The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-04-14
For the Nashville Union.
"a. +. Church in the South.

the purpose and policy Of the N. E. Church
in its effort to extend its organization il
the Southern States. A candid and truth.
full revealmeut Of its mission and mode o.
operation are esteemed appropriate and de
nanded by the occasion.
The NJ. E. Church claims to be an ortho-
dox branch Of the great christian family,
and considers itself so recognised by the
majority Of the religious world. Il teaches
for doctrine the commands Of God, not those
Of men, as some Of its opponents assert, not
proven. Nor does it propose to teach poll
tics, as is gravely assumed by "not few"
So often has this been charged against it
that it deserves a more thorough exposition
than q simple denial. Who, let it be in
quired, are the parties that make this as
ssrtion the most frequent? The NJ. E.
Church south, 50 far as I am able TO judge.
The uncharitable remarks Of the Southern
Bishops in their pastoral letter last year,
was q signal and occasion for simultaneous
onset along their entire line. And the
same charge has been repeatedly made IN
/ the last three months, both directly and in
directly. But did the Bishops sustain their
charge? Have the recent correspondents
to the advocate" in your midst supported
them?
! As to the Bishops remarks did not per-
ceive their proof. Not one instance Of proof,
do l consider, they unfolded. And GER
tainly, men in such high position, who
have placed in their hands SO much power
for good or svil,-who enjoy such wide
reputation and commanding influence
should have spoken cautiOusly and with
spirit of reserve and moderation upon so
severe charge. More especially did it
behOOve them to support their enunciatiOn
with satisfactory evidence. l do not hesi
tate tc say that the Southern Bishops be-
| lieVed they had abundant argument within
their grasp TO make good their charge. But
they failed to produce them, and until they
or their defendants do bring out their
"strong reasons" it will be worthless, and
the presumption is against them. On the
contrary, if we should feel disposed, we could
establish to every unprejudiced mind, the
utter fallacy Of the charge. Reflect, if
you please, that the membership Of the
church is verging close to one million
q 900 ,OOO) souls, and is it rati. nal to con-
clude that the majority of them are hope
lessly given TO teach and believe the doc
trines OF men as the commandments Of God,
that they thus teach and preach? Reason
lorbids such conclusion. Consider the num-
Der, extent and influence Of the recent reYi-
ya!s, to 60 backward no farther, the happy
conversions, the reformatiOns of life, seen
and witnessed, read Of all men, that have
been primarily due to the protracted exer-
cises and earnest preachings Of the church
in different sections Of the country, and is it
a rational deduction that these preachers
are fanatics: that such happy results grow
out of believing the doctrines OF men and
preaching polilics2 Look at the purity of
the lives Of this people-within a fraction of
all the benevolent institutions erected and
ndowed by their munifcence, the general
sanctity and amelioration Of society under
their combined labors where they have
most largely operated, aud we think full
! and complete reiutation viii beiound against
one and all these assumptions. 1t is deeply
! painful that such an accusation should have
| been made At such an insuspieious moment,
aud in such an Official capacity. Il should
rather have been their high Prerogatiye to
| have allayed the troubled waters Of passion
| and divis on by words Of Cancellation and
peace. If there was no wish on their part
to see a reunion of the church, they should
have avoided words calculated TO widen
than narrow the breach.
Having the assurance of its doctrines
and principles being those of the Gospel of
/ Christ, it has come into our midst to aid in
spreading holiness over these lands, desc
lated by war and rent by civil conflict and
disorder. 1t comes to lend helping hand
| TO every child Of Adam, to 60 into the neg
/ lected and waste places of Zion-to gather
the people into solemn assemblies, com
fort, cheer aud gladden. every soul with
songs of gratitude and proclamation Of the
Gospel Of light and immortality-to make
| the rough ways smooth, level the noun
d
tains, fiji upthe valleys and prepare high
way Of holiness for our Redeemer. 1t be-
holds an efTectual door opened unto it and
bearing the great commission on its pre-
eious banner, it longs TO labor and sing,
prav and exhort men. Here it is in our
midst ready and willing 10 do all it can in
saving men from ruin, ready to cooperate
with all christians in serving God and do
ing good. Il does not propose strife with
| apy christian body. Its message is to Wsge
a heated conflict against sin. 1t does not
propose "disintegration" Of any society.
/ Il feels perfect freedom to open its doors
unto all, upon any and all occasions it may
deem suitable, and will gladly receive those
who wish its connection and aid. Is shall
leave itself open aud free to express its
views and sentiments when occasion shall
require. II will do this with becoming
courtesy and Difference to enlightened
] Judgment. Being welded to its legitimate
work Of love and holiness, it will seek TO
abstain from profuess wrangling and "sgi-
tation" of questions not "healthful" piety
-devOting itself to its Masters service.
W. B. CRIoHLow.
MuRFRIssBoRo, April nth, 1880.