The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-16
METHODISTSON ROME.
Ecumerical Delegates Consider
How to Defeat Catholics.
TWO MORE ROWS INcoNvENTloN
Ponape Outrage to BE Brought Before
State Observation-Disclosures Sunday
Reformers Postpone Action.

WASHINGTON CRY, Oct 15-Rev. DR.. Dom
nelly, of the Irish Methodist church, presided
over the Ecumenical council today. The first
business was the further consideration Of the
report OF the business committee in response 10
the memorial on Methodist federation, and DR..
Stephenson. on behalf Of the committee, made
an explanation OF the purpose In reporting the
resolutions, and suggested q few alterations in
the original text
In the debate over the resolutions DR.. Leonard,
OF New York, insisted upon recognition by the
chair. although the floor had already been ac-
corded TO Dr. King. scene of disorder ensued.
ana nothing could be done in the way OF busi-
ness. Considerable warm feeling was shown.
As the doctor still persisted In claiming
the floor, the disorder swelled and che
British delegates Indignantly protested against
interruption of the proceedings DR.. Leonard
finally abandoned his effort and made point OF
order, and DR.. King moved adjournment Of de-
bate on the resolution till tomorrow, which was
carried
The general topic of discussion at this morn
ings session was "Romanism-" Rev. II. 7. N.Y.
ers, of the Primitive N. L. church, spoke at
length upon "The Present Position of Roman
ism" In the course of his remarks he said the
present occupant of the chair of st. Peter is q
man in every way worthy of the position, but
disconnected. He lives to regain temper /
power lost more than twenty years ago. but If we
are not mistaken there is no need to fear any
poral power, either in Great Britain or America.
For once his holiness has spoken out with intel
ligence and precision which must command
respect His encyclical touches questions that
lie at the basis OF our social fabric, which will
have to be faced and dealt with by both church
and state. But the subject OF education Is that
most likely to form the battle-ground between
the two great contingents into which we are
naturally dividing ourselves, both in England
and America Make all churches equal within
the state; give all fair play, and II in the race
Romanism shall outrun US we shall have only
ourselves TO blame, and on the head of Protest
ant Christendom be the eternal disgrace. II is
universally admitted that a new era OF clearer
light Is bursting upon US. As the
light increases Rome moves in par
alel lines and tries hard to
show she is in favor Of the rights and liberties
of man as man. Reformation OF extinction are
before her. Red as she Is with the blood OF
martyrs, we would charitably hope that In the
advancing light which would beat upon thrones
and rulers and governments Rome may see her
deformity and be led to penitence and reforma-
ton. In view OF the impending struggle, one
thing is all hnt essential to the success of the
cause of truth and the speedy realization of all
the hopes OF our common faith, united Meth
odism.
Rev. DIR. Fiske, OF Albion. Mich, spoke on
"Romanism as Political Power" Viewed his
torically, he said, the Roman church appears
as the most determined and at times the
mightiest political power the face of
the earth. Pa,liate 1t as much we try, hers
has been a career of attempted usurpation of
political prerogatives. In these United Ststes
she has been persistent In her demands for a
share pro rata of our state school funds for the
support of her parochfal schools. At schools
and in court she has sought to eject the Bible
from the public schools, SO that, under the plea
that they were goddess, to destroy them. Her
priests are known to dictate at political elec-
tons, but the political power OF Romanism is
departing. There are intelligent Catholics in
this country-Cardinal Gibbons and Archbishop
Ireland-who plainly see that If the church Ia 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 progressive civilization, but must clasp
hands with 1t and make it her ally.
Rev. Nichols, of the Irish NJ. E. church, de-
livered an address on "Romanism as a Religious
Power" He admitted at once and without
hesitation that there is much that is true and
good in the church OF Rome, and he desired
this admission to modify SO far as necessary his
further statements. Rome 10 intolerant, but in
one direction only, intolerant toward independ-
emit thought but ever lenient toward supersti-
ton, hence the belief In ecclesiastical miracles
Rome uses expediency, and often lets il degeu-
crate into deception. Rome has addressed itself
TO the craving for naterialistic realizstions of
ferent ages and lands has done good work, her
influence 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 morbid may be cited her inability
to maintain her relative position in the mission
field, the comparatively small number of her
adherents in English-speaking people, her loss
of political power and loss of numbers in i'm
migrants to the United States. On the other hand
may be cited her progress in England, her in
creasing number of churches and schools uni.
versities 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.. Mason, of the Methodist
Episcopal Church South, read paper upon the
| subject of temperance. The church. he said.
must serve the cause of temperance first by
| total abstinence on the part of the ministry and
| membership OF the church from all partici pa.
| ton in the liquor traffic. The church should be
| satisfied with nothing less than the entire abo-
| lition of the liquor traffic, but the church
should assume no political attitude with respect
| to prohibition. Christian men, in their rela-
| tons as citizens, should seek to obtain such
practical legislation on the part of the state as
| shall forever abolish the saloon
Inonas NoftnlngtOn, OF England, was not
one OF those who believed that Christians should
| keep out OF politics When there were mora
| Christian men in public life IT would improve
| the character OF American legislative bodies.
Rev. J. G. Simmons, of the Methodist Episeo-
| pal Church South, of Santa Rosa Cal. was the
| next speaker against the liquor traffic He said
| Methodists had been firing at shadows. making
| great rents in their own houses, while the wolf
| is destroying our children.
| John II. Lille, of England, held that the Wesley
| rules obliged ministers to be total abstinence
! men, and he insisted on that proposition. not
| withstanding Mr. Atkinson. NJ. P, insisted that
| Lille misquoted Wesley; that he prohibited only
| dram drinking.
| Atkinson went on to speak of the Primitive
| Methodists in connection with "impostors,"
/ which Immediately stirred up the in
| dignation oil the delegates from that
| church, they demanding retraction and
threatening to withdraw from the conference
| Mr.. Stephenson and other Wesleyans were be-
| seeching Atkinson TO withdraw his remark and
| apologize, but he bluntly refused to do so. as
sorting that he had nothing to apologiza for
He had not called them imposters If they did
not consume his time he would explain. As
they persisted in the demand for a retractiou ne
characterized their stupidity In foreible terms.
and seeing no chance of restoring harmony the
presiding officer declared the session adjourned.
and the delegates passed out after singing the
doxo.ogy.
The Evangelical Conference