The North-Carolina standard., 1850-04-24
CAROLINA WEDNESDAY MORNING APRIL a. 1850
Methodist Church south.

Methodist Church south.
Wecopy the following sound, timely, and sensible
article from late number of the Southern Christian
Advocate, of the organs of the Methodist Episco
pal Church South:
EccLEsIAsT1cAL IN REFeRENcE TO PoLrTlcA1 Ser.
ARArroN. The division of the Methodist Episcopal
Church into two distinct ecclesiastical bodies, North
and South, out of the old confederation of annual
Conferences under one General Conference has been
regarded of late as an occurrence of snster import
in reference to the integrity Of the political Union
IS known to every ono that pointed and emphatic al
fusion has been made to by the most distinguished
members of the Senate-the one from South Caro-
lima, the other from Massachusetts two of the
greatest speeches of the present Congress. In one
aspect Of the case we ready to grant that the
sundering of religious bonds, and the exasperations
which are apt to follow such occurrence seem to
social compact. They indicate at least such state of
feeling on the part of large masses of population
as would render possible disruption of political ties
whenever stern sense Of duty might seem to war
rant such an exigency. We have, nevertheless, felt
inclined to take more hopeful view of the subject
The division of the Methodist Church grew out of
the entertainments of the fanatca spirit Of abolition
ism, breaking down and rushing over the compro-
misses of the ecclesiastical constitution under which
the Annual Conferences, North and South, were uni
and had the great body Of the Northern Church ac-
tuay believed that there danger of disruption
had they understood the true state of feeling at the
South and given the representatives of the Southern
Conferences credit for honesty when they sounded
the note of warning, it is likely they would have stood
by the constitution and held the ultraiss in check
But unfortunately, it was impossible to convince the
North that there was much danger. The delusion
prevailed that all this excitement and show of ress-
tance was confined to Southern leaders, who were far
1odu0 thnh Cal
1t was said in influential quarters among northern
men, 20 you could not force the Southern Confer
ences out of the connection, if you really wished to
get rid Of them: Let those hotspurs make their
speeches and work off their steam; the people safe
enough for the integrity of the Church, And the
world knows the results. The Southern Conference
did 60, preachers and people peaceably, since the
plan of separation allowed them the prviege-wo ould
have gone orcibly, had provision been granted by
the General Conference.
whole country heard of it. The largest firmest,
most strongly banded of all the religious communions
OF the United States was rent in twain. The world
knows that abolition did it. The world learned les
sion-at least they NIGH have done This passage
in ecclesiastical history afforded one pregnant illus
tration of Southern resistance to unconstitutional az
gression. 1t proved that there was frmness enough
on the part of religious at the South, to resist
degrading usurpation. And in this view of the sub
ject, the division of the Methodist Church will 90
threatens the Union? Every Southern man knows
what 1t is. pseudo religious movement, with its
plea of conscience overriding the Constitutions exul
ing in its avowed determination to sweep from the
nation what it considers the deep disgrace of South
ern institutions, is making the impression upon the
Northern mind that the Southern States can be forc-
ed into its measures. 1t gains strength and numbers
in proportion to the spread of the delusive idea that
there is ground for apprehending resistance on the
part Of the South The real danger lies precisely at
this point. Encroachment after encroachment moves
on and is sustained by the suffrage of northern opin-
ion, lulled into fatal security by the dream Of u-
innate acquiescence the part of the outvoted feeble
South. What shall keep these entertainments from
the very foundations Of the constitution Oratory
Speeches in the Senate chamber, on the floor of the
hall of Representatives in Washington If anything
can do it, telling demonstration of actual resist
ance to abolition disorganizatio must be relied
some great fact, which says in plain language that
the South clearly sees the limit, beyond which no
gratutes can or will be given to buy peace from the
aggression of hostile movement, and that the SOU
thern men will take their stand that limit, and
their rights to the last. The trial fell on
the Southern Methodist Church, and she furnished
the eaperin,entuns crEcis. The fragments of our &C.
cesiastical union have reared into beacon, warning
the whole country Of danger. Deeply as the unity Of
the Church cherished at the South, a sentiment
and passion nursed by recollecons of the most sa-
cred character fostered by anticpatons the bril-
liant, 1t was laid the altar of constitutional right;
was given up Oy int S0uthern portion OF the Church
before they would, at the bidding of northern mas
ters, surrender their equality of right under the guar
anty of the constitutions before they would submit to
usurpaton without warrant from the word Of God.
This example has been held up in the National
Legislature to show, in Mr.. Calhouns language, the
explosive effect of slavery agitation.' But the ex-
posion the result Of resistance to aggression,
and we'll may the North reflect upon the moral of the
story. The passage in Mr.. Webster's speech which
referred to the subject, stated emphatcally that he
had s. never yet been able to to the conclusion
that there any real ground for that separation
This remark, however, illustrated by the drift of his
subsequent remarks, evidently that this great
statesman saw no reason why the Northern portion
Of the Methodist Church should force their ultra sem
liments on the disputed question: upon their South
ern brethren. He had the North in his eye when he
said : Is There who with clear perceptions,
as they Think of their duty, do not see how too
hot pursuit of one duty may involve them in the
violation of others, how too warm an embrace
ment of one truth may lead to disregard Of other
truths equally important. AS heard it stated strong
y not many days ago. these persons disposed to
mount upon some duty as war horse, and to drive
uriously and npon, and all other duties that
may stand in the way. There are men who in times
Of that Sort Of opinion that human duties may
be ascertained with the precision Of mathematics.
They deal with morals as with mathematics, and
think what is right may be distinguished from what
is wrong with the precision of algebrac equation
They have, therefore, none too much charity towards
others who differ from them. They are apt, too 10
that there are compromises notifications to be
made in submission to differences of opinion or in
Difference to other mems judgment If their perspi-
cacions vision enables he,n IN dotorf .,o& -, IL.