Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-05-20

senaraton, the necessity OF which we regretted
a. much as YOU. But certain principles were
developed in relation to the political aspects OF
hat question, involving the right OF ecaiesias-
t;cal bodies to handle and determine matters
Wing outside of their proper jurisdiction when
We could not accept; aud, in case atl.ing;
certain constructions Of the constitutional
MOVERS and prerogatives OF the General Con
farence were assumed and acted on when We
considered oppressive and destructive oil me
FIGHTS of the numerical minority Represented III
that highest iudcatory Of the Church. lhst
which you are pleased to call, no douDt sincerely
thinking so, ''the great cause OF separation
existed in the Church from It's orgaAizatioh'
and yet for sixty years there was no separation
Rut when those theories incidentally evolved
in connection with it began to be put in prac'
tice, then the separation came.
We cannot think you mean to offend us hen
YOU speak of our having separated from YOU
and nut lis in the same category with a siiah
body of schismatics who were always an &C
knowledged secession. Allow IL IN all EindhesS'
brethren to remind you, and to keep tue I'M
portant fact of history prominent, that we
separatcd from YOU in no sense in which you
did not separate from Us. The separation was
by compact and mutual, and nearer approaches
successful issue only % tins basis.
Ii is our opinion that the controversies and
tempers which so disturb the Churches, and
are 20 hurtful to the souls Of those for whom
Christ died, are due, in large measure, to
irritating causes which are not entirely beyond
the control OF the chief pastors Of the separated
bodies To this end We invite your concurrence
and cooperation.
And We take this oc,asionirankly to say that
| the conduct Of some OF your mlsslonariea anu
aqcnts who have been sent into that portion OF
our common country occupied By us, and their
ayoWel purpose to disintePrate and absorb our
societies that otherwise dwell quietly, have
been very preiudlcial to that charity which
we desire our people To cultivate toward
| all Christians, and especially those who are
called by the enleared name oil Methodiats ;
and their course in taking possession oi some
Of our houses Of worship has ir!iciri both
| priel and loss on us, and bears the appearance,
| to diSinteresied men OF the world, oil beng not
only breach Of charity, but an INVASION OF
| the plainest rights OF property. mus tue ad'
ycrsary has had occasion TO speak reproachiulIy,
and the cause Of our Master has been Wo"nue"
| by its prolessed friends.
brethren. these thing ought not 50 to be,
and we propose, until some action more formal
and authoritative and advanced in this drcc-
ton eau be taken by our highest judIcaloric;s,
| to unite with you in preventing them. We do
| not say that our own people have been IN
| every instance of these unhappy controversies
and tempers, without blame 81 toward You. -
But this We say, ii any offences against the
law Of love, committed by those under onr .ap-
poinment any arsresS0nS uFon your JUS!
privileges and rights are properly represented
| TO US, the representation will be respectfully
considered, and we skall stand ready, BY all the
authority and influence we have, to restrain
and correct them.
These arc our views anl W. are sure that
we represent the sentiments Of orr ministers
and people. We have no authority TO deter
mine any thing as TO the 'proprlcty, praetlca'
biIity and methods" Of reunion Of the Church
cs represented by you and ourselves.
With sentiments oi Christian regard, we
are, dear hrcajhcn, very truly yours,
X. PAINE, Chairman,
II. n. M'TYEmE Scc'y.
Gt Iouis Mo Nav l. 1860