New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-09-01
THE PASTORAL ADDRESS OF
THE SOUTHERN METHODIST
RIaHOPA.

1t is twenty-one years since the McthOdists
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-
fllsal to abide by the antiSlavery regulations OF
their church discipline. Ever since Slavery
has 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 the
eve of extinction, many Methodists, both North
and South, should be of opinion that the only
barrier to reunion having been removed, an
attempt should be made to consolidate again
the Methodist Episcopal Church and the South
ern Methodist Church into one.
On the part of those in the North who favored
this scheme il was proposed that from the
Southern Methodist Church nothing should be-
demanded except the formal announcement Of
Slavery and a declaration of unconditional
loyalty to the Government of the.U tJtcd States.
In case these conditions were accepted, the two
churches were to be fused a, once.
For time it seemed as probable that the pro-
posal would be received iayorably by the South.
In East Tennessee no less than 5000 Southern
Methodists transferred their membership from
the Southern to the Northern Church. In the
mountain districts of East Kentucky a large
number of ministers and laymen seemed
ready to take the same step. A similar state of
feeling was reported from parts of North Caro-
lima, Louisiana and other States. The Senior
Bishop of the Church, Soule, had ap-
provingly spoken of reunion, and other promi
nent men had declared themselves OF the same
mind.
But those who INDUCED the hope Of a reunion,
soon learned that they had mistaken the DISPOSE
ton of the leading spirits of the Southern Church
As soon as the first shock received from the col
lapse of the great embryo Slave empire had
passed, the lifelong champions of the peculiar
institution resolutey went to work to repair their
decaying church. The church papers were re-
vived the property contiscated by the Govern
ment reclaimed the annual Conferences sum.
moned to meet, and the conyocaton OF General
Conference announced for next year. The lead
ers of this reconstruction movement protested a
sincere submission to the restored Union and an
acceptance of the destruction Of Slavery, but,
at the same time, determination to perpetuate
their separate organization on the basis OF thell
former opinions
This spirit of an undinohing opposition to q
reunion with the anti-Slavery Methodists Of the
North, has just found an official sanction in
pastoral address to the Southern Methodist
from three of their Bishops, Andrew, Pierre
and Paine. The remaining three Bishops Early
of Virginia, Soule of Tennessee, and Kayanaugl
of Kentucky, were not present, but they may
be supposed to fully sympathizo with the senti
ments expressed by their brethren. These
Bishops repeat all the charges which tho cham
pions of Slavery have brought. against anti
Slavery churches, and reject in the following
emphatic terms the plan of reunion:
"The abolition for military and political consdeIa
TONS Of the institution Of domestic Slavery IN th'
United States does not affect the question that wa
prominent in our separation in loii Nor IS TINS th'
only difference or the principal one between us an,
them While testfying with pleasure o'the noble
conduct and sentiment OF many brethren among them
we must express with regret our apprehension that
large proportion II not majority. Of NoriAsrn Meihods
have become Heurabiy radical They teach tor doctrine M
Commandments Of men. They preach aHohsr SospSt
They have neorpOroed SOFIA! doSma' and posea sese
into hsr church creeds They hare gone on 70 "'Pl'
conditions upon discpi,,hip nds Christ do not ~pose
Their Pupits arc perverted 20 dSdtlors aFd lns'E' hO
hsabkp personal ptety but promoye OF political an.
eaossastieal disooyd. rather than VI in9se enlS 'o