Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1870-05-25
lcoNNrSIcATEp.l
Letter from Maryyille,
MARYvmLE, MAY II, 1870.


Editor Of the Chronicle.
DEAR SIR: My attention has just been called
to an article in the Why which, after giving the
facts he says in reference to the Bays affair,
tand believe the facts are pretty nearly stated,
the editor assumes that Mr.. Bays was shut out
by those whom he is pleased to term Northern
Methodists," and calls it an act of ''barbarisml'
The Juggling in of the case of Jacob Smith, who
has sought his remedy at law is in bad taste
and since the editor states his knowledge of the
law suit being on head, it will appear to the inn
partial reader as very mean way to prejudcea
case, which, If it really had merit, should be al
lowed to rest until it can be julicially nvesti-
gated. But the Northern Mcthodists are held
responsible for what he styles "barbarsm."
The Methodist Episcopal Church is not respon-
sible, nor is any one but the real actors. This
denial might be sufficient, but we would like to
ask, is the Methodist Church South responsible
for the acts Of the large number of her minis
tiers who preached rebellion, prayed rebellion,
and expelled from their Annual Conference
good men because they would not join in an ac-
cursed crusade against the Government of their
fathers? Are the Southern AIethodists respon-
sible for these and numerous other acts that we
can call to mind? If So then we are willing,
false MS it is, that this affair of W II. Bays may
be laid to the charge of the Northern Metho-
dists, and We will more willingly institute the
comparison from beginning to end, if the Wig
thinks its cause will gain by it. But the Wig
says it was barbarous to close the door against q
good mani Will the editor pretend that the
lawful owners of piece of property, a house of
any kind may not determine who shall enter
and who not?
If the 'sun is too high for such things its
rays have not reached the Methodists South of
Morristown who have closed the doors of the
Methodist Church there against old man Graves
good man, who abored faithfully to have the
same Church furnished, contributing his time
and money and yet, the ''barbarians' of Nor
ristown close their doors against Southern man
because he belonged to Il Christian Church that
did not have the word South after the Church.
Talk of stripes laid upon Southern preachers.
But two cases of which have heard have oc-
cured, and they in the South But of Northern
preachers, as rebels delight to call all who do
not belong to the Church South we have heard
of over twenty cases in the last five years where
they were not permitted to escape with kind
words or even with stripes, but their hearts were
touched with the bali of rifle, the poinard, or
by their necks they were swung into eternity.
In this consists the difference between the two.
But we would avoid bitterness and recrimination.
Our country has suffered-is still suiiering-from
the work of wilful passionate set of men, who
still have great influence in the South. The
bad feeling of the war cannot be allayed by
charging large Christian body with connivance
at, or instigation of, what is assumed TO be an
outrage. No, nor can such things be stopped
by using bitter harsh terms in reference to those
charged with doing it. They have had their
trials and the real offence in this case was pro-
vokng to say the least of it,
| Let me briefly state that Mr.. Goddard had
provided wood for FIRE ut Logan Chapel, three
| weeks previous, for afternoon service, and this
| wood was consumed by A. Kennedy and Mr..
Bays, without Goddard's knowledge or consent,
and the preaching there at all without asking
permission of some one who might have authors
", Is an act of intrusion, to turn il soft you
dare In the face of this intrusion the Trustees
say; "No person shall preach here Without then
| permission" and because they tell their concln
sion TO Mr.. Bays, they must be barbarians-i
term inconsiderate and not at all warranted by
the facts. But again we are wandering w
would gladly see all passed differences healeC
and spirit Of Christianity prevailing all owe
our waste places and will gladly cooperate Will
any in doing whatever will contribute to tina
end But once more l repeat, this state of feel
ing can never be brought about by system o
newspaper assaults, much harder TO endure THAI
the offence of which they complain
LIdHTwooD.