The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-13

as though estimating the length of time it would
take them to effect an exit in case matters be-
come too hot. Altogether it was time of great
trial and nervousness.
But now for the sequel Bishop Foster played
the role of gay deceiver He praeticed pious
imposition upon the assembly. The address he
read was lengthy, it is true, but far from being
tedious; it held the mighty audience spell bound
from beginning to end. For over two hours the
people listened, and they still craved more of
the same sort. ''What was itl" you ask. Well,
really, it was beyond description. Methodists
must read it, and they will. The religious world
generally will read it, and all who read it will
admire. Even those who may take exception
to some of the Bishops statements will at least
do homage to his ability. The browning effort
OF his lifo' was the remark on every lip For time
iness for logical strength, for grasp of intellect
for lucidity, for profundity. for pathos based on
reason, and for convincing force, Bishop Fosters
address has, perhaps never been eXcelled in any
religious gathering in this country 1t was
plea for the modern spirit of inquiry, which is
testing the foundations of the Christian faith 1t
was argument showing that growth and
adaptibillty to changed circumstances and to
new facts were essential to the continued ex-
istence of the Christian church. 1t was
mastery disquisiton upon such topics as How
shall the church reach the masses, and how
may the efficiency of the modern pulpit be in
creasedl" 1t was all these and much more.
Referring to the creed of Methodism, the
Bishop held that it was as nearly perfect as any
creed could be- In the most concise and elo
quent terms he stated this creed, winding up
with the doctrine Of IAN eternal hell" "Amen,"
said Dr. Evans, of Georgia, as the last words
fell from the speakers lips, and to have seen
how some of the older brethren around shook
their sides with laughter at the hearty manner
in which the venerable Southerner indorsed the
doctrine of everlasting perdition, would have
made Old Nick himself smile
We all have our mental perpleXities and one
which bothers your correspondent is to know
why Methodist preachers are so generally prone
to give way to levity when in conference debates
any enthusiastic brother lays special stress upon
this doctrine of eternal punishment
Rev. DIR. Miley, Of the NJ e. Church, in an
able essay, reviewed "The Work of the Christ
mas Conference" discussing, principally the or
ganiZation of the church at that time The
Doctor conterded that the Methodist Episcopacy
is not simply an Office but an order
His argument was very deliberately drawn, and
doubtless, to the Doctors own mind, over
whelmingly convincing. But in holding this
view he is out of harmony with the highest
authority OF his own church, for the last Gen
eral Conference decided, by a considerable ma
iority, that the episcepacy, as the Methodists
have it, is an Office not an order. This morning
the opposition was heard from on this subject,
DR.. Edwards, of the Erie Conference, M. e.
Church, calling the essayist to account,
and making the three points; first, that
John Wesley, who set apart the first bishop for
the American Church, distinctly stated that the
orders of presbyter and bishop were one and the
Asbury into the episcopacy, held and expressed
similar views to Wesley; and thirdly, that the
chief Methodist historian of America, Dr. Stew
ems, after thorough examination of the subject
in its historic aspects, was of the same opinion
with these distinguished men of the past.
Dr. Ridgaways paper on 1.-The Personnel of
the Christmas Conference" was in that scholarly
gentlemans most polished style, and showed the
same aptitude for biographical and historical re
search, and for the analysis of character and
events. which his published works display. The
venerable Jesse Boring, Of the Church South,
treated in an able manner of 1.-THE Superintend-
ency of Asbury, and What 1t Did for
Methodism' and DR.. Alfred Wheeler,
of the M. E. Church, followed in
an interesting paper on 'The Relations
of Wesley to American Methodism." Then oc-
Cured the first debate Of the conference The
brethren showed no backwardness in coming for
ward In fact, many more wanted to speak
than time would allow. Dr. Hendrix, of the
Church South, was the first to get the floor, and
he was at once succeeded by Dr. Fitzgerald, of
the same church. Then came DIR. j, T. Ed
wards and DR.. Kynett of the NJ. E. Church, and
then, to even up matters and to give {as it were,
a color of equality to the debate. the war was
carried into Africa by Dr. Tanner and DR.. @. S.
Smith, the latter, by the way, making one of the
very best speeches of the occasion.