Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1906-05-17
SPEAKS BEFORE METHODIST CON
FERENCE IN BIRMINGHAM.
SECTl0NALISM MUST GO
Pleads for Ecclesiastical unon--5e-
lieves the Barriers That Separate
the Northern and Southern Fol.
lowers Of John Wesley Since the
War viii Soon Be Removed.

Birmingham, Ala, May 10
Vice President Fairbanks spoke
at The general conference of the Meth,
odist Episcopal church south, IN SEES.
sion here. His remarks were general
in character except when he dealt
with the delicate question of uniting
the two branches OF the church. Ca
this he said;
Il cannot refrain from expressing
and emphasizing the hope which
those who have preceded me IN this
hrotherly mission have vontured to
express, that the two great branches
Of Methodism In America may be con,
soldated into one mighty church.
not in sentiment and In purpose
alone, but In organization as well /
give utterauoe to this wish upon my
own responsibility though II is
shared by many of my brethren. With
me 1t is not n desire born OF this
kindly mission but is one have
long cherished; one which time hap
but strengthened and which your
hearty welcome has but uuickenod
The trend of events seems to ME to
lead to ultimate union. The prog
ress may be slow but | believe It to
be certain. The ineNorable logic OF
mutual interests must lead us to a
common conclusion Union will como
through the subtle yet powerful In,
tluence of the law of gravitation, the
gravitation of mutual respect, of com.
mon faith, We have the same eccle-
siastical polity and sing the praises of
the master from common hymn
book. Lines of latitude do not af.
ford an iuSuporahle obstacle to ulti.
mate and permanent union. Ancient
differences 10 not constitute an in
surmountable objection. The church
inspires a feeling of brotherly love.
II teaches forgiveness, and If either
church has erred In the past, II has
long since been forgiven In the su.
prone chancellory where those who
misjudge for want Of light are forgiv-
en-, Methodism Is too broad To be
bpuhtNh ny oN'llbiiul lllitSi II ~ lbb
catholic in its exalted purpose to be
restricted by limits less ample than
those of the republic.
81 do not know how long the follow,
ors of John Wesley will dwell apart
in the United States. | have faith
70 believe that the barriers which
still divide MS are growing less for.
midahe with the lapse of time. and
that they will ultimately yield and
union will be established between the
Methodist Episcopal church and the
Methodist Episcopal church south.
thereby creating one of the greatest
instruments for good In the entire
christian world.
eve each and all desire to see the
symmetrical development Of our com.
mon country. We wish TO see an I'm.
tellectual, Industrious, patriotic and
religious people, firmly welded togeth.
er. We desire particularly TO see
the lines of divisions between sec
tons completely obliterated and For.
gotten. | trust that Methodism may
not long be divided upon lines of
former political dfferences-differ
onces which, thank God are past and
gone forever and forever. May we
not hope TO see the great bishops
whom you honor and whom we honor
in tho north, presiding over confer.
cncc8 In every portion OF the repub.
lie, May we not hope to see unit.
ed church. freely transferring it's min
isters between the north and the
south. as well ms between the west
and the east? Such interchange be-.
tween the various portions Of our
country will serve nightly to adj
vance a wholesome national purpose
We all earnestly hope to see the
myriad influences making for good
among us. Consolidated Methodism
would tend In a considerable degree
10 promote the intellectual and moral
interests OF the entire country Ma.
tional solidarity will be advanced In
some measure. in fact, as well as In
name, when Methodlsm comes into
complete organic fellowship"