The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1866-04-06
Rev. J. w. Dickey's Letter Anwered
by Rev. L. n. Drake.


Carr. Gro. p. GHisnkM-Eitor UaiO.
Rag.-The Rev. W. W. Neal editor Of the
BristOl NspI, and the Rev. J. w. Dicksy,
Presiding Elder Of the "Church South" In
Virginia, have compelled me 70 ask your per-
mission to publish a reply TO them, especial
" to the lAtter'S letter published in the latt
weeks Bristol Nspsj as Brother Neal has
thought it best for prudential r%easOH', sup
pose, to turn over the undersigned to the
tender mercies Of bis Presiding Elder,
will therefore, leave the Editor Of the NsT',
for you to look after, hoping that you will
trea, him tenderly, and With all that eour-
tesy that usually characterize editors, and
will endeayor to take up the " glove which
the Rev. Dickey has " thrown down" but
without assuming n beihgcrsHt attitude.
would remark in he first place, that II
WAS my fixed purpose, when | became a citi-
zen Of East Tennessee, not to invoke contro-
yersy, knowing that by doing so, should
avoid much strfe-but at the ZANE time,
expected TO defend myself, only when It be-
came necessary 10 shield and defend truth.
I would thank the editor Of the NeTs for
saving, that my "%article" ia the USIvS FLAG
was a " deacent one, hoping that all articles
eminating from . protested Minister Of the
Gospel, may he entitled to the same appela-
ton,
In the outset Of Mr.. Dickey's article he
says: "It is understood by all parties that
to organize societies means to di'Orgdnise
the soeete, Of another Church" Every logi-
| clan, will at once perceive that his premise
is incorrect, and consequently his %conclu-
siors are erroneous. To the law and testi-
mony-Mr. Webster says, to "organize, is TO
construct, so that one part may cooperate
with another In other words, II means,
"to distribute into suitable parts, so that the
whole may act as one body" Not being sat
is6ed with the above definition, he says, 'as,
more plainly to organize societies means to
p~roseiyte from one Church to another" |
would again refer Brother Dickey to Webster,
where he says; "To prOIeiyte, is to make a
convert to some religion. Then a Gentle
converted TO Judaism Is a PrOSelyte n Pagan
converted to Christianity is a PrOseiyte.' It
is presumed that every " public functionary"
Of the Methodist Church is acquainted to
some extent at least, with its doctrines, and
teachings, and from the nature Of the case,
every church relation must depend upon the
mutual pleasure of the perties entering into
this relation. Therefore, when the leaders
Of Church depart from the faith and disei
pline OF the Church, which has for its fOun-
dation the teachings Of Holy writ, the
membership have the right to have their
CD urch relationship changed.
Our excellent discipline speaks for itself
T" If a member in good standing in any ortho-
dox Church shall desire to unite with us
such applicants may, by giving satisfactory
answers to the usual inquiries, be received
at once into full fellowship" II you call
that p~ro,siyting, then every minister has been
guilty, including Brother Dickey. But our
discipline further says, that weare "not on
ly to 60 to those that want MS, but to those
that want US most" This is what we are
doing, and as far as possible our
beloved church IS responding TO the
Macedonian cry, and are sending ministers
of the Gospel not only to "orRanize socis-
ties" but to preach the unadulterated word
Of God, in the spirit Of their Master the
Saviour Of the wor d.
"The Old Methodist Church, shall say
but little upon this, for it is apparent to ev-
cry candid and unprejudiced mind, that there
is but one " Methodist EpieOpal" G ureh in
this country, and all other Churches who as
sumo the name Of MethodiSt, and claim to be
a " coordinate branch" Of the aforesaid
Church, are but b~rdnehSS, and are dependent
upon the a. Mother Church" for nourishment,
and vitality. The Old Methodist Gburch"
in this country is one huHdrsdyeS ola, whilst
the child, "Church South" is hut tTsHty-
tro year, old. Are We not then more ancient
than you Brother Dickey2
NJ. Dickey, asks, ais the new test Of new
bership a par. Of the Old Church " Since
the frst formation Of our discipline, many
changes have been made, In order to keep
pace with the growing interests Of the Church,
and doubtless the interest Of the Church will
demand that at our nett General Conference,
other changes will be made. The anew
test" was made Mt the last General Confer
enee in good faith and for the express bene
ct of those ministers in the "Chureh South, ("
who had been drawn into the vortex Of Sc
session. When our fathers formed our dis
eipline, they did not lave the leastidea, that
any Christian Minister would violate the
&" articles, and general rules" Of our church.
But they we're mistaken, as the las. four or
Eve years will eouelusivsly show. | will
quote a paTt Of the 23rd article Of our re-
ligion, which Is sufficient TO prove to every
Christian and intelligent mind, that the lead
ing spirits Ia the "ChUreb South" have wan
touly violated. "Ths President, the Con-