Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1908-05-23
TO UNITE THE
METHODISTS
M. {. General Conference Wants
the Methodist Protestant
To Return

dlSl EplstoIdl nuFcU III itS StsSlDu
Saturday morning in Baltimore gave a
hearty demonstration Of its unanimous
desire to have Rev DR. John Goucher
succeed in uniting the Methodist Pro-
testant Church with the mother church.
A strong resolution, written by DR.
Goucher. followed bv speech breathing
fraternity by him and stirring address
by Rev James NJ Buckley, resulted in
a unanimous vote to bring the younger
denomination back
Applause, shouting and singing of the
doxology marked the taking Of the vote
on the question Rarely has an emissary
been sent out from the camp Of one de-
nomination TO bring another in with the
same manifestation Of unanimliy. In
fact. since the Conference began.
scarcely any important action has been
taken except after opposition and OBJ
lection
The same spirit Of fraternity for the
sister Methodist denomination for the
moment broke down some Of the vigor
Of opposition to other denominations.
There was a constantly repeated out
burst Of applause when Rev Or Buck
ley stated his attitude to other denomi-
nations. leading to his expression Of
devotion TO all Methodism regardless Of
branches
move we adopt this resolution by a
rising vote. shouted Or Buckley
above the hubbub The gathering was
upon It's feet.
Praise God, from Whom all blessings
flow echoed through the hall with
great force
When Bishop Burt, who presided.
called for the nays none rose.
DR.. GOUCHER'S RESOLUTION
Rev Or Gouchers resolution follows
"The essential causes leading 20 the
separation from ourcommunion Of those
who organized the Methodist Protestant
aurch in ISIS do not appea. To US 70
! any longer matters of controversy
and
"Our own church has introduced I'M
portant changes into its governmental
system since ls22 in the direction con-
tended for by Methodist Protcstants
and
Those who went out from US in ISIS
were at no time doctrinally or morally
subject 70 reproach. but differed from
us solely on the questions Of govern
ment. and have always maintained the
beliefs. methods and the spirit of Metho-
dism therefore.
That, approaching and honoring the
Methodist Protestant Church and the
good work it has done in the world for
| Christ, we. IN the spirit Of brotherly
love. obedient to the desire for fellow
ship with all who are called Methodlsts.
and IN harmony with the prayer q our
Lord for the unity of the church, do re
specially submit 20 our brethren OF
the Methodist Protestant Church
whether the time has not come when
they can, without sacrificing any es-
sentlal principle their fathers contended
for, resume their relations with us and
thus lnaugurate i movement for reunited
and common Methodism IN America.
That this General Conference hereby
afectionately invites the Methodist
Protestant Church. through its General
conference, 10 renew organic IeilONahlp
with the Methodist Episcopal Church
and. if this shall seem good TO them, to
appoint commission TO confer with
like commission OF this General Confer
ence to consummate this result.
In introducing the resolution DR.. Gou-
cher said
"A deputation which you instructed
to 20 TO Pittsburg deems it wise that
you adopt q more definite resolution to
present TO the Methodist Protestant
General Conference Monday The es-
sentia cause Of the separation which
resultedin the formation Of this denomi-
nation in 1925 no longer exists, and
since then changes have been made
which those who withdrew then aimed
at
DIR. BUCkLEYtS PLEA.