In South Carolina. 471 



Ans. They are immediately to be expelled — unless they buy them 

 on purpose to free them. 



Not more than six months had elapsed after the 

 adoption of these last rules before it was thought nec- 

 essary to suspend them. Accordingly, 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 deliberation of a future Conference, 

 and that an equal space of time be allowed all our members for con- 

 sideration, 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. In the Annual Minutes for 1787 

 we find the following: 



Ques. 17. What directions shall we give for the promotion of the 

 spiritual welfare of the colored people? 



Ans. We conjure all our ministers and preachers by the lov T e of 

 God and the salvation of souls, and do require them by all the au- 

 thority that is invested in us to leave nothing undone for the spiritual 

 benefit and salvation of them within their respective circuits and 

 districts, and for this purpose to embrace every opportunity of inquir- 

 ing into the state of their souls, and to unite in society those who 

 appear to have a real desire of fleeing from the wrath to come; to 

 meet such in class, and to exercise the whole Methodist discipline 

 among them. 



From this till 1796 no mention was made of the 

 subject except in the General Rules. There is noth- 

 ing on the subject of slavery in the General Rules of 

 Mr. Wesley, but we find the following in 1789: 



The buying or selling the bodies and souls of men, women, or 

 children, with an intention to enslave them. 



In 1792 it reads: 



The buying or selling of men, women, or children, with an inten- 

 tion to enslave them. 



