National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-10-09

At this was very much astonished. Inquired
concerning the statutes Of the District Of Column
deed or act Of incorporation as the discipline re-
quired. Believing it to be my official duty,
sought diligently, earnestly, but calmly and de-
Church both deed and act ofincorpOratiOn, as per
discipline. advised the pastor, Rev. Jas. H. A.
johnson to do all in his power to accomplish this
object For this he perslstentIy commended. could
not do less than justify his actions, believing that
he was carrying out the wishes OF the general
to insert in their deed, Israel A. n. L. church,
in the District Of Columbia. In May, 1873, Rev.
Jas H A. Johnson was removed, and Rev; jacob
d. Mitchell appointed as his successor. During
Rev. ]. NJ. Mitchel's administration 1 visited the
church several times; preached to them. They
seemed to accept 1t. There was no unpleasant.
ness or unkindness during the year. had hoped
that Rev. ]. NJ. Mitchell, by his fatherly kind
ness, would be able to soothe and quiet the oois-
ferrous elements which saw were brewing, and
which aimed to avert by his appointment At the
last annual conference, which met in Cumberland,
erty was so decided, and the society 50 incorpOr-
ated as TO ignore the Episcopaey. The annual
conference inquired into the cause Of this strange
departure from the original intent OF the Metro
politan church, and learned that Rev. ]. NJ.
Mitchell had acted very indiferently In regard TO
securing proper deed and act Of incorporation;
In this and other respects the Rev. ]. NJ. Mitchell
was adjudged guilty Of INSTRUMENTATION, For
this a mild rebuke was administered. Finding
that Rev. J. NJ: Mitchell had failed TO sufficiently
interest himself In carrying out the wishes Of the
general conference in regard to this said Metro
politan church, felt called upon to remove him
and appoint one whom believed would carry out
said wishes Therefore appointed Rev. F. Lane.
At this the trustees became incensed and refused
to receive him: They sent committee to see me
and secure a change, This refused to do unless
they would agree to change the deed of incorpOr-
alton and insert the letter E, thereby acknowledge
ing the Episcopacy: From this they dissented and
hired Rev ]. NJ. Mitchell to serve them as an in
dependent church. To this the Rev. J. M.
Mitchell consented, although he held an appoint
ment from me to the charge at Frederick, Nd.
Finding that thew eOntinued tn rninpt the
laTly-appointed pastor (Rev. ]. F. Lane) and to
ignore the authority Of the Church, instructed
him to seek o peaceable entrance, If possible; II
not, to secure a temporary preaching place and
raise up standard for the members Of Israel
African Methodist Episcopal church This he has
done. 1 also wrote q circular letter requesting
both bishops and preachers in the African MethO-
dist Episcopal Church to refrain from officiating
or using their ministerial functions in that portion
of the church which is in open rebellion against
the laws government and discipline Of the con-
neetion; and for the same reason l continue the
letter in full force. When those kind but mis-
guided people shall see their error and renew
their allegiance to the Church, and receive their
bishop and pastor as per discipline, shall be
more than pleased to invite my colleagues and
brethren in the ministry to come and labor with
them as in former years.
While am a stranger to anything like malice,
hatred, or any other unchristian feeling toward
those dear brethren, can but deprecate the evil
spirit which has led them into misehieYous error.
l have neither sought nor desired quarrel with
tempted to discharge what believe to be plain
duty, and that which the discipline Of the Church
required OF me. stand to-day as did in the
commencement Of these troubles, in defence Of
the laws, government and discipline OF the A. NJ.
Z. Church. 1 not only object to the deed and
charter which leaves out the letter Z, or properly
speaking ignores Episcopal authority, but most
solemnly and seriously object to the contents Of
both charter and deed as stated in the explains
tion given to the council Of bishops by the COM
mittee appointed for that purpose.
. If by doing this have exasperated any portion
Of our widespread connection, the discipline Of
the Church should be faulted for 1t. 1 have
strven simply to carry out the laws of the Church
as given by the general conference, and must
abide the Judgment Of the lovers Of law and good
government. JABEZ p. CAMPBELL,
Presiding Bishop Of the Second Episcopal Dis
trict Of the A. NJ. L. Church in the United
States Of America.
We whose names are hereunto subscribed, be-
iRg members and friends of the A. NJ. Z. Church,
and being acquainted with the usages Of said
Church, do most heartily concur in the above
statement, and believe Bishop Campbell per-
feetly justihable in striving to secure to the con-
neetion Metropolitan A. NJ. E. church.
Revs. r. A. Hall, W. H. Brown, B. F. Lloyd,
g. T. Watkins, VIM. H. Waters, VIM. A. Hughes,
Messrs. Alexander VIM. BOurnan, Jonas Cooper
Edward ToOgoOd, Nicholas Warner, Joseph Lee,
George T. Lucas and Thomas Scott.