During the "Georgia Test Case" of 1844, the Society refused to appoint the slaveowner James E. Reeve as a missionary, on the grounds that this would conflict with the Foreign Mission Board's policy of neutrality in the slavery issue.
During the "Georgia Test Case" of 1844, the Georgia State Convention proposed the slaveholder, Elder James E. Reeve, be appointed as a missionary. The Foreign Mission Board refused to approve his appointment, recognizing the case as a challenge and not wanting to overturn their policy of neutrality in the slavery issue.