Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1924-06-13
And the Devil Laughs


a recent sermon declared him
self heartily in favor of the pro-
posed unification Of the Meth
odist Churches, North and
South. saying;
"If we would win the world
for Christ, we must win America
first. We can't win America
with narrow unconditional lines
and small preiudices."
The question of unification
of the. Northern Methodist
Church and the Southern Meth
odist Church is a live issue to-
day all over the South. 1t is
one Of the most important
questions that has come before
this denomination in a genera
ton.
For the information of our
Methodist readers we publish
here the statement of the Joint
Unification Commission, taken
from the 1924 Year Book of the
Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, as folIow&
Your Commissioners on Unfit
cation, appointed by the General
Conferences of the two Church
es, believe that the present is an
opportune time for the two great
Episcopal Methodisms to give Sc
rious thought and prayer to the
question of unification. Much
of the trouble of our present-day
world grows out Of the spirit of
divisiveness. The solidarity of the
human family and the oneness of
human interests and welfare
are not sufficiently emphasized.
A saner spirit of cooperation
and fellowship will assist in MAX
ing better world. World con-
ditions impose upon Christian
groups of men and women who
are one in the essential, moral,
and spiritual phases of their life
the obligation of closer unity for
the general welfare.
As Episcopal Methodists GER
tainly we have reason for devout
thanksgiving to Almighty God.
God has honored us in a very
peculiar manner. That was an
eventful day in Aldersgate
Street, London, when John Yves
ley felt his heart strangely
warmed, The result has been
the kindling of a fire which has
changed the religious climate of
Christendom. There can be no
question, however, that the full
strength of Methodism would be
greatly augmented if these two
great branches Of the Church
Were one in fact as we are one
by inheritance. The united eff
fort of Christian forces seems to
us to be the only offset to the
spirit of divisiveness and hatred
which has wrought such ruin in
our generation. AS representa-
tlves of the forces of righteous
ness in the world who pray ev-
cry day for the coming of the
kingdom, surely there is an obli-
cation upon us to set that ex-
ample of Christian unity and CO.
operation which will contribute
to the well-being of mankind.
"Therefore we, the Commits
sioners on Unification of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and
the Methodist Episcopal Church,
South, holding that these two
Churches are essentially one
Church-one in origin, in belief,
in spirit, in purpose, and in
policy-and desiring that this es-
sential unity may be made actual
in organization and administI a.
ton throughout the world" wish
to commend the plan adopted by
the Joint Commission on Unfit
cation for careful study to the
ministers and members of both
Churches.
The salient features of the
plan seem to us to be the fol-
lowing:
1. The plan which our Com
mission recommen safeguards
all local interests and traditions
which are held dear in the two
Jurisdictions. ''Every vote in
the General Conference shall be
by jurisdictions and shall require
the accepted majority vote of
each jurisdiction to be effec-
tive Which is to say that we
are to enter upon an arrange
ment in which no measure can
be passed touching the work
within the bounds of either juris-
diction without the accepted ma
jority vote Of the jurisdiction
concerned. -
2. This plan gives due regard
to the right and preferences of
Church members living on the
border where the two jurisdic-
tions work side by side. Church
membership is sacred thing,
and we recognize it as such. Ar
rangements are to be made for
the transfer of members, preach
ers, Churches, pastoral charges,
district, Annual Conferences.
Mission Conferences, and Mis-
sions from one Jurisdiction to
fine other, but "no transfer shall
\ ~ made without the consent
Of the member, preacher, Church,
pastoral charge, district( Annual
Conference, Mission Conference,
,Mission that il is pTopossd sfog
ansfer . Y 1t IS understood mat