The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-08-25


Hperty Is in contest, and one or botn are
weak that they compose their uinefences
by uniting in the same communion, ana IN
sail cases that ministers aud members fecog-
Enize each other in all relations Of fraternity
and as possessed OF ecclesiastical rights ana
privileges Of equal dignity and validity.
They should each receive from the other
ministers members in good standing with
the same alacrity and credit as II coming
from their own Church, and without inter
ference with each others institutions OF
missions, they should nevertheless coope-
rate in all Christian enterprises.
MATTERS q OPINION.
It IS not to be supposed in respect to some
matters OF mere oninion that all ministers
and members in either Church will be In &C
cord, but we trust and believe that o spirit
| OF fellowship and mutual regard VIII per-
wade the reconciled ranks Of the entire min
istry and membership OF both Churches.
We believe also that their supreme allegl,
ance to the cause Of the Great Master VIII
triumph over all variation OF personal sentl-
ments, and will so exalt the claims OF pro-
theriy affection that from this ausplclous
hour new epoch in Methodism VIII begln
| its brighter history, so that we shall KNOW
no unfraternal oIethodism in the Onited
States, or even in the wide world.
To all we commend the wise counses
given in 1920 to missionaries and members
Of the Methodist Episcopal Church andIof
the Wesleyan connection in the Canadas ny
Bishop McKendree and the wesleyan com
mittee-namely: ''Feel that you are one Win
your brethren, embarked in the same great
cause and eminently OF the same religious
family; and il any warm spirits rise up anu
| trouble YOU, remember that you are 10 act
on fine PRINCIPLES now sanctioned and arow-
ed bv the two connections, and not upon
local prejudices."
CONGRATULATIONS.
We cannot restrain the expression OF our
united congratulations to both or the great
| Churches whose commissions we nave exc
cuted in uniting between them the broken
cords of affectiOnate and brotherly fraternl'
cation. Henceforth they may hail each
other as from the auxiliary ranks OF one
great army. The only differences they VIII
foster will be those friendly rivalrles that
spring from earnest endeavors to further TO
the utmost the triumph OF the gospel OF
neace. Whatever progress is made by the
one Church or by the other will occasion
general Joy. They will rejoice in each
Others success as 4 common goou, ana,
amid the thousand glorious memories OF
Methodism, they will go forward devoted to
their one work OF spreading scriptural holI-
ness over these lands.
Two by two the Apostles began the pro-
mitigation of Christianity in the world.
They were companion evangcliSts, distinct
in their several individuality, but they were
at the same time one in spirit, purpose, ana
fellowship.
Their itinerant successors in the cher
Churches OF American Mcthodism in re-
stored fraternity will vie with each other TO
wave the banner Of the cross in this west
erin world. and henceforth will proclaim
that these Churches are one in spirit, one In
purpose, one in fellowship.
AN ASTRONOMICAL ILLUSTRATION.
! Astronomers tell us of dual stars revoly-
in" together in mutual relation and har-
mony, whose differing colors are SO much
the complement OF each other as to produce
pure, white light Of exceeding brilllancy.
The dual Churches OF American Methodlsm
will hc1 ccfoGth rerovo Ill mutual fellowship
and harmony, so much the complement OF
one another as togctherto produce the pure
and blended light Of Christian charity and
fraternal love.
SECTIONAL DISPUTES.
These fraternized Churches have no fur
Their occasion for sectional disputes or acri-
monious differences. They may henceforth
remember their common origin, pursue
their fruit-bearing work. and rejoice in
their own and each others success while
engaged in the same great mission OF con-
vcrtine the world to Christ. Distinctive
| ~ ar
I'D with the name OF Episcopal Methodlsm.
That form OF Christian propagandism and
ecclesiastical economy has peculiar elements
Of power and qualities OF attraction that
commend its efficiency in proclaiminS
pure gospel to the world.
DOCTRINES AND WORK.
Its cardinal doctrines OF free salvation by
faith and of the witness OF the spirit, its
scriptura articles OF Christian belief, its
primitive system Of church government, its
sententio,ls demand of those who would
Join It's societies, its itincrant plan OF preach
ing the gospel, its Wesleyan simplicity and
orthodoxy, its urgency OF the practice OF
holy life, its liberal and systematic bencvo-
lence, its support OF educational institu-
tions, its promotion Of Sabbath-School in
sIruction, its vigilant care for the deserving
| DOOR, its provision for Superannuated min
listers, their widows and children, its world
wide missionary enterprise, and its general
activity in the dissemination Of gospel truth,
are one and the same in the Methodist EpiS-
copal Church and in the Methodist Episco-
pal Church South. Far away in dark por-
| tons OF the earth to which their missionaries
| have penetrated q divine light is breaking on
the long night OF Paganism for the eleva-
| ton OF humanity. 1t is more than the wand
| of an enchanter. There rs well as here
| Methodist doctrines and usages wear their
own peculiar and Heaven blessed distinctive
ness, and seem to presage the dawn OF that
| era OF gladness when the claims of universal
brotherhood will commingle with the full
glory Of the millennium. Episcopal Method
ism was never more strong and influential,
and never appeared to feel more the quick
ening impulse OF its glorious destiny than it
| does at the present day. 1t is eminently fit,
| therefore, that in its native realm and wide
extended home in these United States,
whence its spirit and power go forth like
swelling anthems of gladness to bless man.
kind, it should bear along the blended
sweetness and fraternal harmony. Then
will its cadences roll down the ages en-
riched with the true spirit OF the gospel;
for the wisdom that is from above is first
pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be
entreated; full Of mercy and good fruits,
without partially, without hypocrisy; and
the fruit OF righteousness is sown in place
OF them to make peace.
FLOWING STREAMS.
The flowing streams of rospal truth ia