Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-07-29
- soUTHERN woRK


God has thrust upon US, Church, new and
vast responsibilities by the wonderful success which
has crowned our movements in the South.
-Four years ago. when this work was in embryo,
the most far-seeing and sanguine dared not antici
pate the astonishing results we this day behold
Conferences have sprung into being in such number
and with such vgor that their network of districts
circuits and stations, covers the entire field lately
traversed by our armies and wasted by red-handed
war. Schools, academies, colleges and asylums for
coored and white persons have been organized and
set in successful ncipient operation. The general
statistics, furnished in the Bishops address,
| rather like fairy dream than sober facts. Yet
| there they are, plain, thrilling undeniable, and
here are the representatives who have participated
in this marvellous growth and shared in these grand
triumphs TO attest the entire accuracy of those sta
tstics.
Necessarily growth so sudden, extensive and
surprising, would lack the stability conference and
efficiency which might reasonably be expected I'M
der other conditions. Then, also, it has occurred
| amidst and in spite Of peculiar difficulties. The
churches in the South which committed themselves
70 the twin wrongs--slsvery and rebellion-came
back 10 Teassert themselves; TO repeat their mis-
chievous dogmas; 10 rebuild on the old foundations,
and, il is TO be feared, with similar, untempered
mortar The shattered fabrics of their several ecce
siastcal systems 10 resist, with every possible APP
pliance-and theirs are neither few nor smsll-and,
also TO the bitter end the introduction and estab
lishment of our system upon that SOIL Nor are
their appliances by any means few or impotent 1t
deserves TO be known that some Of our preachers
and teachers in the South have been driven from
their work and others of them have been brutality
murdered while peaceably pursuing their chosen la
Dor among the people Of their care. Prejudice and
sectional prescription formidable weapons in
the hands Of men rendered earnest and desperate by
/ defeat and disaster
The new relations resulting from emancipation,
involving questions Of great delicacy and difficulty
and upon which an extreme sensitiveness pervAdes
| the public mind, north and south, but especially
SOUTH render comparatively easy the effort to dis
unite our charges there and so TO distract and par
slyze our energies in that Aeld. Great wisdom and
sagscty are needed TO trace the line Of right in the
most safe and useful manner.
The existing churches in the South have potent
agencies and allies in their press, secular and re-
ligious, which are welded with vigor and effect,
constantly plying the public with reasons why we
should be scorned and spurned, why our cause can
not permanently succeed in that region, and why,
on the contrary they rightfu occupants of that
ground.
So far as tho Methodist Episcopal Church in the
South is concerned she has been almost entirely
known for the last quarter of century, except TO
be msrepresented and inexperienced.
In that section also, there is an almost total alb
sence Of any general system of education, happily
so prevalent among US. This lsek Of educational
advantages for the masses prevailed among the poor
whites before the war II still exists As TO the
i
that slavery denied them the lowest rudiments of
education Improvements as TO both these classes
of the people is going forward yet the work is one
of great extent and of slow achievement. Until 1t
is accomplished, our permanent complete success Is
not assured When all these and other kindred facts
are considered they exalt the heroism of our
true and tried brethren, who in the face Of these
| formidable obstacles and amid perils which can
hardly be conceived, have extended our lines and
maintained our banners to the gulf on the south,
and TO the Rio Grsnde on the west and they also
heighten our gratitude to God for the wonderful
success he has given.
The honor God has thus put upon us is only
equalled by the greatness Of our responsibilities
| Shall we be found measuring up their magnitude
II it was wise TO extend our work, as II has been
extended, over the Southern Ststes-and of this who
can doubt 2is 1t not equally the dictate OF sound
policy 10 foster strengthen and conserve it by all
/ appropriate and available means 2
The influence Of local religious press is demand
/ ed The erection of suitable churches in all the
great centres Of population and influence Is impor-
tant. The travelling ministry OF the conferences,
already existing and to be formed these should be
reinforced from time TO time by the transfer OF our
/ ablest and best ministers.
The educational interests of the white and coored
people should be promoted by liberal and timely
aid an6 especially by the education OF teachers on
| the grounds for the work.
Resolved That the Book Agents at Cincinnati,
be authorized to establish and publish, or before
! the first dav Of January, a. D.. 1869, weekly re-
ligious journal at Knoxville Atlanta or Nashville,
where in their judgment, may be deemed most ad-
visible; the editor 10 be appointed by the Bishops,
with the concurrence of the Book Agents aforesaid;
but the Agents are at liberty TO discontinue said pa
per in the event that its continued publication shall
involve greater loss TO the concern than S2,O0Oper
annum.
,. Resolrea, That in the judgment of this commit
/ tee the New Orleans Christian AdU0eate, at New
Orleans and the Charleston Christian AdUocate, al
Charleston, S. G., ought to be published as official
papers.
g. Resolrod, That the Missionary and Church Elk.
tension Societies be requested TO render such specia
aid to church building enterprises in Southern States
as the Bishops and The said societies shall find prsc
ticable.
4. Resolved That liberal system OF transfers o.
suitable ministers TO our work in the South is here
by recommended.
8 ResoEped That the maintenance of training
and theological schools in the South for the prepa
ration of persons for the work of teaching and
preaching in that region deserves the sympathy anC
cooperation Of the Methodist Episcopal Church
and we, therefore, hereby commend said object Z
the lberality of our people snd specifically to tn
generous aid Of our missionary and educational so
oieties.
Z. Resolved That the Tract Society of the NJ 4
Church be recommended 10 issue series Of tract
suited 10 our Southern work, for circulation in tina
part of our connection.
Poor Devils.
No higher compliment has been given 10
: b. time than the action of the Democra
j. IL.