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?Why Another Sect? TABLE OF CONTENTS
Dedication
Preface
CHAPTER I.
BISHOP SIMPSON ON THE FREE METHODIST CHURCH.
"The Cyclopedia of Methodism"-Letter to Bishop Simpson His Reply-Reply
examined-The Cyclopedia article on " The Free Methodists,"
CHAPTER II.
NAZARITE ORGANIZATION.
Did it exist in reality ?-Denial of its existence-" Genesee Conference
Matters," quoted from the Northern Independent-Who the Seventeen Signers of
this Article were-Their Character estimated-Asa Abell-J. P. Kent-Samuel C.
Church-Charles D. Burlingham-Amos Hard-Statements of Joseph McCreery-
Infallibility of Genesee Conference questioned-Value of a Conference
Vote,.
CHAPTER III.
FACTS IN THE CASE.
Transition State of the M. E. Church-The Slavery Question-Two Parties-Rise
of Northern Independent-Masonry a disturbing Element-Conference at Buffalo,
1848-The Crisis-Promoters of Holiness-Asa Abell-Eleazer Thomas-William C.
Kendall-Loren Stiles-Isaac C. Kingsley-Charles D. Burlingham-Bishop Hamline-
Attacks by the Buffalo Advocate,
CHAPTER IV.
SECRET MEETINGS.
The Secret Society. men in secret Meeting-Original Minutes of one Meeting-
Testimony that Secret Meetings were held-Of Sanford Hunt-Of Thomas Carlton
Of D. F. Parsons-Acts of the Association-Sketch of William C. Kendall-His
Labors and Death-Letter from Seymour Coleman,
CHAPTER V.
RELIGION OF THE MAJORITY.
New School Methodists-Article on "New School Methodism," in full-Buffalo
Advocate on " Religious Interests in Buffalo"-Comments of the Northern
Independent upon the report on " The State of the Work," in 1865 - Report
of Conference Minutes for 1858 and 1878, contrasted-Jesse T. Peek on the
religious condition of the M. E. Church at that time-Dr. Newman,
CHAPTER VI.
'THE PROSCRIBED RELIGION.
Accounts of it by its Opposers-Favorable Testimony of its Character by Rev.
Wm. Reddy-By Rev. B. I. Ives, in his account of the " Bergen Camp-meeting "
in 1858 By Rev. J. T. Crawford, in published account of Bergen Camp
Meeting, 1859-By Rev. Ira A. Weaver, J. Palmer and others,
CHAPTER VII.
CHURCH TRIALS.
Joseph McCreery-Complaints of Enoch Pease against three Preachers-Genesee
Conference covering Fraud-Desperation of the Regency-Charges against B. T.
Roberts and William C. Kendall-Trial of B. T. Roberts-He is Admonished-Work
on the Pekin Circuit,
CHAPTER VIII.
TWO EXPULSIONS.
The Estes Pamphlet-George W. Estes responsible for it - Charges against B.
T. Roberts--Counsel refused-Change of Venue refused-Trial by Committee
refused-Testimony in the matter of the Estes Pamphlet-C. D. Burlingham on
the Verdict for Expulsion-Trial of Joseph McCreery-His account of his Trial-
Appeals to the General Conference-B. T. Roberts and Joseph McCreery join on
Probation
CHAPTER IX.
LAYMEN'S CONVENTION.
Convention called by. One Hundred Laymen meets at Albion, 1858-Resolutions
adopted Course of the Northern Christian Advocate,
CHAPTER X.
WAR AGAINST THE MEMBERS.
Arraigned for Praying-The Case of Claudius Brainard-Expelled for attending
the Lay-men's Convention-His Appeal disregarded Reason for voting against
his appeal-Others expelled at Chili-Trial of Thomas B. Catton-Of Jonathan
Handley-Of Jas. H. Brooks-Second Laymen's Convention called,
CHAPTER XI.
MORE PREACHERS EXPELLED.
Powers of a Conference-Charges against Rev. L. Stiles-Expelled for keeping
the rules of the Discipline-Case of Charles D. Burlingham-Case of Rev.
William Cooley-Appeal of Rev. John A. Wells-Northern Independent on the
Expulsion of these Ministers-Death of Rev. L. Stiles-Funeral Sermon by Rev.
W. Hosmer-Notice of the career of some of the Expelled Ministers in years
subsequent to their Expulsion-Second Lay-men's Convention at Albion, March,
1859-Its Proceedings-Encouragement to the Regency,
CHAPTER XII.
EXPULSION BY WHOLESALE..
Speech of Thomas Carlton at Brockport Conference-How a Preacher can get a
majority in a Quarterly Conference-Rev. A. L.Chapin's career at East Otto-
Proceedings of' S. M. Hopkins at be Roy-B. F. McNeal, on the Tonawanda and
Ridgeville Circuit, adopts a similar policy-Case of Rev. Henry Hornsby-The
Work in Illinois-Dr. Redfield at St. Charles-Expulsions in Illinois-What
came of them.
