The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1869-05-21


munica;ion asiinal outho partof the NJ.
f.. Church. South. Size ran never renew
the offer of fratcrnM irolations bctw cen
the two great bodies ofWcslcyan Meth
odists in the United States. But the
proposition can bcrcncwed at any time.
either now or hereafter, by The Nj. T..
Church. And 1t ever made upon the
basis of the Plan of Separation. as
adopted by the General Conference Of
lSi4ythe Church. Sonth.- will, cordially y.
entertain the propositions" ...
His language to our General Confer.
cncc in submitting his report was:
"Thus ended the CONF
mission from syourbptly. Cpon this no
bic effort verify believe the smile of
Divine appreciation will rest, when the
heavenly bodies Themselves. will have
ceased to shine. We did aflcctionatrly
endcavor to make and preserves peace.
but our offer was rejected us OF no de-
serving"
The evils that have followed this re-
lection we suffer in common with YOU.
We lament them in common with YOU |:
and. Notwithstanding all that has since
occurred, we are ready, on terms honor
able to all. to join heart and hand with
you to stay, and as far as practicable to
remedy them. But you could not cx-
pect US to say less than this-that the
words OF our rejected delegate have
been ever since. and still arc, our words.
1t may help to the more speedy and
certain attainment of the ends we both
drkirc, to kXp distinctly in mind our
lt.J aSrrktcff.' Mercpns, aipi 'n -h"ld the facts
a eornmb,lnnnror, IN Il clear
light. .... ... ... =
You say ''that the great cause which
led to the separation from us of both
the Wesleyan Methodist of this coun-
try and Of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South. has passed away" Ii we
understand your reference, we so far
differ from YOU in this opinion. that it
may help any negotiations hereafter
taking place. to rcstntc our POSITION
slavery was not, in any proper sense.
the cause. but the occasion only. of that
separation. the necessity 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 boz
dies to handle and determine matters
lying outside of their proper iurisdic-
ton, which we could not accept; and,
III case arising, certain constructions
OF the constitutional powers and pre-
negatives of the General Conference
were assumed and acted on. which we
considered oppressive and destructive
Of the rights OF the numerical minority
represented in that highest mdca,ory
of the Church. That which YOU are
,ln sod n cali 1n,,ht 81, ,,l,
thinking it so-"ths great cause" Of
separation. existed in the Church from
its organization, and yet for sixty years
there was no separation. But when
those theories. incidentally evolved in
connection with il, began to be put into
practice. then the separation came.
We cannot think you mean to offend
lis when You speak of our having sepc-
rated from YOU, and put us in the same
category with Il small body of schis-
matics. who We're always an acknow-
lodged secession. Allow us, in all kind
ness. brethren. to remind you. and to
keep the important fact OF history prom
inent. that we separated from YOU in no
sense in which you did not separate
from us. The separation was by COM
pact and mutual and nearer approach
rs TO each other can be conducted with
hope of !! successful Issue only Oh this
basis.
IL is our opinion that the contrOvcr-
sizes and tempcrs which so disturb the
churches. and are so hurttul to the souls
Of those for whom Christ died, are due.
in large measure. to irritating causes
which are not entirely beyond the con-
troll Of the chief pastors Of the scpara-
ted bodies. TO this end we invite your
concurrence and cooperation.
And we take this occasion frankly to
say. that the conduct of some of vour
missionaries and agents who have been
sent into that portion of our common
country occupied by as and their avow-
ed purpose to disimtegrate and absorb
our societies that otherwise dwell quiet
ly, have been very prciudieial to that
charity which we desire our people to
cultivate toward all Christians. and es-
pecially those who are called by the en-
deared name OF Methodists: and their
course in taking possession of some Of
our houses of worship has cntailcd
both grief and loss OH us, and bears the
appearance, to disintcrested men Of the
world. OF being not only Il breach of
charity. but an invasion Of the plainest
rights of property. Thus the adverse
ry has had occasion to speak reproach-
fully, and the cause of our Master has
been wounded by its protested friends.
Brethren, these things ought not so to
be; and we propose. until some action
more formal. and authoritative and adj
vanced in this direction, can be taken
by our highest judicatories, to unite
with you in preventing them. We do
not say that our own people have been,
in every instance of these unhappy con-
troversicS and tempers, without blame
as toward you. But this we say. if any
oiienscs against the law of love, com
milted by those under our appointment;
any nggrossiOns upon your just privi-
lcges and rights, are properly represent
ed to lis. the representation will be re-
specially considered, and we shall
stand ready, by all the authority and in.
tluencc we have, to restrain and correct
them. 'l ''.'.'.t.
These are our views, and we are sure
that we represent the sentiments of our
ministers and people. We have no au-
thority to determine anything as to the
"propricty, practicability and methods"
Of reunion of the churches represented
by YOU and ourselves.
With sentiments of Christian regard,
wp ovn 1no ~ hrntI,pnu vor,, f,.,,l,, ,,o,,,,,