The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-09-14
FOREIGN CHURCH NEWS.

The English Church Congress for
this year will be held at Newcastle. 1t is an
nounced that some very grave questions will be
introduced for discussion Among them are:
1.-THE limits within which variations of ritual
may be permitted, 1.-THE connection between
Church and State" The opium traffic" I" Tenn
perance," and last, but not least, 1.-THE Princi-
pies OF the Reformation as bearing on the Cues
tons of the Present Day" This last-named
ought to give the Congress fair field. which
we hope they will cultivate with special care.
Many tares in recent years have found their
way into it, and are boldly asserting their right
to be. Some new features it is expected, will
be introduced, such as may arise out of the de-
hberatlons of meeting for workingmen and
workingwomen to be held at Newcastle while
two of the speakers at the Church Congress will
be women. The world is still moving.
Herald and Presbyter.
-METHoDIsM.-The last number of the
Edinburgh ReOie'O, referring to the Ecumenical
Conference of the Methodsts, says of the present
and the future of Methodsm:
What doctrinal conflicts await Methodism
1t Is impossible to tell. Whether its THEOLOGY
OF the heart can Withstand the assaults of the
time, or whether it must change its front, are
questions of the future But Methodism ia
plainly middle class form of faith. 1t has not
held its first conquests achieved amongst tbe
has proved successful rival in that respect
and we are not aware that any persons belong
ing to the higher ranks of the nation either in
station or in celebrity belong to this persuasion.
Nor has 1T held the poorest classes in its meshes
The long and fierce contest against popular con-
troll have weakened it. Weslevanism has never
surmounted the difficulties thrown in its wav
when the tide of revolutionary ideas which in
l848 swept over Europe invaded its sanctuaries
The working classes fell away from it then, and
have never returned to their allegiance. The
increased activity of the church, coupled with
Its resources, and the undoubted devotion of
the majority of the clergy in larger towns to
the interests Of their hocks, has seriously Grip
pied Methodism. The lowest strata of English
society are barely touched by it either in
rural or urban parishes. The poor, the unfor-
tunate, the miserable, and the vicious are the
unquestioned objects of the clergyman's care
the prosperous mechanic, the well to do trades
man, the manufacturer, for one or two genera
tons are the chief supporters of Methodism
But Methodism has in its constitution a princi-
pie OF strength and authority far surprising the
more lax and tolerant rule of the Anglican
church. 1t is one of the great bulwarks of the
faith amongst the middle classes of this country,
opposed alike to the secularism of one party and
the Romanizing tendencies Of another party
and we are thankful that movement which
has so impressed the religious life of the coun-
try is true TO the fundamentals Of Christian con-
duct, renders valuable services to the cause of
virtue at considerable personal sacrifices, and
deserves well of the Commonwealth from its
loyal adherence to counsels Of justice and mode
ration in times Of national disturbance"