Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-11-30


sentiments expressed in your paper son,e-
time past, relative to the proprety Of se-
cession of the Baltimore Conference from
tie Methodist Episcopal Church. / wish 10
express through the same organ few ideas
on this subject in opposition to secession -
We know, after the adoption Of the new
Chapter on Slavery BY the General Cou-
ference last May, we found apparently
host in our Conference spriuging up, as if
by magic. % oppose this new Chapter
Mankind sometimes too often is influenced
to action without proper reasons, without
prayerful reflection. | think many were
Influenced to act in opposition to the posi-
ton of the General Conference from the
outside pressure of what is popularity term.
ed Southern Rights" by many who real v
care no more about Southern than North
ern. or aug other rights, only so far us the
hobby may serve their selfish purposes for
lucre, Office or power, And here would
say, we should only respect that influence
which comes from the Bible and the Con-
sitntion of the United States In this Sc
cesson matter we should discard all worldly
policy and prayerfully and intelligoptly act
with reference to our accountability at the
Judgment day Bat, Mr. Editor, I am
happy to believe that the secession party
will not be quite SO strong rs its leader and
friends anticipated. One of the reasons urg-
ed by the opponents Of the new chapter is
that it makes (they say all Shareholders sim
uers. Now there are many ia the Bsiti-
more Conference who do not thus understand
the new Chapter Oar delegates TO the
General Conference did not understand it
SO. They understood the chapter on ss-
very to be on ly advisory and not statuto-
~, as do, trust, the most of our Confer
enoe. If the action of the General Confer
ence on slavery is wrong, the sentiment of
the NJ. Z. Church has been wrong from lis
foundation, for she has ever test flied against
the great evil Of slavery" And are we
prepared to say so are we more wiso and
holy than our Fathers Of the Church? I
think not. Another reason held up with
flourish is that "the ant-sayery sentiment
of the Church is unpopular, and coaseqnert-
ly we cannot get along" we musb trim
little to please the world Or we cant sup-
port our preachers, institutions Of leara-
| ing, &c
think if The Baltimore Conference would
attend to its great mission, viz ''to spread
scriptnral holiness through the land" she
would Rot have to lament her want Of friends.
money and influence, nor would she be So
riouSly troubled with those who seek noto-
ricty al.a Office, though they cast arrows.
frebrands and death all around to obtain
their cherished object. The Baltimore Com
ference is peculiarly situated, and if she IS
true to God and the General Conferences,
she would be but little troubled by the Of
fee seekers Of tbs South or the charge OF
pro slayeryism of the North, Her course
would be onward and upward, continually
making aggretsions upon the enemy of DARK
ness, and saving souls, which is her legiti-
mate work, and not to pander to sin aa1
sehening politicians. venture to say that
if the members of the Baltimore Conference
will fast and pray (and is not this their
| they have talked, wrote and held meetings
about it, the new Chapter woula not be il
our way. Oh no, we would have peace,
prosperity riends and money enough aud
to spare. Will we DO it? Who will refuse
Who amongst us will take the responsibility
to refuse Remember to sever the body Of
Christ will be no small matter Look be-
fore you leap and if We have some things
to suffer. ''better bear The Ills we have thsa
| hy to those we know not Of" blame oar
own people for the major part Of the opposi-
ton to us from the world. Some of oar
members are not willing to be holy in heayt
and life; not willing to pay as much as they
should !; not willing to give of their substances
| tho, should NH,
ed by the chilling influence of sin. They
refuse to sustain the cause of Christ BY iheir
hearty, cheerful piety and love Conse-
quently the Church gets along badly spirit
ually and financially, and true to the char
acter of sin, they set about faait finding With
some one else. AS before said, let Us
have as much prayer as complaiAng-yea.
more-and shall we not hear a different
sound before three months? Whilst we are
quarreling, souls are perishing Jour enemies
are scoihng. Oh! shall it be 50 any longer Z
Times seem to be considerably ont Of joint
Sin is on the increase in various forms
No time now for the watcf.men Oh tho walls
of Zion to be quiet or asleep. We will IN
stance only few fashionable sins. Lock
at the drunkenness of our day; the cxtyav-
agance in size and cost Of dress the uusi ght-
| ly (not to say hideous barbaran) goat~
boards and moustaches ) what a country Ct
smokers and tobacco cbewers; see how she
youth of our country are carried, along tbs
ROAD to ruin by these fashionable vices.
Surely these are no times for careless
ness in the discharge of duty to Coo and
man, on the part of ministers aud Iaymea.
MIR. Editor, would like to say more lut
time aud space forbid. In conclusion,
would like to ask how many of US have read
the history ofthe Nj. e. Church; the sacrifices
and suferings of its founders? How mauy
of US have read the history of our beloved
Country? How many amongst US value
the tears, prayers and triumphant death Of
the former, and the sacrifice, bereavemeHts,
suffering, blood and life of the latter How
many of us have read the Farewell Ad-
dress of Washington to our citizens How
many amongst US re gard these last words q
our Country's Father. On. that tho To.x
of destruction in both Church and State mas
1 be arrested. But must close. hoping the
people Of both Church and State will pause
and ponder whittier we are going
NJ. e. G.