The southern press. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-11-15

adjustment of the common property between
the two organizations
It will be seen, looking back to the plan OF
separation, that the only contingencies, or condi-
tons subsequent, to be found in it, are two
First, the separate organization was to depend
upon the action of the annual conferences in the
slaveholding States and, second, the division OF
this latter portion of the common property OF
the Church, upon the action OF all the annual
conferences in respect to the change of the re-
strctve article. When the annual conferences
in the slaveholding States acted, and organi-
zed Southern Church, as they did, the diyi-
sion of the Methodist Episcopal Church into
two organizations became complete And so
would the adjustment of the common property
between them, it the assent of all the annual
conferences had been given to the change of the
restrictive article. TIE failure to give that has
left this part of the plan open, the only conse-
quence of which is, to deprive the Southern d.
vision Of its share Of the property dependent
upon this assent, and to leave it to get along as
it best may. unless right to recover its position
legally results from the authorized division into
two separate organizations. ~:".
The argument against this view is that the
separation was to take place, not only in the
event Of the concurrence of the Southern con-
ferences, but also upon the assent of ali the an
nual conferences to change the restrictive article
And the preamble to the plan of separation was
referred to as countenancing this instruction.
We think otherwise. On the contrary, in our
judgment, it confirms the view above taken.
That preamble recites that declaration haa
been presented to the general conference with
the signatures Of ffty-o delegates of that body
from thirteen annual conferences in the slave
hnl6inu Sfofac that for
reasons enumerated, the objects and purposes
of the Christian ministers and church organiza-
ton cannot be successfully accomplished by
them, under the jurisdiction of the general con-
ference, as then constituted; and that, in the
event of a separation, a contingency to which
the declaration asks attention, as not improbable
we esteem it the duty of the general conference
to meet the emergency with Christian kindness
and the strictest equity. Then follows the plan
of separation. And it leaves the strongest i'm
press throughout of the conviction and spirit so
feelingly and impressively announced in the pre-
amble. -.'. +..#
The question of separation is left to the judg-
ment of their Southern brethren in the Church,
whose delegates had declared the necessity, and
provision is made for an adjustment and decision
of the common property, which, so far as we
know, are founded upon principles of "the
strictest equity" between the parties, and then
the constitutional powers Of the conference are
exhausted in the endeavor to carry out this deci-
sion. r."
1t is apparent, from the plan Of separation, as
well as from the whole course of the proceed
ings, that, if this body had possessed the power,
or had believed that they possessed it, to make
an effectual division Of the property, it would
have been made at the time, dependent only
upon the determination of the Southern confer.
ence for separate organization. They advanced
as far rs was supposed to be in their power, and
took immediate steps to abide the necessary au-
thorty to perfect it.
The division of the property was not an ele-
ment that entered into the consideration of the
Southern delegates to declare for separate or
ganization. They related to different subject,
and one of much more transcendent interest TO
the churches North and South, and which during
the present session had threatened to rent this
vast and heretofore compact body of Christians
in pieces. The agitation growing out of it had
reached the highest authorities of the Church,
and had brought in conflict its chief functional
ries and ablest members, and in respect to which
opinions were entertained and expressed, deep
and irreconcilpbl
In the judgment of large portion of the
uOi1s WdS OIl1 W
peace, the future Christian fellowship and use
fitness Of the Church. The division Of the
was but consequence of separation,
and of comparative insgniicance.
Instead of the decision Of the Church depend
ing upon The decsiond1 the common property,
the very reverse is the result of the true constuc
ton of the plan Of separation.
III. Asto the power Of the general conference
to authorize separation of the Church organi.
cation.
The Methodist Episcopal Church Of the
United States was established, in its govern
ment, doctrine, and dicipline, by general con-
ference Of the travelling preachers in this com.
munion in 1874. Down to that time the
Methodist societies in America had been gov
erned by John Wesley, the founder of this de-
nomination Of Christians, through the agency of
his assistants. During this year the entire
government was taken in the hands of the
travelling preachers with his appreciation and
assent. They organized il, established its doc
trines and discipline, appointed the several au-
or bishops, ministers
ard preschers-to administer its policy, and
its doctrine throughout the land
From that time 10 this, the source, the fountain
OF all its temporal power, are the travelling
preachers in this connection 10 general confer
ence assembled. The lay members of the
Church have no part or connection with it's
governmental organization, and never had.
The travelling preachers comprise the embody.
ment Of its power, ecclesiastical and temporal
and, when assembled in general conference ac-
cording 10 the usages and discipline Of the
Church, represent themselves and have no
constituents; and thus the organization. con.
tinued until the year 1908, when a modification
took place.
At the general conference Of that year com.
posed Of all the travelling preachers, it was re.
solved TO have thereafter a delegated confer.
ence, 10 be composed of one of every five men,
bers Of each annual conference. These annu-
al conferences are composed exclusively Of
travelling preachers. The ratio of representa-
ton has been altered, from time to time, so that
in 1914 the annual COME. ences were repre-
scented by one delegate for every twenty-one
members.
The reason for the change to delegation
body instead Of the assemblage of the entire
body Of travelling preachers, was the great en-
largement of the boundaries Of the Church,
which had aynaudpd with the settlpmpnts of