Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-09-06
Address OF the southern Methodist
Riahnns. "A

preachers hnu ueluDers, ana gearing udte OoluHi-
bus Ga, August l7tb 1865, signed by J. o. An
drew, Robert Paine and George F. Pierce. Itisan
address displaying at once ability and secession pro-
clivities. It opens with illusions TO past events and
adds: ~. s@- Az ~
The close of the war reveals much restitution and
material suffering within those States where the
larger portion Of our membership Is situated. Let
us hope that returning peace will bring other and
coveted blessings in its train-evl and social order
quiet and remunerative industry and plenty TO our
land and that our Churches having rest may be
edited and walking in the fear of the Lord and in
the comfort of the Holy Ghost may be multiplied.
This restitution and want of remunsrative indus
try will cause the reverend clergy of the South to
get along upon half ratons" awhile, as the people
have been doing because of their rebel teachings
And as to edifying the Churches, that is what has
been neglected for the last four years. And the
comfort of the Holy Ghost, they have not known
In the following paragraph they propose the
cultivation of the graces, as means Of helping
forward the best interests of the country This was
forgotten during the rebellion. But they now
counsel mutual forbearance in those sections where
brethren have differed on the great issue. Bishop
Early did this in an East Tennessee Conference,
where he turned men out Of the ministry for ad-
herring to the Union-held his Conference under the
array of bayonets he called into his sessions turning
over to the guards such men as claimed, nay dared
to be for the Union. But hear the address
The cultivation of the graces of the Spirit will
directly and nightly help forward the best inter-
ests of the country, now sore and broken and pros
trate in its resources. Especially would We counsel
mutual forbearance and Cancellation in those sec
tons where brethren have differed on the great is
sue, which has finally been decided by arms, and
conscientousy held opposing opinions and courses,
throughout the contest
The following item speaks for itself;
The condition OF these Conferences and portions
of our territory which have been the principal the
atre Of armies and battles will render the support
of the ministry for the present at least difficult
They are threatened with that great calamity "nOt
famine of bread nor thirst for water, but of hear
ing the words of the Lord" Never were thee
sells and consultations of our holy religion and the
ordinances of Gods house, more needed by you and
your families and your neighbors.
The address takes quite phylosophic view of the
slavery question: and claims that the good behavior
of the negroes is owing to the instructions in reg
ion the Church had given them Pity but the
whites had been instructed likewise
In the change from slaves to freedmen which has
providentally befaen the negroes of the Southern
States our obligations to promote their spiritual
welfare hrve not ceased. We are still debtor to them
free as before to them bond. Under the divine
blessing our Church has done great work for this
people. Their moral training, and generally diff
fused knowledge of the cardinal truths of christian
ity, and their ecclesiastical discipline haze Justly
! won the admiration of many who have lately come
into contact and acquaintance with them. 1t has
accomplished more; it has materially contributed TO
their subordination and noensive behavior through
the late defenseess and excited times, when proph
ecies were confident and opportunities frequent for
domestic insurrection. And their safe though sud-
den passage from q state of bondage to liberty a
transition accompanied by no violence or tumult on
their part is largely due to the same cause.
Upon the subject of reunion, the address is ram
pant and comes out in the latest style of the rebel
lion. The slavery question does not effect the Issue
that separated them in le44-the Northern metho-
dists preach another gospel-haye incorporated
social dogmss into their creed and require political
tests Yes, the Northern Church requires their min
listers and members to be loyal and this disgusts all
rebels. Northern pulpts perverted to agitations
not healthful to personal piety. When we penned
this sentence elaughed aloud and recolected what
was done in Southern pupts for the last ten years.
Half Of all the pulpits South would have been more
promotive of the glory of God had they been occu-
pied by men who would have sold good liquor at fair
prices than they we're in preaching JET: Darts to
the people, and urging men to enlist under his pi-
rstcal flag!
They have endeayored by misrepresentation to
fix the nvdious character of secessionists and
schismatics without authority or from the par
ent body; whereas are, in all respects, co-equa
and co-eval with themselves.
The abolition, for military and political consider.
ations of the institution of domestic slavery in the
United States does not affect the question: that was
prominent in our separation in 1874. Nor is this
the only difference the principal one between
and them. While testifying with pleasure to the
nobler conduct and sentiments Of many brethren
among them, we must express, with regret, our ap-
prehension that large proportion if not MAORI
ty Of Northern MethodiSts, have become incurably
radical. They teach for doctrine the commandments
of men, They preach another gospel. They have
incorporated social dogmas and political tests int
their church creeds They have gone on to impose
conditions upon disciple6hip that Christ did not i'm
pose Their pulpits are perverted to agitations anC
questions not healthful personal pety but promo
tive of political and ecclesiastical discord rather
than of those ends for which the church of the Lore
Jesus Christ was instituted. Without such change
as we see no Immediate prospect OF, in their tone
and temper and practice we anticipate no gooC
result from entertaining the subj of Reunion
/ with them.
The address calls upon the faithful to be true t.
the principles they went into the rebellion for-tht
principle of ssctiosGEisn. They not for reunion
but for strife:
While some talk of reunion Of the two Churches
we forewarn you of a systematic attempt, already
inaugurated and of which the foregoing is only al
instance to disturb and if possible disintegrate anC
then absorb our membership individually In tht
meeting of their Bishops and Missionary Secreta
ries alluded to, it was resolved to send preacher
and plant societies in our midst wherever there i
an opening. Their policy is evidently our division
destruction and ecclesiastical devastation. Agans
all this, be on your guard Internal discussions vii
/ do us much more harm than such outward antagon
ism. Be true to your principles and under the iii
! vine favor they will triumph. In this connection
you will be pleased to hear that people stead
fast. The border Conferences, under special trial.
! present a noble example Of steadfastness.
The last paragraph in the address is well conceiy
| ed, and has our hearty approval. We hope it ma
be carried out and especially acted upon by thei
! preachers:
! Finally, brethren We e1hort yuu above all thing
to cultivate personal holiness. Keep up your fam
lily atars. Forsake not the assembling of yourselve
together for the regular and public worship of Goo
| And may He give you the spirit Of love and of
sound mind and guide you in all things to his glory
J. o. ANDREW,
| r PAINE,
G. F. PIERCE.
I Columbus, Ga, Aug. II, 1850
---s.-e---s----
Affairs In BlOunt County.
There is bad state of things in Blount count!
and we suggest a remedy that the Sheriff arm an
,,o,,pt about twontv-Gve men As DroyidCi for b