The daily morning journal and courier., 1906-07-21
METHODIST UNITY.
A Plea for the Reunion of the South
 ern and Northern Churches

A Plea for the Reunion of the South
 ern and Northern Churches. In all matters of vital importance 1 Episcopal Methodism is at one and its
 complete union, seems to be suggested
 by every consideration The supposed
 differences of attitude to the negro
 problem should rather hasten than hinder the reunion of Methodism. The
 welfare of the negro will nit be helped by making him a subject of perpetual l contention.
 The Methodist Church before it's di- vision was zealously interested in the religious life of the slaves in the Southern States and thousands of them had membership in the white churches l of the South. These received religious instruction from Southern preachers and were greatly blessed in every re- spect by the instruction. Under the present order the Northern Church deals with the negro as a foreign mis- sionary enterprise, not fully under standing all the difficulties involved in his life and character. It Iould be vast ly better if the Northern Church would leave this work to the care of those who understand it best and among whom the negro must live and work. But there is no hope of bringing about such a desirable end except by first uniting ing the two branches of Methodism and
 reestablishing confidence and CO., operation which every principle of the Christian religious demands.
 It is urged that the two branches of
 Methodism hold opposing view con- cerning the ecclesitical rights of wo- men, the Northern branch admitting
 them to the assemblies of the Church
 while the Southern branch denies them
 this right. This is too small a differ-
 ence upon which to defend the disunion 'of American MethodIsm, and betrays an unfortunate disposition to promote diff ferent rather than shows a holy de- Isire to promote fraternal fellowships. And certainly a wise plan of reunion easily adjust this difference without changing the views of either branch of Methodism as to the rights of wo- men to representation in Church as- sembles.
 The most serious source of division lies in the antagonisms which have sprung out of the border States where they contend side by side. This conten- tion has engenered, in many instances Feelings more intense and unkhdly than those which naturally exist be- tween denominations of widely vary ing creeds. A family quarrel is always persistent and intense. The elements of unity seem to give rise to jealousy and froction.
 It has been urged that united Metho- dism would form an organization of such great size that it would be un- wieldy, especially in its large legisla- tive assemblies. The force of this ob- jeetion to reunion is easily obvious, though it is far from being fatal objection. The division did not arise from an overgrowth of Methodism, and its properity shouly not be set forward as the chief obstruction to it's reunion. It would be an easy task to divide the whole territory into three general con ference sections, each of which could legislate for its own peculiar problems, while all missionary and worldwide en- terprises could be managed through central boards and an ecumenical as-