New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-10-08
THE GREAT METHODIST COUNCIL.
WHATDR. NEWMAN THINKS OFTHE RESULTS
ALL ELEMENTS OF THE CHURCH REPRESENTED
HOW THE DELEGATES WE'RE TREATED-wHAT
~. .-...

w W
ALL ELEMENTS OF THE CHURCH REPRESENTED
HOW THE DELEGATES WE'VE TREArED-wHAr
WILL BE TIE EFFECT or THE GArHERISG.
AT the Methodist Ecumenical Council held in
London from September TO september 90 there were
200 delegates from America. Among the prominent
delegates the Rev. Dr. j. r. Newman pastor 0i
the Central Methodist Episcopal Church. TRIBUNE
reporter asked Dr. Newman las. night for sketch Of
the work of the Conference.
"The Council" replied The Doctor was composed Of
400 delegate. representing about % 100000 Mehodsts
that is persons directly indirectly under the in1u
ence Of the Church These delegates came from tue four
quarters of the globe and represented tho best elements
of the ministry and ty In CULTURE social influence and
piety Tue sessions were held In city Row Chapel butt
by Wesley in which preached and in the parsonage
adjoining which he died and In the cemetery behind
which he buried The LOndoners entertained us with
abundant hospitality. The Lord Mayor of London aud
Lady Mayoress Wcsleyans, and entertained
at the Mansion House ut public dinners
and at receptions The secular press Of
London merits all praise for It's ample and impartial re-
port OF our proceedings Even The London Times, which
prior TO our gathering had treated Meth0dsm with dcpre
ciation changed aud felt that in the pres
epce OF an immense power which II could longer g-
more While the Established Church could not condo
scend recognize yet the Disorders OF London sent
TO us their fraterna greetings The American delegates
were prominent in all the discussions aud influential in
all the deliberations. The topics under consideration
were practical rather than theoretical and dealt with
the great social and religious problems OF the day The
cause Of temperance occupied conspicuous place in the
programme of the Conference and akin to that the
outspoken resolutions against the British Government
and the opium traffic There WAS somewhat heated de
bate on the character Of the secular press as
touching public morals and religions belief One or two
delegates extremely severe In their denuncatons
of the press the sober of the body to the
effect that the press is really accomplishing great mis-
sion for the elevation of mankind"
What do you think will be the result OF the COun-
cili"
"There were forty branches OF Methodiss repre-
ented In the Council. urgca and noniturgic, epis-
copal nonepscOpa and indeed all shades OF chu
pOl!ty. Two general results viii follow: First the
practical lnhcation of all these bodies and in some
cases. organic union. Old issues were ignored the
causes of separation dsrcgarded. and during twelve
DAYS amid heated discussion not an unknd word was
spoken Emphatic action was taken as to the orgaila-
tiOn OF foreign and domestic miS70ns to AVOID tue de
cent rivalrcs which too often mar the harmony auO
DESTROY the usefulness OF missionaries"
'What will be the outcome OF the Council In Amcrcai"
AS 90 our own country. the largest result will he
realized in the closer fraternity of the Methodist Ep-cO-
pal Church NOrtn aud that la the SOun our southern
brethren had good deal 10 endure In the fire.
9uent ansons On ths part Oh roiO aed 1 iha
emancipation the blacks; hut the Southerners bore
these reminders with becoming Christian patience.
Had representative from our side spokesman
OF such illusions there wOad have been response But
happily such response needed. The coUrcd del
cgate the lion Of the day both In public and social
lie and his presence hailed with enthusiastic APP
planse ON the part Of the English He curiosity TO
Them. His style Of speaking excited TOars OF laughter
but on the whole he acquitted ni.nsef ike aud
brother
"The London Conference has made possible an
ecumenca council OF all MethOdists this Continent
IA 1888 centennial OF the organization OF the Meth
odst Episcopal Church In America. That Of itself viii
be "a grand fact in Christian fraternity. And III 1887
Methodist representatives will assemble in New-lO
from all parLa of the World AMI the London meeting
will be repeated in our great metropolis.
"The larger influence of the Council, however, was TO
increase and intensity the riendness between England
and the United States Doubtless President Gdr1elds
sickness death contributed largely for the moment 10
this result yet prevalent sentiment that these
two great English speaking nations destined TO
give direction 10 thought and conscience OF tho
world. / in England twenty years ago. and resided
In London seven years since and could perceive the al
most marvellous change that had the English
nation touching the importance of this cOun-
try. Doubtless commerce has much 10 do with
this England has reached tho maximum OF her deYel
oped resUu ces, and commercially, she never be
greater than she is, while the opposite is true with
regard 10 She esteems this country her richest
market. On all sides heard the English cry for free
trude, but frankly SAID To statesmen lawyers and ,n
listers with whom | cOnYersed that while free-trade
might be- advantageous 10 one section OF the country 1t
mere COMMERCIAL consideration, there be doubt
that the gsh seek closer alliance with because Of
high educational, moral and political position"