Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-03-06

form the government of the Methodist Episco-
nal Church to the principles Of representation;
that il would destroy the missionary character
of our ministry; and that this impractlcability
is Fortunate since il it could be accomplished it
would be r1inous."
Reformers believe, nevertheless, that the wis
dom of the whole body, collected by means Of
a general representation, would be able 10 per-
form the very thing, which these brethren de-
clare 10 be impractieable. The practicability
of il, is proved by our itinerant ministers asst
respec,s themselves. They elect one for every
seven members of their annual conferences, to
renresent those bodies in :he general conference.
And other denominations OF christians have
Law delegations. A travelling preacher, now
member Of the Philadelphia conference, vene-
rabe for his years, and celebrated for his talents,
both in the pulpit aud the conference, and who
has been, we believe, in every general confer
ence. has published the following sentiments.
"The writer Of this article, is strongly persuad-
ed, that every friend of the itnernnf ministry, and
susfem of FORMULATING the gospel, ought to patron
lie the Que stion Of Law delegation, as being
calculated to promote and uphold ard perpetu.
ATE the itineranc y, better and longer, than it
be Inv rejecting or refusing the lay delegation.
The sooner it he yielded the better. tor be ye
we'll assured, that lay delegation must ultimate
IN be adopted, or the cause OF itinerancy and
union and peace, will be greatly endangered if
no, ruined and destroyed" And in this OPT
MON, of the necessity OF church Representa-.
ton, he is not aiQns; many OF our wlaest and
a5lest travelling preachers entertain precisely
| the same sentiments.
Resides, if it were admitted, that such strange
but "fortunais" imprncticobiGiy, must await an
| 0Oy Prn IF tba
Methodist Episcopal Church with principles
which are acknowledged on all hands, to be ne.
.e.sary in order 10 secure the civil liberties Of
the neople. does j, not follow, that the "system,
| is wronp9 And If SO, does il not neeG amend.
| ment!
| These brethren say, however, that "they are
not to be misled by the sPecious appeal made
to their political feelings"
The matchless appeal made in favour Of lib.
er,y by tho Declaration of independence, had
no effect towards changing the political feel
ings of the officers Of the crown, in the days Of
the revelation. But happily for the reformers,
with the American public, government implies
representation, and official power the consent Of
the people.
They say, "tney know nothing Of the expul.
sions which have lately taken place; the inslan.
ces Of NAL administration" as they are pleased
to call them. They might have known ofthem
as an account Of them was published IN the
Mutual 2ights,a periodical work, issued month
ly in this city, edited by committee ofreform.
ers. And although these brethren say that the
reformers have said and written and published
what they pleased "with perfect impunity"
there is q rule in the Methodist discipline, which
has been employed to effect the expulsion Of
members in some places for speaking against
the government Of the church. $50
In conclusions We ask, will the good sense Of
this enlightened community justify these bre,h.
rem in denouncing the whole body Of reformers
as "disafTected?" Will it bear them out in their
determination, not TO enter into any discussions
Of the subjecs on which we differ? Will it sus.
tain them in their refusal to notice any remarks
we may make on their paper? Is it possible,
that the American people, understanding the
objects OF the convention, which was to petition
for an equitable representation, will believe
that the reformers are the greatest enemies, and
those brethren the most distinguished and i'm.
portan, friends Of the Methodist Episcopal
ChurcD? We really think not.
Samuel K. Jennings, Thomas afummey
Alexander Nc Game John j. Haryod.
Daniel E Reese, John Kennard,
James r. Williams, Wesley Starr.
| William Kesty, Ephyain, Smith,
1homds Mccormick, .Arfhur Emmerson.
AT a monthly meeting Of tho Baltimore Meth.
odist Union Society, held January Cd, 1927. 1t
was resolved, that the report of the committee
be adopted, and published in the Mutual
| Rights and public papers
JOHN CHAPPELL, SEN. Prs',.
JOSEPH X. FOREMAN, Sec'ry.
baltimore, January 2, s27.
=