The herald., 1894-10-02
[HE ICE is BROKEN At LAST,
Methodist Churches North and
South in Joint Meeting.
Reception to Bishop Fitzgerald by
Trinity Church South.
A Remarkable Misunderstanding Elder
Dunoau's Eloquent Address OF
Welcome The Bhhop's
Earnest Response.

Trinity Methodist Episcopal Church
South, on South Broadway, was the
seene lant night OF an event as pleasant
as il WAS unusual.
1t was the occasion of reception by
the church 20 Bishop Fitzgerald. and the
members of the Methodist conference
North, now in session in Los Angeles.
Heretofore there has been but little
determination between these two wings
of the Methodist church, and last nights
episode made memorable break in the
wall which has seemed to be in existence
iu the past, and which this meeting will
do much to break down, locally at least
The church WAS handsomely decorated
for the occasion with flowers, palmE and
evergreens, and hanging above the altar.
stretching across the church, WAS on
inscription in evergreen and flowers,
which read: "Welcome to Bishop Fitz-
gerald. One in Christ and Methodism."
At 8 O'Clock the church was filled to
overhowing with q congregation com
posed OF mem bers OF the church aud OF
members of other Methodist chnrchss
in the city.
The faces of all we're expsctant and
bore the impress of much feeling, which
was later in evidence by the most gem
erous applause of the sentiments OF fra-
ternity expressed by thoae who made
addresses.
The address OF welcome was made by
Presiding Elder Thomas j. Duncan oil
the Methodist Episcopal church south.
Al ft.l1 nf ant
ment and humor.
He began by saying that the visitors
came as an army, but with bloodleBs
banners. He welcomed Bishop Fitzger-
aid and the members Of the conference
TO their hearts and homes and to the
sweetest little city in all this snn-kissed
land. They came not in the interest of
stock exchanges, but of a legacy of the
vkies-a harbinger of peace. They had
come not to deal with gold or bullion,
but the territory OF the human heart.
Ct was q sight with which nothing could
compare-that of Gods ambassadors
bringing sinners to repentance. Such
work demanded time. talent and cul-
ture, also tact. He did not mean expe-
diency, but tact.
After indulging in some beautiful and
appropriate imagery OF the work OF the
church-the whole Methodist church,
Mr.. Duncan said that on the part of the
band of the church south he extended
a hearty welcome to Bishop Fitzgerald.
He then referred to some of the things
for which the church stood, and spoke
strongly of its attitude on the prohibi.
tion question, saying that il was une-
quivocally for the work of prohibition,
and what was needed now most of all
was men, men of strength to stand up
above the fog of popular prejudice and
with their heads in the atmosphere of
truth and duty.
The church also stood for the spread
of scriptural holiness. and the conver-
sion OF every sinner south OF tho north
pole.
Mr.. Duncan referred both humorously
and patheticslly to the woman question,
pleading for the progress of woman in
all that is true to their womanhood.
They had been an elevating influence in
the world from time immemorial, and
were still exercising it.
The church south also stood for some.
thing on the question of fraternity.
They may have been little coquettish
in the past, but the church north had
been 30 also. In love and courtship it
was said that all rules are reversed, and
he suggested that it was now in order for
the larger body to gravitate TO the
smaller. He said they were in q pleas
ant mood and called on the members of
the church north to come and see them,
even If it did look like one-story por-
tico inviting tall two-story brick house
to come in and take seat.
Bishop Fitzgerald had been called
away during portion of the happy adj
dress by Mr.. Duncan, but returned be-
fore he concluded, and made an exceed
.ngly appropriate and inspiring re.
sponse. His remarks were intsrspersed
with stories that were pointed and
speedily enhanced the already deep feel
ing of fellowship that existed.
He was glad to respond to the well
come, he said, and every word be ut
tered showed that he felt from his heart
that the mingling of the Methodists of
the two branches gave him intense graf
i6cation.
Referring to the motto, One in Christ
and Methodism, he remarked that it was
time. They were one in faith, purposes
and the love they bore each other and
Him who loved them. This was true,
even though they might not be yet one
organic body.
1t pleased him to cay that Methodism
is one in doctrine, in free grace aud the
witness of the spirit. The churches
were one, as Mr.. Duncan had said, in
the great purposes OF the spreading of
scriptural holiness over all this land.
Sometimes it seemed to him that they
were one organically.
The bishop referred to his home in the
south and the work being done there.
and hoped that this meeting would only
be the beginning OF close fellowship of
all Methodists in Los Angeles and else-
where. Now that the ice was broken
he wanted to see members OF the differ
ent branches visiting each other in their
churches and homes.
At the conclusion OF the bishops re-