Thomas Coke's Anti-Slavery Resolution, "Christmas Conference" - Timeline Event
Time Period
1784
Description
In December of 1784, Methodists founded the Christmas Conference in Baltimore in order to establish both the organizational and doctrinal foundations of Methodism in the newly independent United States. Although both John and Charles Wesley opposed separation from the Church of England, they "allowed" those in America to establish their own denominational identity (i.e. Methodist Episcopal Church) and ordain their own ministers. In response, both Thomas Coke and Francis Asbury were ordained as the first ecclesiastical leaders.
The Christmas Conference also allowed Methodists to reaffirm their opposition to slavery. John Wesley was opposed to slavery, and Thomas Coke shared Wesley’s view. The Christmas Conference allowed Methodists to formally establish their position: "We view it as contrary to the Golden Law of God." This position would slowly become more contestable and the issue of slavery would eventually divide the Methodists into two separate denominations by the mid-19th century.
The Christmas Conference also allowed Methodists to reaffirm their opposition to slavery. John Wesley was opposed to slavery, and Thomas Coke shared Wesley’s view. The Christmas Conference allowed Methodists to formally establish their position: "We view it as contrary to the Golden Law of God." This position would slowly become more contestable and the issue of slavery would eventually divide the Methodists into two separate denominations by the mid-19th century.
Interactive Timeline(s)
Browse Related Timeline Entries
Religious Groups
Methodist/Pietist Family: Other ARDA LinksMethodist/Pietist Family: Religious Family Tree
Biographies
Asbury, FrancisCoke, Thomas
Related Dictionary Terms
Methodist-Pietist FamilyPhotographs
Lovely Lane Meeting House, Baltimore MD- Internet Archive- from The Heart of Asbury's Journal
Thomas Coke portrait- Internet Archive- from The Life of the Rev. Thomas Coke by Jonathan Crowther
Upper room where the conference sat, 1784- Hathi Trust- from A New History of Methodism, vol 2 by W. J. Townsend
Book/Journal Source(s)
Reid, Daniel, Robert Linder, Bruce Shelley, and Harry Stout, 1990. Dictionary of Christianity in America Downers Grove, IL.Web Source(s)
https://web.archive.org/web/20200708111902/https://www.umnews.org/en/news/methodist-history-mixed-on-abolitionism(Link updated [7.26.2023] to archived copy, original is no longer online.)
Web Page Contributor
Benjamin T. GurrentzAffliated with: Pennsylvania State University, Ph.D. in Sociology
