The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-08-24
METHODIST FRATERNITY.
A BAsIs OF UNION FOR THE DENOMI-
MILTON NORTH AND SOUTH.


CAPE MAY, N. j., Aug. 23.-The Boards of
Commissioners appointed by the Methodist Epis-
copal Church and the Methodist Episcopal
Church South to remove obstacles to fraternity
between the two churches have been in session
at Congress Hall during the last ten days. They
concluded their labor this evening, and issued
the following address:
To the bishops, minister's and members OF the Meth.
odift Episcopal church. ana OF the Methodist Episco-
Dear fathers and brethren, we. the Commissioners
appointed ny the authority OF the General Conferences
All obstacles formal fraternity aud to adjust all
our report to the donera Of ourre
,psctive churches t9 communicate to YOU Ia scnera,
our Joiut commission.
Cape MAN 20 as IL a.. e su s ana
were favored ey the attendance Of all the members on
munic from the Commlssoners Of the Methodist
S
og'h oSsrd' met In Jo1a' ,esson' the ssSr' a
We have had . ful and free conference snd inter;
change Of views respecting the imporant matters thst
churcnes entertained the fear previous meeting
msn, oSSSSs nGS ne To- de
mined hey win be rejoeed TO learn that after having
.Ss e s SfS's Esss
a. the settlement 1Ma Of every mater matter % %sfec.ns
adjustment We have the satisfaction 70 declare tnat
have en- realized By Divine suidsnce as we trust
have been able after frank Interchange Of views
and to arrive at the desired eonsu Of unsnI
@ 81 essn eesfT'
yeded. We struck the key note OF brotherly love
have have been ensDlsG to reach the elements Of perfect
No re o of senmsn. ars s com
essential principles Of irsternlzauon AT the begin.
ovcrshadcw ali others il concerns lac relation OF the
two CHURCHES TO each other ana to Episcopal Methol
and praye-iu Deliberations were drectel, aud the
consrstustons between tie mebers Of the Joint c1n.
mission. We adopted without dissenIent voice the
statue o. ne netaodi.t Ep c9pa cnurea and Of .ae
nate relation a. legitimate branches OF Episcopal
MehSds1 Each "a sas ehorens' IS Is e. csimaIs
state. having common origin In the Setno.
the orsaSiis'ion Of Tie Meinodis tpiscopsi chaTcs
South Was contaminated in isto oy the voluntary ex-
ministers and members 70 adhere to that communion.
hss pecn an eyansehcs church reared on scripiu
th 1se o. the Msthodist Lplscopal Church. have
ssiicai connections IL next incumD Mt on us TO
consider the concerang eonfetins claim. %
conveniently be referred opera ION Of general
S s Tsss 10 s sSfeS % 10 Ss SSe SS
First as 1 the legal ownership OF said property
second-As to whether 1t will consist with strict
rension to dspo.scss those eociees using church
property which WAS originally intended for their
session. thou.n they may have lost legal title to ii by
taeir transf from one church to another.
We have considered the papers IN all the cases that
have been bt9nsni to our potce 'hsse sross IN the
Msrylsnd. Tennessee Louisiana North Caroilna. and
have for s al oser cases
the JOINT omms.ion nns almous adopted the follow.
Rule I'm eases not adjadicated upon by the Joint
Commission. society Of either church. constituted
according 70 Is dscpllne. now occupying church
hat snsie there !. now in the same pses society of
more members atscned TO tae other church and which
shall De entitled TO possession.
decisions respecting church property made by State
courts the Joint Gomms'ion ordsn 10 respect thereof
or 10 which there exists an agreement. the same
sccond-ln communities where there are two socie.
ties, one belonging 10 the Methodis Episcopal Church
which have adversely claimed the church property. Il
pose ain, rences irrespective Of the sirc legal
i.le. ana settle the same according 70 ,hrlsdin
case and 30 far I. praetlea6le according 70
Toe pdneipies OK me i9r.sYi4H rue Bei II such
ton snail De referred for equitable decision TO three
their respective societies. and the Two thus chosen
said churches, aud the decision OF any two OF lnem
Gle rule rr, shall oe faithfully observed in interests
RUE s. Whenever necossary to carry the foregoing
rules Into feet esa tle ~ the church property shal
Ruiz A. Ihese ruie- shall take effect Immediately.
