The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-02-21

Not he least interesting or important
result of the rebellion il 70 Be found ID
its bearing upon the religious organizs-
tons Of the country. The church is des-
tined TO experiences quite - radical
modification IN he progress and issue Of
the war IS the State. The struggle has
been as sensibly felt BY the one - the
other, IS vas quite ustusal, End not, as
It appears to us, 70 be regretted. Politics
have entered largely iato questions OF
church g1vsrnneRt for years past, and
the practical dissolution Of the Union in
Eeligious msttsTs preceded, instead Of
followed, the sevsriag Of the national
bond. The separation in the enc case
was the herald Of what was 20 occur in
the other. The Same reason operated in
both instances. Slavery attempted 10
lay its hand upon the throat of the church,
IS well IS Of the civil government, and
demanded equal obedience from them.
1t found, as general rule the body &c
olesiasticsl quite IS yielding as the body
polite, and enihronsd itself, scepire
In hand, to give laws in the councils
Of She one as we'll as the otter. The
result was, that when the crisis came
when the fire was kindle5, which in the
Providence Of God we believe 10 have
been destined to separate the dross
from tbepure metal of American sOcie-
tT, and east out the former, il found
the Church in the slavebolding dis
trict IS much in need Of the purify
ing process as the civil administration.
Certain il is that the Church has not been
exempt from the trials Of the war.
Peace will find the most of the religious
societies Of the South torn and scattered,
if not utterly disorganized. A large
fields most interesting 6sld-Will thus
be thrown open to the religious laboreF,
where the native soil viii be rich and
inviting with the promise Of abundant
rewards 10 him who enters with the
proper spirit. The work Of church "Fe-
construction" will remain, quite as i'm
pOrtsut and delicate an operation, as that
which IS so largely attracting the atten-
ton and dividing the judgment of the
civil authorities, elioiting prOclamstiOns
from the President, and s8itating the |
halls Of Congress The fact that we have |
no high church magistrates authorized 10 |
illuminate their orders upon the subject,
and direct department. commanders to
execute their behests, will only make the
process Of renovation more interesting to
the Wsichful observer, should it in con
sequences prove more gradual, az il will
be a natural process. The growth of the
new order OF things Will exhibit the real
strength of its inherent qualities, freed
from all external appliances. It must,
therefore, be the better test Of the true
anti-slaverY development.
This work Of religious reconstruction,
little is said about il, being for
The time oVersha1owsd by the more daz-
zjing operations of military and civil
bodies, Is not overlooked nor neglected
By those whose proper work it is. Fore
most in the enterprise is that most Wig
orus and Wide-awake Of al our Protest
ant religious societies, the Methodist
Church North. It has already entered
the new Southern field, with what pur-
pose we can readily comprehend, and
With what results It's not difficult 70 I'M
derstaud Methodism has mover exhib-
tied itself adverse 10 spiritual subjuga-
ton, and has entered every arena for &C.
combat as q warrior clad in
full aFmor for practical work. We can
then well understand the meaning Of
certain movements which are said 20 be
in progress under the auspices Of that
organic ltion. Bishop Ames is in New
Odeaus, taking charge Of that important
field, Bishop Scott has gone to South Car
olina, and Bishop Simpson Il said to be
ia Tennessee. With such men as lead
ers, va msy we'll anticipate results Of the
highest moment to the country, both in
civil and religious point Of view. Other
societies Of the North may be
to follow, if they have not
slreadY made their arrangements TO do
So and thus viii the work 90 Oa.-&
L0lis Democrat