The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-09-04
RELIGIOUS RECONSTRUCTION
'.r->r~'~~''~. :, gtsa
Pastoral Addresses Of the Methodist and
Episcopal Bishops Of TIE South.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN VIRGINIA.
Spiritual instruction Of the Colorcd
Population and Its Effect.
|
The Schim Between the Churches North
and South Continued.
The Profcssed Guardians Of the Souls OF inc
People Fail to Learn Wisdom by the
Severe Lessons Of the War.
~ Prayer for the PrcsSdent Unsu C"i'
authority b Restored.

Inc
ne hest information have been able TO obtain from
IT, various fields arranged the plan herewith sent
FORTH Of Episcopal visitation OF me annual Soeronces
sponsibics your chief pastors would be aischArged
without giving our views as 70 the bearing Of passing
growing out of the peculiar times in which lots have
The cIose of the war reveals much destituon and
ssra suffering within those States where the larger por
don Of our memberships situated Let us hope that
VIII oner aIo
Industry and plenty TO our and that our churches
having be sdlnsd and walking in the fear Of
naitiplied To these ends youneed not be reminded
that not less your duty as Christians than a. loyal
power The cultivation of the graces Of the
Spirit will directly and nightly help forward
ns best S1
We mutual forbearanee and cancellation In those
sections where brethren have differed on the great ISSUE
which has finally been decided by arms and conscien
ousy held opposing opinions and courses throughout
sne contest let All bitterness and WRATH and anger,
with eli malice Be kind one TO another; and let
easors and people set themselves in the temper OF
ngs and alterations that may unhappily have arisen
ddring the calamitous years through which we have
Dust passed The end Of the war ought TO be
khs end Of oil strife; for 1t would be unreasonable
and reproachfu In Us Christians to perpetuate con-
Aact which, In relations citizens Of one common
Build again the waste places Of Zion And forget
pray for all that are in authority that We may lead
Uutet and poaoeabo NE IN g0oitnces ana honesty;
for this good and acceptable In the sight Of GOD our
The condition Of those conferences and portions Of our
territory which have been the principal theatre Of
mics and battles Will render the support Of the ministry
Tor Ihe present at least dcult they threatened
Sor wsser but Of hearing the Of the Lord Never
The counsss and cousostous Of our holy religion
ana the oldinanSss Of Gods house more needed you
Asader you from preaching and hearing the
D mutual and cheerful The work Of saving the eouls
81 dying and Of extending the Redeemers kngdom
saSSs.ks Saiiowed and our sancsussies Sspt OPEN
when end wherever necessary we commend to the
sss s Fl the S
hands" and 70 the members the example Of the
churches ., Of - S,n whSss dep in
thsr loerality" Have the days Of heroic and suffer.
ing ministry passed awayf We trust not but hope
snords We cannot draw IN our lines. W. cannot absn.
don any Held but rather in the spirit Of fathers
soce conservative aggressive while maintaining po
tions already taken. must extend labors TO
0t0ns beyond
In the change from slaves 70 freedmen, which has
pyovidenally befsllen the negroes OF the Southern
Bates obligations 70 promote their spiritual welfare
have not ceased We still debtor to them Free
before 70 them bond Under the Divine blessing our
church has done great work for this people. Their
moral training and generally dused knowledge Of the
scnns nut. 0 o. nn M, AND ,ner
have lately in contact and acquaintance with them.
Mas accomplished more has materially eomtrsosed
aAs late d<ncles and epcied tmes cohen prophecies
we're confident and epportunittes frequent for dmetc
sssurrsfion And their safe though sudden passage
from state Of bondage TO liberty transition accompa-
MED by violence or tumult their part largely due
ethe cause Though often revcd while prosecuting the
svangexaton of the coiored people those who claimed
20 be their better friends Southern Methodsts perse
vered In II, not without blessed resufA We might have
done more but should be thankful 10 the grace Of God
shas have not done less Our labor has not been in
vain in the Lord Multitudes have been saved who will
good effects Of our religious teachings bestowed upou
shem In bondage will follow the into their
Aiton and help to prepare them for IT, lie matter Of
among them, of over two hundred and forty thousand
exclusive OF the congregations and caAechumcns who
oeved instrncttons from our pastors and missionaries
hae been much reduced by recent changes and casual
ties II II should be still further reduced we need not
sS .na,s ~ aonSssss Will ake place
dncemens for their adhesion II they elect leave
with the assurance that heretofore have
been 30 we will continue TO be their friends and In every
suitable way and their moral development and religious
welfare We must still keep place and q service
Tor those who remain with and for Others who after
brief experiment elsewhere may wish TO return While
mo factious opposition, the hand should be Offer
Cd 70 the exercise Of Their fullest liberty choosing
Their eccesiastcsl associations the other hand no
desire OF beng rid Of responsibility should incline you
20 resa their action, in grave matter with inder
once or TO let them take their way In ignorance OF all
she issucs involved Give them exact Information and
patient explanation. Act faithfully aud kindly in all
tnlngs towards them and as becomes those who truly
decentralization or re union with the Methodist Eps.
oopai Church North, has within the last few months
been brought before the public by their UNCONVENTIONAL
pspen and by their preachers and members in published
addresses and resolutions Their bishops and missionary
which embracing this subject been published by
order Under thess circumstances sllusion TO NAV he
proper from ns You are aware that at our FIRST General
Conferences delegate was appointed 90 vist the
General Conference of the Northern Methodss and
present 70 that body our Christian sslustions with
the oner TO establish fraterna relations aud closer
rourse betweeu us a. members Of the spiritual
family He was In all respects most proper and
ceptonsbIe minister and performed the part assigned
presented bis credentials 10 thar body aud asked and
awaited their decision They granted him NO hearing in
their presone They declined 10 receive him In his Of
pclaharac,cr They rejected his oer He closed his In.
egectnsl mission by informing them, In communication
wh'oh he assured them was nna that they had
5so'ed our cfer, We could snore renew h. We held
acquitted Of any breach OF Christian unity that
syn' appear Bet il At any time they should for
8en 40 omcisii, make the offer 10 the door
SeuId De open for 10 consideration Tbs was IN 1915
10y navs en,e made no such offer There the matter
49,, soa gh' well be excoeed from any further
We Ssal basnd 70 say 70 you he~sver thai then
= ps-on - rc.nern hs,hods's 40 towards us has
Deer somewhat chsnged Having asseed with us ON q
plan ~ sepantion into two spd
LOT an sasIsASI. division Of ,he church properly they az
Fought 20 seDudiae their covebsnt and 10 evae
payment and were only brought 10 settlement at the en-
% The law This plan, though granted b, themselves
the Supreme Court a bs United States =. s ssss
our Legal and constitutional rights has bee whsne,er
eV1venienf, ignored BY them.
Isey iebe Northern Netbodistsj have endesso>ed by
sRSeeentstions 70 az the invidious cbsrssxsr "
Dsse snd sebismafice, without authority or eA,se
r0 Ne parent body whereas We are ell respects 90
pqpA1 and coevsl with themselves
spoIion Tor military and political coptidsrations
80 nslssoson Of domestic slavery In the tinted I
esee ooes net sDec the question that prominent in
ur sepereon 10 lsA> Nor ~ this the only difference
tes pn4.psi one between sud them while !
estfyne wfh pleasure 10 the Dober conduct and ssnti
sspe o. nAn1 brsthren among them we must empress
w reerS ~ eSgrsnenEon that large proportion.
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