Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1876-08-29
METHODIST FRAFBRNAL UNION.

The commissioners appointed by the two
great bodies of Methodism-the Northern and
Southern Churches-to remove all obstacles
to formal fraternity and to adjust existing diff,
~iculties between them, have been in joint ses,
sion at Cape May for some days past, and con
.cluded their labors last week. In advance of
their report to their respective general con-
ferences, the commissioner have issued an ad-
dress ''to the bishops. the ministers and the
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church
and the Methodist Episcopal Church South"
IN which they recite the objects of the con-
ference and announce that, after having given
due attention to all questions involved in the
proper construction of a platform of complete
fraternity, they have arrived at a settlement
of every matter affecting the principles of a
lasting and cordial adjustment. They state
that they have agreed upon a formal declara>
ton and basis of fraternity, and in relation to
conflicting claims to church property unani>
mously adopted a series of rules for their adj
justment. They proceed at length and with
enthusiasm to illustrate the advantages which
will arise from complete fraternity, presenting
a picture of harmony between the sections
and in the great body of Methodism 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 proper.
~ in dispute between the local societies OF the
two churches First, as to the legal owner OF
said property. Second, as to whether it will
consist with strict equity, or promote Chris
tlan harmony, or the cause of religion to dis
possess those societies now using the church
property, which was originally intended for
their use and occupancy, and Of which they
have acquired possession, though they may
have lost the legal title to it by their transfer
from one church to another. We have con-
sidered 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
olina and South Carolina. In respect to the
some of these cases we have given particular
directions, but fer all other cases the Joint
committee unanimously adopted the following
rules for the adl uStment Of adverse claims to
church property
Rule In cases not adjudicated by Joint
convention, any society of either church, con
stituted according to its discipline, now occu-
plying church property, shall remsin in posses
sion thereof; provided, where there is now in
the same place a society of more members at
tached to the other church, and which has
hitherto claimed the use of the property, the
latter shall be entitled to possession.
Rule 2.-lnasmuch ss we have no power
to annul decisions respecting church property
made by state courts, the joint con 7~eution
ordains in respect thereof a. In cases in
which such q decision has been made, or in
which there exists nn agreement, the same
shall be carried out in good faith. (2) In
communities where there are two societies.
one belonging to tho Methodist Episcopal
Church and the other to the Methodist Epis.
copal Church South, which have adversely
claimed church property, it is recommended
that without delay they amicabIy compare
their differences, irrespective of strict legal
title, and settle the same according to Chris
tiau principles of the particular case and SO
far as practicable according to the principles of
the afOregoing rule. but if such settlement can't
be speedily made, then the question shall be
referred for equitable decision to two arbitra-
tors, one to be chosen by each claimant from
their respective societies, and the two thus
chosen shall select n third person not connect
ed with either of said churches, and the deci-
sion of any two of them shall be final. g
In communities in which there is but one So
ciety, Rule shall be faithfully observed, in
the interests of peace and fraternity.
Rule 3.-Whenever necessary, to carry
the foregoing rules into effect, legal title to
church property shall be accordingly transfer
red.
Rule 4-These rules shall take effect i'm
mediately.
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