Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1876-08-25
Methodist Union.

especially among the Methodists, over the pup
LEGATION of the address of the Cape May confer
euce, announcing union OF the Church, North
ADD South. Dignitaries of the Church all
agree that the commissioners 90 both sides are
clothed with plenary powers 10 the premises,
aud have no doubt that the basis OF uulon VIII
be unanimously confirmed by the copterencesin
rapid succession, and finally approved by the
united general conference, which will meet az
soon as all Of the prelimlnaries can be arranged.
1t is known exactly what concessions are to De
made iD regard to the ownership oil church prop
erty 10 the South, and there will be no serious
Disbursements 10 the settlements aud decisions.
These will be governed by the ordinary canon
and common law, so as to make perfect titles
II is understood that cougratulatory messages
arc going forward from all the bishops to the
cergymen and commissioners at Cape May:
In an interview with Rev w. w. Walker.
psstor of the Trinity NJ. Z. Church, South, 10
Baltimore, that gentleman, as reported by the
Gazette of that city, said that all good people,
whether Methodlsts or 0ol, must be highly
pratit=d at the result of .he effort 10 settle the
matters at issue between the two principal
branches Of the Methodist Church. It is
signal triumph of Christian principle; a
victory of love and right over passion
and prejudice The voices of these com-
| mis- ,iorers saying to the troubled waters
"Peac, be still" is the voice of God speaklu
through them, AID ali Christian hearts rejoice
when there is an end OF strife, and peace rclgus
in its stead. More than thirty years ago the
division Of the Methodist Episcopal Church
took place, and since then, there has been much
bitter controversy; there have been contests
before the courts, and other acts which richly
| l. &c auI
deuce of this power OF Christian principle that
these commissioners of the two CLUTCHES, quiet
IL and prayerIully considering the existing dill
fercuccs, have so easily and unanimously agreed
10 sacrificed all the bitter remembrauces OF the
past, all cot h'cting interests, aud ali uobroth
crly feelings upon the altar Of fraternity 10
| God the smoke of such sacrifice must be more
acceptable than Incense, aud all good mcn VIII
be glad as they see these obstacles to Christian
fellowship melt away and bccom" asGes 10 the
fame of love B,th the churcnes havt gwen
| evidence that they are capable OF great things
10 the pane of the Lord As originally con-
s,i;utcd tue powers OF government were exelu-
sivey in the hands Of the ministers, and When
there had been great Increase 10 uum0rrs anu
resources, and it would naturally be concluded
that their power " Duld become Gearrr as 1t be-
came greater, the wonderful spectacle was pre-
sented of those miuSters voluntarily and with
out agitation or strife dividing their power over
the churches with the laity and cheertuIly dis
poss, ssiug themselves of their exclusive author
ity. remember nothing like 1t ID ecclesiastical
history 90 parallel to it either in sacred or pro-
fame history occurs 10 me ii any such exists
This last act of the churches is not less grand
The meaning of such things is, trust. that
Methodism il always to be the child OF
Providence, and retaining only the great un
chaugeable principles which constitute its basis
is to be at liberty to accommodate itself to the
needs of every aye, and the condition OF every
people; to be within scrlplu1ai limits, all
things TO all men that it may win them II
Christ" to be ready always to hear and willing
always 10 obey the voice of God
Will this acton Of the commissioners be
likely to lead to union Of the churches? 1t
removes obstacles to union, and vii promote
Intercourse aud cooperation, and closer reta-
tons viii b. likely to grow OUT OF th.se condl-
tons. But union as 1t existed before seplra-
too cannot easily be brought about, II at all.
As the two churches have the same lnstllu
tons, modes Of worship, doe mes, aud the
same grand cuds 10 view there ought to be
SOM way tn combine those great resources IN
same at least Of the departments OF christian
effort-such, for example, as Sunday school
and missionary enterprises. God Is ending;
il union is best way and time for it will be
found They have euterad upon the right
path; xactly where it will lead cauDot be pre-
dicted certainly, but it will lead to tue right
result; whatever that may be. Methodism is
undoubtedly the greatest power 10 this nation
for good or evil. If true to its mission Of
"spreadiog scripturaI holiness over these
lands" its power for good is incalculable; if it
torgets that Christ's kingdom lis not of This
world" becomes infected with earthly ambi-
tioD, undertakes to govern governments and
control political parties, is power for evil WI i
b. just as great If it becomes corrupt and
false it caD bring fouler reproach on Cod
cause 90 earth than any other Institution |
know Of A member Of the general conference
when 10 session here said: ut is the duty of
christianity to touch society at every point. y
The sentiment seems to me dangerous, and is
suggestive Of strife a.d rluption, aud hurtful
intermed1ling with secu'ar affairs. The gospel
aims at the heart OF he individual, and puri-
ins the mass by purifying the atoms that com-
pose it. If Mcthodism is true TO itself aud
true to mankind and to God it ought to be
one if it is not let Us earnestly hope may
never possess the strength that would result
from union. God has done SO much for it, and
is doing so much for it now, that we have good
reason % believe that He mrans it to continue
a mighty agency 10 blessing the whole world.
| LoUDoUN CoUNTY-Mr. L. NJ. Henderson
| Of Lecsburg 10 letter to the Rlchmnnd Wing
| says:
| Lnudouu is moving. A furnishing Tildcu
and Hendricks Club has been IN existence in
upper centraI Loudouo for some We Ks past
Meetings have teen held already at Hamilton
aud Purccvle, and another will be held at
Mount Giiead next Saturday, at which Gen.
| Huuton will be presen'. 1t is Intended to can
vass the entire region, and to have speeches at
every voting ace in the two districts of MUuot
Gil, ID aud Jefferson. The voting places not
named above are Hughe5v,lle Silcott's Springs.
Suicke vlie, HiI'sboro, Waterford, anil
Woodgrove The conservative majority 10
Jefferson has usually been al Out 20, aud Mount
Gilead al out 80, but l. al differences have for
the last two eIectioos returned a republican su
| nervisor A Tiden and Hendricks tluh w.: