Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-01-02

ways professed 80 much friendship for
me, could sit in the pulpit with me.
had better find a more congenial place
than that was likely to be for me. One
more charge embraces all, / believe,
that had done which was so objection
able. | had sent said he) some copies
Of the book by mail. l plead guilty to
the charge. Sorne OF our preachers had
written me 10 send them copy. 1t so
happened that my Presiding Elder, Rev.
A. II. Thomas and Judge Morgan were
in the Office at the time, and before !
would do it / consulted them, and they
both told me to send them. had a
copy sent to all of
THE BISHOPS,
and many other ministers, soon after its
publication. / gave DR.. s. w. Moore,
the chairman of the committee, copy,
the night that we met at his room.
Some of those | sent were to members
of the committee; nor can | conceive
there was the least impropriety in it
then or now. / will now send it to any
of the preac aers gratuitously, who will
write me they desire it, as long as any
remain.
With all these things staring me in
the face, could not for the life Of me
see any course to pursue but to withdraw
from the church, dearly as / loved it.
To be a stumbling-block in the way of
others, / will not, if / can help it.
Hence i addressed the following letter
to my Presiding Elder, who, with r. w.
Johnson, were the only persons present:
Rev. A. H. Thomas, Presiding Elder Of the
Memphis District, Memphis Annual Con
a
DEAR BRoTHER-After a Tree and full con-
verSatiOn with you and Brother Johnson,
ind that I have misunderstood the engage
ments which made at the recent session OF
the Memphis Annual Conference on matters
connected with spirituallsm. In view OF TINS
MISUNDERSTANDING. together with the TACT That
I do not wish the church to be in the slightest
degree responsible for my course in regard TO
spiritualism, which it cannot and viii not
sanction, do hereby, with the k1ndest feel
ings for you and for all my brethren, ask to
withdraw myself as a member and minister
of the NJ. Z. Church, South, and upon your
CONF pliance with this application, L Will con-
vey my parcb ment credentials 70 you.
SAMUEL WATSON.
The next day I received the following
reply, when 1 gave him my parchment:
Rev. samuel Watson: ~
DEAR BRoTHER-Your letter containing an
application for permission TO withdraw your
self as 4 minister and member OF the NJ. f.
Church, south, Is before me. our request
originates in the truthful conviction that the
church cannot and viii not sanction spirit
ualisrn, !" as believed and taught by yourself;
together with the discovery of misunder-
standing on your part of 1.-The engagement
made at the recent session Of the Memphis
Annual Conference"
In view of the facts as stated by yourself, !
could not consistently with my ideas OF duty
refuse your application. Your clerical ere
dentials viii Be accepted and given their ie-
climate course.
A H. THOMAS, p. E
Thus ends the most painful act of my
life-one that I saw no way TO avert.
If | cannot maintain the reputation of
an honorable man and have some de-
gree of religious liberty with my former
relations, then l think they had better
have always entertained the highest re-
be.changed. For Methodist preachers
gard and the warmest affection, espe-
cially for the Memphis Conference, of
which have been member since its
organization in 1910. I hope nothing
will ever occur that will have any ten
dency to change my feelings towards
them, or prevent our intercourse from
continuing what it ever has been.
SA NTITE,I, WATSON,