OF IIBTHODISM.

257

No wonder. Yet, harassed by all these exercises, he still
goes on. Not an expression of doubt as to his line of duty
ever occurs; no shrinking under his load of labour and
privation is ever witnessed ; not a whisper of giving in, of
retiring, of seeking ease, is ever heard. Certainly, he had
no desire for anything on earth different from his life of
toil and danger ; and the only change he ever refers to, is
n dismissal by the command of his heavenly Master to the
rest of heaven.

Such was the man to whom were chiefly committed the
interests of the newly-formed Methodist Episcopal Church.
As might be expected, some little friction appeared in the
movements of the machine for some short time ; but noth. <ig
of any weighty consideration. It seems astonishing that the
new rSgime was permitted to come into operation so easily ;
but, with great wisdom and foresight of consequences, Mr.
Asbury refused to take the office assigned him by Mr.
Wesley, till he had obtained the concurrent suffrages of the
Conference. This assent was accorded unanimously ; and,
of course, afterwards they could not quanel with their
own election. This did not enter into the plan of Mr.
Wesley, nor of Dr. Coke ; but this judicious man un<
derstood his position; and, as in all his proceedings,
before he moved in the matter, he made his ground per-
fectly sure.

In a while after the settlement of these affairs, Dr. Coke
returned to England ; and, it seems, exercised some of the
functions of his new office while at home. This gave um^-
brage to his brethren in America. And when, on his se-
cond visit, he arrived in Baltimore, —

" Borne dissatiflfaction was manifested toward him, because, while
in Europe, he had, as was contended, so far transcended his powers
an to alter the time and place for the conference to meet, after they
had been fixed bj the conference itself. This, with some other com-
plaints of a trifling character, drew from Dr. Coke, with a view to
nllay all apprehensions of his American brethren hereafter, the fol-
lowing certificate :—

258

TOUR IN AMERICA.

" • The Certificate of Dr. Coke to the Conference.

" ' I do solemnly engage by this instnunent, that I never will, by
virtue of my office as superintendent of the Methodist Church, during
my absence from the United States of America, exercise any govern-
ment whatever in the said Methodist Church during my absence from
the United States. And I do also engage, thar I will exercise no
privilege in the said Church when present in the United States, ex-
cept that of ordaining according to the regulations and laws already
existing or hereafter to bct/made in the said Church, and that of pre-
siding in the said conktm^ ; and, lastly, that of travelling at large.
Given under my hand, the second day of May, in the year 1787.

«« Thomas Coke.'

" And with a view to guard as much as possible against similar
infringements of their rights in future, the following question and
answer were entered on the Minutes :-—

'- ' QuES. — Who are the superintendents of our Church in these
United States ?

'" Ans. — Thomas Coke (when present in the States) and Francis
Asbury.' "— Bangs's "History of Methodism,'* vol i, pp. 256, 257.

About this time the two superintendents took upon tliem
the name of " bishop." This was done, it appears, in the
first instance, by their own act (was it not that of Dr.
Coke ?) in subscribing themselves such, in a new edition
of the book of Discipline. This led to some little alterca-
tion, and grievously ofifended Mr. Wesley. But though the
Conference did not determine the question in the first
place; yet, on theur assembling in 1787, they approved of
and confirmed it in the following words : —

" We have constituted ourselves into an Episcopal church, under
the direction of bishops, elders, and deacons, and preachers, accord-
ing to the form of ordination annexed to our Prayer-Book, and the
regulations laid down in this form of discipline."

In the Conference of 1788, we have this question and
answer : — "^

" Ques. — Who are the bishops for our church in the United
States f
" Anb. — Thomas Coke and Francis Asbury."

Thus Episcopacy was formally established, to the great

PART II.— NOTICES OF METHODISM.

25d

annoyance of Mr. Wesley, who had employed the more
humble term " superintendent." Hence he addressed the
following characteristic letter to Bishop Asbury :-

" There is, indeed, a wide difference between the relation wherein
you stand to the Americans, and the relation wherein I stand to all
the Methodists. You are the elder brother of the American Method-
ists ; I am, under God, the father of the whole family. Therefore, I
naturally care for you all in a manner no other person can do.
Therefore I, in a measure, provide for you all; for the supplies
which Dr. Coke provides for you, ho could not provide were it not
for me, — were it not that I not only permit him to collect, but also
support him in so doing.

" But, in one point, my door brother, I am a little afraid, both the
doctor and you differ from me. I study to be little, you study to bo
great ; I creep, you strut along ; I found a school, you a college.
Nay, and call it after your own names, (Cokesbury.) O beware !
Do not seek to be something ! Let me be nothing, and ' Christ be
all m aU.'

" One instance of this, of your greatness, has given me great con-
cern. How can you, how dare you, suffer yourself to be called
bishop ? I shudder, I start, at the very thought ! Men may call mo
a fool, or a rascal, a scoundrel, and I am content ; but they shall
never, by my consent, call me bishop ! For my sake, for God's sake,
for Christ's sake, put a full end to this. Let the Presbyterians do
what they please, but let the Methodists know their calling better.

" Thus, my dear Frankey, I have told you all that is in my heart.
And let this, when I am no more seen, bear witness how sincerely I
am, &c." y

The somewhat anomalous position of Dr. Coke as a
British subject and an American bishop, now that the
States were free, brought him into some trouble on both
sides of the Atlantic. Occasion was taken, by the part
lie took in presenting the following congratulatory Address
to General Washington, on his appointment to the Presi-
dency of the United States, to call the doctor's consistency
in question.*

* The event led to great dissatisfaction in England ; so much so, as to cause
the Conference to leave the Doctor's name off the Minutes.— Drew's "Life of
Coke," p 144.

260

TOUR IN AMIRIOA.

""IbthePntidento/thsVhiUdSlatM.

*' Sib,— We, the bishopi of the MeUuxlif t Epiicopal Ohnrch, hum*
bly beg leave, in the name of our §od»iy, collectively, in these
United States, to express to you the warm feelings of our hearts,
and our sincere congratulations on your appointment to the Presi-
dentship of these States. We are consoiouf , ftofn the signal proofs
yon have already given, that you are a fHend to mankind ; and, un-
der this established idea, place as fnll confldenoe in your wisdom
and integrity for the presfl^ation of those civil «id religious liberties
which have been transmitted to us by the providence of God and
the glorious revolution, as we believe ought to be reposed in man.

" We have received the most grateful iatiifoction from the hum-
ble and entire dependence on the groat Governor dl the universe,
which yon have repeatedly expressed, acknowledging him the source
of every blessing, and particularly of the most excellent constitution
of these States, which is at present the admiration of the world, and
may in ftitnre become its great exemplar for imitation ; and hence
we ei\joy a holy expectation, that you will always prove a faithful
and impartial patron of genuine, vital religion, the grand end of our
creation and present probationary existence. And we promise you
our fervent prayers to the throne of grace, that God Almighty may
endue you with all the graces and glfti of his Holy Spirit, that he
may enable you to fill up your important station to his glory, the
good of his church, the happinoM and prosperity of the United
States, and the welfore of mankind.

" Signed in behalf of the ICfdiodist Episcopal Church,

*' Thomas Ooke,

''Fsjurois AiBURT.

« New-York, May 29, 1789."

The following is the reply of Preiident Washington : —

" To the Bishops of the Mdhodiit Epitcopal Cliureh in the United

Statm of America,

"GnNTLEMEy,— -I return to you individually, and through you to
your society collectively, in the United States, my thanks, for the
demonstrations of affection, and the expressions of joy, offered in
their behalf, on my late appointment. It shall be my endeavour to
manifest the purity of my inclinatiouf for promoting the happiness
of mankind, as well as the sincerity of my deshvs to contribute
whatever may be in my power toward iSbt civil and religious liber-
ties of the American people. In pursuing tiiii line of conduct, I hope,
by the assistance of divine Providence, not altogether to disappoint
the confidence which you have been plea«od to repoie in me.

PART U.~^NOTIOBS OF METHODISM.

^'It always affbrda me satisfaction when I find a concurrence of
sentiment and practice between all consdentions men, in acknow-
ledgments of homage to the great Qovomor of the nniverse, and in
professions of support to a jnst civil government After mentioning
that I tmst the people of every denomination, who demean them-
selves as good citizens, will have occasion to be convinced that I
shall always strive to prove a faithful and impartial patron of genu-
ine, vital religion, I must assure you in particular, that I take in the
kindest part the promise you make of presenting your prayers at Ihe
throne of grace for me ; and that I likewise implore the divine bene-
diction on yourselves and your religious community.

" ObOBOB WASHINaTOK."*

On the proposition being made to present an Address to
the new President, we are told that Conference approved
and appointed the two bishops, Dr. Coke and Asbury, to
draw it up, which they did. Bishop Coke, however, being
a British subject, it wa9 thought he ought not to read it,
and Asbury performed that service, ''with great self-pos-
session." "Hie other ministers and denominations were
angry that '' the Methodists should take the lead ;" and the
next week batteries of raillery and vituperation were let
loose on the poor doctor. They ironically asked, " Who
was he ? How came he to be a bishop ? Who consecrated
him ?" then uttered severe strictures on the impropriety
of a British subject signing on address approving of the
Government of the United States; charging him with
duplicity, and that he was the enemy of the independence
of America.

To the good people on this side the water, at the lime,
St would appear equally strange for a British subject to
eulogize as a " glorious revolution," a war which had beaten
and imprisoned the armies of his country, and nnpested a
jDolghty empire from nnder her dominion. And then, it
would appear equally a question, whether Dr. Coke could,
consistently, call the new institutions of America " the most
excellent constiuutioii of these States, which is at preiEwnt

* BiMWtfs '*Birtoiy<rfMett>odiMB,»ToL l,wMM I M,

262

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.

the admiration of the world, and may in future become its
great exemplar for imitation." The doctor did not trouble
his head much about these embarrassments ; if he saw any
awkwardness in his position, it made no difference in the
discharge of what he conceived to be his duties.

But Dr. Coke got into hot water on another, a more vital,
matter, namely, that of slavery. Southey gives this case
with so much truth and felicity of expression, that we can-
not do better than insert hb narrative.

" Wesley had borne an early testimony against the system of Negro
slavery; on this point his conduct is cmiously contrasted with
Whitefield's, who exerted himself in obtaining a repeal of that part
of the charter granted to the colony of Georgia, whereby slavery was
prohibited. Dr. Coke, feeling like Wesley, took up the subject with
his usual ardour, preached upon it with great vehemence, and pre-
pared a petition to Congress for the emancipation of the N^roes.
With this petition, he and Anbury went to General Washington, at
Mount Vernon, and solicited him to sign it. Washington received
them courteously and hospitably ; he declined signing the petition,
that being inconsistent with the rank which he held; but he assured
them that he agreed with them ; and that, if the Assembly should
take their petition into consideration, he would signify his senti-
ments by a letter. They proceeded so far themselves, that they re-
quired the members of the society to set their slaves free ; and seve-
ral persons were found who made this sacrifice flrom a sense of duty.
One planter in Virginia emancipated tn-enty-two, who were, at the
time, worth from thirty to forty pounds each. His name was Ken.
non, and it deserves to be honourably recorded. But such instances
were rare ; and Dr. Coke, who had much of the national ardour in
his character, proceeded in such an intolerant spirit of philanthropy,
that he soon provoked a violent opposition, and incurred no small
degree of personal danger. One of his sermons upon this topic in-
censed some of his hearers so much, that they withdrew, for the
purpose of waylaying him ; and a lady Kegro-owner promised them
fifty poiiids, if they would give ' that little doctor' a hundred lashes.
But the better part of his congregation protected him ; and that same
sermon produced the emancipation of twenty-ibur slaves. In one
county the slave-owners presented a bill against him, which was
found by the grand jury, and no less than ninety persons set out in
pursuit of him; but he was got beyond their reach. A more fero-
cious enemy followed him, with an intention of shooting him : this

PART II.— MOTIOBS OF MBTHODIBM.

268

the man himielf oonfesiod, when, some time afterwards, he become a
member of the Methodist society. On his second yisit to America,
Colce was convinced that he had acted indiscreetly, and he con*
sented to let the question of emancipation rest, rather than stir up an
opposition which so greatly impeded the progress of Methodism.'*'—
We of Wedeif, vol. ii, p. 452.

Thus, in connexion with some slight a^tations, not, how-
ever, of principle, but of accident, the Methodist Episcopal
Church took its ground in the midst of the institutiouH of
the United States. The authorities, from the beginning,
evidently viewed it with no displeasure ; and, as far as the
State has control in such matters, rather gave it countenance
than the contrary. The lay public, except in the expres-
sion of those outbursts of malignity, spleen, and opposition,
which are common to all populations, when an earnest and
spiritual religion is introduced among them, were quiet or
favourable. Some jealousies, as might be expected, pre-
vailed among the religious bodies, and especially with the
ministers. The prescriptive Calvinism of the old churches
was disturbed by the introduction of the Wesleyan doctrine ;
and their notions of the indcipendence of churches, in their
individual and isolated «tate, bcMsame antagonized by the
connexional principle on which the Methodist Church was
established. The title assumed, of bbhop,, could not be
very palatable to ministers, who had all along associated
the idea of aristocracy, prelacy, and, lordship, with this
innocent name. The very term must, in America, have
awakened bitter associations in the minds of the descend-
ants of the expatriated refugees, often driven from their
homes by the persecutions of bishops, in the days of their
don^nation in this countiy. That so little opposHion was
encountered at the time, indicates the moderation and the
tolerant spirit of the Americans. Taken as a whole, the
Methodist Church, in the principles of its foundation, its
rules and institutions, together with the titles assumed by
its chief officers; presented itself to view as, pejrhajps, the

Tomi nr aumuoa.

nuMt ooDMrrttire imtittitioii of the States. That it should
hare excited so little Jealousy, and properly no opposition,
ill the midst of the new democratio republic, shows the
confidenee of the people in their own power, the entire
absence of religious bigotry, and the real and practical pre-
dominance of a free and generous spirit.

'1 i

^r'

PART ni.— INSTITUTIONS OF TBB M. I. OHUBOH. 265

PART III.

THE INSTITUTIONS OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL

CHURCH.

CHAPTER I.

The doctrinal BmU of the Chureb-The Articles of ReUfioii— Thie pUcei the
Church on a •yitem of dogmatical Truth— The DUTerence between this and
the English system.

In presenting some account of the institution of the Ame-
rican Episcopal Church, it is necessary to keep in mind that
it rests altogether upon a eonatitutional basis. Nothing is
left to usage, to tradition, to common law, or to the indi-
vidual judgment of its offieen. By a series of enactments
a complete and well-defined code of law and order has
obtained, so that it is perfectly easy to comprehend and
analyze the entire system.

From 1766, the time of the formation of the first society
in America, till 1784, they adopted the Minutes of the
English Conference as the rales and regulations of their
administration ; but at the latter period, ceasing to be mere
societies, and becoming a regular church, they, partly by
Mr. Wesley's recommendation, and partly by the enact-
ments of their own Conferendfbprooeeded to frame, from
time to time, the ecclesiasticflpBipnstitution by which they
are at present governed.

The doctrines themselt||8 are the same as those held b^
the Methodist body in this ^untiy ani all over the world ;
but the documents seiraring the recognition and promul-
gation of these doctrines are different. In this country
Mr. Wesley's four Tolumes of Sermons, and the Notes on
the New Testament, conptitute the legal creed of the Me-
thodist Church; in America the Articles of Religion of the

<t"

266

TOUR IN AMERICA.

English Church, altered by Mr. Wesley with a view to bring
them into harmony with his own opinions, have been
adopted. These Articles of Religion were originally pre-
pared by Mr. Wesley, and printed in "The Sunday Service,"
which he sent over to America. They were accepted and
published in 1786, and incorporated into the body of the
Disciplme in 1790.* These Articles have been reduced
from thirty-nine to twenty-four, and some of those which
remain have been changed in their phraseology, and por-
tions omitted. Those which have been entirely left out are
Articles — III. Of the going down of Christ into Hell.
VTTT. Of the three Creeds. XIII. Of Works before Justi-
fication. XV. Of Christ alone without Sin. XVII. Of
Predestination and Election. XVIII. Of obtaining Eternal
Salvation only by the Name of Christ. XX. Of the Au-
thority of the Church. XXI. Of the Authority of General
Councils. XXIII. Of mmistering to the Congregations.
XXVI. Of the Unworthiness of the Ministers, which hin-
ders not the Effects of the Sacraments. XXIX. Of the
Avicked, which eat not the Body of Christ in the use of the
Lord's Supper. XXXIII. Of excommunicate Persons,
liow they are to be avoided. XXXV. Of the Homilies.

XXXVI, Of the Consecration of Bishops and Ministers.

XXXVII. Of the Civil Magistrates.

The Articles which have been adopted, it will be seen,
on examination, constitute a clear and complete standard
of truth, notwithstanding the omissions ; that is, on the
theory of Mr. Wesley, that the Calvinistic doctrine of pre-
destination and election is not founded on the truth of the
word of God. The expurgation of the Articles on the de-
scent into hell, the three creeds, the authority of the Church
to ordain ceremonies, the general councils, and matters of
that sort, wiU be deemed by the great body of Protestants
of this day as a benefit ; but, of course, the omission of the

* Bmobt's " Histojy of the Discipline of the Methodist. Episcopal Chnicb."

PAKT in.— INSTITUTIONS OP THE M. B. CHURCH. 267

seventeenth Article will be differently considered by those
who hold the doctrine therem contained.

But the point to be regarded is, that by this arrange-
ment the Methodist Episcopal Church is found to adhere,
to a system of positive, of dogmatical, doctrinal truth. In
these days of rampant specidation and theorizing on mat-
ters of doctrine, this is of great consequence. The Ame-
rican people, like many parties in Europe, are somewhat
addicted to give reins to their imagination and critical acu-
men, even on questions of sacred truth. It is, therefore,
of some importance to bind the Methodist body to the
observance of something tangible. It argues sobriety and
reverence in them, — a new, an active, and a perfectly free
people, — to adopt the venerable forms in which the Church
of this country put the truth nearly three hundred years
ago, instead of placing themselves on the current of living
opinion. We believe there have been very few secessions
from the doctrinal opinions of the general body, and heresy
is almost imknown in the history of the Methodist Church
in the United States.

There is, indeed, one striking difference between the
American and English Methodists regarding doctrines.
We on this side the water are bound by legal enactment to
preach the doctrines taught in Mr. Wesley's writings, and
it seems the Americans are imder no such legal obligation.
It follows that the obligation with them is moral, a matter
of conscience, of faith, of conviction. Here then, at this
point, tradition comes in, usage, and the influence and force
of a common opinion.

It is very well known that Mr. Wesley has taught, in his
four volumes of Sermons, and Notes on the New Testament,
opinions in^hich are not foimd in the twenty-four Articles of
Beligion adopted by the American Church, except in the
way of a very remote inference. Reference is here made
to such subjects as the witness of the Spirit, — the witness
of our own spirit, — Christian perfection, — and many other

208

TOUR IN AMERICA.

nice points of experience and duty. Now, as far as appears
on the face of document!, and the Book of Discipline, the
Methodist Church in the States has not bound itself to these
expositions of doctrine. It has indeed enforced some of
them, 88 that of Christian perfection, in the Minutes of
Conference ; but they are not found in the Discipline. It
has, on the other hand, adopted the fundamental articles of
religion, as so many great centres of truth, and, as it seems,
left the detail and the interpretation to the living expositor.
This will probably startle the English Methodist ; but, as
far as appears from the publications, preaching, aud testi-
mony of the American Church, they have hitherto proved
themselves true to the sentiments of our founder, and teach
them as faithfully as is the case in this country. The doc-
trines of a religious community, so long as they retain their
vitality and simplicity, are always adopted as the living faith
of the people. There is no danger while this vitality con-
tinues ; the danger commences in the decay of piety, in the
loss of spiritual life, and in the forfeiture of all that grace
of which the doctrine is the type. This day has not yet
come to the American Methodists. If it should ever arrive,
it might possibly be useful to possess the doctrines of
Methodism proper, in some way so embedded in the
hystem as to place them beyond the reach of rash and
faithless men : and yet the history of the Church awfully
shows how fragile all safeguards have been in the presence
of the floods of ungodliness which have arisen and swept
truth and holiness alike before its desolating wave.

btlJK

■ft:-

.*.. -

PART m.— INSTITUTIONS OF THE M. E. OHUBOH. 269

CHAPTER II.

The Federal Nature of the Church— The Idea of Unity— How secured— Doctri
nal— Visible governing Power— Episcopacy.

The Methodist Church is federal as well as episcopal. Its
rigime is constructed on the principle of the federation of
the whole body, securing the rights and freedom, and, in
defined cases, the independent action, of the several parts.

The federal character of the church will be found deve-
loped in the estabhshment of the Annual Conferences —
their rights and immunities — connecting with the General
Conference. Its unity is a unity of several parts, possess-
ing almost independent rights.

In the spirit of this compact the ecclesiastical canons and
government of the Church will be found to stretch to the
very circumference of its extent. Every minister is alike
under the dominion of its laws, every member is equally
subject to its rules, the same doctrines are preached in all
its congregations, its worship is the same everywhere, and
the same forms of discipline pervade the whole body. None
of these things are left to the suffrages of the people, to the
influence of the popular will, to the fancies and sentiments
of the moment. The framework of the Church has been
built by the architectural skill of the able fathers of the
community ; and those who enter into its family do not so
enter to frame a system or to establish a government of
their own as they think best, but to seek for personal edifi-
cation, and to obey rules already existing.

This unity is variously preserved. The first element,
however, is to be found in the adoption of the common
creed and frame of government referred to above. When
open and tangible symbols of the truth are professed in a
church, and subscription to these is enacted as a condition
of admission from the candidates for office, there can then
be no room for disputation or difference, inasmuch as those

270

TOUR IN ABIERIOA.

11 'ij

who cannot conform to the doctrines to be subscrib'*'. -ive
an easy remedy in not taking upon them the office. This
is certainly a fair principle toward all parties ; and, to the
Church adopting it, must tend to preserve peace and one-
ness : and it is equally clear, that churches following any
other mode must often be convulsed with discord and
divisions. A sufficient freedom, without any compromise
of the truths of the gospel, seems the desirable and the
difficult question in establishing a church upon a creed.
How far this freedoiu should extend is a problem not easily
solved. That all understandings can arrive at conclusions
perfectly similar, or express themselves in the same manner,
is a pure impossibility. The intellectual, and indeed
spiritual, varieties found among Christians will make this
absolutely hopeless. Could it have been the will of God ?
If so, how is it that in his creating wisdom he has made so
great a difference in the structure of the soul ? And, espe-
cially, how is it that the glorious verities of God's word are
given to man with lo Httle mathematical or logical precision?
It seems sufficient for the purposes of Christian unity that
men should believe in the same great truths, and seek for
themselves the blessings which these truths indicate,
Should not a church be large enough to admit men of
every calibre of mind ? and while it faithfully adheres to all
truth, and even states it dogmatically, which it has a right
to do; ought it not to leave the mysterious to stretch into
the hidden and eternal, whence it emanates, and to which
it points ? No human power can compress the truth of God
into a syllogism, into a definition, into a logical proposition.
In adopting the Articles of Religion as amended by Mr.
Wesley, the American Methodist Church has secured all
the great and glorious doctrines of the Christian system,
but left the minute details unexplained. This gives as much
freedom as any parties can have a right to expect, or as it
would be safe to grant.
■ c Next to the doctrinal basis considered as a means of unity,

r&y'

PART ni.— INSTITUTIONS OP THE M. E. CHURCH. 271

must be reckoned the central power of legislation which
has always existed. Without some recognized head, whe-
ther pope, parliament, assembly, or conference, it is impos-
sible that a people can be one. The principle on which
this is found imiversally to prevail is evidently one of those
fundamental laws of the universe which stamp them as
divine. No society, social or sacred, can exist without some
visible, palpable, recognized head. But it should seem that
the mode in which the principle and law shall be embodied
is loft very much to human discretion, guided by the pro-
vidence of God. Without the popish appendages, claims,
and absurdities attached, the religious world seems very
much disposed to go back to the old practice of giving its
allegiance, so far as external order is concerned, to councils,
and assemblies of men. These centres of life and authority,
besides having the reputation of great wisdom by the joint
exercise of many minds, and of purity and disinterestedness
by the supposed impossibility of collusion in crime, are
looked upon with favour by the people, from the fact that,
in different ways, they consider themselves represented,
either by election, or else by having men present who are
connected with them, whom they know, and on whose
integrity they can depend. They whose faith teaches them
to expect God to interpose at all in the government of
mankind, whether in church or state, look reverently to
these centres of order and influence as the depositaries of
his power, as the visible and outward embodiment of his
mind and purpose. That the shoulders of individuals can
no longer bear the weight of government, is clear enough ;
and that the people ai-e indisposed any longer to give their
Allegiance to authority and power as a unit, is equally
certain.

That the Church, and mankind at large, will fare better
under the new development than the old, is a subject of
general hope and expectation ; the realization is in the
future ; and the lover of mankind may indulge the antici-

272

TOUR IK AMERICA.

pfttion with glowing exultation, how much soever ot dis-
appointment awaits him. We see that things held at one
time as sacred and undoubted truths are only allowed a
limited course ; like material substances, they can only
endure a certain amount of friction, and then wear out.
YiTho could have imagined, in the palmy days of Popery,
that the sentiment of the divine power living in the person
of the pope, or in general councils, and spoken from the
infallible throne of St. Peter, would have been held as
transiferv.id to the French Chamber? and yet the faith of
Lam irUno, and men of his cast, is as devoutly fixed on the
Iluvoliif'oii and its representative as the embodiment of the
dinnity, ad that of the ancient devotees of Rome was fixed
wptni jud Holiness.

Be ^hi.-3 as it may, the central power which has all along
done so much for the unity of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, is one which partakes very much of the spirit of
the age ; namely, the Conference. We only refer to this
now, as a means of anion and success among the Methodist
societies. With few exceptions, this body has evidently
possessed the confidence of the people ; and it has employ-
ed its influence assiduously and wisely in promoting both
the consolidation and expansion of the Church. It is very
evident that, in American society, mere power can do but
little to bring about such a result. The cohesive force
must be something differe ^.t from naked, palpable, and
frowning authority. With firmness and adherence to con-
stitutional rule and order, t e belie /e the moderation of the
American Conference has been its power. Its undoubted
desire to promote the extension of religion ; to secure the
happiness and interests of all its people ; to give them all
the advantages of knowledge with those of piety ; to leave
their civil rights and position intact, without any attempt
to make them political tools ; the desire for their temporal
advancement, and sympathy in their exercises and troubles ;
the respect paid to all their feelings and sentiments, as

^r PART m.— INSTITUTIONS OF THE M. B. CHURCH.

278

expressed by petition and other means; the anxiety to
follow them in their pilgrimages into the wilderness, to
minister to their spiritual wants; — all these, and many
other proofs of paternal care and good-will, have united to
attract the confidence of the Methodists to their embodied
head. So long as this confidence remains unshaken, the
unity of the Church will be secured ; but the moment this
confidence is lost, it must be dissolved. The abstraction of
the key-stone of an arch would not more surely lead to the
fall of the entire fabric, than the forfeitiu*e of confidence in
the American Conference, on the part of the people, would
lead to the demolition of the Church, and the breaking up
of the entire fellowship.

But we have another great element of federal unity in
the American Church in its episcopacy. It is extremely
likely that all the rest would be insuflScient without this.
This is a vital bond of fello^^ship. The bishops of the
church are in the habit of living among the people : they
see and converse with them, they heal their differences,
they carry among them the symbols of unity and paternity,
and in all things their office is found to conserve the so-
cieties. The Americans are too wise and too practical to
leave a question of so much importance as the unicaa of the
Church to the influence of abstractions, to ideas and laws ;
they embody the federal principle in their Uving repre-
sentatives. These good men have never betrayed their
trust ; never sought personal aggrandizement at the ex-
pense of public peace and usefulness ; never attempted U*
build up the office of bishop into either a sinecure or a domi-
nation. They become in this way the depositaries of a
power which, though unfelt, is very efficient. It is impos-
sible that a large community can long remain without
causes of difference and debate. These, if left to them-
selves, will soon produce jars and frictioa, which must, in
the end, lead to disruptions. Men who refuse to submit to
each other are generally w !ing to refer differences to a

12*

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274

TOUR IN AMBRZOA.

I II

third party ; and, supposing confidence in his integrity is
felt, are equally willing to bow to his award. This over-
sight of the flock is thought to be well adapted to perpe-
tuate the oneness of the body. '

CHAPTER III.

The Methodist Chureh in its Subdivltiorw— Tb« Circuit and Station— The Sta-
tion an innovation— The QuartorlyMeetlng Conference— Its Powers.

The divisions of the Methodist Church exist in the form of
circuits or stations, districts, and local Conferences ; that
is, Conferences in the sense of a territorial division.

We begin with circuits and stationt. In the commence-
ment of the work, circuits, embracing several preachers,
and numerous societies, prevailed in America, as is now the
case in England. In these circuits, an exchange among
the ministers constantly took place, so that the congrega-
tions were each Simday, and at other times, addressed by
these preachers alternately. This practice continues at
present to a considerable extent, and especially in the
pountry places.

It seems impossible to cultivate a thinly populated tract
of country at first, except upon the adoption of the mission-
ary principle ; which principle is embodied in the practice
of a pure itinerancy. Hence we find in the new countries,
only partially peopled, that the ecclesiastical demarcation
is now, properly so called, a circuit.

But this principle has been nearly altogether abandoned
in the towns and cities. The substitution for this is the
STATION, which means the appointment of a single minister
to the pastoral charge of one society and congregation
during his term, which cannot be longer than two years.
This minister is usually known by the designation, " the
preacher in charge" of such and such a church. This
"preacher in charge" is the sole pastor of the church in

PART ni.— INSTITUTIONS OP THE M. E. CHURCH. 275

question, and he is alone responsible ; no one has the right
to interfere with him, except as by the provisions of the
constitution. This arrangement is important, inasmuch as
it is the abandonment of the practice of an alternating, mixed
ministry, deemed so essential an appendage of Methodism
in this country. Either by the force of habit, the influence
of tradition, or the opinion of Mr. Wesley, and some of his
most eminent followers, it is now a sort of settled point, an
understood case, to be admitted without question or de-
bate, that the same congregation cannot be well and effi-
ciently served in their spiritual interests, without a change
of ministers ; if not once every Lord's day, at any rate
every other Sunday. If any deviation from this should be
suggested, a thousand voices, without a moment's reflection,
indeed, in less time than thought could be formed into
words, would cry out, " Heresy !" and at once predict that
Methodism would be ruined ! These parties would do well
to meditate upon two facts ; namely, that when Mr. Wes-
ley established a imiversal system of itinerancy, including
the change of men in the same circuit, he considered them
as mere preachers, and not pastors; and in theory he
regarded the Methodist body as societies in the Church ;
and, consequently, that the Establishment, was the church
to which he and his people belonged ; and, moreover, that
the minister of the Establishment, who administered the
sacraments to them, was their proper pastor. With these
views, and with the purpose of perpetuating this state of
things, he made itinerancy a legal part of the Methodist
system in this country. The second fact is, that when he
established a church in the United States, though no doubt
his desire and expectation was that itinerancy in all its
gradations would prevail, yet he made no provision for its
perpetuity. He evidently did not intend that the American
ministers should be considered only as preachers. Hence
his ordinations, his preparation of the " Sunday Service,"
his organization of a complete church.

t *"«

TOUR IN AMERICA.

Without giving up itinerancy formally, it will be found,
on examination, that the introduction of the "station"
scheme is a very great and important modification of the
principle. Many of the " preachers in charge " are literally
confined to one congregation. They never preach beyond
the precincts of their own church, and visit no country
places, cottages, or anything else in the city in which they
reside ; — ^in point of fact, they are limited to the pastoral
charge of one congregation, and discharge none of the
work of evangelists. It is not intended by this, that these
men are idle, that they fail in the duties of their vocation,
or, in fine, that they cease to possess the spirit of real min-
isters. A large society and numerous congregation will
find enough of employment for any one man. American
Christians, like those nearer home, require pastoral atten*
tion, and earnestly demand it at the hands of their minister.
This, with constant preaching to the same people, fills up
the time, and entirely engages the labours, of " the preacher
in charge."

The internal govemment of these circuits and stations is
provided for in an exact manner. We find that an execu-
tive power, called the " Quarterly-Meeting Conference," is,
with the " preacher in charge," the governing body. Be-
sides providing funds, and discharging the secular duties
of the station, they possess judicial functions of some con-
sideration. Indeed, it seems from the Rules that they
constitute a court of appeal, as the last resort in all eases
of discipline affecting the standing or character of mem-
bers. The delinquent member is, in the first place, brought
to trial —

" Before the society of which he is a member, or a select number
of them, in the presence of a bishop, elder, deacon, or preacher. If
the accnsed person be found guilty by the decision of a majority of
the members before whom he is brought to trial, and the crime be
sadi as is expressly forbidden by the word of God, sufficient to ex-
clude a person from the kingdom of grace and glory, let the minister
or preacher who has the charge of the circuit expel him Never*

PART III.— INSTITUTIONS OP THE M. E. CHURCH. 277

theless, if in any of the above-mentioned cases tlio minister or preacher
differ in judgment from the majority of the society, or the select
number, concerning the innocence or guilt of the accused person, the
trial, in such case, may be referred by the minister or preacher to
the ensuing quarterly-meeting conference."

Again : —

" If there be a murmur or complaint from any excluded person, in
any of the above-mentioned instances, that justice has not been done,
he shall be allowed an appeal to the next quarterly-meeting confer-
ence ; and the majority of travelling and local preachers, exhorters,
stewards, and leaders present, shall finally determine the case.*' —
" Discipline," pp. 99-101. Last edition, 1844.

This evidently places the final decision of all cases of
discipUne, regarding memhers in any particular station, in
the hands of the authorities of that station. There is no
appeal in these cases of moral criminaUty to any jurisdiction
beyond the boundaries of the local church to which the
accused party may belong.

It may be interesting to some to give one item of the
temporal economy of the Methodist Church through this
Quarterly-Meeting Conference.

" It shall be die duty of the said committee, appointed by the
above body, or one appointed for that purpose, who shall be mem-
bers of our church, to make an estimate of the amount necessary to
furnish fuel and table expenses for the family or families of the
preachers stationed with them, and the stewards shall provide, by such
means as tJiey may devise, to meet such expenses, in money or other-
wise." — ^^ Discipline" p. 190. Last edition, 1844.

It is to be hoped these committee gentlemen, who are
called to sit in judgment on the eating and drinking capa-
city of their preachers, their wives, and children, are imi-
formly family-men themselves, possess the sympathies of
parents and husbands, and do not receive their appointment
because of a disposition to put the poor wretches upon
" short commons !"

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TOUR IN AMERICA.

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CHAPTER IV.

Subdivisions continued— The District— How constituted— The presiding Elder
-Rules and Laws— The several Orders of Ministers.

Thk district is the charge of the presiding elder, and is
constituted of a greater or less number of circuits or sta-
tions, according to the convenience of the case. Properly-
speaking, the presiding elder is a bishop^ and the district
is his diocese. He is not appointed to any local charge, and
travels through his district constantly for the purpose of
superintending its affairs.

The presiding elders are chosen by the bishops ; they
are stationed and changed by the bishops: the bishops
may allow a presiding elder to remain in the same district
for any term not exceeding four years successively ; after
which he shall not be appointed to the same district for
six years.

The duties of the presiding elder are, —

"1. To travel through his appointed district.

" 2. In the absence of the bishop, to take charge of all the elders
and deacons, travelling and local preachers, and exhorters in his
district.

"3. To change, receive, and suspend preachers in his district dur-
ing the intervals of the conference, and in the absence of the bishop,
as the Discipline directs.

"4. In the absence of a bishop, to preside in the conference; but
in case there are two or more presiding elders belonging to one con-
ference, the bishop or bishops may, by letters or otherwise, appoint
the president; but if no appointment be made, or if the presiding
elder appointed do not attend, the conference shall, in either of these
cases, elect the president by ballot, without a debate, from among
the presiding elders.

" 5. To be present, as far as practicable, at all the quarterly-meet-
ings ; and to call together, at each quarterly meeting, a quarterly-meet-
ing conference, consisting of all the travelling and local preachers, ex*
horters, stewards, and leaders of the circuit, and none else, to hear
complaints, and to receive and try appeals. The quarterly-meeting
conference shall appoint a secretary to take down the proceedingj

vsiding Elder

PART lU.— INSTITUTIONS OF THE M. E. OHUROH. 279

thereof, in a book kept by one of the stewards of the circuit, for that
purpose.

" 6. To oversee the spiritual and temporal business of the church
in his district, and to promote, by all proper means, the cause of
missions and Sunday-schools, and the publication, at our own press,
of Bibles, tracts, and Sunday-school books ; and carefully to inquire,
at each quarterly-meeting conference, whether the rules respecting
the instruction of children have been faithfully observed ; and to re-
port to the annual conference the names of all travelling preachers
within his district, who shall neglect to observe these rules.

" 7. To take care that every part of our Discipline be enforced in his
district. And to decide all questions of law in a quarterly-meeting
conference, subject to an appeal to the president of the next annual
conference ; but in all cases the application of law shall be with tho
conference." — " Discipline,^ pp. 31-33.

From these rules, it is evident the o£5ce of the presiding
elder agrees, in character, with the suffragan bishop of
ancient times. By right of his appointment, in the absence
of the bishop he presides at meetings for business ; he hears
appeals, and sits in judgment in cases of discipline ; he
travels through his district for the purpose of " overseeing "
its state, and putting all things in order ; and on him lies
the responsibiUty of seeing that all the rules^the Disci-
plme are observed by both preachers and peopte. But the
fact that all this is only done in the absence of the bishop,
indicates that he is, in some sort, considered as his substi-
tute. In point of practice, the whole falls pretty constantly
upon the presiding elder, in consequence of the constant
travelling of the bishops. We see from these laws that
the American Methodists are not afraid of giving power to
their officers sufficient to enable them fully to exercise the
functions of their calling. A vigorous executive is what
their system everjrwhere indicates ; but, at the same time,
this executive is responsible for all its acts.

Various qther ecclesiastical officers are found in one of
these districts. It may be proper to give them a place
here, that the whole case may be understood.

'* There are the exhmiers, who receive their license from a quarterly-

•i?*

TOUR IK AMBBIOA.

P^N

meeting confbreiice, and have the privilege of holding meetings fbr
exhortation and prayer.

" A piwcher is one that holds a license, and is authorized to preach
bnt not to baptize or administer the Lord's supper : he may be either
a travelling or local preacher. A local preacher generally follows
some secular employment for a livelihood, and preaches on the Sab-
bath, and at other times occasionally, without any temporal emoln-
ment. A travelling preacher devotes himself entirely to the work
of the ministry, and is supported by the people among whom he la-
bours. All these, after being recommended by the class to which
they respectively belong, or by a leaders* meeting, receive their
license from a quarterly-meeting conference, signed by a presiding
elder. I

" A deacon holds a parchment from a bishop, and is authorized, in
addition to discharging the duties of a preacher, to solemnize matri-
mony, to bnxy the dead, to baptize, and to assist the elder in admin-
istering the Lord's supper. It is his duty also to seek after the sick
and poor, and administer to their comfort.

"An e&fer, besides doing the duties above enumerated, has foil
authority to administer all the ordinances of God's house. These
generally, whenever a sufficient number can be had, have the charge
of circuits, and the administration of the several parts of the Disci-
pline of the Church."— Bangs's " History ofMethodism^^ vol i, p. 246.

These ^racts, it is hoped, ivill give a pretty accurate
notion of Inif ethodist district in the American Church> and
of the fi&ictions of its several officers. The gradation of
orders, it is seen, is very strictly observed. The exhorter,
the preacher, the deacon, the elder, the presiding elder, —
all taking their place in conformity to lavr and order ; and
no man, as appears, moving in any sphere without a com-
mission. The recommendation of ** a class," as to a man's
qualifications, and the power exercised by the Quarterly-
Meeting Conference, will appear novel to us; but, on
exandnation, the anomaly will not turn out to be very
great, neither be found very much different from our own
practice. *

PART m.— INSTITUTIONS OF THB M. E. OHUBOH. 281

CHAPTER V.

Subdivisiona continued— The Episcopacy— Bishops, how appointed— Laws and
Regolationa— Reflections— 1%e Division of Ltdxnir amongst the Bishops-
Names of those who have received this OlBce— Parity of BeetioB— Popu*
larity.

Wb now approach a grave question : we enter upon the
consideration of that function hy which the Methodist
Church is distinguished. We are not here called upon to
enter into the controversies which arose on the appointment
of superintendents for the Methodist Church by Mr. Wes-
ley, or the assumption of the title of " bishop," as we have
seen, by these superintendents, first by themselves, and
then as assented to by the Conference. Our task is rather
to describe the nature of the oflSce, and the manner in
which this episcopacy has hitherto worked.

We begin with the appointment to the office. We have
already seen that Mr. Asbury refused to take upon himself
the episcopate, on the nomination of Mr. Wesley, till he
had obtained the suffrages of his brethren in Conference ;
so that his assumption of the duties of the stat^ assigned
Mm was rendered valid by the election of the body in ques-
tion, as well as by the nomination of the father of the
family. This precedent, no doubt, has had its effect in all
future appointments. The bishops hfive never been, from
that time, elected to the office by the episcopacy itself, by
the call of the bishops preceding them, but by the Con-
ference. It is necessary to give the law itself on this case.
The Conference enacts as follows : —

" QuES. 1.— How is a bishop to be constitated? '

" Ans. — ^By the election of the General Conference, and the laying
on of the hands of three bishops, or at least of one bishop and two
elders.

" QuEB. — ^If, by death, expulsion, or otherwise, there be no bishop
remaining in our Chnrch, what shall we do ?

" Ans. — The General Conference shall elect a bishop ; and the
elders, or any three of them, who shall be appointed by die General

282

TOUR IN AMERICA.

Conference for that purpose^ shall ordain him according to ova form
of ordination.

" Qttbs.— What are the duties of a bishop ?

" Anb. — 1. To preside in our conferences.

'^2. To fix the appointments of the preachers for the several dr-
coits, provided he shall not allow any preacher to remain in the
same station more than two years successively; except the presiding
elders, the general editor, the general book-steward and his assistant,
the editor and assistant-editor of the Christian Advocate and Jour-
nal, the editor of the Sunday-school books, the corresponding secre-
taries, editors, and agents at Cincinnati, the supernumerary, super-
annuated, and worn-out preachers, missionaries among the Indians,
missionaries to our people of colour, and on foreign stations, chap:
lains to state-prisons and military posts, those preachers that may be
appointed to labour for the special benefit of seamen, and for the
American Bible Socie^, also the preacher or preachers that may be
stationed in the city of New-Orleans, and the presidents, principals,
or teadiers of seminaries of learning, which are or may be under our
superintendence ; and also, when requested by an annual conference,
to appoint a preacher for a longer time than two years to any semi-
nary of learning not under our care ; provided, also, that with the
exceptions above named, he shall not continue a preacher in the
same appointment more than two years in six; nor in the same
dty more than four years in succession ; nor return him to it after
such term^j^^rvice till he shall have been absent four years. He
shall have VHiority, when requested by an annual conference, to ap-
point on ^ent, whose duty it shall be to travel throughout the>
bounds of such conference, for tilie purpose of establishing and aiding
Sabbath-schools, and distributing tracts, and also to appoint an
agent or agents for the benefit of our literary institutions.

" 3. In the intervals of the conference, to change, receive, and sus-
pend preachers, as necessity may require, and as the Discipline
directs.

" 4. To travel through the connexion at large.

'^5. To oversee the spiritual and temporal business of our ChurcH.

" 6. To ordain bishops, elders, and deacons.

^' 7. To decide all questions of law in an annual conference ; sub-
ject to an appeal to the General Conference ; but in all cases the ap-
plication of law shall be with the conference.

" 8. The bishops may, when they judge it necessary, unite twd or^
more circuits or stations together, without affecting their separate
financial interests, or pastoral duties.

" QuES. 4. — To whom is a bishop amenable for his conduct ?

PABTHI.— INSTITUTIONS OF TBI M. E. CHURCH. 283

** Akb.— To the Gtonenl Conference, who have power to expel
him for improper conduct, if they see it necessary.

" QuBS. 5.— What provision shall be made for the trial of a bishop,
if he should be accused of immorality in the interval of the General
Conference ?

*' Akb.-— If a bishop be accused of immorality, three travelling
elders shall call upon him, and examine him on the subject; and if
the three elders verily believe that the bishop is guilty of the crime,
they shall call to their aid two presiding elders from two districts in
the neighbourhood of that where the crime was committed, each of
which presiding elders shall bring with him two elders, or an older
and a deacon. The above-mentioned nine persons shall form a
conference, to examine into the charge brought against the bishop ;
and if two-thirds of them verily believe him to be guilty of the crime
laid to his chaige, they shall have authority to suspend the bishop
till the ensuing General Conference, and Ihe districts shall be regu-
lated in the mean time as is provided in the third and fifth sections ;
but no accusation shall be received against a, bishop, except it be de-
livered in writing, signed by those who are to prove the crime ; and a
copy of the accusation shall be given to the accused bishop.

" QuES. 6. — ^K a bishop cease from travelling at large among the
people, shall he still exercise his episcopal office among us in any
degree ?

" AsB. — If he cease from travelling without the consent of the
General Conference, he shall not thereafter exercise J^ episcopal
office in our Church."—" Disciplines^* pp. 27-31. '^^'

The real genius of the American Church comes out in
these regulations.

1. We may remark, that the execi|tion of the laws and
discipline of the Church is invariahly committed to men,
not to Boards, to Committees. There is a great difference.
A Committee is a thing : it is an amalgamation of many
intellects, minds, hearts, consciences, just making — nil. A
Committee can do no wrong ; because, as all are suppidied
to do the wrong thing, none do it ! And as a Committee
can do no wrong* so it can suffer no punishment ! Who
could hang, a Committee ? Because business is done by
many and not by one, some parties have the idea, that more
freedom b secured by this arrangement, and that Commit-
tees cannot play the tyrant, while a man may do so. A

284

lOUB IN AMBBIOA.

greater fallacy never entered the brain of man than thii ;
and all experience, whether in Church or State, will furnish
ample illustration. Surely, the Americana understand the
question of liberty pretty well ; and, no doubt, it was this
feeling, in connexion with other reasons, — and, among the
rest, the intention to have their work done, and not shelved
from time to time, — ^which led them to commit its execution
into the hands of living, tangible, moving men.

2. With the office and obligations of great duties, they
consistently give ample power for the execution of the trust.
In this we see no suspicions, no niggardly and petty jea-
lousies, no fear. A frank and noble confidence in the men
of their choice is manifested ; and these men, we see, are
sent through the churches with full credentials and powers
to execute their noble task.

S. This investiture with real authority is not nullified by
the miserable bondage of a load of conditions. They are
not sent to move through the country with a web of spi-
ders'- work around them at every point ; or of nets, gins,
pitfalls at their feet, into which at any moment they may
tumble ; jip has any small creature the power, by means
of some of these contrivances, to trip up their heels, or
prevent them from moving. What says the law? The
bishops shall " travel through the connexion." This is all.
It is not s{ud how fast, by what routes ; whether on foot,
on horseback, or in a carriage. The meaning is, they shall
be free to go, to execute their commission, none hindering
or putting obstructions in their path. There is this differ-
ence betwixt a little and paltry, and a great and magnani-
mdl», policy : the former sends its agents forth bound hand
and foot, as mere puppets, to execute its commission by the
instructions received; the latter selects competent men,
fumiishes the commission to act, and then gives freedom to
the soul, — and in this freedom is strength. No human
rules and canons can meet the exigences of the world ;
man's soul alone, taught by God's own truth and Spirit,

PART m.— INSTITUTIONS OF THB M. B. OHUBOB. 285

can do this. It is this prinoiple, we are persuaded, which
has given American Methodism its strength, its elasticity,
its expansion, and its triumphs.

4. With these powers and this freedom of action, then,
we find connected the principle of responsihility. But this
responsibility is, in the law, limited very much to the ques-
tion of immorality. These bishops are not put upon their
trial as to the observance of technical rules in their adminis-
tration. Any dereliction in these matters is left to circum-
stances, to the force of public opinion, and to the power of
the constitution to rectify any existing evil. The absence
of all fear as to any mischievous effects resulting from
freedom, whether possessed by a bishop in the execution
of his office, or by the private member in the enjoyment of
his privileges, is very apparent in the whole economy.

It may be as well to remark, at this point, that the
bishops are not appointed to their respective provinces, or
spheres of labour, by the conference. The practice is, for
the bishops to meet after each General Conference, and
settle among themselves the several parts of the work to be
done by each, till the meeting of the next Genetil Confer-
ence. By this method the same bishop is not confined
constantly to the same portion of the country ; they change
as occasion may require, and the state of the Church may
make expedient.

Some may be curious to know how these dignitaries of
the Church fare in the matter of living, episcopal palaces,
and all which pertains to the external glory of a bishop.
This, then, is the matter of fact ; " The annual allowance
of the married travelling, supernumerary, fmd superannu-
ated preachers, omI, the bishops, shall be two hundred dol-
lars, and th^r travelling expanses." — "Discipline," p. 182.
We find such notices as the following in Bishop Asbury's
Journal: — ''The weather has been unpleasant; and our
clothing needed improvement and increase." '*The super-
intendent Mdiop of the Methodist Church in America bein^

286

TOm IN AUBRIOA.

reduced to two dollars, he was obliged to make his wants
known." This was in 1814, after he had been a bishop
about twenty years.

Under this constitution the following bishops have been
appointed in the American Ohuroh; namely, Dr. Coke,
Asbury, Whatcoat, M'Kendree, George, Roberts, Soule,
Hedding, Andrew, Emory, Waugh, Morris, Hamline, Janes ;
and in the Methodist Episcopal Ohurch South, Capers and
Paine.

Bishop Whatcoat was an Englishman, and was recom-
. mended for the work by Mr. Wesley. He was evidently a
man of ardent piety ; a constant and successful preacher ;
a most amiable man, and a faithful bishop; and was,
moreover, greatly beloved by his brethren and the people.
Bishops Asbury and Whatcoat seem to have been kindred
spirits, and greatly attached to each other. They travel-
led much together, and Asbury constantly speaks in the
most respectful and afifectionate terms of his brother What-
coat.

Bishop M'Kendree is evidently, after Bishop Asbury,
about tlwlBrst man among the dead who ever belonged to
the Church : angelically devout ; fervent, holy, and affec-
tionate in his spirit; an ardent, pathetic, and powerful
preacher; constant, and indefatigable, and self-denying in
his labours ; and a most upright, judicious, dignified, and
faithful superintendent of the church. In his early days
the bishops had to traverse the whole continent ; and we
find Bishop M'Eendree taking his share in this painful toil.
Often, in company with his noble-minded leader, we see him
suffering every kind of privation and inconvenience to win
souls to Christ, and spread the savour of his Divine Master's
name. After the death of Bishop Asbury, being the senior,
he was called to perform very onerous duties in the affairs
of the Church ; and by his goodness, firmness, wisdom, and
entire devotion to his Master's service, succeeded in rescu-
ing it from many perils, as well as establishing it in

PABTIIL— INSTITUTIONS OF THB M. B. OHUROH. 287

greiter ttaUlity and order than when he entered upon hk
work.

Bishop Emory was a different man to either of the above.
Being educated for the law, his mind became sharpened by
his studies, so that he possessed great acuteness and logical
power. He was, however, on eminently good man, a very
able preacher ; and during the short time of his continuance
in office, displayed all the essential qualities of a most
excellent superintendent. He was mysteriously called away
(being killed by the overthrow of the vehicle in which he
was travelling) in the prime of life, and the prospect of
great usefulness.

As far as appears, the conference has never been moved
by party feelings in the choice of these important officers.
No low or paltry motives seem to have entered into their
views in conferring this responsible trust. They have
invariably selected fine and excellent men ; the proof of this
is in the fact, that no charge has ever be^n substantiated
against any of them. But this is low praise ; they have
shown themselves to be men of exalted cHaracter. With
such bishops, there is no danger of episcopacy being sub-
verted in America.

This system, moreover, has been, on the whole, extremely
well received among the people. It may, indeed, be said
to have been popular ; and the few attempts which have
been made to subvert the episcopacy, have been utterly
fruitless. It is clear, that the people affectionately reve-
rence these men of God ; and not the less, but the more,
for their being bishops. There is, indeed, nothing in them
to offend the most simple, the most republican, taste.
Sacerdotal habiliments were attempted at first, but, meeting
with opposition, were soon laid aside. It is no^, likely, in a
country where the President of the States, tibe Speakers of
the Senate and Congress, the judges and counsel of the
courts, all appear in plain attire, that robes of office would
be very palatable in the Methodist priesthood. Religion

fla8

lOUR IN AMBRIOA.

itaetf if the power of these holy men; the people
their character, and esteem them for their work's sake ; and
were it not for this, coupled with great and disinterested
labours, the Methodist episcopacy would undoubtedly soon
come to an end.

CHAPTER VI.

Subdivlsloiis eonthnwd— Th« Annual Conftnno*— Howeonatitutod— lUFnnc-
^lona— Electi Delegatas \o the 0«nenl Conference.

The Annual Oonferences are forty in number, and embrace
the whole area of the United States. An Annual Confer-
ence means, among other things, a territorial district,
defined by the general laws. Each preacher of the body
in America belongs, ministerially, to one of these Annual
Conferences, and not to the general Church. In the ordi-
nary course of things, he consequently moves within the
limits of this ecclesiastical demarcation ; and if he remove
to any other conference, he is transferred to the new sphere
by the proper authorities.

The conference assembly is composed of all the travel-
ling preachers of the district in question ; and this meeting
is presided over by a bishop. The business of this assembly
consists of the ordinary routine, and it has no legislative
functions whatever. The usual questions are asked as to
" What preachers are admitted on trial ? Who remain on
trial? Who are admitted into full connexion? Who are
tiie deacons ? Who have been elected and ordained elders
this year? Who have been elected, by the suffrages of the
General Conference, to exercise the episcopal office, and
superintend the Methodist Episcopal Church in America ?
Who have located this year ? Who are the supernumera-
ries ? Who are the superannuated or worn-out preachers
■tiiis year?" &o. If chaiges are found against any of the
preachers, they are put upon thdr trial at this tribunal,

PABT m.~IN0TnUTIO]fS OV THl M. B. OHUROH. 289

witk ttM right of Appeal againtt ito deoUons to the OenenJ
Oonfeienee. Monetary matten are adjuated at thii meet-
ing, and acoounta received from the otfouita and stationa.
The preachers here reoeiye their appointment! for the year,
within the hounds of the conference, and always by the
authority of the bishop.

It is evident from aU this, that the Annual Conference
is chiefly an administrative body. It is the meeting of the
preachers with the bishop, for the transaction of the busi-
ness of ^e Church in that particular department. Of course,
they have enough to do. The conferences often consist of
one hundred, and sometimes near two hundred, preachers ;
and to settle the business of their several circuits, and adjust
what may be out of order, will require much time and
talent. On the approach of a General Conference, these
local bodies elect their delegates to attend, the proportion
being one representative for every twenty-one preachers.
These Annual Conferences, of necessity, exercise great
moral influence within their own sphere ; and they possess
certain constitutional rights, which the General Conference
cannot annul ; and when these constitutional righta come in
the way of that body, they cannot move without the con-
currence of three-fourths of the votes of the preachers
composing these Annual Conferences.

CHAPTER VII.

Subdiviiioiu continued— Tlie General C!onferenc6— Dr. Banga's Account of it*
formation— Ita Powera— Fundamental Mnciplea— Reflectlona.

The General Conference, as a distinct institution, did not
come into existence for several years after Methodism had
assumed great strength. The accoimt given by Dr. Bangs
will place this subject in its true light, which we now give.
Under the date of 1702, he says, —

■Yf ;

290

TOUR IN AMBBIGA.

' '- Aa has been seen in the preceding pages, the general •4ttl of
the Church had been conducted heretofore chiefly in the sevenu an-
nnal conferences, which were considered only as so many parts of
the whole body; for nothing was allowed binding upon all, unless it
were approved of by each and every of these separate conferences.
It is true, that the Christmas conference of 1 784, at which die Chnrch
was oiganized, was considered a General Conference, because all
the preadiers were invited to attend, for the transaction of the im-
portant business then and there to be subD*itted to them ; and, there-
fore, the acts and doings of that conference were considered to be
binding upon the whole Church. As the woric continually increased,
and spread over sudi a large and extended territory, it was found
impracticable for all the preachers to assemble annually in one place,
widiout too great a consumption of tune and expense ; and hence the
practice which had been adopted of appointing several conferences
in the same year in different parts of the country, for the convenience
of both the bishop and the preachers : but as one of these conferences
could not make laws for all the rest, nor yet all the rest for that one
without its consent; and as it was not likely that so many indq)en-
(lent bodies could be brought to harmonize in all things pertaining
to the welfiEure of the Church ; there was danger from this state of
things, of a dissolution of the body, and the establishment of a num-
ber of separate and distinct communities, acting independently of
each other.

" To prevent evils of this diaracter, and to create a centre of tmion
to the entire body, the council had been instituted ; but this unpopu-
lar measure, not answering the end of its organization, was, by gene-
ral consent, dissolved, and a General Conference called in its place.
This was, it seems, agreed upon by the several annual conferences
which had been held this year.

" This conference assembled in the city of Baltimore, on the first
day of November, 179S, and Was composed of all the travelling
preachers who had been received into full connexion. As this was
ronsidered the firbt regular General Conference, and as those who
composed it came together under an expectation that very impor-
tant matters would be transacted, it seems proper to give a particular
account of their acts and doings. Dr. Coke had returned from
Europe, and presided, conjointiy with Bishop Asbury, over their
deliberations.

" As there were no restrictions upon the powers of this conference,
the entire discipline of the Church came up for review and revision ;
biU to prevent, as far as possible, any impiropef innovation upon ex-
isting rules, or the premature adoption of new regulations, they

V.iV

PART III.— INSTITUTIONS OF THB M. E. CHUBOH. 201

agreiid that * it shall take two-thirds of all die. members of <he con-
feience to make any new role, or abolish an old one ; bat a mi^orily
may alter or amend any role.'

"They soon had an opportunity to tiy the strength of this role in
preserving them fit>man innovation upon established nsage, in respect
to the power ofstiitioning the preachers."— Bangs's " Hi$lory of Metho-
dism^^ vol. i, pp. 342-344.

"Another General Conference was held in 179A, and at tiiis con-
ference the discretionary power of the bishops to assemble as many
annual conferences as they pleased was taken away, and the number
limited to six.

"In 1806, Bishop Asbury submitted a proposition to all the an-
nual conferences, in which he proposed, for the first time, the estab-
lishment of a delegated General Conference. As it was deemed
proper to secure perfect unanimity on so grave a question, this was
defeated by Jesse Lee, who induced the Virginia Conference to ob-
ject."— Bangs's ''Hiatory of Methodism," vol. ii, p. 177.

" In 1808, this question was brought to a decision in favour of the
measure, by the adoption, on the part of the General Conference, of
the following recommendation of a committee appointed to consider
the subject:^ —

" ' l^ereas it is of the greatest importance that the doctrine, form
of government, and general rules of the united societies in America
be preserved sacred and inviolate ; and whereas every prudent mea-
sure should be taken to preserve, strengthen, and perpetuate the
union of the connexion ;

" ' Therefore, your committee, upon mature deliberation, have
thought it advisable, that the third section of the form of discipline
shall be as follows' — adopting the principle."- Bangs's ^^ History of
Methodism," vol. ii, p. 229.

It only remains to give the constitution of this supreme
assembly of the American Episcopal Church :—

"1. The General Conference shall be composed of one member for
every twenty -one members of each annual conference, to be appointed
either by seniority or choice, at the discretion of such annual con-
ference ; yet, so that such representatives shall have travelled at least
four full calendar years fipom the time that they were received on
trial by an annual conference, and are m full connexion at tbe time
of holding the conference.

" 2. The General Oonferenoe shall meet on.the first day of May,
in the year of oiur Lord 1812, in the city of New- York, and thence-
forward on the first day of May, once in. four yean. perpetually, in

tOVHL IN AMERIOA.

ti'

such place or places as shall be fixed on by ihe General Conftoenoe
from time to time ; bat the general superintendents, with or by the
advice of all the Annual Conferences, or, if there be no general super-
intendent, all the Annual Conferences respectively shall have power
to call a General Conference, if they judge it necessary at any time.

** 3. At all times when the General Conference is met, it shall take
two-thirds of the representatives of all the Annual Cimferences to
make a quorum fbr transacting business.

"4. One of the general superintendents shall preside in the Gene-
ral Conference ; but in case no general superintendent be present,
the General Conference shall choose a president, |>ro tem.

" 5. The General Conference shall have fall powers to make rules
and regulations for our Church, under the following limitations and
restrictions, viz : —

** (1.) The General Conference shall not revoke, alter, or change
our Articles of Religion, nor establish any new standard or rules of
doctrine contrary to our present existing and established standards
of doctrine.

" (2.) They shall not allow of more than one representative for
every fourteen members of the Annual Ccmference, nor allow of a less
number than one for every thirty : provided, nevertiieless, that when
there shall be in any Annual Coi^erence a fraction of two-thirds the
number which shall be fixed fw the ratio of representation, sudi An-
nual Conference shall be entitied to an additi<mal delegate for such
fi-action ; and provided, also, that no Conference shall be denied the
privilege of two delegates.

*' ( 3.) They shall not change or alter any part or rule of our gov-
ernment, so as to do away episcopacy, or destroy the plan of our
itinerant general superintendency.

" (4.) They shall not revoke or change the general rules of the
United Societies.

• " (5.) They shall not do away the privileges of our ministers or
preachers, of trial by a committee, and of an appeal : neither shall
they do away the privileges of our members, of trial before the soci-
ety, w by a committee, and of an appeal.

" (6.) They shall not appropriate the produce of the Book-C(Hicem,
wa of the Charter Fund, to any purpose other than for the benefit of
the travelling, supernumerary, superannuated, and worn-out preach-
ers, their wives, widows, and children. Provided, nevertheless, that
upon the concurrent recommendation of three-fourths of all the mem-
ben of the several Annual Conferences, who shall be present and
▼ote <» such recommendation, then a minority of two-thirds of the
GeniMl Gonferrace svoeeeding shall sufBce to alter any of the above

rales of the

PABT m.— INSTITUTIONS OF THB M. B. GHUBOH. 2d8

restrictions, excepting the first article ; and also, whenever such alte-
ration or alterations shall have heen first reconunended by two-thirds
(tf the General Conference, so soon as three-fourths of ^e members
of all tiie Annual Oonferences shall have concurred as aforesaid, such
Alteration or alterations shall take effect"—" DUdpHneJ* pp. 21-24. ,

Here, then, we have the Magna Charta of Methodism
ia the States. This document indicates the good sense and
the diligent forethought of those who framed it. We see
from it, that the American Methodists are no revolutionists,
and that they desire to escape such a catastrophe. The
legislative power is not at liberty to alter anything deemed
fundamental. This limits the functions of the assembled
ministers within what may be considered a settled and fully
recognized constitution. This constitution supposes various
points as already settled, to which all agree, and which are
not to be disturbed.

The doctrines of the Church are among these fundamental
principles. Here innovation generally begins, when churches
decline. The loss of vital religion always causes the truthn
of the evangeUcal system to become tasteless. Or, perhaps,
rather, these truths being found antagonistic to a bad life,
or a state of spiritual sloth, they are hated on account of
the irritation and condemnation which they inflict. But,
more than this, when religion is itself given up, in its expe*
rience and holiness, these doctrines are not wanted ; no one
needs the spirit-stirring instructions of thr.k gospel to teach
him to go to sleep, to live in sin. BeM/es this tendency,
there is always found another, namely, \iha.i of adventurous
speculation. One age is never sati cied with the past.
While praising the great men of form/jr times, yet still we
generally thmk we can improve on th^ir intellectual lAours,
and do something better for ourseli'es than they could do
for us. The ," go-ahead '* principle^ so rife in America, in
political and social matters, is not absent from the genius
of its theologians. They seem to be much tempted to drive
criticism to something beyond its legitimate province, and

TOUR IN AMERICA.

to push their inquiries into the spiritual world beyond what
is revealed. The age and the circumstances of the country
favour this sort of adventurous spirit. It must consequently,
be considered a wise arrangement, that the great truths
of the evangelical system, embodied in their Articles of Reli-
grion, are not to be altered, — are not, indeed, to be discussed.

Another fundamental point is the episcopacy. This, as
we see, is not left an open question. The Church, through
all time to come, is to be the Methodist Episcopal Church.
This ^actment, it must be recollected, was adopted after
this form of church government had been upon its trial for
several years. It had, consequently, been tested as to its
working, in respect to the general ministry, the conserva-
tion of order, and the progress of reli^on ; and in all these
particulars had approved itself to general acceptance. It
must be remembered also, that the men who sanctioned
this principle as final, were the ministers themselves, — ^the
parties most interested in the question ; and their approval
is to be taken as complete evidence that, in their judgment,
the episcopacy was considered both Scriptural and profita-
ble. The overthrow of episcopacy would, consequently,
perfectly revolutionize the Church.
' The " General Rules" of the society are equally held as
sacred. These are not to be touched by the le^lative
body. This is important, and promises to be one means of
perpetuating true reli^on for ages to come. .

The right of a " fair trial" of the preacher by his peers
— which means, that liberty and an impartial treatment
shall be secured — ^is equally inviolate. This point is not to
be discussed or altered.

Ottibr subjects, which relate to property, are not deemed
so sacred. But though left open to revision, this is to be
effected in the most cautious manner, and numerous, safe-
guards are placed around the law. These are very import-
ant provisions, and promise to check any rash tendency to
innovation, which may from time to time arise.

PART ni.— INSTITUTIONS OF THE M. B. OHUBOH.

CHAPTER Vin.

Subdivision* continued— The AuUior't preience at the Fitttboigh General
Conference— Impressions— The Bishops— The Ministers— Mode of Debate-
Decorum and Order— Questions at Issue— Mode of conducting Appeal Cases
-Reflections.

In Pittsburgh, in the year 1848, it was the author's good
fortune to be present at one of these General Conferences.
It was an era in the history of Methodism in the United
States. The great division of the Church between the
North and the South had taken place four years before,
and this had not produced satisfaction and peace. Strong
feelings and passions prevailed ; the minds of the ministers
were much agitated ; and business of great importance had
to engage their attention. In this state of things, it might
be expected that the assembly could not preserve its usAd
order and decorum ; that strong feelings would excite cor-
responding langui^e ; and that, consequently, some disor-
der would ensue. Nothing of this kind, however, disturbed ,
the proceedings for a moment.

As a matter of course, the attention of a stranger would
be first directed to the highest officers of the Church — ^the
Bishops. They were all present, five in number — ^Hedding,
Morris, Waugh, Hamline, and Janes. The three first named
are men in years, especially Bishop Hedding ; the other
two are in the prime of life. They preside in turn, begin-
ning with the senior, whose business it is to open the Con-
ference. This is usually done by reading a written docu-
ment of considerable length, entering upon the general
state, prospects, and duties of the Church — somewhat
after the manner of the Message of the President of the
United States.

These grave and dignified officers constitute what might
be fitly called " the Bench of Bishops," only they happen
to sit in chairs. They are seated by themselves, facing, of

fi96

TOVB IN AlOIBIOA.

course, the assembly, on a platform, elevated, it may be,
two feet above the common level of the floor. None share
with them the distinction of this position. The secretary
and his assistants are placed at a table on the floor of the
house ; and no other officers, of any sort, or for any pur-
pose, are tolerated in the assembly.

The spirit and demeanour of the Bishops could not but
excite attention. "How do they conduct themselves in
their high office ?" was a natural question. It was soon
answered. The bearing of these men of God was perfectly
imiform ; there was no deviation. It is difficult to describe
it ; just as what is pre-eminently beautiful, excellent, and
morally sublime, refuses to submit to the touch of- the most
perfect artist. It is not enough to say, that it was digni-
fied, grave, judicious, impartial, commanding. It was all
this; but all this with much more combined. There is
always in mental and religious excellence an intangible, an
impalpable power, glory, of the soul, which cannot be de-
scribed. It is this inward and spiritual force which gives
to the several faculties their strength and elevation ; and
when these faculties are so balanced as to receive the hid-
den impulse equably, and transmit it to practical and useful
purposes, then greatness is produced. This was manifest
in these eminent officers: and it was never the writer's
good fortune to behold a class of men who gave him
such an ideal of what bishops ought to be, as in these
American hriaKonoi.

It is not customary for the bishops to take part in the
debates, or in any way to interfere with the proceedings of
Conference, except on questions of law and order. Two or
three occasions arose in connexion with poinij of law, when
one of the bishops expounded its meaning with great clear-
ness and logical precision. The bishops seem to be perfect
masters of all constitutional questions, and also of the com-
plicated details of busuiess. When they had occasion to
interpret any matter of order, being appealed to for that

PART lU.— INSTITUTIONS OV THB M.E. OHUROH. 2ffT

purpose, all parties inyariably acquiesced ; not an objection
was ever raised, or any infringement attempted. Some
persons may imagine that all this must reduce these (^oers
to mere ciphers. Not so. They possess great influence,
and are treated with undeviating reverence and respect.
Their moderation, in fact, is their power. By not attempt-
ing, to do too much, they possess the means of doing every-
thing which their station requires from them.

The great body of mimsters appeared to be, on the
whole, very able and good men. There was clearly an en-
tire absence of party, and party spirit, and, consequently,
of party leaders. No man appeared in this latter charac-
ter. There is nothing answering, as far as could be seen,
to Tory and Whig, in their church politics. No number
of men were seen acting together as the type of any parti-
cular class of opinions. They seemed aUke desirous of pro-
moting the common cause ; and persons who had given
their votes together on one question, would give them
against each other on the next. This absence of party
spirit not only gave the appearance, but the reality, of per-
fect independence. • No man is bound to the opinions or
the interests of another ; and, right or wrong in his judg-
ment, certainly every one acts for himself, and gives a sin-
cere and conscientious vote. There is no embarrassment 'm
consequence of this state of things. No preacher ever
thinks of impugning another's character as something ana-
logous to radical, because he gives his suffirages in a parti-
cular way. He speaks, votes, stands up, in perfect fearless-
ness as to the consequences of the side he takes. There
is no low Methodism and high Methodism, no ins and outs,
no government and its partisans to keep in office, or to re-
move. Methodism is one ; and every person seems intent
on giving it his best support.

