The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1864-03-18
From the Le,oistofcn Trns Dsmoeraf.
Rev. Mr.. Kepler's Withdrawal.

During the late sitting of the East Baltimore
Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church
has many friends IN TINS aoiafhi t59eiNRo eiNgotaq9t aq9
his resignation, and received an honorable dis
missal from the communion of the church. The
story that Mr.. KS course was prompted by q
! fear OF accommodation, which some malicious
persons are endeavoring to circulate, is, we are
assured, utterly false For the information of
the public we print Mr.. Keper's letter of resig-
nation in full
To the members Of East BalGm ora Annuol Con-
ference.
Dear Brethren For several years past have
thought, and have comf1dentialy stated my i'm
pressions to few friends, that crisis might ar
rive in the history of the Methodist Episcopal
Church which would make it my duty to ter
inmate my ministerial relations to this confer
ence, although composed ofa body of men whom
have long and devotedly loved
! was strongly influenced at your last session
to carry out this purpose. Yet, as my appoint
ment for the past year was to say the least, one
of some pecularity, determined, although ad
vised by friends to a contrary course, to 90 to
my work in spirst. off christian meekness, per-
form the duties assigned me and then with hu.
mility and in the fear of the Lord to retire from
any further connection with the Methods, Epis.
copal Church. Allow me then, dear brethren
in all good conscience and in the spirit of kind
ness and love, to send you this paper as contain
ing my resignation as member of the East Bal
timore Apnual Conference Under other cir
cumstances it would have been my highest hap
pness to have lived, and labored and died with
xnr It\Vnrk fou fbor's
Ministry of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
And will not now disguise the fact, that
have realized much of Christian enjoyment and
also numerous testimonials of brotherly affec.
tion, in 10 society and sympathles of the MEM
bers both of the Baltimore and East Baltimore
Conferences, during a term of thirty seven years
connexion with these two ecclesiastical bodies
Nor do take leave of you now, without Deep
heartfelt emotion; without profound gratitude
to the ''God of all grace" that he permits me
in his wonder working Providence, in looking
back upon the years that are past to give elo-
ry and praise to his holy name, that in the va
rious fields Of labor in which my imperfect. Min.
istry has been exercised, have witnessed the
to God of more than two thousand
precious and immortal souls. feel that am
unworthy 10 have been thus privileged, and
feel, also, that s'it is not of him that wieth nor
of him that runncth, but of God that showeth
Begging, dear brethern, that you will
throw over the many imperfections you have
found me to betray in my holy calling, as Min
lister of Christ, the beautiful mantle of heaven.
born charity, have in conclusion to say, In all
Christian frankness, and in all good conscience
before God, that as, after an examination of
a long series Of years, with an honest desire to
know and obey Gods most holy WORD, my views
and convictions respecting the relation of master
and servant, as contained in the Bible. are utter
ly, and must say irreconcilably opposed to
those which now govern the great body of the
M. E. Church, and which doctrines cannot
preach without being a dssembler before the
Lord: while in saying thus much, l pretend to
Judge no man, but only speak honestly and fear.
lessly for myself, and thus commit the justifica-
tion of my own course to the unfolded pleasure
Ofa future Providence, feel now have no