68 Separation or Continuity, Which?
utterances in heart and for an outside appearance deny themv
That would be hypocrisy. The question is sometimes askedr
Why is the Methodist Episcopal Church the strongest protes-
tant denomination, on this continent ? The Answer is, she has-
been noted for her broad catholicity of spirit, sound, yet sim¬
ple theology, an opponent to caste, zealous for the-salvation of
the masses ; she has claimed that her mission was to the whole-
world and to all the nations of the earth she has been going,.
preaching a free Salvation to every nation, kindred, tongue and
people. This Church with a sacred veneration won the affec¬
tion of the colored man. Her legislative enactments infavor of
his full and complete equality, with provisions for his intellec-
ual advancements have inspired in him a sense of profound
gratitude, and have fastened his affection to her as with bands*
of Steele. If in the face of the above it is now the godly judg¬
ment of the Church that we are"an evil in it; let us reason to-
gether in the General Conference of 1896. If the Church af¬
firms what the bishop says about our future in it, then, let us-
proceed according to the plan of separation agreed upon by
Abram and Lot. "And Abram said unto Lot, let there be no
strife I pray thee between me and thee, for we be brethren, is-
not the whole land before thee ? Separate thyself I pray thee
from me." Let the Church do her duty ; that is, what she con¬
ceives to be duty
The present agitation and the effect of the book—"Union
of Episcopal Methodisms," demand a decision that will bz for
the greatest good of all concerned. Heaven and earth must
know where she stands on this great question.
Justice, demands that in the near future, some one as high in>
authority as Bishop Foster, speak in our defense.
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