Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1870-05-12

a. - hlgCLlnA Vi WIT 10aAeAnoACAr .
in philadelphia November %, 1869, a reso.
luton was unanimously adopted approx
ing the aforesaid action of the Bishops.
Nevertheless, the Commission, as such,
and as constituted by b General Con
ference, being DESTROYS Of discharging its
duties in the fullest and most acceptable
manner, deemed 1t proper 70 make q
further communication on this subject,
addressed to the Bishops and General
Conference Of the NJ. E. Church South,
to meet in Memphis in May, 1870.
The fact that the General Conference OF
the Methodist Episcopal Church appoint
ed his commission, shows that, in the
judgment of hat body, there are now no
sufficient reasons why q union may not
be effected on terms equally honorable to
all, and that the realization Of such
union is very important and desirable.
Hoping that you may see the subject in
the same light, and that il may be your
pleasure to appoint a similar committee
to confer with us previous to them meeting
of our next General Conference in 1877,
and praying hat you may be prospered
in III that pertains to the welfare Of the
Christian Church, and desiring your
prayers in behalf of the church We repre-
sent, that we may share a like prosperity,
WI are, brethren, yours in Christ Jesus,
EdmundS S. James, Daniel Curry,
Levi Scott, John McClintOek,
Mathew Simpson, John Lanahan,
Edward r. Ames, John q. Bruce,
Davis W. Clark, Thos. NJ. Eddy,
Ed. Thompson, James Pike,
Luke Hitchcock, VIM. L. Harris,
Commissioners.
PHILADELPHIA, November %, 1869.
Bishop James having read the above,
addressed the Conference as follows:
Having performed the official duty del
l-o~.l - 80 fha-a - Ona fnailanT l., 40,
nection with it which 1 think it proper
and due to ourselves to refer to. When
that document providing for the commits
sion was adopted, and the delegates were
appointed, it was not intepded that the
fact should be made public until it was
made so before this Conference. Its ap-
pearance in print was not by the
action or even with the approval
of his commission. It was intended
that this action should be taken
in a dignihed and delicate manner,
becoming both the Northern and South
ern churches. It was not intended that
it should be heralded in the papers, nor
to invite or provoke discussion, nor to be
made use of to b advantage or dis
advantage Of either section. How il be-
came public I know not, and It is but due
to the commission TO say it was not their
act, nor done with their approval. After
what has been said in regard to it, I must
say, too, that if the movement is strategic
I know it not. I believe that the General
Conference acted on a Christian
impulse, and from religious con-
victiOn. I know the commission
acted from religious convictions, and
in all candor, the action of the General
Conference limited the powers of the
commission. You can interpret its in
tentiOns as well as I. The commission
was appointed simply to treat with any
bodies of Methodists wishing union with
the General Conference. 1 do not under
stand that power was delegated to it, or
that il was appointed to take any definite
action in the matter. I suppose that it
was intended that it should ascertain
what was the state of public sentiment
(amOng members of the General Confer
SOUTH, to learn what embarrassments ex-
iSed to prevent an union, and suggest in
Shat manner an union might be effected.
NV understanding is that the Commission
was deputed to bear the message, and not
to negotiate. I Sudge that it was expected
by the General Conference that if infor-
nation we're wanted by the General Con-
ference of the Church South, as to the
views of the Church that we represent,
the Commission could afford it. I don't
think any of us anticipate hat a perfect
organization can be effected at once; it
cannOt be done without prayer and with
m~agnanimity and concessions on both
sides. The history of the past thirty-five
would not justify US in entertaining
such ex pectations. But l do believe that
the prayer Of Christ will be heard, and
the time will come when his people
will be one. Anything to hasten
that end should:be done. am not willing
to leave this General Conference to re-
under any impression or sentiment
not fully justified by the Conferences
which l represent. I would DC great in
TO my own feelings did I not ex-
press the fact that it affords me a very
great pleasure to look on countenances of
80 many whom 1 knew many years ago.
Thank God, for his preserving kindness
20 you all response, Amen! from the
Jo~nferencel. It gives me great pleasure
look upon you all. Grace be with you,
the love of the Lord Jesus Christ rest
md remain with you all, is my sincere
prayer response, amenl.
DR.. Harris said he thought it unneces-
AIRY to consume the time of the Confer
nee with any further remarks, as he cor
Tally agreed with the feelings and senti-
Of his colleague, Bishop James.
DR.. Keener, of New Orleans, said that
Re. in common with all the other MEM
,ers of the Conference, had listened with
pleasure to the Christian and earnest
peech of his brothers from the North.
sentiments coming to US. as they do,
cross a period of war and disaster, are
specially grateful. These spoken senti-
nave the prestige of the support of
address Ofthe Bishops; but he thought
the Conference should pause a mo-
nent and see the precise meaning and
bject of the commission as preserved in
he official records of the General Con-
by which it was appointed. He
ad them in his hand, and would read
hem. The commission was originally
ppOinted to confer with a commission {
rom the African Zion Methodist Epis- {
opal Church. Its powers were subse- /
uently extended, and it was authorized s
D treat with all other churches seeking
with the General Conference. TO {
rove this fact, DIR. Keener read the reso-
ltion appointing the commission
Now, if we understand that resolu-
continued the Doctor, it applies
nly to those churches knocking at The {
COR of the General Conference for adj
Mission. If this be the case, there Is a
cry grave difficulty IN the way of enter {
lining sny proposition from the COM
lission, which looks toward an union Of
le churches. If it come from a body q
iIling to extend the hand Of fellowship
lis difficulty stands ia the way-the COM
does not come properly author L
EUs IL tAp1dlh lis Wow DtbbGLt Inc
octor stated that he had drawn up a s
,ries of resolutions, which he would s
sad. /
The substance of these resolutions is: t
LIST. That this General Conference do t
Idorse the action tat en- by the Board v
Bishops at ST. Louis. ID, That I
ie commission cannot, without great t
to the resolution under
hich it was appointed, be con- o
-...I ito a 10,avnFEfao ~ .ar~v mt H. .
Jiects as set forth in its communication il
the Conference. Sd, That the Confer A
ice is truly gratihed at this show of re-
.rning brotherly love, and extends a r
welcome personally to the dele ?
ties. &
DIR. Reeves moved that the whole mat
r, the communication and the resolu- a
1ns of DR.. Keener, be referred to a COM G
of nine. 81
Bishop James, in reply to the remarks
DIR. Keener, said that the officia. Jour II
] or record of the General conference q
which DIR. Keener read), did not II
rrectly represent the commission. 1t is u
le, he said, that a resolution appointing u
commission to confer with the African =
NJ. E. Church was introduced In the
inference, but before 10 was acted on, 81
was adopted appointing the CON- gc
ission to meet all conferences desiring d
join the General Conferences. Perhaps te
e commission had transcribed It's duty ei
thus making the overture, instead of Al
aiting until the Southern Conferences a.
Knocked at the door" but they did not A
tenn themselves so highly as to
ait until the Conferences shonld H.
me to them. The commIssion IN
1t was taking the most Chris n
N course in so doing. He found no w
alt with DR.. Keener's resOlutions-be :,
ought lust as DIR. Keaner did. 3,
The resolution TO appoint a special y
of nine, to whom the entire
alter should be referred, was put to the rs
and adopted. n
Bishop James rose to a personal expla- d
tion Of his remark as to the official Il
lrnal of the General Conference. He 81