The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-08-24

CAPE MAY, n. u, huSu1s 60.
conference of delegates elected by tine
Methodist Episcopal Church, North and
South, to effect reunion OF those bodies
has resulted in a satisfactory understand
ING. A basis of union, which will De
made public in day ortwo, has been
agreed to.
The board Of commissioners appointed
by the Methodist Episcopal Church and
the Methodist Episcopal Church South,
TO remove all obstacles to fraternity be
tween the two churches, has been in
session for the past ten days. They con :.
cluded their labors this evening, and have
issued an address to the bishops, ministers
and members Of the Methodist Episcopal
Church, and of the Methodist Episcopal
Church South, in which they say: II gu
will be rejoiced to learn that, after hsv
ing given due attention to all questions
in the proper construction of \ platform
OF complete fraternity between the two
great branches OF Episcopal Methodism
IN the United States, we have arrived al
settlement or Every Matter
affecting, as we suppose, the principles Of
a lasting and cordial adjustment. we
have the satisfaction TO declare that our
aspirations for harmony OF views on
ali vital points have teen real'Zse, oy
Divine guidance. We trust we have been
able after a frank interchange Of views
and aprayerful endeavo', % harmonizetil
differences aud to arrive ut the desired
contamination ofunanimOus agreement
and of complete fraternity. At the begin
ming of our consultations, one great
question seemed to over shadow all others.
II concerns the relation of the two
churches to each other and to the Episco.
nal Methodism. To this important mat
ter our most earnest thought and prayers
for deliberation were just directed and
the result attained occasioned the inter-
change of rejoicing. Congratulations be-
tween the members of the joint commit
tee were adopted without dissenting
voice. The following is the
Declaration and Basis OF Fraternity,
As TO the status of the Methodist Episco-
nal Church North, and of the Methodist
Episcopal Church South, and their CO.
ordinate relations as legitimate branches
Of Episcopal Methodism: Each OF sald
churches is a legitimate branch Of Epis.
copal Methodism in the United States,
having common origin In the Metho-
dist Episcopal Church organized in
1874. and since the organization
of the NJ. 4. Church South was consum-
mated IN 1S45 by the voluntary exercise
of the right OF the Southern Annual
Conference TO ministers and members TO
adhere to that communion. 1t has been
An Evangelical Church reared on scriptu-
raj foundations, and her ministers and
members with those of the NJ. K. Church
have constituted one Methodist family,
though in distinct Ecclesiastical con-
nection. 1t was next incumbent on
us to consider the question concerning
conflicting claims ~ church property,
and some special cases that could not
conveniently be referred to the operations
of a general rule. There were two prin-
c,pai questions to be considered with re-
gard To the church property in dispute
between the local societies OF the two
churches: First, as to the legal owner OF
said property. Second, as to whether 1t
will consist with strict equity, or promote
Christian harmony, or the cause OF re-
heIon TO dispossess those societies now
using the church property, which was Or
iginally intended for their use and oc-
cupancy, and of which they have &C
ouired possession, though they
NAV have lost the legal title to
~ by their transfer from
one church 20 another. We have con-
sidered papers in all cases that have
been brought TO our notice. These arose
in the following states: Virginia, West
Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, Lous.
lana, North Carolina and South Carolina.
In respect to the same, these cases we
have given particular directions, but for
all other cases the Joint committee unan-
imously adopted the following rules for
the adjustment OF adverse claims to
church property:
Rule lin cases not adjudicated
BY Joint convention, any society of either
church, constituted according to its dis
cipline, now occupying church property,
shall remain in possession thereof; pro-
vided, where there is now in the same
place p society OF more members attached
to the other church, and which has
hitherto claimed the use of the property,
the latter shall be entitled to possession.
Rule 2.-Inasmuch as we have
no power to annul deci-
sions respecting church property
made by state courts, the joint
convention ordains IN respect thereof:
U.) In cases in which such a decision
mas been made, or in which there exists
an agreement, the same shall be carried
out in good faith. (2.) In communities
where there are two societies, one belong
ing to the Methodist Episcopal Church
and the other to the Methodist Episcopal
Church South, which have adversely
claimed church property, it is recon-
mended that without delay they smicably
compare their differences. irrespective
of strict legal title, and
settle the same according to Christian
principles OF the particular case and so
far rs practicable according to the prir.
ciple OF a foregoing rule, but if such set
Element can't be speedily made, then the
question shall be referred for equitable
decision 10 TWO drOlIThtOTS, Ouc W Do
chosen by each claimant from their
respective 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. 49, In communities in which
there Is but one society, Rule shall be
faithfully observed, in the interests of
peace and fraternity.
Rule 3.-Whenever necessary, to carry
the foregoing rules into effect legal title
TO church property shall be accordingly
transferred.
Kuie 4.-Thesc rules shall take effect
Immediately.
In order to further promote the peace
full results contemplated by this joint
convention and TO remove as far Is
may be all occasion, and especially to
foresta,l all further occasion tor hostility
between the two churches, We
recommend to the members Of both
as wise rule of settlement when
property is in contest and one one or both