Weekly Trinity journal., 1864-07-30
The Methodist Church South.

AS far back as l766, Wesleyan Societies were
formed in England by the illustrious brothers
John and Charles Wesley and their coadjutors.
In 1884 the Methodist Church was organized.
Before the death of John Wesley the organiza-
ton had firmly established itself in America. Up
to the year ls40 the general sentiment of the
Church in the United States was strongly anti
slavery. About that time Southern Methodists
began to speak of the necessity of separate
ganization. They declared that they could not
preach the gospel acceptably to a pro-slavery
population while connected with an ecclesiasti-
cal body all of whose learnings and sympathies
were hostile to that institution. movement
for a separation and the establishment of a
" Methodist Church South or, in other words,
Shareholders church, was accordingly set on
foot Leading Southern politicians who cared
very little about Methodism or religion in any
shape, zealously forwarded the project as the
entering wedge for the attainment of their own
long cherished design of destroying the Union.
Among others, John G.. Calhoun was active in
the matter and when Bishop Capers, of Tennes-
see, was wavering between division and compro-
mise, the great apostle of notification and dis
union brought all his influence to bear in favor
of a separation. 1t is stated that when Bishop
Capers passed through Washington lin l843 we
believe,) on his way to New York, Calhoun had
a series of interviews Extending over the space
of forty-eight hours) with him, in which all the
details of the separation were discussed and ar
ranged.
In the next year, 1874, the separation was
consummated. From that time the course of the
Southern branch of the Church was one of moral
detection. She became the tool of the slaveoc-
racy and the champion of slavery, prostituting
religion and the Scriptures in that degrading
service. When the rebellion broke out, SIR
Southern Methodist Conferences took an open and
decided stand the side of treason Thousands
of preachers followed this wicked example, and
not a few abandoned their sacred office and took
up arms against their country. In every other
portion of the earth where Methodism has been
planted, it has increased and fourished. In the
South alone it has refrigerated and this, in the
language of one of her own ministers, is the re-
suit " of the departure of the Church from moral
principles and the express teachings of the Word
of God"
The California branch of this Church is known
by the style of the 4" Pacific Church" 1t is
ostensbly to re-organize this ecclesiastical bull
wark of man-stealng and slavery, that the ennis
sary of Davis, styling himself g Bishop Kava-
naugh," has arrived here from Atlanta. His
real mission, however, has probably nothing
whatever to do with religion. There is every
reason to believe that his true object is to put
himself in communication with the traitors
this coast, afford them all the encouragement in
his power, assist in promoting their organization,
and learning their spirit, numbers and strength.
In short, this Right. Rev. Father in God is be-
yond doubt performing the duties of a rebel spy
in California. The only noticeable effect thus
far of his presence among us seems to be an in
creased degree of activity and energy in the
high way-guerrilla business, and an increased
boldness in reasonable utterances and demon
strations-Americdn Flag.