The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1866-06-29
THAT POLITICAL CHURCH.

" khkNAh w.
Methodist Episcopal Church, calling TIA POI
lticalChnrch, and every other epithet that
his frtid and disordered brain can originate,
lie calls the attention Of his readers TO the
"blood and thunder" speech which the Rev,
Dr.. Drake delivered " to a wild and bolster
Gus mass meeting" at Jouesboro a few weeks
ago. As every citizen of this county knows,
this mass meeting was held by all of the cit
iEens, irrespective Of parties, and was more
for the benefit of rebel citizens than for any
other class Of people. Politics was not men
toned neither the President nor Congress
were brought in question. 1t was n meeting
to devise the best means possible to restore
order in our midst. We have understood
from good authority that Dr.. Drake was in
yited to attend the meeting by a gentleman,
who during the rebellion wasa Southern
man." knowing tina. he was a conservative
man, and when the committee on resolutions
had retired, DR.. Drake was called upon 10
address the Large rOucourse OF people, upon
the momentops subject that had brought the
people together. After abiding to the great
struggle that the citizens Of this nation
had recently passed through, and the excite
rnent consequent thereon, he called upon
all the people 10 put far from them oil bitter
fee1ing-to forgive and forget all injuries,
and come together and be in peace aud har-
mony lie also informed the people that as
\ minister of the gospel, he could not preach
any other doctrine than the gospel of peace,
and that they ought to e1ereis" the same
elemeney towards each other thai Christ and
his apostles manifested towards their epe-
mics. His speech was well received by all
the people, and we have no doubt but that
men Of rebel proclivities slept with less fear
that night, Than they had done for many
months previous. Union men Of Washington
County, read Meals Bristol News, aud other
papers Of kindred sentiments, and you will
see the thanks we get for trying to restore
peace and order in our land.
1t is very common when an individual is
guilty Of some crime to endeaVor to palm it
of on some one that is innocent. So, with
the rebel Methodist Church South Ministers.
This Church has always been a rampant po-
Htical Church, and has done more to injure
the peace and harmony Of our country than
all the other churches combined. It did
more to bring on and uphold this wicked re-
bellion than any four denominations m our
hnd; and it is doing more to create discord,
and keep alive rbellious sentiment than all
other influences in our country.
We we're informed a few days ago, that at
the commencement exercises Of the ENJOY
and Henry College, in Virginia, some Rev.
Rebel orator in addressing the people, said
that when this war broke out, the people in
the South were not fully prepared foe it, IA
they would have been, but now they had the
opportunity of commencing anew, and the
people should at once 60 to york, and that
in earnest, for another crisis WIS approach
ing, and when it did come be waited to see
the people fully able 20 defend themselves,
and then they would throw OF their allegi-
Ance to this oppressive government, and 6nd
che liberty that they were so long dghiing for.
Al the conclusion Of these traitOrous words,
the people shouted aloud, and cheered the
speaker loud and long. These are the senti,
ments that Gil the breasts Of nine-tenths Of
al the rebels in this couniry, and these reb.
Il Southern Methodist ministers are bend and
shoulders above all others in giving pnoliei-
" to sheil unrigbteous and traiiorous senti-
meBtS, aad still they persist in charging il
upon other denomination as being political
churches. We assert il, without the fear OF
successful contradiction that the old Netho-
dist Church was never, and 10 not now a po-
political church, but that church during the
rebellion stood b. the Government and still
stands by il, and judging the future By the
past, she will always uphold the Government,
Remove from US the emblem Of civil and
religious freedom, and bonhreS viii be psde
Of the word ofGod, and civil institutions will
cease to exist amongst Us, and then the scenes
OF inddsl france viii be realized with all their
horrors all over our country. No man pro-
Tossing to be a minister Is ft TO preach the
gospel thst ignores bis government and iS
ashamed Of that glorious old Gag that has 50
long waved
"o'sf the laud fihs fssa and ,Asbom' Of ths brave. y
TtiS country belongs 10 those brave ntn who
have fought for Il and now uphold it-all
Others should move TO aolims more eouGenl.
al % their irAiiorouI nature, Or kssp quiss-
The Union people, Notwithstanding they
hsvs been bassiy abused. have svstb been anx.
iossiO see peace restored 10 our eonn,y, sud
are willing that rsbelS be permitted to remain
IN peace A. their homes, hat The course " So
SCI bss putsued has made them 5laisnf snd
SSfanl snA now tAsy want noDs bat rsbsl
preacher 70 preaehI 70 them, aad rebsbko
teach their children IN our common scbools
aud colleges. Hthsy ass 30 a~nEious 70 draw
Ahs lins Of Gis,ius,iou between Unisn rsopIs