Los Angeles herald. [volume] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1890-1893, 1891-10-16
METHODIST ROWS.
Stormy Scenes in the Ecu
menical Council.
DIR. Leonard, of New York, OBJ
structs Business.
Mr.. Atkinson, NJ. P, of England, Of
tends the Primitive Churchmen.
The Topics of ROmanism and Temper
ance deliberately Discussed-The
Conference Adjourned Amid
Great Confusion.
Asaocla.ea Press Dispatches.

presided over the ecumenical council
today. The first business was further
consideration of the report of the bust
ness committee in response to memo
rial on Methodist federation, and DR..
Stephenson, on behalf of the committee,
made an explanation of the purpose in
reporting the resolution, and suggested
few alterations in the original text.
In the debate over the resolution DIR.
Leonard of New York insisted upon
recognition by the chair, although the
floor had already been accorded to DIR.
King. A scene of disorder ensued, and
nothing could be done in the way of
business. Considerable warm feeling
was shown. AS the doctor still per-
sisted in claiming the floor the disorder
swelled, and the British delegates indig-
nantly protested against the inter
ruption OF the proceedings. DIR.
Leonard finally abandoned his effort
to make point of order, and DR.. King
moved to adjourn the debate on the
resolution till tomorrow. Carried.
The general topic discussed at the
morning session was Romanism. Rev.
NJ. T. Meyers, president of the United
Methodist Free church, of England, de-
HveTed an essay on the present position
of Romanism. In the course of his re-
marks he said: 'The present occupant
of the chair of st. Peter is man every
way worthy of the position, but discon-
tented; he lives to regain temporal
power lost more than twenty years ago.
But if we are not mistaken there is no
need to fear any attempt on the part of
"
Romanlsm to usurp temporal
power, either in Great Brit
ian or America. For once his
holiness has spoken out with an
command respect. His encyc lical
touches questions that lie at the basis OF
our social fabric, which will have to be
state. But the subject of education is
that most likely to form the battle
ground between the two great
contending parties into which we
are naturally dividing ourselves,
both in England and America. Make
all the churches equal with the state;
give fair play. and if in the race Roman
lsm can outrur US, we shall have only
ourselves to blame, and on the head of
Protestant Christendom be the eternal
disgrace. 1t is universally admitted
that a new era of clearer light
is bursting upon US. AS the
light increases, Rome moves in parallel
lines, and tries hard to show that she
is in favor OF the rights and liberties of
man as man. Reformation or extinc-
tion are before her. Red as she is with
the blood OF martyrs, we would charita-
bly, hope that in the advancing light
which will beat upon thrones and rulers
L. IN
deformity and be led to penitence and
reformation. In view OF the impending
struggle, one thing is all but essential to
the success of the cause of truth and the
speedy realization of all the hopes of
our common faith--a united Method
ism."
Rev. DIR. Fiske, of Albion, Mich, spoke
on Romanism as a Political Power.
Viewed historically, he said, the Roman
church appears as the most determined
and at times mightiest political power
ON the face of the earth. Palliate it
much as we may, hers has been career
of attempted usurpation of political pre-
negatives. In these United States she
has been persistent in her demands for a
share pro rata of our state school fund
for the support OF her parochial schools.
At the polls and in the courts she has
sought to eject the Bible from the public
schools, so as, under the plea that they
were Goddess, to destroy them. Her
priests are known to dictate at political
elections. But the political vanity of
Romanism is becoming depleted. There
are intelligent Catholics in this country,
like Cardinal Gibbons and Archbishop
Ireland who plainly see that if the
church is to flourish and get the most
out of the times as they sweep onward,
she must not waste her energies in an
unequal fight with enlightened and pro-
gressive civilization, but must clasp
hands with it and make it her ally.
Rev. Nicholas, of the Irish M. E.
church, delivered an address on Roman
ism as Religious Power. He admitted
at once, and without hesitation, that
there is much that is nice and good in
the church of Rome, and he desired this
admission to modify, go far as necessary,
his further statements. He said
'tRome is intolerant in but one direc-
ton; only intolerant towards in
dependent thought, but ever len
lent towards superstition. Hence the
belief in ecclesiastical miracles. Rome
uses expediency, and often let's it degen-
crate into deception. Rome has addressed
itself to csrnal craving for material
46Llc reatlZatlODS OF lnVl6lDlo Things. NOT
denying that she in different ages and
lands has done good work, her influ-
ence, on the whole, is and has been evil.
She has led many to skepticism, the
natural rebound from superstition. She
has produced religion more devotional
than moral, and hindered the progress
of humanity. In support of the view
that Rome is moribund, may be
cited her inability to maintain
her relative position in the mission
field; the comparatively small number
of her adherants in the English-speak-
ing countries; her loss of political power
her loss of numbers in immigrants to
Ghe United States. On the other hand
may be cited her progress in England,
her increasing number of churches and
schools, universities and religious
houses, and the zeal of her priests and
people. Rome is still vigorous, and the
conflict may be long, but the issue is
not uncertain. The evangelical churches
need to have all their wits about them"
At the afternoon session the general
topic was Temperance. Rev. Dr.. Ma
son, OF the NJ. E. Church South, read
paper upon the subject OF The Church
and Temperance Reform. The church,
he said, must serve the cause of tenn
perance, first, by total abstinence on the