The Portland daily press., 1891-10-17
PISTOLS DO NOT SCARE ATKINSON, Mp.
But He Made an Explanation to the
Primitive Metnodists.
The Ecumenical Council Votes in
Favor of Federation.
Labor and social Questions Treated
In Yesterdays Addresses.

WASHINGTON. October 16.-Rev. F. w.
Bourne, president Of Of the Bible Methodist
church of England, occupied the chair at the
beginning OF the eighth days session OF the
Ecumenical Methodist Council. The sub
ject Of the report favoring Methodist fed
Grafton, which was adjourned from yester-
day, was taken up and the report adopted
Mr.. Atkinson, M. p, rising to personal
explanation, said that he had spoken in par
liamentary terms yesterday. He would not
make any explanation under duress and
when somebody held a pistol to his head.
But now he would say that when he had yes
terday talked about Bible Christians and
primitive Methodists he had spoken as he
had often before, when he had presided
over meetings Of those bodies and gave OF
his substance to aid them in England. In
that country he should have felt degraded to
have to explain that he had always gone
hand in hand with all Methodist bodies and
had the highest regard for all Of them.
One Of the primitive Methodists expressed
the grateful appreciation Of the delegation
failed to notice Mr.. Atkinson's
remarks, although the. latter inquired
if his words had not been kindly received.
Hon. Alden Speare, ex-president Of the
Boston Chamber of Commerce read a
paper on on The Church " 1.i IL J, HeE Relation 1
that protection had been greatly ad-
vantage0us to the wage earners in the Uni
ted States. 1t had contributed more than
anything else to the people unexcelled OPP
p0rtunties for useful, we'll paid employment
where the price of a days labor will pur-
chase more food and implements Of hus-
Dandry, in fact. more of all the essentials
necessary for the sustenance and comfort of
the wage Garner than In any other part of
the world" He expressed fear that the la
DOrQr9 0f 0t her la do uuar aa t10 har ifo
TOO rapidly to be properly educated and as
simulated into our body polite.
AT the afternoon session, Rev. Peter
Thompson of the London Mission Wesleyan
Methodist Methodist church, read an essay upon "The
obligation Of the Church in its Relation to
the Social Condition of the People," He
said there had been culpable neglect and in
difference on the part of all the churches and
the rapid changes of recent years involving
the degradation and ruin of multitudes had
not been watched and dealt with as they
should have been. The first difficulty with
the church was that Christ's followers were
apart from the people and knew not their
helplessness. Where men were hungry,
starving. and worthless, the first true gospel
was TO iced, clothe, and awaken in them
spirit OF love. Among the sick there was
need Tor medical missions, doctors and
nurses. Among the impure and fallen there
was need for adequate provision of home life
and employment. For the children of evil
provided by DIR. Stephenson, DIR. Barnardo,
ana others. For the general mass of the in
digent and helpless, the church should pro-
vide shelters during the winter months.
Breakfasts or dinners for hungry children
were necessity. Almost the worst doom
they could come In this life was the work.
house for men and women, and pauper
schools for children. The liquor traffic was
the main cause of all this terrible life and
the church should destroy 1t.
Rev. William Mckee, of the United Breth-
rem In Christ, Dayton, Ohio. spoke of "Chris-
tian Work Among the Poor" The church
must sympathiZe with the poor to lift them
ur into better condition. Boys should be
taught trades. Christians should find Chris
tian homes for destitute children.
Rev. DIR. Thomas Allen, of the Wesleyan
Methodist church of England, spoke on
Christian Work Among the Rich" Meth
odism failed to attract the rich, and some
persons born and reared in Methodist in flu
ence were led away by the attractions of
good society. Others were obliged to re-
nounce methodism to ensure professional ad-
yancement. To grow, the church must
avoid the contracted life of a narrow Sect
ty. Rev. w. T. Anderson of the African
Methodist Episcopal church of Vicksburg.
SAID that negro preacher was shut out from
the ministers meeting Icries of SHANE"
from the English delegates] when he went
there Tor advice and help in trying to save
his people.
Hon. 81. L. Sibley, of Marietta, Ohio, de-
clared that In his state no preachers were
excluded from the preachers meeting or
from the Methodist Episcopal churches on
account OF color. LApplausel.