Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1865-10-13
THE REUNION OF THE NORTHERN AND
r7 h 8 SOUTHERN CHURCHES. sfrs{Ast

.
1n most respectfully ask permission to offer few
remarks the subject of the reunion of the sepa-
rated churches of the North and South These
remarks spring from the discussion of the topic in
the columns of your paper during the week.'
cannot speak for other churches. They have their
own pens. But being on visit to this metropolis,
Ideem IL due to my brethren of the Southern
Methodist Church TO offer a few remarks on the
present aspects of the question: rs understand Il.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was by common
agreement, divided into two great bodies, the
nothern and the southern, twenty-oue years ago.
Since that period they hate respectively grown 10
many respects, quite unlike. So unlike, indeed,
that, for one, | deem the reunion utter impossi-
bihty.' The attempt, if forced upon the southern
people, would result in their total disperson into
other churches or new organizations. iaE. 7d 70
It should also be borne in mind that the peculiar
Structure of the Methodist Church does not make
mere 'union' essential to the accomplishment of
its great spiritual mission. After the SEPARATION of
the church into two great bodies-the northern and
southernit is historical fact that they both pros
pered more than at any former period since the
days of the sainted Wes ey. Nor is there any rea-
son TO suppose their reuniting would in any manner
increase the usefulness of the body. And there is
as much reason in requiring the restoration again
of the Methodist Church Of Canada or the union
of the British Weseyans with the northern Metho-
dist Church as for the reunion Of that church with
the Southern Methodist Church. All the courtesies
of Christian intercourse can as esily be maintained
between the two latter a: they have been between
the three former churches, without consolidation.
Beside, the "Unon" would make the body too
unwiedly in many respects for the free exercise of
its own functions. ' y ii7f
Already the quadrennial assembly, known as the
General Conference in the northern Church. must
number two hundred and fifty members That of
the southern has, perhaps near two hundred.
cannot pause to refer TO statistics. II united
the body, in a few years, would number several
hundred. md the expensiyeness Of holding such an
assemGlage would compel its division. Indeed at
no very remote day it may be found necessary to
set OFF the Pacific States into separate church,
and probably others, by the northern Methodist
Conference, for the above and other reasons; then
the southern Church would again find it essential
also, to reestablish herindependence.' ''k l see
il Nor is this all. The Church South feels the
necessity Of making several important changes IN
her general economy to meet the changed condi-
tions of society aud extend her usefulness and she
does not wish. nor mean TO be embarrassed by those
who never did do not, and never can appreciate
her character, claims aud obligation. ..'..
The Evangelical Methodist Church knows moth
ling of politics. She will spread no flags for her
sacramental solemnties. Nor win she bedizen the
sacred pulpi: with the symbols Of political power;
no; not even with
So ,r7, "The Star Spangled Banner ~
though she will sincerely pray that It may
"wave Ger the land Of the free
And the home Of the brave"
/ IT. however, the "Union" were desired on the
part of the southern church, the spirit and temper
Of the leading officials of the northern church arc
such as to forever repel her advances. Witness the
4 Episcopal raid over the South s"fianking', the
houses of God, as horses were sometimes ''fianked
by loose foragers who foot-sore, and preferred
to rides Witness the sangunary demands in the
Heading Journals for the hanging of eminent rebels
confscation and penalties Political journals ex-
hbt far Of the spirit of the gospel than these
Methodist journals, to say nothing Of magnanmity
The Christian people of the South simply, desire tc
be left in quiet. They understand their situation
and by the grace of God they win 60 forward il
the performance Of their duties. They will support
the government defend the Constitution, observe
the laws, render to Caesar the things that are
ICesars, and to God the things that are Gods
But the southern Methodists would sooner seek re
pose and spiritual consolation in the bosom of tht
Roman Catholic Church, thousand times over
than re-enter the bosom Of the northern Methods
Ichurch.
/. Indeed, we have been more kindly treated by
the Catholics than by the northern Protestants fo
the past twenty-five years
And here another reason against reunion ad
dresses itself to my thoughts.
From all can learn, there is to be another wa
F la war for the extirpa,ion of the Roman Catho
, Church. When this battle comes on, come as !
may whether with the pen. the ballot the sword
the Christian people OF the South will stand sid
by side by side with the assailed church. We in
tend TO claim for ourselves the rights to worship
; God according to the dictates of our own consicen
ces and the teachings Of the word of Cod and tn
0 South, true 10 her characteristic magnanmty vii
be no party TO the deprivation of any other churc
Ioct Ia, 49,
crisis and such a controversy, would entreat Al
: southern Christian people to maintain their presen
separate status letting the fury of northern tanati
4 cism eXpend itself in these dsgraceful raids upo
. their ecclesiastical neighbOrs while they give them
selves to the work of the ministry and the feedin
of the flock Of Christ. Already the norther
!, Methodist stands up boasting political power i
q the United States Rev. Bishop Simpson boas
that the church elected the te President Abraham
Lincoln, The southern church never dreamed {
toleTating the idea of 50 gross departure from he
holy mission Of publishing the Cross. r7a..
Vow, II this northern church, alone, elected on
President how long would it require the tw
churches combined to elect another, and the
n another2
Animated by the political ambition, and inspire
It with the idea of gigantic and overshadowin
e church, the two bodies, melted together, would, o
n to say the least, could control the future admini
% iratlons for all coming time
le So profoundly am penetrated with the impen(
e ing perils menacing the land in prospect of IL
Of domination Of an apostate Protestant hierarch
Ie that fee, compelled to warn my countryme
against encouragement to the consolidation an
d solidarity of great ecclesiastical establishment
J. whose ambition, on the one side at least has bee
o. so recently Aattered with the idea of having rule
the destnes Of this country for the last four blood
,e years .. NIX.
A. Are tn American people prepared to suTend
u the control of their political fortunes to the VI
10 skilled hands of Protestant Prelates .-... 4.
ID Are they ready TO surrender the ohaplaincies
ut Congress, the army, the navy, the Professorsh
y and clerical Offices of Annapolis and West Point
ID one great National Church, t ..r .|
t. Press this unnatural church reunion, and "
tn encourage what may in the end prove a spritu
ye despotism that i'll make America as intolerable
liberty as the most despotic government that ev
ruled crushed and bleeding nation. For one, a!
- desire the freedom of the press, the freedom
. .Iba1lof ba fraed q and tha frapd