Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1864-01-30
From the New York Christian Advocate.
Our Bishops In the South.

The recent appropriation of thirty five
thousand dollars for the extension of our
work in the far South is likely to be follow.
ed by important consequences. Almost 81
multaneously with it appears the proclama-
tion Of the President offering to the people
Of the States now in rebellion an amnesty
upon certain conditions which he thought
fit to prescribe. No doubt the President
has acted upon information in relation to
the disposition Of many Of tho people of the
South to return to their allegiance, He 10
in position TO know the facts, and we may
be sure that he is acting Understandings
Measures have already been taken to car
ry out the plans of our church. Bishop
Anes, ut last accounts, was at st. Louis,
preparing 10 start upon his tour down tho
Mississippi Bishop Simpson will soon pro-
cccd to Tennessee. A prominent and pop
ular Methodist minister now stationed in
Now York city, has been designated for the
City Of Now Orleans and though the apa
pointment demands of him not II little sac.
ritice, his acceptance is nevertheless hoped
for. An order has been given by the Sec
rotary Of War permitting the occupation Of
deserted churches within our military lines
and the use of them temporarily forreligous
services, No questions Of ownership or pos.
session are to be raised these can be deter.
mined only when the several States are
brought back to their allegiance and civil
rule is once more established over their
people
Many facts in the condition of the South.
ern States encourage The hope of the return
Of the vast majority of Mcthodists in tho
South to the old church--the church of AS
bury and Mckcndrcc from which many Of
them separated with the greatest reluctance.
The Methodist Episcopal Chucrh, South, is
shivcrcd TO atoms. Ii is doubtful if its GEN
oral Conference will ever meet again or if
il shall meet it will be shorn of its former
proportions. The publishing house in Nash
vile is in the hands of the United States
authorities; its finances wero impaired be-
yond remedy before it was closed by mill
tary order. The members of the Louisville
Conference, at their last session, avowod
their loyalty to the government of tho
Union, and by that nvowal severed them
selves from the rebel part of Southern Meth.
odism The Southern Methodist Church,
which was one of the chief moral supports
of the rebellion, will inevitably share its
fortunes and go down with it to Il common
ruin. As the rebel statesmen have made
slavery the cornerstone of their Confedc4
racy, SO has the Southern Methodist Church
placed under that cornerstone the New
Testament. 1t did its best to give the sane.
ton of religion to the political measures
which terminated in secession.
But the rebellion has proved failure,
and the institution for the sake of which
it was attempted is passing away. The in
cSOrablc logic Of events is rapidly convinc-
ing the people of the South that the fate of
slavery is sealed. AS surely as our armies
occupy the territory Of rebellious States
slavery will perish. Many already accept
this as inevitable destiny, and they are pre-
pairing to adjust themselves to their altered
circumstances. Thousands will--perhaps
slowly at first, yet surely-return to their
allegiance; for with slavery removed what
is to prevent their return 10 the Union p
Our government cannot and will not adopt
vindictivc policy in its treatment of the
masses Of the Southern population; that
would he contrary to all the prccedents of
Christian civilization. 1t must and does
already open the door of reconciliation for
all of the common people who will repent,
lay down their arms, and return to their al.
legiance again.
In this work of restoration our church
may yet act an important part For rs tho
one Methodist Church led the people astray
from the Union, so may the other help to
bring them back to it once more. As the
people return to their duty let them be gath
cred into loyal churches. Let Southern
Methodists be invited to enter again tho
church both of their fathers and of ours
As we are alike in doctrines, in church gov
crnmcnt, and in Methodstic ,isages, let US
show the world the spectacle of a restored
church in which, as In the States, there shall
be neither STAKEHOLDER nor slave.