Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-07-12
Action of the Methodist Bishops.

The Bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church
| have had their meeting at Erie, Pennsylvania, and
we proceed TO lay before the public that portion of
their doings which interests the public The action
Of the Bishops that interests us and the whole
country is in regard 10 the reconstruction Of the
Church Werejoce that their position is so clearly
defined and we are particularly pleased that SO gen.
erous an invitation is given TO all bodies of Meth
odsts TO unite with the old body in one common eff
fort 10 spread the kingdom of God Let our friends
read, mark, learn and inwardly digest the follow
| Ing, the action Of the Bishops, held in connection
with Drs. Darbin and Harris Missionary Secretaries
of the Board
/. Resolved That as bishops Of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, We rejoice at the overthrow of
the terrible rebellion which threatened our Nation
al existence, and we render thanksgiving to AL
mighty God for his signal mercies to our country
2. Resolced, That while we reverently bow under
the Christening hand of God, we deeply lament the
death Of President Lincoln by the hand of an as
sassin and we tender to President Johnson who
succeeds to the chair of Chief Magistrate of the
Union, our confidence and hearty support in such
measures as shall restore harmony TO our Union
give equal rights TO all and honorably preserve
peace with all nations.
3. Rcsolced That we recognize the governing
hand of God in so controlling the National conflict
as to cause the destruction of slavery throughout
the rebellious States.
A. ReSolred That il in the removal of the great
cause which led to the separation from us of both
the Wesleyan Methodists Of this country and of the
Methodist Episcopal Church South has passed
away and we trust the day is not far distant when
there shall be but one organization which shall en-
brace the whole Methodist family in the United
States.
s. ResoLred Especially would we rejoice if there
could be general union of all Methodists who
agree in doctrine and who are loyal to the General
Government, and who are opposed to the evil Of
slavery, in the approaching Centenary of Method
ism, which occurs in 1866.
6. ResrLoed, But We as officers of the Church,
have no authority TO originate any plans of union,
and are bound to adhere strictly to the provisions of
the Discipline and the directions of the General
Conference.
I. Resolr.d We hereby extend cordial welcome
10 all ministers and members of whatever branch of
Methodism, who will unite with US on the basis of
our loyal and anti-slavery Discipline and we de-
clare our desire TO labor in whatever way we are
able to promote the unity and prosperity Of our
common cause.
g. Resolred, That we will occupy, SO far as prac-
.icable, those fields in the Southern States, which
may be opened to us, and which give promise of
success and that our mission shah be alike u the
white and colored population.
.. Resolred, That to our loyal brethren in the
South who look to union with us, we declare, that
In accordance with the directions of our General
Conference we shall seek, in spirit Of Christian
CHARITY 10 send such ministers from time 10 time as
snail be necessary 70 care for the people irrespective
O color, who shall place themselves under our
charge and to provide for such ministers Us shall be
received by our Annual Conference.
d. W. CLARK,
Secretary Of the Boayd.
The Conference was conducted with the utmost
good feeling throughout and the results are destined
" hate momentous bearing upon the future
ton Ind welfare Of the Church
Thu ministers Of the Church South "a we'll AS IL
mem Iers, now see that they are invited back and
are Welcome to return whenever they are ready to
takedpon themselves the reasonable obligations i'm
posA by the necessities of the times and the obli-
gatpns required were OF the State governments,
unser which they expect 10 live and labor. If min
stes of the Church South have the slightest dispo-
sitiin TO be AT peace, and TO unite with the old
Chrch from which they separated in May, 1874,
on account Of slavery, they have the opportunity of
doiig so now, and of promoting peace and good
will our church borders.
Eisa well known fact that the separation Of the
Mahodist Church in 1874 was the entering wedge
TO he SPLIT in the Union which eliminated in 1861
andtesulted in all this evil now affecting the land
And !, is a part of the history Of the times that
Bishop Copers OF South Carolina, on his way TO the
,aceral Conference OF 1874, 10 drrv., ...as two
vbo,e DAYS roornsd with John C. Calhoun, srrang- {
inc the details. The Bishop, Methodist, and the !,
a,n..o, a prs.byterian were made wondrolY kind