The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-25
The Significance OF Methodist Re-
union.

union.
The reunion of the two branches Of Epis-
copal Methodism, which have existed in this
country for nearly thirty years, is the longest
stride yet taken toward that complete recon-
struction of which we have all been dream
ing ever since the close of the war for the
Union When Methodism was divided in 1S47
slavery agitation WINS 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. 1t was idle to talk Of
maintaining Union Of love when q body
like Episcopal Methodism was split asunder
on questions of national polity. Any allu-
sion TO this truism was carefully avoided in
the bond of differentiation between the
churches which has inst been signed and
published ; but it was scarcely necessary
that the original cause Of division should
have been so tenderly handled. AS the
division Of American Methodism was the
most significant fact in our history previous
to the rebellion so reunion is the most sig
nifcant event since reconstruction. Division
meant war; reunion means peace. The
separation of the churches occurred because
the hearts of the people North and South
were estranged. Methodism has come
together again in one strong and power
full body because sectional jealousics are
breaking down. This event means political,
as well MS Christian, determination. 1t is
the surest sign which has yet been given
that the South accepts the situation" and
that the whole country is once more united
in love for the Union. While the sections
were estrangcd in heart and feeling the sep
aration Of the churches was a mere conse-
quence of that arrangement Slavery agita-
ton was only nm incident Of the division,
and the disappearance of slavery in no sense
meant reunion. If the people of the South
still refused to accept the results of the war,
if they were still rebels as so many dema-
gogues assert American Methodism would
still be us divergent in 1876 as it was thirty
years before. 1t was sectional jealousies
and chickering's which led to ecclesiastical
disunion. The separation of the churches
only preceded the endeavor to separate the
States. A breach in Methodism meant q
breaking up of the Republic Fraternization
now means the reverse of oil this, and shows
how base and baseless are the charges
of political Adventures, who would have
US 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 the hustings, the wish is father to the
thought. If the Southern people did not
mean peace, political and social, this bond
of differentiation never would have been
sealed and it is because reunion means SO
much in its national and political aspects
that this event has such great significance
very significance which reflects peculiar
lustro upon American Methodism and will
make the Cape May Conference and its re-
suits turning point in our history. In the
state Of feeling which existed between 1910
and 1860 it was easy enough to divide the
churches North and South. A very great
change was necessary to make reunion posi-
bic in 1876, and it must not be forgotten
that this change is political, not religious.
In taking this great step American Meth
odism has bound the Union of the States
together by bond which cannot be broken,
for it has demonstrated that the hearts of the
people are reconciled, and in consequence
both the Christian and the patriot will rejoice
in the work which has been accomplished.
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