The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1863-03-24

| AN ENLIBTED MAN.
Camp Bloomington, Mo-, March 18th,
Church ana state.
In our report of yesterdays Chronicle
of the proceedings of the last day of the
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, which has been sittingin George
town the last week, We accidentally omit
ted to mention the vote on certain patri-
| ATTIC resolutions which were offered by
Revs. G. A. Reid and j. N. Davis. They
were ~ follows:
Whereas, There exists in sevelA of
the Southern States wicked and armed
rebellion against the constituted authori-
ties of the United States; and whereas
the twenty-third article Of religion in our
Book Of Discipline recognizes the author
ity of the United States Is binding upon
all the citizens thereof; and whereas the
Holy scriptures enjoin submission 10 the
powers that be. Therefore,
Resolved, l. That while We, a an 60
clesiastical body, disclaim all informed
ding with party politics, We do believe i,
the duty Of Christians, and especially Of
oil Christian ministers living and claiming
protection under the Constitution, to b
subject to the supreme authority Of the
United States, and to use all laudable
means to enjoin observance to the same.
2. That the President Of the United
States has our sympathies and prayers in
every constitutional and lawful effort that
has for its object the subjugation Of the
rebellion, and the restoration Of The ta-
ion and the establishment OF permanent
peace in our country.
| 5. And that to this end the President
be requested to set apart day of fasting,
prayer, and humiliation; that God may
turn away his wrath and smile upon our
beloved country once again
G. A. REID,
j. N. DAVIS.
Certainly, nothing could be milder and
less radical than these resolutions.-
They are such as every loyal man ought
to be willing to sign without moments
hesitation. 1t is impossible to under
stand how any one refusing TO vote for
them can be loyal man. They simply
express desire for the success of the ma
tional cause !over the rebellion They
are based on one of the fundamental ar
ticles Of the Church discil Inc. and con-
sequeniy taLhoi ~ uiJpets,t ~ as f'po-
litical.' NLat Interpretations can We
give, then, to the conduct of those who
refused to allow discussion on them, but
consigned them to the oblivion of the Ia
BILE? That some Of them were secession
lists Is clear from their remarks. The
Rev. Mr.. Bull, for instance, said he was
opposed to fasting and praying at the
dictation of the President Of the United
States, and should vote against the reso.
lulions. Mr.. Bear remarked that be
prayed neither for the success of the con.
federates nor the Federal arms, for he
did not know which was right. Thus the
bull and the bears were seen working in
harmony; spectacle unprecedented in
history. A convention composed Of cler.
gymen deliberately insults the Govern
mcnt that protects them, by refusing ia
pray, or express wish for its prosperity.
Not voice is raised in behalf the Gov
eminent, but on the contrary bulls and
bears agree in maligning it, and casting
ridicule on the Administration.
The vote tabling these resolutions was
81 to H.. The true Interpretation of the
vote is probably found in the remarks Of
the Rev. DR.. Thomas, who thought that
"the passage Of any resolution on the
subject would do harm to the Church"
Is the Methodist Episcopal Church. then,
SO equally divided between loyal men and
traitors that IN expression Of sympathy
for the Government would divide thes,
into two hodiess Do the loyal member,
of that Church prize their fellowship with
traitors above their country Would
they keep up their church organization
BY the same cowardly trimming, if JEFF,
Davis were, BY any chancs, TO tx the seat
Of his governmsnt ct Washington p
What spiritual benefit can be expected
from Church that has no country. Nc
patriotism, and dares not declare on one
side or the other Of = great moral CUES.
ton that occupies the thoughts of every
man in the country--a Church which ha,
no opinion on the respective merits Of free.
dom and slavery? What towards and
pietistic Journalists are these that pu,
their Church above the country which
protects them who dare not whisper 4
loyal word for fear Of detriment TO the
Church, while they look with smotionlss,
complacsncy on the wicked efforts Of con-
spirators TO overthrow and destroy the
only Government under which theil
Church has enjoyed protection and i'm.
munity from oppression ! II ingrautuds