The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1878-05-15
NORTHERN AND SOUTHERN
MRTHODISTS.

show.
In 1914, after long aud excited debate
on questions connected with slavery, diVis
ion into two churches was agreed upon, pro-
vided the Southern part should be found to
desire it. They did SO declare their desire
Yet at the next General Conference the
Northern part undertook to annul the pre-
vious action, and to treat the Southern as an
unlawful separation. But they never hurled
enthusiastically such epithets upon them as,
beyond any thing found in modern times,
disgrace the records Of Presbyterian Assem-
blies. When Committees of Conference from
the two bodies met at Cape May, August 10,
1876, two things were readily agreed upon.
First, the status of the Southern, as leglh
mate branch of the Methodist Church, was
fully acknowledged Second, they agreed,
as Christians are sOlemnly bound TO do, that
all disputes about property should be settled
in an amicable manner as laid down in the
paper adopted. And that there might be no
possible delay or evasion, they say:
''But if such settlement canuot be speedily
made, then the question shall be referred for tqui
table decision to three sr6iteators to be chosen
BY each claimant from their respective societies,
and the two thus chosen shall select third person
not connected with either Of said churches and
the decision Of any two of them shall be hnaL
That is the way in which "by- gone was
given to their troubles. First, the Southern
part had no such epithets applied to them as
Southern PreSbyterians are loaded with;
therefore there was no necessity for retrac-
ton. Second, their legitimate status was
fully admitted; and third, righteous plan
Of settling questions of property was etfec-
tually provided.
We now invite DR.. Van Dykes attention
90 his own labors and of his friends in COM
posing contentious among Presbyterians be
longing to the two Assemblies. He knows
full well how his correspondence and CONVEX:
satiOn abOunded about 1870, in expressions
of the most energetic kind, as to the shame
to religion resulting from such contentious
When he came to as at Louisville, he said to
the Assembly
awe 1.-THE Northern Assembly, have appointed
nine men with especial reference to their adapta
ton to the work, and We ask you to appoint sim
liar committee, in similar spirit to see IT all dth-
eultes growing out of the questions OF
and church property, go, ~, can be settled IN
Christian spirit.
Well, when the Baltimore Conference met
in 1874, our Committee in its " exposition Of
those things which have debarred the South
ern Assembly from holding official inter
course with the Assembly North, mentioned
as one of them, "the course pursued IN re
gard to Church property" We sent in a
full communication covering this subject,
stating that "Our people have from the first
earnestly endeavored TO settle the difficulty
By compromise aud arbitration, but in mOet
instances have been refused, and they have
been harrassed With costly litigation, where
BY have come increased heart burnipgs and
discussions, and no small reproach upon the
Christian name" We then recite the plan
proposed in the controversy of 1887 to ad-
lust questions of this kind, and the equities
springing out of them, sin the most prompt,
fair, and liberal manner" We then add
an accordance with the excellent Christian
spirit cf this paper we propose that plan shall
be row arranged by which, so far IS possible, all
matters of Church property that are 10 dispute, or
that have not been adjudcsted or otherwise settled
Satisfactorily to both parties, and all claims to pro-
nertv of any kind, shall be settled by arbitration
upon principles of equity and fair dealing, as be-
cometh Christians. Should this proposal be such
as YOU approve, we suggest that the details may be
most satisfactorily arranged after 40 oral conference
between the two committees.
The only notice taken of this was that if
we would accept their proposal for " frster-
nal relations" on the bases proposed, they
would then be ready " to submit other over
lures looking to the speedy settlement of all
controversies between as touching church
property"
Just at this point the inquiry arises
What had that Hoverture, its acceptance or
rejection, to do with the obligation to "the
speedy settlement" of the other matter? So
it appeared to our Committee; for when the
Conference had failed, having disagreed on
the matter of offensive imputstions, we said
to them" but we see no reason why this
should interfere with an adjustment of the
troubles connected with Church property,
concerning which we have already presented
communication.
And what is to be thought of the answer
received? Here it is: eve agree with you
that this failure ought not to prevent the
equitable adjustment Of any existing con-
troversies concerning properly between the
Northern and Southern Presbyterian Church
e." Excellent doctrine Now then, surely
the whole matter is about to be arranged
e" Fsstsaa lsnte :" not too fast. Let US see /:
g But being disappointed in the hope that
these disputes, whatever may be their ex
teat, would Be settled upon some plan agreed
upon by the two committees, We take pleas
ura in stating to you that it is our purpose to
refer this question to our next general Assem-
bly,, in the full assurance that they will set
tie it upon principles of equity and fair deal
ing as bacOmeth Christians.
Now lot US observe for moment by what
a beautiful chain of logic the parts of this
matter harg together. The plain English of
it would stand thus:
~ "Weinvited you, the Southern Church,