The record-union., 1893-05-30
UNITED BRETHREN.
Further Proceedings of the Conference
in Indiana.
The Marriage Relation-Court Deci-
sions Regarding Church Property
Bishops of the Church.

Correspondence of the REcoRD-UNIoS.l
HUDsoN. Ind.), May 24.-The General
Conference of the United Brethren
Church, assembled here, are still at work
revising the discipline. Bishop NJ.
Wright of Dayton, o., occupied the chair.
Considerable time was spent in debating
recommendation of the committee to
change clause in the discipline on the
marriage relation so as to substitute that
the words 'scriptural reasons" he sub
stltuted for the word adultery" for a
Just cause for divorce and remarriage of
the grieved party. The word adultery"
was retained.
Considerable time was also spent in an
effort to remodel the questions to be re-
quired Of candidates for church member
ship to answer, but no changes were
made.
The question of superintendency was
brought up, and, after some debate, 1t
was resolved that we have four Bishops
during the coming quadrennium.
In the evening II. Floyd of Indiana
preached sermon on the Duties OF
Minister'S" which seemed to delineate
their way of duty so clearly that none can
not fail TO discern them, and if followed
would make the ministry the effective
power the scriptures of divine truth
wants them TO be.
CHURCH PROPERTY.
l submit for publication some extracts
from recent decision rendered by Judge
TAFT in the United States Circuit Court at
Toledo, o., in regard to the possession Of
church property decided to the United
brethren Church III Christ. AS the
church is divided, each division claims
the property.
The decision declares the minority to
be the true United Brethren Church.
copied the extracts and send them to YOU
Tor publication by request of Bishop H.
j. Becker, well known to you. The paper
copied reads as follows: The noted and
eminent jurist, Judge Taft of Cincinnati,
has recently May IL, 1888 rendered a de-
cision in church,case, tried in the United
States Circuit Court of Toledo, Ohio,
which has occasiOned great rejoicings
among the Radicals, or Conservative
United Brethren, who have SO persist
emily been denounced as seceders.
lie holds that the church is a compact,
having constitution and confession OF
faith, and that the creation of new or
revised constitution was an open and
fragrant violation Of the original compact
that the Identity of the church is with
those who adhere to the original compact;
and that those who adopt the new consti-
tuition and confession of faith are seced-
ers; that the case of Watson VS.. Jones ION
which the Liberals gained a former deci-
SION does not apply in this case. He
holds that the report of Committee No. Is
(adopted by the majority in General Con-
ference in 1850 is itself evidence of con-
spiracy to overthrow the fundamental
government of the church.
He holds that TO make the vote on the
constitution and confession. OF faith legal
there should have been a day appointed
to take the vote. ana full and ample no
tiCe should have been given to each men,
Der of the day OF election. Such notice
was not given.
1t is just to say this was a trial on de-
murrer, and the facts remain to be proven
on the issues In the trial. But the Con-
servatives regard the decision as an able
statement OF principles and facts, which,
when the evidence is before the court, will
secure for them their rights as the lawful
trustees Of the property. Z. BECK.
Hudson, Ind.