Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-12-18
A PEACE OFFERING.
A VOICE FROM THE EASTERN SHORE.

| Will the Bait Conference maintain its integ-
rity? Will it pass unscathed through the fiery
ordeal which has been entailed upon it by the
unwarrantable legislation of the late General
Conference? That this would be the case, was
the confident hope of every true friend OF the
| border until the recent personal controversies
which have been waged in the Bait. Christian
Advocate. That all should see precisely alike
was not to have been expected. But that there
would be willingness on the part of every Bait.
Conference man, to yield some of his own predi
lections, for the purpose of general harmony, es-
pecially in view of the vastness OF the interest
at stake, certainly could not have been doubted
by any one acquainted with the past history of
the Conference, and the unanimity with which
it was enabled to weather the storm incident to
the great Southern secession. During all that
period the whole Bait. Conference was as one
man. Why is it that they cannot see eye to eye
now, as they did then? 1t is certainly not be-
cause their different views are so irreconcilable
as to forbid all hope of ultimate harmony. Nor
can it be because of want of disposition to con
cession and compromise. What then has pro.
duced this antagonism, which is likely to rend
the old Conference and estrange those who have
hitherto been laboring in harmonys The cause
is far more imaginary than real A few brethren
have allowed themselves to fall out by the way !,
indeed. as enemies. Each honestly believes, too,
that his own views and measures are unquestion-
ably correct and essential to the being of the
church, and consequently those of his opponent
pernicious in the extreme. Now let US look o.
yer the ground, and see how wide apart the two
extremes are, and then judge whether it will be
possible for them to meet in harmony. All part
les regard the new chapter as mischievous, to
say nothing as to its ultra, fanatical and un-
christian dogmas. That it must, therefore, go
by the board, is demanded on all hands. But
the means by which this is to be accomplished
has given Iise to two extreme parties. One
takes position in favor OF the Southern church
and proposes to discard all differences which
have heretofore existed, aud to transfer the Bait
Conference to its jurisdiction. A second party
would hold on to the NJ. E. church with q SOL
emn protest against the new chapter, and de-
mand for its repeal, a condition of continuance
Herewith. The fatal objection to both of these
plans, is that neither of them can by any posi-
bility secure general acquiescence, much less ap.
proval. 1t is useless to disguise the fact, that
there are thousands, both preachers and people,
in the Bait. Conference who cannot, with their
present views Of the church South, become iden-
titled with it; and they hold this position hon.
estly, and would as an alternative, prefer re-
manning as they are. On the other hand, there
are thousands more who will not consent under
any circumstances to continue their connection
with the Northern M. E.. church beyond the
meeting of the next Bait. Conference. This is
their fnality, and if they must choose after that
between the two, they will go to the church
South. Now, here is the question, and it is the
only practical one, if harmony and unanimity is
at all desirable: Will these two parties for the
sake of the peace, prosperity and integrity Of the
Bait. Conference, consent to relinqnish some of
their own peculiar predictions, aud meet each
other half way in the organization of distinct
church, independent of either the North or the
South9 No course that could be adopted would
require as little sacrifice of opinion or prefer
enees as this. 1t is precisely what more than
half of the preachers and people now prefer, and
it would only be the two extreme wings that
would have to make any concession at all, and
this SO trifng, as not to weigh feather, when
the union and harmony of the church on the bor-
der isin jeopardy; and that each will concede
this much, if brought to the test, is not to be
doubted for one moment But it will be con-
tended that it would be impractcable now to
harmonic the two extremes on what should be
the basis OF the new organization on the subject
OF slavery. Let US see. One party demands
that everything on that vexed and disastrous
question be expunged from the book-while the
other contends that the Bait. Conference is
pledged to stand by the Discipline as it was be-
fore the last General Conference. This is GER
tainly difference of no small account, and that
each party is honest in its position, there should
not be doubt entertained. Those who demand
that all be expunged, though they have hereto
fore avOwed their willingness to let the Dsci-
pline remain as it was, are consistent, neverthe-