Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-09-12
THE METHODIST COUNCIL.
Proceedings of the Great Gathering
fn London.

The Wesleyan Ecumenical Council, which
opened in London on Wednesday, decided
to devote each night to services to lay be-
fore the people the state of Methodism in
various countries. Thus a night will be
devoted to America and a night to Aus
tralia, some of the best speakers from the
countries named addressing the meetings
on these occasions. The Presidents for the
first four days Of the Council have been
elected. They are as follows: DR.. Osborn,
President of the Wesleyan Conferences;
Bishop Peck, of America; DIR. Stacey, Of the
New Connection, and DR.. Douglass, Of
Canada. The Council was opened with a
delivered the address of welcome,
which was responded to by Bishop
Holland, N. McTyeire, of America,
and DIR. Douglass, There was a large at
tendance Of American and colored delegates
st the opening services. The congregation
included many ladies. Bishop Simpson
took his text from John vi, 63. The ser
mon was in support of the doctrine Of the
divine creation of the heavens and earth,
which, the preacher argued, could not be
disproved by any of the so-called teachings
of science. The success of Methodism, he
said, could only be accounted for by the
fact that it is instinct with the divine spirit
of life. The successive assemblages OF
great Protestant bodies during late years
foreshadowed that there would, at no dis
tant day, be an ecumenical conference Of
Evangelical Christians of every denomina-
tion. After the congregation received the
sacrament the proceedings were adjourned
until half-past two D. m.
On reassembling, the proceedings were
commenced with prayer, special reference
being made TO the recovery of President
Garfield. A resolution of the Business Com
mittee desiring the prayers of the delegates
for Mr.. Garfield was received with great en-
thusiasm. DR.. Osborn, in his address of
welcome, said the success of the Council
was already assured. The Methodist
Church, which is catholic in the widest
sense Of the word, had already gained
the victory, but he trusted much
more would be done. Bishop McTyeire,
responding to the address of welcome, said
must be greatly strengthened by this
gathering. DR.. Douglas, who also respond
ed to the address, said the United Metho-
dists of Canada thoroughly concurred in
the doctrines of Wesley. Before the Con-
ference adjourned the resolution of the
Business Committee in regard to President
Garfield was passed. About nine
hundred delegates and others as
sembled in the evening at the
in addressing the delegates, said he trusted
the proceedings of the Conference would
be a blessing to every member of the Chris
tian body. He said he was especially glad
that American delegates were present.
Various delegates then spoke and the pro-
ceediugs were closed at late hour.
At an early meeting Of the Wesleyan Ecu
menical Conference Thursday morning, on
motion of Rev. Alexander Macaulay 1t was
resolved that there should be devotional ex-
ercises to show the sympathy o. the Con-
ference with the people of America, who
are to-day offering up prayer for the resto-
ration to health of President Garfield.
Mr.. William s. Allen, member of Par
lament, accordingly offered a prayer,
and an appropriate hymn was afterWard
sung. Several American delegates expressed
their sense of the kindness Of the Confer
ence. The Ecumenical Council to-day dis
cussed the recognition of the hand of God
in the origin and progress of Methodism.
The American delegates pointed out that
the spread of Methodism in America is aid
ed by its remarkable adaptability to the
tastes of the American people. On the
subject of "Methodism as a Power In the
State" the principal feature was the read
ing of papers by colored delegates. Mr..
Methodism in the direction of edu-
cation. He said that Methodism was
the enemy of drink and all national evils,
and that "true Methodist" was synonymous
with "true patriot and citizen" Mr.. J. G.
Price (colored) testified to the benefits Meth
odism had conferred upon Africa and the
aid 1t is giving to the solution of the negro
Vicksburg, and Farley, of Virginia, follow
ed. Messrs. Allen, of Canada, and Reid, of
America, pointed out that even the gigantic
statistics presented at this conference failed
to do justice to the position OF the Metho-
dists, Especially in America, where their
church accommodation equalled that of any
other denomination. Various delegates
from America and elsewhere laid special
claim to the freedom of Methodism from
the pretensions and influence of politics.
Ia Fridays discussion the majority of the
speakers decidedly favored the maintenance
of the present system of intinerant preach
ers, Mr.. Warren, an American delegate, in
consequence of the facts adduced relative
to the spiritual destitution In London, even
suggesting that there should be travelling
evangelical ministry throughout the world.
Dr. Peck also testified to the value of itin-
eracy in America. There was a similar ex-
preston of opinion in favor of a system of
lay preaching, Mr.. j. W., White, an Ameri
can delegate, especially pointing out its
adaptability to the needs of the working
classes. The devotional exercises at the re-
sumption of the session specially referred to
President Garfield.
Ia the Ecumenical Conference on Satur-
day, in discussion of the topic, "Methodism
and Training Young People In Christian
Homes and Sunday Schools" Bishop Simp-
son said he regretted that there was q fail
ing on the part of Methodist families In this
respect. DR.. Bennett said the loss Of children
of Methodists in America in favor of other
denominations was one of the most disas-
trous facts connected with Methodism, and
at the afternoon meeting of the Conference
all the speakers upheld the view of the i'm
mense importance Of the Sunday school.
Messrs. Price and Alexander, colored dele
gates, spoke on the subject.
SIR JOSEPH PORTER. X. C. r.