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TWO DOLLARS AND FIFTY CENTS.
PER IST ISTXJIVI.
VOLUME XXXIX., XO. 21.
RECEPTION' OF FRATERN.VL MES
SENGERS FROM THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL
CHURCH, SOUTH.
We copy in full below, from the Daily
Christian Advocate of May 13, the proceed
ings, addresses, etc., in connection with the
reception our Fraternal Messengers by
the General Conference of the M. E. Church :
The great feature of the General Confer
ence session yesterday was the reception of
the Fraternal Messengers appointed bv the
General Conference of the Methodist Epis
copal Church, South.
As the hour (11a. m.) fixed for the recep
tion arrived, Bishop Peck, who had presided
thus far during the morning session, grace
fully gave place to Bishop Janes, senior
Bishop. Four large baskets of elegant flow
ers, contributed by a well known Baltimore
Methodist family, were brought forward,
and, amid the cheers of the audience, were
placed upon the table on the front line of'he
platform—twp on the President’s table, one
on the table of the Secre'arjes, and on on
the table of the reporters of the Daily Chris
tian Advocate. This beautiful floral tribute
to the sentiments and purposes of the hour,
gave great pleasure to the members of the
Conference and to the immense number of
visitors present.
It is not necessary that we comment upon
the several addresses made. Thev were fit
ting, able, eloquent, and the universal ex
pression at the close was that of approval.
We print them in full, even to the exclusion
in this number, of much other matter pre
pared for it.
The absence of the venerable nonagena
rian, Dr. Lovick Pierce, was sincerely re
gretted by all present; but his written words
of love and fraternal counsel, presented by
his associates of the Commission, and dis
tinctly and impres-ively read by our Secre
tary, were gratefu ly listened to and most
fully reciprocated. But we proceed to re
port in full the address and papers.
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS OF DR. FOSS.
C. D. Foss said :
Mr. President —To this hour myriads of
Methodist Christians, scattered from Plym
outh Rock to the Golden Gate, and from the
fountains to the Delta of the Father of Wa
ters, and others in distant continents and
islands, have long been looking forward with
eager hope and joy ; glad, so far as may be,
to put behind and to cover wi ll the veil of
oblivion, every painful recollection of the
untoward events which have, alas! too long
separated fellow Christians who rejoice in
the same history, doctrines, literature,
hymns, and experience, and in a substan
tially identical ecclesiastical polity.
We hail our honored guests this hour not
only as brethren beloved in the Lord, but
Also as bearers to us, and to the Church we
represent, of the Christian greetings of a
sister Church with more than 3 000,000 ad
herents. WeJtail them just now, in the first
outburst of the Centennial rejoicing of our
common country , trusting that the denomi
national fellowship and healing of which
their advent is at once the index and the
promoter, will be largely helpful to that per
fect national healing which shall, in the near
future, transform our National Union into a
complete and perpetual national Unity.
The deep joy of the greeti,' g we grtfe to
them is indeed chastened by the absence of
that venerable man, their co-delegate, the
Rev. Dr. Lovick Pierce, whose honorable
career has been coeval with almost the en
tire history of American Methodism. He is
detained from our fraternal festival to-day
by physical infirmity. But though absent in
body, he is present in spirit; and if we can
not hear his voice, we shall feel the pulsa
tions of his heart through the medium of
his pen.
I have the great pleasure, Mr. President,
to present to you for introduction to the
Conference, one of the two other Fraternal
Delegates from the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South ; a man eminent among the
very foremost of his bre'hren, for his natu
ral endowme lits, his varied culture, his lofty
character, and his impressive eloquence, and
who has rendered very distinguished service
to the Church in three great departments of
its work —as“a pastor, a religious journalist,
and a laborer in the cause of the higher ed
ucation, the Rev. Jas. A. Duncan, D. D.,
President of Randolph Macon College, Vir
ginia.
Dr. Duncan was introduced, the entire
Conference rising to receive him.
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS OF DR. J. P. NEW
MAN.
Mr. President —ls it too much to say that
the chief interest and the highest pleasure
connected with the reception of Fraternal
Delegates by this General Conference, have
their culmination in this hour? We hailed
with unfeigned delight our brethren from be
yond the seas. We reciprocated with sincer
est. joy the hearty congratulations from the
Canadas. We responded joyfully to the
kindly greetings of other Methodist bodies
in the United States. And other represent
atives, yet to come, will be received with
Christian cordiality. But the delegates of
this body, our people of time-honored Bal
timore, and more than two millions of Meth
odists North and South, have awaited with
prayerful anticipations the coming of this
day when words of love and peace will be
spoken that will be borne in accents of glad
ness to the savannahs of the South, to the
snow-capped hills of the North, and to the
green prairies of the West.
After the storm of strife and passion
through more than three decades, tne bow ol
promised peace spans the heavens of our
love. And to-day the angels sing : “Behold
how good and how pleasant it is for brethren
to dwell together in unity! It is like the
precious oiutment upon the head, that ran
down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard;
that went down to the skirts of his garments.
As the dew of Herinon, and as the dew that
descended upon the mountains of Zion ; for
there the Lord commanded His blessing,
even life forevermore.”
Sir, there is a manifest propriety in the
appearance of a layman on this platform, as
the co-fraternal delegate. If Dr. Duncan is
to speak for 4,000 ministers to our 10,000
pastors, Dr. Garland is to speak for more
than 700,003 laymen, to our membership of
more than 1,500,000. If the former is to
represent the sons of Aaron, the latter is to
represent the commonwealth of Israel.
This eminent layman comes from classic
halls. From earliest manhood he has been
identified with schools of learning in Geor
gia, in Alabama, in Virginia, and is now the
Chancellor of the Vanderbilt University,
whose ample endowments are the munificent
gifts of an American citizen.
