The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-15

ing and what the prospects are for hnal re-
union In another letter l shall give some inter
views on this point at present can only select
briefly the general indications as they have ap-
peared in the proceedings
marked feature thus far is the delicate and
unremitting interchange of courtesies between
these two bodies. No opportunity for kind words
is neglected on either side. notable instance
of this is that given above where DR.. Carlisle
of the Church South stated so frankly the inn
mense preponderance of money contributed
yearly by the members of tbs older and larger
body which operates principally IN the
North, That the spirit Of fraternity should
develop rapidly in such an atmosphere, is
inevitable. Still, neither party is pre-
pared yet to go back upon its history in refer
ence to the matter which originally divided them,
as was plainly shown in the two essays of yes
terday morning. DIR. o. H. Warren of the NJ.
E. Church. spoke upon 1.-THE Outlook of Metho-
dism in 1884" and DR.. j. D. Blackwell, of the
Church South, upon the outlook in 1884. The
former in stating the attitude of the early
Methodist preachers toward slaveholding spoke
of the system in the strongest terms of CON
demnaton, and the latter argued just as strong
ly, by implication, at any rate in support OF the
Southern view of this subject quoting largely
in justification thereof, from the Epistes of
Paul.
DIR. J. H. Vincent's elegant paper on "The
Possible Dangers of Future Methodism brought
interesting discussion. DR. Yarrow, of the
Primitive Methodist Church thought that dane
ing parties in Methodist parlors, and the tenden-
cy of Methodists to think more of Sunday news
papers than Of classmeetings, were practices
fraught with peril DR.. Scarrett, of the Church
South, saw rocks ahead in the tendency Of Meth
odsts to neglect sound doctrine. DR.. Stanford
Hunt, NJ. E. Church, thought the children of the
church should receive more attention. John w.
Ray, of the same church. who spoke in a voice
that made everybody think of Gabriel's trumpet
which is to wake the dead, agreed with Dr.
Yarrow that one of the greatest dan
gers was the neglect of the class-meet-
ing For himself, he said, he knew that
without the class meeting he should fall from
grace in ninety days. He would have all Meth
odsts who didn't believe in the class meeting
take their hats and go to some other church. DR.
Edwards of Virginia thought the old-time sort
of class meetings were about played out Others
who spoke We're Drs Z. > Smith. +. MerrlcE,
j. B. McFerrin, A. Atwood and w. d. johnson,
the latter being a colored divine, who eloquent
ly pointed out the peril to which Methodism was
exposed from ministerial vacations.
The presiding officers are chosen by the bust
ness committee. Up to the present the chair
has been occupied by Bishop Cranberry, of the
NJ. b. Church; DR.. John Gardiner, Canada
Methodist Church; Bishop Wilson, NJ. L. Church
South; Bishop Campbell, A. NJ. E. Church;
Bishop Fowler, NJ. f. Church; Dr. j. b. Nc
Ferrin, NJ. E. Church South; Lieutenant-gov-
ernor Stands, of Mississippi, and Governor r.
E. Pattison, of Pennsylvania. The two gentle
men last named welded the gravel to-day, each
presiding with marked dignity and with great
ellclencs
The episcopacy of the NJ. E. Church is large
ly represented here, and to see these high digni
taries sitting side by side with the rank and file
Of the ministry and laity, with no more rights than
those on the floor. would make the circuitriders
of Methodism feel good clear down to their toe
nails, In addition to Bishops Foster, Andrews
and Fowler, who have already figured promi
uently in the proceedings there are present,
looking on with interest, and waiting the call to
more active duties, Bishops Bowman, Walden,
Merrill and Ninde The sole representatives of
the episcopacy OF the Southern Church, at the
regular sessions, is Bishop CRANBERRY, Bishop
Wilson, of this church, though presiding on one
occasion, being poorly as to be confined almost
altogether TO his room.
AS began with figures will close in the
same way. DR.. KynetU announced yesterday
that if the progress of the past continued, the
next Methodist centennial would meet in coun-
try having 800 0OO 600 of population, and that if
Methodism progressed in the same ration to the
growth of the population which had marked its
post progress, it must overtake those figures,
and have more adherents than the country had
people This is rather hard on the other denomi-
nations, but would advise them to not sell out
too hurriedly as it is just possible Dr. Kynett's
calculation NAV not matePialiZe fully.