Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-05-22
NUMBER. xIVITT.
[From the GIarrisonburg) Old Commonwealth
Justice to whom Justice is due

We have received the following letter from,
the Rev. j. w. Cornelius, who was sent by the
Baltimore Conference to the East Rockingham
Circuit. After asojourn of some weeks in this
county; Mr. Cornelius, who appears to be a fair
minded man, came to the conclusion that his
presence could do no good to the church, that
the people did not desire minister from the
Baltimore Conference and that as a minister Of
that Christ who preached 'speace and good
will to all men, it was his duty toreturn to the
Conference and report the state of the case
We take pleasure in saying that during Mr..
Cornelius stay with u.s. his course of conduct
was that OF a Christian gentleman: ss- ri asr
DEAR SIR:-As I desire to be understood,
Alright in all cases, / would submit the following
IN L, connection with my appointment to East
Rockingham Circuit:' 7hii J"s et 9
The impulses which actuated me to forsake
worldly pursuits, and give my soul and body
time and talents to the cause of God, and the
work OF the ministry, l conceive to have been
through the agency of the Holy Spirit The
motives which impelled me to 20 out into the
vineyard of the Lord, were to the end that 1
might preach the gospel in the meekness and
Spirit OF Christ; and, if possible, add strength
to his cause, and warn the ungodly to flee the
wrath to come" These are the only notices
which have induced me as servant of the most
High, to come into this country, and In so far
as 1 have kept this one object in view, just SO
do enjoy the approval of God. Farther than
this l could not venture without transcending
the dignity OF my calling, and re!inguish tho
love, peace and. harmony which feel In my
heart towards all men, -''' f't ~ ''' 81
There is law in Nature which asserts that
every element will seek its own level Now, L
find corresponding law among men, The
Methodists of this community, SO far as my ex-
perlence and information have extended have,
a e1un fa1 rbof
they conceive to be their true level, or position
under existing circumstances. am not blind
to the fact that though q stone thrown into
quiet lake will produce comnlotion upon its sur
face, yet it will shortly sink ITO the bottom, and
the placid bosom of that lake will soon be COM
posed to the consistency of a,calm. Il speak
as unto wise lnen, you can apply the figure.
AS a Baltimore Conference Preacher | am
satisfied that am uaacelcome here and can
satrely accomplish no good int the churches. The
people have already been supplied by Sister
Conference, these preachers | believe are doing
their duty and the congregations from the lit
tie children to men OF gray hairs unite sponta-
neously IN singing those good old songs OF Yves
ley, Montgomery and Watts, which songs echo
with sweetness in the hearts of the good every
where, frs, .s,.-es,. :; +..ei,.. e.r. - f-,.. : -
These questions have come up, in my mind
SINCE my sojourn in your midst, as follows:
- L! oHO A1OIiOuISl COuillunlty mere CHOSE 70
have Ministers sent to them whose feelings are
IN consonance with their own, can any one show
criminallty in, that? This, is very natural. 3 i,
2, If the rMethodists in the South chose in
1874 to be a separate body, and the Church at
Maysvile, Kentucky in lS4S, makes the same
choice, and if this could be done, tahsngasthet.
did IN both eases. Church property, and the
hearts Of the people with them, is there any law
forbidding a like event upon our border7 1
know of none, they have precedent ~ Jrf,
3. flour brethren of the Alexandria Confer
ence feel it their duty to form themselves into
separate Ecclesiastic body, and the people whom
they offer to Serve are willing to receive them
with open arms, is there anything in the Bible,
or any law in our church Discipline to forbid it
L have read both, as it has been my duty and
privilege, and yet | find none. "a
With these views, cannot force myself upon
any people, As servant of God, II am ready
as far as in me is, to preach the Gospel any
where if Providence opens the way, but if He
should close the door, am ready also to stand
back in humble reverence, and simply ask that
l may worship with His people, a1rs ~ .v,5a,
r75i'= Respectfully, Yours, ,5S aa-
.f ,f JOHN w. CORNELIUS.