Himself a Methodist from his youth, lov
ing peace and purauiug it, he is a garland of
beauty from the sunny South, —the chosen
bearer of Heaven’s olive-branch of frater
nity. Sir, it is ray distinguished privilege
to present to this reverened body through
you its honored Senior Bishop, a layman,
Mr. L, C. Garland, Doctor of Laws.
ij WWWCDMMWI
Bishop Janes then presented Dr. Garland,
who was most cordially received by the Con
ference standing.
The Credentials of the Delegates of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, were
here read by the Secretary.
Bishop Janes then said: I hold in my band
the address of Dr. Lovick Pierce. I am sure
that every member of this Conference shares
with me in great disappointment and regret
at his inability to be present at this* time.
We have all heard of him by the hearing of
the ear, and we came here feeling that to
see his genial face, and shake his hand, and
hear bis kindly words, would be one of the
greate-.t among the privileges of this General
C inference. This disappointment and re
gret are not felt because the honored mes
sengers who are with us do not ful.y compre
hend the character and importance of their
mitsion and work, but Dr. Pierce has been,
in his able, faithful, and spiritual ministry,
for more than two generations the common
inheritance of Moth,.dism, and, when in the
days of his st ength, he had few equals, and
perhaps no superiors, in the Church—when
such men as Longstreet, Wiuans, Capers,
McClintock, Bangs, and Olin were in our
pulpits and our counsels. So deep was his
interest in this cause, and so heroic his
spirit, that though more than ninety years
are upon him, he commenced his journey
toward this place, but his strength failed and
he was obliged to stop on thd way and to
give up the performance of this mission.
We can understand how great was his disap
pointment; and 1 think he is entitled to,
and I know he will receive, our profoundest
sympathy, and our earnest prayers that the
blessing of God may be with him. You will
all be glad to hear in another form the mes
sage which he would have brought to us if
he had been permitted to be present, and
speak to us. The Secretary will now read
the address of Dr. Pierce.
PRELIMINARY NOTE OF EXPLANATION CONCERN
ING dr. Pierce’s address.
The Fraternal Messengers of the Metho
dist Episcopal Church, South, who are pres
ent, beg leave to explain : that although the
General Conference very kindly and cor
dially consented that Dr. Pierce’s address
should be read, yet the messengers present,
on examining it with a view to its being read,
find that some of it depends so largely, if
not indeed wholly, for its force aud interest,
upon the personal presence of their venera
ble colleague, that they have taken the lib
erty of presenting only that portion of the
address which seems entirely appropriate to
be read in his absence. •
White this will not needlessly trespass
upon the valuable time of the Conference, it"
will, nevertheless, give to Methodists both
North and South, tbe most interesting part
of this address, which its venerable author
characterizes as.his “last will aud testa
ment” concerning his “estate in Metho
dism.” Jas. A. Duncan,
L. C. Garland,
Fraternal of the M. E. Church,
South.
Baltimore, May 12, 1876.
ADDRESS OF REV. LOVICK PIERCE, D. D.
To the Bishops and JJelegptes of* the Metho
dis( Episcopal Church Hi Conference As
sembled
Beloved Brethren—
It affords me unspeakable pleasure to ad
dress you to-day in the presence of what I
suppose to be. the largest assembly of Meth
odist ministers and laymen ever present at
any General Chnference before. And this
pleasure is greatly intensified because I am
one of the three Fraternal Delegates sent
from the Methodist Episcopal Church, South,
to bear you the Christian salutation and
greetings of more than seven hundred thou
sand of as loyal Methodists as the sun rises
and sets upon.
I beg your indulgence while I mention a
few things which crowd in from the memo
rial past.
I am addressing you to-day, by the bless
ing of God, with a past history, partaking in
a large degree of the wonderful. My official
activity is perhaps a rare instance of human
longevity. Asa regular appointee in this
Fraternal delegation, I furnish an instance
to the history of American Methodism such
as I think it likely was never known before
in one sent abroad on any diplomatic minis
try ; a man in the ninety-second year of his
age, and in the seventy-second of his effective
ministry.
When this appointment was made it took
me greatly by surprise, as our College of
Bishops knew me to be, at least physically,
unfit for such onerous duties as it involved.
But it was because, as 1 was still a live man,
there were special reasons why I should be
one of the present Fraternal delegation.
I had been sent as a lone fraternal mes
senger from our first General Conference,
after the division in 1846, to arrange for and
settle on a basis c-f intercommunication, so
that two General Conferences instead of one
shoud be all the difference be:ween us.
To bring about this state of things we were
so deeply anxious that we lost no time, but
sent a fraternal messenger with plenary pow
ers to establish a fraternity of intercourse
between us that the world might see we bad
not fallen out and parted, but simply divided
in order that we might carry out our great
work with less difficulty and greater success.
But the General Conference of 1848, for
reasons satisfactory to themselves, at that
time, rejected the fraternal messenger;
whereupon our fraternal messenger left,
after having apprized that body that as
things then stood, the Methodist Episcopal
Church, South, could never send a fraternal
messenger to them ; but pledging his Church
that if ever the Methodist Episcopal Church
reconsidered its act, and sent to the Metho
dist Episcopal Church, South, a fraternal
delegation, he or hey, as the case might be,
would be received and treated with true
Christian couries.v. And he now respect
fully appeals to this enlightened body to an
swer whether the Southern Methodist Epis
copal Church has not redeemed the pledge
of Christian courtesy to the extent of the
opportunity afforded her.
With a sad heart the messenger left, fore
seeing, as he feared, years of alienation and
a demoralizing dissatisfaction ; and, accord
ingly, it was followed by a wintry night of
twenty-one years before any morning star,
foretelling the approach of a better day,
ever rose above the gloomy horizon that en
compassed our beloved Methodism. This
star of hope appeared in the voluntary visit
of Bishop Simpson and Dr. (now Bishop)
Harris to the meeting of our Bishops in St.
Louis, May, 1869.
This move was in the right direction, and
was followed by another in May, 1870, when
Bishop Janes, accompanied by the same
warm-hearted brother, visited us at our Gen
eral Conference in Memphis, Tenn. They
came with hearts brim full of loving favor,
and made speeches with cordial affection.'
