American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-06-02

THE METHODIST CHURCH CAsE.-For soma
time past great deal Of interest has been ex-
cited in this city by the legal arguments going
forward before Judge Nelson in the dispute be-
tween the Northern and Southern divisions Of
the Methodist Church. These arguments have
peen marked by great force and ability, and are
altogether worthy the Importance of the case,
winch relates, rs most of our readers are no
doubt aware, to the claims of the two divisions
to the property belonging to the Church in gem
eral before the separation. The Southern divi-
sion demands its share of that property on the
ground not only of an equal original right, but
OF an agreement made at the time Of the sepa-
ration. The Northern division resists this de-
mand on the ground that the agreement was
unauthorized illegal and not binding, and also
that seeding portions of the church cannot
carry out with them any part of the property,
which is held in trust for specific uses, and
without the right in any case to divide and re-
store it to the parties who originally contributed
it, or to any body Of them.
While, without pronouncing an opinion on
the legal merits of the case, we regard this law
suit as unfortunate, and hope that it may yet be
compromised on equitable terms for both par
ties, we cannot agree with the lamentations set
up by some of our cotemporaries over the divi-
sion Of the church. 1t is true that these regrets
are justified by high authority; Mr.. Calhoun
proclaimed the separation to be the swapping
of one of the great cords which had before held
the Union together, and Mr.. Webster the other
day expressed his fear lest the church might
no longer prove so efficient prop Of religion
and morality as before. But we cannot see the
matter in that light. We do not believe that
either the Union or religion and morality are
more in danger of falling to the ground than
when the Methodist church was combined under
single general conference.
The schism came to head some seven years
ago, and this suit has been for some time before
the courts The discipline Of the church con-
tanned certain restrictions intended to prevent
the clergy from being shareholders. At the
South these were found inconvenient and the
desire and tendency was to neglect them and
let them drop into disuse. At the North the
old view of the sinfulness Of narrowing was
still entertained and even growing stronger.
Thus the opinions of the two sections on a most
important point of practical morality were in
direct opposition, ana the question was one in
relation to which compromise could be ex-
pected to prove satisfactory and end agitation
for any great length of time. To endeavor to
keep together would be to p,ip~ t.stS g s..,sso
OF dlsquiet fatal to the religious advancement
Of either party, and to the cause of the church
in general. The subject was carefully and
thoroughly deliberated, and the decision to sep
arate seems to us IA wise one. Now, each divi-
sion can legislate for itself according to its own
light and interests, and we see not why AMIGA
BILE relations may not exist between them. No
doubt it would be better for the two parties to
remain together, were there no such discord of
opinion; but as it is we perceive no cause for
tears over their separation
The sundering of religious denominations is
too common in this country to excite alarm or
Justify anxiety In fact it is good thing that
we have so many denominations, and the for
nation of new one is not in itself an evil. 1t
is certainly far less an evil than the preservation
of an unreal and merely formal union.
The two spheres of Church and State are so
widely and wisely separated that neither con-
trolls the other Hence the variety and antago-
nism of sectarian divisions cannot affect the
unity of our political system, nor destroy the
predominant geographical, historical, CONNER
cial and political attachments which iudissolu-
bly, unite this republic, and win unite it. not
withstanding all local difficulties and Disagree
ments on temporary questions.-N Y. Tribune.