The morning call., 1891-10-21
THE COUNCIL ENDED.
Closing Session Of the EGumsn-
iCal Methodist Conference.
appointment of a DeputatiOn 10 the Pan
American Council.
Essays On The "ChriStial Resources Of the
Old World " and "The Church Of
the Future"
Special to THE MORNING CALL

WASHINGTON, Oct. 20.-The twelfth and
last days session of the Ecumenical Metho-
dist Council opened this morning with Rev.
DR.. Allen OF the Wesleyan Methodist
Church of England in the chair. After the
adoption of resolutions for the appointment
of deputation from the representatives of
the conference TO visit the Pan American
Council at Toronto next year, and amend
ments to the resolution presented yester-
day relative to the creation OF an Executive
next Ecumenical Conference, the topic Of
the day, " The Outlook" was taken up.
The first essay of the session on the SUBJ
ject of Christian Resources Of the Old
World" by S. Simon of the Wesleyan
Methodist Church of Kent, was read. Mr..
Simon said that men who are in closest
touch viii the masses of the English people
are impressed with the fact that while
theories about the Christian religion fail to
arouse interest, the living and personal
Christ is regarded with increasing enthusi-
asm. The speaker said this theory of the
public mind was one of the greatest re-
sources of Christianity In the Old World.
The question Is: Are the ministers and
workers of the English churches prepared
to avail themselves of this condition of the
public nina? The rapid diminution of the
evangelical party in the Church of England
is an ominous sign. Turning from the Epis-
copal Church, the speaker unhesitatiugly
declared that the evangelical nonconform-
lists of England were prepared to minister
-
he said LAS Christians we welcome the
assistance of every one who aims blow at
evil and shields that which is good.
After all, our confidence chiefly rests In the
men and women who confess Christ as the ir
Master, and believe that his gospel is the
true remedy for the siuS and sorrows OF the
world"
Bishop Keene said he was much disturbed
Mt the spirit of higher criticism shown, es-
pecially by British Wesleyans. He adjured
the brethren "to take the problem Of evolu-
ton home with them-get down and look at
it. There's nothing in the Darwinan the
OTy If you knock the time out of it," He ad-
vsed his English friends ito get rid Of this
doctrine of evolution-ths bomb-est it
blow them up. This is the first great assure
in Methodist faith"
TIE AFTERNOON SESSION.
At the afternoon session a resolution was
adopted stating that 'the conference views
with deep concern the subtle and persistent
efforts of another church to make It's power
felt outside its own proper sphere in many
lands, to the detrlment and danger of ths
civil and religious liberties of the people.
The conference feels bound to remind the
members of the churches il represents of
the sacred rights and privileges they enjoy,
won fOr them by the sacrifice and fidelity of
their fOrefathers, and to call on them to
unite with the members of other Protestant
churches in maintaining their great inherit
ance of freedom and handing down the same
intact TO succeeding generations"
The last essay of the conference was on
The Church Of the Future" read by Rev.
DR.. Buckley, editor Of the New York Chris
tian Advocate. He spoke OF the evil pOr-
tents Of the present time, mentioning "busi-
ness dishonesty, lack of selt-denial, eXtrava-
gance in living, REIMBURSEMENT in large
part by the church Of the Sabbath to the
world. etc. But this is only one side, and
there are numerous tendencies OF a hopeful
character. The rise of new denoniinR-
tiUns seeking after spiritual piety may be
expected. No union of Professionalism and
Romauism is possible. The ultimate church
will enforce no theory of inspiration; it
will have a simple yet comprehensive
creed, revealing the essentials of salvation.
The mania Tor making new laws upon
points upon which inspiration has not
spoken viii give place TO the Christian liO-
erty exhibited by ST. James and indOrsed
will disappear; Christian living will be mid
way betN eel aSceticism and luxury; science
aud religion will walk hand in hand till
the last There may be irreligiOus scient-
lists and some Christians so ignorant or
timid as to fear that the increase of knOwl-
edge in the sphere of nature necessarily i'm
plies destruction of faith"
Rev. DR.. Dawson of England said the
future must essentially be the church of the
past: the fundamentals could not be altered.
The first note of the church of the future
would be simpiticatiOn. Too long had the
church been keeping its eye upon heaven
and falling to see injustice on earth. De-
mucracv IN the State meant democracy in
the church, and the most democratic church
would win. Christians were followers of
divine socialist. If men could not get the
socialism of Jesus they would get the So
cialism Of the devil. The socialism of Jesus
did not make US all equal, II made us all
brothers. The church should not ignore
evolution, and a church wilfuly blind could
not be the church of the future.
At the conclusion of the last address, by
request Of the Business Committee, Dr.
Stephenson presented resolutions express
ing the thanks of the conference in various
directions. He made & speech in moving
the resolution, treating it by sections. He
referred to the hospitality shown the for
eign delegates, etc, referred to the Presi-
dents visit to the conference, and said he
had done honor to the conference aud to
himself, and set a noble example to the
heads of every great community in the
world. DR.. Stephenson was very grateful
to the Associated Press. which had done for
this conference yesterday what had
never been done for a Methodist Confer
ence before sending to 800 papers the
admirable address issued. The resolutions
were unanimously adopted, the entire au-
dience rising and applauding.
Bishop Hurst of Washington briefly re-
sponded, and the second Ecumenical Con-
ference, after half hours prayer, ad-
iour cd sine nia