Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1869-05-25

right Of ecclesiastical bodies to handle and
determine matters lying outside OF their proper
jurisdiction which we could not accept; ana,
in case arising, certain constructions. OF the
constitutional powers and prerogatives 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 Judicatery
of the church That which you are pleased
to call, no doubt sincerely thinking it SO, "the
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 connec-
ton with it began to be put into practice, then
the separation came.
We cannot think you mean to offend US
when you speak of our having separated from
YOU. and put us in the same category with
small body of schismatcs whowere always an
acknowledged secession. Allow US, in all
kindness, brethren, to remind yOu and to keep
the important fact of history prominent, that
we separated from you in no sense in which
! you did not separate from US. The separation
was by compact, and mutual and nearer app
proaches to each other can be conducted with
hone of successful issue only on this basis
It is our opinion that the controversies and
tempcrs which SO disturb the churches, and
are so 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 sepa-
rated bodies To this end we invite your con-
currencc and CO operation.
And we take this occasion frankly to say
that the conduct of some of your missionaries
and agents who have been sent into that por>
ton of our common country occupied by US,
and their avowed purpose to disintegrate and
| absorb our societies that otherwise dwell quiet
ly, have been very Prejudicial to that charity
which we. desire our people to cultivate toward
all Christians and especially those who are
called by the eudeared name of Mcthodists
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 disinterosted men of the world, of being
not only breach of charity but an invasion
of the plainest rights Of property. Thus the
adversary 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 advanced in this direc-
ton, 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 controversies
and tempers without blame as toward you
But this we say, if any ofenses against the
law of love committed by those under our
appointment, any aggressions upon your just
! privileges and rights, are properly represented
to us, the representation will be respectfully
considered. and we shall stand ready, by all
the authority and influence We have, to re-
strain and correct them.
These are our views, and we are sure that
we represent the sentiments of our ministers
and people. We have no authority to dc
termine anything as to the "propriety, practi-
cabi!ity aud methods" of reunion of the
churches represented by you and ourselves.
With sentiments of Christian regard, we
arc, dear brethren, very truly yours,
r. PAINE, Chairman.
II. N. MoTYE1RE, Secretary.
St. Louis, Mo-, May 11th, 1869.