The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1876-05-17

daily welcomed with prolonged
greetings. Bishop james, on well
coming them, expressed in most
feeling manner the regret of the
Bishops and the Conference at the
absence of Rev. DIR. L. Pierce, one
of the fraternal messengers from the
Church. South. who had started on
his way to this Conference, but was
detained by the infrmity of age.
The Secretary then read the creden-
tials Of the messengers from the Gen.
eral Conference of the Church. South,
in which this Conference was also
notified of the appointment of
commission of five persons to consult
upon and adjust the legal points at
issue between the two churches.
An address to the Bishops and
delegates of the Methodist Episeo-
pal Church, in conference assembled,
written by Rev. DR.. L. Pierce, was
read. After expressing the great
pleasure he experienced in his APP
pointment as fraternal messenger,
DR.. Pierce said: "As a regular APP
pointee in this fraternal delegation,
[ furnish an instance to the history
of American Methodism such as 1
think it likely was never known be-
fore in one sent abroad in any Dip
lomatic ministry, a man In the nine
ty-second year of his age and in the
seventy-second of his effective MIN
istry." He then alluded to his be-
ing sent as lone fraternal messen-
ger from the first General Confer
ence South, after the division in
1916, to arrange for and settle on a
basis of INSTRUMENTATION so that
two General Conferences. instead of
one, should be all the difference be-
tween US; to the rejection of that /
messenger by the General Confer
ence in 1913 to the wintry night of |
twenty-one years that followed his |
rejection, succeeded by the star of
hope that appeared In the voluntary
visit of Bishop Simpson, and Doc I
tor, now Bishop, Harris to the
meeting of our Bishops in st. Louis,
in May. 1869. The address then re-
views the progress of Methodism
generally, and concludes, "And |
finally let us, as two companies Of
brothers, entrusted with a most pat
estate to enjoy as trustees,
and enlarge and increase as guar
dians for an indefinite posterity see
which of US can so use our portion
of this Methodist capital as to make
its per centage of income the test OF
fidelity, industry and
devotion to its policy and its princi-
pies of operations, as its founders
and as its fathers turned it over to
US. Let US do this as brethren of
one heart and one mind, of one great
aim and end, and the future will
prove that our division into two gen.
eral conference jurisdictions was a
benefaction instead of deprivation.
We will watch zach other only with
Cody jealousy for faithful propa-
CATION of one undivided Methodism.
This much is my last will and tesla.
ment, turning over to my successor,
my estate in Methodism. Finally,
brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be
Of good comfort. be of one mind. live
~ peace, and the God Of love and 7
peace shall be with you
Signed L. PIERCE, Delegate"
During the reading there were fire.
luent manifestations of sympathy
md approval. Or. Duncan then
made an able address, saluting the
Bishops and delegates in the name
IF his Conference as brethren in
Christ Jesus. He was followed by
Mr. Goddard, The remarks Of both
:hese gentlemen were in the most
'raternal spirit and cordially receiv-
I'd. Resolutions of welcome and re-
.ret at the absence of DIR. Pierce
we're unanimously adopted. The
Conference then rose and sung q 7
verse Of the hymn. "Blest be the tie
hat binds" The matter of appoint !
ng a commission to meet that APP
pointed by the Church, South, to adj
Hst legal points at issue, vas refer.
led to special committee Of seven
20 be appointed. SSH