Methodist General Conference.
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This body is now in session in New York


The most important matter whiehhas been before


it is the question OF slavery, swhichswas brought
up by appeal in the case of the Rev Francis A.


Harding, of Maryland. 1t appears, says the


New York Express, that in February last Mr..


Harding married lady, resident of Maryland,


who owned five slaves, demised by the parents OF
the wife, and that he was charged with having
thus become connected with slavery, and conse-
quentIy disqualified as travelling preacher, ac-
cording to the rules of discipline He was there
fore required to execute deed of manumission.
This ne refused to do on the ground that the laws
of Maryland gave the right of property to the
wife independent of himself; that he had no con.
troll over them and could not manumit them; and
that, as an impossibility was required. he could
not comply. But even if this were not so. il was
commended that the discipline of the Church sus-
talned him, for the mere fact of holding slaves
does not disqualify; that he was onlRsreouired to
manumit them when he can do so legally: and
that the laws of Maryland do not allow slaves 10
be manumitted and remain n the State. It being
an appeal case, the question therefore was 10 re-.
verse the decision (which was against biml of the
Conference from which the appeal came up, and
the motion to reverse was lost by vote of III to
So The President, Bishop Morris decided that
this vote affirmed the decision of the Conference
appealed FROM The following Conference. voted
against reversing the dcci>ion: New York, Pro.
vdence, New England, Maine, New Hampshire.
Troy, Pittsburg, Black River, Ohio, North Ohio
Gennessee, Erie. Michigan, Baltimore, and Ken.