The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-05-20

any member or pastor who would raise 4
controversial issue as to the causes which
led to that reunion. Our churches are like
sea which rolls and heaves. because it
comes in contact with a ledge of rocks that
raise their persistent head. Committees
have sat and deliberated. and editors have
written. but a tide Of Christian brother
hood is fast rising III the North ard in the
South, which will soon bury out Of sight
the rocks of bitter memories. Applause.
We recognize the tides of human feeling,
which like natural tides. are not controlled
by man, but come at the will of God. and
we know that those tides though rising
slowly, are coming surely. We are more
at unity in polity and faith than we gen-
orally believe. We agree at last in this,
that the Church does not mean number,
and that the people have a substantial voice
in its government. We are one III doctrine;
each Of us can say | have creed or
will use word which often raises hostility
"a theology. What some would call
bigotry l call fidelity. | am not indifferent
to the distinctive features of the separate
systems, but we can afford to emphasize
the points on which we agree, because these
are days when iC is not so much the attri-
butes of God we have to look to, bat
whether there is God; not much the
conversion of the soul, but whether or not
there is a soul, and neither Methodist nor
Presbyterian can afford to stand in the
pulpit if he doubts the supreme Deity of
Christ. When we look to these points on
which we differ, il will do us no harm to
come to an understanding as to differences,
and we may ask why those differences are
continuity changing and disappearing
1t is not because either side has lost regard
far hnj H. trim han how
less faith in them, but because of that
growing spirit of catholicity, which recog-
nzes that great doctrines Of the Gospel as
sufficient basis for union. Without in
dulging in utopian dreams as TO a visible
and corporate union of Christians, ! trust
this feeling Of unity will grow and spread
day by day until we pass away from earth,
and know it in the fulncss of our Joy in
Heaven.
\ resolution Of greeting to Dir. Patton
was then adopted unanimously.
\ resolution was presented by the West
Virginia delegation. fixing Monday, May
29th at 10 \. ~, as the day and hour for
adjournment of the Conference.
After some remarks by MesSrs Buckley
and Jcrvis, Rev. Mr.. Moody moved to lay
the resolution on the table. Adopted
unanimously.
DR.. Lanahan moved that Two delegates
be appointed to the Wesleyan Methodist
Church, two to the NJ L. Church and one
to each of the other bodies, with reserves,
except to the Canadian Church. to which
two should be sent.
Dr. Steele moved that rs to the question
of numbers, the Committee on Correspon-
dence be instructed to report and refer.
Adopted.
Rev. Mr.. Jervis moved that the Bishop
be requested to nominate one of their
number to go to England to the Conference
of the Church there. Adopted unaniLl ously.
General Fisk moved that all reference to
matters in the debate of Saturday as to
questions of veracity between members be
expupged. Agreed to by consent.
The Conference than adjourned.