Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-05-20
METHODIST CHURCHES.
correspondence between the BISHOPS 7,
of the VI. f. Church ami The M E'
Church SONth.


CLuleA South. coareaoI IN 81. Loais, No:
REVEREND AND DEAR BRErlREN-At al
meeting Of the Board of Bishops oi the Me-
thodst Episcopal Church, held in Erie, Pa,
in June, 1865, We made and published the
following declaration:
That the great cause which led 10 the separa-
ton from Us Of both the Wesleyan Mtthotlsts
of this country and Of the Methodist Episco'
pal Church South has passed away, and we
trust the day is not lar distant. when there
shall be but oua organization, when Shali ein
brace the whole Methodist family OF the
United States.
This declaration was made in good laith, and
shows what were then our sentiments and 1eel'
iugs, and was deemed by Us as the utmost we
were authorized to say or do on the sus]ect at
that time. ~,
Although our late General Conference did
not directly authorize Us to take further specl-
flo action in the matter, yet We Judge that some
of its acts Justify advanced steps on our part.
In our ouadreunia address to the General
Conference We referred TO the declaration above
quoted, and no exception was taken to ny
that body.
The General Conference, TO promote tue
union Of Methodistic Churches, appointed q
commission, consisting OF eight members OF
| that body anu the Bishops OF the Church,
who were empowered to treat with slmiiar
commission from any other Methodist Church
| that may desire union with us.
We have understood that there were IN the
minds of many of the members and ministers
of the Methodist Episcopal Church South
reasons why they consider it unsuitable Tor
| them 10 initiate measures to effect reunion oil
the two Churches.
| Believing as We do that il they We're one 10
| both spirit and organization much more could
be accomplished for the interests OF humanity
and for the glory Of God, We are deslrouS oil
doing all we consistently can TO promote re-
union on terms alike honorable to both
| Churches, and in the spirit Of orr Divine
/ Lord.
We therefore ask your attention TO the com
mission above referred to, and we express to
You the opinion that should your approaching
| General Conference see proper TO appoint
similar commission they will be promptly met
| by our commission, who. we doubt not will be
happy TO treat with them and report the result
| TO our next General Conference.
Praying that Infinite Wisdom may guide
both You and lis in this important matter, so
that our Redeemer' s kingdom may be advanced
| and his name be gloriiied.
We are yours in the bonds OF the Gospel oil
| Christ. T.; ,; JAMES
In behalf Of the Bishops o! the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
ST. Louis, Mo-, May s, 1869.
| 70 he Bishops Of lie A'lo7at Epis'oo"l
HWch:
Perrena and Dcu Breihreo- has atfor
| lcd us pleasure to receive in person your re-
Ill Diuln 4 nd
deputed by YOU to confer with Us, ana We can
| not fsrbcar TO express our regret that one OF
| the delegation appointed by you to us-the
venerable Bishop Morrs-was not able 10 be
| present. We desired to see him again face to
| face, to enjoy his society, and to renew to HIM
| the assurances OF our affection and regard.
| Our own senior Superintendent Bishop
Andrew, though in the city, was hindered by
| the ieebeness and infrmities incident to age,
from being present at the reception OF your
colleagues, and enjoying with us the interview:
Your communication together with that laid
before us by your commission, has been consld-
cred, and we entirely agree in your estimate OF
the responsibility in the premises resting on
| the chief pastors Of the separated bodies OF
McthodiSm.
We would approach, dear brethren, the
matter OF your communication With the utmost
caudor and love, and so meet the advanced
steps on your part that nothing shall be want
ing on ours TO bring about about better state
of things, becoming and beneficial to Us both.
We lcplorc the unfortunate controversies and
tempcrs that have prevailed, and that still pre-:
vail and our earnest desire and prayer to God
is, that they may give place, and that speedily,
to peace 10 evidence of this We are ready not
only to respond to, but to go lurther than,
your communication, and from our point OF
view to suggest what may help to remove the
difficulties and obstacles that are in the wav.
Permit Us, then, to say, in regard to re
union" that in our opinion there is another
subject to be considered before that can be en-
tcrtaincd, and necessarily in order to tive
mean the establishment Of fraternal feelings and
relations between the two Churches. They
must be one in spirit before they can he one In
organi2 atom. Concord must be achieved before
any real union Heart divisions must DE cured
before corporate divisions can be healed.
You will not consider it as unlriendly TO The
ireest flow OF Christian sympathy evoked by
your overture If we remind you that we initia-
ted the measure Ia effect traternal relations
some years ago and as was declared then, and
as we do now delare, in good faith and with
most Christian purposes. Our General Con
ference sent one Of its most honored Elders to
Your General Conference to convey their Chris
tan salutatons, and through HIM to "otlcr to
you the establishment OF fraternal relations and
intercourse. It pains u4 to refer to the fact,
but it is matter of history that he wa not re
crvel.
The closing words of DR., Pierce toy your Gen
eral Conference upon being notified OF the iiure
Of his mission are in your possession:
"You will therefore regard this communlea-
ton n final on the pant OF the Methodist Epls-
copa Church South. She can never renew the
offer of lraterEal relations between the two
great bodies of Wesleyan Methodist in the
United States. But the proposition can be re-
newel at any time, either now or hereafter, by
the Methodist Episcopal Church, And if ever
made upon the basis Of the Plan OF Separation,
as adopted by the General Conference OF lSi4,
the Church South will cordially entertain the
proposition
Ills language to onr General Conference in
submitting tins report was:
Thus ended the well intended commission
from your body. Upon this noble effort verify
believe the smile Of Divine appreciation will
rest when the heavenly bodies themselves will
have ceased to shine. We did atfectionately
endeavor TO make and preserve peace, but our