The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-09-08

or tumult on their part, is largely due 70
the same cause. Though often revllec
while prosecuting the evange lzatlon o,
the colored people by those who claimed
to be their better friends, Southern Metn-
odists have persevered in it--not WITHOUT
blessed results.
We might have done more, but we
should he thankful to the grace OF Gsd
that we have not done less Our labor
has not been in vain in the Lord: Muiu-
tudes have been saved, who will be our
crown of glory in "that day" ana tnat
the GOOD effects of our religious teaching
bestowed upon them in bondage WIN loi
| low the race into their new condi1ion anu
help to prepare them for 1t, Is matoer OF
pleasing reflection to US. oar numerous
membership among them of over two hum
dred and forty thousand, exclusive OF the
Conversations and catecumens who re-
ceived instructions from our pastors and
missionaries has been much reduced by
recent changes and casualties. If it
should be still further reduced, we need
not be surprised. Defectious, doubtless,
will take place from their ranks to eccles-
iastical organizations Offering greater so
cial Inducements for their adhesion. If
they elect to leave us, let them 60, with
the assurance that as heretofore we have
been, so will We continue to be, their
friends, and in every suitable way aid
their moral development and religious wei
fare. We must still keep up place and
a servire for those who remain with US
and for others who, after brief expert
ment elsewhere, may wish to return.
While no factious opposition on the one
hand, should be offered to the exercise OF
their fullest liberty in choosing their &C.
cles astical associations on the other, no
desire Of being rid of a responsibility,
should incline you to treat their action, IN
so grave matter, with Indifference, or to
let them take their way in ignorance OF
all the Issues involved. Give them exact
information and patient explanation. Act
faithfully and kindly in all things towards
them, and as it becomes those who truly
care for their souls.
Reconstruction or reunion with the
Methodist Episcopal Church, North, has
within the last few months been brought
before the public BY the UNCONVENTIONAL
papers and by their preachers and MEM
bers in published addresses and resolu-
tons. Their bishops and missionary Sec
retaries held q meeting in June, the pro-
ceedings of which, embracing this subject,
have been published by order. Under
these circumstances some allusiOn to it
may be proper from Us.
You are aware that at our first general
conference delegate was appointed to
visit the general conference of the north
ern MethOdists and present to that body
our Christian salutations, with the offer to
establish fraternal relations and closer
intercourse between Us as members of the
same spiritual family. He was in all re-
spects most proper and unexoeptiOnable
minister, and performed the part assigned
him in most proper and unexceptionable
manner He presented his credentials to
that body and asked and awaited their de-
cision. They granted him no hearing in
their presence. They declined to receive
him in his official character. They reject
ed his offer. he closed his Intellectual
mission by informing them, in commu-
nication which he assured them was final,
that as they had rejected our offer, we
could no more renew it. We held our
selves acquitted of any breach of Cristian
unity that might appear. But if, at any
time, they should formally and officially
make the same offer to us. the door would
be open for its reconsideration. This was
in 1S4S They have since made no such
offer. There the matter rests, and we
might well be excused from any further
reference to it,
We feel bound to say to yoC, however,
that since then the position of northern
MethOdists toward us has been somewhat
changed. Having agreed with us on
plan of separation into two independent
ecclesiastical jurisdictions, and for an
equitable division of the church property,
they afterward sought to repudiate their
covenant and evade payment, and were
only brought to settlement at the end of
the law This plan, though granted by
themselves, who were in 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 misrepresen-
tations to Tx on us the invidiOus character
of secessionis,s and schismatics without
authority 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 domes-
tic slavery in the United States does not
affect the question; that was prominent
in our separation in 1914. Nor is this
the only difference or the principal one
between us and them. While testifying
with pleasure to the nobler conduct and
sentiments of many brethren among them,
we must express, with regret, our appre-
hension that large proportion, if not
majority of northern Methodists have be-
come incurably radical. They teach for
doctrine the commandments of men.
They preach another gospel. They have
incorporated social dogmas and political
tests into their church creeds. They have
gone on to impose conditions upon disci-
pleship that Christ did not impose. Their
pulpits are perverted to agitaticns and
Questions NOT healthfi,1 tn neraonal pietv