The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-25
The Methodist Episcopal Church, North
and south-The Slavery Question In n Re-
llsiOuS Shape.


| and south-The Slavery Question In n Re-
| Mgious Shape.
| trial Of highly important and interesting
character--important to the parties concerned, as
involving vast wealth, and interesting to the whole
community, North and South, from the principles
connected with slavery, which it will deyelope-is
likely to occupy the attention of the United States
Circuit Court in this city, some portion Of the month
| of May.
1t is suit titrted in the of Henry b. Bos-
com and others, against George Lane and others,
but is virtually to try certain rights between two
tions Of the Methodist Episcopal Church Of the Uni
ted States of Amercs, the general government of
which was formerly vested in one body, composed
Of seven bishops, 2s preachers, and embracing in
bishops, ministers and members, about l, los, $50
within the limits of the United States; but deren-
ces having sprung up between what were called the
Northern and the Southern members, upon the ad-
ministration of the church government with refer
encsto the ownership of slaves by the ministry of
the acknowledgements of ssseh a character as
tbrestsned to impair the usefulness Of the establish
ment, and permanently disturb its harmony
separation took place, at the instance of the MEM
bers Of, the South, and the church divided ac-
cordngto geographical boundaries, into the Metho-
Episcopal Church North, at General Conference
of tho body held Mt New York, at which it was re-
solved that all the property of the Methodist
Episcopal Church within the limits of the
Southern. organization, should be free from
the claims Of tho Methodist Episcopal Church !;
that the church so formed in thu South should
have common tight to use all copyrights in
possession of ths Book Concerns 1t New York
by the commissioners. The compainsnts will con-
tend that by virtue Of the proceedings Of the year
1874, tho Methodist Episcopal Church was divided
into TIVE. distinct and independent powers-North and
Southland that sbs Church South thereby became
enttcdto its proportion of all tho real and personal
property, which, up to the time Of tina separation
had belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church
the United States, which is said to consist of pos
sious in yarioas parts Of the States addition to
meeting houses, parsonages, and other estates real
IA. s~r:so pal and that among other description
AL claims Of property, there belonged to the church
ph.t vas Disseminated the 8. Book Concern" in
tic city Of New York, consisting of houses, lots
machinery. printing presses. book bindcry, books
paper, debts, cash, and other articles of property
amounting ia all to about the sum OF S.00, 900, tn
whole Of which property and effects it is alleged
raj conference of the Church South held at Peters
bmgh, Virginia, in May, 1916, the complaina nts
were appointed commissioners in accordance with
the " Plan Of Separation" to estimate tho amouns
DIRE to the south, and empowered to carry into
ofgct the arrangement with regard to the divisinn
Of the property; bu, The defendants have refused
- make any settlement, or pay to the Church
south IL pioroltionste share of the funds pro-
yided by the plan o. separation. The complsinants.
therefore commissioner, intend, in the approach
Ing suit 20 assert the right Of the South to division
ot tn property.
On behalf of the defendants il will be contended
that those differences principally grew out Of the
luldary connection OF Bishop with slavery that
the rule Of the Book Of Discipline and the uniform
action - the General Conference, have always been
adj er.c I, The system OF human slavery, it being
regarded ~ great evil; and that ministers have
nrler been allowed TO hold slaves, except in in
stances, under the laws Of the sayeholding States,
deemed ~ be cases Of necessity; that the church
r-i u had any law respecting the holding Of slaves
b. Bishop; that the General Conference have
always refused to eject a STAKEHOLDER to that oti1e
lila, =, the Conference Of isii, held at New York,
7 became known that the Rev. James o. Andrew,
ono u the Bishops Of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. had, since his election to that Office, be-
come an owner Of slaycs-onc by bequcst, ono by
Inheritance, ard Of others By his ntcrmarragc with
/, lady il lie state Of Georgia, who held a number
q siayes in her own right. which, by the laws OF
,hat state, became the proIcrty Of her husband
snd that lie 4 =, wa called vpon to dessi from
I'll. sXcrc.s 4 ! otdce - long a, the impclmcn
Of bis ownership e slaves remained. The defend
ant, viii al.o contend, that the voluntary connce
,ion # Bi-hcp Andrew with slavery justly con
sidcrcl. IS majority Of the General Conference
a improper conduct, :" and that every Bishop ia
~ Law II lie Book Of Discipline, amendsblc to
he General Coafreuce, who arc declared TO have
power & cxscl Inn for improper conduct. Bu
the dettniauts viii contend that the resolu.
ticn. embodied by the committee, called the
" Plan . Scparution." were not legally passed /;
that the General Concrencc Of 1874 had no compe-
tentauthority 70 adopt those rescutions that they
we're consequently null and void, and inconss-
tent with aud subversive Of the constitutional law
Of The church. They will further insist that the
Nethydist Episcopal Church South, exists rs a se-
psrate ecclesiastical communion, "solely" by tho
result q the ret. and dongs Of the Individual bisb
OPS, ministers and members attached to the South,
vbo proceeded upon their own responsibility and
they have consequently voluntarily Withdrawn
them5e y from he Methodist Episcopal Church,
and haze renowned All their right and privileges
in her communion aud under her government. aud
that the resolutions q those bishops can have in
auence Whatever upon the question Of the alleged
division f the church, no. any effect or vrtsc
BE- attached . their ats resolutions tending to
divide o. dl.Ecnber the church, or TO warrant tho
allegation q the plaintiffs that the Methodist Epis-
cipsl Chu-ch over became divided into two distinct
Methodist Episcopal churches.
Therefore, - . the allegations respecting the
property denominated the " Book Concern" and
the Other effects and moneys, tho Church North will
insis that the Church South is not entitled at law
Or IN equity, " have division Of that property,