Smyrna times., 1865-09-06
The Pastoral Address Of the Southern
Methodist Bishops.

1Ae dI huuIeSS OF the S0uLnern
Methodist Bishops.
1t is twenty-one years since the MethOdists
of most of the Slave States seeded from the
General Conference Of the United States and
set up an ecclesiastical organization Of their
own. The cause of the secession was their re-
tusal to abide by the aEti-SlaveTy regulations
OF their church discipline. Ever since Slavery
mas been the only important point on which
the Southern and the Northern Methodists
have differed. 1t was therefore, natural that
When the Rebellion was crushed and Slavery
on Ihe eve OF extinction, many MethOdists,
Doth North and South, should be Of opinion
li'aC tue only barrier to reunion having been
rerr0Veu' an attempt should be made to con-
solldate again the Methodist EpiScopal Church
anu the Southern Methodist Church into one
On the part OF those in the North who ia
Vored this scheme 1T was proposed that from
rhe Southern Methodist Church nothing ,boniI
be demanded, except the formal announcement
OF Slavery and declaration Of unconditional
loyalty to the Government of the United States.
In case these conditions were accepted, tie
Ewo churches We're to be fused at once
For time 1T seemed as probable that the
proposal would be received tavorably by the
South In East Tennessee no less than 5000
Southern Methodsts transferred their mem-
bership from the Southern to the Northern
Church. In the mountain districts Of East
kentucky large number Of ministers anC lay
men seemed ready to take the same step. A
similar state OF feeling was reported from parts
OF North Carolina, Louisiana and other States
The Senior Bishop of the Church, Soule, had
approvingly spoken of reunion, and other pro-
mlncnt men had declared themselves Of the
same mind
But those who INDUCED the hope of a rcuni-
on, soon learned that they had mistaken the
disposition OF the leading spirits Of the South
cru Church As soon as the first shock recev-
ed from the collapse of the great embryo Slave
empire had passed the lifelong champions of
The peculiar institution reSolutely went to work
to repair their decaying church. The church
papers were revived, the property cOnfscated
by the Government reclaimed, the annual Con
terences summoned to meet. and the cOnvoca-
ton of u General Conference announced for
next year. The leaders of this reconstruction
movement prOfessed a sincere submission to
the restored Union and an acceptance Of the
destruction OF Slavery, but, at the same time,
a determination to perpetuate their separate
organization on the basis Of their former opin-
ions.
The spirit of an unfinching oppo-ition to a
reunion with the anti-Shvery Ncthodists of
the North, has just found an official sanction in
pastoral addres to the Southern MethOdiSts
from three Of their Bishops, Andrew, Pierce
and Paine. The remaining three Bishops
Early of Virginia, Soule Of Tennessee. and Ka-
vanaugh Of Kentucky, were not present, but
they may be supposed to fully sympathize with
the sentiments expressed by their brethren.
These bishops repeat all the charges which
the champions of Slavery have brought against
anti-Slavery churches, and reject in the follow
ing emphatic terms the plan of reunion:
The abolition, tor military and political
considerations, of the institution Of domestic
Slavery in the United States, does not affect
the question that was prominent in our separa-
ton III 1914. Nor is this the only difference
or the principal one between us and them.
While testitylng with pleasure to the nObler
conduct and sentiment OF many brethren among
them. We must express, with regret our ap-
prehenslon that large proportion, if not a
majority, of Northern Methodists have become
incurably radical They teach for doctrine the
commandments Of men. They preach another
gospel They have incorporated social dogmas
ana political tests into their church crceds
They have gone on to impose conditions upon
dlSclpleshlp that Christ did not impose. Their
pulpltS are perverted to agitationS and uues-
tons not healthtul to personal picty. but pro
motive OF political and ecclesiastical discord.
rather than OF those ends for which the church
9i the Lord Jesus Christ was instituted. -
'AtHOuC euCl change as We see no Immedl-
ate prospect Of in their tone and temper and
practice, we can anticipate no good result from
even entertaining the subject of reunion with
them. Fidelity to what seems our proyiden-
tlal mission requires that We preserve our dis
tlnct ecclesiastical organization, in all its vigor
and integrity, free from its entangling alliances
with those whose notions of philanthropy and
politics and social economy are liable to rive
an ever varying complexion to their theology.
Let us abide in our lot and be true to our cal
hing, doing what we can to spread scriptura
holiness through these lands, and to oppose
the tide Of tanaticism which threatens their
overflow"
This, we think, will forever settle the reuni
on question, so far as the Methodists are CON
cerned. The Methodist Episcopal Church will
now extend its organization into all the South
ern States, annex, in the course of time. all
the negro congregations, organize the Northern
and the Southern converts to anti
Slavery principles, and gradually cover with
ITS Church the territory which the pro-Slavery
Southern Church still attempts to dispute.
The ultimate issue of such a contest cannot be |
doubtful.-N I. Tribune.