1852 ANTI-SLAVERY METHODISTS. Slavery Compromising Virginia Methodists Threatened with Expulsion.

We must compel that Annual Conference to carry out the [Methodist] Discipline on the subject of Slavery . . . or they must be expelled from communion in the Church. A fascinating letter, written shortly after the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act and after the split between the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Episcopal Church South over the issue of slavery. Most of the churches in Virginia sided with and joined the M.E.C. South, unsurprisingly. However, in what would soon become West Virginia, the churches were mixed, with some joining the South, some remaining, and some of the remaining apparently not quite towing the line with regard to the Discipline of slave-holding members.  The majority of the letter apparently involves some local church drama in Albany, New York, where both Methodist ministers had at one time served. The church the Methodists started there appears to have now split with some of its members threatening to start a new church with the rather "stick in the eye" name, The Church of God at Albany. The writer also indicates the low piety which seems perennial in Albany among Presbyterians and Congregationalists. This is fascinating in light of the fact that William Buell Sprague was pastor in the city.  Great ground-level correspondence during one of the most difficult times in the history of the Methodist Episcopal Church.  The letter, in full: Cynthiana Pike Co. O[hio]. July 13th 1852.  Dear Bro. Thornton. Yours of the 3d inst is before me; in answer to which I remark, 1st when I was at Albany, Father Moser requested me to give him the facts in the case of Bro. Coler. I did so, in a brief manner. He only said, that in Lowry's neighbourhood they blamed me for all the difficulties of the present year, & you for those of last year. He met nothing I said on the subject. If he said any thing by way of showing me my error, i was not capable of discerning its force. 2nd I found him very much disaffected, & full of fault finding; & disposed to stand independent of all organizations, who are wise enough to have laws to regulate them. I informed Bro. Coler that he would be called on by the proper authorities of the church to answer to certain complaints against him that were entered at quarterly conference & that if there was ground for charges, it would be attended to according to Discipline, that it was due him & the church to have the matter inquired into. 3d Bro. Moser did not see the complaints; they were in Bro. Deavers possession; & he had not bin there when you was at Albany. 4th The morning I left Albany the Lewis's come to Bro. Mosers to read a letter from their agent, in which he (the agent) requested them (Lewis's) to tell Bros Moser & Coler that they had better lay aside their sectarian principles & join the Congregation at the school, & they would be called, 'The Church of God at Albany"!! They had a long confab on the subject, but accomplished nothing farther than an exposition of their ignorance & supreme selfishness & to develop the fact, that a new organization was with them all an idol of immense size. 5th Bro. Livingstone in my presence told sister Moser, 'that he had done all he could to get Bros Mason & Coler to come into an organization, but they would not'. 6th I give it as my opinion that the school at Albany will enver be any thing else than Presbyterian, Congregationalism of a very uncertain character as to genuine piety. Quest. 1st I think the ideas therein expressed are sound, but the reading is very ambiguous so as to be capable of improper constructions. That it should be more lucid. 2nd 'Printing establishment' &c by no means, I am dissatisfied with the large salaries of the Pub. Agent & the Editor. I think they should be paid, as circuit Preachers are; a married man $200 & House rent, as per Discipline. That they (the Editors & Pub. Agents) should keep a regular book account of all the outlays of provision & horse feed for those comers & goers who are on the business of the church exclusively (but not of their ordinary visitors) and lay it before the Trustees, and let them pay the Bill out of the funds of the church. This I go in for with all my might. 3d This question, I do not understand (it reads thus, 'Do you think that letter of Discipline **** last A. C. contained the spirit carried out?') hence, I can't answer it. I wish I had your meaning, but you can explain. your meaning. 4th. ques is connected with ques 3d I suppose? Hence I will wait until you inform me to what you allude, then I will cheerfully answer if I can. 5th certainly, I go in for carrying out the Disipline in reference to the VA [Virginia] Conference without any farther delay. We must compel that A.C. [Annual Conference] to carry out the Discipline on the subjects of Slavery & Secret Societies. Or they must be expelled from communion in the Church. The history of the past admonishes us to stand firm to our law on these great questions, and by the Grace of God I will never cease to oppose these withering curses while they insinuate themselves upon us or hinder our onward course in doing good. Now Bro. Thorngon, I have answered as far as I was sure I understand your questions. If I had have beeen clear in your 3d & 4th questions I should have answered you free & clear. Please remember me to your sister Margaret, Sis. (If she is still with you) and believe me your Bro. in Christ. Henry Jones Jr. Rev. A. M. Thornton. P.S. My family are quite unwell. My wife & the girl living with us are scarcely able to be out of bed. It is quite sickly here at this time; cholera morbus & flus are very bad in our country. H. Jones Jr.