The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-24
Formal Fraternity Between The Churches
North and South Declared.
An Earnest Address from the Joint
Board Of Commissioners
DISPJSlNG THE CHURCH PROPERTY.
Good Advice and Glorious
Prophecy.


Methodist Episcopal Church and the Methodist Epsco
pal Church South to remove all obstacles 10 frater
nifty between the churches have been at
Congress Hail during the ten days They concluded
their labors this evening aud issued the following ad
dress
To THE BISHOPS MINISTER'S MEMBERS
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHrgcn AND OF the Msruo-
DIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SOUTH
DEAR FATHERS AND BRErnaKN--We, the Commits
soners appointed by authority OF HE General Confer
enccs respectively o. the above named Churches TO re-
all obstacles to formal fraternity and 10 adjust all
existing difficulties between them deem IL proper ia
advance OF report TO the General Conferences of
our respective Churches to communicate TO you in
general the results of the recent harmonious ses
sion Of our joint commission.
Pursuant to previous appointment. convened at
Cape May N. j. on the 10th day Of August 1876, and
favored by tho attendance OF all the members OF
both boards OF commissioners. After written com
municati0n from tho Conmis soners OF the Methodist
Episcopal Church South was received and answered
by the Commissioners of the Methodist Episcopal
Church both boards met in JOINT session, the labors
OF which were continued during seven days.
We have had Il iull and free conference and inter.
change OF views respecting the important matters that
claimed our united consideration. II any IN the
Churches entertained the fear previous to our meeting
that we could not attain complete harmony OF scnti-
inent touching the monenous questions TO be deter
mined they will he rcoiccd to learn that after having
given due attention to all questions involved IN the
proper construction vi platform OF complete fraternity
between the two great branches OF Episcopal Method
in the United states. we have arrived at the settle
mcnt of overy matter affecting. We suppose. the
principles OF lasting and cordial adjustment We
have tho satisfaction TO declare that aspirations
Tor the harmony OF views on vital points have been
realized. BY Divine guidance, as we trust
we have been able, after a frank inter
change Of views and prayerul endeayor to harmonae
all differences and TO arrive at the desired consumma
ton OF unanimous agreement OF complete fraternity.
We be,ieve that no principle OF honor on either side
has been Invaded We struck the key note OF brotherly
love until 1t sounded high and clear and SO have been
enabled 10 reach the elements OF perfect harmony.
No divergence of sentiment mars the complete unan-
Unity OF the JOINT commission touching the
essential principles Of At the beginning
OF consultations one great question seemed to over
shadow all othersn Congress the reaton OF the two
churches each other and to Episcopal Mcthodsm.
To this important matter our most earnest thought
and prayern dclberation were directed and the result
attained occasoned the interchange of rejoicing aud
congratulations between the members OF the JOINT com
mission. We adopted. without dissenting voice, the
following, declaring basis OF fraternity:
OF THE UNION.
As to the status OF the Methodist Episcopal Church
and OF the Methodist Episcopal Church south and their
coordinate relation as legitimate branches Of Episcopal
Methoiism, ench Of said churches Ii legitimate
branch of Episcopal Method'sm ia the United States,
having common origin in the Methodist Episcopal
Church organized In 1884 and since the organization OF
the Methodist Episcopal Church South was consum
mated 1S45 by the voluntary exercise OF the right OF
the Southern annual conferences, ministers aud mem
bers to adhere to that communion. IL has been an
evangelical church, reared Scrptural foundations,
and her ministers and members, with those of the
Methodist Episcopai Church have constituted one
Metbodst family IN distinct ecclesiastical
IL next incumbent on us to consider the qucs-
tons concerning conducting claims 10 Church property
and special cases that could not conveniently be
two principal questions To bc considered with regard to
tho Church property in dispute between
as TO the legal ownership OF said property,
Second whether II will consist with strict equity
promote Christian harmony or the cause OF religion
TO d,spossess those societies using Church prop
erty, which originally intended Tor their use and
occupancy, and of which they have acquired posses
sion though they may have lost legal title to 1t by
their transfer from church to another.
