The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-10-10
UNITY OF METHODIST
Branches Drawn Together by
the Ecumenical Conference.
DELEGATES HOLD LOVE FEAST.
Remarkable Manifestations of Good
Feeling-Bishop Dubs PresIdes Over
the Evangelical Conferences.

session OF the Eeumenical Methodist conference
opened with Rev. H. T. Marshall, of England,
In me chair. The usual devotional exercises
were held. The topic of the morning session,
christians Unitei." was then taken up, and an
essay delivered by Rev. DR.. SelDy, of the Wes-
Ieyan Methodist church of Greenock, scotland.
IN concluding bis somewhat lengthy essay Rev.
MI seiby made a strong plea for uniting
Methodism. Rev. DIR. A. Hunt of New York,
ana Rev. Thomas Mitchell, of Hull, England,
followed. Rev. c. F. Reed, of Florence, Kan,
toid OF the birth OF the union of China A num-
Der OF others spoke on the same subject and at
the conclusion of the debate recess was taken.
Alter recess Bishop Warren, of Colorado. took
the chair. Devotional services were held, Dr.
Jewell. OF California, reading the Scriptures and
delivering the prayer.
Rev. DIR. A. Coke Smith, of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church South, of Nashville read paper
at the afternoon session. His subject
christian Cooperation" He said the church
OF God was essentially one in all ages and
places. This may consist with much variety in
non-essentials OF creed and practice in indi-
yiduals and denominations. Misunderstand-
1ngs, divisions and strife in the church have
given reason to enemies OF the cross TO bias
pheme. The truth underlying all these divisions
is this right OF the individual to interpret for
himself the word of God. 1t is truth which
God has taken long TO impress, but which is
worth the time and pains of teaching it. A call
for closer unity and cooperation among our
churches comes up from all directions. Ii is q
time of gigantic enterprises and rapid move
ment in the industrial world. Today's needs
are the measure of tomorrow's works Shall
the church be behind? No; the fullness of
time has come and the church of Christ-one in
heart and purpose-must move in order to effect
cooperation. The spirit of intolerance, which
has been cdsas dirinios in the past, must be cast
aside, and the equal rights and privileges
n o. nO.lfa
recognition must he. We have long been accus-
TONED to talk. 1t has found expression in gush-
ing resolutions and splendid orations. We
should either do more or talk less. Nor does
this recognition of the eeclesiastic equality OF
other denominations mean abatement of love
and zeal for our own. If the clergy would come
closer together they would find the people with
them. Consultation and adoption of plans for
cooperative work will follow the recognition
OF equality among Christians and mutual re-
speet for each others gifts and labors. In
nominally Christian lands a closer union of the
churches is needed to gain the respect and aid
of those who now sheer at the church for ex-
hibitions of rivalries and jealousies. 1t is
needed to reach the unevangeliz.d masses OF
Christendom. There are stupendous evils for
the gospel TO destroy: Dissertation of the
Christian Sabbath; loose divorce laws; the I'M
holy passion for gain, which tramples on right
and justice and CANDLES with the bread of the
poor, and above all, that blacklist in the cata-
logues OF evis-ernel and remorseless as hell
the legalize traffic in intoxicating liquors. All
these and their accompanying evils must be
destroyed. and for this work the world must
look to the church.
Rev. w. Redford, of the Union Methodist
Free church, Bristol, England, treated of Chris
tian cooperation in the old country. He said
in England the time was ripe for final union.
What could the religious people of England and
n mr. izad he wit IN,
them and speak with undaunted courage
Rev. I. j. Osborne of North Carolina, spoke of
the necessity of perfecting the church itself as
preliminary to cooperation
Rev. James Lefuray. of England, held that the
churches were wasting money in making prose-
lytes from churches. Was it not a shameful
thing that there should be such thing as
weakening the church and cause of Christ for
denominatonal pride? [Applause.l
The council was about to adjourn, after
number of other addresses, when a noteworthy
scene occurred. The stirring words of the
speakers all day about cooperation and unity
had wrought the council up to a state approach
ing enthusiasm and suddenly President Myers
of the English Methodist Free church. srose
and said his object for long time had been to
bring the Methodist British churches together
All his people were willing ana anxious and he
was instructed by his fellow churchmen here to
say that they responded to the offer to unite
heV. MI Marshaii, Oh the Engnsh Methodist
New Connection, said that as president OF one of
the minor Methodist bodies he reached out his
hand and fet that Methodist unity would fol.
low. Rev. I. Northington, president of the En-
glish independent Methodist conference said
his people favored the organization OF a union
but if they could not reach il, they could at
least attain federation. Rev. F. w Bourne, pres
ident OF the English Bible Christians heartily
endorsed what had been said. As each of the
presidents of the English branches OF the church
arose and welcomed the invitaio to come to-
gether. the council appreciating the first i'm
portant results of Its deliberations cheered the
speakers, and when Rev. DR.. Embry, a colored
delegate, announced that d circular had been
issued which looked TO the uniting of all African
Methodist Episcopal churches, there was mo-
mentary silence. followed by spontaneous out
burst into the doxotogy, and the conference ad-
journed amid mutual congratulations.