Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-06
Religious, political. scientific and socia

Religious, political, scientific and social
bodies have. IN times past, assembled in Wash
ington to discuss matters pertinent to the well
fare OF their respective organizations; military
and naval forces have had their representatives
In session here; a thousand minds havo gathered
together beneath the shadow Of the great OBJ
elisk to discuss subjects Of more than ordinary
interest; the nations legislators meet annually
for the avowed purpose Of benefting the
American people; but mono Of these conven-
tons eve- contained within themselves tithe
Of the influence for good which may be found
in that great assembly Of mental and
moral force which meets here tomorrow-the
Methods. Ecumcnical Conference. Five hun
dred delegates will answer the roll call.
Three handred Of these are domestic; the re-
mainder come from foreign lands In mere
numerical strength the conference does not
eclipse the records Of conventions that have
been held here, but when it is remembered
that these i've hundred men represent congre-
cations whose census exceeds fifty-fve millions
then the thoughtful among mankind will realize
the magnitude Of that power which is exercised
BY the Methodist Church. This conference
differs materially from all other ecclesiastical
conferences save only its predecessor Of ten
years ago. ii Is the lovo feast where all tho vari-
Gus and, in some respects, disagreeing ele-
msnts, blend in harmonious unity. Doctrines
are laid aside and eccentrioities Of creed tenn
porarily vanish, the diverse ideas Of
patriotism and humanity which ron. the
Methodist Episcopal body in twain lack
vocal expression; and believers in the
Episcopacy embrace those of their brethren
who belong to that branch which. after declar-
ing against bishops and presiding elders, Topped
itself OF and started an independent growth
some sixty years ago. Methodism III all its
phases will be here, but even the keenest OBJ
server will fail to note anything like shadow
Of dissension. Fine-spun differential theories
each Of its own UNCONVENTIONAL tint, lose their
threGd-like individuality in the warp and woof Of
the multi-hued garment Of Methodism- To this
gathering Great Britain has contributed some
Of its brightest Wesleyan lights, and represent
atlvcs are hero Of AustTAlasian, French, West
Indian. African and Canadian churches. Amer
lean Methodism will have no cause to be
ashamed of its quota. the list Of delegates re-
vealing names that must always be prominent
in the religious interest of the present century.
Nor is all this mental force conferred in
the clergy; the lay representative IL brainy and
worldly powerful The story Of Mc:hodiam's
triumphant march. told by these men, cam
not fail to be deeply interesting. At the first
conference. held in London in 1881, much Of
the program was devoted TO subjects more or
less laadstory OF The church, but there
will be no such feature in the eloquence of this
assembly. Subjects that are popular and that
deal with actual conditions are to be debated
by the broadcast minds in the respective denom-
nations represented What has been done
since the days of the Wesleys, Whitefeld, Coke
and Asbury will be allowed to speak for itself
from the records; the conference promises to
concern itself principally about the presentand
the future Directly, there can be no legisla-
ton as the result of the conferential deiibera-
tions. but every one recognizes the fact that
conclusions reached hero will not be lightly set
aside by those who govern the churches.
Washingtonians who love religious oratory will
have opportunities for indulgence such may
not soon, if ever, be duplicated; local pulpits
will, for at least two Sabbaths. be filed with
speakers from abroad of the highest order Of
eloquence-men whose names will be linked in
Methodist nomenclature with those of William
Morley Punshon and Matthew Simpson. The
capital of the creates. republic the world ever
knew is honored by the presence of the confer
eEce; the people of Washington viii, doubtless,
SO far as it is in their power, be reciprocarive.