The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-05-24
GENERAL NJ. r. CONFERENCE.
TBy TeleQraDh,1

LOUISVILLE, May 23.-In the General Con
ference of the Methodist Episcopal Churcl
yesterday, the Committee on Fraternal Re
latioDs with the Northern Church, reportet
| that it is deemed proper for the attainment
of the object sought to guard against al
Interpretations. to declare that the organ
izatOns are not involved in the fraternity
in their view Of the subject.
The reasons for a separate existence of thu
two branches Of Methodists are such as tt
make corporate union undesirable and i'm
practicable. The causes which led to divi
sion in 1874 have not disappeared.
Referring to the changed condition of the
African race, the report says: Many of them
have been drawn away from us by appli
ances that we were not prepared to counter
act, but a remnant remained and at theil
request we have set off our colored members
into independent ecclesiastical bodies
We have turned ever to them titles and
possession Of church property formerly held
by MS. Our Northern brethren have pur.
sued different plan, and they seem COM
mi:ted to it by honest and conscientious
convictions. They have mixed conferences
mixed congregations and mixed schools. We
do not ask them to adopt our plan, we could
not adopt heirs.
The report then gives the details of an
effort made by the Southern branch in 1S4f
to reconcile differences, and the refusal OF
the Northern branch to receive commissions
ers; also the renewal of efforts made in
1870. The report then says: "Thns stood
the case when the distinguished delegates
to the Methodist Episcopal Church, of the
Conference Of 1872, brought us their frater-
nal greetings"
eve hail them with pleasure, and we
welcome the opportunity at length offered
us of entering into negotiations to secure
tranquility and fellowship to our aiienated
communons upon permanent basis aud
alike honorable to all"
Special stress is laid upon the necessity OF
recognizing the llan of operation originally
prepared by the church of the South. 1t
says:
1.-THE plan of separation is too important to
be lightly esteemed by us. If it's provisions
touching territorial limits have been vio-
lated, we are ready to confer with our Nor
thern brethren on that point. Measures
preparatory to formal fraternity would be
defective that would leave out of view the
questions in dispute between the Methodist
Episcopal Church and ourselves
"These questions relate to the course pur-
sued by sone of their accredited agents
while prosecuting their work in the South,
and to property which has been taken and
held 10y them to this day, against oar protest
and remonstrance.
"Althongh feeling ourselves sorely ag-
grieved in these things, we stand ready to
meet our brothers in the spirit of Christian
candor, and to compromise all differences
upon principles of justice and equity"
The report expresses regret that the
Northern Commissioners We're not empOw-
cred to agree on place of settlement, and
says: awe are prepared to take advanced
steps in this direction, and owing to any
considerations which might justify create,
reserve, We will not appoint a delegation to
return the greeting so gracefully conveyed t.
us, but will also provide for a commission
to meet similar commission for the pnr.
pose of settling the disturbing questions"
An animated debate followed the report
in which it was evident that large major.
ity Endorsed the sentiments expressed in the
report, but were in favor of not complicat-
ing the basis for the establishing of fraterna
relations with reference to old difficulties
between the Two bodies.
The report was finally recommitted.