South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1876-09-01
Methodist Fraternal Union


The commissioners appointed by tie
two great bodies or Methodism-the
Northern and Southern Churches-to re.
move ali obstacles to formal fraternity
and TO adjust existing difficulties be-
tween them, have been in joint session
at Cape May for some days past, and
concluded their labors last week. In
advance Of their report to their respec.
tive general conferences, the commits
sioners have issued an address 'to the
bishops. the ministers and the members
OF the Methodist Episcopal Church and
the Methodist Episcopal Church South"
in which they recitc the objects of the
conference and announce that, after
having given due attention TO all qnes-
tions involved in the proper construc-
ton ola platform of complete fraterni-
Is, they have arrived at settlement OF
every matter affecting the principles of
q lasting and cordial adjustment. They
state that they have agreed upon for.
NAL declaration and basis of fraternity,
and in relation 20 conflicting claims to
church property unanimously adopted q
series of rules for their Adjustment
They proceed at length and with en-
thusiasm 20 illustrate the advantages
which will arise from complete fraterni.
~, presenting n picture Of harmony be-
tween the sections and in tie great
body OF Mcthodism which it may well be
hoped may be fully realized. In regard to
the adjustment of the conflicting claims
TO church property, the address says:
There were two principal questions
TO be considered with regard TO the
church property in dispute between the
local societies Of the two churches -
First. rs TO the legal owner of said pro-
perty. Second, rs TO whether il will
consist with atrict equity or promote
Christian harmony, or the cause of re-
ligion to dispossess those societies now
using the church property, which was
originally Intended FOR their use and oc.
cupancy, and or which they have acqnir-
ca 70 session, though they may have
lost the legal title TO it by their transfer
from one church TO another. We have
considered papers in all cases that have
been brought 10 our notice. These n.
rose in the following States: Virginia,
West Virginia, Maryland. Tennessee.
louisiana North Carolina and South
Carolina. In respect TO some of these
cases we have given particular dircc.
tions, but for al other cases the Joint
committee unanimously adopted the
following rules for the adjustment Of
adverse claims TO church property:
Rule / In cases not adjudicatcd by
joint convention, any society of either
church. consttu cd according to its dis
ciplinc, now occupying church property,
shall remain in possession thereof; pro-
vilcd. where there is now in the same
place q society Of more members attach.
cd 10 the other church, and which has
hitherto claimed the usc Of the property,
the latter shall he entitled to possession. |
Rule 2.-Inasmuch rs we have no
power TO aunui decisions respecting
church property made By state courts,
the ioiut convention ordaius in respect
thereof: a In cases i'm which such q
decision has been made or in Which there
exists IN agreement. the same shall bc
carried out 10 gooj faith (2) In COM
munitic5 where there arc TWO societies.
one belonging TO The Methods Episco-
pal Church and the other 10 the Metho.
dist Episcopal Church South, which have
adversely claimed church property, It's
recommended that without delay they
amicably compare their differences. ir.
respective OF strict legal title, and set.
tie the same according TO Christian
principles of the particular case and so
far rs practicable according TO the prin-
ciplcs Of the aforcgoing rule, but if such
settlement can't be speedily made, then
the question shall be referred for cquit.
able decision TO two arbitrators, one 10
he chosen 10y each claiman. from their
respective societies, and the two illus
chosen shall select a third person not
connected with either Of said churches.
snd tho decision Of any two OF them
shall bc final. f3J I'm communities in
which there ia but one society, Rule |
shall bc faithfully observed. in the in.
tCrests Of peace and fraternity.
Rule 3.-Whcncvcr necessary. to car
ry the foregoing rules into effect. legal
title TO church property shall he accord.
ingly transferred.
Rule l.--Thcsc rules shall take effect
Immediately
CEoe No NIAGARA oN 4 TIour Borr.
-Signoriau Spclterni, the rope walker,
crossed the rapids below the suspension