Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1859-06-09
Texas

l
Prosecutions Of the Methodist- in
Texas.
From the Central fSt Louis, Christian
Advocate.
Our readers have been duly and fully
advised of the alarming state of things
on our Southern border. The terrible
storm has been brewing for several
months. The Central Advocate has
often been arrested and suppressed by
ollicious postmastcrs and other hire
lings of oppression. Our ministers
and members have been narrowly
watched by vigilance committees and
pro slavery spies in general. 1T the
late session of the Arkansas Confer
cncc, held in Texas, a mob was gath.
crcd and set upon Bishop James and
the worshipping congregation on the
Sabbath day. OF this shameful affair.
and those who figured prominently in
il. n fall account is in our paper.
Since the adjournment. the storm
cloud has thickcncd. The most vio-
lent measures are being adopted
against our preachers and people. in
conformity with the advice of the
Texas Advocate. for their cxtirpation
from the State. Our poor brethren
arc 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. y
number Of our preachers have been
compelled to flee for their lives 9th
crs remain. cndeavoring to keep the
little flock together. but 60 on with
their very lives in their hands.
The Rev. WIN. Butt. presiding cld-
er of Texas District. is en- route for
his field of labor, but a terrible rccep-
tion seems to await him. \ friend,
writing TO us, says:
Father Rcwley has gone to his
circuit, but it 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
iicnds Of oppression thirst for hi,
blood"
What spectacle i, here. An aged
minister of our Lord Jesus Christ. OF
uhblamabe life. who has served. for
number of years, as presiding elder. in
Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas. who
served as representative in the last
General Conference, and who, for
many years, has proclaimed the un
searchable riches of Christ upon the
frontier. that he is TO be hunted down
and murdered without the slightest
provocation. except that of being n
minister OF the Methodist Episcopal
Church on slave territory. What the
result of this awful onslaught is to be,
God alone can foresee. That our
friends, our Christian brothers aud
sisters. there are exposed hourly TO
the torturcs of martyrdom. is now
placed beyond dispute. When we
read the letter Of our friend, our soul
was filled with grief and sympathy.
We ask the Church-the entire Church
to join us in earnest. importunate
prayer, for our suffering brothers aud
sisters AMI their bitter prosecutors.
Would it not be well for our Bish-
ops to announce day OF fasting and
prayer for our suffering brethren?
Might we not mem0TialIze the Gov
ernor of Texas to protect our people?
If this Is not sufficient. let us take
some further steps to secure the recog-
milton of the rights of our people a.
American citizens, and as law abiding
Christians?
We merely suggest these thoughts
for the consideration Of our churches
at large.
Perhaps it would be better to al
dress the Governors of the several
States, asking their official and frater-
nal interposition through the Governor
of Texas, for our protection. Surely
we shall not he denied the common
rights Of American citizens.
Frederick Douglas on wm. Jay.