Warren sheaf., 1881-06-15


Potter's real name Samuel Pond, and the
dead men were brothers.
THE METHODIST MECCA.
The Ecumenical Council In London-Ohjeeta
of the Conference-Bishop simpsons
Views.
Says the New York Telegram: The purpose
of the ecumenical council, which is to convene
in the City Road chapel, London, in September,
is to glorify Methodism and to laud the teach
jngs of John Wesley. All divisions Of the
Methodist denomination in christendom have
united in selecting delegates to the conference
Delegates and their families, to the number Of
twenty seven, will leave tomorrow on the City
of Berlin. Among the most distinguished Of
these are Bishops Simpson and Peck Bishop
Simpson will deliver the opening address. The
holding of the conference is of great interest to
the Methodist world, and its opening is looked
forward to with great deal of enthusiasm.
The subjects for discussion range over the
most interesting topics in the Methodist creed.
Their treatment will be moro eulogistic than
analytical or critical. There will be much ado
about the grand old Methodist church, and
her proud career in the march of civilization
but not even casual reference will be made to
the failure of its itinerancy, the misdlrected
and fruitless efforts of the different divisions
in the missionary field, or the usefulness Of
we'll directed work in bringing all Methodists
into common fold. No discordant note will
be struck by the speakers at the meetings, and
everything will be full of harmonv aud in
sympathy with the teachings of the master.
THE CONFERENCE NOT AGGRESSIVE
when 1t was first proposed to hold the con-
ference" SAID q Methodist divine, the editor of
religious weekly, sit was suggested that all
defects in Methodism be brought up for
thoughtful consideration and amendment But
upon sober second thought it was found that
the work would be herculean. No section
of Methodism is willing to allow that
any position taken by it is untenable It was
four years ago since the conference question
was first agitated Then it was believed that
the United States was the proper place to hold
s it,. In England the birthplace of Methodism.
it was overshadowed by great state church.
Nevertheless, the memories that attach to the
City Road chapel, the cradle of Methodisnl.
recommended it to the thoughtful considers
ton of prominent Methodist divines on both
sides of the Atlantic. It is proposed to repeat
the conference every ten years. The mind
cannot at present grasp the results of such an
outcome Of the present conference"
THE RISE AND GROWTH OF METHoDIsM
The calling together of SO great body as the
representatives of the Methodist denomination
will make it fit occasion for the consideration
church and the machinery used in Carving on
it's great work. Methodism took it's rise in
1889 in London, and in 1867 first struck root
in America. It entry into America was unas.
suming. An old rigging loft in South street,
this city, was its simple abode for many days.
To-day its numbers reach nearly 5000, 600
throughout the world Methodism is strong in
England and America, and weak in Germany.
Switzerland. Italy, India, China, japan and
Mexico. Its strength in other countries is not
sufficient to gain recognition In the United
States Methodism split upon the slavery ques-
ton in 1914, and the divisions number over .
dozen. The two great divisions are the Metho-
dist North and the Methodist South The prom
inent men in both churches are on the most
intimate terms. The Northern wing has 1. 7OO,-
600 members; the Southern wing has S25 900.
The colored societies number more than 518,-
600. These are all Episcopal The five non
Episcopal branches number 1877, 900. Ihl.Y
others, with variety of names. have 275, ZOO.
The separate branches of Wesleyans in Canada
have 10000.
THE NORTHERN BRANCH
The Methodist church North has 95 confer
ences, 13 bishops, 11,798 itinerant preach
ers, 12,62O lay preachers. II, Ill churches,
5,7S3 parsonages valued at $73, ,OOO,O 600 be-
1t has also 2O,754 Sunday schools, 242, ,652
Sunday school officers and teachers, and
1851, 141 Sunday school scholars; l19,777
church trustees, and S5,27O class leaders.
The financial exhibit is no less surprising
The conference collections last year amounted
to $898, 900; miscellaneous, $219, $50; Sun
day expenses, 1926, 800; expense for new
churches and improvements, 81, ,796, $50: ex-
pense for local mission. $243, 900; salaries Of
clergymen, So, 23O, 900, and local churcn ex
penses, $780, 600.
WHAT BISHOP SIMPSON SAYS,
Bishop Simpson, in conversation with Tel
egram reporter. said, with reference to the
council:
The conference will call forth the best intelli-
gence of the Methodist church and great good can
not but be the result 1t is true that no dogmatic
debate will be encouraged. There is large field
for discussion outside of doctrinal controversies.
My sermon on Christian Unity will take up tho
greater part of the first day. The second days ad-
dress in grateful recognition of the hand of God in
the origin and progress of Methodism will bs
pains-taking euogy upon Methodism as it stands
purifying and elevating power of Methodism will
be considered, we'll as its influence on other
bodies The possible perils of Methodisrn from
rapacy, from sacredotalism, from modern skepti-
cism. from formality worldliness and Innovations
upon established usageS will form the suhiec> Of
another paper. Those are samples Of the treatment
OF the topics to be brought before the council
Friday, August 5, has been selected as day of
fasting and prayer for the Of the conference
Union of the Blue and the Gray.
An organization of ex-confederate soldiers
has been effected at Chattanooga Ga, for the
purpose of rendering reception to the Army
Of the Cumberland, which has it's reunion at
Chattanooga next September, the first time the
not lno~n 81 s-~k 4 e