Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-04-28
From the Lynchburg virgnnian-l
Radical Methodists,

We observe, in the New York Tribune, a
notice OF the meeting of the New York Con-
ference of the NJ. E. Church, in that city.
They, too, have followed the example of the
Boston Conference, and raised special COM
mittee on ''The State of the County,. c.,
politics. Formerly, it was our boast that, in
this country, there was complete isolation
of the Church from the State-the one hav-
ing no affinity with the other. The indiyid-
ual Christian owes allegiance to the State !;
1--WE use the latter term in its broadcast sense,)
but the Church recognizes only the authority
of its Divine Head. 1t has nothing whatev-
er to do with the State 1t divides empire
with no human authority; but, least OF all
can it be guided by the teachings OF any po~
litical party in the State. 1t has to do with
the things which pertain to eternity; and
these are paramount. How can 1t concern
the Church whether johnson or Wade rules
the State What matters it, whether the
Radicals or the Democrats are in power
The dominion Of the Church is spiritual and it
has no connection whatever with the tenn
poraI power. But, alas for US when the
officers of the sacramcntal host reach forth
their hands to grasp the sceptre of temporal
authority, and attempt to bind the consciences
of men They blindy emulate the Jews
who sought to prejudice the populace and
the rulers against the Author Of Christianity,
because he was % not Caesars triend;" as
though his mission had anything to do with
Cesar!
1t can hardly be doubted that the men
who evince the temper of these Northern
Methodists, would, tomorrow, if it were in
their power, unite Church and State, and
rule with the authority of the Vatican, on
soil consecrated to religious liberty" Free
dom to worship Cody as Mrs. Hemans ex-
pressed it.
As Methodist, we deplore and denounce
this departure from the spirit and essence of
true Methodism, as we'll as real Christianity.
The Methodist Church was raised up for no
such purpose as this. 1t was intended to
"spread scriptural holiness throughout these
lands" and not to dispute empire with, or
court favor of temporal rulers. But the
Northern Methodist Church has grown rich
and powerful and is not longer content to en-
Joy spiritual supremacy in the hearts Of its
votaries. 1t must be something more. 1t
would be power in the State. 1t would
give law thereto, and secure to its ecclesias-
tics the highest positions in the government.
This is what this indecorous and disgraceful
pandering to the base and venal party in
| power, means. In tho very same issue Of
the Tribune from which we have taken the
notice upon which these comments are based
we find the following:
''Tho New England Methodist Conference
has adopted a memorial to Congress, asking
that the Methodist clergy may be appointed
as chapains in the army and navy, and in
the national educational institutions"
This is the Conference that adopted, by a
rising vote, resolutions sustaining impeach>
mcnt, commencing Stanton, endorsing the
nomination of Grant for the Presidency, &C. I;
and ordered that these resolutions be sent to
all the fuuctionaries named. We should not
wonder if they next demand the highest Off
ces in the government consideration for
their answering loyalty to the Radical par
ty. Indeed, it Is said, that the Hon. James
Harlan, an ex,Methodist preacher, is their
candidate for the second Office in the gift of
the people.
We have not the heart to comment further
on this shameful prostitution of Religion to
the base ends of 1.-The god of this world
How different from the Methodism of other
days.