And then your General Conference, in
Brooklyn, May, 1872, took up the matter iu
PUBLISHED BY J. W. BURKE & COMPANY, FOR THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SOUTH.
good earnest and sent to us a noble delega
tion of three fraternal messengers, at our
General Conference, in Louisville, May,
1874. This action of your General Confer
ence, in Brooklyn, we regarded as the offi
cial recognition of the M. E. Church, South,
as a legitimate organization of the M. E.
Church, into a second General Conference
jurisdic ion as provided for in 1844 by the
last (Ecumenical General Conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. Here began
onr official intercourse on this fraternal re
lation. These brethren came to us in love.
We received them with loving hearts. They
did their work nobly and well. That Gen
eral Conference determined to send to you,
at this meeting, a like delegation, and by the
blessing of God we are here. How we may
do our work will be for you to say. We will
never !>■> outdone by you, in this good work,
in as fii!' as Christian comity and effort are
involve '. Neither can we, in this good
work, ever come in ahead of you. Yeur
delegates were sent to us without plenary
powers, in the pending inane. So, likewise,
have we come to you On both sides it
seems that we, in our humbler sphere, like
John the Baptist, have been sent to prepare
the way of the Lord, in this important fra
ternal embrace.
Besides these winning ways, there have
been other mighty agencies at work, and
foremost among them has been your Round
Lake fraternal camp-meetings. All that g
there come back thoroughly imbued with the
spirit of immediate fraternization. And, but
for poverty and our College commencements,
hundreds of us would have received its fra
ternal baptism. But the leaven of fraternal
peace and harmony is in both measures of
meal, and the whole lump will be leavened.
As we could not come to you as fraternal
messengers, clothed with power to consum
mate this desirable end at once, by the direc
tion of our General Conference, our Bishops
have appointed a Board of Commission
ers, consisting of three clerical and two
lay members, all select men, to whom
we desire to submit the work of adjusting
all difficulties between us, whether real or
imaginary, and earnestly ask your concur
rence. There are difficulties of both kinds
in existence, over which, honorable
adjustments, it will be impossible to pro
claim fraternity. And we appeal to this
measure as proof of our anxious desire to
settle all difficulties and disputes between us
in a way alike honorable and creditable to our
common Methodism.
We protest against any longer use of the
popular phrase “two MethoHisms,” as be
tween us. There is but one Episcopal Meth
odism in the United States of America, and
you and we together make up this one Meth
odism. So deep-rooted was this time-honor
ed and heaven-sanctioned denominational
title, Methodist Episcopal Church, that when
we organized a second jurisdictional boun
dary of it, no other title could be endured.
And for both divisions to call themselves the
M. E. Church, would have heen ridiculous.
And since to you belonged thp right to keep
the old title without any affix, if you so de
termined, we made ourselves the M. E.
Uhureh, South. The affix is derived solely
from our southern locality, and Wves us as
ctuu.lly the 'M. E. Church, as you would be,
if you had called yourselves, which by local
ity, you are, the M. E. Church, North. It
is a mighty theme, and we are here to-day jn
the Centennial year of our National history,
and in the morning of our tenth decade, as
an organic Church of Christ, to celebrate the
grand achievements, so gloriously won in the
nine decades just past. And lam here, per
haps the last living working man of the
pioneer class of itinerant Methodist preach
ers, and glory be to God that I am alive and
here.
We do not believe that these difficulties
ought ever to be discussed in either General
Conference at large. They are delicate, sen
sitive things, never to be settled by chafing
speeches, but, as we believe, can be easily
and speedily prayed and talked to death, by
a joint Board of discreet brethren, intent
upon Christian peace.
“Behold how good and how pleasant it is
for brethren to dwell together in unity,”
since unity, without formal uuion, is what
constitutes Christian fraternity indeed.
And now let us dwell a moment on the
triumphs of Methodism j,in our day and
country. ,
When I was received on trial as a travel
ing preacher, in the winter of 1804, there
were only seven little Annual Conferences
in the United States and their territories.
Now there are about one hundred and twen
ty, many of them with nearly as many names
on their annual Minutes as were in all the
seven infant Conferences. In my Alma Mater
Conference, when I matriculated, there were
only twenty members, and out of it have
grown three others, and the four enroll at
least five hundred robust names. And as to
members, there are as many Methodists in
Georgia to-day as there were in the whole
Methodist Episcopal Church in America,
when I joineU it iu 1802.
Our entrance upon this field was anoma
lous, in this rt-spect, that we had to fight our
way into notice and approval, not merely
through embattled hosts of infidels and com
mon unbelievers, but especially to lay siege
against the old forts and castles of venerated
dogmas and doctrines. In a word, we had
to preach against much that was considered
the faith and the religion of the Chtarch.
This we had to do among what was consider
ed the Christianized population of the coun
try.
And yet, notwithstanding all these disad
vantages, although we are the youngest of
the four leading denominations, by the bless
ing of God we are to-day, numerically con
sidered, the largest body of church-members
in America, ,
An. -hat Jfs still more noteworthy is, that
there is not a Church, in all the land, that is
sound in Mhfaith of Christ, in .which is not
to be found the indoctrination of Methodism
in faith and Christian experience. Thiough
all the corridors of this great temple of Christ
—the Christian Church—which is his body
may be heard, now, the responsive notes of
salvation from all sin.
In ninety-two years of our Church exist
ence, we have increased from a mere begin
ning to a large fraction over two millions of
Episcopal Methodists. Then add to these all
other types of Methodists, though still Meth
odists, aud we closely approximate three
millions. And then, again, when we count
in, according to the laws of mortality, all
that have died, the Methodists, in these
ninety-two years, we may well say, Behold
and see what God has done by us, as well as
for us. Our record is in Heaven great as
well as in the earth.
Brethren, our indebtedness together and
our responsibility, at this point in our beloved
Methodism, ought to become our sole burden.
For to us much has been given; given, too,
in trust.
