Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1864-05-18
ADDRESS OF THE GENERAL COW
FERENoE OV THE N. E. CHURCH
TO PREsIDENT LINcoLM-HIs RE-

FEHENCE Wv THU NJ b. OhDhCh
TO PREsIDENT LINcoLn-HIs RE-
PLY.
The following named ministers OF the N. z.
church, . deputAtion from the General Confer
snce 10 session at PhilsdelphIs, waited upon
the President this morning and presented 70
him the subjoined address;
Rev. Bishop Amos, D. D., Bishop Of the N.
Z. church.
Rev. Joseph CummiugS, D. D.
Rev. George Peck, D. D.
Rev. Charles Elliott, D. D.
Rev. Granville Moody.
TsLs EEcsHsney Ibrshsm Liaesia, frs'tIsA u As
U Vsd 1Gtsg:
The General Conference OF the Methodist
Episcopal Church, now In session In the city OF
Philadelphia, representing nearly ssven thou
sapd ministers and nearly million OF men,
berr, mindful Of their duty as Christlsn eiti-
Eens, takes the earliest opportunity 10 express
to you the assurance OF the loyalty Of tho
Church, her earnest devotion 10 the interests Of
the country, and her sympathy with you in the
great responsibilities OF your high position in
this trying hour.
With e1ultaiion We point TO the record OF
our Church a. having never been tArnlshed BY
diEluyAlty. She was the nrst OF tho churches
to express. by deputAtion Of her most dlStin-
guished ministers, tho promise OF support to
The Government In the days OF Washington.
In her Articles OF Religion bhe has enJoined
lnyAy asa duty, aud has ever given 70 the
Government her most decided support.
In this present struggle for the nSiiOn's life,
many thousands Of her members, and q large
number OF her Minister, have rushed TO arms
to maintain the cause Of God and humanity.
They have scaled their devotion TO The country
with their blood, on every battlefield OF this
terrible war.
We regard this dreadful scourgs now desc
lAtlng our lADd, and wasting the nations life,
bs the result OF most unnatural, utterly un-
Just liable rebellionj involving the crime OF
treason against the beat Of human govern.
menus, and sin against God. Il required our
Government 10 submit TO its own dismember-
ment and destruction, leaving It no alternative
Lut TO pr serve the national Integrity BY the
use of the national resGuT ces. II the Govern
ment had failed 70 use It's power, to preeerv,
the unity Of the Nation, and maintain it's au
thnrity, It would have been justly exposed tc
eWrath Of Heaven, and TO the reproAch and
scnrn OF the civilized world.
Our earnest and constant prayer 10, that thii
cruel and wicked rebellion may be speedily
suppressed; aud we pledge you our hearty co
operation In all appropriate means TO secur
tdis object.
Loyal and hopeful in national Adverslty, Il
prosperity thankful, We most heartily congraI
uAte you on the glorious Victories recent
gained, and rejoice In the belief that our CON
p!ets triumph 10 near.
We believe that eur national sorroWs an,
cnlamiues have resulted, in great degret
Grsm our fnrgetfulness OF God, and oppressio
OF our f,llOW-men. Chsstened by sfi tctio
may the nation humbly repent OF her sins, la
aside her naughty pride, honor God in all II
ture legislation, and render justice to all VIII
have been wronged.
We honor you for your proclamAtionS OF Ill
srty, and rejoice In all the acts OF the Cover
dasipned RecufN fFeedOm tn the RI
shaved.
We trust that when military uEaEes and NJ
cesGities shall Justify interference with estal
lshed Institutions, and the removal of wrong
sanctioned by law, the occMion will be In
proved, not merely to injure our foes and 10
creuse the national resources, but, also, As a
opportunity TO recognize our obligations I
God, and 10 honor His law. We pray that th
time may speedily come when this shall b
truly republican aud free country, in no pal
OF which, either State CT Territory, shall SLAYER
be known.
Ins prayers OF millions OF Christians, wit
an earnsstnsss never manifested for rulers b,
lore, daily ascend to Heaven, that you may
endued with all needed wisdom and poWel
Actuated by the sentiments Of the loftiest an
purest patriotism, our prayer shall be contir
ualIy for the preserV alton OF our country III
divided, for the triumph Of our cause, and Il
permanent peace, gained BY the sacrifice
no moJal principles, but founded on the WoI
OF God, aud securing, In righteouIness, liberi
and equal rights TO all.
Signed, in behalf Of the General ConferSnC
OF the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Philadelphia, May IA, 1854.
FKEsIDBET Lib ncoLE's REPLY.
GENTLEhEE In response 70 your Addros
allow me 10 attest the accuracy Of ltS hlstoric
Itatements, endorse the sentiments IL expresse
aud thank you, In the nALion's name, for Il
turs promise It giyee.
Nobly sustained, as the Government has bes
by Hil The churches, l would utter nothiI
which might In the least appear inVidiol
Agi ilnrt any. Yet, without this, II may fair
be said that I . Methodist Episcopal Churc
not l,Ss devoted than the best, 10, BY Its great
numbers, the most important OF all. Ii 10
fault IN Others that the Methodist church sen
more soldiers to the neld, more nurses TO 4
hospitals, and more prayers TO Heaven thu
any. God bless the ASthodISt church, bic
all the church-s; and blessed be God, who,
tails our great trial glVeth us the churches.
After the presentation OF the address and I
reply, several distinguished slsrEymeH frC
England, who arc visiting the General &C
fr nee, called upon the President to pay h
their respects. He received them very kint
aud said tothen that he regretted they had l
been present at the interview with thar brotl
Clsrgymen, and desirsd them To consider the
GsVsI included In bis reply 70 the address.
PRRaihpAI