Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-06-12
The Methodist Church Case.

For some time past a great deal Of interest
has been excited in this city by the legal argu-
ments going toward before Judge Nelson in
the dispute between the Northern and Southern
divisions of the Methodist Church. These ar.
guments have ieen marked by great force and
ability and are tltogether worthy the Importance
of the case, which relates, as most of our read
ers are no doult aware, 10 the claim of the two
| divisions to the property belonging to the Church
in general befoe the separation, The South
ern division demands its share of that property
on the ground Iot only of an eqnal original right
but of an agreement made at the time of the
separation. Tie Northern division resists this
demand on the ground that the agreement was
unauthorized, Illegal aud not binding, and also
that ceceding prtions Of the Church cannot car
ry out with them any part of the property, that
is held in trust Nr specific use, and without the
right in any case, to divide and restore 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 parties,
we cannot agree with the lamentations set up
by some Of our cotempOrarIes over the division of
the Church. 1t IS true that these regrets are
justified by high authority Mr.. Calhoun pro.
claimed 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 a prop of religion
and morality as bofbe. But we cannot see the
matter in that Light We do not believe that
either the Union d religion and morality are
more IN danger Galling to the ground than
when the Methods Church was combined un-
der a single Geneal Conference.
The schlsm cam to a head some seven years
ago ana THIS suit lis been for some time before
the courts. The i~scipline of the Church con
tanned certain resictions intended to prevent
the clergy from 5eing shareholders. AT the
South lhese Wereound inconyenicnt, and the
eesi[e ana tendoEy was to neglect them and
iet then drop lntolisuse. At the North the old
vie" OF the s%lnfuless of narrowing was still
uh'ertllhed and cen growing stronger. Thus
inc opinions OF th two sections on a most I'M
poltaht point OF tactical morality were in di'
rect opposition, All the question was one in re-
iatlon to which nocompromise could be expect
ed to prove satisfctotv and end agitation for
any great length time, To endeavor to keep
together would beto perpetuate a state of dis
qulet lataI to the %eliglous advancement OF Ell
ther party, and tclhe cause of the Church in
general.
Inc subject VS. carefully and thoroughly
ueiloerateu and ta decision to separate seems
70 US a wise one. Now, each division can leg
!slate ior Itself according to its own light and
interests and we ee not why amicable relations
may not exist between them. No doubt it would
oe peter Tor the po parties to remain togeth-
er' were there no uch discord of opinion but
as II IS, we perceie no cause fortears over their
separation The andering Of religious demon
lnatloIis Is too connon in this country to excite
alarm or Justify axiety. In fact it is a good
thlng tnst we llavCso many differing denomina'
tlohs ana the torRtion Of a new one is not in
itseif an evil H. certainly far less an evil
man the preservgion OF an unreal or merely
formal union.
mo, i IS not theseparation of these two par
ties which is SO 6,ch to he lamented as the
rock on which he, snlt. That rock was Slave.
y ana us %exlstene IS what appears to us the
deplorable fact in be coptroversy.-M Y. Ti.
tbune,