The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-11-17

good or our common Metnodism. We
do not believe. that either church
should contend that all the theories.
regulations or practices for which II
has stood in the past must be en-
bodied in the plan of unification. In
matters involving property holdings
or methods of administration. but not
! involving the real efficiency and sue
cess OF united Methodism In the differ
ent sections OF the country, neither
| church should adopt a dogmatic or
infiexible attitude from mere pride of
| opinion or because of the present
practice of either church. But in all
questions which involve the efficient
| ministry of Methodism to the people
| in different sections of our country
/, We believe the commissioners should
| follow the principle of Pauline ex-
| pediency so wisely followed by the
general conference of, 1874 and should
| adopt such "A plan as viii meet the
needs of every section. and as will
give no occasion for dissatisfaction or
! friction because OF differences of opin-
ion on social. political and historical
Questions. We believe it TO be the
| part OF wisdom to take ample time
to make thorough study of Condi-
| tons as they exist throughout the
two churches and to learn the sentf
I ments of all our people. so that when
a plan Of unification shall be present
ed 1t may not contain in it the seed
/ or future discord and strife. and that
/ 1t may be recognized by all as the
! best possible plan which cody tudg-
/ .0cnt and brotherly love can devise.
Approve General Conference Act.
Resolved, NTH. We, therefore, APP
prove the action of the general con-
ference of our church at Oklahoma
city in 1914, which by unanimous
vote proposed an amendment to the
I plan Of the commission on federation.
by which amendment it was provided
that the colored membership of va
! rtous Methodist bodies be formed into
independent organizations holding
fraternal relations to the reorganized
and united church" We believe that
the plan proposed by our general con-
ference would be adapted to the
| needs of our people and would
present no opportunity for friction.
and would make for the greatest eff
cient cooperation between white and
colored Methodists, such as at pres
ent exists among the white and col
( ored Baptists. We believe ii to be
the part of wisdom to recognize fully
the racial differences which have been
manifested so clearly by the estab-
lishment OF separate negro conRrega-
tons, negro conferences and negro
bishops for negro churches. As all
but comparatively small fraction of
the negro Methodists of America have
developed organizations with no or
ganic, but with only fraternal rela-
lions to the white Methodist churches,
we believe 1t to be wise to recognize
the hand of Providence in this matter
as 1t has been manifested by the com
parativc prosperity and growth of the
independent negro Methodist organi
cations II in the godly Judgment of
the commission better plan could
I be devised which would fully safe
guard all the interests involved, and
would harmonic the divergent views
, on this question we would welcome
such solution.
Grave and Delicate Problems
l. Resolved, sixth, We believe there
is wisdom enough and grace enough
in the two churches to formulate such
plan OF union as will glorfy God.
yet as indicated above. we realize
that there are very grave and delicate
problems to be solved. We therefore
call upon our ministry and laity to
unite in earnest prayer that the COM
, missioners may approach their great
/ work with deep sense Of the weighty
responsibility which has been laid
upon them; that they may speak and
act daily under the guidance OF the
great Head of the Church, and that
such a plan of unitication may be
adopted as viii most certainly re-
dound to His honor and glory.
Resolved seventh That In view of
the fact that the commissioners are
the representatives. of the whole
church. and that the action of the
I joint commission is to he presented
to the general conferences and pos
sibly may he presented to all the an