Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-06-03
THE METHODIST CHURCH CASE.

This important has been length concluded though
it will be some time before The decision will be made The
arguments have exhibited great force and ubi,y but tho
claims of Southern division have been placed upon
sistible grounds The controversy relates the claims
the divisions Northern and Southern the property
belonging TO the church in general before the separation
The Southern division properly demands its share of that
property the ground only of equal original right
but of agreement made at the time of the separation
The Northern division ressts this demand the ground
that the agreement unauthorized illegal and binding
and also that seeding portions of the Church
out with them part OF the property, which is held in
for specific purposes and without the right in any
divide and restore it the parties who originally contri-
bued it, or to any body Of them.
We suboin the conclusion Of ReYerdy Johnsons powerful
argument behalf Of the Southern division OF the church.
with the advice of Judge Nelson that the controversy
amicaby adjusted:
MIR. johnson then continued-"No" say the Conference
the sacrifice be made Our consccnces must be
satisfied. We won't wait. Bishop Andrew be de
posed and he deposed the would page al
of the Book Of Proofs (aready ced respecting the
Of the church. He Ir ohnson) conended that there
or was more papabe nfraction than that which made
in both the of Bishop Andrew and Mr. Harding On
Of slavery " ~ ''' '.'' y ''N'N - $40 ''''sN'
when any travelling preacher becomes an owner of
slave slaves by means he shall forfeit his ministerial
character in church, unless he execute if be practical
be legal emancipation of such slaves con!omaby the
laws OF the State in which he lives
Travelling preachers 10 include Bishops Turning
page "a the would find that in 1916 adopted
the rule which appears on page 81 :
1--WE declare thai much cvcrcouvinced Of the
great evil OF slavery therefore, STAKEHOLDER shall be gi-
bic official station church hereafter where the
laws OF the State in which he lives will admit of emancpa
ton, and permit the liberated slave ENJOY freedom"
he conended that the words admit but nterprea-
on and that is that they did apply TO States where
slavery exists and emancipation prohibited The learn
ed Counsel contended great length South under
all the circumstances oil the entitled their pro-
nj fnnfs nf luis A, ,I,,
they divide 60 home, organize themselves into separate
church, and then their former Christian brethren saw Now
we've got you off we'll hold the property" He would ask
that honest? They have got rid of by what turns
to be false preteucrs. They have got rid Of The
question then whether having been severed BY the
state Of things they brought about il is honest
sderaton o. of equity, refuse that should par
ticpate in The funds? He wanted krow which is the
church which this fund belongs? "You are not saw
they, the church, because have political dominion
beyond certain lines Ii the Church South is not the Me-
hodist Episcopal Church OF the United States where is
be found! You hc Norlh) have jurisdiction in the
South than have in the North l; been 10 use conf
phrase Kilkenny fight have len each othc, p
ft be part of church that your bishops shall have
uperintendency the whole United States then there is
Methodist Episcopal Church. because your bishops cam
not go TO the South aud ours the North The
Church longer exists but the funds exist and who is 10
hold them! The trustees DO them. To whom do
they belon2 To the supeannuaed preachers the wives
widows and orphans of the preachers Suppose the doc.
ne OF the defendants TO ne There is church
travelling preachersno supcrnumcracs-
proachers-no wives widows, orphans To whom then
does the 1unQ 10 60 Dack 10 original
ders The charity has apscd The are not to hold
the fund The donors were the preachers of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. and them and their successors do the
funds belong MIR. Johnson then said, in conclusion am
about 10 leave this case and shall do by Joining in the
expression of the hope in which cordially agree with my
oroters on the other SIDE that this may be
ueo ~ mas done no good and do good say the
eaSt VI IT, he men 81 the North desire
oio o " LUIS iuhG The fence of the counsel shows
that IL ~ouid DC revolving Justice Is
much TO hope that the acntcpu of Tho church North Ms
well as OF the bc enlightened hy the discussion and
by the decision your honorS will pronounce Ia 100 much
TO hope that each will the opinion in The cburch and
of the church, OF all good and patriotic, men and thar they
will be aroused TO the consequences which ups
suit from the continuance OF this controversy ana ,h, thr
will be awakened 10 the hazardl no almis, and q nd
knows, disunonst-yct will say To III, imn,;nnn IN,
card TO this institution which have reason To r,iys
il too much 10 hope that both sides of this lin, .h,n
those feelings enlisted which fatal 10 their mace w
men, and agonizng their hearts christians they viii
strive, even IN advance OF your Honos decision
any atlef1t ihcy the church the and
blessings VI peace which heretofore rendered The
own "orspp.rs and the wonder of all Christian brethren
The case here closed, and Judge Nelson then said -
Some time will probably eiapse Before the will b.
enabled 10 tase up the Ind give il The eXamna
which It VIII require al our hands preparatory de-
cision. Other ard other duties are pressing upon
US, and for myself shall be compelled 10 90 into
another court after bare concluded my duties in this
Ny associate Judge Bes) will also be much occupied
and time will necessarily elapse before we can enter
into consultation, In the time help express
sing our concurrence in the suggestions Of the learned
sci on both sides that ii would be much better for