The debates of the Conference, to an Englishman, are

somewhat strange tiU the matter is understood. The fact

qI the existence of a constitution, designated *^ The Disci-

13*

■f

298

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.

pline," is always present in the mind of the speaker. A
subject is scarcely eyer discussed on its merits, but always
in reference to this constitution. Every question falls under
some law and rule ; and this is inyariably the starting-point
with the speaker. How the matter squares with the law,
and how it may be disposed of constitutionally, are the
subjects argued. This, of necessity, produces some amount
of stiflfness in the style of speaking, and the logical faculty
is much more in requisition than that of impassioned ora-
tory. These men certainly excel in the use of sound, sober,
clear reasoning. This habit produces great self-possession.
The calmness of the preachers in their debates is truly
astonishing. Nothing hurried, perturbed, indistinct, or
confused, ever appears — not even in the youngest. This is
a remarkable characteristic of American debate, and is pos-
sessed in an eminent degree by these ministers. Self-com-
mand seems to produce distinctness of enunciation, so that
every one is enabled to say what is in his mind to utter.
These debates were invariably conducted, on the part of the
speakers, in the spirit and manner of men having the most
perfect respect for the understanding and capacity of their
auditory. No clap-trap finesse, or attempt to play upon
the passions or fancy of others, ever appeared. This, con-
sidering that th3se debates take place in the presence of
the public and the public press, is rather singular. But
certainly no speech, while I remained, was delivered in
reference to popular taste or prejudices, and the people
were never mentioned with the idea of invoking their suf-
frages ; indeed, for aught which appeared in the proceed-
ings, they might not have been present at all.

The rules of debate and good order are admirably pre-
served. There was not, in my presence, an instance of the
least confusion. No man ever interrupted another, ex6ept
very occasionally, on a point of order, and the interposing
party invariably did it in the most courteous manner ; the
appeal wa9 always to the chur, no third party ever inter-

*■

PART ni.— INSTITUnONS OF THB M. E. CHURCH. 209

fering ; and, when the chair had decided, no one ever dis-
puting the award. In listening to these ministers of reli-
gion for a fortnight, truth obliges me to say, that I never
heard an angry tone, an uncourteous word, tiie employment
of a single sarcasm, the use of any kind of personality, any,
the least attempt, to throw odium upon an opponent, or
refer to the opinions of others otherwise than with the
most perfect respect. If good breeding constitutes a Ohris-
tian gentleman, then most certainly this assembly of minis-
ters may be pronounced most emphatically as Christian
gentlemen.

We have said that the Conference did not indicate that
they were divided into parties, or placed themselves under
leaders. This is not intended to insinuate that th^y have
no leading men. That is impossible. The master-spirits
in any assembly are soon perceived. They could not be
mistaken in the American Conference. It required no long
time to find out who possessed the mastery of mind. This,
however, in every case was borne with great modesty. No
intellectual puppy appeared on the stage. I was surprised
at this, because I understood that great numbers of yoimg
men attended these Conferences, and that, moreover, these
scions of exuberant life often delivered themselves with
sufficient confidence. It was said at the Pittsburgh Con-
ference, that an unusual number of young men were present.
There must be some mistake in this. Because the old men
who used to take part in public assemblies are absent,
some in the grave, and others from debility, it is often taken
for granted that those who take their place must be young
men. Ah, how easy it is to lose sight of the progress of
time ! At this Conference there was present certainly a
considerable number of old men; hardly one belonging to
the delegates could be properly considered as young, whilst
the greater number were men in or above middle life.
Many of these are the princes of the people. It would be
easy to mention theu: names ; there is a temptation to it ;

..4s«i:.,._ ,

800

TOUR IN AII9IIIOA.

nothing oould give greater pleasure; but deticaoy for-
bids.

Tlie great subjects of debate at this Conference related
to the division of the Ohurch into the Methodist Episcopal
Ohurch, and the Methodist Episcopal Ohurch, SouUi. This
division had taken place four years before; but various
pomts still remained unsettled. These divided themselves
into the constitutional question, as to whether the Confer-
ence possessed the power to make such a division at all ; —
the boundary-line which had been agreed upon ; — ^the divi-
sion of the property of the Book-Concern ; — and the fra-
ternal recognition of the delegate who had been sent from
the Southern Church.

As the gentleman sent by the South was present, this
latter question came on first for settlement. After con-
siderable debate, it was unanimously agreed that, till the
matters in dispute were finally arranged, he could not be
received. The persons who took part in the debate were
very firm and decided, but perfectly calm and courteous in
their language. And though, for the present, the Confer-^
ence could not fraternize with their brethren in the south,
Dr. Pierce, their representative, was invited to take a seat,
as a private gentleman, with them. This he did not deem
it right to do ; and when he appeared in Conference at all,
he took his place among the strangers.

The boundaiy question, after being sent to a committee,
was disposed of by abolishing the settlement altogether ;
so that each party is at liberty to make reprisals upon the
other, and extend their operations as best they can. This
must lead to painful collisions. The ministers upon the
borders will be brought into perplexing and miserable dis-
putes with each other ; it is to be feared, to the great in-
jury of true reli^on and Christian charity. Both parties
seem determined to exert their utmost strength, and are
confident of the ultimate triumph of their principles.

The Book-Concern dispute was setUed, so far as the ac-

Ji.jt(_:w._,^^.

PART m.— INSTITUTIONS OF THB M. E. OHUBOH. 801

turn of the Conference was concerned, by referring the mat-
ter to — I think — four gentlemen, not of the Methodist
communion, whose arlutration was to be final.*

But the constitutional p<nnt which had been raised could
not be decided.f How was it possible that the supreme
legislative body could agree that a former act of the same
body was unconstitutional ? The difficulty, however, gave
rise to a proposition, on the part of Bishop Hedding, as the
organ of his colleagues, to appoint a body of men whose
office should be to determine on the constitutional nature
of the enactments of the legislature, (that is, the Confer-
ence,) with a power to arrest the progress of any such
enactments. I confess I was greatly surprised at this pro-
posal for the moment ; till, recollecting that a similar prin-
ciple prevailed in the civil constitution of the United States,
the astonishment ended. This power in the civil state be-
longs to the judges of the Supreme Court. The idea seems
to ground itself on the sovereignty of the people. The
people, universally considered, are supposed, in convention,
to have framed and assented to the constitution by which
they are governed ; that the legislative bodies are not om-
nipotent, but subordinate to the sovereign power, this
power being the people ; and that they have not, and can-
not have, the right to infringe on the principles and provi-
sions of this constitutional system so agreed upon by the
sovereign power. But, to secure this provision inviolate, it
was found necessary to deposit a power of judging of the
acts of the legislature somewhere ; and it was determined

.iU

.^,

[* By a {urovlsion for arbitration, sliould it be found practicable and legal ; if
not, the question of arbitration was ordered to be refened to tlie Annual Con-
ferences.]

i;t It was decided that, in view of the ftet that one of the provisions of the
Plan of 1844 had been made dependent upon the concurrence of three-fourths
of the members of the several Annual Conferences, and had failed to obtain
that concurrence ; and in view bf the fact, also, that the boundary provisions,
which formed a condition of the resolutions adopted, had been violated by the
Church, South ; that the General Conference was not bound to observe the
proviaiow of said Plan ; and it was, therefore, declared null wi void.]

802

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.

to give it to the bigheat judicial functionaries b the
land ; that u, to the Supreme Court, answering, in some
sense, to our Oourt of Chancery. This power not only ex-
ists, but has, on some occasions, been exercised; and acts
of the American Parliament have been arrested by this
authority.

In like manner, constitutional difficulties having sprung
up in connexion with the division of the Church, and the
legality of the enactment by which it was effected being
disputed, the bishops found themselves in a dilemma, and,
to prevent future perplexities of the same sort, they pro-
posed the above-mentiohed court. The subject had not
come on for decision when I left, and I believe the pro-
position fell to the ground ; probably for the want of a
suitable body to whom to refer questions of such grave
importance.

The General Conference is a court of appeal, as well as
a legislative body ; and, of course, numerous appeals come
up for adjudication every four years. The practice is, that
the appellant, either in his own person, or by the employ-
ment of one of the preachers as his counsel, shall have the
privilege of an impartial hearing and settlement of his
cause. I witnessed two of these appellant causes, conduct-
ed, in one case, by the appellant in person, and in the other
by one of the ministers.

In order clearly to understand this, it is necessary to give

the rule on the subject.

** In all the above-mentioned cases, it shall be the duty of the sc*
cretary of the Annual Conference to keep regnlar minutes of the trial,
inducUng all the questions proposed to the witnesses, and their an-
swers, together with the crime with which the accused is chaiged,
the specification or specifications, and also preserve all the docu-
ments relating to the case ; which minutes and documents only, in
case of an appeal firom the decision of an Annual Oonferende, shall
be presented to the General Conference, in evidence on the case.
And in all cases, when an appeal is made, and admitted by the Ge-
neral Conference, the appellant shall either state personally or by
his representative (who shall be a member of the Conference) the

#•

PART ni.— INSTnUTlORS OF THB M. E. OHUROH. 808

gronndt of hif appeal, ihowing caoie why iio appeals, and he shall
be allowed to make his defence without interraption. After which
the representatiyes of the Annual Conferenea, from uIwml- decision
the appeal is made, shall be pennitted to respond in presence of the
appellant, who shall hare the priyilege of replying to Midi represen-
tatives, which shall close the pleadings on both sides."— " i^'fci-
pHne" pp. 78, 74.

Tho first case to be mentioned is that of an unhappy
mght, not accused of immorality, but of embroiling Uie
people, and throwing the Church into a state of perfect
confusion. This had taken, place again and again ; and at
length it was found necessary to arrest the evil, and put
the culprit upon his trial. He had been found guilty, and
sentenced to suspension. This case came on by appeal,
and the appellant appeared in person. He had been,
among other things, a great mesmerist, and something else
which I did not understand, connected with the same sci>
ence. It was my fortune to listen to this odd subject for
half a day ; that is, during the morning sitting. He con-
ducted his defence with great ability, of its kmd. We had
from him a profusion of wit, raillery, sarcasm ; he dealt
heavy blows against his judges ; but all with that sort of
sang frwd which indicates the absence of malice. It was
evident enough, from his defence, that he could not live
without throwing around himself the smoke and fire of all
manner of confusion and mischief. But, with this tendency,
he was not devoid of great acuteness and powers of
reason.

The Annual Conference to which this scapegrace be-
longed, had sent his case to a committee, and on their
report had formed then: decidon. It vrill be seen by the
law, that the secretary of the Annual Conference is required
to preserve "the questions and answers." The secretary,
in this case, was not a member of the conmiittee ; and in
his absence they had appointed one from their own number.
The documents were perfectly regular, and had been de-
posited with the secretary, but had not been taken down

..#

804

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.

by that officer of the Annual Oonference. With great tact,
the appelkint pleaded this m bar of the decision against
him. But he did not rest his cause on technical questions.
He went through the whole case, lampooning eyerybody
who came in his way; and berating the parties among
the people with whom he had quarrelled in a most un<
merciful manner. All this was done, it must be recollect-
ed, in the presence of the pubUc, and the public press.
Had it taken place in this kingdom, it would have thrown
the whole Church into confusion from one end of the coun-
try to the other. Such, however, is the difference of man-
ners in the two communities, that nobody seemed to care
anything about it.

But, during all this outpouring of invective, no human
creature ever interrupted this man. And he was not only
unassailed, but not the least confusion or disorder took
place. The Annual Conference delegated their defence to
one of their members, who very ably replied. The contrast
was great. The harshest thing he said — ^what everybody
could easily perceive — ^was, that brother so and so possessed
" all manner of sense but common sense." The argument
of the appellant on the law question was submitted to the
decision of the bishops. They, like impartial judges, gave
the prisoner the benefit of a doubt, and pronounced that
the omission of the secretary's copy, according to rule, was
fatal to the trial ; and that the case must go back to the
Annual Conference.

The other case was not conducted by the appellant in
person, but by Dr. Holdich. The form of the argument,
the appeals to law, the technical objections raised, the
eloquence and zeal evinced, might have led a spectator to
suppose himself listening to an appeal case before the
Privy Council, or in the House of Lords. The whole
subject was managed with an ability, regularity, and order,
both on the part of the counsel and the coiurt, which would
have done credit to any tribunal of justice in the world.

PART ni.— DESTITUTIONS OF THB M. E. OHURCH. 305

These cases impressed me with the idea, that the personal
rights and privileges of the Methodist preachers, in the
American body, were held as very sacred things.

One other matter remains — ^the privilege of petition.
Numerous petitions were presented on various subjects, and
great numbers were read at length. The most numerous
class related to the division of the Church. Many societies
on the borders of the division, which held anti-slavery
views, had, by the arrangement, been placed on the South
side of the line of demarcation, and handed over to the
pro-slavery church. These parties felt greatly aggrieved.
They remonstrated not only in energetic terms agiunst the
impropriety of being incorporated with the South, but they
argued the question in all its breadth ; and some of them
with great force and ability. These, and all other petitions
of the people, were recdved with great deference, and
many of them read in full, and sent for investigation to their
appropriate committees.

One word on these committees. They are appointed on
the opening of the Conference, and embrace all the subjects
which can come before the attention of that body. They
sit concurrently, during the whole period of the session,
and usually meet in the afternoon of each day. We had
Committees on the Episcopacy — on the State of the Church
—on the Itinerancy— on the Missions— on the* Sunday-
Schools — on the Temperance question — on the Boundary
subject — on the Book-Concern, &c. ; so that, instead of ap-
pointing a committee to consider separate matters of inter-
est, everything needing the examination of such a body was
sent to one of these standing committees.

Such, in substance, was the Pittsburgh Conference.
There was much to admire in the parties present, merely
considered as men. They exhibited, with religion, the real
American character. Individualism is one of its obvious
characteristics. But this is not selfish, egotistic, or flippant
and vain. It is rather the exhiUtion of the freedom of the

'^ J

{

806

,*■,

lOUB IN AMERICA.

soul, connected with calm judgment and conscious strength.
Deliberation in the movements of the miud, in speech, in
coming to a decision, is an evident feature of American
character. Nobody seems to be in a hurry, to indulge in
fidgety feelings, impassioned exclamations, or haste, either
in mind or body. This affects the character of their oratory.
There is infinitely less of the impassioned, the figurative,
the ornate, than among us ; but much more of the force of
reason, of natural logic. I was surprised at this, after
hearing so much of American violence and passion ; and
also considering the exciting atmosphere in which some of
them live. There appears, indeed, some difference betwixt
the northern and southern men ; but the latter were less
fiery than might be expected.

In its aggregate character, the Conference may be con-
sidered as near whiat is desirable as it seems possible to
carry the order of a large deliberative assembly. All things
combined to produce this effect. The dignified impartiality
of the presiding bishops on the one hand, and the willing
deference paid to them on the other ; the establishment of
exact and well-digested rules of debate, not only in written
codes, but as carried out in practice, and the scrupulous
regard paid to them by all parties ; the avoidance of all irri-
tating modes of address in reference to each other, toge-
ther with perfect courtesy in language and bearing constantly
manifested ; the absence of all party strife, and the appa-
rently simple purpose of every one to bring his best facul-
ties to support the common cause cf Christ ; the religious
spirit blending, like heavenly unction and influence, with all
things, and impressing them with purity and piety ; — ^in
fine, the fear of God, and the love of each other, all
tended to present a picture such as the mind loves to
dwell upon, and desires to see prevail everywhere. Were
there, then, no blots and drawbacks ? no dark shades ?
I only report what I saw, and the impressions left on
my own mmd. Illusions are common, sometimes plea-

PABI m.— INSTITUTIONS OF THE M.B.OHnBOH. 807

sant ; but what one sees with one's eyes, can hardly be an
illusion. / ' -

This, then, is the Church of John Wesley. He did not
consider Methodism in England, in his days, as a Church,
but as Christian societies.. He felt himself free to act in
respect to America ; and we have a right to infer, that had
he entertained any other notion of what a real Christian
Church ought to be, he would have attempted its estab-
lishment. He gave them the platform of their present
episcopacy ; and, consequently, this was his " ideal of a
Church." He, indeed, refused to call his superintendents
bishops; but that is of no consequence; he gave the
order and the office, and the name followed as a matter
of course.

No doubt this agreed with his most cherished and ma-
ture opinions. At the period he established this order of
things, he could have little temptation to falsify his own
convictions by doing a thing repugnant to his judgment.
He was nearly at the end of his eventful journey ; the
opinions of men could be of little consequence to him, and
he heeded them as little ; he expected constantly to be
called to give his account, and yield up his spirit to God ; —
in this state it is impossible to conceive that he would per-
petuate a practical falsehood, and finish his life by estab-
lishing a system which he did not fully believe to be ac-
cordant with the truth of God and the good of man. But,
besides, these convictions were the mature judgment of a
nunister of religion who possessed all the means of study-
ing the whole question, of acquainting himself with the
voice of antiquity, of observing the operation of all reli-
gious systems, almost in every part of the world ; and the
conclusion, we find, was, the establishment of the episcopal
order. • ' '

The progress of the American Church is only the devel-
opment of this idea. History must judge whether the an-
ticipations of Mr. Wesley have been realized. Time has

908

TOUR IN AMBRICA.

now been given for this. The trial has been made, and
made on a most magnificent scale. Has this trial failed, or
has it succeeded ? Facts must answer this question. And,
in order to meet this important query as fairly and fully as
possible, we now go to the consideration of our next point
— *the territorial progress of the American Methodist Epis-
copal Church.

•;<-

#•

TBBimOBIAL PBOORBSS OF IBS M. I. OHUROH. 809

PART IV.

TEBBITOBIAL FROOBESS OF THE AMEBICAN
THODIST EPISCOPAL GHUBCH.

ME-

It is desired, in attempting to give some account of the
territorial progress of the Methodist Episcopal Church in
the United States, to notice such educational and other
institutions as are found existing in the several localities^
hoping by this to attain to a pretty accurate notion of the
practical operations of the entire system. And, moreover,
as the different States and churches have each something
characteristic and peculiar, it is intended to notice, briefly,
these circumstances, by way of enlivening the narrative of
details. These details, in themselves, are necessarily dry,
as statistics must be ; but we have always something inter-
esting, where living men are found, to g^ve vivacity to sub-
jects in themselves tedious and barren.

It is hardly necessary to say, that the investigation has
been found beset with difficulties. It has, indeed, cost
much trouble and research ; and even, after all, exactness
and perfect accuracy cannot be claimed for these state-
ments. All that can be hoped — all which is possible un-
der the circumstances — ^is, to give a general outline of a
great work. It would require an American, with much
leisure, great experience, and a command of documents, to
do justice to such a subject. And it is a subject well
wortiiy of the attention of some master-mind in the United
States.

The authorities possessed have been consulted with
much attention; and the whole ground has been carefully
examined and gone over, so far as these guides could lead
the way. By the Idndness of my friends in the States, I
Mve beeo put into possessioii <^ most valuable liistoii$i4

'«&'

310

TOUR IS AMBBIOA.— PABT IV.

:!**

documents ; and with more time and leisure, a much better
digest and analysis would have been possible.

To secure order and precision, as well as to tender our
survey intelligible, it is proposed to take certain lines of
country separately, making the Annual Conferences the
basis of our statistical calculations. By this it is hoped,
that something clear and tangible may be kept before the
mind of the reader ; whereas, if we allowed ourselves to
wander at large on a space so great as the American con-
tinent, we must soon find ourselves lost in a perfect laby-
rinth.

Adopting this principle, we propose to examine the state
of Methodism. 1. On the Atlantic seaboard. 2. By the
line of the Hudson and the Lakes. 8. Along the Ohio and
the adjoining country. 4. The Mississippi.

I— THE ATLAirriO CONFERENCES. ;_

It seems natural that we should begin our survey where
population had its commencement. The Atlantic States em-
brace a line of seacoast extending eighteen hundred miles
from north to south, and stretch into the interior for a dis-
tance constantly varying, but in some places amounting to
between three and four hundred miles. These States are
filled with great cities ; possess the most magnificent bays
and harbours in the world ; a considerable amount of manu-
facturing industry, in various branches ; a great and flour-
ishing commerce, and the cotmtry parts are occupied by
beautiful villages and a prosperous agriculture. The people
of these States, being the descendants of the original set-
tlers, constitute the £Ute classes of society ; and the living
mind of these people has always predominated.

I. Wc be^ our survey at the northern point of the
Atlantic line — the Mains Conference. In connexion will
thiis division we find six districts, namely, Portland, Gardiner,
Meadjield, Banffor, Thonuuton, and Buckapoi'L Onehun-

TBBRIIORIAL PBOQKBSS 07 THB M. B. OHUBOH. 811

dred and sixty 'four circuits and stations ; one hundred and
sixty-one ministers, with one hundred and sixty-seyen local
preachers ; and twenty thousand two hundred and eighty-
one church-memhers.

Methodism was introduced into Maine in 1703, hy the
indefatigable Jesse Lee.

" A few weeks after the adjournment ^f Conference, he entered
upon what, in those days, was a journey of considerable magnitude.
Leaving Lynn, he passed through Newbnryport into New-Hamp>
shire, Greenland, and Portsmouth, preaching as he went, and thence,
on the 16th of September, entered Maine, and, at a little village called
Saco, on the same night preached in a private house, crowded with
attentive hearers, on Acts xiii. 41. As the most of his time, until the
Conference of 1794, was employed in the formation of a circuit in
Maine, we may very properly give a brief narrative of his labours,
abridged from his History of the Methodists. From Saco, he went
to Castine, at the mouth of the Penobscot River; tiience along the
river to the upper settlements near Old Town, and returned by die way
of Twenty-Five Mile Sand to Kennebeck River; thence up to Sandy
River, and back to Hallowell, and through to Portland. * Although
I was a perfect stranger, and had to make my own appointments, I
preached almost every day, and had crowded assemblies to hear.
After viewing the country, I thought the most proper place to form
a circuit would be on the west side of the Kennebeck.' Here the first
circuit in Maine was formed, and it is known in the Minutes of the
period as Readfleld. It was nearly two hundred miles beyond the
circuits already formed iu New-England. It extended from Hallow-
ell to Sandy River. It was not long after the formation of this cir-
cuit, and the establishment of regular preaching, before God merci-
fully vouchsafed his blessing to those who went forth sowing precious
seed. Sinners were converted, and sought church-fellowship with
those from whom they had received the ' good word of God.' Socicr
ties were soon formed, churches were erected, and Methodism started
out upon a wider career of usefulness, with stirring zeal and vigorous
hope." — ^Dr. Lee's "Life and Times of the Eev. Jesse £ec."

The progress made from the above date will be seen to
be very great, if the whole case is considered. It must be
kept in n^nd, that the church-members mentioned are
persons meeting in class, communicants ; and do not include
the congregations attending the ministry of the word who

•It,. ,•-_

VOVB ti( AimUtOA.— IPiAT ly.

t/tt not mmben, nor the children of either of theee c hm e t .
Itidging from the common rules of proportion betwiit
oommunicante and hearers in both cotmtries, it teems pro*
bable, that the number of persons and families which are
found imder the ministry and influence of the Methodist
Church in this region, yrill amount to four or five times the
numbers enumerated above. On this principle, which, it must
be admitted, is a perfectly sound one, the souls under the
religious care of the Maine Conference will amount to some-
thing like one hundred thousand.

II. Adjoining Maine we find the State of Nbw-Hamf-
SHiRB ; and the Methodist Church has established one of
its local centres in this place, bearing the name of the State.
The New-Hampshire Conference, like the territory itself,
does not appear to be large, compared with many of the
other conferences ; and yet it is evident, from the extent
and numbers of the Church, that successes much the same
as in other places have crowned the efiforts of the servants
Of God.

We have three districts ; namely, Dover, Concord, and
Haverhill. Seventy-seven circuits and stations ; eighty-two
ministers, with sixty-four local preachers ; and ten thousand
three hundred and eighty-four church-members.

We have the following extra appointments :—Osmon
C. Baker, Professor in the Biblical Institute ; Richard S.
Rust, Principal of the New-Hampshire Conference Semi-
nary; William D. Cass, Agent for the New-Hampshire
Conference.

The work in New-Hampshhre began about 1704 ; the
pioneer evangelist being Mr. Hill, who seems to have had
little success in the beginning. But the mission soon fell
under the care of Mr. Lee, he being appointed presiding
elder for several districts of country, of which this was one;
and progress was soon manifested.

TBRRITORIAL PROGRESS 07 THE M. B. OHUROH. 818

III. Descending the ooast-line from thia northern point,
we arrive at the state of Massachusetts ; and here we find a
Conference, bearing the name of the Nbw-£nolakd Coh-
FBRBNOB. This Conference embraces such places as Bos-
ton, Cambridge, Newburyport, (the burying-place of George
Whitefield,) Lowell, the famous cotton-manufacturing
Manchester of America, Worcester, Springfield, together
with their adjacent towns and villages. We have here
three districts; namely, Boston, Worcester, and Spring-
field ; one hundred and twenty-one stations and circuits ;
one hundred and -eight regular ministers, with seventy-six
local preachers ; and thirteen thousand three hundred and
eighty-one church-members.

This portion of the country may be considered as the
cradle of the American system. Here the pilgrim fathers
landed ; here, in the midst of the wilds and tempests of
nature, and the wars of the Indians, these brave spirits
cherished the love of freedom, for which they had aban-
doned their native land ; here, left very much to themselves
by the mother country, the people fostered the habits of
self-government, elected their own council, officers, and
even governors ; and here, in the performance of the func-
tions of a tiny, but actually independent, society, were laid
the foundations of the existing state of things ; here the
stem Puritanism, founded partly on the rigorous dogmas
of a Calvinistic creed, and partly on ihe jus-divinum prin-
ciple of Church order and government, which characterized
the rigid opinions of early times, took entire possession of
the hearts of the people ; here, strange to say, an ecclesi-
astical power, as exclusive, as undivided, as repulsive even
as Popery itself, became the established and dominant reli-
gion ; here, on this spot, the obtrusive Quakers and Bap-
tists, when they dared to adventure, and all others not of
the church of the prevailing sect, were expelled ; here a
number of poor old, and somd young, women were merci-
lessly put to death for witchcraft ; and here the Mathers

814

TOUB IN AMSRIOA.— PART lY.

and Buch men preached, ruled, put up and put down at
their pleasure ; — blessed, cursed, and did many other things
which look very strange to us in these days.

But though homogeneous and awfully stern, this was a
great religion. The faith of the men was vividly realizing.
The nearness and majesty in which they beheld God, in-
spired them with inflexible principles ; their habit of con-
necting the divine decrees and providence with all the
events of life, led to the idea that, in all things, they were
the agents of the sovereign will of Deity ; and their admis-
sion of, their belief in, the supreme and pai'amount import-
ance of pure, spiritual religion, as they understood it, caused
them to expel from their society " all the sons of Belial,"
and, indeed, every opinion and sentiment which they con-
sidered heretical and injurious. Animated by this strong
belief in their call and destination, connected, moreover,
with the bitter persecutions they had endured in their
own country ; — ^their banishment for conscience* sake ; the
sufferings and hardships they had passed through ; the
labours, privations, and terrors of the wilderness, and the
Holitude in which they lived ; their habitual coLverse with
the invisible and spiritual world; — these men were pre-
pared to become the pioneers of a great religious and
social creation.

The love of freedom of these heroic Christians lived
through all their generations, down to the period of Inde-
])endence. It is a strange coincidence that the animtis, the
spirit, of real Americanism, should have its root and its
linal development, its catastrophe, on the same spot. It
was these very Bostonians, the descendants of the pilgrim
fathers, and many of them bearing their names, who first
resisted " taxation without representation ;'* who opposed
the coercive power of the mother country, and thi^w the
tea into tlie sea ; it was these very people who raised the
shout of liberty, proclaimed the claim of independence,
marshalled themselves into military bands, and fought the

.M:^

TBBBITORIAL PROGRBSS OF THE M. B. OHUROH. 816

first battle — ^now commemorated by tbe ''Banker-Hill"
monument. They were what the Americans call " strong
men/' these. And let the pseudo-philosophers of the age
know, that it was the religious sentiment which produced
this power, and led to these results. Let the Americans
themselves remember the fact, keep it as a sacred truth,
treasure it up as an heir-loom in their houses, and teach it
to their children, that it was the Christian religion, em-
braced and held by men now deemed fanatics, which laid
the foundations of their freedom, their social happiness,
their political greatness, their advancement in all the bless-
ings of civilization ; and that the moment they either neg-
lect or renounce this religion of the Bible, then, that mo-
ment, they lay sacrilegious hands on the foundation which
supports the entire fabric of their power.

We see, from the above statement, that Methodism has
taken considerable hold of this interestmg population. It
can, however, be a matter of no surprise that, at its com-
mencement, it was looked upon with some amount of
jealousy, and that the first evangelists met with much
annoyance and opposition. The details are curious and
interesting, especially so far as they relate to the labours of
one man of eminent piety, originality, simple but effective
eloquence and glowing zeal. We refer again to Jesse Lee.*
This eminent Christian minister seems to have been won-
derfully fitted for the work assigned him by the great
Head of the Church, and he made full proof of his minis-
try. How changed is the scene now, as compared with the
beginning of the work of evangelization by this zealous
champion of the truth !

There is some resemblance between the character and
history of Jesse Lee and John Nelson. Soon after his
conversion, and while his heart was glowing with love, the

* See hia " life," by his nephew, the Rev. Dr. Les. See also Bangs's
" History," Asbvst's " Journal," and Stivbns's « Memorial of the Introduc-
tion of Methodism into the Eastern States."

«.,

816

TOUR nr AllBRIOA.— PABT lY.

reyolutkmary war then raging* he was balloted for the
militia.

He continued four months in the army, bearing witness
for his divine Master.

" ' Many of them,' he says, ' on one occasion were very solemn, and
some of them wept freely under the preaching of the word. I wa«
happy in God, and thankftil to him for the priTilege of warning the
wicked once more. It was a great cross for me to go forward in
matters of so much importance, where there wore few to encourage,
and many to oppose ; but I knew that I had to give account to Ctod
for my conduct in the world. I felt the responsibility laid upon me,
and was resolved to open my month for God. I often thought I had
more cause to praise and adore him for his goodness than any other
person. For some weeks I hardly ever prayed in public, or preached,
or reproved a sinner, without seeing some good effects produced by
my labours.' " — Stevens's " Memoriaia of Methodiatn" pp. 22-25.

Such, in part, was the training, and such the character,
of Jesse Lee, the founder of Methodism in the New-England
States.

It may be proper at this point to remark, that other
inoral agencies besides the existence of church organiza-
tions will often be found to exist within the limits of these
local conference^. We notice one or two in connexion
with the New-England Conference.

Besides a Book-D^p6t found at Boston, a branch of the
general Book-Concern, we find amongst other things a
]ocal newspaper conducted at this place, called Zion's
Herald, and possessing great influence. This paper has
been established for a number of years ; and, amongst other
services for religion and humanity, it has been probably the
most powerful instrument in the States, amongst the Me-
thodists, in favour of the abolition of slavery. It opened
its columns for the discussion, of this great question some
dozen or more years ago, and continues the discussion to
the present time. It was this paper which first broke
ground on this question amongst our people; thus com-
mencing, in the old locality* a new movement in favour of

TBRRITOBIIL PBOORB88 OT TBB M. 1. CHURCH. 817

freedom, — but on tliii occasion that of the African race.
Boston in this stands out in honourable distinction, as true
to her original spirit, her traditions, her love <tf liberty.

To us it seems a st'^ange thing that any difficulty should
be connected ^rith a question of this sort. But the matter
of fact is, that the opening of this debate was like the fall
of some mighty Alpine avalanche into the peaceful regions
below. Without harshness, or any design to impute im-
proper motives to any parties, it will be admitted by all
who are tolerably acquainted with the facts of the case,
that the Methodist Chmoh feared the agitation of the ques-
tion of slavery ; and endeavoured, as much and as long as
possible, to stave off the subject for the sake of peace.

In consequence of this state of things, it became a sort
of heroic, not to say desperate, adventure for the Herald
to take up the cause. It did so, however, not in the one-
sided manner of the public press in general, but admitted
both sides of the argument, and left the public to judge.
That the impression was deep, and the sentiment i^ainst
slavery powerfully excited, we have sufficient proof in the
fact, that this circumstance, this very discussion in the
Herald, led to a painful secession, and the establishment
of a new community of Methodists. These parties, think-
ing that the spirit and action of the Methodist Episcopal
Church were not sufficiently decided against slavery, after
miserable altercations on both sides, and debates upon the
subject, ultimately left the body, and formed themselves
into what they call the Wesleyan Methodist Church ; the
main distinction of this new organization being the non-
admission of slaveholders into the Christian fellowship.*

A history of this affair is not intended ; and the subject
is introduced merely to give some notion to the English
reader of the nature and the power of these local papers.
Society is greatly influenced, and it is to be hoped, on the

* Those -who wish to see a mon. detailed account of these matten, may
find information in Matlaok's " Life of the Rev. Orange Scott."

318

TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV.

whole, greatly enlightened and benefited, by this mode of
producing an impression. It must be clear to every intel-
hgent and thoughtful person, that in such a community as
that of the New-England States, it is impossible for any
body of Christians to hold up their heads, to make any
progress, to possess any standing at all, unless they con-
nect literature with religion. Every human creature above
eight years of age, whether man, woman, or child, will be
found reading some daily newspaper. Whether this is a
good, a wholesome state of things, may be a question of
difficult solution. But, right or wrong, it is a fact, a habit.
With this condition of society to deal with, it became ob-
vious to the leaders of the respective religious bodies, that
they must accommodate themselves to the public taste, or
otherwise abandon the groimd altogether to a secular, po-
litical, and oc?!t3ionally infidel, press. Necessity originally
led to this mode of influence; and certainly this Zion's
Herald has done its work on the point in question with
great abiUty and force ; and in other labours has, no doubt,
performed its share of duty in sustaining and carrying out
the designs of ""he Church.

IV. Immediately contiguous to the New-England is the
Pbovidencb Conference. Providence being the capital
of the State of Rhode Island, of course the territory within
the limits of this conference will include that locality. The
religious history of this State is exceedingly interesting. It
was settled very early, chiefiy> by the wisdom and perse-
verance of Roger WilUams, about the most remarkable man
of his ago. Mr. Williams was a minister of religion, and
first went to the Plantation of Massachusetts in that capa-
city ; but embracing the notions of the Baptists, he was
harshly b.-^nished from his adopted home, and, to hide him-
self from his persecutors, and perhaps to save his life, he was
obliged to throw himself amongst the Indians. These poor
savages, more merciful than his countrymen and fellow-

TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 319

Christians, admitted him to theu* settlements, and protected
him for a length of time. He became a great favourite, (as
who does not, who treats the sons of the forest with kindness ?)
and gained great ascendency over them. This influence
he was called upon to use on many occasions afterwards for
the security of those very men who had driven him from
their society. Whether from the eflfects of persecution, or
from the strength of his own genius, does not appear ; but
Roger Williams attained to a just perception of the appa-
rently difficidt question of religious liberty. He is nearly
the first, if not the very first, man in modem times who
acquired this knowledge. He boldly taught, as well as
firmly held, in all vicissitudes of fortune, the precious truth
he had attained. But the notions of the times regarding
the legitimate connexion betwixt spiritual and secular
thmgs — if the reader please, betwixt Church and State —
are shown in his case ; for this Baptist pastor became one
of the first governors of the community he had been the
instrument of establishing. (See Bancroft's " History of tfie
United States")

In connexion with the Providence Conference we
find three districts ; namely, New-Bedford^ New-London,
and Sa,ndwich : one hundred and twelve stations and cir-
cuits ; one hundred and twelve ministers, with seventy-two
local preachers, and fourteen thousand four hundred and
twenty-nine church-members.

Here we find the following extra appointment : — Samuel
C. Brown, teacher in Providence Conleroiioe Academy. So
it seems this conference also possesses the patronage of
an academy, and is promoting the intellectual advancement
of their people.

v. By reason of its extent, its population, and its wealth.
New- York is called the " Empire State." It is worthy of
this name. Besides all its other advantages already re-
ferred to, — ^its central position, and easy means of commu-

820

TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV.

nication to every part of the continent, and the great extent
of country lying in its rear, and to be reached chiefly through
its port, for all commercial purposes, must imite to make
this city the great emporium — ^in fact, the metropolis — of
the United States.

These great centres of life, wherever found, have not
only an important local position, but an equally important
relative destiny. They form the great moving power in the
societies of men ; they constitute the reservoirs whence the
waters flow, to irrigate, with good or evil sentiments and
influences, the whole surrounding country. This city must,
in the nature of things, give a mighty impulse to all politi-
cal, social, intellectual, and religious interests existing on
the whole of the continent. This is the natural result of
its population and wealth. Men of certain classes, either
in pride or in ignorance, will discard everything as alien
not found in their own department; but all this is a vain
imagination. Political speculators may repudiate the idea
of religion having anything to do with politics ; and, vice
versd, religious men may repudiate the notion of what is
purely spiritual being brought in any way mto contact with
the secular. All this is pure fiction. The world is made
up of two great elements, the secular and the spiritual ;
they cannot be separated ; they lie by the side of each
other ; it is impossible that either should exist in a healthy
state in isolation ; action and re-action must be constantly
going on ; — and, as in nature, the only safety for society is
found in the equitable balance of the two powers.

On this principle it follows, that the existence of large
cities presents a favourable sphere for religion ; inasmuch
as they constitute an ample theatre for its development,
and also furoish the means of its extension. The state of
Methodism in New- York must, on these grounds, not only
be important in itself, but deeply afiect its condition in other
places.

For these reasons it will be interesting to give the best

lEBBlTOmAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. OHUROH. 821

view in our power of the progress of the Methodist Church
in the city itself. It may be proper to say, that Brooklyn
is to New- York what Southwark is to London ; or, more
properly, what Birkenhead is to Liverpool, because the
channel is too broad to be crossed by a bridge. In the
two places we find no fewer than thirty-six churches, thirty-
seven ministers, and eleven thousand two hundred and
seventy-four church-members. But if our former principle
of calculation is adhered to, namely, that the congregations
and children belonging to these several churches amount to
something like four or five times the niunber of communi-
cants ; then it will appear, that fifty thousand of the popu-
lation is under the influence of the Methodist Episcopal
Church.

Having given the statistics of the city separately, it is
now proper to add the numbers furnished by the confer-
ence. This will include the c^.

We find eight districts ; namely. New- York, Long Island,
New-Haven, Hartford, Poughkeepsie, RhinehecJe, Delaware,
Newburgh : two hundred and fifty-five stations and circuits ;
two hundred and fifty-four ministers, with two hundred
and twenty local preachers; and forty-six thousand nine
hundred and seven church-members, three hundred and
seventy-nine being people of colour.

But, in addition to these general items, we find'the fol-
lowing : — ^Editor of the Quarterly Review and Books of the
General Catalogue, George Peck ; Assistant Editor of the
Christian Advocate, George Coles.

These entries are connected with the literary labours of
the body at New- York.

Another most interesting minute is found in connexion
with this conference. We find the MiddletoilnWesleyan
University, with Stephen Olin, President ; Joseph Holdioh,
Professor ; John H. Lindsey, Tutor. The " Repository of
Useful Knowledge" adds the following particulars respect-
ing this collegiate institution; — ^Founded in 1831; in-

322

TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV.

structers, 7 ; alumni, 283 ; ministers, 104 ; students, 125 ;
volumes in the library, 12,000.

The estimable President of this University, Dr. Olin, is
not unknown in this country, and, being known, is highly
esteemed. Like many of his countrymen, he has been a
great traveller, and given to the reading world the results
of his investigations on the most interesting and historically
sacred countries of our globe. And by general consent
it is allowed, that his " Travels " rank amongst the most
instructive and edifying books of the age ; and that his
Biblical criticisms, derived from a careful examination of the
topography of Jerusalem and the Holy Land, are invaluable
to the student of the Bible. But as a theologian and
preacher. Dr. Olin is equally esteemed ; and must be classed
not only amongst the brightest lights of his own body, but
as one of the men of his country, and, indeed, of the age.
Dr. Holdich is an Englishm|n, and is full of tender recol-
lections of the scenes of his boyhood, and of his own and
" his father's friends." His attainments, his urbanity, and,
moreover, his business capacity, unite to make him a most
valuable man. It was my happiness to see a good deal
of this gentleman ; and everything tended to produce in
me a perfect admiration of his talents and character. With
such leaders as these, it is fair to suppose that the youth
educated at this University are fully fitted to take a useful
and honourable post in society.

We have one other item in this New- York Conference
worth noticing : — State-prison at Wether sfield, Nathaniel
Kellogg, Chaplain.

So it seems the State [Connecticut] is not indisposed to
intrust the care and instruction of its prisoners to a Me-
thodist minister. But it may be imagined by some, that
prisoners do not excite much concern amongst the states-
men and citizens of the New- World. This is a perfect
mistake. If any one thing more than another engages the
attention and interests the philanthropy of the Americans,

'-'*

♦■

TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OE THE M. E. CHURCH. 323

it. is the reformation of prisoners. They speculate on
this point of progress and government with their accus-
tomed fearlessness and energy. It is not our business to
pass any opinion on their silent system, their solitary con-
finement, and other modes of reformation or punishment ;
with but this one exception, — ^namely, that there can be
nothing on this side the bottomless pit more horrible, more
repugnant to human nature, or more completely calculated
to break the heart and crush the powers of the poor wretch,
who unfortunately gets immured in one of these prison-
houses, than these appliances. They are no half-measui'c
men, these Americans. If they punish, they do punish
with a vengeance ; if they set about the task of reformation,
they do not for a moment hesitate about the feelings, the
tastes, the hkings and disliking^ of the miserable culprit,
or the sentimentalism of the public. They strip him, flay
him, place him on a Procrustes's bed, and crack every bor'i
in his body. Lovers of liberty as they are, they reduce the
souls of these poor prisoners to a state of perfect passive
existence. The system is found effective enough ; for many
of the inmates are driven mad ; and the most fortunate
amongst them lose the proper, the manly tone of their
faculties ; and, crushed beneath the iron despotism of their
discipline, they appear as mental automata, moving just as
they are moved. Those who wish to gain an idea of the
inexorable justice of Tartarus, where, it may be, the lost
soul is left no choice, but bends to the ever-varying torments
of his condition, in passive pain and hopeless misery ; —
those who desire to gain an idea of this, had better go to
one of these State-prisons.

We cannot but think this mode of reformation is some-
what opposed to American ideas and opinions. As a
general principle and rule, they seem to seek the correction
^.of the evils of human nature and of society by ameliora-
,i tions, by developments, by advancement ; — ^but here all this
is reversed.

^5^-

824

TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV.

It is, indeed, a most effective way of dealing with a
diseased man, at once to kill him. This is a certain remedy
in his case. When buried, he can no longer need the
nurse's assiduity, or be a medium of contagion. But thb
is not the American way in general. They set about the
cure, not by annihilation, but by calling forth the remauiing
powers of life. They unfold, expand, invigorate, all the
^'mctions of humanity. They endeavour to improve and
exalt every person, and, indeed, the whole of society, by
calling foith the latent energies, the hidden virtues, the
mental and moral power, of every living creature. Their
prison-system is the contrast of all this. As far as the dis-
cipline goes, it is perfectly crushing ; it is an attempt to
icill the seeds of vice, to put the evil propensities to death.
We have no faith in the scheme. It may be possible to
change, to modify, to turn and twist the e' il nature of man
this way and that ; but it is never changed but by divine
truth and grace. Indeed, we generally find, as in the case
of this Wethersfield, that some religious teacher is con-
nected with these prisons ; and a plentiful supply of Bibles
is furnished. No doubt good is done ; there is something
alleviating in this arrangement. But it is to be feared, that,
in most cases, the religion of the prison will, in the mind
of the poor sufferer, be connected with the system itself.
It does not come to him as daylight to his dungeon, — as
a salvation, — a redemption, — an emancipation, — but as a
branch of the discipline under which he groans. We can-
not have much confidence in the efiScacy of religious appU-
ances, when attached to so horrible a scheme as the silent
and solitary systems of the American prison-house.^

VI. The New-Jersey State joins that of New- York, and
we find a local conference bearing this name. The New-
Jbbsbt Oonferexce contains six districts ; namely, ^ew-

t* Dr. Dixon's acquaintance with the American prison-system seems to be
purely theoretical.]

IlCRBIIORIATj PROGRESS OF THB M. S. CHURCH. 325

ark, Paterson, Bahtvay, TrenUm, Burlington, and Camden :
one hundred and fourteen stations and circuits; one hundred
and fifty-five ministers, with one hundred and ninety-four
local preachers ; and twenty-nine thousand five hundred
and ninety-two church-members.

m seems to be

YII. Our progress towards the south now leads us to
Philadelphia. This city and State are celebrated as
having descended from the Quaker colony of William Penn.
Its history is profoundly interesting. Like the establish-
ments of the pilgrim fathers in the Kew-England States,
this also originated in religion. But the type was very
difierent, the Quaker rigime being mild and liberal. Wil-
liam Penn himself was, no doubt, one of the most eminent
Christians of his day, or, indeed, of any day; his com-
panions and followers, many of them at least, partook of
his own spirit ; and, as a consequence, the Christian element
became the predominant one in the settlement of the colony.
But the religious power brought to bear on the interests
of the settlement was only spiritual, and, consequently,
l)erfectly mild and gentle. The law of love was that which
was relied upon by this eminent man, both in the manage-
ment of the affairs of the infant State, and in his dealings
with the Indians. •

The site of the settlement was a subject of treaty and
purchase, not of robbery ; the rights of the natives of the
forest were recognized, as well as those of the white man ;
equity and truth towards the children of the soil were
deemed as binding as the exercise of the same virtues in all
other relations ; and, moreover, the law of God, whether
found in the written word or in the living soul, was fully
believed in as obligatory in matters of social life. The
purchase of the land, the treaty with the Indians, the re-
cognition of the principle of religious liberty, government
without coercion, and a perfect confraternity of rights
and interests, yrei^ i^markable developments for the times.

826

TOUB IN AMERICA.— PART IV.

happy world, if Quaker sentiments could find a conge-
nial existence ! (See Clarkson's "Xi/c of William Perm,"
and Bancroft's "History")

This happy beginning soon became beclouded. William
Penn's own life was embittered, towards its close, with in-
finite trouble and vexation. His beautiful fabric broke
down beneath the pressure of man's sins and follies ; and
the Quaker colony of Philadelphia stood in as much need
of the awakening and revivifying influence of Methodism,
in the early days of its enterprise in America, as other
places.

Quaker neatness and love of order are, however, still
impressed on what is visible in the city ; and this is nearly
all of Quakerism which remains.

It was at this place that Francis Asbury landed on the
27th day of October, 1771: a memorable day this, both
for himself and America. His words on the occasiuii
are simple and touching : — " When I came near the Ame-
rican shore, my very heart melted within me, to think from
whence I came, where I was going, and what I was going
about. But I felt my mind open to the people, and my
tongue loosed to speak. I feel that God is here ; and
find plenty of all we need." Poor missionary ! he did not
"need" much, if he possessed all he desired. He tells m
just before, when relating his journey and voyage : "When

1 came to Bristol, I had not one penny of money ; but the
Lord soon opened the hearts of friends, who supplied me
with clothes, and £10." Thus were our predecessors
equipped for their work. We suppose his passage had
been paid, or gratuitously furnished by some kind-hearted
captain ; but as to himself, we see that his wardrobe and
pocket were both alike empty. It required some faith in
those days to do the work of the Lord. This blessed man
does not seem in the least to falter oi- shrink at the ideu
of landing in America without a penny in his pocket, with-
out any treasury to draw upon at home ;— or to have enter*

«a»^,-

TBRRITOBIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 827

tained the least conception how his supplies were to be
furnished in a strange land, and amongst a strange people.
But he drew on a Bank which never fails to honour those
who rely upon its resources.

This has been a much-favoured city and State with re-
spect to the progress of Methodism. We find in union
with this conference six districts ; namely, Philadelphia,
South Philadelphia, Reading, Wilmington, Boston, and
Snow-ERll : one hundred and thirteen stations and circuits ;
one hundred and fifty-six ministers, together with one hun-
dred and fifty-eight local preachers ; and forty-two thousand
two hundred and eighty-nine church-members : ten thousand
and forty-two of the ab(jlre number are coloured people.

Pennsylvania is not now a slave State. In 1840, only
sixty-four remained in bondage ; and it is to be presumed,
that by this time the evil has become entirely extinct. From
this it will follow, that the coloured people above mentioned
are free.

It may be as well to explain here, that those States
which have adopted' the principle of abolition, have never
done it as an instantaneous ?mancipation. The law has
always made provision for a pro.^pective and gradual ex-
tinction of slavery, by enacting that all children, born after
a certain date, should be free ; and in- some cases, also, in
passing measures to enable masters to manumit their slaves
by their own free choice ; or to allow the poor creatures
to work out or purchase their freedom. In consequence
of these prospective enactments, it sometimes happens, as
in the above instance, that a State will have a few old
slaves within its bosom, for many years after the act of
emancipation has been passed. We believe, in general,
these poor relics of a discarded system are looked upon
with great kindness, and are sufficiently provided for in
their old age.

YIII. We now come to a real slave-holding State, Mary

828

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.— PART IT.

land, containing the Baltimore Confbrenob. It is thought
by some, having, by the by, good means of information,
that Methodism has made greater progress, and holds a
more commanding position, in the city of Baltimore, than
in any other part of the United States. Certainly, external
appearances favour the opinion, that it has taken hold of
large masses of the population, and occupies a very influ-
ential place in the midst of the religious denominations of
the city. 'V^ether it is the predominant interest, it is not
for me to say ; but this is the opinion of some of the esti-
mable ministers and people of the place. If spacious and
beautiful churches, large and most respectable congrega-
tions. Christian and kind-hejurted families,— connected with
all the marks and evidences of intelligent piety, — eie to
be taken as proofs of progress, then, most assuredly, Balti-
more must be considered as ranking very high in a religious
point of view.

The Baltimore Conference numbers eight districts;
namely, Baltimore^ N(yrth Baltimore, Potomac, Rocking-
ham, Winchester, Carlisle, Huntingdon, JVorthumberland :
one hundred and forty-three stations and circuits, two hun-
dred and twenty-eight ministers, with two hundred and
eighty local preachers ; and fifty-two thousand three hun-
dred and thirty-eight church-members : sixteen thousand
three hundred and eighty-seven of these are people of
coiour, many of them, no doubt, slaves.

Dickinson College is located at Carlisle, within the limits
of this conference. Of this institution the Repository states
that it was established in 1783: instructers, 10; alumni,
531 ; students, 108 ; volumes in the library, 13,000. The
late amiable, pious, and talented Dr. Emory was, at the
period of his death, in May, 1848, the president of this
college. Dr. Emory was the sor of Bishop Emory, who
is remembered in this country with admiration on account
of his eminent character and talents. Dr. M'Clintock, pro-
fessor up to the last General Conference, is a gentleman

■^•jjL-:^iit^!jJSa i.,ij-A-^'-

-^idu.\.

TEBBITORIAL PROGRESS OT THE M. B. CHURCH. 829

of high reputation as a scholar and minister, and was ap-
pointed by the above-mentioned body as the Editor of the
Quarterly Reviei^. From the date of its institution, it will
bv n'^rceived that this college was not originally founded
by the Methodist Church, but by some other parties ; who,
failing to realize the objects designed, turned it over to its
present occupants. This has been the case with several
others. We hope the fact does not indicate any decay of
zeal in the case of other friends and patrons of education ;
but certainly it does indicate the growing power and influ-
ence of Methodism in this department.

But the metropolis of America, the city of Washington,
is within the limits of this conference. Under the head
Wesley Chapel^ we have the following appointment : Henry
Slicer. This is all which is said. Now, no one would
know anything remarkable about Henry Slicer by this sim-
ple insertion of his name, in connexion with Wesley Chapel.
The matter of f^ot is, that this gentleman is one of the
chaplains of Congress, and is called, in the course of his
duty, every Sunday to preach Christianity to th^vesident
of the United States, and to man^ of the senators and mem-
bers of Congress.

In this country the idea of a court chaplain, or a preacher
to the House of Lords or Commons, is connected in-
stinctively with the notions of a great ecclesiastical digni-
tary, or a divine of the first pink of religious fashion.
Probably some such notion may fill the reader's mind re-
specting this chaplain to the Congress. Nothing would be
more fallacious or untrue than such a fancy. I found Mr.
Slicer one of the plainest Methodist preachers I saw in
America. I do not mean vulgar ; but in his garb, manners,
bearing, and entire demeanour, he retains all the charac-
teristics of the simple, pious, imsophisticated Methodist
mimster. So, at any rate, I have seen one clergyman who
has lived long in the precincts of a court, who has held
constant intercourse with the chiefs and great men of the

880

TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV.

nation, and yet who still remains uncorrupt. By the kinJ-
ness of our good friend, I enjoyed many advantages in my
visit to Washington, which could not have hecn attained
in so easy a manner without his intervention.

But my object in this part of our investigation being
merely to trace out the position and influence of Method-
ism, I must refer the reader to another part of the narra-
tive for information on these matters. I w\8 informed
that several Methodists were members of Congress ; and,
ns we have seen, had the pleasure of hearing one, a local
preacher, of the name of Hilliard, speak in the House of
Representatives. He appeared a man of good talents,
practical mind, an agreeable address, and possessing ven-
respectable elocution. This good friend, I understood,
often took the pulpit in one of the churches at Washington ;
so that he was not a preacher at home, and a silent Chris-
tian at the seat of government ; but fearlessly maintained
his religious character and vocation everywhere. The fact
is, however, that he suffered nothing from this. A man is
not seiMo Coventry for being a Methodist, nor loses rank,
or anything ellMiy by maintaining his principles. Freedom
in religion is no fioiion in the States. Men are estimated by
their character, their talents, their capacity to serve the pub-
lic ; and not by their creed, or by denominational distinctions.

Two or three facts, having a religious beaiing, connected
with the State of Maryland, are worth m«mtioning. Tlie
first is, that Lord Baltimore, as we have seen, from whom
the city is named, was a Roman Catholic, a convert from
Protestantism, and an eminent statesman, of the age of
Charles II. Romanist though he became, yet he retained
his attachment to religious liberty; and notwithstanding
many persons of his own creed constituted the first bodies
of settlers, yet the stringent doctrines of Popish intolerance
were never countenanced. In point of fact, Popish Mary-
land was the first colony in America where a system of
practical toleration and religious freedom obtained a foot-

TERRITORIAL PR0ORB88 OF THE M. E. CUURCII. 881

lag. (See Bancroft.) As might be expected, the Popish
Church is still in gr^at power in Baltimore.

A second fact is, that though Maryland is a slave State,
yet slavery itself is decreasing. In 1*700, the number of
slaves amounted to 103,030 ; and in 1840, to only 80,'737.
The same dates give for the white population, in 1790,
319,728 ; and m 1840, 1,239,797. From some causes, of
which I confess myself to bo ignorant, it is very evident
that slavery, in this State, is not favoured by the general
population. A process of extinction is evidently going on.
The balance on the side of the white and free population is
clearly increasing rapidly ; whilst, instead of the slave por-
tion augmenting in a proportionate ratio, we find that their
numbers are rapidly decreasing. It is cheering to see that
in a short period, by the natural process of things, the evil
must end itself. I, indeed, found many estimable men, no
friends to slavery, looking forward to this with some degree
of confidence, as a good which they ardently anticipated. It
was thought by these gentlemen, that such States as Mary-
land, having ceased to cherish and uphold slavery, in fact,
would soon be led to renounce it by a legblative enactment.
Well or ill founded, it is the opinion of these parties, that two
or three of the other States would have done so before this,
had it not been for abolitionist agitations. It is certmn that,
of all men in the world, Americans are the least likely to
yield to an external pressure ; and it is very possible that
the majority, in particular States, may have been roused to
a reaction by what they consider the unauthorized and im-
pertinent interference of other people with their affairs. In
this I am not delivering opinions of my own ; I am merely
stating an alleged fact, as it was often represented to me
by thoughtful men, and friends of abolition. However
this may be, it is delightful to have ocular demonstration,
from the diminished and diminishing numbers of slaves in
Maryland, that the free men of the State are not, in general,
the patrons of slavery.

332

TOUR IN AMERICA.— PiUElT IV.

IX. In our descent along the Atlantic coast, we now
enter the South division of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The Virginia Conference is the first on the line. We
have, belonging to this conference, six districts ; namely,
Eichmondy CharlotteviUe, Lynchbargh, Randolph Macon,
Petershurgh, and Norfolk : seventy-six stations and cir-
cuits ; ninety-one ministers, with one hundred and sixty-
five local preachers: and twenty-eight thousand four
hundred and fifty-seven church-members ; of these mem-
bers, five thousand six hundred and ninety-one are people
of colour.

The slavery of this State has greatly increased; the
numbers being, in 1790, 203,427 ; and, m 1840, 448,987.
It is to be presumed from this, that the people are really
in favour of the system. They would probably say they
are not so, in reality ; in the abstract, that they consider
liberty, freedom, human rights, as essential and divine.
But then they think that the poor blacks are better off as
slaves than if free ; and, moreover, that the system is so
dovetailed into their social condition, that it is impossible,
in the present state of things, to change it. These are the
apologies I often heard. One thing surprises me on enter-
ing into a statistical examination of this first Southern Con-
ference : it is the very limited number of coloured people
belonging to the Church as compared with the slave
population in the State. I am aware that the Virginia
Conference may not, and indeed does not, include the
whole of the State ; but still, it is very evident that it em-
braces a considerable proportion ; and if this proportion is
no more than half its extent, it still leaves but a very small
fraction of the slaves as members of the Methodist Church.
Wbat are 6,600 slaves, compared with even half 448,987?

The most cogent reason, and, as it struck me at the
time, the most legitimate, for the neutrality of the Method-
ist Church in the South on the subject — ^in fact, for its
present separation from the North — was, that the ministers

•'^i^'

'h.-'-

TEBRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. B. OHUROH. 333

might have permission to seek the salvation of these poor
outcasts, lead them to Christ, ameliorate their condition,
and thus prepare them for freedom. But really, is it worth
while (I say nothing of the lawfulness of the thing) to
sacrifice a principle, to lay aside a great truth, to bend be-
fore the great Moloch, for such a result as this ? Virginia
is one of the oldest fields of enterprise belonging to the
Methodist Church ; on this ground it has been at work
almost from the beginning ; and see the issue, as regards
the slave population. Why, if Christianity is to prepare
these people for liberty, and Methodism is to be its agent,
ages and ages must intervene betwixt these wretched
people and the mighty boon. From this investigation one
cannot help beUeving, that this accursed evil stands in the
way of the reUgious good — the salvation— of the poor Af-
ricans, to an extent but little apprehended.

The Book-Room belonging to the Southern Church is
established at Richmond, within the limits of this confer-
ence : John Early, Book- Agent, and L. M. Lee, Agent and
Editor of the Richmond Christian Advocate. Dr. Lee, the
nephew of Jesse Lee, is, as we see. Editor of the Richmond
Christian Advocate. These Christian Advocates, in these
times, are feaiful things. One cannot help deploring, that
talents competent to the highest studies and investigations
of theological and sacred truth, should be devoted to pai'ti-
san warfare. Tl'is is unhappily the case now. This fine
young man. Dr. Lee, and another at New- York, not as
young, but of equally excellent spirit. Dr. G. Peck, must
now be pitted against each other in deadly warfare, on the
points at issue between the North and the South.^ It
makes one's heart bleed to think of men like these spend-
ing their time and their talents in service so wretched.

We have another appointment to notice. It is William
A. Smith, President of R. M. College ; B. R, Duval, and
Nathaniel Thomas, Agents. Now, as R. M. College is

* See Note page 438.

334

TOUR IN AMERICA.-— PART IV.

placed under the Randolph Macon District, I suppose it
must mean a college bearing that name. Our good breth-
ren across the Atlantic are so fond of abbreviations, that it
is really difficult for a stranger, not well acquainted with
them, to make out their meaning. But the fact indicated is
of importance, namely, that in this place a college is found
for the purpose of advancing the interests of general and
sacred knowledge. We may see, from the number of these
institutions, and their frequent occurrence as we traverse
the continent, that the attention of the Church is intently
fixed upon the subject of education. Results of great im-
portance to religion and civiUzation must arise out of this
potent agency.

R )

X. The North Carolina Conference is the next in
our line. This conference has within its limits five districts ;
namely, Jialeiffh, Salisbury^ Danville, Washington, New-
hem : fifty-seven stations and circuits ; seventy -five minis-
ters, with one hundred and thirty-nine local preachers ;
and twenty thousand three hundred and eight members :
out of this number, seven thousand seven hundred and fifty
are people of colour.

This, as every one knows, is a slave State, and the evil
is increasing. In 1790, we find 100,572 slaves; in 1840,
246,817. But the progress of Methodism among the Afri-
can race is much more satisfactory than in Virginia. The
total, 7,760, in the midst of a population of 246,817, will
give a proportion much more than double, or treble, that
of the other State. This, however, is a very poor average
on the whole population ; and indicates that the progress
made has not been yery extraordinary.

We have the following appointments in the Conference :
B. T. Blake and J. Jamieson, Professors in Greensborough
Female College. We shall be under the necessity of no-
ticing these female colleges elsewhere; and may conse-
quently omit any particular remarks here, further than to

4, -

TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 335

entreat the reader to notice the fact, that the planters of
the South — avery diflferent race — are no more negligent of
this subject of education than the sturdy citizens of the
N'orth ; being willing, it seems, to send their daughters for
training to religious schools.

XI. "We now come to the South Carolina Confer-
ence. On the territory of this ecclesiastical division, are
found six districts ; Charleston, Cokeshuryy Columbia, Wil-
mington, Fayetteville, Idncolnton : seventy-four stations,
circuits, and missions ; one hundred and seven ministers ;
(no return of local preachers ;) sixty-five thousand one hun-
dred and sixty-seven church-members : in this aggregate,
thirty-eight thousand and eighty-two are people of colour.
This is a splendid result.

South Cc.r -lina is a plantation country, and consequently
in favour •:'' ' )ry. The numbers have increased in the
following r»< -In 1*790, there were 107,094; and in
1840, no less than 327,038. But it is delightful to find so
large a number of them as 38,082 members of the Method-
ist Church. Religion is the only real mitigation of the
miseries of this condition ; and let us hope that it may
please God to confer it upon an increased number, and thus
prepare them, by its influence, for all the rights of the social
state. But still we must keep it in mind, that these ecclesias-
tical boundaries are not those of the State ; and it is very
likely, that this South Carolina Conference stretches into
the northern State of that name.

The religious history of the two Carolinas is very inter-
esting, inasmuch as it is connected both with great princi-
ples and great men. The territory was granted to propri-
etaries by Charles II., the most distinguished of whom
were the famous Ashley Cooper, Earl of Shaftesbury, and
John Locke. The constitution which these eminent men
framed for the government of the plantation — but which,
by the by, did not last long — recognized the principle of

33e

TOUR IN AMBRICA.— PART IV.

reli^ous toleration to the fullest extent ; and, at the same
time, conceded that all free men had an absolute right of
property in their slaves. Even Locke adopted this theory,
made this a provision of the constitution which he drew up
himself, and secured this as an indefeasible right to the
emigrants. The one provision drew to these sunny shores
imfortunate religionists from every country ; and the other
filled the settlements with enslaved Africans.

What a mystery is mwi ! Here, on this very soil, refu-
gees from England, driven by the persecutions of Charles
and James ; from Scotland, by that ruthless ruffian, the
brutal Lauderdale ; from Ireland, by its chronic miseries
and woes; from France, expatriated by the rescinding of
the Edict of Nantz, and the ferocious cruelties of Louis
XIY., then in his dotage, and under the power of his mis-
tress ; from Holland, the Low Countries, and Germany : —
all these people, from so many nations, came, smarting
under the lash of tyranny, to seek a home in the wilder-
ness of America, for the sole purpose that they might
enjoy personal and rehgious freedom. And yet, one of the
first things they did in their new state, was to subject the
Negro to the degradation, not of poHtical, not of religious,
bondage — ^but of personal slavery ; implying the absolute
forfeiture of his manhood, and his reduction to the condition
of goods and chattels — the absolute property of his master.^

But interest may be pleaded in favour of these planters;
it may be imagined that the want of labourers for the cul-
tivation of the soil made it essential to employ the African
race. But what are we to say of Locke ? No such tempta-
tion could lie in his path. His speculations were those of
the philosopher ; the constitution he provided was the pro-
duction of his studious reflections; he was, as is well
known, profoundly acquainted with the laws of nature, the
principles of jurisprudence, and with the word of God.
This great man may be considered as one of the apostles

-^w i . . * See Bancroft

TERRITORIAL PROQRBSS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 837

of liberty, both political and religious ; and yet he delibe-
rately makes provision, in his constitution for Carolina —
the matter is not left tc accident — for the white popula-
tion, the free men from Europe, to enslave the African.
Could he bel'.eve these poor Negroes to be men ? If so,
on his own principles — the principles of nature's laws, the
principles of inalL ^able, immutable, eternal equity and
justice — these parties, being men, have as much right to
liberty, personal and religious, as any other men. How
little, according to the Scriptures, "is man to be accounted
of?" The only solution of this wonderful enigma is, that
the philosopher, by some means, allowed himself to get
under the influence of Shaftesbury, the wily politician.
But, then, what are eternal truths, principles, laws — fixed
as the universe — worth, if they are to be sacrificed at the
shrine of poUtical expediency ? Even Locke, as we see,
made truth partial, limited its range, confined it to classes.
Liberty, even with its greatest champion, only meant liberty
for men of a certain colour ; while these sons of freedom
themselves might be permitted to perpetrate the most
cruel wrong within the power of man, by enslaving their
fellow-creatures. Here, then, strange to say, we have reli-
gion and philosophy uniting to inflict this most execrable
of all villanies — religion in the persons of expatriated Puri-
tans, Calvinists, Huguenots, and Quakers ; and philosophy in
the embodied sentiments of Shaftesbury and Locke. Truth
comes slowly to man ; and it should seem that neither deep
misfortunes on the one hand, nor profound knowledge on the
other, can be a suflicient guarantee of its claims and rights.

r¥.

XII. The next Annual Conference is that of Geoboia.
Within the boundaries of this conference we find eight dis-
tricts : Augusta, Athens, Gainsville, Marietta, La Grange,
Macon, Columbus, Jeffetsonville : one hundred and one sta-
tions, circuits, and missions ; one hundred and twenty-six
ministers ; (local preachers not given ;) fifty-seven thousand

338

TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV.

one hundred and sixty-seven church-members. Among
these church-members we find sixteen thousand and sixty-
two people of colour. This is gratifjring.

The slavery of Georgia has been progressing. In 1790,
the numbers are reported as 29,264 ; and in 1840, they are
swollen up to 253,532. This is fearful ; but the horror is
mitigated by the fact of so many being, as we hope, free-
men in Christ.

Georgia is interesting to all the followers of John Wes-
ley, inasmuch as it is the place to which he went as a mis-
sionary to the Indians. Poor Indians! where are they now '?
No missionary is needed in Georgia for their benefit. Ho
says, in the first paragraph of his Journal : —

" Mr. Benjamin Ingham, of Queen's College, Oxford, Mr. Charles
]>cIamotte, son of a merchant in London, who had offered himscli'
some days before, my brother Charles Wesley, and myself, took boat
for Gravesend, in order to embark for Georgia. Our end in Icavin,^'
our native country, was not to avoid want, (God having given us
plenty of tempc:al blessings,) nor to gain die dung or dross of riches
or honour; but singly this, to save our souls, to live wholly to tli(f
j4lory of God." — ^Wesley's Works, vol. i, p. 17.

He tells us, under the date of February 6th, 1736 : —

^ About eight in the morning, wc first set foot on American gi'ound.
It was a small uninhabited island, over against Tyber. Mr. Ogle-
thorpe led us to a rising ground, where we all kneeled down to give
thanks." — Wesley's Works, vol. i, p. 23.

This act of religious worship consecrated the commence-
ment of his interesting sojourn in this place. He remarks
iiorain, under date

" February 29th — When I left England, I was chiefly afraid of two
things ; one, that I should never again have so many faithful friendf?
as I left there ; the otiicr, that the spark of love which began to kin-
tile in their hearts would cool and die away. But who knoweth tlic
mercy and power of God ? From ten friends I am a while secUulcil,
and he hath opened me a door into a whole Church. And as to tlic
very persons I left behind, his Spirit is gone forth so much the more.
teaching them not to trust in man, but in Him that I'aiseth the (lend.
and calleth the ' things that are not, as though they were.' " — Weshi/a
TFw*8, p. 26. . ... ., , .;..;-,..

TERRITORIAL PROQRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 339

There is much to interest, much to meditate upon, in
these few words. This apparent accident mentioned, — " He
hath opened me a door into a whole Church," — b, in truth,
the germinant fact of all Methodism. He refers to the
Moravian Church, many of whose members he sailed with
from England, observed their spirit with more than admi-
ration, conversed with them on matters of experimental
religion, and engaged in some of then* services. These were,
among the circumstances which led to his own conversion.
And now, in the wilds of Georgia, he had the opportunity,
of seeing their church order, witnessing their religious
exercises, and entering into a free conversation with many
of their best and holiest ministers, on questions of doctrine
— and especially on the most vital of all — that of justifying
faith. This connexion of Mr. Wesley with the Moravian
Church, constituted the providential instrumentality in
leading him to adopt his most fondly cherished notions of
personal piety, and the religious life ; to see much of the
most elevated and spiritual portions of religious practice,
which he afterwards adopted as essential, and embodied
in his various institutions; and to embrace from their
model most of the disciplinary and organic portions of
his own system. It led, no doubt, to the idea of the
societies which he established, and which became so
important an element in his work, and so mighty an
instrumentality in the progress of religion ; — ^all these
things, so vital in Methodism, were, evidently, more or
less, connected with his partial union with the Moravian
Church in Georgia. He had, indeed, formed a small soci-
ety, as he calls it. in Oxford, in 1729 ; but this consisted
of members of the University only ; and though religious
exerdses wer6 connected with their meetings, yet they par-
took very much of a litei:ary character. The first Method-
ist society ever formed among the people, and for their
benefit, was in Georgia. On this subject, he says, under
date ,,..... ,,-.. .,. ,

■Jic

M..

d40

TOUR IN AMERICA.—PART IV.

** Saturday, April 17tih.— Not finding as yet any door open for the
pursuing our main design, we considered in what lAannor wo might
be most useful to the little flock at Savannah. And wo agreed, 1,
To advise the more serious among them to form themselves into ii
sort of ' little society,' and to meet once or twice a week, in order to
reprove, instruct, and exhort one another. 2. To select out of tliCMC
a smaller number for a more intimate union with each other ; which
might be forwarded, partly by conversing singly with each, and
partly by inviting them all together to our house. And this iir*
cordingly we determined to do every Sunday in the afternoon."—
Wesley's Works, vol. i. p. 30.

Accordingly, in his " Short History of the People called

Methodists," we find him saying, —

" On Monday, May 1st, 1738, our little society began in Londott.
But it may be observed, the first rise of Methodism, so called, wns
in November, 1729, when four of us met together at Oxford; tlu
second was at Savannah, in April, 1736, when twenty or thirty per-
sons met at my house ; the last was in London, on this day, when
forty or fifty of us agreed to meet together eveiy Wednesday eve-
ning, in order to a free conversation, begun and ended with singhig
iuid prayer. In all our steps" (he means in this last organization)
" we were greatly assisted by the advice and exhortations of Peter
Bolder, an excellent young man, belonging to the society commonly
railed Moravians."

It is evident from this that the first Methodist society, in
the popular sense of the expression — that is, a society of the
j)oople themselves — was formed by John Wesley himself In
America. The historical fact is interestmg, though no
iloubt the "little society" soon became extinct on Mr,
Wesley's departure. Whitefield, indeed, laboured in these
parts afterwards, and founded his celebrated Orplinn*
House ; but it was not the practice of this eminent preaobcr
to institute or foster societies. Conceiving his mission to
be rather prophetic than pastoral, he contented himself
with the delivery of his message, without attempting to
constitute church organizations. The efiect of this hn8
been disastrous to the permanency of his work. The
mighty impression made by his powerful ministry often
evaporated, like " the dew of the morning," for the want

TERRITORIAL PROORESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 841

of a conserving power in the form of religious societies.
When this was not the case, as in individual awakenings
and conversions, the parties were obliged to seek commu-
nion in otier churches ; so that their numbers were swell-
ed, and their power greatly increased, by the itmerant
labours of this eminent man.

