Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-05-25
Respectfully yours, &C.,
IT A MORRIS President
10 the Bishops of the Methodist Episcopa
Church South c0nreued in St Louis 10 :

Church South, conuened IN st. Louis, Mo-:
Reverend and Dear Brethren,-At meet
ing Of the Board of Bishops at the Methodist
| Episcopal Church held in Erie, Pa, in June,
1865, we made and published the following dec
laration:
THAT the great cause which led to the sep
aration from us of both the Wesleyan Metho-
dists Of this country, and Of the Methodist E.
piScopal Church South, has passed away and
We trust the day is not far distant when there
shall be but one organization, which shall en-
brace the whole Methodist family in the Uni
ted States"
This declaration was made liz good faith, and
shows what were then our sentiments and feel
ings, and was deemed by US as the utmost we
were authorized to say OR do on the subject at
thai time.
Although our late General Conference did
not directly authorize US to take further spe-
cifc action in the matter, yet we judge that
some of its acts justify advanced steps on cur
part.
In our quadrennial address to the General
Conference we referred to the declaration above
quoted, and no exception was taken to 1t by
that body.
The General Conference, to promote the
union of Methodistic Churches, appointed a
commission, consisting Of eight members OF
that body and the Bishops Of the Church, who
were empowered to treat with a similar COM
misrion 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 rea-
sons why they consider it unsuitable for them
to initiate measures to effect reunion Of the
two Churches.
Believing, as We do, that if they were one in
| both spirit and organization much more could
be accomplished for the interests Of humanity
and for the glory Of God, We are DESTROYS of
doing all we consistently can to promote re-
union on terms alike honorable to both Church
es and in the spirit Of our 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 a
similar commission they will be promptly met
by our commission, who, We doubt not, will be
happy to treat with them and to report the re-
suit to our next General Conference.
Praying that Infinite Wisdom may guide
| both you and us in this important MATTER SO
that our Redeemer's kingdom may be advanced
and His name be glorifed, we are yours, in the
| bonds Of the gospel Of Christ,
NJ SIMPSON,
In behalf of the Bishops of the Methodist f.
st. Louis, No., May 8, 1869.
To the Bishops Of the Methodist Episcopal
Church,:
Reverend and Dear Brethren,-It has af-
forded us pleasure to receive in person your
respected colleagues Bishops James and Simp-
son, deputed by you to confer with US and we
cannot forbear to express our regret that one
Of the delegation appointed by you to us (the
venerable Bishop Norris was not able to 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
senior superintendent, Bishop Andrew, though
in the city, was hindared by the feeblencss and
inirmities incident to age from being present
at thy reception Of your colleagues and enjoy
ing with us the interview.
Your communication, together with that laid
before US by your commission, has been con-
sdered and we entirely agree in your estimate
of the responsibility in the premises resting on
the chief pastors OF the separated bodies of
Methodism.
We would approach dear brethren, the mat
ter OF your communication with the utmost
candor and love and, so meet the advanced
steps on your part that nothing shall be want
ing On OURS to bring about better state of
things, becoming and beneficial to us BOTH
We depiole the unfortunate controversies and
tempers 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 In evidence of this, we are ready
not only to respond to, but to go further than
your communication, and from QUE point of
view to suggest what may help to remove the
difficulties and obstacles that are in the way.
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-
tertained. and necessarily in order to it: we
mean the establishment of fraternal feelings
and relations between the two Churches. They
must be one in spirit before they can be one in
organization Concord must be achieved be-
fore any real union Heart divisions must be
cured before corporate divisions can be healed.