The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-05-20

ference-Speech Of Rev. l.. VI. Lee, ID
n. on the Proposition 10 Unite tho
Methodist Protestant and Methodist
Episcopal Churches.
At Montgomery, Ala, May 10th, in the
Methodist Protestant General Conference
Rev. l.. M. Lee said:
He was either fortunately or unfortu.
nately born few years sooner than hi.
two colleagues who had preceded him
That was not his fault. He had often
welded the sword, and many times had
whacked the head of Methodist Protest.
ant and quite as often he had been
wounded by the Protestant sword. He
was free to declare that the separation in
1928 was the saddest day for Methodism
He was equally free to confess the error oil
his Church in refusing to grant the lay
representation at that early period. They
had granted it at length; and although
the two Churches had started from each
other as though they would never meet
again, yet both had travelled by different
routes and arrived at the same point.
If two men start with their backs to each
other and travel in opposite directions till
they meet on the opposite side of the
earth, their backs are no longer together
they meet face to face. SO it was with
the Church he represented and the one he
had the honor to address. He had labor
ed long and assiduously to effect this
union. He hoped the last dregs of bitter
ness were drained from his soul; and If
there yet remained few of the old belli-
1ax has mr.
JUDGES and come together, they could
soon be buried together in the silent grave.
There their prejudices would never dis
turb the repose of peaceful union. He
concluded with fervent prayer for the
great cause of Methodism and the pro-
mitigation of the kingdom of Christ.
A minority of the committee on the sub
ject of forming a union with the Methodist
Episcopal Church South, reported as fol-
lows:
"The Convention has indicated by its
resolutions welcoming the commissioners
of the Methodist Episcopal Church South
among us its willingness to unite on terms
agreeable to both Churches. The commits
sion of the Methodist Episcopal Church
South, however, have not felt themselves
authorized to offer such terms as we be-
lieve would be acceptable to all the men,
bers of our Church, and we do not feel au-
thorized to modify, essentially, the condi-
tions we have proposed; therefore
Resolued, That the whole subject be
referred for final action to our several an.
nual Conferences, and that the president
thereat be requested to announce the re-
suit to the commissioners of the Methodist
Episcopal Church South, expressing the
hope that the Conference may act as a
unit"
This report is signed by eight members,
including l.. J. Cox, Jr., S. B. Souther'
land, and G. w. Button.
The minority, embracing six members,
reported to the following effect:
"That the conditions Of union submit
ted by the venerable commissioner of the
Methodist Episcopal Church have been con
sidcred carefully by US, and while we agree
with the majority of the commission that
all the members of the Church willsnot be
satisfied with them, yet, feeling convinced
that large majority will cheertully accept
these terms, which we regard as liberal
hopeful and indicative Of an early affirma
ton of all the points of difference between
them; therefore we cordially accept them
and recommend to our annual Conference
action in harmony with our acceptance"
SIX. Cox and B. S. Bibb presented the
following substitute for both reports:
ReSolued, That while we regard the
proposed union as highly desirable both fol
the interests of Methodism and our com.
mon Christianity, this Convention does moi
deem it expedient or proper to take au
thoritative action binding the Conferences
here represented to any particular course
upon this subject, inasmuch as these
several Conferences are variously affected
by local causes and Influences, but would
refer the whole subject for final decision t.
each annual Conference"
The subject was under discussion on thu
l4th.