MACON, GEORGIA, TUESDAY, MAY 23, 1876.
As between us, the two great bodies of
Episcopal Methodism, there is never to be
strife as to which of us shall be the greatest,
in this proud sense. But as the Apostle re
quires it there is a sense in which we may
strive to excel. And I move that it may be
in the'following things: First, in the strictest
and closest adherence to our distinctive com
mission as ministers of Christ, “the spread
of Scriptural holiness over thesq lands'’ —
always remembering this well-chosen defini
tion, “Scriptural holiness.” To preach it
and insist on it as a pastoral minister's duty
will soou satisfy us that we .cannot success
fully preach holiness unless we ourselves are
leaders in the experience of holiness. Which
ever wing of this over-shadowing Church
would be fhe wisest must know that, when
ever the Methodist Church ceases to feel that
this is her special ministry, she ceases to be
God's elect body as a Church; and that to
avert such awful repudiation, she must watch
most carefully, preach most earnestly and
scripturally, and live most faithfully, accord
■ing to this distinctive doctrine of our beloved
Church. .
That division of this great Church that ex-,
cels in this grand Mission will be the chosen'
bride of Christ as between the Northern and
Southern Methodist Churches.
And I am glad to say, the buds, blossoms,
and fruits of holiness, show beyond denial,
that the spring time of a revival of religion is
upon us.
And, finally, let ns, as two companies of
brothers entrusted with a most precious patri
monial estate, to enjoy as trustees, and en
large and increase as guardians for an indefi
nite posterity, see which of us can so use our
portion of this Methodist capital as to make
its per centage of income the test of compa
rative fidelity, industry, and devotion to its
polity and its principles of operation as its
founders and its fathers turned it over to ns.
Let us do this as brethren of one heart and
one mind, of one great aim and end. And
the future will prove that our division into
two General Conference jurisdictions was a
benediction instead of a deprivation. We
will watch each other only with Godly jeal
ousy for a faithful propagation of one un
divided Methodism. Tnis, in as far, as it
can be so, is my last will and testament,
turning over to my successors my estate in
Methodism. “Finally, brethren, farewell,
be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one
mind, live in peace, and the God of love and
peace shall be with you.”
L. Pierce, Del.
The reading of Dr. Pierce’s address was
interrupted with frequent and hearty demon
strations of approval. At its conclusion Dr.
Duncan came forward to address the Con
ference, and was greeted with great and pro
longed applause. He then spoke as follows:
ADDRESS OF REV. JAS. A. DUNCAN, D. D.
Mr. President and Brethren:
As I stand in your presence to-day, a
solemn joy in ray heart takes precedence of
all other emotions.
The responsibility of my mission and of
this hour, is solemn, but its hope is an in
spiration of joy.
Around mejl behold the venerable aud
distinguished representatives of a great
Church; bey rad them a*e mi’lifi—hjfc, M~th~
odists in America ar.d Europe, who feel
deeply concerned in the issues of this hour;
beyond them, in still more distant circles,'
stand a great cloud of witnesses, composed
of all who care for the peace, the unity, and
the prosperity of the Kingdom of Our Lord
Jesus. And, sir, above us is “the General
Assembly and Church of the First Born, who
are written in heaven;” and among them,
high seated in their own radiant places, are
our sainted fathers; and over all, upon that
eternal throne before which we all reverently
worship, reigns “the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family
in heaven and earth is named.” In such
solemn presence, where all dissensions seem
profanities, where all temporal and sectional
distinctions disappear, and “there is neither
Jew nor Greek, neither bond nor free, neither
male nor female, but all are one in Christ
Jesus, through whom all have access by one
Spirit unto the Father, and are no more
strangers aud foreigners, but fellow citizens
with the saints, and of the household of God.”
As an humble citizen of that kingdom, and
member of that household, in the name of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and
by her authority as a fraternal messenger,
with brotherly kindness in my heart, and
words of peace upon my lips, I salute you
this day as brethren in Christ Jesus, our
Lord. [Great applause.]
Mr. President —The Church which I have
the honor to represent is, as you are aware,
next to your own, the largest body of Meth
odists in the world. By our statistics gf
1874—the latest I could obtain, and I may
explain that I presumed upon the presence
of Dr. Pierce, and that he would sufficiently
set forth our latest statistics; and when I
found he would not be here, these were the
latest I could obtain—we have 712,765 mem
bers. Among these are 4,497 Indians and
2,663 colored members. As you are aware,
most of our colored members, since the war
have been, by their own preference, formed
by us into an independent Methodist Epis
copal Church. They have now a flourishing
Church of 74,799 members, 15 A'lntMci'nSot'fS;
fererices, 607 traveling preachers, and 518’
local preachers. They have a self-sustaining
church-paper, and 219,955 Sunday-schOot
scholars. Their College of Bishops, address
ing our Bishops in 1874, expressed the higfiv*
est gratitude for this fraternal organization
of a Church for their welfare, and the result
of the experiment has been most gratifying;
Notwithstanding the loss to our member
ship occasioned by this measure, we have
since then, by God’s grace, added to out
Church 207 664 souls.
In respect to Education, we are doing all
our means will allow. We have in all, mala
and female, 61 Colleges and Universities.
By these facts, sir, it appears that r.s wd
join hands this day with you, more ti an two,
million Methodists in onr land salute eacl
other in fraternal Faith, Hope, and Charity
(Applause.)
If individual members of these Churchefc
shall, at any time, indulge in tempers, word!
and actions, inconsistent with this fact, the}
should bear the responsibility of it. [Voices
“Hear, hear?” and But it shoujj.,
be distinctly understood that officially, b;
solemn act of the highest legislative and judi)
cial authority of both Churches, a declara
tion of peace and brotherly kindness ha*
been made. j •
Mr. President, you will agree with me tha|
a sound, healthful fraternity, between Chris l
tian Churches ought to rest on no uncertain
ground, but should give an intelligent and
explicit account of itself.
