Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-04-19
The arms of the Know NothingS to
be turned against the Methodist
Church

The arms of the Know Nothings to
be turned against the Methodist
Church
II required no prophetic age to discern the
tendency and ultimate destiny of the pro-
scriptive dogmasof the Know Nothing frater-
nifty. Ii was easy to perceive that ifthat order
could succeed ia crushing one sect and in
invoking popular vengeance on one church
whose tenets and mode of church govern
ment are supposed to be obnoxious to the
genius of our republican institutions, it would
not be long before it would bring its bate
ries to bear against other seets. We ourselves
endeavored, in our feeble way, to point out
this inevitable result and to warn those men,
bers of Protestant churches who were joining
in the anti-Catholic crusade, that it was alto
gether possible that their time would come
by and by 1t has come sooner than we ex-
pected, and is directed against an eccleSiaS-
teal organization which we supposed would,
for time at least, escape the assaults of the
ProscTiptionists. Strange as il may appear
the Methodist church promises 10 be the
first victim of the fearful passion which its
clergy and its members have so largely con-
tributed TO iuhame. 4 distinguished MEM
Der ofthe American" or Know Nothing order
in New jersey, has written and published an
elaborrte pamphlet, in which he attempts to
prove thatthe discipline oft the Methodist Epis-
copal Church is repugnant to our institutions,
and the exertions Of tie so-called "Ameri-
can" party should be directed to its over
throw. We make an extract from the PAM
plet IN question to show the views Of the wri-
ter:
But again--the very organization Of the
Methodist Episcopal Church is dangerous to
the liberties of free people. Suppose cri-
sis arrive in political action, in which the HE
rarchy Of the Methodist Church is interested
From the dependence of all parts on one great
central power, il is easy TO perceive how the
suffrages ofmost of the members may be con-
Auelled hy the bishops Let them suggest tajhe
presiding elders that the interest OF Their &c.
clesiastical despotism will be subserved by
the election of certain set of men to Office
then let the presiding elders use their infuenc,
over the preachers, the preachers over thei
class members, and thus the balance Of powe
| in political contest may rest in the hands o
seven Episcopal Methodist Bishops. Their,
is as much danger in this as there is in Roman
ism accomplishing similar result provided
the occasion requires it. 1t may be said tina
the members Of the Methodist Episcopa
church are too independent to be thus infin
enced; but while they submit to the degrade
ton TO which have shown they are subjected
in church matters, let them not speak of indie
pendence in political matters. Let them lie
come enthusiastically free, then it may b,
hoped that they would dare to become politi
cally free if the Bishop undertook to pre-
vent it.
| have thus briefly shown that Episcopa
Methodism is anti-American in its spirit an,
tendency, and that il is dangerous foe to Re
| publicanism. / have shown that it had it
origin in vp0tion--that its very organization
| provides for the support and extension of rs
sumed power and that power may be oppreS
sively exercised without restriction. | hav
shown that Methodist Episcopacy contains il
Itself the very elements of an absolute des
potsm, and therefore must ultimately. miles
! checked, subvert and destroy our republican
institutions. In doing this, have uttered n
harsh epithets. | Nave insinuated nothin
against the scripturalness of Methodist doc
trines, or the piety and godliness of its mem
bers. ! have simply spoken of the govern
ment of the church have spoken as a
| American citizen; and call on every tru
American in the Methodist Church to use hi
influence to effect radical reform in the mat
ter. The time has come when AmGicanisr
and Romanism are arraved in hostile attitudes
Remember that you are not prepared to stan
/ by Americanism while YOU are subjects {
hierarchy. The taunt will come with inesist
ible force from the vassals of the Pope, :.
despotism any more sinful and dangerous i
the Romish Church than the Methodist. ?
1 %. then be Americans--he freemen--thro,
of your ecclesiastical chains, and then yo
will be prepared consistently to aid your fel
low countrymen in breaking the yoke of &c
clesiastical despotism with which Rome ha
bound her ignorantsand degraded subjects
We would most respectfully ask our Me
thodist friends to give careful, and even
prayerfM perusal to the above extract Nv
know how warmly they cherish their churc
organization-withw what disfavor theyregar
any suggestions to change it. But, i.the
will look closely into their system of cliurc
government, they will find that there ismuc
in it in which those who are determined (
find fault with their neighbors' religion an
I manner Of conducting church affairs may b
able 10 pick flaws.
The effect of the author of the pamphle
referred TO, to array popular preiudicesagain.
the clergy of the Methodist Church, is nc
only bold but an ungcnerous one, when W
consider with what zeal that class Of person
took up with the Know Nothing crusad
against Catholics and foreigners. 1t prove
most conclusively that at least some Of tn
members Of the American" order are deter
mined that their Informing hand shall nc
be stayed by the demolition Of the Catholic
but other sscts whose ecclesiastical govern
nlent does not conform to their views of re
publican equality must feel the weight {
their displeasure or give up the customs an
usages handed down to them from their fatl
ers. The truth is, there Is no sect again:
whose tenets or form Of government prejr
4 dices may not be aroused. The history {
religious prosecutions proves that when I'll
! spirit of fanaticism is once aroused those VIII
assisted in tanning the flames are among tn
first sufferers from its effects. May we nc
learn from all this that it IS far better to a
; low every man to worship God according
the dictates Of his own conscience, and I
permit him to choose that system of churc
government which best accords with his ow
view Of duty ?-Nei0 albany LEDGE
The Conclusion of the Matter.
\ Anxious TO do Justice to all concerned i
the difficultieq in Cincinnati x,-a have endeaX