Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-03
METHODIST UNITY.
A Plea for the Reunion of the South
ern and Northern Churches.

A Plea for the Reunion or the SOUTH
ern and Northern Churches.
From the South Atlantic Quarterly
In all matters of vital Importance Eips-
copal Methodism is at one and its COM
plete 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 Method
ism. The welfare of the negro will not be
helped by making him subject % per-
petual contcltion.
The Methodist Church before Its divi-
sion was zealously interested In the re-
ngious life Of the slaves In the southern
states and thousands of them had member
ship In the white churches of the south.
These received religious instruction from
southern preachers and were greatly bless
ed in every respect by the instruction. Un-
der the present order the northern church
deals with the negro foreign mission
airy enterprise, not fully understanding al
the difficulties involved In his life and CHAR
acter 1t would be vastly better III the
northern church would leave this work 10
the care of those who understand II pest
and among whom the negro must i've ana
work. But there Is no hope OF bringing
about such a desirable end except by hrst
uniting the two branches of Methodfsm and
re-establishing confidence and co-opera-
ton which every principle OF the Chris
tian religion demands.
IL is urged that the two branches OF
Methodism hold opposing views concerning
the ecclesiastical rights of women. the
northern branch admitting them to the as
semblies OF the church while the south
ern branch denies them this right This is
too small a difference upon which to de-
fend the disunion of American Methodism,
and betrays an unfortunate disposition to
promote differences rather than shows a
holy desire TO promote fraternal fellowships.
And certainly wise plan of reunion could
easily adjust this difference without chang
ing the views OF either branch of Method
ism to the rights of women to represen-
tatiOn in church assemblies.
The most serious source of division lies
in the antagonisms which have sprung out
of the competitions OF the two churches in
the border states where they contend side
by side. This contention has engendered
in many instances feelings more intense
and unkindly than those which naturally
exist between denominations of widely
varying creeds family quarrel is always
persistent and intense The very elements
of unity seem to give rise to jealousy and
friction.
1t has been urged that united Method
ism would form an organization of such
great size that il would be unwieldly.
pecially in its large legislative assemblies.
The force OF this objection to reunion is
easily obvious, though it is far from being
u fatal objection. The division did not
arise from overgrowth of Methodism,
and its prosperity should not be set for
ward the chief obstruction to its re-
union. Il would be easy task to di-
vide the whole territory into three gen.
eral conference sections, each of which
could legislatc for its own peculiar prob
lens, while all missionary and worldwide
enterprises could be managed through CEN
trail boards and an ecumenical Assembly.
Certainly there is enough of craftsmanship
In American Methodism to adjust all the
administrative tasks. and there Should not
be lacking the fraternal spirit to undertake
the work.
The calamity of a divided Methodism has
been admitted in the efforts to adjust the
more palpable difficulties through commit
tees of federation. but this is timid COM
promise Of a sacred duty.
Economic considerations more than sug-
gest the wisdom of the reunion of Episco-
pal MethOdism. The financial resources OF
the churches In America are voluntary con-
tributions and the duty TO use these gifts
wisely Is sacred duty. Nothing short of
the most valid and obvious reason can sat-
isfactorily explain the expenditures of
money in an unnecessary competition of
two ecclesiastical organizations that teach
the same doctrines. have the same origin,
hold to the same pOlity and set up the same
ideals. Why should the southern branch
of the Methodist Church tax its member
ship to build and sustain churches I'm Cali
fornia and Oregon and other regions in
which the northern branch OF Methodism
10 better esta blished? Or why should the
northern branch of Methodism continue to
eNpend money in Tennessee and Texas and
Florida. where the southern branch OF
MethOdlsm is meeting all the demands?
One cannot but be struck with the inCon-
gruity of Episcopal Methodism preaching
and urging in Japan and China and India
and Africa a union and fellowship which 1t
steadily refuses 10 practice in its own Amer
lea and among It's own kin And 1t Is a Sc
we're Teproof that the inconsistency of d.
vided Episcopal Methodism gave such Sc
rious pain to Japanese converts that the
two branches of Methodtsm had to unite
their work.