The herald., 1894-10-30
NEITHER NORTH NOR SOUTH
The Two Branches of Meth0dism
Brought Close Together.
A Happy Event at the First Methodist
Church.
A Reception to Bishop Fitzgerald Of the
South Church-rhe Return of .
Compliment Paid to u North
ern Bishop.

There was genuine love feast in the
Methodist Episcopal church on Broad
way last evening, the occasion being
reception rendered to Bishop 0. P. Fits
gerald OF the Methodist Episcopal
church South. The bishop, who is one
of the most distinguished men in the
church, is en- route to attend the con-
ference at San BerRardino. The recep-
ton was In the nature of the return OF .
compliment paid Bishop ]. N. Fitzger-
aid OF the Northern Methodist church,
who, on recent visit, was gi ven o ro
ception by the churches Of the southern
branch.
The gathering last night was large
one. The church was approprI atsly
decorated with flowers, palms and svsr-
green's, the altar veil being q vsri.tabls
bank OF rosss
Rev. G. @. McLain OF the Siuapson
church was introduced by Rev. J. W.
Campbell as presiding officer and made
q short address of welcome to this guest
of the evening. He said among, other
things that he believed the rank and
file of the TWO churches were one in
spirit. and he looked forward to the
period when the people and the world
would know no difference in the name.
Mr.. McLsin referred to q time whom
Bishop Fitzgerald held the position of
state superintendent of public, instruc-
tion In California and to bis candidacy
for reelection. and naid the Few. w. 8.
Knightsn of this city and Rev. H. Cox
OF Azusa stumped the state for and
against the gentleman respectively.
Tho Tosr likfla
fused in some of his facts. This oonfu-
sion gave rise to no end of merriment
when Mr.. Knightsn and MIR. Cox, who
also spoke words Of welcome to the
bishop, got hearing.
Bishop Fitzgerald thanked the clergy
and the laity for the warm welcome, and
said he was proud of the honor be-
slowed upon him. He referred to the
time of the division of the church and
its causes.
"The question is often asked" said
the speaker, "What keeps the north
and south apart? The question is peril.
nent. We are not apart from each other
in the doctrinal belief and teaching.
There ia no detection from the Metho-
dism OF our fathers met with by
me anywhere in my reading
or travels. Psradoxiosl rs it
may sound. about the only Gisputing
we hear among Methodists is concerning
perfect love or sancti6cstion. In the
larger part of our history We are not
apart from each other. From the be.
ginning down to 1874 our history ID che
same. Where is the Methodist, north
or south, east or west, who would be
willing to surrender bis share in that
history? Asbury, MsKendree, Jesse
Lee, Joshua soule, William Copers, Will
bur Fisk and 7sephen Olin belong to US
all. Since Is sach branch of Method.
ism has ma6a s. separate record. You
might say that during this period each
had been sina Z solo, which is now
swelling imtU duet, whose notes, rising
high cbovo ia4 din of partisanship, are
drcwnirg tina clangor of war trumpets
and thc roll of battle drums with the
MELODY 9i a new song sung by the msrch-
ing Eoats OF the new era that has
q led. We have moro history to
IT Is. We are making history here to.
!. gat-history that we will meet at the
Judgment day.
In polity we are not so far apart 40
some of our ecclesiastical lawyers on
either eide seem to think. On both
sides we have what might be termed
high church Methodists and low church
and the difference between
them is about as important az is the dii-
ference between four bits and half dol.
lara difference in name only. :"
In conclusion Bishop Fitzgerald said;
"The uni6cation of the whole church of
Christ is coming. Our Lord Jesus
Christ prayed that all His people might
be one, even as He and His Father are
one. Lst us hasten the coming
OF the glad day. Lot us seek in sister
points of agreement rather
than of difference. and we shall be as
tonished and delighted to find how much
we all have in common"
Among those in the pulpit were no.
ticed Revs. DR.. Cole. Cox, j. B. Green,
H. G. Balm, ]. A. McMullen, w. A.
Knighten. T. f. Robinson, J. II. Will
son, +. M. Larkin and others.
Rev. DR.. David Morton OF Louisville,
secretary of the board of church extern
sion, accompanies Bishop Fitzgerald on
his trip.