True Democrat. (Paulding, Miss.) 1845-18??, 1847-08-11
THE GOVERNMENT OF THE NJ. E
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.

MEsSRs EDITORS IL had not expected to
resume my arguments so soon, when | sus-
pended my publications. | then intended to
cease writing until rly press of business was
of Of hand but as the public mind seems to
be awake to the subject aow, | think now is
the time for men to write, if they profit by
what is written. will begin where left off.
The policy OF the NJ E Church IS such,
that the lay members must either conform to
the administration of the preachers Or leave
the church and should they not voluntarily
leave, thev can be expelled for their lnSubordI-
nation Under such circumstances, it becomes
of the utmost importance to know whether the
laymen have any voice whatever in the seIec-
ton or appointment Of those preachers who
are TO exercise the authority over them. If
they Possess the power Of selection or rejection
the case, after all, may not be so bad, for if the
preacher should choose to act the tyrant, the
people have only to reject him and select ano-
| Their; but If they have no such power the IAN.
| ti.repub'ican' TEXTURES of the government Of
that church are too apparent TO admit of contra
diction, even by "Scantaor." This point |
will particularly examine, after stating the lol.
lowing prelimnarieS.
lst The NJ. Z. Church was, when the
Discipline was made, one great whole through
the United States; the laws made for one part
were made for the whole; Onl the policy is
sill the same,-irphe NJ E. church, having
only been rent in twain by that monster, Adolf.
non, which they have Iostered in their bosom
for more than half century without affecting
any change whatever in the character OF the
government
2nl The members at this time number
more than one million. The preachers are
more than twelve thousand
3rd. This ministry is divided INTO two de.
parlments; one is caEled the local preachers
the other the travelling preachers. The latter
number over four thousand. These latter
have the entire government Of the church 10.
cal preachers have no charge or government
Of any part of the church whatever, unless II
may be given him temporarily by traeeiimg
preacher The million members are, there.
lore, under the control Of the travelling prea.
chcrs (who number four lhousand)
4lh. The Church at large is divided geo.
graphically into three or four THOUSAND parts,
called circuits or stations; and one or more
preachers are annually appointed TO take
charge Of each He who has the principal
superiutendenee is called the "prcacher in
charge" IN the absence OF his superiors, he
governs the church under his charge.
5lh. The great body also, for convenience,
is divided into thirty three annual conferences.
A territory embracing one or two hundred cif.
cults and stations, is what is included ia con-
ference uhe limits being defined and the trav-
eling preachers within each OF those divisions
constitute the annualconlerence thereof
9th The bishops belong equally to the
whole body, and each, ia Inrn visits and pre-.
sides over each ofthe annual conferences
7th Al the annual conferences, the circuits
md stations are supplied with their preachers;
hough any Of them are liable 10 be removed
gain before the year shall close, most remain
,ul one year, and none can remain more than
wo years in charge
am thus particular Tor the sake Of that stu.
,id creature, Scantator," who, il seems can
lot see what every body else eannoi ril TO see
rom what has been previously wrilien-that
he government Of the VI. f church is anii-re- 4
,ublicaa.
With these remarks, which are well known
o all who are acquainted with The government
\ thar church, but which, neveuhrless, con
ain what is not generally 80 well kaoen 10 a
arge portion Of ny rss6crs, proceed to state,
hslihe anu fePstiicsnism Oithe NJ E church
Bps5fi.
VI. Is rHEl AFfolN rNENr oF THk PhRA-
HRS TO THH o. sEFlhAt SHAhoEs EFe-
: pam Ofihe 'aufeh z 2 b. under ihe charge
I some preaehsr' Eho txereisss ihe authority I
have before sBseuofi b1iihs people have
n voice in 81 riniBg their pastor end ruler.
= Is sent t1eui y bishop OF his depniv. nti-
her Of whom 3 IN ihe least TesPousi ble 30 Ihs
eopls. Iihttshsady beeu sesn On page % 4