We are naturally interested in the religious history of
Savannah, where, as we see, the first popular Methodist
society was formed. The traditions of the place respecting
Mr. Wesley would be interesting, and probably not favour-
able either to his fair name or his cause. He had greatly
offended the people by his rigorous conduct in relation to
the rubrics, canons, and services of the Church ; insisting
on baptizing their children by immersion, and. compelling
them to observe the very letter of the law oii all points of
ceremony. This would have been sufficiently biu-densome
in an old, weU-trained parish ; but in a new place, made up
of emigrants from every quarter, of every kind of senti-
ment, and, it is to be supposed, of somewhat lax habits,
such sort of discipline became intolerable. He gives the
following account himself: —

" Observing much coldness in Mr. C 's (probably Mr. Csuston,

the chief magistrate of Savannah) behaviour, I asked the reason of
it. He answered, ' I like nothing you do. All your sermons are
satires upon particular persons, therefore I will never hear you
more ; and all the people are of my mind, for we won't hear ourselves
abused. Besides, they say they are Protestants : but as for you, they
cannot tell what religion you are of. They never heard of such a
religion before. They do not know what to make of it. And then
your private behaviour : all the quarrels that have been here since
you came have been long of you. Indeed, there is neither man nor
woman in the town who minds a word you say. And so you may
preach long enough ; bat nobody will come to hear you.* **

There is no doubt much exaggeration and passion in
this, but some truth. Mr. Wesley was now " under the
law;" his preaching and entire conduct, public and pri-
vate, were such as to produce exasperation. A conviction
of sin, without any antidote, any remedy — law without

842

TOUR IN AMIRIOA.— PARI IV.

gospel— can only irritate, produce wounds which it cannot
heal.

It is possible that the traditions of the place may
have something to do with the antipathy manifested
against Methodism}, as related by its historian, Dr. Bangs.
He says : —

" After hard toiling, they finally sneceeded, by soliciting aid from
varioiu parts of the country, in erecting a honse of worship in 1EI12,
which was dedicated to the service of Almighty GK)d by ^shop As-
bury, and was called Wesley Chapel. This took place about serenty-
fire years after the town was visited by John Wesley ; and the apiiut
which vented itself in opposition to Iiim seems to have descended to
their posterity, and shown itself in similar acts of hostility to his fol-
lowers: yet, by patient perseverance in well-doing, this prejudice
has been measurably overcome, and the cause of Methodism lias
taken firm stand in Sifannah, and is exerting a salutar}' influence,
on its citizens." >

Yet this " salutary influence" seems very limited to this
day. Dr. Pierce, who is well acquainted with Savannah
and the whole of Georgia, told me that the society and
congregation still remained very meagre ; that the opposi-
tion to Methodism is still most decided ; that the people
continued to worship in a small and poor place, the one
probably above referred to ; and that, altogether, the work
continues in a depressed and langubhing state.

. But notwithstanding this hostility of Savannah, we find
that Georgia, in general, has received the gospel at the
hands of the followers of John Wesle" ya a pretty large
scale.

We have the following in connexion with this Confer*
ence: — ^Emory College, Aug. B. Longstreet, Alexander
Means, Qeorge W. Lane, 0. L. Smith, William I. Parks,
Agent for Emory College.

It is g^tifying to find another of these institutioijis, and
so well and efficiently manned with officers. But we have
another minute : Thomas C. Stanley, chaplain in the United
States' navy. I heard that this is a sinecure. The gentle-

TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 348

man occupying this poft is required to make atham voyage
or two, to qufidify himself for the office of chaplain of tht>
United States' navy ; but when the post is attained, very
little duty is expected. As chaplain, Mr. Stanley is not re-
quired to go to sea ; his quarters are somewhere on shore ;
and if he performs any duty at all, it is in connexion with
some dockyard or naval station.

The design in noticing this appointment is not, however,
to point out these circumstances, but to show how Method-
ism stands with respect to the State. At Washington we
found a minister of this Church occupying Ihe position of
chaplain to the Congress, and now we find another chap-
lain to the United States' navy. The good people of Eng-
land would be astonished if the Gazette should announce
that some Methodist preacher was appointed chaplain in
the royal navy, having his residence at Deptford, with pay,
rations, and rank as an officer ; and, moreover, having the
right to be saluted as such by every jack-tar and sentinel
on duty. This would look strange indeed. Such is the
diflference betwixt the position of Methodism in America
and in England. We say nothing respecting which is
right and which is wrong ; but the difference is palpable
enough.

XIII. The Florida Conference follows that of Georgia.
We find in this ecclesiastical boundary four districts,
namely, Quincy, Tallahassee, Netonansville, and St.
Mary's : thirty-three stations, circuits, and missions, thirty-
two ministers, with seventy-four local preachers ; and six
thousand seven hundred and twenty-nine church-members,
two thousand seven hundred and thirty-six of whom are
people of colour.

It will' be seen by these numbers, that no very great pro-
gress has been made in Florida. This will be accounted
for by the fact, that this region was originally colonized by
the Spaniards ; and the bulk of the population must, to

844 TOUR IN AMIRIOA.— PART IV.

Uiis day, be of that nation. Theft people are, wherever
found, ignorant, besotted, superstitious Roman Catho-
lics. Their superstition, indeed, seems to be a part of
themselves. It is a question whether there exists a single
church of real evangelical Spanish Christians in any part of
the world. Whether they are paying the penalties due to
infinite justice and outraged humanity, for the crimes of
the Inquisition ; whether Popery has so seized all the pow-
ers of their intellectual and moral nature, by its traditions,
dogmas, and confessional, as to render them incapable of
receiving the truth of Qod ; or whether the Spaniard is
naturally and essentially a superstitious animal — seems
difficult to say. But in the whole world, wherever he is
found, he is true to his idolatry. Had we the complete
history of the case before us, no doubt it would be foun^
that the Popery of Florida had, as in other places, proved
impervious even to the energetic zeal of American Me-
thodism.

We present the result of our inquiries with respect to
the several conferences on this line of coast, in a tabular
view.

All the following tables contain, in the different columns,
an enumeration of the conferences, diatricta, circvita, (in-
cluding atationa and miaaiwia,) miniatera, aupemumeraries,
local preachera, and members.

Conferences. Dist. Circuits. Ministers. Local Pr. Members.

Maine 6 162 161 167 20,448

New-Hampshire 3 78 81 64 10,448

New-England .. 8 117 108 76 13,381

Providence 3 112 112 72 14,429

New- York 8 216 254 220 46,748

New-Jersey ... 6 112 152 194 29,590

Philadelphia ..6 112 156 208 40,289

Baltimore 8 140 229 280 68.725

Virginia 6 77 96 165 28^457

North Carolina 5 58 75 139 20,308

South Carolina 6 75 108 Not given 65,160

Georgia 8 102 126 Not given 57.161

Florida ......4 33 32 74 6^729

73 1,394 1,690 1,659 405,541

are, wherever
>man Catho-
be a part of
xists a single
n any part of
nalties due to
the crimes of
I all the pew-
its traditions,
incapable of
) Spaniard is
nimal — seems
herever he is
the complete
aid be foun^
laces, proved
merican Me*

^h respect to
in a tabular

'ent columns,
ircuits, (in-
niumeraries,

Pr.

n
in

Members.
20,448
10,448
13,381
14,429
46,748
39,590
40,289
68,725
28,457
20,308
65,160
67.161
6,729

405,541

TERBITOBUL PBOORBSS 07 THE M. B. OBUROH. 845

Two facts appear on the face of thia tabular view : the
first is, that the number of local preachers in these confer-
ences, as compared with the same class of agents in this
country, is very small. How this is to be accounted for, I
do not exactly know ; but believe that the American Me-
thodists support a regular ministry on a much larger scale
than is done in this country. For instance : in the English
Minutes for 1848, we have reported, as the aggregate num-
ber of members in England, 338,861 ; short of the numbers
on the Atlantic seaboard conferences, by 66,680. In con-
nexion with these 338,861 members in England, we ha\ ^ 880
ministers engaged ; while the pastoral oversight of 40/^, 641
members in these American conferences engages 1,60(>
ministers, which is nearly double the ratio among oursel/es.

The second fact is, that two or three of the confer-
ences in the slave States present a much greater number
of members, taking population as the rule, white and
coloured, than any other. This throws some gleams of
light upon the state of things, and holds out the promise
that at some period or another, if the gospel itself does not
become enslaved, a change will take place, and Christianity
will enfranchise this class of our fellow-believers in the
lights of freedom.

This territorial extension, we must recollect, is not an
ideal thing, a scheme to be accomplished, a project exist-
ing in the brain, or in the books and calculations of some
theorist; a platform or basis on which to erect a building.
It is a reality, a positive occupancy of four hundred thou-
sand square miles of country by the institutions of a living
Church. But how occupied ? By men holdvig this parti^
cular faith in the numbers specified. Ik a constitute the
power of the Church, as they do that of the State. In case
these persons are really imbued with the spirit of true
religion ; with the great conceptions of the gospel ; with a
strong and vivid faith in the divinity of Christianity, and
its high and glorious destiny ; — if they are so actuated, can

16*

346

TOUR IN AMERICA. — ^PART IV.

they live in the midst of the general population without
producing a mighty impression ? But are these individuals
so influenced, so actuated ? If activity in reUgion, devoted-
ness to its interests, self-denying exertions and sacrifices,
costly contributions and zealous support, are evidence of a
profound conviction, then they certainly present this proof
of sincerity and sound faith.

But we have not only men devoted to God and his cause,
but institutions calculated in every way to consolidate this
living thought, this active piety. Institutions are essential
to the stability and permanency of any interest ; and with-
out them the work of the mind, and even the feelings and
sentiments of religion, must soon evaporate. There have
been, at different times and places, noble fruits of religious
feeling ; blessed visitations from God ; profound movements
on the minds and hearts of large masses of men : but, for
the want of suitable institutions, all this has passed away,
sometimes in one generation.

We may judge pretty accurately of the probable desti-
nies and progress of a people by their organizations.
Everything which has obtained any footing or strength in
the world, has gained these advantages by these means.
That which has distinguished Methodism in all places is,
among other things, its uniform and universal attempt to
institute means for the consolidation and progress of its
work. It never reckons on anything permanently useful,
except with the preaching of the gospel it can establish its
polity.

This, it must be confessed, is wise, and in perfect agree-
ment with the primitive practice of the Church, as well as
with the analogies furnished from other quarters. But it
is one of the conditions of our state that things in them-
selves good, proper, and even divine, by excess become
mischievoYis. The Church has invariably, in all ages, ruined
itself. Aud the ruin has generally approached through an
excess of tinkering at its polity. Institutions, in the begin-

"■yi

TERRITORIAL PROGRESS 07 THE M. E. CHURCH. 847

ning both Christian and necessary, have become, in the
hands of thoughtless, often of designing, occupants, snug,
tight, circumscribed things ; the centres of power, instead
of light ; the means of oppression, instead of blessing; the
machinery of depression, of suppression, and of immoderate
and universal control, instead of expansion and progress.
Whilst institutions are retained in their freshness, purity,
and vigour, they are of infinite service ; but when they lose
these qualities, and become the instruments of selfishness
and ambition, they not only lose their power for good, but
they become absolutely ruinous.

In passing, it may be as well to say, that in a system of
religion such as ours, in which Societies, Committees, Con-
ferences, and all manner of institutions are so much in use,
a danger will arise, perhaps has arisen. There is the dan-
ger of tmsting in them. This cannot be done without such
an affront being offered to God as must cause him to frown,
to perplex, to chasten, and, if persisted in, to forsake.
There is the danger of destroying individual power, intelli-
gence, and activity. The tendency of government by insti-
tutions is to cut all men down to one common level, to make
them work within the limits of some miserable hue of cir-
cumvallation, and to press them within the dimensions of
the canons and laws of the institute. Hence, in this state
of things, there is no scope for faith, for any teaching of
God, for any inspirations of love, any bursts of ardent zeal.
The best men are those who creep along the line, who
serve God and their generation by the human canons thus
prepared, who study their duties, not in the light of Scrip-
ture, the visions of eternity, the great designs of the gos-
pel, or the miseries, groans, and dangers of a suffering
world; but, in that of the code, the pandects of a society.
All this is mischievous, is absolui/ely destructive. Insti-
tutions ought to be a focus of diffusive light and intelli-
gence, not of darkness and death ; they ought to contain in
them the pulse, not. of stagnation, but of life, beating con-

348

TOUR IN America:— PART iv.

«£,..

stantly, and sending out its vitality to every part of the
body ; they ought to encourage and foster everything spi-
ritual, pious, holy, designed for the spread of truth, and
the evangelization of the world, and not discourage and
quench the zeal of good men. By some means, a Church
ought to possess two great elements at the same time, —
order and liberty. Institutions which secure order without
giving liberty, gain their point, so far as this one thing is
considered ; but it is the order of death. Tliought, genius,
principle, faith, love ; — ^all, in fact, which makes the man,
or constitutes the Christian, is buried in one grave ; and
then the inactivity is called " order." It is, indeed, order
with a witness ! So is the silence of the churchyard. The
dead trouble nobody, except the affrighted child and wo-
man, who, as they trip along in the dusk of the evening^
imagining the appearance of a ghost, " whistle to keep their
courage up."

These sons of order and men of business in Christianity
are always a second-rate set. They are never found guilty
of a noble conception, a fine flow of feeling, a generous sym-
pathy, an heroic act. Whether their one idea has origin-
ate in themselves, or whether it is the offspring of another
brain, (which is generally the case,) they are a perfect uni-
ty. The idea is the man, find him where you may, and the
man is the idea. Let this man of business be followed any-
where, and he is still at his task. He gives his jaded soul
no respite. He is poring at his accounts, mending his ma-
chinery, examining how his appliances will answer, trying
whether he can fit in some new stave to the wheel ; and,
with all his dexterity, is ever endeavouring to make his grap-
pling-irons sharp, and long enough to reach and torment
everybody. "What, then," it is exclaimed, "are we to
have no order?" Yes; such order as comports with the
development of the faculties, the exercise of all the graces
of religion, the supremacy of the word of God. The l-'ws
of God are all true and exact ; but they are so made to

TERRITORIAL PROORESS 09 THE M. E. CHURCH. 349

operate as to give expansion to every created thing, up to
the full elevation of its nature. The institutions of the
Church ought to embrace this principle. It is infinitely
better to have some disorder, with piety and life, than to
have the most perfect order without progress.

Every one of the things above mentioned, may be consi-
dered in the light of an institution. Each building, called
a church in America, is secured to the people by law ;
while these people themselves will be found to exist as a
little community, with their rights, duties, and interests all
defined and represented, and, moreover, managed by com-
petent officers. A station, a circuit, or a mission, is not a
place of resort for a migratory tribe of rambling religion-
ists, who just assemble now and then, as inclination or
caprice may dictate. One of these ecclesiastical depart-
ments — parishes they would be called in ancient times —
is, in fact, an organization for promoting the service of God
on the one part, and the spiritual happiness of the people
on the other. We see that there are thirteen hundred of
these institutions scattered up and down in this portion of
the American population. These centres of living Chris-
tians, of gospel light, of intelligent piety, of active zeal
and aggressive energy, cannot be without power. In fact,
it is at this point that we must look for the real, the living
influence of the system. Other arrangements may blend
the masses, link the separate societies together, lock the
arms of the trees into one immense and widely extended
foi'est ; but the real life and force of the organization will
be found to exist in the several stations and circuits.
Whilst these belong to the whole Church, to the great
aggregation, they are free in their individual action. From
.. 'i union with the body, they derive encouragement and
moral support, as is always the case when societies feeble
in themselves inhere in some large and vigorous confedera-
tion ; but then they possess a capacity for much separate
jjsefulness from their individual freedom.

350

lOVR IS AMERICA.— PART IV.

We have only to look at this question by the light of
other interests. In case some general theory or doctrine,
of political or any other science, had succeeded in organiz-
ing for its support and propagation some thirteen hundred
separate institutions, with three parts of a million of the
people; whilst these people devoted their intelligence,
their labour, and a good portion of their wealth, for the
support and extension of this cause, should we not imagine
' it to possess great advantages, and the prospect of perma-
nent success ? So it is, as we think, with these churches.
They rest on a solid basis, they have become a part of
the spiritual and moral life of society, they are dovetailed
into its other arrangements, they belong to the soil itself,
they communicate and receive nutriment from all things
around them, and they are rendered vital by the truth
which is in them.

We generally speak of the institutions of a Church as
something distinct from the Church itself; whereas, the
view just given supposes any local church to be a religious
institution. And yet it must be conceded, that some things
connected with the Church look hke institutions growing
out of its organization. What is either the district or the
conference but an offshoot of this sort? Of course, we
speak of the conference proper, the assembly of ministers,
and not of the topical use of the term as applied to territory.
This conference is an institution of the Church, contrived
as an organ of its action, under certain conditions. But the
Church might exist without it, just as an empire might ex-
ist under one chief, instead of being organized under king,
lords, and commons.

The tendency, nay, the very genius, of Methodism, is to
build institutions upon the truth it holds. In some sort, it
is a religion of institutions; it finds an organization for every
purpose ; it deposits everything in an institution. Its doc-
trines, so far as man is concerned in their conser\'ation, are
intrusted to the care of institutions ; its church-membership

TERRITOBJAL PROQRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 351

is an incorporation founded on rules and laws ; its ministers
constitute a common brotherhood, resting on reciprocal
rights, all defined and understood ; its government is in the
hands of various bodies, either bearing the name or analo-
gous to committees or conferences. The world is not more
fully and completely parcelled out into governmental de-
partments, whether named counties, parishes, hundreds,
tithings ; and these, again, are not more perfectly pervaded
with various centres of authority and power, for purposes
of administration and government, than is Methodism. It
is not a religious opinion loosely floating on the breeze ; it
is not a random and eccentric flow of feeling and zeal ; it is
not a wide-spread moral wave, ebbing and flowing with the
seasons ; it is not the casual and disconnected existence of
many thousands of enthusiastic people, flyin^ here and
there through society, like George Fox and the old Friends,
dehvering their testimony, and then departing. No ; it is
not this. In its best state it is full of feeling, of energy,
of faith, of holiness, of good works. It is soul as well as
body. It is animated by a living, thrilling, beating pulsa-
tion of piety. Its love is of the most ethereal as well as
practical kind ; embracing the Saviour and the souls of men.
But, then, while Methodism is spirit and life, it has shown
itself to be wise and judicious ; inasmuch as it has every-
where done its best to render its truths, its spirit, and its
work permanent, by connecting the whole with appropri-
ate institutions.

Then, in looking at the territorial position and power of
Methodism in the States we have had under review, a most
inadequate conception on the subject would be attained, if
the mere numbers of the people were alone regarded.
This would be to consider them an unarmed and helpless
set of savkges ; like the Indian tribes, to be driven from
their territorial possessions by the force and influence of
some future aggressive movement of Christianity. Their
connexion with the country is of a very differept nature

sMtum.

862

TOUR IN AMBBIOA.— FART IV.

to this. They have taken root in the soil, in the social
state. Men die off, human life is a fleetmg vapour, gene-
rations pass away ; but institutions outlive these ravages of
time.

But they not only continue, they collect around them, —
they rather embrace within their enclosure new generations
as they come into being. Individual man, in his isolation,
solitude, and sorrows, looks abroad for some resting-place,
and is glad to connect himself with a Church which
promises him permanent help and guidance in his passage
to eternity. In some sense, truth, knowledge, religious
ideas and sentiments, — which are embedded in permanent
institutions, — ^may be said to be fastened to society, as the
trees of the forest to their earthy home. It is true, all this
may exist in a ver^ inert and lifeless state, as has often^
been the case ; and yet, when the seed is found in the
earth, there is some chance that the genial rains and sun-
shine of heaven may reach and bring it to maturity; where-
as, if not there at all, these powers of nature could not
draw forth the ear or ripen the harvest. Where institu-
tions are not established, everything depends on individual
character and exertions ; and when living men are not
found to maintain and propagate the truth, it must be alto-
gether banished; but when they exist, though in them-
selves insufficient, yet still a basis is found, a testimony is
borne, a standard continues unfurled ; and, although the
depression may remain through a long and dreary winter,
yet still, in time, a season of " refreshing will come from
the presence of the Lord." '

The point of interest, then, is, that, besides the thousands
of living men professing the Methodist faith on the Atlantic
seaboard, these people have adopted means to conserve
and propagate their doccrines; to carry on a constant
aggressive evangelization amongst the unconverted and
thoughtless ; to promote and extend, by the vigorous use
of the press, their sentunents and views on religious ques-

TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 853

tions ; and to raise the standard of intelligence and know-
ledge by a collegiate course of education; and then to
govern and direct the whole to a good and useful practical
result, by a minute and local or a general system of govern-
ment, as the case may be. This form of Methodism shows
that it has taken root in the country, and is not likely soon
to be destroyed. For good or for evil, this form of the
Christian f^th is likely to remain an element of American
society in all time to come. Its principles, its men, its or-
ganization, and its institutions, must have their share in
fashioning the destinies of the American people. A wild
outburst of religious effervescence will soon be over ; and,
like the course of the vessel on the sea, no trace be left be-
hind in a very short period. This has been considered the
character and the destiny of Methodism by many erroneous
and bigoted observers. Its history has not shown it to be
of this ephemeral nature anywhere ; and whatever may be
its destmy in the Old World, most assuredly it is not Ukely
to have this fate in the New.

In the aspect in which we are considering it, the Method-
ist Church is now favoured beyond anything we can con-
ceive by the conditions of the country. In establishing
territorial mstitutions, it will be seen at once, that the sue •
cess must depend very much upon the occupancy or the
non-occupancy of the soil. Where a territorial Church is
found with prescriptive rights, ecclesiastical arrangements,
embracing the whole country, a numerous clergy, strong
public prejudices in its favour, and a long traditional ce-
lebrity, — ^where all this is found, it is evident that a new
territorial organization must meet with great obstructions
in its progress. Nothing of this sort existed, in the com-
mencement of Methodism, at all in some parts of America,
and in the old States only to a very limited degree.

What, then, in this state of things, should prevent
Methodist institutions from obtaining a permanent footing
in a country so circumstanced ? In themselves they possess

854

TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV.

a conservative principle, which tends to consolidation ; so
that the only question is, as to whether they; are adapted
to the civil state, the genius of the people, the spirit of the
age, and the wants of the country. Religion, it is true, as
a divine and spiritual dispensation, will continue in all its
freshness and glory forever, in despite of anything exter-
nal and human. But it is different with organizations.
These must be adapted to the circumstances adverted to.
or otherwise they will be abandoned by the people, and,
as a consequence, decay. For the want of this principle
of adaptation, many great combinations of social, political,
and religious power have fallen beneath the pressure of
changes and revolutionary tendencies, which the progress
of time and events has rendered inevitable. As this has
been the fate of so many massive edifices, it is but too pos-'
sible that, at some time or another, it will be the case with
the polity of this Church. But this day has not yet ar*
rived, and is not likely soon to appear.

One of the main features of our system hitherto has been
its power of adaptation, its elastic spring. This, again,
arises from keeping clear of divine-right theories and max-
ims in matters which have been left as indifferent. Method-
ism holds nothing but the truth, the gospel itself, as pro-
perly divine. Having never considered one of its conclaves,
like a Popish council, as in possession of inspired wisdom,
it has never held that the decrees of these bodies are in-
fallible, and consequently divine. Popery has split on this
rock. Its infallibility, it is true, has been a great power in
its hands : it has done prodigious service in its time. But
it entirely annihilates the principle of adaptation, except by
evasions. The papacy is fastened to this dogma ; it cannot
alter, and must, sooner or later, be destroyed. This free-
dom is one of the safeguards, as well as one of the mightiest
instruments of Christianity itself. Holding the doctrines of
the gospel firmly, tenaciously, faithfully ; yet still we con-
sider ourselves at perfect liberty respecting the mode and

TBRRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THB M. E. CHURCH. 855

means of making them known. The conduits, the pipes by
which the waters of life are conveyed to an arid world,
have never been confounded with the waters themselves.
By just adhering to this simple maxim, a freedom of action
is secured, that enables the Church to do the work of the
Lord in any place, and in the midst of every variety of con-
dition in which a people may be found.

But the aggressive spirit of the system is admirably fitted
to meet the wants of a new country. This one character-
istic has carried it to its present point of progress, and must
cany it much farther. Besides, a body which is always
in motion must possess the habit of activity. Nothing can
be well stagnant in a Church which is constantly ebbing
and flowing, like the tides of the oceim, by reason of its
itinerancy. But this wonderfully agrees with the American
spirit. To aim at progress, onward adventure, new acqui-
sitions, greater scope, unexplored territory, are the very
elements of American character. These passions and tastes
seem almost to belong to his being, to be a part of himself.
What kind of church-order or ministry can be so perfectly
fitted to meet all this as an itinerant system? The two
things might have been made for each other, they so ad-
mirably fit. Even the episcopacy of the Church is con-
ceived in the same spuit. The Methodist bishop is, of all
men, full of enterprise, and is constantly in motion. He is a
bishop that he may oversee. Instead of being confined to
any particular locality, he is found everywhere, to the very
extremities of the country, seeking the scattered flock of
Christ, and looking diligently after those who are within
the fold. The distant prairies and settlements of the " far
west," the wigwams of the Indians in their far-oflf territories,
the huts and the plantations occupied by the negro race —
all witness the presence and labours of the bishop. His
business is to lead on the militant host of God's elect to
new enterprises and labours. His prerogatives are not de-
signed to exact obedience, to subdue and intimidate, but to

856

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.->PART IV.

inspirit to fresh zeal and devotion to the cause of Ood. It
is not his calling to " eat the flesh and warm himself in the
wool of the flock/' but to go before them in tHe wilderness,
allure them to green pastures, and " feed them with the
finest of the wheat." Thus, as far as can be perceived, the
institutions of this Church, and the wants and spirit of the
country, are in perfect harmony. Only let the truth and
Spirit of God imbue and live in these institutions, and then
they are not only safe from decay, but they must accom-
plish their purpose in diffusing true religion and virtue
through the entire country for ages and generations to
come.

n.— THE HUDSON AND LAKE LINR

In prosecuting our territorial survey of the Methodist!
Church, we now enter upon the line of the Hudson and
the Lakes. By an examination of the map, it will be seen
that this marks out a distinct portion of the States, and
furnishes a convenient division for our purpose.

In passing from the seacoast into the interior, by this
route, the results will be found much the same as on the
Atlantic line. The country itself is amongst the most beau-
tiful and fertile portions of the States. Many parts of it
are highly cultivated ; fine arable and meadow land, water-
ed, as is usual in America, by innumerable rivers and
streams, everywhere meets the eye ; hills of every eleva-
tion, covered with trees and foliage, rich with various hues
and fragrance, rise to adorn the landscape,; and as far as
such a fact can be attested by appearances, a thriving and
happy population is rapidly filling the country.

All this territory is occupied by the Methodist Church.
Its enterprising evangelists have entered every open door.
A little time ago the whole presented the aspect of a mis-
sion, an enterprise, a trial for occupancy; but now the
Church presents the appearance of a quiet, peaceful, and
settled power. Along this line, and the country adjacent,

TBRRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHUROU. 867

it will be found, on examination, that a complete eccledas-
tical organization has been formed, and that the ministry
and religious ordinances of the body pervade the entire
country; and, moreover, as the system is everywhere
voluntary, it follows that great numbers of the people be-
long to the community, else its institutions could not exist.

I. About six miles north of Albany stands the city of
Troy, which gives its name to a conference. Why Troy,
instead of Albany, should have been fixed upon, when the
latter is the metropolitan city of the State of New- York,
and much larger than Troy, it is difficult to say.

Connected with tho Troy Conference we find seven dis
tricts, — Troy, Albany, Saratoga, Poultney, Burlington,
Plattshurgh, St. Allan's ; one hundred and thirty -eight
stations, circuits, and missions; one hundred and ninety
ministers, with one hundred and thirty-eight local preach-
ers ; twenty-five thousand three hundred and twenty-seven
church-members ; ninety-seven only of whom are people of
colour.

We find the following stations : — Troy Conference Aca-
demy, J. T. Peck, principal ; R. Q. Mason, teacher. The
above Dr. Jesse T. Peck is brother of Dr. George Peck,
now editor of the Christian Advocate, and is a gentleman
of fine talents and much energy. He was chosen one of
the secretaries of the last General Conference at Pitts-
burgh, and discharged its duties with excellent tact and
ability.

The work in this locality commenced in 1788. I find
a conference was held in Albany in 1*791 ; but the term
" conference," at that time, does not seem to indicate a
territorilal division — a diocese — but simply a meeting of
preachers, for the transaction of business.

II. The Vermont Conferekoe is the next in topographi-
cal order in our hne. This is a small ecclesiastical sectkm,

868

TOUR IN AMBRICA.— PART IV.

and only embraces a few places. We have three districts;
namely, Mbntpelier, Danville, Springjield : sixty-four sta-
tions, circuits, and missions; seventy-one ministers, with
forty-six local preachers ; and seven thousand nine hundred
and fifty-three church-members.

We have the following appointment noted : H. C. Wood,
Principal of the Springfield Wesleyan Seminary.

Methodism was introduced into this State m 1704.

III. We now come to the Black River Confbrknce.
In connexion with this conference we have six districts ;
namely. Borne, St/raeuae, Oewego, Adams, Watertown, and
Pottadam : ninety-three stations, circuits, and missions; one
hundred and thirteen ministers, with one hundred and forty-
five local preachers; and fifteen thousand nine hundred
and seventeen church-members ; twenty only being people
of colour.

It will be seen that this conference, like that of Troy,
does not take its name from any State; and, to a stranger,
there is some difficulty in fixing its exact locality. The
' names of the stations are so curious, and so few of them
can be found on the best maps, that were it not just for the
discovery of one or two of the most prominent, one might
be left in the dark altogether respecting this Black River
Conference.

Black River empties itself into Lake Ontario, and flows
in a somewhat northerly direction from the interior of the
State of New- York. Sackett's Harbor, one of the stations
of this^ conference, is nearly opposite Kingston, on the
Canadian side of Lake Ontaiio, as are Mexico and Oswego,
two other stations. This ecclesiastical division of the terri-
tory of the State of New- York skirts the above beautiful
lake at a point which brings the American and Canadian
bodies into pretty close contiguity to each other. We know
of no bitterness or strife ; all is harmony and concord be-
twixt the two Churches,

■^*9

TERRITORIAL PROORESS OF THE M. E. CUUROU. 850

The numbers found on this conference division, — fifteen
thousand nine hundred and seventeen, — just at a point
where the northern extremity of the State of New- York
abuts upon the Ontario Lake, and exactly opposite to the
Canadian shore, indicate a fact which has been before
referred to, and may be worth looking at again. It relates
to the contrast in population and progress in the two coun-
tries. It will be found, on examination, that, in the same
space in Canada which is occupied by this Black River
Conference, there are scarcely as many hundreds of mem-
bers as there are thousands on the American side. How
is this ? Certainly not because the Canadian preachers are
less laborious, or that there is a less disposition in the peo-
ple to embrace their doctrines and fellowship. The case
is to be accounted for on a perfectly different principle ;
namely, the wonderful difference betwixt the population,
the activity, and the progress of the American State, as
contrasted with the British colony. The soil, the climate —
indeed, all the elements of social improvement, are as great
on the Canadian side as on that of America ; but the differ-
ence, iu point of fact, is prodigious.

It is not for us to speculate on the causes of this differ-
ence. They are, however, easily seen and understood on
the spot. We perceive, in this case, that population and
Methodism in the States go on concurrently : considering
the comparatively recent ingress of any large amount of peo-
ple towards this frontier of the Union, it is amazing how
great and mighty the amount of advancement they have
made. The harbours and shores of these lakes — these
inland seas — are being filled up by an energetic race, who are
laying the foundations of an extended trade and commerce,
only second to that which is seen on the Atlantic seaboard,
or that which is carried on on the waters of the Mississippi.
It is cheering to the philanthropist and the Christian to
perceive, that this new population does not settle down in
a state of heathenism. The preaching of the gospel, the

360

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.— PART IV.

ordinances of the Churcli, and the appliances of education
and knowledge, are all finding their way, and becoming
living elements of the growing and expanding civilization.

We have no fewer than three notices of educational in-
stitutions in this conference : — Mexico Academy, to be sup-
plied ; Gouvemeur Wesleyan Seminary, J. W. Armstrong ;
John Dempster, Professor of Theology in the Methodist
Biblical Institute, Concord, New-Hampshire.

It was the writer's happiness to meet with Dr. Demp-
ster at Pittsburgh. The Biblical Institute, of which he is
the professor, in point of fact, is a theological college. It
is the only institution of the kind in the United States in
any way connected with the Methodist Church; for, though
at the colleges and universities many of the professors have ;
theological classes, they have not yet thought it advisable '
to establish separate and exclusive theological schools.
This is a subject which the American Methodist Church
has not decided. It seems to be an open question among
them, and not likely soon to be settled. It must not be
inferred from this, that they are indifferent to theological
learning. Their energetic support of educational institu-
tions, and their practice of connecting theological classes
and lectures with their college and university courses, most
clearly show the contrary (rf this. The matter of fact is,
that a very deep, indeed, enthusiastic, conviction of the
advantages of instruction, and, moreover, of a well-trained
ministry, exists almost universally amongst them.

The only point on which there is any demur is, as to
whether it is better, or the contrary, that the youth des-
tined to the ministry should be educated in common with
the rest of the Methodist community, availing themselves
of the theological instruction provided, as above motioned ;
or, whether they should be separated altogether from the
young community about them, and placed by themselves
in a sort of monastic establishment. Much, it is clear, may
be said on both sides of the question.. Tlte practice of

TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 361

separate theological institutions is that which, in this coun-
try, has prevailed amongst the Dissenting and Noncon-
formist bodies ; but it is not the practice of the national
universities, whether in England, Scotland, or Ireland. In
these great seminaries of learning the lay youth, and those
who are designed for the ministry, are educated in common.
There are no theological institutions having a national cha-
racter : these all belong to the separate Christian sects.
Which is the better system, it may be difficult to say ; and
which turns out the greater men, it might be considered
invidious to pronounce. There are obviously benefits pecu-
liar to both modes; but they must be different in their
kind. To young men shut up from all contact with others,
there is the advantage of preservation from the evils of bad
example ; and then the discipline brought to bear upon
them, can be much more stringent than if they lived in
common with others. But, on the other side, an educa-
tional course in union with the lay youth of the community,
and, for this reason, a much more numerous body, must
tend to produce a more generous, manly, catholic, and
national character than the other. Better denominational
divines will be made, so far as sectarian theology is con-
cerned, by a merely isolated education. When this is the
main object, it is evident enough that separate schools,
placed under strict surveillance, will be the best. But if
the design is to expand the faculties, to produce generous
and catholic feelings, to attach the soul to truth on a uni-
versal scale, to make the youth a citizen of the nation, to
strengthen his sympathies with all God's imiverse, — then
an open education seems the thing.

Whether a sound knowledge of theology can be attained
in connexion -with this general system, must be "judged of
by facts. Are old Thomas Jackson, Barrow, Pearson,
Butler, divines of any learning and religious acquirements ?
because they were educated dnd trained in the national
universities, in common with the lay youth of their age.

*?• i

362

TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV.

Are Rutherford, Gillies, Chalmers, of the Scotch nation,
theologians of any distinction ? for they wqre brought up
in the open schools of their country. Are Usher, Skelton,
Magee, of the Irish nation, names of any consideration ?
these also were educated in common with the laity. These
are amongst the great teachers of the Christian Church.
They belong to all parties, to all ages, to all nations. They
are the instructors of all communities, and will be so to
the end of time. But it would be unjust to the other side
not to say, that the theological college system has pro-
duced great names : Di-s. Watts, Doddridge, and Pye
Smith, will live as divines, and diflFuse ilie fragrance of
their pious and eminently useful labours through the
Church, in all time to come.

How the American Methodist Church may settle this
question, and whether they will ever be led to adopt the
plan of a separate theological training for their young min-
isters, it is difficult to say. Besides the usual prejudices
tigainst an isolated and separate education, on the grounds
of spoiling the students for enterprise, and the endurance
of toil and hardship, — ^it strikes me that the nationalism
of the American preachers will be found to stand in tlie
way of the adoption of this system. These ministers are
thorough citizens ; they feel themselves of the people ;
tliey identify themselves fully and entirely with the nation;
and though they possess the ministerial office and function,
}'et there is little affectation of the clerical caste, I should
say, that, next to piety to God, a full behef in Christianity,
and the love of the Gospel, the leading characteristic of
the American minister is, a full and perfect identificatiou
of feeling and principle with his country : it will be difficult
to bring about any plans of instruction, in case they should
be attempted, the tendency of which is in any way to alie a-
ate the minister from the citizen, the priest from the Ame-
rican. It is clearly seen by these sagacious men that the
institution of exclusively theological colleges, which should

TERBIXORIAL PROaRESS 01* THE M. E. CHURCH. 368

detach the youth of the Church from the body of the
people, is, in spirit, directly opposed to the genius of
general citizenship, and must tend to create a class whose
feelings, tastes, and habits, will necessarily be, in some
sort, sectarian. At any rate, at present, the idea has very
little favour and countenance amongst either ministers or
people.

IV. The Oneida Conference joins that of Black River.
It includes eight districts, — Cazenovia, Oneida, Chenango,
Otsego, Newark, Cayuga, Susquehanneh, and Wyoming :
one hundred and twenty-seven stations, circuits, and mis-
sions ; one hundred and sixty ministers, with two hundred
and two local preachers ; and twenty-five thousand seven
hundred and seventy-six church-members, eighty-six of
whom are coloured people, and ninety Indians.

We have the following appointments in this conference :
— Henry Bannister, Principal of the Oneida Conference
Seminary ; Edward Bannister, Professor ; Nelson Rounds,
Editor of the Northern Christian Advocate ; Alonzo Wood,
(Chaplain of State Prison at Auburn ; R. Nelson, Principal
of Wyoming Seminary.

Here, then, we find the usual agencies at work. Two
seminaries, one Christian Advocate, and one chaplain to a
state prison. This does not look like an inefficient church
system.

V. The Genesee Conference abuts upon Oneida. We
have nine districts belonging to this division of the country ;
namely, Ontario, JSast Rochester, Genesee, Buffalo, Niagara,
Rushford, Dansville, Wellshorough. and Seneca Lake : one
liundred and fifty-nine stations, circuits, and missions ; one
liundred and eighty-seven ministers, with two himdred and
fifty-three local preachers; and twenty-six thousand six
hundred and twenty-four church- members, fifty-eight of
whom are coloured people.

364

TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV.

The manner of the commencement of the work in this
part of the country, is given by the h*'' . *.an of Me-
thodism : —

"As early as 1792, Mr. Garrettson had travelled through various
parts of this new country, preaching to the people in their log-houses,
in bams, and often holding his qnarterly-me'^tings under the foliage
of trees. Aided as he was by those zealous young preachers, who
entered this field of labour, he was instrumental in extending tlic
j^ospel and itii attendant blessings into these destitute places. By
these means those societies were established which have continued
to flourish and increase to the present time. Along the Mohawk
[River, as far as Utica, as well as the Chenango and Snsquehannah
rivers, those pioneers of Methodism penetrated, and laid the founda-
tion for those extensive revivals of religion which have blessed that
region of the country. We may form some Judgment of the good
effects of these labours and saci-ifices from the fact, that there werc
rctuiTied in the Minutes for this year, including Tioga, Wyoming,
Saratoga, and Seneca drctiits, eight hundred and ninety-two members
of the Church. Had equal zeal been manifested at this eai'ly period
in building suitable houses of worship, as the work enlarged with the
progress of the settlements, Methodism would have taken a stand
licre more firmly, and have exerted a much more halloAved and ex-
tensive influence over the population." — ^Bangs's " History of Method-
ism^^ vol. ii, pp. 66, 67. See Asbury, vol. iii, p. 293.

Nothing can well be finer than the work above described,
l^'or the evangelist to place himself by the side of the ad-
vancing population, to make himself one of them, to share
tli(jir privations, — to enter their log-huts with messages
of mercy, — ^to hold his meetmgs for preaching and prayer
nnder the spreading foliage of the trees of the wilderness ;
— ^to encourage the woodman in his aggressions upon the
forest, and the farmer in his eflForts to turn up the virgin
soil, for a first crop ; — then to see these primitive families
erecting their altar, like Abraham in the desert, to the God
of the lonely waste, as well as of the crowded city ; — to
listen to the echoes of praise and prayer reverberating in
the midst of solitudes., made vocal for the first time since
time began ; — all this is infinitely beautiful. This was the

TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 365

work of that glorious evangelist, Freeborn Oarrettson, and
his young men. The seed they sowed has indeed sprung
up, and produced a plentiful harvest, notwithstanding the
somewhat mournful tone of our good friend Bangs about
the "preaching-houses." How everything could have
been done at once, it is difficult to divine. How great
** preaching-houses " are to be built, whether in America
or anywhere else, before there is a people to build them,
or money to pay for them, one cannot well imagine. But
it is always the fashion for the present to find fault with
the past. Why were our forefathers so very foolish as to
build such little paltry chapels, — " houses of worship," —
as they did ? How a.uch more rational and religious
it would have been, if they had erected edifices which
would have held, say, a couple of thousands ! Besides,
these miserable little shabbv temples only stand in the
place of great ones ; just as a rotten tree, till it is blown
down, fills the space which might be occupied by a grace-
ful, majestic, blooming young son of the forest.

This is the way people talk on this subject. But how
the "preaching-houses" in the American wilderness were
to be built, almost before the timber was felled, — certainly
before the soil was cultivated, — is puzzling to know ; and
how, nearer home, the spacious, elegant, costly edifice is to
rise, except from a previous beginning, perhaps of a very
humble and homely description, is equally difficult to com-
prehend. Let not the great despise the little ; they would
never have held their own elevated position, had not some-
l)ody laid the foundation. And let not the citizen gentle-
man despise the woodman ; his city had never risen, had
not the pioneer cleared the ground.

VI. The Erie Conference. A narrow strip of country,
belonging to the State of Pennsylvania, stretches to Lake
Erie ; and a town, named after the lake, stands on this
nanow neck of land. This ecclesiastical division conttdns

866

TOUR m AMERICA.— PART IV.

six districts; namely, Ravenna, Warren, Meadville, Erie,
Jameatown, and Franklin : eighty-five stations, circuits,
and missions; one hundred and twenty-eight ministers,
with one hundred and ninety-three local preachers ; twenty
thousand one hundred and forty-three church-members,
fifty-eight of whom, are people of colour.

We have the usual appointments and agencies in this
conference : — Asbury Seminary, G. B. Hawkins, Principal ;
Alleghany College, G. W. Clark, Calvin Kingsley, Pro-
fessors ; M. G. Briggs, Agent.

i3esides the north-western point of the State of Pennsyl-
vania, above referred to, this conference embraces portions
of tiie New- York and Ohio States bordering on Pennsyl-
vania. But the greatest point of interest is its connexion
»viii? Lake Erie. It was the author's privilege to touch at
one of the most important stations, Cleveland, in this con-
ference, and to witness, as in many other cases, the rapid
development df the resources of the country. The liarboiir
is both spacious and safe ; and the city presents a beautiful
appearance /rom the water. The Cuyahoga River empties
itself into the lake at this point ; and the Ohio canal termi-
nates here. This city is destined to hold a high position
amongst the cities of the lakes.

VII. The North Ohio Conference joins that of Erie.
This conference contains seven districts, — Delaware, Mount
Vernon, Wooster, Norwalk, Tiffin, Maumee, Sidney:
eighty stations, circuits, and missions ; one hundred and
thirty-three ministere, wiiL forty-two local preachers, and
twenty-six thousand and forty-three church-members, fifty -
six of whom are coloured people.

We find the following special appointments : — Ohio Wes-
leyan University, Edward Thompson, President ; H. H.
Johnson, Professor ; E. B. Gurly, Agent. Baldwin Institute.
Lorenzo Warner, Principal. Chaplain to Western Seamen's
Friend Society for the port of Toledo, Thomas Cooper. .

1 1

i\'i

I£RRIXORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 867

The above university, which is located at Delaware, was
founded so recently as 1844. Dr. Thompson, like some
other eminent men in the ministry, is an M. D., and has been
selected for his present onerous post on account of his
abilities and learning. The State of Ohio stretches from
the river of that name to Lake Erie ; and this North Ohio
Conference touches its beautiful waters. There remains
much land still to " possess ;" but the country is rapidly
filling up with a thriving and prosperous population.

VIII. The Michigan Conference is the next in our
present line. This name, it is to be presumed, is taken from
the State, and this latter from Lake Michigan. This con-
ference gives us seven districts ; namely, Detroit, Ann Ar-
bor, Marshall, Monroe, Kalamazoo, Grand River, and In-
dian Mission : seventy-nine stations, circuits, and missions ;
one hundred and eighteen ministers, with one hundred and
ninety-one local preachers ; sixteen thousand and seventy-
one church-members, eight of whom are coloured people.

The special appointments are as follows: — John A.
Baughman, Agent of the American Bible Society ; D. D.
Whedon, Professor in the Michigan University ; F. C. Kiti-
near, Principal of the Wesleyan Seminary at Albion.

Michigan University, in which Mr. Whedoii is a profes-
sor, is not a Methodist institution. It is located at Ann
Arbor, and was founded so lately as 1837. But the fact
that this gentleman is appointed to his present office by
the authorities of the university, shows that neither Method-
ism nor its ministers occupy a low position in public esti-
mation.

IX. The North Indiana Conference unites with the
Michigan. This division contains nine districts, — Green-
castle, Craivfordsville, Lafayette, Indmnapolis, Centreville,
Peru, Logansport, Laporte, Fort Wayne : eighty-six sta-
tions, circuits, and missions; one hundred and thirteen

368

TOUR IN AMBRICA.— PART IV.

ministers, with two hundred and fifty-seven local preach-
ers; and twenty-six thousand three hundred and two
church-members : of this number there are fifty coloured
people. "

We find the following extra appointments: — ^Indiana
Asbury University, WilUam C. Larabee, Cyrus Nutt, Pro-
fessors ; G. M. Beswick, W. H. Huffman, Agents ; D. F.
Tefft, Editor of Ladies' Repository ; Aaron Wood, Agent
of the American Bible Society.

But though the Minutes report the above-named gentle-
men as officers of Asbury University, by turning to the
Indiana Conference we shall find four more appointments.
The usage seems to be to place every minister in connexion
with his own conference, let his official post be what it may.
Hence a person may belong to a conference at any dis^
tance, and yet have an appointment in one of the public
institutions in another place. The four additional appoint-
ments referred to are, — Matthew Simpson, President of the
Indiana Asbury University; Isaac Owen, Agent for the
Indiana Asbury University ; Greenlee H. M'Laughlin,
Agent for the current expenses of the Indiana Asbury Uni-
versity ; and William M. Daily, Agent for the Agriculturnl
Professorship of the Indiana Asbury University.

It seems that agricultural science is connected with this
school. Looking at the business of farming as one of tlu;
permanent callings of a vast population, this will appear a
suitable subject of study. Who can say that farming ouglU
not to have the advantages of learning as well as other de-
partments ? Why should not the exterior world engage the
recondite investigations of gifted men ? Surely, there k
enough in the business of agriculture to make it most de-
sirable that all the productions of mother earth should be
scientifically examined, classified, and used.

Be this as it may, the functions of Dr. Simpson arc of a
different order ; and no doubt he ably discharges his duty.
Dr. Simpson is a man of mark. I had the privilege of

TERRITORIAL PROORESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 309

much friendly intercourse with this gentleman, and wit-
nessed with great admiration the discharge of his public
duties at the conference. He is a very able man in every
way, and, being young, is likely, it is hoped, long to bless
the Church and the world with the benefits of his valuable
labours. * •

X. We now come to the Hock River Conference, the
last on this lake line. The district of country designated
by this term, seems to lie betwixt the western shores of
Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River. It contains ten
districts; namely, Chicago, Ottowa, Washington, Peoria,
Hock Island, Mount Morris, Platteville, Fondulac Mission,
Milwaukie, and Racine : one hundred and seven stations,
circuits, and missions ; one hundred and forty-one ministers,
with three hundred and nineteen local preachers ; and
eighteen thousand nine hundred and thirteen church-mem-
bera, twenty-seven of whom are people of colour, and one
hundred and sixty-one Indians.

It cheers one at length to meet with some Indians. We
have traversed a prodigious extent of country before over-
taking any of them, except once. Here some of them are,
it seems, driven to the extremity of the States, in this
direction ; for this Rock River Conference joins the Wis-
consin Territory ; indeed, embraces some of it : and, as the
term indicates, it is a newly settled country, not yet fonned
into a State. When these Wisconsin people have filled the
country, will any of the Indians remain ? It is certain they
will not. What will be their fate, when the tide of popu-
lation has reached the utmost limits of the country in the
direction of the west ; when the inhabitants of the Atlantic
shore, and those of the Pacific, are linked together in one
unbroken chain ; it is fearful to think. They will not be
pushed into the waiters of the mighty deep ; but the
pressure, like that of disease and age, will crush the last
of their noble race to the earth.

le*

370 TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV. -i

We find the name of a station in this conference some-
what familiar to the ears of English people ;. but in a very
different connexion : it is Nauvoo. Nauvoo, it will be re-
membered, is, or was, the headquarters of the MorraotMtcs ;
who, on account of their fantastic and impious doctrines,
have met, we are told, with no great favour from the Ame-
rican people. They have been driven from this place, and
are wandering in various directions; and amongst other
locations which they have selected, the pariiamentary de-
bates lately taught us, that numbers of them were squatthvi
in Vancouver's Island. We know not whether the good
and zealous Methodist preachers occupied this post of duty
before or after the dispersion of these poor, deluded Mor-
monites. It is likely they rushed in amongst them for the
purpose of seeking their conversion ; but, failing to accom-
plish this, they now occupy the quarters from whence these
obstinate blockheads have been driven. Would it not be
as well, if a name can be found, to change the old one ?

Having now passed through this interesting portion of
territory, it may be proper, as in the case of the Atlantic
seaboard, to give a tabular summary.

Conferences. Dish Circuits. Minist. Supemuin. Local Pr. Members.

Troy 7 \?i 174 16 133 25,327

Vermont. ... .1 64 71 14 46 7,95.'{

Black Biver . . 6 93 113 11 145 15,917

Oneida 8 127 160 27 202 25.77(1

Genesee .... 9 159 187 32 253 26,682

Brio 6 85 128 13 193 20,143

Noith Ohio . . 7 80 133 8 242 26,04.'i

Micliigan ... 7 79 118 10 193 16,544

North Indiana 9 86 113 7 2.58 26,302

Bock River . 10 107 741 20 319 20,143

78 1,065 1,343 153 1,984 210,790

It is extremely difficult to say which portion of the
United States is the more important, or promises to excel
in permanent prosperity, when, in fact, the whole is so rich
in promise. But there are two things which appear very
favourable in the regions now under review ; namely, the

TERRITORIAL PROORESS OF THE M. £. CHURCH. 871

}nce some*
it in a very
•will be re-
[orracnitcs ;
I doctrines,
n the Amc-
\ place, and
jngst other
nentary dc-
re squatthif/
r the good
30st of duty
luded Mor-
hem for thv
g to accom-
rhenco these
lid it not be
old one ?
I portion of
the Atlantic

alPr.

Members.
25,327
7,95.'l
15,917
25.7 7(;
26,682
20,148
26,04;{
16,544
26,302
20,143

84 210,790

rtion of the
ises to excel
ole is so rich
appear very
namely, the

climate and the lakes. It is in vnin to deny that climate
has anything to do with the characteristics of our race.
Northern latitudes have always produced the most mus-
cular, hardy, and masculine races. That some kind of in<
teiligence, such as develops itself in delicate, poetic, and
refined sentiments, may be found in tho more genial and
luxuriant portions of the earth, will be allowed ; but the
working and the governing races have always been found
located iii the midst of Borean tempests. Tho voluptuous
south may cradle its generations of impassioned sons ; but
the north will always produce the ruling class. This will
probably be the course of things with the people we have
been contemplating. They are, at present, but in their in-
fancy of social Ufe. Not more than something like one-
third of the land belonging to the State of New- York is
cleared, and even that not perfectly. Vast forests still
await the woodman's stroke, and prodigious tracts of fruit-
ful soil must some day reward the labours of the husband-
man. This State is remarkably formed, probably at first
without design, but in its effects very much for its own ad-
vantage. Let the reader take a fan in his hand, just open
it, and he has presented to him the form of the State of
New- York. The narrow point which he holds in his hand
is the city itself, and the spreading silk is the country
stretching away to the lakes. The shores of these waters
constitute the wide-spread circumference of the State. This
is a great territorial and commercial advantage ; inasmuch
as the Atlantic and the Lakes are linked together. New- York
harbour is now one of the great commercial emporiums of
the world, and it is destined to be the greatest. Its rivers,
canals, and railroads, connect it with Lakes Ontario and
Erie ; and these again with the St. Lawrence on the one
side, and through that noble river with all the British do-
minions and the Atlantic ; and then, in the other direction,
with Lakes Michigan, Huron, Superior, and the Mississippi.
AU we have mentioned, and much more, makes it abso-

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372

TOUR IN AMBBIOA.— PABT IV.

lutely certain that, as tune advances, this State will grow
into a great kingdom. The contiguous countries through
which we have been passmg, partake of the same features
of prosperity and progress ; but we mark this one in par-
ticular, that we niay have something definite before us.

Now, how stands the question with respect to Method-
ism in this State ? We have ahready remarked on the sub-
ject with respect to the city : what is its progress in the
country ? We answer, that four of the conferences we
have been examining lie principally in the State of New-
York ; namely, Troy, Black River, Oneida, Genesee,
and a part of Erie. In these conferences we find 93,702
church-members ; which, with 46,907 for New- York itself,
gives a total of 140,609. If we suppose — which is a Ioam
estimate — ^that there will be four other persons, for every
one of these, belonging to congregations, families, and
schools, who are not members of the Church, but who are
attached to Methodism as their religious system, then we
shall have 562,436 persons under its influence in this one
State.

How long has this work been in progress ? When did
it begin? Philip Embury preached his first sermon in
New- York in 1766. Captain Webb followed in a year or
two, and in 1769 Richard Boardman and Joseph Pilmoor
were appointed by the British Conference. This is no very
remote date. There must have been some life and energy
in a Church which can present such a result in so short a
time.

But the nature of the power whence all this has spnmg,
is a matter of serious importance. Suspicions are enter-
tuned as if) organizations of this sort. It is often imagined
that self-interest, ambition, or enthusiasm, lead& men to
unite in these masses. In the early times of Methodism,
as well as in the primitive ages of the Church, these con-
fraternities were suspected of perpetrating, in their private
assemblies^ £^pss and revolting immoralities. All this has

TBRRITOBIAL PBOORBSS OF THS M. S. CHURCH. 878

passed away long ago. But still the problem remains un-
solved, — ^What has led to this result ?

We can enteitain no doubt but that this church-organi-
zation originated in real religious faith, convictions, and
power. It was not in the beginning, any more than it is
at present, produced by any mysterious gravitating in-
stincts, leading men to unite together they know not why.
And, moreover, it never imbibed the spirit, acted upon the
principles, or proposed the ends, of communism — ^in any
form or shape. 'The men who formed these first societies
did so imder the teaching and influence of religion alone.
There is something very much akin to the progress of the
first churches of Christ, in this great development of reli-
gious power, from so small a beginning. With some per-
sons, the insignificance of the instruments, and the ab-
sence of all the supposed fitness for so great a work, will
form a difficulty. Let it be remembered, however, that
this objection lies as much against the apostles and first
evangelists, as against these men. But when this class of
difficulties is felt and objections raised, they always rest
upon the implied principle, — ^not seen, not understood, per-
haps, but certainly in the mind, — ^that the conversion of
men and the spread of religion is a human thing. If di-
vine, if of God, then, for aught which can be imagined,
Peter and Paul, — Bunyan and Baxter, — ^Asbury and Lee,
— might be very fit and suitable instruments. It is not
learning without God, — ^not philosophy without the Holy
Spirit, — ^not a polished exterior and worldly distinctions
without faith,— -which can save the souls of men, or lay the
foundation of churches. Then, if this work is begun in
the grace and power of the Divinity, acting through the
labours of men, it is easy to see that in innumerable cases
the fittest instruments will be persons of plain, but pure
and elevated, minds.

Judging of the nature of the work to be done in Ame*
nca, one cannot but admire the wisdom of God, in tl^e se<

874

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.— PART IV.

lection of his instraments. Would delicate and fastidious
gentlemen have gone into the American wilderness to
preach the Gospel, — ^to converse in familiar phrase with
the peasant emigrant, in order to seek his salvation?
Would this class have submitted to the privations of a new
country ? have cheerfully taken then: place in the log-hut,
and been content with its fare and its lodging ? Nay, had
this class of persons been disposed to enter the field, could
they have done the work required ? The tone, dignity, and
superiority produced by a high style of education and
knowledge, are very beautiful and excellent, but rather be-
long to society when formed and polished than to its wil-
derness state. We may safely say that they could not, if
they would, have accomplished the work assigned to out]
pioneer evangelists. '

But let it not be supposed that the plain Christian
preacher is incapable of great service for religion because
he is destitute of the ability to descant on its philosophy.
Tliose who make history seldom write it. Those who per-
form noble deeds are never the men to emblazon them.
Tliese classes are too busy with their enterprise to turn
aside to talk about its progress. Their work, the temple
raised, is their monument. Judging by this rule, we shall
be led to see that the workmen selected by God were fit-
ting instruments for his purpose.

Their very plainness, their paucity of polish, might ope-
rate in their circumstances most beneficially. They would,
as one consequence, be kept from theorizing, from plung-
ing into the abstract, from soaring into the ideal. But,
better still, they would be kept to their work, and find
their happiness in its success. They were eminently men
of one business, and their calling swallowed up tlieir whole
soul. This principle is foimd to succeed in other things :
why should it not in this ? Their oneness of purpose will
account for their success, as far as instrumentality is con-
cerned. But it will account for much more: — ^What led

"»«««"'•

TBRBITORIAL PROGRBSS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 875

to this entire separation of themselves from the world, and
derotedness to such a cause as this? Certainly, religious
faith. They had a firm and vivid belief in the Christianity
which they went about to establish; they had confidence
and certainty in their own vocation and calling; they had
no doubt as to the particular dispensation in which they
were called to be workmen ; they entertained a full per-
suasion in their inmost soul in the principle that God could
''raise up children to Abraham" from amongst the scat-
tered tribes around them ; and they saw, in the promised
perspective, that the American "mldemess and solitary
place should be glad and blossom as the rose :" " be glad" in
the privileges, blessings, and joys of God's salvation ; and
<< blossom" in all the beautiful fertility of Christian holiness
and love. Yes, these men knew what they were doing ;
they lived, and laboured, and suffered, under the full and
plenary conviction that God had sent them, and they were
accomplishing his will.

But this of itself is not sufficient to account for the won-
derful moral phenomena on which we look. There must have
been something more than man's labours, to bring about
these results, though performed in honest simplicity, and
under the impressions of a strong belief in the " things of
God." We refer to the direct influence of God the Holy
Ghost. Nothing short of his influence and effusions could
possibly produce this spiritual and moral creation. The
beginning, the original impulse, the life, must have sprung
from this source. How could human nature, or the politi-
cal and social movements going on in this new country,
produce this spiritual life ? Its first seed must have come
from above. This being the case, all the rest would fol-
low. The unsightly root, which out of the soil is lifeless
and barren, no sooner finds a congenial element therein,
than it bursts through the incrustations in which it is em-
bedded, and, appropriating to itself the nourishing influen-
ces of nature, soon appears a perfect tree, clothed with

876

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.— PART IT.

foliage and laden with fruit. So it must have been with
this ** seed of the kingdom." How could the " word of
the gospel," sown by these good but powerless men, have
produced so rich a harvest, had it not been a divine seed,
and been blessed by the fructifying rains and dews of Ood's
Holy Spirit? ^f

We are chiefly contemplatmg this work in its organized
form. But let us endeavour to understand it. We shall
be in great error, if we imagine that the organization cre-
ated the people. The people formed the system, and not
the system the people. Nothing could be more simple
than this process. The men who entered the wilderness in
order to cultivate it took no theory, no plan, no platform.
All they did was to preach the truth ; to deposit it in th^
soul ; and then leave it to its own development. They won
the people to Christ, and then trusted them to his care and
love, to be dealt with and to be employed as he chose.
The rest followed. They obeyed the instincts of their new
nature ; and, as in social life, sought union with each other.
They felt the impulse of holy and divine affections ; and,
as in the closest and most endearing friendships and rela-
tions, they delighted to commingle with kindred hearts.
Here is the origin, the plastic power of this fellowship, this
brotherhood. Rules followed the life ; they did not create
it. The whole framework and machinery of the Chm'ch
sprang from this antecedent power and holiness. Wants
grew up with existence, as they do in all analogous cases.
The most complex constitutional system is only the expan-
oon of society in a state of high civilization. This is the
case also, if we understand the question, of the American
Methodist Church.

But every religious organization must cherish end keep
the spiritual alive, or otherwise the framewoork will soon
break down. The same reviving " showers of blessing "
from above, the same effusions of the Holy Ghost, the same
presence of Christ, the same fulness of divine love, which

TERRITORIAL PRO0RB8S OF THB M. B. CHURCH. 877

were sought and enjoyed by the first converts, must be
constantly sought and received, or wintry barrenness must
succeed the beauty and fertility of spring and summer.
The walls of a palace may remain after its lord is dead.

This is the danger of complicated, perfected organization.
Through all nature we see, that as soon as the fruit is ripe,
it falls ; and as soon as physical life is perfect, it begins to
exhibit signs of decay. How different, now, at this mo-
ment, is the political and economical state of America, as
compared with some of the old, worn-out nations of Eu-
rope ! — ^just upon this principle : the one is like a fine ath-
letic youth, full of health, bloom, vigour, activity; the
other, like a decrepit old man, worn down by years, and
equally full of miseries ; not knowing which way to turn, or
what expedient to adopt, to keep himself alive. Something
like this comes to be the condition of churches. Perhaps
there is no great danger of formality, languor, or decay, at
present in American Methodism,— of the external, paradte-
like growths, first embracing and then crushing the spirit-
ual; the organization, with its complexities, superseding
and pushing aside the vital and divine. But this danger
must come.

Everything, indeed, at present, favours the idea of pro-
gress. The Church cannot well stand still while everything
else is in motion. She must move on with the perpetually
advancing tide, or be left, like a gallant ship, stranded on
the shore. ITothing can continue stationary in the States.
They are obliged to go on. The wilderness cannot remain
as it is ; the gloomy solitudes must be peopled ; the dark
forests, now that the Indian no longer prowls through their
thickets in quest of game, must give place to the civilized
man ; andi innumerable, untold, indeed, unimagined, multi-
tudes of cities, with their teeming and busy populations,
will, of necessity, occupy these silent and melancholy re-
gions. The Church is obliged to advance with these ever-
progressing multitudes. At present, the Methodist body

878

TOUR IN AMERICA. — PART IV.

most certainly truly apprehends its duties and its destiny,
and is nobly pressing on in the career of usefulness. We
hope — ^we pray — that it may never lose its spirit ; never
sink into inertness ; never be paralyzed by its own ponder-
ous bulk ; and never forget or forsake the principles and
the elevated faith of its founders.

Ill— THE OHIO LINE.

By foUowmg another of the great lines of communica-
tion into ** the far-west/' we shall meet with the same thing
as we have done in the other routes. Pass the Alleghany
Mountains, either from Philadelphia or Baltimore, to Pitts-
burgh ; from thence to Cincinnati, and from the latter place
to St. Loius ; and a distance something like from fifteen
hundred to two thousand miles will be laid out to traverse!
This is the journey we now propose. In all these States of
the west, with their cities and towns constantly increasing
in population, the Methodist Church has planted her insti-
tutions. Besides the chief places already mentioned, whicli
contain very large bodies of people belonging to our faith,
the noble-minded servants of God have entered the wilder-
ness wherever man is found to have pitched his tent, and
have introduced the ever-blessed gospel.

It was the writer's good fortune to meet with many of
the humble, but courageous and enterprising, " backwood"
missionaries, who had spent their lives in following their
countrymen into the forests and prairies of these distant
regions, for the purpose of winning them to Christ. A
finer race of men it was never his happiness to see ; ath-
letic, robust, muscular; of noble and independent mien,
open countenance, lofty and expanded brow, brave and
resolute bearing ; and withal full of fine common sense, in-
telligence, benevolence, and zeal. These men had, many
of themj followed the Indians to their hunting-ground, and
lived with them in their wigwams ; had borne with their
childish weaknesses, and the storm of their fierce and fu-

TERRITORIAL PROaRBSS OF THB M. B. CHURCH. 879

rioiu passions ; — and all for the sake of their spiritual and
eternal good. They had, as well, accompanied the white
race m their endless peregrinations. They had lived, more-
over, to witness the magnificent result. Many a race of
" squatters" they had seen become a race of freeholders,
substantial farmers, happy and prosperous in their circum-
stances. Many a group of l(^-huts, letting in wind and
weather, they had beheld changed into beautiful villages or
substantial towns, the residence of civilization, opulence,
and religion. Many a league of gloomy, almost impervious
forest they had witnessed yield to the woodman's axe, to
the ploughman's industry ; and, in the place of this, had
beheld rich and abundant harvests waving beneath the
breezes of heaven. Many haggard, care-worn, afflicted,
and anxious matrons, dragged into the wilderness by their
lords, surrounded by a wretched, squalid, fretful family,—
they had lived to see rise above their difficulties, and be-
come the centres of domestic order and peace, and cheered
by beholding their sons and daughters pass into a happy
and hopeful maturity. Yes, these "backwood" preachers
have seen something of life ! They have done some work
worth mentioning for God and for man ; and they now reap
their reward in the fruits of their toil.

Nothing can well exceed in importance the results of this
success. What would these vast regions have ber^ome, had
they been peopled by our profligate race, without ibe cor-
rective power and influence of the gospel ? It is easy to
anticipate. The people must have sunk into a state of per-
fect barbarism, as well as immitigated vice. To have pre-
vented this is a great work. But the prevention of a pre-
sent catastrophe of this kmd is not the whole ; it is not half
the case., These men have laid a foundation for the per-
manent Christian and social progress of these new aggre-
gations of people. They have succeeded in planting the
ordinances of the gospel in what may be fitly considered
the rudimenU^ state of society. They have gone to the

880

TOUR IN AUmiOA.— PART IT.

bottom; tbey have begun at the beginning; throwing
the salt into the very fountain, they have purified the
stream.

I. After passing the AUeghanies, and descending into the
valley of the Mississippi, the first conference boimdary we
enter is that of PrrrsBUROH. In this division we have nine
districts ; namely, Pittsburgh, Uniontotm, Clarksburg, Mm-
gantoton, WheeHr^,JBamsville, Cambridge, Steubenville, Bea-
ver: one hundred and eleven stations, circuits, and missions ;
one hundred and eighty-four ministers, with two hundred
and sixty-five local preachers; and forty-two thousand
three hundred and seventy-eight church-members; three
hundred and forty-five of these being people of colour.

We find the following appointments : — Editor of Pitts-
burgh "Christian Advocate," William Hunter. North-
Westeni Virginia Academy, Gordon Battell, Principal;
Alexander Martin, Teacher. Alleghany College, H. J.
Clarke, President ; F. S. De Hass, Agent.

There is also something here which is not noticed ;
namely, a very large and spacious Book-Concern, with a
most excellent Agent at its head; and inasmuch as his
name is not inserted for Pittsburgh, he, of course, belongs
to another conference.

The progress of religion in Pittsbui^h may be imagined
from the state of things, as described by Bishop Asbury,
in 1809:—

" We reached John Wrenshall's," ho remarks, " in Pittsburgh, on
Friday evening. The Bev. Mr. Steel offered, unsolicited, in the name
of the Presbyterian eldership, their large, elegant house for Sunday's
exercises. I preached at Thomas Cooper's on Saturday.

" Sabbath, 20th. I accepted the offer made, and preached at three
o'clock. It was an open time. Could we unite nati(His and lan-
guages, as well as spirits and tempers, we might do great things here.
A Baptist family of the name of Plummer receives us on Tuesday.
Young Plummer is sick, a child is sick, and the whole family feel
awfiil. Who will pray with young Plummer when we are gone ?
The young man is certainly under convictions." •

ct!ir!^fe„j

TEBRITORIAL PBOinABSS OT THB M. B. CHURCH. 881

Here we have dates and facts. In 1809, Bishop Asbnry
had no place of worship to perform divine senrice in ; he
preached in Thomas Cooper's cottage on Saturday, and the
Presbyterian church on Sunday. He had no Methodist
family to entertain him, it seems ; and he was invited to a
Baptist's of the name of Plummer ; and, when he was gone,
he knew of no one who would pray with " young Plum-
mer," who was "certainly under convictions." How
amazing the progress of forty years! We now find about
ten large Methodist churches, and a corresponding number
of people.

II. The Ohio Conference joins that of Pittsburgh.
We have in this division fifteen districts ; namely, Bast
Cincinnati, West Cincinnati, Dayt<m, Urhana, Hillsbo-
rough, Chilicothe, Columbus, Zanesville, Marietta, Forts-
tnouth, Kanawha, Cincinnati German, Pittsburgh German,
Indiana German, North Ohio German : one hundred and
sixty-one stations, circuits, and missions ; two himdred and
eight ministers, with five hundred and twenty-eight local
preachers ; and sixty-two thousand one hundred and ninety-
eight church-members, five hundred and fourteen of whom
are people of colour.

The number of special appointments for this conference
will be found very great. We have the following: —
Western Book Concern, Leroy Swormstedt, Agent ; West-
ern Christian Advocate, Charles Elliott ; Christian Apolo-
gist, William Nast ; Agent to the American Bible Society,
William P. Strickland ; Wesleyan Female College, P. B.
Wilbur, President ; M. P. Gaddis, Agent ; Ohio Confer-
ence High School, Solomon Howard, Principal ; Augusta
College, .Joseph S. Tomlinson, President ; Oakland Female
Seminaiy, Joseph M'D. Mathews, Principal; Greenfield
Seminary, James G; Blair ; Frederick Merrick and L. D.
M'Cabe, Professors in the Ohio Western Univeraty;
Worthington Female Seminary, Ezra M. Boring, Principal ;

882

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.— PART IV.

Uriah Heath, Agent ; James B. Finley, Moral and Reli-
gious Instructor to the Ohio Penitentiary.

