The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-09-08

in our lot, and be true to our calling, doing
what we can to spread scriptural holiness
through these lands and to oppose the tide
of fanaticism which threatens their over
flow. ita95d eus8 zig. go .le ...
We, therefore, more earnestly would ex-
hort you, brethren, to stand firmly on our
platform of doctrine and discipline. Know
your high calling. Preach Christ and
him cruci6ed. Do not preach politics.
You have no commission to preach poll
tics. The divinity of the church is never
more strikingly displayed than when 1t
holds on it's even, straightforward way in
the midst of worldly connections. Be not
turned aside from your path by local, spe.
cious, temporary influences. And in all
your teaching, and administration OF dis
cipline, keep in view that rule of our faith
which declares that "the Holy Scriptures
contain all things necessary to salvation !;
: o that whatever is not read therein, nor
may be proved thereby, is not required OF
any man."
The condnct of certain Northern Meth
odist Bishops and preachers, in taking adj
vantage of the confusion incident to state
of war to intrude themselves into several
of our houses OF worship, and their con-
tinuing to hold these places against the
wishes and protests of the congregations
and rightful owners, causes US sorrow and
pain, not only as working an injury to us,
but as presenting to the world spectacle
i'll calculated to make an impression favor
able to Christianity. They are not only
using, to our deprivation and exclusion,
churches and parsonages which we have
builded, but they have proceeded to
set up claim to them as their proper
ty. By what shadow of right, legal or
moral, we are at loss to conceive. We
advise our brethren who suffer these evils
to bear them patiently, to cleave closely
together, and not indulge in any vindic-
tive measures or tempers. A plain state
ment of the case, and an appeal to the
Justice of those in authority, cannot fail
to defeat such scandalous designs and
secure to Us the full restoration of all our
rights.
While some talk of reunion of the two
churches, we forewarn You of systematic
attempt, already inaugurated, and OF
which the foregoing is ouly an instance,
to disturb and if possible disintegrate and
then absorb our membership individually.
In the meeting of their bishops and mis-
sionary secretaries, alluded to, it was re-
solved to send preachers and plant socie-
ties in our midst wherever there is an
opening. Their policy is evidently our
division, destruction and ecclesiastical de-
vastation. Against all this be on your
guard. Internal discussions will do US
much more harm than such outward an
tagonism. Be true to your principles and
under the divine favor they will triumph.
In this connection you will be pleased to
hear that our people are steadfast. The
border Conferences, under special trials,
present a noble example of steadfastness.
Not less as loyal citizens than as Chris
ton men do we deplore the friction, the
irritation and the waste of power that
must mark such unprovoked conflict; the
passions that will be aroused and the in
fuences that will be generated, more
or less, not only in the membership of
both communions, but in those who SYM
pathize with them. Reaching and affect
ing as it viii, directly or indirectly, so
large population, and stirring the popu-
lar feelings so deeply, as religious feuds
ever do, the effect must be seriously to
retard that settlement and agreement of
an estranged and heated public temper,
already begun, and the consummation of
which is devoutly to be desired by every
patriotic mind. For any such untoward
results we shall not be responsible.
Your general conference, Providence
permitting, will convene in New Orleans,
on the first Wednesday after the first Sun
day in April next. To it will belong all
such disciplinary changes and legislation
as awise regard to the wants of the church
and the times demand.
We cannot close our address without an
urgent and explicit recommendation to
you, to adjust yourselves as citizens of the
United States promptly, cheerfully and in
good faith to all your duties and response
bilities. Whatever may have been the
opinions, positions or prejudices of any
OF you concerning the social and political
changes that have occurred in our govern
ment, we deem this course to be called
for on your part, both by sound judg-
ment and an enlightened conscience.
Finally, brethren, We exhort you, above
all things, to cultivate personal holiness.
Keep up your family affairs. Forsake not
the assembling of yourselves together for
the regular and public worship of Coz.
And may He give you the spirit of love
and sound mind, and guide you in all
things to his glory.
]. o. ANDREW,
Z. PAINE.
g. F. PIERCE.
CoLrMnr>, TIA, Aug. Il, 1865.