New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-05-23
THE SOUTHERN METHODIST CHURCH..


Gus of the religious denominations in the Slave States
counting no less than 100000 members. The Church,
as a dstintively Southern organization originated IN
1914, in consequence of the adoption OF an ant-sa'
very measure by the General Conference. Since then
the Southern Church has fully identified itself with
the intense pro-Savery movement in the South, its
leading men generally taking the ground not only
that the Christian churches had right to legslate
on the subject of Slavery but that Slavery was
divine institution, as clearly sanctioned by the Bible
as any fundamental doctrine Of Christianity, destined
to equal perpetuaon, and deservngthe same defense
On the outbreak of the Rebellion, the Southern Metho'
dists WERE therefore, almost unit in the support
of the Southern Confederacy. In the course Oh the
war the church suffered immense losses. The meet
ings of the Bishops and Conferences were interrupted,
all and the Book Concerns were swept out OF
existence the operations Of all the religious societies
were suspended, many Of the churches and most OF
the schools and colleges were closed. The negroes
who constitute about one-third OF the MEMBER
sbp. showed a universal desire to disconnect them
selves from the Church. aud in East Tennessee East
ern Kentucky West Virginia and Missouri there were
even a number of the white members who lett the
communion Of the Southern organization in order to
connect themselves with the Northern Church
The origin of the Southern Methodist Church
deeplv interested great statesmen like Henry Clay
as they rightly expected it to give great impulse TO
the disunion schemes of the politicians Now that
Slavery-the only occasion for the establishment OF
this dsunion Church-has been removed, the attitude
of the most numerous religious organization IN the
Southern States naturally becomes again an object
of national solicitude. By many it was hoped that
the Southern Methodists seeing the cornerstone Of
their ecclesiastical organization overturned, all their
hopes disappointed, and their Church completely
wrecked would be found willing to take the question
of reunion into immediate consideration
During the first months after the close OF the war,
the idea Of reunion is said to have been entertained
by quite number Of prominent men. But II this
feeling really did exist to a large extent, II soon
passed away. The Bishops, in August, 1862 held
meeting and issued pastoral address to the members
Of the Church. in which they very emphatcaly repu'
dated the idea of union with the Northern Church
Although they did not expressly make the belief in
the divine origin Of Slavery term of membership,
they vet declared the legislative action of the North
ern Methodist Church on Slavery to be entirely
irreconciable with the spirit Of true Christianity and
an insurmountabe barrier to reunion.
Around this standard the Southern Church has again
rallied The leading minds in the Church have every
where accepted it, and the few white momberS who
dsked this platform and favored reunion we're grad
ualy being driven out OF the Church by the current
Of events At the first General Conference held since
the beginning of the war; which met at New-Oreans
in April, 1866 and adjourned at the beginning OF the
current month"; the Churchthat is, the white portion
of it. which, although numbering only two-thirds oil
the membership, is the only one represented al the
Church assembles-appeared to be unit with regard
to the new platform. They accepted an invitation
from one of the Annual Conferences OF the North
for united prayer, but they declined, as they bad
been invited 10 do; By another Northern Conference,
IN anpoint delegates to meet Northern delegates in
Conference to discuss the question of reunion. No
voice was heard in the General Conference indicating
change of views on the subject of Slavery; and not
few of the delegates declared their firm and I'M
changed belief in the divinity and benehcence OF
Slavery
1t is astonishing that delegates holding such views
should still deem it possible that tie colored people
would recognise them as their best friends, aud
remain in or return to their connection with the
Southern Methodist Church. Yet this expectation
was expressed by many aud some provision was made
for the organization of colored churches and coored
conferences on the sole ground that if not this much
were conceded to the negroes they would all leave for
such Methodist organizations would give them the
desired rights.
That this small concession, so reluctantly gwen,
will not be Of any influence upon the determination oil
the negroes, is already becoming apparent. The sep
araton of the entire negro membership, counting
more than 300, 600 individuals and their connection
with either the Methodist Episcopal Church, or one
of the African Methodist Churches is proceeding at
very rapid rate and constitutes one OF tho most re-
markabe facts in the progress Of Southern reconstruc-
ton When the CHURCHES and schools which have
been built by the negroes from their own contrbu-
tons. but have been decided to the Southern Metho-
dist Church. are withheld by the latter, the negroes
rrouptlv raise funds to erect new buildings. Iheo-
logical institutions for the education OF coored minis
tiers have been established by the Epseopa
Church in Charleston and New-Orleans, and IN the
latter city weekly religious organ has been started
Tins there will be soon a population OF at least
200 600 thoroughly loyal and antiSlavery Methodlsts
In the late Slave States.
The progress of the Northern Methodist Church
among the Southern whites is not rapid but 1t Is
likewise steady a conference has been organized III
East Tennessee. numbering more than 1000 members
in Eastern Kentucky about onehalf OF the ministers
and people of one Of the Southern Conferences have
come over, and more recently considerable progress
f. reported from Northern Georgia and Northern Ala
bama. This new LOYAL aud anti-SayerY element IN