The aboye Charles Elliott is Dr. Elliott; the author of
"Romanism Delineated/' — republished in this country.
Dr. Elliott is an Irishman ; and is possessed of the vivacity,
acumen, logical power, and withal hatred of popery, which
unite to distinguish the natives of the north of Ireland. In
his editorial labours, as well as in his Delineation, he has
done good service in the support of Protestantism. He is,
besides, a perfect abolitionist. Slavery can have no favour
in the sight of Dr. Elliott. It is an abhorred and detested
evil ; an unmitigated injury to the slaves themselves ; a
crime in the slaveholder to exact this oppressive wrong ;
and, moreover, an outrage against Christianity, and a sin
against Almighty Ood, in the estimation of Dr. Elliott.
These, if I understood him aright, are the sentiments he
entertaint on this subject. He is now removed from his
office of editor of the Western Christian Advocate, and
placed in another very responsible literary post ;*' namely,
to write the history of the great division which has taken
place in the Methodist Episcopal Church ; and in the pro-
secution of this task, of course, the question of slavery
must, in some of its phases, if not in all of them, come
before his attention. From the character of Dr. Elliott, his
habits of research, his thorough acquaintance with his sub-
ject, and the deep interest he feels in the points at issue ; it
is not too much to expect a very able work on the subject.

Dr. Tomlinson, the President of Augusta College, lo-
cated at a place of that name in Kentucky, is equally
adverse to i^avery, — takes decided views, and does not
hesitate to announce them. He is, also, in other respects,
a man of talent, of energy, and of learning. Dr. Tomlinson
appeared to great advantage in the Pittsburgh Confer-
ence, in «yery question in which he took a part. 1

But the establishment which will excite the most earnest
* [Not M a separate « post :" Dr. El}iott bss a regular station as a preacher.]

la a preacher.]

TSRRITORUL PB001US88 OF THB M. B. OHUBOU. 888

curiosity, in this long list of learned institutions, is the Fe-
male Collie of Oinoinnati.

It is easy to anticipate many scruples as to this institu-
tion. To give diplomas to young ladies may excite sur-
prise in the grave damos of this country, and cause the
gentlemen to shrug their shoulders in consternation, ex-
claiming, " What next ?" But really, after all, why should
not learning and good conduct he encouraged and stimulated
in the female sex as well as in the other ? Do they occupy
an unimportant position in communities ? Are their sons
and daughters less likely to become respectable, pious, and
useful members of society for the good training, attainments,
and honourable distinctions of their mothers ? Is a well-
disciplined mind, a cultivated intellect, a soul inspired with
the noble sentiments which a knowledge of truth must give,
less likely than others to govern a household with wbdom
and discretion ? Have not mothers much more in^-. do with
the formation of the character of their sons than the father ?
and, OS a consequence, much more concern in laying the
foundations of communities in all which concerns theur
manners and morals ? Are not families the light, the salt,
the ornament, the salvation of States ? And are not women
all this to the family ? And, moreover, cannot the vulgarity,
the rudeness, the asperities of the world, be moderated and
polished by the more delicate and milder nature of the
softer sex ? This being so, how can it be improper to adopt
means effectually to educate the young girls as well as the
young boys of any generation ?

But there are other reasons for these female colleges in
America. The disciples of the Church of Borne, in all
these matters, exhibit more practical sense than Protestants.
In every part of the world, they have always striven to
obtain the education of youth. This has been, amongst
other things, one of- the most remarkable vocations of the
Jesuits. They are now at work in every quarter of the
globe ; and, as might be expected, with indefatigable bxr

384

lOUE IN AMBEICA.— PART IV.

dustry and perseverance in the United States. Hence these
institutions are partly framed in self-defence. The very
intelligent principal of the college informed 'me, that the
Methodist body found it absolutely necessary to establish
these schools, in order to prevent the children of their own
people from being alienated from them by being educated
at either a Popish or else some other school, alien in senti-
ment to their own Church. Moreover, he gave me to
understand that their establishment had commended itself
very much to the public ; it was well supported, always
being full ; and had answered the purpose of preserving
the children of their flocks from going astray.

We may be pretty certain that there is something valua-
ble and vital in this novel establishment. Of all men, the
Americans will be found to possess a clear perception of
what is practically important and useful. Without examina-
tion, if it is found that these people have established some-
thing new, it may be assumed at once that some useful
element may be discovered somewhere, that a valuable end
is proposed. Being free from prepossessions and preju-
dices, as well as free in other things, they do not scruple to
adopt modes of action, which in this and the other old
European societies would be laughed at. Many of their
projects have been so treated by other people. This mat-
ters little to the Yankee. You may laugh as long as you
please ; but, generally speaking, he is sure of his game.
This very institution will, undoubtedly, prove a most in-
teresting auxiliary to the Church, and an element of great
power for the conservation of the Protestant youth of the
country. The " women"* are always the objects of atten-
tion with the Popish Church ; and the Americans have no
objection, in this aflfair, even to take a lesson out of their
book. The moral force of Popery, so long exercised in the
world, has been accomplished very much through the so-

* See MicHiLiT's remarkable pamphlet, entitled, " ni9sts, Women, and
Pamillea."

'&M

TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 385

cieties formed in various ways to influence, to educate, and
then to employ, '^ women," for the furtherance of its ob^
jects. With us, generally, it is sufficient to know that the
Popish Church adopts a certain line of policy at once to
discard it. If it is Popish, that is quite enough ; we in-
stinctively resolve that it must be wrong, and adopt a
course as opposite as we can. This has been the case
regarding female education. The Church of Rome has
everywhere maintained an ascendency. Many of the nun-
neries have always been set apart for educational purposes ;
and now, the highest and the best female education which
can be obtained is to be found in these establishments.
We have nothing of this kind in Protestantism in this coun-
try, or, as far as I know, elsewhere in Europe. The
education of females is left to accident, to chance. The
Americans have in this, as in other things, taken the initia*^
tive ; and, when we have done laughing and wondering
at the notion of female colleges and diplomas, we shall
imitate them.

The sooner the better ; at any rate in spirit, in principle.
Our opposition to Popery by declamatory harangues is just
beating the air. The papacy is not an abstraction ; it is
an organization of living souls ; and it will employ any
kind of industry to train a child, to gain a proselyte, to
attract another atom to the Church. Like the coral insect,
they are busy in building their island in the ocean ; and,
being constant in their labour, they consequently progress in
every place. The priests of this sect care no more about
the declamations of Protestants than the insect tribe —
secure below the surface of the sea — care for the rumbling
of the tempest on the surface. The only possible way of
keeping out Popery is to occupy the soil. Let the world
be filled with institutions, educational and religious, which
shall embody and set forth truth, — ^the truth of the Bible,
and truth on all other subjects ; and then the falsehoods

of this system will find no room.

386

TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV.

{f<

. With much less of asperity, as it struck me, than is
found amongst ourselves, the American people have a full
perception as to the evils of Popery. Their system of
government, however, never allows them to think of op-
posing it hy any legislative enactment. The only means
they ever imagine or think of adopting are moral. This
very female college, so far as it is designed to be protective,
is a measure of this sort. It occupies the space, it fills the
vacuum ; and in this way it bars out the Popish nunnery.
The American Methodist Church will, no doubt, aim at
giving as good, and, if possible, a better, education^ than
the nunnery, and beat Popery even in its own favourite
vocation. Certainly they will entertain no doubt on the
practicability of this, or anything else which they see to
be desirable. There is a spirit in them to cope with any
difficulty, and to win any prize which may be within the
reach of man. They indulge no doubt as to the excellency
of their system ; and, this being the case, they set them-
selves manfully to carry its embodied truths into living
efficiency. Whilst we are bandying about our dogmas in
fierce debate, and appealing to the legislature, the American
is doing his own work ; he is putting his principles into
practical operation, by forming institutions to give them
development, and to bring them to bear upon society.

I remember seeing in some Romish periodical, in a letter
from a missionary-priest, employed in — I think — Oregon,
that they met with more obstruction from the ignorant and
fanatical Methodists than from any other people. If I am
not mistaken, in future years, as the struggle thickens, and
the belligerents come face to face on this continent, the
Methodist body will present a noble front, to obstruct the
progress of this ambitious and intrusive Church, — more re-
solute and potent, perhaps, than any other power, not even
excepting the civil government.

There is another interesting incident connected with the
Methodism of Cincinnati. It is, that four of the districts

•^'

TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 387

enumerated are German. These four German districts^
indeed, embrace much more territory than is included in
this conference. It will be seen that they extend to Pitts-
burgh, Indiana, and North Ohio, as well as to Cincumati.
The number of missions is thirty-four; with forty-two mis-
sionaries. Great numbers of Germans have located in these
quarters ; and religion has spread amongst them in a most
encouraging manner. This work began, in its present, its
modem form, in the conversion of a learned native of Ger-
many ; who, when he left Europe, aud for some time after-
wards, cherished skeptical notions. Being himself savingly
converted to God, he instantly began to recommend the
Saviour to his countrymen ; and, from this beginning, one
of the noblest works of religion in modem times has sprung
up and spread its hallowing leaven. It was my happiness
to listen to the account of these things from this minister's
own lips ; who, in company with two or three more Ger-
man missionaries, detailed the interesting narrative. This
gentleman having been trained at one of the universities
of Germany, (as was the case with several others,) he en-
joys the advantages of learning in connexion with piety.
Dr. Nast sustains a Uterary as well as a ministerial relation
to his countrymen, and is well able either to exhibit or
defend the doctrines he has happily embraced. In fact,
both these functions are well sustained by him. But the
greatest ornament and beauty of these German Christians
is their piety. They are eminently devout and holy men.
It is impossible to hold intercourse with them without being
impressed with the purity and aflfection of their spirit.
They are, indeed, in happy circumstances. Religion with
them is emphatically a new creation. They were all either
Papists, or, what is quite as deadening to the soul. Ra-
tionalists. Their escape is like getting out of hell into
heaven. They feel all. this. It impresses them deeply;
so that, in trath, religion with them is enjoyed in all its
vbgin sweetness. They are in their " first love;" and the

388

TOUR IN AMBRICA.— PART IV.

'^A

•.*

ardour and simplicity of their souls is perfectly refreshing
to see — ^rather to feel. These Germans must live in the
affections of all who come in contact with them.

III. On the Ohio, in the State of Kentucky, below
Omcinnati, stands the city of Louisville, which gives its
name to a conference. The Louisville Conference
contains five districts ; namely, Louisville, Hardingshurg,
SmitMandy ffopkinsville, and Bowling- Cheen: fifty-four sta-
tions, circuits, and misaons ; sixty-six ministers, with one
hundred and ninety-nine local preachers ; twenty thousand
four hundred and seventy-two church-members, three thou-
sand seven hundred and forty-two of whom are people of
colour.

We have one extra appomtment : — ^Funk Seminary, J.
Randolph Finley.

Louisville, as the name imports, was originally settled
by the French. It is no great distance below Cincinnati,
on the Ohio, and is a place of great commercial importance.
It belongs to the southern Church, and slavery obtains
through the country around. It is clear, however, that
great religious progress has been made. Louisville was
visited by Bishop Asbuiy, when in a very infantine state,
who, in 1811, says he preached "in great aifiiction of
body ; but it was a liberal season." From that period it
has risen, as we see, to great consideration.

IV. Kentucky is skirted, through a part of its frontier,
by the Ohio River ; and, consequently, the conference
bearing that name joins the Ohio Conference. The Ken-
tucky Conference belongs to the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South. We find eight districts ; namely, Parkers-
burg, Ouyandotte, Maysville, Covington^ Lexington, Shelhy-
ville, Hcarrodshurg, Barhourville : seventy-five stations,
circuits, and missions; ninety-three ministers, with two
hundred and forty local preachers ; and twenty-eight thou-

TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. B. GHUROH. 889

sand six hundred and twenty-four church-members ; five
thousand one hundred and eighty-thrt;e of these are people
of colour.

Wv. are now, as will be seen by the number of people
of colour belonging to this conference, in a slave-holding
Stat<3. The progress of the slave population is great. In
1790, it only amounted to 11,830; and in 1840, it had
incre.i;sed to 182,268.

We find the following appointments connected with this
conference : — ^Transylvania University, H. B. Bascom, Jo-
siah L. Kemp. This institution is located at Lexington,
and is, lor America, an old establishment; having been
founded i 1 1 798. It is reported in the Repository as having
seven instructers ; six hundred and ten is given as the
number of its alumni ; three ministers ; one hundred and
twelve students ; and four thousand five hundred volumes
in its library.

V. Adjoining Kentucky, to the south-east, in the State
of Tennessee, the Holston River is seen emptying itself,
after a pretty long course, into the Tennessee. This river
and district of country gives its name to a conference. The
HoLSTON Conference contains seven districts; namely,
Wytheville, Abingdon, Rogersville, Knoxville, Cumherlandf
Athens, Ashville : sixty-four stations, circuits, and missions ;
eighty-four ministers, with three hundred and thirty-four
local preachers ; and thirty-eight thousand three hundred
and one church-members, three thousand nine hundred and
fifty-seven of whom are people of colour.

We find the following extra appointments : — ^Emory and
Henry College, C. Collins, President; E. C. Wiley, Pro-
fessor ; Holston College, C. Fulton, President and Agent ;
Knoxville Female Institute, D. R. M' Anally; M. Episco-
palian, L. Patton, Editor ; Thomas Stringfield, Agent to the
American Bible Society; William H. Rogere, Agent to
Sabbath-schools.

890

TOUR IN AMERICA.~PART IV.

Emory and Henry College is located at Glade-Spring,
in Virginia, and was established in 1839.

This division of territory lies a little out of our line. It
does not touch the Ohio at any point ; neither does it be-
long to the Atlantic or the Mississippi lines. The Holston
Conference embraces some small portions of North Caro-
lina, Georgia, and Virginia ; but it cannot be classed with
those conferences. We place it on the Ohio line, because
it is nearer to it than any other. It belongs to the Me-
thodist Church, South, and is a slave-holding territory. •

Good Bishop Asbury seems to have met with some
cross providences in these quarters, in the early history of
Methodism. He says : —

; «« We crossed Holston to Smith's Ferry, and rode thirty miles to

Ami's, where we were entertained for our money "We turned out

our horses to graze, and they strayed off: so here we are anchored

indeed We are now in a house in which a man was killed by

the savages ; and O, poor creatures, they are but one remove from
savages themselves. I consider myself in danger ; but my God will
keep me whilst thousands pray for me. My soul is humbled before
God, waiting to see the solution of this dark providence, (the loss of
the horses.) The man of the house is gone after some horses sup-
posed to be stolen by Indians. I have been near fainting ; but my
soul is revived again, and my bodily strength is somewhat recovereil.

We loaded brother Anderson's little horse with my great bags,

and two smaller ; four saddles ; with blankets and provender. Wc
thea set out, and walked ten miles, and our horses were brought to
us; and those who brought them were pleased to take what wc

pleased to give. Brother A sought the Lord by fasting and

prayer, and had a strong impression that it was not the will of God

that I should go with that company From December 14th,

1789, to April 20th, 1790, wo compute to have travelled two thou-
sand five hundred and seventy-eight miies. Hitherto hath the Lord
helped. Glory, glory to our God !"— " Journal,^' vol, ii, pp. 70, 71.

This is itinerancy in the wilderness. The following is
an account of one of the first conferences, if not the very
first, in this district : —

"Our conference (April, 1793) began at Nelson's, near Jonesbo-
rongh, in the new territory. We have only four or five families of

TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 301

Methodists here. We had sweet peace in onr conference. There
are appearances of danger on the road to Kentucky ; but the Lord is
with us. We have formed a company of nine men, (five of whom

are preachers,) who are well armed and mounted If report be

true, there is danger in journeying through the wilderness ; but I do
not fear : we go armed. If God suffer Satan to drive the Indians on
us, if it be his will, he will teach our ' hands to war, and ' our ' fingers
to fight ' and conquer. Our guard appeared fixed and armed for the
wilderness. We came down to E— — 's, and were well entertained.
Thence we proceeded to the main branch of Holston, which, being

SAVclled, we crossed in a flat ; thence to R ^"s, where I found the

reports relative to the Indians were true ; they had killed the post,
and one or two more, and taken four prisoners. I had not much
thought or fear about them." — "Journal" vol. ii, pp. 161, 162.

Thirteen years after, in 1806, he says : —

"We crossed Holston at the mouth of Watanga. I lodged at
William Nelson^s, (where the above conference was held,) an ancient
house and stand for Methodists and Methodist preaching. Saturday
the WesteiTi Conference commenced its sittings, and ended on Mon-
day; We had great peace. There are fourteen hundred added
within the bounds of this conference. Of the fifty-five preachers
stationed, all were pleased. The brethren were in want, and could not
suit themselves ; so I parted with my watch, my coat, and my shirt." — "Jour-
nal," vol. iii, p. 206.

" I'hese passages are given as specimens of the life of an
American bishop in the early period of the work ; of the
nature of wilderness itinerancy ; of the smallness of the
commencement of this great church organization ; of the
precautions and heroic spirit of these early missionaries ;
and of the dangers arising from the hostility of the Indians.
This, latter feature is distressing. Poor Indians! they
felt the power which was pressing upon them, and took
their revenge. They could not see their lands invaded and
occupied by the stranger, — his villages rising, and harvests
waving, on territory which used to furmsh them with game,
— without evincing the passionate instincts of a savage
nature ; and sought, as we see, for every opportunity of
aiming a deadly blow at their oppressors. The gospel
which Bishop Asbury and his associates preached, seems not

t.'^4

392

TOUR IN AMERICA.— -PART IV. ^mmimx

to have reached these poor outcasts. Whether any attempt
was made to save them, does not appear : they were left
in their Paganism. Indeed, it is difficult to imagine that
any eflfbrt, in their state of exasperation, would have proved
successful. We must confess, however, that, in former
times, the proselyting efiforts of the Popish missionaries in
these wild regions far exceeded the attempts of the Pro-
testants. These self-denying men followed the Indians
in their wanderings with untiring zeal, and sought to
"bring them over to the profession of their faith. Finer
examples of devotedness are seldom to be found ; and in
many instances they won the confidence and affections of
the savage tribes.

VI. We now come to the Indiana Conference, on the
right bank of the Ohio, and belonging to the northern
division of the Methodist Church. We find in connexion
with this conference eight districts; namely, BrooJevilUf
Lawrencehurg, Madison, New-Albany, Evamville, Vincennes,
Indianapolis, Bloominffton: eighty-seven stations, circuits,
and missions; one hundred and fourteen ministers, with
three hundred and nine local preachers ; and thirty thou-
sand seven hundred and forty-five church-members, of
whom one hundred and seventy-four are people of colour.

Vincennes, above referred to as the head of a district, is
one of the oldest and most interesting places, — historically
considered, — in the whole of this part of America. It was
settled by French emigrants from Canada, near the begin-
ning of the last century, and long remained a solitary
village. But few settlements were made in the country
till the commencement of the present century ; since which
time its increase in population has been very rapid. This,
in the whole State, is given as, in 1800, 4,876 ; in 1810,
24,520; m 1820, 147,178; in 1830, 343,031; in 1840,
685,800. Methodism, we see, has progressed with the
general population, and constitutes, no doubt, one of its

peop^
And
const^
in Ij
neces
istEj
H«
the
"westJ
view I
ist

TERRITORIAL PROORBSS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 393

most potent moral elements. This continued, the State
must become one of the most prosperous and well-ordered
in the Union. Its situation is, in every sense, most favour-
able for progress ; commanding the navigation of the Lakes
on the one hand, and the Ohio on the other.

VII. The Tennessee Conference is closely connected
with the Holston. This ecclesiastical division of country
comprises nine districts ; namely, I^ashville, Lebanon, Cum-
bgrland, Murfreeahorough, Winchester, Huntmlle, Florence,
D<yoer, Clarksville: seventy-eight stations, circuits, and mis-
sions ; one hundred and forty-seven ministers, with three hun-
dred and seventy-eight local preachers ; and forty thousand
one hundred and forty-eight church-members, seven thousand
two hundred and forty-nine of whom are people of colour.

We have the following extra appointments: — John B.
M'Ferrin and Moses H. Henkle, Editors Nashville Chris-
tian Advocate; Columbia Female Institute, Jared 0.
Church; Tennessee Conference Female Institute, R. H.
Rivers, B. H. Hubbard ; La Orange College, Edward
Wadsworth; Clarksville Female Academy, Joseph E.
Douglass ; Philip P. Nutty, Agent for Transylvania Univer-
sity ; William O. Oould, Agent for La Orange College ;
Ethelbert H. Hatcher, Agent for American Bible Society.

Tennessee, as will be seen from the number of coloured
people belonging to the Church, is a slave-holding State.
And we are sorry to perceive that the slave population is
constantly increasing. In 1790, the numbers were 3,417,
in 1840 they had swelled up to 183,059. It is hardly
necessary to say that this conference belongs to the Method-
ist Episcopal Church, South. f

Having now travelled from the Alleghany Mountains, by
the course of the Ohio, to the Mississippi, in the "far
west," we shall, according to our practice, give a tabular
view of the result of this territorial progress of the Method-
ist Church in these regions.

17* M

394

TOUR IN AMERICA. — PART IV.

Conferences. Dlit. Circnitt. Minlst. Supernum. Local Pr. Membera.

Pittsburgh ... 8

111

184

265 .

42,378

Ohio 15

161

28R

528

62,188

Louisville ... 5

199

20,472

Kentucky ... 8

240

28,624

Indiana .... 8

114

309

30,745

Ilolston .... 7

334

38,301

Tennessee ... 9

147

378

40,148

60 630 876 56 2,253 262,858

As the country which we have now traversed is new ter-
ritory, and is a part of the Valley of the Mississippi, it may
be proper to give some notices of its settlement, in order
that an idea may be formed of American progress. The
earliest settlements in Tennessee were made between the
years 1766 and 1110; in 1790 it was placed under a
:jeparate territorial government, under the name of the
'' Territory South of the Ohio ;" and in 1796, the inhabit-
ants formed a constitution, and Tennessee was admitted
into the Union as an independent State. The permanent
settlement in Kentucky began in 1775 ; and in 1792 it was
admitted into the Union as an independent State. The
iirst settlements in Ohio were commenced at Marietta, in
1788. In the following year the country was put under a
territorial government, and called the "Western Terri-
tory;" and in 1802 it was erected into an independent
State. In 1800, Indiana was erected into a territorial
government; and in 1816 it was admitted into the Union
us an independent State. The mean length of Tennessee
is said to be 400 miles, and its breadth 114, containing 45,-
600 square miles. Kentucky is about 400 miles in length,
and its breadth is 170 miles, containing 40,500 square
miles. Ohio is 200 miles long, and 200 broad, containing
40,000 square miles. The length of Indiana is 260 miles,
and its breadth 140, containing 36,000 square miles. The
aggregate of this territory is thus seen to contain 162,000
square miles.

This western country consists of the finest land in the
United States, and, perhaps, the most productive in the

TERRITORIAL PR00RB88 OF THE M . E. CHURCH. 395

ten.
378
,188
,472
,624
,745
,301
),148

world. It is capable of the highest possible cultivation, —
of producing all kinds of grain and fruits, and, conse-
quently, of feeding an indefinite number of inhabitants. Its
population, at present, considering the length of time it has
been occupied by a civilized race, is very great, and must
soon become prodigious. The influx of emigrants from
Europe, and the older States, is constantly going on : and
their occupancy of the country'is accompanied by a clear-
ance of the soil, the erection of new villages, towns, and
cities, and all the appliances and means of civilized life.
There is amazing grandeur in this process. It is like a
creation. A world of civilized men throwing around them
all the garniture, the ornaments, and the blandishments of
existence. Cities beautifully laid out on their rivers are
springing up, almost as in a day ; finely situated for com-
mercial purposes, and, as time progresses, evidently des-
tined to become great and interesting centres of life. New
villages, as the wilderness is passed through, appear at
short distances from each other, embosomed in the forest,
and surrounded by land only partially cleared ; but suffi-
ciently so to provide richly for the wants of the new
comers. Railroads are made to pass along in the midst of
both the occupied territory and the gloomy forest ; whilst
they connect, by perfectly easy means, the people of remote
regions, and unite their rivers and lakes as one great
thoroughfare.

' It is easy to see that this portion of America must ulti-
mately, and at no remote period, become equal, if not supe-
rior, to any part of the Union. It is, in one sense, far from
the seacoast, and in this respect must lie under disadvan-
tages. The means of transport, however, are perfectly easy,
and the cost cannot be great. Such places as Pittsburgh,
Wheeling, and especially Cincinnati, though the buildings
are new, yet have the appearance of great manufacturing
and commercial towns. They have the air of communities
full of life and activity, of comfort and affluence, and of

,t^

396

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.— PART IV.

perfectly established business habits. Their transactions
cannot be less regular and orderly than those of long esta-
blished mtrepdta of trade. There must be master minds at
work in every department; these things cannot be the
growth of chance. And, from the peculiarities of the coun-
try, and the great influx of people from Europe, we see
the result is, that a great city springs up in a short period ;
whereas, in old countries, many years have been necessary
to their growth. We have no such places exactly as Pitts-
burgh and Cincinnati, inasmuch as these cities lie on the
banks of a river, forming an inland navigation, — and not on
the seacoast. On this ground we cannot compare the latter
with such a place as Liverpool, one of the most remarka-
ble marts of commerce in the United Kingdom. But Cin-
cinnati has progressed much more rapidly than Liverpool
could have done at any period of its history. Less than
lifty years ago it was a mere village, containing a few
scattered huts, and its population only amounted to a few
hundred souls ; whilst at present, as we have seen, it is not
less than something like one hundred thousand. But it is
not so much the social life of this country, as matters con-
nected with the Church, which most demand our attention.
The progress of religion has been as remarkable as that of
society in general.

The privations and sufferings of the first pioneers of
these deserts, in introducing the gospel, must have struck
every one. If Bishop Asbury, the chief and leader of this
noble band of heroic men» endured the difficulties which we
have recorded, what must have been the condition of the
Immble missionaries, who were daily devoted to this enter-
prise ? It is impossible to imagine the amount of mental,
as well as physical, suffering, through which they were
called to pass. But they have reaped a glorious reward
in their work. Its massive grandeur stands out as the
best monument of their wisdom and piety. Generations
tmbom — ^bdeed, through all time-->will be influenced in

TERRITORIAL PROORBSS Of THB M. B. CBUROR. 897

their present and eternal destinies by what they have
achieved.

Much more than zeal ha« been eicbibited in building
up this great Church. There miwt have been connected
with it from the beginning men of great practical wisdom ;
of high talent in the management of business ; and also of
enlarged Christian views as to the wants of their country-
men, as well as devoted seal. God must either have di-
rectly given the pattern of this Church, as he did that of
the old dispensation to Moses, or otherwise the men must
have possessed great talents. The most rational solution
will be found in the belief, that the Deity directed the
movement by his own good Spirit ; but, at the same time,
that the grace was developed in the high judgment ns well
as ffuth of the agency employed.

The first office and duty of these early evangelists would,
of necessity, be the preaching of the gospel ; the awaken-
ing of the people to a sense of religion, and leading them
to Christ; thus gathering the flock in the wilderness.
Hence their " Camp " and " Revivalist " meetings. What
could be more appropriate to the condition of a people
living in scattered hamlets, and remote from each other ;
having no " houses of worship," and sometimes none even
for themselves, except the log-hut ; — what, we say, could
be more suited to their state and wants than the creation
of the " stand," under the umbrageous shade of the trees
of the forest, and having crowds of people present to seek
their conversion to God? But these services must have
exercised other useful influences over a people so circum-
stanced. Isolation is found to be favourable to the growth
of the worst passions of our nature. Barbarism and bruta-
lity connect themselves with the life of men and families,
living remotely from their fellow-men. Hence, social ties,
friendly feelings, virtuous friendships, brotherhood and
kindness, — ^indeed, all the ameliorating characteristics of
religion — must have been promoted by these assemblies

:S&'

898

TOUB IN AMBRICA.— PART IV.

in the wilderness. Those who can see nothing but rant and
fanaticism in these " camp-meetings" are shallow observers
of the tendencies of human associations. For a great length
of time, the evangelists of these western wilds could have
no choice between the private dwelling, as a place of
worship, and the forest. How few must have attended the
log-hut service ! whereas, by calling the people to the
worship of God under his own bright skies, making the
wilderness his temple, they found space for the people,
whilst their increased numbers would produce a wholesome
excitement on the mind of the preacher, and call forth his
utmost energies.

There is something vastly fascinating and beautiful in
these primitive, patriarchal modes of worshipping God.
True, this is not reli^on. It is not the spirit — the essence
— the hidden mystery — ^the abstract — belonging to the
Christian system. But is there any harm in enlisting the
sentiment, the sympathies, the poetry, in man's soul on the
side of the spiritual ? Why has God made silence impres-
sive, if we are not to be impressed ? Why has he put beauty
in ten thousand forms, and hues, and tints, if we are not
to taste the beautiful ? Why has he caused the grove, the
forest, the wilderness, to speak in accents of awe or of joy, if
we are not to indulge in corresponding feelings ? Why has
he impressed the glorious sun, the blue sky, the retiring
day, the rising morning, the dark night, with the grand and
sublime, if we are to entertain no suitable apprehension of
all this ? Why has he made it a law of nature that the
winds, as they rustle through the leaves ; the sweet warb-
ling of the birds, as they pour their carols through the
thickets; and, in truth, all things vocal; why has God made
it a law that all this should soothe, soften, and elevate the
soul ; why, if we are not to listen to this music, and
enjoy the concert ? It has been objected against these
" camp-meetings" that they are got up for effect. Why
ought they not to be got up for effect, if the "efect"

TEBRITOEIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 399

nt and
lervers
length
have
■ice of
ed the
to the
ng the
jepple,
lesome
)rth his

i*>

is in harmony with religious sentiment and feeling ? God's
beautiful world will remain hanging out its lamps of glory,
speaking in its divine harmony, inviting all created intelli-
gences to behold their Author in his works, in despite of
this prudish cant. And, moreover, human nature will
strike in with the design ; it will gaze and admire ; it will
listen and send forth its echoes ; it will feel the attraction
of the divinely delicate touch of the ten thousand influences
around, in happy sympathies : — it will do all this, despite
of any code of crabbed and mistaken godliness. God
lives in the temple of the universe. Christianity teaches
no lesson the contrary of this ; it is one of its great and
fundamental truths. Why, then, attempt to obscure or
obliterate what is immutable, whether in nature or in man ?
^ Probably, without knowing it, these forest preachers
obeyed a law of our being, and the voice of nature herself,
when they took their stand in the woods for the purpose
of preaching Christ crucified. We dare say the scenery,
the occasion, the solemnity, aided the message — ^why not ?
What are forms of speech, modes of address, — tropes, figures,
poetry, logic, — everything belon^ng to the preacher's or
the orator's art, — ^but so many means to produce effect ?
The essence of the greatest truth lies in the shortest and
most simple proposition. What is amplification, illustration,
argument, ornament, but means employed to render this
truth impressive, — ^in a word, to produce effect ?

Man is made for this. He is not a piece of cold mecha-
nism, neither is he a mental abstraction. The affections,
the imagination, the taste, the sympathies, — the deep-toned
emotions of man's soul, — as much belong to the domain
of religion as what are called his mental faculties and his
conscience. ' In point of fact, the whole man belongs to
this kingdom of God; — all his mind, all his nature. If,
in the case we are considering, the truth should find its
way to the depths of the soul through the feelings, where
is the harm ? These avenues are much more accessible

«*.

400

TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV.

than anythmg else in man. It is infinitely more difficult to
reach the heart through the understanding, the logic, the
judgment of nature, than through the passions. Every
human heing comprehends the language of love, — ^it meets
with an instant response. And it may be fairly questioned,
whether any progress can be made in the spread of the
gospel, the triumphs of the cross, and the conversion of
men, unless, in the first place, the human rebel is disarmed
of his enmity against God, by a direct appeal to his feel-
ings. It is by his passions, much more than by his un-
derstanding and his conscience, that he stands out against
the truth. These passions are the barriers in the way of
the admission of the gospel message. Then, where can be
the wrong in endeavouring to melt and subdue, to produce
an impression, to elicit the feelings, on the side of the
man's own happiness ? It may, indeed, be granted that
in case the matter was left here, it would be wrong, it
would be useless. But then, if, with the impression pro-
duced, the softening of the feelings, the emotions of the
heart, by God's blessing on the scenery of a " camp-meet-
ing," you declare the truth, and press it upon the under-
standing and the conscience, then, instead of the practice
being an evil, it must be considered a good. No doubt
can be entertained but that this was the case with these
forest preachers. ^

Out of these first efibrts, these small beginnings, these
rude labours, the Methodist Episcopal Church, in these
western wilds, has sprung ; and the real question for con-
sideration is. How have the architects performed their task ?
What sort of building have they erected? One thing
must strike every one in surveying its territorial position,
namely, that there is a desire and purpose that the whole
should rest upon truth ; should be cemented by the
means of knowledge and education ; that, in a word, the
community should imderstand its own duties, and be pre-
pared to bless the world by a course of enlightened conduct.

TERBirORUL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 401

these
these

Hence, in agreement with this, we find their educational
institutions growing up concurrently with church organiza-
tions. This course of conduct not only indicates sound
policy, hut, in the circumstances of the country, it has the
appearance of real patriotism. The numher of colleges,
academies, and schools of every kind, is, considering the
shortness of the period in which they have existed as a
people, quite astonishing. It is true, that some of these
may he feeble establishments, only in their commencement,
and having, as yet, no great claim to distinction for leam<
ing and scholarship. But even these circumstances are
very encouraging. There must be a beginning to every-
thing ; and this commencement, in a career of great useful-
ness, is not only valuable as a present provision, but it has
also a prospective importance. It will be found, on exami-
nation, that these collegiate institutions amount to sixteen
in these several conferences ; and, considering the date of
the work, and the difficulties to be encountered in a new
coimtry, this is very extraordinary progress. Some of
these colleges, indeed, were not founded by the Methodist
body, but have fallen into their hands from the want of
patronage on the part of those who originated them ; but
most of them have been reared by the fostering care and
benevolence of our people themselves.

It is evident that the Church rightly judges, that, in
these times, it is hopeless to expect either permanency or
advancement, otherwise than by connecting education and
knowledge with religion. The day is certainly past for
churches to build up their influence and power exclusively
on the exercise of the priestly function. The instrumen-
tality must be very diflferent to the old craft of Rome, em-
ployed, it is true, with great success for many ages, but now
grown obsolete. There is too much skepticism, — philoso-
phy, — speculation — ^litierature, — ^in the world now-a-days to
admit of anything of this kind. And even amongst classes
who cannot, with any truth, be ranked amongst the enemies

402

TOUR IN AMERICA.~PART IV.

of the gospel, there is such a spirit of inquiry and inde-
pendence of thought, that any attempt at imppsition upon
them is at once detected. This spirit of free inquiry may
be an advantage or a disadvantage, just as it is improved or
^ neglected by the ministers of religion, and those who are
intent on the promotion of its interests. Let priesthoods of
all sorts and names scowl and complain at the " spirit of the
age," as unbelieving, instead of buckling on the harness, and
coming forth to discharge their duties ; and then, as a con-
sequence, the world is inevitably filled with real infidelity.
But if this tendency for progress, philosophy, and knowledge,
operate as it ought on the minds and habits of priesthoods ;
if it make them studious lovers of knowledge, ''apt to
teach," and leads them to a comprehensive view of the
glorious truth put into their hands ; then, instead of an evil,
"free inquiry" will be a good.

Religion is knowledge. It is the highest intellectual re-
gion which can be reached by man. It is a libel on the
great truths and revelations of the word of God, to repre-
sent them as merely dealing with the heart, whilst the
higher faculties are left untouched. The intellect is, in point
of fact, strengthened, expanded, and elevated, infinitely
more by the teaching of the gospel than by anything else.
What has the Christian system, as an economy, as the king-
dom of God, to fear from light and knowledge, when it is
in truth the perfection of light and knowledge itself ? Wliat
is there to alarm any one in the investigations of philoso-
phy and metaphysics, as they pry into the spiritual, the
hidden, the divine ; when, at the same time, the Christian
philosophy, the metaphysics of the Bible, reveal and exhi-
bit these objects to its disciples as their daily common les-
sons ? What, in the profound and sublime researches of
science, in its application to nature, — ^whether in the heights
above or the depths below; — when, in truth, they only
amount to a commencement, a gloss, an illustration of
truths which the Bible has taught its disciples from the be-

TERRITORIAL PROaRESS 07 THE M. E. CHURCH. 408

^nning ? What, in studies in history, in morals, in human
relations, in jurisprudence and law ; in principles of equity
and right ; in the well-being of States, and in the mundane
destinies of mankind? Has the Christian code anything to
apprehend from all this ? Is it not rather the great store-
house of all which is true and certain on all these points ?
What, again, in beauties of thought, forms of truth, and
ideas and sentiments, whether expressed in prose or po-
etry, — didactive speech or ornate language ? Have the
books of Scripture anything to dread from a comparison
with any, with all, of the productions of either ancient or
modem times ? We have said nothing about inspiration,
prophecy, miracles, — those things which are taken gene-
rally as the proofs of divinity. But a divine system must
be true and immutable, independently of the external
manifestations which make it known as such. These are
only the outward coruscations of God ; the voice which
the truth uses to make known its own claims, not the truth
itself: they are, so to speak, the hand- writing upon the
wall, — ^not the essence, the qualities, the glories, of the
spiritual and invisible Being, who holds out that hand, and
inscribes the characters. The Christian religion is God, — •
is the glorious Trinity, — is the spiritual world, — ^is the es-
sence and truth of all being, — as well as a mighty and mer-
ciful remedy for the evils of sin, and the miseries of the
human race. It is just as possible for infidelity to blow up
the universe by its puny malice, as it is to uproot Chris-
tianity. Then the teachers of our religion need not fear
anything from knowledge, from investigation, from the ad-
vancement of science and literature. But has not religion
much to gain as to the character of outward development ;
if all its ministers, instead of employing the language of
complaint, came forward, and, as was the wont in the best
times of antiquity, made themselves the high-priests of
knowledge, of light, of progress ? These, it seems, are the
notions of the ministers and people of the Methodist Church

404

TOUE IN AMERICA.— PART IV.

in America. The establishment of their collegiate institu*
tions indicates their desire to place their church-progress
abreast of the advancing light of the age.

But these efforts to establish a good and useful system
of education must give the American Methodist Church a
statits in the country, which nothing else could possibly do.
In despite of system and theory, human society must have
its aristocracies ; and scholarship creates a sort of aristoc-
racy in the United States. No people on earth, not even
excepting the French, are better hero- worshippers than the
Americans. Their great men are their gods. Political
leaders, and the chiefs of war, it is true, create more ex-
citement than any others ; but learning comes in for its
share of public applause. It is difficult to estimate the real
amount of intellectual culture existing in the country ; but
the idea as to its value has undoubtedly gone forth, and is
universally entertained.

In this state of public feeling, it is impossible for any
church to possess anything like an honourable standing in
the country, without recognizing the necessity of scientific
and literary instruction, and making provision for its at-
tainment.

Indeed, it is clear, in a nation where all the offices of
law and the professions, all the dignities and honours of the
State, are open to all classes, the fact that none can enter
upon them but those who have been previously prepared,
will, of itself, be an inducement to exertion. Hence the
position of a church must be infinitely advanced by its
progress in knowledge. What we see in these fine coun-
tries, is only the beginning. But from these foundations
must, as timft progresses, grow up great establishments.
Nothing is to be despised in which a principle of life is
found, however feeble in its present state. ^i\c It time,
scope, and the means of growth, and it is certain to de-
velop itself. This must be the case with these schools.
They are in their infancy, but they possess vitality. The

TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. OHURCH. 405

progress of events, the increase of population, the accumu*
lation of wealth, will biing with them multiplied demands
for instruction ; and these rudimental colleges must grow
into great universities.

On the whole, then, this western Church is a fine illus-
tration of the power of the grace of God ; of the energizing
character of divine truth ; and of the indefatigable zeal,
industry, and piety of its founders.

What is to follow, no one can tell. But it is to be hoped
that the same mercy and power which enabled the fathers
of the work to lay the foundations of a structure so noble,
will continue to be manifested in carrying on the building
through all succeeding generations.

IV.— THE MISSISSIPPI LINE.

We now enter upon a perfectly new route, the line of
the Mississippi : —

The Mississippi, " Father of Waters," is 3,300 miles in
length ; rises from Lake Itasca, to the west of Lake Supe-
rior, and flows south into the Gulf of Mexico. It receives
in its course, besides innumerable smaller contributions,
tlie following great rivers ; namely, on its left the Wis-
consin, 400 miles in length; the Illinois, 600; and the
Ohio, 1,200. It receives on its right, St. Peter's, 350
miles in length ; Iowa, 360 ; Missouri, 3,200 ; White River,
460 ; Arkansas, 2,000 ; and Red River, 1,500. The Mis-
sissippi, counting from the sources of the Missouri, is 4,300
miles long.

This is the line we have now to explore; and to ex-
amine the territorial extent of the Methodist Church in
these vast regions.

The Wisconsin Territory, which forms the most northerly
district on the line of the Mississippi, being a new territory,
is not in possession of a separate conference ; but the Rock
Biver Conference enabraces this portion of country ; and.

406

TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV.

no doubt, as population increases, a new organization wui
take place.

I. But, on the right bank of the river, parallel, in point
of latitude, with Wisconsin, we find the Iowa Conference.
In this division are four districts, called mission districts ;
namely, Burlington, Bloomington, Dubuque, and Besmoines :
forty stations, circuits, and missions ; fifty-four ministers,
with ninety-seven local preachers ; and eight thousand four
hundred and forty church-members.

This is a new country, having been erected into a terri-
torial government in 1838, and admitted as a State into the
Union as late as 1846. In consequence, all the districts
and stations are marked as missions. We have, strange to
say, no Christian Advocate, and as yet no college of any
kind, connected with this conference. This whole ter-
ritory, more than a hundred years ago, used to be
traversed by Jesuit missionaries from Canada. Their
mission was then to the Indian tribes ; not, however, with-
out political and territorial objects. The Jesuits and the
Indians alike have disappeared, and now an Anglo-American
population is springing up, and Methodist missionaries are
everywhere found.

' II. In descending the Mississippi, on the left bank, we
find the Illinois Conference, joining that of Rock River,
and continuing the ecclesiastical line of posts towards the
south. In this conference we have ten districts ; namely,
Quincy, Bloomington, Springfield, Jacksonville, Lebanon,
Sparta, Mount Carmel, Danville, St. Louis German Mis-
sion, and Quincg German Mission : one hundred and six
stations, circuits, and missions; one hundred and thirty
ministers, with four hundred and twenty -five local preachers ;
and twenty-four thousand and ninety-eight church-members.
We find the following extra appointments : — Conference
Female Academy, W. D, R. Trotter, Agent ; M'Kendree

o
O,

wul

TERRITORIAL PROaRESS OF THE M. B. CHURCH. 407

College, Erastus Wentworth, President ; A. W. Cummings,
Spencer Mattison, Professors; William Goodfellow, Prin-
cipal of Preparatory Department ; Georgetown Seminary,
Jesse H. Moore.

The German missions in the bounds of this conference
constitute a very important portion of its work. These
plodding, industrious, and sober people, fall very much
under the care of the Methodist Church ; and, by suitable
attention and culture, become excellent, and many of them
eminent. Christians. Numerous ministers are raised up
belonging to their nation ; and, for piety, zeal, devotedness,
and ability, are exceeded by no other class.

III. Missouri, on the right bank of the Mississippi, and
only separated from Illinois by the river, is the next con-
ference demanding our attention. It belongs to the Me-
thodist Episcopal Church, South. We have five districts
in this country ; namely, St. Charles, Columbia, Richmond,
Weston, and Hannibal: thirty-five stations, circuits, and
missions ; fifty-one ministers, with eighty-seven local preach-
ers ; and ten thousand nine hundred and twenty-four
church-members, eleven hundred and sixty-four of whom
are people of colour.

We find the following appointments : — Isaac Ebbert is
President of St. Charles College ; Jeremiah F. Riggs is Agent
for the College ; Richard Bond is Agent for the American
Bible Society ; Nathan Scarritt is Principal of Howard
High School.

AVe are here, as the number of people of colour will indi-
cate, in a slave State. In 1810, the number is reported as
3,011; and in 1840, as 68,240. Out of these only 1,160
are members of the Methodist Church. This cannot be
considered as very encouraging success amongst this de-
graded race.

IV. St. Louis, very famous as a western first-class city,

408

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.— PART IV.

which is found in the State of Missouri, gives its name to
a conference. The St. Louis Conference contains six
districts ; namely, St Louis, Cape Girardeau, Potoai,
Springfield, Lexington, Boonville: fifty-one stations, cu:-
cuits, and missions ; fifty -nine ministers, -with one hundred
and sixty-three local preachers; and thirteen thousand
seven hundred and fifty-five church-members, eight hun-
dred and ninety-five of whom are people of colour.

As this city and locality constitute an interesting por-
tion of the Union, and is much visited and remarked upon
by our countrymen, it may be proper to notice, that it was
founded in 1764, by the French, as the name indicates,
when they were in possession of New-Orleans, and com-
manded the waters of the Mississippi from the south. Me-
thodism was introduced so recently as 1821.

Twenty-seven years ago, it seems, the Methodist Church
had no existence in St. Louis ; we have now a conference,
numbering 13,755 members in the city and neighbouring
country. About the time in question, namely, in 1820, the
city itself numbered 4,598 inhabitant^; ; in 1846, they
amounted to 34,140. It appears from this, that population
and Methodism have been concurrently progressing, and
probably in pretty equal proportions.

V. The State of Arkansas, on the right bank of the
Mississippi, gives its name to a conference belonging to
the Methodist Church, South. This conference contains
five districts ; namely. Little Rock, Fayetteville, Washing-
ton, Pine Bluff, and Helena : forty-one stations, circuits,
and missions ; forty-three ministers, with one hundred and
forty-eight local preachers ; and nine thousand seven hun-
dred and thirty-six church-members, seventeen hundred
and fifty of whom are people of colour.

Agent for the Washington Seminary, Lewis S. Marshall

This is new ground, Arkansas having been separated

from th^ State of Missouri only in 1819, and erected into

TBRBITORIAL PBOQBBSS OF THB M. E. OHUROH. 409

a territorial govenunent. In 1886, it was admitted into
the Union as an independent State. Its white population
is stated to be 14,278 in 1820 ; and in 1846, to have in<
creased to 145,000. Its slave population in 1820, con-
sisted of 1,617 ; and in 1840, it had increased to 10,085.

It will be seen, that the Methodist Church has rapidly
advanced in this new country. Its work, as is evident
from the Minutes, is chiefly missionary. Time has not
allowed of much consolidation, or of the introduction of
seminaries of learning. Institutions of this description
must follow evangelization, and no doubt they will appear
in due time.

( I

VI. Memphis, standing on the left bank of the Missis-
sippi, and in the lowest point of the State of Tennessee,
gives its name to a conference. The Memphis Confer-
ence contains six districts ; namely, Memphis, Granada,
Salem, Somerville, Jackson, Paducah: seventy-one sta-
tions, circuits, and missions ; one hundred and one min-
isters, with three hundred and forty-four local preachers ;
and thirty thousand nine hundred and forty church-mem-
bers, six thousand and sixty-eight of whom are people of
colour.

Jackson Female Institute, L. Lea, President; A. W.
Jones, Professor ; G. T. Baskerville, Agent for the JackiEK)n
FemaAe Institute and Centenary Fund.

This ecclesiastical division, in great part, lies in the upper
or northern portion of the State of Mississippi, though its
head is in Tennessee. Slarery, it will be seen, abounds
here ; and it is gratifying to find upwards of six thousand
slaves belonging to the Church.

YII. The Mississippi State, the south-east point of

which touches the Gulf of Mexico, is occupied by another

division bearing the above name. This Mississippi

CoNFBRBNOK c<mtaiii8 sovon districts; namely, Clinton,

410

TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV.

Nakh€», Viekiburg, Vatoo, Lake Washington JUitsimi,
Sharon, Pearl River : fifty-four stationB, circuits, and mis-
sions ; seventy-tbree ministers, with one hundred and
ninety-three local preachers; and nxteen thousand five
hundred and ninety-eight church-members, six thousand
one hundred and eighty-three being people of colour.

Centenary College, John C. Miller; Joseph M'Dowell,
Agent for Old Centenary College.

VIII. The Louisiana Conference now demands our
attention. We have six districts in this division ; namely,
New- Orleans, Baton Rouge, Opelousas, Monroe, Shreve-
port, Vidalia : fifty-three stations, circuits, and missions ;
forty-seven ministers, with seventy-one local preachers ; and
eight thousand two hundred and seventy-two church-mem-
bers, three Aousand seven hundred and forty-nine of whom
are people of colour.

D. 0. Shattttck, President of Centenary College ; Robert
R. Read, Agent for the Centenary College.

The above college is located at Jackson.

This conference is important, because it includes New-
Orleans, the great commercial mart of the Mississippi, and
famed as the most profligate and wicked place in the Union.
On examination, it will be found that the societies in this
city are very small, which seems to corroborate the common
report as to the dissipation of the place. Its inhabitants
are, it is said, constantly changing, and consist very much
of desperate adventurers; and it should seem, that the
sickliness of the place causes the people to push the pur-
suit of gayety and pleasure to the utmost extreme ; as if the
uncertainty of life led them to seek as much of what they
consider enjoyment in a short space as possible. This is
no unusual thing. The inhabitants of Vera Cruz are simi-
larly distinguished ; and yet it is about the most pestilential
locality in the world.

Races of men, it should seem, have something to do with

TERRITORIAL PR0ORIS8 OF THB M. B. OHUROH. 411

both religion and solid freedom. Wherever, on the conti-
nent of America, we find the basis of population to be
French, as in New-Orleans ;^r Spanish, as in Florida ; —
we perceive in f^his circumstance an eflfectual barrier against
the progress of the gospel, as well as an mcapacity for self-
government and liberty, as demonstrated by their departed
power. Romanism may, indeed, perform its part in all this.
Its policy has everywhere been to attach man to a system,
instead of educating him to walk and act for himself. But
systems break down ; and when this takes place, and the
people are found helpless vassals, they are sure to be inca-
pable of acting for themselves, and necessarily fall under
the dominion of stronger races.

IX. Alabama is not exactly on our line. It lies betwixt
the State of Mississippi on the one hand, and Georgia on
the other ; having Florida, for a considerable extent, as its
frontier towards the south, and yet touching the Gulf of
Mexico by its south-west point. The conference of this name
contains eight districts ; namely. Mobile, Gainesville, Colum-
bus, Tuskaloosa, Talladega, Montgomery, Eufaula, and
Summerfield : ninety-eight stations, circuits, and missions ;
one hundred and eighteen ministers, with four hundred and
forty-nine local preachers; and forty-four thousand six
hundred and three church- members — fifteen thousand two
hundred and seventy-nine being people of colour.

Macon Female Institute, Frederick G. Ferguson. Cen-
tenary Institute, A. H. Mitchell ; Agent, G. Garrett.

The white population of this State, in 1810, amounted
to 20,845 ; and in 1845, it had increased to 624,827, Ia
1820, its slave popidation amounted to 41,879; mtM. it
1840, to 258,532. This is a fearful augmenti|kni. .It
shows that an active and distressing internal baHltr in the
flesh and blood of man must be going on within th» limits
of the States.

We have some relief in the fact above stated, that

4l2

IT':

TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV.

15,279 of these poor wretches are within the pale of the
Church.

We have two other confereices in this southern direction,
which must be noticed, though they lie beyond our Missis-
sippi route.

X. The Texas Confsrenoe contains four districts;
namely, Galveston, Rutersville, Austin, San Antonio :
twenty-nine stations, circuits, and missbns; twenty-nine
ministers, with fifty-four local preachers ; and three thou-
sand two hundred and thirteen church-members — seven
hundred and ninety-nine of whom are people of colour.

XT The East Texas Conference embraces three dis-
tricts; namely, San AugusHne, Marshall, Clarkesville :
twenty-seven stations, circuits, and missions ; twenty-three
ministers, with seventy local preachers ; and four thousand
eight hundred and three church-members — six hundred
and thirty-seven of whom are people of colour.

XII. In 1834, the Rocky Mountains were crossed by two
or three missionaries, and the gospel was introduced into
Oregon, This work has been progressing from that period
to the present time. But as Oregon has not l^en formed
into a conference, we are unable to report its exact state.
Indeed, at the Pittsburgh Conference, I heard a mission-
ary, who had spent several years in the country, give a
most interesting account of the state of things, and the
hopeful prospect of much good. He proposed the estab-
lishment of a conference for Oregon and California;*
though at the time the treaty for the cession ci the latter
territory to the United States had not been signed. The
arguments of the nnssi<Miary were listened to very atten

I* The " Oregon and California Mission Conference " has since been
formed.}

TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. B. CHURCH. 413

the

ption,
Lissis-

tively by the conference ; and good Bishop Heddmg pro-
posed several questions as to the time it would take a
bishop to travel to the place to constitute the conference in
question, the route, expense, and modes of travelling, as if
he had it in hb heart to attempt the journey. This was
fine in a man near seventy, not very agile in his structure,
and not by any means in good health.

At the above date, the mission was exclusively intended
to benefit the heathen population. A fine establishment
was formed near the mouth of the Columbia ; and the first
efforts of the missionaries were crowned with promising
success. Since that time, the territory has been divided
between the British and the Americans; and the latter are
pressing to occupy the country. The portion of Oregon to
which they have chiefly at present emigrate^, was described
as surpassingly fertile and beautiful ; and the people were
represented as making great progress in the cultivation of
the soil. Distant ages will hear and know more about
Oregon. It will, no doubt, share in the prosperity and
greatness of the American world ; become the area of seve-
ral new States, and be the means of extending the influ-
ence and power of this great nation to the seaboard of the
Pacific ; and, as a consequence, to China, India, and Poly-
nesia, by a direct and easy route. The consequences lie in
the future ; but that their influence must be great on the
destinies, not only of America, but also of the world, may
safely be predicted.*

XIII. Indian Missions. — ^To the west of Iowa, Mis-
souri, and Arkansas, is found the Indian Territory, six or
seven hundred miles in length, and of less breadth ; where,

* Since the above was written, the great excitement respecting the disco-
very of gold in CiUifomia, and the emigration of the people in great num-
bers in search of the precious metal, have occurred. How singular are the
ways of Providence ! This gold mania will attract a large population to a
country which would otherwise only have been peopled in the usual way ;
and though much disappointment will, no doubt, arise respecting the gold,
the people will remain to cultivate the soil, and extend the Christian cause.

t<( ya

414

TOUR IS AMBRIOA.— PART IV.

for the present, the wrecks of numerous powerful tribes and
nations are located. The Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, has established itself amongst these tribes, and
designates the ecclesiastical territory the Ixdian-Mission
OoKFBRENOE. In this conference we have three districts ;
namely, Kansas River, Cherokee, and Muscogee : twenty-
six stations, circuits, and missions; thirty-two ministers,
with thirty-two local preachers ; and three thousand eight
hundred and fifteen church-members : these are divided
into ninety-seven whites, two hundred and seventy-three
people of colour, (that is, people of the African race,) and
three thousand four hundred and forty-five Indians.

We find the following extra appointments: — ^Indian
Manual-Labour School and Station, Thomas Johnson,
Tyson Dines ; iksbury Manual-Labour School and Station
among the Creeks, Thomas B. Ruble ; Fort Coffee Manual-
Labour School, New-Hope Female School and Station,
Jesse L. M'Alister ; M'Kendree Manual-Labour School and
Station among the Chickasaws, Wesley Browning ; Robert-
son-Neighbourhood School, Erastus B. Duncan.

It is a subject of rejoicing that Christianity has found
its way, to any extent, amongst these deeply injured races
of the human family. Their tale of wo is one of the most
painful on the records of time. Whilst the poor Negro
submits with docility and comparative content to his lot of
degradation and toil, the Red-man, in the pride of his man-
hood, has ever spurned the yoke of oppression ; and rather
than submit to become the white man's s]ave, he has
chosen to fight for his freedom through long ages of
unequal conflict; till now the remains of innumerable
nations, which owned and hunted freely through the whole
continent, are pent up in a mere nook in the farthest west.

In the conquests and settlements of the Christian nations
of Europe — ^it may be well asked, — What has the world
gained by their Christianity ? The pagan nations of anti-
quity inyaiiably contrived to connect the social and politi-

TERRITORIAL PROQRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 415

cal impi'ovement of the conquered or colonized countries,
vrith the possession of their territory and dominion over the
people. Northern Africa was colonized by the Phoenicians ;
and their political power, their system of government, their
commercial enterprise, and their social progress, spread
civilization amongst the natives of those countries, and they
were, as a consequence, assimilated iiita~the general mass
of the Carthaginian population. The colonies established
by the Greeks are notorious as centres of knowledge ; of
improved institutions and laws ; of freedom and good
government ; so that, instead of being constituted to repel,
to alienate, to barbarize the people of the territories they
occupied, the door was opened for their reception ; and the
colony became the means of organized order, and the foun-
dation of franchises securing all the blessings of the
social state to the native population. The progress of the
Roman power was chiefly that of conquest. But even this
great people invariably carried the arts of civilized life to
the abodes of the conquered savage tribes. The Roman
empire is known to have laid the foundation of civilization
through the whole of central Europe. What were the an-
cient Britons at the time the country was invaded by Csesar ?
Not one tittle in advance of the Red-men of the American
forests, when that country was first visited by the European
settlers. But how diflferent the issue ! The Pagan power,
the Roman conquerors of Britsun, became its civilizers. The
foundation of our improvements was laid by the policy and
lessons of the legions and the cohorts of Rome. They did
not seek to crush the native population, to possess and
occupy their lands with a race of Italians, to the entire ex-
clusion of. the natives of the soil. True, they sought the
complete ascendency of their political institutions ; and this,
exciting the opposition of the Britons, brought them into
collision with the Roman power : but the policy of the lat-
ter was to turn the wild hordes into peaceful, prosperous,
and happy Roman citizens.

416

TOUR IN AMBRICA.--PART IV.

it'

*|-

How perfectly different has been the conduct of pro-
fessedly Christian nations in America and elsewhere ! The
policy of every power which has established itself in that
country has been the same. The English — the Dutch —
the French — ^the Spaniards ; — the Puritan — ^the Huguenot
— the Calvinist — the Papist; — all nations, all religions,
have equally and uniformly acted upon the principle of
isolation; of establishing social and religious freedom
exclusively for themselves; of causing law, government,
commerce, education, religion, to radiate amongst their
own communities ; — ^whilst, by ten thousand modes of in-
trigue, fraud, oppression, cruelty, and wrong, the natives
of the soil have been repelled and driven from the abodes
of civilized man.

Religion has been blamed, in no very measured terms,
for its failures in preventing the injustice and wrong done to
man in his most helpless condition. And it must be con-
fessed, that it is not blameless in the matter ; it ought more
strenuously to have asserted the rights of the oppressed.
Good men in their individual capacity exerted themselves,
in some instances, very nobly to communicate a knowledge
of the Christian faith, and not without success. The exer-
tions of Eliot, of Bnunerd, of Penn, and others, stand out as
fine instances of devotedness and zeal. Their successes cor-
responded to- their toils ; and had other influences and agen-
cies corresponded with their philanthropic labours, perma-
nent good must have been the result. But the matter of
fact is, that the politico-social power which was simultane-
ously at work with these feeble agencies, constantly thwarted
and destroyed the effects of their exertions. These religious
men were ardently seeking the instruction, the conversion,
the Christianization, of the savage tribes ; but the political
power was equally intent upon the aggrandizement of the
European population, at the expense of the natives. The
latter became the predominant force ; so that everything
built up by the honest and laborious efforts of the mis-

TERRITOEIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 417

sionary, was as regularly pulled down by the action of the
political power. Two antagonistic forces were constantly
at work side by side. The selfish one, however, as might be
expected, was always infinitely stronger than the Christian.

The only possible mode of avertmg the wrongs inflicted
upon the Indian races would have been so to blend the
Christian with the political power, as to make the latter in
its spuit Christian. Had the governments, in attempting
to establish themselves in the country, been controlled and
guided by truly religious principles in the hands of a suffi-
ciently influential executive, the mischief might have been
prevented ; and at this day, instead of finding the Indians
an outcast race, in the extremities of the Western world,
we should now see theiu free, prosperous, and Christian
citizens of the United States. Nothing is equally just, —
nothing is truly liberal, — nothing regards the primary
rights of mankind, — nothing establishes social reUtions, —
nothing assimilates and blends into brotherhood all races,
— nothing points to one almighty Father, — nothing brings
men together on similar terms, and in the posture of prayer
and worship : — ^nothing does all thb but Christianity.

The Christian name has been miserably outraged by its
i«presentatives ; but never on so large, so gigantic a scale
as in America. Licentious courtiers, hard-hearted and
selfish politicians, money-mongering commercial companies,
chartered pickpockets, riotous adventurers and fortune-
hunters ; — ^all these soon overpowered the Puritan, the Qua-
ker, the Christian. Not, indeed, that the Pilgrim Fathers,
except in individual instances, — as in the case of Roger
Williams, — seem to have entertained much scruple respect-
ing the rights of the aborigines ; and probably their creed
prevented them taking much puns to make them Chris-
tians. They were a gigantic race of men, full of lofty and
noble sentiments, and had a firm belief in their own high
destiny ; but they had little sympathy with human nature

as such. A race of men who excluded even their fellow-

18*

418

TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV.

Christians from social fellowship, and drove them from their
homes on differing in opinion with themselves, were not
very likely to seek any close connexion with the reprobate
heathen.

William Penn and his Quaker followers were of a differ-
ent spirit. This eminent person* had a just perception of
the rights of man, in the Christian sense of the term. He
nobly exerted himself to secure these rights to the Indians ;
and, had he been supported by a power corresponding to
his own just notions, at any rate, a model colony would
have been established in Pennsylvania. But the principles
of Penn may be said to have died with himself; and that
on which his tender heart was so intensely fixed, the free-
dom, the civilization, and the Christian state of the Indian
tribes connected with his colony was buried in his own sa-
cred resting-placjp.

The religion which alone could have saved this noble
race must, in order to be effective, have been united in some
way with the political power. The isolated and individual
exertions of good men were found inadequate to the task.
The day for great and free religious organizations and in-
stitutions had not then arrived. No missionaries, except
Popish, connected with large and influential bodies at
home, were then in the field. The only church having the
forms and the power of a great institution in this country,
in the first days of American colonization, when the mis-
chief began, was the Episcopal Church.

Is it too much to expect a Christian nation to conduct

* Since this was penned, Maoavlat's " History " has been published, in
which Penn is shown [doubtful] to have yielded to court influence in some
instances, which place his character in those transactions in a questionable
point of view. This only shows that courts, in the times of Charles and
James, were iipt very suitable places for Christians ; and that the religious
principles of Penn were much safer in the wilderness, in toil, in executing pro-
jects of usefulness, than in the keeping of Whitehall, and under the influence
of Jesuito. We speak of Penn all along in his character of Christian and law-
giver in America ; and certainly, in this sphere, his conduct is seen to be most
exemplary.

TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OP THE M. E. CHURCH. 419

its policy on Christian principle, — upon the truths of the
gospel ? Had this been the case, the political body which
laid the foundation of English rule in America, would have
acted a very different part towards these injured people.
Would Christian truth, nay, would heathen honesty, have
allowed the seizure of their lands ; often connected with
the most infamous chicanery, fraud, and dishonour ? Would
occasions of irritation and barbarous wars have been sought,
for the sole purpose of driving the sheep to the slaughter,
and occupying the space vacated by their immolation or
their banishment? Would the superior attainments of
knowledge and the means of aggression possessed by white
men have been employed as a snare to entrap the poor
children of the forest into some bargain and covenant to
their own utter luin ? Would these noble tribes have been
incited to hate each other, to imbrue their hands in each
other's blood, to butcher and exterminate women and chil-
dren, and feast their voracious appetite for cruelty, — that
the white man might profit by the decimation of these se-
veral tribes by their slaughter of each other ? Would their
sufficiently miserable existence have been still more distress-
ingly embittered by the fiend-like design of poisoning the
very springs of life by the introduction of "fire-water,"
and new diseases to thin their ranks? Would systems ot
barter and intercourse have been established on a large and
universal scale, the whole design of which was to defraud
the Indian, and to rob him of the scanty and hard-earned
fruits of the chase ? No ; Christianity repudiates all this.
It utters its voice in the wilderness ; it warns of the present
and eternal consequences of cruelty and injustice to the
feeble, the poor, the dependent. And had the nation,
sending out its swarms to occupy the territory of these
tribes, instead of exerting a power to destroy, been governed
by its doctrines, perfect justice must have been done.
The absence of the aborigmal inhabitants from the United
States will be a silent, — continued, — eternal memorial of

420

TOUR IN AMERICA. — PART IV.

• /,

the cruel wrongs, first of the nations which began their ex-
pulsion, and next of the Americans who finished it. From
their location in the west, the Indian territory, they will
forever send acioss the flourishing territory, the populous
cities, the mighty commerce and growing opulence of the
white man's usurpations, the wail of sorrow, the cry of in-
justice and of wrong.

It is now time to examine what the Methodist Church
has done for this class ; and with what degree of success.
The work amongst them began long before the Indians
entered upon their present location, and has often been
much injured by their removal. We cannot attempt a full
account ; all we can do is to give some slight notice of
facts. These poor outcasts, it must be remarked, have been
drawn from every part of the United States. The whole
continent was once occupied by them.

The attempts of the Methodist Church amongst them
began with the Wyandot Indians, in Upper Sandusky, in
the State of Ohio, in 1816. The agent in this work — ^in
spite of orders, priesthoods, canons, calls, and imposition
of hands — ^was a poor freeman of colour, " born and raised
in Powhatan county.*' How strange, that the name of
the father of the Indian lady married to the English-
man, should also be the name of the country of this
good man !* If one could believe in the transmigra-
tion of souls, it would be no difficult matter to imagine,
that the soul of Pocahontas had entered this poor coloured
man. " Having been brought to the knowledge of the
truth as it is in Jesus, it was powerfully impressed on the
mind" of John Steward — ^for that was his name — " that it
was his duty to travel somewhere north-west, in search of
some of the lost sheep of the house of Israel." He could
have no rest in bis spirit, until he yielded obedience to what
he considered the call of God. John Steward took his
departure from his home and kindred, and continued his

..- »w. -. ..- ,J,. [* The county w: a named after himO "• • -• -

TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 421

course till he arrived at Pipe-Town, on the Sandusky
Biver, where a tribe of the Delaware Indians dwelt. He
delivered a discourse to them through an interpreter, and
took his departure to Upper Sandusky. Steward related
his experience to Mr. Walker, the sub-agent of the States
to the Indians ; and he being finally satisfied that he was
actuated by pure motives, both Mr. and Mrs. Walker en-
couraged and assisted him ; and, speaking the Wyandot
dialect, the agent became his interpreter. He delivered
his first sermon to one old Indian woman ; his next to an
old man, in addition to the old woman ; they " were both
soon converted to the Christian faith."

"In the month of November, 1816, by the faithful
labours of Steward, assisted occasionally by some local
preachers, before any regular missionary was appointed, a
large society of converted natives had been formed."
Among these were several influential chiefs — such as Be-
tween-the-Iogs, Mononcue, Hicks, and Scuteash, with two
of the interpreters — ^Pointer and Armstrong. " Between-
the-logs was one of the chief counsellors of the nation, a
man of vigorous intellect, who soon became an eloquent
advocate of the Christian cause." ** In the year 1819 this
mission was taken under the superintendence of the Rev.
James B. Finley. At a quarterly meeting in November of
this year, about sixty of these native converts were pre-
sent ;" the account given by themselves of their conversion
is very interesting. Between-the-logs said truly, " This is
the first meeting of the kind which has been held for us ;
and now, my dear brethren, I am happy that we, who have
been so long enemies to one another, are come together as
brothers ; at which our great Father is well pleased." Yes,
this was " the first meeting of the kind ever held" for In-
dians. How affecting ! Christians, so called, had lived in
contact with these people for two hundred years ; but their
lips had never, till now, been opened to declare their con-
version to the faith of Christ. And, stranger still, no one

422

TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV.

amongst all the zealous and devoted missionaries of tlie
Methodist Church, so far as we can perceive, had attempted
to seek these lost souls : this honour was reserved for a
poor man of colour ; himself, like those he visited, an out-
cast from the great world of civilized man. Truly, God's
ways are not as ours. If these Indian tribes are ultimately
saved and made socially happy, let it be eternally remem-
bered, that, so far as the Methodists are concerned in the
matter, the work began by a poor man of colour, of Afri-
can blood.

In 1821, this mission is reported as still prospering, the
Rev. James B. Finley being appointed its superintendent,
who established a school, " to teach the beys the art of
agriculture, and the girls to sew, spin, and knit, and all
the duties of the household." Having enclosed a large
farm, Mr. Finley "laboured with his own hands, for the
purpose of setting an example to the Indians, that they
might habituate themselves to an agricultural life. These
movements had a salutary effect upon their physical and
moral condition."
■ 1 In 1823, Bishop M'Kendree says of these Indians, —

" But now they arc building hewed log-houses, with brick chim-
neys, cultivating their lands, and successfully adopting the various
agricultural arts. They now manifest a relish for, and begin to en-
joy the benefits of civilization ; and it is probable that some of them
will this year raise an ample support for their families, from the pro-
duce of these farms. There are more than two hundred of them who
have renounced heathenism, and embraced the Christian religion,
giving unequivocal evidence of their sincerity, of the reality of a di-
vine change."

^ What became of John Steward, the man of colour, the
apostle of this nation ?

" When so exhausted in his physical powers as to be unable to la-
bour for his support, his temporal wants were provided for by his
friends ; about fifty acres of land, on which was built a cabin for his
accommodation, being secured to him by fee-simple. Here ho lived
the remainder of his days ; and on his demise, the property was in-

TERRITORIAL PROGRESS OP THE M. E. CUURCII. 423

heritecl by his brother. In this place, loved and honoured by those
who had been benefited by his evangelical labours, he lingered along
the shores of mortality until December 17th, 1823, when he fell
asleep in Jesus, in the thirty-seventh year of his age, and the seventh
of his labours in the missionaiy field. On his death-bed ho gave the
most consoling evidence of his faith in Christ, and hope of immorta-
lity."— Bangs's " Histwy o/Methodisnij' vol. iii, pp. 246, 247.

In 1821, an attempt was made to introduce the gospel
to the Creek Indians, located in Georgia and Alabama.
After various disappointments, this enterprise was aban-
doned in despair.

In 1822, an effectual and successful mission was estab-
lished amongst the Mohawks, in Upper Canada, at that
time connected with the Methodist Church in the United
States.

The narrative is very interesting. Many were truly con-
verted to God, and formed into church-fellowship. The
Rev. William Case was one of the chief instruments ; and
these Indians constitute a portion of the mission-church,
now under the care of the British Conference.

" The Cherokee mission was also commenced this year. The
Cherokee Indians inhabited a tract of countiy included in the States
of Georgia and North Carolina on the east, Alabama on the
west, and that part of Tennessee lying south of Hiwassee and Ten-
nessee rivers, comprising not less than ten millions of acres. These
natives had been partially civilized ; some of them had become
wealthy, possessing domestic cattle in abundance, and were thriving
agriculturists. White people had settled among them, intermarriages
had taken place, so that thero were many half-breeds of respectable
standing and character, who could speak both the English and Che-
rokee languages; and many of the children were well educated.
And had they been left undisturbed in their ])08sessions, they doubt-
less would have arisen into a wealthy, intelligent, religious, and re-
spectable community." — Bangs's " History of Methodiim^^ vol. iii, pp.
206, 207.

