Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-11-08
Work of the Methodist Church.

Work Of the Methodist Church.
What is the great work of the Methodist Church
in American 1t is, after her own edifcation, to
bring sinners to Christ and to cooperate with other
secs in saving the world. In this benevolent enter
prise she is simply treading in the stepsof her divine
Head. "Christ Jesus came into the word TO save
sinners" is the declaration of the New Testament
Everything which may conduce to this end ana
which it Is proper for the Church to engage ID sne
is under most solemn obligations to do 10 prcach
the gospel is indeed prominently her MISSION but
in subserviencv TO this she is faithfully TO employ
every suitable instrumentality to overcome or re-
move obstacles in the way OF the gospel, and to
usher in its final triumph.
Il is plain TO the mind of every candid man, that
the separation of this numerous sect into sectional
branches, on the slavery question, is great hin
drance 10 the success of the gospel and the salvation
Of men, under their influence and care. And every
days observations shows that this evil is increasing
with frightful rspidity. Preparations are making
for protracted religious conflict the food is coming
over US, and the Bishops and leading Ministers are
encouraging it. against the wishes of the honest suf-
fering masses whose ruined health, crushed hopes,
brOkon-hear.ed wives beggarod children, bankrupt
cics, and many other rayages of this monster war,
lead them to desire peace.
The Church has much to do with all this. She is
herself daily suffering amid these sad scenes Let
US very briefly contemplate some of the reasons why
the good men Of both sections should at once faith
fully throw themselves into the great work of uni
ting these two branches of Church one in doctrine
one in government, and one in ain, according to
their professions
The purity the peace the character, the influence
the growth, all summon her to instant and earnest
effort for reunion. The division has already des-
tracted, weakened and dsgraced her. And re,
newal of these Church hostilities, growing out Of
two men Of the same faith, one from the North the
other of the South claiming to be heard in the SANE
house at the same hour will scarcely cause the out
side world to sing out, See how these Christians
love! No wonder that piety Is at so coniessed!y
low an ebb; no wonder that complaints are daily
made that the pulpit is fast lOosing its influence
that a second service on the Lords day cannot be
sustained in any of the Churches that prayer meet
ings are abandoned The Bishops and Preachers
arc fighting and quarreling, and drawing the mem
bership into their conflicts. The outside world
stands amazed, and many, naturally inclined to ia
vor the cause of christianity retire in disgust and
cease to attend Church at all. What bright day
for the Church, North and South it would be, were
she again united and harmonious arising in her
Masters strength, and casting of this terrible iHc-
bus of sectionalsm growing out Of dead issue and
an exploded institution
The Church, thus disencumbered would rise again
into new life; the pulpit stand forth with a fresh
baptism of scriptural light and energy, and healthy
discipline founded the precepts of the Bible be
everywhere raised up, and faithfully sustained and
tidings would be daily heard of glorious rcvvals Of
religion, pure and undefled, from every part Of
Zion. Other sects would profit by the example, and
the hearts of Gods people would be gladdened, and
their hands strengthened. linen the Church would
come up out of the wilderness, clear as the sun,
fair as the moon terrible as an army with banners,
"going forth conquering and to conquer
If union shall not take place, it will be the fault
of the Southern Church in whose leaders the spirit
of rebellion is not dead yet 1t will be because they
wish to prolong the strife. The position of the old
Church in all the contested territory is that of a
thorough Union Church, which sent forth more SOL
diers TO the field more nurses TO the hospital, and
more prayers TO heaven for the success of
the Nations cause, than any other Church,
and which is therefore deserving of the con-
fdence of all loyal patriotic men. This position
the old Church looses this advantage she throws
away this glorious record she sulies when she bows
down at the door of the Southern organization and
begs for a compromise with a set Of men who have
been the very head and front of the rebellion.
A ftar tho contest of arms comes again the con
iict of ideas. Beaten with the ballot, and beaten
with the battle, the Southern Oligarchy proved re-
bellious, and insolent as ever, enters now upon
struggle for peace and power through strategy, re-
organization and political combinations; and the
leaders of political movements implore the leaders
in the Church not to form any unnatural alliances
with the Northern Church Pardon US when wesay
that no class of persons in all the the realms of trea
son. are more thoroughly actuated by these purposes
than those who guide and fashion the destinies Of
the Southern Methodist Church. They are holding
Conferences and adopting platforms and resolutions
as if God be got rid Of by legislation, platforms
resolutions, and rebel speeches Their most glazing
crime and folly is that of attempting to manage the
Church and the affairs of the Government without
Gods aid They are worse than madmen if they
forget what He has taught them in the late conflict
of arms, namely that he is on the side Of good gov
eminent, and of the oppressed.
We have recently conversed with leading and in
telligent Mothodists, living North and South-nay,
with some who were decided secessionists daring the
rebellion and our views herein expressed are sub
stantally their views and wishes, touching a re-
union.