Washington telegraph., 1865-09-13

Corinthians, "working with his own
hands" And to the members, the ex-
ample Of the. churches of Macedonia
whose "deep poverty" in great trial Of
affiiction, "abounded unto the riches Of
their liberality." Have the days Of a
heroic and suffering ministry passed
away? We trust not, but hope to See it
illustrated in the opportunities the pres
ent distress affords We cannot draw in
our lines We cannot abandon any field.
But rather, in the spirit of our fathers,
at once conservative and aggressive,
while maintaining positions already ia
ken, we must extend our labors to regions
beyond.
In the change from slaves to freedmen
which has providentially bnfallen the , o.
groes of the Southern States, our obliga-
tions to promote their spiritual welfare
have not ceased. We are still debtor to
them free, as before to them bond I'm
der :he divine blessings, our church has
done q great work for this people. Their
moral training, and generrlly diffused
knowledge Of the cardinal truths Of
christianity, and their ecclesiastical! dis
cipline has justly won the admiration Of
many who have lately come in contact
and acquaintance with them. 1t has ac-
cOmplished mere; it has materially con
tributed to their subordination and iuof-
fensive behavior through the late de-
fenceless and excited times, when proph-
ecies were confident and opportunities
frequent for domestic instructions -
And their safe though sudden passage
from the state of bondage to liberty, a
transition accompanied by no violcnc., or
tumult OIL fheir part, is largely due to
this cause. Though often revilcd while
prosecuting the evangelization Of the
colored people BY those who claimed to
be their better friends, Southern Metho
dists have persevered ia it, not without
blessed results. We might have done
more, but we should be thankful to the
grace of God, that we have not done less.
Our labor has not been in vain in the
Lord Multitudes have been saved, who
will be our crown of glory in "that day"
And that the good effects Of our religious
teachings bestowed upon him in bondage
will follow the race into their new con-
dition and help to prepare them for it, is
matter of pleasing reflection to us. Our
numerous membership among them of
over two hundred and forty thousand, ex-
elusive of the congregations and cate
chumens who received instructions from
our pastors and missionaries, has been
much reduced by recent changes and
casualties. If il should be sill further
reduced, we need not be surprised. De-
fections, doubtless, will take place from
their ranks to churches Offering greater
social Inducements for their adhesion
If they elect to leave us, let them 20,
with the assurance that as heretofore we
have been, 40 will we continue to be,
their friends, and in every suitable way
aid their ntoral developments and reli-
giouS welfare. We must still keep a
place and a service for those who remain
with us and for others, who after brief
experiment elsewhere, may wish to re-
turn. While no factious opposition, on
the one hand, should be offered to the
exercise Of their fullest liberty in choos-
ing their ecclesiastical associations; on
the other hand, no desire of being rid of
a responsibility should incline you to
treat their action, in so grave matter,
with Indifference, or to let them take
their way in ignorance Of all the issues
involved Give them exact information
and patient explanation. Act faithfully
and kindly in all things towards them.
and as becomes those who truly care lor
their souls.
Reconstruction or reunion with tie
Methodist Episcopal Church. North, has
within the last few months been Brought
before the public by their denominati ton
al papers and by their preachers and
members in published addresses and res
olutions. Their Bishops and Missionary
Secretaries held meeting in June, the
proceedings of which, embracing this
subject, have been published by order.
Under these circumstances allusion to it
may be proper from us.
You are aware that at our first Gener-
al Conference a delegate was appointed
to visit the General Conference of the
Northern Methodists and present to that
body our. Christian salutations, with the
offer to establish fraternal relations and
closer intercourse between us as men,-
bers Of the same spiritual family He
was In all respects a most proper and
unexceptionable minister, and performed
the part assigned him in a must proper
and unexceptionable manner. He pre-
sented his credentials to that body and
asked and awaited their decision. They
granted him no hearing in their presence.
They declined to receive him in his Off
cial character. They rejected lis offer.
He closed his Intellectual mission BY in
forming them, in communication which
he assured them was final, that as they
had rejected our offer, we could no more
renew it. We held ourselves acquitted
of any breach of Christian unity that
might appear. But if. at any time, they
should formally and officially make the
same offer to us, the door would be open
for its consideration. This was in 1913
They have since made no such offer
There the matter rests. and We might
we'll be excused from any further refer
ence to it.
We feel hound to say to you, however,
that since then the position of Northern
Methodists as towards us has been some
what changed. Having agreed with us
on a plan of separation into two indie
pendent jurisdictions and for an enuit,