Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-10-18
THE METHODISTS
Spend a Day Discussing Ecumenical
Peace and
HOW IT MAY BEST BE ATTAINED.
ali Agrss that the Spirit Of Jesus Christ in the
Hearts Of Men Would Be tbs Sursst and Best
EoluEIon Of the Problem-Arbiratun
Talked of-Prssidsnt Hsr-
risOn Speaks.

WASHINGTON, D. c., October 17.-Rev.
D. TG. Williams of the Methodist Church
in Canada, presided over the Ecumenical
Methodist Council at the beginning Of the
tenth days session.
Hon. Charles Foster, Secretary Of the
Treasury, occupied seat within the altar
rail and was an interested spectator OF the
mornings proceedings. A session was
ordered for Monday evening TO hear foreign
missionaries.
Bishop Newman, ascending the platform
introduced Secretary Foster, who, in re-
sponse to the applause Of the Assembly,
thanked the Bishop for his invitation 10
their Cou--:l, and said: II am glad to be
able to feel and know Of the widespread in
fiuence of this great church. We, in this
country, are able TO get along without
standing armies. We simply keep little
nucleus; something to enable US to create
an army or organize one when we need 1t.
We rely upon the patriotism of our people
to furnish the army when the emergency
comes and we rely upon the religious SEN
timent of the country and especially OF the
Methodist Church, to create the patriot
ism, that is so necessary"
The general topic Of the day was war
and Peace" The first essay on interna-
ESQ, of the United Methodist Free Church,
Liverpool.
At the Ecumenical Conference in 1881, q
resolution was introduced in favor of Inter
national arbitration. Since 1851 the settle
ment of international disputes by arbitra-
ton has assumed increasing Importance
and has been adopted by various govern-
meuts in the adjustment of difficulties
which have arisen between themselves and
other powers At the Pan-Amerlcan Con-
gress eighteen governments were repre-
sented and the Congress declared that the
Republics of America do hereby adopt ar
bitration as principal OF international law
for the settlement OF controversies tnst
NAV arise between two or more OF them. "
Through Mr. Blaine, the Secretary OF
State for the United States Government,
the Congress suggested that the European
Governments should enter into similar
treaty. but thus far Switzerland has been
the only one of the European powers that
has given favorable reply.
Other governments, notwithstanding
that several of their parliaments oy reso-
luton, have declared in favor OF interna-
tional arbitration, have shelved the pro-
posal by merely acknowledging the receipt
of Mr.. Blaine's communication. IL is
greatly to be regretted that amongst the
governments which have Ignored the pro-
posal is great Britain. The more so BE-
cause in the arbitration debate In the
House of Commons in 1873, the then Prlme
Minister, the Rt. Hon. W.. e. Gladstone,
said: providence has endowed England
and America also with increased advan-
tages and facilities for the propagation Of
the principle of arbitration"
The maintenance of the enormous arma-
ments of the civilized world creates con-
slant risk of war. 1t necessitates an an
nual taxation in Europe Of Gl6O,OOO,OOO,
and requires for the existing war footing OF
European armies, including second re-
serves. force amounting TO the stupen-
dous number of l7,0U0,000 men. The mill
tarv taxation instead of diminishing, is
increasing year by year. The very
existence OF a large standing army
is a scource OF decentralization. The suffer-
ing inflicted upon the body petite, nnd the
injury sustained by morality and the land
religion through war and its institutions
are famous. The remedy, simple and just,
is at hand. The question arises why does
the remedy remain unapplied.
That is a practical remedy the declara-
tions of many Of the presidents OF the
United States have proved. The answer
which most concerns the convention is that
in no small degree the evil continues be-
cause of silence of the church with refer
ence 10 il. and because of the actual sane
tion that ministers OF religion
and the peoples and govern
ments of christendom was given to war.
In time Of actual strife the church re-
fuses to speak lest she should offend her
members who are supporters of the gov
ernment which is responsible for the war.
During the reading of Mr.. Shapes ad-
dress Secretary Noble, Of the Department
of the Interior, entered the hall, and took a
seat near the altar Shortly afterwards
the small door to the right OF the pulpit
opened and the President entered by Rev.
Dir Corey. Everybody in the Church
rose TO their feet and there was an out
burst of applause as the President ascend
cd the platform. TO the Chairman, who an
nonnced. 81 have the honor Of presenting
BENJAMIN Harrison, President OF the
United States Of America" Another
burst of applause followed, and when THIS
died away, the President stepping Tor
ward, said
Conference: came here this morn
inc To make an expression OF
NV respect and esteem for this great body
of delegates assembled from all the coun-
tries of the world and much more 10 give
manifestation of my respect and love Tor
that greater body of Christian men and
women for whom you stand. Applause
:sEvery Ecumenical conference is dis
tinct step in this direction. not only OF the
unification Of the church, but OF the until
cation OF humanity.
II am glad 10 know that as the followers
of Wesley, whose hymns we sing, you have
been in consultation as TO the method aud
time when the minor divisions OF the
ta1 docs
greatly rejoice that the controversial teach
Inc of the Church is less than once was
that we hear more OF the work Of the Mas
ter and his teachings Of love and duty than
of halr-splitting and theological dissen-
sions.
81 recall many years ago while visiting
watering place in Wisconsin that when the
Sabbath came around / went with some
friends 70 little Methodist Church in an
adjoining village The preacher undertook
70 oyerturn my Presbyterianism laughter
and an irreverent friend who sat beside me
"a the Young man delivered his telling
blasts against Caivanism, was constantly
emphasizing the points made by nudges OF
his elbows. ] am glad TO recall that al
though since then / have worshipped in
Methodist Churches, that was the last ex-
perieuce Of that kind have had Hear!
hearl
"You have to-day as the theme OF discus
sion the subject Of international arbitrs-
ton. and this being public and enlarged
use of the word. perhaps makes my pres
ence here as IN officer of the United States
especially appreciated. Applause.
isIt is q curious incident that some days
ago. and before was aware OF the theme
OF the occasion which we have here this
morning, had appointed this afternoon to
visit the great gun foundry OF the United
States at the Navy yard. Things have
come in their proper sequence. am here
at this arbitration meeting before go 70
the gun foundry. The subject is one which
has long attracted the attention and think
may say has as greatly attracted the In
terest and the adherence of the United
c.a+o. a that of anv nthar Chrfeffan r>ouor