1823. " A mission was commenced this year among the
Pottawataray Indians, a small tribe settled in the neighbour-
hood of Fort Clark, on the Fox River, in the State of Illi-

424

TOUR IN AMERIOA.~PART IV.

nois." After the " hard labours" of seven years, Mr. Walker,
the missionary, was obliged to abandon this enterprise as
hopeless. " Their strong attachments to savage life, and
incurable suspicions of white men, together with their final
determination to remove west, frustrated the benevolent at-
tempts to introduce the gospel and the arts of civilized life
among them." — Bangs's *' History of M'jthodism" vol. iii,
p. 223.

This year Mr. Finley, in company with some of the con-
verted chiefs and an interpreter, set off on a visit to the
Chippeways. They at length arrived at the Wyandot re-
servation, on the Huron River, where they were cordially
received and entertained by a white man, called Honnes,
who had been taken prisoner when a lad. He was noAv
supposed to be one hundred years of age ; could remember
nothing of his partintage, or of his days previous to his cap-
tivity, only that he was called Honnes. He was now a
cripple, and nearly blind ; but very intelligent and commu-
nicative.

In 1825, a work of grace commenced among the Missis-
sauga Indians, of Upper Canada. Peter Jones, "feeling,
after his conversion, for the salvation of his wretched tribe,
hastened away to them, and told them what great things
God had done for his soul. This had a powerful effect upon
their minds, and led them to attend the meetings on the
Grand River." This mission has prospered to this time,
and is now under the care of the British Conference.

A similar work commenced among a branch of the Dela-
wares and Chippeways, who were settled at Moncytown,
on the river Thames.

In 1827, a new mission was begun among another branch
of the Mississaugas, residing on Snake and Yellow-Head
Islands, in Lake Simcoe, Upper Canada. This arose from
some of the people hearing a sermon from one of the
preachers, — ^then desiring a missionary, — then the estab-
lishment of a Sunday-school ; — and in two years there were

TBRRITORIAL PROQBSSS OF TAB M. B. OBUBOH. 425

four hundred and twenty-nine under religiotif initruotton ;
three hundred and fifty of whom were " orderly members
of the Church."— Bangs's "Hutwy ofMeihodwn** vol. iii,
p. 360.

The Oneida mission commenced in 1829. This tribe of
Indians were settled on an Indian resenration, in the western
part of the State of New- York ; they were partially civil-
ized, and were cultivators of the soil ; but were deeply de-
based by immoral habits. In this state they were visited
by a young man from the Mohawks in Upper Canada. He
had been converted among that tribe of Indians, and ** was
impelled, by his thirst for the salvation of others, to make
known unto them the way of peace and salvation." Be-
ing able to speak to them in their own language, and
from his own experience, they received the tidings in peni-
tent hearts ; and a work of reformation commenced among
them, which eventuated in the conversion of upwards of
one hundred. This good work has steadily gone on. The
Onondagas, a neighbouring tribe, by the example and teach-
ing of these new converts, " received the gospel, and twenty-
four of them were converted to God, and brought into
church-fellowship."

A mission to the Shawnee and Kansas Indians, inhabit-
ing the western part of the State of Missouri, was under-
taken in 1830.

In the year 1831, the American Church gave up their
Indian Missions in Canada to the British Conference ; and
our historian makes the following reflections upon the
subject : —

" From the movements already alluded to in Upper Canada, the
Indian missions in that province, including no less than ten stations,
and one thousand eight hundred and fifty adult Indians under reli-
gious instruction, most of whom were members of the Church, were
taken from our superintendence, and put tmder the care of the Wes-
leyan Conference in England. These missions, which had become
endeared to us by such associations as could not be easily dissolved,
and for the beneist of which we had expended so much labour and

iiai_

426

TOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV.

money, still clung to our affections ; and could not therefore be sur-
rendered, even in the amicable manner in which the arrangement for
their fature supply was made, without feelings of regret. Soiowing,
however, that they would be provided for by our brethren in Eng-
land with the same assiduous care with which they had been from the
beginning, we withdrew our pastoral oversight with the less sorrow,
still praying Almighty God to bless and prosper them." — ^Bangs's
" History of Methodiam^^ vol. iv, pp. 60, 6^.

We now enter a new and a very different scene. About
this time the United States government consummated the
injuries of centuries ; and by various means drove the In-
dian nations, from their several locations in the heart of the
country, to the western territory beyond the Mississippi,
where we have found them under the designation of the
i* Indian-Mission Conference."

As might be expected, this dissolution of old associations
and attachments produced great convulsions amongst them.
The Indian possesses the same instincts and passions as
other men. Though former oppressions, which had les-
sened the extent of the territory of the several tribes, might
leave them little to esteem and love ; yet we all know how
a last shred, figment, shadow, of departed possession and
enjoyment, is prized by those who feel that they are losing
their hold of the beloved object forever.

The slander against these people, of incapacity for civili-
zation, stands refuted by facts, as their general charac-
ter repels the equally unfounded slanders against their
manhood. They, on the contrary, evidently possess all the
elements of a noble race. ' Then: resolute resistance to the
encroachments of the whites; their repugnance to their
manners and customs ; their fierce and heroic defence of
their soil ; their love of the chase, and of forest life ;. their
struggles to prevent the dissolution of their clanships, and
tiny nationalities ; their repudiation of all effeminate emo-
tions, and systematic culture of fortitude, courage, and
manly exercises ; and, as the case stood for ages and ages,
their hostility to the Christian Church; — are facts to be

JhS^

TERRITORIAL PROGRESS 07 THE H. B. CHURCH. 427

resolved into a peculiar strengtli and greatness of charac-
ter, rather than of incapacity. How unlike the negro and
the Hindoo is the red man of the American forests ! He
much more resembles the noble, the dauntless, the inde-
pendent Arab, as he spreads his tent in wildernesses never
subdued ; and, mounting his steed, bids defiance to all pur-
suers. Why should the American Ii^ians be refused the
meed of admuration for qualities which in other cases call it
forth ? They have eternally refused to submit to the domi-
nation of their invaders. Is this a proof of weakness?
Eather, does it not indicate prodigious moral strength?
They have defended their territories by disputing every inch
of ground with the white man, and, when beaten, have re-
fused quarter, challenging the infliction of the ir^ost cruel
tortures, and meeting death with the fortitude of the great-
est heroes ? Is this evidence of a mean, a dastardly, and a
decrepit nature ? Is it not much more in proof of real no-
bility ? Had these tribes lived in the days of chivalry, they
would have been found amongst the most renowned knights.
These Indians, moreover, were lovers of freedom. It might
be wild, — the freedom which delighted to snuflF the winds
of the desert, instead of that which rests in a finely poised
balance of political power; but there it existed, deeply
seated in the soul ; — ^in all its resentments, its frenzy of
passion, its repulsive force, its fixed, undying resolution.
Is this love of liberty a weakness ? Will this be said in the
midst of the struggles of modem times ? They were gene-
rous and frank when treated with confidence and justice, as
the cases of Roger Williams, — ^William Penn, — Smith, —
the effects of the marriage of Pocahontas, — the affection
and gratitude manifested to many of the Roman Catholic
missionaries, — will all evince. Is this deemed a sign of a
feeble character ? Is it not invariably taken as evidence of a
magnanimous soul ? When confided in on honourable terms,
even by the European nations around them, they were
found capable of observing treaties, of taking their share in

426

lOVft IN AMERICA.—- PART IV.

the operations of war, of fighting in connexion with the more
disciplined troops of their allies, and uniformly conducted
themselves with truth and bravery. To help themselves
against a rival foe, all the colonial powers often sought
their assistance and co-operation. Does this, again, seem
as if they were deficient in intellectual and manly qualities ?
Does it not indicate, on the contrary, that, even in the opin-
ion of these detractors, they possessed useful powers in the
matter of war ? Yes : these Indians are, in truth, amongst
the noblest race of untutored men on whom the sun ever
shone.

We are astonished at the lateness of the attempt made
by the Methodist body, to bring these children of the
forest into the fold of Christ. There is no evidence from
his Journal, that Bishop Asbury, the apostle of Methodism,
entertained the idea of extending the Idngdom of God

^ amongst this people. His benevolent and active mind em-
braced the whole population of the United States, with
this exception. It seems to have been taken for granted,
on all hands, that they were incapable of Christianity, till
the delusion was dissipated by the labours of John Steward,
the poor man of colour. The labours of faithful men, in-

' deed, might not have succeeded in retaining them in their
primeval homes, securing their rights to the soil on which
they lived, or giving them a place in the citizenship of the
United States ; and, as the matter stood at the time, it is
easy to see, that the remedy, supposing it to be successful,
came too late to secure these blessings. Ages of oppres-
sion and wrong had thinned the ranks of all the Indian na-
tions ; they were only the shreds and skeletons of former
strength and power ; they had been hunted, like wild beasts,
into nooks and comers, and seemed only to exist by suffer-
ance ; they were writhing under the scourges and miseries
of centuries ; and the traditional sufferings and wrongs of
past generations, handed down to them by the maledic-
tions and sworn revenge of their ancestors, leaving them

I-

■■.**.

TERRITORIAL PROORBSS OF THB M. B. CHURCH. 429

the legacy of their orael oppressions, tended to feed and
infuriate their passions. Yes, it was too late. The hlow
had been struck, the deed was done, the murderous wound
inflicted. All of life which remained, at the time, was the
mere death-struggles of a giant ; cursing, in bitter scorn,
the power which had inflicted the blow. This giant has
now trailed his remnant of existence to the extremity of
the west. The song of love is no longer heard amid the
rippling streams and forests of their primeval fatherland ;
the lute, the drum, the dance of the red man, now never
gladdens the wigwam village, or echoes through the thickets,
rendered joyous by the frolics of boyhood and the excite-
ments of the chase ; the incense of religious rites to avert
the invasions of the genii of evil, or to propitiate the "Great
S'i.rH," ceases to rise in the midst of the groves and bowers
qC '-■ Ji «high places ;" the war-whoop will never more be
\y::\ri' 'jy the breeze, or heard in frightful notes to disturb
the repose and rouse the apprehensions of the wives and
children of the white man. The morning breaks, the sun
shines brightly, nature appears in all her gorgeousness,
fragrant flowers give their sweetness to the wmds ; birds
and animals play and sing gayly ; the day declines, the
dews fall, and all things are hushed in soft slumbers, —
never, no, never to be broken again by the joys or sorrows
of the poor Indian. Let a stranger be permitted to chant
lib funeral dirge.

Never was conquest so complete as that gained over
these races. The Norman lords of this island cut down
the heads of the nation ; but they left the meaner kuids
of life to vegetate. The northern barbarians subdued Italy
and Europe ; but they allowed the people to remain on the
soil, to outlive the oppression, and assert the rights of hU'
manity. The ruthless Turks conquered the Greek ^npure ;
but even they have not succeeded in cutting off the race,
or expelling them the country. England has subdued In-
dia; but the notion of depoiting tke lAhabitanta has nover

#■

480

T-irt-

lOUR IN AMERICA.— PART IV.

:*p

fonned part of her policy. America is alone in this. Her
work is perfect. She occupies the lai^est territorial pos-
sessions of any civilized power in the world ; and it is all
cleared of the nations once inhabiting the soil. Her occu-
pancy is now undisputed. One people,— one power, — one
system, — one government, — ^now pervades the mighty
spaces once filled with innumerable races. The Roman
empire never possessed the unity, the homogeneity, the
strength of the American Republic.

We hope this gigantic mistress of so splendid an empire
will not, in future, think it essential to her interest or glory-
to molest the Indians in the "far west." Surely they may
now be left alone to live, — ^if it may please God, — and if
they do not become extinct by natural causes. It would,
moreover, be a mercy, if Christianity might now be permit-
ted to have fur play amongst them, and let it be seen tf
they are an exception to the general rule, and cannot pos-
sibly be saved. Every well-wisher to the race will look
with deep interest towards this Indian territory ; and if,
after all the miseries of the past, it should turn out that a
happy and Christian community is the result of this ar-
rangement, he will rejoice in the goodness of God, whatever
he may think of the policy which led to the settlement.

We now give the statistical results of this section of the
work, in a tabular view : —

Conferenceii' Dist.

Circuits.

MiDist.

Supemum.

Local Pr.

Members.

Iowa ....'.. 4

8,440

Tllinois .... 10

106

130

425

24,458

Missouri .... 5

10,924

St. Louis .... 6

163

13,755

Arkansas ... 5

148

9,730

Memphis. ... 6

101

344

30,940

Mississippi . . 7

195

16,598

8,279

Texas 4

3,213

Indian Mission 3

391

3,815

506

511

98 1,616 130,052

The whole statistical result of o«r survey of the territorial

TERRITORIAL PROQRBSS OF THE M. E. CHURCH. 481

Circuits.

MiniBt.

Local Pr.

Msmtwra.

1,300

1,687

1,611

405,541

1,065
630
506

1,343
876
511

1,984
3j253
1,616

210,790
262,858
130,052

3,501

4,417

7,464

1,009,241

progress of the American Methodist Episcopal Church will
be §9 follows : —

Conf. Dist.
Atlantic Line ... 13 72
Hudson and Lake

Line 10 72

Ohio Lin 7 60

Mississippi Line . . 10 56

40 260

We have not noticed the supernumeraries in the above
table, because not employed in full work. They, however,
amount to 423.

• ' We leave this sketch of the territorial progress of Me-
thodism in the States to the reader's own reflections ; with
the single remark, that, in the author's own opinion, it '»
unexampled, — ^that it is the greatest development of reli-
gious truth which has taken place in the history of Chris-
tianity, either in ancient or modem times.

Wf'

rk|i.

( t.ri' . ' TtT'..

NOTE TO FAOE 333.

* [It is hardly necessary for us to say to Amerioan
readers that the " Christian Advocate and Journal " is not
« devoted to partisan warfare/' and never has been. If
Dr. Dixon had read this paper during the time that elapsed
between his visit to America and the publication of his
book, , he would have found that his " pitting " of Dr.
Peck against Dr. Lee was a pure piece of fancy, never
destined to be realized. The Christian Advocate has
abstained not merely from partisan warfare, but even, to
a great extent, from defending the Chm'ch against South-
em attacks; — a course which its Editor has taken, we
judge, under the just belief that the religious welfare of
the Church must be perilled by perpetual controversy,
and under the belief, equally well founded, we think, that
defences have not been needed against the species of
warfare that has been waged against the Church in some
quarters. The paper has preserved a very dignified and
Christian course-'-one, we think, which has met with the
general approbation of its thirty-five thousand sub-
scribers.]

PART v.— SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

438

PART V.

THE MEASURES ADOPTED BY THE METHODIST EPISCO-
PAL CHURCH ON THE SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

CHAPTER I.

Laws on the subject— Preachers from the beginning held anti-slavery views —
Opposition of the planters — The power of the separate States— Difficulties
arising from this.

The following are the regulations and laws on the sub-
ject of slavery contair'^4 in the Discipline ; and are conse-
quently those which are only in force at present : —

" 1. We declare that we are as much as ever convinced of the
great evil of slavery : therefore no slave-holder shall be eligible to any
official station in our Church hereafter, where the laws of the
State in which he lives will admit of emancipation, and permit the
liberated slaves to enjoy freedom.

" 2. When any travelling preadier becomes an owner of a slave
or slaves, by any means, he shall forfeit his ministerial character in
our Church, unless he execute, if it be practicable, a legal emancipation
of such slaves, conformably to the laws of the State in which he lives.

" 3. All our preachers shall prudently enforce upon our members
the necessity of teaching their slaves to read the word of God ; and
to allow them time to attend upon the public worship of God on our
regular days of divine service.

"4. Our coloured preachers and official members shall have all
the privileges which are usual to others in the District and Quarterly
Conferences, where the usages of thp coimtry do not forbid it. And
the presiding elaer may hold for them a separate District Confer-
ence, where the number of coloured local preachers yrill justify it.

" 5. Tho Annual Conferences may employ coloured preachers to
travel and preach where their services are judged necessary ; pro-
vided that no one shall be so employed without having been recom-
mended according to the form of Discipline."

The legislation of the Church 'on this subject is some-
what curious, and was often varied, till it settled down into

the above rules. As early as 1780, consequently before

434

TOUE IN AMERICA.

the termination of the war, or the vigorous exertions of Dr.
Coke, we have the following minute : —

" QuES. — ^Does this Conference acknowledge that slavery is con-
trary to the laws of God, man, and nature, and hurtful to society ;
contrary to the dictates of conscience and pure religion, and doiflg
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 ad-
vise their freedom ?

"Ans.— Yes."

In 1783:—

" QuEB.— What shall be done with our local preachers who hold
slaves contrary to the laws which authorize their freedom in any of
the United States ?

" Ans. — We will try them another year. In the mean time let
every assistant deal faithfully and plainly with every one, and report
to the next Conference. It may then be necessary to suspend them."

In 1784 :—

" QvES. — What shall we do with our local preachers who will not
emancipate their slaves in the States where the laws admit it ?

"Ams. — Try those in Virginia another year; and suspend the
preachers in Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New-Jersey.

" QuES. — What shall be done with our travelling preachers that
now are, or hereafter shall be, possessed of slaves, and refuse to man-
umit them where the law permits ?

" Ans. — ^Employ them no more." — Discipline, pp. 214, 215. Last
edition, 1844.

" Not more than six months had elapsed after the adoption of these
last rules, before it was thought necessary to suspend them. Accord-
ingly, in the Annual Minutes for 1785, the following notice was
inserted :—

" * It is recommended to all our brethren to suspend the execution
of the minute on slavery till the deliberations of a future Con-
ference ; and that an equal space of time bo allowed all our members
for consideration, when the minute shall be put in force,'

"'N. B. We do hold in the deepest abhorrence the practice of
slavery ; and shall not cease to seek its destruction by all wise and
prudent means.'

*' This note does not seem to refer to Question 43, (1784,) as it,
with the same answer, was retained in the Discipline of 1786. From
this till 1796, no mention, it would seem, was made of the subject,
oCicept in the General Rules.

#»

-,i«|«-

PART V.—SUBJBOT OP SLAVERY.

485

" 1796. The following section was introduced on the subject : —

*' ' QuEB. — What regulations shall be made for the extirpation of
the crying evil of African slavery ?

" ' Am8. — 1. We declare, that we are more than ever convinced of
the great evil of the African slavery which still exists in these United
States, and do most earnestly recommend to the yearly Conferences,
Quarterly-Meetings, and to those who have the oversight of districts
and circuits, to be exceedingly cautious what persons they admit to
official stations in our Church ; and, in the case of future admission
to official stations, to require such security of those who hold slaves,
for the emancipation of them, immediately or gradually, as the laws
of the States respectively, and the circumstances of the case, will ad<
mit : and we do fully authorize all the yearly Conferences to make
whatever regulations they judge proper, in the present case, respect-
ing the admission of persons to official statiorj in our Church.

" ' 2. No slave-holder shall be received i\M society till the preacher
who has the oversight of the circuit has spoken to him freely and
faithfully on the subject of slavery.

" ' 3. Every member of the society who sells u slave chall imme-
diately, after full proof, be excluded the society. And if any incn
« ber of our society purchase a slave, the ensuing Quarterly-Meeting
shall determine on the number of years in which the slave so pur-
chased would work out the price of his purchase. And the person
so purchasing shall, immediately afler such determination, execute a
Jegal instrument for the manumission of such slave at the expiration
of the term determined by the Quarterly-Meeting. And in default
of his executing such instrument of manumission, or on his refiisal to
submit his case to the judgment of the Quarterly-Meeting, such
member shall be excluded the society. Provided also, that in the
case of a female slave, it shall be inserted in the aforesaid instrument
of manumission, that all her children who shall be born during the
years of her servitude, shall be free at the following times *, namely,
every female child at the age of twenty-one, and every male child at
the age of twenty-five. Neoerthdess, if the member of our society
executing the said instrument of manumission judge it proper, he
may fix the time of manumission of the children of the female
slaves before mentioned at an earlier age than that which is prescribed
above.

'"4. The preachers and other members of our society are re-
quested to consider the subject of Negro slavery with deep atten-
tion till the ensuing General Conference ; and that they impart to
the General Conference, through the medium of the yearly Con-
ferences, or otherwise, any important thoughts upon the subject, that

TOUR IN AMERICA.

the Conference may hare fall light, in order to take further steps
toward the eradicating this enormous evil from thatpOrtof the Church
of God to which they are united.'
" 1800. The following new paragraphs were inserted : —
" ' 2. When any travelling preacher becomes an owner of a slave
or slaves, by any means, ho shall forfeit his ministerial character in
our Church, unless he execute, if it be practicable, a legal emancipa-
tion of such slaves, conformably to the laws of the State in which he
lives.'

" ' 6. The Annual Conferences are directed to draw up addresses
for the gradual emancipation of the slaves to the legislatures of those
States in which no general laws have been passed for that purpose.
These addresses shall urge, in the most respectful, but pointed
manner, the necessity of a law for the gradual emancipation of the
slaves ; proper committees shall be appointed by the Annual Con-
ferences, out of the most respectable of our friends, for the conduct-
ing of the business ; and the presiding elders, elders, deacons, and
travell'ug preachers, shall procure as many proper signatures as
possible to the addresses, and give all the assistance in their power
in every respect to aid the committees, and to further this blessed un-
dertaking. Let this be continued from year to year, till the desired
end be accomplished.'

" 1804. The following alterations were made : —

" The question reads, — ' What shall be done for the extirpation of
the evil of slavery?'

" In paragraph 1,(1 796,) instead of ' more than ever convinced,' we
have, ' as much as ever convinced ;' and instead of ' the African slavery
which still exists in these United States,' we have ' slavery.'

" In paragraph 4, (3, of 1 796,^ respecting the selling of a slave, be-
fore tlio words ' shall immediately.' *he following clause is inserted, —
' except at the request of the slave, m cases of mercy and humanity,
aj^i-eeably to the judgment of a committee of tlio male members of
the society, appointed by the preacher who has the charge of the
I'ircoit.'

"The following new proviso was mscrted in this paragraph: —
' Provided o&o, tliat if a member of our society shall buy a slave with
a certificate of future emancipation, the terms of emancipation shall,
notwithstanding, be subject to the decision of the Quarterly-Meeting
Conference.' All after ' nevertheless * was struck out, and the follow-
ing substituted : — ' The members of our societies in the States of
North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee, shall be ex-
empted from the operation of the above rules.' The paragraphs
about coQiiderin^ the sul^ect of slavery, and petitions to legislatures,

PART v.— SUBJECT OP SLAVERY.

437

Cnamely, No. 4 of 1796, and No. 6 of 1800J were stnick oat, and the
following added : —

" ' Let our preachers, from time to time, as occaaion serves, ad-
monish and exhort all slaves to render due respect and obedience to
the commands and interests of their respective masters.'

" 1808. All that related to slaveholding among private members
(see 2 and 3 of 1796) struck out, and the following substituted: —

" ' 3. The General Conference authorizes each Annual Conference
to form their own regulations relative to buying and selling slaves.'

"Paragraph 5 of 1804 was also struck out.
' " 1812. Paragraph 3 of 1808 was altered so as to read, —
' " ' 3. Whereas the laws of some of the States do not admit of
emancipating of slaves, without a special act of the legislature ; the
General Conference authorizes each Annual Conference to form Uieir
own regulations relative to buying and selling slaves.'

" 1816. Paragraph 1 (see 1796) was altered so as to read, —

" • 1. We declare that we are as much as ever convinced of the
great evil of slavery : therefore no slave-holder shall be eligible to any
official station in our Church hereafter, where the laws of tlie State in
which he lives will admit of emancipation, and permit the liberated
slave to enjoy freedom.'

*' 1820. Paragraph 3, (see 1812,) leaving it to the Annual Confer-
ences 'to form their own regulations about buying and selling slaves,'
was struck out.

" 1824. The following paragraphs added: —

" ' 3. All our preachers shall prudently enforce upon our members
the necessity of teaching their slaves to read the word of God ; and to
allow them time to attend upon the public worship of God on our reg-
ular days of divine service.

" ' 4. Our coloured preachers and official members shall have all
the privileges which are usual to others in the District and Quarterly
Conferences, where the usages of the country do not forbid it. And
the presiding elder may hold for them a separate District Conference,
where the number of coloured local preachers will justify it*

" ' 5. The Annual Conferences may employ coloured preachers to
travel and preach where their services are judged necessary ; provided
that no one shall be so employed without having been recommended
according to the Form of Discipline.' " — ^Emory's " History of tlie Dis-
ciplinc of the Methodist Episcopal Church" pp. 274-279.

It is clear from the above rules, and especially from the

* " These provisions respecting District Conferences have been retained
ever since, although District Conferences were abolished in 1836."

:^,

488

TOITB IN AMERICA.

early enactments of the Conference, that the American
preachers, from the beginning, took an enlightened and
Christian view of the enormities of slavery, and set them-
selves strenuously to oppose it. They rightly considered it
as opposed to "the laws of God, man, and nature, and
hurtful to society ;" and it should seem that their testimony,
in private and in public, agreed to this opinion. They evi-
dently desired to clear the Methodist Church of the evil,
and induce their members to take part with them in obtain-
ing a revision of the laws of the several States ; and, as it
seems, did all in their power to cause them to manumit
their own slaves. In some few cases they were successful.
Some of the members of society had the justice and benevo-
lence to free themselves from the blame. But it should
appear that the civil power proved too strong for them in
the end ; and instead of relaxing their hold on the African
race, they passed more stringent laws, making emancipation
next to impossible.

It is known that Dr. Coke preached strenuously and
constantly in the midst of slave-holders against the system,
and sometimes to the hazard of his life. This was not
singular to him. Bishop Asbury and the other ministers
bore a similar testimony. How far this testimony has in-
fluenced public opinion, and assisted in an alteration of the
law, it is impossible to know. But it is a fact of history,
that in several of the States where slavery prevailed at the
time when the question was first agitated, it has long ceased
to exist. There can be no reason to doubt that the influence
of Christianity has furnished its amount of moral force in
this important achievement ; and it is gratifying to think
that the Methodist Conference took an important share in
this good work.

But in the South, where slaves are more necessary for
the cultivation of the soil, — Avhere the masters are more
numerous and influential, — and where great numbers of
poor Africans are held in hopeless bondage, the course has

PART v. — BUBJEOI OF SLAVBRY.

430

been rather retrogressive than otherwise. From the
beginning of the agitation, the position taken hy the slave-
holders of this portion of the Union was defensive. They
strenuously resisted all claim, on the part of either the
Church or any other parties, to interfere in their affairs, or
to put in jeopardy their rights of property. And being the
governing class in these States, and either sending mem-
bers to the legislative bodies, or being themselves sent, they
enjoyed the unenviable means of riveting the chains of the
slave as fast as they pleased.

It may be proper to remark here, that the !>eneral Con-
gress of the United States has no power to le^ islate on Ova
question. The constitution secures to each of the pepar&<a
States the power to manage their own affiur within the
limits of the State ; and this vital question of slavery is one
of the vested rights in question. It follows, that the
Northern or non-slave-holding States can have no otY.^y 'u-
fiuence than that of example on the slave States. T^iis i a
grievous calamity, inasmuch as it places the power of legis-
lation on this subject altogether in the hands of the parties
interested. In the exercise of this power, these men have
scorned all attempts at modifying the system, much less
abolishing it ; and, instead of improving the condition of
their slaves, they have made it as intolerable as possible.
It is known that they have obstructed the course of their
education, by making it a penal offence on the part of reli-
gious persons to attempt it ; they have .vrcvented the free
circulation of knowledge amongst their v^issals, and have
destroyed the presses and property, and sometimes put the
lives of parties attemptmg it into jeopardy; they have made
emancipation impossible, or noa.iy so, by surrounding it
with conditions which no person can comply with; they
have persecuted, imprisoned, and maltreated good men, —
and women too, — who have interested themselves in the
welfare of the slaves, under the pretext that they were
lending themselves to enable them to escape ; and, in fine.

440

TOUR IN AMERICA.

it seems to have long been the settled purpose of these
persons to do battle, at the same time, with the laws of
God, the moral sense of the world, and all the principles of
humanity.

This fearful power, it must be confessed, has hitherto
been too great for the Methodist Church, and the Christian
party desiring freedom for their fellow-creatures. It was
soon found necessary — at least, so it was thought — ^for the
Conference to modify and relax their rules ; they could not
occupy the high ground at first taken ; they practically
were foiled in their attempts to carry their resolutions into
eflfect, as we have seen ; and even Dr. Coke, in his second visit,
for the sake of preaching the gospel and extending the know-
ledge of his Saviour's name, considered it expedient to waive
the slavery question. There seems to have been, from the
beginning, more or less of internal agitation on this subject ;
and hence the constant changes taking place in the legisla-
tion of the Church. A fixed and absolute principle con-
demnatory of slavery was, as we have seen, at first resolved
upon. This not only brought the Church into collision
with public opinion and private interests in the slave-hold-
ing States, but also with the laws and authorities of these
States themselves.

Hence arose the difficult and perplexing question, as to
whether it is consistent with the Christian system, the re-
ligion of the New Testament, to frame a church organization,
adopt a code of laws, and establish an administrative power,
which should directly contravene the laws of the country.
It is easy enough to see, that to do this must place the
members of the Church on the horns of a distressing dilem-
ma. If they obey the church law, the spiritual republic,
the ecclesiastical State, — then they are deemed traitors to
the civil State, disloyal to the laws, rebels against the su-
preme power. If, again, they adhere to the civil system,
they expose themselves to ecclesiastical penalties, — to cen-
sure, to degradation, to expulsion, as the case might be.

mises (

♦

PART V. — SUBJECT OF SLAVERT.

441

This is exactly the manner in which the matter went on ;
and, of necessity, must do so, when two co-ordinate powers,
antagonistic to each other, are made to work on the same
soil, amongst the same people. This state of things neces-
sarily brought up the question as to the rights of the civil
State, — its supremacy, — ^its power to rule, — and the binding
nature of its enactments in the case of its own subjects ;
though the enactment itself might be so anti-christian and
unjust, as not only to make slavery legal, but also to guard
and fence it around by such protective laws as to make
emancipation itself impossible.

These were some of the difficulties connected with this
subject ; and, from their writings and speeches, it seems
to be the opinion of many of the most judicious and able
men in the American Church, that the cause of ameliora-
tion and ultimate emancipation would have fared better,
in the long run, if the Church had never legislated at all
upon the subject of slavery. Their idea is, that the spiritual
society should have employed spiritual weapons alone ;
have trusted to the force and influence of divine truth to
gain its own conquests ; have limited its functions to the
duty of testifying and bearing witness against the evil ; of
promulgating principles and doctrines, the essential ten-
dency of which must ultimately undermine and overthrow
the system, just as light disperses darkness ; that, in fine,
it would have been more safe, and, moreover, more success-
ful, to rely simply upon the doctrines and spirit of Christi-
anity to effect the purpose desired.

Whatever may be thought of this, it is undoubtedly au
awkward predicament for a Church, as an organization, to
place itself directly, and by statute law, in collision with the
laws of the country in v^hich it is found. This was the diffi-
culty in which the Methodist Conference found itself, by
its early enactments ; and hence the necessity of compro-
mises of various sorts. The whole question evidently lay
in a very narrow compass ; namely, whether they ought so

10*

442

TOUR IN AMERICA.

to modify these rules as to meet the case of the slave-hold-
ing States, or whether they would allow themselves to be
driven out of them as incendiaries, or otherwise run the
hazards of martyrdom. The age of martyrdom had passed
away.

CHAPTER II.

The Wesleyan Methodist Connexion — Agitations — ^The Address of the British
Conference — Orange Scott — Debates at the General Conference — The spirit
of compromise prevails — Fails to heal the breach— Agitations proceed—
Separation— The new community established.

The seceding church, designated as above, arose out of
agitations on the subject of slavery, and established itself
in the States on non-slavery principles. It makes no com-
promises at all, and refuses to admit members holding slaves
within its communion. The leader in this movement was
the Rev. Orange Scott, an able and energetic man.
, We will allow Dr. Bangs to state the opening of the
case, the moderate opponent of these movements, and the
historian of Methodism. He says, after mentioning pre-
ceding agitations, —

In this agitated state of things,"^ it could hardly be expected that
the Church should wholly escape the excitement, or avoid partici-
pating in rhe discussions to which it gave rise. Accordingly, as our
brethren in the Eastern States entered more deeply into this subject
than any others, and as they had a weekly paperf under tlieir con-
trol, its columns were opened to the discussion of slavery as it
existed in the United States ; and severe denunciations were uttered
against all who held slaves, whether in or out of the Church. These
denunciations were met and repelled with spirit by those more imme-'
diately implicated, as being incompatible with that spiiit of bro-
therly love which ought to characterize all Christians, and more
especially such as are members of the same communion.

" These discussions had been conducted for two or three years
previously to the session of this General Conference ; and a weekly

* The agitations on abolition in general are referred to.

t The " Zion's Herald," published at Boston, before referred to.

PART V. — SUBJECT OP SLAVERY.

443

paper had been established in tho city of New- York, for the avowed
purpose of advocating immeciato emancipation, irrespective of all
consequences. As the arguments and measures set forth in this, and
other periodicals of a kindred character, were not fellowshipped by a
great majority of our preachers and people, even in the middle and
northern Conferences, nor by the official organ of the Church, the
Christian Advocate and Journal, these were stigmatized by the im-
mediate emancipationists as pro-slavery in their views and feelings ;
and, of course, as involved in the same guilt and condemnation witli
those who actually held their fellow-beings in bondage. These irri-
tating charges were considered unjust, as the brethren implicated
thought they could easily distinguish between an approval of slavery
as a system, and the apologizing for those who held slaves under
certain peculiar circumstances. This dear distinction, however, was
not admitted by the zealous advocates of immediate emancipation ;
and hence they poured forth their anathemas upon all indiscriminately
who either held slaves, or offered an apology for those that did, on
account of their peculiar circumstances.

" It was in this state of the public mind, and of the Church, that
the General Conference came together in 1836. And though many
of its oldest and most judicious members were very desirous of
keeping the discussion of slavery from the deliberations of the Con-
ference, being convinced it could result in no good ; yet several cir-
cumstances conduced to bring it in, and to make it the subject of
much debate. In the first place, the allusion to the subject in the
Address of our Wesleyan brethren, and in the Address of their
representative, the Bev. William Lord, made it necessary to advert
to it in the answer of the General Conference, which, it will be per-
ceived by those, who wiU look at that answer, was done in a very
brief and respectful manner. In the second place, not many days
after the Conference had assembled, it was ascertained that two of
the abolition brethren from New-England had attended and lectured
at an abolition meeting in the city of Cincinnati ; and as the agitation
was very great upon that subject, it was feared by many that a popu-
lar excitement would be produced, injurious to the character of the
Conference, and perhaps detrimental to the peace and harmony of
the church in Cincinnati. With a view to allay all such apprehen-
sion, the Conference passed the following preamble and resolutions,
by a vote of one hundred, and twenty in favour, and fourteen against
them : —

" ' Whereas great excitement has prevailed in this country on the
subject of modem abolitionism, which is reported to have been in-
creased in this city recently, by the unjustifiable conduct of two

444

TOUR IN AMEBICA.

members of the General Conference in lecturing upon,, and in favour
of, that agitating subject : and whereas such a course on the part
of any of its members is calculated to bring upon this body the
suspicions and distrust of the community, and to misrepresent its
sentiments in regard to the points at issue : and whereas, in this
aspect of the case, a due regard for its own character, as well as a
just concern for the interests of the Church confided to its care, de-
mand a full, ''ecided, and unequivocal expression of the ideas of the
General Conference in the premises : — Therefore,

'"1. Resolved, by the delegates of the Annual Conferences in
General Conference assembled. That they disapprove, in the most
unqualified sense, the conduct of two members of the General Con-
ference, who are reported to have lectured in this city recently upon,
and in favour of, modem abolitionism.

" ' 2. Resolved, That they are decidedly opposed to modem aboli-
tionism, and wholly disclaim any right, wish, or intention to interfere
in the civil and political relation between master and slave, as it exists
in the slaveholding States in this Union.

3. Resolved, That the foregoing preamble and resolutions be
published in our periodicals.'

" The consideration of these resolutions brought the entire subject
of slaveiy and abolitionism before the Conference, and elicited a very
spirited and protracted debate, which finally ended in their adoption,
as before mentioned. Many able speeches were delivered on both
sides of the question, and generally with good temper and much
calmness of deliberation, though not without some appearance of
asperity and warmth of feeling. The pith of the controversy, how-
ever, notwithstanding the whole field of ai'gument and illustration
was amply surveyed, may be comprehended in two of the speeches,
both published at the time, — that of the Rev. O. Scott in favour, and
of the Rev. W. Winans against, modem abolition. And even this
argument itself may be brought into a veiy narrow compass.

" The course pursued by the Methodist Episcopal Church, from
the beginning of her existence, in reference and in opposition to sla-
very, as it has all along existed in the United States, proves that she
has always considered it an evil not to be tolerated, except under
given circumstances ; and that such circumstances exist in some
portions of our Union, where severe penal laws have been enacted
against emaiidpation, as to justify her in holding in her communion
those who hold slaves, provided they are otherwise pious. That this
was her doctrine, is provable from her whole course of proceeding
from the time of her organization in 1784. At this time were passed
the severest laws againft «laverj which we find upon record at any

PART v.— SUBJECT OP SLAVERY.

446

lime of her existence ; but even these aimed at a graducd, and did
not insist on an tmmec^tate, emancipation : yet, finding upon experi-
ment that these severe rules could not be carried into execution with-
out producing a greater evil than that which thej were designed to
remove, about six months after they were passed they were suspend-
ed, and have never been revived, nor were they ever inserted in her
Book of Discipline ; and at almost every subsequent General Con-
ference some enactment has been made for the purpose of regulating
slavery ; of modifying or mitigating its character, with a view ulti-
mately, if practicable, to do it away. This has been the doctrine,
andtliese have been the measures of our Church, in reference to this
most difficult and perplexing subject. And they prove, most incon-
testably, that she does not, nor has at any time considered slavehold-
ing, under all circumstances, of such a deadly character as to ' ex-
clude a man from the kingdom of grace and glory ;' for it is mani-
fest, that the making rules fpr the regulation >f a practice is, in some
sense, to pronounce that the practice is not, in itself considered,
independently of all concurring circumstances, a moral evil in the
sight of God. To legislate for a time is to sanction it, though the
manno' of holding the thing may be considered either unlawful or
inexpedient.

" This statement of the doctrine of the Church will enable us
to perceive the force and scope of the argument now wielded by
Mr. Scott against slavery in the Methodist Episcopal Church. In
opposing the above resolutions, he laid down the following propo-
sition : —

" ' That slavery is wrong in some circumstances, in no circumstance,
or in cdl circumstances.' In selecting from these positions the one
which suited his views, he took this strong ground : Tfuxt slavery ia
wrong y morally vorong\ under all possible circumstances ; and in the course
of his argument, contended that no circumstance whatever could
alter or modify the sinful character of slavery ; that it was wrong, or a
sin^ not to be tolerated under any circumstance whatever, cither in
or out of the Church. By this comprehensive and sweeping propo-
sition, all who held slaves, whatever might be the palliating circum-
stances, were, on that very account, sinners against Gk>d, and ought
to be forthwith excommunicated from the communion of the Church,
unless they repented, and ' brought forth works meet for repent-
ance,' by an immediate and unconditional surrender of their slaves,
without any regard to the consequences of such a measure.

" And yet, such was the light and force of truth upon this subject,
that, almost in the next breath, Mr. Scott admitted that ' God him-
self expressly permitted his people to enslave the Canaanites,' thuf

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446

TOUR IN AMERICA.

#.'

upsetting, at a stroke, the whole array of argument ^hich he had
brought to prove that slavery vxis a sin under all circumstances; for
here was a circumstance in which God either permitted his people to
commit sin, or which did away with the sinfulness of slavery ; the
first supposition is daringly impious ; the second is fatal to the ar-
gument.

" Of this concession, a concession which sacred history had forced
from him, Mr. Winans took advantage, and built upon it the follow-
ing impregnable argument : —

" ' That, according to this admission, taken in connexion with the
main proposition that no circumstance could alter the character of
an action, as it was once right for God to permit slavery, it was there-
fore always right ; ia tight now; and no possible circumstance could
make it wrong.^

" This was the very gist of the argument. And the reader will
observe, that i. stating the argument thus, Mr. Winans did not at-
tempt to prove that slavery, as it existed in the United States, is
right, or not sinful ; but simply to show, that on Mr. Scott's conces-
sion, his major proposition, that slavery is a sin under all circum-
stances, could not be true.

" I need not trace this controversy any further. The views of the
General Conference in reference to this subject may be seen in tlie
following [extract from the] Pastoral Address, which was adopted
near the close of the Conference : —

" ' We now approach a subject of no little delicacy and dilBSculty,
and which we cannot but think has contributed its full proportion to
that religious declension over which we mourn. It is not unknown
to you, dear brethren and friends, that, in common with other deno-
minations in our land, as well as our citizens generally, we have been
much agitated in some portions of our work, with the very excitable
subject of what is called abolitionism. This subject has been brought
before us at our present session fully, and, we humbly trust, impar-
tially discussed, and, by almost a unanimous vote, highly disapproved
of; and while we would tenderly sympathize with those of our bre-
thren who have, as we believe, been led astray by this agitating topic,
we feel it our imperative duty to express our decided disapproba-
tion of the measures they have pursued to accomplish their object. It
cannot be unknown to you, that the question of slavery in these
United States, by the constitutional compact which binds us together
as a nation, is left to be regulated by the several State legislatures
themselves, and thereby is put beyond the control of the General
Government, as well as that of all ecclesiastical bodies ; it being ma-
nifest, that iid the daiveholding States themselves, the entire respon-

bel
ali
tlu

PART V. — SUBJECT OF SLAVERY,

447

sibility of its existence or non-existence rests with those State legis-
latures. And such is the aspect of affairs in reference to this ques-
tion, that whatever else might tend to meliorate the condition of the
slave, it is evident to us, from what we have witnessed of abolition
movements, that these are the least likely to do him good. On the
contrary, we have it in evidence before us, that the inflammatory
speeches, and writings, and movements, have tended, in many in-
stances, injuriously to affect his temporal and spiritual condition, by
hedging up the way of the missionary who is sent to preach to him
Jesus and the resurrection, and by making a more rigid super\'ision
necessary on the part of his overseer, thereby abridging his civil and
religious privileges.

" ' These facts, which are only mentioned here as a reason for the
friendly admonition which we wish to give you, constrain us, as your
pastors, who are called to watch over your souls as they who must
give an account, to exhort you to abstain from all abolition move-
ments and associations, and to refrain from patronizing any of their
publications ; and especially from those of that inflammatory charac-
ter which denounce in unmeasured terms those of their brethren who
take the liberty to dissent from them. Those of you who may have
honest scruples as to the lawfulness of slavery, considered as an ab-
stract principle of moral right and wrong, if you must speak your
sentiments, would do much better to express yourselves in those
terms of respect and affection, which evince a sincere sympathy for
those of your brethren who are necessarily, and in some instances
reluctantly, associated with slavery in the States where it exists, than
to indulge in harsh censures and denunciations, and in those fruitless
efforts which, instead of lightening the burden of the slave, only tend
to make his condition the more irksome and distressing.

" ' From every view of the subject which we have been able to
take, and from the most calm and dispassionate survey of the whole
ground, we have come to the solemn conviction, that the only safe,
Scriptural, and prudent way for us, botli as ministers and people, to
take, is wholly to refrain from this agitating subject, which is now
convulsing the country, and consequently the Church, from end to
end, by calling forth inflammatory speeches, papers, and pamphlets.
While we cheerfully accord to such all the sincerity they ask for their
belief and motives, we cannot but disapprove of their measures, as
alike destructive to the peace of the Church, and to the happiness of
the slave himself.

" ' But while we thus express our disapprobation of these mea-
sures, we would, with equally strong and decided language, record
our abhorrence of all unlawful and unscriptural means to check and to

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448

TOUR IN ABiERIOA.

counteract them. All mobs and violent movements of self-created
tribunals, to inflict summary punishment upon those who may
differ from them in opinion, are condemned alike by the laws of
our land, and by every principle of Christianity. We should,
therefore, be extremely pained and mortified to learn, that any of
you should have lent your influence to foment a spirit of insurrection
in any manner, or to have given sanction to such violent movements
as have, in some instances and places, disturbed the peace of society,
and forestalled the operation of the established tribunals of justice to
protect the innocent, and to punish the guilty. To bo subject to the
powers that be, is a duty enjoined no less by Christianity, than it is
a dictate of common prudence, necessary to be observed for the pre-
servation of good order, and the support and perpetuation of those
civil and religious institutions which we so highly and justly value as
freemen, as Christians, and as Methodists. The exercise of mutual
forbearance in matters of opinion, is essential in a community where
freedom of speech is guaranteed to the citizens by the constitution
which binds them together, and which defines and secures the rights
and liberties of all.

" ' Finally; brethren and friends, we exhort you to unity and bro-
therly love, and to the practice of those things which make for peace.
Instead of indulging in those irritating recriminations which tend to
disturb the harmony of the body, and to prevent the exercise of mu-
tual good-will and fraternal feeling, let us follow after that charity
which edifiedi ; and the cultivation of that love which endureth all
things, hopeth all things, believeth all things.' " — ^Bangs's " History
of Methodism," vol. iv, pp. 243-249, 258-261.

In the midst of this scene of agitation, we have seen that
the Address of the British Conference made its appearance,
and by its allusions to slavery, increased the confusion. Dr.
Bangs does not tell us the result of the debates on this
Address, except in regard to the answer sent in reply. But
the matter of fact is, that the Address of the British Con-
ference was treated as an abolition document, and its pub-
lication was suppressed. s

" The Address, on motion of Dr. , was referred to a Com-
mittee of three, with instruction to report as early as possible. They

were Dr. , and Dr. , and Mr. . Orange Scott

moved to have the Address published in the periodicals of the

Church ; Dr. , opposed the printing of that portion of it which

related to slavery. The motion to print it was laid on the table, (that

As
Orang^
thougl
of one
an epij

PART V. — SUBJECT 01' SLAVERY.

449

13, lost.) The next day, Blay 4th, Dr.

presented a Report, in

answer to the Address from the Weslejan Conference.

" Among other things, the Report says, that had the Wesleyan Con*
ference fully understood the difficulties of this subject in this country,
and how slavery was interwoven in many of our State constitutions,
they would probably have censured us less, or modified their language
on this subject. The Report spoke of ' the trouble abolitionism' had
made, but nothing of the trouble ofdavenj.

" Considerable discussion took place, when it was moved to adopt
the Report. Rev. T. Spicer, of the Troy Conference, rose and said,
' Tlie Report speaks of the trouble abolitionism has made us ; I think
slavery should be inserted instead of abolitionism.^ This seemed to be
a new thought to some ; they seemed to have forgotten that davery
was any trouble at all.

" Most of the session was taken up, May 5th, in considering the
Report of the Committee in reply to the Wesleyan Conference. It
was presented with the language somewhat altered. It was extremely
difficult, however, to get the language on the part relating to slavery
so as to suit those that were not abolitionists ; the discussion was
almost entirely among those that were not abolitionists. Various
alterations and amendments were proposed ; and once a motion was
made to strike out the whole that related to slavery. The Report was
finally adopted. During the discussion, the abolitionists received some
hard slants (!) without making any reply. Abolitionism, for instance,
was said to be an ' unhallowed flame, that has burned to the destruc-
tion of both whites and blacks.'

" As adopted, the Report was much modified in language, and did
not censure abolitionism, nor condemn slavery. It was immediately
moved, by Orange Scott, to call up the resolution to print the Ad-
dress of the Wesleyan Conference ; but the hour of adjourament
arrived, and it was deferred. The next day it was renewed by Dr

Bangs. The vote was 59 to 59, Bishop being in the chair j

so the document was not ordered to be printed." — ^" Life of the Rev,
Orange Scott" pp. 85-87.

Such was the fate of the Address of the British Confer-
ence of 1836.

As an illustration of the sort of man that this indomitable
Orange Scott was, in doing battle on this great question,
though in the midst of fearful odds, we give his own account
of one of his speeches. This is not the speech itself, but
an epitome of the argument.

450

TOUR IN AMERICA.

" I asstuned the position that the principle of slavery — the princi-
ple which justifies holding and treating the human species as pro-
perty — is morally wrong,^or, in other words, that it is a sin. The
principle, I contended, aside from all circumstances, is evil, omlt
Evii., and that comtinuallt ! I said, no hand could sanctify it—
no circumstances could change it from bad to good. It was a repro"
bate — too bad to be converted — not subject to the law of God, neither
indeed could be. I admitted that circumstances might palliate, and
circumstances might aggravate ; but no circumstances could justify
the principle. If any circumstances could justify the right of pro-
perty in human beings, then wo had only to change some of the cu'-
cumstances with which slavery is connected, and it becomes univer-
sally right — so that in that case the sin would be in the circumstances.
The abstract question was argued at considerable length. It was
insisted that slavery was morally right or morally wrong, or that it
had no moral character. The first and last of these suppositions I
considered absurd; and contended that ' He who has made of one
blood all nations of men to dwell on the earth,' must look with
disapprobation upon such a system of complicated wrongs as Ameri-
can slavery.

" I then attempted to show, that such views of slavery among
Methodists and Methodist ministers are not ' modem,' by extracts
from Wesley, Clarke, our fathers in this country, and our brethren
on the other side of the Atlantic. And these quotations show, that
clear, plain, pointed denunciations of slavery are not peculiar to ' mo-
dem abolitionism.'

'•'■ But, it is said that this abolition discussion is not conducive to
the peace of the Church. Suppose this were admitted ; are there no
interests to be consulted besides the peace of the Church 1 It may not,
perhaps, be always best, that the Church be at peace. There may be
' ease in Zion,' connected with a ' wedge of gold and a Babylonish
garment.' The Methodist Episcopal Church has an unholy alliance
with slavery ; she ought not, therefore, to give herself any peace, till
she cleanses the skirts of her garments from ' blood-guiltiness !' Shall
the dearest interests of undying millions be sacrificed upon the altar
of the peace of the Church? But the Church will be divided. What
will divide it ? The Church is built upon a rock, and the gates of
hell shall not prevail against it. If, therefore, abolition is from be-
neath, the Church is safe; for the gates of hell shall not prevail
against it. And if abolition is from above, (of which I have no more
doubt than of the truth of Christianity,) it will never harm the
Church. All future consequences to the Union and the Church are,
at best, imaginary. They may be realized, and they may not. Shall

PART V.—SUBJBOT OF SLAVERY.

461

wc then suffer imaginary consequencea to determino our duty, when we
have a more unerring rule ? Had we always acted on this principle,
where would the temperance reformation, and many other important
enterprises, have been 1 Imaginary consequences are a new standard
of duty for a body of Christian ministers, and very unbecoming in
the nineteenth century.

" I come now, Mr. President, to notice a few things which were
stated on the floor of this Conference yesterday, and then I have done.
An aged and venerable brother from Baltimore called the abolition
excitement an ' unhallowed flame ;' and this expression he has several
times repeated on this floor. Now, sir, this same unhallowed flame
has burned off the chains from 600,000 goods and chattels in the West
India Islands, and elevated them to the rank of human beings ! Ab-
olitionism is one in all parts of the world. Wc are not trying an ex-
periment— wo arc walking in a beaton track. Our principles have
been fully tested, and we have no fears as to the final results. The
day of our national jubilee waj linger, but it will come at last ; and it
cannot tarry hny I Had it not been for the abolitionists, the 600,000
coloured freemen in the West India Islands had still been goods and
chattels ! And do you ask what the abolitionists have done ? Let
the 600,000 goods and chattels metamorphosed into peaceable, indus-
trious, and happy freemen, answer the question ! Let a ship-load of
fifiy-nine tons of Bibles testify to the good effects of emancipation !
Through the influence of this ' unhallowed flame,' some scores of
slaves have been set at liberty in this country. A gentleman in this
city has emancipated his slaves, through the influence of abolition
doctrines. The fires of abolition are now burning deep and wide —
the leaven of liberty is now working tlirough the whole lump — and
the axe is laid at the root of the tree — the whole country is awake ;
and the day of our redemption is at hand !

" The impropriety of attempting to brave public opinion has been
suggested on this floor. But, sir, if public opinion is wrong, it ought
to be braved. Shall truth and righteousness succumb to public opin-
ion, without stopping to inquire whether that public opinion is right or
wrong ? If public opinion is wrong, let it be set right ; and in order
to this, let it be braved by a firm adherence to right principles!
However few in number the advocates of truth may be, let them not
swerve the breadth of a hair from right principles. Let there be no
compromise between truth and error.

" Public opinion was against Daniel when he was commanded not
to pray for thirty days ; but he braved it, and, in defiance of the king's
decree, continued to pray with his windows open towards Jerusalem.
Public opinion was against the three HebrcAvs, when they refused to

452

TOUR IN AMERICA.

1?^ ■•

worship the ' golden image,' and to obey laws which ijifringcd upon
the rights of conscience. They braved public opinion, and stood it
out against the stem decree of the king. Did they do right 1 The
apostles braved public opinion in every place where they planted
the standard of the cross. Martin Luther and his followers did the
same, at the risk of their lives. John Wesley and his coadjutors in
England braved public opinion. When Mr. Wesley was expelled
from the churches he preached in grave-yards, public markets, and
open fields ! And though public opinion commanded Mr. Wesley to
desist, through the medium of mobs, still he stood it out ! Shame on
his compromising sons I The Methodists in all parts of the United
States have braved, and, finally, to a ponsiderablo extent, changed,
public opinion. Every man's hand has been against us, and yet wo
have stood Jirm. But now comes up the new doctrine of compromise I
Let it be banished from the breast of every patriot, philanthropist,
and Christian. The advocates of temperance have braved and clianged
public opinion. The same may be said of Wilbcrforco, and the Eng-
lish abolitionists. And with all these examples before us, shall wc
succumb to an unholy public opinion, founded in the love of gain f
Shall we turn our backs upon the cause of sufibring humanity, be-
cause public opinion frowns upon us ? No t never 1 1

" Mr. I*resident, Bdv. J. A. Collins has told us that he came up here
flush with the expectation ' that the brethren from the North would
put their foot on abolitionism, and crush it.' And have we yet to
learn, sir, that free discussion is not to be put down in this way ?
When you can put your foot on one of the burning mountains, and
smother its fires — when you can roll back the current of the thunder-
ing falls of Niagara— or stop the sun in its course, you may then be-
gin to think about ' crushing abolitionism !' Sir, the die is cast — the
days of captivity of our country are numbered ! Its redeuption'
IS WRITTEN IN HEAVEN ! !" — " Xi/e of the Rev. Orange Scott," pp.
91-95.

These measures of precaution did not put an end to the
agitation. The stone continued to roll on, gathering bulk
and impetus in its progress, as might be expected, till the
Conference of 1840, when a new effort at gaining the point
was made by the abolitionists, and strenuously resisted by
that body.

The bishops, in their answer to the Address of the British
Conference, took the initiative, no doubt with a view to
prevent agitation. They say, —

PART v.— SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

468

pp.

"We have considered, with affectionate reipect and confidence,
yonr brotherly BUggestions concerning slavery, and most cheerftilly
return an unreserved answer to them. And we do so the rather, bre*
thren, because of the numerous prejudicial statements which have
been put forth in certain quarters to the wounding of the Church.
We assure you, then, brethren, that we have adopted no now prin-
ciple or rule of discipline respecting slavery since the time of our
apostolic Asbnry, neither do we mean to adopt any. In our General
Rules, (called the ' General Rules of the United Societies,' and which
ore of constitutional authority,) ' the buying and selling of men,
M'omcn, and children, with an intention to enslave them,' is expressly
prohibited : and in the same words, substantially, which have been used
for the rule since 1792. And the extract of part ii. section 10, of our
Book of Discipline, which you quote with approbation, and denomi-
nate ' a noble testimony,' is still of force to the same extent that it
has been for many years ; nor do we entertain any purpose to omit
or qualify this section, or any port thereof. For, while we shall re-
gard it a sore evil to divert Methodism from her proper work of
' spreading Scripture holiness over these lands,' to questions of tem-
poral import, involving the rights of Ccesar ; yet are we not the less-
minded on that account to promote and set forward all humane and
generous actions, or to prevent, to the utmost of our power, such as
are evil and unchristian. It is our first desire, after piety toward
God, to be 'merciful after our power; as we have opportunity, doing
good of every possible sort, and as far as possible to all men, to their
bodies ;' but especially, and above all, ' to their souls.'

"Of these United States, (to the government and laws of which,
' according to the division of power made to them by the constitution
of the Union, and the constitutions of the several States,' wc owe, and
delight to render, a sincere and patriotic loyalty,) there are several
whicli do not allow of slavery. There are others in which it is allow-
ed, and there are slaves ; but the tendency of the laws, and the minds
of the majority of the people, are in favour of emancipation. But
there are others in which slavery exists so universally, and is so
closely interwoven with their civil institutions, that both do the laws
disallow of emancipation, and the great body of the people (the
source of la'ws with us) hold it to be treasonable to set forth anything,
by word or deed, tending that way. Each one of all these States is
independent of the rest, and sovereign, with respect to its internal
government, (as much so, as if there existed no confederation among
them for ends of common interest,) and therefore it is impossible to
frame a rule on slavery proper for our people in all the States alike.
But our Church is extended through all the States, and as it would

454

TOUR IN AMERICA.

be wrong and anscriptnral to enact a role of discipline in opposition
to the constitution and laws of the State on this subject; so
also would it not be equitable or Scriptural to confound the
positions of our ministers and people (so different as they are in
different States) with respect to the moral question which slavery
involves.

*' Under the administration of the venerated Dr. Coke, this plain
distinction was once overlooked, and it was attempted to urge eman-
cipation in all the States ; but the attempt proved almost ruinous,
and was soon abandoned by the doctor himself. While, therefore, the
Church has encouraged emancipation in those State^; where the laws
permit it, and allowed the freed-man to enjoy freedom, we have re-
fi'ained, for conscience' sake, from all intermeddling with the subject
ia those other States where the laws make it criminal. And such a
course we think agreeable to the Scriptures, and indicated by St.
Paul's inspired instruction to servants, in 1 Cor. vii, 20, 21. For if
servants were not to care for their servitude, when they might not be
free, though if they might be free they should use it rather; so, neither
should masters be condemned for not setting them free when they
m^ht not do so, though if they might they should do so rather. The
question of the evil of slavery, abstractedly considered, you will read-
ily perceive, brethren, is a very different matter from a principle or
rule of church discipline, to be executed contrary to, and in defiance
of, the law of the land. Methodism has always been (except, perhaps,
in the single instance above) eminently loyal, and promotive of good
order ; and so we desire it may ever continue to be, both in Europe
and America. With this sentiment we conclude the subject, adding
only the corroborating language of your noble Missionary Society,
by the revered and lamented Watson, in their Instructions to Mis-
sionaries, published in the Beport of 1833, as follows : —

" ' As in the colonies in which you are called to labour, a great
proportion of the inhabitants are in a state of slavery, the Committee
most strongly call to your remembrance what was so fully stated to
you when you were accepted as a missionary to the West Indies, that
your only business is to promote the moral and religious improvement
of the slaves to whom you may have access, without, in the least de-
gree, in public or private, interfering with their civil condition.' " —
Bangs's " History of Mdhodismi'^ vol. iv, pp. 378-^80.

These means of suppression failed. The question came
up for discussion, and Orange Scott became again the
champion of antislavery principles.

"in ■

PART V.—SUBJECT OP SLAVERY.

455

" The official reporter of the General Conference said, (in the
New- York Advocate and Journal,) ' The speaker's manner
throughout was dispassionate and conciliatory, and his whole ad-
dress free from offensive or inflammatory epithets. He was heard
with the greatest respect and attention by the body, and by a very
large audience which had convened to listen to the debate on this
theme.'

" Several propositions were made ; and, among others, William A.
Smith, of Virginia, proposed some very ultra pro-slavery measures.
Some of his propositions, however, were so amended as almost en-
tirely to neutralize their force. This brought up Mr. Smith with
some doctrines not very palatable to the anti-abolition members of>
the Committee from the free States. He appealed to the Committee,
and psked them whether they held slavery to be a moral evil or not.
' If,' said he, ' you hold slavery to be a moral evil, hands off that
brother,' (pointing to Orange Scott,) 'you ought not to condemn, but
to cover him. If slavery be indeed a moral evil, I will defend him
as long as there is a plank on the deck. If slavery be a moral evil,
he reasons like a philosopher ! The South will never be satisfied by
your passing resolutions against Orange Scott & Co., while you hold
the same doctrines he contends for. If slavery be a moral evil, the
conclusion is irresistible, that it ought to be immediately abandoned.^
But he contended that it was not a moral evil. And W. M. Wight-
man, from South Carolina, stated, that, as Methodists, they had
abandoned the doctrine that slavery is a moral evil. They did not
believe the doctrine. They did not regard the Discipline on that
subject. And he moved, at one time, an amendment to a resolu-
tion, which was, that all on the subject of slavery be struck from the
Discipline." — "Zi/e of the Rev. Orange Scott" pp. 174, 175.

We give the above as specimens of the kind of agitation
going on at this period; but, so far as the Conference
legislated at all, it was evidently in the direction of pro-
slavery principles. We find a curious law adopted on the
subject of coloured evidence against a white man in
church-courts, enacted at this Conference ; placing the
poor black, though a member of the same church with
the white, in a position in which he could give no evidence
against him, though he might witness the most enormous
sins.

" There was one other subject which excited a deep interest. An
appeal had come up from a member of the Missouri Conference, ap-

466

TOUK IN AMERICA.

pealing from a decision of the said Conference condemning him for
admitting coloured testimony against a white person. The appeal was
sustained, and the decision of the Missouri Conference reversed. As
this reversal was considered as sanctioning the practice of admitting
coloured testimony against the character of a white person, the fol-
lowing resolution, offered by Dr. Few, of the Georgia Conference,
after a strong and protracted debate, was adopted : —

" ' That it is inexpedient and unjustifiable for any preacher to per-
mit coloured persons to give testimony against white persons, in any
State where they are denied that privilege in. trials of law.'

'^ The passage of this resolution gave great dissatisfaction to many
members of the Conference ; and after a v:;riety of expedients had
been resorted to in vain, to obviate the difficulties which seemed to
grow out of it. Bishop Soule offered the following resolutions, which
were adopted by a great minority, ninety-seven voting in the affirma-
tive, and twenty-seven in the negative : —

" ' Sesolved, 1. That in the decision of this Conference in the case
of the appeal of Rev. Silas Comfort, it is not intended to express or
imply that the testimony of coloured persons against white persons,
in church trials, is either expedient or justifiable in any of the slave-
holding States or territories where the civil laws prohibit such testi-
mony in trials at law.

" ' Resolved, 2, That it is not the intention of this Conference, in
the adoption of the resolution of Rev. Ignatius A. Few, of Georgia,
in regard to the admission of the testimony of coloured people, to
prohibit such testimony in church trials in any of the States or terri-
tories where it is the established usage of the Church to admit, and
when, in the judgment of the constitutional judicatories of the
Church, such testimony may be admitted with safety to the peace of
society, and the best interests of all concerned.

" ' Resolved, 3. That it is not the intention of this Conference, in
either of the above cases, or in any action had by this body, to ex-
press or imply any distrust, or want of confidence, in the Christian
piety and integrity of the numerous body of coloured members under
our pastoral care, to whom wc are bound by the bonds of the gospel
of Christ, and for whose spiritual and eternal interests, together with
those of all our fellow-men of every colour, and in every relation and
condition in life, we will never cease to labour.' " — ^Bangs's " Historif
of Methodism,''' vol. iv, pp. 396, 397.

We have one other very important document, which we
insert, inasmuch as it established a rule which wfs much
referred to afterwards.

PART V. — SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

467

" A very able report was adopted near the conclusion of the Con-
ference on the subject of ordaining ministers in slaveholding States
who own slaves, and will not liberate them from their bondage.
This arose out of the practice of the Baltimore Conference, in re-
fusing to ordain some local preachers, who lived in the State of
Vii-ginia, where they pleaded that the laws would not permit eman-
cipation.

" As this subject had never before been so fully investigated, and
as the report, drawn up by Dr. Bascom, very clearly unfolds the prin-
ciples by which the Church has ever been governed upon this grave
and important question, I think the reader will be pleased to have
the entire report before him. It is as follows : —

" ' The Committee, to whom was referred the met^rial and appeal
of some fifteen official members of the Methodist Episcopal Church
iti ?festmoreland circuit, Baltimore Conference, on the subject of
alleged withholdment of right from a portion of the local ministry
within the limits of that Conference ; and to whom was likewise re-
ferred the report of the Judiciary Committee upon a similar remon-
strance from the same division of the Baltimore Conference, signed
hy about thirty official members of the Church, and addressed to the
(fcneral Conference in 1836 ; after giving to the subject the attention
its obvious importance demands, beg leave to report the following as
the result of their deliberations : —

'• ' The particular portion, or rather general section, of country in
v.hlclx these remonstrances have their origin, although belonging to
the Baltimore Conference, is found within the limits of the State of
Virginia ; and the memorialists represent in strong, but respectful
terms, that local preachers within the jurisdiction of the Baltimore
Conference, but residing in the Commonwealth of Virginia, have, in
considerable numbers, and tor a succession of years, been rejected
as applicants for deacon's and elder's orders in the ministry, solely
on the ground of their being slaveholders, or the owners of slaves.
In the memorials referred to, it is distinctly stated, that election and
ordination have been withheld from the applicants in question on no
other ground or pretence than that of their being the owners of slave
property ; and it is farther argued, that the Baltimore Conference
avows this to be the only reason of the course they pursue, and which
ii complained of by the petitioners. The appellants allege, fur-
ther, that the laws of Virginia relating to sla/ery forbid emancipa-
tion, except under restrictions, and subject to contingencies, amount-
ing, to all intents and purposes, to a prohibition ; and that the Dis-
cipline of the Church having provided for the ordination of miniS'
tors thus circumstanced, the course pursued by the Baltimore Con-

45d

'i'OUR IN AMERI^ \.

forence operates as an abridgment of ri^ .1, and therefore furnishes
just ground of complaint. The memorialists regard themselves as
clearly entitled to the protection of the well-known provisional ex-
ception to the general rule on this subject found i:i the Discipline ;
and assume with confidence, and argue with firmness and ability,
tiiat no other objection being found to the character of candidates
for ordination, it is a departure from the plain intendment of
the law in the case, and a violation not less of express compact than
of social justice, to withhold ordination for reasons which the pro-
visions of the law plainly declare arc not to be considered as a for-
feituri of right. It is set forth in the argument of the appellants
that, attaching themselves to the Church as citizens of Virginia, where.
in the obvious sense of the Discipline, emancipation is impracticalilc.
the holding of slaves, or failure to emancipate them, cannot be
pleaded in bar to the right of ordination, as is the case in States
where emancipation, as defined and qualified by the rule in the case,
is found to be practicable. In the latter case, the question is within
the jurisdiction of the Church, inasmuch as the holding or not holding
of property of this kind depends not upon the constitution and regu-
lation of civil property, but upon the wUi and purpose of individuals.
Under such circumstances, the conduct in question is voluntary, and
in <3very final sense the result of choice. In the former, however.
where emancipation is resisted by the prohibition of law, it may be
otherwise ; and in many instances it is known to be resulting entirely
from the involuntary relations and circumstances of individuals con-
nected with the ver}' structure of civil polity, and the force and array
of public opinion and popular interest. The memorialists advert
to the fact, that we have in the Discipline two distinct classes ot
legislative provision in relation to slavery; the one applying to own-
ers of slaves where emancipation is practicable, consistently with the
interests of master and slaves ; and the other, where it is impracticn-
ble without endangering such safety, and these interests, on the part
of both. With the fox-mcr, known sis the general rule on this subject,
the petitioners do not interfere in any way, and arc content simply
to place themselves under the protection of the latter as contractinj.'
parties with the Cliurch ; and the ground of complaint is, that tlic
Church has failed to redeem tnc pledge of its own laws, by rcfusintr
or failing to promote to office ministers in whose ease no disability
attaches on the ground of slavery, because the disability attaching in
other ca?oa is berc removed by special provision of law, and so far
leaves the right to ordination clear and undoubted ; and hence tlif
complaint against the Baltimore Conference.

In further prosecution of the duty assigned them, your Coin-

of:

«< (

the

tive

..njite-

PART V. — SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

459

mittee have carefully examined the law, and inquired into the
system of slavery as it exists in Virginia, and find the representa-
tion of the memorialists essentially correct. The conditions with
which emancipation is burdened in that commonwealth preclude
the practicability of giving freedom to slaves as contemplated in the
Discipline, except in extremely rai'e instances, say one in a thou-
sand, and possibly not more than one in five thousand. The exccp-
tion in the Discipline is therefore strictly applicable to all the min-
isters and members of the Methodist Episcopal Church holding
.slaves in Virginia, and they appear clearly entitled to the benefit of
the rule made and provided in such cases.

'^ ' As emancipation under such circumstances is not a requirement
of Discipline, it cannot be made a condition of eligibility to office.
An appeal to the policy and practice of the Church for fifty years
past, will show incontestably, that, whatever may have been the con-
victions of the Church with regard to this great evil, the imturc and
tendency of the system of slavery, it has never insisted upon eman-
cipation in contravention of civil authority ; and it therefore appears
tf> be a well-settled and long-established principle in the polity of the
Church, that no ecclesiastical disabilities are intended to ensue eit..<}r
to the ministers or members of the Church in those States where the
civil authority forbids emancipation. The general rule, therefore,
distinctly and invariably requiring emancipation as the gi'ound of
right, and the condition of claim to ordination, where the laws of the
several States admit of emancipation, and permit the liberated slave
to enjoy freedom ; and which, in the judgment of your committee,
sliould always be carried into eflfect with unyielding firmness, does
not apply to your memorialists, and cannot, by any fair construction
of law, aftcct their rights.

" ' On the other hand, your committee have given the most careful
consideration to the position of the Baltimore Conference complained
of by the appellants. The journals of the several sessions of the
Baltimore Conference, for a series of years, have been carefully ex-
amined, and found to be silent on the subject of the rejections in
question, except the single statement that A, B, aiid C, from lime to
time, applied for admission or orders, and were rejected. We find no
rule or reason of action, no evidence of preconcertion, no grounds or
reasons of rejection, otated in any form, directly or indirectly. Nothing
of this kind is avowed in, or found upon, the face of the journals of
that body. The charge of pai-ticular motives, it occurs to your com-
mittee, cannot be sustained in the instance of a deliberative body, say
the Baltimore Conference, ?mles3 it appears in evidence that the mo-
tives have been avowed by a majority of the Conference ; and it is not

'«k

460

TOUR IN AMERICA.

in proof that the Conference has ever had an action 'to this effect,
whatever may have been the declaration of individuals sustaining the
charge of the appellants. The fact charged without reference to mo<
tives, that there has been a long list of rejections, both as it regards
admission into the travelling connexion and ordination, until the
exception seems to be made a general rule, is undoubtedly tme, and
is not denied by the defendants. The evidence, however, in
relation to specific reasons and motives is defective, and does not
appear to sustain the charge of a contravention of right by any direct
accredited action of the Baltimore Conference had in the premises.