It has been well said, “the amity thdt
wisdom knits not, folly may easily untie.*’
I trust, sir, that wisdom may knit the fra
ternal bonds between our Churches,‘and that
it may be the “wisdom that is from above, ’v
tv.t is. “first pure, then peaceable, gentle
and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and
ge-id fruits, without partiality and without
hypocrisy”—so shall we prove that “the
fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them
that make peace.”
The grounds on which fraternity may res 4
safely and firmly, the tests to which it will be
naturally subjected, and the obligations that
both Churches are under to respect its legiti
mate conditions, are matters concerning
which it becomes us, as Christians, to think
soberly, speak calmly, frankly and candidly.
BUT,
WHAT IS FRATERNITY ?
Is it only a quadrennial ceremony —a sort
of- ecclesiastical court formality—a specious
pkrade of public addresses ? Is it a mere
ft!*m?
Sir, I humbly conceive that Christian fra
ternity is something more than such a solemn
mockery—something deeper, more vital, and
more sacred. It is a great Christian move
niaiit, giving concurrent expression to the
b' Jtherly kindness of more than a million
hearts. It is a sublime Christian alliance, in
.v i dch Charity becomes supreme over all dis
tptf-rimts; and reaffirms its meaning, its
jwv/er, and its consequences.
\ The essential conditions of fraternity are
provided, not by accident, not by a combina
tion of fortuitous circumstances, not by an
a ' -cted oblivion of all differences of opinion,
but by the Spirit of Christ.
Peaceful associations of men are inces
-8 ntly deranged by conflicting currents of
sudtiform prejudices and heterogeneous
tastes, as well as by narrow views and honest
misapprehensions. But the reconstructive
pswer of the Christian Spirit which rules the
advancing intelligence of mankind, tends to
bring about that higher generalization that
diminishes minor specific differences, and
oiganizes even moral discrepancies under
one great law of love.
How to blend all sects into one denomina
tion and obliterate all formal distinctions in
Church governments will, perhaps, continue
to be an unsolved problem until the millen
n ini. Schemes for realizing the enchanting
vsion have been projected repeatedly, but it
still remains only a beautiful chimera, a bril
‘N it castle in the air, which good men of fine
fifocy occasionally create for their own delec
ts ti on.
__And yet, while weak, mortal and corrupt
ible men, may never, perhaps, be able to find
a comprehensive formula for a concordant
expres ion of all their religious plans, let us
at least hope that the penetrating spirituality
of our holy religion, is more perfectly diffu
srug itself through all the branches of the
Christian Church, vitalizing them with such
grace that, presently, they shall, together,
s veetly bloom with the same beautiful hues
of divine life, and become richly fruitful upon
, ; iat heavenly vine to which they all belong.
The true and inviolable terms of fraternal
grace, which ought to be glorified in the
Christian name, and concentrate the united
energies of the Saciamental Host for the last
snd mightiest conquests, are not the inven
tions of diplomatic ingenuity, but old and
very simple principles; the love, respect,
iOurtesy, confidence and good will which the
Holy Kcriptufes require"all God’s people to
in their intercourse with etach other,
Tirnish the simple and solid basis for frater
r./ relations.
/ Especially, I would say that a healthful
‘Vatermty requires Christian candor.
Distrust, suspicion, doubt, all lack of open,
ponest, candid behaviour, will always coldly
relegate men to independent and hostile atti
tudes. A heathen poet said:
(Wise were the kings who never chose a friend,
.Till with full cups they hud unmasked his soul,
Aud seen the bottom of his deepest thoughts.
SsThe poet was right in his philosophy, if
Hvrong in his expedient.
But Christians need no wine cups to un
.mask their souls. As one has well said:
(That candor, which is a Christian virtue,
consists not in fairness of speech but in fair
ness of heart.
It is charity that thinketh no evil.
It is more than the blandishments of for
mal courtesy; more than smiles and smooth
words; and it is nobler than the worldly pru
dence which, while it avoids offensive epith
ets'.’ cherishes secret ill-will.
It rises above infirmities, pities weakness,
expects human imperfections; is quiet and
moderate in temper, honest and manly in
word and deeds.
How often would such candor dissipate,
in a moment, the ill-will whose false founda
: turn it would instantly expose! Alas! that
human pride should so trequently be too
stubborn for such generous behaviour! It is
so humiliating to confess faults, acknowledge
and explain errors, and retrace steps boast
fhjly but falsely taken. And then, sir, there
seems to be in many people an instinctive
papal longing after the reputation for infalli-
I oiiity.
-,__But we have to learn to respect the rights
of private judgment. Let us remember that
we must credit intelligent people with ration
ality and good people with sincerity. And
let os also remember that there are honest
and honorable differences, of opinion which
divide men into classes when compromise
and unity would dethrone reason and prin
ciple. •
'•TvifcsS centrifugal forces in the highest and
purest regions of human thought should be
Andidly recognized, and Christian charity,
bond of perfectness, should sup
ply the centripetal attraction by which all
tuede seemingly repellant social elements
mey move peacefully in lucid circles around
a j omrnon centre of eternal truth. [Ap
plause.] Fer so is it true, that charity is a
.iJtswisioD, not for unity, but for diversity.
Now,' “seeing,” says the Apostle, “ye
have purified your souls in obeying the truth
thiough the Spirit, unto unfeigned love of
the brethren, see that ye love one another
with a pure heart fervently.”
This candor cannot be too earnestly in
sisted upon. The world’s code of honorable
intercourse may countenance enmity con
cealed under compliments. But we have not
so learned Christ. On this point the Apostle
is especially bold and plain spoken. He
cries: “Let love be without dissimulation.
Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have
put off the old man with his deeds, and have
put on the new man, which is renewed in
Oik wledge, after the image of Him that
created him; where there is neither Greek,
nor Jew. Barbarian, Scythian, bond or free;
-but Christ is all, and in all. Put on, there
fore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved,
bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of
mind, meekness, long suffering; forbearing
one another and forgiving one another, if
any man have a quarrel against any, even as
Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And
above all these things put on charity, which
is the bond of perfectness, and let the peace
of God rule in your hearts, to the which also
ye are called in one body, and be ye thank
ful.”
