The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-11-04
PHILADELPHIA Press.I


CHURCH.
philadelphia Pres.I
An Ecumenical Conference Of the Me-
thodist Episcopal Church and its branches
will meet in London in September, 1881.
This Conference has been talked OF in the
churches OF the denomination for several
years, but no decided action was taken
until last May, when, at the General Con-
ference Of The Methodist Episcopal Church
in Cincinnati, a plan was drawn up and
agreed TO by the representatives OF the
Methodist Episcopal Church and the differ
emf branches in the United States. The de-
nomination numbers over 1000, 900 Of actual
communicants and Methodist population
OF about I5,000,0G0. There are numerous
branches in Europe and this country, and
tbes will all be represented in the Confer
ence. The members Of the Conference will
numbe 400, one bali OF whom will repre-
sent British and Continental MethOdism,
and one bali the churches in the United
States and Canada. AS nearly as possible
the Conference will be composed OF lay and
clerical delegates equally. The 200 dele
gates from the United States will be as
signed to the churches as follows: The
Methodist Episcopal Church, so delegates; ;
Methodist Episcopal Church South. 3S; Az
ricau Methodist Episcopal Church, -;
Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, 10; the
Colored Methodist Episcopal Church Of
America, 6 the Evangelical Association, 6 !;
the Union American Methodist Episcopal
Church, 9; the Union American Protestant
Church, 3; the Methodist Protestant Church,
6; the American Wesleyan Church, 4 the
Free Methodist Church, 2; the Indepen-
dent Methodist Church, 2; the Con
greeatiOnal Methodist Church, 2; the
Methodist Church OF Canada, u;
the Methodist Episcopal Church OF
Canada, 4; the Primitive Methodist Church
IN the United States and Canada, ,; the
Bible Christian, 2; the British Methodist
Episcopal Church, 2. The remaining six
members are left to be distributed by the
western section OF the General Executive
Committee. The assignments Of delegates
TO the European ana Continental churches
have not vet been made. The delegates
will be named by the Conferences as they
meet between this time and next July.
The Conference will not meet for legis-
lative purposes, for it will have no author
ity TO legislate. Ii IS not for dOctrlnal con-
troversies, for Methodi>m has no doctrinal
differences. 1t is not for an attempt to
hsrmoniZe the various politics and usages
OF the several branches OF the one great
Methodist family, for MethOdlSm has al
ways striven for unity rather than uni
formity. Ii is not, in word, for con-
solidation, but for cooperation. 1t is
to devise such means for prosecu-
ting our home and foreign work
as will result in the greatest economy
aud efficiency, to promote fraternity, to in
crease the moral and evangelical power OF
common Methodism, aud TO secure the more
speedy conversion OF the world. Ii has
been suggested that the proper topics TO
consider are those respecting Popery, Pa
gaDism, Pauperlsm, Scepticism, lntemper-
ance and Kindred Vices, the Relation OF
Methodsm to Education, the Means OF
Eyangelization, such as ltinerant Ministry,
Training Schools for Christian Work.
ers, both at home and abroad, Sun
day Schools, and Special Efforts for
Special Glasses. Concerning missiona-
ry labor, it is further proposed to
examine Metbodism as missionary
movement, the relation OF the home work
TO the foreign work and the best mode OF
avoiding waste and rivalres, and of Sc
curing instead thereof sympathy and co.
operation between different Methodist bo-
dies occupying the same or contiguous mis-
siou.feds; the use OF the press for the in
crease Of Christian knowledge and sancti-
fying power; the resources OF Methodism
in numbers, wealth, culture, spiritual life
and revival agencies, snd the corresponding
responsibility the spiritual unity OF Me-
thodissl. and the best way TO secure its
and increase and to manifest ii
to the world.
The Conference will meet in City-Road
chapel, which was the 6rst church OF the
For many years John Wesley
preached there, and his pulpit is still
shown to Methodist travellers who visit
yDgiand's capital The delegation from
.l,is country will be composed Of
he strongest men in the Church. and will
most probably be headed by Bishop Simp-
on, OF the Methodist Episcopal Church.
treat Interest In the Conference Is mani
ested by all the branches Of the Church, |
md 1t pvcmises 10 be the most important
ssembIy 0i nethodIsls that eyer took plaoe. |