, 1881-07-10

Ms CHURCH, 1'o1.1TY AS COMPARED WITH
THAT OF THE CHURCH IN THE UNITED
STATES.
Cincinnati G.,zr,t<.
The meeting together in the forthcoming
Ecune;ical Conference of all the different
branches of Metllot}is1n renders timely Il few
thoughts III regard to the relative strength
OF these bodies. and the pecuIiarities for
which each Is distinguished. Of the 200 dele
gates from this side Of the globe the largest
number sent by any one organization will go
from the Methodist Episcopal Church Of the
United States, while of the 200 who will rep
resent British and Continental MetIlodism
the British Wesleyan Church will send the
largest number, This fart brings these two
churches face to face as the leading Method
ist bodies III the two lIeniSphereS, and III
connection with the fact OF The close and ten
der sympathy which has always existed be
tween the two. to say nothing of their relation
as parent ard offspring, warrants us in laying
before American readers brief comparison
of their statistical returns and modes Of
operation.
In its form Of government the Wesleyan
Church OF Great Britain is non-eplscopal. Its
annual conference which meets III July. is
presided over by some prominent minister
who is elected to this dignity BY lis brethren.
There is always ut hand 4 plentiful supply of
Presidential timber, and hence it is only oc-
casionally that we hear of Ill election for Il
second term. LII the interim between the
conferences, the President performs the hu-
ties Of 4 General Superintendent. most OF his
time being occupied in correspondence, tray
el, preaching, lecIuring, etc. ill the interest
of the general Church Like the other mill
Stationing Committee (that appointment geil-
orally placing him at the mead Of tile City
Road CircuiD, but this, 1t is understood, is
merely nominal, his real sphere Of labor be-
ing bounded only by the limits of his deno1!l-
nation: The present occupant Of the chair
OF the Wesleyan Conference is the Key. f. E.
jenkins. ". 4. Early this month lis term
will expire, aud we may. digress to say that
the British Methodist mind is greatly asi.
tated just now OIL the question OF who should
b. his successor. Unusual interest at
taches to the election to fill this office
for the ensuing year. owing to the holding i'll
London next September 0f the great Ecu
menical. Whoever is made President OF the
Wesleyan Conference tlls month will be tie
first Presiding Officer of the Ecunenical Con-
ference. Upon him will deyolye the great
honor Of making the formal address Of vel
come to the delegates from America, and lie,
great gathering rs the leading representative,
not only Of his own denomination, but OF
British Methodisln generally. The concern
felt IN regard to tue selection OF the :, right
the year Two ministers have died, either Of |
whom would have well sustained these ull- |
usual tlisnities, and one or other. of these, |
had they lived, would prnbably have been
chosen. We refer 10 Drs Jotson and Pun.
sllon. Of the great NEIL yet remaining. the
one who appears u American eyes preenl-
nently worthy Ut the position III question Is
the Rev. William Arthur, u; l. Should lls
health be sufficiently restored 10 allow ot ms
undertaking the aruuous DUTIES Of TINS hlSl!
Office, il is extremely likely Mr.. Arthur will
receive the election.
Besides Iavill,, ITO Bishops, the British |
Church manages also to get along without !
Presiding Elders. Ile flei4 OF operations, rs
in the Methodist Episcopal Church, IS d.
vidct into districts, ana caci! ulstrlct las Its |
oversecr; but the Office a. District CHAIRMAN
differs from that oI llc f1esiulns EluersMlp |
u ut least tilree essential particulars: !. me
Chairman o. tne; alstllct IS H!ecteu W Inc
ministers OF me uls1rleL = !te mas, ilke n1s
gfethre1i, pas.oIs4 cilaIEe lIoill winch nc
draws nis support. . Ills MOTH Is Hllalrnaan
Is vers tEnI ~ systematic 'isl.t1oit oi Llle
GgharEes ot lne distrlet Is REQUIRED OF INN.
ne travels occaslolla!i! oll!s. uoes some COT
responding, ana presl!es al ine ulstIicl ntet-
MP; lf n Lne A1nellcan Work Tue iIeslu!nE
Eluelsilp - Is necesslty III liianS pats, 9"l1lS
u ulg lt1Ee nu!lloeI oi !'leApcilei'ee.l 'u!o
~ ~unorualned men VINO are plaGeu III soie
citaIEe .,E oi e!iculls mr Sltio's. - t'' ~ IL
Ei1sa t M9lk lh!s 81, nliicuitE y op'ite. lF
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