Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-23
From the New York Commercial Advertiser.

From the NelO YORK. Commercial Advertiser.
THE METHODIST CHURCH CASE.
The United States circuit courtroom was
thronged, at an early hour this morning with per-
sons DESTROYS of hearing the argument in the con-
troversy between the Methodist Episcopal Church,
and the Methodists Episcopal Church South
Among them we noticed several clergymen of
various denominations, and the gallery was &C.
cuped by number of ladies'. Judges Nelson
and BETS took their seats On the bench at ten
o'clock, and the counsel for the parties soon
made their appearance at the bar. Southern
clergy present-Rev. Drs. Early, Pierce Smith.
Northern clergy present-Rev. Drs. Scott. Dur
bin. Peck, Kennedy.
The title of the case is Henry r. Bascom and
others VS.. George Lane and others, and the COM
plant is filed in equity for the purpose of enforc-
ing division of The funds of the Methodist Book
Concern The Hon. Reverdy johnson, of Bati-
more, and Daniel D. Lord, esq.,, of this city, ap-
peared for the complainant--Mr. Webster, who is
also engaged on the same side, being absent
For the defendants appeared Hon. Rufus Choae.
of Massachusetts,, and George Wood, esq, of
this city. Hon Thomas Ewing was also pre-
SENT he being counsel for defendants in SINH
lar suit against the branch Methodist Book Con-
Germ of Cincinnati.
Daniel Lord opened the case with briefdet
of the general facts and circumstances of the case.
Thessubject of this controversy is what is denomi
nated "Fhe Book Concern in the city of New
York, the funds Of which amount to S750,O0O.
In the early history ofthe Methodist denomination
the press was resorted to by Mr.. Wesley for the
purpose of disseminating religious literature.
The nucleus of the establishment in this country
was in Philadelphia, whence it was soon after re-
moved to New York. 1t became ultimately con-
Germ of great magnitude.
In 1886 their building was burned down. but
was soon rebuilt, and the Concern gradually in
creased in its operations untt reached its present
large extent. The profits of the fund were devo-
ted to making up a provision for superannuated
preachers, the widows and orphans of deceased
ministers, &c.
The affairs OF this denomination are governed by
what are called annual conferences and general con-
ference In 1884 there was but annual confer
ence, but afterwards and for long period OF time
there were The conferences consisted of all
the pre- cheers who travelled" particular circuit
In 1914 there 30 or 80 annual conferences. The
general system of the Methodist clergy is to itnerate
from the one church to another. Many Of these were
unable to pay their ministers, and the conferences
provided for them as Tar as they could When The con-
erences poor to provide for them, deficiency
of course occurred and it to supply this deficiency,
in part that the surplus funds OF the Book Concern
were appropriated. In 1903 the power ofthe general
conference became so absolute, that the more con-
sentative members of the denomination began to fear
that il would be dan gerous, as might even alter the
in liz organization, providing that should be composed
OF delegates instead OF all the preachers and number
OF other restrictions weremposed.
Among other things, they were restricted from d-
verting the surplus funds of the book concern to any
other purpose than the support OF superannuale
preachers, &c.
A great question will arise in this case as to the
effect OF this restrictive rule 1t grew OF the sub
ject of slavery. The Methodist denomination at an
early period took high ground on temperance and sla-
very. They excluded from membership any one who
Il rAld hmm q nj
shaving them and these provisions were found TO be So
impractcabe that they rescinded at the next ge
neral conference and the matter was lett to the legis
lation OF the various States IN which their members
resided About the year 1886 the agitation OF abo-
ton began very seriously to disturb the Methodist
church.
The bishops and the conservative clergy endeavored
to soothe the agitation. But in ls4i the matter be-
came critical and decisive, and Of things then
occurred which necessarily led 10 separation of this
church into two parts. "A minister named Harding
had been complained OF as possessing slaves and the
Baltimore conference suspended him, although it was
impossible for him to manumt them under the laws
of Maryland. He appealed to the general conference
and that body continued the suspension Another
difficulty occurred in the of Bishop Andrews in
Georgia, who had two slaves, both OF whom it was
impossible for him TO manumit. The abolition spirit
was up, however, and it was determined to attack
him,
Without trying him, they passed resolution that he
should suspend his Episcopal functions until he ma
numilled his slaves
These things convinced the southern members OF the
church that it Improbable tor them to go on in
connection with their northern brethren. They present.
ed document to The general conference of 1874 pro-
ing against the action taken in the OF Bishop
Andrews and the Rev. Mr.. Harding, and declaring
that, iii was persisted n the Methodist Society in the
South would be extinct Sixteen southern conferences
elected delegates to a conference OF the Methodist
Church. South held at Louisvi lie, in lS45, and they
resolved TO organ re themselves into church ndepen
dent OF the North. They appointed commissioners to
meet commissioners OF The Church NORTH and arrange
OF bod had in a
mean time been overtaken by constitutional scruples
and refused to recognise the action OF the Louisville
conference, Notwithstanding 1t had been held at their
own suggestion,
The Louisville conference adopted the whole creed
AND discipline, oil the Methodist Church, as it had ex
listed in this country since 1884, and die not change
a single doctrine. The southern claimants TO their
share of the profits of the Book Concern are, there
FORE Just orthodox they ever were, and Just as
much entitled to their proportion IN The fund winch mas
BEEN accumulated by the Joint exertons OF Their fathers
and husbands.
Mr. Lord then read the complaint. After which Mr.
Johnson Ia son OF the Hon, Reverdy Johnson we be-
leve) read portion OF the answer and Mr. + L. Fan
cheer concluded the reading OF the same. The read
ing OF the application was dispensed with
Mr. Lord here stated that Bishop Bascom having
died since he bringing OF the suit, he had obtained
from the defendants to substitute the name OF
the Rev. VIM A. Smith OF The plaintiffs, and an
order OF the court making such substitution was accord
ingly made.
Mr. Lord commenced his argument by stating that
Emorys History. The Book OF Discipline, the printed
journals OF the conference prior to l949 the manuscript
journals Of the conferences prior to lS40 and other do.
caments 10 be introduced evidence, by agree
ment between tie parties.
He then read extracts iroNl the Book Of Discipline
Of 1870 page 1893; DR.. Emorys History, under the year
1900; the Articles of Religions the Six Restrictive Ar
cles; Wesley's letter DR.. Cooke; Mr.. Francis AS
bury and the brelhier of North America, &c and had
finished reading the authorities upon which his ar
gument is 10 be founded when we lett.
MARRIED,
On The evening of The 2Ist inst. by DIR. John T