Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-10-10
THE METH0DISTS
STILL DISCUSSING UsURUH POLICY AT WASH
KSTON.
Several Interesting Papsrs Read Before the Ccun-
oil BY Eminent Members Of the Clergy
Yesterday.

WASHINGTON, D. c., October 9.-The
third DAVIS session OF the Ecumenical
Methodist Council opened with Rev.
Il. L. Marshall, Of England, occupying
the chair. The topic OF the morning
session was: christian Unity" and the
ESSAY was delivered by Rev. DR.. T. g..
Selby, Greenock, Scotland. He said In
part: I'VE accept with untrOubled con-
fdence the principles Of spiritual inde-
pendence enunciated By commentators
and ecclesiastical historians. In all
probability the church Of the future
will be more nearly homogeneous IN Its
organization than the churches planted
by the Apostles. Homogeneous struct-
IRE does not always imply solid confed-
Grafton of spiritual force.
Catholicity is not what some have
made SO, mere question of skin. There
NAV be revolt where the skin is seam
less aud undivided. The concord that
rests upon popular ignorance and insen-
sibility will yet be laughed out OF eX-
istence. Ina that hour OF Qulckenlng
and enlightenment which Is even now
striking on all continents, 10 will be i'm
uOssible to maintain unity by putting
the break on means of culture, the bit
IN the teeth, or the muzZ.e on the jaws.
Mr.. Selby closed his essay with strong
pies for reunited MethOdism. DR.. A.
\ HINT. Of the II. L. Church OF New
York. said q great future opened before
BIethodism. There seemed 10 be so
many of the followers of Christianity
who had never caught the real spirit Of
Jesus. There might be various phases
of unity, but the union lay with God.
We should be ensphered In God; we sim
pers should dwell in him. II this should
he done 10 the next eCumenical there
wcuid be a marvellous increase in the
number OF delegates but there would
not be there as here, Twenty-Five varie-
ties Of the Methodist Church repre-
sented,
Rev. Thomas Mitchell of the PRINT
tive Methodist church, Hull, England,
said that Christ did not desire absolute
uniformity of the church but unity had
been the dream Of enthusiasts. This
could not be brought about by extreme
force. IL must como from the life OF
the church. Much might be done by
larger charity among ourselves. Gould
not the British Methodists unite the
organic union of their churches?
Rev. VIM. Nichols, OF Dublin, rep
rssonting the Irish Methodist church,
maintained that there was real unity
Ia the Church OF Christ, but there
wgs no need fer its manifestation.
Wesley gave such liberty to thought.
and unless the church did so now IL was
q Do -l- nd
Rev. A. Coke Smith, Of NJ. r. Church
South, Nashville, Tenn, read the hrst
paper of the afternoon session. His
subject was Christian cooperation.
Dr. Smith said that the Church OF God
IS essential in all ages and places. This
nav consist with much variety in
the non-essantials OF creed and prac-
tice In the individual and the
denomination. Unity is not uni
formity and the highest unity in pur-
poses, so far reaching as those OF the
gospel, requires the greatest variety Of
endowment and work and mobility In
form that can adapt itself TO its chang
ing environment and speak in word and
deed TO each age and nation IN its own
tongue.
But while this is true, ii must be &C
knowledged that much that is incOnsis-
tent with the spirit OF unity and catholic
ity has appeared ia the history Of the
church and much still remains. The
misunderstanding, division strifes In the
church have given great occasion to the
enemies Of the cross TO biaspheme.
I'm nomiualy Christian lands closer
union Of the churches is needed TO gain
the respect and aid OF those who now
sreer atthe church for the exhibitions
ofrivalries and iealOusieS. 1t is needed
20 reach the unevangelized masses Of
Christendom. No one church can do the
work of evangelzatiCn demanded in
one OF our large cities Nor can all the
churches together do it, If working
apart and along different lines when
there is indiferences between the
churches. But when there is open OPP
position the case becomes hopeless.
Rev. W. Badford, OF the United Meth
odist Free Church, Bristol, England,
the next speaker, treated of Christian
cooperation in the old country. He said
that I'm England, the time was ripe for
the final movement. Already there had
been q NUM- Der Of religious demOnstra
lions there looking to that end. What
could the religious people of England
and America not do, if they utilized the
force within them and spoke with I'M
daunted courage. Before the twentieth
century was born they could close every
drink and sweaters shop, stop wars, and
makeit impossible for the immoral TO
sit 20 high political places Applause !.
Rev. Hugh Price Hughes, Of London,
said that 70 was quite as possible for
Methodist TO cooperate in Christian
work with BaytiStS and others, and they
wore about 90 do 10 in England in fight
ing the seven evils-intempersnce, lust,
gambling, ignorance, crime, pauperism
and war.