This, sir, is the Scripture ground for fra-
ternity, and on this holy apostolic founda
tion it may be firmly established. But some
may say they are not so much concerned
about the theory of fraternity as they are
about its practice. If they can, they will
enjoy its practical benefits, and leave to
others, who may enjoy such abstractions, the
discussion of its principles. Sir, such a posi
tion, on a grave Church question like this,
is neither sound nor safe. The practical
value of fraternal relations will entirely de
pend upon the character of its principles, and
the respect which they command. Let us
then clearly understand the exact ground we
occupy, so that we may not be easily moved
from it.
Here allow me to specify a few points.
1. I will say we do not establish fraternity
between these two Churches for any secular
or worldly end. I am frank to say this,
because it has been intimated that the Meth
odists are seeking a closer union in this
country, merely to give them greater politi
cal influence. We dare not lower the dignity
of the Church of God to the government of
secular motives. Secular blessings will al
ways, of course, attend the progress ot
Christian truth, and secular peace be pro
moted by the extensive diffusion of the char"
itahle sentiments of religion. But important
as we regard the peac*t of civil society, and
the secular welfare of States to be, we must
look higher than to these temporal and po-
litical considerations for our principles of
action.
Above, beneath, and around all the best
political interests of a Slate, their preserva
tion and strength, we behold the obligations
of Christian character. The law of duty for
Christians is, first of all, God's law. We
ascend above the plane of earthly kingdoms,
to receive our decalogue from Divine hands.
Our master, a teacher come from God, is the
King we must first honor. He said, “My
Kingdom is not of this world. If my King
dom were of this world, then would my
servants fight.” To the Herodians who
tempted him respecting his return to earthly
governments he said : “Render to Crnsar the
things that are Gayar’s,- and to God the
things that are God’s.” To all men he
cried : “Seek first the Kingdom of God!”
And “the Kingdom of God is righteousness,
peace and joy in the Holy Ghost.” [Ap
plause.] Now, because we belong to this
Kingdom, and are bound by these principles,
we are bound to maintain, as far as we can,
a righteous, peaceful,and joyful brotherhood
in the Holy Ghost.
I am careful to state this point distinctly,
because these two Churches have been for
thirty years past regarded as respectively
representing two different political sections
of this country. But the wall of separation
between these two sections has been broken
down forever. [Tremendous applause.]
Now, the point I wi-h particularly to make
is this : that while the political representa
tives of the South can aud do truthfully
assure the world that a true, brave, and firm
devotion to the Union of these States
animates the whole Southern people, [ap
plause,] we, as ministers of Christ, take still
higher ground, and offer you our hands, not
in the name of those political interests, but
in the name of Christ. [Applause.] Not
that we love secular peace less, but that we
love God’s pdace more; not that we lack
loyalty to the under which we
live, but that our highest and holiest loyalty
is to Jesus Christ and Him crucified I [Ap
plause.]
2. We do not establish fraternity merely
as a judicious measure for ending unhappy
controversies. But we hope it will end them.
[Voices: “Amen.”] We do not underrate
such sweet fruits of it. They are attractive
and palatable. But what we are especially
concerned to secure is such an understanding
as will be permanently productive of these
fruits. The tree that bears them must he a
good tree, or the good fruit will soon fail.
A tree not rooted in love—a barren fraterni
ty bearing nothing but leaves—a Quadren
nial General Conference pretension—would
merit not the Master’s blessing, but His
curse.
Let our fraternity rather be a tree planted
by the rivers of water that bringeth forth its
fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not
wither, and from whose living branches our
children’s children shall gather good fruit
till the end of time. [Applause.] And then,
sir, let me add, if in this sort of Paradise
restored, that “old serpent” should enter
and entwine bis folds among those mystic
branches, we would pluck him hence and
crush him beneath our feet. [Great Ap
plause.]
Mr. President, I am sure that you will
join with me yourself, for I have been an
editor, and even the editorial stafT will join
with me, I have no doubt, when I say,
Heaven send us rest from that pen and ink
warfare which has so long fatigued Christian
patience, and blotted the fair pages of the
extensive family of Christian Advocates ! I
am aware, Mr. President, that some persons
will not cease from that kind of warfare in
which they have so much pleasure, and
which we technically term logomachy. But,
sir, harmony with such people is simply im
possible ; the only harmony they ever know
is of some unhappy tune that they alone can
sing [Laughter.]
Perhaps they were converted once—a good
while ago. [Laughter.] But if then, in
their first love, they were ready to pluck out
their own eyes for their brethren ; now, they
seem only anxious to pluck out their breth
ren’s eyes for themselves. [Laughter.]
Some people have great talent for making
mischief. An eminent Frenchman once
said: “Nothing is more dangerous than a
friend without discretion ; even .a prudent
enemy is preferable.” If we cannot man
age such people then we must not mind
them. The quickest method of reducing
them to decent silence is not to listen to
what they say. Our proposal is: let us ap
point wise men to adjust all questions of
real conflict between these two Churches :
let us pray the God of wisdom and peace to
direct them to right conclusions, and then
bury forever the weapons of war and move
on to the better, brighter conquests of peace !
[Applause.]
3. We do not establish Fraternity merely
as a policy measure.
We shoulcj always be mindful that the
Christian standard of action is higher than
policy. Less noble considerations should
not be allowed to subordinate or supersede
true ideas and imperative principles. In
these days when we have to lament the pre
valence of low motives and loose mofhls,
I think the Church ought to be specially
careful, in all her actions, to give pre-emi
nent distinction to the purest and loftiest
sentiments.
It is true that Christianity has questions
of expediency as well as questions of law;
and yet all its expedients must be sanctioned
by sound principles. Mere policy, as such,
is wholly an earthly thing. It lives and
t
dies on the earth. “Not only its Kingdom
is of this world, but this world is its King
dom.” Butin Christian economy let it be
always manifest that the Church ot Christ
has no policy that is not first piety.
