On Methodist affairs, including the death of Texas missionary Martin Rufer, who had resigned the Presidency of Allegheny College and gone to meet with Sam Houston in hopes of establishing a Methodist college in the new Texas Republic. And on the contentious question of anti-slavery:

“The subject of abolitionism produces but little excitement in our conference. There are but few of the preachers who are abolitionists, and they are generally prudent men. But from the movements of abolitionists in other parts of the country, I fear for our beloved Zion. I can bear with the people on this subject and for them make every allowance but I must confess, I do not feel in every case inclined to make the same allowance but I must confess, I do not feel in every case inclined to make the same allowance for the preachers. That question has now in these United States, a political complexion, as well as a religious aspect, and if it be the duty of the Christian to look at the latter, he is under equal obligation as ‘subject’ of the ‘powers that be’, not to blink the former. How far the acts and doings of modern abolitionists will be the means of affecting what they profess to design, the future will determine. In my opinion, so far, all they have done has been evil and only evil. That their measures tend to the wo or weal of our common country will be admitted by all parties, but to my mind they are ominous of results which thoughtful men must always deplore and dread. But amid this gloom my mind enjoys comfort under the reflection that God governs the world, and that ‘all things shall work together for good to them that love him'…”