The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1866-04-04
NJ, e. Church South


NJ, E. Church South
On the Goth Of February last, appoint
mcn,s Of ministers Of the West Virginia
Conference, ME-. Church South were
made at Gree5nnupsburg, KY, Bishop
Kavanaugh presiding. This attempt to
revive an organization built upon Sla-
very as the foundation stone, calls 'oren
the following remarks from ono OF our
citizens:
1t will be remembered that this organ.
ization existed here before the war, anu
tina, its minister and people were almost
universally disloyal. Minister'S OF TINS
church engaged in spreading disloyaity
far and wide, until aided by" fire: eaters
out of the church, they succeeded !" mr.
ing the heart Of u whole section ana IN
prrcipita,;ug the country into long
and desperate war. 1t is not unjust to
charge upon the N. i. Church South
the past strife. Disloyal from the time
they seeded from the old church and
went mad on the subject Of slavery. by
constantly presenting tho peculiar ins,';
tuition to the attention Of its hearers and
defending it as divine; and by abusing
those who thought otherwise, and lnclt'
ing mobs to rid tho country Of all who
would not coucede to them all they
asked on this subject, this church, as an
organization, did more to incnbAto ana
promote trsason than any polltic" party
or faction ever attempted to do in the
South.
During the war We find their minis' crs
as chnplaus, officers aud soldiers in all
the battles. campaigns and marches OF
the rebels. Claiming for their cause the
approva! Of God, these men fought long
and we'll, and though conquered to-day,
SO far as open hostility is concerned,
have wc any assurance that they will
teach loyalty where they have taught
di>loynlty, and that they will honestly
ard tonorably advise their peopla to
abide uy the results Of the war aud 10
conduct themselves rs loyal.
write not in the spirit Of unkind
ness or bitterness. | have no wrongs to
revenge or cnm;ty to satisfy against this
religious organization. If they can do
good to souls, shall not cry out against
them. Bu, VIC must adjudge them hy
what they have done since the war
closed. While other churches have
united with the Northern 5raach Of their
denomination, or are willing TO do So
this church most distinctly asserts that
it will not reunilc with the old church.
Alike in discipline aud doctrine, there Is
now no cause for separate organizations.
Slavery is 20 mcr9. The cause Of the
division Of the >h3rch is removed.
What is there rkcn to keep tho Church
South frem accepting propositions Of
union? Shall answer what the trouble
is? Prejudice aud disloyal'y-these are
the only causes that keep this church
from its parent organization.
Whot Object have they in view in re-
viving the church among US? We hav"
here a house Of worship large enough Tor
all the Methodists in our town. We
have room enough for double the mum g
Der that attend llavc we need for
another Methodist Church here? Ger.
,aiuly not. What will these gentlemen
say to the people when they ccMe amoag
them? Will they say, We come to or
gau;zc all rebel methodists iato separate
churches, and to preach to them the
unadultc:ated doctrines Of disloya''y !?
What answer Will they. give? vii! our
cirizens who have been known as rebels
and G;$!oyal during the war, and
especially those who have been in tho
Southern army, eonteaancc and enccur'
acc church that has no better reason
for scuura,e existence than this one?
We mus; regard disloyalty as the DIS
Hscti:e aud liriding feature which holds
this CHURCH alouf from the NJ. II Church
Do we want the old fires rekindled? DO
NC want to see proftssed christians
engaged in 4 war Of bitter words over
dead issues? Do we not want the
wounds Of the nation healed! Then
shy have we here among US religious
organization whose advent will cause Old
bit,crncsscs to be revived, and the people
to engage in strife? The result Of this
will be, religion will be brought to
shame, and the cause Of satan strength
eucd.
If misarprehcnl the true state Of
afTairs ia reference to this church, l will
be clad to be Informed oft.
write pot in anger, but in sadness.
If the VI. j.. Church South earnestly and
ca mildly works for the good of souls,
and teaches loyalty as zcalously as it
laugh, disloySlly, andy example and
preccpt eudcuvors to quiet the opposing
clements in our State and community,
and bring US back to the old days Of
peace and loyalty, none will ce Tcre
charitable toward them and will be more
ready to welcome them in the great
vineyard Of the Lord than
METHODIST.
A Question Of Indemnity.