The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-08-31

CUpNl ulCl llCf, anu StttCC IIlC
organization of the Methodist Episcopal
Church South was consummated' in 1915 by
the voluntary exercise of the right of the
Southern annual conferences. ministers and
members to adhere to that communion, it has
been an evangelical church reared on SCRIPTURE
al foundation, and her ministers and members
with those Of the Methodist Episcopal Church,
have constituted one Methodist family, though
in distinct ecclesiastical connections. 'ie
-elf - CHURCH PROPERTY. a AA}
1t was next incumbent on MS to consider
questions concerning conflicting claims to
church property, and some special cases that
could not conveniently he referred to the
operation of a general rule. There were two
principal questions to be considered with re-
gard to the church property in dispute be-
tween local societies of the two churches: First.
as to the legal ownership of said property; Sc
cond, as to whether it will consist with strict
equity or promote Christian harmony, or the
cause of religion to dispOsses those societies
now using. church property which was origin
ally intended for their use and occupancy, and
of which they have acquired possession, al
though they may have lost legal title to 1t by
their transfer from the church to the other.
We have considered the papers in all cases
that have been brought to our notice. These
arose in the following States: Virginia, West
Virginia, Maryland, Tennessee, Louisiana,
North Car DINA and South Carolina. ' T -s,~
RULES FOR ADJUSTMENT OF CLAIMS.
In respect to some of these cases we have
given particular directions, but for all other
cases the joint commission una nimOusly adopt
ell the following rules for the adjustment of ad
verse claims to church property: 9-
Rule lin cases not adjndicated by the
joint commission and society of either Church,
constituted according to its discipline, now oc-
cupying the church property, shall remain in
possession thereof; provided that there is now
attached to the other church, and which has
hitherto claimed the use of the property, the
latter shall be entitled to possession ia if'
Rule 2.-FOr as much as we have no power
to annui decisions respecting church property
made by the State courts, the joint commission
ortlain in respect thereof First. In cases in
which such a decision has been made, or in
which there exists an agreement, the same
shall be carried ont in good faith. Second. III
communities where there are two societies, one
belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church
and the other to the Methodist Episcopal Church
South. which have adversely claimed the
Church property, it is recommend that with
out delay they amicabe compose their differ
ences irrespective of strict legal title and settle
the same according to Christian principles the
equities of the particular case, and so far as
practicable, according to the principle of the
aioregoing rule; but il such settlement cannot
be speedily made, then the question shall be
referred for equitable decision to three arbitra
tors. one to be- chosen by each claimant from
| their respective societies, and the two thus
| chosen shall select a third person not connect
ed with either of the said churches, and the de-
cison OF any two of them shall be final. Third.
| That in communities in which there is but one
society rule shall be faithfully observed in
| the interest of peace and fraternity. I
Rule 3.-Whcnever necessary to carry afore-
going rules into effect the legal title to the
church property shall be accordingly trans
! ferred. II
Rule 4.-These rules shall take effect imme-
datey. III. SO 0s.-f.i 2. 1l,s i5 saioa
In order to further promote the peaceful re-
suits contemplated by this joint commission,
and TO remove, as far as may be. all OCCASION,
and especially to forestall all further occasion
for hostility between the two churches, we rec
ommeEd to members of both as a wise rule Of
settlement where propertyis in contest, and
h>t1, IL fIaT,,