The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-10-04

MethOdism in Canada-SOme Interest
ing Presbyterian Items-Good Times.
MeSSrS. Editors, ,-Methodism, intro
duced into Canada in 1868, Methodist
services having been held among General
Wolfe soldiers in that year, three years
before Embury in New York, has attained
to immense growth. Taken in all its
branches, it is probably the largest of the
Protestant churches, although the Pres
byterian Church outnumbers any one of
the bodies into which the followers of
Wesley have formed themselves. With
out controversy it has done noble
pioneer work in this new country. It's
large supply of ministers, the sitting pro-
cesses of college and seminary, being a
recent innovation, the itinerancy, with
the now diminishing band of "local breth-
ren, enabled it to lead the van In home
mission work. 1t occupies now a COM
orally, as well as the other churches, are
naturally deeply interested in the pro-
ceedings of its chief courts For six
weeks and more the daily papers have
followed the sessions of the General Con-
ferenGes-i in each case meeting once il
the Canada Methodist Church and the
Methodist Episcopal Church. The chief
question of interest before the Confer
ences has been that of union. Eight
years ago the Wesleyan Methodists, who
were, up to that time, in organic connec-
tlon with the British Conference, and the
New Connection body, united as the Can
ada Methodist Church. This far out
numbers all the minor bodies combined,
having now 1892 ministers, 125,42
members, and church property to the
value of upwards of $6,O0O,O0O. The
Methodist Episcopal Church comes next
but at a great distance, and then the
Primitive Methodists, and the Bible
Christians, which latter body has had
separate existence since 1915.
The wonder to outsiders is that there
has not been a united Methodism long
ago. When the union committee, made
up of representatives of the four Churches
above mentioned, met the other day, it
was found that Gin regard to doctrines,
general rules, usages, and constitution of
the lower courts, all were already one
The time seems now to have arrived when
the points Of difference can be harmo-
niously adjusted. There are but two
lay representation in the Annual Confer
ences, and the Itinerant General Super
lntendency. The Primitives and Bible
Christians are thoroughly Presbyterian
as to lay representation. The other
bodies, while admitting the laymen to
the minor and to highest court. exclude
them, save for consultation on f0apcial
matters, from the Annual Conferences
These appear to be ready now to grant
the laymen place in all the courts. with
the restriction that they are not to have
any part in the customary "examina-
ton of ministerial character" or place ON
the Stationing Committee. The distine-
tive feature of the M. E. Church is is
bPlscopate., 1t is now ready to drop the
name Bishop, his special ordination,
as well as the minor points of the ordi-
nation OF deacons and local preachers
provided the other bodies will accept the
ltinerant superintendency in some efTec-
tive form. This they have expressed
themselves as willing to do; but it is
recognized that the adjusting of the
uperintendents' in the machinery of
the new united Church is the rock Oh
which the union movement will be most
In danger of being wrecked. That it
VIII escape this peril is the hope Of those
outside as well as Of the great mass Of the
Methodist people. There is waste of
good men and good money in our smaller
towns and villages, and especially in the
great mission field Of the northwest as
matters now stand. Union would set
both men and money free for a larger
llo9relgn mission work. AT present o6ly
the Canada Methodists have any foreign
work at all, and this wholly out of pro-
portion to their resources, although, as