Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1875-09-23
An INTERESTING LETTER WRIT
TEN q YI.ARs IGO. -'
- ~
North and South "A Prophetic
view.
BY THE LATE BISHOP cApERs.

ANDERSON, .. y. FEB. 20, lS55.
c. h. DU PEE, ESQ.
My DEAR BRoTnER:-Upon my re-
turn home Yesterday from an extended
tour OF official duty I find your letter Of
January 9th, which is now open before
me. You now understand Why you have
not been answered sooner.
The subject matter Of your letter re.
quires careful consideration, and no mere
I'd captdndum response. Were the SUBJ
ject just opened to my mind, l would not
attempt to give you reply without
careful deliberation. You are right in
supposing that these matters have been
rest ng heavily upon my mind ard heart
for the past twenty years. God alone
knows how anxiously have revolved
them, aud the real suffering l have en-.
dured in consequence Of evil forebojings
which in spite o: my resolution, take
possession OF IN, spirit. 'fs '
ln order that | may properly answer
you. let me see if the following questions
will not embrace the subject matter of
Jour letter-at any rate, the gst or it.:
First: You ssk, Do consider the
existence Of the institution Of slavery as
the ole great impediment in the way Of a
cordial union of the tive branches of the
Methodist Church in the United States
Second: Do / consider tie institution
# SLAYER so we'll established and so nec>
tssary feature of economy of the South.
ern States as to warrant the conclusion
that it IL, and will remain, a permanent
feature of our civilization?
These are indeed grave subjects for res
fec ION, and call for the exercise O: de-.
gree oI philosophic penetration which /
fear is not sufficiently mine to convince
"ue, even it had the leisure and YOU
the pa,i nee to follow me 10 All ex,ehdt d
argument. THIS can no. be for many
reasons, but for none more appreciable
just now than the fact that am JUS:
home after au absence Of many weeks
HH %
ana your letter, my dear friend, is only
ouc OF several which claim my considera-
tion. My answers to the questions must,
therefore. be as devoid Of argument as
possible.
To the FIRST answer that | do consid-
er the institution of slavery as recognized
IN the NJ. 4. Church, S nth. as the chief,
The great central difficulty iD the way OF
cordial traternal relation between the
two great branches Of Methodists 10 the
United States. There may be other OBJ.
stacles IN the way, but | regard them as
mere collateral issues sprineing altogether
from the want Of agreement upon some
compromise Of this slavery question such
as some of us, North and South, eodeav,
ored to make in the General Conference
Of 1871.
| Slavery cut of the way, there would
remain no real, sensible cause of separa.
ton between the two churches as organ
izntions. but they would in time come to-
ge,her by a law Of moral affinity and
unite hands and hearts in the great work
which Goo ir His providence designed
the Methodist Church to accomplish iu
America. | can understand and do fully
appreciate. as you evidently 10 not, the
conscientious scruples Of our Northern
bretnren upon this slavery question.
knew before the division Of the Church
aad yet am honored with the friendship
Of. as good aud rs pure Christian minis
ters among them as are to be found il
any church organization men who are
, ac;usted by the clearest convictions O.
. their conscieuces 10 regarding the institu
tion of slavery as grevious sin.
My dear Charles, when we desire t
discover the real truth of any matter, es
pecislly Of such as We arc directly inter
r ested in, We must FIRST place our minds il
negative state. This will require I
, long time with some Temperance nts. W,
! must no, look at a subject we are dis
posed to PREJUDICE through contracted
$ pupil. We must discern, if we do. tLs
: there is defect in our vision Or ia tn
position We occupy which Is likely to
: make aud object appear whits wLeu ii
4 reality 1t is Jlack. < 49,
!. I would to God this diyisioa wall be
v tween the Church North aud South wa
broken down, aud we could be urited a
formerly ia the g orious work Of Ou
Master. for which our church economy j
so well ads. .tsd in meeting the tastes an'
genius of the mass oi our American cit
liens. You may rest assured Of on
;. thing: if the Master sees that his work
: hiudersd by this estranssmeat Of his la