Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1859-06-03
[From the Central (St- LOUSY Christian Advocate.
Prosecutions ofthe Methodists in Texas

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[From the Central (st- Louis) Christian Advocated
Prosecutions ofthe Methodists in Texas
Our readers have been duly and fully adj
vised of the alarming state of things on our
Southwestern border. The terrible storm has
been brewing for several months. The Cen
trail Advocate has often been arrested and sur
pressed by ofhcious postmasters and other hire
ings of oppression. Our ministers and mem
bers have been narrowly watched by vigilance
committees and pro-slavery spies in general.
At the late session ofthe Arkansas Conference,
held in Texas, a mob was gathered and set
upon Bishop james and the worshiping congre-
CATION on the Sabbath day. or this shameful
affair and those who figured prominently in it,
a full account is in our paper. Since the adj
journment, the storm cloud has thickened. The
most violent measures are being adopted against
our preachers and people, in conformity with
the advice of the Texas Advocate, for their ex-
t~irpation from the State. Our poor brethren
are hunted down like beasts of the forest. They
are threatened with death if they dare to preach
the Gospel of Jesus Christ under the auspices
Of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Is number
of our preachers have been compelled to flee
for their lives. Others remain, endeavoring to
keep the little flock together, but go on with
their very lives in their hands.
Rev. WIN. Butt. presiding elder of Texas
District, is en- route for his field of labor, but a
terrible reception seems to await him.. A
friend, writing Us says: Father Rewley has
gone TO his circuit. butt is doubtful whether
he ever returns to his family again; for as the
bloodhounds howl for the blood of the fugitive
slave, even so do these fends of oppression
thirst fer his biood..' What a spectacle is here.
Anagad minister OF our Lord Jesus Christ, of
unbiana5lc life; who has served for a number
of years, as. presiding elder in Missouri, Arkan-
sas, and Texas, who served as a representative
in the last General Conference, and who for
many years has proclaimed the unsearchable
riches Of Christ upon the frontier, that he is to
be hunted down and murdered without the
Slightest provocation, except that of being a
minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church on
on slave territory. What the result of this
awful mati5!aughter is to be God alone can
forcsee. That our friends, our Christian broth
ers and sisters are expose hourly to the fortunes
Of martyrdom, Is now placed beyond dispute
When we read the letter of our friend, our soul
was G5!cd with grief and sympathy. We ask
the Church-the entire Church-to join us, in
earnest importunate prayer, for our suffering
brothers and sisters ard their bitter persecu-
tors.
Would il not be well for our Bishops to an
nouncc a day of fasting and prayer for our suf-
fering brethren? Might we not memorable the
Governor of Texas to protect our people? If
this is not sufficient let us take some furth-
er steps to secure the recognition of the rights
- 49,. -oorl, "a, ,,r;.,, o,4;uo,o IL -. -
abiding Christians?
We merely suggest these thoughts for the
consideration Of the churches at large.
Perhaps it would be better to address the
Governors of the several States, asking their
official and f~ra;ernal interposition through the
Governor ofTexas, for our protection. Surely
we shall not be denied the common rights of
American citizens.