Separation from the Church
41
The Church Trial
Not long after, we were notified to be present at a meeting to be
held in the vestry of the church. There were but few present. The
influence of my father and his family was such that our opposers had no
desire to present our cases before a larger number of the congregation.
The single charge preferred was that we had walked contrary to their
rules. Upon asking what rules we had violated, it was stated, after a
little hesitation, that we had attended other meetings, and had neglected
to meet regularly with our class.
We stated that a portion of the family had been in the country for
some time past, that none who remained in the city had been absent
from class meeting more than a few weeks, and they were morally
compelled to remain away because the testimonies they bore met with
such marked disapprobation. We also reminded them that certain
persons who had not attended class meeting for a year were yet held
in good standing.
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It was asked if we would confess that we had departed from their
rules, and if we would also agree to conform to them in the future.
We answered that we dared not yield our faith or deny the sacred truth
of God; that we could not forego the hope of the soon coming of our
Redeemer; that after the manner which they called heresy we must
continue to worship the Lord.
My father in his defense received the blessing of God, and we
all left the vestry with free spirits, happy in the consciousness of the
approving smile of Jesus.
The next Sunday, at the commencement of the love feast, the
presiding elder read off our names, seven in number, as discontinued
from the church. He stated that we were not expelled on account of
any wrong or immoral conduct, that we were of unblemished character
and enviable reputation; but we had been guilty of walking contrary to
the rules of the Methodist church. He also declared that a door was
now open, and all who were guilty of a similar breach of the rules
would be dealt with in like manner.
There were many in the church who waited for the appearing of the
Saviour, and this threat was made for the purpose of frightening them
into subjection. In some cases this policy brought about the desired
result, and the favor of God was sold for a place in the church. Many