Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1844-06-27
For the Gazette.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL
CHURCH,
CHURCH.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL
CHURCH..
Mr.. Editor:-In the Gazette of the
Goth inst. find a short editorial, with
the proceedings Of a meeting held in Rich.
mord annexed, with reference to some OF
the actions of the General Conference oil
the Methodist Episcopal Church, held in
N W York, and which has just adjourned.
After careful perusal and examination
Of tho whole subject involved, do not
know that ever had my mind more per.
picked than it has been and now is, in
regard to so plain question. And the diff
ficuty consists in the simple fact of the
utter recklessness which appears to have
been manifested about what ought TO be
regarded with a careful caution. / have
no objection to zeal in its warmest sense,
Blu; when prejudice and passion is substi.
tuted for reason--where positions are as.
sumed and conclusion drawn, to feed fac
tious dispositions when long esab-
lished order and sacred laws are made TO
bow to sectional feelings, and great sys-
TENS struck down for mere caprlce-my
mind becomes harrassed in its reflections,
and is disposed to turn from sach strife
with disgust, and to exclalm-'poor hu.
man nature"
But like every thing else, there is a so.
luton to this apparent mystery-tfere is
cause for this deplorabe effect one
that should teach as lesson not to be
forgotten.
What do our eyes beh Id in looking
on this somewhat does our observation
discover in this wonderous display, but
that a most contemplate thing may be
made 10 seek and ruin interests of the
most sacred character-b blessings Of the
most durable kind.
Ii were asked what position l occupi-
ed, or which side | took IN this matter,
the answer would be neither--the North
cannot appreciate, the South cannot
agree with but | am with Methodism,
and il her voice could have been heard as
it ought to have been, she would have
s,aid the arm of the North, that gave the
blow, and would have taught the South
to have received it with the spirit Of love
and pty--thereiore in the name of Meth.
odism it never should have been given,
and in the name of Methodsm il never
should have been resented.
Yet action should have been had, not
as parties but as a whole--not as two, but
as one. II this had been done, harmony
would still be the spirit of the Church, and
love tho band of IT'S Union. But how
stands the matter nowl An array Of feel
ing which Methodsm can never sanction
"a display Of passion that religion can
never approbate-an excitementt that chris
tianity cannot tolerate.
Disunion is now the cry, and why is it
sol Because debates was substituted for
facts, and right asserted where necessity
prevented action--rghts and wrongs were
discussed instead of love and charity.
The glory and greatness of Methodism
should not thus be trified with.-her name
is too closely identified with The interest
and prospefityof humanity TO be thus sa-
cra6ced on the altar OF locations and sec.
tions-the spirit which she 'breathes has
too much OF heaven about it to be made
the victim Of immolation--her attributes
are too powerful to be crcumscnbed by
meets and bounds.
There was but one proper remedy in
this whole matter, and that was-for the
Geneia al Conference to have divided The
general work into two grand divisions,
and had two General Conferences--on
the same grounds that they would divide
an annual Conference into two Confer
ences. This plain and simple course
would have saved all this cry OF disunion
with which Melhodism will be rent, un-
less the laity exhibit more Of Methodism
than their delegates to the General Con-
ference have exhibited in their recent
proceedings.
The facts with regard to Bishop An
drews were plain, and could not be alter
ed or amended. Indeed they presented
such a barrier that nothing else than a
division OF The work could possibly have
satisfied or met the Interest Of the Church.
This should not have caused sny unkind
feelings--it would have been carrying
out what Methodism has always recogniz.
ed, namely--to bow to the law OF ne.
cessity. She has tolerated slavery where
necessity made it virtue, and persuing
the same principle she would have diyi-
ded her work TO suit this necessity. But
that dark spirit Of Abolition, which can
only have practical existence in this
Country in bloodshed, treason, and ruin,
threw the South off OF its balance, while
The North determined to carry its abstract
rights, and thus between the cry of "Ab.