Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-05-30
FRATERNITY AND UNION BETWEEN
THE NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN
NETHODTSTS

by the Southern Methodist Church,
whose representatives lately met in
Louisville, KY. 1t may be character
lied as a Estate paper" of historical
value and significance. We make no
apology for the space devoted to it.
Some of the Northern papers had it
telegraphed to them bodily, so anxious
were people In that direction to read
the deliverance. We have waited to
secure full and correct copy of the
text. Whoever reads it carefully will
be not only entertertained, but enlight-
ened on some grave issues not gener-
ally understood
This Report of the Committee on
Fraternal Relations was adopted by a
large majority-ll0 to 81. The min
ority agreed with the majority on the
correctness of the historical facts re-
cited, but doubted the propriety of the
recital under the circumstances. All
were unit on this-that fraternal re-
lations could be entered into only on
settlement of vexed questions; and also
IN appointing a commission for that
purpose.
We must be allowed to express our
appreciation of the course taken by the
General Conference. The facts of his
tory present the Southern Church in a
clear and honorable light. Without
them, the outside reader would be IN
able to answer questions, which
naturally arise. 1t has been thirty
years since their formal separation.
Why is 1t that these two great branches
of Methodism have had no intercourse
since: Why is it that fraternal rela-
tons have not existed and fraternal
greetings been exchanged? The facts
fully vindicateth the Southern Methodists,
and they are entitled to this vindica-
ton. The Northern branch are desi-
rous of forgetting that chapter in his
yory-and well they may be.
There is no special pleading, no ar
gument here-simply a statement of
facts; but the statement is powerful.
1t would be a grave omission for South
ern Metbodists to ignore these matters.
There is no resentment in the recital.
Many have heard and believed that
the Southern branch was to
be blamed. This is the face
put on the matter by the Northern
press, secular and ecclesiastical. The
Southerners are represented as rebel
Ious, contumacious, stubborn, unwill-
ing to have peace, whereas it clearly
appears that they have, all the time,
been trying to make peace and to keep
1t; to seek peace and pursue it. Many
intelligent people were ignorant of this
record; not a few, doubtless, in the
Church, knew it not. a generation
has grown up since the separation &C.
Cured.
But the most salient point in the
paper under notice, is this: The
Southern Metbodists are frank to let
their Northern. co-religionists under
stand that they have no idea of uniting
with them-none whatever. They were
wise in guarding this point; for the
public takes hasty views and jumps at
conclusions. In proof, the respectful
manner in which the Northern dele
rates were received and heard at Louis |
vile, has led several people and papers
TO say that the two Churches were |
about to unite. 1t was well that the |
expressed discrimination not to unite |
should be accompanied with a few
strong, unanswerable reasons. Other
wise 1t might, as has been fiippantly |
done. be attributed to resentment, or
prejudice, or other unworthy motives.
The Northern General Conference
repudiated the Plan of Separation.
The Southern General Conference in
sists on it, and for cause. The Plan
OF Separation is a solemn compact
made by the two parties when they di-
vided in 1874. The extracts from the
Supreme Court decision establishing
the validity of this Plan of Separation
Will be news to many. The words
scbism and secession have been persist
emily applied to the Southern branch.
It was well to set this charge at rest,
forever.
This paper will be extensively read
in the North, East and West, and will
Give light much needed. 1t Will dis
pose people there who were ignorant Of
tine facts. to do their Southern breth-
rem Justice. and thus lead to peace on
terms alike honorable to all.
Candid treatment of the subject
must greatly promote the good end
eougbt. The Northern Church is strong
and has hosts of good and true minis
+ers and members, who are ready to do
right. as it may be made to appear to
them. Formal fraternity, patched up
in 4 gushing mood, would not last long;
# would be a hollow truce, soon to show
itself a sham. Facts should be looked
in the face; only real, practical issues
should be considered. The Southern
General Conference means business. 1t
has cone ahead of the Northern Church
and provided a commission to settle
difficulties. VIII the other party res |