The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-08-26
The Union Of the Churches.

Editors of the Dispatch:
The blunder of the Associated Press tele-
gram about the work of the commissioners
at Cape May has given rise to some very er-
roneous opinions about the union OF the
Northern and Southern Methodist Churches.
1t has already been published that the ques-
ton of organic union was not before these
commissioners in any shape whatever; that
they were appointed for the specific and
only object of arranging plan for the set
Element OF disputed-property cases upon
the basis of Christian equity instead of by
the usual processes of law; that they had
no authority to allude officially to organic
union of the Churches Us an ulterior end OF
this business. And yet, Notwithstanding all
this mas been stated, and is well known by
all our people, the action OF these gentle
men is construed into long stride toward
the re1nion of these bodies. Perhaps the
impression ought ut once to be corrected,
and the error cease its circulation; because
it may do harm, and in the minds OF some
people foster dangerous mistake. 81.
l. The Methodist Episcopal Church South
and Methodist Episcopal Church North di-
yided on q very grave principle OF eccleslas-
tical law. The fundamental idea OF the
Eplscopacy in the Northern Church is very
different from that OF the Southern Church.
In the celebrated case OF Bishop Andrew,
in 1914, with that disregard OF constitu-
tional restrictions which has always charac-
terized northern legislation, the right OF the
General Conferenceto depose bishop from
his Office without even form OF trial was
not only asserted, but vindicated with an
earnestness and eloquence seldom equalied.
1t was on this ground that the southern
delegates acted. They believed, and we
nx:ft :, ~, hat hichor, 10 mr. gyJhiaaf IN
the arbitrary removal Of the General Con-
ference, but that he is an officer Of the whole
Church, possessing well-detned constitu-
tional rights, and that he can only be re-
moved after due trial for inefficiency or i'm
morality. All who know how stubborn
such deep-lying principles OF law are will
easily see what a revolution in this particu-
larmust pSecede the rednion OF the Churches.
:. While question of law divided us, the
occasion Of its application, as is well known,
was that OF slavery. Has that occasion
ceased? Has its original difficulty grown
less? II we could not live in peace with
the Northern Church when the law and the
administration Of southern State govern
ments protected Us in our social rights and
relations, can we do 1t now, when we have
no showing before the law and no appeal to
civil authority; and when the Northern
Church, with all its mistaken ideas of the
negro and so-called philanthrophy, feels its
power and has shown itself eager to exer-
else it? Is not the problem of the negro,
i'll his relation to American society, more
complicated than ever? Isn't the danger OF
hopeless disagreement concerning the negro
greater than ever? How, then, has the oc-
casion OF the division of the Church, as
some say, been removed? No, sir, there is
more occasion than ever before for the sep
arate existence Of the two branches Of
American Methodism. And this occasion
will last fartherinto the future than I pre-
tend to see. .a"r7l,y.s .fns1. -"
B. The Northern Church has made'a po-
litical record. All the rains OF century
cannot wash it out. 1t is'a record Of reck-
less use of power and cruel abuse OF prerog-
alive; OF blood, and death, and terrorism.
The Northern Church is proud OF its record,
and looks back upon it us gloriously patri-
otto. What is to become Of the record !?
Shall we adopt it, and bequeath to posterity
Sir, the day is far distant when southern
Methodists will do this thing. Butnot only.
the record OF the past-the status of the pre-
sent divides us as wide as the poles. The 1
Northern Methodist Church is identified
with Republican supremacy. Republican
supremacy means usurpation, corruption,
and crime-the destruction OF the liberties
81 the people and the establishmentOfa CEN
tralized government. do not believe our
people are ready, for this, Think OF DR.. /
Ives before the Virginia Conference. adyo-f
:ating his ood-and-thunder policy towards
lac South! Or Bishop Haven presiding, and
ending q negro preacher to Broad Street +
ND Centenary, and DR.. Edwards aud my