Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1868-04-24
A GRAIN OF CHURCH POLL

OhAlN Ut CHURCH EO1lIAASs
A correspondent of the Lutheran aud
Missionary, writes as follows from Baltimore
concerning the difficulties in the Methodist
Church in that City and the manner in
which the Methodist Episcopal Church
South have attempted to get control Of
Churches and property of the Methodist
Episcopal Church throughout the whole
State of Maryland
Our state politics, in general, viii be ofno
interest to your readers, but | wish to
allude to one fact, touching church affairs,
10 which all religious people feel some
You are doubtless aware that the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church South has got pret-
ty extensive toothold in this city, and has
materially damaged some of the regular
Methodist congregations. These Southern
ers have sent here some Of their most able
men, land they have not a few eloquent and
earnest men, and the result Is, that they
have established several strong cOngrega-
tions, and built some costly houses of wor-
ship Hundreds of what we call Secesh
Methodists have joined them, and they are
constantly receiving accessions from that
| numerous party. Many stil remain in the
old communion but probably only with
the intent Of doing mischief BY stirring uL
strife, and finally Of acquiring a majority.
But even with a majority they could not
ALLEVIATE the property, which, | believe, is
decided, not to those who paid for it, but to
| the Bishop, or the Conference. The Secesh
have recently had a bill before the Legisla-
ture, which was passed, and which gave
| power to any five members to call a meeting
of the church, which meeting could oust the
| lncumbents, and dispose of the property as
the majority pleased. This reused the
brethren, and the whole Methodist hive
was IN state Of buzzing excitement. Strong
delegations were sent to Annapolis an it is
now said that the Governor has withheld his
| signature from the bill
The bill passed by the General Assembly,
affecting church property, excited more in
| terest IN the public mind throughout the
State than any matter Of legislation that has
engaged public attention for a long time
This interest has arisen not alone from the
TACT that the effect of the bill would be to
unsettle all church property, trusteeships,
and open the door to vide spread eccesias-
teal revolution, wherever FIVE disaffected
persons might be found 10 one church, but
more especially from the fact that the adyo-
Gates Of the bill, in both houses ofthe Gener-
al Assembly, as well as the multitude of paid
lobbyists outside, openly and emphatically
declared that it was intended to damage the
largest ecclesiastical body in the State-the
Methodist Episcopal Church-and promote
he interests of the smallest-Methodis
Episcopal Church South
The measure was carefully coneoeted and
shaped by hired lobbyists, the contract with
whom was that they should see the bill put
through with the least possible delay, and
under mask that should conceal from the
public its despieable features. Hence, in the
published proceedings the only record that
went to the newspapers was "A bill relat-
ing to Religious Corporations Thus, with
seeming innocence was announced the birth
of the serpent within whose coils the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church in Maryland was ex-
pected to be crushed.