The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-11-19
tFrom the Pr0vidence Hereby
TAe Methodist Church lis Government,
It's Discipline. and its i.faenes.
No. 4.

Mr.. .EprroR III wish to give all par.
ties fair hearing, on every controvert-
ell subject, or any other, with which !
have any thing to do. l would there
fore. request you to copy the following
article from the Philadelphia Gazette.
THE METHODIST CHURCH.
r A writer in the Providenco Herald,
over the signature of Arisiides, has COM
menccd a series Of papers, the object Of
which appears to be ~ stematic attack
upon the Methodist Episcopal Church,
its government, its discipline, and its
influence" The uofairness of ITS first
number, occupying column of the He
raid, induces US to notice one or two Of
his leading propositions His remarks
throughout, if applicable at all to the re-
ligious sect Of the United States, are not
more so to the Methodist Society, than
tn al other denominations Of christians.
Aristides says
"Much more is christianity outraged,
and its prefensions faIsified, when those
who advocate her doctrines, make use of
every means in their power TO obtain a
preponderating influence in the affairs Of
state, to convert its powers into instru-
ments of their own aggrnndisement, ask
for privileges they would withhold from
Others, and make the laws subservient
TO their particular views"
IL the writer spends years in the re-
search, he will not be able, we appre-
hend, To find solitary instance on re-
cord--from the time Of Wesley, to the
days of Summerfield, Durbin, and Bas-
comm which the Methodis.s, as a,,bo-
dy, either IN society or conference, have
interfered IN any political question, or
sought to exercise any political inAu-
enee, "to make laws subse rvient to
their views" Interft renee in politics
and the intermeddling of religious with
government affairs, are expressly oppo-
sed by the Methodist discipline. The
members Of the church dare not attcmpt
acts Of aggrandizement-they do not
wish to attempt them, having in view
higher and nobler objects than meddling
10 the petty and paltry contests for pow
cr, and the emoluments Of Office, which
too often disgrace our country. Aristides
is mistaken. The Methodists, SO far az
we have any knowledge of them, are less
OF political people-witht the exception
perhaps of the Society of Friends, many
Of whom do not exercise the right of SUI.
frage-than any sect Of christians in A.
merica. The whole tenor and economy
of their government forbid, and render
impracticable, the exercise Of any influ-
ence of the kind.
Aristides also attacks the government
Of the Methodist church, ns aristocratic,
as welding power without accountable
lity to any one on earth and as exerci-
sing dominion that is absolute. Here
again the writer betrays his ignorance
of The society in question. The govern
ment fthe Methodist church is entirely
simple ia its characterized from DOM
ination Of any kinds under salutary
checks, and exercises no influence or
control incompatible with the constitu.
ton of our country, or the spirit of our
free institutions.--The spiritual affairs
of the church are under the direction Of
her pastors--the temporal under tho
control Of her faymen. Both minister
and member are subject to impeachment
aud trial for misdeneanor in Office, or a
violation Of christian duties, and the dis
cipline Of the church, il is well known, is |
usually strict and severe. Again mny A.
ristldes be challenged to show a solitary
feature in the church, its discipline or
government, less liberal in its character
than is isbecoming christian denominations
generally.
There is no irresponsibility in the
Methodist church--no flaws in the dis
ciplinc by which the detected hypocfite
may escape unpunished. The whole go
vernmcnt is beautifully arranged to a
void every thing like unlimited power
and dangerous abuse. No one can gain
admission into the church, without un-
dereoing rigid scrutiny, and no one.
can obtain liberty tn o-preach, without a
strong and pointed recommendation
from the lay-members with whom he
has been, for some time previous, in the
habit of associating.
The charnc:er and standing of the mi
risters are annually inquired into. by
proper committees in each conference,
and no instance has ever been known of
a charge against a pastor being unheed-
ed, or direlection of duty being allow
ed to pnss UNPUBLISHED. The bishops,
the highest ecclesiastical officers IN the
chnrch, are elected by delegates, repre-
sensing the whole Of the Methodist So
ciety.
We have alluded to this matter sim
Fly to show, that individuals to accom-
plish certain fayorite objects, are not al
ways tenacious as to the validity Of
their assertions. We are not Me,ho-