Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1884-12-19

The Methodists OF all names, have
got through with their centennial con-
yention at Baltimore, aud have parted
with the best Of feeling prevailing, but
the convention not being for business
for any branch OF the church, the week
was spent in preaching sermons, max
ing addresses, singing spiritual songs
and in the relating of christian expe-
rience. Here were assembled Metho-
iists OF the M. 4. church, Of the M. E.
church South, OF the Protestant Epis-
copal church, Of the Wesleyan Metho-
dist church, Of the Zion Methodist
church, OF The African M. Z church and
Of all other branches of Methodism
growing out Of the parent stem that
John Wesley planted one hundred years
ago.
The sermons, the addresses, the sing
ing and the experience meetings all
pArtook OF the same spirit and all who
participated were bent upon the same
object. 1t was evident that there was
nothing essential between these branches
Of the great Methodist denomination
worth differing about. After such
season of good feeling and spiritual en-
ioymen. there il no work in the church
more important than that of bringing
back the various branches OF Metho-
dists into one great and grand organiza-
ton. The division in the church which
resulted in the formation of the Metho-
dist church South, occurred forty years
ago, when slavery was in existence and
when tho people were just beginning
to wake up to see the great evil of pro-
Tossing christians holding slaves under
the American system OF slavery, the
worst known in the civilized world. A
great deal Of bitterness then existed be-
tween the sections and many hard
things were said on both sides. That
quarrel is now q dead issue. No
Methodist can now own a slave how
ever much he may want to do 30. Then
what is the use Of . longer contention
and q division over something that
really does not exist. The foolish di.
vision only exists in name between the
Methodists North and the Metholists
South, and the Presbyterians North
and South.
Even If q division should occur upon
some scriptual tenet of the church, tina,
would be better excuse for division
than the foolish pretext Of slavery
when slavery no longer exists. The
continuance Of such q division would
indicate petty spiteful feeling thai
does NOT po-+ 18th thn fa-ei -i- 2
principles of christianity as taught by
the blessed Saviour of mankind and
whose teachings are accepted as the
spiritual guide Of all protesting chris
tians.
Northern and Southern States now
harmonic politicians of both section.
fraternize and work together capita
and labor know no difference between
the two sections even the soldiers
who fought against each other strike
hands heartily when they meet anc
talk their battles over again. UnioI
Generals and Confederate General
meet in Congress and pass laws for til,
public good.
Every where and in every thing tn,
Northern and Southern people mingl,
and agree except in the church. Fac
ton and bad people have died away
- = thn, -nh--ah Tho reo.ranf
men who teach us love, charity anc
forgiveness from the pulpit, are th
men who stand aloof and stubborn,
refuse 10 make either concession o
confession, They neither overlook pas
offenses nor speak of forgiveness. Thi
Is not as it should be The outsid,
world is looking at us and is maxim,
observations about it anything els
than complimentary to the church. |
there has to be division, let there b
one on some tenet or doctriue worth,
OF a decision, but if there is no'hinl
more worthy than the old defuuct an,
rot IN CARCASS of slavery, let the tw,
great branches Of Metolism get ashamet
OF themselves and form a sensibi
Christian Union. If this cannot b
done, then for consistency's sake lie
them conlare up something worth figh,
ing about.
The P:estyterians in this respect ar
not WIN better than the Methodist.
They are keeping up the same kind q
scctiona. decision. Like the Metht
dis's, 10y too refuse to forgive -ac
other anf are attracting the attentio
of the world If these churches a,
pee. 70 o. a power for good in ii
future they must learn and practit
the grand lesson Of forgiveness befo
they soAverc the world.