2. United Brethren in Christ (Old Constitution). This body consists of those who hold that the act of the General Conference of 1885, creating a commission to revise the confession of faith and constitution, was unconstitutional, and all the proceedings under it were null and void. Bishop Milton Wright and eleven delegates withdrew from the General Conference of 1889 because of the announcement that the proceedings would conform to the revised constitution. They immediately convened in conference and proceeded to legislate and elect bishops and general church officers under the old constitution. The division was soon widely extended, involving many of the conferences and placing the ownership and occupancy of much church property in dispute. The "Liberals," as the majority are called, continued in possession of the general church property and offices, and also of most of the churches and parsonages. The Radicals have churches, ministers, and members in many conferences, the titles of which they have preserved. Many suits have been entered in the courts to test the control of the property. A final decision has not yet been reached. The Radicals maintain an exclusive attitude towards all secret societies, according to the provision of the old constitution forbidding connection with any of them. They have 670 ministers, 817 churches, and 226,643 members.

For Missions, see section XXI.

Universalists.

The first Universalist church in the United States was organized by Rev. John Murray, Gloucester, Mass., in 1780. The first convention of Universalist ministers and parishes was held in 1785.