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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