Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1916-05-22
consummation Possible by
1920, Says Bishop E.
r. Hendrix
FINAL ACTION LATER
Baltimore, Birthplace of NJ. f. Con-
ference, Suggested as Proper Place
For Ratification


Saratoga Springs, N. Y, May e..
Bishop E. R. Hendrix, senior bish-
on of the Methodist Episcopal Church
South and 10 years longer in the
episcopacy than Bishop Earl Gran
ston, of the commission from the
Methodist Episcopal Church, in an
interview here expressed the belief
that union between the two great
churches was practically certain to
he consummated and said there were
only few details. yet to be arranged.
Bishop Hendrix was asked: "Why
has the union of the two churches
been delayed SO long,"
"The old sectional differences
brought about by the warseemed ir-
removable" he replied, "but gradu-
ally the older men have died and the
younger men have grown up without
these prejudices. The Spanish-Am-
erican War finally, removed all i'll
feeling between the North and South
and cemented the people together
under one flag, although old Gen:
Joe Wheeler forgot himself in Cuba,
and cried out, Civ. It to the Yank-
css'. Furthermore, the fellowship Of
-.seceat years has proved the COM
munity of our interests and spirit.
We have also had many issues in
common, such as that of temper
ance. The Southerner realized that
the negro must be protected from IL
quor and was able more promptly to
bring in prohibition because he was
not hampered by an influx of i'm
migrants, and thus he had more
homogeneous population. Common
interest in the Spanish War and an
decreasing recognitida 'of common
moral interests brought us togeth-
err :
"What IRE the differences between
the two churches?"
''They are very minor, In the. first
place, the :bishops in the methodist
Episcopal, Church, South. have the
power of veto ;;over any :unconstitu-
tional legislation passed by the Gen
eral Conference. They have only cx-
ercised it two or three times; once
when the General Conference stipu-
lated that ministers should be tried,
not, alone by ministers, but by lay
men and ministers, the bishops be-
lievving that this was not; fair to the
ministers, except their peers should
be of their own kind; The other was
when an effort was made to change
the name of the church to simply
Methodist Church, and the bishops
believed that that name did not prop
crly: designate it. we also have lay
delegates in our annual conference,
each presiding elders district be-
ing allowed to elect four, who sit
with the ministers on all questions
Of; the church, taken sup by the an
nual conference. IVe also have a
time limit of four years for pastors
We do not require a two-thirds vote
for the election of bishops, only de-
manding a. majority but there are
advantages in the two-thirds rule.
We made an effort few years ago
to restate the creed, but that was
dropped in anticipation of. a. coming
union, when all methodists could CO.
operate. The colored members in the
Methodist Episcopal Church also
checked our negotiations, until we
agreed upon the plan to; set them
apart in 4 district where they could
elect their own bishops and officers
and still hold representation in the
greater Quadrennial General Con-
ference.
"Our greatest benefit from the
union will be in being able to mis
the unique gifts of each branch Of
;he church. The South needs the
yigor and the energy of the North
while the Northern church needs tn
fervor and emotionalism and warmt
of the Southern church. Bishop Fos
ter, was wont to say that the onl
way to save aetaoaisla Tas to CON
h;na thess tvs forces sad interim