The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-10-20
Address BY the Ecumenicsl Conference Asking
the People of Their Faith Throughout the
World to Combine for Religious Work.
Report of the Committee on Statistics
Showing Over 5000, 900 Adherents.
Legal Restraint on the Vices of Society Dis
cussed BY Delegates-Gambling, Betting,
Marriage, Divorce and Amusements.
ADDRESS TO METHODIsrs.

ADDRESS TO METHODISTS.
Urged by the EcumepicaI Council tn Coop
crate in Behalf of Religious Work
WASHINGTON. Oct 19-At the close Of
the regular order of proceedings IN the
Methodist Conference, this afternoon, Sec
retary King announced that the subject
committee which had been charged with
the preparation of the address from the
Ecumenical Conference TO the Methodist
churches and Methodists throughout the
world. had completed its work. and the re-
port would be presented by Dr. Chapman,
of England. This gentleman came upon
the platform and read the address. 1t runs
thus:
The Ecumenical Methodist Conference TO the
Methodist people throughout the world
We, the members OF the second Ecumenical
Methodist Conference, assembled at Washing
ton. greet our brethren in every land 10 which
our common faith has spread, 'Grace unto We
ana peace from God, our Father, and the Lord
Jesus Christ"
We glorify God for the prosperity which he has
given TO our churches. BY His be ssing they have
grown until they number some 25 ,oO0. 600 of adj
herents. This Is full encouragement to an organ
izatlon which has grown SO rapidly in the free
competition or the churches, and even crippled I'm
some OF its branches b. many artificial disabili-
ties, must be in vital harmony with its environ
ments. By the most inexorable test Method.sm
Is proved TO be singularly adapted TO the needs
or men. Although many adjustments and de-
velopments must undoubtedly be made 10 ac-
thinking that any vital changes are necessary.
Faithfully using our present means, under the
rto;a plessng g OF Cod, our prosperity viii grow We
exists among the various Methodist bodies. It's
firm basis Is a common creed. We are all faith
ology which God, through the clear intellect and
loving heart OF John Wesley. restored TO his
The tntellectual ,oovament and .ba soc,al
changes OF our time may have led 10 some
ehonge In the form or expression some shift
have not led us even TO reconsider that living
theology which has abundantly proved IL
self upon our pulses Indeed. 1t would
are drawing towards it. we should
have departed from it. And there arc other
spiritual ancestry; we sing the same holy hymns;
our modes OF worship pare very similar and what's
most lmperffanf OF all the type of regions e5
the Methodist world. Our ecclesiastical princi-
pies are not so various as the forms in which
they are accidentally embodied.
TIME FOR CLOSER COOPERATION.
Rejoicing in these things we think that the
time has come for closer cooperation OF the
Methodist churches both at home and abroad,
which shall prevent waste OF power and unha,.
lowed rivalry. Before the eyes OF many Of us
passes the delightful vision of time when. in
each land where il lie planted, Methodism shall
become for every useful purpose. and the Meth
odism OF the world shall be close and
powerful federation OF the churches for
the spread OF the kingdom of Christ We need
TO combine our energies, for the work we have TO
do is vast and urgent The skepticIsm and in
difference which are so natural to the human
heart have been reinforced by an abuse of
science and philosophy. The hard lot of MILL
ions makes It very difficult for them TO believe in
God, our Father
There is so much that churches have not done
to redress the wrongs and heal the sufferings OF
n har or IN halia In
their divine mission. The standing evils OF
society are aggravated by the close pressure
to the eyes of all in our daily
newspapers. Let us preach and 1--we
the gospel Of Christ in its Integrity, dismissIne
the moral evil or men TO its true source I'm their
surroundings. their physical natures, their gnor.
and set ourselves s'I to deal % comprehensiveiy s
Of @ankind let u. apply specific % Remedies. eISe 10
our churches to make o full use of their political
rights; TO allow the great powers OF law anc
government mel IT, and their sun greater influence
incredible folly and sin.
God forbid that any OF our churches should be-
doubtless necessary that individuals should and
have party attachments and Methodists are
member of ea cSre Ss ssn %
place In that political connection which
Is 1a most oSnv,o,aon in harmony With his ideas
that there are great moral interests superior TO
all party exigencies in which he must seek first
Every proposal that imperils the sanctity OF the
home, the purity OF women the innocence OF
children, that violates the Christian sabbath,
that sanctions and increases wrong should DO
impartially and earnestly resisted.
EVILS TO BE CoMBATED.
OF afew OF the greateyils which admit, in some
degree, OF public treatment We cannot be silent
Intemperance, the fruitful mother OF the evils,
is largely created by legallzed temptation.
street for II the ''- unwary and ''Is unsteady. ese
Will combine 10 use all legal instruments TO
abate this wanton solicitation OF men 10 vice
and crimel Let US discourage in every war
gambling and betting, which spring from the
love OF excitement and the lust OF gain-two OF
the besettnR eyils-and let US abstain from all
reckless speculation in business which cannot
be distinguished for gambling. Excessive and
unfair competition, which Is secreting so much
bitterness in the breasts OF men and depositing
SO many or the materials OF cOnyulson IN So
ciety. should be steadily avoided and discoun-
tenan need. And shall not do all we can in
quiet ltime 10 mold public opinion and estab-
lish courts or arbitration so that the complicated
crime OF aggressive war may be ayertedf
We need 10 employ with the utmosteconcmy all
our resources one secret OF the strength OF
Methodism has been the free play which II al
lows TO the different gifts and energies OF its
has been ihe h,shesp 9ur vaine oes,
preachers, both in England and Amer
lea, were OF great service ia the early his
tory OF our church. lt Is 10 be hoped that
the multiplication or ministers may not tempt
to think that lay preaching Is unnecessary
We thank God FOR the young men and women in
our mission bands who are carrying the gospel 10
remote villages and into the alleys andicourts OF
our crowded cities.
Among the wasted treasures OF the church are
the delicate sensibilites the tact the tenderness
and the persuasive power OF holy women We
are all agreed that the needs or the world re-
Quire. and that the conditions or the age allow,
that such women should take more prominent
place in the work or the church.
The social means or grace in which
Metaodism is rich are a cong.nial sphere for
their best talents In social ecd benevolent
work which Is springing up on every hand, and
f. one OF the most hopeful features OF the time.
their gifts are indispensable and invaluable
We distinctly approve OF associations in which.
unfettered by any vow. Cody women may
rows. But We hope that with their eniighten-
ing opportunities women may not be tempted 10
undervalue the sphere In which they are not
only supreme, but alone; as the sun in bis path
through the heavens, the sphere OF the mother
In home.
CHILDREN OF THE CHURCH.
The children OF our church have occupied the
attention OF the conference. In the formation
and wonderful progress of the great societies on
the American continent. the Church Epworth
League, we greatly rejoice. We should be glad n
similar societies adapted TO other conditions
would be established In other parts
of the Methodist world. To bring young people
together under its hallowing influence. TO watch