Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-01-07
Charles NOrdh0ff, Methodist IayHan, UpOn 6ist
Os Gilbert iigSen.


Prom letter in the New York HERALD
Bishop Haven's latest notion seems 10 be
that God is himself third termer, and that
he slew, the Vice President because poor Mr..
Wilson did not agree With Bishop Haven.
As the Methodist people OF whom an one
do not believe IN human intaAIbihty. they
will probably be little affected by Mr.. Ha-
ven's assertions Of this kind. There Is no
reason to believe that he knows any more
about Gods wishes and purpose shan the
most obscure lsymen-
In the tirst place, the Methodist bishops
are not. in general, politicians or persons
who concern themselves in political ques-
tions. They were, probably, without ex-
ception, shocked at Bishop Hayen's third
term utterances, though | doubt If any Of
them were surprised. lie is known a. Il man
of great zeal and euergv and Of respectable
ability, extremely lacking in Judgment, and
a lover Of nOtoriety, and IT : probably not
unfair to him TO say that hiS most cherished
possessions are his preiudices
His desire to renominate ten. ,irant i
no new thing. More than a year ago. alter
his return from Mexico, about which conn
try he was then issuing which proved to
Oc al tue sShcth4 opihi'h 'SAf
book, he surprised NE with the dec
country - holding Il map of Mexico before
me and whenI replied that it could not
be got without war, be said Nv { must
have it it belongs 10 US, our people want
it what do you think OF Grant and Mexico
as platform in 1876? Don't YOU suppose
that would sweep the country was u
little shocked that any clergyman, even
Bishop Haven, should deliberately propose
scheme of public robbery, but he exclaimed
you'll see that | am right you are all
wrong about this matter You are opposed
to third term, hear YOU don I like Gen
Grant you don't know anything about 1t
you are as wrong as you can he.
Bishop Haven was sent to the South,
some years ago, with the object of reviying
there the Northern Methodist church, and
with the hope, cherished BY most Northern
Methodists, that the church South, which
parted from the Northern branch, many
years ago, by reason of differences on the
slavery question, could, now that slavery
was extinguished. be persuaded TO reunite
with the church North. He has, in fact, a.
l found when was in the South, last sum
mer, done great deal to widen the breach.
He is detesed all over the South for public
expressions In favor of an amalgamation oil
the negro and white races, and became
satisfied he had done great deal to keep up,
and even embitter wherever he labored, not
only race prejudices, but the feelings natur-
ally remaining from the WAT
1t would be extremely unjust to charge
the Methodist clergy as a body with
propensity to interfere in political ques-
tions. They do not do 50 more than the
clergy of any other sect in this country
and as they have among their number
Democrats a. well as Republicans, and a.
the Methodist lsity are of both political
parties, there is but little temptation to, or
occasion for. such interference. What, how
ever, some prominent Methodist clergymen
can be charged with is, that they do not
refuse to use their influence as Methodists
with the President - further applications
for Office. A Conspicuous instance OF this
kind came dissgreeably under my notice.
two years ago, at the time when the ap-
pointment Of Collector Simmons in Boston
created very hitter discomfort among the
respectable Republicans of Massachusetts,
and unfsvorsble comments elsewhere. Gen
Buffers influence with the President was
supposed at that time to have procured
this appointment, hut Judge H0ar, GER
tainly no friend to Gen. Butler, told me
that it was the Methodist influence IN Bos-
ton which carried the day for Simmons,
and satisfied mysalf afterwsrd that this
was true. Thses are other and more scan
daloas instances Of sueh misuse Of Astho-
dist in8usncs, which It Il not worth while
now to mention. f.F-.t.f