Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-10
RELIGIOUS MATTERS.
Tho Episcopal clergy of Alabama.

Montgomery Advertiser, Dec. 81
On the testimony of the National Lntelli-
qencer of the 2lst ult., we announced few
DAYS since, that the military order requiring
the Episcopal clergy of Alabama to be sus-
pended from their functions has been re-
soinded by President johnson, but we are sor-
nv to find, either that the order has not beeu
revoked, or that its revocation has not yet
been officially declared
We are informed that the Rector of st.
Johns Church in this city was, on last Sab
bath. by order of the General commanding
the District of Montgomery, forbidden to
hold religious services with some members
of his congregation in one Of the rooms at
Hammer Hall, well known institution OF
learning.
OF course such an occurrence is much to
be deplored by all persons who sincerely de-
sire the restoration of the country to peace
and quiet under the constitution and laws.
Nothing could be more irritating to people
bred to an adherence of everything looking
like interference with the worship Of God,
than a persistent effort to deny the ministra-
ton of the Gospel to so old and respectable
q BODY of Christians as compose the EpiscO-
pal Church of Alabama We do not believe
there is a more loyal congregation in the
United States; but Bishop Wilmer preferred
TO receive his orders from the higher author
tiles of his own Church, as to the form of
worship which he should prescribe for his
people, and as he was especially enjoined to
pray for the civil authority, which, accord
ing to his conception of the situation when
he wrote did not include President Johnson,
he had the PRAYER omitted for the time being
for the President of the United States, and
by so doing, the Episcopal Church of Ala
bama has since been closed by order Of the
military authorities at Nashville and Mobile.
1t was hoped that the Rectors of the Church
might, ere this, have been relieved of all dis
ability by order of the President; but, in
the absence of any such orders, it is presum-
able that Gen. Davies does not feel at liberty
to disobey the orders of his superior, previ-
ously promulgated, and that he is acting in
the discharge of disagreeable duty in pur-
suing this cOurse-Otherwise his conduct in
this matter would be reprehensible in the
extreme.
DR. PARSONS AND THE LOUISVILLE CON-
FERENCE.
We regret to observe that this eminent
divine has got into bad odor with his church
We copy the following from the St. Louis
Christian Advocate of the 3Oth, ult.
"The Committee (of the Louisville Con-
ference) to whom was referred the case of
c. B. Parsons, ask leave to report the fol-
lowing:
q. That about the 2Sth of December,
1864, DIR. Parsons was guilty of such very
serious improprietieS as to call for the visits
and pointed reproofs of his Pesiding Elder,
under which he protested real sorrow, and
freely acknowledged his imprudencc and
great blunders.
2. Reports in regard to these gross impro-
prieties becoming rife in the community, five
or six travelling preachers sent a note to DIR.
Parsons requesting him for his own, and also
for the reputation of the Church, TO ask an
investigation of the same, which, by written
note he declined, saying, " it has been settled
already" abiding to the merciful action of
the Presiding Elder, who had treated the
case as an imprudence only.
When Doctor Parsons heard, through
leading member Of the Louisville Confer
ence, Of the existence and contents Of said
note, and that he would soon receive it, he
inquired of said member what he thought
would be the verdict of committee if one
should be called and when told to answer,
Il think suspension until Conference he,
Parsons, replied, that would be my ruin ;
and then said his mind was male up to
withdraw from the Methodist Episcopal
Church SoIth, and at his own request, the
Presiding Elder, gave him the following
note This is to certify the Reverend c.
B. Parsons, D. D., LII D. is member of
tIa I ,,;r,.;It, A,p,,a1 Of 10
Methodist Episcopal Church South, and has
served the Twelfth street charge efficiently
TO date.
'"THOMAS BOTTOMLEY, P. E.
" LOUISVILLE December 90, 1864"
"The above was written from memory,
but l believe is an exact copy of the origi-
nal.
"fTHOMAS BOTTOMLEY.
RUssELLvILLE, September %, 1861"
CATER his withdrawal, Doctor Parsons al
lowed publications to be made in the city
papers, to the effect that he left the VI. L.
Church South because he sought a more
loyal Church; and when the members of the
Twelfth street Church and congregation, his
pastoral charge, were about to give all the |
facts in the case to the public he threatened
10 take that Church by military authority, |
adding that he was n member OF the Loyal |
League. He soon afterward joined tn NJ. |
+. Church. Your committee feel deeply to |
regret the conclusion TO which these facts |
have led US. We recommend the following: |
81. Resolued, That C. B. Parsons, in de-
dining n further and more careful investiga-
ion of the reports of grave improprieties in
lis case when requested to do so by his min
sterial brethren, has forfeited the confidence |
If the Conference and the Church.
90. Resolrcd, That in the judgment OF this
Conference, that other things than questions |
II loyalty influenced c.. B. Parsons in the
curse he pursued, and that loyalty was an
fter-thought.
IS Rcsolrod, That she name of c. B. Par
ons be left of the Conference roll, his char
cter not having passed.
&C. W. BRUSH,
"W. H.'ANDERsoN,
"THos. BoTToMLEY,
"JAMEs S. WooIs,
as. W. SPEAR,
Committee.
RussELLvILLE, September %, 1865