The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1876-09-21
THE BEST SIGH

Inc fraternity OF American episcopal
Aethodism Is an accomplished fact.
The Commissioners appoiRt ted by the
respective Methodist branches met, re-
m07ed litigsted difficulties, and eatab-
lished an agreed basis Of cordial fut ure
bTotheTb oOd
John 9. Calhoun said that when Meth
Odism was separated into Northern and
Southern divisions that the entering
wedge to the dissolution of the Union
had besn made. This prophecy was
liz orally fulflled---Eew that these two
powerful ecclesiastical bodies have agreed
60 disagree and mutually accepted terms
of fraternal relationship, it may be said
with equal pertinency that this event is
the latest and best sign yes given that
the abyss of sectionalism is being span-
ned, and that the great heart of the
masses of both sections is once more
true to the Union, az received from the
hands of ths patriots of rs.
There has been no formal or organized
union. This was not contemplated nor
desired by sither party. The WeIo York
Herald says:
The reunion of the two branches of
Episcopal Methodism, which have exis-
ted in this country for nearly thirty
years, Is the longest stride yet taken
toward that complete reconstruction of
which we have all been dreaming ever
since the close of the war for the Union
When Methodism was divided in IS47
slavery was the primary cause but
the underlying cause, and in truth the
real cause, was the fact that at that time
the Union was already dissolved in the
hearts of the Southern people. It WAS
idle TO talk of maintaining a UuIsn of
love when body like Episcopal Method
lam was split asunder on questions of
national policy. Any allusion to this
truism was carefully avoided in the bond
Of determination between the churches
which has just been sigaed and publish
ed; but it was scarcely nece ssary that
the original cause OF division should
have been 80 tenderly handled. AS he
division of Americon Methodism was the
most significant fact in our history previ.
GUS to the rebellion so reunion is the
most siguihcant event since RECONSTRUCT
ton. Division meant war: reunion
means peace. The separation of th e
churches occurred because the hearts of
t e people \ erth and South were es-
tranged Meteodism has come together
again 10 one strong and powerful body
because sectional jealousies are breaking
down. This event means political, as
well as Christian dissemination.
is the purest sign which pas yet
been given that she South accepts the
situatiOR" and that the whole country is
once more united ia love for the Union.
While the sections we're esteangsd in
heart and feeling the separation of the
churches was mere consequence of that
| estrangenent. Slavery agitation was
only an incident of the division, and the
disappearance of slavery IN no sense
ment reunion. IF the people of the
J South still refused to accept the resuls
! OF the war, if they were still rebels, as
30 many demsgOgues assert, American
MethOdisn would still be as divergent
IN 1876 as it was thirty years before.
1t Was sectional jealOusies and pickering
/ which led TO ecclesiastical disunion.
The separtion Of the churches only pre-
cedsd the endeavor 30 separate the States.
A breach in MethOdism meant break
ing ur of the Republic Fraternization
now means the reverse Of all this, aud
Shows how base and basslsss are the
| charges Of political adventurers, who
would have as believe that the old spirit
/ Is still alive In the South With these
men, whether they are IN the Senate of
! the United States or on tho hastings.
the wish is father TO the thought. Ifthe
Southern people did not mean peace,
political aud social, this bond of frater-
nization never would have been sealed;
and 1t IS because reunion means so much
IN Its national and political aspe cts that
this event has such great significance.
/ Nor can We overlook the fact that il is
/ this very significance which reflects De
euliar lussFe upon American Methodism
and viii make the Cape May Conferen ss
and its results turning point ia oar
hissOEJ.