Washington telegraph., 1865-09-13
They (the Northern Methodists) have

endeavored by misrepresentation, TO TX
on us the invidious character OF seces,
sionists and schismatics without author
ity or cause, from the parent body
whereas, We are, in all respects. cO-eqaal
co-eval with themselves.
The abolition, for military and politi-
cal considerations, of The institution ot
domestic slavery in the United States
does not affect the question that was
prominent i'll our separation i'll 1914 -
Nor il this the only difference on the
principal one between us and them
While teslifying witli pleasure 70 the no
bier conduct and sentiments of many
brethren among them. we must express,
with regret, our apprehension that 2
large proportion, if not majority Of the
Northern Methodists, have become incu-
rably radical, They teach for doctrine
the commandments Of men They preach
another gospel. They have incorpora-
ted social dogmas and political tests into
their church creeds. They have gone
on 10 impose conditions upon disciple
ship tllat Christ did not impose. Their
pulpits are perverted to agitations and
questions not healthful TO personal piety,
but promotive of political and ecclczias-
tical discord, rather than of those ends
for which the church of the Lord Jesus
Christ was instituted. Without such 4
change as we sec no immediate prospect
of, i'll their tone and temper and practice,
We can anticipate no good result from
even entertaining the subject Of reunion
with them. Let Us abide in CUR lot and
be true to our calling, doing what we
can TO spread scriptural holiness through
these lands and to oppose the tide Of ia
natisim which threatens their overthrow.
We, therefore, most earnestly would
exhort you, brethren, to stand firmly on
our platform Of doctrine and discipline.
Know your high calling. Preach Christ
and him cruciiied Do not preach poll
ties. You have no commission to preach
politics. The divinity of tho church is
never more strikingly displayed than
when it holds on its even straight forward
way in the midst of worthy connections.
Be not turned aside from your path by
local, specious, temporary Influences
And in all yeur teaching and admiuis-
tration of discipline, keep in view that
rule of our faith which declares that
"the Holy Scriptures contain all things
necessary to salvation; 50 that whatever
is not read therein, nor may be proved
thereby, is not TO l. required Of any
man"
The conduct of certain Northern Meth
odist bishops and preachers, in taking
advantage Of the confusion incident 10 a
state Of war to intrude themselves into
several Of our houses Of worship, and
their continuing to hold these places
against tie wishes and protests of the
congregations and rightful owners, causes
Us sorrow aud pain, not only as working
an injury to Us, bat rs presenting to the
world as spectacle ill-calculated to
make an impression favorable to Chris
tianity- They are not only using, to our
deprivation and exclusion, churches and
parsonages which we have builded, but
have proceeded to set up claim to them,
as their property. by what shadow Of
right, legal or moral. we are at loss to
conceive. We advise our brethren who
suffer these evils, to bear them patiently,
10 cleave closely together, and rot in
dulge in any vindictive measures or tein-
pers = plain statement Of tile case and
an appeal 10 the justice Of those in au-
thority, cannot fail to defeat such scan
dalous designs and secure us the full re-
storation Of all our rights.
While some talk Of reunion of the
two churches, we forewarn you of sys-
tematic attempt. already inaugurated,
and Of which The foregoing is only an
instance, to disturb and if possible dis
integrate and then absorb our member
ship individually. In the meeiing of
their Bishops and Missionary Secretaries,
alluded to, it was resolved to send
preachers and plant societies in our
midst wherever there is an opening
Their policy is evidently our division,
and ecclesiastical devastation. Against
all this, be on your guard. Internal dis
sensions viii do us much more harm than
such outward antagonisn. Be true TO
your principles and under the divine ia
vor they viii triumph. In this connec-
tion you viii be pleased to hear that our
people are steadfast. The border Con
ferences. under special trials, present a
noble example of steadfastncss.
Not less as loyal citizens than as
Christian men do we deplore the friction,
the irritation and the waste of power
that must mark such unprovoked con-
fiict; the passions that will be abused,
and the influences that will be generated.
more or less, not only in the membership
Of both communions, but in those who
sympathize with them. Reaching and
affecting as it will, directly or indirectly,
50 large O population, and stirring the
popular feelings 50 deeply as religious
feuds ever do, the effect must be serious
ly TO retard that settlement and agree
ment Of an estranged and heated public
temper. already begun. aud the eonsum-
nation Of which is devcutly to be desired
by every patriotic mind For any such
untoward results we shall not Be respon-
sible.
Your General Conference. Providence
permitting, viii convene in New Orleans
on Wednesday after the first Sunday in
April next. To it viii belong all sucL
disciplinary changes and Legislation as q
wise regard to the wants Of the Church
and the times demand.
We cannot close our address witbou;
an urgent and explicit Recommendation