The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-11-17
CONFERENCE VOTES
Continued from First Page

mission on federation, making certain
suggestions modifying the proposed
plan. and
Whereas. the commissioners repre-
scnting both churches have been APP
pointed to consider anil perfect the
tentative plans which have been
adopted by the two aforesaid general
conferences. with the understanding
that the plan as perfected by the joint
commissioners is To be submitted to
the general conferences Of both
churches and II adopted by the gem
eral conferences is then to be sub
luittcd TO the annual conferences If
the proposed plan shall be such as to
require that constitutional process;
and
Whereas there has been much dis
JIssiou of his question In the columns
nf our church papers and resolutions
Narp been PASSED on this subject by
practically all the conferences of our
church which, have met mp to the
pr, yeni time and the college OF
BISHOPS has considered, the situation 10
he 90 such gravity as to necessitate
sta ettent from the bishops on this
subject, and
Whereas. the Nirginla annual con-
ference has very definite views on this
-s-s34.4eti deem It proper and wise
to state those views to the commits
siouors of our church, meeting in Bal
timore on December IS. by the pass
age Of the following resolutions
I'm Net of Wisdom.
Resolved first, We believe that
the general conference of the Meth
odisi Episcopal Church In 1914 acted
with great wisdom. and for the best
interests Of the Kingdom Of God in
adopting the plan Of separation by
which plan the work of Methodism
WAS carried on with great success in
both sections Of the nation when II
would otherwise have been seriously
crippled by differences of opinion con-
( corning social and governmental Ques-
/ lions 0ssuesD There has probably
never been a more successful applica-
ton OF the principle OF Pauline ex-
pedency than the action Of that great
historic Methodist body.
Resolved, second. We greatly re-
greet that the purpose and the spirit
OF the plan OF separation adopted by
the general conference OF 1914 has
been during the past years ignored,
indeed, previously violated in many
( instances So that In some sections OF
our country the sad spectacle has
been presented Of building Methodist
+ altar against Meth Odist altar, IN COM
munitics where there is need for only
one church OF the Methodist faith.
This violation of the spirit OF the
plan of lS44 has involved great
waste of money, OF men and OF
Christian effort. and has developed
jealousy. bitterness and strife where
there should have been only harmony
and love and united effort In the
bringing in OF the Kingdom of right
eousness and peace and 10y in the
Holy Ghost
Unifcation DcSjrab bic.
Resolved, third In order both to
prevent further unworthy strife and
criminal waste. and to conserve and
Ia unite all the power OF the people
called Methodists for the carrying on
~ the work OF God in every part Of
the world. We believe that there
should now he adopted plan for
the unification of Methodism. and we
rejoice that the general conferences
Of both the two great Methodisms Of
our country, namely, the Methodist
Episcopal Church and the Methodist
Episcopal Church. South. have both
by unanimous vote declared that they
believe that the unlfication of Method
ism is both desirable and feasible
and have appointed commissioners 10
confer together for the purpose Of
presenting such a plan as Will accom-
pitch the desired end
Resolved. fourth We believe that
the com missioners should emulate the
wisdom Of our fathers in the general
conference OF 1914 and should con-