In South Carolina, 509 



with us was met by a rejection of our messenger, and proclaiming 

 us heretics. This last call to look upon us at least as Christians, and 

 the subsequent request to deal with us in commutative justice, and 

 to restore to us our own, was met by a more tenacious grasp of our 

 property, and treating us as outlaws. They have waged an unceas- 

 ing ecclesiastical war against us, all the more relentless as they have 

 wronged us so deeply. They have followed in the rear of military 

 expeditions and taken possession of our churches. They have made 

 haste and delayed not to organize Annual Conferences within the 

 limits of our jurisdiction. But the authorized judicatories of our 

 country have erased from the records the charge of schism and 

 heresy against us ; recognized us as under the protection of law, and 

 restored to us our property. And now, after a twenty years eccle- 

 siastical war upon us, the suggestion of reunion with the Methodist 

 Episcopal Church, North, urged by assurances of advantage to the 

 Methodist Episcopal Church, South, coevil with her, and in all 

 respects coequal, falls on cautious ears. TLmeo Danao.% et dona fe- 

 rentes — "We fear the Greeks, even when they offer presents." 



As a distinct and separate organization, the Methodist Episcopal 

 Church, South, has a great mission to fulfill, and if faithful to her 

 trust under God is secure for all time to come. Like one of those 

 rocking stones reared by the Druids, which the finger of a child 

 might vibrate to its center, yet the might of an army could not 

 move from its place, our system is so nicely poised and balanced 

 that it seems to sway with every breath of opinion, yet so firmly 

 rooted in the heart and affections of our people that the wildest 

 storms of opposing fanaticism must break over it in vain. 



The peculiar circumstances of the times render it necessary to 

 urge upon your attention the claims of the ministry upon your 

 sympathy and support. The results of the late war have deprived 

 many of them of the means which they formerly possessed, and 

 which they cheerfully employed in the great and godly work to 

 which they had devoted themselves. Some of those who for many 

 years have labored in your service, and helped you greatly in your 

 heavenward pilgrimage, are now left utterly destitute and wholly 

 dependent upon God and the sympathies of the Church, while the 

 widows and orphans of those who have lived and died in the 

 Master's vineyard turn their eyes to you in this hour of their sorest 

 need. The present affords, perhaps, the noblest opportunity you 

 have ever had of illustrating the Christian law of love and benevo- 

 lence, and laying up for yourselves treasure in heaven. The provi 



