Year: 1875




SHOULD DEoDoRIzE IT'S sANcTUARY-A COL


oRED DIvINEs VIEWS.


RICHMOND, Va, Dec is, 1875.


The nomination Of General Grant by two high dgni-
taries Of the Northern Methodist Church. OF which the
President is said 10 be member, for third term as
the Chief Executive OF the nation has created pro-
found sensation here religious circles generally; but
among the Southern Methodsts this political action OF
the Northern bishops has excited feelings the greatest
Indignation and 1t has also called forth their unanimous
condemnation and disapprovaL With view to ascer-
tanning the sentiment this subject OF the Methodist
clergymen resident in Richmond your correspondent
called upon them to-day at their respective residences,
and, in answer his inquiries, those who
informed the Of Bishops Haven and Simp-
son not only outspoken but very decisive and
explicit in their expressions.


T. EDWARDS,


of the distinguished divnes in the South and
pastor OF the Centenary Methodist church, said:'I
have hesitation in saying for myself personally that
the nomination of General Grant for third by
Bishop Haven excites my proioundest disgust and
contempt. How far these Church dignitaries repre-
sent the sentiment OF the great body of Northern
Methodsts this subject am not prepared TO say.
Bishop Haven has been laborng under the negro mania
for years Southern Methodists despse tho trickery
and intrigue of these ecclesiastical officials. The
ment in question, IN any point Of view, is TO be depored
and deprecated. 1t will inevitably postpone, II not
utterly foresta fraternity between tho two Methodist
churches, North and South. Organic union is i'm
possibility. Fraternity is a consummation TO be de-
sircd but Southern Methodists will instinctvey reco
from fraternity If it is understood that the
bishops referred to represent the wishes Of the great
body of Northern Methodists l scarcely bring
myself to believe that the movement on the part
Die rith tIa
Northern Methodist Church, a general thing. He
overestimates his negro force in the South Influence
among the whites he has none"


A.. STEELE,


pastor OF the Broad street Methodist church. said 81
suppose that throughout the Southern Methodist
Church there is but sentiment with regard to the
conduct OF Bishop Gilbert Haven IN nominating Pres
dent Grant for third Irrespective Of political
preferences it will be uniformly condemned as in the
last degree unbecomng his work minister and his
Office a bishop in the Church of Cod 1t out
rage the dignity of the Northern Methodist Church
a bold innovation In American politics. precedent
fraught with the greatest danger to the stability and
prosperity Of country Considered politically
a tremendous biunder; considered religously 1t was
a CRIME. 1t cannot but damage his party; It must
degrade his Church If it shares his sentiments or in
dorses his utterances The Northern Methodist
Church represents nearly million of voters II is a





the appearance of disposition to its influence
politically, whether for good or evil Bishop Haven
is extremist He is old enough to know that the
kingdom of Christ is not of this world. Ii he wants
TO be politician he ought TO cease to be a minister
at least bishop Let US hope that Bishop Haven does
not represent the general spirit Of his Church But,
the same time let the people of America with en-
phass that shall bear their verdict remote pos
terity, denounce this ncipent alliance OF Church and
State"


A RARE REVEREND VIEW


The HERALD correspondent next called upon the Rev.
I'm Il Ihp nj Thric.
tian Advocate the leading organ OF the Methodist Epis
copal Church South, who said -'My opinion OF Bishop
Havens nomination Of General Grant is that 1t is bad
for Haven and bad for Grant Now Haven Is nuisance
at home and abroad His ambition is notorety and
tiness He is condensed cancan in white cravat He
prouettes at any angle to tickle the pit Hts OF
success is the bushes OF decency. Grant has bad
groom in Haven. The Bishop has damaged the third
term. Haven has no following among his Church. He
dsgusts the men OF consequence among them. They
must now submit to be tarred with the stick and
confess themselves gang Of politicians, deodorize
the Church ana ustrate It's altar If Havens Church
don't echo his blast for Grant then Grants fugeman
has done it lust one time too often Samye Gilbert
Haven has struck the wrong end OF the match"


PRAY FOR THE CONVERSION OF GSANr


The Rev. A. c. Bledsoe pastor Of Trinity Methodist
church, sad-I suppose the Christian people OF the
South will have contention with Northern min
listers on this ISSUE, ior Judging from past expert
the better for the South. Bishop Haven has in his
speech inadvertently paid the South high comp-
ment. He says-The Northern Methodist Episcopal
Church the only institution in the South to-day that
represents tho American nation. OF he
the American nation as run by his political party.
We accept this as compliment, and hope It
will ever be 1t speaks well for the other churches
of the South, but badly for his The Bishop In
concluding his speech very piousy calls his brethren
TO pray for President Grant, and for what do they
pray9 That he may be reelected for the third term
Now, It seems to me IL would have been in keep
Ing with the spirit of the Christian ministry to pray
for his conversion, grace and salvation. This attempt
10 connect the Church with political nom nations and
Will meet with timely rebuke by tho Christian
churches of this entire nation In my opinion the
great mistake that Northern Methodists have made is
In putting politics INTO their religion instead of religion
into their politics, and the action OF the Boston
Ing is an exponent OF this sad mistake"


A HAvENITE.
The Rev. John p Otis, who is the pastor of the
Clay street Methodist Episcopal church, which Is |
branch of the Northern Methodist Church, vas called
upon and courteously requested TO give his views
this important subject His answer not polite but
insulting. He sad-'T do wish to nave any com
munication with the NEW YORK HERALD" and from
his manner and his connection with the Northern |
Methodists 1t is to be presumed he Is the only black
sheep here who ndorses the course OF Bishop Haven.


WHOLLY UNSUITABLE; UTTERLY ABHoRREEr


The Rev II, @ CheahaIn pastor Of the Union Station
Methodist Episcopal church, said -Partisan politics
are so foreign TO my mode of thought my feelings, and
especially to my calling as minister Of tho Gospel,
that scarcely know bow to express my views of a
political preacher the course OF Christian bishops
who nominate any candidate for the third, second
first term The thing is wholly unsuitable II is ut
tery abhorrent to the character and calling OF any
lister Of Christ much more to that of Christian bishop
At least It would be in that Church in which IL is my
honor TO be minister. Such thing is impossible to
bishop of the Southern Methodist Church. Yet am
not altogether surprised at conduct Bishop Haven
1t makes manifest to all what has been apparent
OF the Souththat the Northern Methodist Church Is
politico-ecclesiastical establishment and sort of


sRM-sTATE


t goes further to show that the Northern preacher Is
In large degree responsible for the continuance OF
bad feeling between the North and South and for the
wrong and oppression that the South has suffered. IL
further shows the wisdom of the Southern Methodist
Church IN keeping free from all 'entangng alliances
with Bishop Haven ana all who may think and with
him.


NoN-TyrKRFERRNcE IN POLITICS


The Rev r. A. Peterson pastor OF the Clay street
Methodist church, South, said:-"Bishop Haven and
those Northern Methodlsts who think with him. may,
II they like claim and boast National Church. They
may assume to control Congressional and Presidential
nominations and such like, but


Secrets OF State wish to know


Than secret movements Of puppet show


eve Southern Methodsts sincerely deplore the
tendency the part OF our Northern brethren TO
make their Church prominent in political issues and
contests believing that II will ultimately prove in
furious not only 70 Wesleyan Mcthodism, but also to
Christianity. For this nnd