The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-08-16

THE M. e. CHURCH.

An American Bishop Before an English Con-
ference.
Bishop Simpson, who is well known in all parts OF
this Commonwealth and especially in Philadelphia,
addressed the Wesleyan Conference held at Burs-
lem England on the 2Sth ult. The greatest part of
the session was taken up with the reception Of
distinguished townsman. The London Times gives
the following report of his remarks-
Bishop Simpson addressed the conference and
said, in substance, mingled emotions arose in his
bosom on finding himself once more among them.
Metho dism was family all over the world, and they
all looked upon England as the old homestead. The
Methodist circle was enlarging every year, and he
believed 1t was destined to take In the circumference
of the globe. He felt shadow of gloom come over
him when he remembered that Bishop Kingsley one
of their American ministers, who was on his way to
England had died suddenly in Palestine. Thirteen
years ago he Bishop SIMPSON, was received In the
Irish Conference by DR. Hannah, Rev. r. Young, and
Rev. F. West; all these were now gone to their
final rest He contrasted his position with what it
was thirteen years ago. Their church mad always
gle came their sons and brothers were faithful to the
cause Of liberty. The colored people of the South
looked upon the Methodist Episcopal Church as
their faithful friends. In addition TO the colored
conferences of the South they had other confer
ences, in which were included white ministers as
well as ministers of color. Many of the colored
population were being educated and he be-
eved large number OF them would go to
Africa and regenerate tnat land that
the wealth of man should praise God, and Ethiopia
should stretch out her hands to Him. The people OF
nations were becoming citizens of America, and
many languages were spoken in the States, and he
DeUeVeu Inab the great COnIlCJ OF truth and error
would be settled in America. AS an American he
had confidence in the institutions OF his country,
but he looked to the spirit and power OF Chris
tianty to assimilate the diversities of the
American n, ,.,It population into one common and
made reference to the vast extent OF the Chris
tan mission field occupied by the American
Methodist Episcopal Church The great lesson he
drew from that missionary success that IL the
churches would go on In faith and do their duty the
whole world would be given to Christ. He referred
to the question of commerce, and said that this too
would become increasingly an instrument for the
spread OF Christianity. Christ spend much time
upon the Sea of Galilee, and that prefgured that
Christianity would be lord of the sea- Speaking of
the progress OF Methodism in America during the
last thirteen years, he said that while the American
| population had increased 32 per cent, the Wes-
! during that time. For the last three years
| they had increased the amount of their
| church property at an annual rate Of six
million dollars, and during the last five years, owing
| to the centenary movement, the value of their
| church property had been doubled. Notwithstand-
ing the specuatons and controversies in America,
| the American Wesleyans were mistaken In their
attachment to evangelical truth They dhe Wes-
leyans) differed in some things to their polity,
but the essentials Of their ecclesiastical principles
| were the same. He believed that two things ac-
counted forth success of Methodsm-the presence
of God in the midst OF them and the cooperation of
all the parts and peoples of their churches for the
| spread OF Christianity He believed that Metho-
| dism would be the chief antagonist of Popery.
| People yearned for the presence OF God, aud the
| lnnuence OF vestments and ceremonies In the
Church OF Rome was very great. Rtualism would
| influence people powerfully who believed that Gods
| presence was connected with such things. There
| was one doctrine held by the Metnodsts which
would counteract the errors OF Romanism and Rit-
uaism, viz THAT God spoke directly to the human
heart In America they were endeavOring to secure
general union OF all the Methodist churches one,
and now that slavery was abolished there was no
essential bar to their union. Bishop simpsons
speech was listened to with great delight by the
entire conference.