The Portland daily press., 1869-06-24
A.ftf nrA

Hoard.
We copy the following letter from the Ar
gus. We do SO because no drama can be in
teresting and complete in all its parts without
woman. 1t is quite evident that her heart is
not troubled with creeds for which zealots
sometimes fight SO earnestly We use the
word zedlots in its best sense and not as de-
scriptive of those whose fury was one cause of
the destruction of Jerusalem. In controver-
sizes of the nature and character to which
this. letter refers, we are disposed that all i'm
portant phases Of them should be spread be-
fore the public.
PORTLAND, June I'D, 1869.
To "many members who replied to Rev. E.
r. Keyes. Press of June 21st.)
As one member of Chestnut st. Church,
] am heartily ashamed to know and to have
it publicly known, that there is so little
Christianity exhibited among members of
our church. The question is not who is
sound in Methodist doctrine but who are true
Christians Are they those who do not "suf-
fer long," and are not ".kind" Christians
Is it Christianity not to receive him, whom
to you seems weak in the faith? God has re-
ceived him: "They that believe in God be
careful to maintain good works" Sand above
all things put on charity And what good
will my Methodism do me, without charity
IfhesRaad syRtaadd In eff and q" 22faUwiedge
and though have all faith so that conld
remove mountains, and have not Charity,
am nothing.n well remember, when Bro.
Keyes land our brother he is still came to
Chestnut St. how cordially he was received,
remember, too, of hearing these very "many
members" exclaim, Doesn't he preach glori-
ously." Every one was questioned as he came
<~e& 4 fss.w 0oAh Aho&I
"When did we ever have preaching like that
at Chestnut St?" And at one time, when
the reply to the latter was, II like this min
lister, but our former Pastor preached as good
sermons as wished to hear, much better
than practiced," those members almost
rose in rebellion because was not as en-
lthusiastic over the new preacher. as they
were. f5s fs ailis
As time wore on and the conference year
came to a close, there was loud call for the
Parish to assemble at the vestry on one eve
ming to present to Brother Keyes magnifi-
cent gold watch and chain, presented 60 him
as s'only slight token of the affection and
esteem" in which the Church held him. I
was there and am very happy to say that
was donor, and that I still esteem our
brother and hold him as such by the great
bond of christian fellowship. On that eve
ming heard an eloquent, and beloved for
mer Pastor say in the, presentation speech,
\ that "Brother Keyes was just the man for
Chestnut street." which was loudly applaud
ed, and so he proved himself "just the man"
until about six months before the session of
the last Maine Conference. What then?
Brethren; "did brotherly love continue ?"
Did love work no i'll to his neighbour" ibid
you overcome what you termed evil with
good? Did you forgive seven times mo
matter about the seventy times seven?" God
[ is your Judge, Brother Keyes' letter to his
friends and the Church was written ia q.
chtistian-like spirit. Every word was gentle
manly and courteous, entirely characteristic
of the man and Of true Christian gentle
man. He did not stoop to use language un-
fit for a christian man to utter. Even if he
had been guilty of all you accuse him, and
/ if the command had gone out to stone him
to death, would the writers of that article
dared to have needed the command "He
that is without sin among you, cast the first
stone." ! trow not. The beam Is, in, thine
own eye. = IA
On doctrinal points will say nothing for
Brother Keyes nor myself willnot be asked
when we appear before the one righteous
judge-Were you sound in the Methodist
doctrine? But it may be asked "Did you love
your neighbor as yourself" Blessed are the
merciful for they shall obtain mercy" may
stand alone in regard to my brother. Paul
stood alone once, when he said to Timothy,
"All men forsook me-" but he prayed God
that it might not be laid to their charge.
Brother Keyes has preferred no charges. He
has left all with him who has said, ,"Be We
kind to one another, forgiving one another
even as God for Christ's sake, hath forgiven
you." Nor MANY BUT ONE.