" ' Tnat this view of the subject presents a serious difficulty, is felt
by your Committee, and must be so by all. The rule applicable in
this case allows an annual Conference to elect under the circum-
stances ; but does not, and, from the very nature and ubiquity of tlie
case, cannot, require it. Among the unquestioned constitutional
rights of^ur Annual Conferences is that of acting freely, without any
compulsory direction, in the exercise of individual franchise. Elec-
tion here is plainly an assertion of personal right on the part of the
different members composing the body, with regard to which the
claim to question or challenge motives does not belong even to the
General Conference, unless the result has turned upon avowed con-
siderations unknown to the rule and law in the case. The journal
of the Conterence is the only part of its history of which this body
has cognizance, and to extend such cognizance to the reasons and mo-
tives of individual members of Conferences not declared to be the
ground of action by a majority, would be to establish a rule at once
snbveraive of the rights and independence of Annual Conferences.
In the very nature of the case an Annual Conference must possess the
right of free and uncontrolled determination, not only in the choice of
its members, hnt in all its elections : and, keeping within the limits
and restrictions of its cliarter as found in the Discipline, can only be
controlled in 'be excr-isc of such right by moral and relative consi-
derations, connctcd with the intelligence and interests of tlie body.

" ' The memorialists prayed the last General Conference, and they
again ask this, (o interfere authoritatively by change or construction
of rule so as to afford relief; and in failure to do so, in the memorial
of 1836, they ask to be set off to the Virginia Conference, as ihe only
remaining remedy. In their present petition, they are silent on tlie
subject of a transfer to Virginia. Under all the circumstances of tlie
case, and taking into the account tiie probabilities of future action in
the premises, your committee cannot but regard this as the only
(;onclusive remedy. But how far this may be considered as relatively
practicable, or whether advisable In view of all the interests involved.

PART v.— SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

461

the committee have no means of determining, and therefore leave it
to the judgment of those who have. That the petitioners, in accord -
unce with the provisions of the Discipline, whether said provision be
right or wrong, ore entitled to remedy, your committee cannot for a
moment doubt, inasmuch as they are labouring, and have been for
years, under practical disabilities actually provided against by the
Discipline of the Church. The alleged grievance is, by the petition-
ers themselves, regarded as one of administration, not of law. No
change of legislation is asked for, unless this body prefer it ; and it
docs not appear to your committee to be called for by any view of the
subject they have been able to take.

" ' Your committee are unwilling to close the brief view of this
subject without anxiously suggesting that, as it is one of the utmost
importance, and intense delicacy in its application and bearings
throughout our entire country, involving, in greater or less degree, the
hopes and fears, the anxieties and interests, of millions ; it must be
expected that great variety of opinions and diversity of conviction
and feeling will be found to exist in relation to it, and most urgently
call for the exercise of mutual forbearance and reciprocal good- will
on the part of all concerned. May not the principles and causes, giv-
ing birth and perpetuity to great moral and political systems or insti-
tutions, be regarded as evil, even essentially evil, in every primarj*
aspect of the subject, without the implication of moral obliquity on
the part of those involuntarily connected with such systems and insti-
tutions, and providentially involved in their operation and conse-
quences ? May not a system of this kind be jealously regarded as in
itself more or less inconsistent with natural right and moral rectitude,
witliout the imputation of guilt and dei^elict motive in the instance
of those who, without any choice or purpose of their own, are neces-
sarily subjected to its influence and sway ?

" ' Can it be considered as just or reasonable to hold individuals re-
.sponsible for the destiny of circumstances over which they have no
control ? Thus conditioned in the organic arrangements and distri-
butions of society, is there any necessary connexion between the
moral character of tlic individual and that of the system ? In this
way the modifying influence of unavoidable agencies or circumstances
in the formation of character is a well-known principle, and one of
nniversal recognition in law, morals, and religion ; and upon which
all administration of law, not unjust and oppressive, must proceed.
And your committee know of ao reason why the rule is inapplicable,
or should not obtain, in relation to the subject of this report. In
conclusion, t. committee would express the deliberate opinion,
th.at, while the general rule on the subject of slavery, relating to those

462

TOUR IK AMERICA.

States only whoso laws admit of emancipation, and permit the liber-
ated slave to enjoy freedom, should he firmly and constantly enforced, the
exception to the general rule, applying to those States where eman-
cipation, as defined above, is not practicable, should be recognized
and protected with equal firmness and impartiality. The committee
respectfully suggest to the Conference the propriety of adopting the
following resolution : —

" ' Resolved, by the delegates of the several Annual Conferences in
General Conference assembled, That, under the provisional exception
of the general rule of the Church on the subject of slavery, the simple
liolding of slaves, or mere ownership of slave property, in States or
territoi'ies where tlie laws do not admit of emancipation, and permit
the liberated slave to enjoy freedom, constitutes no legal bjrrrier to the
election or ordination of ministers to the various grades of office
known in the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church; and can-
not, therefore, be considered as operating any forfeiture of right in
view of such election and ordination.'" — ^Bangs's ^^ History of Meth-
odism,** vol. iv, pp. 404-412.

These measures only tended to aggravate the anti-slavery
party. They continued to agitate the question at issue, by
newspaper articles, lectures, sermons, and pamphlets ; and
in the end produced great excitement. The passions of both
parties, as might be expected, became much inflamed.
Personal reflections were made on both sides; and the
storm, as was evident, must bui-st in some fearful explosion.
The reformers turned their artillery from slavery to the
Church ; and, as they could not obtain their purpose, they
vehemently assailed the constituted authorities, and the
ecclesiastical organization itself. The principle at issue .id-
raitted of no compromise in the opinion of the abolitionist
party. They denounced slavery as a moral evil, a sin, not
to be tolerated in the Christian society. The Church for
many years, whilst bearing its testimony against the evil in
the abstract, had by various measures compromised the
matter in practice. No agreement, of course, could take
place between the parties, and separation became inevitable.

After various preliminary measures, a convention of the
ministers and people favourable to the establishment of a

PART v.— SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

463

body on anti-slavery principles, took place at Utica, in the
State of New- York, May 31st, 1843. At this meeting
Orange Scott presided, and it was agreed to form a re^
ligious society, to be called " The "Wesleyan Methodist ,
Church." The usual Methodist platform was adopted;
namely, of Circuits, Annual Conferences, and a General
Conference. A Book-Concern followed, with a newspaper,
called " The True Wesleyan ;" and, indeed, all the appli-
ances of the system. This anti-slavery Church immediately
extended its operations into some of the slave-holding
States ; and, though comparatively few in numbers, spread
its organizations, its labours, and its principles, on a very
extended surface. An increase of ministers and members
has gone on from the beginning to the present time. The
usual American energy of character evidently belongs to
the preachers engaged in the work ; the old topics of dis-
pute seem very much to have subsided, and they are now
intent on the conversion of men to God ; and what is pleas-
ing is, that we find their preachers, even Orange Scott, be-
fore his lamented decease, often officiating in churches
belonging to the old body. Their existence as a separate
community is, in itself, a testimony against slavery, and
must, amongst other elements, have had its effect in produc-
ing: a change.

One cannot but lament this separation. The abolitionists
would have done more for the cause they had espoused by
remaining in their old position. But the question became
ultimately a mixed one, as is always the case ; and they
went out of the Methodist Episcopal Church as much or
more on ecclesiastical grounds than on those of slavery.
Reformers often forget that great bodies are slow in their
movements. It is in vain for a single man to start up with
the idea that he is to change the course of old organizations,
just by announcing the truth he imagines he has discovered.
Such men must have patience, reiterate their opinions,
make up their minds often to be defeated, and, moreover,

■Vl.

464

TOUR IN AMERICA.

to be treated with some severity. If their position in the
Church is left them, they may consider themsclvos well off.
This was the case with these men. They were left in the
ministry ; their voice had not been silenced ; they were at
perfect liberty to advocate their opinions in the Conference,
and by the use of the press ; and certainly, in the case of
Orange Scott, a great amount of tolerance had been shown ;
for he had received permission to engage himself as an
agent for the Anti-slavery Society, and indeed had been i}0
employed for two or three years. These men split on the
rock on which many besides themselves have split. Fail-
ing to accomplish their purpose as they desired, they con-
cluded that it was the fault of the Church itself ; that the
government was corrupt, and that it needed changing.
The fact is, they had made a deep impression ; had gained
much ground ; and had produced effects of a most import-
ant nature, which probably they could not themselves fully
perceive, but which became afterwards much more evident.
Multitudes of timid and irresolute persons are ofteji brought
imder the power of influences of this nature which they
have not the courage to express, and only wait for some fa-
vourable circumstances to avow themselves ; and no doubt
this was the case at the time in question.

We are naturally interested in such a man as Orange
Scott. His career was very brief. He wore himself out
by his feelings, his zeal, his incessant labours ; and died
July 3lst, 184'/, in his forty-eighth year. In him the anti-
slavery cause lost one of its most devoted and able advo-
cates, and the Church of Christ on earth one of its most
zealous and pious ministers. He possessed all the elements
of a great character. With a profound depth of feeling
was blended equal soundness of judgment ; with unbending
and inflexible resolution was united great warmth of affec-
tion ; with fixed principles which nothing could shake, was
found untiring energy and industry ; with courage which
no combination of men or circumstances could daunt, was

Di£

PART v.— SUBJECT OP SLAVERY.

465

united great tact and prudence. He had attained a just
perception both of the law of Ood, and of the rights of
man. The colour of the skin did not, in his theory,
invalidate the dignity of humanity ; and the poor oppressed
slave found in him a faithful friend, and a powerful advocate.
He feared no man in maintaining what he conceived to be
for the honour of his divine Master, and the just rights of
the oppressed slaves ; his labours in the cause he espoused
were perfectly Herculean ; and he finished his career as a
martyr in the cause of truth and freedom, lamented by his
contemporaries, and honoured of God.

CHAPTER III.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, South — Progress of the movement after the
former division— Change of opinion in the Baltimore Conference — Condemna-
tion of Harding— Confirmed by the General Conference- Bishop Andrew's
case — Debates— Resolutions against him— Protest of the South.

We now come to the greatest division of all, the establish-
ment of the Church, South. Orange Scott was dead, and
the party which he headed had formed a new body ; but
the great idea, the principle, of which Scott was the type,
had not been destroyed: it remained, it proved, like all
truth, to be indestructible. " The blood of the martyrs is
the seed of the Church." After he was gone, his cause be-
came predominant. The men who had arrayed themselves ,,
against him adopted his side, and worked out, to a certain
extent, his sentiment. The Conference which acted on the
defensive when he was the assailant, on its first assembly
when he was gone, by its majority, commenced an aggres-
sive war. The tables were completely turned ; and, instead
of defending itself against the South, against the slavery
power, it instantly began an assault which only ended in
the complete separation of the parties. Without professing
to adopt Orange Scott's idea, or making any change in the
Discipline of the Church, it commenced a course of action

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which led to the same issue. The principles involved in
the debate and its results, though not confessed, were un-
derstood, by both parties, to be those of slavery or no

As is gOHrally the ca^e in all such questions, in both in-
stances uMTecision was taken on the conduct of an indivi-
dual. In the first case, Orsinge Scott was considered the
embodiment of emancipation, — the representative of the
anti-slavery principle,^ — and the principle itself was dealt
with in his person. In the latter case, Bishop Andrew was
equally considered as the embodiment of the slavery prin-
ciple, of the opinions and convictions of the South ; and he
was, likewise, so dealt with. The man, in each instance,
stood for the cause he represented ; and when he was con-
demned, it was imderstood, by all parties, that abolitionism
on the one hand received its sentence, and on the other
slavery.

This may be considered by some as not exactly fair ; but
it is the usual course of things. Men hardly ever legislate
on truth in the abstract. It maybe questioned whether, in
Bishop Andrew's case, the more straightforward course
would not have been to deal with the law, instead of ad-
judicating on the man. This, however, would have raised
most per])lezing questions, not likely very easily to be set-
tled ; and it was felt — ^it is to be presumed — ^to be the
easier course to adjudge the individual, rather than to f^ter
the law.

The subject was opened by a minor case, that of the
Bev. F. A. Harding, of the Baltimore Conference. Mr.
Harding had become possessed of five slaves, (by mar-
riage,) and the above Conference came to the following
resolution :—

^ " Beaolved, That brother Harding be required to execute a deed of
'manmniariyn, and have the sune enrolled in the proper court, and
give to thii Conference, during fliis present session, a pledge that this
fhall be d<me during the present year.

. ., l«n*:.-

PARI y. — SUBJECT OF SLAVBBT.

4»|

' " Brother Harding hAving stated the impoBsibility, with his views,
vf his eomplionce with this resolation, Mr. GoUins moved for his sus-
pension, until he gave snfficient assurance of his compliance."

Mr. Harding still refusing, the cause came before the
Qeneral Conference on appeal.

As a matter of curiosity, it may be proper jKuosert the
opinion of two legal authorities on the laws of i^ State of
Maryland on this question of manumUsion : —

" At the request of Mr. Harding, I hare to state, that, under the laws
of Maryland, no slave can be emancipated, to remain in that State,
nor unless provision be made, by the person emancipating him, for
his removal from the State ; whidi remov#must take place, unless,
for good and snfficient reason, the competent authorities grant per-
mission to the manumitted slave to remain.

" There has lately (winter of 1843) been a statute enacted by the
State Le^lature, securing to married females the property Cslaves.
of course, included) which was theirs at the time of their marriage,
and protecting it from the power and liabilities of their husbands.

"(Signed) W. D. Mbbkick."

'* The Bev. Mr. Harding having married Miss Swan, who, at the
time of her marriage, was entitled to some slaves, I am requested to
say whether he can legally manumit them or not By an Act of As-
sembly, no person can manumit a slave in Maryland ; and, by another
Act of our Assembly, a husband has no other or further right to his
wife's slaves than their labour, while he lives. He can neither sell
nor liberate them. Neither can he and his wife, either jointly or sep-
arately, manumit her slaves, by deed or otherwise. A reference to
the Acts of Assembly of Maryland will show this.

" Edmund Key,

" Prince George Cbairfy, April 25th, 1844." *

" This case derived much of its importance and influence from the
fact that it came from what is called a ' cbnservative Conference,' and
one which had previously acted witli^e South in resisting the en-
croachments of abolitionism. The abolition North constantly de-
nounced slavery as necessarily and under all circumstances a sin, and
consistently and perseveringly contended for its entire banishment
from the Church, in all its forms and relations. The South, though
admitting slavery to be a great evil, as declared in the Discipline,
maintained that it was not necessaii||^ sinful in all cases, and that it
was impossible for the Church to exist in the South in a state of en-

466

TOUR IN AMERICA.

i t

tiM disoonnexion from this dvil institution of the country. The mid-
^or e<]ttiservatiye Conferences, though anti-slavery in principle, had
nnifonnly, for a long period^ concurred with the practical views of
die South, and coH>perated with them in opposing Northern encroach-
ments upon this conservative ground of the Discipline. In this case,
the South ;c^«rded the Baltimore Conference, and those acting with
it, as ahandipng the vital conservatism of the Discipline, and the
only ground npon which the Church in the South could possibly en-
joy security, or even existence, and as yielding to abolitionism the
distinguishing principle by which it is characterized." — ^" History of
the OrgamzOtion of the Mdhodist Episcopal Church, South," pp. 2, 3.

Thus the matter stood with respect to Harding and the
Baltimore Conference : — Harding insisting that it was im-
practkabU for him to manwnit the slaves in question ; and
the Conference, that they had never tolerated a slave-hold-
ing minister, and never would ; that he must either eman-
cipate and send his slaves out of the State, or endure the
penalty of expulsion. The General Conference adopted
their views, and sustained the sentence of the court helow.

The above extract <:learly states the case, as respects the
disposition of parties, their several views and opinions, pre-
paratory to the gr6at contest which was about to com-
mence. The change which had taken place in the opinions
'df so important and numerous a Conference as that of Bal-
timore, — ^together with the middle position which it occu-
pied, and, as i& all similar cases, holding the balance in its
hand,^ould not but turn the scale. Harding's case was
only a skirmish of outposts ; but it indicated how the battle
would turn on the great field of conflict.

This soon opened.

" Accordingly, after the Qfixding case was determined, those ru-
mours became more rife, and assumed a more confident tone. The
South, on seeing the conservatives and abolitionists coalesce in tliis
case, brought themselves to believe, that the majority, and not the law,
exercised the only protective or punitive power of the Church. The ab-
olition wing of the Conference felt both strengthened and emboldened
by the new alliance; while the 'middle men' found themselves fully
committed by their action m sustaining the Baltimore Conference, to
cany out consistently the principles involved in that case, in any

PART v.— SUBJECT OP SLAVBRY.

460

othtf that might come before them. The aged and yme saw and felt
the periloiuness of the position in which the Conference was placed :
the North mged them fhrther, as the only means of saving New-Eng-
land ; the South entreated them to stay their hand, unless they wish-
ed to consummate the ruin of the Southern Church, already but too
successfully begun. While the zealous of the pariy in the ascendant
— so decisively victorious in the recent contest— were arranging plans
for a new attack, and rallying for a bolder charge, some of the sage
and devout lovers of peace and unity, without distinction of party,
gave themselves to counsel, to prayer, and serious inquiry, hoping to
devise some means to avert the threatening storm. In this commend-
able spirit, two eminent and amiable men. Dr. W. Capers, of the
South, and Dr. S. Olin, of the North, came forward in the General
Conference, on the 14th of May, and offered jointly the following
resolution : —

" ' In view of the distracting agitation which has so long prevailed
on the subject of slavery and abolition, and especially the difficulties
under which we labour in,Jthe present General Conference, on account
of the relative position of our brethren North and South on this per-
plexing question ; therefore,

" ' Resolved, That a Committee of three from the North, and three
fh>m the South, be appointed to confer with the Bishops, and report
within two days as to the possibility )f adopting some plan, and
what, for the permanent pacification of the Church.'

" Immediately on the offering of this resolution, the ' middle-men,'
or conservatives, claimed to be recognized as a distinct division or
class in the Church and Conference, by demanding a representation
in the proposed committee. But as only two points were named in
the resolution, and two opposing principles, and not three, were in-
volved in the previous debates and action of the Conference— the
right to hold slaves according to the provisions of the Discipline,
and the right of enforcing abolition, as in the case of Harding, the
claim was seen to be groundless ; and accordingly the committee was
taken fix>m the South and from the whole North : Dr. Capers, of South
Carolina, Dr. Winans, of Mississippi^, and Mr. Early, of Virginia,
representing the former; and Dr. Olin and Mr. Crandall, of New-
England, and Mr. Hamline, of Ohio, the latter.

" The discussion had pending this resolution is very important, as
showing the true state of things to have been, at that time, very dif-
ferent from that in which they are commonly represented. The popu-
lar presentation of the matter is, th^^ all tiie difficulty, and finally
the division, had sole reference to tke case of Bishop Andrew, and
but for him ibsTQ had been no serious controversy in the General

.fe

470

TOUR m AMBRIOA.

Conference. The remarks made on that occasbn show, that in the
opinion of the prominent speakers, the Rubicon was passed before the
case of Bishop Andrew was tftken up at all."

On the 18th of May, Bishop Soule reported that the
committee ^* had been unable to agree upon any plan of
compromiilf to reconcile the views of the Northern and
Southern Conferences."

" The fiulure of the attempt at compromise was, of coarse, the sig-
, nal for pushing the measure, so energetically commenced, to the ulte-
rior point Accordingly, on the 20th, Mr. Collins, of Baltimore, the
active advocate in opposition to Harding, offered the following pre-
amble and resolution, which were adopted : —

" ' Whereas, it is currently reported, and generally understood, that
one of the bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church has become
connected with slavery; and whereas, it is due to the General Con-
ference to have a proper understanding of the matter; therefore,

" ' Sesolved, That the Committee on the Episcopacy be instmcted
to ascertain the facts in the case, and report the result of their inves-
tigation to this body to-morrow morning.'

" In obedience to the instruction given in this resolution, on the
21st, Dr. Paine, chairman of the Committee on Episcopacy, submit-
ted to the Conference the following Report : —

'' ' The Committee on Episcopacy, to whom was referred a resolu-
tion, submitted yesterday, instructing them to inquire whether any
one of the superintendents is connected with slavery, presented their
Report on the subject.

" ' The committee had ascertained, previous to the reference of the
resolution, that Bishop Andrew is connected with slavery, and
>4 had obtained an interview with him on the subject ; and having re-
quested him to state the whole facts in the premises, they presented
a written communication from him in relation to this matter, and
asked leave to offer it, as his statement and explanation of the case.

*^^ To the Committee on Episcopacy.
" ' Deab Bbbtbbbn, — In reply to your inquiry, I submit the fol-
lowing statement of all the facts bearing on my connexion with sla-
very : — Several years since, an old lady of Augusta, Georgia, be-
queathed to me a mulatto girl, in trust, that I should take care of her
until she should be nineteen years of age : that, with her consent, I
' should then send her to Liberia; and that, in case of her refusal, I
shQuld i^eep her, and make her as free as the laws of the State of

•j^

PABT v.— SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

471

Georgia would permit. When the time arrived, she refoscd to go to
Liberia, and, of her own choice, remains legally my slave ; although I
derive no pecuniary advantage from tier, she continuing to live in
her own house on my lot, and has been, and still is, at perfect
liberty to go to a free State at her pleasure ; but the laws of the
State will not permit her emancipation, nor admit such deed of eman-
cipation to record, and she refuses to leave the State. In her case,
therefore, I have been made a slaveholder legally, but not with my
own consent

t " ' 2. About Ave years since, the mother of my former wife left to
her daughter, not to me, a negro boy ; and as my wife died Mrithout a
will more than two years since, by the laws of the State he becomes
legally my property. In this case, as in the former, emancipation is
impracticable in the State ; but he shall be at liberty to leave the
State whenever I shall be satisfied that he is prepared to provide for
himself, or I can have sufficient security that he will be protected
and provided for in the place to which he may go.

" ' 3. In the month of January last I married my present wife, she
being at the time possessed of slaves, inherited from her former hns-
band's estate, and belonging to her. Shortly after my marriage, be-
ing unwilling to become then* owner, regarding them as strictly hers,
and the law not permitting their emancipation, I secured them to her
by a deed of trust.

'■' ' It will be obvious to you, firom the above statement of facts,
that I have neither bought nor sold a slave ; that in the only circum-
stances in which I am legally a slaveholder, emancipation is im-
practicable. As to the servants owned by my wife, I have no legal
responsibility in the premises, nor could my wife emancipate them,
did she desire to do so. I have thus plainly stated all the facts in
the case, and submit the statement for the consideration of the Gene-
ral Conference.

" ' Yours respectfully,
; "'(Signed) James 0. Akdbew.

" ' All which is respectfully submitted.

"'(Signed) Eobebt Paine,
" ' Chairman of Committee on Episcopacy.'

' " Mr. Collins, who had taken the lead in this as in the former pro-
secution, moved that the, Report be laid on the table, and made the
special orderfor the next day ; assigning as his reason for this mo-
tion, that there was to be a meeting of the Northern ddegcOes ihaX,
afternoon, to concert, as was distinctly understood, plans of action in
the prosecution. This announcement was immediately followed by
a call for a meeting of the Southern ddegates on the same afternoon.

-;-*■ ■'

472

TOUB IN AMERICA.

It was thus dearly seen that this parties were organizing and amng*
ing their plans and foroes,— tiio one for attack, the other for defence,

in the approaching contest

" On the next day, (the 32d of May,) Mr. Griffith, the coadjutor
of Mr. Collins in the former case, and the member who spoke so
contemptuously of the laws of Maryland, called up the Beport in
the case of Bishop Andrew, and o£fered the following preamble and
resolution : —

" ' Whereas, the Bev. James O. Andrew, one of the bishops of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, has become connected with slavery, as
communicated in his statement in reply to the inquiry of the Com-
mittee on Episcopacy, which reply is embodied in their Beport of
yesterday : and whereas, it has been, from the origin of said Church,
a settled policy and invariable usage to elect no person to the office
of bishop who was embarrassed with this great evil, as under such
circumstances it would be impossible for a bishop to exercise the
functions, and perform the duties assigned to a general superintend-
ent with- acceptance in that large portion of his diarge in which
slavery does not exist : and whereas, Bishop Andrew himself was
nominated by our brethren of the slaveholding States, and elected
by the General Conference of 1832, as a candidate who, though
living amidst a slaveholding population, was nevertheless free
irom all personal connexion widi slavery : and whereas, this is, of
all periods in our hbtory as a Church, the one least favourable to
such an innovation upon the practice and usage of Methodism, as to
confide a part of the itinerant general superintendency to a slave-
holder: therefore,

" ^Resolved, That the Bev. James O. Andrew be, and he is hereby,
affectionately requested to resign his office as one of the bishops of
the Methodist Episcopal Church.*

" After some personal conversation of an explanatory character,
in which Dr. Bangs, Dr. Capers, Mr. Davis, and Mr. Pickering were
concerned, the following was offered as a substitute for the preamble
and resolution before the Conference : —

" ' Whereas, the Discipline of our Church forbids the doing any-
thing calculated to destroy our itinerant general superintendency ;
and whereas Bishop Andr6w has become connected with^ slavery
'by marriage and otherwise; and this act having drawn after it
-circumstances whidi, in the esthnation of the General Conference,
will greaily embarrass the exercise of his office as an itinerant
general raperiateiident, if not in some places entirely prevent it ;
'therefi)t^

^^Beaolved, That it i* the sense oi this General Conference that

■^,1

PART v.— SUBJECT OF SLIVEBT.

i13

he desist from the exercise of this office as long as this impediment
remains. (Signed) " * J. B. Finlkt,

"•J.M.TBMIBU.""*

In the midst of all this, numerous speeches were delir
vered, and are reported in the History we quote, with what
degree of fairness and accuracy we are not ahle to say ;
there seems to be a leaning as to quantity on the side of
Southern men, after the manner of such things ; for it is
the History prepared by the Southern Church, though it is
not likely that their account of the speeches of their oppo-
nents would be designedly inaccurate, as far as they go.
As specimetas of American eloquence, as well as on account
of their intrinsic importance, it seems right to give two or
three of these speeches. We begin with Dr. Olin : —

" I believe we are all prepared to recognize the right of Southern
brethren to hold slaves under the provisions of the Discipline. We
shall acknowledge and guarantee die entire of the privileges and im-
munities of all parties in the Church. I here declare, that if a remedy
should be proposed that would trench on the constitutional claims
of Southern ministers, I would not, to save the Church from any
possible calamity, violate this great charter of our rights. I am glad
of the opportunity of saying, that no man, who is a Methodist, and
deserves a place among us, can call in question here any rights
secured by our charter. I do not say that ho may not be a very
honest or a very pious man who doubts the compatibility of slave-
holding, on the conditions of the Discipline, with the ministerial
office ; but in this he is not a Methodist. He may be a very good
man, but a very bad Methodist ; and if such a man doubts if the Church
will reform, or is too impatient of delay, let him, as I would in his
place, do as our friends in New-England did last year, go to some
other Church, or set up one for himself.

"Not only is holding slaves, on the conditions and under the
restrictions of the Discipline, no disqualification for the ministerial
office ; but •! will go a little further, and say, that slaveholding is not
constitutionally a forfeiture of a man's right, if he may be said to
have one, to the office of a bishop. The Church, spread out through
all the land, will always determine for itself what are disqualifications

* History of the Organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, pp.

11-23. '"' ^

*tt>:'

474

TOUR

IK AMERIOA,

and wIm( m« not; Mid it hM ft perfect right to determine whether
«lftreholdlng, or abolitionism, or any other fact, shall be taken into
loniidwation in its elections.^

" Tbmw aro my principles. I have never doubted with regard to
thoni. I will add, that I can never give a vote which does violence
to my Mntiments in regard to the religions aspect of the subject. I
hero d«olaro, that, if ever I saw the graces of the Christian ministry
dliplayfd, or itf virtues developed, it has been among slavcholdon.
I wish hare to divest myself of what, to some, may seem an advant-
age that does not belong to mo. I would not conceal— I avow that
I was a shiveholder, and a minister at the South, and I never
dreamed that my right to the mhdstry was questionable, or that in
the sight of Ood I was less fitted to preach the gospel on that oc-
count. And If tho state of my health had not driven me away from
that region, I should probably have been a slaveholder to this day.
In this day of reform and manifold suggestions, I go farther, and
say, that, if by a rote of this General Conference, you might call in
quaition tiie right of our Southern brethren to the ministry, and
maka tfiair claim to the sacred oflBce dependent on their giving im-
mediate freedom to tfieir stoves, I do not think that that would be a
blessing to the slaves, or to the Church. I do not believe the slave
fares worse for having a Christian master, and I think the preachers
may have more ot public confidence on our present plan. I know
thesa (pinions may by some be regarded as unsound, and I make
them not because tfiey have any special value or novelty, but because
I profess to speak my sentiments freely.

*' With regard to the particular case before us, I feel constrained to
make one or two remarks. If ever there was a man worthy to fill
episcopal office by his disinterestedness, his love of the Church, his
ardent, melting sympathy for all tho interests of humanity; but, above
all, for his uncompromising and unreserved advocacy of the interest
of the slave<— if these are qualifications for the office of a bishop,
then James 0. Andrew is pre-eminently fitted to hold that office.
I know him well. He was the friend of my youth, and, although by
his experience «id his position fitted to be a father, yet he made me
A brother, and no man has more fully shared my sympathies, or
more intimately known my heart, for these twenty years. His house
has been my home, on his bed have I lain in sickness, and he, with
Ills sainted wife now in heaven, has been my comforter and nurse.
No question under heaven could have presented iteelf so painfully
oppressive to my fbelings as the one now before us. If I had a
Irandred votes, and Bishop Andrew were not pressed by the difficul-
ties whidi now reft upon him, without any wrong intention on his

PART v.— SUBJECT OP SLAVERY.

476

hor
nto

part, I am sure, he ii the man to whom I would give them all. I
know no man who has been so bold an advocate for the interest of
the slaves ; and when I have been constrained to refhtin from saying
what perhaps I should have said, I have heard him at camp-meet-
ings, and on other public occasions, call fearlessly on masters to see
to the spiritual and temporal interests of their slaves, as a high
Christian duty. Excepting one honoured brother, whose name will
hereafter bo recorded as one of the greatest benefactors of thei Afti-
can race, I know of no man who has done so much for the slave as
IMshop Andrew.

" I know the difficulties of the South. I know the excitement
that is likely to prevail among the people there. Yet, allowing our
worst fears all to bo realized, the South will have this advantage
over us, — ^tho Southern Conferences are likely in any event to har-
monize among themselves, — they will form a compact body. In our
Northern Conferences diis will be impossible in the present state of
things. They cannot bring their whole people to act together on
one common ground ; stations and circuits will be so weakened and
broken as, in many instances, to be unable to sustain their ministry.
I speak on this point in accordance with the conviction of my own
judgment, after having travelled three thousand miles through the
New-England and New- York Conferences, that if some action is not
had on this subject calculated to hold out hope, — to impart a mca-
i>ure of satisfaction to the people, — there will be distractions and di-
visions ruinous to souls, and fatal to the permanent interests of the
Church.

" I feel, sir, that if this great difficulty shall result in separation
from our Southern brethren, we lose not our right hand merely, but
oar very heart's blood. Over such an event I should not cease to
pour out my prayers and tears as over a grievous and unmitigated
calamity. It was in that part of our Zion that Gk)d, for Christ's sake,
converted my soul. There I first entered on the Christian ministry.
From thence come the beloved, honoured brethren who now sur-
round me, with whom and among whom I have laboured, and suf-
fered, and rejoiced, and seen the doings of the right hand of the Son
of God. If the day shall come when we must be separated' by lines
of demarcation, I shall yet think often of those beyond with the kind-
est, warmest feelings of an honest Christian heart. But, sir, I will
yet trust that we may put far off this evil day. If we can pass such
a measure as-will shield our principles from all infringement, — if we
can send forth such a measure as will neither injure nor justly offend
the South, — as shall neither censure nor dishonour Bishop Andrew,
and yet shall meet the pressing wants of the Church ; and, above all,

476

TOim or AMIRIOA.

If Almiglity God ihall 1m pl«Med to help, by pouring ont his Spirit
upon ng, we maj yet atoM tha rook on whidi we now leem but too
likely to ipUt"

This speech was answered by Mr. Oast, of New-Hamp-
shire.

" Mr. President, if I undentMid the subject now under considera-
tion, it is this :— Is it expedient for this Conferonoo to suspend Bishop
Andrew from his office on account of his being a shiYeholder, until
such time as he shall be free fh>m this embarrassment 1 The reason
assigned why such action should be had Is, that a large majority of
the Church are opposed to having a slaveholder for a bishop. Now,
sir, I hold, if they are wrong, and the bishop Is right, no action should
be had against him in the premises. This, then. Is the question to be
settled. Dr. Olin has said, that the bishop has done no wrong; but,
with all due deference, I must bog leave to dissent ftom his opinion
in this matter.

" Shr, is there no moral wrong In being a slaveholder 1 A portion
of the North believe slaveholding to be a moral wrong. We have
nothing to do with slavery in the abstract ; but we believe that sla-
very, as it exists in these United States, and In the Methodist Epis-
copid Church, is morally wrong.

" But, leaving this out of the question for the present, is there no
wrong in Bishop Andrew becoming a slaveholder, and thereby dis-
turbing the peace of the Church 1 and also bringing this dark cloud
over us, and this trouble upon us, which has pained our hearts, and
detained us here for days 1 when ho has brought this evil iuto exist-
ence by hb voluntary act, witli his eyes open 1 Sir, I tliink there
must be a wrong in this.

" Dr. Olin has said, that the resolution now before us should be so
modified as that Bishop Andrew will not be censured. Sir, I hold
there should be no privileged order In the Methodist Episcopal
Church : if he has done wrong, be ought to bo censured. As mucli
as I respect the office of bishop, and the men who fill it, they arc
amenable to justice if they do wrong, as miwh as I am in my humble
.relation in the Church : and with as much greater responsibility as
their station is above mine. Th^ are the very last men who should
not be censured, if in the wrong. Mark this, sir, — whenever there is
a privileged order in the Methodist Episcopal Church, the glory will
have departed. Let this not bo,— no, never.

" Dr. Olin says, that slaveholding does not disqualify any man for
the ministry, provided he live in a sUveholding State ; and that the
constitution of the Methodist Church sustains him in his position,

PART v.— SUfiJEOT OF SLAVBRY.

477

and thoM who differ from him in opinion are bad Methodiito ; and
if thej peniflt in these ooones, they ought to follow the example of
those who hare seceded from the Methodist Episcopal Church. Sir,
hy this one stroke he has severed four conferences from the Method-
ist Episcopal Church. I do not, however, think he intended to do it.
But it was done with his seal to hold on to the South ; which, by the
way, ho appears to have some sympathy, if not partiality for, as iio
has been a slaveholder, and never thought it was anything against liio
ministerial character.

'- The South say, if Bishop Andrew ia suspended, the lino of
division will be drawn between tho North and South, and that when
they say this they speak the mind of tho whole South. Sir, how
do they know this fact 1 Have they taken a vote in all their Annual
Conferences ? or have they had a convention to deliberate on this
matter 1

" They calculate to claim that they are tho Church, and the North
will bo the sccodors. This is not tho first timo wo have heard of
nullification, or that which is equivalent, (in the Church and State,)
from tho South ; but tho world stands yet, and I bcliovo it will not
be moved from its foundations if the resolution before us should pass.
Those threats have their meaning, which is perfectly understood by
the North."

May 24th. — Mr. G. F. Pierce, of Georgia, spoke against

the resolution : —

" Sir, there has been, in every speech which has been made on tlio
other side of the question, a false issue attempted. Whatever mtt y
l>e affirmed of expediency, and the disqualification of Bishop Andrew
fur tho office of general superintendent, in view of circumstances
ever which it is declared brethren have no control, it is not to be
foi^otten or disguised, that this is not an abstract, but a practical
question ; that it involves the constitutional rights and equality of
privileges belonging to Southern ministers. It is a practical ques-
tion, too, which cannot be set ofF from its connexion with tho past
and its bearings on the future. It is part and parcel of a system,
slowly developed it may be, yet obvious in its designs and unwearied
in its operation, to deprive Southern ministers of their rights, and to
disfranchise the whole Southern Church. You cannot take the ques-
tion out of its relations. It cannot bo made to stand, as brethren have
tried to make it stand, isolated and alone. If there had been no me-
morials on your table, praying for the establishment of a law of pro-
scription,— if there had not been declared, over and over again, n
settled purpose, if not in tmeqnivocal terms, yet in unequivocal acts,

4T8

TOUB IN ilMSRIOA.

to woric ont (he deitraction of this evil, and free the episcopacy and
the Church itself tnm this eTil,— the question before us would be
diflferent in its aspects, and the action of the South in regard to it
might be modified aocordfaigty. I beg this Conference to consider this
question in the light of its connexion with tiie previous action in the
caso of the appeal firom die Baltimore Conference. Sir, the prepos-
terous doctrine was asserted in that Conference, that its purposes and
usages are parampnnt to the law of the land, and the doctrine of that
Conference has been affirmed here. Sir, the action of this Confer-
ence on the snl^ct has brought the whole Methodist Episcopal
Churdit into a position of antagonism to4he laws of the land. I con-
sider such action not only an outrage on the common justice of the
case, but decidedly revolutionary in its movements, and destined to
affect, unless repealed, the character of the Conference and all the
ramifications of the Church. What is the position? The .ground
was taken then and here— the Church, the Bible, the Discipline, and
the laws of the land to the contrary notwithstanding, — that we have
a right to make a man's membership depend upon the condition of
liis doing a thing which, as a citizen of the State, he has no power
or right to do. The act which is proposed in the resolution is part
and parcel with the same affa^'* When Bishop Andrew has been
invited to resign, or desist from the exercise of his episcopal func-
tions, or is impeached or deposed, it ought to be, and can be con-
sidered, as neither more nor less than collateral in its designs and
effects with the action of the Conference in the case to which I have
referred.

" This is a practical question, make what disclaimers you please,
or any amount of them. The common sense of the country will con-
sider it as an infraction of the constitutional, or, if you please, the
disciplinary rights of ilie Southern brethren, however it may be con-
sidered by those in the sO'Styled more favoured and less encumbered
portions of the Union.

"But, sir, I will present one view of this question which ha^ not
been touched upon. Set off the South, and what is die consequence ?
Po you get rid of embarrassment, discord, division, strife ? No, sir ;
you multiply divisions. There will be secessions in the Northern
Conferences, even if Bk'hop Andrew is deposed or resigns. Promi-
nent men irill abandon your Church. I venture to predict, tliat
whenever the day of division come8,—and come I' believe it will from
the present aspect of the case,— that in ten years from this day, and
perhaps less, Uierp will not be one shred of the distinctive peculiari-
ties of Methodism left within the Conferences that depart from us.
The venerable man who now presides over the Northern Confer-

tV' . «

•fe

PART v.— SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

479

ences may live out hia time as a bishop, but he will never have a
successor. Episcopacy will be given up, the presiding eldership will
be given up, the itinerancy will come to an end, and (Jongregational-
ism will be the order of the day. The people will choose their
own pastors, and preachers will be standing about the ecclesiastical
market-places ; and when men shall ask, ' Why stand yo here all the
day idle V the answer will be, ' Because no man hath hired us.' [An
involuntary burst of applause was here interrupted by the chair, who
said, ' That is whoUy inadmissible.']

" We have unity and peace, and sock it because of its e£fects on
the Connexion ; and I believe, to-day, that if the New-England Con-
ferences' wore to secede, the rest of us would have peace. There
would be religion enough left among us to live together as a band of
Christian brothers.

" Sir, I object to the substitute for another reason. I wonld liave
preferred the original Resolution. The substitute presents a most
anomalous view of the whole subject. Suppose that view is adopt-
ed ; what is it ? What do you do with the bishop ? You cannot put
him on a circuit or station : he is a bishop in duress, a bishop in
prison bounds, an anomaly, a fifth wheel in the machine of Methodism,
doomed to live on the Book-Concern, while no provision is made for
his rendering the Church any servidi, if this Resolution is adopted."

This speech was answered by the Rev. J. T. Peck, of
the Troy Conference.

*' He [Mr. Pierce] says we have made ajblse issue in this discussion.
And what is it ? Why, that we have discussed it as an individual
matter, confined in its application to Bishop Andrew himself ; where-
as, it was in truth a great practical question, bearing upon the whole
South. We admit it, Mr. President, it is a great practical question,
hearing not upon the South merely, but upon the whole Church. We
utterly disclaim the limitation of the question to any man. We take
up the issue exactly as he has laid it down. It is upon the assertion
und action of a great principle of immense practicable bearing that wo
predicate our arguments. It is, verily, the brother may be well as-
8iu'cd, a matter of great practical imvortance to us, and to the Church,
whether we have a slave-holding bishop or not. Here, then, I have
no contention with him.

" But, Mr. President, the brother alarmed me ! He made a
declaration which was to me utterly surprising ! He says, the great
(juestion of tiuity is decided I [Mr. P. explained, ' Prospectively de-
rided.'] Prospectively decided ? to be sure I Did any one suppose it
had been decided retrospectively 9 Division, then, in his mind, is real-

480

TOUB IN AMERICA.

ly inevitable ! Surely, sir, /had not thought bo. And I am hxpfj
to say, I know many brethren, North and South, much more di8thi«
gnished for age and experience than either of us, who do not think -'
so. The division of our excellent Church decided! The unity of
our common Methodism destroyed ! May Heaven forbid it i I do
not believe it, sir. The strong bonds that hold us together, I trust, .
are not sundered! But he says the Baltimore appeal-case virtually i
decided it. I do not so understand it. There were, it is true, several
points of analogy between the case of Mr. Harding and that of Bishop
Andrew. But the action contemplated in the case of the Bishop is
widely different from that had in the case of Mr. Harding. In that
case we did nothing more than to affirm the decision of the Balti*
more Conference : and in that act say, that we would not allow slavery
to be crowded on her, after she had nobltf dedared she uxwld not have it. .
The appellant stood suspended from his ministerial functions. But
was any such thing intended in the case of Bishop Andrew ? Did {
the Resolution affirm any such thing? Certainly not. It merely
proposed that he should desist from the exercise of the episcopal office
until he should free himself from the embarrassment of slavery. The
cases then were widely different. Brethren were undoubtedly pre-
mature in asserting, that the dec^ion of the Conference in the Balti-
more appeal-case had prospectively determined the division of the
Church .' Indeed, the gentleman himself seemed to have doubts about
it, when he came to consider a little ; for, afler he had progressed in his
argument so far as to consider the influence of the proposed action in
the case of the bishop, he declared, ' Pass that Resolution, and the great
question of Methodist unity is decided forever.' Indeed ! Then it
remains to be decided, the Baltimore appeal-case to the contrary not-
withstanding ! I thank the brother for that. My judgment in the
case cannot be altogether gronndless, since it derives support from
his own declarations. Be assured, sir, I greatly rejoice in this.

" But the brother from Georgia says, this measure will not save us
from secessions. We shall have secessions in New-England ! Wc
shall have them everywhere 1 What can be done to satisfy New*
England ? Sir, as the name of New-England struck my ear, I felt a
thrill of the most intense interest. But, the reverend gentleman pro-
ceeded, they are busy-bodies in other men's matters ! A thorn in the
flesh 1 A messenger of Satan to buffet us ! And, alluding (as I nn*
dersiood him to do) to a certain movement in New-England, and |
certain principles upon which that movement was based, he called it
the foul sphit of the pit ! the Juggernaut of perdition I &c. Upon
this language, Mr. President, I may not remark i I must, of neces-
sity, leave it without animadversion ! But with the utmost respect,

PAET v.— SUBJECT OP SLAVBRT.

481

tills dear brother will excnse me for saying, I much prefer the terms
used by some of his highly respected associates. I like the chaste
and beautifol language of the 8weet*spirited and doqaoit Mr. Crow-
der, and the dignified and forcible style <3i the reverend gentleman
who last preceded me. I must say, Mr. President, I deprecate the
use of such language in a controrersy of such solemn importance, — ,
a controversy invested with more elements of moral grandeur than
any which has engaged the attention of the American people for half
a century ! I hope the brother will not use it again, and certainly not
on the floor of this General Conference.

" But my friend from the Georgia Conference says, ' LetNew-£ng-
land go ! I wish in my heart she would secede 1 And joy go with
her, for I am sure she will leave peace behind her !' Let New-Eng-
land go ! I cannot foiget this exdamation. It vibrates in my soul
in tones of grating discord. Why, sir, what is New-England, that we
should part with her with so little reluctance ? New-England ! The
land of the pilgrims ; the land of many of our venerated fathers in
Israel; the land of Broadhead, of Merritt, of the reverend man [point-
ing to George Pickering] who sits by my side ; and a host of worthies
whom we have delighted to honour as tlie bulwarks of Methodism in
its early days of primitive purity and .peril. Let New-England go !
No, sir, we cannot part so easily with tiie pioneer land of the devoted
and sainted Jesse Lee !

"But, Mr. President, our brethren of the South utterly mistake
the truth in this matter. Why, sir, they cannot get half way to New-
England in this war. They must wade through numbers and forces
of which they never dreamed. They must encounter us in the cen-
tre, whose opposition to slavery is uncompromising. And Baltimore
(honour to her self-sacrificing devotion to the cause of humanity !)
will be a formidable obstacle in the way of their advance. But if
they ever should subdue us, and reach the land of the pilgrims, rest
assured, sir, they would find there a wall of brass which would re-
main forever impregnable to the assaults of the slave power. We
are happy that New-England is with us to a man in this fearful con-
flict ; that the united west, and north, and east, form an insuperable
barrier to the advance of slavery. O, sir, I fear me much our
brethren at the South are deceiving themselves in this matter. This
has never been a question of principle between ns and New-England.
We have always agreed in fundamental anti-slavery sentiments ; and
I am the more carefiil to allude to this, because, so far as I remem-
ber, it is a distinction that has not been made in this discussion. It
has been purely a quefU^ion of measures between us. In this, it is true,

we have difibred ; but in opposition of principle to slavery, North,

482

TOUR IN AMERICA.

*'■■

' f

East, and West, we always have been, and I trust shall ever remain,
inseparably united. We resist, as one man, the advancement of slave-
ry ; which, not content to be confined within its own geographical lim-
its, threatens to roll its dark waves over the North. It dainu the right
to give us a dave-hddtng pastor, a dave-luMing bishop. Do not, then,
be surprised that we are so perfectly united in asking to be set back
exactly where we were a few months ago. O, sir, if our brethren
could roll the wheels of time back to where they were last November,
when we had comparatively no difficulties to encounter ! But this
they cannot do. What less, however, can they expect us to ask, than
that they should do what is equivalent to it, — give us our bishop
without the slaves ?'*

After another series of Resolutions proposed by the origi-
nal mover, Mr. Collins, Bishop Andrew rose, and addressed
the Conference as follows : — ^

• " Mr. President, — I have been on trial now for a week, and feel de-'
sirous that it should come to a close. For a week I have been com-
pelled to listen to discussions of which I have been the subject, and I
must have been more than man, or less than man, not to have felt.
Sir, I have felt, and felt deeply. I am not offended with any man.
The most of those who have spoken against me, have treated me
respectfully, and have been as mild as I had any right to expect. I
cherish no unkindly feelings toward any. I do not quarrel with my
abolition brethren, though I believe their opinions to be erroneous
svnd mischievous. Yet, so long as they conduct themselves courteous-
ly toward me, I have no quarrel with them. It is due that some re-
marks should be made by me before the Conference come to a
conclusion upon the question, which I hope will be speedily done ;
for I think a week is long enough for a man to be shot at, and it is
rime the discussion should terminate.

" As there has been frequent reference to the circumstances of my
election to the episcopal office, it is, perhaps, proper that I give Ji
lirief history of that matter. A friend of mine (brother Hodges) now
with God, asked me to permit myself to be put in nomination for that
office. I objected ; the office had no charms for me. I was with a
Conference that I loved, and that loved me. What was I to gain to
be separated from a happy home, from a wife and children whom I
loved more than I did my own life ? But my friend urged me ; he
said my election would, he believed, tend to promote the peace of the
Church, and that he believed it would be especially important to tlie
prosperity of Methodism in the South. Finally, I consented, with the
hope of failure ; but I was nominated and elected. I was never ask-

PART V. — SUBJECT OP SLAVEBT.

488

ed if I was a slaveholder ; no man asked me what were my principles
on the subject ; no one dared to ask of me a pledge in this matter, or
it would have been met as it deserved. Only one man, broUier
Winans, spoke to me on the subject : he said he could not vote for me,
because he believed I was nominated under the impression that I was
not a slaveholder. I told him that I had not sought the nomination;
nor did I desire the office ; and that my opinions on the propriety of
making non-slaveholding a test of qualiiioation for the office of bishop,
were entirely in unison with his own. Su:, I do not believe in
this matter of secret will as a rule of action, either in the revelations
of the Bible, or in the prescriptions of the book of Discipline. I be-
lieve in the revealed will of Gk>d, and in the written law of the Church,
as contained in the book of Discipline. I took office on the broad
platform of that book, and I believe my case is covered by it. It was
known that I was to reside at the South : I was elected in view of
that very thing, as it was judged important to the best interests of the
Church, that one of the bishops should reside in that section of the
work, and it was judged I could be more useful there than elsewhere.
Well, what was I to do then 1 I was located in a country where free
persons could not be obtained for hire *, and I could not do the work
of the family ; my wife could not do it ; what was I to do ? I was
compelled to hire slaves, and pay their masters for their hu-e ; but I
had to change them every year ; they were bad servants, for they had
no interest in me or mine ; and I believe it would have been less sin
before God to have bought a servant, who would have taken an in-
terest in me and I in him ; but I did not do so.

" At length, however, I came in possession of slaves, and I am a
slaveholder, as I have already explained to the Conference, and I
cannot help myself. It is known that I have waded through deep
sorrows at the South during the last four years : I have buried the
wife of my youth and the mother of my children, who left me with a
family of motherless children, who needed a friend and a mother.
I sought to make my home a happy one, and I have done so. Sir, I
have no apology to make. It has been said, I did this thing volunta-
rily, and with my eyes open. I did so deliberately, and in the fear
of God, and God has blessed our union. I might have avoided this
difficulty by resorting to a trick, by making over these slaves to
my wife before marriage ; or by doing as a friend, who has taken
ground in favour of the resolution before you, suggested. ' Why,'
said he, ' did you not let your wife make over these negroes to her
children, securing her annuity from them V Sir, my conscience would
not allow me to do this thing. If I had done so, and those negroes
had passed into the hands of those who would have treated them

'^i

484

TOtlR IN AMBRIOi..

■r*i

unkindly, I should have been nnhappy. Strange as it may seem to
brethren, I am a slaveholder for conscience' sake.- I have no doubt
that my wife would, without a moment's hesitation, consent to the
manumission of those slaves, if I thought proper to do it. I know
she would unhesitatingly consent to any arrangement I might deem
it proper to make on the subject But how am I to free them 1
Some of them axe old, too old to work to support themselves, and
are only an expeiije to me ; and some of them are little children :
where shall I send these i and who will provide for them ? But per-
haps I shall be permitted to keep these ; but, then, if ihe others go,
how shall I provide for these helpless ones 1 and as to the others, to
what free State should I send them ? and what would be their con-
dition ? Besides, many of them would not go ; they love their mis-
tress, and could not be induced under any circumstances to leave
her.

" Sir, an aged and respectable minister said to me several years
ago, when I had stated just such a case to him, and asked him what
he would do : ' I would set them free,' said he, *■ I would wash my
hands of them; and if they went to the devil, I would be dear of
them.' Sir, into such views of religion or philanthropy my soul
cannot enter. I believe the providence of God has thrown these
creatures into my hands, and he holds me responsible for their proper
treatment. I have secured them to my wife by a deed of trust since
our marriage. This arrangement was only in accordance with an im-
derstanding existing previous to marriage. These servants were hers ;
she had inherited them from her former husband's estate ; they had
been her only source of support during her widowhood, and would
still be her only dependence if it should please God to remove me
from her. I have nothing to leave her. I have given my life to the
Church from the days of my youth, (and I am now fi%,) and
nithongh, as I have previously remarked, she would consent to any
arrangement I might make, yet I cannot consent to take advantage
of her affection for me to induce her to do what would injure her,
without at all benefiting the slaves.

" Sir, I did not for a moment believe that this body of grave and
reverend ministers would make this a subject of serious discussion.
I thought it likely that there might be some warm ultra brethren
who would take some exceptions to my course ; and on that account
I did not make the deed of trust before marriage, lest some should
suppose I designed to dodge the responsibility of the case. Those
who know me, must know that I would not be governed by the mere
matter of dollars and cents. What can I do ? I have no confession
to make ; I intend to make none. I stand upon the broad ground of

PARI v.— SUBJECT OF SLAVBBT.

485

the Disciplire, on which I took office ; and if I hare done wrong, put
me out.

(' The editor of the Christiaa Advocate has pre-jndged this case.
He makes me the scape-goat of all the difficulties which abolition
excitement has gotten np at the North. I am the only one to blame,
in his opinion, should mischief grow ont of this case. But, I repeat,
if I hare sinned against the Discipline, I refuse not to die. I have
spent my life for the benefit of the slaves. When I was but a boy, I
taught a Sunday-school for slaves, in which I taught a number of
them to read, and from that period till this day I have devoted my
energies to the promotion of their happiness and salvation ] with all
my influence, in private, in public, with my tongue, with my pen, I
have assiduously endeavoured to promote their present and eternal
happiness. And am I to be sacrificed by those who have done little
or nothing for them 1 It is said, I have rendered myself unacceptable
to our people. I doubt this. I have just returned from Philadelphia,
where they knew me to be a slaveholder ; yet they flocked to hear
me, and the presence of God was with us j and we had a good, warm,
old-fashioned meeting. I may be unacceptable in New- York ; yet,
from the experience I have had, I doubt even that. To whom am I
unacceptable ? Not to the people of the South, neither masters nor
slaves. Has my connexion with slaves rendered me less acceptable
to the coloured people of the South, the very people for whom all
this professed sympathy is felt ? Does the fact tibat I am a slave-
holder make me less respectable among them ? Let those who have
laboured long among them answer the question. Sir, I venture to
say, that in Carolina or Geoi^ia, I could to-day get more votes for
the office of bishop from the coloured people than any supporter of
this resolution, let hiin avow himself an emancipator as openly as he

^ pleases. To the coloured people of the South, then, and to their
owners ; to the entire membership of the slaveholding Conferences,
I would not be unacceptable : but perhaps they are no part of ' our
people.'

" In short, sir, I believe I should not be unacceptable to one-
half the Connexion ; but on this question I have nothing to say.
Should the Conference think proper to pass me, there b plenty of
ground where I can lf:bour acceptably and usefully. The slavehold-
ing conferences will present a field sufficiently large for me, should I

^ live to the age of Methuselah; and the bishops, in arranging the
work, will certainly have discretion enough not to send me where I
would not be received ; nor would I obtrude myself upon any con-
ference, or lay my hands on the head of any brother who would feel
contaminated by the touch. However, on this subject I have nothing

486

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.

to say. The Conference can take its course ; but I protest against
the proposed action as a violation of the laws of the Discipline, and
an invasion of the rights secured to me by that book. Yet, let the
Conference take the steps they contemplate, I enter no plea for
mercy, I make no appeal for sympathy. Indeed, I love those who
sympathize with me ; but I do not want it now. I wish yon to act
coolly and deliberately, and in the fear of God ; but I would rather
that the Conference would change the issue, and make the resolution
to depose the bishop, and take the question at once, for I am tired of
it. The country is becoming agitated on tlie subject, and I hope the
Conference will act forthwith on the resolution."

" Mr. Finley said, ' This resolution is modified to the most easy re-
quirement it could be, to meet the feelings of Southern brethren, and
to cover the principle, and from this ground I will not be moved. No>
sir j on this ground will I stand until I die.' He said, to retain a
slaveholder in the episcopacy would be equivalent to voting for a i
slaveholder directly for that office, and that 'it would violate the *
constituted law. It would injure, if not totally destroy, this vital
organ of our itinerancy. Any man who can say it is right for him
to hold his fellow-being in bondage, and buy and sell him at pleasure,
put him under an overseer, and drive, whip, and hcdf-atarve him, and
that this is connived at by the Methodist Church, I think must have
a queer view of the Church and her Discipline. I now say before
God, that whenever the Methodist Episcopal Church shall sanction
this doctrine, as much as I love her, I \nll leave her and seek an-
other. I never will agree that slavery shall be connected in any way
with episcopacy ; nor anywhere else, only by necessity. I must state
again, that from tbus principle I never wiU be moved.^ "

We close our extracts from these speeches by one from
Bishop Soule: —

" I do not know but this may be a favourable moment for me to
offer to tlie Conference the few remarks I desire to make before final
action shall be had on the subject which is now pending before the
Conference. I have had no solicitude with regard to the period of
time when I should offer these remarks, only that it might be a time
of calmness and reflection. I will indulge the hope that this is such
a time, and therefore avail myself of the opportunity. I ris^, sir, at
this moment, as I before said, with all the calmness which the occa- *
sion, I think, requires. But this is not the calm that precedes the
tempest and the storm ; it is not the calmness of indifference ; it can-
not be. It is, sir, the calmness of conviction. It is the calmness of
principle. If, indeed, I could bo persuaded that my very respectable

PART v.-— SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

487

brother from the Pittsburgh Conference was entirely correct in his
opinion, that all the light which could be furnished on this subject
had been furnished. I should not rise here. There is a possibility that
the brother may be mistaken. T cannot say that I should have for-
borne to arise, though I had been convinced of the correctness of the
judgment of the respected brother from New-England, that, though
we should bit here till January next, no brother would be changed ui
his vote on this question. I say, I do not know that I should have
forborne my observations, though I might have been convinced of
the correctness of this opinion ; but if no more light could be pro-
duced, anything that I could say would be unavailing.

" There are periods, sir, in the history of the life of every man who
sustains any important station in society, who holds any important
relations to it, when his individual character cannot, must not, be
neutralized by the laws of association. Under this view, in what I
shall say to this Conference, I involve no man in responsibility. My
venerable colleagues are in no way concerned in what I shall say to
this Conference ; so that, however I may be involved, they are not
involved. The South on my right is not involved. The North on
my left is not involved. I stand in this regard alone. I hope not,
indeed, alone in the sentiments that I shall express to the Confer-
ence. Brethren have manifested a solicitude to bring the question
to an issue, to close the debate, and come to the vote. I ask, bre-
thren, if it is not possible, notwithstanding the time which has been
employed in this discussion, notwithstanding the largo views which
brethren have expressed on the question before them, — ^I ask. Is it
not possible that action on the resolution may yet be premature ?
Society, sir, whether civil or religious, has much more to fear from
the passions of men, of its members, than it has to fear from
calm investigation and sober inquiry. I am not afraid to meet tho
calmness of deliberation anywhere. I am not afraid to meet it here ;
I am not afraid to meet it in the Annual Conference ; I am not afraid
to meet it before tho great religions community of which we are
members and ministers ; I am not. But I fear the rage of the pas-
sions of men. I fear excitements, ardent excitements, prematurely
produced in society ; and I apprehend, that if we trace the history of
associations, whether civil or ecclesiastical, we shall find that these
premature excitements, waking up the rage of passion, have pro-
duced greater calamities Hhtax ever were produced by the calmness
of deliberation and the sobriety of inquiry, however extensive those
investigations may have been. The sound of the trumpet of alarm
may go forth from within these consecrated walls ; the sound may
spread itself on the wings of the wind, or of the whirlwind, over tho

■•151'

:-mL

498

Toum nr ambrioa.

Imfth Md IwMdth of thcM lands ; bnt, sir, when thii lonnd ihall
hftvc di«d AWftjr, when the elements which may hare been awakened
to boisterous and tnmnltnons action shall subside into the calmness
of inquhy and reason, a roice may return to this hall, wafted on a
oonntor breeie ^ and though the voice be not heard in the thunder,
tlio earthqniUu, or the storm, it may pierce through the veil of our
speottlations and our theories, and the first sound will be heard in
the Inquiry, ' What it 1h» eautef Well, sir, it will bo the province
of reason and sobrle^ to answer. Here it is, sir, spread out before
me, spread out before you, in a plain, unsophisticated statement of
facts by Bishop Andrew. I have not heard a brother from the North,
I liavo not lioard a brother from the South, (and I have listened to
hear,) allege that there were any other facts, that there were any other
circumstances, having any bearing whatever on the merits of the case
now before you. I take It for granted, then, that we have the entire
facts of the cotie Wore us ; and these facts are the cause of whatever
•lanD» whatever excitement, may have spread through our beloved
Zion, and over this continent.

*' Kow, sir, I beg the indulgence of the Conference while I read an
extract from du) Address of your General Superintendents at your
lost session. You will indulge me in this.

" ' The experience of more than half a century, since the organiza*
tion of our ecclesiastical body, will afford us many important lights
and landmfu4(i, pointing out what is the safest and most prudent
policy to bo pursued in our onward course as regards African slavery
in these States, and especially in our own religious community. This
very interesting period of our history is distinguished by several cha-
racteristic features, having a special claim to our consideration at the
present time, partlimlarly in view of the unusual excitement which
now prevails on the subject, not only in the different Christian
Churches, but also in the civil body. And, First, our general rule
on slavery, which forms a part of the constitution of the Church, has
stood from the beginning unchanged, as testamentary of our senti-
ments on the principle of slavery, and the slave-trade. And in this
wo differ in no respect from the sentiments of our venerable Founder,
or from those of the wisest and most distinguished statesmen and
elvilians of our own and other enlightened and Christian countries.
Secondly, In all the enactments of the Church relating to slavery, a
duo ond respectful regard has been had to the laws of the States,
never requirhig emancipation in contravention of civil authority, or
where tlie laws of the States would not allow the liberated slave to
enjoy ftvedom. Thirdly, the simply holding or owning slaves,
without regard to eircumstonccs, has not, at any period of the exist-

PART v.— SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

489

once of the Church, subjected the master to excommnnication.
Fourthly, rules have been made from time to time, regulating tlic
sale, and purchase, and holding of slaves, with reference to the dif-
ferent laws of the States where slavery is tolerated ; which, upon the
experience of the great difficulties of administering them, and the un-
happy consequences both to masters and servants, have been as often
changed or repealed.

" ' These important facts, which form prominent parts of our past
history as a Church, may very properly lead us to inquire for that
course of action in future which may be best calculated to preserve
the peace and unity of the whole body, promote the greatest happi-
ness of the slave-population, and advance generally, in the slave-
holding community of our country, the humane and hallowing influ-
ence of our holy religion. We cannot withhold from you, at this
eventful period, the solemn conviction of our minds, that no new-
ecclesiastical legislation on the subject of slavery, at this time, will
have a tendency to accomplish these most desirable objects. And
we are fully persuaded, that as a body of Christian ministers, wc
shall accomplish the greatest good by directing our individual and
united efforts, in the spirit of the first teachers of Christianity, to
bring both master and servant under the sanctifying iniluence of
the principles of that gospel which teaches the duties of evciy rela-
tion, and enforces the faithful dischai^ge of them by the strongest
conceivable motives. Do we aim at the amelioration of the con-
dition of the slave ? How can we so effectually accomplish this, in
our calling as ministers of the gospel of Christ, as by employing
our whole influence to bring hoih him and his master to a saving
knowledge of the grace of God, and to a practical observance of
those relative duties so clearly prescribed in the writings of the
inspired apostles ?

" ' Permit us to add, tliat, although we enter not into the political
contentions of the day, neither interfere with civil legislation, nor
with the administration of the laws, we cannot but feel a deep inter-
est in whatever affects the peace, prosperity, and happiness of om-
beloved country. The union of these States, the perpetuity of the
bonds of our national confederation, the reciprocal confidence of
the different members of the great civil compact, — in a word, llie
well-being of the community of which we are members, should
never cease to lie near our hearts, and for which we should offer up
our sincere and most ardent prayers to the Almighty Buler of the
universe.

" ' But can we, as ministers of the gospel, and servants of a Mas-
ter whose kingdom is not of this vxdd, promote these important objects

21*

490

TOUB IN AMIRIOA.

ia any way lo truly and p«nnanontly «• by puniUog the course Ju«t
pointed outi Can we, at thU ovontftil crl»lt, render a better service
to our country than by laying aside all interference with relations au<
thorized and established by the civil laws, and applying ourselves
wholly and faithfully to what especially appertains to our high and hoi if
calling ; to teach and enforce the moral obligations of the gospel, iu
application to all the duties growing out of the diiferont relations in
society 1 By a diligent devotion to this evangelical omploymont,
with an humble and steadfast reliance upon the aid of divine influ-
ence, the number of beliwing maatert and servants may bo constantly
increased, the kindest sentiments and aflToctions cultivated, domestic
burdens lightened, mutual conAdonco cherished, and the peace and
liappincss of society bo promoted. While, on the other hand, if post
history affords us any correct rules of Judgment, there is much cause
to fear, that the influence of our sacred office, if employed in inter-
forenco with the relation itself, and consequently with the civil insti-
tutions of the country, will rather tend to prevent, than to accomplish,
these desirable ends.'

" Sir, I have read this extract, that tlie members of this QeneralCou-
ferencowho were not present at the last session, and this listening as-
8cmbly,who may not have heard it before, may understand distinctly the
ground on which I, with my coUougncs, stand in regard to these ques-
tions. I desire that this document may stand recorded with my name
to it, till I sleep in the dust of the oartli. (Amen.) I desire to leave it
as a legacy to my children and my children's children ; and, if I might
be permitted to say so, I would leave it as a legacy to the Church when
I am no more. I want no man to write my epitaph. I will write it
myself. I want no man to write and publish my life. I will do that
myself, as far as I think it may bo necoisury for the interests of pos*
terity, or for the benefit of the Church of Ood. I regret, in reading
the life of my venerable colleague, who has gone from earth to hea-
ven since your last session, thnt this document, as it stood connected
with his name, has not appeared in tliat memoir. I thank the author
of ' The History of the Methodist Episcopal Church,' I mean Dr.
Bangs, for having presented this document in that history. I met it
in Europe, and I am glad it is there. I never wished my name de-
tached from it ; no, never, never. When this was written, your super-
intendents believed that Uiey were acting in perfect accordance with
the Pastoral Address of the General Conference at its session in Cin-
cinnati ; we think so now. Well, sir, I have only one ftirther remark
to make before I proceed to the chief object for which I address the
Conference this morning. It is this ; I desire that no undue influ-
ence may be produced from the peculiar relation in which I stand to

PART v.— -SUBJECT OP SLAVERY.

the Church. Sympathy may exert too great an influence when it U
brought to bear on great principles. The only sitl>juct which aaf*
awakened my sympathy daring the whole di.^'^nssion, in tbt^ conditiou
of my suffering brethren of the coloured race, tm4 this never f«ils to
do it. No matter where I meet the man of colour, whether in the
South or in the North, with the amount of liberty he eujoya, the sym-
pathies of my nature are awakened for him. Could I restore bleed-
ing Africa to freedom, to independence, to the rights, to all the rights,
of man, I would gladly do it. But this I cannot do, you cannot do.
And if I cannot burst the bonds of the coloured man, I will not
strengthen them. If I cannot extend to him all the good I would, I
will never shut him out firom the benefits which I have it in my
power to bestow. But, sir, I cannot withhold this sentiment from the
Conference, that, with the mental and physical labours of this rela-
tion, I could never have been sustained, I could never have supported
myself, I could never have ministered to the Church, unless I had
been settled down on some principles equally as changeless as tlic
throne of God, in my estimation ; never, never. It is a constant re-
currence to these great principles that has sustained me in the dis-
charge of what I conceive to be my duties ; duties which grow out of
my relation to the Church, and not simply to this Conference. These
principles have sustained me in the city and in the desert waste ; they
have sustained me in the North, and they have sustained mo in the
South ; they have sustained me in the quarters of the black man, and
in the huts of the red man. Shake me from these principles, and I
am done — I have done, I say. But what is this ? Why, sir, is the
Methodist Episcopal Church dependent upon me 1 Far from it ; her
interest hangs not upon my shoulders at all. She can do a great
deal better without mc than I can do without her; much better.
Well, sir, laying aside this point ; endeavouring to disengage myself
as far as possible ; consider me as expressing my own opinions, with-
out reference to my colleagues. I wish to say, explicitly, that if the
superintendents arc only to be regarded as the officers of the General
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and, consequently, a8
officers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, liable to be deposed ut
will by a simple majority of this body, without a form of trial, no
obligation existing, growing out of the constitution and laws of the
Church, evfen to assign cause wherefore, — I say, if this doctrine be a
correct one, everything I have to say hereafter is powerless, and falls
to the ground. But brethren will permit mo to say, strange as it may
seem, although I have had the honour and privilege to be a member
of the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church ever
since its present organization ; though I was honoured with a scat in

492

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.

the convention of minfaiteni which organized it, in this respect I have
heard for the tint time, either on the floor of this Conference, in tan.
Annual Oonference, or through the whole of the private membership
of the Church, this doctrine advanced : this is the first time I ever
heard it. Of coturse, it itruclc me as a novelty. I am not gomg to
enter the urena of controversy with this Conference. I desire that
my position may be defined, I desire to understand my landmarics
as a bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; not the bishop of
the Qeneral Conference, not the bishop of any Annual Conference.
I thought that the confltitution of the Church, I thought that its laws
and regulations, I thought that the many solemn vows of ordina-
tion, the parchment which I hold under the signatures of the depart-
ed dead ; I thought that these had defined my landmarks, I thought
that these had proscribed my duties, I thought that these had marked
out my course. In my operations, I have acted under the conviction
that these were my directions and landmarks ; and it affords me
great consolation Ms day to stand, at least in the judgment of this
body, to which I hold myself responsible, and before which I will
always be ready to appear to answer any charge they shall prefer
against me,— I say, it affords mo some gratification to have stood ac-
quitted for twenty years in the discharge of the high trust committed
to my hands ; and I here desire to offer my grateful acknowledgments
to the Episcopal Committee for the Beport they have brought to this
body, and to the Conference for their cordial acceptance of that Be-
port. I say, I do it with sentiments of sincerity ; and it is the more
cordial to me in view of what may yet be to come. In this regardi
although I have trembled beneath the weight of responsibility, and
shrunk before the consciousness of my inability ; and especially as I
have felt my physical infirmities coming upon me, and knowing that
I must be in the neighbourhood of mental infirmity ; I stand this day
acquitted in my own conscience, (0 that I may be acquitted at the
bai' of my eternal Judge !) that I have, to the best of my ability, with
sincerity of heart, and with the ardent desire to promote the great in-
terests of the Church, and the cause of God, in the discharge of the
duties which you have intrusted to me ; I have never, in the discharge
of this trust, God is my witness, — I have never given an appointment
to any preacher with a desire or design to afflict him. Indeed, sir, if
I could do it, I should abhor myself. Now, whether this Conference
is to sustain the position on which I have acted or not, they are very
soon to settle in the vote which is before them ; I mean, they ai'e to
settle this question, whether it is the right of this body, and whether
thoy have the power, to depose a bishop of the Methodist Episcopal
Church ; whether they have a right to depose my colleague, to depose

%•■'

PART V. — SUBJECT OP SLAVERY.

