The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1866-11-14
Confirmation, Strong as Holy Writ.

political organisation, and that 1t is now, anC
aims to be the governing power of the republic
Many Of our readers probably have though
this assertion to be more than the facts war
rant and have made attachments on accoun
of prejudice or ecclesiastical antagonism. [
is indeed hard for the American people to be
eve that any great denomination, united only
through theological opinions, and organised
for moral purposes, could be quietly perverted
to secular and political uses, and suddenly be-
come the largest, but most thoroughly organ
ised, and unspeakably the most dangerous
conjunction that has ever assayed to rule the
country. 1t so contrary to the universal
sense of right; so incongruous with our
habtual views of religious things SO particu-
larry repuisve to American theories and ira
ditons SO contradictory to what we had be-
lieved Of the intellectual and moral condition
Of our citizens, that we do not wonder at the
Discrimination even to listen to the statement.
We now, however, give proof which is con-
elusive, and can leave no doubt of tbs truth OF
all we have said. We take from an exchange
paper the following from the North western
Christian Advocate, one Of the general con
ference papers and official organs of the meth
odist episcopal church
g Our churches and religious press are now
involved in the national controversies, and
they ought to be for there are few of our
present public questions which 90 not involve
ethical principles. The whole methodist press
is now, we believe, without an exception, on
one side of the present national controversy.
It is thoroughly radical for the restoration
Of the southern States on the most uncom-
promised principles of universal rights and
loyalty the lebuke and legal punishment of
treason, the protection of southern loyalists,
the enfranchisement and elevation of our
emancipated population, and The stern repres-
sion Of every remnant of the rebellion. That
press is a power in the land we doubt whether
there is another journalistic power equal to it,
1t cannot be bribed and it cannot be intimi-
dated, and, as it appeals to the moral sense,
tie conscience Of its millions of readers, it
weds a force, which may, in the highest
sense, be called the balance of power The
political leaders of the hour seem not 10 be
aware of its capacity, if indeed of its exist
ence. 1t would be well for them to take ac-
count of it. They will not fail to do SO in the
issue, if not earlier"
The public ought to know that the general
conference is delegated body of travelling
preachers, selected from the several annual
conferences. This general conference, with
the bishops, meets every four years, and ISIS ov-
ereign over the church. 1t owns in New Y DIRK an
immense publishing concern, with a capital
of seven or eight hundred thousand dollars !;
where its books are printed under the super
vision Of quadrennially appointed agents This
concern also publishes the New York Advo-
cate, the Quarterly Review, and Sunday
School paper, The editors of each of these
are appointed by the general conference, and
watched by committee, also appointed by
the conference. They are all travelling preach
ers. The conference never, but in one instance,
has confded paper to the care of lay
man. In Cincinnati there is another huge
publishing house, and another paper. Besides
all this, there are a number of affiliated
'Advocates )" Northern, Northwestern. Pitts
burg, st. Louis, California; all published on
account of, and under the editorial manage
ment of, the general conference, which every
four years enquiries into the management, and
appoints editors; no appointment lasting be-
yond four years, and reelection depending
upon appreciation. Whatever profit arises
from these publications is distributed by the
general conference among the annual confer
ences, and by them to the preachers in their
discretion. But the policy of the church is to
sell these papers as cheaply as possible SO as
to ensure the largest possible circulation.
Every preacher is ex-officio and by duty an
agent; collects the subscription money and
gets subscribers. No editor dare differ from
the policy Of the general conference. He con
scientiously considers himself their agent,
hired TO do their work and besides, these
editorial places are much coveted in a church
where there is SO little distinction of rank, and
SO few places Of comparatively permanent
comfort The editorships have also proved
the direct road to bishoprics. The intriguing
and electioneering for these places is lamenta-
bic, and, like other elective offices. they are
most apt to fall into the hands of the least
manly and scrupulous Of the church. These
papers are received by the great multitude OF
the people with as much confidence as the
encyclical letters Of the pope are by catholics.
Very many take no other papers, and as in
these they never sec more than one side Of a
question, they are shut up to the views and
purposes of their leaders. Besides tie gen
'4dI COHLGiS hCV PdPSlo, liielO ''0 OHS vi wv
annual conference papers, such as lions Her
aid of Boston, and there is an independent
paper in New York, the Methodist, which adj
yocates lay delegation. But these, too, are
edited by travelling preachers, and thoroughly
adopt the political position and policy of the
church. Our readers may now see that the
boast, That the press is a power in the land "
is not idle. Its the power that has sustained
the congressional party and fixed the destiny
of the country. Had the bishops and general
conference sided with the president. his policy
would have been triumphantly vindcated =;
fer, as the Northwestern Advocate truly says,
the methodist press "may in the highest
sense be called the balance of power, or, in
other words, the governing power of the coun-
try. This power is now to be greatly in
creased. The centenary collections, worked
with talent and ingenuity almost equal to
that BaInum exhibited in the management Of
Jenny Lind, is bringing into the treasury
millions of money; and 1t will be used in in
creasing and confirming the power of the
church. If bishop Ames could have sue
ceeded in getting his preachers into the south
ern pul pits, he would have added the black
population to the clients Of the general con-
ference and when thew should have bpcn on