The Portland daily press., 1869-06-17

The following letter from the late Pastor Vi
the Chestnut st. Church explains ITSELF We
learn that it is expected Mr.. Reyes win occu-
DIV the pulpit of the New Jerusalem Church
in this city several sabbaths this summer, in
tue absence Of Mr.. Hayden. The letter was
handed us for publication by one of Mr.. Keyes'
former parishioners to whom it was addressed:
;YoNKERs, N. Y, June IA, 1869.
My DEAR SIR.-The kindly interest which
you have on many occasion manifested in my
welfare, and especially the favor with which
you have treated my humble efforts to advance
the cause of christian truth, emboldens me to
address you, and through you the Portland
public, upon matter of vital concern to me
personally, andaperhapslof some moment to all
who know me-
You are aware of the circumstances connect
ed with my removal from the pastorate OF
Chestnut ST. Church, and know that a suspi-
cion Of my doctrinal soundness, had very
much to do with it. You are aiSo aware Of the
motives which governed me in Withholding q
full disclosure of my views, when my ortho-
doxy was called in question. found it diff
ripe for thel open and distinct avowal of opin-
ions opposed to the creed of Methodism. I
had the sanction of wiser and better men than
myself for thinking that could hold my pecu-
liar views, and yet consistently remain Meth
odist Preacher. !, therefore, sought to per
fed views with the old standards of faith, and
was slow to believe that it was impossible to
keep the new wine" in the ''old bottles" I
was reluctant, moreover, to shock the kindly
feelings of my many friends in the M. e.
Church by separating. myself from their fellow
ship on grounds which they would not be able
at first fully to understand or appreciate. 1
felt, too, that my mission in Chestnut st.
was not ended-in other words, that it was the
will of God that should remain another year
r ~l~.A - 4 - r -
must hold my peculiar views in temporary
allegiance, and confine myself, as had honest
ly endeavored to do in the past, to those as
poets of the truth which could present with
out antag0nizing the essential principles of
Methodist theology / believed, and still be-
lieved that such acourse was in accordance
with the will of God, and that had I been per-
mitted to follow it, the best in terests of the
church would have been promoted, and L
should have left it finally united and strong.
But the official authorities Of the church hon
lestfy differed with me in Judgment on this
point, and was removed.
On leaving Portland it was still my purpose
to look for @ field of labor in the M. K. Church,
somewhere between Maine and California.
had come, it is true, to contemplate the posi-
bility of changing my church relations at some
future day; but felt that the time was not vet.
Since my return to this Conferences however
my purposes have undergone an important
change. have been providentially thrown
lutO NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. WHICH lutlt6 lu6 W u caktiuA
and thorough survey of my past and my pres
ent, undisturbed by my usual cares and re-
sponsibilities.f It will not be deemed strange,
therefore, that during this period my mind BIAS
ripened more rapidly than formerly for the de-
cisive step which / have for q long time con-
sidered as lying among future possibilities. /
have now come to see and feel more clearly
and deeply than ever, the irreconcilahle an
tagonism that exists between my own deliber-
ate and most cherished convictions and many
of the doctrines of Methodism. feel and
know that / am not now a Methodist, and new
er again can be. was for q long time 10th to
recognize this fact. Though 1 had long been
in doubt concerning the truth of some of the
leading doctrines of Methodism, yet I found,
and still find, in the fundamental principles or
a1iopas of Arminianr theology, substantial
truth. The doctrines are not logical develop
ment Of the principles. But I can no longer
consent to hold the latter as interpreted by the
former. / must hold them as interpreted by
doctrines that arise naturally and logically
from them. And such doctrines i do not find
in Methodism.
have been unwilling, however, to contem-
plate the severance OF ties and associations
which twenty years of experience and service
in Methodism has rendered very strong and
very dear. The tree rooted by twenty years Of
growth il not easily plucked. up and made to
f mbsrsiy prudentSf Elll ID Bfea
ing away from the first half of his active life,
and launching out upon q sea of uncertainties.
/ shall not be suspected of mercenary motives
in taking the step which will sunder me for
ever from large, wealthy, and influential
denomination, where my prospects are as fiat
tering as any one could desire, and identify me
with people who are as yet few in number,
feeble in resources, and destitute of popular
favor. Did my convictions of truth and duty
allow, am free to say that should still be
held by interest and feeling TO the service q
the M. T. Church But the stubborn fact re-
mains, that / am not o Methodist; and with
the light that I now have, cannot honestly,
or honorably, or with safety to my highest in
terests' remain longer Methodist in name.
II In accordance with this conclusion, have
Forwarded my Ordination Parchments to Bish-
op James, and dissolved my connection with
the Methodist Church. My commission from
God, written on my heart by his Spirit, before
became q christian even, Il still retain; and
preaching 1.-THE glorious Gospel of the blessed
God.'
1 / cannot now explain at length the views
which separate. me from my former ecclesias.
teal relations. Suffice tito say here, that af
ter several years Of patient Investigation, / am
compelled to renounce the doctrine OF trinity
of persons in the Godhead. yicarious atone
ment, imputed guilt and righteousness, the
resurrection of the material body. and o local
material heaven. Such are some Of the lead
ing points on which I find myself at variance
with the teachings Of Methodism. hope te
have an opportunity at no distant day, Of ex-
planning my views at length to my friends in
Portland. Till then, let me hope that they will
suspend Judgment upon my case. / will only
add now, that on all Important points, fin6
myself in substantial accord with the doctrines
of the New Church. ~
With sincerest respect and esteem,