The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1876-08-29

81. n SnUYsh.sI- .Bots sidess LETT
81 81 ter frSin nev. ]. ~ Edwsssis, Did
Hditor ofssks Dispatch ga
AsThe letters which hive appeared IN your
sv,da,v.cirs,ilated I.sssaper during the past
,yeeE touching the question OF fraternity
tetween the two great branches Of Metho-
dism ON this continent, however Well-inten-
toned. are likely to produce wrong I'M
, rr on-the public mind. ~I.refer more
IN n rSiculariv to the letter Of the Rev. s. A.
Sseel. The letter by Rev. ii. G. ,Cheatham
waa timely. and subserved his purpose Tor
that day hut had he waited one day longer
he would have seen from the paper sent QUE
hv the commissioners themselves that their
action in The premises was so clearly sthed
that II headed no annexation to explain 1t,
or o,ard it from misrepresentation. AS the
question of organic anton was not mooted
nv fine commissioners, and not in any sense
within the purYiew OF their actions, any
discussion Of that subject is, Just now, II.
relevant, and unreasonable. The lettef OF
Rev. j. P. Otis, was provoked; ana WhiIe IL
was spirited, it was but Just reply 10 KEY.
Mr.. Steel, and proper. vindlcatlon: OF the
Church represented by him..
Formyseii land ]. represent many OF the
older ministers and members in this matterJ
I should be exceedingly sorry for tue lni-
preston to 60 abroad, especially among our
brethren OF the Neutrality-suspicious. Church
North), that the temper and tone OF MI
Steers letter represented the preValhng
shirt OF southern Methodists. But mea-
ore handful will be found at time IKE inns
to rake up dead issues and parade tnem oe-
fore the public with the design OF keeping
nm n strife that long enough has kept aagape
= chasm between southern and northern
Methodists. It is full time, for the sake OF
the charities OF our holy religion, the chasm
The commissioners in the late. conference
at Cape May did great and good WORK.
far exceeding the expectations OF many OF
lis who have watched the movements 1or
wears tending to differentiation. Every
Christian heart should thrill With gratltude
to Almighty God for the happy result at
tanned. "
The appointment OF the commissioners by
the General Conferences Of the Two
Churches, North and South, contemplated
something more than the mere settiement OF
local disputes about property. rms ques'
ton was incidental to the whole subject.
The commissioners were appointed to con-
slider the obstacles to fraternity, ana TO re-
move, as far as they might be able (by reach
ing a common ground alike nonorapie 10
both Churches, all the impedaments TO a
solid, abiding, and christianity fraternity.
The property question was Urine as colii-
pared with other and far greater OBSTACLES.
This ground they happily reached: Inc
South has nothing to complain OF IN t1ls
manded by the most exacting in this pain
ful and protracted controversy. By the
concurrent action Of this Joint commission,
composed OF our best representative men on
both sides. the relative status o.. the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church South Is clearly de-
fined. It is acknowledged tobe co0rdl-
nate branch OF the great Methodist fam
ilv. In the terms OF agreement touch
inc this vital and material point. every
thing is Drcdicated Of the Methodist
Episcopal Church South that is predicated
OF the Methodist Episcopal Church (Northl.
This point conceded and definitivcly settled,
furnishes the basis Of fraternity. The set
Element OF the property question follows
very naturally; and the commissioners have
adopted, perhaps, the very best rules that
could be framed for a christianity adjust
ment OF these adverse claims. We havcno-
thing to complain OF in this action. Indeed,
there ought to be re- oicings and thanksglY-
inrs in every Christian heart, after these
long wears Of controversy, that so satisfactory
settlement OF these questions has been
reached. Old issues ought to be allowed to
sink into oblivion. References to them are
untimely. No good can come Of it, but evil
only. "Blessed are the peace-makers." In
stead OF looking for points Of disagreement
we should rather be trying to find out the
points Of agreement. Brotherly love should
be fostered. Kindly reciprocities should be
nrrtured. The two Churches, under two
independent, ecclesiastical jurisdictions,
should Work tremendously, and If no rash
and precpitate publications are allowed to
foster strife and to beget distrust. they will
thus do their work.
Southern Methodism has in no way been
compromised by the action OF the commits
sioners. Far from it. The concessions
made to the South by the northern commits
soners reflect as treditably upon their gen.
uine piety and devotion to the interests OF
Christ's kingdom as upon their noble intel
lects and generous, sentiments. We most
heartily rejoice overt result. Gods hand
is in it. IteXcecds our expectations. Many
OF us who have witnessed the conflict since
1914, and who have been hcart-sick over it,
and have prayed and waited, hoping for a
cessation of hostilities, are willing to bury
the past, and sincerely hope no rcsurrec-
zionist will be found to disinter the dead
issues. go, ..... = =
The southern Methodists ought every
where to hold meetings and pass resolutions
congratulatory Of the commissioners, and
expressive OF great satisfaction at the result
OF their patient and prayerful deliberations,
and at the same time counsel the suppress
sion Of any hasty and ill-timed publications
that would have the effect to forestall the
tranquilizing influences of that great paper
issued by the commissioners.
JOHN Z. EDWARDS.
Richmond, Va., August %, 1876.
THE GRAND ARMY OF REpUBLlCANs.-We
have alluded two or three times recently to
the existence OF a new political organization
in oI1r midst havino. IFS nriuin in and in