METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SOUTH
\mˈɛθədˌɪst ɪpˈɪskɒpə͡l t͡ʃˈɜːt͡ʃ sˈa͡ʊθ], \mˈɛθədˌɪst ɪpˈɪskɒpəl tʃˈɜːtʃ sˈaʊθ], \m_ˈɛ_θ_ə_d_ˌɪ_s_t ɪ_p_ˈɪ_s_k_ɒ_p_əl tʃ_ˈɜː_tʃ s_ˈaʊ_θ]\
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This body was identified with the main Methodist body till the slavery question caused a secession. The rules of the church forbade any preacher to own slaves. This especially irritated the South, and when in 1844 Bishop Andrews, of Georgia, came into possession of slaves by marriage, the question was so bitterly discussed that the year following the Southern churches seceded with nearly a half million members. The war greatly hindered the progress of the new church, but since that time it has made rapid progress, and has greatly aided in missionary work in the border States and destitute parts of the South. Number of members in 1890, 1,210,000.
By John Franklin Jameson
