Delaware State journal and statesman., 1865-09-05
METHODIST REooNsTRucT1oN.


CHURCH REPUDIATED.
The three southern Bishops of the Metho-
dist Church south, to witt. Q. Andrew,
R. Paine and G. F. Pierce; have addressed
pastoral letter to the preachers and members
of that branch of the Church. which is first
published in the Mobile Adcertiser
On the subject of the reunion of the north
ern and southern branches of that denomi-
nation, tile Bishops say
Reconstruction or reunion with the Aetho-
dist Episcopal Church has within the last
few months been brought before the public
by their denominational papers, and by their
preachers and members in published ad-
dresses and resolutions Their Bishops and
Missionary Secretaries held meeting in
June, the proceedings Of which, embracing
this subject, have been published by order.
Under these circumstances some allusion TO
it may be proper from u.s.
You arc aware that at our first General
Conference delegate was appointed to visit
the General Conference of the northern
Methodists and present to that body our
Christian salutations, with the offer 10 estab
lish fraternal relations and closer intercourse
between us as members of the same spiritual
family. He was in all respects most proper
and dunexceptionable minister, and performed
the part assigned him in a most proper and
unexceptionabe manner. He presented his
credentials to that body, and asked and
awaited their decision, They granted him
no hearing in their presence. They declined
to receive him in his official character. They
rejected his offer He closed his Intellectual
mission by informing them, in a communica-
ton which he assured them was final, that
as they had rejected our offer we could no
more renew it. We held ourselves acquitted
of any breach of Christian unity that might
appear. But If, at any time, they should for
mally and officially make the same offer TO
us, the door would be open for its considera-
tion. This was in 1s4s. They have since
made no such offer There the matter rests,
and we might well be excused from any fur
ther reference to it.
We feel bound to say to you, however, that
since then the position ofthe northern Metho-
dists as towards us, has been somewhat
changed. Having agreed With us ON a "pan
of separation" into two Independent ecclesi-
astical jurisdictions, and for an equitable
division of the church property, they after
ward sought to repudiate their covenant, and
to evade payment, and were only brought TO
settlement at the end of the law. This plan,
though granted by themselves, who were in
a majority, and subsequently confirmed by
the Supreme Court of the United States as
the basis of our legal and constitutional rights
has been, whenever convenient, ignored by
them.
They have endeavored, by misrepresenta-
tions, to fix on us the invidious character OF
secessionists and schismatics without authori-
ty or cause from the parent body, whereas
we are, in all respects, coequal and coeval
with themselves
The abolition, for military and political
considerations, of the institution of domestic
slavery in the United States, does not aficct
the question that was prominent in our sepa
ration in 1914. Nor is this the only differ
ence, or the principal one between us ant
them. While testifying with pleasure to tht
noble conduct and sentiments of many breth
rem among them, we must express with regre
our apprehension that large proportion, i
not majority, of northern Methodists, hay,
become incurably radical, They teach fo
doctrine the commandments of men. Thel
preach another gospel. They have ineorpo
rated social dogmas and political tests int
their church creeds They have gone on t,
impose conditions upon diseipleship tina
Christ did not impose. Their pulpits ar
perverted to agitations and questions no
? healthful to personal piety, hut promotiye t
political and ecclesiastical discord, rathe
than of those ends for which the church G
the Lord Jesus Christ was instituted.
Without such a change as we see no immt
date prospect of in their tone and temper an
practice, we can anticipate no good resu
from even entertaining the subject of reunio
with them Fidelity to what seems our prov
dental mission requires that we preserve ou
Or distinct ecclesiastical organization, in all it
SO vigor and integrity, free from entanglmg all
ances with those whose notions OF philar
& thropy and politics and social economy ar
liable to give an ever-varying complexion
their theology. Let us abide in our lot, an
IN be true to our calling, doing what we can I
b spread scriptural holinesst through these land
or and 10 oppose the tide of fanatacism whic
~ .t-.ata,,s THAR OvardnU