The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-05-21

- 'N--Ns-.
,ne Two great bodies Of wesleyan Methodists
IN INC United states. But the proposition
can DC renewed AZ any time, either now or
neteaasl'er,oy the Methodist Eplseopel Shureh,
and IL eyer made upon the basis OF tue plan
81 sepehtion, as adopted py the General
CONFERENCE OF is4i, me cnurcn south win
cosaai,y entertain tne proposluon.
ms langnage 70 our General conferences
In sssomrInf ~ iePov was
Inus endeu INC weI,iniended commits
SION from your oody; UPON TINS noble eff
Iot yerliy Veneve the smile OF Divine APP
prooatlon Will rest when the heavenly bodies
themselves VIII nave ceased TO shine, We
uiu nnectlona'eiy cndeayor 70 make and
preserve peace, guy our eHort was rejected,
US 70 oI no 9ese,Ning.
inc eyis mat nave followed this rejection
We suner IN common with you; we lament
snem IN common with You; and, notwith-
s.anding al that mas since occurred, we are
ready, on terms honorable to oil, TO Join
heart ana nand with you 10 stay, and, as far
as practicable, TO remedy them. But you
could not expect US 10 say less than this
that the words OF our rejected delegate have
Deen ever since, and SILL are, our words.
IL may help TO the more speedy and certain
attainment OF tue ends we both desire, to
keep distinctly In our mind our mutual po-
sltions, and TO hold the facts involved In our
common history In q clear light.
You say that the great cause which led
10 the separation from us OF both the Wes-
leyan Methodists Of this country and OF the
Methodist Episcopal Church South has
passed away" 1--we understand your refer
ence we so far diner from you In this opinion
that IL may help any negotiations hereafter
taxing place 10 restate our position. Slavery
was not, In any proper sense, the cause, but
the occasion only, OF that separation, the ne
cessity OF which we regretted as much as
you. But certain principles were developed
In relation TO the political aspects Of that
question involving the right OF ecclesiastical
bodies to handle and determine matters lying
outside of their proper Jurisdiction which we
could not accepts and In case arising GER
tains constructions Of the constitutional
powers and prerogatiyes Of the general con-
ference were assumed and acted on which
we considered oppressive and destructive Of
the rights OF the numerical minority repre-
scented In that highest judicatory OF the
Church. That which you arc pleased to
call, no doubt sincerely thinking II so, "the
great cause" Of separation existed In the
Church from It's organization, and yet for
sixty years there was no separation. But
when those theories incidentally evolved In
connection with II began to be put into prac-
tice, then the separation came.
We cannot think you mean to offend us
Wnen you speak OF our having separated
| you, and put us In the same category with
q small body Of schismntics who were always
an acknowledged secession. Allow us, In
all kindness, brethren, to remind you, and
to keep the important fact Of history promi-
nent, that we separated from you In no sense
10 which you did not separate from us. The
separation was by compact, and mutual;
| and nearer approaches to each other can be
conducted with hope Of successful issue only
on this basis.
II Is our opinion that the controversies and
tempers which so disturb the churches, and
arc so hurtful TO the souls Of those for whom
| Christ died, are due In a large measure to
Irritating causes which are not entirely be-
youd the control Of the chief pastors Of the
separated bodies. To this end we invite your
| concurrence and cooperation.
And we take this occasion frankly 10 saw
that the conduct of some of your missionaries
and agents who have been sent into that Dor.
tlon Of our common country occupied NV us
and their avowed purpose to dIsintegrate and
absorb our societies that otherwise dwell
quietly, have been very prejudlcial to that
charity which we desire our people to cult.
vate toward all Christians, and especially
those who are called by the endeared name
Of Methodists; and their course In taking
possession Of some Of our houses Of worship
has inflicted both grief and loss on us, and
bears the appearance, TO dIsinterested men OF
the world, Of being not only a breach OF