The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1874-05-07
The Olive Branch.

Enc O1av9 Branch.
Inc present session of the General Confer
eice OF the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
now being held in Louisville, Ky. has it within
us discretion, to inaugurate steps for the unity
anu oneness OF the Methodist Church OF the
ohited States. Pertinent to the cause OF the
present division OF this body in this country,
Is the paper submitted by Bishop Paine, ON
the IND inst, from the General Conference Of
GREAT Britain. 1t conveys fraternal greetings
anu reviews the fact that the abolitien OF sla-
very removes the cause which prevented the
English church from before seeking intercourse
WITH the Methodist Episcopal Church South
and saying 1T is cause Of tlanl1fulness that
nothing exists to prevent intercourse between
your General Conference and our own, and we
pray that both churches andboth countries may
oe firmly united within themselves by concord,
and to one another by amity.''
Lis to this spirit pervading the hearts and
mlnds OF the members Vi this important con
vocation, that the country must look for wise
and catholic action for the contamination Of
the end suggested in the message OF the Brit
lsh Conference. 1t is appropriate, too, that
now, while the patriotic efforts OF men Of both
sections in the political and secular arenas, are
beng directed to healing the wounds of sec
tional strife, and the naturalization of the
sentiment Of the country, that great repre-
! sentative body Of two millions of people, should
advance to the front, and take the lead in the
Warfare against prejudices and in the cultiva-
| ton of fraternal sympathy.
There is no cardinal tenet of faith or impor-
tant canon of minstrative usage that divides the
Methodist church. The same belief and the
same church government are adhered to by the
two branches. They stand side by side in their
articles Of faith, in their ceremonials, in their
professions and aims. There is no difference
in essentials. When we sift and ascertain the
causes of the division, they resolve themselves
into one representative word-Prejudice. A
prejudice, too, growing out Of a condition OF
things that has ceased to exist. The cause be-
ing removed, why should the harmful effects
still be nurtured, and the whole spirit OF the
christian religion belied thereby? It is in con-
travention Of the teachings OF the Prince of
Peace, whose followers the members of the
General conference profess to be, that an ex-
ample SO pernicious to the common good, should
4 longer be perpetuated. It is for these men, a.
bove all Others, to come forward in the spirit
OF true christian brotherhood, and throwing
down before the Cross all the embittered feel
ings instigated by the devil, and which have
too long marred the fair fame of the church,
embrace in the bonds Of christian fellowship,
and march forward in serried ranks, shoulder
to shoulder and shield locked in shield with ban
ners flying, emblematic Of their heaven-sanc-
toned mission, against the common enemy
Even in the dark days OF the crusaders, when
the Saracen and Infidel rioted in the splendors
OF the Holy Land, Richard, C@ur de Lion and
Phillip Augustus Suspended their national CON
ficts that theymight unite their efforts and marcel
their hostile forces 60 tile rescue OF the Sacred
Ground from the ilnpious tread Of the unbe-
levers. Over burning sands, and under blazing
sun, encounteRing pestilence and famine, land in
Vulnerable hosts of opposing armies, they brave
) ly went forward. until their triumphant colors
were planted upon the walls Of Jerusalem.
Shall professed Christians in this enlightened
5 age exhibit less zeal and earnestnessel the cru
be held out by the General Conference OF the
Methodist Church, South, now in session a
e Louisville, and the representatives of the Gen
eral Conference OF the Methodist Church, wlit
: are visiting there, carry it back to their breth
} rem when they assemblein like deliberations
: and thus lay the foundations for the reuntin.
: the too long deserved church, that it may NOV
4 foy1.-n ri in thn i;,fnrncf IF faith
: a common duty.