Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1882-05-20
REUNION OF THE TWO METHODIST
CHURCHES.
BY REV. ]. w. LEV is.
From the St. Louis Republfcun

From the st. Louis Republican,
EDITOR REPUBLICAN:- Public at.
tention has been directed of late, by
the pl eSs, to the question of the uni
tication OF the two great Methodist
bodies i'll this country, to-wit, the
Methodist Epiecopal church (Nortk)
and the Methodist Episcopal (South).
fhe meeting of the Ecumenical Con-
terence last autumn, IN London, and
the approaching quatrennial assemb-
ling of the General Conference of the
NJ. f. Church (South), have increased
the interest i'll this subject and given
it some prominence in the public
mind. The discussion of the matter,
thus far, has been conducted with
propriciy. Candor and plainness of
speech have characterized it, and the
absence of everything sectional and
acrimonious has given respect to
wha. has been said. The discussion.
too. is timely in that it handles an
important subject VIII ch has arisen
III the operations of the church, and
tn" definlte settlement of which is re-
CURED to prevent Increased friction
md disCord.
The historical relation of the Two
Methodist churches is Clearly defined.
Constituting originally one ecclesias-
neal organizations, "A division was eff
fpcted i'll 1874, which resulted in two
distinct and cO-equ, Il esta biishmcnts.
The rights and property of each we're
set forth in ga Plan of Separation"
and each entered upon the W ork which
IL had chosen. Subsequent church ac-
ton and civil litigation confirmed the
Justice and equity of the "Pian" of
division, the wisdom of which has
mad confirmation i'll the prosperity
and comparative peace of both or
ganiZatichs. 1t is quite unnecessary
that should refer to the causes which
produced the necessity of the division
III 1914. They far antedated the event
Itself, and were Irresistible. Essential
differences in principles between the
parties underlay the whole move
ment. Those differences touched. in
he Judgment OF both, questions of
vital Importance TO the integrity and
purity OF tie church and could find
no amicahie settlement without peace.
'ul DIVISION. Several Occasions arose
TO precipltate the separation, but the
causes thereof were deeper and far
more p"tchJ than the accnmpanyiru
movements upoh The surface of the
political, social or cccleSiasticuI ele.
nents, OF the country. Like all sim
lar changes, III natinns and religious
communities, tl!nt division came with
the occasions which seemed t. hasten
II. but wa. III fact, the ultimate ex-
prcss'on of long-eXisting Influences
aud forces. Previous TO the divis,nu
as potent differences existed az have
appeared since that time. They sim.
ply eliminated then in what ali good
men must have 'irvOutly wished. nm.
her the circumstances, aII what God
has seemed to have approved. As in
an earlier period OF church history.
the two patri.rchs peacefully sep,
arated when they could M louoer
dwell together in peace, SO the renrp.
senfa'ives OF Methodism wisely acted
IN 1914. Both churches held to the
creed and form OF government which
belonged to the original organization.
NOW, as then, there are essential diff.
ierehces i'll the Interpretation of church
law ana the administration of ccclr.
slastical affairs, but the doctrinal and
basis has been altereI
III neither.
Advocates of the uniticatiou of t,,.
Two bodies see ~ separation man, |
Hih p.",ehI numerous rra.
sons tor reunl"n. 1t is urged:
l. That the proposed reunion w,,ld
strensthen NJ h."iism and thrr,bv
make II more efficient in accompl,sb-