Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1876-11-25

three wears ago. Since the petition Was started,
if we may judge from the tone of the religious
press, the breach between these bodies has
widened, and there is little prospect that will
be closed for years to come. TIE committees OF
the Northern and Southern Methodist Churches
have cordially agreed upon plan OF fraternal
cooperation and practical union; but the Pres
byterisns still stand apart. the last to make
peace, twelve years after the civil strife that
convuised the country has ceased.
AS 1t was Impossible, therefore, to unite with
the South without utter disregard of our profess
ed principles and piighted word and without the
guilt OF suicidal act for the Church. and there
seemed to be a constant agitation OF the question
Of our eccesiastical rel itons the Session voted,
by msjsrity or Bin to three, to direct the clerk
to request that the name of the church be erased
from the roll of the Southern Prtsbytery. in or
der that commissioner may be appointed to at
tend the next regular meeting Of the Northern
Presbytery, to be held in the spring Of 1877 If
il had not been Tor this constant agitation keep.
ing the minds OF many of our people IN disquie
tude. instead OF being directed to far mere I'M
would. probably, have preferred to remain in
the position we assumed more than two years
ago; but, AS it seemed to be the will of the Lord
that We must take some decisive action, there
was but one course to pursue. We can assure
you, brethren, that this subject has been upon
our IN minds. and borne continually upon our
hearts before the throne of grace. Never for q
moment have we been indifferent to its impor-
tance. and most sincerely aud humbly have We
sought the wisdom that cometh down from
been done thoughtlessly; nothing has been done
without anxious deliberstiDn, and without pray
er, and We cannot doubt that we have the SYM
.pathy Of every lrue child of .tioti. who knows
even partially the trying circumstances under
Nltoi. .se have been call led to act. As the Lord
ls our Withtss, what we have done has besn done
the best interests Of this beloved church.
If there are those whose feelings will he dis
turbed by the action We have felt constrained to
take, they should at least remember that none
are called to make any greater sacrifice of natural
feeling and partially and sympathy than seme
OF the memDe:s of the session, Us none surpassed
these members in their personal devotion to tht
South during the dark years of war, and none
have suite reu greater loss or sorrow as the result
oil that devotion. But they do not feel ut liberty
to consult the flesh. when brought to consider
the welfare OF Christ's cause, and rising by
grace above the claims of nature, they left all u
the foot OF the cross. .-. t..- D f.
The three who preferred to remain Independent
Of both Assemblies for a time, in Christian
spirit. have acquIesced in the will of the major
ity and this We pray and trust will be the plir
pose of the entire Church Let us eXhort you t
| do nothing hastily or rashly. Do not even eX
press your views Or intentions until you hay
gone TO GOd for direction, and there in the liyh
OF His presence, and in solemn remembrance u
he truth that you IRE soon to stand before Chris
at His coming, when all the rude discords Q
earth will forever cease, calmly AID prayerlull
determine the course he would have you follow
THE AALCoNTENTs.
AT the close of the service Mr.. Miller Alexan
der requested those who excepted to the tindin
/ of the session to intend meeting TO be held IL
discussion of the matter at his house, on Clar
! avenue, this evening. I'D. r ...