4. We do not establish fraternity as a meas
ure of Sectarian ambition as Methodists.
No Church, in America, perhaps, has
greater temptation to sectarian pride and
ambition than that which comes to Method
ism in the name of its rapid and marvelous
growth. Success has its own perils. Pros
perity sets its own peculiar snares. Tri
umphs often contain elements of subsequent
defeat. How to succeed wisely is a pro
found philosophy we need to study diligently
and continually.
History tells us how Churches, as well as
individuals and nations, become sad victims
of their own prosperity.
When once wealth, numbers, and power,
become objects of Church pride, and secta
rianism fights chiefly for its own aggrandize
ment, bigotory banishes charity, partisan
zeal prefers Church to Christianity, the stan
dard of piety degenerates into loyalty to a
creed, and a scarlet-robed ecclesiasticism
enthroned in pomp, pride and power, wor
ships its own image, and disgraces the name
it bears. [Applause.]
Not, then, for sectarian purposes do we
seek a more cordial alliance between these
two great divisions of American Methodism,
but because we believe that brotherly kind
ness is right in itself, and because to be de
void of it, Methodists, among ourselves,
would add inconsistency and tmnaturalness
to an obvious fault.
And yet, sir, we are not without Method
ist feeling in this movement. We are not
indifferent to Methodist history, not unap
preciative of the present power and glory of
our Church, and not unconcerned for its
future achievements.
That banner which, at the head of a little
company of believers, John Wesley, in sub
lime faith uplifted in the name of the Lord,
has become venerable with historical associa
tions and resplendent with world-renowned
conquests.
It is now the honored standard of a vast
army of Methodists, numbering millions, •
containing representatives of every nation
and people and tongue under heaven.
What Methodism has already accomplish
ed in these States is now known and read of
all men. What it shall accomplish in future
depends upon our fidelity to the spirituality
that gave it birth, the courageous zeal that
conquered for it a high place of honoramong
the Churches, and a proper comprehension
of those conditions wich will most wisely fit
it for prolonging its own peculiar mission
among men. And, sir I say it with empha
sis: in my humble judgment, not the least'
amOng the forces now shaping the future of
American Methodism is the issue of the
fraternal movement in which we are con
cerned at this hour.
Brethren, what an opportunity is ours!
Well for us if we can discern the signs of the
times to know the things which make for
our peace!
Our glorious land that blooms between
the seas is a magnificent-field for Methodist
work. 1 pray God we-may have wisdom to
eultiva'n it in the spirit ofpeace and Chris
tian fellowship. [Applause.] Shall we show
ourselves worthy of such an inLoritunoo?
From the northern border of it, where
God’s perpetual bow of peace glorifies
Niagara’s cliffs, to tbe sea-girt southern line
where- God’s gifts make earth almost an
Eden of fragrance and beauty; and from the
rock-bound Atlantic, where the Eastern
song of the sea begins its morning music,
away to the far off Pacific, where the Wes
tern waters murmur their evening benedic
tion to our land as the tide goes out beneath
the setting sun, everywhere we feel the in
spirations of oureountry, and devoutly pray:
“God bless our native land 1” [Great ap
plause.] God give it “the glory of Lebanon,
and the excellency of Carmel and Sharon ;
and may all the inhabitants thereof see the
glory of the Lord and the excellency of our
God 1”
AR, brethren ; in our fraternal fellowship
I pray God we may uplift the banner of
Methodism to a still higher summit of honor
in this land, and make it everywhere the
welcome signal of a zeal for Jesus worthy of
our heroic ancestry, and worthy of that pos
terity, who shall receive it as something
sacred from our hands if we shall transmit
it to them uncorrupted in principle and in
doctrines, pure in faith, humble in spirit,
powerful in method, and having for its high
est distinction, God’s shining seals to its
Gospel preaching.
And now, sir, again I ask, What is Chris
tian fraternity? and on what grounds do we
establish it ? I answer explicitly:
Christian fraternity is the reciprocal re
cognition of Christ in each other. Fraternal
relations are the relations we sustain to each
other through Christ.
Where no sueli relations to Christ exist,
there can be no fraternity. Where such re
lations do exist, we are bound to recognize
them ; and when we recognize them, we are
under solemn Christian obligations to main
tain them and provide for them.
It is not a matter of discretion whether
Christians shall live in proper fraternal rela
tions to each other. If these two Churches
fail to establish and maintain this relation,
the sin of it must lie at the door of one of
these Churches.
These is but one principle of communion
in Christianity. St. John has stated it clear
ly and beautifully: “Our fellowship is with
the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
If we walk in the light as He is in the light,
we have fellowship one with another-, and the
blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanseth us
from all sin.” This is the spirit and doc
trine of true Christian *
The manner in which this s WM Should
manifest itself is also explicitly tanght in the
Scriptures: “With all lowliness and meek
ness, forbearing one another in love, en
deavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in
the bond of peace.”
The head of this communion of saints is
Christ; “from whom the whole body, fitly
joined together and compacted by that which
every joint supplieth, according to the effec
tual working iu the measure of every part,
maketh increase of the body unto the edify
ing of itself in love."
Said the Divine Master, “Anew com
mandment I give unto you: that ye love one
another." As He said this to His disciples,
perhaps, naturally, they turned their eyes to
look upon each other; but if so, he quickly
recalled their attention again to Him. For
He well knew that if their love for each other
should depend ou what of excellency they
could discover in each other —if it had to be
attracted and maintained by the grace that
was in them —then reciprocal affection would
lack the depth and strength He wished to
give it. Accordingly, He instantly supplies
the moral element of power such fraternal
F. M. KENNEDY, D. D., Editor.
J. W. BURKE, Assistant Editor.
A. (J. HAYGOOD, D. D., Editorial Correspondent.
WHOLE NUMBER 1996.
love would need, by adding; “Love each
other as I have loved you /” [Applause.]
