Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1867-04-24
East tennessee Matters.

The following letter which we take from tn
Central Christian ADVOCATE St. Louis, No, speaks
for itself:
Our correspondent finds a text in an article will
the above heading, published in the ST. Louis AID
vacate Of the goth ut. avowedly editorial but hav
ing earmarks indicating another origin, for an ex
PLANTATION of the status of the M. E. Church in
East Tennessee. His statements doubt truth
full, and with the exception of few paragraphs
which are somewhat local in their application, we
give them to our readers
Your readers ara cognizant Of the fact that it is
no new thing for the loyal Methodists of this coun-
| try 10 be charged with the commission of crimes
being in John Browns raid occupying church
es that do not belong to them" &c. But what are
the facts in the case As to the NJ Z. Church will
be safe IN saying that eght-tenths of the Method
lists IN this country remained loyal to the Govern
ment of the United States, notwithstanding The
majority of the preachers turned traitors to their
country and used every persuasion in their power To
lead on the people. When the war was over the
loyal MetEodists invited the authorities Of the M
=. Church to come here and organize the Holstop
Conference. In the providence of God, Bishop
Clark came here in June, 1866, and ofganized
conference and sent out over forty oyal minister's
since that time we have been in possession of this
country as church, and are occupying churches
that equitably and justly belong to these loyai5
Metnoosts. These people built these houses OF
"O'HuiP Win LnelI nara earned money; and III
just Is 1t right that men who have been true to their
country, should now be turned out of their places
OF worship by rebels and traitors We have not
taken possession Of a church that was occupied
equltably by the Church South, all charges to the
contrary notwithstanding.
In reference 20 the large and well constructed
house of worship in this place." 1 would remark
that IN June, 1865, came TO this Jonesboro Dis
trct, and organized society in this town, eight
tenthS Of the MethOdists uniting with US. Several
OF them had entertained Southern procliyties but |
they said that as slavery was dead and there now /
being no difference in church discipline and doc
trine there was use for Church. South. This |
the case with nEe-tenths of all the societies on
my district. We then purchased the Female Col |
lege here, that once belonged to the Odd Fellows
our Southern friends joining heartily in this
good work. God then gave US gracious revival of
religion, the result was, the people buried their past
difficulties, and we had one of the most hsrmoni-
societies in all this country This state of things
continued until the preachers Of the Church, South
came amongst us. Their advent has brought dis
cord and strife and they chargsbe with all the
divisions that have been made. The people hold
them responsible, and in the great day Of eternity
they will have to answer for their inquitous deeds
For the purpose of counteracting these evil inhu-
enees twenty-five of our best citizens published the
following call to the loyal people of Washin gton
county;
aWhereas various attempts have been made by
the late rebel preachers and their sympathzers to
obtain possession OF the church property in the /.
town of Jonesboro, now in the possession of the
loyal people and well knowing that these organi-
cations are supported alone by those who lately at
tempted TO destroy our Government and that their
destructive ideas identical with those that caus
ed the late bloody rebellion.
We respectfully invite all loyal people, whether
church members or not TO meet at the cours-house
in Jonesboro on Saturday the 18th instant TO take
action in the premises
The meeting was large one, and composed of
he very best and most intelligent men in The whole
country Everything was conducted decently ana r
IN order Christian gentlemen were present. .
Men of age and wisdom were there to counsel and
iirsct in all the proceedings. The men who COM
posed the committee resolutions, were the very
Jest in ali the land. The resolutions are mild in
heir character; but at the same time they speak in
ones of frmness and candof.
The church in this place has never bean out Of
ebt One of the builders had claim amounting
0 over sixteen hundred dollars, which We have re-
entity purchased, and we hold ourselves in readi-
less to pay all claims against the church.
The writer of the article in question says In I
titute suits FOR every house OF worship and all 9th
r property of which they have been iniqaitoHs-
Y deprived, and keep these suits pending.
The writer Of the article, ought TO know that BY
living this advice he is guilty Of a crime, and that
Is wrong 70 attempt to disposaesB the loyal peo-
le Of .heir church property.
l.. f. DRAKE