Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1881-04-29
Bradford Conference.

TIE BOUNDARY QUESTIONABLE BISHOPS RRc.
oMMESDATIoNs-A COMMISSION RErUsED-
LIVELY SCENE.
AT the opening of the conference at Brad
ford, Friday morning, the Vermont confer
ence side of the boundary question was
presented by Rev. J. d. Beeman. After
some lively discussion, Bishop Harris read
the following paper, after which the Yer
mont conference side secured a postpone
ment to O'Clock
In view of all the information We have
been able TO gain, We feel constrained TO
submit the following statement of our
opinions concerning The matter in contro-
versy
First-The harmonious union OF Meth
odism in the State of Vermont in one con-
ference organization would greatly promote
the interest and influence of the Methodist
church within the State. In this opinion We
are in full accord with the sentiment OF the
general conference of 1865, uttered at the
time of the restoration OF the Burlington
district to the Troy conference.
Second-We are unable to see any good
and sufficient reasons why such a union OF
not be accomplished with the hearty con-
currence of all concerned.
Third-We entirely disapprovc of all
plans and efforts, both to alienate the
churches and parsonages within the ter
ritory of the Burlington district from the
jurisdiction of the Methodist Episcopal
church, and to divert the benevolent con-
tributions of the churches in the same terri
tory from their usual channels, as revolu-
tionary and unjustiable means for the re-
dress of alleged grievances, and We do earn
estly recommend TO all parties concerned
that where transfers of such property have
been contemplated which have not yet been
carried out, all efforts TO that end be al once
abandoned, and that in cases where the Tor
NAL transfer may have been accomplished,
immediate steps lie taken to restore the pro-
perry to its proper and lawful relations to tie
Methodist Episcopal church.
Fourth-From the concurrent statements
Of brethren, both ministers and laymen,
within the Burlington district, whose Cir
cumstances afford them the fullest opportu-
nifty TO know whereof they affirm and whose
character and reputation entitle their state
ment TO great weight, we are persuaded that
the opposition in the churches within that
district to its transfer To the Vermont con-
terence Is SO intense anu Nlut-sITchu Us
largely to prevent if not entirely TO defeat
the good results which would otherwise come
TO Vermont Methodism, and especially the
Vermont conference, from the union OF all
the Methodist churches in the State in one
conference organization.
Fifth-We, therefore, commend 10 the
earnest and prayerfnl consideration of the
brethren of the Vermont conference the pro-
priety and cxpcdiency of appointing a CON-
mission as requested 10y the Troy conference,
with the understanding and expectation that
the joint commission will agree TO retrocede
the territory recently transferred from the
Troy to the Vermont conference, and we
make this recommendation in tho confident
hope and expectation that all the church
property within that territory which may
have been alicnatcd from the jurisdiction OF
the church will be restored at once 10 lis
former relations, and that the commissioners
of the Troy conference and the body which
they represent will use all legitimate and
proper means TO the accomplishment OF this
end.
Signed EDWARD Il. ANDREWS,
WILLIAM l.. HARRIS.