Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-01-11
OH 9ree press,
THE DISTRICT BOUNDARY CUES.
TION.
what the Harrington District Proposes
to Do About at-Straws which sh wv
which way the wiud Rle"s.

IEON.
what the Darlington District Proposes
to Do About st-Straws which sh o w
which way the Hiud Rle"s
The recent meeting OF the ministers and
laymsn Of tho Burlington district of the
Methodist church, az Mddlebury, for the
purpose OF preparing memorials and taking
the necessary measures for the ssmost effec-
tive presentation OF the case of the exiled
district before the boundary commission
which meets about the FIRST Of April next
brings the veIed question OF the conference
boundary line again into prominence.
While the FRER PRESS does not wish to
take anything like partisan stand In this
purely denominational quarrel still it can
not but recognize, and in n sense represent,
the earnest and unanimous sentiment OF the
clergy and lalty OF the Burlington district.
30 far as we have been able to ascertain,
there is not the slightest abatement in the
intensity of feeling and decision OF purpose
with which the entire district looks upon the
attempted transference of Its allegiance from
the Troy to the Vermont conference. H.
derd, we are assured that the sentiment
against this forcble wrestling of its ale
glance from the Troy conference is stronger
than 1t ever was before ; that the churches
are more firmly determined to resist even
should the result be runous to themselves
and that every fair and honorable means will
be resorted 10, persistently, until the district
is restored by the church authorities to the
conference from which it was removed
against its own will. The people OF the dis
trct claim that they are standing up for q
principle, and are not Influenced by any mere
tarIlODnl hp
wishes of the people should control. This
principle holds ia all rcadjustment of civil
boundaries it Is also the principle upon
which all organizations aud especially relig-
ious organizations, are founded. The policy
OF coercion may sometimes prove efectual
in civil relations, but it never can in religious
relations. The Burlington district claims that
their brethren on this other side OF the Green
Mountains have never really made an honest
ehort to persuade the churches Of this dis
trict to join them. What they have done
has been done violently. though the coercive
power Of the general conference. They have
attempted to drag the Burlington district in
by the ears and thi. is something to which
the people will not submit
Although the Burlington district is
preparing to place the case before
the boundary commission in the strongest
manner possible, there is very little eIpccta
tion that that body will decide in Its favor,
for the reason that the commission is known
10 be composed Of those who favor the OPP
posite side. The real contest will be at the
general conference in May. II indications
are 10 be trusted, it is likely that the general
conference ut that time will restore the dis
trict to the Troy conference, aud for the
following, among other good reasons First,
because the bishops who have been on or
nj ln
contest, are convinced of the ncces-
sity Of restoring the district in
order to prevent the entire dis
ruption Of the churches; so opposed are
the laymen of the district to any concession
which will involve giving up the principle |
for which they are cOntending.
Second, because no exchanges have been |
allowed between the Burlington district and |
others since the beginning of the difficulty.
Third, because the next general conference |
is to be composed of nearly two-thlrds new
members; 20 there will be no factional pref
udice or personal pride to contend with on
the part OF the majority of the conference.
Fourth, because the laymen of the YER
mont Conference, as II rule, sympathze with
the Burlington district. They say that they
themselves should not like to be coerced in
this way, and they do not propose to be
party to any such policy.
Fifth, because both the clergy and laity of |
the church in general are in sympathy with |
the Buri gion district. A letter from our
townsnar, Rev. NJ. ID. Jump, published |
bout year ago, in the Christian Advocate, |
and recounting the true state of affairs in the |
district, called forth many personal letters of
from Methodist clergy and laymen
all over the country, promising to stand by
the district in Its contention for its rights
other IN mi ic M hot
the leaders of the Vermont conference will |
do all in their power to hold the district, be-
lieving that if they can do it they will event
ually work the district into their territory. |
But this certainly will not be before the |
strongest churches are torn asunder.
The ministers of the Burlington district |
have, We think, been greatly misrepresented |
in this boundary quarrel. 1t seems TO be |
the general impression that they are the ones
who have stirred up aud are fomenting the
quarrel. This we know to be false. The |
ministers have done all in their power to
hold matters IN allegiance and keep the
had to stand by their churches in the mat
Ter; but with seven out of ten of them we
know it would make no personal difference |
whether the churches Of the district belong
ed 70 the Troy or the Vermont conference |
They could easily get back TO the mother |
conference by transfer. The strength If
opposition comes from the churches them
selves. The laity are determined to hold |
Their ground They are determined to |
make au opcn-handed fight for their |
rights, on principle. This being the |
case, the eventual result must be
either disruption OF the churches of
the district, or heir restoration to the Troy
conference. There can not he eomproms4,
considering the point which things have
reached. The issue will he watched with
great Interest, not only by the Methodist de-
nomination thrnug htOulthc county, but by all
religious bodies, as involvi ng a principle
which is liable at any time to 10 tested by
like circumstances.