Methodist Episcopal Church Sonth

This body was identified with the main Methodist body until 1845. The rules of the church forbade any preacher to own slaves, where emancipation was po ible. When in 1844 Bishop Andrew, of Georgia, came into po e ion of slaves by marriage, the question of slavery was brought to a head, and an arrangement was made for an amicable separation into two bodies, the Southern having about half a million members. Difficulties arose as to details, and the Northern body ceased to recognize the Southern. The war greatlf hindered the progre of the new church, but since that time it has made rapid progre , and has greatly aided in mi ionary work in the border States and destitute parts of the South. Number of members in 1900, 1,456,272.. Methodist Protestant Church is the name a umed by a body that seceded from the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1830. The sect differs from its parent church mainly in ecclesiastical government. They abolish the episcopal office and admit the laity to an equal participation with the clergy in administration and government. The slavery questions divided this denomination, and both wings are growing slowly, but now are practically one in work and aims. Number of members in 1900, 179,507. 451