Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-01-04
SENTIMENT OF THE LEADING METHoDIsTs.


We are glad to find the following calm and manly
protest against the agitatng propensities of some Of
the preachers of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
in the Christian, .Aduocate and Journal, the accre
dited organ of that denomination. 1t contains
truths which no Christian, and especially Chris
tan Minister, gainsay disregard and we have
no doubt that it speaks the sentiments Of the men,
bers of the Church generally.
FROM CHRISTIAN advocate DEcENBER26 %.
The signs Of the times very naturally suggest the inquiry
What the Provdenal indications with regard the du
lies and responsibilities Of the Christian Church. and Of nd
vidual Christians Is it time for hot haste in the discus
sion Of questions in relation to which there is difference Of
opinion among citizens and members of the Church. who
equally wise, and equally entitled to public confidence Is
il time for the violent agitation Of such sectional questions as
present pepex the most keen sighted of statesmen
Is the best thing for the Church participate in the ag
atng of those who the character OF re
torm9s2
The question is not whether what is proposed either good
bad in ITSELF but whether it is practicable at the time, in
the way and by the means proposed We suppose truth
that mind will attempt the accomplishment Of what
evidently impossible. We may many reforms which
would be desirable and would be worthy Of patronage
they feasible, but nsuperabe difficulties lying the
obgaioas To descant upon the goes Of such reforms,
and to attempt 10 excite the minds Of in their favor
would be to labor in van and nigh. be productive Of posi-
tive evil We must look at things they are and in
efforts 10 remedy existing evils be governed by
theories and specuaous Every effort of this sort should
have practical basis We should not only consider the
adaptation of the to the end but should also take into
consideration the circumstances which constitute the essential
conditions of success.
We have laid down these principles preliminary to the
special matters upon which shall offer few thoughts
Saoy and It's dependencies still destined to occupy
large space the public mind The aspect of these questions
at present such that it becomes matter Of doubt whether
their agitation in the spirit and in which the discus
has hitherto been carried Is safe right We should
content ourselves with decision merely upon the
evil Of slavery and suppose that this decision settles the ques
ton of measures This would be acting with but partial
the perpetual agitation Of the subject at the North the
evil Will it probably hasten emancipation! Are there
not reasons for believing that will reard the object which
it is designed secure And furthermore, is there no
reason to fear that evils will grow out of the strife of words
and the conflict Of passions which necessarily attend the fiery
discussions of this subject which have hitherto marked its
history which will be fatal to the dearest interests Of the
Church and the country Admitting that those who de-
termined to keep up the agitation are all very honest is it
clear that their measures are wise
We speak with reference church, and especially our
press and forced to the conclusion a the continued
violent agitation of the subject through the medium OF the
psdient not say dangerous is not to be questioned
that the country has been forced by the exgences Of the
question: to the verge Of fearful vortex The indlca-
tons of spirit Of dsnion have been too plain to be mis-
taken Let the system of agitation be pressed step two
further and the United States of America may be plunged
into the horrors Of civil war-a thing infinitely nju
rous to the coored race than slavery ITSELF by
certain class of minds all this will be regarded bug
bear only calculated ghten the simple With that class
we shall be considered arm and may b object of
their rdicule and merriment This is matter = little mo-
object to reach true and safe results and
those who entertain different views must bear with US In what
they may esteem eur folly We much mistaken if
Impressions harmony with those of the rejecting
portions Of the community generally and il the country at
large convinced that the further agitation of this sub
ect is immineny dangerous We all most surely have the
natural right speak upon all subjects and the right pub
lsh our views to the worldthe liberty of thought Of speech
and of the press must not be nfngedbu with wise and
good man. is important matter to know when and how
give utleance his sentiments and feelings No
has a moral right speak what would inure society and
throw the country into connections which would peril the
dearest interests Of mankind and the hopes of the world
We are very much deceived do not strong symp
toms of alarm for the safety of the Union widely extended
among the people. The union Of these conedeated States
is dear all the wise and the good They justly consider
holding important relation to the emancipation of the
world from the shackles Of desposm We rejoice that the
people do love the Union and cling to with the tenacty
with which they cling life ITSELF We glad that they
trembe and turn pale when they it in danger-ths is
ground of hope basis Of confidence that the days Of
it's departure are not near Give the people time reflect
let them take breath suitable intervals and they will be
likely to come right and safe conclusions Only do not
hurry them do assault their passions peudces; give
hemtime for cool reflection, and they will solve the great
problems of right, of liberty Of policy, Of government
As part and parcel of the body polite and occupying
position most potent influence upon the mind Of
the public is clearly the duty Of the Church to abstain
from all measures which likely unduy to agate the pub
lie mind upon the subject in question: and unsete the con-
dence of section in the integrity and patriotism OF
another and loosen the cords by which these States
united together In the exercise Of the rights and functions
Of eemen necessarily act citizens of the Republic
Our rights properly considered cannot conflict with the pub
lie veal We cannot isolate ourselves from the body polite
and take merely from rights individuals
to speak and act please In all matters which affect
the public welfare must act part OF the public, and
always ask ourselves what will be their influence upon the
civil compact to which look for the protection of our
rights the security Of life, liberty, and the pursuit OF hap
pness. talk random because speech free; in
duge in unmeasued of legislators because their
conduct proper subject Of review, and structure if need
bs and nufy laws because not pleased with them
should they be really unjust and oppressvewe shall
by this process far influence goes bring all law and
authority into contempt, and loosen the bands Of society
And will Christian man do this Can he do it Is it
consistent with the teachings Of the Bible Would it not
bring Religion into contempt before the world and put the
Church in the attitude Of hostility to the State? If laws
should be enacted which cannot obey without violating
good conscience all have do to submit to the penalty
of the country Openly to resist the penalty OF the
laws legmatey enacted is rebellion, and is not only pun
ishabe as breach Of the public peace, but is offence
against the law Of God he powers that be ordained
of God whatsoever therefore, essteth the power, resseh
the ordinance Of God and they that resist shall receive to
themselves damnadon. Romans xiii. !, Q. "Put them
;c he tn and oho