Could ’a commandment be more touchingly
and powerfully sanctioned? “As I have loved
you!" With these words He emphasises His
command'with the whole of His sublime life
and sacrificial death 1 He pours into it His
tears, His sorrows, His agony, His blood —
the whole matchless eloquence of His own
redeeming love 1
0 by what divine influence would our Mas
ter cement Christian hearts indissolubly to
gether 1 Let us answer Him : The love of
Christ constaineth us! This sentiment, which
the fathers of Methodism, in all their heroic
zeal, illustrated in the noblest manner; the
sentiment that inspiration inscribed in pente
costal suffix upon the hearts of the Apostles;
the sentiment sacred in all the history of the
Church ; to-day let us, in all true Christian
fellowship, write upon our armor and pro
claim as our sentiment: The love of Christ
eonstraineth us!
With this inspiration in our hearts, and
with this cry upon our lips, we tear down all
“hostile barriers. We trample under foot
every obstacle to brotherly kindness. We
consign bitterness and strife to oblivion. We
crush the serpent of discord with our heel,
and unite anew all the vast army of American
Methodism in the celestial shout, “Glory to
God in the highest! On earth, peace 1 Good
will to men !” [Applause.]
The Master has ordained that this brother
ly love shall be the great, power of Christian
testimony.
By this shall all men know that ye are my
disciples, if ye have love one to another.
Our Christian power is wholly dependent
upon our relation to Christ. It is not us that
men feel; but Christ in us. 1
To show that we are Christ’s is to acquire
a title to human respect and an influence
with the human conscience. And to love
each other as brethren, is to illustrate a spirit
so unworldly and unselfish that all men take
cognizance of us that we have been with
Jesus.
This love has always been the most power
ful, because the most practical and obvious
testimony which Christianity has given the
world of its real, abiding, living, connection
with the Divine Jesus. It is recognized, at
once, as the spirit and power of Jesus in His
disciples.
It was this love that astonished mankind
in the early ages of the Christian Church,
and confounded the foes of Christianity by a
new weapon which they knew not how to re
sist. *
Political and military resources were un
able to cope with it. Kings were as impo
tent to crush it, as Pharoah was to arrest the
power of God in Moses. Thrones fell before
it. Swords and spearpoints melted at its
touch of divine fire. It was so fir above the
level of ordinary cenception that history tells
us the Pagans attributed it “to some secret
spell or charm that had the power of inspir
ing violent and irresistible attachment.”
“Their teachers,” exclaimed the heather,
“have acquired the wonderfnl art of per
suading these Christians that they are all
brethren.” Alas ! that this wonderful art
should have been lost by Christian teachers.
This sacrificial love, the most beautiful of all
Christian graces, born in the bosom of the
Father’s glory, Goa s unchangeable gift to
man,tu music of the beatitudes, the su'olim-
ity of the cross, the power of forgiveness, the
invincible Spirit of the gospel—this holy love
is the very life fire of Christianity. Wo to
the man who would quench it 1 He is worse
than a hypocrite—he is a murderer. For it
is written, “whosoever haleth his brother, is
a murderer-, and ye know that no murderer
hath eternal life abiding in him.”
No matter whether priestly vestments
adorn his hypocrisy, or ministerial ordina
tion gives a deceitful sanctity to his name —
“whosoever he be”—whether bishop, elder,
deacon, or layman, he is an apostate, a trait
or to his cause and his Master, and by the au
thority of Almighty God, he is pronounced
a murderer !
Mr. President, perhaps I have already said
enough for your patience, but indulge me for
a moment longer, and I will be silent.
In this age of natural science, abounding
in highways of intercommunication, and
facilities for rapid interchange of thought,
when words are electric sparks and a speak
er’s audience is the civilized world, it seems
to me we are living in the Lord’s great day
of preparation.
Men who meant only to serve themselves,
or to serve science, or to serve some indus
trial interest, have unwittingly served the
Kingdom of Christ. “Every valley shall be
exalted, and every mountain and hill shall
be made low ; and the crooked shall be
made straight, and the rough places plain,
and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together, for the
mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.”
The currents and counter currents of hu.
man civilizations are rapidly mingling into
one mighty river, deepening and broadening
as it rolls its accumulating contributions of
innumerable tributaries, under the direction
of redeeming grace, to that peaceful millen
nial sea whose waves of light are shining in
the prophetic visions of the Bible.
In such an age, shall Christian Churches
not comprehend the great day of God’s op
portunity ? Shall they be discordant with
each other? God forbid ! Nay, rather let
them bring their several divisions closer to
gether and move forward as the Lord’s host,
with songs and everlasting joy upon their
heads.
If fraternity is anything, it is at least an
end of strife —it is peace; it is a delightful
silence after a long battle ; it is the calm af
ter the noise of the waters and the tumult of
the elements when the Master has said,
“Peace, be still 1” It is the end of the cal
amitous spectacle of Christian antagonisms
which only bad men applaud. It is exchang
ing discord for harmony, and broken and jar
ring strings for harps sweetly tuned and full
of sacred music. Ah, brethren, in that eter
nity to which we are all rapidly advancing,
when earthly enmities and all the fiery pas
sions that consume human peace, shall have
sunk into ashes, gnd petty strifes of time
shall seem but miserable follies of which
we are ashamed, how many men will then
wish their bitter words had been unsaid ?
We shall know better there. Contention
will be over. When all the triumphant le
gions of God’s mighty host shall celebrate
redemption’s eternal peace ; when all sec
tarian distinction shall be forever obliterated
and all discordant tongues shall be translat
ed into the sweet language of Heaven; when
we see no longer through a glass darkly, but
face to face, no man shall cry I am of Paul,
or lam of Cephas, lam of the North, I
am of the South, but only I am of Christ,
and in that clearer knowledge of sublime
worship,
“We’ll join the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all l”
[Applause.]
If any reward shall be brighter, or eny joy