Morning journal and courier., 1891-10-12

NaNy olIoNCES oI W SstSJ Ah
 Convention at Washfngton-Repre-
 sentatives Present From All Cfvil-
 tzea Sections of the WOrld-Object
 of the Gathering.
 WASHINGTON, D. O., Oct. s. To the Editor of the JOURNAL AND COURIER:
 That unique body-the only gathering of the kind ever held in America-the Ecumenical Methodist conference, is now in session, and for two weeks the focus of Methodist eyes the world over will be the Metropolitan church of this city, an edi- fee which, as the immediate scene of . conclave so important and memorable, will be regarded in the years to come as one of the historic landmarks of Metho- distic pragress. It is rot at all inappro- priate to call this worlds conference, for geographically it represents the world, the delegates coming. not only from every part of Europe and America, but from China from India, from Australia, and one even from the island of Fiji. Numerically also may it lay claim to this broad designation, for, as one of the speakers has truthfully said, the Methodist faith is not only stronger than any other on this western continent, but it is, with a single excep- tion, the most numerous protestant body; among people of English speech, on the face of the globe.
 In the opening exercises of such body two things are inevitable. One is sure to see on the platform its leading men: and just as surely, from what is said and done by these leaders, will fair prophecy be afforded of the results which are likely to eusue from it's deliberations. When in- terest on the opening day was at full tide there was turned upon the platform a flash of light, which made it possible to take an instantaneous photograph of the scene. Pending the development of that picture, suppose your correspondent, by a few rhetorical flashes, should offer pen cil picture of the scene. To sketch it ade- quately is out of the question. Those who were present felt that it was an occa- sion never to be forgotten, and which it l would have been almost calamity to have missed.
 The first to mount the rostrum is Bishop Bowman, to whom, as senior bishop of the | Methodist Episcopal church, tine honor falls of having to call this distinguished body to order. This gentleman, from his | diminutive stature, his clean shaven and spirituelle features, his thin, compressed l lips, and white, flowing locks, is said to bear 8 striking resemblance to the father of this numerous family, John Wesley. Under the guidance of those who have | drafted the program, Bishop Bowman be- | gins at once to summon to their posts of | honor the other Methodist chieftains. The name of Bishop Keener is called, and | the gentleman answering to it, who Is | the senior episcopate of the church south. is man of middle height, with some what of pallid countenance, which, however, wears an unmistakable stamp of refinement and intellectual strength, and with a forward inclination of the head-that stoop, if we may so call it, which is often found in those long addict ed to study, and which, in a venerable pre- late of Bishop Keener's years and stand I ing, is as becoming as the long, silken hail which seems to fall back, as with an inci nation of respect, from his Websterian forehead.
 Others who find places on the platform are Bishop Csrman of the Methodist church of Canada and Bishop R. s. Foster of the Methodist Episcopal church of the 1 United States. The former, like the church he represents, is small and of {
 ratner selI-oeprecatory bearing he
 more English than American in appear
 ance-very prim, very polite, and yet
 with all his suavity, looking as thoug h ht
 could both take his ground and keep it il
 the occasion should demand frmness, ant
 being, as those who know him aver, every
 inch bishop, though his people, from a1
 unaccountable aversion to titles whicl
 smack of prelacy, call him only genera
 superintendent. Bishop Foster is an idea
 episcopate in all respects. His presence i
 massive without being in the least gross
 his face strong and yet kindly; his man ner dignifed, though with no suggestion { of arrogance, and the glisteping white hai