Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-05-31
THE METHODIST CHURCH CASE.

In this case, pending in the United States Circuit
Court for the Southern District Of New York, the
defence was opened on Monday last, by Hon.
RUFUS CHoATE, of Massachusetts, who is to be
followed by GEORGE WooD, Esq. on the same
side, and then the will be closed for the plain
tlffs by tho Hon. REvERDY JOHNSON.
Having given the points relied upon by the COM
plainants representing the Methodist Church South,
we now give the formal points taken for the Defence
cial Advertiser, as follows:
l. The Methods. Episcopal Church is religious society,"
established for the promotion and spread of Christianity
ganzedn lisa episcopal church independent Of the
English epscopacy and, porto the secession hereinafter
mentioned extended through every part the United States
O. Said religious society institution existed under and
subject to tho law Of public charitable uses.
The government and discipline Of the society prior to
1908 under the jurisdiction and control of district
annual conferences, held in each Of the several districts into
which the territories within their limits divided
posed of the cergymen within their respective districts and
from the proceedings Of those bodies generally an appeal lay
to general convention, consisting Of the ministers
png the annual conferences and which convention exer-
cised original as well appellate powers
Property consisting Of real and personal estate COM
monty and distinguished Book Concern has been
and still held by trustees subject to the management Of said
ecclesiastical jurisdictions Of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
which is subject the following, viz be appropriated
for the benefit of the travelling supernumeray, and super
children.
s. The said Book Concern was originally commenced by
the travelling preachers and has been held especially
since lS08 in connexon WITH and in subordnaon to- the
udicaoies of the M E. Church. who the managers Of
the charity.
g. The NJ E. Church. through its annual conferences as
such managers cannot be deprived Of their power and control
said funds unless guilty Of breach Of duty, established
by the decree Of a court Of equity.
4 The accountable for these funds and pro-
ceeds thereof the Methodist Episcopal Church and its judi
catoes and bound to pay said income, in fuent
Of the trust under their manage ent and direction the be-
nefciares.
g. The benefcaries to wit the travelling supernumerary
and preachers belonging the Methodist
copal Church. and their families have in right
the said funds the income thereof otherwise than as the
given out to them from time to time in the admins
traton Of the charity.
9. Said trustees not under the control direction Of
the persons who may have contributed the charity and who
thereby irrevocably parted with the same.
10. The members 10 the Southern annual conferences
districts who left the General Conference In 1884, and sub
sequenty formed General Conference and separate
ecclesiastical jurisdiction, under the of the Methodist
Episcopal Church South seeded and separated from the Me-
thodst Episcopal Church, and longer in connexion
with the Methodist Episcopal Church. which compos-
ed of that portion Of the former members who remained in
and are identified with il.
l. The General Conference who adopted the report Of the
committee Of nine-a plan Of separation caedhad no
power to act in the premises.
O. Said report did authorize such separation but was
prospective, and accompanied with conditions and terms
that have not been complied with.
g. There cause Of complaint sgains the acton OF
the General Conference to render separation necessary OF
expedent; their general action (and especially IN he
case Of Bishop Andrew being warranted by the ues ana
ussges Of the church.
4. There special agreement about the properly IN
question: which should govern (f the action OF ne ueneia
Conference is availabe,) in virtue OF when as!eemen' ne
plaintiffs under the facts the can have no snt
H. The secession of the members newly ORGANIZED as
separate church. it had been legitimate and fully suthorz
ed and with the entire consent Of the church, would not en-
title them to any portion of said funds without an express
to that effect sanctioned BY court OF competent
jurisdiction.
L. Tse plaintiffs not entitled to any relief prayed for
in hill