The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-05-25
Methodist Episcopal Church South.
REPORT OF TIE CoaNITTEE on FRATEgsAL
RELATIONS

hELATlONss
LOUISVILLE, May 23.-Iu the General Con-
ference OF the Methodist Episcopal Church
south yesterday the Committee on Frateruai
Relations with the Northern Church report
ed. that It Is deemed proper, for the attsir-
mens OF the object sought, to guard against
all mlsapprehersions, to declare that organ
izst1ons are not involved in fraternity.
In our opinion OF the subjecs the reasons
Tor the separate existence OF the two branches
OF methodists are such as to make corporate
union undesirable and impracticable. The
causes which led to division In 1874 have
not disappeared. Reference is made to the
| inconvenience Of organizing proper basis
.. representation to the General Conference
aao 10 the difference in power claimed by
Tue TWO branches as inherent TO the Genera;
report says:
1.-The position OF southern Methodism is
scrlpturai. Our opiCions have undergone
+! no change" II refers to the fact that MANY
| colorea persons who bad been converted
| through their insfrumentality have gone
over to the Northern Church, and SAYS:
Following the indication of Providence,
We have, without abandoning this work,
adopted our methods to change the
condition Of the African rsca.
Many Of them had been draIa
away from us hy appliances that we were
not prepared TO counteract, but the remnant
remained. and at their request we have set
of our colored members into independeut
ecclesiastical bodies. We have turned over
TO them The titles aud possessions of Church.
property formerly held by us. Our norther:.
brethren have pursued different plan, and
Ihcy seem committed to it BY honest and
o'hsc'cntious convictions. They have mixed
J, coh'etences. mixed congregations, and mixed
SCHOOLS: We do not ask them to ADOPT OH.
piam. we could not adopt theirs.'
II Inc report then gives details of the effort
mace by the southern branch in 1916 10 re-
conche differences, aud the refusal of the
( northern branch to receive commissioners:
, also, a renewal of the effort made in 1870.
The report then says: "Thus stood the
: case when the distinguished delegates of the
Methodist Episcopal Church Of the Confer.
: ence OF 1872 brought us their fraternaI
, greetings. We hail them with pleasure, and
+ welcome the opportunity at length offered
- us OF entering into negotiations 10 secure
tranquility and fellowship to our aIienated
lcomnunions upon permanent basis, and
alike honorable to all"
fsl Special stress is laid upon the necessitr of
1 recognizing the plan of separation originally
I prop :sed by the Church South. II SAYS:
: The plan of separation is too important to
be lightly estimated by us. If its provisions
% touching territorial limits have been yio!atet.
e we are ready to confer with our northern
&c brethren on that point. Measures prepare.
tory TO formal fraternity would be de-
q. tective. That would leave out Of
,e view questions in dispute between tie
,e Methodist Epi.copal Church and ourselves.
These questions relate to the course pursued
g. by some Of their accredited agents while
,e prosecuting their work in the South, and to
r property which has been taken and held By
.h them to this day against our protest and re-
in monstrance. Although feeling ourselves
sorely aggrieyed in these things we stand
:. ready to meet our brothers in a spirit o:
!, Christian candor. and to compose all differ
n, ences upon principles OF justice and equity
IS The report expresses regret that the north
= ern commissioners We're not empowered 10
lc, agree upon plan Of settlement, and says
"We are prepared to take adGanced steps i.
H. this direction, and waving any consider
u. tioss which might justify greater reserve
T. we will not only appoint delegation TO re
X, turn greeting so gracefully conveyed TO u4i
Id but will also provide for commission q
II, meet similar commission for the purpose
0, Of settling disturbing questions"
d. An animated debate followed the report,
"a in which it was evident large majority eu
dorStd the sentiments expressed by the COM
nittee, but we're in flror OF not compI'
e eating the basis for establishing iraternas re
le lations with reference 10 Old difficulties be
tween the two bodies.
=, The reDort was fuaiy recommitted.