We have considered the papers in all that have
been brought TO our notice These the follow
ing named States:-virgina, West Virginia Maryland
Tennessee, louisiana, North Carolina and south Caro-
lima In respect o, some OF these cases we have given
particular drections but for AL other the Joint
commission unanimously adopted the following rules
Tor the adjustment OF adverse claims to church prop
erty:-
DEposrYa or CHURCH PROPERTY.
RCLE LIN cases not adjudcated upon by the Joint
according TO its discipline now occupying hc Church
property shall remain IN possession thereof, provided
that where there is not in the same place society OF
more members attached to the other Church. and
which has hitherto claimed tho use OF the property,
the latter snail be entitled TO possession.
RULE 2-Forasmuch as have power 10 annul
cecis ons respecting Church property made by the
State courts. the Joint Commission ordain IN respect
been made or in which there exists agreement, tho
same shall be carried out 10 good faith
In com munitIes where there are two societies. one
belonging to the Methodist Episcopal Church and the
other the Methodist Episcopal Church South. which
have adversely claimed the church property, 1t Is
recommended that without delay they amicably
pose their differences irrespective Of the strict legal
title, and settle the same according 20 Chris
tian principles and the equities of the par
ticular case and, far as practicable, accord
ing the principle OF the foregoing rule But If such
settlement be speedily made then the question
shall be referred for equitable decision to three arb
tratorsone to be chosen by each claimant from their
respective societies tho thus chosen shall
lect a third person, not connected with either OF sad
churches and the decision Of any two OF them shall be
final
In communities in which there Is but one society
rule first shall be faithfully observed in interests OF
peace and fraternity
RULE 3.-Wbenever necessary to carry the afore-
going effect legal title to The church properly
shall be accordingly transferred.
RULE 4-These rules shall take effect Immediately.
la order TO further promote the peaceful results con-
templated by this joint commission and to remove as
far may be- all occasion and especially To foresa all
all further occasion Tor hostility between this churches
We recommend to the members OF both as a wise rule
settlement where property Is IN contest and one or
both ar. weak that they compose their differences by
uniting N the same COMMUNION, and In oil cases that
ministers members recognize each other In all rea.
tions Of fraternity and possessed OF ecclesiastical
rights and privileges Of equal dignity and sodity They
should each receive from the other ministers and
members in good standing with the same aiacrity and
credit as II coming from their own church and with
out interference with each others institutions or mis-
slons They should, nevertheless, cooperate in all
Christian enterprises.
1t Is not to be supposed IN respect OF some matters
Of opinion that. all ministers and members IN
either Church will DO in accord but we trust and
believe that spirit Of fellowship and mutual
OF ii. entire ministry and the membership
OF both churches. We believe also that
their supreme allegiance to the causc OF the Great
Muster will triumph over all variations OF personal
sentiments, will cxalt the claims OF brothery
affection that from lhis suspicious hour new epoch
in Mcthodism will begin its brighter history, that
wo shall know no uniratcrnai Meihodism Ia the United
states even IN The wide world
TO all commend the wise counsels given In 1870
10 missionaries and members OF the Methodist Epis-
copai Church. and Of the Wesleyan connection in the
Canadss. by Bishop Mckendrcc and the Wesleyan
Commttce-namely, Feel that YOU with your
brethren, embarked in the great cause, and
nently OF the same religious family; and II
any warm spirits rise up and trouble you
remember ttat you 10 act the
principles now sanctioned and avowed by the two
nections. and not upon local prciudices We cannot
restrain the expression OF united congratulations
10 both OF the grea, Churches whose commissions
have executed IN uniting between them the broken
cords Of anectonafe and bfothcrly Inflammation.
Henceforth they may hail each other from
tic auxiliary Ianka Of 1rent aIinY.