Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1855-09-21
For The Western Dispateh.
To Jas. Chiies, NJ B. ApEurry, ct alis
of IRGependeaee Missouri.

of Independence Missouri.
GENrLEMEN:-In the Western Dispatch
of Friday, August II, 1855, IndeGaudence
Mo, 6nd the proceedings Of meeting
held in Independence. Mo, on Monday,
Aug. 18th, which !, as editor Of the Wes-
tern Advocate, am requested to publish 10
my paper, which co With great cordially
and due respect TO all concerned l ami
my readers are not acquainted with any
Church which you designate by the names
Of "the Northern Methodist Church." and
"the Methodist Episcopal Church North"
We are total strangers to the ministers,
bishops, and Others who will constitute said
conference - yet although we are unac-
quainted with any Church by either of the
two titles designated, or with any Of their
bishops, ministers, or members, we publish,
cordially and gratuitously, the proceedings
of the meeting as requested.
If il be said, that the body intended to
be designated is the "Methodst Episcopal
Church of the United States organized in
1884, and existing in Missouri cosvally with
its first white settlers, none of its officials,
whether its General conference, annual con.
ferenees, bishops ministers or members will
respond to the name Northern Methodist
Church." or "Methodist Episcopal Church
Rerth," as they do not belong 10 such
Church, as their Church is known in law
and equity, By the name and title Of the
methodist Episcopal Church of the United
States" Had our paper been called by
the name of the western Christian Her
ald," the "Weslern Christian Advocate, -
would never answer to the call, under such
= name.
What the Missouri annual conference Of
the Methodist Episcopal Church will do
If they are Intended am not prepared TO
say; but presume, they will meet at their
own church in Independence, No, on the
18th of October next, at nine o'clock, A. NJ.
with the Rev. Matthew Simpson, D. D.,
their president bishop, and proceed to
transact such business as is customary, un-
der the name and title of the Missouri COD
ference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
THAT they will conduct themselves peace
ably as good men and ministers, and when
their business is done that they will disperse
to their several fields of labor in Missouri
and Kansas, and preach and pray for the
salvation Of souls teaching aud preaching all
things that Christ commanded them, even
every thing contained in the whole word
Of God. It is true, they believe and hold
and their Discipline inculcates, that slavery
is contrary to natural law, contrary 10 the
word of God, and contrary to just human
laws; as the laws which enact it are found
ed in injustice and wrong. But though
these laws are bad laws they submit 10
them as far as Gods law VIII allow, and no
farther: and as loyal citizens they are the
supporters Of law in general. 1t is their
right as citizens, thus to dissent to alter
bad laws when they are able by a majority
of votes, and be the better class Of citizens
on this account, because that which is NOR
ally wrong, as slavery is, never can be po-
litically right. The bishops, ministers, and
members of the Methodist Episcopal
Church are Of the faith Of Washington, JEFF
ferson, and the best American statesmen on
this subject; and their rights as citizens can
not be called in question.
If the Missouri conference of the Metho-
distEpiscopal Church be really intended,
and they will see ft-fOr the sake of peace
TO change the time and place for holding
their conference, be it so ! have nothing to
say. To give up their rights they certainly
will not. As things now stand, it is expec-
ted they will meet in independence as in
tended. Il was my my purpose to meet
with them, as an editor, and greet my
4, bretheren in Missouri, as my lot both as
preacher and as editor, may be yet cast ia
Missouri, to labor for the interests of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, as Christian
minister, as minister of the Methodist
Episcopal Church imbued deeply, as l am
with strong anti-slavery principles, drawn
from the word of God, and the principles
OF Justice in Roman civil law, and the Dec
laration of Independence, and the Consti-
tuition of the United States. Should it be
my privilege, gentlemen to visit Indepen.
p dence in next October, 1 will converse free.
" with either Of you, or any other gentle
man, on the points in question, or any 9TH
er points you please, with which l am &C.
quainted. As purpose to visit the Wy
andots whose missionary was in 1922
and among whom ! organized the first
school, propose, if God will, to take Inde-
pendence in my way, unarmed with any
weapon, except penknife to make pens to
write out my @notes by the way" and q
q razor to shave myself where barber can
not be found. am pleased with the kind
tone Of your proceedings, and l pass by the
hard things associated with your words, till
Ishsll have the pleasure preaching, pray
ing, and conysrsing with you.
Most respectfully, CHAs ELLIOT.
Editor Of the Western AdUocafe.
CNcINSATI, o., Sept. l, 1855.
n,-F,,,.s -eyoI5o:ra.s