The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1876-09-01
REUNITED.

The Methodist Church, North and South.
Again a single Body-The Regulation of
Church Property as Agreed Upon by the
Joint Commission.
The boards OF commissioners APP
pointed by the Methodist Episcopal
Church North and the Methodist Epis-
copaI Church South, to remove all OBJ
stacles to determination between the two
churches, have, after protracted ses-
sion at Cape May, N. j., concluded their
labors. and issued an address to the
Bishops, ministers, and members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church North and
the Methodist Episcopal Church South,
in which they say:
You will be rejoiced to learn that after hav-
ing given due attention to all questions in
yolved in the proper construction of platform
of complete fraternity between the two great
branches of Episcopal Methodismin the United
States we have arrived at the settlement Of
every matter affecting, as we suppose, the prin-
cirles Of lasting and cordial adjustment. We
have the satisfaction to declare that our aspira-
tons for harmony Of views on the vital points
have been realized by divine guidance as we
trust we have been able, after frank inter-
change OF views and prayerful endeavors, 10
harmonic al differences and to arrive at the
desired contamination Of unanimous agreement
OF complete fraternity. AT the beginning Of
our consultations one great question seemed
to oyershadow all others. 1t concerns the rela-
ton Of two churches TO each Other and 10 Epis-
copal Methodism. To this important matter
our most earnest thought and prayerful dehb-
Grafton were fist directed, and the result at
tanned occasoned an interchange of rejoicing
and congratulation between the members OF
the Joint commission. We adopted, without
dissenting voice. the following declaration and
bases of fraternity as to the status OF the
Methodist Episcopal Church and of the Meth
odiet Episcopal Church South, and their co-orci-
nate relation as legitimate branches OF Epis-
copal Methodism. Each of said churches is
legitimate branch Of Episcopal Methodism in
the United States, having a common origin in
the Methodist Episcopal Church, organized in
1854 and since the organization Of the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church South was consummateG
in 1S45 by voluntary exercise of the right OF
the Southern annual conferences, min sters
and members to adhere to that communion, it
has been an evangelical church reared on
scriptural foundations, and her ministers and
members, with those of the Methodist Episco-
pal Church. have constituted one Methodist
family, though in distinct ecclesiastical con-
nection. 1t was not incumbent on US to con-
slider the question concerning the conflicting
claims to church property and some special
cases that could not conveniently be referred TO
the operation OF a general rule. There were
two principal questions to be considered with
regard to the church property in dispute be-
tween the local societies of the two churches.
First, as TO the legal ownership OF said prop
erty =; second, AS to whether it will consist
with strict equity or promote Christian har-
mony or the cause of religion to dispossess
those societies now having church property
which was originally intended for their use
and occupancy, and Of which they may have
acquired possession, though they may have lost
the legal title to it by their transfer from one
church to the other.
We have considered the papers in all the
cases that have beeni been brought to our
notice. These arose in the following States !:
Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee,
Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Caro-
lima. In respect to some of these cases. we
have given particular directions, but for all
other cases the joint commission unanimously
adopted the following rules for the adjustment
OF adverse claims to church property
Rule l. In cases not adjudicated by the Join:
commi ssion, any society OF either church, con-
stituted according to its discipline, now occu-
pying church property shall remain in posses
sion thereof provided that when there is
In the same place society of more members
attached to the other church, and which hss
hitherto claimed the use of the property, the
latter shall be entitled to possession.
Rule z. For az much as we have no power to
annul decisions respecting church property,
made by State courts, the joint commission or
uoii III ienpcCJ tuereOl: i. In cases III which
such decision has been made or i'm which
there exists an agreement, the same shall be
CARR ed on. in good faith. 2. In communities
where there are two societies. one belonging 20
the Methodist Episcopal Church and the other
to the Methodist Episcopal Church South,
which have adversely claimed church property,
it is recommended that without DELAY thew
amicably compare their differences, irrespective
or the strict legal title and settle the same ac-
cording to Christian principles and equities of
this particular case, and, 80 far as practicable.
according to the principles Of the foregoing
rule. But II such settlement cannot be speed
lly made, then the question shall be referred
Tor equitable decision to three arbitrators. one
10 be chosen by each claimant from Their re-
spective societies, and the two thus chosen
shall select third person not connected with
either OF said churches, and the decision Of
any two OF them shall be final. In commun;
ties in which there is but one society rule fr.t
shall be faithfully observed in the interests of
peace and fraternity.
hule .. Whenever necessary to carry the
foregoing rules into effect the legal title 70
church property shall be accordingly trans
;. Rule 4. These rules shall take effect inme-
liately. ~