The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 68, July 1964 - April, 1965 Page: 320
574 p. : ill., maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Southwestern Historical Quarterly
that, since the division was created solely by slavery, northern
Methodists in slave states must have as their
leading object ... the destruction of slavery by the propagation in any
manner not inconsistent with the safety of their persons, of doctrines
calculated to array against the institution the weak-minded and
fanatical among us, and to create discontent, dissatisfaction, and
insubordination among our slaves.
Fabius citizens then resolved to use the law as long as it afford-
ed protection against those ills, but they claimed "to have the
natural right, as a community, to resort to the use of such means
as will afford us protection." The citizens further resolved that
it was "absolutely necessary ... that we close our doors against
abolition and Free-soil influences of every character and shade."
They also offered an implicit warning to any one who encouraged
the "preaching or teaching" of any society which had "hereto-
fore or shall hereafter take ground, directly or indirectly, ex-
pressly or impliedly, against the institution of slavery."12
The Quarterly Conference of the Hannibal Station of the
northern Methodists in the same community passed resolutions
in direct response to this. They first objected strongly to the
resolutions as "a base persecution" and a proscription "for opin-
ion's sake." Then they defined their position on slavery.
While we regard the system of slavery as a great moral, social, and
political evil, we do heartily protest against any attempt, directly or
indirectly, at producing insubordination among slaves; and further-
more, we do regard with fidelity the rights of slaveowners to property
in their slaves, ... and furthermore, we do heartily condemn what
is usually termed the underground railroad operation, and all other
systems of negro stealing.
The conference expounded upon the theme of the interference
with the legitimate exercise of religious and political liberties and
pledged that it would never abandon "high, firm, and positive
ground" in defense of them.18 That both parties meant what they
said was emphasized in numerous instances of public disagree-
ment and violence as the Methodist Episcopal Church and its
personnel progressed through Arkansas and into North Texas."
"Elliott, South.-Western Methodism, 40-42.
Ialbid., 42-43.
"Ibid., 27-38; Central Christian Advocate, February 18, 1857, p. 26.320o
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 68, July 1964 - April, 1965, periodical, 1965; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth101198/m1/390/: accessed April 27, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.