Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1869-10-29
REPORT on COMMITTEE

ON SETTLEMENT OF cRuRcH PR sRTr, BV-
TWEEN THE \. CHURCH AND NJ. n. CHuRg ",
SOUTH.
We the Committee appointed to meet
and confer with the Committee Of the HOl-
= o. Conference Of the NJ. E. Chur h Sou
ou tbs subject contained in their memUria.
10 tn,s Conference, and to whom said m,
mortal was REFER d, have attended 10 their
auty IS best they could under the circum
Stances, aud submit the following their
report
Our Interview with the Committee was
very pleasant aud ss far the spirit man
if-Sted is concerned, was to us perfectly
satisfactory. They were frank aud clear ib
ell their statements in regard to the slb-
pet before them. We endesvored to IN, et
lien in the same Christian spirit of frank
ness, courtesy aud kintnesss. The main
ohj-ct OF our Committee 10 the Interview
~-ss TO ascertain IS definitely As possible
what they wanted and their views as To ths
hest manner 10 which the whole subieeE
pending could be sAtisfAciO ily adj listed.
The following is their Own statement OF
views in regard 10 which they expfesssd
the belief that they properly represented
tho views Of their Conference.
lst. That the NJ. :. Church South, Is en-
titled to all the prop, rty acquired ny thr
plan Of separation adopted BY the General
OOHieICLct OF lCttt NtA n " ~ fANfNA
y q quired by oar Church since the sepa-
rAtoa except su h as may have pissed out
Of our hands by due process OF Law.
2ud. That all such property should be
reslored To- our Church immedi tely.
3rd. Thar II the members OF the M Z
Church have b. paying debts or olh1rwise
acquired a inst lein on any property OF the
N. Z. Church, South, they are entitled 10
have such properly sAtished.
4rh That 10 case OF restoration OF proper
ty h will bs highly proper for our miu sttr
md members TO exercise towards the min
isters and members of the NJ. Church
eourte>y and mAgnanimity.
Bth. That when q majority Of those who
nav have contributed to the sequisition OF
Church property may have adhered to the
ME-. Cburch, il might seem hard to eject
theu frvm sueh property aud u Woniu
therefore be right that our eng eg tlon-
should ia such cases make sueh c hce rs
as may alleviate the cases a. fsf as possible
without the surrender OF vested iight.
Before making cur repl, sni rce"mme n
datio. In reference to Ihc wtola sob
thus presented a prelimnars seeus a. re-
duire q little considereraii,n az tte time
sod in this report. THIS qurs' on has ref
srence 70 the grVund On which the men,
hers Of our Church justly themselves both
in originally possessing aud aiterwards bold
Ing the Ht0ptINl IN At-HAA1s ANfa W. 80 ,
al this consideration arises CON the .ac'
that unjust charges are frequentiy n,de IL
the newspl pers, public addrcs,cs, an very
often Ia private conversation sg g,iust US a.
being church thieves and robbers OF
shurs hss." These things ara very nnpleas
ant 10 US aud damaging TO the cause VI ID
aud our reputation IN places where ths
facts in the case ere not i0lly understoor
szhese charges we're not made BY the cou
~. N Dnnfa nf the
ME-. Church south. Their language to N
was above such insinuations aud charges
indicatfne that In their view OF the cas-
.nch charges could not in any sense of pro
priefy be made against our churches exeep
IN the application Of principles which 10
ether sections OF the country would ma&'
the Church y Iuth, equally guilty OF precise
ly the same crimes There Is ground OF
which both parties can and do stand Win
out invoking a particle Of inc gulh % lheI
or robbery. We are satisfied that wheneV
sr members Of our Church have possesses
themselves Of property claimed by ~
Church. Santh they have done 20 on th'
rronnd Of honest and settled elief TIA
nav had a lust rleht 10 do so before Co
and mao, either In equity or law.
The subject as related 10 civil ~ politiea
Ecclesiastical Law Is Of such nature
complicated aud invo'ved, that We nnd ma
nv lawyers OF Acknowledged ability, wh
entertain On the subject, the sane beliei
thai our people do, and when eansulte
give corresponding legal opinions We car
MOI therefore reasonably expect that on
people will be clearer-headsd or wiser o
his subject than devoted siSdents os "
iaw Acting hone stly therefore utder the'
t.lt..f.- ssd IN accordance With gal adwS
tasy cannot Ia any jast sense be eiih'
thsives or robbers. -.
We arc willing 10. and eheerfa y 40 q
..,4 ,le sa,ne honesty Of belief and lniei
lion 20 msEsers Of the Church, > ~.
wherever Il ey Haye done similar things
regards the property which they cceul
bus which Is claimed hy the NJ. + Oiuf'
a. rightully vested IN =