Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-10-14
G)e Obio 5tatesmtan

|
The following article 10 taken from the
Chicago Times: We commend II TO the atten-
ton of Democratic Methodists within the lin
its of the Ohio Conference '' .
| Rockford Methodistic Christianity.
We invite the attention of our readers to the
letter from Rockford In another column, re-
specting the expulsion Of several olergymen
from the Methodist Conference lately held
there, because they we're Democrats. Yester-
day the SErlnfeld dispatches to the poor old
morning Abolition sheet Of this city stated that
the Rev. W. G. Blundel was being tried by the
Methodist Conference In that city "upon the
charge OF being copperhead." A day or two
ago We quoted from an Abolition exchange an
instance Of young lady being dismissed from
school tor refusing to join In singing political
song The Cincinnati Enquirer recently gave
the boast Of distinguished divine who, In ad-
minlsteripg the sacrament, refused TO allow
/ Democrats to rariske. In our local columns OF
yesterday we detailed the refusal Of the "Loyal
Union League, Of this city to admit an honor
able and prominent citizen to membership be-
cause he depoeited with a Democratic banker,
and We might multiply numheress instances of
like intolerance.
From the order Of Secretary Stanton dismiss.
Ing Kdgerly for voting the Democratic ticket,
10 the murder Of Bllinger, through all the in
termedisto forms which such prescription has
assumed and different manner Of action IL has
taken, the spirit Is the same. The religious
tribunal which would expel member from its
midst becsuse Of hie political opinions would
hang him as hereto If It possessed the power.
There is an efee tual check for this souless big
otry. Let Democrats resolutely refuse to sup.
port, any Institution of q professed religious,
benevolent, or business character, 10 which they
ace eubjecied to such insult. Wetrust the Dem
ccfats within the limits of the Rockford Con-
ference will have sufficient self respect to refuse
to support preachers Of the abolition persua
sion who have thus gratuitously insulled and
msligned them. Ifpolitical opinions digqualify
q man for the ministry, they disqualify for mem.
bership of the church. The action Of the Rock
ford Conference was direct imputatlon upon
the Christianity Of every Democratic member
OF the church. 1t was a charge of hypocrisy
against every such member. As such they are
bound to meet and repel 1t. s.-.rs
More shan this, the action of the Conference
was equivalent to the declaration that Garri.
sonism would be the rule Of Interpretation for
the Gospel Of Jesus. The precepts OF Christ,
His mission, suffering, and death on the Cross,
and the infuite grandeur Of the objects they &C.
compllshedi were subordinated by the Confer
ence OF the mslevolent fanaticism Of this in
hdel. The elergymen who were Democrats
were retired because they refused to become
parties to proclamation 90 hldeoua and internal
becauae they refused, % ambassadors for Christ,
thus 10 prostitute that which was most solemn
and awful, because they refuse to dsfle the tenn
pie of the Almighty, and desecrate His altars,
and mock His name, by substitutins for His
Go,pel the advocacy of licentious and venom
ous psrtleanship. .-.-..r .---;-rc.
| THE LETTER FROM R:cKRoKp
Abolition ss Christianity ''-Proscription
of Democratic Ciergymen.
30 a.a RccKroRD, III, Oct. 9
To the Editor Of the Chicago Times 70 :rtr -.f.-
Will you allow me the use Of your paper to
expose to the gaze OF the world one Of the most
bsre.faced and cruel acts of the party 10 power.
"Facts are stnbborn things" se -.'.- y
The Rock River Conference of the Method
ist Episcopal Church held lite annual session In
our city recently. In its body 1t had few indi-
vidusls that dare be men and think for them
selves. They are national men, true as steel
but can not adopt all the acts of the Admins
tration. They believe In the Government as
founded by our fathers, aud make distinction
between Government and Administra!ion,-
These men are made victims to the iron wheel
of oppression.
Lust year the Rev. Mr.. Jewett, one of the
Oldest members of the Conference, wss thrown
aside because he could not adopt all the policies
of Abraham. He has done more for the Metho-
dist Episcopal church during the last twenty
i Eve years than any man In the Conferences: He
has Tsyeled, and preached, and built churches
and paraonages, and forded rivera and sloughs,
and Jared hard, since 1888; and now what docs
be- get In return2 He is turned out in his old
| age toltske care Of himself; and for Whst2 lie
dares to be "a, Democrat (ghat no has been
through llfs); this 10 the only charge,
And then there isJthe Rev. ID. 4. Howard q
man Of tsleutand great popularity, who Is COM
PEELED this year TO retire, for no ether reason
than that he is o national man. cd cacl3 Z.
Andthen take another, the Rev. J. w. Agatd,
holding the same views, learn that, since
conference at AURORA, where for the last four
years he has been the presiding elder, and very
popular, the pulpit has been shut against him.
And all for what2 Because they cannot,
consistently with their calling ss ministers of
the gospel, preach politics. There Ia no other
impediment Has IL come to pass that the de.
mocracy Of the North must be compelled to
hear this kind Of preaching upon the Sabbath,
and that men who dare preach Christ and Him
cFuclHed must be rejected and thrown aside
| with the taunt, "YOu Copperheads,2 This ls
the type Of 'aaChlstanity" at the present time.
Shame on those who set such examples 10 their
Aocks. What can they expectof US poor sin-
nsrs, If they take this conrse 10 reform mem
r. Il hope now that have opened this subject, |
add let you and your readers ace the inside |
working of secret power, you, or some Of your |
correspondents, will do the subject justice. II
would seem that the party In power wonld steal
trhe liberty of heaven 70 serve their purposes;
would turn the pulpit, the social prayer circle,
and every thing else TO their account to carry |
out their end, namely the dissolution Of the |
government. Now that the issue is made, | |
want to know # Democrats will continue to
support Abolition preaching. li.f'