Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-09-01
METHODIST RcUMRNIcAL CONFERENCE.

The Ecumenical Conference of Methodists
to meet in London will, no doubt, be one Of
the most important religious conventions of
this age. 1t is no depreciation of others to
say that this denomination is the most impor-
tant, in many respects, in America. While
not more representative in its character or
democratic in its usages than others, it is new
ertheless, mpbatically church of the people.
1t is, perhaps, more distinctively American in
the manner of its work, its unhesitating
march into all fields, and its homogeneous
character, wherever it may be, than any other
denomination. Its ministry has been one Of
individual manhood and Of aggregated hero.
ism. 1t has, for the most part, been composed
of strong men strong for the work it had in
hand, which has been, in the main, we'll done,
and never in any of its parts abandoned.
Whether the Methodist Church has seen
its days of greatest usefulness in America, as
at present organized and equipped. as many
have predicted, we presume not to say. We
believe rather that the wonderful power it
has always possessed of adaptation to chang
ing circumstances will lead it into the paths
of successful development and enable it to
meet all the requirements of our unfolding
civilization. 1t is too strongly intrenched in
the affections of the people, its tendrils have
run out into and become interlaced with the
social organizations of all classes of society to
such an extent, that there is little reason to
believe there are any causes yet developed
which presage its retrogression or decay.
Methodism in the world is however, divest.
ed of much of its strength by numerous di.
visions not intrinsically important. In Great
Britain there are the Wesleyan Methodists,
New Connection Methodists, Bible Church
Methodists, Free Church Methodists, United
Methodists, Princeton Methodists and Bond.
Room Methodists The British colonies fur
nish several other off shoots Of the great
church, of which may be named the Wesleyan
Conference, United Brethren and Free Meth
odsts. The two great divisions Of the church
in the United States, by which it is known
to the people, are the Methodist Episcopal
Church North and South. In the matter of
doctrine there are no oirreconcilable differences
between these numerous divisions. Great
liberty is exercised if not specifically sane.
toned. Baptism in any desired form is ad-
ministered and is held valid, though the mode
designated by the church, as its own defni.
milton of Scriptural baptism, is "sprinkling."
Calvanism is clearly at variance with the
Methodist creed, yet no doubt there are com.
municants in the church who believe in the
great French reformer.
Methodism in the world embraces nearly
100000 of souls. A very large proportion
Of this membership is in America. Rapid as
tai excitement, digestion, alcoholic drink apd
he's been the growth of population in the Uni
ted States, the percentage of growth in this
church has in each decade been greater.
No new doctrine, we are told, will be enun-
ciated at the approaching conference or coun:.
Gil. The meeting is for consultation, and
possibly looks to closer cooperation, if not
consolidation, of elements which ought not
to waste any Of their force by divided and
distracted efforts. The followers of Wesley,
it is hoped, will be brought closer together
and the great work of the church be for.
warded BY wise and friendly counsels.