Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-04-22
THE KNOXVILLE WHTG
Knoxville, Tenn, April 22, 1853.
For The WhIg
The Two Churches.

tueT tnan general desire 70 see Hl a55ochtons OF
moral character accomplish all the good possible.
De has been constant If not close observer Of the
progress Of the vhrious christian and benevolent
zanizations which exist OF present, and which have
arisen hourished and fallen for some years past
lie IS 10 partEan in religion, but rather holds to the
broad and com mprehenUive doctrines Of enlightened
philosophy, which allows Of the most liberal views
to1ching matters Of conscience. He believes In the
fundamental precepts taught by orthodox christi
any, but perfectly satisfied 70 leave every intel
ligent Bible reader with the book as their guide, to
bs a law unto Themselves"
However, be claims the right Of free discussion
Of The views intentions and purposes Of al sects OF
churches.
With malice towards none, with charity for al,
with frrnness in the right God gives as to see the
right" be proposes 10 examine the reasons for the
past present and future existence among US of the
organization known as the "MErHopIsT EPISCOPAL
CHURCH SOUTH" This shall not be in spirit Of
envy OF jealousy; for that sect does not stand be-
fore The country IN attitude TO provoke either.
10 properly understand the question presented it is
sminenty fitting to take a retrospective look at the
church from which this organization sprsng, well
So the causes that forced It into existence. For
series Of years before and long after the Govern
ment Of the United States was established, the
Methodist Episcopal Church existed and hourished
IN this country, having article Of religion
distinct and positive law forbiddsng the buying and
lslimg Of men, iOomea and children ,Vih inteH-
ZION to saslare them. This was one Of the funda-
mental doctrines Of TIE church. and members we're
expelled whenever the, violated this rule of Meth
odism. Il adhered to even here 10 the South
until the doctrine Of tha Divine origin Of slavery
had gained such hold in the minds Of Southern
Methodisis as to create division Of that church in
1874
Tho separation was based upon the despotic dog
ma Of q Dlgas right to bay and sell men, 'oOD'er and
a.L5aJzss,5o with intention % easLaUe theDii
Those who held slavery to be Z" a Divine Blstitu-
los seeded from the old church, as it is some
,i.ssF called, and organized themselves into body
is1sa.- shs MsthOdist Episcopal Church
sonthn This organ zation was tho creature Of sla-
very Il was intended sslave-holders church, in
imposition Is THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH
proper; and the addition Of the word "Sout'' was
dded TO distinguish II as such It's ministers pre-
claimed from the pulpit that God was the direct
author Of slavery. 30 il existed in the Southern
states They preached and wrote 70 prove that the
oored people we're created for the sole and express
purpose Of being just such slaves the laws Of the
Southern States made them.
Il was part Of the professsa faith Of the South
arn Methodsts, The chief rulers of the Methodist
Episcopal Church South, that slavery was an insti-
tuition established by the Almighty to bless man
kind that the buying and selling Of men, women
and children, with an intention 10 enslave them
was only obeying the commands Of God And by
the most intense torture not TO say wicked perver-
sion Of the Scriptures they not only attempted to
maintain slavery in the South where it existed but
abored with The zeal Of fanaticism to revolution
.s the christian world and establish it insti-
tuition or sacrament Of the universal church Des-
pite their efforts the impulses of freedom continued
% animate the hearts Of the moral and more en-
urhtened bortion Of mankind. Press the issue as
they would the system on which their theology was
founded was rejected by the nobler sentiments of
qurer christianity and higher civilization.
Metaphysical argument, perverted christian faith
nor msinterpreted scripture could convince the en-
Iigbtened civilization of the nineteenth century
tha@ slavery was ordained and established by the
AIlwise Maker of the universe an institution OF
christianity Party politics we're resorted 70, and
.bs psaer snd influence of the National Govern
msnt wrested into the support Of tbis modern dog
ma Of The Divinity Of slavery. dark chapter in
the history Of the nation chronicled by The
Democratic party in It's efforts 10 maintain the pc
ouHar institution where il was, and establish i
where 8. was not. All these means failed.
The friends Of slavery conceived that the moral
power Of the country, reflected through Kepuoli-
can administration, would overcome and destroy u
and the only means whereby it could be prevented
was TO create division Of the Union and establish
Southern Coufederacy, in the same manner and
for The same purpose the division was wrought in
tbe Methodist Episcopal Church As "rbe Meth
oaist Episcopal Church South had been founded
upon ths idea Of human slavery, so 1t was intended
the chief cornerstone os the Confederate State'
Of Amsrics should be She asserted right OF On'
portion OF mankind 10 psrpetually ensiave aho'her
To efectuate this purpose armies were orgsniEe'
and a bloody and rebellions war insugurateo'
-Four years conflict resulted in the srrenaeI
tho insurrectionsry forces, who had drenehea 70
land in blood in order 10 permanently establish th
bsrbarism Of slavery. One Of the conditions o.
which the surrender Of The rebels was accepted 2!
,be national authorities was the total abolition o
the institution and its appendages, Having mad
war IA behalf Of slavery, they we're required t
s.retion its annihilation on laying down the arm
thew had taken up for is defence.
ms,ority of the leaders registered solemn oat
4, the archives Of The government which is n
arutr recorded IN uNaftAf ~ 5Nt't~-N N~N -'~~---
noIirv Of emancipation--of full and complete free
dom 10 The former slaves Of the South. Those wh
did NO. take and subscribe such an oath, Of bot
1e.ss4s and followers, proclaimed their submissio
10 National authority, and acquiesence in the polio
ofths government 10 destroying this eurse-thl
o8amrcd SPOT on our American CIVILIZATION
,is notion all the people Of the United States .
came alike pledged 70 the doctrine Of TIE MethoaH
Epirropal Chareh, that he buying and selling
,es ,o5ea and ehiidrep, Nth an inteHt'0" 70 e''a
yi,,, + tie true essence Of barbarous age go
tba. the Republic, aredeemei, regenerated and On
-, entbrallc8 BY the genius Of universal emancp'
tion should throughout the great future oe
Empire OF Freedom
The very moment this principle was recognize
rs "a the theory and established by the prsctee Of ou
= ,oyernment the cause which brought into eHis'en'
~ ,srbe Methodist Episcopal Church South ana y
% reasop Cor which the rebellion was inangura'e'
~ i,mesistely ceased to erist aad 'he continuance
tbe one OF the other Is without any feasonaOl