order 10 tpT.nsr promote tae peaceful results CON
far as may be all occa.on and especially to forestal
churches We recommend 10 the members Of both sS
wise rule Of settlement where property In contest aud
ences BY uniting IN the same communion and in
other ~ All eisions Of frsternty, possessed OF
eceesasc. rights aud privileges Of equal dignity and
isers and ,neinbers ~ good standing with the same
out interfering with each others Institutions or mis-
sols. They should, nevertheless, cooperate IN all
1t not be supposed In respect OF some matters of
March VIII he m .ccor bu sn9 trs anS ia
spirit OF Tel owsnip and mutual regard win pervade
memoershp me Of both churches We believe also $50 that
nef SessSss TO the cSG:s Of the G5ss
sentiments and Will 90 eIst the claims OF brothery
In MrlhodisIn viii ls prisht.r history So that
We shsll kaoN no nniratenal Methodi'm In the United
States, or even In the vide world
To al commend the wise counsels given In 1890
ana 81 shI he Weseyp ne IN EP'eSP
dss by Bishop McKendree and the Nesleysn Commit.
embsr.ed In the same great cause and emlnenly OF
sprits up and trouble YOU remember that YOU are
To act ON tnr PRINCIPLES now nciioned and avOwed 10y
We cannot restrain expression of our d"iIsd con.
gratnsohs 20 o1tn oi 'hs sr9st ohnr'hes whose com
tween them tho broken ends OF SnectlonSte
may anS OLop'' o Zach oas from o Hsy Sl
sry rSpss ,,o Of one sres' army The only dlrcnse.
spring from earnest enDeayor TO iurher ~ the
sre.s IS made oy the one church or 6y the otncr si
occasion neral JOY IAty ~i re1O.ce each others
Thousand glorious memorles OF MstIodism, t6ey
Will 40 forward devoted to their work II
spreading sCriptural holiness these lands. Two
by Two the apOstes began the promulrauon Of CHRIS.
tianily IN the world. They were oupauion tYrnge-
lists isllnct in their several Individuality but AT
the time. one IN sulrit purpose, and icONs
Their itlncfaut successOrs In the chlri churches
American hethodsni. IN restored iratrrnry viii
vie with each otner 10 wave tAe banner OF the
IN this western world, aud hrncefOrlh Will pro-
claim that these churches are one spirit; one
IN pose; one In fellowship. Asst onomcrs tell us Of
dual stars, revolving together in mutual relation snd
harmony, wnuhc lherlng are much the com.
OF exceeding Drancy. The duai churches OF Aneri.
MtthOdihm VIII hencefotth rcNOlye IN mutual fel.
lOwshp aud harmony, SO much tne complement Of an.
other ,sso., 'ose,9ssr 70 pS1c proSsee the pure
aud frsternsl love These fraternlcd churcncs
have further sion for spcuunal dispute
acrimonious differences. They may henceforth re.
member their common orgp, pursue their fruit bear
ing work and rejoice IN their own and each Others
cess. while engaged in the same great Goa.
Distinctive features OF profession and polty are
bOund up with the name Of Episcopal MrthOdisin
That form OF CHRISTIAN propagandisn and eccleriasti
cal economy has peculiar elenltnts OF power Qual.
claiming pure Gospel to the ID lls cardinal doc
trines Of free salvation by faln. and of the Wiz.
ness OF the Splut, lt, scrptlral articles OF
Christian bellef, Its primitive system church
governments Its eentcnllous demand Of those who
would Join s societies Its lneraIt plan OF pre hing
urgency OF the practice OF hol ite is liberal and
systemntlc beneyolence Its support Of educational n-
su,utiOns lA promotion VI sabbath scnOol Ia.
stluctlOn; its Vgllant care Tor the deserving
I NNaN.. aaaaa sH.tl min .Nsr