493

me, without a form of trial. See ye to that. Without specification
of wrong, and by almost universal acclamation over this whole house,
that Bishop Andrew has been unblamable in his Christian charac-
ter ; without blame in his ministerial vocation ; that he has discharged
the duties of his sacred dBce to the Church of God with integrity,
with usefulness, and with almost universal acceptability, and in good
faith ; — with this declaration before the community, before the world,
will this Conference occupy this position, that they have power, au-
thority to depose Bishop Andrew, without a form of trial, without
chai'ge, and without being once called on to answer for himself in the
premises ? What he did say was voluntary.

" Well, brethren, I had conceived, I had understood from the be-
ginning, that special provision was made for the trial of a bishop.
The constitution has provided that no preacher, no person, was to be
deprived of the right of trial, according to the forms of Discipline,
and of the right of appeal ; but, sir, if I understand the doctrine ad-
vanced and vindicated, it is that you may depose a bishop without
form of trial ; you may depose him without any obligation to show
cause, and therefore he is tiie only minister in your Church who has
no appeal. It seems to me that the Church has made special provi-
sion for the trial of the bishop, for the special reason that the bishop
has no appeal. Well now, sir, I only make these observations, as I
said, to the ear of reason. You will remember that this whole thing
is going out before the world as well as the Church. I wish to know
my landmarks, to find out where I stand : for, indeed, I do not hesi-
tate to say to you, that if my standing and the relation in which I
have been placed by the Methodist Episcopal Church under my so-
lemn vows of ordination ; if my relation is to stand on the voice of a
simple majority of this body, without a form of trial, and without an
obligation even to show me cause why I am deposed, — I have some
doubt whether there is the man on this floor that would be willing to
stand in my place. Now, brethren will perceive at once the peculiar
situation in which I am placed. Here are my brethren from the
Ohio, and from other conferences. We have been together in great
harmony and peace. There has been great union of spirit every-
where ; but I said at the beginning, there were periods in the history
of every man occupying any important relation or station in society,
when his individual character and influence could not be neutralized
by the laws of association. You must unmoor me firom my anchor-
age on the basis of this book, you must unsettle me from the princi-
ples, my settled and fixed principles. From these I cannot be sha-
ken by any influences on my right hand or on my left hand : neither
the zeal of youth nor the experience Qf hoary age shall move me

494

TOUR IN ABfERICA.

from my principles. Convince me that I am wrong, and I yield.
And here it may be necessary that I should make an observation in
regard to what I have said before : it seems to have been misunder-
stood : I said, you cannot immolate me on a Southern altar ; you can-
not immolate me on a Northern altar ; I can only be immolated on the
altar of the union of the Methodist Episcopal Church. What do I
mean by this ? I mean — call it a compact, call it a compromise, con-
stitutional discipline, what you will — I mean on the doctrines and pro-
visions of this book, and I consider this as the bond of union of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. Here, then, I plant my feet, and here
I stand. Let brethren, sir, not misunderstand me in another point,
a point in which they may misunderstand me, in which I have been
misunderstood, and you join me on this point. I hold, that the Ge-
neral Conference of tiie Methodist Episcopal Church has an indispu-
table right, constitutional, sacred, to arraign at her tribunal every
bishop, to try us there, to find us guilty of an offence with which wc
are charged on evidence, and to excommunicate, expel us. I am
always ready to appear before that body in this regard. I recognize
fully their right. But not for myself, not for these men on my right
hand and on my left hand, but for your sakes and the Church of
God of which yon are members and ministers, let me ask you, let me
entreat yon, not to imsh upon the resolution now before you. Pos-
terity, sir, will review your actions, history will record them ; and what-
ever we may do here will be spread out before the face of the world ;
the eyes of men will be fixed upon it. In this view I was not sur-
prised to hear brethren say, ' Pause, brethren, I beseech you, pause :'
and I was not surprised to see men of mind and of thought approach
the thing with fear and trembling ; but brethren apprehend that there
are great difficulties involved in this subject ; they apprehend that
fearful consequences are to take place on whichever side of the ques-
tion they shall move. Pass it, and the South suppose themselves in-
volved in irretrievable ruin. Befuse to pass it, &\A the North consider
the consequences perilous to them. Permit me to say, sir, that I have
had some acquaintance, personal acquamtancc, both with the North
and the South ; I think I have been able to cast an impartial eye over
these great departments of the Church. I may err in judgment, but
I apprehend that the difficulties may not be as insurmountable as bre-
thren have apprehended them to be. I know that some of my brethren
of the North are involved in such a manner that I cannot apprehend ; I
see no way in which they can compromise this question. Why ? For
the obvious reason that it involves a principle. I will compromise
with no man when a principle is involved in the compromise. What
is that principle ? The men that avow it arc as honest as any men

PART v.— SUBJECT OP SLAVBRY.

on this floor. I know them : in the men there is no goile. What is
the principle 1 It was advanced by my worthy brother Cass the
other day. Can he compromise the principle ? Ton must convince
him of the error of his principle before he will compromise it. What
is it ? It is that slavery, under all circumstances, is sin against God."
Mr. Cass interposed : — '

" May I correct the bishop ? I believe I did not say so ; I said it
was a moral evil."

Bishop Soule proceeded : —

" Well, I am glad to be corrected. This is not brother Cass's
principle. A moral evil, a moral evil, and not a sin, under all cir-
cumstances. It affords me a great deal of pleasure to hear my wor-
thy brother's statement, for it greatly increases my hope that we shall
have a compromise.

" Now, sir, notwithstanding brethren have thought, and with per-
fect sincerity, that they were ready to act on the resolution, although
undoubtedly a large minority of this body have been prepared for it
for some time, I cannot but believe that it might be premature in
the Conference taking action on it even now. I will offer one or two
reasons why I think the Conference is not prepared for action on the
resolution. We have been informed here, from documents, to a great
extent petitions and memorials, on the subject of slavery in its va-
rious aspects and interests. These documents, these petitions and
memorials, have been received with the respect due to the right of
petition. They have been committed to a large and judicious com-
mittee to examine and report. That committee has not reported to
this body : it Avill report ; I need not say to you that it will report.
The respect due to some thousand petitioners to this body will lay
them under solemn obligations to report : and is it not possible that
this report on the subject immediately connected with the resolution
before you, may afford you some light f You will have in the re-
port of that committee several important items, clearly developed be-
fore you, of information. You will know the number of petitioners,
of the memorialists in each of the Anmtal Conferences. You will
know the relative proportion of these petitioners to the whole num-
ber of the Methodist Church within these conferences. You will
know the aggregate number of all these memorialists and petitioners,
and you will consequently know the relative number in regard to
the v/hole community of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It will
not be disputed, I think, on the floor of this General Conference, that
tlic subjects, so far as they have been presented when the memorials
were up, — that the subjects on which you are memorialized in these

496

TOUR IK AMBEICA.

documents are not local. They are not subjects appertaining spe-
cially and exdnsively to the memorialists. So far as I heard, every
subject was of a general ch&racter, in which every member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church,— east, west, north, and south, — ^has an
equal interest and concern. The report of your committee may
throw much light on this great sulgect. But this is not all. I beg
to suggest to the brethren, that the views of the great body of the
Methodist Church, and the great body of her ministers, are not, and
cannot be, represented here, in regard to the special point before you ;
and if this be a subject in which all the ministers of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and all the members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, have an equal interest and concern, is it safe for this body
to proceed to such an important action with regard to the whole in-
terests of the Church, without having a more full development of the
subject, both from ministers and Church, than the memorials as yet
presented afford ? I ask it. Now, will the delegation from New-
York tell us what are the views of the great body of Methodists
within the New- York Conference on this subject 1 We have been
sitting here, Mr. President, on this case almost from the time we
commenced it. It has been, however, before this community. It has
been out before the whole Church ; and from the views the brethren
have taken, I have been almost surprised that we have not had me-
morials from the city where we sit ; I have been almost surprised that
we have not had memorials from the people in Philadelphia, from the
people in Baltimore, from the people in Boston. We have had no
memorials. There has been no expression on their part, as I have
heard ; and yet, in the midst of this enlightened body of Methodists,
are we prepared thus to say what is the view of the people around
us on this question ? and, under such circumstances, do you hesitate
to stay the question in the resolution before yon ? I beg the brethren
to go a little further on this subject. I will go with my brethren to
Ohio. Now, I do not know — I am a resident in Ohio, I have some
acquaintance in Ohio, both with preachers and with our very excel-
lent and worthy membership in Ohio — ^my brethren from them, these
delegates, have more, and doubtless can say more : but I should not
dare on the floor of this Conference to say, that the act would meet
the approbation of the great body of preachers and members in
Ohio : I dare not say it. It is sufficient for me, however, in the prC"
sent position I occupy, to say, that the Church has not known the
subject, and has expressed no opinion on the subject whatsoever. I
settle it down, then, as the basis on which I shall proceed, that wu
have not, and cannot have, the views of our ministers and people
generally on this subject, so fully expressed to us as to others.

PART v.— SUBJECT OF BLAVBRY.

497

" The adoption of that resolution deposes Bishop Andrew without
form or trial. Such is my deliberate opinion. I do not believe it is
safe for yon, and I am out of the question. What shall be done t
The question, I know, wakes up the mind of every brother. Can it
be possible that the Methodist Episcopal Church is in such a state of
excitement, — in such a state, I had almost said, of revolution, — as to
be unprepared to send out the plain, simple facts in the case to the
churches, to the Aimual Conferences, everywhere through our com-
munity, and waive all action on this subject till another General
Conference 1

''I said, almost at the commencement of these remarks, sir, that I
was not afraid of the deliberation of men, of our Annn al Confer-
ences, of the Greneral Conference ; I am afraid of the passions of
men, and I could present before you some considerations to illustrate
the views that I have given you ; and if I give you these views in
error of judgment, be assured that they are not views which originate
on the spur of the moment; they are the result of sober and delibe-
rate investigation. Can it be possible that the simple circumstance
of Bishop Andrew's holding an office as a bishop of the Methodist
Episcopal Church four years longer, with this statement of facts in
the case — simple facts in the case — spread out before the enlightened
body of this great Methodist community, — is there to be an earth-
quake ? I am not prepared to believe it : I soberly am not prepared
to believe it. Well, sir, this is the view that I take of the subject.
Permit me to make one other suggestion. The providence of God
directs the whirlwind and the storm ; clouds and darkness, indeed,
may be around about us ; but righteousness and justice are the habi-
tation of his throne. Let us be careful that we never suffer a human
arm to impede the operations of Providence. My beloved colleague,
Bishop Andrew, and myself, and all my colleagues, may have passed
away from these scenes of trouble, and the passions which now agi-
tate the Church of God may go to sleep, in God's providence, long
before four years go by.

" How easy it is for God to direct the elements of society ! Do
not be surprised, then, brethren, when I say to you, Pause. Brethren
may possibly have a little mo»'e light : there may be some ray from
heaven or earth yet to shine upon this subject. Now, it is the solemn
conviction of my mind, that the safest course you can pursue in the
premises is, to pass this subject without any implication of Bishop
Andrew's character at all, and to send out officially the plain and
simple facts in the case to all your societies, to all your conferences.
Let it be read everywhere, and then we may have a further expression
of opinion, without any kind of agitation. I am about to take my

498

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.

leave of you, my brethren. You must know, you cannot but know,
that, with the principles I have stated to you, with the avowal of
my sentiments in regard to this subject, it would not be Bishop An-
drew alone that your word will affect. No, sir, I implicate neither
my colleagues on my right hand, nor on my left ; but I say, the de-
cision of the question could not affect Bishop Andrew alone. I wish
it to be distinctly understood, it cannot affect him alone. I mean spe-
cially in this point,— I say, that the resolution on which we are just
about to act goes to sustain the doctrine, that the General Conference
have power and right to depose one of the bishops of the Methodist
Episcopal Church without the form of trial ; that you are under no
obligation from the constitution or laws of the Church to show cause
even. Now, every man must see, and every man must know, that
Bishop Andrew cannot be involved alone in the vote. It is the prin-
ciple which is involved. It goes to say, that when this Conference
shall vote on the subject, a simple majority of the Conference, with-
out form or trial, can depose a bishop of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Do yon understand it so 1 If I am mistaken, I shall stand
corrected ; and I need not say to this Conference, that such a decision
will involve others besides. It involves the office ; it involves the
charge ; it involves the relation itself.

" And now, in taking leave, I offer devout prayer to Almighty
God, that you may be directed wisely in the decision you are about
to make. I have given to you what in my sober and deliberate
judgment is the best and safest course which you can pursue, safest
for all concerned. I want that opinion to have no more influence
upon you than it justly deserves in the Conference. I thank the
Conference for the attention they have been pleased to give me. I
thank the audience for their attention. I very well know, I am not
at all nnapprized, that the position I occupy, in which I stand on the
principles of that resolution, on the principles involved in it, may seal
my fate. I say, I am not at all unopprized of that. Let me go ; but I
pray you, hold to principles, to principles ; and with these remarks I
submit the whole to your and God's direction."

On May Slst, the following Address of the Bishops was
read : —

" Reverend and Dear Brethren, — The undersigned rcspectfUlly and
affectionately ofFci" to your calm consideration the result of their con-
sultation this afternoon in regard to the unpleasant and very delicate
question which has been so long and so earnestly debated before your
body. They have, with the liveliest interest, watched the progress
of your discussion, and have awaited its termination with the deepest

" Ve

■^41

PART v.— SUBJECT OF 8LAVERT.

499

solicitude. As thej have pored over this sabject with an^cious
tliought, by day and by night, they have been more and more im-
pressed wiUi the difficulties connected therewith, and the disastrous
results which, in their apprehension, are the almost inevitable conse-
quences of the present action on the question now pending before
you. To the undersigned it is fully apparent, that a decision thereon,
whether affirmatively or negatively, will most extensively disturb the
peace and harmony of that widely extended brotherhood which has
so effectively operated for good in the United States of America,
and elsewhere, during the last sixty years, in the development of a
system of active energy, of which union has always been a main
element. They have with deep emotion inquired, ' Can anything be
done to avoid an evil so much deprecated by every friend of onr
common Methodism V Long and anxiously have they waited for
a satisfactory answer to this inquiry; but they have paused in
vain. At this painful crisis, they have unanimously concurred in the
propriety of recommending the postponement of further action in
the case of Bishop Andrew imtil the ensuing General Conference.
It does not enter into the design of the undersigned to argue the pro-
priety of their recommendation, otherwise strong and valid reasons
might be adduced in its support. They cannot but think, that if the
embarrassment of Bishop Andrew should not cease before that time,
the next General Conference, representing the pastors, ministers, and
people of the several Annual Conferences, after all the facts in the
case shall have passed in review before them, will be better qualified
than the present General Conference can be, to adjudicate the case
wisely and discreetly. Until the cessation of the embarrassment, or
the expiration of the interval between the present and ensuing General
Conference, the undersigned believe that such a division of the work
of the general superintendency might be made, without any infraction
of a constitutional principle, as would fully employ Bishop Andrew in
those sections of the Church in which his presence and services would
be welcome and cordial. If the course pursued on the present occa-
sion by the undersigned be deemed novel, they persuade themselves
that their justification, in view of all candid and peace-loving persons,
will be found in their strong desire to prevent disunion, and to pro-
raoie harmony in the Church.
" Very respectfully and affectionately submitted,

"Joshua Soule,
" Elijah Heddino,
" B. Waugh,
«' T. A. Morris."*

* History of the Organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South," pp.
S4-65.

500

lOUR IN AMERIOA.

It vfa» moved that this document lie on the table, which
means rejected ; this was carried, the votes being 95 for
the rejection of the bishops' compromise, and 84 for it.
The vote on Mr. Finley's resolution, that is, on the main
question, was then taken, the numbers being 111 for, and
69 against. Thus ended this great controversy, after a
debate which lasted more than a fortnight.

We close this long and interesting narrative by the
" Protest" of the defeated minority, — if we mistake not,
one of the most powerful and eloquent State documents
ever put into the hands of the reader : —

" PBOTEST.

"In behalf of thirteen Annual Conferences of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church, and portions of the ministry and membership of several
other Conferences, embracing nearly five thousand ministers, travel-
ling and local, and a membership of nearly five hundred thousand,
constitutionally represented in this General Conference, we, the un-
dersigned, a minority of the delegates of the several Annual Confer-
ences in General Conference assembled, after mature reflection, im-
pelled by convictions we cannot resist, and in conformity with the
rights and usages of minorities, in the instance of deliberative assem-
blies and judicial tribunals, in similar cu-cumstances of division and
disagreement. Do most solemrdy, and in due form, protest against the
recent act of a majority of this General Conference, in an attempt,
as understood by the minority, to degrade and punish the Bev
James O. Andrew, one of the bishops of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, by declaring it to be the sense or judgment of the General
Conference, that he desist from the exercise of his episcopal func-
tions, without the exhibition of any alleged offence against the laws
or discipline of the Church, without form of trial, or legal conviction
of any kind, and in the absence of any charge of want of qualifica-
tion or faithfulness in the performance of the duties pertaining to
his office.

" We protest against the act of the majority in the case of Bishop
Andrew as extra-judicial to all intents and purposes, beibg both
without law and contrary to law. We protest against the act, because
we recognize in this General Conference no right, power, or autho-
rity, ministerial, judicial, or administrative, to suspend or depose a
bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, or otherwise subject him
to any official disability whatever, without the formal presentation

"1.

PART v.— SUBJECT OF SLAVERT.

601

of a charge or charges, alleging that the bishop to be dealt with has
been guilty of the violation of some law, or at least some disciplinary
obligation of the Church, and also upon conviction of such charge
after due form of trial. We protest against the act in question as a
violation of the fundamental law, usually known as the compromise
law of the Church on the subject of slavery ; the only law which can
be brought to bear upon the case of Bishop Andrew, and the asser-
tion and maintenance of which, until it is constitutionally revoked, is
guaranteed by the honour and good faith of this body, as the repre-
sentative assembly of thirty-three Annual Conferences known as con*
tracting parties in the premises.

^^And toe protest against the act further, as an attempt to establish a
dangerous precedent, subversive of the union and stability of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and especially as placing in jeopardy
the general superintendency of the Church, by subjecting any bishop
of the Church at any time to the will and caprice of a majority of the
General Conference, not only without law, but in defiance of the re-
straints and provisions of law. The undersigned, a minority of the
General Conference, in protesting, as they do, against the late act of
the m^ority, in the virtual suspension of Bishop Andrew, regard it
as due to themselves and those they represent, as well as ^e charac-
ter and interests of the Church at large, to declare, by solemn and
formal avowal, that, after a careful examination of the entire subject,
in all its relations and bearings, they protest as above, for the reasons
and upon the grounds following : namely, —

" 1. The proceeding against Bishop Andrew in this General Con*
ference has been upon the assumption that he is connected with sla-
very, — that he is the legal holder and owner of slave property. On
the subject of slavery in the Methodist Episcopal Church, both as it
regards the ministry and membership, we have special law, upon
which the adjudication of all questions of slavery must, by intention
of law, proceed. The case of Bishop Andrew, therefore, presents a
simple question of law and fact ; and the undersigned cannot consent
that the force of circumstances and other merely extrinsic considera-
tions shall be allowed to lead to any issue, except that indicated by
the law and the facts in the case. In the late act of the majority,
law, express law, is appealed from, and expediency in view of cir-
cumstances,, relative propriety, assumed necessity, is substituted in
its place, as a rule of judgment. It is assumed, and the assumption
acted upon, that expediency may have jurisdiction even in the pre-
sence of law ; the law, too, being special, and covering the case, in
terms. In the absence of law, it might be competent for the General
Conference to act upon other grounds ; this is not disputed, nor yet

XU*

602

TOUB IN AMERICA.

thai It would hAVO been competent for the Conference to proceed
upon the formn of Iaw ; but that the terms and conditions of a special
oMOtmont, having all the force of a common public charter, can be
rightftilly waived in practice, at the promptings of a fugitive, unsettled
expcdiencjr, In a position the undersigned regard not merely as erro-
neous, but M fraught with danger to the best interests of the Church.
" The law of tho Church on slavery has always existed since 1785,
but flipeclally linco 1804, and in view of the adjustment of the whole
subject, In 1016, af a virtual^ though informal, contract of mtUual con-
ceuion and forbearance, between tho North and the South, then, as
now, known and existing in distinct parties, in relation to the vexed
quostioni of slavery and abolition : those conferences found in States
Wbfro slavery prevailed constituting the Southern party, and those
In tho non-ilaveholding States tho Northern ; exceptions to the rule
being found in both. The rights of the legal owners of slaves, in all
tho slaveholding Htatcs, are guaranteed by the constitution of the
United States, and by the local constitutions of the States respectively,
OS tho-supremo law of the land, to which every minister and member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church within the limits of the United
States government professes subjection, and pledges himself to sub-
mit, ON an article of Christian faith, in the common creed of the
Church. Domestic slavery, therefore, wherever it exists in this conn-
try, li a civil regulation, existing under the highest sanctions of cc?i-
stitutional and municipal law, known to tho tribunals of the countr/,
and it httf always been assumed, at the South, and relied upon as
correct, that the North, or non-slaveholding States, had no right, civil
ortnoral, to interfere with relations and interests thus secured to tho
people of tlie South by all tho graver forms of law and social order,
and that It cannot be done without an abuse of the constitutional
rights of citizonihip. Tho people of the North, however, have
claimed to think differently, and have uniformly acted toward the
South In accordance with such opposition of opinion. Precisely in
accordance, too, with this state of things, as it regards the general
population of the North and South respectively, the Methodist Epis-
copal Church hoi been divided in opinion and feeling on the subject
of slavery and abolition, since its organization in 1784 ; two separate
and distinct parties have always existed. The southern conferences,
In agreeing to the main principles of the compromise law in 1804
and 1816, conceded by express stipulation their right to resist North-
ern Inteiferci^ce in any form, upon the condition, pledged by tho
North, that while the whole Church, by common consent, united in
proper effort for the mitigation and final removal of the evil of sla-
very, the North wai not to interfere, by excluding from membership

PART v.— SUBJECT OP SLAVERY.

508

or ministerial office in the Church, persons owning and holding slaves
in States where emancipation is not practicable, and where the libe*
rated slave is not permitted to evjoj freedom. Such was the compact
of 1804 and 1816, finally agreed to by the parties after a long and
fearful struggle, and such is the compact now, the proof being derived
from history and the testimony of living witnesses. And is it possi-
ble to suppose, that the original purpose and intended application of
the law was not designed to embrace every member, minister, order,
and officer of the Methodist Episcopal Church ? Is the idea of ex-
cepted cases allowable by a fair construction of the law ? Do not
tlio reasons and intendment of the law place it beyond doubt, that
every conceivable case of alleged misconduct that con arise, con-
nected with slavery or abolition, is to be subjected, by consent and
contract of parties, to the jurisdiction of this great conservative ar-
rangement ?

" Is there anything in the law or its reasons creating an exception
iu the instance of bishops ? Would the South have entered into the
arrangement, or in any form consented to tlie law, had it been inti-
mated by the North that bishops must be an exception to the rule ?
Are the virtuous dead of the North to be slandered by the supposi-
tion, that they intended to except bishops, and thns accomplished
their purposes, in negotiation with the South, by a resort to deceptive
and dishonourable means ? If bishops are not named, no more are
presiding elders, agents, editors, or, indeed, any other officers of the
Church, who are nevertheless included, although the same rule of
construction would except them also. The enactment was for an
entire people, oast, west, north, and south. It was for the Church,
and every member of it ; for the common weal of the body ; and is
therefore universal and unrestricted in its application ; and no possi-
ble case con be settled upon any other principles, without a direct
violation of this law, both in fact and foim. The law being what we
have assumed, any violation of it, whatever may be its form or mode,
is as certainly a breach of good faith as an infringement of law. It
must be seen, from the manner in which the compromise was effected,
in the shape of a law, agreed to by equal contracting parties, ' the
several annual conferences,' after long and formal negotiation, that
it w.as not a mere legislative enactment, a simple decree of a Gene-
ral Conference, but partakes of the nature of a grave compact, and
is invested with all the sacrcdness and sanctions of a solemn treaty,
binding respectively the well-known parties to its terms and stipula-
tions. If this be so, — and with the evidence accessible who can
doubt it ? — if this be so, will it prove a light matter for this General
Conference to violate or disregard the obligation of this let/at comprO'

TOUR III AMIEIOA.

mi$$, in the shape of pnblio reoogniMd Uw 1 Allow that Uie preient
parties in this controrersy cannot be bronght to riew the subject of
the law in question in the same light, can such a matter end in a
mere difference of opinion as it respects the immediate parties? The
law exists in the Discipline of the Church. The law la known, and
its reasons are known, as equally binding upon both parties ; and
what is the likelihood of the imputation of bad fidth under the cir-
cumstances f What the hasard, that such imputation, as the deci-
sion of public opinion, it may ho fl'om a thousand tribunals, will be
brought to bear, with all the light and force of conviction, upon any
act of this body, in violation of the plain provisions of long-esta-
blished law, originating in treaty, and based upon the principles of
conventional compromise 9

" In proportion to our love of truth, of law, and order, are we not
called upon to pause and weigh well tiie hazard, before, as a General
Conference, we incur it beyond change or remedy 1 The under-
signed have looked to the great coneervtUive law of ^e Discipline on
the subject of slavery and abolition, as the only charter of connex-
imud union between the North and the South ; and whenever this
bond of connexion is rendered null and void, no matter in what
form, or by what means, they are compelled to regard the Church, to
all practical purpose, as already divided without the intervention of
any other agency. By how far, therefore, they look upon the union
of the Methodist Episcopal Church as eiiential to its prosperity, and
the glory and success of American Methodism, by so far they arc
bound to protea against the late act of the General Conference in the
irregular suspension of Bishop Andrew, aa not only without law, but
in direct contravention of legal stipulations known to be essential to
the unity of the Church. And they arc thtis explicit in a statement
of facts, that the responsibility of division may attach wherein jus-
tice it belongs. The minority making this protest are perfectly satis-
fied with the law of the Church affecting slavery and abolition. They
ask no change. They need, they seek, no indulgence in behalf of
the South. Had Bishop Andrew been suspended according to law,
after due form of trial, they would have submitted without remon-
strance, as the Mends of law and order.

" Thetf except and pretest^ JUrther, against the lawless procedure, as
they think, in the case of Bishop Andrew, because, apart from the in-
justice done him and the South by the act, other and graver diffi-
culties necessarily incidental to this movement come in for a share
of attention. The whole subject is, in the very nature of things, re-
solved into a single original qnoBtion, Will the General Conference
adhere to, and in good faith assert and maintain, the compromise-

rJaMWtu.

PART v.— SUBJJiOI or SLAVERY.

505

Uw of the Church on the vexed qaeetion dividing us 1 or will it be
found expedient generuUy, m in the caie of Bishop Andrew, to lay
it Mide, and tread it under foot? No question on the sul^t
of slavery and abolition can be settled until the General Con*
ference shall settle (Aw beyond tbi possibility of evasion. In the
present crisis, it is the opinion of tbe undersigned, that every bishop
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and every member of this Gene-
ral Conference, is especially called upon by all the responsibilities of
truth and honour, to declare himself upon the subject ; and they deem
it proper, respectfully and urgently, to make sudi call a part of this
protest. When so much depends upon it, can the General Confer*
ence, as the organ of the supreme authority of the Church, remain
8ilent without incurring the charge of trifling both with its interests
and reputation ? Law always pledges the public faith of the body
ostensibly governed by it to the faithful assertion and performance
of its stipulations, and the compromise-law of the Discipline, partak*
ing as it does of the nature of the law of treaty, and embracing, as
has been seen, all possible cases, pledges the good faith of every mi-
uister and member of the Methodist Episcopal Church against say*
ing or doing anything tending to annul the force or thwart the pur-
poses of its enactment The only allowable remedy of those who
object to the law is to seek a constitutional change of the law, and
in failure to submit, or else retire fh>m the Church. All attempts to
resist, evade, or defeat the objects and intended application of the
law, until duly revoked, must be regarded as unjust and revolution-
ary, because an invasion of well-defined conventional right And the
undersigned except to the course of the majority in the informal pro-
secution of Bishop Andrew, and the anomalous quasi suspension it
inflicts, as not only giving to the compromise a construction render-
ing it entirely ineffective, but as being directly subversive of the
great bond of union which has held the North and South together for
the last forty years. Tumuig to the confederating Annual Confer-
ences of 1804, and the vexed and protracted negotiations which pre-
ceded the General Conference of that year, and finally resulted in
the exbting law of the Discipline, regulating the whole subject ; and
glancing at nearly half a million of Methodists, now in the South,
who have come into the Church with all their hopes and fears, inte-
rests and associations, their property, character, and influence, repos-
ing in safety upon the publicly pledged faith of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, only to be told that this is all a dream, that a part of
what was pledged was never Intended to be allowed, and that the
whole ia at all times subject to the disc*%tion of a dominant majority,
claiming, in matter of right, to be without and above law, competent

«|;

506

.&'

TOUR IN AMERICA.

not merely to make all rules and regulations for the proper govern-
ment of the Church, but to govern the Church without rule or regu-
lation, and punish and degrade without even the alleged infringe-
ment of law, or the form of trial, if it be thought expedient, — pre-
sents a state of things fllling the undersigned with alarm and dis-
may. Such vicw» and facts, without adducing others, will perhaps
be sufficient to show the flrst and principal ground occupied by the
minority in the protest. They cannot resist the conviction, that the
majority have failed to redeem the pledge of public law given to the
Church and the world by the Methodist Episcopal Church.

" 2. The undersigned are aware, that it is affirmed by some of the
majority, but meanwhile denied by others, and thus a mooted and
unsettled question among themselves, that the resolution censuring
and virtually suspending Bishop Andrew, as understood by the mi-
nority, is mere matter of advice or recommendation; bnt so far from
advising or roconimending anything, the language of the resolution,
by fair and necessary construction, is imperative and mandatory iu
form, and, unqunliflcd by anything in the resolution itself, or in tho
preamble explaining it, conveys the idea plainly and most explicitly,
that it is the judgment and will of the Conference, that Bishop An-
drew shall cease to exercise the office of bishop until he shall cease
to be the owner of slaves. ' Resolved, That it is the sense of this
Conference that he desist.' That is, having rendered himself unac-
ceptable to the majority, it is their judgment that he retire from the
bench of bishops, and their flcld of action.

" No idea of request, advice, or recommendation is conveyed by
the language of the preamble or resolution ; and the recent avowal
of an intention to advise i^*, in the judgment of the undei'signed, dis-
owned by the very terms in which, it is said, the adeice was given.
The %vhole argument of the majority, during a debate of twelve dayst,
turned upon the right of the Conference to displace Bishop Andrew
without resort to fovmnl trial. No one questioned the legal right of
the Conference to advise ; and if this only was intended, why the
protracted debate upon the subject ? But further, a resolution respect-
fully and aftectlwiately requesting the bishop to resign had been laid
aside, to entertain the substitute under notice ; a motion, too, to de-
clare the resolution advisory was promptly rejected by the majority ;
and in view of all these facts, and the entire proceedings of the ma-
jority in the case, tl"' undersigned have been compelled to consider
the resolution as nuindatory judgment, to the effect that Bishop An-
drew desist from the exercise of his episcopal functions. If the ma-
jority have been misunderstood, the language of their own resolution,
and the position they oceitpied in debate, have led to the misconrcp-

PART V. — SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

607

tion ; and truth and honour, not less than a most unfortunate use of
language, require that they explain themselves.

" 3. Wc except to the act of the majority, because it is assumed
that conscience and principle are involved, and require the act com-
plained of, iis expedient and necessary under the circumstances.
Bishop Andrew being protected by the law of the Church, having
cognizance of all offences connected with slavery, such connexion in
his case, in the judgment of all jurisprudence, can only be wrong in
proportion as the law is bad and defective. It is not conceived by
the minority, how conscience and principle can be brought to bear
upon Bishop Andrew, and not upon the law, and the Church having
such law. They are obliged to believe that the law, and the source
from which it emanates, must become the object of exception and
censure, before Bishop Andrew, who has not offended against either,
unless the Church is against the law, can be subjected to trial
at the bar of the conscience and principles of men who profess
subjection and approval, in the instance both of the law and the
Church.

" The undersigned can never consent, while we have a plain law
obviously covering an assumed offence, that the offence shall be
taken, under plea of principle, out of the hands of the law, and be
re-subjected to the conflicting opinions and passions which originally
led to a resort to law as the only safe standard of judgment. They
do not understand how conscience and principle can attach grave
blame to action not disapproved by law — express law, too, made
and provided in the case — ^without extending condemnation to the
law itself, and the body from which it proceeds. The Church can
hardly be supposed to have settled policy and invariable custom, iu
contravention of law ; the avowal of such custom and policy, there-
fore, excluding from the episcopacy any and every man in any way
connected with slavery, is mere assumption. No contract, agreement,
decree, or purpose of this kind, is of record, or ever existed. No such
exaction, in terms or by implication, was ever made by the North, or
conceded by the South. No conventional understanding ever existed
to this effect, so far as the South is concerned, or has been informed.
That it has long, perhaps always, been the purpose of the North, not
to elect a slaveholder to the office of bishop, is admitted. But as no
law gave oountenance to anytliing of the kind, the South regarded
it as a mere matter of social injustice, and was not disposed to com-
plain. The North has always found its security in numbers, and
the untrammelled right of suffrage, and to tliis the South has not
objected. The assumption, however, is entirely different, and is
not admitted by the South; but is plainly negatived by the law and

508

TOUR IN AMERICA.

language of the Discipline, as explained by authority of the General
Conference.

" No such concession, beyond peaceable submission to the right of
suffrage, exercised by the majority, will ever be submitted to by tlie
South, as it would amount to denial of equal abstract right, and a
disfranchisement <^ the Southern ministry, and could not be sub-
mitted to without injury and degradati(Hi. If, then, the N(Mi;h is not
satisfied with the negative right conceded to the South by the law in
this matter, the minority would be glad to know what principle or
policy it is likely to introduce beyond the existing provisions of law.
As tiie contingency which has occasioned the difficulty in the case
of Bishop Andrew, and to which every Southern minister is liable at
any time, does not, and cannot, fall under the condemnation of exist-
ing law ; and he cannot be punished, nor yet subjected to any official
disability, without an abuse of both right and power, on the part of
tiiis General Conference, — ^the minority are compelled to think that
the majority ought to be satisfied with the consciousness and decla-
ration, that they are in no way responsible for the contingency, and
thus, at least, idlowBishc^ Andrew the benefit of their own legisla-
tion, until they see im>per to change it. This attempt by the majority
to protect a lawless prosecution from merited rebuke, by an appeal
to conscience and principle, condemning Bishop Andrew, while the
law and the Church, shielding him from the assault, are not objected
to, is looked upon by the minority as a species of moral, we will not
say legal, casuistry, utterly subversive of all the principles of order
and good government.

" 4. The act of the majority was ostensibly resorted to, because,
as alleged, the Church in the middle and northern conferences will
not submit to any the slightest connexion with slavery. But if con-
nexion with slavery is ruinous to the Church in the North, that ruiu
is already wrought. Who does not know that the very Discipline,
laws, and legislation of the Church, necessarily connect us all with
slavery ? All our provisional legislation on the subject has proceeded
on the assumption, that slavery is an element of society, a principle
of action, a household reality in the Methodist Episcopal Church in
the United States. It is part and parcel of the economy of American
Methodism, in every subjective sense. It has given birth to law and
right, conventional arrangements, numerous missions, and official
trusts. Every bishop, every minister, every member of the Church is
of necessity connected with slavery. Each is brother and co-member,
both with slave and master, by the very laws and organization of the
Church.

^ If, then, connexion Mdth slavery is so disastrous, the only remedy

PART v.— SUBJECT OP SLAVERY.

509

is to purify the Church by re-organization, or get out of it us soon
as possible. And would not this aversion to slavery, would not con>
science and principle, so much pleaded in this controversy, appear
much more consistent, in every view of the subject, in striking at the
root oC the evil, in the organic structure of the Church, than in seek-
ing its personification in Bishop Andrew, protected although he be
by law, and proceeding to punish him, by way of calling off attention
from the known toleration of the same thing, in other aspects and re-
lations ?

" Impelled by conscience and principle to the illegal arrest of a
bishop, because he has incidentally, by bequest, inheritance, and mar-
riage, come into possession of slave-property, in no instance intend-
ing to possess himself of such property ; how long will conscience
and principle leave other ministers, or even lay members, undisturb-
ed, who may be in the same category with Bishop Andrew ? Will
assurances be given, that the lawlessness of expediency, controlled,
as in such case it must be, by prejudice and passion, will extend no
further 1 that there shall be uo further curtailment of right as it re-
gards the Southern ministry ? Yet what is the security of the South
in the case ? Is the public faith of this body, as instanced in the
recent violations of the compromise-law, to be relied upon as the
guarantee for the redemption of the pledge ? What would such
pledge or assurance be, but to remind the South, that any departure
at all from the great conservative pledge of law, to which we appeal,
was much more effectively guarded against originally, than it is pos-
sible to guard against any subsequent infringement ; and to make the
South feel, further, that disappointment in the first instance must
compel distrust with regard to the future? The Church having
specific law on the subject, all questions involving slavery must in-
evitably, by intention of law, come within the purview of such
special provision, and cannot be judged of by any other law or
standard, without a most daring departure from all the rules and
sobrieties of judicial procedure; and the undersigned accordingly
except to the action of the majority in relation to Bishop Andrew,
iis not only without sanction of law, but in conflict with rights created
by law.

" 5. As the Methodist Episcopal Church is now organized, and
according to its organization since 1784, the episcopacy is a co-ordi-
nate branch, the executive department proper of the government. A
bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church is not a mere creature, is
in no prominent sense an officer, of the General Conference. The
General Conference, as such, cannot constitute a bishop. It is true,
the Annual Conferences select the bishops of their Church, by the

510

TOUR IN AMERICA.

sufiVages of their delegates, in General Conference assembled ; but
the General Conference, in its capacity of a representative body, or
any other in which it exists, does not possess the power of ordina-
tion, without which a bishop cannot be constituted.

" The bishops are, beyond a doubt, an integral constituent part of
the General Conference, made such by law and the constitution ; and
because elected by the Grcneral Conference, it docs not follow that
they are subject to the will of that body, except in conformity with
legal right, and the provisions of law, in the premises. In this sense,
and so viewed, they are subject to the General Conference ; and this
is sufficient limitation of their power, unless the government itself is
to be considered irregular and unbalanced in the co-ordinate relations
of its parts. In a sense by no means unimpoitant, the General Con-
ference is as much the creature of the episcopacy, as the bishops are
the creatures of the General Conference. Constitutionally, the bishops
alone have the right to fix the time of holding the Annual Confer-
imces ; and should they refuse or neglect to do so, no Annual Confer-
*>nce coald meet, according to law ; and, by consequence, no delegates
could be chosen, and no General Conference could be chosen, or even
exist. And because this is so, what would be thought of the imper-
tinent pretension, should the episcopacy claim that the General Con-
fererence is the mere creature of their will ? As executive officers^ as
well as pastoral overseers, the bishops belong to the Church as such,
and not to the General Conference, as one of its councils or organs
of action merely.

" The General Conference is in no sense the Church, not even re-
presentatively. It is merely the representative organ of the Churcli,
with limited powers to do business, in the discharge of a delegated
trust.

" Because bishops are in part constituted by the General Confer-
«nice, tlie power of removal does not follow. Episcopacy, even in
the Methodist Church, is not a mere appointment to labour. It is
an official, consecrated station, under the protection of law, and can
only be dangerous as the law is bad, or the Church corrupt. The
power to appoint does not necessarily involve the power to remove ;
and when the appointing power is derivative, as in the case of the
General Conference, the power of removal does not accrue at all,
unless by consent of the co-ordinate branches of the government, ex-
pressed by law, made and provided in the case. When the legisla-
ture of a State, to appeal to analogy for illustration, appoints a judge
or senator in Congress, does the judge or senator thereby become
the officer or creature of the legislature, or is he the officer or senato-
rial reprceeutative of the State, of which the legislature is the mere

PART v.— SUBJECT OF StAVERY.

511

organ ? And does the power of removal follow that of appoint-
ment ? The answer is negative in both cases, and applies equally to
the bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church; who, instead of being
the officers and creatures of the General Conference, arc, de facto, the
officers and servants of the Church, chosen by the General Confer-
tmce, as its organ of action ; and no right of removal accrues, except
:)s they fail to accomplish the aims of the Chm'ch in their appoint-
ment, and tlicn only in accordance with the provisions of law. But
when a bishop is suspended, or informed that it is the wish or will
«f the General Conference, that he cease to perform the functions of
bishop, for doing what the law of the same body allows him to do,
nnd, of course, without incun'ing the hazaixl of punishment, or even
blnme, then the whole procedure becomes an outi'age upon justice, as
v/cll as law.

" The assumption of power by the General Conference beyond the
warrant of law, to which we object, and against which we protest,
will lead, if earned into practice, to a direct VK>lation of one of the
restrictive rules of the constitution. Suppose it had been the ' sense'
of this Gcuei'al Conference, when the late communication from the
bishops was respectfully submitted to tlie Conference, that such com-
munication was an interference with their rights and duties, an at-
tempt to tamper with the purity and independence, and therefore an
outrage upon the claims and dignity, of the Conference, not to be
borne with. And, proceeding a step further, suppose it had been the
' sense' of the Conference, tliat they all desist from performing the
functions of bishops until the ' impediment' of such offence had been
removed : assume this, (and, so far as mere law is concerned, no law
being violated in either case, it was just as likely as the movement
against Bishop Andrew,) and had it taken place, what had become
of the general swperintendency ? If a bishop of the Methodist Epis-
ix)pal Chui'ch may, without laAV, and at the instance of mere party
expediency, be suspended from the exercise of the appropriate func-
tions of his office for one act, he may for another. Admit this doc-
trine, and by what tenure do the bishops hold office ? One thing is
<«rtaiu, whatever other tenure there may be, they do not hold office
according to lav).

" The provisions of law and the faithful performance of duty, upon
this theory of official tenure, afford no security. Admit this claim
of absolutism, as regards right and power on the part of the General
(Conference, and the bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church are
slaves, and men constituting this body their masters and holders.
They are in office only at the discretion of a majority of the General
Conference, without the restraints or protection of law. Both the

512

TOUB IN AMERICA.

law and themselves are liable and likely at any time to be overborne
and trampled npon together, as exemplified in the case of Bishop
Andrew. If the doctrine against which we protest be admitted, the
episcopal office is, at best, but a quadrennial term of service, and the
undersigned are compelled to think, that a man who would remain
a bishop, or allow himself to be made one, under such circumstances,
' desires a good work,' and is prepared for 8df-aacrifice, quite beyond
the comprehension of ordinary piety.

" As it "egards Bishop Andrew, if it shall be made to appear thai
the action m his case was intended only to advise and request him to
desist from his office, it does not in any way affect the real or rela-
tive character of the movement. When a body claiming the right
to compel, asks the resignation of an officer, the request is to all offi-
cial and moral purposes comptdsory, as it loads the officer with disa-
bility, and gives notice of assumed unworthiness, if not criminality.
The request has all the force of a mandate, inasmuch as the officer
is, by such request, compelled either to resign, or remain in office
contrary to the known will of the majority. A simple reqiv st, there-
fore, under the circumstances supposed, carries with it all the force
of a decree, and is so understood, it is believed, by all the world.

" To request Bishop Andrew to resign, therefore, in view of all the
facts and relations of the case, was, in the judgment of the minority,
to punish and degrade him ; and they maintain that the whole move-
ment was without authority of law, is hence of necessity null and
void, and therefore not binding upon Bishop Andrew, or the mino-
rity protesting against it.

" 6. We protest against the act of the mtgority, instructing Bishop
Andrew to desist from the exercise of his office, not merely on ac-
count of the injustice and evil connecting with the act itself, but be-
cause the act must be understood as the exponent of principles and
purposes, as it regards the union of the North and ^uth in the Me-
thodist Episcopal Church, well-nigh destroying all hope of its perpe-
tuity. The true position of the parties in relation to a long existing
conventional arrangement, on the subject of slavery and abolition,
has been fully under notice ; and when men of years and wisdom, ex-
perience and learning, men of no common weight of character, and
with a well-earned aristocracy of church influence thrown about
them, assume and declare, in action as well as in debate, that what
a plain law of the Church — the only law applicable in the case — sus-
tained and enforced, too, by an explanatory decree of this body, at
a previous sessioi;, decides, shall not be a disqualification for office, of
any grade, in tlie ministry, — when such men, the law and decision of
the General Conference notwithstanding, are heard declaring, ' that

<^'

PART V. — SUBJECT OP SLAVBRY.

513

what law provides for and protects nevertheless always has been and
always shall be a disqualification, what further evidence is wanting to
show, that the compromise basis of unions from which the South has
never swerved, has been abandoned both by the northern and middle
< onferences, with a few exceptions in the latter, and that principles
and purposes are entertained by the majority, driving the South to
extreme action, in defence both of their rights and reputation ? And
how far the long train of eventful sequences, attendant upon the
threatened result of division, may be traceable to the northern and
middle conferences, by the issue thus provoked, is a question to be
settled not by us, but by our contemporaries and posterity.

" It is a matter of history with regard to the past, and will not be
questioned, that now, as formerly, the South is upon the basis of the
Discipline, on the subject of slavery. The minority believe it
equally certain, that this is not true with regard to the North proper
especially. In view, then, of the unity of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, which party has been, in equity, entitled to the sympathy
and protection of the middle or umpire conferences'? those who
through good and evil report have kept good faith, and adhered to
law, or those whose opinions and purposes have led them to seek a
state of things in advance of law, and thus dishonour its forms and
Kanctions ?

" 7. In proportion as the minority appreciate and cling to tlie
unity of the Methodist Episcopal Church, they are bound, further, to
except to the position of the majority in this controversy. Allow
that Bishop Andrew, without, however, any infringement of law, is,
on account of his connexion with slavery, unacceptable in the
Northern conferences. It is equally known to the majority, that any
bishop of the Church, either violating, or submitting to a violation
of, the compromise-charter of union between the North and the
South, without proper and public remonstrance, cannot be accepta-
ble at the South, and need not appear thete. By pressing the issue
in question, therefore, the majority virtually dissolve the government
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, because in every constitutional
aspect it is sundered by so crippling a co-ordinate branch of it as
to destroy the itinerant general superintendency altogether. When-
ever it is clearly ascertained that the compromise-law of the Church,
regulating slavery and abolition, is abandoned, every bishop, each of
the venerable and excellent men who now adorn the Church and its
counsels, ceases to be a general superintendent. The law of union,
the principle of gravitation, binding us together, is dissolved, and the
general superintendency of the Methodist Episcopal Church is no
more !

22*

514

TOUR IN AMERICA.

" 8. The South have not been led thus to protest merely because
of the treatment received by Bishop Andrew, or the kindred action
of this body in other matters. The abandonment of the compro-
mise, the o£Bcial refusal by the majority, as we have understood
them, to abide the arbitrament of law, is their principal ground of
complaint and remonstrance. If the minority have not entirely mis-
understood the majority, the abolition and anti-slavery principles of
the North will no longer allow them to submit to the law of the Dis-
cipline on the general subject of slavery and abolition ; and if this be
so, if the compromise-law bo cither repealed or allowed to remain a
flead letter, the South cannot submit, and the absolute necessity of division
is already dated. And should the exigent circumstances in which
the minority find themselves placed, by the facts and dcvelopmentti
alluded to in this remonstrance, render it finally nccessaiy, that the
Southern conferences should have a separate, independent existence,
it is hoped that the character and services of the minority, together
with the numbers and claims of the ministry and membership of the
portion of the Church represented by them, not less than similar rea-
sons and considerations on the part of the northern and middle con-
ferences, will suggest the high moral fitness of meeting this great
emergency with strong and steady purpose to do justice to all con-
cerned. And it is believed that, approaching the subject in this way,
it will be found practicable to devise and adopt such measures and
arrangements, present and prospective, as will secure an amicable di-
vision of the Church upon the broad principles of right and equity,
and destined to result in the common good of the great body of min-
isters and members found on either side the line of separationy* >

CHAPTER IV.

Organization of the Church, South— Preliminary Proceedings— Convention-^
Measures taken— Settlement — Real Position— Reflections. ,

Before separating at tLe General Conference, the South
<lelegates took measures to form themselves into a separate
Church. A committee of nine had been appointed to de-
vise a plan of separation.

* " History of the Organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,"
pp. 73-87, This Protest was answered by the Northern majority ; but the do-
cument has not fallen into my hands.

PART V. — SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

515

*' Juno 7th. Dr. Fainc, Chaiiman of the Select Committee of nine,
rcpoitcd the following Plan of Sepai'ation : — : •

" ' The Select Committee of nine, to consider and report on the
declai-ation of the delegates fi-om the conferences of the slavcholding
•States, beg leave to submit the following Report: —

" ' Whereas a declaration has been presented to this General Cou-
Icrcncc, with the signatures of Jijly-one delegates of the body from
thirteen annual conferences in the slavcholding States, representing
that, for various reasons enumerated, the objects and purposes of the
< /hristian ministry and Church organization cannot be succcssfnlly
accomplished by them under the jurisdiction of this General Confer-
ence as now constituted ; and

" ' Whereas, in the event of a separation^ a contingency to which
the declaration asks attention is not improbable, we esteem it the
<luty of this General Conference to meet the emergency with Chris-
tian kindness, and the strictest equity ; therefore,

" ' llesolved, by the delegates of the several annual conferences in
(jrcneral Conference assembled, ':

" ' 1. That, should the annual conferences in the slavcholding
States find it necessaiy to unite in a distinct ecclesiastical connexion,
the following rule shall be observed with regard to the Northern
boundary of such connexion '.—All the societies, stations, and confer-
ences adhering to the church in the South, by a vote of a m^ority
of the members of said societies, stations, and conferences, shall re-
main under tlie unmolested pastoral care of the Soutliem Church ^
;ind the ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church shall in no wise
attempt to organize churches or societies within the limits of tlte
Church, South, nor shall they attempt to exercise any pastoral over-
sight therein ; it being understood that the ministry of the South re-
ciprocally observe the same rule in relation to stations, societies,
and conferences, adhenng, by vote of a majority, to the Methodist
Episcopal Church ; provided, also, that this rule shall apply only to
societies, stations, and conferences bordering on the line of division,
and not to interior charges, which shall in all cases be left to the
care of that Church within whose territory they are situated.

'' ' 3. That ministers, local and travellings of every grade and
oiHce in the Methodist Episcopal Church, may, as they prefer, remain
in that Church, or, without blame, attach themselves to the Church,
South.

" ' 3. Resolved, by the delegates of all the annual conferences in
General Conference assembled, That we recommend to all the
annual conferences, at their first approaching sessions, to authorize
fi, change of the sixth restrictive article, so that the first clause shall

516

TOUR IN AMERICA.

read thui :— Thoy ihall not appropriate the produce of the Book-
Concern, nor of the Chartered Fnnd, to any purpose other than for
th« Iwneftt of the travelling, supernumerary, superannuated, and
wom*out proachcri, their wives, Mridow.i, and children, and to such
other purpose! u may be determined upon by the vote of two-thirds
of the memben of the General Conference.

" ' 4. That whenever the annual conferences, by a vote of three-
fourtlM of all their members voting on the third Resolution, shall
have concurred in the recommendation to alter the sixth restrictive
article, the agent* at 17ew-York and Cincinnati shall, and they are
lienby authorized ond directed to, deliver over to any authorized
agent or appointee of the Church, South, should one be organized,
all note* and book acconnt!< against the ministers, church-members,
or citiKeni, within it» boundaries, with authority to collect the same
for the Nole uio of the Southern Church ; and that said agents also
)',onvey to aforeiaid agent or appointee of the South, all the real es-
tate, and Oifign to him all the property, including presses, stock, and
all right and intereit connected with the printing establishments at
Charleston, Richmond, ond Nashville, which now belong to the Me-
thodist Epifcopal Church.

" ' S. That when the annual conferences shall have approved the
iiforeiaid change In the sixth restrictive article, there shall be trans-
ferred to the above agent for the Southern Church so much of the
capital and produce of the Methodist Book-Concern as will, with the
notes, book-accounti, presses, &c., mentioned in the last Bcsolution,
hear the lamo proportion to the whole property of said Concern that
the travelling preachers in the Southern Church shall bear to all the
(ravelling miniiteri of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; the division
to be made on the bocis of the number of travelling preachers in the
forthcoming Minute*.

" ' 6. That the above transfer shall be in the form of annual pay-
ments of 35,000 dollars per annum, and specifically in stock of the
Book'Concem, and in Southern notes and accounts doe to the esta-
blishment, and accruing after the first transfer mentioned above ; and
until the payments are made, the Southern Church shall share m all
the net pr^ti of the Book- Concern, in the proportion that the
(imottnt due to them, or iu arrears, bears to all the property of the
Ooncem.

" ' 7. That Nathan Bangs, George Peck, and James B. Finley be, and
they are hereby appointed, commissioners to act in concert with the
•oroe number of commissioners appointed by the Southern organi-
zation, (ihottld one be formed,) to estimate the amount which will
fall due to the 8outb by the preceding rule, and to have ftdl powers

pp.

PART v.— SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

617

to carry into effect the whole arrangements proposed with regard to
the division of property, should the separation take place. And if by
any ni< ins a vacancy occors in thb board of commissioners, the
Book-Contiiiittce at New- York shall fill said vacancy.

" ' 8. That whenever any agents of the Southern Church are
clothed with legal authority or corporate power to act in the pre-
mises, the agents at New- York are hereby authorized and directed to
act in concert with said Southern agents, so as to give the provisions
of these Besolutions a legally binding force.

" ' 9. That all the property of the Methodist Episcopal Church in
meeting-houses, parsonages, colleges, schools, conference funds, ce-
meteries, and of every kind within the limits of the Southern orga-
nization, shall bo forever free from any claim set up on the part of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, so far as this Resolution can be of
force in the premises.

" ' 10. That the Church so formed in the South shall have a com-
mon right to use all the copyrights in possession of the Book- Con-
cerns at New- York and Cincinnati, at the time of the settlement by
the commissioners.

'"11. That the Book- Agents at New- York be directed to make
such compensation to the conferences, South, for their dividend from
the Chartered Fund, as the commissioners above provided for shall
agree upon.

'"12. That the bishops be respectfully «->quested to lay that part
of this Report requiring the action of the annual conferences before
them as soon as possible, beginning with the New-Tork Confer-
ence.' "*

After considerable debate, this Plan was adopted : the
votes being for the measure, 147 ; against, 22. On a mo-
tion to " authorize the Southern conferences, instead of the
delegates, to decide on the necessity of a separation, the
vote was again taken, and stood, ayes, 135 ; noes, 15.'*

Thus the question of division was left to be decided by
the several annual conferences; who, on meeting, deter-
mined the subject in the affirmative.

The question was brought forward in the South by the
delegates to the General Conference sending the following
Address to their constituencies : —

* " History of the Organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,"
pp. 90-43.

518

TOUR IN AMBRIOA.

" Address to the Mnisten atul Afembtri qf ths Methodist Episcopal
Church, in the Slaveholding States and I'enitories.

'' The undersigned, delogatoa in tlio Into General Confurcnco of the
Methodist Episcopal Churcli, from thirteen onnual conferences in
Hlaveholding States and territorioa, would most respectfully repre-
sent, that tlie various action of the majority of the General Confer-
ence, at its recent session, on tho •ul>Joct of davery and abolition, has
I)Con such as to render it necessary, in tho Judgment of those a V
dressing you, to call attention to the proscription and disability under
Avhich the Southern portion of tho Church must of necessity labour
in view of the action alluded to, unless some measures are adopted
to free tho minority of the South from tho oppressive jurisdiction of
the majority in tho North, in this respect.

" Tho proceedings of tho mivjority, in wovoral rases, involving the
(lucstion of slaver}', have been such m indicate most conclusively,
that the legislative, judicial, and admiiiistrutivo action of tho General
< /onference, as now organized, will alwny» bo oxtromoly hurtful, if
not finally ruinous, to tho interests of tho Southern portion of the
(yhurch ; and must necessarily produce n stato of convicticn and feel-
ing in the slaveholding States, entirely inconsistent with either the
peace or prosperity of tho Church.

" The opinions and purposes of tho Church in tho North on the
subject of slavery, are in direct conflict with those of Ihc South ; and
unless the South will submit to tho dictation and interference of the
North, greatly beyond what tho existing law of the Church on sla-
very and abolition authorizes, thoro is no hope of anything like
union or harmony. The debate and action of tho 'General Confer-
ence in the case of tlic Be v. Mr. Harding, of tho Baltimore Confer-
ence ; the debate and action in the cnso of Bishop Andrew ; ant? the
opinions and purpobcs avowed and indicated in a manifesto of the
majority, in reply to a protest from tho minority against tlio procecii-
ings complained of, together with hundreds of petitions from the east,
north, and west, demanding that slavery, in nil its possible forms, be
separated irom the Church ; these, and similar demonstrations, have
convinced the undersigned, that they cannot remain silent or inactive
without hazard and injustice to tho different portions of the Church
they represent.

" They have, therefore, thought proper to invoke tlic attention of
the Church in the South to a state of things they arc compelled to
regard as worthy the immediate notice and action of tho Church
throughout all the slaveholding States and territories. The subject
of slavery and abolition, notwithstanding tho plain law of the Disci-
pline on the subject, was agitated and debated in the late General

PART v.— SUBJECT OP SLAVERY.

510

Cunfercnco for Jive aucceuive weeks ; and even at the very close of
tho Hossion, the aspect of things was less satisfactoiy, and more
ilii-catcnlng to tho South, than at any former period; and under such
« iroumstanccs of mutual distnist and disagreement, tho Geuoral
Confcrenco adjourned.

'* Some time before tho aiyoumment, however, upon a declaration
Tiiado by the Southern delegations, setting forth tho impossibility of
I'uduring such a state of things much longer, tho General Confer*
encc, by a very largo and decided majority, agreed to a plan of formal
and iHxciJic separation, by which tho Soutliom conferences arc to have a
distinct and independent organization of thou* own, in no way sub-
ject to Northern jurisdiction. It aA'ords us pleasure to state, that
there were those found among tho majority who met this proposition
with every manifestation of justice and liberality. And should a
similar spirit bo exhibited by the annual conferences in tho North,
when submitted to them, as provided for in the plan itself, thoro will
remain no legal impediment to its peaceful consummation.

" This plan is approved by the undersigned as tho best, and, in-
deed, all that can bo done at present, in remedy of tho gicat evil
under which wo labour. Provision is made for a peaceable and con-
stitutional division of Church property of every kind. The plan
docs not decide that division shall take place ; but simply, and it is
thought securely, provides that it may, if it bo found necessaiy. Of
this necessity you are to be tho judges, after a careful survey and
vomparison of all tho reasons for and against it.

^' As tho undersigned have had opportunity and advantages which
those at a distance could not possess, to form a correct judgment in
tiie premises, and it may bo expected of them that they express their
views fully on the subject, they do not hesitate to say, that they re-
gard a separation at no distant day as inevitable ; and farther, that
the plan of separation agreed upon is as eligible as the Southern con-
ferences have any right to expect at any lime. We most respectfully,
therefore, and with no common solicitude, beseech our brethren of
the ministry and membership in the slaveholding States, to examine
this matter carefully, and. weighing it well in all its bearings, try to
reach the conclusion most proper under the circumstances. Shall
that, which in all moral likelihood must take place soon, be attempted
now, or ace there reasons why it should be postponed ?

" Wo deprecate all excitement ; wc ask you to be calm and col-
lected, and to approach and dispose of the subject with all the can-
dour and forbearance the occasion demands. The separation pro-
posed is not schism, it is not secession. It is a State or family, sepa-
rating into two different States or families, by mutual consent. As the

520

TOUR IN AMBBIOA.

' Methodut Episcopal Church' will be found north of the dividing
line, 80 the ' Methodiit Epincopal Church ' will be found south of the
same line.

" The undersigned have clung to the cherished unity of the Church
with a firmness of purpose and force of feeling which nothing but
invincible necessity could subdue. If, however, nominal unity must
co-exist with unceasing strife and alieiutted feeling, what is likely to
be gained by its perpettution ? Every minister and member of the
Church in elaveholding States must perceive at once, that the con-
stant, not to say interminable, agitation of the slavery and abolition
question in the councils of the Church, and elsewhere, must terminate
in incalculable ii^ury to all the Southern Conferences. Our access
to slave and master is, to a great extent, cut off. The legislation of
the Church in conflict with that of the State — Church policy attempt-
ing to control public opinion and social order — ^must generate an
amount of hostility to the Church impossible to be overcome, and
slowly but certainly diminish both the means and the hope of useful-
ness and extension on the part of the Church.

" Disposed, however, to defer to the judgment of the Church, wc
lenvc this subject with you. Our first and most direct object has
been to bring it fully before you, and, giving you an opportunity to
judge and determine for yourselves, await your decision. The mi-
nority from the South in the late General Conference were most
anxious to adjourn the decision in the case of Bishop Andrew, with
all its attendant results, to the Annual Conferences, and to tlic
Church at large, to consider and decide upon during the next four
years, as no cliarge was presented against the bishop, and especially
(13 this measure was urgently recommended by the whole bench of
bishops, although Bishop Hedding subsequently withdrew his name.
The proposition, however, to refer the whole subject to the Church,
was promptly rejected by the majority, and immediate action de-
manded and had. But as all the facts connected with the equivocal
suspension of Bishop Andrew will come before you in other forms,
it is unnecessary to detail them in tliis brief Address, the main object
of which is to place before you, in a summary way, the principal facts
and reasons connected with the proposed separation of the Southern
Conferences into a distinct organization.

" Adopted at a meeting of the Southern delegations, held in Ncv;-
York, at the close of the General Conference, June 11th, 1844, and
ordered to be published."*

* '< History of the Orfanizatlon of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South," pp.
105>107.

PART V. — SUBJECT OP SLAVERT.

521

The Convention agreed upon met at Louisville on May
1st, 1845 ; and, after much discussion, adopted the follow-
ing Report of the Committee on the subject of a separate
organization : —

"bepobt of the committee on oboanizatiok. ;. ,

" The Committee appointed to inquire into the propriety and neces-
sity of a separate organization of the Annual Conferences of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, in the slaveholding States, for the pur-
pose of a separate General Conference connexion and jurisdiction,
within the limits of said States and Conferences, having had the entire
subject under careful and patient consideration, together with the
numerous petitions, instructions, resolutions, and propositions for
adjustment and compromise, referred to them by the Convention,—
offer the following as their

"bepobt: —

" In view of the extent to which the great questions in controversy
between the North and the South of the Methodist Episcopal Churdi
have been discussed, and, by consequence, must be understood by
the parties more immediately interested ; it has not been deemed
necessary by the committee to enter into any formal or elaborate ex-
amination of the general subject, beyond a plain and comprehensive
statement of the facts and principles involved, which may place it in
the power of all concerned to do justice to the convictions and mo-'
tives of the Southern portion of the Church, in resisting the action
of the late General Conference on the subject of slavery, and its
unconstitutional assumption of right and power in other respects ;
and also presenting, in a form as brief and lucid as possible, some of
the principal grounds of actios had in view by the South, in favour-
ing the provisional plan of separation adopted by the General Con-
ference at its last session.

" On the subject of the legitimate right, and the full and proper
authority of the Convention to institute, determine, and finally act
upon, the inquiry referred to the committee, to deliberate and report
upon, the committee entertain no doubt whatever. Apart from every
other consideration which might be brought to bear upon the ques-
tion, the General Conference of 1844, in the plan of jurisdictional
reparation adopted by that body, gave full and express authority to
' the Annual Conferences in the slaveholding States ' to judge of the
propriety, and decide upon the necessity, of organizing a ' separate
ecclesiastical connexion ' in the South. And not only did the Gene-
ral Conference invest this right in ' the Annual Conferences in the

522

TOUR IN AMERICA.

ulaveholding States,' without limitation or reserve, as to the extent
of the investment, and exdmivdy with regard to every other division
of the Church, and all other branches or powers of the government,
but left the method of official determination and the mode of action,
in the exercise or assertion of the right, to the free and untrammelled
discretion of the conferences interested. These conferences, thus ac-
credited by the General Conference to judge and act for themselves,
confided the right and trust of decision and action, in the premises,
to delegates regularly chosen by these bodies respectively, upon a
uniform principle and fixed ratio of representation, previously agreed
upon by each, in constitutional session, and directed them to meet in
(icneral Convention, in the city of Louisville, May, 1845, for this
and other purposes, authorized by the General Conference, at the
same time and in the same way. All the right and power, therefore,
of the General Conference, in any way connected with the import-
ant decision in question, were duly and formally transfcircd to ' the
Annual Conferences in the slaveholding States,' and exclusively in-
vested in them. And as this investment was obvioiisly for the pur-
pose that such right and power might be exercised by them, in any
mode they might prefer, not inconsistent with the terms and condi-
tions of the investment, the delegates thus chosen, one hundred in
number, and representing sixteen Annual Conferences, under com-
mission of the General Conference, here and now assembled in Con-
vention, have not only all the right and power of the General Con-
ference, as transferred to ' the Annual Conferences in the slavehold-
ing States;' but, in addition, all the right and power of necessity
inherent in these bodies, as constituent parties, giving birth and
power to the General Conference itself, as the common Federal
(vouncil of the Church. It follows hence, that, for all the purposes
specified and understood in this preliminary view of tlie subject, the
r^nvention possesses all the right and power, both of the General
Conference and the sixteen 'Annual Conferences in the slaveholding
States,' jointly and severally considered. The ecclesiastical and con-
ventional right, therefore, of this body, to act in tlie premises, and act
conclusively, in-espectivc of the whole Church, and all its powers of
government besides, is clear and undoubted. As the moral nght,
however, to act as proposed in the General Conference plan of juris-
dictional separation, rests upon entirely different grounds, and will
perhaps be considered as furnishing the only allowable warrant of
action, notwithstanding constitutional right, it may be necessary at
least to glance at the grave moral reasons creating the necessity , the
high moral compulsions by which the Southern Conferences and
Church have been impelled to the course of action which it is the

PART v.— SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

523

intention of this report to explain and vindicate, as not only right and
reasonable, but indispensable to the character and welfare of South*
cm Methodism.

" The preceding statements and reasoning present no new princi-
ple or form of action in die history of the Church. Numerous in*
stances might be cited, in the constitutional history of Church polity,
in which high moral necessity, in the absence of any rccognized
conventional right, has furnished the only and yet sufficient warrant
for ecclesiastical movements and arrangements, precisely similar in
character with that contemplated in the plan of a separate Southern
(yonnexion of the Methodist Episcopal Church, adopted by the late
General Conference. Weslcyan Methodism, in all its phases and
aspects, is a most pertinent illustration of the truth we assume ; and
the fitness and force of the example must go far to preclude the neces*
sity of any other pi'oof. It was on the specific basis of such necessity,
without conventional right, that the great Wesleyan Connexion arose
in England. It was upon the same basis, as avowed by Wesley, that
the American Conu'^xi. i became separate and independent ; and this
(]!onnexion again a' " rtv', same principle of action, in Uie sepa*
ration and establishiR .^^ '.^ ■■.. Methodist Episcopal Church in Canada,
whose organization took place by permission and direction of the
same authority under which this Convention is now acting for a
similar purpose.

" Should it appear in the premises of the action proposed, that a
high moral and religious duty is devolved upon the ministry and
membership of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the South, —
devolved upon us by the great Head of the Church, and the provi-
dential appointments of our social condition, which we cannot neg-
lect without infidelity to a high moral trust, but which we cannot
fulfil in conncxional union with tlie Northern portion of the Church,
under the same General Conference jurisdiction, owing to causes con-
nected with the civil institutions of the country, and beyond the con-
trol of the Church ; then a strong moral necessity is laid upon us,
which assumes the commanding character of a positive duty, under
sanction of divine right, to dissolve the ties and bonds of a single
General Confereace jurisdiction, and in its place substitute one in the
South, which will not obstruct us in the performance of duty, or
prevent us ft'om accomplishing the great objects of the Christian
ministry and church organization. From a careful survey of the
entire field of facts and thieir relations, the whole range of cause and
effect, as connected with the subject-matter of this lleport, it is con-
fidently believed, that the great warrant of mot-al necessity not lesiB
than unquestionable ecclesiastical right, fully justifies this Convention

524

TOUR IN AMERICA.

in the position they are about to take, as a separate organic division
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, by authority of its chief synod,
' the delegates of all the several Annual Conferences, in General Con-
ference assembled.' One of the two main issues which have decided
the action of the Southern conferences, relates, as all know, to the
assumed right of the Church to control the question of slavery by
means of the ordinary and fluctuating provisions of church legisla-
tion, without reference to the superior control of State policy and
civil law.

" From all the evidence accessible in the case, the great masses
of the ministry and membership of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
North and South, present an irreconcilable opposition of conviction
and feeling on the subject of slavery, so far as relates to the rights
of the Church to interfere with the question, — the one claiming un-
limited right of interference to the fuU extent the Church may, at
any time or fh>m any cause, be concerned ; and the other resisting
alUce the assumption or exercise of any such right, because, in nearly
all the slaveholding States, such a course of action must bring the
Church in direct conflict vnth the civil authority, to which the
Church has pledged subjection and support in the most solemn and
explicit forms, and from the obligations of which she cannot retreat
without dishonouring her awa laws, and the neglect and violation of
some of the plainest and most imperative requirements of Christi-
anity. Under such circumstances of disagreement, in such a state
of adverse conviction and feeling on the part of the North and South
of the Church, it is believed that the two great sections of the
Church, thus situated in relation to each other, by causes beyond
the control of either party, cannot remain together, and successfully
prosecute the high and common aims of the Christian ministry and
church organization, under the same Greneral Conference jurisdic-
tion. The manifest want of uniformity of opinion, and harmony of
co-operation, must always lead, as heretofore, to struggles and results
directly inconsistent with the original intention of the Church, in
establishing a common jurisdiction, to control all its general interests.
And should it appear that, by a division and future duality of such
jurisdiction as authon'zed by the late General Conference, the origi-
nal purposes of the Church can better be accomplished, or, rather,
that they can be accomplished in no other way, how can,ihe true
and proper unity of the Church be maintained, except by yielding
to tlie necessity, and having a separate General Conference jurisdic-
tion for each division ? By the Southern portion of the Church
generally, slavery is regarded as strictly a civil institution, exclusively
in custody of the civil power, and as a regulation of State beyond the

PART V. — SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

525

reach of Church interference or control, except as civil law and
right may be infringed by ecclesiastical assumption. By the North-
ern portion of the Church, individuals are held responsible for the
alleged injustice and evil of relations and rights, created and protected
by the organic and municipal laws of the government and country,
and which relations and rights, in more than two-thirds of the slave-
holding States, are not under 'ndividual control in any sense or to
any extent.

" Both portions of the Church are presumed to act from principle
and conviction, and cannot, therefore, recede ; and how, under mch
circumstances, is it possible to prevent the most fearful disunion,
with all the attendant evils of contention and strife, except by allow-
ing each section a separate and independent jurisdiction, the same
in character and purpose with the one to which both have hitherto
been subject. What fact, truth, or principle, not merely of human
origin, and therefore of doubtful authority, can be urged, as inter-
posing any reasonable obstacle to a change of jurisdiction, merely
modal in character, and simply designed to adapt a single principle
of Church government, not pretended to be of divine obligation or
Scripture origin, to the character and features of the civU govern-
ment of the country ? Nothing essential to Church organization,
nothing officially distinctive of Methodism, even American Method-
ism, is proposed to be disturbed, or even touched, by the arrange-
ment. It is a simple division of general jurisdiction, for strong moral
reasons, arising out of the civil relations and position of the par-
ties, intended to accomplish for both what, it is demonstrated by
experiment, cannot be accomplished by one common jurisdiction, as
now constituted, and should therefore, under the stress of such moral
necessity, be attempted in some other way.

