The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-02-10


THERMOMETER YESTERDAY: a. NJ, 35;
0 A. NJ, 40; noon, Sd; p. NJ, 56; 8 +.
H., Al midnight, SO.
-
From Il st. Louis Globe-Democrat, 7th.J
Northern and Southern Methodists
Shaking Hnnds.--Thc Blue and the
Gray to Stand shoulder to Shoulder
on the Ranapnrts of Zion.
A meeting of Methodist preachers was
held on Monday last at the preachers room,
on Sixth street near Franklin avenue. The
ministerial brethren OF the Methodist EpiS-
copal Church South in this city accepted
an invitation to meet their brethren OF the
Methodist Episcopal Church in fraternal con-
ference. The following ministers OF the
North were present: Bishop Bowman, Rev.
DR.. B. st. James Fry, Reys. Ross Z. Hough-
ton, j. w. Bushong, o. NJ. Stewart, l.. Hal
lack, Pieaf, Heidel, Massey OF east st. Louis,
Lane, Smith, r. NJ. Beach, and two or three
whose names the reporter failed to obtain.
From the South: Drs. T. NJ. Finney, j. w.
Lewis. j. Wilson, W. V. Tudor, Revs. w.
NJ. Shelton, John Carton, j. j. Watts, j. c.
Bergman, j. w. Williams, A. j. Frazier,
A. II. Tidwell, and E. NJ. Bounds,
Bishop Bowman, president OF the meet
ing, welcomed the brethren in neat speech
full OF love and fraternal greeting. He said
he had felt that the interests OF Christs
kingdom demanded a closer union between
the two great Methodist bodies, the theol-
oSy Of which was precisely alike, and the
Church polity nearly so. He did not speak
OF organic union. Personally he knew no
objections to this; hut he was willing to
leave it in the hands Of wise Providence.
Rev. J. W. Lewis, presiding elder OF the
St. Louis district, responded in behalf OF
THE SOUTH
in short speech, which could not we'll
have been bettered. He thought the inter-
ests of Methodism in this city and every
where demanded the closest fraternal feel
ing. Organic union he did not even think
Of, but hoped we should strike some plan
that would concentrate the whole strength
of Methodism. It was needed in this city
and everywhere.
DR.. Tudor was deeply affected as the as
sociations OF the past came up with such
vividness to his mind. He spoke OF Bishop
Bowman in connection with his alma
mGter-Dickinson College. He did not join
the Church South till 1866, which was from
the force Of events which he fully believed
proyidential. He had looked forward to
this meeting with great joy, believing some
plan would be inaugurated that would lead
to great triumph Of Methodism in this
city. He referred to a painful fact that it
was doubtful whether MethodIsm in New
York, Baltimore, and other large cities, was
advancing. He thought the concentration
OF the two great forces, hitherto acting sepa-
rately, would produce an effect which would
astonish as we'll as gladden. all who look for
the triumph OF the Gospel Of Christ.
DR.. Fry said he would like to be on more
intimate terms. Though not ia the pas
toral relation editor Central Christian Ad-
rocate), lie had long been impressed that
Methodism would not exert its full power
till there was more firm expression or fra.
ternal feeling. He thought there was
NO OBSTACLE IN THE WAY
OF this consummation. He did not want to
seem to press his services, but would be
happy when it was desired to preach in any
OF the southern pulpitS. DR.. Finney In
terrupted him by saying, Preach for me to-
night.l He had many "reminiscences that
awakened deep emotion. Bishop Andrew,
of the Church South, had often dined at his
fathers when he was boy.
Rev. Ross. G.. Houghton felt the Joy OF
the Lord. He was from the East. He had
known nothing Of the Church South ex-
cept by reading. Seeing now, he saw no
difference between them. He scarcely
thought of the term South. Only saw it
over the door of DR.. Finney's church by
accident one day. He knew many
young men, classmates in the Theological
College, from the South, and they Were no
BILE young men.
DR.. Finney, in his remarks, facetiously
alluded to the time Of newspaper strife be-
tween himself and DR.. George. Said
Brother George, in'the midst Of the hot:
test of the battle, proposed to change pull
pits. He declined, thinking the result
would not be good. He thought the
changed aspect OF things since that day
glorious. He now believed the organiza-
ton of the Union church in this city saved
the church largely from strife and discord.
Dr.. Finney here called out the ~
OLDEST METHODIST PREACHER IN THE STATE,
J. c. Bergman. He said he did not.won-
der that Brother Finney called him out, as
he knew him to be timid young man. He
said it was true we had had :" familiar JAR"
but we were never entirely alienated. Then,
turning to Bishop Bowman, he's said:
/" Bishop, have stood as firm as any one
for the South, but have always had q heart
tender as child for all Methodists." No
wonder. for he was born Methodist. His
mother was taken into the church by Bishop.
Ashbury long before his birth. He joined
the Missouri Conference when it embraced
all the territory west Of the Mississippi, eK-
cept small portion OF Louisiana: lie was
in the forty.ninth year pf his ministry all he
ny saying -" meet you, Bishop;
with brothers. heart. rejoicing that have
lived to see this day." Rev. j. w. Bushong
hoped, rs one result Of this conference, we
would have a series of union loye-feasts in
different parts Of the city,, H.. rsrS:E
Rev. Heidel, OF Wash-Street German
church, hoped to receive what they very
much needed from all Meth
thy for the Germans. Germans did not
look upon Methodists as Americans did
They generally despised Methodism, while
Americans regarded it as the leading reli-
gion.
DR., Wilson spoke Of our right to differ In
opinion, and we come here to agree to dis
agree, and yet to be one in heart. @
At the conclusion u meeting was APP
pointed to be held at Eighth. and Washing
ton-Ayenue church on the first Monday in
March, and committee was appointed to
draft plan for future meetings.
1t is useless for Mayor jacob to kick
against the pricks. He VIII have to submit
to the naming Of q fre-engiBe after him.
Worse than that, II he were to die the fire
bells would be rung for him, as they always