The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-10-09
THE CHURCHMEN'S WORK
DISCUSSION OF TIE TOPICS FORM
ALLY OPENED.

ALLY OPENED.
The Present Status of Methodsm
in the Eastern Section the Subjsct
Be ore the Conference at the Morn
ing Session-The Position of Metho-
dsm In the Westsrn Section Taken
Up at the Afternoon Session.
WASHINGTON, Dot. Sin contrast with
the dull. rainy skies of yesterday, it was a
bright, sunny October morning which
favored the delegates to the ecumenical
Methodist conference when they assembled
for the second days session this morning.
At the beginning Of the session the attends
ance seemed smaller thsu on yesterday, bua
before the proceedings had far advanced all
the available space in the body and galleries
of the church was we'll filed with delegates
aud spectators. The presiding officers chair
was filed by Rev. DIR. T. b. Stephenson of
London, president OF the Wesleyan oonfer-
ence. The session was opened with devo-
tional exercises, most eloquent prayer
being offered by Rev. Griffin w. Wilson Of
England, who haI achieved notable repu-
tation as a missionary in the Fiji Islands
When these services were concluded q o
secretary, Rev. DIR. King. called the roll {
delegates, beginning with the eastern sec
tion, which comprises Europe and the Brit-
| ish dependencies.
| The business committee announced the
reception OF kilograms of greeting addressed
to the conferences from the Nashville con-
ference aud the United Evangelical church
council. Invitations were laid before tho
conference and accepted as tollows:
For Thursday Evening, Oct. l5-Recep.
tion by the trustees OF the American Univer-
sitv.
Friday, Oct. 9-Reception by the pastors
of the African Episcopal churches of Wash-
inaton.
The assignment of the evening OF Oct. Is
for reception to the fraternal delegates
was changed TO Oct IL.
PRESIDING OFFICERS NAMED.
The business committee named Bishop
Merrill of Chicago and Rev. DIR. William
Arthur OF London TO preside over the con-
ference during the second session of the
third day aud the first session Of the fourth
day respectively.
Preliminary TO the delivery of the addresses
of the day Bishop hurst of Washington, Ira
few appropriate remarks, called attention
to the fact that chair made from two
beams of the City Road chapel, the corner
stone OF which was laid by John Wesley,
was now occupied by the presiding officer
ana that the original Epworth Bible lay
upon the stand.
The subject assigned to the programme
for consideration during the morning ses-
sion was; "rbe Present Status of
Methodism in the Eastern Section and an
essay was delivered by Rev. DIR. Waller OF
London, secretary Of the Wesleyan cons
| ference.
SHORT SPEECHES ON THE TOPIC.
Short speeches upon the general topic OF
the address were delivered by Rev. John
Medlcraft Of Manchester. representing the
English Methodist new connection; Rev.
James Donnelly Of Newry. Ireland vice
president Of the Irish Methodist conferences:
Rev. j. H. Bait of the Bible Christian
church or Brighton, England; DR.. Hugh
Price Hughes OF the West London mission,
Rev. William Manly Of New ZEALAND. and
Rev. j. Travis, IA Primitive Methodist of
England.
The secretary announced the receipt of a
memorial from the general assembly of the
Presbyterian church concerning the settle
ment Of international difficulties by arbItra-
tion.
A recess was then taken.
METHoDIsM IN AMERICA.
At the afternoon session, after devotional
exercises. Bishop Charles II. Fowler of San
Francisco read an essay upon the presenu
status OF Methodism in the western (Ameri-
cam section. One hundred years ago, no said,
there was in America, but one Methodist
denomi alton and only one annual confer-
ance only oighty-three travelling preachers
and IA, ,0oo members To-day there are fif-
teen denominations of Methodists, a fact
that is thought to show that they have some
brains and independence, or there
would be less denominations. perhaps only
one or two. The one conference has
multiplied into about 800, aud the eighty
three travelling preachers have muliplied
into 81 1885, besides $4,000 local preachers,
and the IA, 1888 actual communicates have
r,atslfi lad info x ,,tkt 4
900 Sunday school children. and following
OF over 10000 900 souls In the republic.
Methodism crossed the brook iato
this century leaning on a solitary
staff. She will cross over cut of this
century with more than two bands, besides
hocks and herds a1d camels and asses. For
she has over 5000 churches and about
1900 parsonages. With church property
worth more than $500, ,009,0 900, bishop
Fowier's essay was greeted with prolonged
applause.
METHoDIsM IN THE SOUTH.
The presiding officer Of the afternoon ses-
sion, DIR. A. Carmau, general superintend-
ent OF the Methodist church OF Cauada,
announced that Bishop @. B. Galloway OF
jackson, Miss, representing the Methodist
Episcopal church, south, would next adj
dress the council. Bishop Galloway
devoted his remarks largely t3
the subject Of the status Of
netnOulSm III tnls country. Speaking
for the south, ne said that it had a rich
Methodist heritage. The irst Methodist
society was there organized and the firss
chapel built. The Methodist missionary
society was also organized there. Tbs
spirit of Methodism seemed peculiarly to
ft the southern temperament as evidenced
by its warm reception and
rapid growth. The first native
itinersnt preacher came from under SOUTH
ern skies. and Jesse Lee went forth from
the south to evangelize New England
Every sixth soul in the south was Meth
odist There Meihodism had passed the
apologetic period. The old period Of perse-
cutioa and ridicule had passed away.
Methodism had craven itself deeply
into society, all grades of wealth,
ell positions Of political responsibility were
open 10 it. In the south the original creed
was guarded and theological adventurous
found no favor there. After trial Of more
than a century the people we're satisfied
with Methodist itineracy and Super
intendency. Theirs was pre-emiuent-
ly a sent and not a called min
issry. With them 10 would be an
impeachment OF honesty to be accused OF
seeking a special place aud no army had
ever had fewer men TO desert the nag or
field. There was little sympathy with those
who believed Ia shirking responsibility for
rseH and imposing a fancy franchise
upon the women. Applause.l There