" The question of slavery, more or less intimately interwoven with
the interests and destiny of nine millions of human beings in the
United States, is certainly of sufficient importance, coming up, as it
has, in the recent history of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and as
it does in the deliberations of this Convention, to authorize any
merely modal, or even organic changes in the government of the
Church, should it appear obvious, that the original and avowed pur-
poses of the Church will be more effectively secured and promoted
by the change- proposed, than by continuing the present or former
system. The evidence before the committee establishes the fact in
tiic clearest manner possible, that throughout the Southern confer-
ences, the ministry and membership of the Church, amounting to
nearly five hundred thousand, in the proportion of about ninety-five
ill the hundred, deem a division of jurisdiction indispensable to the

#■

-jj^,

526

*■

TOUR IN AMERICA.

welfare of the Church, in the Southern and South-western confer-
ences of the slaveholding States ; and this fact alone must go far to
establish the righf, while it demonstrates the necessity, of the separate
jurisdiction contemplated in the plan of the General Conference,
and adopted by that body in view of such necessity, as likely to exist.
The interests of state, civil law, and public opinion in the South, im-
periously require that the Southern portion of the Church shall have
no part in the discussion and agitation of this subject in the chief
councils of the Church. In this opinion, nearly universal in the
South, we concur.

" Christ and his apostles, Christianity and its inspired and early
teachers, found slavery in its most offensive and aggravated forms, as
a civil institution, diffused and existing throughout nearly the entire
field of their ministrations and influence ; and yet, in the New Testa-
ment, and earlier records of the Church, we have no legislation, no
interference, np denunciation with regard to it, not even remon-
strance against it. They found it wrought up and vitally intermin-
gled with the whole machinery of civil government and order of
society; so implicated with ' the powers that be,' that Infinite Wisdom,
and the early pastoral guides of the Church, saw just reason why the
Church should not interfere beyond a plain and urgent enforcement
of the various duties growing out of the peculiar relation of master
and slave, leaving the rdation itself, as a civil arrangement, untouched
and unaffected, except so far as it seems obviously to have been the
divine purpose to remove every form and degree of wrong and evil
connected with the institutions of human government, by a faithful
inculcation of the doctrines and duties of Christianity, without med-
dling in any way with the civil polity of the countries into which it
was introduced. A course precisely similar to this, the example of
which should have been more attractive, was pursued by the gi'eat
Founder of Methodism in all slaveholding countries in which ho
established societies. Mr. Wesley never deemed it proper to have
any rule, law, or regulation on the subject of slavery, either in the
United States, the West Indies, or elsewhere. The effects of the
early and unfortunate attempts of the Methodist Church to meddle
and interfere in the legislation and practice of government and disci-,
pline, "Nvith the institution of slavery in the United States, are too
well known to requu-e comment. Among the more immediate
results of this short-sighted, disastrous imprudence, especially from
1 780 to 1 804, may be mentioned the watchful jealousy of civil govern-
ment, and the loss of public confidence throughout a very large and
influential portion of the whole Southern community. These and
similar deyelopmcnts led the Church, by the most careful and con-

PART V.—SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

527

siderate steps, to the adoption, gradually, of a medium compromise
course of legislation on the subject, until the law of slavery, us it
now exists in the letter of Discipline, became by the last material act
of legislation, in 1816, the great compromise bond of union between
the North and the South on the subject of slavery. The whole law
of the Church, all there is in the statute-book to govern North and
South on this subject, is the following : First : The general rule,
which simply prohibits ' the buying or selling of men, women, or
children, with an intention to enslave them.^ Second: ' No slaveholder
shall be eligible to any official station in our Church hereafter, whciii
the laws of the State in which he lives admit of emancipation, and
permit the liberated slave to enjoy freedom. When any travelling
praacher becomes an owner of a slave or slaves, by any means, he
shall forfeit his ministerial character in our Church, unless he cxc.
cute, if it be practicable, a legal emancipation of such slaves, confor-
mably to the laws of the State in which he ''vcs.'

" Here is the law, the wliole, the only law oi the Church, containing,
first, a prohibition, and, second, a grant. The prohibition is, that no
member or minister of the Church is allowed to purchase or sell u
human being, who is to be enslaved, or reduced to a state of slavery
by such purchase or sale. And, further, that no minister, in any of
the grades of ministerial office, or other person, having official stand-
ing in the Church, can, if he be the owner of a slave, be allowed to
sustain such official relation to the Church, unless he shall legally
provide for the emancipation of such slave or slaves, if the laws of
the State in which he lives will admit of legal emancipation, and
permit the liberated slave to enjoy freedom. Such is the plain pro-
hibition of law, binding upon all. The grant of the law, however, is
equally plain and upquestionablc. It is, that persons may pm'chasu
or sell men, women, or children, provided such purchase or sale does
not involve the fact or intention of enslaving them, or of reducing the
subjects of such purchase or sale to a state of slavery. The inten-
tion of the law no doubt is, that this may be done from motives of
humanity, and not by any means for the purpose of gain. But fur-
ther, the law distinctly provides, thac every minister, in whatever grade,
of office, and every person having offi'ml standing of any kind, in the
Methodist Episcopal Church, being the owner or owners of slave-
property, shall be protected against any forfeiture of right, on this
account, where the laws of tlie State do not admit of legal emancipa-
tion, and allow the liberated slave to enjoy fi-eedom in the State in
which he is emancipated. Here is the plain grant of law to which
we allude. From the first agitation of the subject of slavery in the
Church, the Nortliern portion of it has been disposed to insist

528

TOUR IN AMERICA.

^(i

upon ftirther prohibitory enactments. The South, meanwhile, has
always shown itself ready to go as far, by way of prohibition, as the
law in question implies, but has uniformly resisted any attempt to
impair Southern rights under protection of the grant of law to which
we have asked attention. Under such circumstances of disagreement
and difficulty, the conventional and legislative a^ustment of the
question, as found in the General Rule, but especially the tenth sec-
tion of the Discipline, was brought about, and has always been
regarded in the South as a great compromise arrangement, without
strict adherence to which, the North and the South could not remain
together under the same general jurisdiction. That we have not
mistaken the character of the law, or misconstrued the intention and
purposes of its enactment, at different times, we think entirely demon-
strable from the whole history, both of the legislation of the Church,
and the judicial and executive administration of the government.
The full force and bearing of the lew, however, were more distinctly
brought to view, and authoritatively asserted, by the General Confer-
ence of 1840, after the most careful examination of the whole sub-
ject ; and the judicial determination of that body, connected with the
language of the Discipline just quoted, gives, in still clearer light, the
true rnd oidy law of the Church on the subject of slavery. After de-
ciding various other principles and positions incidental to the main
question, the decision is summed up in the following words : ' While
Uie general rule (or law) on the subject of slavery, relating to those
States whose laws admit of emancipation, and permit the liberated
slave to enjoy freedom, should be firmly and constantly enforced, the
exception to the general rule (or law) applying to those States
where emancipation, as defined above, is not practicable^ should be
recognized and protegted with equal firmness- and impartiality;
therefore,

" ' Resdvedy by the several Annual Conferences in General Conference
assembled, That under the provisional exception of the general rule
(or law) of the Church, on the sulgect of slavery, the simple holding
of slaves, or mere ownership of slave-property, in States or Territo*
ries where the laws do not admit of emancipation, and permit the
liberated slave to enjoy freedom, constitutes no legal barrier to the
election or ordination of ministers to the various grades of office
known in the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and can-
not, therefore, be considered as operating any forfeiture of right, in
view of such election and ordination.' This decision of the General
Conference was not objected to, or dissented from, by a single mem-
ber of that body. It was the unanimous voice of the great represen*
tative and judicial council of the Church, then acting in the character

*■

.^S.;^,

PART V.~SUBJEOT OF SLAVERY.

629

of a high conrt of appeals for the decision of an important legal
question. It will be perceived how strikingly the language of this
decision accords with both the features of the law of slavery which we
have thought it important to notice, — the/>roAt&tft'on and the grant of
law in the case ; what may not be done as the general rule, and at
the same time what may be done, under the provisional exception to
the general law, without forfeiture of right of any kind. It is also
worthy of particular notice, that besides the plain assurance of the ori-
ginal law, that where emancipation is not legally practicable, and the
emancipated slave allowed to enjoy freedom ; or where it is practica-
ble to emancipate, but the emancipated slave cannot enjoy freedom ;
emancipation is not required of any owner of slaves in the Methodist
Episcopal Church, from the lowest officer up to the bishop, but the
rights of all thus circumstanced are protected and secured, notwith-
standing their connexion with slavery, — besides this, the 'uU and
' elaborate decision of the Qeneral Conference, as a grave and formal
acyudication had upon all the issues involved in the question, pub-
lished to all who were in or might be disposed to enter the Church,
that the law of slavery applied to States where emancipation is im-
practicable, and the freed slave not allowed to enjoy freedom, this
dear and unambiguous decision, by the highest authority of the
Church, leaves the owner of slaves upon the ground — upon a basis of
the most perfect equality with other ministers of the Church, having
no connexion with slavery. Such, then, is the law ; such its con-
stniction ; such the official and solemn pledge of the Church. And
these had, to a great extent, restored the lost confidence and allayed
the jealous apprehensions of the South, in relation to the purposes of
the Church respecting slavery. There was in the South no disposi-
tion to disturb, discuss, or in any way agitate the subjtect. The law
'^vas not objected to or complained of, but was regarded as a settled
compromise between the parties, a medium arrangement on the
ground of mutual concession, well calculated to secure and promote
the best interests of the Church North and South.

" That this law, this great compromise conservative arrangement,
which had been looked to as the only reliable bond of jurisdictional
union between the North and South for nearly half a century, was
practically disregarded and abandoned by the last General Confer-
ence, in the, memorable cases of Harding and Andrew, both by judi-
cial construction and virtual legislation, manifestly inconsistent with
its provisions and purposes, and subversive of the great objects of its
enactment, has been too fiearfully demonstrated by various forms of
proof, to require more than a brief notice in this Report. The actual
position of the Ch^rch was suddenly reversed, and its long-established

580

TOUR IN AMERICA.

policy •ntirely changed. Tlic wholo law of the Churcli, and the
moft ImportAtit n^iudications had upon it, wore treated as nuli and
obioleto, and tlmt body proceeded to a claim of right and course of
Action ftmounting to a virtual repeal of all law, and now and capri-
cious Icgiilittiun on the most difficult and delicate question ever in-
troduced into the councils of the Church, or named upon its statute-
book.

'* By no fair conitruction of the law of slavery, as given above.
could the Church bo brought in conflict with civil legislation on the
Dubject. It if true, om demanded by the convictions and opinions of
tlio Church, tostimuny was borne against the evil of slavery ; but it
wan done without conflicting with the polity and luws of any portion
of the country. No law, for example, aifected the lay membership
of the Church with regard to slaveholding ; the Church gave its full
permiNHion that the private members of the Church might own and
hold fflave* at diicrction ; and the inference is indubitable, that the
Church did not consider simple slaveholding as a moral evil, person-
ally attaching to the mere fact of being the owner or holder of slaves.
The evil charged upon slavery must of necessity have been under-
stood of other aipectt> of the subject, and could not imply moral obli-
quity, without impeaching the integrity and virtue of the Church.
Moreover, where the laws precluded emancipation, the ministiy were
subjected to no disabilities of any kind, and the requirements of the
Church, in relation to slavery, were not at least in anything like
direct conflict with civil law. In contravention, however, of the
plain and long-established law of the Church, the action of the
General Conference of 1844, in the well-known instances cited,
brought the Church into a state of direct and violent antagonism
with the civil authority and the rights of citizenship, throughout all
tlie slaveholding (States. This was not done by the repeal of exist-
ing law, or additional legislation by direct enactment, but in a much
more dangerous form, by the simple process of resolution by an irre-
sponsible majority, requiring Southern ministers as slaveholders, in
order to Church eligibility and equality of right with non-slavehold-
ing ministers of the Church, to do what cannot be done without a
violation of the laws of the States in which they reside, and is not re-
quired or contemplated, but expressly excepted and even provided
against, by the kw of the Church.

" It will thug appear that the entire action of the General Confer-
ence on tlie subject of slavery, was in direct conflict with the law,
both of the Church and the land, and could not have been submitted
. to by the South, without the most serious detriment to the interests
of tlie Church. The action in the instance of Bishop Andrew was,

PART v.— SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

531

in the strongest and most exceptionable sense, extra-judicial. It
was not pretended that Bishop Andrew had violated any law of the
Church ; so far from this, the only law applicable to the case gave,
as we have seen, ample and explicit assurance of protection. So to
construe law, or so to proceed to act without reference to law, as to
abstract from it its whole protective power, and deprive it of all its
conservative tendencies in the system, is one of the most dangerous
forms of legal injustice, and, as a principle of action, must be con>
sidered as subversive of all order and government. The late Gene-
ral Conference required of Bishop Andrew, the same being equally
true in the case of Harding, as the condition of his being acceptable
to the Church, the surrender of rights secured to him both by civil
and ecclesiastical law. The purposes of law were contravened and
destroyed, and its prerogative and place usurped by mere opinion.
■ " The requisition in the case was not only extra-judicial, being
made in the absence of anything like law authorizing the measure,
but, being made at the same time against law, it was usurpation ; and
so far as the proceeding complained of is intended to establish a prin-
ciple of action with regard to the future, it gives to the General
Conference all the attributes of a despotism, claiming the right to
govern mtJiottt, above, and against law. The doctrine avowed at the
late General Conference, and practically endorsed by the majority,
that that body may, by simple resolution, advisory, punitive, or de-
claratory, repeal an existing law in relation to a particular case,
leaving it in full force with regard to other cases,^-or may enact a
new and different law, and apply it judicially to the individual case
which led to the enactment, and all in a moment, by a single eleva-
tion of the hand, — is a position, a doctrine so utterly revolutionary
and disorganizing, as to place in jeopardy at once both the interests
and reputation of the Church. The action in the case of Bishop
Andrew not only assumed the character, and usurped the place, of
law, but was clearly an instance of ex post facto legislation, by making
that an offence after the act, which was not such before. The con-
duct charged as an offence, was at the time, and continues to be,
under the full protection of a well-understood and standing law of
the Church ; and yet this conduct was made criminal, and punisha-
ble by the retrospective action of the Conference to which we allude.
The officially expressed will of the General Conference, intended to
govern and circumscribe the conduct of Bishop Andrew, without
reference to existing law, and indeed contrary to it, was made the
rule of action, and he found guilty of its violation, by acts done be-
fore he was made acquainted with it. The conduct charged was in
perfect consistency with the law of the Church, and could only be

682

TOUR IN AMERICA.

wroaght into an offence by an €x pott JUcto bearing of the after action
of the General Conference.

" Bishop Andrew became tlio owner of ilavo-propcrty, inrolanta-
rily, several years before his marriage; and n» the /act, and not the
extent, of his connexion witli slavery constituted his offence, it fol-
lows, that for a relation in which ho was placed by the action of
others, and the operation of civil law, and in which, as a citizen of
Georgia, he was compelled to remain, or bo brought in conflict with
the laws of the State, ho vxu, in violation of the pledge of public law,
as we have shown, aiTcstcd and punished by the General Conference.
That body, by direct requirement, such, at least, by implication, com-
manded him to free his slaves, or suffer official degradation. The law
of Georgia required him to hold his slaves, or transfer them to be held
as such by others, under heavy and painful penalties to master and
slave. To avoid ecclesiastical pnnishmont and disability, the Church
reqnh^d him either to leave the State of his resldonco, or violate its laws.
In this way, taking the judicial decision in Harding's case, and the
anomalous action in Bishop Andrew's, the Church is placed in most
offensive conflict with the civil authority of the State. Can any
country or government safely allow tho Church to enforce disobedi-
ence to civil law as a Christian duty 1 If such attempts are made
to subordinate the civil interests of tho State to the schemes and
purposes of Church innovation, prompted and sustained by the
bigotry and fanaticism of largo masses of ignorant and misgnided
zealots, engaged in the conflict in the nomo of God and conscience,
and for the ostensible purposes of religious reform, what can bo the
stability of civil government, or the hopes of those seeking its pro-
tection? And what, wo ask, must be tho interest of tho South, in
connexion with sucli movements 1

" In the instance of slavery in this country, it is but too well known,
that such antagonism as is indicated by the preceding facts and de-
velopments between the purposes of tho Church and the policy of
the State, must result In the most disastrous consequences to both.
The slavery of the Southern States can never be reduced in amount,
or mitigated in form, by such a state of things. Tho Southern States
have the sole control of the question, under the authority and by con-
tract of the Federal Constitution, and all hope of removing the evil
of slavery, without destroying tho nallonnl compact and the union
of the States, must connect with tlio individual sovereignty of the
Southern States, as parties to tho federal compact, and the independ-
ent policy of each State hi relation to slavery, as likely to be influ-
enced by moral and political reasons and motives, brought to bear,
by proper means and methods, upon tho understanding and moral

PART v.— SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

688

•ense of the Southern people. AU trespass upon right, whether as it
regards the rights of property or of character, — everything lilce ag-
gression, mere denunciation or abuse, must, of necessity, tend to
provoke further resistance on the part of the Sonth, and lessen the
influence the North might otherwise have upon the groat mass of the
Southern people, in relation to this groat and exciting interest. The
true character and actual relations of slavery in the United States
are so predominantly civil and political, that any attempt to treat the
subject, or control the question, upon purely moral and ecclesiastical
grounds, can never exert any salutary influence South, except in so
far as the moral and ecclesiastical shall be found strictly subordinate
to the civil and political. This mode of appeal, it is believed, vail
never satisfy the North. The whole Northern portion of the Church,
speaking through their guides and leaders, is manifesting an increas-
ing disposition to form issues upon the subject, so utterly inconsistent
with the rights and peace of the slavcholding States, that by how far
the Methodist Episcopal Church in the South may contribute to the
bringing about of such a state of things, or may fail to resist it, the
influence of Methodism must be depressed, and the interest of the
Church suffer. In addition, then, to the fact, that we have already
received an amount of injury beyond what we can bear, except un-
der a separate organization, we have the strongest grounds of appre-
hension, that unless we place ourselves in a state of defence, and
prepare for independent action, under the distinct jurisdiction wo are
now authorized by the General Conference to resolve upon, and
organize, we shall soon find ourselves so completely subjected to the
adverse views and policy of the Northern majority, as to be left
without right or remedy, except as a mere secession from the Church.
Now, the case is entirely difl^erent, as we propose to do nothing not
authorized in the General Conference Plan of Separation, either ex-
pressly or by necessary implication.

" The general view thus far taken of the subject is intended 'o
show, that * the Annual Conferences in the slavcholding States,' em-
bracing the entire Church South, have found themselves placed in
circumstances, by the action of the General Conference in May last,
which, according to the declaration of the Southern deu^f Atts, at the
time, render it impracticable to accomplish the objects of tlie Chris-
tian ministly and Church organization, under the present system of
General Conference control, and showing, by the most clear and con-
clusive evidence, that there exists the most urgent necessity for the
' separate ecclesiastical connexion,' constitutionally provided for by
the General Conference, upon the basis of the Declaration just ad-
verted to. At the date of the Declaration, the Southern delegates were

MI'S

584

TOUR IN AMERICA.

fally convinced that the frequent and exciting agitation and action in
that hody on the subject of slavery and abolition, as in Harding's case,
and especially the proceedings in the case of Bishop Andrew, each
being regarded as but a practical exposition of the principle of the
minority — rendered a separate organization indispensable to the suc-
cess of Methodism in the South. The truth of the Declaration, so
far from being called in question by the majority, was promptly
conceded in the immediate action the Conference had upon it, assign-
ing the Declaration as the sole ground or reason of the action,
which terminated in the adoption of the Flan of Separation, under
which we are now acting as a Convention, and from the spirit and
intention of which, it is believed to be the purpose of the Convention
not to depart, in any of its deliberations or final acts. Although the
action of this General Conference on the subject of slavery, and the
relative adverse position of the parties North and South, together
with the irritating and exasperating evils of constant agitation and
frequent attempts at legislation, are made, in the declaration, the
grounds of the avowal, that a separate organization was necessary to
the success of the ministry in the slaveholding States, it was by no
means intended to convey the idea, or make the impression, that no
other causes existed rendering a separate organization proper and
necessary ; but as the action of the Conference on the subject of
slavery was certain to involve the Church in the South in immediate
and alarming difficulty ; and it was believed that this could be so
■shown to the majority, ob to induce them to consent to some course
of action in remedy of the evil, the complaint of the Declaration
was confined to the simple topic of slavery. It will be perceived
that the case of Bishop Andrew, although prominently introduced,
is not relied upon as exclusively furnishing the data of this conclu"
sion at which we have arrived. The entire action of the General
Conference so frequently brought to view, and which is made the
ground of dissent and action, both in the Protest and Declaration of
the Southern delegates, must be understood as belonging to the
premises and language employed as including all the principles
avowed, as well as the action had, by the late General Conference on
the subject of slavery. The attempt to disclaim the judicial charac-
ter of the action in Bishop Andrew's case, and show it to be merely
advisory, cannot aflfect the preceding reasoning : for, firat, the dis-
claimer is as equivocal in character as the original action; and,
secondly, the reasoning in support of the disclaimer negatives the
supposition of mere advice, because it involves issues coming legiti-
mately within the province of judicial process and legal determina-
tion ; and, thirdly, Bishop Andrew is, by Jie explanation of the

PART v.— SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

535

disclaimer itself, held as responsible for his conduct, in view of the
alleged advice, as he could have been held by the original action
without the explanation. While, therefore, the explanation, giving
the original action an advisory character, notwithstanding the incon-
sistency involved, fully protects Bishops Soule and Andrew from even
the shadow of blame in the course they have pursued, the entire
action in the case, and especially when connected with the case of
Harding, as alluded to In the Declaration, fully sustains the general
view of the subject we have taken in this Report. The Southern
delegates at the Genwal Conference, in presenting to that body their
Declaration and Protest, acted, and they continue to act, as the
representatives of the Soutli, under the full conviction that the prin-
ciples and policy avowed by the Northern majority are such as to
render their pMic and practical renunciation by the Southern Me-
thodist ministry and people necessary to die safety, not less than the
success, of the Church in the South.

" Other views of the subject, however, must claim a share of our
attention. Among the many weighty reasons which influence the
Southern Conferences in seeking to be released from the jurisdiction
of the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as now
constituted, are the novel, and, as we think, dangerous doctrines,
practically avowed and endorsed by that body and the Northern
portion of the Church generally, with regard to the constitution of the
Church, and the constitutional rights and powei-s, respectively, of the
Episcofact and the General Conference. In relation to the first,
it is confidently, although most unaccountably, maintained, that the
six short Restrictive Rules, which were adopted in 1808, and first be-
came obligatory, as an amendment to the constitution, in I8I2, are,
in fact, the true and only constitution of the Church. This single
position, should it become an established principle of action to the
extent it found favour with the last General Conference, must sub-
vert the government of the Methodist Episcopal Church. It must
be seen at once, that the position leaves many of the organic laws
and most impoitant institutions of the Church entirely unprotected,
and at the mercy of a mere and evcr-fiuctuating majority of the
General Conference. Episcopacy, for example, although protected
in the abstract, in general terms, may be entirely superseded or
destroyed by the simple omission to elect or consecrate bishops,
neither of which is provided for in the Kestrictivc Articles. The
whole itinerant system, except general superintendency, is without
protection in the Restrictive Rules ; and there is nothing in them
preventing the episcopacy from restricting their superintendency to
local and settled pastors, rather than a travelling ministry, and thu^

536

TOUR IN AMERICA.

destroying the most distinctive feature of Wesleyan Methodism. So
far as the Restrictive Rules are concerned, the Annual Conferences
are without protection, and might also be destroyed by the General
Conference at any time. If the new constitutional theory be correct,
ulass-leaders and private members are as eligible, upon the basis of
the constitution, to a seat in the Qeneral Conference as any ministers
of the Church. Societies, too, instead of Annual Conferences, may
elect delegates, and may elect laymen instead of ministers, or local
instead of travelling ministers. Very few indeed of the more funda-
mental and distinguishing elements of Methodism, deeply and im-
perishably imbedded in the affection and veneration of the Church,
and vital to its very existence, are even alluded to in the Restrictive
Articles. This theory assumes the self -refuted absurdity, that the
General Conference is in fact the government of the Church, if not
the Church itself. With no other constitution than these mere
restrictions upon the powers and rights of the General Conference,
the government and discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as
a system of organized laws and well-adjusted instrumentalities for
the spread of the gospel, and the diffusion of piety, and whose living
principles of energy and action have so long commanded the admi-
ration of tlie world, would soon cease even to exist. The startling
iissumption, that a bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church, instead
of holding office under the constitution, and by tenure of law, and the
faithful performance of duty, is nothing, in his character of bishop,
but a mere officer at will of the Gk^neral Conference, and may accord-
ingly be deposed ;: any time, with or without cause, accusation,
proof, or form of trial, as a dominant majority may capriciously elect,
or party interests suggest ; — and that the General Conference may
do, by right, whatever is not prohibited by the Restrictive Rules ; and,
with this single exception, possess power, ' supreme and all-control-
ling ;' and this in all possible formi: of its manifestation, legislative,
judicial, and executive, — the same men claiming to bo at the same
time both the fountain and functionaries of all the powers of govern-
ment — ^which powers, thus mingled and concentrated into a common
force, may at any time be employed, at the prompting of their own
interests, caprice, or ambition. Such wild and revolutionaiy assump-
tions, so unlike the faith and discipline of Methodism, as we have
been taught them, we are compelled to regard as fraught with mis--
chief and ruin to the best interests of the Church, and as furnishing a
strong additional reasonwhy we should avail ourselves of the warrant
we now have, but may never again obtain from the General Confer-
ence, to ' establish an ecclesiastical connexion,' embracing only the
Annual Conferences in the slaveholding States.

PART V. — SUBJECT OP SLAVERY.

687

" Without intending anything more than a general specification of
the disabilities under which the Southern part of ♦ ae CUurch labours,
in view of existing difBculties, and must continue to do so until they
arc removed, we must not omit to state, that should we submit to the
action of the late General Conference, and decline a separate organi-
zation, it would be to place, and finally confirm the whole Southern
ministry in the relation of an inferior caste, the effect of which, in
spite of all effort to the contrary, would be such a relation, if not (as
we think) real degradation of the ministry, as to destroy its influence
to a great — a most fearful extent, throughout the South. A practical
proscription, under show of legal right, has long been exercised to-
wards the South, with regard to the higher oflSces of the Church,
especially the episcopacy. To this, however, the South submitted
widi patient endurance, and was willing further to submit, in order
to maintain the peace and unity of the Church, while the principle
involved was disavowed, and decided to be unjust, as by the decision
of the General Conference in 1840. But when, in 1844, the General
Conference declared by their action, without the forms of legislative
or judicial process, that the mere fovidential ownership of slave-
property, in a State where emancipation is legally prohibited under
all circumstances, and can only be efiected by special legislative
enactment, was hereafter to operate as a forfeiture of right in all
similar cases, the law of the Church and the decision of the preceding
General Conference to the contrary notwithstivnding, the Southern
ministry were compelled to realize, that they were deliberately fixed,
by the brand of common shame, in the degrading relation of standing
inferiority to ministers, not actually, nor. yet liable to be, connected
with slavery, and that they were published to the Church and the
world as belonging to a caste in the ministry, from which the higher
offices of the Church could never be selected.

" To submit, under such circumstances, would have been a practi-
cal, a most humiliating recognition of the inferiority of caste, attempt-
ed to be fixed upon us by the Northern majority, and would have
justly authorized the inference of a want of conscious integrity and
self-respect, well calculated to destroy both the reputation and influ-
ence of the ministry in . all the slaveholding States. It may be no
virtue to r'-'-'w it, but we. confess we have no humility courting the
grace of suvti u baptism. The higher objects, therefore, of the Chris-
tian ministry, not less than conscious right and self-respect, demand-
ed resistance on the part, of the Southern ministry and Church ; and
these rnite with other reasons in vindicating the plea of neces-
sity, u, .1 which the meeting and action of this Convention are based,
Avith fii consent and approval of the General Conference of the

23*

538

TOUR IN AMERICA, i f-

Methodist Episcopal Church. The variety of interests involved ren-
ders it necessary that the brief view of the subject we are allowed to
take be varied accordingly.

"Unless the Southern Conferences organize as proposed, it is
morally certain, in view of the evidence before the committee, that
the gospel, now regularly and successfully dispensed by the minis-
ters of these conferences to about a million of slaves, in their
various fields of missionary enterprise and pastoral charge, must,
to a great extent, be withheld froi.. them, and immense masses of
this unfortunate class of our fellow-beings be left to perish, as the
result of Church interference with the civil aifairs and relations of
the country.

" The committee are compelled to believe, that the mere division
of jurisdiction, as authorized by the General Conference, cannot aifect
either the moral or legal unity of the great American family of
Christians, known as the Methodist Episcopal Church; and this
opinion is concurred in by the ablest jurists of the country. We do
nothing but what we are expressly authorized to do by the supreme,
or rather highest legislative power of the Church. Would the Church
authorize us to do wrong ? The division relates only to the power
of general jurisdiction, which it is not proposed to destroy, or even
reduce, but simply to invest it in two great organs of Church action
and control, instead of one as at present. Such a change in the pre*
seuc system of general control cannot distui'b the moral unity of the
Church ; for it is strictly an agreed modification of General Conference
jurisdiction, and such agreement and consent of parties must pre-
clude the idea of disunion. In view of what is the alleged disunion
predicated 1 Is the purpose and act of becoming a separate organi-
zation proof of disunion, or want of proper church unity ? This can-
not be urged with any show of consistency, inasmuch as ' the several
Annual Conferences in General Conference assembled,' that is to
say, the Church, through its only constitutional organ of action, on
all subjects involving the power of legislation, not only agreed to the
separate organization South, but made full constitutional provision
for carrying it into effect. It is a separation by consent of parties,
under the highest authority of the Church. Is it intended to main-
tain that the unity of the Church depends upon the modal uniformity
of the jurisdiction in question 1 If this be so, the Methodist Episco-
pal Church has lost its unity at several different times. The general
ju. sdiction of th^ Church has undergone modifications, at several
different times, not less vital, if not greatly more so, than the one
now proposed. The high conventional powers, of which we are so
often reminded, exercised in the organization of the Methodist Epis-

PART v.— SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

539

copal Church, were in the hands of a Conference of unordaucd lay
preachers, under the sole superintendence of an appointee of Mr.
Wesley. This was the first General Conference type and original
form of the jurisdiction in question. The jurisdictional power now
proposed by the General Conference, was for years exercised by
small Annual Conferences, without any defined boundaries, and act-
ing separately on all measures proposed for their determination.
This general power of jurisdiction next passed into the hands of ii0
Bishops' Council, consisting of some ten persons, where it remained
for a term of years. Next it passed into the hands of the whole itine-
rant ministry, in full connexion, and was exercised by them, in col-
lective action, as a General Conference of the whole body, met
together at tlie same time- The power was aftersvards vested in the
whole body of travelling elders, and from thence finally passed into
the hands of delegates, elected by the Annual Conferences, to meet
and act quadrennially as a General Conference, under constitut. ^nal
restrictions and limitations.

" Here are several successive i-e-organlzations of Gteneral Confer-
ence jurisdictioo, each involving a much more material change
than that contemplated in the General Conference plan, by autho-
rity of which, this Convention is about to erect the sixteen Annual
Conferences in the slaveholding States into a separate organization.
"We chaqge no principle in the existing theory of General Conference
jurisdiction. We distinctly recognize the jurisdiction of a delegated
General Conference, receiving its appointment and authority from the
whole constituency of Annual Conferences. The only change in fact
or in form will be, that the delegates of the 'Annual Conferences in
the slaveholding States,' as authorized in the Plan of Separation, will
meet in one General Conference assembly of their own, and act in
behalf only of their own constituency, and in the regulation of their
own affairs, consistently with the good faith and fealty they owe the
authority and laws of the several States in which they reside, without
interfering with affairs beyond their jurisdiction, or suffering foreign
interference with their own. And in proceeding to do this, we have
all the authority it was in the power of the Methodist Episcopal
Chm-ch to confer.

" We have also further example and precedent in the history
of Methodism, to show that there is nothing irregular, or inconsistent
with church order or unity, in the separation proposed. The great
Wesleyan Methodist family, everywhere one in faith and practice,
already exists under several distinct and unconnected jurisdictions-
there is no jurisdictional or connexional union between them ; and
yet it has never been pretended that these several distinct organiza-

540

TOUR IN AMERICA.

*kt • -

#.■

tions were in any sense inconsbtent with Church unity. If the
Southern Conferences proceed, then, to the establishment of another
distinct jurisdiction, without any change of doctrine or discipline,
except in matters necessary to the mere economical adjustment of
the system, will it furnish any reason for supposing that the real
unity of the Church is affected by what all must perceive to be a
simple division of jurisdiction ? When the Conferences in the slave-
^holding Statos are separately oi'ganized as a distinct ecclesiastical
connexion, they will only be what the General Conference authorized
them to be. Can this be irregular, or subversive of Church unity ?
Acting under the provisional Flan of Separation, they must, although
a separate organization, remain in essential union with, and be part
and parcel of, the Methodist Episcopal Church, in every Scriptural
and moral view of the subject ; for what they do is with the full con-
sent, and has the official sanction, of the Church as represented in
the Greneral Conference. The jurisdiction we are about to establish
and assert as separate and indepenc^'^nt, is expressly declined and
ceded by the General Conference as originally its own, to the South-
em Conferences, for the specific purpose of being established and
asserted in the manner proposed. All idea of secession, or an organ-
ization alien in right or relation to the Methodist Episcopal Church,
is forever precluded by the terms and conditions of the authorized
Plan of Separation. In whatever sense we are separatists or secedeis,
we are such by authority — the highest authority of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. To whatever extent, or in whatever aspect, we
are not tnie and faithful ministers and members of that Church, such
delinquency or misfortune is authenticated by her act and approval,
and she declares us to be ' without blame.' ' Ministers of every grade
and office in the Methodist Episcopal Church may, as they prefer,
without blame, attach themselves to the Chureh, South.' Bishops,
elders, and deaconSj come into the Southern organization at their
own election, under permission from the General Conference, not
only accredited as ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but
with credentials limiting the exercise of their functions within the
Methodist Episcopal Church. Is it conceivable that the Greneral Con-
ference would so act, and hold such language, in relation to an
ecclesiastical connexion which was to be regarded as a secession
from the Church ? Does not such act and language, and the whole
Plan of Separation, rather show that, as the South had asked, so the
General Conference intended to authorize, a simple division of its
own jurisdiction, and nothing more.

" All idea of secession or schism, or loss of right or title, as minis-
ters of the Methodist Episcopal Church, being precluded by the

v>fe.

PART V.-rSUBJECT OP SLAVERY.

541

specific grant or authority under which we act, as well as for other
reasons assigned, many considerations might be urged, strongly sug-
gesting the Jitnesa and propriety of the separate jurisdiction contem-
plated, rendered necessary, as we have seen, upon other and different
grounds ; and among these the increased value of the representative
principle likely to be secured by the change, is by no means unwor-
thy of notice. At the first representative Greneral Conference, tliirty-
three years ago, each delegate represented five travelling ministers
and about two thousand members, and the body was of convenient
size for the transaction of business. At the late General Conference,
each delegate was the representative of twenty-one ministers and
more than five thousand members, and the body was inconveniently
large for the purpose of deliberation and action. Should the nnmber
of delegates in the General Conference be increased with the probable
growth of the Church, the body will soon become utterly unwieldy.
Should the number be reduced, while the ministry and membership
are multiplying, the representative principle would come to be little
more than nominal, and, in the same proportion, without practical
value. Besides that the proposed re-organization of jurisdiction will
remedy this evil, at least to a great extent, it will result in the saving
of much time and expense and useful services to the Church, con-
nected with the travel and protracted sessions of the General Con-
ference, not only as it regards the delegates, but also the bench of
bishops, whose general oversight might become much more minute
and pastoral in its character, by means of such an arrangement.
When, in 1808, the annual conferences resolved upon changing the
form of General Conference jurisdiction, the precise reasons we have
just noticed Avere deemed sufiicient ground and motive for the change
introduced ; and as we are seeking only a similar change of jurisdic-
tion, although for other purposes as well as this, the facts to wliich
we ask attention are certainly worthy of being taken into the esti-
mate of advantages likely to result from a separate and independent
organization, especially as the ministiy and membership, since 1808,
have increased^// seven hundred per centum, and should they continue
to increase, in something like the same ratio, for thirty years to
come, under the present system of General Conference jurisdiction,
some such change as that authorized by the late General Conference
must be resorted to, or the Church resign itself to the virtual extinc-
tion of the representative principle, as an important element of gov-
ernment action.

" In establishing a separate jurisdiction, as before defined and
explained, so far from affecting the moral oneness and integrity of
the great Methodist body in America, the effect will be to secure a

542

TOUR IN AMERICA.

Tory different resnit. In resolving upon a separate Connexion, afe
we are about to do, the one great and controlling motive is to restore
and perpetuate the peace and unity of the Church. At present we
have neither, nor are we likely to have, should the Southern and
Northern conferences remain in connexional relation, as heretofore.
Inferring effects from causes known to be in existence and active
operation, agitation on the subject of slavery is certain to continue ;
nnd frequent action in the General Conference is equally certain ; and
the resnit, as heretofore, will be excitement and discontent, aggres-
sion and resistance. Should the South retire, and decline all further
conflict, by the erection of the Southern conferences into a separate
jurisdiction, as authorized by the General Conference plan, agitation
in the Church cannot be brought in contact with the South ; and the
former irritation and evils of the controversy must, to a great extent,
cease, or at any rate so lose their disturbing force as to become com*
paratively harmless. Should the Northern Church continue to discuss
and agitate, it will be within their own borders and among them-
selves ; and the evil effects upon the South must, to say the least, be
greatly lessened. At present the consolidation of all the annual
conferences under the jurisdictional control of one General Confer-
ence, always giving a decided Northern majority, places it in the
power of that mjgority to mani^e and control the interests of the
Church, in the slaveholdlng States, as they see proper ; and we have
no means of protection against the evils certain to be inflicted upon
us, if we judge the future from the past. The whole power of legiS'
lation is in the General Conference; and as that body is now constl-
tuted, the annual conferences of the South are perfectly powerless in
the resistance of wrong, and have no alternative left them but un-
conditional submission. And such submission to the views and
action of the Northern majority on the subject of slavery, it is now
demonstrated, must bring disaster and ruin upon Southern Method-
ism, by rendering the Church an object of distrust on the part of the
# State. In this way, the assumed cotuenxiiive povoer of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, with regard to the civil union of the States, is ta a
great extent destroyed ; and we are compelled to believe that it is the
interest and becomes the dtOif of the Church in the South to seek to
exert swA conservative influence in some other form ; and after the most
mature deliberation and careful examination of the whole subject, we
know of nothing so likely to effect the object, as the jurisdictional
separation of the great church parties, unfortunately involved in a
religions and ecclesiastical controversy about an affair of State — a
question of civil policy, over which the Church has no control, and
with which it is believed she has no right to interfere. Among the

-#■

PART V. — SUBJECT OF 8LAVBRY.

548

nearly five hundred thousand ministers and members of the confer^
ences represented in this convention, wo do not know om not dttplif
and intenady interested in the aa/tty and perpetuity of the Nationd
Unions nor can we for a moment hesitate to pledge them aU, against
any course of action or policy, not calculated, in their judgment, to
render that union a» immortal as the hopn qfpatrictitm would have it
to he!

" Before closing the summary view of the whole subject taken in
this report, we cannot refrain from a brief notice of the relations and
interests of Southern border conferences. These, it must be obvious,
are materially different ftora. those of the more Southern confer^
ences. They do not, for the present, feel the pressure of the strong
necessity impelling Uie South proper to immediate separation. They
are, however, involved with regard to the subject-matter of the con-
troversy, and committed to well-defined principles, in the same way,
and to the same extent, with the most Southern conferences. They
have with almost perfect unanimity, by public offici&l acts, protested
against the entire action of the late General Conference on the sub-
ject of slavery, and in reference to the relative rights and powers of
the Episcopacy and the General Conference, as not only uncomiilu-
tional, but revolutionary, and, therefore, dangerous to the best interests
of the Church. They have solemnly declared, by approving and en-
dorsing the declaration, the protest and address of the Southern
delegates, that the objects of their ministry cannot be accomplished,
under the existing jurisdiction of the General Conference, without
I'eparation for past injury and security against future aggression ; and
unless the border conferences have good and substantial reason to
believe such reparation and security not only pro&oUe, but so certain
as to remove reaaonahle doubt, they have, so far as principle and
pledge are concerned, the same motive for action with the confer-
ences South of them. Against the principles thus avowed by every
one of the conferences in question, tiie anti-slavery and abolition of
the North have, through official Church organs, declared the most
open and undisguised hostility ; and these conferences are reduced to
the necessity of deciding upon adherence to the principles they have
ofl^ally avowed, or of a resort to expediency to adjust difficulties in
some unknoyvn form, which they have said could only be a^imted by
substantial reparation for past injury, and good and sufficient war-
rant against future aggression. The question is certainly one of no
common interest Should any of the border conferences, or societies
South, affiliate with the North, the effect, so far as we can see, will
be to transfer the seat of war from the remoter South to these bor-
der districts ; and what we ask, will be the security of these districts

lOUR IN AMBRIOA.

■i^tafl the monl mirages of rach a war 1 What protection or seen*
ritj wtU the DiidpUne or the conmvatism of the middle conferences
aifor4 1 Of what avail were the$e at the last General Conference,
and has Mur more influence now than then ? The controversy of a
large and rapidly increasing portion of the North, is not so much
with the iSouth u with the Diacipline, because it tolerates slavery in
tmyjitrm whatever ; and should the Southern conferences remain nn*
tier the present common jurisdiction, or any slaveholding portions
of the South unite in the Northern connexion in the event of divi-
sion, it requires very little discernment to see that f Am cotdrooeray will
never cease until every slaveholder or every abolitionist is out of the
connexion. Besides, the border conferences have a great and most
delicate interest at stake, in view of their territorial^ and civil, and pdi'
tied relations, which it certainly behooves them to weigh well and ex-
amine with care in coming to the final conclusion, which is to identify
them with the North or the South. Border districts going with the
North, after and notwithstanding the action of the border confer-
ences, must, in the nature of things, as found in the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, affiliate, to a great extent, with the entire aggregate of
Northern anti-slavory and abolition, as now embarked against the
interests of the South— as also with all the recent official violations
of right, of law, and Discipline, against which the South is now con-
tending. In doing this, they must of necessity, if we have reasoned
correctly, elect and contribute their influence to vetain in the con-
nexion of their choice aU the principles and elements of strife and
discord which have so long and fearfully convulsed the Church.
Will Utis be the election of Southern border sections and districts, or
will they remain where, by location, civil and political ties and rela-
tions, and Uieir own avowed principles, they properly belong, firmly
planted upon the long and well-tried platform of the Discipline of
our common choice, and from which the Methodism of the South
has never manifested any disposition to swerve 1 To the Discipline
the South has always been loyal. By it she has abided in every trial.
Jealously has she cherished and guarded that ' form of sound words'
—the faith, the ritual, and the government of the Church. It was
SottAem defence against Northern invasion of the Discipline which
brought on the present struggle ; and upon the Discipline, the i^le
Discipline, the South proposes to organize, under authority of the
General Conference, a separate connexion of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church. Tttis result, from first to last, has been consented to on
dM part of Uie South with the greatest reluctance.

" After die etmggle came on, at the late General Conference, the
SpirtiMm d«l«g»imi, ae they had often done before, manifested the

-M^

PART v.— SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

545

most earnest derive, and did all in their power, to maintain jariidio>
tlonal union with the North, withoat sacrificing the interests of the
South : when this was found impracticable, a cmnexional union was
proposed, and the rejection of this by the North, led to the projection
and adoption of the present General Conference plan of separation.
Every overture of compromise, every plan of reconciliation and ad*
justment, regarded as at all eligible, or likely to succeed, was offered
by the South and rejected by the North. All subsequent attempts
at compromise have failed in like manner ; and the probability of any
such adjustment, if not extinct, is lessening every day, and the an-
nual conferences in the slaveholding States are thus left to take their
position upon the ground assigned them by the General Conference
of 1844, as a distinct ecclesiastical connexion, ready and most willing
to treat with the Northern division of the Church, at any time, in
view of a^usting the difficulties cX this controversy, upon terms and
principles which may be safe and satisfactory to both.

" Such we regard as the true position of the Annuai Chnferencea re-
presented in this Convention. Therefore, in view of all the principles and
interests involved, appealing lo the Almighty Searcher of hearts far the
sincerity of our motives, and humbiy invoking the divine blessing upon our
action,

"•Beit BeKolved, by the delegates of the severed Annuai Conferences of the
Mithodist Episcopal Church in the daveholding States, in General Conven-
tion assembled. That it is right, expedient, and necessary to erect the
Annual Conferences represented in this Convention into a distinct
ecclesiastical Connexion, separate from the jurisdiction of the Gene-
ral Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, as at present
constituted ; and, accordingly, we, the delegates of said Annual Con-
ferences, acting under the provisional Flan of Separation adopted by
the General Conference of 1844, do solemnly dedare the jurisdiction
hitherto exercised over said Annual Conferences, by the General
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, entirdy dissolved; and
that said Annual Conferences shall be, and they hereby are consti-
tuted, a separate ecclesiastical Connexion, under the provisional Flan
of Separation aforesaid, and based upon the Discipline of the Me-
thodist Episcopal Church, comprehending the doctrines, and entire
moral, ecclesiastical, and economical rules and regulations of said
Discipline, except only in so far as verbal alterations may be neces-
sary to a distinct organization, and to be known by the style and title
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

" Resolved, That Bishops Soule and Andrew be, and they are here-
by, respectfully and cordially requested by this Convention, to unite
with, and become regular and constitutional bishops of, the Methodist

546

TOUR 117 AMERICA.

Episcopal Church, South, upon the boi ii of the Plan of Separation
adopted by the late General Conference.

" Resolved, That this Convention requests the bishops presiding at
the ensuing sessions of the border conferences of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, to incorporate into the aforesaid confer-
ences any societies or stations adjoining the line of division, provided
such societies or stations, by the minority of the members, according
to the provisions of the Flan of Separation aforesaid, request such an
arrangement.

y ^* Resolved, That answer the 2d of 3d section, chapter 1st, of the
Book of Discipline, be so altered and amended as to road as follows :
' The General Conference shall moot on the 1st of May, in the year
of our Lord, 1846, in the town of Petersburg, Virginia, and thence-
forward, in the month of April or May, once in four years succes-
sively, and in such place and on such day as shall be fixed on by the
preceding (General Conference,' &c.

^^ Resolved, That the 1st answer in the same chapter be altered by
striking out the word ' twenty-one,^ and inserting in its place the word
^fourteen,* so as to entitle each Annual Conference to one delegate
for every fourteen members.

^^ Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed, whose duty
it shall be to prepare and report to the General Conference of 1846,
a revised copy of the present Discipline, with such changes as arc
necessary to conform it to the organiisation of the Methodist Episco>
pal Church, South.

" Resolved, That while we cannot abandon or compromise the prin-
ciples of action upon which wo proceed to a separate organization in
the South ; nevertheless, cherishing a sincere desire to maintain
Christian union and fraternal intercourse with the Church North, we
shall always be ready kindly and respectfully to entertain, and duly
and carefully consider, any proposition or plan, having for its object
the union of the two great bodies in the North and South, whether
such proposed union be j'unWicitiona/ or connexional,"*

Thus has been efifected the juridical and administrative
separation of the Methodist Church in the United States.
It is not properly a division in the Church, much less a
secession of one part from another. The Church remains
the same in doctrine, worship, communion, order, and form.
All the difiference is, that the legislative and administrative

* " History of the Organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South," pp.
S07-233.

*«■-

PART V. — SUBJECT OF BLAVBRY.

547

functions, instead of being one, are now two. We should
have an exact analogy, if, at the present moment, the £ng'
lish Church should exist under the jurisdiction of Can-
terbury alone, but, next year, be divided into Canterbury
and York.

The fact itself, however, is a very grave event. The
Methodist Church had progressed with unexampled sue-
cess ; how the matter will be now is to be tested by time.
In case the two bodies can be brought to respect each
other's position, to cultivate amicable relations, to strength-
en, and not weaken each other by jealousies and hostilities ;
to devote themselves, each in their separate sphere, to the
spread of true religion, and the conversion of men to Ood ;
to establish and preserve fraternal relations, notwithstand-
ing their separation ; to conserve the original calling of Me-
thodism everywhere, namely, " to spread Christian holiness
through the land;" keeping clear, moreover, as much
as possible, of worldly politics ; and, by the divine bless-
ing, causing the Church to retain its rightful and only safe
position, that of a spiritual power existing for spiritual pur-
poses ; then, — each will prosper. Both parties, however,
are in some danger ; the North, of pushing the principles
on which they dealt with the question to such an extreme
as to put to hazard the existing system of Methodist epis-
copacy and Annual Conference independence and jurisdic*
tion ; and the South, of falling under the influence of a
political and worldly power.

Up to the session of 1844, the evident predominant doc-
trine and practice of the Methodist Episcopal Church went
to consider the General Conference as possessing two func-
tions only, namely, the legislative and judicial. This is seen
in its Discipline, its constitution, its relations to the Annual
Conferences, its distribution of administrative power amongst
the bishops, presiding elders, elders, and Quarterly-Meet-
ing Conferences; and, in fine, by its entire action. We
cannot but look upon this as a very wise and judicious

' i

( I

548

V. ■«;.?•

lOUE IN AMERICA.

arrangement; as embodying the only true principle of
liberty, and as securing the equable administration of disci-
pline and order.

Did not the proceedings of 1844 trench on these consti-
tutional, these fundamental principles ? Doctrines Avere
broached regarding the power of the General Conference
which, in effect, and if acted upon, would raise it above
law ; put it in a position beyond the pale of the constitu-
tion ; give it the power of parliamentary omnipotence ; and
place the destinies of all imaginable interests within its
grasp. The best analogy which I can think of, is the claim
of " parMamentary privilege" in this country; that mon-
strous usurpation of power, by which one of the Houses of
Parliament claims for itself the right, on the ground of its
privileges, of setting aside the other branch of the legisla-
ture, the courts of law, the law itself, and, by its own ma-
jority, to deal summarily with any of her Majesty's subjects
offending against this power. Something like this was cer-
tainly claimed for the Conference at the above period.
Such power can neither be possessed nor exercised safely.
It must degenerate into a despotism. No human virtue
can prevent this. And of all the despotisms in the universe,
the undivided, unchecked pow^er of one chamber, one ag-
gregate body, is the most certain, the most fearful, the most
crushing. The Annual Conferences, and the other divisions
of the Church into separate administrative bodies, held this
power in check, in the General Conference, up to the time
in question. The sooner the North returns to the old
soundings of the Church the better. A unit is a fearful
power ; bad enough in one tyrant, but when existing in a
conclave, a council, a conference, it is next to infinite ; no-
body can resist, nobody can escape. The only happiness left
in such cases is, that the despotism is certain to break down
by its own weight.*

noti
The
oft
fron

'*' Long after thlH paHHnge was penned, the message of the President of the Uni-
ted Statea, dated Waihlngton, December 5th, 1848, came to hand ; and, amongst

PART v.— SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

549

In dealing with the case of Bishop Andrew, these
notions and claims were brought into practical operation.
The bishop was not put upon his trial according to the law
of the case ; the matter did not come up for adjudication
from a lower court, according to the practice in appeal
cases ; he was not accused, formally and judicially, of
having broken any law, — and it is doubtful whether, in
point of fact, he had done so ; — in a word, all the usual
forms of dealing with analogical cases — for charges agaiflst
a bishop had never occurred before — were all broken
through, and the General Conference is seen in the — in
America — ^novel position of dealing out justice by a vote
of its majority, on motion, without any of the forms of trial.

■ M

other things, Mr. Polk guards his countrymen most earnestly against the princi-
ple referred to in the text, under the name of " consolidation." The subject un-
der discussion is the exercise of the veto by the President, and the checks and
guards prepared by the constitution to prevent the tyranny of majorities.
Amongst other things, the President says : — " The Supreme Court of the
United States is invested with the power to declare, and has declared, acts
of Congress, passed with the concurrence of the Senate, the House of Repre-
sentatives, and the approval of the President, to be unconstitutional and
void ; and yet none, it is presumed, can be found who will be disposed to strip
tlus highest judicial tribunal under the constitution of this acknowledged
power, — a power necessary alike to its independence and the rights of indi-
viduals."

Again : — " The objection to the veto power is founded upon an idea respect-
ing the popular will, which, if carried out, would annihilate State sovereignty,
(that is, the sovereignty of the separate States,) and substitute for the present
federal government a consolidation, directed by a supposed numerical majority ;
a revolution of the government would be silently effected, and the States
would be subjected to laws to which they had never given their constitutional
consent.

" It is obvious that, to preserve the sytem established by the constitution,
each of the co-ordinate branches, the executive, the legislative, and judicial,
must be left in the exercise of its appropriate powers. If the executive or
the judicial branch be deprived of powers conferred upon either, as checks
upon the legislature, the preponderance of tl^jp latter will become disproportion-
ate and absorbing, and the others impotent for the accomplishment of the great
objects for which they were established. Organized as they are by the con-
stitution, they work together harmoniously for the public good. If the execu-
tive and the judiciary shall be deprived of the constitutional powers invested in
them, and of their due proportions, the equilibrium of the system must be de-
stroyed ; and consolidation, with the most pernicious results, must ensue,— a
consolidation of unchecked despotic power, as exercised by majorities of the
legislative branch." — Times, December 22rf, 1848.

* -•>■

n - ll

550

TOXTB IN AMERICA.

A dangerous precedent this. It evidently involves the
rights of more parties than bishops. Let the General Con-
ference claim to be the one, indivisible, omnipotent admin-
istrative body in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and
exercise this function, and then that which, next to her
religion and devotedness to evangelic work, we have most
admired, — namely, her episcopal superintendence, and
division of power, — must, as we fear, suflFer irretrievable
damage.

The old principle of British and American constitutional
liberty, namely, that of keeping the legblative and go\ ern-
ing bodies separate, we are certain is the only sound theory.
Let the legislative power, the General Conference, take
upon itself the office of governing, instead of allowing, as
heretofore, the annual conferences, the quarterly-meeting
conferences, the presiding elders, and the bishops to govern
on the rules of the constitutional regime ; and we are per-
fectly certain that tiie Methodist Church will soon be bro-
ken up. These remarks are not intended to impeach the
principles of the North on the subject of slavery ; we per-
fectly sympathize with these, — they are our own. It is de-
lightful to look upon the noble ground taken against this
evil ; and our hope is, that it will lead to blessed results.
But good and evil in this world are often found in juxta-
position. We hope that in securing a good, a great, and
immeasurable blessing, in advancing the cause of human
freedom, the liberty of the African race, they raay not
rush into a course which may ultimately enslave them-
selves.

, The dangers and difficulties of the South are very ob-
vious. The ministers and people are placed in a defensive
attitude. They are obliged to resort to the best arguments
in their power in vindication of their position. Amongst
others, — a very natural course to good men, which they
are, and many of them great men too, — their greatest anx-
iety is to free themselves frol^ the charge of moral delin-

qu
rej
an

the

PART v.— SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

551

'«ti

quency. This drives them to the necessity of resorting to
reasonings on the subject of slavery not being in all cases,
and of course, in their own relation to it, a moral evil.

The two things are clearly very different. Slaveiy in
itself is one thing, and the relations of men to it another.
As to slavery, in its own nature, nothing can be said, but
that it is the grossest evil existing under the sun. It is, in
truth, every possible personal wrong in one. Rob a man
of his watch, his clothes, his purse, his house, his lands,—
is not this a moral evil, a sin ? If not, what of the laws of
civilized communities, jails, and the gallows ? But is it
not a greater crime to rob a man of himself, than to strip
him of his coat, to pull down his house, and to drive him
from his home ? The degrees of evil in each case can bear
no comparison. Slavery is robbery in its highest possible
enormity. But it is a lingering injury. It is inflicted for
life, — a life of conscious wrong ; for to imagine that these
wretches are not sensible of their condition, is to add ca-
lumny to injury. It is robbery, torture, degradation,
misery, mental and physical, dealt out by the moment, the
live-long day, the whole period of existence. It is as if,
by some infernal contrivance, existence were sustained — as
with the damned; — ^while the operations of the whip,
the iron, the fangs of slavery, were constantly at work
upon their tortured and lacerated limbs. This is not all.
The wretched slave is obliged to bequeath his inherit-
ance to his offspring. That which was pronounced a
blessing, the tieb of family, the relations of wedded life,
the parental state, is by this system perverted into an un-
mitigated curse. All the political, all the social, all
the municipal laws of civilized society are perverted. That
cruel (jode which makes a man a thing, identifies him with
the beast, classes him with farm-stock, places him amongst
lumber, reduces him to the condition of household furni-
ture, treats him as the canes, tlie tobacco, the cotton, the
indigo, which his hands cultivate ; then buys and sells him

«^552

.7M

TOUR IN AMERICA.

itk the market like any other stock, or goods; is — ^-i y,e
are afraid to call it by its true name.

To say that villany like this can in any way be identical
with Christianity, is to degrade our holy religion to a co-
partnership, or a connivance, with man's greatest, most
concentrated, and unmitigated crimes against his fellow.
There is not a truth, a doctrine, a principle, a precept of
the Gospel which, if fairly carried out, would not annihilate
slavery. The very existence of the Church is fundament-
ally opposed to the spirit and injustice of this exii. How
can a slaveholder make his servants his property, and then
meet them in the Church, at the Lord's table, as his bre-
thren ? It would be a curious thing to see one of these
gentlemen, receiving the Lord's supper, the emblem of
Christian brotherhood, with one of his slaves on the Sab-
bath, and then on Monday morning selling him as a log of
wood.

True Christianity asserts her rights in despite of this
system. She treats them as men, though human cupidity
treats them as things ; she makes them free men in the
Lord, though they are held in cruel bondage ; she invests
them with all the privileges, the franchises, of the Church,
though white men cannot acknowledge them as brethren ;
she fills their spirits with noble sentiments, feelings, and
affections, though the hoof of man is on their necks ; she
points the way to a heavenly home with God, though the
path is strewed with tears, with sorrow, with blood. It
will one day, moreover, so assert its mercies over this de-
graded race, as to give them the rights of humanity.

But we say there is a difference between this system of
slavery, and men's unavoidable connexion with 't. Indivi-
dual participation in the evil must depend on circumstances.
The difficulties are prodigious. A child of white parents
is born in the midst of slavery : how can he help the con-
ditions of his birth ? His parents leave him their property ;
at the period of their decease, this property partly consists

PART v.— SUBJECT OP SLAVERY.

553

'( «e

of slaves ; for real property can scarcely be found in the
South, but some of these wretched creatures will be de-
vised as a part of the inheritance ; wherever there is landed
property, slaves will be found. He cannot help this state
of things. This is his portion in life ; and to strip himself,
if he could, of his wretched vassals, would be to render
everything else useless. And, as we have seen, in case this
person should be disposed to emancipate his slaves, he
finds the system guarded, like the gates of the infernal re-
gions, by protective laws of so stringent a nature that he
cannot possibly do it, except at the hazard of everything
he possesses in the world. Mon, then, we may perceive,
are obliged to participate in the evils of slavery ; and, in
innumerable instances, without their own choice, and in
despite of their connctions.

The personal position of individuals, as must at once be
seen, in the midst of this monster evil, is a very different
thing to the aggregate injustice which first created and now
perpetuates it. No man, '.'O individual, in Europe or in
America, or anywhere else, would dare to institute slavery,
or keep it in existence for a day. Such an enormity could
only be perpetrated by such aggregations of men as have
the eflfect of annihilating individual volition. The whites
are nearly as much enslaved as the blacks. They cannot
do as they would, even with what is called their property.
The confederacy has left them no freedom of action. They
are obliged to bow to the behests of a popular tyranny,
which leaves them only the choice of three things : — a par-
ticipation in the public wrong, — the loss of caste, honour,
and property, — or a flight into another region. This is
more thani the moral courage of most men can surmount.
They are compelled to submit to the despotism which sur-
rounds them as a hopeless misery ; and all which the best
amongst them can do is to hghten the burden of the slave,
by treating him with individual kindness '^

In this state of things religious men are surrounded with

. 24

554

.7«av. TOUR IN AMERICA.

prodigious difficulties. No doubt, in innumerable cases,
their principles and convictions would lead them to emanci-
pate their slaves ; but how are they to do it ? Their hands
are tied ; they cannot accomplish what their consciences
dictate to them as right and proper ; and they are involun-
tarily made to participate in the evils of a system which, in
the indulgence of their better feelings, they cannot but
abhor. This is a great wrong done to them in their reli-
gious chai-acter ; and it is unexampled, except in the regions
of slavery. vJood men are objects of sympathy as found
in such c'roaflQStances. Their principles would produce a
ohflngf \\ ViiY litid fair play; but as the matter now stands,
t>fty aiOoV.i;;edto smother their sentiments, and bury their
n >'Iest 3ent^''nents in the one universal tomb of a lifeless,
h poiess oppr^s'^ion. ^,

'•' The posifion now taken by the Methodist Church is
both perilous and glorious : perilous, inasmuch as it is in
danger of sinking entirely into the spirit of slavery ; and
glorious, because placed in circumstances to confront the
evil, to ameliorate the condition of the slave, and to lead on
to a blessed change. The eyes of Christendom will be
intently fixed upon them. They canuot escape the anxious
scrutiny of all good men, and especially the Methodist
body all over the world. They are now left to act for
themselves. The irritating action of the North is got rid
of, the voice of their anti-slavery brethren will no longer
be heard in their assemblies, and anything like coercion by
adverse majorities is over. The principle of compromise,
which served for so many years to hold the Church toge-
ther, has failed ; and henceforward the South wiii not be
called upon to give anything up to conciliate the North ;
the legislation and government are both in her own hands.
Theoretically, one would judge that it would be much
safer for the two elements to blend ; and for the North to
neutralize, by their anti-slavery spirit, the tendencies of the
South, Yet theories often prove disappointing ; and it is

> *

PART V. — SUBJECT OF SLAVERY.

565

to be hoped that now, when the Church of the South can
act freely, and enjoy the credit of a spontaneous and un-
controlled action, she will confront the evil. We have
great confidence in many of the leaders at the head of her
councils. They are men of unbending integrity, of unques-
tionable devotedness to the cause of God, of emment
talents, and of sound practical sense. We know in the case
of some, — of the very first, — ^that their conviction is deep,
that the only possible way of ameliorating the condition of
the slave, and ultimately effecting his emancipation, is by
peacefully extending the blessings of the gospel to both
master and servant. Their line of action has been chosen
under the conviction, that they could do more for the good
of these oppressed men by keeping to their duties in the
South, than by abandoning them for the other portion of
the Church. We must respect these motives, and wait the-
issue of their labours.

In the mean time great consequences must result from
either their failure or their success. That things cannot
always remain as they are is certain. Christianity must
either conquer slavery, or slavery must conquer Christian-
ity. The two forces have everywhere, and in all ages, been
antagonistic. To lower down the Christian system to sla-
very, would be to denude it of all its essential attributes.
The very existence of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, is itself a living, palpable testimony against this
tyranny over millions of men. If it fail in its testimony, it
ceases to be Christian. For the Clmrcli to fraternize witli
slavery, is for it at once to cease to be a religious fellow-
ship, and sink to the rank of a political confederacy of the
very worst kind.

There is danger of this. The institutions of a coimtry
necessarily operate on the character and spirit of religious
bodies. The individuals composing the Christian society
are the same as those who compose the body politic ; and,
to a certain extent, carry U.Ar feelings and views with

*.*

656

TOUR IN AlfBRIOA.

them into the Ohuroh. To fashion the policy of the one
by the spiiit and maxims of the other must be their con-
stant effort. So to modify the disciplme of the Church as
to meet the conditions of the social body, is to bring down
the doctrines of the gospel to a worldly standard, and to
drag the Church after the car of the State. This subser-
viency must be fatal to the vitality and power of the
Church. Her freedom is essential to her efficiency. To
mingle the forms of the Christian society with the policy of
the State, when the State, as in this case, is anti- Christian,
is to destroy its means of producing any kind of ameliora-
tion : it becomes a part of the same system ; an element of
evil, only swelling the general aggregate, and giving its
amount of influence to the universal corruption.

This contest of principle is a fearfully grave subject.
The men who are called to represent the Christian cause
are placed in a most responsible position. Their fidelity
must be severely tested ; their duties are of the most mo-
mentous description. Will they retain their fidelity to true
Christianity, — ^their adherence to the pure gospel, — their
devotedness to the interests of humanity ? We hope they
will. We have much confidence in their character. They
do not see it to be their duty to put themselves in direct
collision with the civil government ; but they feel the obli-
gation of upholding the truth of God. They trust in the
omnipotence of this truth ; and, retained in its integrity, it
is indeed undying, it is irresistible. These our brethren do
not recognize as legitimate an avowed agitating opposition
to the State : this is their avowal ; but they have confidence
in the efficacy of gentler means. They do not see the
hand of God in the thunder and lightning ; but they be-
lieve in the " still small voice." " Not by power, or by
might, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord," is their motto.
May they live to see that Holy Spirit raise the sable sons
of Africa to the condition of " sons of God," to the dignity of
intelligent and civilized men, to the happiness of freedom !

.SH'Wfl

INDEX.

Allegliany Mountains, extent of Pago 77

sunrise on the 80

Ameiica, travellers in, remarks on 166

America and Great Britain, connexions between 174

American character, energy of 50, 96, 166

individuality of 183

Revolution, its effects on the religious and political

feelings of the people 238

Americans, a religious people ,181

Andrew, Bishop, speech at General Conference, 1844 482

Asbury, Bishop, character of 255

Atlantic Conferences 310

Bascom, Rev. H. B 91

Baltimore, city of. 70

Conference, its extent, &c 328

Bishops, title disapproved by Mr. Wesley 258, 307

Book-Room of M. E. Church, South 333

Boston, city of 22-28

Bostonians, characteristics of the 29

Boundary-question of M. E. Church, notice of 300

Bunker-Hill, visitto 22

Calhoun, Hon. J. C 61

Canada and the United States contrasted 122

Canada, general remarks on, 152

Carolina, Noi-th and South, religious history of 335

Champlain, Lake, beautiful eifect of 159

Cluristianity not sectarian in America 189

Church government of M. E. Church 269

Cincinnati, situation, &c., of. 103

Coal and iron ore of Pennsylvania 83

Coke, Dr., and Bishop Asbury, their efforts against slavery 438

Conferences of the American M. E. Church 288

the doctor's impressions of the 295

568 INDEX. '

Croton w«t«r«workf Pago 47

DaIIm, yic««Fratldent, risit to 69

Early, Rov. J., D. D 91

Educntion, provliioiut for in America 185

Eplacopacy of tho M. E. Ohurch, origin of 258

—————— ^——— its character, functions, &c 28 1

Fomnlo character, ro«pect for, in United States 38

Florida Conference, extent of, &c 343

Forcdfi, American, lolitndo of 78

Georgia Conference, particulars and extent of 337

flencrtti Conference of M. E. Church, its origin, powers, &c 33

— — " author's introduction to, at Pittsburgh 85

Impressions of 295

f fannah, Dr., recollections of, at Baltimore 53

llnrper and Brothers' Printing Establishment at New- York,

vjiltto 37

Har|)er'ii Ferry, icenery, &c., of , 75

HudNon and Lake Lino of Conferences 356

■" Uiver, scenery of 161

Indian MlMlons of M, E. Church 413

•—— population of the United States 414

Iron and coal ores of Pennsylvania 84

Jeiultf, efforts of, to recover then- position in Canada 144

Kingston, Canada, Conference at 133

' City of, its advantages of position, &c 137

Laws, execution of, in M, E. Church 7. 283

Leo, Jesse, on Boston Common 26

I^roy M 91

MesmerUm, operation In, described ib's

Methodism, historical position of, in United States 198

in Now- York 205

Methodist Book-Concern, New- York 41

- Missionaries, appointment of, by John Wesley 218

Methodism during tho American Revolution 228

INDEX. 659

Methodism, Pioneers of, in America, their Bacriflces, &c — Pago 396

territoriul progress of 309

Methodist Episcopal Church, institutions of the 26.*}

— organization of 242

subdivisions of the government of 27-i

territorial extent of the 345

federal nature of 265

Methodists, coloured, notice of the 94

—— American, feeling toward their British brcthran 07

•^— — — American, loyal to their system 89

Preachers, superior intelligence of 88

Southern, the doctors opinions of the 91

Mississippi Line of Conferences 405

' Valley, great extent of. 82

Montreal, city of 140

New- Jersey Conference, extent of 324

New- York City, general appearance, &c 47

-^— — — — approach to 35

public buildings, institutions, &c 43

Niagara Falls, impressions of 113

————— Suspension Bridge, visit to 126

North Carolina Conference, extent of 334

Novel-reading in America 39

Ohio Line of Conference, its extent, &c 378

01in,Dr., Speech of 473

Oi-ders of ministry in the M. E. Church 378

Paley, Dr., grandson of the archdeacon 15

Philadelphia, City of, described 351

Philadelphia Conference, extent of 327

Pittsburgh, description of 94

Polk, President, visit to 63

Protest of the Minority, 1844 500

Quebec, situation, &c., of 146

Railroad travel in the United States, remarks on 30

Religion, influence of, in labours of Methodism 402

state of, in America 187

Report of the Committee of Nine, 1844 521

560

IVDIX.

Scott, Ber. O., sketch of hii dumetmr Page 464

Separation of Methodist Episcopal Church on the question of

slavery 614

remarks on S46

Slavery, early efforts of BfeAodlst body against 4.^3

observations on 7U- 74

question. Address of British Confisronce In reference to 448

■ iiiHcultitiS of, considered 439

ii'eply of United States Conference to British

Ad4ri*!t »n the 504

SocinianisDi, prevalence of, in Boston 23

Soule, Bishop, interview with 89

his speech in 1844 486

— ^ his anti-slavery feelings 92

Sound, Long Island, notice of 39

South Oarolina Conference, extentof 335

Springfield, Mass., notice of . > ^ 32

Steamboats, American, their vragniflcence . • • • 161

Steam power, reflections on 18

Stevens, Rev. A^ interview with .■■. 24

Sunday on shipboard 16

Sunrise on the Alleghany Mountains ......> 80

Toronto, City of 129

Virginia Conference, particulars 9 rA extent of 332

Washington, D. C, description of 55

Washington, General, and Bonaparte contrasted 69

■ Camp equipage, &c. of 67

■■ his character 68

■ introductions to leading men at 61

Webster, Hon. D 2»

Western cities, their progressive importance 395

.*-.

904
23
89

486
92
33

335
32

161
18
24
16
80

55
69
67
68
61