The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1876-08-31

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lana, North Carolina and South
Carolina.
In respect to some of these cases
we have given particular directions,
but for all other cases the joint COM
mission adopted the following rules
for adjustment of adverse claims to
church property;
CHURCH PROPERTY.
Rule 1. In cases not adiudicated
by the joint commission, any soci-
ETY. of either Church, constituted
according to its discipline, now oc-
cupying the church property, shall
remain in possession thereof, pro-
vided that where there is now in the
same place a society of more mem
bers attached to the other church,
and which has hitherto claimed the
use of the property, the latter shall
be entitled to possession.
Rule 3. Forasmuch as we have
no power to annul the decisions re
specting church property by State
courts, the joint commission ordain
in respect thereof: l. That in cases
in which such a decision has been
made, or in which there exists an
agreement, the same shall be carried
out in good faith. 2. That in COM
munities where there are two socie-
ties, one belonging to 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 they amicably
compose their differences, irrespec-
tive of the strict legal title, and set
tie the same according to strict
Christian principles, the equities of
a particular case, and, so far as
practicable, according to the princi-
pies of foregoing rule; but if such
settlement cannot be speedily made,
then the question shall be referred
for equitable decision to three arbi-
traitors, one to be chosen by each
claimant from their respective soci-
cites, and the two thus chosen shall
select third person not connected
with either of said churches, and
the decision of any two shall be
final; and third, that in communi-
ties in which there is but one soci-
ETY., rule first shall be faithfully OBJ
served in the interest of peace and
fraternity.
Rule 3. Whenever necessary to
carry a foregoing rule into effect,
the legal title to the church proper
ty shall be transferred.
Rule 4. These rules shall take
effect Immediately.
FURTHER RECOMMENDATION
In order to further promote the
peaceful results contemplated by
this joint commission to remove as
far as may be occasion, and espe-
cially to forestall all further occa-
sion for hostility between the two
churches, we recommend to the
members of both, as a wise rule OF
settlement where property is in con
test and one are both are weak
that they compose there differences
in the same communion, and in all
cases that the ministers and mem.
bers recognize each other in all re-
lations of fraternity, and as possess.
ed of ecclesiastical rights and priv.
ileges of equal dignity and validity
They should each receive from the
other ministers and members il
good standing with the same alacri
ty as if coming from their Owl
church, and without interference
with each others Institutions Oh
missions. They should neverthe
less cooperate in all Christian en-
) terprises. 1t is not to be supposed
in respect of the same matters o
mere opinion that all ministers and
members in either church will be il
accord, but we trust and believe
that a spirit of fellowship and mu
, tual regard viii pervade the recon
eiled ranks of the entire ministry
and membership of both churches
We believe, also, that their supreme
allegiance to the cause of the Grea
; Master will triumph over all varia
tions of personal sentiment, and vii
so exalt the claims of brotherly af
fection that from this auspcioui
hour a new epoch in Methodism vii
begin its brighter history, so tina
we shall know no unfraternal Meth
odism in the United States, or ever
in the wide world.
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