Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-09-05
Manifesto from the southern uetho-
dist bishops


The bishopsof the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South. met a, Columbus. Georgia. OF the 10th
uli. aud as the result of their delberationsissued
pastoral address to their flock, from which rs
make the follO~ing extracts;
The end Of the war ought to be the end of all
strife. for il would be unreasonable and re.
proachful 10 us a. Christians to perpetuate con
nict which. 10 our relations as citizens OF one
common country, has been settled. Seek peace
and pursue il. Build up again the waste place.
OF Zion. And forget not 70 pray for all tina. are
in authority, that We may lead quiet and PEACE
able life in all godiuess and honesty; for this is
good and acceptable in the sight OF Sod our
Saviour Reconstruction or reunion with the
Methodist Episcopal Church. North. has, within
the last few months been brought before the
public by their denomnstionsi papers and By
their preachers and members in published ad-
dresses and resolutions.
The abolition. for military and political con
sderatioDs. OF the institution OF domestic slavery
IN the United States does not affect the question
that was prominent in our separation in 1914
Nor ia this the oRly difference or the principal
one between Us and them. While testfying with
pleasure 10 the nobler conduct and sentiment o.
many brethren among them, We must express
with regret, our apprehension that large pro-
portion. il not a majority OF Northern Melho
dists have become incurably radical They teach
for doctrine the commandments Of me1 They
preach another gospel. They have incorporated
social dogmas aud political tests into their church
creeds They hare gone on to impose condition.
upon dfscipleship that Christ did not impose
Their pulpts are perverted to sgitations and
questions not heslthiul TO personal pety; but
promotive of political and ecclesiastical diseord
rather than Of those ends, for which the church
OF the Lord Jesus Christ was instituted. With
out sucn a change as we see no immediate pros
| pect of, in their tone and temper and practice
We o4n anticipate no good result from even en-
tertaiaing tic subject of reunion with them
Fidelity to what seems our prOyidenta mission
requires that ws>preserve our distinct ecclesiss
teal organization il all It's vigoE and int gritty
! free from its eatAngling alliances with those
whose notions OF philanthropy and politics anc
social economy are liable to give an ever vary
ing complexion to their theology Let US abide
in our lot, and be true to our calling, doing whs
we can to spread scriptural holiness through
these lands and to oppose the tide Of fanateism
which threatens their overflow
The conduct OF certain Northern Methods
bishops and preachers in taking advantage o.
the confusion incident to a state OF war, to in
trude themselves into several OF our houses O.
worship, and their continuing TO hold these places
! against the wishes ard protests of the congrega
ton and rigblul owners, causes as sorrow anC
| pain, not only as working an injury 10 Us, but al
presenting 10 the world spectacle I'LL calculated
10 make an impression favorable 20 Christianity
They are not only Ssing to our deprivation anC
exclusion. churches and parsOnages which W,
have built, but have proceeded to set up
claim to them, as their property, by what shadow
OF right, legal or moral, we are at 4 loss TO con
| ceve. We advise our brethren who suffer thes
| a tlc RI cle e. n
gether, and not indulge in any vlndictiye meas
ures Of tenpers A plain statement OF the case
aud appeal To the justice Of those in authority
cannot fail to defeat such scaudsOas designs
and secure the full restoration OF all ou
rights
While some talk OF reunion OF the ~,
churches. we forewarn you of systematic at
tempt, already inaugurated, and OF which tn
foregoing is only an instance, to disturb and,
possible, disintegrate, and then absorb our mem
bership individually In the meeting Of thei
bishops and missionary secretaries alluded to,
was resolved to send preachers and plant socie
ties in their midst wherever there is an opening
Their policy is evidently our division, destruc
ton and ecclesiastical devastation. Against al
this be on your guard. Your General Confer
ence, Providence, permitting. will convene il
New Orleans on "Wednesday, after the first Sun
day in April next. To il will belong oil sucl
disciplinary changes and Legislation as Wis
regard to the wants OF the church and the time
demand.
We cannot close our address without ur
gent and explicit recommendata 10 you to ad
Just yourselves as citizens of the United State
promptly, cheerfully, and in good faith to al
your duties and responsibilities Whatever ma
have been the opinions, positions. or prejudice
of any Of you concerning the social and potica
changes that have occurred in the Government
We deem this course to be called for on you
part, both by sound judgment and an enlight
ened conscience. j o. ANDREW.
! r. PAINE.
CT. PIERCE.
COLUMBUS, Ga, August 10th, 1865.