CHAPTER XIII.
THE APPEALS.
General Conference of 1860-A Resolution to investigate Genesee Conference
matters opposed by James M. Fuller-Loyalty defined-Court of Appeals-The
Appeals not entertained-Final Appeal-Bishop Simpson's Statement denied-
Provisions of the M. E. Discipline examined-Rev. William Hosmer on the
Appeal Cases-Appeal of Rev. C. D. Burlingham-Remarkable decision-Action of
the General Conference reviewed-Expedients of Thomas Carlton-" Official
Exposition of Law,
CHAPTER XIV.
REVIEWS.
Bishop Simpson's Article on " The Free Methodists " reviewed-Untrue
statements-Conable's " History of the Genesee Conference-A Remarkable Book-
False Statements alleged and proved-History of the Bergen Camp Ground-
Measures of the Regency to obtain possession-Result of a suit-at-law,
CHAPTER XV.
CONCLUSION.
Summary of the Points Proved against the Genesee Conference of the M. E.
Church-against the M. E. Church at large-and its Historians-Personal
Attitude of the Author,
APPENDIX.
Facts and Statistics relative to the "Free Methodist Church," from its
organization in 1860, to the General Conference in 1878. DEDICATION,
Paul, in writing to the Hebrew Christians, says: " But call to remembrance
the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great
fight of afflictions; partly, whilst ye were made a gazing stock, both by
reproaches and afflictions ; and partly, whilst ye became companions of
them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took
joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in
heaven a better and an enduring substance."-Heb. x, 32-34.
The spirit of primitive Christianity still survives. When a number of
preachers were expelled from the Genesee Conference of the M. E. Church, on
account of their fidelity to God, there were those that. rallied around
them and held up their hands.
To those who gladly suffered, for Christ's sake, exclusion from privileges
which they prized, and from churches which they had helped build, this
simple narrative of events in which they participated, is inscribed by
their brother,
B. T. ROBERTS. PREFACE.
Twenty years .ago, I sat in a little room in the village of Perry, Wyoming
County, N.Y., awaiting the verdict of the Genesee Conference of the M. E.
Church, which was to sever me from religious associations which I had
formed, as I supposed, for life. I was a Methodist from conviction ; and as
a Methodist preacher I had endeavored to do my duty. My ministry had been
successful ; and my standing, both among the people, and in the Conference,
was all that I could have desired. But issues came up, relating to the
nature of the religion which we were to spread, and I felt called upon to
take sides with Methodism as we had received it from the fathers with
holiness and truth. But the ruling influence was against us, and its
leaders were exasperated by their growing unpopularity with the people.
While awaiting their decision -a decision which I had no doubt had been
predetermined upon before the trial begun, I was troubled most with the
reflection that now we should have nothing to do in the blessed cause of
God. But immediately I seemed to hear the voice of the Master saying, " I
will give you plenty to do." I opened my Bible to these words, which were
applied to my heart with all the force of a direct revelation : " Therefore
thus saith the LORD, If thou return, then will I bring thee again, and thou
shalt stand before me : and if thou take forth the precious from the vile,
thou shalt be as my mouth : let them return unto thee ; but return not thou
unto them. And I will make thee unto this people a fenced brazen wall : and
they shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee :
for I am with thee to save thee and to deliver thee, saith the LORD." Jer.
xv, 19, 20. These words have given us encouragement and strength ever
since.
The next evening, the large Baptist church of the village was opened, and
to a crowded, sympathizing audience, the expelled ministers set forth, at
length, the issues on which we were thrust out. From that day to this, we
have not lacked the sympathy and fellowship of devout people of all
denominations.
When the committee of the General Conference of 1860, selected to hear our
appeal, refused, in utter violation of a plain provision of the
Constitution of the M.. E. Church, to entertain it, I said, I APPEAL TO GOD
AND TIE PEOPLE. This appeal has been entertained; and, so far as we have
the means of knowing, the decision has been favorable. Here we should have
let the matter rest, but those opposed to us will not permit it. They have
published, and sanctioned the most bare-faced, flagrant falsehoods, which
they intend shall pass as a history of the affair. We should be wanting .
in our duty to the cause which is dearer to us than life, and to the noble
men and women who have given us their confidence, if we allowed these
falsehoods to pass uncontradicted.
With the doctrines and government of the M. E. Church we have no
controversy. For many of its ministers and members we have a sincere
respect and affection. But its General Conference, its highest
representative body, has committed against us, and others, acts of the
greatest injustice. In making this charge we have no resentment to gratify.
They meant it for evil God meant it for good.
God has always had a church upon